Bobcats Making Headlines

Wendy Schleisman, area supervisor with Casey’s General Store, talks about her work to students at Miller Middle School on January 25.

Wendy Schleisman, area supervisor for Casey’s General Store, visited the 7^th grade composition class taught by Shea Hill at Miller Middle School on January 25 to talk about the gas and convenient store business.

Schleisman started as an hourly worker at the Casey’s in Conrad more than 12 years ago, then worked her way up to a store manager and now area supervisor overseeing eight stores north of Marshalltown.

Schleisman answered several questions from the students, with a heavy focus on gas prices and how they get their supply.

“Gas prices affect the economy big time,” Schleisman said.

She also answered the often-asked question of why gas costs more per gallon at gas stations in the Marshalltown area than it does in the Des Moines area. She said since Casey’s gets its gas from a gas terminal in Des Moines, the cost to haul the gas to Marshalltown is factored into the price per gallon for the consumer.

Schleisman’s visit is part of project based learning going on in the class as the students will eventually make presentations on how gas prices vary across different regions. The group will present their findings in a news-type format. As part of their news research, the class plans to hold a Skype session with Nikki Newbrough of KWWL-TV news.

Marshalltown Learning Academy student Jacob Borton works on constructing an underwater robot as part of a science project at the school recently.

A group of Marshalltown Learning Academy students volunteered to participate in a SeaPerch personalized learning opportunity at MLA. SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Students build the ROV following a curriculum that teaches basic engineering and science concepts.

The SeaPerch program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science and mathematics while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. Throughout the project, students will learn engineering concepts, problem solving and technical applications.

“The SeaPerch PELO gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the new Iowa Science Standards, specifically the standards on engineering and density. Many of the new standards are performance expectations and by building SeaPerch students can show that they understand engineering practices and adjust their designs for use in the water,” said MLA science teacher Kevin Kenealy.

Through programs like SeaPerch, Marshalltown Learning Academy is engaging and inspiring students by exposing them to exciting, hands-on, and mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, while at the same time fostering self-confidence and life skills.

The students said they were inspired by the hands-on learning.

“It’s a very nice learning experience,” said student Christian Aguirre. “I’m picking up new skills, working along with my classmates and getting to build something.”

The SeaPerch initiative at Marshalltown Learning Academy was funded, in part, by a grant from the Wells Fargo Community Grant program.

Students and leaders in the Teen Outreach Program at Lenihan Intermediate School organized a penny war which raised $516.50 at the school. The students donated the money to the House of Compassion and Animal Rescue League. Representing the agencies were Karen Frohwein of the House of Compassion (holding check at left) and Shelly Deal of the Animal Rescue League (holding the check on the right).

Students in the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) at Lenihan Intermediate School donated a total of $516.50 to the House of Compassion and the Animal Rescue League on January 23.

The TOP students organized a penny war with their fellow sixth grade students to raise the money. TOP is led by Jana Larsen and Amy Robak of Mid-Iowa Community Action and Lenihan physical education teacher Casey Moberly.

“They raised quite a bit,” Larsen said. “We were really excited.”

TOP meets weekly at the school and teaches skill building, community service learning, self esteem building and other qualities to the students.

The money was split so the House of Compassion shelter and ARL each received $258.25.

The Marshalltown Community School District now has the ability to send text messages to parents from our Infinite Campus (Campus Portal) system to their phones. We plan to utilize this feature for weather notifications or other important notifications. For steps on how to set up to receive these messages, click here.

Spanish
El Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad de Marshalltown ahora tiene la habilidad de mandar mensajes de texto a padres de nuestro sistema Infinite Campus (Campus Portal) a sus teléfonos. Planeamos utilizar esta función para hacer notificaciones del clima u otra información. Para pasos en como instalar y recibir mensajes haga clic aquí.

Pictured are team members of the Marshalltown High School Color Guard with awards received at the Midwest Auxiliary Dance Competition held at Southeast Polk High School on January 21. Pictured are, front row, from left, Haley Bell, Erin Duffy, Mackenzie Peter, Maggie Grimm and Dhalia Jara-Tapia. Back row, Monica Gomez, Angel Cuellar, Whitney Canaday and Juan Andrade.

