Bobcats Making Headlines

The Marshalltown Community School District Board of Directors has an unexpected mid-term vacancy, due to the resignation of one of its members.

In accordance with a new Iowa law, electors have the right to file a petition calling for the vacancy to be filled by a special election. This petition must be filed 14 days after the published notice and contain signatures of at least 493 eligible voters in the school district. This represents 30 percent of the 1,643 electors who participated in the most recent school election. For information on this process, contact Board Secretary Brian Bartz at 641-754-1000. Petitions must be submitted to the Board Secretary Brian Bartz by 4 p.m. December 28.

If the special election is not requested via the required petition and signatures, the board has 30 days from the board member’s resignation (December 7) to appoint a new board member.
To be considered to be appointed to be a board member, submit a letter of interest by 3:30 p.m., December 23 to Brian Bartz, Board Secretary, Marshalltown Community School District, 1002 S. Third Avenue, Marshalltown, IA 50158.
There is nearly two years remaining on the term that is currently vacant.

Cindy Soderberg gets ready to read a book recently to students in a classroom at Fisher Elementary School. Soderberg is a retired teacher who works as a substitute in the district.

Cindy Soderberg loves to have time for her grandchildren while also continuing her love of teaching. She has found that healthy balance as a substitute teacher in the Marshalltown Community School District.

Soderberg retired as a teacher in 2008 and has been a substitute ever since. This allows her to be able to say “no” to work if she has other things on her schedule.

“I love to teach, it’s my passion,” she said. “Subbing for me is the best of both worlds.”
She typically subs two to three days a week in the elementary buildings in the school district.

While substitute teaching provides some challenges, it also provides rewards for Soderberg. She loves seeing children get excited about learning.

“I love the smiles,” Soderberg said. “I love the eagerness and the excitement when they are learning and enjoying what they are doing.”
Soderberg can also lean on fellow teachers and the paraeducators to help her throughout the day.

“Our paraeducators in this district are top notch,” she said. “They are helpful and they know the routine and the teacher’s expectations.”

Becoming a substitute teacher

Licensed teachers or people with a substitute authorization may apply to be substitutes in the school district by applying online at Teach Iowa. There is a link to Teach Iowa at the district website under the “Employment” section at www.marshalltown.k12.ia.us. The school district is always looking for more substitute teachers.

For more information on becoming a substitute teacher, call the Marshalltown Community School District Human Resources office at 641-754-1000.

The Lenihan Lego League team included, front row, from left, Jose Alvarez, Derek Peng and Ashten Finders. Second row, Josh Reynolds, Elexus Ocasio, Lilly Duff and Marcus Barker. Back row, Locke Bloomquist, coach Vanessa Engel, Connor Hugen and coach Connor Reynolds.

Students from Lenihan Intermediate School and Miller Middle School participated in the First Lego League regional tournament on Dec. 5 at Marshalltown Community College.

The team from Lenihan earned a second place trophy for knowing and exhibiting core values of the tournament- integrity, cooperation and gracious professionalism.

“The students were all very excited and had a great time interacting with almost 40 different teams from all over Iowa,” said Lenihan teacher and team coach Vanessa Engel.

Miller had a seventh and eighth grade team participate in the tournament led by teacher Ann Jackson. The eighth grade team earned the “Against All Odds Award” for being able to face adversity and still performing well at the tournament.

Lego League is offered in the Marshalltown Community School District by the Extended Learning Program.

The Miller 8th grade team included, from left, Zach Swartz, Angel Avila Zamora, Jay Drummer, Ana Nolasco and Heather Junk.

The Miller 7th grade team included, front row, from left, Cheyenne Mull and Maggie Stansberry. Back row, Ethan Benscoter and Victor Zavala Livengood.

Marshalltown High School will host its annual holiday concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 in the MHS/Community Auditorium.

The event will feature performances by the Symphonic Band under the direction of Brett Umthun, the Wind Ensemble under the direction of Bret Lee and the Treble Choir, Concert Choir and Holiday Singers under the direction of Amy Ose. Annie Grieshop will again serve as accompanist for the choirs.

Several holiday favorites will again be featured in the music this year. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students and activity cards are honored.

Animal Rescue League Director Shelly Deal talks to students at Hoglan Elementary School on Dec. 3. Hoglan students will collect and donate supplies to the ARL as part of this year’s Holiday Caring Project.

