Miller students, Iowa artist collaborate on murals

Posted on May 2, 2011 by marshalltownschools

Iowa artist Concetta Morales recently spent a week at Miller Middle School collaborating with students to create original artwork now on display throughout the building.

Morales is known for her vibrant painting and large-scale mosaic murals in public places. Her work can be seen in the baggage claim area of the Des Moines International Airport, the lobby of the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo and a number of other public buildings and schools across Iowa.

During her residency at Miller, Morales worked with seventh and eighth grade art students to create 10 mural panels displayed throughout the school.

Her time at Miller was funded in part by a grant from the Iowa Arts Council.

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Marshalltown hosts district Special Olympics, advances several athletes to state

Posted on April 27, 2011 by marshalltownschools

Marshalltown High School played host to the Special Olympics District Meet Saturday, April 16, with a number of Bobcat athletes competing and advancing to the state meet.

All first-place (blue ribbon) competitors earned a spot at the Iowa Special Olympics Summer Games May 26-28 at Iowa State University.

Swim Meet First Place Finishers:

  • Tomi Degrado- 50 Yd freestyle, 50 yd backstroke
  • JoAnn Johnson- 200 yd freestyle, 100yd backstroke
  • Jonny Laughlin- 25yd freestyle
  • McKenze Lubbert- 50 yd freestyle, 50 yd backstroke, relay
  • Harry Metzger- 50yd backstroke
  • Autumn Nelson- 50yd freestyle, 50yd backstroke
  • Daniell Sanchez- 50yd freestyle, 50yd backstroke
  • Page Shattuck- 25yd floatation
  • Crysa Vergauwen- 50 yd freestyle, 50 yd breatstroke, relay
  • Robert Wood- 25yd freestyle, 50yd backstroke
  • Isaac Youngblood- 25 yd freestyle
  • Daniel Wieland- relay
  • John Johnson- relay

Track/Field Events First Place Finishers:

  • Tim Cunningham- Softball throw
  • Elizabeth Lira- Standing Long Jump, 100 M Dash
  • Joey Fisher-50 M Dash

Swim Meet Second Place Finishers:

  • Cody Freese- 25yd freestyle
  • John Johnson- 25yd freestyle
  • Colton Lubbert- 25yd backsroke
  • Daniel Wieland- 50yd freestyle, 50yd backstroke
  • Tomi DeGrado-relay
  • Landon Gunderson- relay
  • JoAnn Johnson- relay
  • Blaine Fuller- relay
  • Autumn Nelson- relay
  • Robert Wood- relay
  • Harry Metzger- relay

Swim Meet Third Place Finishers:

  • John Johnson- 100yd backstroke
  • Colton Lubbert- 25yd freestyle
  • Harry Metzger- 50 yd freestyle

Swim Meet Fourth Place Finishers:

  • Jacob Riemenschneider- 25yd freestyle

Swim Meet Participation Ribbon:

  • Sam Lang

Two young athletes making their first state appearance are Dakota Black (9) and Martin Herrer (10). Black earned first place in the softball throw and 50m-dash. Herrera earned a blue ribbon in the softball throw and 50m-dash.

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MCSD, MCC host Project Share May 12-13

Posted on April 26, 2011 by marshalltownschools

Students in Marshalltown and surrounding districts are working hard to prepare for the annual Project Share held May 12-13 at Marshalltown Community College.

MCC and Marshalltown Schools co-sponsor the two-day event, which provides a fun venue for area students involved in enrichment programs to show off their hard work. These high-ability students showcase their independent study projects and have the opportunity to share their expertise with a supportive audience.

This year 210 students from 13 area schools are registered for Project Share, with third and fourth grade students attending May 12 and fifth and sixth graders on May 13.

Each day begins with the Grout Museum’s Jason Dornbush presenting “Mad Mixtures”. The rest of the day consists of break-out sessions presented by various experts in a college-like atmosphere.

Generous donations from Fisher Controls and Lennox are covering the cost of the opening speaker and hands-on student materials.

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MHS teams take second, fifth at state Envirothon

Posted on April 19, 2011 by marshalltownschools

Marshalltown High School teams placed second and fifth at the state Envirothon contest Monday, April 18, at Springbrook State Park in Guthrie Center.

