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December, 2015
From the Desk of Tom Wood,
Superintendent
Needs Assessment Survey
I wanted to thank all of you who took the time to complete the
needs assessment survey and submit comments last month.
The results are being analyzed and shared with stakeholder
groups in the district to help us continue quality service to
families and students as well as improve on the identified
areas. As educators our goal is to consistently and continually
improve practice and feedback from students, parents, staff,
board members, and the community is a key to that.
Summary of Results
Some of the summary findings are included below. This is not
a complete list but rather a compilation of common themes
and ideas that were identified in the survey. The Iowa
Association of School Boards (IASB) assisted with the results
and offered recommendations too. There were several
strengths:
1. Almost three-quarters of staff members believe that
there is a shared understanding of improvement
efforts.
2. Over 75% of staff believe that virtually all students
can learn at high levels.
3. Almost all respondents in all three groups believe
that the school board can have a positive impact on
student achievement.
4. Over 75% of parents and students say that parents are
well informed of their student‟s progress.
5. Nearly all parents and staff members agree that
parents must be partners in education.
There were also areas that were identified as needing to
improve. IASB‟s recommendations for those improvements
follow:
1. Create urgency and consensus among all stakeholders
around the belief that virtually all students can learn
at high levels, that barriers can be overcome, and that
major improvements can and will be made in student
achievement.
2. Place major emphasis on effective instruction, the
content and rigor of the Iowa Core Standards, and on
active student engagement in the classroom.
3. Continue to improve the assessment system to align
to the content and rigor of the Iowa Core Standards.
4. Insure that all stakeholders understand how they have
a voice in decision making.
While these nine points are not inclusive of every response
that was submitted, these are drawn from the common themes
in the survey choices and open-ended responses that were
gathered. Surveys such as these reflect the perception of the
people taking it; as perceptions vary, so did the responses.
However, we are taking the feedback seriously and are
creating plans to address these needs. Your continued help and
support will assist us in seeing these plans through.
Next Steps
School Improvement Plans will be drafted, edited, and
finalized with the School Improvement Advisory Committee
(SIAC) and the school board. These plans will help shape our
professional development as administrators, school board, and
teachers. In addition, you will see future newsletters and
communications that address these issues regularly.
Finally, I invite anyone who has questions to call me or either
one of our principals, set up a time to come in, and discuss
what is on your mind. Our goals are very much in line with
those of our parents, and that is to provide the best education
to students at Martensdale-St. Marys. As a district we will
strive to continually improve, and as a superintendent I will do
the same. Your feedback and assistance with this is crucial.
Sometimes a simple conversation can get the ball rolling when
it comes to change. With that, I invite any community
members or parents to come in for a cup of coffee and talk; I
do want to hear from you.
Thank you for your continued support; the families of MStM
make this school a great place to be!
From the Desk of Josh Moser,
Secondary Principal
“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” Pope John Paul II
If I were to go backward in time to visit my 14-year-old self as
a high school freshman, and then tell my teenaged self that in
25 years I would be a middle school/high school principal in
Martensdale, Iowa, I would have laughed out loud (partially
because I‟d be in disbelief and partially because the “LOL”
abbreviation had not yet been invented). At that time in my
life (the fall of 1991), while I didn‟t know exactly what I
would be doing when I grew up, I was 100% certain it had
nothing to do with being in school any longer than I had to. As
I went through my various high school coursework, I often
found myself asking these questions and making similar
statements:
“I won‟t need to know this after high school.”
“When will I ever use this in the real world?”
“I already know what I will be doing, so I don‟t
really need to learn this.”
In spite of that wonderful teenaged gift of knowing
everything, it turns out I didn‟t know where I would end up or
what kind of skills or knowledge I‟d need to get there. In fact,
I was totally off-base from the beginning. To illustrate this
point, the English language arts textbook assigned to me as a
high school junior (which I didn‟t really bother to read at the
time) turned out to be the very same textbook I had to teach
from my first few years at MStM. At that moment of
realization and clarity, it occurred to me that had I made the
effort in high school to learn the material when the
opportunity presented itself, then my instruction would have
been that much better. Instead, I spent the two weeks I had
before the school year started (I was hired at MStM in early
August) putting in long days and nights not only reading the
texts but rather learning them well enough to teach them to
juniors in high school.
The students at MStM are pretty amazing in many respects –
they are gifted athletes, talented artists, and promising
academics. One area in which nearly all are lacking is
clairvoyance – that is, the ability to see into the future. Now
this is nothing to be alarmed about; it is not a skill tested on
the Iowa Assessments nor is it tied to any class‟s final exam.
What it does mean, however, is being able to accept the fact
that while our students generally have a pretty good idea what
they want to do beyond high school and/or after college, none
of us can see exactly where our students‟ lives will take them.
Many students have goals for what they want to do and where
they want to be in 5/10/25 years from now. Goals are
definitely important to have in that they can help guide
decision-making for the here and now while looking forward
to what‟s next.
