Bobcats Making Headlines

Fisher Elementary School preschool teacher Brienna Wolf helps out Hayliee Fleck with a writing project recently. Preschool registration for the 2015-16 school year will be from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 11 at Lenihan Intermediate School.

The Marshalltown Community School District will host preschool registration for the 2015-16 school year from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 11 at Lenihan Intermediate School (212 W. Ingledue Street).

There is no monthly tuition and a one-time $25 sign-up fee. Students must be 4 years old by Sept. 15, 2015 to enroll. Please bring the child’s birth certificate and updated immunization records.

The district houses preschool programs at all six elementary buildings and a community preschool, St. Paul’s, in a partnership to foster the love of learning for as many children as possible.

Students can enroll in morning or afternoon classes, which are held four days a week – Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

For more information, call the district preschool director Emily Banks at the district office at 641-754-1000.

Marshalltown High School football players, from left, Jack Greene, Peyton Williams and Sam Rogers are ready to tackle yard work as part of the Rent-A-Bobcat Spring Cleaning effort. The football team is taking on yard chores in the area this spring to raise money for football camps and to build connections in the community.

Have some yard work that needs to get done this spring?

The Marshalltown High School football team could be the answer.

Players from the team are making themselves available as part of a new Rent-A-Bobcat Spring Cleaning promotion on April 18 and May 2. Community members can hire MHS Bobcat football players for yard work, cleaning, painting or heavy lifting and the money raised will go toward paying for summer football camps for the players.

MHS football coach Aaron Shipley said this effort is not only a great way to raise money, but it also allows his team members to build connections with the community.

“This gets kids out in the community,” Shipley said.

Prices are $100 for two players for up to four hours of work or $200 for four players for up to four hours of work with the times being from 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 5 p.m. on April 18 or 8 a.m. to noon or 1 to 5 p.m. on May 2.

To schedule workers call Kirk Brooks at MHS at 641-754-1130 or email him at kbrooks@marshalltown.k12.ia.us.

Miller Middle School students Megan Bell and Jaxen Fifo release 28 balloons in recognition of a successful fundraiser held by the students. Students raised $1,401 for the American Heart Association as part of their Hoops for Heart fundraiser.

Miller Middle School recently concluded its 2015 Hoops for Heart fundraiser for the American Heart Association.

Students raised a total of $1,401 this year, collecting funds over the course of two weeks.

Miller held an assembly on March 20 to recognize all students who helped raise funds.  The school displayed 28 red, heart-shaped balloons to represent the 28 lives that were saved by the donations and then the balloons were released. For every $50, the AHA can save one life.

Through Hoops For Heart, students learn basketball skills, learn how their heart works and raise money to help kids with special hearts.

This is the third year the school has participated in this fundraiser.

Marshalltown EMT/Paramedic Heather Becthold speaks to students at Miller Middle School during a career fair on March 18. The fair spanned four mornings at the school and drew dozens of area professionals, who spoke on their profession.

Miller Middle School hosted a career fair spanning four days this week, which drew dozens of area community members who presented to the students on their profession.

The fair was held over the course of four mornings at the school from March 16-19. A wide range of careers was highlighted including several from the healthcare field, mortuary science, insurance, business, media, retail and several others.

“It gives the students an opportunity to see many fields,” said Miller Principal Jacy Large. “It’s never too early to teach seventh and eighth graders what options they have in life.”

This fair provided activities for general education students at Miller while the I-ELDA (Iowa English Language Development Assessment) tests were given to English Language Learners at the school. The students taking the I-ELDA tests also had opportunities to learn about careers during the week.

Starbucks Manager Erin Dehl, left, showed students the tools of her trade during the Miller Middle School career fair.

Marshalltown School Board member John Johnson talks to Miller Middle School students about antique dealing during a career fair at the school on March 18.

Libby Crawford as Belle and Bryce King as The Beast the MHS musical with shows March 20-22.

