Bobcats Making Headlines

This group gathered at Lenihan Intermediate School as part of an event to promote the new Iowa PGA Swings with Kids golf program coming to Marshalltown Schools. Pictured in the front row, from left, are Lenihan students Jesse Cruz, Elexus Ocasio, Carter Giannetto and Meah Yoemans. Second row, Karn Gregoire (Martha Ellen Tye Foundation), Clay Goecke (Lenihan student), Terri Westendorf (St. Francis P.E.), Casey Moberly (Lenihan P.E.) and Tess Goudy of Iowa PGA. Back row, Dr. Matt Herrick (St. Francis principal), Josh Hoglan (American Legion Golf Course pro), Jay Giannetto (Elmwood Country Club pro), Dr. Theron Schutte (Marshalltown Schools Superintendent) and Jerry Johnson (retired Elmwood pro).

New youth golfing curriculum is headed to physical education classes in Marshalltown Schools in the kindergarten through eighth grade level.

The Iowa PGA Swings with Kids program was spotlighted during a special event at Lenihan Intermediate School on April 20.  The project was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Martha Ellen Tye Foundation and received numerous other donations.

Swings with Kids is designed to get students interested in a sport which potentially can be a lifelong activity for them.

To view a video of this event, click here.

The winning team from Franklin Elementary School in the elementary Battle of the Books is pictured with their teacher librarian Jodi Duffy on April 20. Students, from left, are Ari Herrera, Makia Long, Ella Spitzli, Olivia Zavala Livengood and Camille Ceren.

Five students from Franklin Elementary School took home first place in the Marshalltown Schools elementary Battle of the Books held April 20 at the Marshalltown Public Library.

Five of the six elementary schools in the Marshalltown Community School District participated in the competition, which tested the students’ knowledge on 12 books they read.

The teams competed in a written test and three rounds of oral competition during the event.

Woodbury and Hoglan schools tied for second in the event. All students who competed were able to take home a free book from the Marshalltown Public Library.

Marshalltown High School students take part in a team building exercise during leadership training in the Mentors in Violence Prevention program on April 19..

The Marshalltown High School Mentors in Violence Prevention hosted a leadership summit on April 19 at Marshalltown Community College. There were 65 student mentors present which consisted of new mentors mixed with current mentors.

They spent the day attending classes to improve their leadership and classroom management skills. Six of these classes were taught by veteran MVP students.

MVP is an award-winning program started at MHS last school year.

Extensive coverage in the Times-Republican.

Lenihan Intermediate School students look on as Emerson staff do demonstrations on casting during a visit to the Emerson Innovation Center on April 18.

Students in the Extended Learning Program at Lenihan Intermediate School took a field trip to the Emerson Innovation Center to learn more about the global valve manufacturer on April 18. Several Emerson staff gave of their time to describe their work and conduct demonstrations.

“Students had the opportunity to interact with many Emerson employees while experiencing demonstrations in 3D printing, casting, water cavitation and the laws of motion,” said Lenihan XLP teacher Vanessa Engel.

Emerson’s Scott Lindborg conducts a water cavitation demonstration.

Lenihan students meet Emerson staff.

Marshalltown School Board member Mike Miller watches a project created by Miller Middle School students. Students pictured presenting, from right, include Tristan King, Owen Miller and Christian Ambriz Gutierrez.

Miller Middle School students in a Project Based Learning seventh grade class taught by Brett Comegys provided presentations at the school on April 17. The students presented to an audience of school board members, school administrators and local historical society staff.

The project was designed to promote local points of interest including historical and tourist sites among others to make more people aware of these attractions.

Students presented websites, videos and a map to the guests.

“We have them walk through the process, explain the process and then take feedback,” Comegys said.

He said many of the information is presented in both English and Spanish to attempt to promote a “new niche of pride” in the community sites.

Visitors included Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte, Curriculum Director Pam Brewer-Michael, Michelle Roseburrough and Miriam Bryant from the Historical Society and school board members Janelle Carter and Mike Miller.

Hunter Block, center, talks about his group project to Miriam Bryant, left, and Janelle Carter.

Cassidy Wedemeyer talks about her group project to Michelle Roseburrough, left, and Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte.

Brian Perez Lopez presents as part of his group to Pam Brewer-Michael.

Students display a map with points of interest in Marshalltown.

Characters get their directions messed up during rehearsal for the spring play “Alice” at Miller Middle School. The play will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 20 in the Miller Auditorium. Pictured front row, Breanna Hovey. Second row, Savanna Calkins, Jesse DeMeyer and Sam Wilder.

Miller Middle School will present its spring play “Alice” on Thursday, April 20. The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the Miller Middle School auditorium (125 S. 11^th St.).

The play is an adaptation of the classic “Alice in Wonderland” story. The play is free and open to the public. It is directed by Miller teacher Katie Sawer, who is assisted by teacher Shawna Hutchison.

Cast members include : Savanna Calkins, Emily Diggins, Maggie Stansberry, Sam Wilder, Breanna Hovey, Kaylynn Arends, Hailey Hovey, Trinity Snow Snyder, Rylena Hornberg and Jesse DeMeyer.

Savanna Calkins and Sam Wilder

Savanna Calkins and Trinity Snow Snyder

Emily Diggins and Savanna Calkins

Miller Middle School students who participated in an honor choir on April 7 at Ballard High School in Huxley are pictured. Front row, Brenna Hempy. Second row, Samara Torres and Taylor Hoffman. Third row, Jackson Matteson, Blaedyn Benscoter and Alexander Thompson. Back row is teacher Sue Walsh.

Miller Middle School choir teacher Sue Walsh selected six Miller students to attend and perform in an honor choir event at Ballard High School in Huxley on April 7.

Selected to attend were Brenna Hempy, Samara Torres, Taylor Hoffman, Jackson Matteson, Alexander Thompson and Blaedyn Benscoter.

The group memorized five songs then rehearsed and performed with 16 other central Iowa schools at the event.

Marilyn Rhodes is pictured with her four children at her retirement reception on April 14 at the Marshalltown High School team room.

The Marshalltown Community School District honored Marilyn Rhodes for her 65 years of service on April 14.

The event, held in the Marshalltown High School Roundhouse team room, was attended by hundreds of people. They were there to honor Rhodes, who retired earlier this year after more than six decades of work as the executive assistant to the superintendent.

MCSD Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte gave some remarks at the event as Rhodes was presented a gift by School Board President Bea Niblock.

Visitors included current and former school staff, community members, family and friends.

Mark Lee

Mark Lee said is excited to take over as the next principal of Fisher Elementary School in the Marshalltown Community School District later this year.

Lee is currently elementary principal at Baranof Elementary School in the Sitka, Alaska School District.

“I am incredibly excited to be joining the Marshalltown community as the new principal of Fisher Elementary,” Lee said. “My family and I are looking forward to moving from southeast Alaska to be closer to family in the Midwest. I grew up visiting Iowa and we will find ourselves right at home.”

He has a wide range of previous teaching and administrative experience with a background in music, special education and reading.

Mr. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in Music from Concordia University and holds three master’s degrees including one in educational leadership and administration from Western Governors University.

Final candidates for the Fisher principal position were interviewed by a committee of Fisher Elementary staff, parents, board members and elementary and central office administrators.

“I am very excited to have Mr. Mark Lee join our building administration team as the next Fisher Elementary School principal,” said Marshalltown Community School District Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte. “He was selected from a pool of nearly 40 candidates for the position and the Fisher School Community was involved in the selection process and strongly affirmed him as the best candidate for the position.”

Mr. Lee will start on July 1 after the current Fisher Elementary School Principal Vicki Vopava retires at the end of this school year. Mr. Lee is eager to get to Fisher and begin his work.

“I believe in the power of teamwork and collaboration and I am eager to start my work with staff and to get to know students and families,” Lee said. “I am committed to working with staff to provide students and families with a positive school experience and I cannot wait to get started.”

Marshalltown Community School District Employee of the Quarter award winners for the third quarter are, from left, Oscar Cardenas of Miller Middle School, Lori Ferneau of Rogers Elementary School, Judy Nieman of Franklin Elementary School and Ted Piscitelli of transportation.

The Marshalltown Community School District has recognized four staff members with Employee of the Quarter awards for the third quarter of the school year. Below are the four award winners.

Oscar Cardenas
Oscar Cardenas has been an English Language Learner teacher at Miller Middle School since 2014.
He was nominated for the award by fellow Miller teachers Steve Hinderhofer and Matt Nevins.
Nevins said Oscar is a great collaborator with other staff and really helps with the needs of the ELL students.
“Oscar’s positive attitude is contagious,” Nevins said.
Nevins said Oscar gives each of his students respect and his care for them is evident in the school.

Lori Ferneau
Lori Ferneau is a special education paraeducator at Rogers Elementary School. She has worked in the district since 1994, previously serving as a health aid at several school buildings.
She was nominated for the award by Rogers teacher Anna Wolvers.
“Students love her,” Wolvers said. “She’s so positive and encouraging with them.”
Wolvers said Lori often gives students hugs, high fives and encouraging words to keep them going.

Judy Nieman
Judy Nieman is a special education teacher at Franklin Elementary School. She has taught in the district for more than 20 years. She was nominated for the award by Franklin teacher librarian Jodi Duffy.
“She is dedicated to her students,” Duffy said of Nieman in her nomination form. “She loves them like they are her own.”
Duffy said Franklin is lucky to have staff like Judy.
“She is a terrific role model for students and staff,” Duffy said.

Ted Piscitelli
Ted Piscitelli has been a bus driver with Marshalltown Schools since 2006. He was nominated for the award by transportation secretary Connie Reinert.
“Ted takes care of the children on his route or an activity trip that he might take,” Reinert said. “Ted is a very conscientious employee. He is a joy to work with.”