This has another implication: we must prepare students to deal
with some uncomfortable realities – things like ambiguity,
failure, disappointment, and, in the end, resilience. These,
coupled with more academic skills like problem-solving,
critical thinking, and effective communication, should really
be the foundation for a student‟s education. Content-area
knowledge and skills are effective means of presenting
opportunities to learn these other skills and demeanors. Math
homework is seldom about getting the right answer and more
about how to learn and practice problem-solving skills and
process evaluation. Writing several drafts of a paper in
English class is less about correct comma placement and more
about developing reasoning and defending arguments. They
are both opportunities to learn how to fail at something and
relearn it as a means of building capacity for resilience and
withstanding ambiguousness. Sometimes homework is less
about getting it turned in and more about organization and
time management. In turn, perhaps tests shouldn‟t be so much
about memorizing disconnected facts as they should be
practical applications of knowledge. This is not to say the
content-related skills and concepts are any less important; they
simply don‟t have the same weight as those other skills when
it comes to long-term learning and skill sets.
For those of us who have already been through high school
and are now in college, the work force, and even parenthood,
we know things don‟t always turn out the way we had planned
when we were teenagers. The point is we want our students to
begin seeing beyond the here and now in order to adapt to
what is coming next – which seems like a paradox, since we
don‟t always know what is coming next. Getting to that next
step involves planning, goal-setting, hard work, and using
one‟s resources. It also means taking into account how our
decisions today affect our ability to make decisions tomorrow.
This is a team effort, and we are supporting MStM students as
they begin their futures today.
MStM Students Visit DMACC Southridge
In alignment with my column‟s theme for December, a group
of over 40 MStM sophomores and juniors attended a field trip
to DMACC‟s Southridge Career Academy to learn about the
many opportunities available to them as juniors and seniors
next year. Accompanied by Mr. Randy Folkerts, these students
toured the facility, met with program advisers, and even
participated in some hands-on learning with other students
currently in the different programs. The Southridge Career
Academy caters to the students of Warren County schools as
well as other surrounding districts. It is a tremendous
opportunity for students to expand their learning and focus on
an area of interest aligned with their talents and future
aspirations. MStM has nearly a dozen students currently
enrolled in DMACC programs at the Academy. We are hoping
to grow those numbers – and with the feedback from their visit
earlier this month, it sounds like this will be the case for the
2016-2017 school year!
From the Desk of Beth Happe,
Elementary Principal
The Power of Thank You
In the spirit of Thanksgiving this
week, I'd like to pass along a
message I shared with the staff
regarding the benefits and power of
two simple words. THANK YOU.
“They are two words that have the
power to transform our health, happiness, and success.
Research shows that grateful people are happier and more
likely to maintain good friendships. A state of gratitude,
according to research by the Institute of HeartMath, also
improves the heart's rhythmic functioning, which helps us to
reduce stress, think more clearly under pressure and heal
physically. It's actually physiologically impossible to be
stressed and thankful at the same time. When you are grateful
you flood your body and brain with emotions and endorphins
that uplift and energize you rather than the stress hormones
that drain you. (Courtesy Jon Gordon)
Gratitude and appreciation are also essential for a healthy
work environment. A simple thank you and a show of
appreciation can make all the difference. So, today, I thank
YOU for the countless ways you each support the students and
each other here at MStM. Look at all you have done since the
first day of school! THAT‟S a LOT! I appreciate the ways
you have helped me to feel part of the family here and assisted
me in knowing more about our school. Your kindness has
been heart-warming.”
I would like to extend this message to you, our families and
benefactors! You have entrusted us to educate and care for
your children. Thank you for your support of our mission and
commitment to the success of every child. We are all in this
together!
Here‟s wishing you time to appreciate family and friends in
the days ahead! ENJOY!
From the Desk of Randy Folkerts,
Jr. High/Sr. High Counselor
WHAT MAKES A GOOD SCHOLARSHIP OR
ADMISSION ESSAY?
If an essay is required when you are applying for admission or
for scholarships to help with your college educational
expenses, the essay is extremely important. A well-written
essay will differentiate a truly outstanding student from the
merely good ones. Most applicants can boast of memberships
in clubs and sports, but the essay is one place where you can
set yourself apart from other students. Be sure you have a
parent, teacher, mentor, employer, etc. read and critique your
essay before submitting it. A good essay should:
Be typed or neatly printed (at least 12-point type is
preferred).
Use proper grammar and correct spelling.
Be approximately 1-2 pages in length unless otherwise
specified.
Clearly address the essay topic specified.
Be creative but not strange. Don‟t be afraid to take a risk
but convey your point.
Give the scholarship or admissions committee insight into
your personality, interests, motivations, values, attitudes,
goals, etc.
WHERE TO LOOK FOR SCHOLARSHIP SOURCES
1. At the college you are considering: Office of Admissions,
Office of Scholarships/financial aid
2. Scholarship internet sites (fastweb.com,
collegeboard.com)
3. Scholarship Books in the Counseling Office:
Scholarships, Grants & Prizes
The Scholarship Handbook
4. Parents‟ Employers
5. Counseling Office
6. Local service organizations (VFW, Elks, Masons, Rotary,
etc.)
THAT’S RIGHT IT’S DECEMBER!