The Marshalltown High School drama department is presenting its spring musical “Beauty and the Beast” this weekend.

Shows are at 7 p.m. Friday, March 20 and Saturday, March 21 and at 2 p.m. Sunday March 22 in the MHS/Community Auditorium

Taking the lead roles of Belle and the The Beast will be Libby Crawford and Bryce King. Other lead roles include Dylan Hutzel as Maurice, Ryley Faircloth as Gaston, Lexi Jones as Mrs. Potts and Nick Cooper as Lumiere. The musical is directed by MHS teacher Rebecca Erickson. Other MHS teachers involved in the production include Amy Ose as vocal director and Brett Umthun as pit orchestra director.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children (K-8) and activity tickets honored. Tickets are available at the door.

Ryley Faircloth sings as Gaston.

Beauty and the Beast Cast

Narrator……………………………………Luke Pedersen
Young Man (Prince)…………………….Paulino Verdinez
Maurice (Belle’s Father)……………………Dylan Hutzel
Gaston………………………….…………Ryley Faircloth
Lefou………………………………………….Trey Quick
Monsieur D’Arque…………………………….Frank Iole Cogsworth……………………………….Chandler Fisher
Lumiere……………………………………..Nick Cooper
Chip…………………………………………David Braga
The Beast…………………………………….Bryce King
Bookseller………………………………..Damond Jones
Baker……………………………………Jeremiah Eurom
Belle…………………………………….Libby Crawford
Beggar Woman/Enchantress……………….Hannah Stone
Babette……………………………………..Hannah Shirar
Mrs. Potts…………………………..………..Lexi Jones
Madame de le Grande Bouche………Immaculate Edwin
Silly Girls………………………………..Allyson Biggs, Bell Russell, Bella Pedersen Townspeople/Ensemble……………Meghan Haight, Ashley Macbeth, Amber Bullock, Haley Finch, Maggie Carnahan, Rebecca Schwartzenburg

Pit Orchestra

Conductor – Brett Umthun
Piano – Annie Grieshop
Keyboard – Brianna Yates
Violin 1 – Nataly Sanchez
Violin 2 – Josephine Coury, Madisen Rickett
Cello – Andrew Geyssens
Bass – Jake Pinnick
Reed 1 – Ellen Podhajsky
Reed 2 – Jacqueline Wahl
Reed 3 – Emma Alman, Abigail Stone, Krystal Randall
Trumpet 1 – Bret Lee
Trumpet 2 – Mikayla Wymore
Horn 1 – Heather Lee
Horn 2 – Mollie McLain
Horn 3 – Malory Henze
Trombone – Collin Krukow
Drums – Sam Johnson
Percussion – Andrew Walker

Franklin Elementary School hosted a Fun with Food event on March 17 to promote healthy eating and an active lifestyle.

Franklin Elementary School hosted a Fun With Food event for third and fourth grade students and their families on March 17. More than 100 people attended the event and sampled healthy food and learned more about fitness and other health-related subjects.

The event is part of a Carol M. White Physical Education Progress (PEP) grant received by the Marshalltown Community School District. Several local community partners participated in this event including Central Iowa Healthcare (formerly MMSC), Mid-Iowa Community Action, ISU Extension, Hy-Vee and Marshalltown Schools Food Service.

The purpose of the PEP grant is to increase student personal health awareness and involve families, community members and educators as part of increasing students’ health awareness. Franklin school has a PEP team consisting of educators, the school nurse, physical education teacher, community members and parents.

For video from the event, click here.

It was a successful trip for four Marshalltown High School students at the state individual speech competition on March 14 in Cedar Rapids.

MHS took five entries to state and came home with 14 out of 15 judges rating the school’s performers with a division 1 and one judge giving one performance a division 2.

MHS senior Libby Crawford, received a perfect score for her solo musical theater piece and received all-state honors. Junior Megan Emerson received perfect scores in both poetry and acting. MHS junior Elliot Weidenaar received two division 1 ratings and a division 2, for a division 1 overall score in literature program. Freshman Keyara McDowell moved the judges with her poetry piece, earning a perfect score in her first state competition.

