Bobcats Making Headlines

Franklin Elementary School Principal Tim Holmgren, second from left, presents a $125 donation check to Detective Brian Siegert of the Marshalltown Police Department for the Shop with a Cop effort. Also pictured are Officer Stephanie Deutmeyer of the MPD and Deputy Tim Hungerford of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.

Franklin Elementary School Principal Tim Holmgren presented a $125 check to local law enforcement officials as a donation for the local Shop with a Cop effort.

The money was raised during the recent “Blue Friday” in the district where many students and staff dressed in blue to show support for law enforcement.

At Franklin, adults donated $1 to purchase a blue ribbon to tie on the fence outside of the school. That money will now go towards the Shop with a Cop effort, which helps less fortunate kids buy presents for their families and also purchase school supplies.

Joining Holmgren for the check presentation on November 8 was Detective Brian Siegert and Officer Stephanie Deutmeyer of the Marshalltown Police Department and Deputy Tim Hungerford of the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office. Both Siegert and Hungerford have spouses who work at Franklin.

Holmgren was happy with the way “Blue Friday” was received at Franklin.

“We had a lot of participation in the building, not only with the adults, but with the kids,” Holmgren said. “We used it as a teachable moment.”

The law enforcement personnel were thankful to students and staff for their participation.

“It’s a good feeling to see the kids support you,” Hungerford said.

Nick Cooper, center, plays Ren McCormack in the Marshalltown High School fall musical “Footloose, the Musical” at 7 p.m. November 11 and 12 at the MHS/Community Auditorium. Pictured in the second row, from left, are Luke Pedersen, Hannah Shirar, Bell Russell and Hadley Wagner.

Get ready to kick off your Sunday shoes, “Footloose, the Musical” is coming to Marshalltown High School.

Directed by Heather Lee and Amy Ose, the show will be at 7 p.m. both Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12 at the MHS/Community Auditorium.

The musical is based on the 1984 hit movie “Footloose.” It centers on the ban of dancing and rock music in the small town of Bomont and the teenage rebellion that followed the ban.

“Rehearsals have been going well and excitement is building among the cast and crew in anticipation of the performances this week,” Lee said. “We hope to take the audience on a fun ride of music, dancing and drama that will elicit a wide range of emotions.”

MHS senior Nick Cooper takes the lead role as Ren McCormack, popularized by actor Kevin Bacon in the movie version.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Cooper said of the musical.

Other main characters include Lucas Thiessen as Rev. Shaw Moore, Eva Hernandez as Vi Moore, Bell Russell as Ariel Moore, Isabella Pedersen as Ethel McCormack, Luke Pedersen as Willard Hewitt, Hannah Shirar as Rusty, Drake Zeuthen as Chuck Cranston, Carissa King as Urleen and Hadley Wagner as Wendy Jo.

Brett Umthun directs the pit orchestra while Trey Quick serves as stage manager.

Admission at the door the night of the show is $5 for adults, $3 for children (kindergarten through eighth grade) with activity tickets honored.

“Footloose, the Musical” Cast
Nick Cooper – Ren McCormack
Isabella Pedersen – Ethel McCormack
Lucas Thiessen – Rev. Shaw Moore
Eva Hernandez – Vi Moore
Bell Russell – Ariel Moore
Olivia Stone – Lulu Warnicker
Eli Thiessen – Wes Warnicker
Angel Ramirez – Coach Roger Dunbar, Jeter, & Chicago Friend 1
Kassie Wilkins – Eleanor Dunbar
Hannah Shirar – Rusty
Carissa King – Urleen
Hadley Wagner – Wendy Jo
Drake Zeuthen – Chuck Cranston
Frank Iole – Travis, Bickle, & Chicago Friend 3
Mackenzie Moyer – A Cop & Adult
Jordan Blue – Betty Blast
Luke Pedersen – Willard Hewitt
Matt Waldon – Principal Harry Clark & Chicago Friend 2
Taylor Naughton – Cowgirl
Angel Ramirez – Cowboy Bob
Jordan Blue & Frank Iole – Cowboy Bob’s Backup Singers

Ensemble Members
Molly Bach, Immaculate Edwin, Nyadoar Gatwech, Amanda Hoffman, Ashley Macbeth, Abby Murty, Reena Pearson