December is here – Have you sent in your applications to the
colleges you are considering attending??? Some schools use
the date your application arrives as the priority date for things
such as housing. The later you apply- the less choices you will
have. Others have priority dates on scholarships. Missing
dates may cost you money or opportunities for special
programs. READ EVERYTHING you get from schools you
are considering. Priority dates are one thing but deadline
dates are another. If you are considering select schools, those
deadlines are often January 1st. Early decision dates are even
sooner! Check your literature so you are fully aware of your
deadlines
ACT NATIONAL TEST DATES
Test Date Regular Registration Deadline
February 6, 2016 January 8, 2016
April 9, 2016 March 4, 2016
June 11, 2016 May 6, 2016
If you elect, you may register for the ACT and SAT tests
online. The online addresses are:
ACT- www.act.org
SAT- www.collegeboard.com
Career/College Planning and Financial Aid Night
College Planning Night
. Did you know that 90% of the fastest growing careers
require additional education and training beyond high school?
To help you prepare the Martensdale – St. Marys counseling
office and the Iowa College Access Network® (ICAN) are
offering a free presentation on career and college planning.
This presentation is geared toward juniors and their parents.
This is your chance to receive help with all your questions
about the career and college planning process and life after
high school.
The ICAN Career and College Planning presentation will be
held:
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Day: Wednesday
Date: December 9th
Location: Media Center
Topics
The presentation covers the following topics:
Career Exploration and Assessment
Academic Preparation and Requirements
Admission Process and Requirements
College Selection & Campus Visits
Application Process
Understanding Costs – Cost of Attendance
Scholarships
Successful Transitions to College
Need help understanding financial aid?
A college education is a worthwhile investment in the future.
Unfortunately, it can also be a costly one. In today‟s world,
financial aid is often necessary to pay for postsecondary
education, but the process can be confusing and
overwhelming.
To help you understand the financial aid process, the high
school guidance office has invited the Iowa College Access
Network® (ICAN) to make a free presentation on financial
aid for seniors and their parents. This is the ideal opportunity
to get answers to your questions about financial aid.
ICAN Financial Aid Presentation
Martensdale- St. Marys School Media Center
Wednesday, December 9th
at 7:00pm
Topics include:
Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid).
Important deadlines.
Overview of the financial aid process.
Types of financial assistance available.
Scholarships and scams.
Helpful tips.
Where to go for additional help.
Note: The FAFSA is a free form that may be completed
without professional assistance via paper or electronic forms
provided by the U.S. Department of Education
at www.fafsa.gov. ICAN‟s free services help reduce confusion
and can ensure accuracy.
Scholarship Info
Scholarship information is available on the School Web site
under Guidance Counselor and in the Counseling office in
the Scholarship Blue Book. Talk to the guidance secretary,
Kerry or the counselor for more information.
From the Desk of Amy Sowder,
Talented and Gifted/Yearbook
Senior Parents/Yearbook Information: The time to get
your senior photography session scheduled is now, as turn-
around time is often four to six weeks. A senior photo
(vertical poses only) and a clear and easily reproducible baby
photo (5x7 or smaller) are due in to Mrs. Sowder or the
yearbook staff the first week of second semester. The earlier
you can get them into the yearbook staff, the better. Photos
may be originals, on CD‟s, or sent as jpegs to Mrs. Sowder‟s
e-mail. Other digital formats are often too small to
reproduce, including photos from Facebook or cell phone
cameras. Original baby photos will be returned.
If there are financial circumstances, the yearbook staff will
take your senior‟s photo for the yearbook for free. Please
make an appointment.
Also, if you would like to congratulate your senior with a
personal ad in the yearbook, the message (30 word limit),
photo, and payment of $35 are due by fall parent/teacher
conferences. Contact Amy Sowder at [email protected]
with questions.
From the Desk of Angela Davidson,
PK-12 Art
From the Desks of Charles Hilsabeck,
Adam Hansen, and Jeff Englehardt
HS Math Department
The math department is off and running with another exciting
year at MStM. We are extremely fortunate to welcome
another staff member to our district this year. Jeff Engelhardt
has worked as a substitute for the past several years, but
has joined our staff as a full-time teacher. His is teaching
Algebra I, Computer Programming, Consumer Math, and
Junior High Independent Study.
As a part of our professional development this year, Mr.
Hansen and Mr. Hilsabeck are continuing to research new
ways to introduce student problem-solving into our
curriculum. Mr. Hilsabeck is currently incorporating a
student-centered approach to his classroom to increase student
engagement and critical thinking. Mr. Hansen is focusing on
using online apps and websites to have students dynamically
interact with complex math problems. These strategies have
already shown great improvement amongst many students,
and we continue to look forward to more student growth.
Several students also had the chance to participate in the
HiMCM Math Modeling Competition here at MStM on
November 6th-7th. Eighteen students spent the weekend
working in small groups writing a paper detailing their
mathematical response and model to a real-world scenario.
This year‟s question is listed below.
Problem: Curbing City Violence
A regional city has had lots of problems with gangs and
violence over the years. The mayor, chief of police, and city
council need your help. Data are available for the following:
Incidents of violence, Homicides, Assaults, Regional
Population (Census data), Unemployment, Unemployment
rate, High School enrollment, High school drop outs,
Graduation rate, Dropout rate, Prison population, Released on
parole, Parole violations, Percent of parole violations, and
Juvenile Inmates. Analyze and model these data to give the
city a plan to reduce violence. After you complete your
analysis and model, prepare a news release for the mayor
briefly outlining your proposals that recommend a campaign
strategy to curb the violence.
