Muench named Outstanding Elementary Art Educator by Art Educators of Iowa

Posted on August 27, 2013 by marshalltownschools
Muench

Muench

Pamela Muench, art educator at Lenihan Intermediate School, will be honored as  2013 Outstanding Elementary Art Educator by Art Educators of Iowa (AEI) at the state art education conference on Oct. 12, 2013, in Cedar Rapids.

Muench’s dedication to art education is clear from the letters that were received in support of her nomination for the award. Mrs. Muench received particularly high praises from colleague Karen Roessler and principal Ralph Bryant.

“Pam’s teaching abilities are not limited to those students with an innate love of art or artistic talent,” Roessler said. “I have seen her work wonders with students who have significant behavioral issues, autism, and even the fear of art. Her patience, clear and high expectations, organizational skills, and artistic abilities create a classroom environment where it is safe to create personally authentic art projects.”

Bryant recognizes Muench’s efforts beyond the normal classroom responsibilities.

“She works in collaboration with our Extended Learning provider to offer targeted enrichment opportunities for those with advanced abilities,” Bryant said. “These opportunities have included a Reach Out Iowa service-learning mural that is now on display in our student commons following a presentation ceremony with the community. Mrs. Muench helped work in conjunction with our Public Library to create a permanent display entitled, ‘The Homework Machine’ that allowed many of our students to contribute.”

Muench works with Lenihan students on a mural for the school commons.

Muench works with Lenihan students on a mural for the school commons.

“I am lucky to have a job that I love,” Muench said. “I get to help students learn through art endeavors. We can get our hands messy and create! Art is so important for teaching creative thinking and problem solving skills. Its importance can be often overlooked. The Art Educators of Iowa organization has been a wonderful support for me through professional development opportunities and collaboration with other outstanding art educators. They promote the arts in education and provide an outlet for students through the annual Youth Art Month exhibit at the State Historical Building. I am very honored to receive this award.”

Posted in School News | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Crime scene technician presents at MHS: Watson talks to biomedical science classes

Posted on August 27, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Erica Malloy, a teacher in the new biomedical science classes at Marshalltown High School, received some expert help teaching her class Monday.

Cortney Watson, a crime scene technician with the Marshalltown Police Department, showed students “how to investigate a crime scene from beginning to end,” Watson said.

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

Posted in School News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Crime scene technician presents at MHS: Watson talks to biomedical science classes

Marshalltown students shake off first-day jitters: Local schools opened Tuesday

Posted on August 21, 2013 by marshalltownschools

It was excitement, apprehension and a little bit a nervousness all rolled into one.

Yes, it was the first day of classes for the 2013-14 school year in the Marshalltown Community School District Tuesday.

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

Posted in School News | Comments Off on Marshalltown students shake off first-day jitters: Local schools opened Tuesday

PPEL information meetings scheduled at Miller, MHS

Posted on August 19, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Information sessions about the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) are scheduled Monday, Aug. 26, in the Marshalltown High School library and Thursday, Aug. 29, in the Miller Middle School Library. Both sessions will begin at 5:30pm.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2013, voters in the Marshalltown Community School District will be asked to vote whether to renew the PPEL program which allows school district across Iowa to collect revenue for specific uses within their district.

In MCSD, PPEL has been used for a number of projects over the course of the years, including:

  • Playground resurfacing
  • Bobcat Boulevard
  • Roof replacements
  • Parking lot improvements
  • Bus replacements
  • Technology infrastructure upgrades
  • Classroom remodeling

The levy cannot be used for staff salaries or supplies.

Renewal of the PPEL will not increase property taxes. The district is asking for approval to continue the voter-approved rate that has been in place for the past 10 years so that we may continue to fund maintenance and upgrades to district facilities. The question on the ballot is whether to continue the approved rate that has been in place for the past 10 years.  The funds will be used for maintenance and upgrades to district facilities.  The current rate is $0.67 per $1,000 of taxable property valuation.

The current levy expires June 30, 2016. The voter-approved PPEL program provides approximately $676,000 per year for district upgrades and maintenance.

Posted in School News | Comments Off on PPEL information meetings scheduled at Miller, MHS

Marshalltown football kicks off with Blue/White Classic Friday

Posted on August 19, 2013 by marshalltownschools

The Marshalltown High School Football program will kick off the 2013 season with its annual scrimmage and canned food drive Friday, Aug. 23, at Leonard Cole Field.

Entry to the activities will be one non-perishable food item.

  • 5:30-5:45pm  Roundhouse Fall Sports Kickoff
  • 6:00pm Freshmen Scrimmage (Two 10min halves)
  • 6:30pm MFL 5th & 6th grade scrimmage 10min
    • 6th Grade will start at the 40 yd. line and head into the west End zone
    • 5th Grade will start at the 40yd. line and head into the east End zone
  • 6:45pm MHS Marching Band will take the field
  • 7:00pm Varsity will take the field for pregame warm up
  • 7:30pm Varsity Scrimmage will start. (Two 15min continual clock halves)

MHS Cheerleaders will be face painting and helping with the food donations and the Booster Club will be grilling. The concession stand will also be open.

Posted in School News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Marshalltown football kicks off with Blue/White Classic Friday

Routines key to student success: Marshalltown schools resume Tuesday

Posted on August 18, 2013 by marshalltownschools

As usual, summer has gone by quickly and Marshalltown parents will have to get their children ready for the school routine real soon. Class is in session in Marshalltown schools starting Tuesday.

Elaine Johnson, guidance counselor at Lenihan Intermediate School, said getting into routines help children deal with the adjustment that comes with the first few days of school.

Read the full story in the Marshalltown Times-Republican.