Hoglan Elementary School students kicked off their annual Holiday Caring Project with an assembly on Dec. 3. The assembly featured Marshalltown Animal Rescue League Director Shelly Deal, whose presentation included photos of animals from the ARL.

For this year’s caring project, Hoglan students will collect items such as pet food, toys and cleaning and office supplies for the ARL.

Five lucky students who contribute to the effort will be randomly selected to deliver the supplies to the ARL later in December.

Three Marshalltown High School students hold promotional posters and the collection box that are part of an effort to collect cash donations for veterans at the Dec. 10 basketball games at the MHS Roundhouse. It is part of a Veterans Tribute Night at the school. Pictured are, from left, Lah Say, Eh Paw and Olyvia Mathews.

The Marshalltown High School Key Club will be accepting cash donations at an upcoming home Bobcat basketball doubleheader to help provide a holiday gift for active military personnel and their families.

The club will have a collection box and table set up at the Thursday, Dec. 10 home games vs. Newton, which will be part of the annual Veterans Tribute Night hosted by the athletic office. The money collected will be used to buy gift cards for active military personnel and their families.

The girls varsity game will begin at 6:15 p.m. while the boys game will tip off at 7:45 p.m. at the Roundhouse. All former and current military members will receive free admission for themselves and a guest to the games. Veterans will be honored between varsity games and patriotic music will be performed by the MHS pep band and chorus.

There will also be a game ball presentation to Pete Quaife, a U.S. Marine veteran who served in the Vietnam War. The Color Guard will also make a presentation.

Miller Middle School students led a successful food drive at the school, collecting more than 2,300 food items for The Salvation Army and the House of Compassion. Pictured with much of the food are Miller students, from left, Mackenzy Scales, Kaci Uhde, Carson Beals, Kaylee Foth and Hunter Youngblood.

Miller Middle School students completed a massive food drive at the school recently.

The food drive, organized by the Miller Student Council, resulted in more than 2,300 food items being donated by students and staff at the school.

The items were delivered to The Salvation Army and the House of Compassion the week of Thanksgiving.

The food items were collected over the course of less than two weeks at the school. This collection is part of an annual effort before Thanksgiving at the school to help those in need.

Plenty of books were handed out during he Anson Elementary School Bingo for Books family night on Nov. 17.

Anson Elementary School held a Bingo for Books family night on Nov. 17. The event drew a total of 225 guests, who enjoyed dozens of pizzas. A representative from Mid-Iowa Community Action was also in attendance, handing out free books and bookmarks.

After the students and families were done eating, they were invited to gather in the media center for literacy-based Bingo games.

The students all received an additional book when they got a “Bingo” and a variety of small prizes for every “Bingo” after that.

“This is such a wonderful parent involvement event, and it gets books into the hands and homes of our students,” said Anson teacher Melissa Ulch.

Marshalltown High School students Jacky Garcia, right, and Destiney Bishop put the finishing touches on pumpkin pies before putting them in the oven at the school on Nov. 24. The foods classes at MHS baked 50 pies for The Salvation Army community meal, which is served on Thanksgiving.

Students in the foods classes at Marshalltown High School were busy on Nov. 24 baking 50 pumpkin pies for The Salvation Army community meal to be held on Thanksgiving Day.

MHS Family and Consumer Science teacher Alexa Hotopp led the group along with volunteer help from retired teacher Cindy Staron. The effort spanned five different classes that day.

This is a tradition 10 years in the making for these MHS classes as they help out for the meal, while also giving the students baking experience.
“We talk to the class about how these pies are going to the community,” Hotopp said.

The community meal is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day at The Salvation Army, 107 W. State Street in Marshalltown.

A special feast was held on Nov. 23 at Marshalltown Learning Academy for students and families.

Marshalltown Learning Academy held its Thanksgiving celebration early as it served up a lunch feast on Nov. 23.

Students and their families were invited to a turkey meal with other traditional fixings, such as potatoes, gravy and pie. It’s a way to get families together at the school in a positive way.

“The shared holiday meal contributes to a positive school culture and a safe, orderly learning environment,” said MLA Principal Eric Goslinga, who carved the turkey prior to the meal. “While many MLA students are familiar with traditional Iowa Thanksgiving meals, not all students have had that experience, so certainly a tertiary benefit of the event is to provide that experience to students.”

The event was sponsored by Marshalltown Schools Food Service, MLA, and donations from MLA staff members and MLA volunteers.

Marshalltown Learning Academy serves non-traditional, at-risk students in an alternative learning environment in grades 9 through 12 in the Marshalltown Community School District.