Miller Middle School teacher Nancy Brant Ahn has been impressed with the focus and independent learning ability of one of her math students – Julian Gonzalez.
“Julian wants to learn for himself, not because a teacher makes him,” Brant Ahn said.
Read all of Julian’s spotlight in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.
Fourteen fifth and sixth grade band students from Lenihan Intermediate participated in the Young Musicians Honor Band Saturday, Feb. 23, in Cedar Rapids.
Students were nominated by band director Paul Sibbel and selected by the honor band’s committee. Students are chosen based on how far they are in their lesson book, extra activities (jazz band, solo/ensemble contest), leadership skills, range and ability.
The students rehearsed and performed a concert with students from 41 other schools. The event was held at Prairie Creek Intermediate School in the College Community School District, Cedar Rapids.
Front (L to R): Frank Iole, Lucas Thiessen, Nicholas Cooper, Benjamin Harris. Middle: Immaculate Edwin, Victoria Johnson, McKenna Major, Ms. Lisa Schneck. Back: Michelle Ankrum, Whitney Canaday, Ciara Feldman, Regan Mazour, Rachel Ernat, Coach Mrs. Beverly Fisher.
Twelve Miller Middle School students competed against 34 other schools at the Regional Mathcounts Competition Thursday, Feb. 21, in Des Moines.
Miller placed 18th out of 34 middle schools from around central Iowa. Seventh grader Lucas Thiessen scored in the top 25 percent of all 228 students, ranking 41st overall.
Kim-mee Schmitt was taught at a very young age that being successful at school is very important.
“Ever since I was young, my dad said grades are No. 1,” Schmitt said.
Read more of Kim-mee’s spotlight in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.
L to R: Co-Sponsor Renee Mathews, Key Club President Ellen Podhajsky, Haley Hodges, Olyvia Mathews, House of Compassion Director Karen Frohwein.
The Marshalltown High School Key Club donated $100 to the House of Compassion Monday, Feb. 25, the result of a “Dollars for Donuts” fundraiser.
Key Club is a student-run organization that volunteers with service projects in the school and community. Members decided to raise funds for children whose families use the services at House of Compassion.
Members worked a food stand after school at MHS, selling donuts for $1 each, with proceeds going to House of Compassion. On Monday Key Club leaders and co-sponsor Renee Mathews brought a check for $100 to director Karen Frohwein.
Key Club members asked that half of the money go to purchasing school supplies, with the rest purchasing non-food items like toothpaste and soap.
Key Club members are Haley Hodges, Chu Htoo, Naw Aye Gay, Wah K’do, Kelly Vopava, Hser Paw, Aye Nu Win, Lah Wah, Olyvia Mathews, Andrea Lothe, Ellen Podhajsky, Susie Pratt and Mitchell Schwandt.
Group co-sponsors are Renee Mathews and Marsha Johnson.
The Marshalltown Community School District graduation rate increased nearly 8 percent from 2011 to 2012 according to figures released by the Iowa Department of Education this week.
The four-year graduation rate for 2012 was 85.01 percent, up from 77.35 percent for 2011. The statewide graduation rate for 2012 was 89.26 percent.
“The significant increase of eight points in a year is not an accident, but rather a culmination of our students’ determination, supportive parents and the hard work of highly dedicated and tireless staff,” said Marshalltown High School Principal Aiddy Phomvisay.
Over the last five years, the district has focused on improving student achievement, increasing student opportunities for career readiness and employment while working to design and deliver a safe and organized environment for student learning.
“Teachers have worked collaboratively to design classroom instruction that will meet the needs of all learners,” said Dr. Susan Pecinovsky, associate superintendent for student achievement. She noted class sizes have been reduced in courses that challenge ninth grade students, allowing for more small-group instruction. Advanced Placement and career academies have been increased to promote both high school and college credit opportunities for students.
“The result is a comprehensive system for learning that promotes student engagement and improves the graduation rate,” Pecinovsky said.
Increasing the district graduation rate is a key component of the Strategic Action Plan and the work to make Marshalltown the district of choice. The 2012 graduation rate meets the annual benchmark as the district works toward a 95 percent graduation rate by 2014.
The four-year graduation rate is calculated by dividing the number of students receiving a regular diploma in four years or less (by the 2011-2012 school year) by the number of first-time ninth graders enrolled in the fall of 2008, figuring in student transfers.
“We will continue to engage students in rigorous and relevant learning that will motivate students to achieve even higher,” Phomvisay said. He says the use of smaller learning communities are helping connect students to school. The district is also striving to provide curriculum that meets the needs of students and the community, like Project Lead the Way, which began at Miller Middle School last fall and will expand to MHS in fall 2013.
“We strive to be a student centered school whereby students are valued and their accomplishments celebrated,” he said.
Marshalltown High School will host its fourth annual Community Open House Thursday, March 7, from 5 to 8 pm.
Student Senate members will be available for guided tours, including the new wing that opened in spring 2012 and a look at the Roundhouse prior to renovations. Throughout the building students will hold various demonstrations, including music and speech performances and other student activities.
Community Open House is a project of MHS Parent Networking, formerly the Parent Advisory Council, and created as a way to allow the community to visit the campus and showcases student achievement.
All families and children of all ages are welcome.
Marshalltown High School will send eight events to the Iowa High School Speech Association State Individual Speech Contest after receiving high marks at the district competition Saturday, Feb. 23, at Center Point-Urbana High School.
Those who earned Division I ratings are Chandler Fisher (in Acting and Radio News Broadcasting), Daniel Blom (in Spontaneous Speaking and Storytelling), Elizabeth Russell (in Solo Musical Theatre), Min Lin (in expository address), Zam Lai (in expository address), and Brittany Ryerson (in expository address).
Students who performed and who received Division II ratings are Thuam Khual (in Prose), Talia Fosness (in Prose), Courtney Krein (in Poetry), Caleb Anderson (in Poetry), Jaymi Mason (in Prose), Alex Herink (in Acting), and Zakary Herink (in Poetry and Literary Program).
The state competition will be held Saturday, March 9, at Vinton.
Marshalltown Public Library hosted nearly 100 fifth and sixth graders yesterday for the 7th annual Lenihan Battle of the Books Bash.
Twenty-two teams (20 from Lenihan, two from MACS) of 4-5 students each gathered at MPL, each earning a spot in the BOB Bash by scoring high on a qualifying exam about dozens of books read by each student. After qualifying each student was given an additional seven books to read before Feb. 25.
In the morning students participated in numerous hands-on learning activities throughout the library and in the afternoon competed several rounds of trivia based on the books read.
Once the points were tallied, these teams came out as the top scorers:
Every student participating received a certificate and a free book.
Andrew Corral never gives up on his learning.
The sixth grader at Lenihan Intermediate School has impressed his teacher, Sue Buchan, for his ability to go the extra mile to understand the work.
Read Andrew’s Spotlight in today’s Marshalltown Times-Republican.
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