Over 60 teams originally competed in the regional contest, 16 qualified for the state contest.

Marshalltown’s second-place team, the Muskoxen, (James Lindgren, Matt Paar, Molly Finn, Brennan Goodman, Ilene Finn) was half a point behind the first place Maquoketa team.

Marshalltown’s fifth-place team, the Muskrats, (Abby Snyder, Emma Runquist, Adam Willman, Danielle Propst, Blake Gethmann) was just two points out of third place.

From the Conservation Districts of Iowa: “The Envirothon is a team competition for high school students. In the field and classroom, teams of five students are challenged to use their knowledge and critical thinking skills to conduct hands-on investigations, solve real-life scenarios and answer written questions covering five categories: Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, Soils, and Current Environmental Issues.”

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MHS hosts, competes in Iowa High School Battle of the Books Thursday

Posted on April 19, 2011 by marshalltownschools

Marshalltown High School Library will host the Iowa High School Battle of the Books (IHSBOB) State Finals on Thursday, April 21, with a team from MHS competing for the state title.

Over 90 teams of 4-6 students in grades 9-12 across the state registered to compete this year.  Students took two online tests about the books and authors of the IHSBOB list. The top 16 teams will travel to Marshalltown Thursday to compete to determine the top teams in the state.

The Marshalltown Book Mice from MHS qualified for the state finals.  Team members include:  Alex Cope, Tray Hickie, Libby Larson, Gwen Morrison, and Danielle Propst.

There are several BOB competitions across the state of Iowa for elementary and middle school students, but none could be found for high school students. So Susan Fritzell and Sue Inhelder, both teachers at Marshalltown High School, created their own in 2007. The competition has been opened state wide since 2008.  Title lists are selected from previous year’s nominated titles of the following awards: Iowa High School Book, Alex, ALA’s Best Books for Young Adults, Coretta Scott King, Scott O’Dell, Newberry, Schneider, Pura Belpre, Printz, and Hugo Awards.

Committee members write fact-based questions about the books for competition in March and April.

The mission of IHSBOB is to introduce and encourage students to read award-winning literature of multiple genres through the fun and excitement of a game format.

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Marshalltown students earn blue ribbons at ITEC Tech Fair

Posted on April 18, 2011 by marshalltownschools

Students from Miller Middle School and Hoglan and Woodbury elementary schools all received blue ribbons for their projects presented at the Iowa Technology Education Connection Tech Fair Tuesday, April 12, at Iowa State University.

The 10 Marshalltown students competed at the regional Tech Fair, presenting their work to a panel of local judges. The Tech Fair “offer[s] K-12 students an opportunity to showcase technology-based projects created as part of their instructional curriculum in their schools.”

Students could create projects in seven different categories: multimedia, web presence, programming, video/linear presentation, graphics/publishing, 3-D rendering/non-linear animation, and music/sound design.

To create their Tech Fair entries, students not only had to research the information they presented, but also learn how to use technology and computer programming to create unique presentations.

“Debating Students’ rights: Tinker v. Des Moines”, Video/Linear Presentation, By Ali Ashby, Cassidy Blackford, Maddie Livingston, Miller Middle School

“The Debate on Child Labor”, Web Presence, By Ashley Harris, Molly Major, Erin Woltjer, Miller Middle School

“The Berlin Wall”, Web Presence,  Beau Ragland, Miller Middle School

“Living Things Respond”, Video/Linear Presentation, Brooke Tullis, Hoglan Elementary

“The Life Cycle of a Star”, Video/Linear Presentation, Hannah Gardea, Woodbury Elementary

“The Rules of Soccer”, Video/Linear Presentation, Trenten Finders, Woodbury Elementary

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District elementary schools selected for Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

Posted on April 15, 2011 by marshalltownschools

All elementary schools in Marshalltown Community School District will participate in the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program beginning this fall.

FFVP provides all children in participating schools a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school day (separate from lunch or breakfast). The program has several goals:

  • Create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices.
  • Expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience.
  • Increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption.
  • Make a difference in children’s diet to impact their present and future health.