The Marshalltown High School Color Guard had a successful trip to the Midwest Auxiliary Dance Competition held at Southeast Polk High School on January 21. The team received a superior rating, best in class, best choreography and overall high point total in the color guard team category. The team, coached by Megan Assenmacher-Umthun, received several other awards at the regional contest including the following:

1st Place
Whitney Canaday – 17-18 Senior Color Guard Solo Division
Whitney Canaday and Angel Cuellar – 17-18 Senior Color Guard Duo
Megan Assenmacher-Umthun, Maggie Grimm and Monica Gomez – Color Guard Trio Open Division.

2nd place
Haley Bell- 15-16 Senior Color Guard Solo Division
Megan Assenmacher- Umthun- Color Guard Solo Open Division

3rd Place
Angel Cuellar- 17-18 Senior Color Guard Solo Division

Whitney Canaday and Angel Cuellar

Butch Baer is in his 25th year as public address announcer for several Marshalltown High School sports.  He is pictured holding a “Friend of the School” honor he received in the past and an autographed ball of former Bobcats Jeff Clement and Mike Mogard, who were 2002 state baseball champions.

Butch Baer was considered a fill-in public address announcer for the state high school baseball tournament in Marshalltown in 1993.

Little did he know then that the fill-in role would lead him toward his 25th year announcing multiple sports for Marshalltown High School.

For more than two decades Baer has announced varsity football, volleyball, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys track and baseball on a volunteer basis at MHS. Throw in his work at the state baseball tournament in Des Moines, and previously Marshalltown, and Baer has announced more than 1,000 athletic events.

The 67-year-old is a 1967 Marshalltown High School graduate.

“This is my way of giving back to not only my community, but also the high school I went to,” he said.

Butch and his wife Mary also had three daughters attend MHS.

A professional approach
Baer works out of his home as a business consultant for a software company. He also takes a professional approach to his announcing. He will often call the opposing school days ahead of time so he can learn how to pronounce the names of the athletes before they arrive.

“The job that I do reflects on Marshalltown High School and my community,” he said. “That’s why it’s important for me to be a professional announcer.”

He often gets compliments that his voice suits the role of a public address announcer.

“Just recently when we played Ames a gentleman from Ames told me, ‘your voice is very good and you did a nice job,’” Baer said.

Marshalltown High School Athletic Director Rollie Ackerman said two words come to mind when he thinks of Butch – “professional” and “dedicated.”

“We are very fortunate to have somebody with that level of professionalism and dedication so many years here at Marshalltown,” Ackerman said. “He is a Bobcat through and through.”

Ackerman said Butch keeps fans “engaged in the game” no matter what the sport.

Part of the volunteer spirit
Baer said he is one of several community members who volunteer their time to help home Bobcat athletic events run smoothly. He said through the years many other volunteers such as Andy Burt, Stacy Galema, Brad Braga, Greg Baughman and Vic Hellberg have also played vital roles, among others.

“This school has a great number of people like that who volunteer,” Baer said. “They are wonderful people.”

Favorite announcing moment
Although he has plenty of great announcing memories, the one game that sticks out for Baer during his announcing days is the 2002 state baseball title game in Marshalltown. The Bobcat team, led by future major leaguer Jeff Clement and future Iowa Hawkeye Mike Mogard, won the Class 4A title over Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

“That was a big moment to me,” Baer said.

Front row seat
Baer said he loves that he has a front row seat to see high school athletes who have gone on to play in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball.

“I’ve got the best seat in the house,” Baer said. “I’ve gotten to see some of the most phenomenal athletes compete at Marshalltown events.”

Being so close to the game has also forged longtime friendships with coaches, former players, umpires, officials and others.

Baer still remains dedicated to serve the school and has no plans to leave the microphone. He said he would like to continue to announce for a few more years as long as his voice holds up.

“The kids keep me young,” he said.

The Marshalltown Community School District will host a preschool open house at all six elementary schools in the district on Wednesday, February 1. Everyone is welcome to stop by and see what our preschool program is about.

The open house times are from 8:30 to 10 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Anson, Fisher, Franklin, Hoglan, Rogers and Woodbury elementary schools.

Preschool is tuition free across the district and is for children this fall who will be 4 years old on or before September 15, 2017.

For more information contact Emily Banks at 641-754-1000 or ebanks@marshalltown.k12.ia.us.

