Annual Change for Charity drive nets $481.31 for Emergency Food Box

Posted on January 2, 2013 by marshalltownschools
Senior John Mahlstede (left) and junior Sam Carter (right) count coins donated in the annual Change for Charity drive.

Senior John Mahlstede (left) and junior Sam Carter (right) count coins donated in the annual Change for Charity drive.

The Bobcat Boys Swim team held their annual Change for Charity drive in December, with proceeds benefiting the Emergency Food Box.

Each season from Thanksgiving to Winter Break the team collects change for a local charity selected by the senior members of the team. Each week the team holds a contest for the most change, with the winners treated to homemade chocolate chip cookies baked by Coach Mike Loupee.

Week 1 Contest: Seniors vs. Juniors vs. Sophomores vs. Freshmen
Winner: Seniors – $87.71

Week 2 Contest: Random Groups
Winning group collected $65.55

Week 3 Contest: Coaches and managers vs. Team
Winner: Coaches and managers  – $43.87

Week 4 Contest: Lane Groups
Winner: Lane 3 – $112.32

The combined collection, $481.31, was donated to the Emergency Food Box.

Posted in School News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Annual Change for Charity drive nets $481.31 for Emergency Food Box

Fisher Elementary “decks the halls” with reading links

Posted on December 27, 2012 by marshalltownschools
Mrs. Seltman's class read the most of any class, with 963 links in the chain.

Mrs. Seltman’s class read the most of any class, with 963 links in the chain.

The halls of Fisher Elementary were overflowing with paper chains in December, with thousands of links representing reading achievements by students.

Between Dec. 3 and Dec. 14 Fisher students participated in the “Deck Our Halls with Reading Book Links” initiative. For each picture book completed or each 10-minute session reading a chapter book students could add a link to the chain. After a few weeks students had completed 5,240 chains.

During a school assembly Wednesday, Dec. 19, classes were recognized for their participation. Third grade had the highest number of links by grade level, with 1,773. Mrs. Seltman’s third grade classroom had the most of any classroom, with 963 links.

Posted in School News | Tagged | Comments Off on Fisher Elementary “decks the halls” with reading links

Holiday help from MHS: Students donate to Salvation Army

Posted on December 20, 2012 by marshalltownschools

Josette Donelson made sure she had every bit of change from her purse put into the red kettle located in the Marshalltown High School cafeteria Wednesday.

The senior student was one of many who decided to donate to the Salvation Army. Students at the school rang bells during the three lunch periods to collect donations. The effort was expected to raise $200 for the charity.

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

Posted in School News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Holiday help from MHS: Students donate to Salvation Army

Portraits bring students, seniors together: MHS class draws Glenwood Place residents

Posted on December 20, 2012 by marshalltownschools

A Marshalltown High School art project brought students and seniors together and the results amazed.

Drawing students created portraits based on photographs they took of the residents. Both groups met Wednesday for a reception at Glenwood to view the work.

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

Posted in School News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Portraits bring students, seniors together: MHS class draws Glenwood Place residents

Fisher Elementary students raise money for MPD K-9 Unit

Posted on December 19, 2012 by marshalltownschools
Sgt. Melinda Ruopp and her K-9 partner, Awol, accept a check from principal Vicki Vopava. The Marshalltown Police Department is raising funds to purchase two new K-9 units.

Sgt. Melinda Ruopp and her K-9 partner, Awol, accept a check from principal Vicki Vopava. The Marshalltown Police Department is raising funds to purchase two new K-9 units.

Students at Fisher Elementary held a “Pennies for Puppies” drive recently, raising $364.66 for the Marshalltown Police Department K-9 Unit.

Sgt. Melinda Ruopp and her K-9 partner, Awol, came to Fisher Elementary Wednesday morning to greet students and accept a check from principal Vicki Vopava.

Mrs. Vopava also read a letter from Police Chief Mike Tupper thanking Fisher students for their generosity.

Posted in School News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Fisher Elementary students raise money for MPD K-9 Unit

Willman finalist in ‘Know Your Constitution’ competition

Posted on December 19, 2012 by marshalltownschools

Marshalltown High School junior Adam Willman is a finalist in the Iowa State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division “Know Your Constitution” Project.

One hundred finalists were selected from the more than 1,000 students across the State of Iowa who participated in the “Know Your Constitution” Project.  These finalists will be honored at a luncheon held at the West Des Moines Marriott Hotel in West Des Moines on Jan. 11, 2013. This year’s Keynote Speaker is the Honorable Judge Stephanie Rose, Federal District Court for the Southern District of Iowa.

From the finalists, five students and their teachers will be chosen by a random drawing to attend the all expense paid, Close-Up Foundation’s five day long education work session in Washington, D.C., in February 2013.  The work sessions are designed to develop a deeper understanding of government and the political process.