“We are so proud of their work and dedication to the program and cannot wait to see what they will do in the future,” said MHS coach Brianna Yates.

Crawford will perform her solo musical theater piece at the All-State Speech Festival on March 30 at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

This team of Lenihan Intermediate School students won the Battle of the Books on March 9 at the Marshalltown Public Library. Team members pictured from left, include Taylor Jones, Erin Stanley, Norah Wilson, Lilly Duff and Ellie Draisey. In the back row is Lenihan associate principal Liz Jurgensen and Marshalltown Mayor Jim Lowrance.

Teams from Lenihan Intermediate School placed in the top three places in the annual Battle of the Books Bash at the Marshalltown Public Library on March 9.

The team Bobcat Book Worms came in at first place and consisted of Taylor Jones, Erin Stanley, Norah Wilson, Lilly Duff and Ellie Draisey.

The Battle of the Books has 20 teams read 35 books over the course of several weeks and then take a test to gauge their knowledge of the books. Lenihan teams competed against each other and also teams from St. Francis Catholic School.

Also on the day, the teams dove deeper into the subject matter of some of the stories with special guest speakers and presentations at the library – including a magic show. All participants were also able to select a free book to take home, compliments of the library.

The second place team from Lenihan included Gia Hernandez, Lizbeth Garcia Tellez, Katelyn Stowe, Brynn Van Buren and Rebekah Stone.

The third place team included Xander Harwell, Keaghan Gorsuch, Oscar Morales, Brianna Medina and Rochelle Avalos. A team from St. Francis Catholic School won the spirit award.

Battle of the Books is an initiative to encourage students to read quality literature in genres they may normally never read.

Second place team

Third place team

Marshalltown High School senior Ellen Podhajsky placed second at the statewide Poetry Out Loud contest in Des Moines on March 8.

Marshalltown High School senior Ellen Podhajsky placed second in the statewide Poetry Out Loud contest on March 8 at the State Historical Building in Des Moines.

Podhajsky recited from memory “The Woman at the Washington Zoo” by Randall Jarrell and “The Windhover” by Gerald Manley Hopkins in the preliminary rounds. She then recited “A Graveyard” by Marianne Moore in the final round.

As a runner up, she won $100 for herself and $200 worth of poetry books for MHS.

Seventeen school finalists from throughout Iowa competed in the state Poetry Out Loud contest. First place went to Josie Kasik of Sergeant Bluff-Luton High School.

Poetry Out Loud is organized and facilitated at MHS through the Extended Learning Program teacher Susan Fritzell. Ellen worked with a mentor, retired speech coach from Tama, Gary Zmolek, as she prepared for the state contest.

Podhajsky won the MHS contest on Dec. 18, 2014.

The four Marshalltown High School students pictured have advanced to the state individual speech competition. From left, are Keyara McDowell, Megan Emerson, Libby Crawford and Elliot Weidenaar. The state contest is March 14 at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids.

Marshalltown High School has advanced four students in five total events to the state individual speech competition after a successful day last Saturday at the district contest.

MHS students who received Division I ratings at districts and have advanced to state include Libby Crawford in solo musical theater, Elliot Weidenaar in literature program, Keyara McDowell in poetry and Megan Emerson, advancing in both acting and poetry.

The IHSSA District Individual Speech Competition was held at Vinton-Shellsburg High School in Vinton on Feb. 28.

Three other MHS entries received Division II ratings and very positive comments from the judges at districts including Adrian Nunez in solo improv, Maria Urbina in storytelling and Keyara McDowell in acting.

“These kids have worked very hard this year and will continue to build their public speaking skills,” said MHS speech coach Brianna Yates. “Congratulations to all of these wonderful kids and best of luck to those advancing to state.”

The state competition will be March 14 at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids.