MHS Envirothon teams qualify for state

Back: Adam Willman, Dayana Carrera, Collin Krukow, Madison Sogge.  Middle: Sean Finn, Chandler Fisher, Jacob Ramsey-Smith. Front: Wynn Tan, Abby Snyder, Olyvia Mathews.

Back: Adam Willman, Dayana Carrera, Collin Krukow, Madison Sogge. Middle: Sean Finn, Chandler Fisher, Jacob Ramsey-Smith. Front: Wynn Tan, Abby Snyder, Olyvia Mathews.

Both Envirothon teams from Marshalltown High School will compete at the state championship after taking the top two spots at the West Des Moines DMACC regional competition Thursday, March 20.

Envirothon is a team competition testing high school students on critical thinking skills and knowledge about environmental topics.

The “Marshalltown Whales” Team 1 (Sean Finn, Abby Snyder, Dayana Carrera, Chandler Fisher, Adam Willman) placed first and Team 2 (Collin Krukow, Olyvia Mathews, Jacob Ramsey-Smith, Madison Sogge, Wynn Tan) placed second. Both teams scored over 90 percent on the four tests covering conservation issues concerning wildlife, soils, forestry and aquatics.

More than 60 teams competed in four regional competitions across the state and the top 16 were selected to compete at the state competition.

The state contest will be held at Springbrook State Park in Guthrie Center Monday, April 7.

 

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Renovate the Roundhouse meets $1 million Martha-Ellen Tye Foundation Challenge Grant

As of Friday, March 28, $1 million dollars has been raised to match the $1 million Martha-Ellen Tye Challenge Grant for the Marshalltown High School Roundhouse renovation!

Thursday, March 27, two major donors stepped up with generous donations to reach the million dollar milestone.

The Marshalltown Convention and Visitors Bureau Board met Thursday afternoon.  Recognizing the importance of the Roundhouse within our community, MCVB pledged $25,000.  The Marshalltown Convention and Visitors Bureau is dedicated to promoting the Marshalltown area as a destination for meetings, conventions, group tours, and recreational activities, with an emphasis on overnight business.

Shortly thereafter, Jody Anderson stepped forward with a $10,000 donation on behalf of Anderson Funeral Homes.  “We are thankful to be a part of the Marshalltown community, and a donation to the Roundhouse is a great way for us to give back to Marshalltown!” says Anderson.  Anderson Funeral Homes is locally owned and has four locations in Marshalltown, Conrad and Gladbrook.

Cynthia Ragland, Co-chair of the Roundhouse Renovation Committee, says, “We appreciate every dollar that has been donated thus far!  It’s rewarding to see the excitement for the Roundhouse Renovation continuing to build!  We now have $2 million for the project, which is fabulous!  We still have a lot of work ahead, but we are confident that the fundraising goal of $3.85 million is well within reach!”

“This endeavor is about our community bonding together to build a stronger Marshalltown!” stated Heather Van Buren, Co-chair. She encourages all community members and businesses to donate to the cause and challenges everyone to share the news about the Roundhouse Renovation with out-of-town family and friends.

The new and improved website www.mhsroundhouse.com is a convenient resource, and donations can now also be made online.  You can follow the fundraising efforts on Facebook at Renovate the Roundhouse.   Donations sent by mail should be directed to Marshalltown Community School District Foundation, P.O. Box 1562, Marshalltown, IA 50158.

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Student gets hooked on reading

Lauren Wall has become a success story by her ability to read more stories.

Wall, 9, a third grader at Fisher Elementary School, has increased her ability to read this past school year by leaps and bounds.

Read Lauren’s spotlight in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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Hoglan Family Reading Night a success

More than 200 students and their families attended the annual Family Reading Night at Hoglan Elementary Tuesday, March 25.

An estimated 350 people came through the school between 6:00 and 7:30pm. The works of Mo Willems were the featured reading, with three of his stories read in classrooms throughout the building and literacy activities corresponding to the stories.

Families enjoyed hot dogs and a number of family activities. Each student also received a book.

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‘Anything Goes’ taps into MHS this weekend: Spring musical to run three shows

Tap dancing, singing, comedy and acting – all by Marshalltown High School students.

The aptly-named MHS spring musical “Anything Goes” will have a little bit of everything during its three performances this weekend.

The musical will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sunday at the MHS/Community Auditorium.