Production Crew
Director – Heather Lee
Vocal Director – Amy Ose
Choreographer – Amanda Loomis
Stage Manager – Trey Quick
Set Design – Heather Lee, Rachael Lee, Mickey McDonald, Alan Paxson
Light Board – Anna Marie Carlson
Sound Board – Madeline Jelken
Auditorium Mgr – Alan Paxson,
Poster/Program/T-Shirt Design – Kyi Tun
Head Makeup – Rachael Lee

Stage/Tech Crew
Brianna Dean, Payton Eigenberger, Nyapukah Gatwech, Liberty Grife, Jocelyn Guzman, Yatnia Hernandez, Eve Nettesheim, Alexis Ortiz, Valerie Ramirez, Jaiman Rivera, Molly Sickles, Sarah Trowbridge, Emily Waldon

Pit Orchestra
Director – Brett Umthun
Annie Grieshop, Amy Ose, Mary Sutton, Skylar Lindeman,
Ben Harris, Victoria Johnson, Quinton Rice, Alex Weidenaar, David Barlow, Josh Arment

A group of students and staff at Marshalltown High School are pictured dressed in blue as part of “Blue Friday” to support law enforcement. Pictured fourth from the left in the second row is School Resource Officer Rod Whitmore.

Throughout the Marshalltown Community School District students and staff came together on November 4 during “Blue Friday.” Students and staff were invited to wear blue to support law enforcement.

Aside from many wearing blue, other activities surrounded the day as part of the effort.

At Franklin Elementary School, adults bought blue ribbons for $1 each to tie into the shape of a heart on the fence outside the school. The money raised will go toward the Shop with a Cop event.

Lenihan Intermediate School students Daniel Andrade and Erick Ramirez Andrade started a thank you card writing campaign to support law enforcement. The cards will be given to the police.

Hundreds of Marshalltown High School staff and students wore blue, which was appreciated by School Resource Officer Rod Whitmore.

“It’s been a good showing of support,” Whitmore said. “It’s good to see.”

Third grade students at Hoglan Elementary wrote letters and made goodie bags for the Marshalltown Police Officers. Lt. Rick Bellile visited to accept the gifts and took time to take a picture with all of the third graders.

Hoglan staff made a thank you banner for the Marshalltown Police Department.

Lenihan Intermediate School students show their love for law enforcement.

Franklin Elementary School adults donated money to purchase blue ribbons that were placed on a fence at the school. The money donated will go to the Shop with a Cop effort.

Lenihan students

Lt. Rick Bellile with the Marshalltown Police Department accepted thank you cards from Hoglan Elementary School third graders.

Miller Middle School in Mrs. LaVelle’s class

Miller Middle School with Marshalltown Police Officer Stephanie Deutmeyer.

Hoglan staff

Miller staff

Miller staff

From the Marshalltown Police Department to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, local law enforcement have been steadfast in their support of Marshalltown Schools through the years.

As a way to show support for law enforcement, Marshalltown Community School District staff and students are invited to wear blue on Friday, November 4 as part of “Blue Friday.” Wearing blue is not mandatory on that day.

Local law enforcement officials are often in schools talking to students about the dangers of drug use or helping reward students for their achievements. We appreciate the support of the Marshalltown Police Department and the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.

SPANISH

Las Escuela de Marshalltown sostienen “Viernes Azul”

Desde el Departamento de Policía de Marshalltown a La Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Marshall, la policía local ha sido firme en su apoyo con las Escuelas de Marshalltown durante los años.

Como manera de demostrar apoyo a la policía, personal y estudiantes del Distrito Escolar de Marshalltown son invitados a usar azul el Viernes 4 de Noviembre como parte de “Viernes Azul.” No es obligatorio usar azul ese dia.

Oficiales de la policía local están muy seguido en escuelas hablando con estudiantes de los peligros de usar drogas o ayudando a reconocer a estudiantes por sus logros. Apreciamos el apoyo del Departamento de Policía de Marshalltown y La Oficina del Alguacil del Condado de Marshall.

Rylee DeLarme, left, and Kennedy Feldman

Do you know that we “fall back” this weekend as Daylight Saving Time ends?

For an explanation, check out a video featuring two fourth grade students at Fisher Elementary School, Rylee DeLarme and Kennedy Feldman.

Thanks to Extended Learning Program teacher Deb Christenson for preparing the students for this video.

Click here to see the video.

Lenihan Intermediate School student Dale Greene delivers his completed ballot to the ballot box during the mock presidential election held at the school on October 31.