Posted in School News | Comments Off on Routines key to student success: Marshalltown schools resume Tuesday

Lenihan teacher instructs at rock hall of fame

Posted on August 17, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Sara McCue had a memorable summer trip teaching at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.

McCue, a general music teacher at Lenihan Intermediate School, taught one session to other teachers at the hall of fame’s summer institute.

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

Posted in School News | Tagged | Comments Off on Lenihan teacher instructs at rock hall of fame

Twelve MHS students earn AP Scholar Awards

Posted on August 14, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Twelve students at Marshalltown High School have earned AP Scholar Awards in recognition of their exceptional achievement on AP Exams.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement Program® (AP®) provides willing and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. About 20 percent of the 2.1 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to also earn an AP Scholar Award.

The College Board recognizes several levels of achievement based on students’ performance on AP Exams.

Ben Anzis qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction Award by earning an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Four students qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams. These students are Sean Finn, Tray Hickie, Joseph Metzger and Abby Snyder.

Seven students qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Exams with scores of 3 or higher. The AP Scholars are Joseph Cahill, Michaela Huey, Margaret Kelehan, Isaac Medina, Emily Murtha, Connor Ruddick and Adam Willman.

Posted in School News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Twelve MHS students earn AP Scholar Awards

MHS finishes 11th at North American Envirothon

Posted on August 13, 2013 by marshalltownschools
MHS Envirothon Team (L to R): Sean Finn, Wynn Tann, Joe Metzger, Adam Willman and Abby Snyder.

MHS Envirothon Team (L to R): Sean Finn, Wynn Tann, Joe Metzger, Adam Willman and Abby Snyder.

Marshalltown High School placed 11th out of 57 teams at the North American Envirothon held Aug. 4-9, 2013, at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana.

The team, comprised of MHS students Abby Snyder, Sean Finn, Wynn Tan, Joe Metzger and Adam Willman, tied for first place with five other teams on the Current Issue test, placed fourth in Forestry and fifth and Orals.

The current issue for the 2013 Envirothon was “Sustainable Rangeland Management: Achieving a balance between Traditional Agricultural Uses with Non-Agricultural uses on Montana Rangelands”.

“They have worked really hard, but also [were] very social and made some great friends,” said Susan Fritzell, MHS Extended Learning Program teacher.

The MHS Envirothon Team near the Yellowstone Falls (L to R): Susan Fritzell (ELP teacher), Joe Metzger, Abby Snyder, Wynn Tan, Adam Willman, Sean Finn.

The MHS Envirothon Team near the Yellowstone Falls (L to R): Susan Fritzell (ELP teacher), Joe Metzger, Abby Snyder, Wynn Tan, Adam Willman, Sean Finn.

While at the Envirothon the group visited Yellowstone Park, took short hikes in the Badlands, went trail riding on a ranch and rated the Yellowstone River. They also met with two experts on grasses and noxious weeds as a very passionate wildlife biologist who explained the complexity of managing elk and wolf populations while dealing with all different sorts of people.

Each team member won a new Canon Powershot camera. The competition was tight and the MHS team was just four points away from an 8th place finish.

Envirothon is a team competition testing high school students on critical thinking skills and knowledge about environmental topics. The MHS team earned their way to the North American competition by winning the state championship April 15, 2013, at Springbrook State Park in Guthrie Center, Iowa.

Posted in School News | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Gwendolyn F. Hinecker gifts $1.5 million for scholarship trust

Posted on August 13, 2013 by marshalltownschools
Gwendolyn F. Hinecker

Gwendolyn F. Hinecker

When Gwendolyn F. Hinecker passed away Aug. 9, 2012, at the age of 101, she left the bulk of her estate – worth an estimated $1.5 million – to the Gwendolyn F. and Lucian L. Hinecker Scholarship Trust. The income from this charitable trust will provide scholarships to Marshalltown High School Students forever.

“We are so grateful to Mrs. Hinecker for her generosity and amazing gift to Marshalltown High School,” said Aiddy Phomvisay, MHS principal. “Her legacy as a teacher and MHS Bobcat supporter will live on forever through her scholarship.”

Mrs. Hinecker was born May 10, 1911, in Collins, Iowa.  She was raised in the Collins area graduating from Collins High School and then Drake University. Gwendolyn was united in marriage to Lucian Hinecker on April 12, 1936, in Marshalltown.  She spent 26 of her 32 years in education teaching students in Marshalltown Community Schools at Woodbury Elementary.

“She was a delightful lady and was such a caring teacher,” said Marilyn Rhodes, long-time administrative assistant for the district superintendent. “She was welcoming and had a great sense of humor.”

Mrs. Hinecker directed that scholarship recipients be chosen based on scholarship, leadership, service to school and community and financial need, with special consideration for applicants attending Drake University. Applicants must be an MHS senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA and entering an accredited college or technical school after graduation.

“I had the privilege of working with Gwen for more than 25 years,” said Mike Bloom, Senior Vice President and Senior Trust Officer at United Bank & Trust. “It has been rewarding to see her philanthropic goals come to fruition with this scholarship trust. We estimate almost $45,000 per year will be granted in this scholarship and we hope this amount will grow over the years. Gwen was able to attend college at a time when few women went to college.  She wanted to help others to get the same opportunity she was given.”

A scholarship committee comprised of the high school principals, guidance counselors and faculty members will choose recipients.  United Bank & Trust in Marshalltown will serve as trustee of the Scholarship Trust to manage all assets.

“Her spirit of giving, serving and supporting our students in this manner is the finest example of altruist citizenship,” Phomvisay said. “Future MHS graduates who will benefit from this scholarship should be inspired by her example.”

Posted in School News | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments