Anson Elementary School fourth grader Nolan Wilson was recognized as a finalist in the Letters About Literature Contest.

Lenihan Intermediate School fifth graders Jayda Matteson, left, and Desy Sung were selected as semifinalists in the Letters About Literature contest.

Three Marshalltown Community School District students have been recognized in the statewide Letters About Literature contest.

Anson Elementary fourth grader Nolan Wilson was named a finalist and Lenihan Intermediate School fifth graders Jayda Matteson and Desy Sung were named semifinalists.

Letters About Literature is an annual writing contest where students write letters to an author who inspired them.

Letters About Literature awards three levels in grades 4-6.  Of the 554 students in Iowa who entered, there were only six winners, 26 finalists, and 24 semifinalists.

Finalist
Wilson spent several weeks writing and revising a letter to author, Jerry Spinelli, expressing how his book, Loser, impacted him.

“This is Nolan’s first attempt in the contest and this award is a testament to the many hours of hard work he put into his writing this year,” said Anson Extended Learning Program teacher Nicole Holman. “I could not be more proud of him.”

Seminfinalists
Matteson wrote her letter to author Joan Bauer about her book Close to Famous, and was able to make emotional connections to the main character’s home life as well as the passing of a beloved pet.

Sung wrote her letter to author Sharon Draper about her book Out of My Mind.  Desy made connections with the main character, Melody, and her struggles to communicate with the outside world beyond herself.

“Jayda and Desy are the type of Extended Learning students who really take it to heart,” said Lenihan teacher Vanessa Engel. “They took their letters home to write, read and revise before turning in their final letter.  These students took what they read and made true literature to self connections, which can be really hard to share with the world, but they did it and I am proud of them for it.”

The Fisher Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization is planning a 5K run/walk on April 29 at the school.

The run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. It will be followed by a free kids fun run at approximately 10 a.m.

Money raised from the event will go toward the Fisher PTO.

Race registration is $20 for those ages 15 and over and $15 for those ages 14 and under if registered by April 21. Early registrants will receive a T-shirt.

The race route includes roads beginning in the area of Fisher Elementary and heading toward the large pond on Merle Hibbs Blvd. and back to Fisher.

To register or for more details on the race, visit www.getmeregistered.com/fisher5k.

Fisher 5K volunteers and runners are pictured at a past Fisher 5K event. 

Marshalltown High School students are pictured with their award-winning art from the CIML conference art show. Pictured, front row, from left, are Ryan Anderson, Ashley Macbeth and Maggie Grimm. Back row, Jill Podhajsky, Frankie Ramirez, Anna Marie Carlson and Jaelin Christensen.

Marshalltown High School students picked up several awards at the CIML conference art show on April 5 at Ames High School.

“We are really just so proud of the work that our students put in, and it is nice to see the recognition that they truly deserve,” said MHS art teacher Wade Judge.

Winners from MHS included the following:

– Jill Podhajsky- Best in Show 3-D Art and first place oil/acrylic painting and Student Choice Best in Show
– Maggie Grimm- First place non-ceramic sculpture and honorable mention ceramics
– Ryan Anderson – First place charcoal drawing
– Frankie Ramirez – First place ceramic sculpture
– Jaelin Christensen- First place unaltered digital photography
– Anna Marie Carlson- Honorable mention ceramic sculpture
– Ashley Macbeth- Honorable mention charcoal drawing
– Julieta Cano – Honorable mention unaltered digital photography

Best in Show 3-D art by Jill Podhajsky

First place oil/acrylic painting and Student Choice Best in Show by Jill Podhajsky

First place non-ceramic sculpture by Maggie Grimm

Honorable mention ceramics by Maggie Grimm

First place charcoal drawing by Ryan Anderson

First place ceramic sculpture by Frankie Ramirez

First place unaltered digital photography by Jaelin Christensen

Honorable mention ceramic sculpture by Anna Marie Carlson

Honorable menton charcoal drawing by Ashley Macbeth

Honorable mention unaltered digital photography by Julieta Cano

Miller Middle School 8th grade girls track team members point out their coach, Don Wiser. Wiser is retiring after 39 years teaching and coaching in the Marshalltown Community School District and 44 years total in the field. (Photo by Stalzer Photography)

Wiser enters final coaching season, nears teaching retirement in physical education

For Don Wiser, a career of 44 years is coming to an end this spring.

“It really hasn’t hit me yet,” Wiser said. “It doesn’t seem possible it’s been that long.”

Wiser is retiring at the end of the school year as physical education teacher at Anson Elementary School. He has taught in Marshalltown Schools for the past 39 years after five years previously in Keokuk.

When not teaching, Wiser keeps busy coaching. As Miller Middle School track season opened up, Wiser has entered his final coaching season. He has coached girls track at the middle school level for 39 years, volleyball for 31 years and girls basketball for 25 years.

Wiser credits his longevity to his motto to do everything with energy, enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

Don Wiser

He also gives a big nod to his wife Ruthanne, who has been supportive of him and his hectic schedule. The two hope to travel to places such as Alaska and Ireland in future years in retirement. Wiser also plans to return to substitute teach and coach as well in the future.

Miller athletic director Grant Brintnall said Wiser has been a very dedicated coach at Miller. He sets rules and standards for athletes to follow and helps students learn and grow, Brintnall said.

“Don is passionate about coaching,” Brintnall said. “He will be tough to replace and certainly will be missed.”

Anson Elementary Principal Ronnie Manis said Wiser is an ultimate team player who not only teaches his classes but also helps out in the lunch room and other places when a need arises. Manis said his energy level translates over into the students.

“Don has an infectious enthusiasm that students ‘catch,’ ” Manis said. “It’s great to not only see Don teaching physical education, but it’s fantastic to see him doing everything he’s asking the students to do physically. It’s hard to believe someone with his energy is retiring.”

Wiser looks back at his career and said the good days have far outweighed the bad days in physical education and coaching – which is why he stayed so long at both. He said that day when his retirement becomes official is going to be an emotional one.

“That last day is going to hit me hard,” Wiser said. “I’ve spent two-thirds of my life doing this.”

Retirement Tea May 17

The Marshalltown Education Association and Marshalltown Community School District will honor Wiser and other 2017 retirees during the retirement tea event at 4 p.m. on May 17 in Dejardin Hall on the Marshalltown Community College campus. The event is open to the public.

Physical education teacher Don Wiser gets students moving during an assembly last fall at Anson Elementary School.

Marshalltown High School instrumental and vocal music students participated in the State Solo/Small Ensemble Contest on April 8 in Newton.

The band earned 30 Division I Ratings and 10 Division II ratings. The orchestra earned three Division I ratings and four Division II ratings. Vocal music earned nine Division I ratings, nine Division II ratings and two Division III ratings.

Marshalltown High School senior Nick Cooper received an Outstanding Performance Award (Best of Center) for his vocal solo. Cooper will perform at the outstanding performers recital at Iowa State University on May 10.

Marshalltown High School students meet with Judge John Haney and other Marshall County Courthouse staff on April 6 during the career exploration program for sophomores.

A career exploration program the week of April 3-7 saw Marshalltown High School sophomores fan out into the community to learn about local careers.

Led by a local committee of the Marshalltown Business Education Alliance known as the Student Partnership Program, students were able to learn more about a wide range of careers from community members.

“It has been extremely beneficial and has given the kids an opportunity to see these careers in their element,” said MHS counselor Valerie Corson. “It has sparked a lot of interest in careers.”

Program leaders would like to thank local businesses and organizations for their time.

“We are so appreciative of them taking the time to let the students visit,” Corson said.

Corson hopes to make this program an annual event for MHS sophomores moving forward.

Locations and job sites visited during the week included:
St. Francis Catholic School
Bobcat Academy
Emerson (locations on Governor Road and downtown)
Central Iowa Healthcare
Ricken Tiling
Long Enterprises
Ethington Heating & Cooling
Clemons Inc.
Fisher Community Center
Marshalltown Community College Dental Program
Orpheum Theater
Mechdyne
Marshall County Courthouse
Marshalltown Police Department
Blood Farms
Iowa School of Beauty
Hy-Vee
Marshalltown Aviation

Emma Wright, right, and Peter Limas talk to students about careers at Central Iowa Healthcare.

Students met with representatives from Ricken Tiling, Long Enterprises and Ethington Heating and Cooling on a construction site.

