Miller students accepted to Blank Summer Institute

Posted on April 1, 2013 by marshalltownschools
Belin-Blank participants (L to R): Isabella Pedersen, Isabel Paredes, Michelle Ankrum, Jared Rice, Nick Cooper, Frank Iole, Nick Summers, and Mary Drummer.

Belin-Blank participants (L to R): Isabella Pedersen, Isabel Paredes, Michelle Ankrum, Jared Rice, Nick Cooper, Frank Iole, Nick Summers, and Mary Drummer.

Several Miller Middle School students have been accepted for participation in eight different areas of the Blank Summer Institute for the Arts and Sciences.

The group will attend a one-week residential summer program, June 23-28, 2013, held at The University of Iowa for 120 of Iowa’s students who are currently in seventh and eighth grade. The Institute provides exceptionally talented students with an intensive and advanced educational experience designed to enhance their intellectual and social growth.

The students were nominated by their teachers based on high test scores in their area of nomination, outstanding performance in their classes, and high levels of motivation.

The Miller students who will attend in each category are:

  • Nick Cooper–Performing Arts
  • Mary Drummer–Global Studies
  • Frank Iole–Invention and Innovation
  • Isabel Paredes–Visual Arts
  • Isabella Pedersen–Social Sciences
  • Nick Summers–Advanced Math

Alternates are: Michelle Ankrum–Creative Writing, and Jared Rice–Science.

The Institute is administered by The Connie Belin & Jacqueline N. Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent Development. Each student selected will receive a $300 Myron and Jacqueline Blank Summer Scholarship to cover a portion of the Institute’s cost.

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Manis named next Anson Elementary principal

Posted on April 1, 2013 by marshalltownschools
Ronnie Manis

Ronnie Manis

Ronnie Manis will be the next principal at Anson Elementary School starting July 1, 2013.

Manis currently serves as District Instructional Application Specialist and Data Coordinator for Marshalltown Community School District, a position he’s held since 2010. Prior to that he was technology and media specialist at Miller Middle School.

“I’m excited about the new opportunity to work with an exemplary staff,” Manis said. “I look forward to continuing the great work Ms. Niblock and staff are doing to give all our students the greatest chance for success.”

Before coming to Marshalltown, Manis worked for Murfreesboro Oakland High School as the director of staff professional development, focusing on technology and curriculum integration. He has taught at Miller Middle School, Lenihan Intermediate School and Anson Elementary School in Marshalltown, as well as Oakland High School, Prescott Central Middle School and Mary V. Wheeler Elementary School, all in Tennessee.

He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in multidisciplinary studies from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tenn. He attained his 5-12 library science endorsement at the University of Northern Iowa and earned a Master of Science in Education from Drake University.

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MHS places third, students earn medals at Science Olympiad

Posted on April 1, 2013 by marshalltownschools
Team Members (L to R): Joey Escobedo, James Talbert, Kaelee Matney, Adam Willman, Chandler Schmidt, Analisa Iole, Nicole Lacina, Therese Kuhlman, Daniel Talbert, David Montealegre

Team Members (L to R): Joey Escobedo, James Talbert, Kaelee Matney, Adam Willman, Chandler Schmidt, Analisa Iole, Nicole Lacina, Therese Kuhlman, Daniel Talbert, David Montealegre

Marshalltown High School placed third at the Science Olympiad March 23 at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, with each student earning a medal.

Ten teams competed at the state competition, which focuses on the areas of science, technology engineering and mathematics. It consists of “a series of different hands-on, interactive, challenging and inquiry-based events that are well balanced between the various disciplines of biology, earth science, environmental science, chemistry, physics, engineering and technology”.

Individual medalists were:

First Place:

  • Gravity Vehicle – David Montealegre and Daniel Talbert

 Second Place:

  • Experimental Design – Therese Kuhlman, Analisa Iole, Adam Willman
  • Material Science – David Montealegre, Therese Kuhlman
Joey Escobedo and Nicole Lacina mounting their balsa wood boomilever to the testing platform.

Joey Escobedo and Nicole Lacina mounting their balsa wood boomilever to the testing platform.

Third Place:

  • Forestry – Nicole Lacina, Adam Willman
  • Magnetic Levitation – James Talbert, David Montealegre
  • Anatomy – Analisa Iole, Kaelee Matney
  • Designer Genes – Joey Escobedo, Chandler Schmidt
  • Technical Problem Solving – Daniel Talbert, James Talbert
  • Water Quality- Adam Willman, Nicole Lacina
  • Forensics – Analisa Iole, Kaelee Matney
  • Circuit Lab – James Talbert, Chandler Schmidt
  • Dynamic Planet – Nicole Lacina, Adam Willman
  • Robot Arm – Daniel Talbert, James Talbert
  • Thermodynamics – Daniel Talbert, James Talbert

The team is coached by Susan Fritzell and Pam Brewer-Michael. Learn more about Science Olympiad at http://www.soinc.org

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Teacher trusts Lenihan student to help others: Fifth grader likes to be challenged

Posted on April 1, 2013 by marshalltownschools

She doesn’t have the title of teacher’s assistant, but Lenihan Intermediate School fifth grader Madi Finch easily could have it.