It was a great experience for those who participated, and the
students were excited to use their critical thinking skills to put
what we have learned in math class to use. The math
department will be hosting a junior high competition in the
month of December. As always, please contact us with any
questions you may have throughout the year.
Adam Hansen [email protected]
Chuck Hilsabeck [email protected]
Jeff Engelhardt [email protected]
Spanish Club
On Thursday November 5th Spanish Club had a Day of the
Dead party. We made a Mexican dish and an altar to
remember loved ones who have passed away.
The Mexican dish that we made is called Mole; this is a sauce
that you can put on your entrée. We put ours over chicken and
rice. Some may say that it is chocolate, but really it tastes
spicy and has a hint of cocoa.
We used the Art Display Case to make the altar. We decorated
the altar with cultural times and each Spanish Club member
was asked to bring in an item in memory of a loved one who
had passed away. Some of the items included: an antique
coffee box, a bible, a picture frame, and a heart shaped paper
weight.
Our next meeting will be Monday, November 30th
during
seminar. We will be holding a guacamole and salsa
competition. Each member, or groups of members, will bring
in their best recipe to be taste tested by the Spanish Club. The
teachers will be able to judge the guacamole in the teacher's
lounge throughout the day. All 7-12 MStM students are
welcome to bring in a recipe of their own.
MStM CURRENT AND FORMER STUDENT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Mackenzie Morrison, MStM class 2011, is living in Germany
playing professional basketball for Bergische Lowen. She is
one of the top players in her division averaging a double
double with 17.7 points per game and 10.9 rebounds a game.
She loves Germany and has also visited Paris, Amsterdam and
Brussels on her time off. She hopes to play for a bigger team
next season in Italy or Spain.
FCCLA: December 3rd
is National Family and
Consumer Sciences Day. To celebrate National
FCS Day, we are asking everyone to cook and
eat a meal as a family. If you would like to
"commit to dining in" on December 3rd
, you can
go to www.aafcs.org/fcsday. Happy cooking to
you!
From the Desk of Susan Gabbert-Clark,
PK-12 Vocal Music
Reid Frederiksen, a senior here at Martensdale-St. Marys, was
selected to be a member of the Iowa High School Music
Association‟s Iowa All-State Chorus on November 21, 2015.
Of the students who auditioned for this event, only 17% were
selected. Reid was one of 600 singers in the Iowa All-State
Chorus with over 170 different schools participating in the
Iowa All-State Music festival. This was the 69th
Annual Iowa
All-State Festival and Reid was a part of making history!
Never before have the singers been given an unknown song to
learn and memorize to perfection in just two days. Dr. Peter
Eklund was the guest director of the Iowa All-State Chorus.
Iowa Public Television (IPTV) did record the concert for re-
broadcast on November 26th
, Thanksgiving evening at
7:00 p.m. and on the following Sunday, November 29th
at 5:30
p.m.
Congratulations to Reid for
his selection into this
prestigious ensemble!
Sunday night, November 22nd
, 15 singers in the junior high
and high school choruses entertained participants in the Tour-
de-Lights! at the Water Works Park in Des Moines. Students
sang sacred and secular songs for the crowd which included
pets dressed up like elves and reindeer! It was fun time and we
had great weather! Thank you to Anita Kiene for helping to
chaperon the carolers!
Looking ahead, the high school chorus will be performing the
National Anthem on December 18th
at the MStM girls‟
basketball preview at the Iowa Energy game. On January 10th
,
both the junior high and high school singers will be
performing for the National Anthem for the Iowa Wild game.
You are invited to come and support our singers as well as the
Iowa Wild hockey team. Please see the poster on the back
page for more information.
Thank you to our second, third, and fourth grade students who
performed patriotic music at their concert in November. Your
music meant a great deal to your audience and they
appreciated hearing songs about our great country!
From the Desks of Jan Devore
and Jenna Fitzgerald, 1st Grade
First graders have been very busy this month learning about
many new comprehension strategies, such as visualizing,
retelling and sequencing. Both classes worked very hard on
creating a hallway "noun town." Hopefully everyone was able
to see their creation during conferences last week. Students are
doing a nice job embracing our new Everyday Math
curriculum. It has been challenging, fun, and very beneficial
for the development of mathematical skills for our young
people. As December draws near we will begin our Christmas
Around the World unit. This is a wonderful way for students
to learn about other cultures around the world and how their
traditions and customs may be different from our own. We
look forward to the rest of the school year and all the
wonderful learning experiences that lie ahead for our
students. Your continued support is critical to their success
and we thank you for helping us in providing the best possible
learning experiences within our classrooms.
How Do You Cook a Turkey?
