Bobcats Making Headlines

Miller Middle School cross country runners Ellie Draisey, left, and Diana Castro exemplified character and compassion as they helped a runner from an opposing team at a meet on September 22 in Indianola. They will be honored by the school board during the October 3 board meeting.

Two Miller Middle School cross country runners who exemplified unselfishness and compassion to a runner on an opposing team will be recognized by the Marshalltown School Board during the October 3 board meeting.

Seventh grader Ellie Draisey and eighth grader Diana Castro saw a runner from Dowling Catholic struggling during a race at Indianola on September 22. The two slowed down, offered encouragement to the Dowling runner, and then asked her to finish the race with them. It turns out the runner was running in her first meet since suffering a stress fracture injury.

The act of kindness struck the Dowling runner’s dad so much that he sent a note to Miller Principal Pat Rial that night indicating the Miller girls displayed “good character.”

“It gave me goose bumps,” Rial said of his reaction when he read the email from the parent. “We have good kids at Miller and we have good things going on. I was proud of them.”

Draisey said encouragement helps when running cross country races.

“If you are struggling, it helps to have encouragement,” Draisey said.

Castro said her family is proud of her, especially since she’s an older sister and is setting a good example for her younger brother and sister.

“They feel happy for me because I’m like a role model for them,” Castro said.

The two will be honored at the school board meeting at 5 p.m. on October 3 in school district offices at 1002 S. 3^rd. Ave.

These four Marshalltown High School students attended the Student Environmental Conference in Dubuque on September 22 and 23. Pictured are, from left, Monica Carroll, Ana Nolasco, Emily Sickles and Hannah Gardea.

Four students from Marshalltown High School attended the Student Environmental Conference held at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque on September 22 and 23.

The students who attended were Monica Carroll, Ana Nolasco, Emily Sickles and Hannah Gardea.

Activities at the conference included: learning about the Mississippi River Watershed from federal and state employees who work to protect it, netting fish from boats on the river, taking part in a study to protect the endangered Higgins Eye Mussel, participating in water quality testing, and sharing ideas with other students at the conference on how they might work in their areas to protect the Mississippi Watershed.

These four students are members of the MHS Envirothon team sponsored by the Extended Learning Program at MHS, which is led by teacher Susan Fritzell.

Anson Elementary School students and staff had a goal to sprinkle happiness the afternoon of September 22 and, boy, did they ever.

Throughout the course of an hour, different grade levels staked out the corner of Anson Street and Third Avenue in Marshalltown.

Enter acaption

Anson Elementary School students held positive signs, smiled and waved to motorists during an hour on September 22 at the corner of Third Avenue and Anson Street as part of a “Sprinkle With Happiness” effort.

They brought with them signs with positive messages and big smiles and waved to passing traffic.

It was part of an effort known as “Sprinkle With Happiness” and came from an idea from a conference attended by Anson school counselor Ashley Chyma this past summer.

“It’s a simple way to show kindness and it’s doesn’t cost a thing,” Chyma said.

Motorists waved back and honked as it was apparent the Anson students were able to brighten their day as well.

“The kids loved it,” Chyma said. “I think it worked out wonderful.”

To view some video footage of the event, click here.

Rogers Elementary School first grader Destiny Tate tastes a pickle made from cucumbers at the school garden during an event at the school on September 20. Also pictured is Rogers staff member Ann Soetenga.

When Rogers Elementary School staff said they were serving up locally grown food on September 20, they really meant “locally grown.”

As in just a few steps away.

During its Family Learning Center night, staff served up food made from the garden located at the school.

There was salsa made from pepper, tomatoes and cilantro, coleslaw made from carrots and other vegetables and pickle slices made from the cucumbers from the garden.

While school staff did much of the work on the garden over the summer, that is going to change. Iowa State University Extension staff, who have been part of the building of the garden beds, were signing Rogers students up to be in the newly-formed garden club at the school.

Rogers paraeducator Ann Soetenga is one of the staff leaders of the project and she said it’s important for students to learn where their food comes from.

“Growing a plant from a seed is a marvelous way to learn the practical applications of math, science, nutrition, environmental concerns and pride in working hard and caring for something that will bloom to produce what you want,” Soetenga said.

She said the staff is more than excited about the future of this project, which was boosted by the interest of the students during the food presentation Tuesday night.

“We are not just excited, but passionate about where we are headed,” Soetenga said.

Rogers Elementary School staff member Bill Roberts, right, provides a cup of coleslaw made from vegetables from the school garden to Rogers second grader Hanna Osgood.

The Marshalltown Community School District is seeking input from parents and community members via an online survey to help with information for the next strategic plan in the district.

This survey, known as a SWOT analysis, will help us determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the district. This anonymous survey is open to parents and community members.

Please complete the survey by October 7, 2016.

A link to the survey is currently posted on the Marshalltown Schools website at www.marshalltown.k12.ia.us or it can be accessed by clicking here.

Spanish version

Buscando la opinion del publico con encuesta para el propósito de planificar un plan.

El Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad de Marshalltown está buscando la opinión de padres y miembros de la comunidad mediante una encuesta en línea para ayudar con información para el siguiente plan estratégico en el distrito.

Esta encuesta también conocida como un análisis de SWOT nos ayudará para determinar las fuerzas, debilidades, oportunidades y amenazas del distrito. Esta encuesta anónima está abierta para los padres y miembros de la comunidad.

