Attendance, reading celebrated at Woodbury Elementary

Posted on May 1, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Eighty-five students with perfect attendance were among those celebrated at Woodbury Elementary School’s monthly recognition assembly Tuesday, April 30.

Nearly 150 Woodbury students were acknowledged for excellent attendance, missing two or less days during third quarter. Among the 85 students achieving perfect attendance were 12 kindergarteners, all showing commitment to daily participation and engagement with their learning.

Community members from Marshalltown’s initiative Spread the Words – Read by Third were in attendance to distribute handshakes, smiles, and awards to students with excellent or perfect attendance. Students were congratulated by Lt. Ronald Ohrt from the Marshalltown Police Department; Chamber President Ken Anderson; Fire Chief Steve Edwards; Lindsey Upah, Spread the Words – Read by Third coordinator; Carol Hibbs and Wendy Soltero of the YMCA-YWCA; and MCSD School Board member John Johnson. One of the kindergarteners was heard excitedly telling his dad, “We had a great assembly today. I got to see a fire fighter and a policeman.”

The program aims to achieve 90 percent of Marshalltown third graders reading proficiently by 2016 and earned Marshalltown an All-America City distinction in 2012. One of the initiative’s task forces aims at improving attendance, specifically increasing the number of kindergarteners attending school regularly. Anyone interested in being involved with the effort should contact Lindsey Upah, Spread the Words – Read by Third coordinator, at 641-752-7162 ext. 155.

Reading was also celebrated at the assembly, with a group of fourth graders presenting a reader’s theater based on the popular book The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss.  The student body enjoyed watching the words from the pages come to life on stage.

“We have a very talented group of actors in our fourth grade class,” said Sue Cahill, Woodbury teacher librarian. “It is great to see them be able to use and develop their talents.”

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MHS receives $1,000 from 2013 Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge

Posted on April 30, 2013 by marshalltownschools
The MHS Career Development class along with teacher Erin Weatherly.

The MHS Career Development class along with teacher Erin Weatherly.

Marshalltown High School won $1,000 for participating in the 2013 Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge.

The Challenge included an online financial literacy tutorial called Student Loan Game Plan, designed to help high school students plan ahead and learn how they can borrow less for college by making informed financial decisions.

Forty-four Iowa high schools participated in the Challenge, incorporating the financial literacy tutorial into classroom instruction. MHS was one of 30 schools drawn to receive $1,000, with $500 earmarked for financial literacy education and $500 for scholarships.

At MHS, students in Erin Weatherly’s Career Development class completed the nine financial literacy modules as part of I Have a Plan Iowa to become certified in financial literacy.

The Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge was sponsored by Iowa Student Loan, the Iowa Department of Education, the Iowa Jump$tart Coalition, Junior Achievement of Central Iowa and the Iowa College Access Network.

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“Read with Me” program visits Franklin Elementary

Posted on April 30, 2013 by marshalltownschools
Marcus McIntosh from KCCI reads to Franklin fourth graders as part of the KCCI/EMC Insurance "Read with Me" program.

Marcus McIntosh from KCCI reads to Franklin fourth graders as part of the KCCI/EMC Insurance “Read with Me” program.

KCCI’s Marcus MacIntosh spent the morning reading to Franklin Elementary fourth graders as part of the KCCI and EMC Insurance “Read with Me” program.

Franklin was the 111th school visited as part of “Read with Me”, which travels to a new school every month.

MacIntosh read a book to the fourth grade students, as well as answered questions and signed autographs.

Representatives from EMC Insurance presented Principal Tim Holmgren with a check for $500 to support the school library.

Watch the KCCI Channel 8 News at 5pm on Wednesday, May 1, for more about MacIntosh’s visit.

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Miller bands earn top ratings at contests

Posted on April 29, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Miller Middle School concert and jazz bands competed at two contests recently, bringing home Division I ratings from each.

On Saturday, April 20, Miller concert and jazz bands competed against 10 schools at SCIBA Large Group Contest in Waukee. Each band received a Division I rating.

On Saturday, April 27, the 7-8 concert band competed against 27 schools at the Drake Festival of Bands at Adventureland, where they also came away with a Division I rating.

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Active learner doesn’t waste a minute: Eighth grader a responsible student

Posted on April 29, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Dave Wadle and Grant Brintnall both teach Allison Reeder in math. And both speak very highly of the eighth grader at Miller Middle School.

“She’s very responsible and asks great questions,” Brintnall said. “And she’s just a nice person.”

Read Allison’s full spotlight in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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Annual Miller Soccer Shootout held at Franklin Field

Posted on April 26, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Miller Middle School held the 5th annual Soccer Shootout Wednesday, April 24, at Franklin Field.