Straight from the Chefs in Mrs. Webster‟s Kindergarten Class
- “I would stuff the turkey and put it in the oven for 5
minutes” – Marin
- “We don‟t cook turkeys at our house. That‟s not our
thing.” - Jett
- “First you cut it and then put it in the oven for 10
minutes” – Brenden
- “Mom and Dad put it in a pan to get hot and put it in
the oven and set it for 18 minutes and then cut it up
and share with our family.” -Sloan
- “My dad hunts for it, he hides and then shoots it, then
it goes straight to the oven to cook and we take it out
and chop it up to eat.” –Hayley
- “He goes to hunt it and shoots it and then puts it in
the oven for 10 minutes and then we eat it.” Macie
- You put it in the fridge for one minute then stuff it
up, and place it in the oven for 4 minutes and then eat
it.” – Liam
- “My Dad shoots it and then we put it in the oven for
2 minutes and then we chop it up to eat.” – Lauren
- “You have to let the turkey thaw then put it in the
oven to cook. Make sure you let it cool before you
cut and eat it.” – Alice
- I don‟t know how, my mom and dad do it for me.” –
Isabella
- “Put it in the freezer for 100 minutes then eat it!” –
Kenneth
- “Put the turkey in a pan with some water then cook
it.” – Claire
- “You can put it in boiling water then put it in the
oven to cook more and get it out and cut it up to eat. “
–Devon
- “I think my mom buys the turkey first, then cooks the
turkey and chops it up before we eat it.” – Judah
- “First you put it in hot water and then you start
cooking it for 10 minutes and then eat it.” – Brady
- “Cut in half and then put it in the oven to cook for a
while.” -Jaden
- “You put cold water in the turkey and then put it in
the oven for
15 minutes to cook.” – Dash
- “Cook the turkey in the microwave for 100 minutes
and then cut it up and then you eat it.” – Jackson
- “My daddy hunts it and we wait for our family to
come to our house and my mama puts it in the oven
to cook, then we cut it up and eat it will all of our
family.” – Hayden
- “I go to the store and get a turkey and put it in the
refridgator for 100 minutes then my mom cuts it up.”
– JD
- “I go to my grandma‟s house, and my grandma cooks
it for me and then all of us eat it.” – Ever
Happy Thanksgiving 2015
From The Desk of Dana Smith,
PK-12 Guidance
Classroom lessons are focusing on respect and what that looks
like both at home and school. The students are doing a great
job identifying behaviors within themselves that are
respectful. They are also working on areas that need a tune
up.
As we enter this holiday season I would like to take a moment
to thank all of you for being so supportive and welcoming.
Have a wonderful holiday season.
Chili Supper Fundraiser
Friday, December 11th 5:30-7:00 p.m.
MStM Cafeteria
For the John Cassady and
Scott Higens Families
Both John and Scott are battling cancer.
John’s son Johnnie is in 5th grade and is active
in wrestling, football and baseball.
Scott and Lisa Higens have two sons. Dylan
is in 8th grade and is active in cross country,
basketball and soccer. Tyler is in 5th grade
and is active in basketball and soccer.
Thank you for supporting our MStM Families!
MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 12, 2015
The Board of Directors of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District met in regular session, pursuant to law on October
12, 2015.
Members Present: President, Nicole Bunch, Ralph DiCesare, Dawn Reeves and John Ralls together with Superintendent Tom Wood,
Principal Josh Moser, Principal Beth Happe, and Business Manager Jill Gavin.
Members Absent: Vice President, Dean Furness
I. Welcome – Board President
Mrs. Bunch called meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and welcomed all guests.
II. Consent Items
A. Approval of Minutes – Board President
B. Approval of Agenda – Board President
C. Approval of Bills and Secretary‟s Report – Board President
D. Approval of Hot Lunch and Activity Reports – Board President
Mrs. Reeves motioned to approve the consent items, seconded by Mr. DiCesare. Roll call: 4 ayes.
III. Celebration
Mr. Wood thanked City State Bank for donating $1,000 to the purchase of new scoreboards in the high school gym.
Mr. Wood shared an email from an Indianola staff member.
Mr. Wood,
I wanted to pass along to you that a couple of former full-time staff members that have had the opportunity to substitute in your school
have expressed how awesome your students are both in respect of and to adults and their work ethic in the classroom. At a time when
it seems that teachers, administrators and schools are being faced with criticism and negative feedback that news like this needs to be
shared with a neighboring school district; your efforts are being noticed!! Thank you for the leadership that you are providing to your
staff and the quality people that you have working for you but ultimately, the outstanding students that you have attending such a fine
school district. Keep up the good work in the days ahead!!
101 E Salem
Indianola, IA 50125
515-961-0391
Pageturners Bookstore and the MStM PTO
are excited to offer an
in-store Book Fair
November 23rd
– December 5th.
20% of the proceeds from sales to MStM parents,
teachers and students
will go toward buying the school library new books!
Simply go to Pageturners Bookstore in Indianola,
tell them you are there for the MStM Book Fair and buy new,
used or special order books to help the library grow!
Have a nice weekend.
Sincerely
Kevin Huss
High School Social Studies Teacher
8th Grade Volleyball, 8th Grade Girls Basketball Coach and H.S. Girls Tennis Coach
Indianola Community School District
Mr. Wood announced that is National School Principal‟s Month and thanked Mr. Moser and Ms. Happe for all that they do and is very
thankful for the both of them.
