Bobcats Making Headlines

The Marshalltown Community School District Board of Education is planning to interview finalists for the position of superintendent May 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11.

The finalists are expected to be selected by the board during the May 2 board meeting in closed session following the regular board meeting.

During the interview days of each candidate, the public is invited to meet the candidates from 4:30 to 5 p.m. during a community forum in the district board room at the district administration office at 1002 S. 3^rd Ave. The candidates will also meet with interview groups representing Marshalltown High School students, building administrators, central office administrators, business leaders, teachers and support staff, community members and parents. More information on the final candidates and the days they will interview will be released next week once the finalists are confirmed.

The school board is working with McPherson & Jacobson of Omaha, Nebraska to assist with the search. On March 29, the consultants met with Marshalltown Community School District employees, students, and community patrons to solicit their input into the selection process. This input will be utilized by the MCSD Board of Education during this process.

On May 2, the consultants will meet with the Board of Education to review candidates and assist the board as it selects final candidates to be interviewed. At that meeting, interview dates and schedules will be established and the involvement of the various groups of district employees and patrons will also be established.

After the superintendent has been hired and is on the job, the McPherson & Jacobson consultants will facilitate a board/superintendent workshop to assist in the establishment of performance objectives for the new superintendent, which enhances the transition process for both the board and the superintendent.

Students in the Extended Learning Program at Lenihan Intermediate School toured the Emerson Innovation Center on April 26.

Forty students in the Extended Learning Program at Lenihan Intermediate School visited the Emerson Innovation Center on April 26 to learn about the control valve manufacturer from its employees.

Groups participated in four different stations during the tour, which included electricity circuits; heat treatment of steel; design engineering, drafting, manufacturing and parts; and a flow lab tour. Dozens of Emerson/Fisher staff members helped with the tours and gave insight into their careers.

“Emerson has always been fantastic in reaching out and helping our kids,” said Lenihan ELP teacher Vanessa Engel. “It was great to see so many staff members involved in this process. The students were engaged in their learning.”

Many ELP students recognized several Emerson staff members as they have presented during career chats at Lenihan throughout the school year.

On April 15, the SOAR Group at Marshalltown High School sponsored Day of Silence.

MHS has participated in the GLSEN (Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network) Day Of Silence for the fourth year in a row. This year over 50 MHS students participated.

The GLSEN Day of Silence is a student-led national event that brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Students from middle school to college take a vow of silence in an effort to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior by illustrating the silencing effect of bullying and harassment on LGBT students and those perceived to be LGBT.

In 1996, students at the University of Virginia organized the first Day of Silence in response to a class assignment on non-violent protests with over 150 students participating. In 1997, organizers took their effort national and nearly 100 colleges and universities participated. In 2001, GLSEN became the official organizational sponsor for the event.

Students in the Lenihan Intermediate School student leadership group Ricochet show how enjoyable cleaning up the community can be. Students helped clean up the Lenihan school grounds, Mega-10 Park, the skate park and other areas on April 21.

Who knew helping clean up the community could be so much fun?

Lenihan Intermediate School students in the leadership group Ricochet participated in a clean up effort after school on April 21. Two groups totaling 38 students cleaned up areas around the Lenihan school grounds, Mega-10 Park, the skate park and other areas surrounding the park.

“We owe a huge thank you to (parent) Chris Dawson for helping haul our equipment to the park for us and then he helped us take care of the trash we picked up,” said Lenihan teacher Diane Simpson. “We were able to finish up our school campus and the park areas right before the lightning and downpour started, so I think it was a big success. Students were all smiles and proud of their work.”

This event was part of a statewide program known as Project Jack, an effort which Lenihan received a $250 grant from the Iowa Association of Realtors.

“This is a pay it forward project done in remembrance of Jack Lindaman,” Simpson said. “Jack was a 6-year-old Iowa boy who passed away in February 2010 from spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).”

Simpson also was part of the effort with other Lenihan staff Angie Lovell and Raul Arevalo.

New members in the Marshalltown High School National Honor Society are pictured reciting the induction pledge during the ceremony on April 20 at the MHS/Community Auditorium. A total of 41 MHS students were inducted into NHS at the ceremony.

Marshalltown High School inducted 41 new members into the National Honor Society during a ceremony held on April 20 at the MHS/Community Auditorium.

Students are selected for NHS based on displaying four qualities including scholarship (minimum 3.5 grade point average), leadership, character and service.

MHS students who were inducted included: Juan Andrade, Olivia Arneson, Haley Bell, Gretchen Benscoter, Matthew Bohan, Ryan Bohan, Samuel Brintnall, Anna Carlson, Austin Case, Valerie Castillo, Vanessa Ceren, Brennin Davis, Noah DeVenney, Lucas Duff, Ciara Feldman, Alexander Gallentine, Jocelin Guzman, Benjamin Harris, Emily Hass, Hunter Hodges, Lay Htoo, Samuel Irwin, Madeline Jelken, Victoria Johnson, Elizabeth Loney, McKenna Major, Decker Mann, Kathreen Matney, Regan Mazour, Maria Mendoza Piceno, Aye Paw, Luke Pedersen, Jill Podhajsky, Dylan Roseburrough, Martin Runquist, Olivia Ryan, Jordan Smiley, Nathan Vance, Hadley Wagner, Jacqueline Wahl and Tatum Younkin.