Young voters took to the polls at Lenihan Intermediate School in a mock presidential election held on October 31.

Students in the sixth grade class taught by Leah Mattox organized the election, with some of the actual voting equipment on loan from the Marshall County Auditor’s Office.

The equipment included a voting booth, ballot box and stickers. The ballots were made by the school and consisted of just the presidential election. The results indicated Hillary Clinton topped Donald Trump by a count of 582 to 100.

Lenihan Principal Kyle Young said there was a buzz going around the school for the mock election.

“The students are very excited about it,” Young said.

As the fifth and sixth grade students voted in the mock election, Mattox reminded them of the importance of voting for real when they get old enough.

“We hope that you vote when you turn 18,” Mattox told the students. “This is just practice.”

Lenihan sixth grader Meah Yoemans handed out stickers to those students who voted.

Lenihan Intermediate School vocal music teacher Sara McCue is pictured with Lenihan sixth grader Mang Sang, left, and Miller Middle School seventh grader Taylor Hoffman at an honor choir performance held in Johnston on October 29.

Two Marshalltown Community School District students participated in a regional honor choir at a conference of the Midwest Kodaly Music Educators of America in Johnston October 28-29.

Lenihan Intermediate school sixth grader Mang Sang and Miller Middle School seventh grader Taylor Hoffman participated in the event after being nominated by Lenihan vocal music teacher Sara McCue, who also attended the event.

The event drew students from Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. Rehearsals were held on October 28 and 29 with the concert on the 29^th.

“I’m very proud of Taylor and Mang Sang,” McCue said. “The choir sounded amazing and I’m thrilled that we were able to give them the opportunity to sing with a select group of voices.”

A group of Lenihan Intermediate School students visited Blank Park Zoo on October 26 to do research on tigers.

Lenihan Intermediate School students on the Extended Learning Program’s Lego League team took a field trip to Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines on October 26.

The team was able to talk to zoo staff Bonnie VanEllen, animal supervisor, and Jessie Lowry, conservation coordinator, about the behaviors and habitats of tigers and what people can do to protect tigers.

This year’s theme for Lego League is “Animal Allies.”  Students are asked to identify a problem within relationships between people and animals and then come up with a solution to their problem.

Lenihan’s “Siberian Tiger Soldiers” team decided to research building a sanctuary to protect tigers from poachers and loss of habitat.  The Blank Park Zoo was kind enough to set up a time for the students to talk with professionals who deal hands-on with the tigers and have the students watch a tiger get fed by hand.

“The students had a blast and were entranced by the fact we could get so close to such a powerful animal,” said Lenihan XLP teacher Vanessa Engel. “This was an amazing experience even for me.”

Students who achieved perfect attendance during the first quarter at Woodbury Elementary School were treated to a balloon party on October 27 at the school.

It was one big party in the gym at Woodbury Elementary School at the end of the day on October 27.

A total of 198 students who achieved perfect attendance for the first quarter of the school year were invited to a balloon party. The party consisted of games with the balloons and balloon animals being made for them by District Curriculum Director Shauna Smith and Woodbury Counselor Heidi Williams.

Principal Anel Garza told the students she was proud of them for not missing a single day of school during the first quarter.

Woodbury Elementary School students Blas Chavarria, left, and Juan Marceleno Vazquez take part in a balloon race.

These three Marshalltown High School Student Senate members are getting ready to offer children candy during a new trunk or treat event in the Marshalltown High School parking lot. Pictured from left, are Gretchen Benscoter, Jacqueline Wahl and Olivia Ryan. The event will be held during trick or treat hours from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on October 31.

Marshalltown High School Student Senate members are organizing a trunk or treat candy giveaway during Halloween festivities in Marshalltown. The new event will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Monday, October 31 during the regular trick or treat time in town. It will be located in the staff parking lot at MHS (south of the Roundhouse) and all are welcome.

Student Senate member Olivia Ryan, who is junior class president, said they expect approximately 40 vehicles to have their trunks open for treats at the school. Many of the groups on hand will be representing MHS clubs and athletic teams and they look forward to children visiting.

“We are very impressed and excited with the turnout we expect of vehicles,” Ryan said. “We hope to make it an annual tradition.”

One of the goals of the Student Senate is to be more involved in the community and the students feel that this will help in that endeavor. Many of the students handing out candy plan to dress in costumes for the occasion.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Gretchen Benscoter, junior class vice president.