Mr. Moser announced the successful homecoming week. There was positive school spirit throughout the week. He also commended
the Cross Country team on their season. The team had 8 runners last year and they now have 27 runners. Mr. Moser recognized the
coaches‟, Mr. Bixby and Ms. Benson, for their efforts.
Mr. Furness joined the meeting by conference call.
IV. Public Comments - none
V. Old Business
A. Reports
1) MStM Music Booster Minutes – minutes from September 14, 2015
2) MStM Athletic Booster Minutes – minutes from September 9, 2015
3) MStM PTO Minutes – minutes from September 21, 2015
B. Presentations
1) Facilities Report Mr. Gibson
No report was provided.
2) Principal‟s Report Ms. Happe
Ms. Happe introduced Rana Webster and Terah Henson, Kindergarten teachers, to present to the board about the alternative seating
they have introduced into their classrooms. Mrs. Webster and Mrs. Henson have been collaborating with other Kindergarten teachers
across the nation over the summer to see what works and what does not work in the classrooms. They learned about alternative
seating and connected with WittFit.com. Exercise balls were purchased for each of their classrooms and they created a curriculum on
how to utilize them with their students. The exercise ball allows the students to have active seating, enhances attention and
coordination, and strengthens their core and balance. They created a worksheet of why they are using it in their classroom, measured
each of the students and talked to them about the rules. They give the students choices of using the exercise balls, pillows or a
standing table. The teachers are keeping track of interventions and behavior issues. They have already seen a decline in interruptions
of their instruction to stop behaviors. The balls also help with posture, makes them stronger, allows them to move while they work,
helps them have better handwriting, and it helps them stay focused. Pictures and further documentation was shared with the board for
review. The board thanked the teachers for their presentation.
Ms. Happe is already working on the Early Literacy Implementation (ELI) Chapter 61. She is looking to get a jump start on setting up
summer school for the elementary and she already has teachers interested in teaching.
Mr. Moser and Ms. Happe, along with Mrs. Franey and Mrs. Connor, will be attending the 2015 First Annual Education Conference,
Deming in Education ~ Out of the Education Crisis, to be held November 6-8th
in Seattle, Washington. This conference is for
educators, administrators, business and organizational leaders interested in making a profound and sustained difference in education
and quality learning. It is for anyone who wants to effect change that will foster intrinsic motivation, enhance student performance and
inspire joy in learning in the next generation of students. The Deming in Education Conference will shatter the existing beliefs that
are perpetuating our education crisis. Hear the stories of leaders who are challenging the status quo to create exceptional learning
environments that preserve our children‟s natural curiosity and “yearning for learning”. They will provide an update to the board at
the November board meeting.
3) Principal‟s Report Mr. Moser
Mr. Moser provided an update on the Seminar Intervention Practices. They are focusing more on intervention and providing the
students additional time with teachers for instruction and time to complete homework. He is still working on the process and
gathering feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Mr. Moser, Mr. Klemesrud and Mrs. Tomlinson attended the IASBO/SAI Student Activities Conference on October 7th
regarding best
practices for the Activity Fund. Training sessions included legal topics, coaches‟ handbooks, public purpose and public benefit of
student activity funds. Many districts do things differently and there are a lot of gray areas in terms of what is acceptable and what is
not. School districts are not required to maintain funds raised by outside organizations in the school‟s activity funds. Regarding
“public purpose”: “Some employees seem to struggle understanding this „working for the greater good‟ concept. It‟s not about what
individual adults want to happen”. Regarding “public purpose”: “DE increasingly is put in a position to mediate or referee these
issues” which is not their place to do so. MStM is ahead of the curve when it comes to coaches handbooks, where many schools did
not seem to have them. There is no substitute for strong internal controls. Segregation of duties was referenced many times in
different presentations. All in all, the safeguards and procedures we currently have put the District in a good place in terms of being in
compliance and following the letter and spirit of Iowa Code regarding student activity funds. We will continue to improve and update
the coaches‟ handbook. We will develop and maintain a fundraising calendar. Class trips should not be managed/sponsored by school
official or district-sponsored organizations.
Mr. Moser is serving on the SAI Legislative Committee where they will focus on increase in school funding, increase in community
involvement in legislative affairs and increase access to mental health resources to serve those students.
Mr. Moser informed the board of the security measures for the secondary. Students will be escorted to their vehicles during the day if
necessary and students will not be allowed to use the locker rooms unless it is during class time.
4) Superintendent‟s Report Supt. Wood
Mr. Wood will be conducting a needs assessment survey this fall through the Iowa Association of School Boards. It is an online
survey that will be open from October 19th
through November 2nd
. We will publicize notices and send email reminders to all within
our reach. Please help get the word out about it as well. The results will be analyzed using IASB tools and will help us determine areas
to focus for improvement as a district.
Mr. Wood has been in contact with the Warren County Juvenile Court Services regarding the possibility of getting a full-time Juvenile
Court Liaison in our building. If we are able to do this, and decide it is something that would be beneficial, this person would be active
with our students in a variety of ways. The Liaisons not only work with students on probation but those who are at-risk. They focus on
prevention, skill building, and relationships with students who need extra support. This resource would also be a partner in any drug
and alcohol investigations within the school and outside that may involve our students. Mr. Wood was informed that Warren County
does not have the budget to provide a Liaison at this time. The Board agreed to have Mr. Wood continue to pursue this opportunity
and find a way to fund it.