“If anybody has a question and I’m busy they go to Madi,” said her teacher Sally Jansen.

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

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MHS Forensic Team sending two to nationals

Posted on April 1, 2013 by marshalltownschools

The Marshalltown High School Forensic Team has made qualifying for nationals an annual tradition. This year, the group will send two students to the national tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, June 16.

Abby Snyder and Ilene Finn, both juniors at MHS, will compete on a national stage after qualifying at the East Iowa District Congress Tournament March 23.

“This is very exciting for our team,” said Dr. Janelle Hawk, Forensic Team coach. “We have qualified someone to the National Tournament every year for the past five years, and this year we have two people who will be representing us on the national level.”

This will be Finn’s first trip to nationals, while Snyder has qualified three times in a row.

“It is rare for a student to qualify as a freshman, and Abby has proven herself as a great speaker by qualifying not only as a freshman, but as a sophomore and a junior as well,” Hawk said.

Students who compete in speech and debate learn how to research, organize ideas, and present information in a logical and persuasive manner. They become comfortable speaking in front of people, and they learn how to speak with passion. Communication is one of the greatest needs in any employee, and the forensic program helps to build those communication skills.

Both Snyder and Finn impressed the judges at the East Iowa District Congress Tournament and deserve to be the East Iowa representatives at nationals.

“This is a big event for us,” states Coach Hawk. “We don’t get as much recognition as the athletic teams do, but we work just as hard if not harder to get to the national tournament. I am hoping that the Marshalltown community will show their support by donating to our team and helping us get to the Birmingham.”

Hawk says donations toward the trip can be sent to MHS, or supporters can donate online at  http://cca.st/Yu1MFe.

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Preschool registration planned April 13

Posted on March 26, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Early Registration for Marshalltown Community School District Preschool will be Saturday, April 13, from 10am to 12:30pm in the Lenihan Intermediate School commons.

Students must be 4 years old by Sept. 15, 2013, to enroll. Please bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate to registration. There is a one-time $25 registration fee due at sign-up. There is no monthly tuition!

In 2013-2014 preschool classes will be offered at seven locations in Marshalltown – Anson Elementary, Fisher Elementary, Franklin Elementary, Hoglan Elementary, Rogers Elementary, Woodbury Elementary and St. Paul’s Preschool.

The MCSD Preschool Program is guided by the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (IQPPS) and Iowa Early Learning Standards. Through use of The Creative Curriculum, students will develop language and literacy skills, learning and thinking skills, social skills and large and small motor functions.

Each preschool classroom is led by a teacher certified in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. Paraeducators, Speech-Language Pathologists, and other staff provide on-site support (Bilingual tutors are available at the six elementary school sites).

For more information about the MCSD Preschool Program call 641-754-1000 or 641-754-1070.

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Anson’s annual Chris Cakes night features flapjacks, math facts

Posted on March 26, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Over 400 people visited Anson Elementary for the annual Chris Cakes night Thursday, March 21.

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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Taking learning to a new level: Fourth grade challenges herself

Posted on March 25, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Mary Kate Gruening is so interested in learning she goes the extra mile to create projects to help her and her classmates grasp the subject matter.

“Mary Kate has always shown her great effort, but she stands out because she continues to challenge herself and her peers,” said Lisa Frauenholtz, her fourth grade teacher at Hoglan Elementary School.

Read Mary Kate’s spotlight in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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PBS to feature local students involved with anti-bullying effort

Posted on March 24, 2013 by marshalltownschools

An Iowa Public Television special that focuses on bullying will feature four Marshalltown High School students.

The MHS Not In Our Town students – Trey Quick, 15, Libby Crawford, 16, Rachel Faircloth, 17, and Nicole Leyen, 18 – took part in a panel discussion led by PBS officials Wednesday.

Read the full story in the Marshalltown Times-Republican.

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Miller holds annual March Madness shootout

Posted on March 22, 2013 by marshalltownschools

Miller Middle School hosted its annual Miller March Madness March 21, with 250 teams competing in the 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.

Shoot-out Results: 

Mother /Daughter

1.       McKenna and Leslie Major

2.       Naomi and Karen Boland

3.       Regan and Phyllis Mazour

Father/Daughter

1.       Kyra & Chris Hungerford

2.       Naomi & Mark Boland

3.       Victoria & Tim Johnson

Mother/Son

1.       Luke & Donna Appel

2.       Nate & Anne Vance

3.       John & Karen Boland

Father / Son

1.       Luke & Jerry Appel

2.       Joe & Ryan Collins

3.       Luke & Chad Spear

Student/Sibling

1.       Moira & Mason McCarville

2.       Zach & tyler Kluver

3.       Brooke & Austin Tullis

Student/Other

1.       Connner Beaty & Luke Appel

2.       Dayton Slifer & todd Rosenberger

3.       Austin Tullis & Spencer Dempewolf

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