Marshalltown School Board members Mike Miller, left, and Ross Harris talked about their careers at RACOM and Emerson/Fisher respectively as part of career chat at Lenihan Intermediate School on January 17.

Two Marshalltown School Board members gave students an inside glimpse to their professional lives during the latest Lenihan Intermediate School career chat held on January 17.

Mike Miller, president of RACOM, and Ross Harris, plant manager for Emerson/Fisher, presented to the group.

Miller, who has a finance degree from Iowa State University, runs RACOM, which is a Marshalltown-based integrator of technology for public safety communications.

“We help keep the public safe,” Miller said.

Miller is a 1986 Marshalltown High School graduate who has been involved in the community in several ways from serving on the YMCA-YWCA board to being a member of city council.

Harris, a self-proclaimed “adventure-seeker,” spent 8 years in the U.S. Army and loved jumping out of planes. His personality went well when Emerson/Fisher had him travelling throughout the world as part of its global business as a valve manufacturer. He said he loved learning about new cultures and trying new food.

Now he travels less in his role as plant manager, where he utilizes his background in logistics (also ISU graduate). Harris said his mother was mayor in the small Iowa town of Postville when he was growing up, so that instilled in him a passion to serve his community.

“I was always brought up that you’ve got to give back to the community,” Harris said.

Career chat is led by Lenihan Extended Learning Program teacher Vanessa Engel and regularly invites professionals in the community to talk to students.

The Miller Middle School Lego League team received an honorable mention award at the state contest on January 15. Pictured are, from left, coach Ann Jackson, Lilly Duff, Marcus Barker, Marek Jablonski, Maggie Stansberry, Ethan Benscoter, Derek Peng,  Isaac B. Lopez and Jacob Swartz.

Miller Middle School’s Lego League team, the Robocats, travelled to Iowa State University to compete against 60 other teams from across Iowa at the State Lego League Championships on January 15.

The Robocats brought home an honorable mention award in robot design for their unique innovation and impressive strategy executed in the robot game. The team includes Lilly Duff, Marcus Barker, Marek Jablonski, Maggie Stansberry, Ethan Benscoter, Derek Peng, Isaac B. Lopez and Jacob Swartz.

The team is coached by Miller Extended Learning Program teacher Ann Jackson.

A parent-led team made up of Miller and Lenihan Intermerdiate School students also competed at state. That team, known as Medieval Gamer Puppies, was coached by Amanda and Travis Bloomquist and featured team members Quinton Lacey (Miller), Kaiden McWilliams (Lenihan), Taylor Vaughn (Lenihan) and Locke Bloomquist (Lenihan).
“The state championship was a great experience for the team,” Amanda Blomquist said.  “They were able to show off the progress they made since the regional tournament and had a fun time.”

FIRST Lego League is a competition in which students design, build, and program an autonomous robot to compete on a table-top playing field. In addition, students research a real-world problem, this year animal and human interaction, and are challenged to develop a solution. Along their journey, they develop critical thinking and team-building skills, basic STEM applications, and even presentation skills. Students also learn about and apply the program’s core values, which emphasize discovery, teamwork and good sportsmanship. There are over 32,000 First Lego League teams in 88 countries in the world.

Medieval Gamer Puppies at State Lego included, from left, Kaiden McWilliams, Quinton Lacey, Locke Bloomquist and Taylor Vaughn.

Rebekah Stone, left, won the Miller Middle School spelling bee on January 13. Also pictured is second place finisher Brenna Hempy.

The top 30 spellers at Miller Middle School competed in the annual Miller spelling bee on January 13. Taking first place and advancing to the state bee was seventh grader Rebekah Stone. Placing runner up was seventh grader Brenna Hempy.

A total of 133 Miller students competed in the qualifying rounds on January 12. The top 30 then took the stage at the auditorium and competed in nine rounds of spelling.

Stone correctly spelled words such estuary, gargantuan and turpitude on her way to victory. Wesley Kodis and Derek Peng were two others who placed in the top four of the finals. The event was hosted by teacher Lucas Johnson, who organized the bee along with teacher Christine Gilbertson.

“It was a great competition,” Gilbertson said. “I’m proud of the work of all of the students.”

Judges for the event were Miller staff Sammi Jo Luse, Shea Hill and Sarah Benscoter. Stone advances to the state spelling bee, which will be at Iowa State University in March.