The program began in 2002 as part of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act. In 2004 Iowa was one of the first states to pilot the program and then Anson Middle School was selected. Three years ago Anson Elementary was selected to participate. Woodbury Elementary joined on last year.

Information from the Iowa Department of Education and US Department of Agriculture

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Four MHS art students honored at CIML Conference Art Show

Posted on April 4, 2011 by marshalltownschools

Twenty Marshalltown High School art students attended the Central Iowa Metro League Conference Art Show at the Des Moines Art Center on Wednesday, March 30, with four students being recognized for excellence.

Those students had artwork in an exhibition there, hosted by West Des Moines Valley High School, along with the other five schools the CIML. The group was treated to workshops on composition in artwork, symbolism in pottery, and a tour of the Des Moines Art Gallery.

Three Marshalltown students were recognized for excellence in four artworks: Edgar Alvarez for works in charcoal and pencil, Tia Vergauwen for her oil pastel, and Blue Merit Award to Cory MacMillan for his pottery. Judges for the competition were professional artists Kim Hutchison and Rachel Sims.

Art teachers Kirk Niehouse, Josh Russell, and Julie Bousum accompanied the students.

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MHS Forensics Team qualifies second student for nationals

Posted on April 4, 2011 by marshalltownschools

Freshman Abby Snyder will join senior James Lindgren in representing Marshalltown High School at the National Forensics Tournament June 13-18, 2011, in Dallas, Texas.

Snyder earned the privilege Saturday, April 2, at the East Iowa Forensic District Tournament in Iowa City, where she was voted the top debater in the Legislative Debate.

“I am delighted for Abby.  She has learned so much and worked so hard in her first year in the debate program,” said Jae Dwyer, MHS debate coach. “She completely deserves this amazing distinction.”

In February Lindgren qualified for the second year in a row to compete at Nationals in Extemporaneous Speaking. By qualifying, James ensured that Marshalltown had qualified for the National Tournament three years in a row. This will be the first year in many that Marshalltown has had two qualifiers.

“I am extremely proud of both James and Abby for the hard work that they have put into the forensic program this year,” said Dr. Janelle Hawk, director of forensics at MHS. “They both deserve the honor of qualifying for Nationals, as they have both been exemplary ambassadors for the forensic program.”

In addition to having two students qualify for the National Tournament, Dr. Hawk has been invited to conduct a coaches’ workshop at the National Tournament Clinic for Professional Development. Dr. Hawk will instruct coaches on “How to Start Your Own Summer Institute.” This workshop presentation will be based on the summer camp that the Marshalltown Forensic coaches have run over the past four years. The MHS summer camp focuses on the skills necessary to be competitive in Forensics. Anyone interested in finding out more about this year’s summer camp should contact Dr. Hawk at jhawk@marshalltown.k12.ia.us.

Since the National Tournament is outside the regular tournament season, the Forensic team will be looking for ways to raise the necessary funds to travel to Dallas, Texas, and to stay for an entire week of competition.  If you wish to support the Marshalltown High School Forensic team, please send donations to MHS, c/o Dr. Hawk, 1602 S. 2nd Ave., Marshalltown, Iowa 50158.

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Students compete at Iowa Science Olympiad

Posted on March 31, 2011 by marshalltownschools

Several Marshalltown High School students earned top honors at the Iowa Science Olympiad March 26 at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, helping the team secure a third place overall finish.

The Science Olympiad is a competition that aims to “bring science to life, to show how science works, to emphasize problem solving aspects of science and the understanding of science concepts.” This state tournament is “a team-based competition that 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.”

Several MHS student placed first in their individual competitions, which helped the team secure its overall third place finish. Students earning top honors were: James Lindgre and Philip Kuhlman in Chemistry Lab; TJ Miller and Philip Kuhlman in Forensics; Molly Finn and Lainey Crawford in Write It/Do It; Ilene Finn and James Lindgren in Dynamic Planet; and Therese Kuhlman and Chandler Schmidt in Protein Modeling.

In the middle school division Miller Middle School earned an overall seventh place finish.

MHS Coaches are Theresa Theis, Pam Brewer-Michael and Susan Fritzell.

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