The shootout consists of 14 games, each with two 10-minute periods. The shootout is open to all Miller students, with no entry fees or charge for admission. This year 143 students participated, divided into eight boys teams and four girls team. Each team was guaranteed two games. Medals were awarded to the top boys and girls teams.

Members of the Marshalltown Community College men’s soccer team volunteered as coaches and officiated games.

“This is a great way for us to bring students, families and the community together and support our young ones and their love for the game of soccer,” said Nicki Allen, Miller physical education teacher. Allen, along with fellow Miller teachers Todd Rosenberger and Bruce Vopava, organized the tournament.

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World of Lennox opened up to students: Miller takes annual tour of factory

Posted on April 26, 2013 by marshalltownschools

The world of the Lennox factory was opened up to eighth graders at Miller Middle School in what has become an annual event.

More than 300 students toured the factory floor to get insight into one of Marshalltown’s biggest employers. This is the 12th year the tour has taken place.

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

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Grade-level reading director visits Rogers Elementary

Posted on April 25, 2013 by marshalltownschools
Rogers teacher LuAnn Lura discusses Rogers University and Family Learning Center with Ralph Smith.
John Johnson, Rogers Elementary parent and School Board member, presents Ralph Smith with a T-shirt from “Spread the Words: Read by 3rd” the grade-level reading initiative in Marshalltown.
Rogers teacher Julie Underhill leads Ralph Smith on a tour of the school.

Rogers Elementary hosted Ralph Smith, managing director for the national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, Thursday, April 25.

Marshalltown earned the All-America City distinction last year because of its initiative to have all students reading at grade level by third grade. Smith, who is senior vice president of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, toured Rogers Elementary, learning about Spread the Words – Read by 3rd and Rogers University and participating in an attendance celebration.

“I have so enjoyed being here today,” he told the students and staff, commending the community for its efforts. He told the students attendance is important, relating a story about a basketball player needing to practice every day to be successful.

“It’s really about doing it every day,” he said. “Coming to school every day is important.”

Smith gave out the first All-America City sticker during the assembly, which recognized students at Rogers with perfect attendance in the third quarter. He promised the assembled crowd he would visit Rogers again and wanted an invitation to Rogers University.

After his time at Rogers, Smith spoke at the Marshalltown Public Library.

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Public Health, MCSD Health Services to hold Tdap vaccine clinic

Posted on April 25, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Marshall County Public Health and Marshalltown Community School District Health Services are holding a Tdap (Tetanus-Diptheria-Pertussus) vaccination clinic Thursday, May 16, at Lenihan Intermediate School.

Changes to Iowa Code now require Tdap vaccination for all adolescents enrolled in secondary schools for the 2013-2014 school year. It will be required for all students entering seventh grade next year to have one dose of the Tdap vaccine.

The clinic is open to all current sixth grade students who will enter seventh grade in the fall of 2013. Vaccinations are offered FREE OF CHARGE regardless of insurance status.

To sign up for the vaccination clinic, download and complete the permission form (click here) and return to the school nurse. The permission form and vaccine information sheet were also sent home to every household with a sixth grade student. No vaccinations will be given without parent permission.

Please contact Denise Determan, Lenihan school nurse, with questions: 641-754-1160.

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Miller students participate in Central Iowa Tech Fair

Posted on April 25, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Ten Miller Middle School students were among 300 K-12 students from 18 districts participating in the Central Iowa Student Technology Fair on Tuesday, April 9, at Iowa State University.

In preparation for the Technology Fair, individuals and small groups of students selected one area of technology in which to create and showcase a project.  The projects spanned nine categories, including multimedia, web presence, programming, video/linear presentation, graphics/publishing, 3-D rendering/non-linear animation, music/sound design, mobile apps, and innovative technology.

Students then presented their projects to a team of judges at the Tech Fair, where the judges assessed each project on the creativity shown, pre-planning documentation, program features, content and background research, oral presentation, and overall merit.

Receiving Red Ribbons for Commendable Work were:

  • Lucas Thiessen and Cole Welden—Mobile Apps: “Our Great App”

Receiving Blue Ribbons for Technical Merit were:

  • Jill Podhajsky—3-D Rendering/Non-linear Animation: “All Things Animals”
  • Joseph Anguiano and Joshua Arment—Mobile Apps: “GameSalad App Design”
  • Frank Iole—Music/Sound Design: “Pentatonics”
  • Nallely Loera Gutierrez and Juliana Osgood—Innovative Technology: “RPG Simulation”
  • Kyra Buckley and Josephine Coury Castellanos—Multimedia: “MCSD Orchestra Program”

 

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