Students visited Emerson’s downtown office.

Students visit Blood Dairy Farm near State Center.

Officer Rod Whitmore gave students a tour of the police station.

Lisa Gassman gives a tour of the Marshall County Courthouse.

The group gathers inside Emerson.

Officer Rod Whitmore shows students the processing room.

These Miller Middle School students competed in the regional Battle of the Books contest on March 31 in Cedar Falls. Pictured, from left, are Stephanie Zavalza Flores, Sofia Whaley, Lilly Duff, Derek Peng, Andy Zheng and Colin Schmit.

Miller Middle School’s Battle of the Books team named To Be Determined traveled to AEA 267 in Cedar Falls to compete in the regional BOB competition on March 31.

At the competition, students answered questions on over 36 books that the group had read during this school year. Battle of the Books is designed to enhance student commitment, team building, reading comprehension, and study skills in a fun, informative manner.

Miller’s To Be Determined team placed 13th out of 49 teams at the competition.

This team from Lenihan Intermediate School tied for first place at the Battle of the Books on April 3. Pictured, from left, are Locke Bloomquist, Averi Bolar, Elexus Ocasio, Grace Bethel and Yessenia Alvarez Zamora. 

This team from Lenihan Intermediate School placed in a tie for first and included, from left, Braden Stewart, Roan Jelken, Desy Sung and Ryan Schmit.

Teams from Lenihan Intermediate School and St. Francis Catholic School took part in the Battle of the Books on April 3 at the Marshalltown Public Library.

The students read dozens of books and were tested on their knowledge of the books on Monday. Two teams from Lenihan shared first place honors at the event.

One first place team was The Cookie Bandits which consisted of Locke Bloomquist, Averi Bolar, Elexus Ocasio, Grace Bethel and Yessenia Alvarez Zamora.

The other first place team, known as the Dabbing Ducks, included Braden Stewart, Roan Jelken, Desy Sung and Ryan Schmit.

Marshalltown High School students recite the induction pledge as they become members of the National Honor Society on April 2 at the MHS/Community Auditorium. MHS inducted 40 students into NHS at the ceremony.

Marshalltown High School inducted 40 students into the National Honor Society during a ceremony held on April 2 in the MHS/Community Auditorium. The event featured remarks from MHS students, Principal Jacque Wyant and Counselor Meri Edel.

The keynote address was delivered by Marshalltown City Council member and 1991 Marshalltown High School graduate Bethany Wirin.

Wirin’s main message to the students was the importance of being kind to others. She said to “treat others with humility and respect.”

Students are selected for the National Honor Society by displaying character, leadership and service qualities and also achieving at least a 3.5 grade point average.

The 40 students inducted included Daniela Andrade, Felipe Bautista Salamanca, Jordan Blue, Jonah Daniel, Hunter Davenport, Kathya Del Real, Dru Dobbins, Jacob Eberle, Makenzie Grimm, Aubrey Hala, Olivia Hannam, Shakira Herrera, Sarah Jacobs, Brent Johnson, Joseph Kennedy, Carissa King, Aye Aye Khaing, Blake Linsenmeyer, Tariq Martin, Keyara McDowell, Grace Metzger, Emily Miller, Kya Naughton, Bennett O’Hare, Fatima Perez Negrete, Lauren Propp, Jane Ragland, Tyler Reeder, Marina Rosalez, Stella Roseburrough Borras, Emily Sickles, Joceline Sharfnejda, Jacob Smith, Olivia Stone, Lucas Thiessen, Allison Trowbridge, Samantha Trowbridge, Brooke Tullis, Cade Wilson and Luke Wymore.

The newest members of the National Honor Society.

Marshalltown City Council member Bethany Wirin was the keynote speaker at the event.

Miller Middle School teacher Shan Mooney and student Johnny Ascher display the puzzles at the school.

Miller Middle School completed a puzzle project to celebrate diversity as part of its Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) effort.

Each student decorated a puzzle piece that was put together with pieces from other students on their team at the school.

“The objective of the lesson was to show how each student is a piece of the puzzle here at Miller Middle School,” said Miller teacher Anna Miller.

Miller teacher Shan Mooney and student Johnny Ascher put the puzzles together and they were displayed on the third floor at Miller during parent-teacher conferences.