Read more in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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Roundhouse reaps biggest grant during awards night: Community Foundation gives $105,000 in grants

The Marshalltown High School Roundhouse renovation received yet another big grant boost, this time in the form of $15,000 from the Community Foundation of Marshall County Tuesday night.

“It’s amazing that the Community Foundation feels the same way that we feel,” said Heather Van Buren, co-chair of the Roundhouse fundraising committee. “It’s about building a community and not just an athletic facility.”

Read the full story in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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Middle school hosts annual Miller March Madness

IMG_6387Miller Middle School hosted its annual Miller March Madness Thursday, March 20, with  teams competing in a basketball hot shot competition.

Miller staff members helped run the shoot-out, which included the basketball contest but also concessions and a number of door prizes and other give-away items.

2014 Miller March Madness Results:

Student/Other

First – Luke Appel and Josh Melde 84 pts
Second – Connor Beaty and Luke Appel 66 pts
Third – Kody Ricken and Logan Mann 54 pts

Student/Sibling

First – Austin and Zach Kluver 90 pts
Second – Connor and Brent Johnson 46 pts
Third – Ryan and Matt Bohan 40 pts

Father/Son

First – Joe and Ryan Collins 64 pts
Second – Jerry and Dru Dobbins 61 pts
Third – Dave and Josh Melde 46 pts

Father/Daughter

First – Mark and Naomi Boland 22 pts
Second – Chad and Olivia Spear 20 pts
Third – Matt and Brooke Tullis 14 pts

Mother/Son

First – Shelly and Jacob Smith 35 pts
Second – Stacy and Bennett O’Hare 30 pts
Third – Anne and Nate Vance 28 pts

Mother/Daughter

First – Karen and Naomi Boland 25 pts
Second – Esmeralda and Vanessa Armas 18 pts
Third – Chris and Brooke Tullis 4 pts

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Phomvisay named SAI Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year

Phomvisay

Phomvisay

Aiddy Phomvisay, principal of Marshalltown High School, has been named the 2014 Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year by School Administrators of Iowa.

“Mr. Phomvisay’s impact on the school and community is apparent,” said SAI Executive Director Dan Smith. “A few examples include his leadership in creating a culture of high expectations for all learners, contributing to increased achievement and graduation rates; the implementation of Project Lead the Way featuring engineering and biomedical classes; and the academic and athletic facilities renovations undertaken,” Smith emphasized.

“I am grateful to SAI for this humbling award. It’s an amazing recognition of the tremendous collaboration of our community in support of all students. I am blessed to have been given an opportunity to serve this community and to be a part of a remarkable administrative leadership team, staff and student body that is MHS. I am honored to be able to share our Marshalltown story and to continue to work to make a difference for our students,” Phomvisay expressed.

Phomvisay has led Marshalltown High School since 2011 and was previously an associate principal at Valley High School in West Des Moines. He began his career as a ninth- and tenth-grade teacher for the Ames Community School District. He has also taught at Drake University and Iowa State University. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in sociology, master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and educational leadership, and his superintendent certification, all from ISU. He is also a National Board Certified Teacher in social studies and history.

He was nominated by his peers, selected as the recipient by a committee of Iowa secondary principals and will be recognized at a governor’s awards ceremony in May. As Iowa’s honoree, Phomvisay is now a candidate for for National High School Principal of the Year sponsored by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and MetLife.

SAI, a statewide organization founded in 1987, represents more than 1,800 Iowa educational administrators. SAI’s mission is to enhance PreK-12 education through effective leadership by school administrators.

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500+ attend Anson’s annual Chris Cakes Night

IMG_6401More than 500 people visited Anson Elementary for the annual Chris Cakes night Thursday, March 20.

Students and their families enjoyed thousands of pancakes made by Chris Cakes, along with sausage, fresh fruit, milk and juice. More adventurous diners tried to catch their pancakes as they few through the air – soaring anywhere from a few feet in the air to several yards across the cafeteria.

After eating as many pancakes as they wanted, families were invited to play math games.

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Working hard and helping others: Lenihan student a role model

Fifth grader Mariana Ramirez said she looks forward to school each day. Her teacher at Lenihan Intermediate School, Shanna Goos, said she appreciates how Ramirez not only works hard but helps others and is a kind person.

Read Mariana’s Spotlight in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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