There will be a board workshop on November 16 at 4:00. Harry Heiligenthal from IASB will be facilitating this session. It is
important for us to take time to learn together and improve together.
VI. New Business
A. Approve Request for Special Education Supplement Allowable Growth 2014-2015 Supt. Wood
Mrs. Reeves motioned to approve the Special Education Supplement Allowable Growth Request of $8,326.55, seconded by Mr. Ralls.
Roll call: 5 ayes.
B. 2nd Reading/Approve of Policies 102 – 102 R1, 410.2, 503.1, and 505.2 Supt. Wood
Mr. DiCesare motioned to approve Policies 102 – 102 R1, 410.2, 503.1, and 505.2, seconded by Mrs. Reeves. Roll call: 5 ayes.
C. Approve Level I Investigators and Alternate Level I Investigators
for Identifying & Reporting Child Abuse 2015-2016 Supt. Wood
Mrs. Reeves motioned to approve Mr. Randy Folkerts as Level I Investigator and Mrs. Dana Smith as Alternate Level I Investigator
for Identifying & Reporting Child Abuse 2015-2016, seconded by Mr. Ralls. Roll call: 5 ayes.
D. Receive Preliminary Certified Enrollment Report for 2016-2017 Supt. Wood
Mr. Wood reviewed the certified enrollment for October 1, 2015. Actual Enrollment went from 525.7 in 2014 to 525.20 in 2015.
Open enrollment out students went from 101 in 2014 to 88 in 2015. Open enrollment in students went from 110 in 2014 to 123 in
2015. Total students served went from 537 in 2014 to 559 in 2015, an increase in 22 students. The enrollment will be certified on
October 15, 2015.
E. Approve SIAC/Quality Support Committee for 2015-2016 Supt. Wood
Mr. Wood requested to table this for the November board meeting.
F. Discuss/Approve Increase Substitute Rate for 2015-2016 Supt. Wood
Due to the increase in lack of substitute teachers, it was recommended to increase our substitute rate of pay to compete with our
neighboring school districts. There has been several times already this school year that we are pulling special education teachers out
of the classroom to cover for teachers that are absent. It is important to have quality substitutes and to keep them wanting to come
back. The rate of pay is currently $95 per day. Mr. Ralls motioned to approve a $10 increase to the substitute rate of pay, seconded
by Mrs. Reeves. Roll call: 5 ayes.
G. Approve Personnel Recommendations Supt. Wood
Mr. DiCesare motioned to approve Ms. Benson as Wrestling Cheer Sponsor and Mr. Flander as JH Head Girls‟ Basketball Coach for
the 2015-2016 school year, seconded by Mrs. Reeves. Roll call: 5 ayes.
Mr. DiCesare motioned to approve Mr. Furness as a volunteer for the girls‟ basketball program, seconded by Mr. Ralls. Roll call: 5
ayes.
H. Approve Early Graduates Supt. Wood
Mrs. Reeves motioned to approve the request for the students who would like to gradate early pending successfully completing their
requirements, seconded by Mr. Ralls. Roll call: 5 ayes.
I. Confirm – Next Meeting Dates Supt. Wood
The next board meeting will be held on November 9, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
VII. Adjournment
Mrs. Reeves motioned to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Ralls. Roll call: 5 ayes. Time: 5:17 p.m.
It is the policy of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School
District not to illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national
origin, gender, disability, religion, creed, age (for employment),
marital status (for programs), sexual orientation, gender identity, and
socioeconomic status (for programs) in its educational programs and
its employment practices.
There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of
discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this
policy, please contact the district’s Equity Coordinator.
MStM’s Equity Coordinator is Josh Moser, secondary principal. His
address is MStM Community School, 390 Burlington, Martensdale,
Iowa 50160. His phone number is 641-764-2686 and his email address
The Martensdale-St. Marys District Newsletter is published by the last day of the preceding month.
The newsletter is available for pickup in the Superintendent’s office, Post Office and the Jiffy
station, all are located in Martensdale.
You may also view it on the http://www.MStM.us website. Questions or concerns may be addressed to:
Mrs. DePauw Martensdale-St.Marys
Elementary Office 390 Burlington Ave.
Martensdale, Iowa 50160 or by email
[email protected] Office: 641-764-2470
Fax: 641-764-2100
Martensdale-St Marys
December, 2015 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
1 4:00pm Basketball-
B/JH Nodaway
Valley
4:00pm Basketball-
G/JH Away vs.
Clarke
6:15pm Basketball-
B/JV Iowa Christian Academy
7:30pm Basketball-
B/Varsity Iowa
Christian Academy
2 3 6:00pm Wrestling-
Varsity Martensdale-
St Marys vs. Multiple
Schools
4 Drake Honor Band
6:15pm Basketball-
B/JV Away vs. Wayne
6:15pm Basketball-
G/Varsity Away vs.
Wayne
7:45pm Basketball-
G/JV Away vs. Wayne 7:45pm Basketball-
B/Varsity Away vs.