The event featured the National Anthem from four of the National Anthem singers at MHS including Frank Iole, Lexi Jones, Jacob Ramsey-Smith and Sydnie Wohlert. Speaking on behalf of MHS were Principal Jacque Wyant, Associate Principal Dr. Kenneth Hayes and Counselor Meri Edel. Current NHS President Ryan McDaniel, a senior at MHS, also spoke to the students.

The keynote address was delivered by Lynn Olberding, Executive Director of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce. Olberding’s speech focused on four tips for the students. She said students should embrace opportunities, be a game changer, be engaged in what they are doing and never stop learning. She also told the students to not let failure get them down and to use it to guide them to success.

On April 16, Marshalltown High School students from the band, orchestra and choir attended the Iowa High School Music Association State Solo and Small Ensemble Festival held at Newton. It is a daylong event in multiple centers where students perform solos and small ensemble music for one judge and an audience to earn a division rating.

Orchestra
The orchestra department under the direction of Maggie Williams earned the following results:

Two Division I ratings, 4 Division II ratings and 3 Division III ratings:

Students with their ratings include:
Amber Bullock – II
Hannah Gardea – III
Denise Martinez – III
Michelle Ankrum – II
Ryan Anderson – II
Stefan Peng – I
Stella Roseburrough Borras – I
Marshalltown String Duet (Stefan Peng, Nataly Sanchez) – III
Marshalltown String Trio (Stefan Peng, Eve Nettesheim, Stella Roseburrough Borras) – II

Band
The band department under the direction of Bret Lee and Brett Umthun earned the following results: 23 Division I ratings, 7 Division II ratings and 3 Division III ratings.

In addition, Ben Harris earned a Best of Center Award for his Soprano Sax Solo and the Brass Quintet of Nick Cooper, Jordan Smiley, Shane Jacobson, Collin Krukow and Nate Harris earned a Perfect Score and Best of Center Award.

MHS Band solo event results with division rating

Flute Solo     Mary Sutton – I
Flute Solo    Yetnia Hernandez – I
Flute Solo     Denise Martinez – III
Eb Clarinet Solo  Angel Ramirez – I
Bb Clarinet Solo  Angel Ramirez – I
Alto Clarinet Solo   Kassie Wilkins – I
Bass Clarinet Solo   Olivia Stone – II
Bass Clarinet Solo   Evan Miller – II
Bassoon Solo    Lucas Duff – I
Soprano Sax Solo   Ben Harris – I
Tenor Sax Solo   Victoria Johnson – II
Bari Sax Solo     Lucas Wymore – I
Trombone Solo   Frank Iole – I
Trombone Solo   Collin Krukow – I
Tuba Solo   Moises Garcia – I
Timpani Solo   Josh Arment – I

The following events earned Division I ratings: Flute Duet A, Flute Duet B, Flute Quartet A, Sax Quartet, Sax Quintet, Brass Quintet A, Trombone Quartet A, Percussion Trio A, Percussion Quintet A, Percussion Quintet B, Percussion Sextet A

The following events earned Division II ratings: Clarinet Quartet, A, Horn Trio A, Brass Quintet B, Percussion Sextet A

The following events earned Division III ratings: Percussion Choir A, Woodwind Quintet A

Spring concert April 24
The MHS Band Department will hold its spring concert on Sunday April 24, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. in the MHS/Community Auditorium. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students with activity passes honored. The Wind Ensemble under the direction of Bret Lee and the Symphonic Band under the direction of Brett Umthun will perform in addition to selected solos and ensembles from the IHSMA Festival. The MHS Band Class of 2016 will also be recognized.

Vocal Music
The MHS Vocal Music Department under the direction of Amy Ose had an excellent day at the contest. Twenty-two vocal entries performed for the judges throughout the day with the following results:

Division I ratings: Nick Cooper (solo), Frank Iole (solo), Isabella Pedersen (solo), Trey Quick (solo), Olivia Stone (solo), Hadley Wagner (solo), Vocal Duet #1, Vocal Duet #4, Vocal Duet #5, Vocal Duet #6, Senior Trio, Sophomore Septet, Triple-Quartet & Chamber Choir

Division II ratings: Breanna Johnson (solo), Damond Jones (solo), Brenda Reyes (solo), Vocal Duet #2, Vocal Duet #3, Six Dudes & Freshman Triple Trio

Division III rating: Quartet #1

Three performances earned perfect ballots from the judges: Nick Cooper for his vocal solo; the vocal duet between Lexi Jones and Nick Cooper; and a second duet featuring Kassie Wilkins and Keyara McDowell.

Outstanding performer award
One of the honors that a judge may bestow upon a performer(s) is the “Outstanding Performer Award.” They are not required to designate any performance, but may only choose one from the many entries they hear throughout the judging day. In both vocal centers, the designated awardee was a Marshalltown High School performance. Singing, Sylvelin (Sinding) and Nine Hundred Miles (arr. Walters), Nick Cooper earned the Outstanding Performer Award for Center 1 while the Outstanding Award in Center 2 was given to the MHS sophomore septet comprised of: Hadley Wagner, Brenda Reyes, Molly Bach, Raechel McGahuey, Erin Duffy, Keyara McDowell and Isabella Russell. The sophomore septet’s literature included, Heart, We Will Forget Him! (Farnell) and The Tiger (Porterfield).

These outstanding performers will be included in a special showcase of talent at Iowa State University on May 11. They will perform their contest selections for the public and for other outstanding performers from across the state.

MHS Vocal Music Director Amy Ose called it a very successful day for the instrumental and vocal students from MHS.
“I am so proud of our musicians, vocally and instrumentally,” Ose said.

House of Compassion Assistant Director Maryna Salas, left, gladly accepts a donation for the supply closet from the Franklin Elementary School staff on April 19. The staff are represented in the photo by Counselor Karen Mussig and Principal Tim Holmgren.

Franklin Elementary School staff participated in a successful supply drive to benefit the House of Compassion recently. Staff collected hundreds of supplies for the shelter’s supply closet as part of an effort during the first two weeks of April.

The supply closet helps by providing toiletries and other essential household products for those in need. On April 19, Franklin Principal Tim Holmgren and Counselor Karen Mussig delivered a truckload of the supplies to the HoC.

“We are always happy to see schools involved in giving to the HoC,” said Karen Frohwein, director of the House of Compassion. “Right now, we are very blessed with a full supply closet, but all of these items will be used by the end of May. We want to encourage others to follow the lead of Franklin and donate to the HoC.”

Holmgren said a substitute staff member at Franklin is active in supporting the House of Compassion and came up with the idea for the staff to help.

“It kind of fell into place with the needs they have,” Holmgren said.

Members of the MHS Science Olympiad team which competed at Coe College on April 9 are pictured. Front row, from left, Juan Andrade, Phoebe Osgood, Hannah Gardea, Maggie Grimm and Mary Drummer. Second row, Dayana Carrera, Stefan Peng, Collin Krukow and James Drummer. Back row, Jon Ortega and Whitney Canaday.

The Marshalltown High School Science Olympiad team competed at the state contest on April 9 at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. The team placed ninth out of 16 teams. Mt. Vernon High School placed first.

Medalists from MHS included: Juan Andrade and Maggie Grimm earned first in Forensics; Maggie Grimm, Stefan Peng and Collin Krukow were second in Protein Modeling; and Stefan Peng and Collin Krukow were second in Astronomy and third in Dynamic Planet.

This tournament is a team-based competition that consists of a series of different hands-on, interactive, challenging and inquiry-based events that are balanced between the various disciplines of biology, earth science, environmental science, chemistry, physics, engineering and technology.

Miller Middle School students selected for the Blank Summer Institute are pictured. Front row, from left, Gaby Perez Gonzalez and Donovan Gavagan. Back row, Avy Smith, Trevor Ketcham (alternate) and Zach Swartz (alternate).

Three Miller Middle School students were selected for the prestigious Blank Summer Institute for Arts and Sciences with two students selected as alternates.

Miller students selected for the extended learning summer program were Avy Smith in social sciences, Donovan Gavagan in performing arts and Gaby Perez Gonzalez in creative writing. Two alternates from Miller are Zach Swartz in math and Trevor Ketcham in science.

The Blank Summer Institute for Arts and Sciences is a weeklong residential program at the Belin-Blank Center at the University of Iowa with advanced educational opportunities. Only 15 students in the state are selected in each category.

Students are selected based on teacher nominations, test scores, an essay and a portfolio, said Miller Counselor John Augustine.

This year’s institute will be held from June 27 to July 1. It will feature 120 of Iowa’s gifted students in grades 7 and 8.

Pictured are the elementary Battle of the Books winners from Hoglan Elementary School. From left, is Dayra Chavez Ordaz, Emiliy Rivas, Marcus Burgos, Hoglan teacher librarian Jeni Sloan and Braden Stewart.

A team of fourth graders from Hoglan Elementary School took home first place in the district-wide elementary Battle of the Books on April 18 at the Marshalltown Public Library.

Teams read 12 books total throughout the past several weeks and answered questions on the books as part of the contest. The event featured teams from all six elementary schools in the Marshalltown Community School District.

The winning team from Hoglan included students Dayra Chavez Ordaz, Emiliy Rivas, Marcus Burgos and Braden Stewart. Franklin Elementary placed second at the contest.

Pictured is the Franklin Elementary team, which took second place.