The “Know Your Constitution” Project is designed to enrich students’ understanding and appreciation of the Constitution.  The students participating in the project were required to familiarize themselves with Constitution related issues. Each participating student completed a quiz. An essay question accompanied the quiz in case of a tie.

This program is sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association, with additional funding from the Iowa State Bar Foundation and many of the county Bar Associations across Iowa.

Posted in School News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Willman finalist in ‘Know Your Constitution’ competition

Fisher to represent MHS at state Poetry Out Loud contest

Posted on December 18, 2012 by marshalltownschools

Sophomore Chandler Fisher will represent Marshalltown High School at the state Poetry Out Loud contest March 10, 2013, in Des Moines.

Fisher was selected Tuesday, Dec. 18, during a competition amongst fellow MHS students. Also reciting poems were junior Lily Larsen and sophomore Ryley Faircloth. Larson was selected as runner-up and will compete at state should Fisher be unable to attend.

This is the fifth year for Poetry Out Loud at MHS, “a contest that encourages the nation’s youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and recitation.” Gwen Morrison represented MHS at the 2012 state contest, winning the state title and competing at the national competition in Washington, D.C.

During the qualifying contest each student recited two poems by memory. According to Poetry Out Loud guidelines, one poem must be 25 lines or fewer and one must be written before the 20th Century. Fisher won with his recitations of “Engliand in 1819” by Percy Bysshe Shelley and “The Unknown Citizen” by W.H. Auden.

Judging the local contest were Tom LaVille, Karen Roessler and Gary Zmoleck. Students evaluated on multiple criteria, including physical presence, voice and articulation, accuracy and evidence of understanding. Contest emcee was Adam Willman.

Fisher was presented with a poetry anthology, which contains poems eligible for use in the Poetry Out Loud competition.

Posted in School News | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Miller FIRST LEGO League team advances to state

Posted on December 18, 2012 by marshalltownschools

Two FIRST LEGO League teams from Miller Middle School competed at the regional qualifying tournament Dec. 15, with the eighth grade team advancing to state.

The eighth grade team—“Sparkly Brown Paper Bags”— won the Champion’s Award for their exceptional team performance in Core Values and Innovation. This year’s theme is Senior Solutions and the team created a prototype for a removable light bar that attaches to glasses and enables seniors with macular degeneration to shine light directly where they need it for close-up tasks. The judges commended the team for their extensive research and for locating an expert who is interested in testing their prototype. The team includes Nick Summers, Mary Drummer, Ethan Thill, Jared Rice, Juliana Osgood, and Whitney Canaday.  Joel Thill assists as their tech coach.  This team will be advancing to the FLL State Tournament on Jan. 19, 2013, at Iowa State University.

The seventh grade team—“We’re Still Thinking”— won a certificate for their high-quality team performance in the area of Innovation. The team created a “ring-a-ma-jig” to assist senior citizens with opening ring-top containers such as milk cartons. The judges lauded the efficiency of the team’s design because the device would be easy to manufacture and market. This team includes Maggie Grimm, Jill Podhajsky, Martin Runquist, Lucas Duff, Joseph Anguiano, and Joshua Arment. Their coaches are Karin Podhajsky and Mark Runquist.

All 37 teams at the Regional Tournament (held at Marshalltown Community College) competed in three areas: Robot Challenge, Project Presentation, and Core Values/Teamwork. Both Miller teams exhibited outstanding creativity and teamwork in preparing their projects and robots for the competition.

Posted in School News | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Miller FIRST LEGO League team advances to state

Miller food drive nets 1147 items for Salvation Army

Posted on December 17, 2012 by marshalltownschools

MMS-food-driveA food drive at Miller Middle School brought in 1147 items for the local Salvation Army.

Students brought in non-perishable food items the week of Dec. 10, with the food being dropped off at the Salvation Army Friday, Dec. 14.

Posted in School News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Miller food drive nets 1147 items for Salvation Army

Five MHS students selected for 2013 All-Iowa Honor Dance Team

Posted on December 17, 2012 by marshalltownschools
Megan Major, Leiah Luense, Anna Hurley, Kathleen McHenry, and McKaylee Palmer

Megan Major, Leiah Luense, Anna Hurley, Kathleen McHenry, and McKaylee Palmer

Five students from Marshalltown High School have been selected for the All-Iowa Honor Dance Team.

Megan Major, Leiah Luense, Anna Hurley, Kathleen McHenry, and McKaylee Palmer were selected after auditions in Ames this fall. Participants will rehearse and perform during the Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament Feb. 25-March 2, 2013.

Posted in School News | Tagged , | Comments Off on Five MHS students selected for 2013 All-Iowa Honor Dance Team