Por Favor complete la encuesta antes del 7 de Octubre del 2016.
Actualmente el link de la encuesta se encuentra el la pagina de las escuelas de Marshalltown en www.marshalltown.k12.ia.us o puede ser visitada haciendo clic aqui.

Miller Middle School Student Council members gave out hot dogs and popcorn at a school spirit tailgating event during the 8th grade football game on September 13 at Franklin Field.

School spirit was evident throughout the Marshalltown Community School District this Homecoming week.

Miller Middle School got into the act by holding a tailgating event during the 8^th grade football game on September 13, which was hosted by the Miller Student Council.

The group gave out hot dogs and popcorn at the event at Franklin Field.

The goal of the event was to raise school spirit and encourage middle school students to support their classmates. This is the second year in a row that the Miller Student Council has hosted this tailgating event.

Aspen Chadderdon was named MHS Homecoming Queen and Sam Brintnall Homecoming King on September 15.

Sam Brintnall and Aspen Chadderdon were crowned 2016 Marshalltown High School Homecoming King and Queen on September 15.

It was part of a big Homecoming day in Marshalltown around the theme “Bobcat Paradise.”

The day also included a parade, which had dozens of entries and led by this year’s grand marshal, new Marshalltown Community School District Superintendent Dr. Theron Schutte.

The senior class received first place in the float contest for its pirate ship.

Prior to the king and queen coronation, the crowd was treated to performances from MHS cheerleaders and the dance team at the pep rally.

Homecoming continues with the home football game vs. Waterloo West, with varsity kicking off at 7:30 p.m. Friday (September 16).

The Homecoming dance is from 8 to 11 p.m. at the MHS cafeteria on Saturday night (September 17)

Bella Russell gets airborne during the cheerleaders’ presentation during the pep rally on September 15.

The first place winning float from the MHS seniors.

MHS Marching Band

KCCI-TV reporter Marcus McIntosh brought his monthly Read with Me segment to Anson Elementary School on September 13. The segment is expected to air on KCCI during the 5 p.m. newscast on Friday, September 16.

A television camera and a celebrity reader arrived at Anson Elementary School on September 13 as part of the KCCI-TV Read with Me event at the school.

KCCI Reporter Marcus McIntosh visited the school as part of his monthly reading series across the state and read to students in kindergarten through second grade in the Anson gym. The school was selected after Anson kindergarten teacher Kate Troskey sent KCCI a letter of invitation for the Read with Me program.

“We are always excited for someone to come and read to our kids,” said Anson Principal Ronnie Manis.

McIntosh told the students it’s important to read throughout the year.

“I love to read,” McIntosh said. “Reading is very important in the McIntosh house.”

McIntosh read the book “Pete the Cat and His Magic Sunglasses.”

As part of the event, EMC Insurance donated $1,000 to the Anson library. Anson Teacher Librarian Beth Steffa said the money will be spent on books to support genre studies going on in the classrooms such as folk tales, fairy tales and biographies.

Nicole Herman of EMC presented the check to Troskey and Manis.

The Read with Me segment is expected to air on KCCI-TV during the 5 p.m. newscast on Friday, September 16.

Anson Elementary School kindergarten teacher Kate Troskey displays the $1,000 check the school received from EMC Insurance for books in the school library. At left is Nicole Herman of EMC Insurance and at right is Anson Principal Ronnie Manis.

The Marshalltown Community School District Board of Education has a current vacancy due to the recent resignation of one of its members.

Petition for a special election
In accordance with Iowa law, electors have the right to file a petition calling for the vacancy to be filled by a special election. This petition must be filed 14 days after the published notice and contain signatures of at least 493 eligible voters in the school district. This represents 30 percent of the 1,643 electors who participated in the most recent school election. If a special election is held, the individual selected would serve the remaining three years of the unexpired term.

For information on the petition process, contact Board Secretary Brian Bartz at 641-754-1000. Petitions must be submitted to the Board Secretary Brian Bartz by 4 p.m. on September 28.

Letters of interest for appointment
If the special election is not requested via the required petition and signatures, the board has 30 days from the board member’s resignation (September 8) to appoint a new board member. This individual would serve for one year until the next regular school board election in the fall of 2017.

Individuals wishing to be considered to be appointed to be a board member can submit a letter of interest by 4 p.m., September 21 to Brian Bartz, Board Secretary, Marshalltown Community School District, 1002 S. Third Avenue, Marshalltown, IA 50158. For more information contact Bartz at 641-754-1000 or email bbartz@marshalltown.k12.ia.us. At this time, the board is expected to interview potential candidates at the September 26 board meeting.

Photo by Stalzer Photography

Pictured are the 2016 Marshalltown High School Homecoming king and queen candidates. Front row, from left, Jordan Teixeira, Drake Zeuthen, Tyler Smith, Brennin Davis, Trevor Lewis, Austin Case and Sam Brintnall. Back row, Kelbryn VanGundy, Kobe Sandoval, Morgan Van Staalduine, Malory Henze, Leah Edel, Aspen Chadderdon and Vanessa Ceren.

The king and queen will be crowned at the coronation on Thursday, September 15 at the MHS/Community Auditorium. The pep rally and coronation will begin at approximately 7 p.m., following the 6 p.m. Homecoming parade. The parade will be held downtown on Main Street.