Wayne
5 Drake Honor Band
9:30am Wrestling-
Varsity Away vs.
Woodward-
Granger
6 7 4:00pm Basketball-
B/JH Away vs.
Winterset
4:00pm Basketball-
G/JH Winterset
6:15pm Basketball-
G/JV Murray
Community
7:30pm Basketball-
B/JV Murray Community
8 4:00pm Basketball-
G/JH Away vs.
Pleasantville
6:15pm Basketball-
B/JV Southeast
Warren
6:15pm Basketball-
G/Varsity Southeast
Warren
7:45pm Basketball-G/JV Southeast
Warren
7:45pm Basketball-
B/Varsity Southeast
Warren
9 1:00 Dismissal
12:35pm-
1:00pm NHS
Meeting
6:00pm-
7:00pm College
Planning Night @
JH-HS Media
Center
7:00pm Athletic Booster Club
Meeting @ Mr.
Hatchers Room
7:15pm Financial
Aid Night @ JH-
HS Media Center
10 4:00pm Basketball-
G/JH Away vs.
Southeast Warren
4:00pm Basketball-
B/JH Southeast
Warren
6:00pm Wrestling-
Varsity Nodaway
Valley vs. Multiple
Schools 6:15pm Basketball-
G/JV Guthrie
Center
7:45pm Basketball-
G/Varsity Guthrie
Center
11 4:00pm Basketball-
B/JH Pleasantville
5:00pm Wrestling-
Varsity Away vs. Central
Decatur
6:15pm Basketball-
B/JV Pleasantville
6:15pm Basketball-
G/Varsity Pleasantville
7:45pm Basketball-G/JV Pleasantville
7:45pm Basketball-
B/Varsity Pleasantville
12
13 14 4:00pm Basketball-
G/JH Away vs. Van
Meter
4:00pm Basketball-
B/JH Van Meter
6:00pm School
Board Meeting @ Supt. Office
6:30pm Music
Booster Meeting @
Music Room
15 4:00pm Basketball-
G/JH Murray
Community
4:00pm Basketball-
B/JH Away vs.
Murray Community
6:15pm Basketball-G/Varsity Away vs.
Central Decatur
6:15pm Basketball-
B/JV Away vs.
Central Decatur
7:45pm Basketball-
G/JV Away vs.
Central Decatur
7:45pm Basketball-
B/Varsity Away vs. Central Decatur
16 17 18 TBD Basketball-
G/Varsity Iowa
Christian Academy
19 10:00am Wrestling-
Varsity Away vs.
Southwest Valley
High School
20 21 7:00pm JH-HS Band
& Choir Concert @
HS Gym
22 6:15pm Basketball-
B/JV Away vs.
Nodaway Valley 6:15pm Basketball-
G/Varsity Away vs.
Nodaway Valley
7:45pm Basketball-
G/JV Away vs.
Nodaway Valley
7:45pm Basketball-
B/Varsity Away vs.
Nodaway Valley
23 1:00 Dismissal
24 No School
25 No School
26
27 28 No School
29 No School
30 No School
31 No School
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
12/1 Day 3A 12/2 Day 4B 12/3 Day 5A 12/4 Day 6B
Egg/Toast Pancakes & Sausage Bagel Breakfast Pizza
Milk & Juice Milk & Juice Milk & Juice Milk & Juice
Chicken Fajita Softshell Pasta/Red Sauce Cold Ham & Cheese Sand BBQ Pork Z Rib Sand.
Lettuce/Cheese Cups Green Beans w/g Bun/ Ranch Dressing Whole Grain bun
Broccoli Normandy Broccoli Carrots/Celery Corn
Peaches Pineapple/Bread Fresh Fruit Pears
Milk Milk Milk Milk
12/7 Day 1A 12/8 Day 2B 12/9 Day 3A 12/10 Day 4B 12/11 Day 5A
Cereal or Toast Egg & Cheese Biscuit French Toast/Sausage Bagel Breakfast Pizza
Milk & Juice Milk & Juice Milk & Juice Milk & Juice Milk & Juice
Sloppy Joes w/g Bun Meat Gravy Popcorn Chicken Soup BBQ Pork w/g Bun
Sweet Potatoes Mashed Potatoes Carrots Celery/Carrots Baked Potatoes
Corn Green Beans Broccoli Normandy Ranch Dressing Coleslaw
Pineapple Peaches/Bread Mixed Fruit/Bread Crackers/Applesauce Pears
Milk Milk Milk Milk
12/14 Day 6B 12/15 Day 1A 12/16 Day 2B 12/17 Day 3A 12/18 Day 4B
Cereal or Toast Sausage/Biscuit/Gravy Egg Taco Bagel Breakfast Pizza
Milk & Juice Milk & Juice Milk & Juice Milk & Juice Milk & Juice
Pasta/Red Sauce Mac & Cheese Hot Ham & Cheese Pork Roast Chicken Nuggets
Broccoli Peas Whole Grain Bun Mashed Potatoes/Gravy Baked Beans
Carrots/Pineapple Vegetables Corn/Broccoli Normandy Green Bean Casserole Carrots
Bread Mixed Fruit/Bread Peaches Apple crisp Pears/Bread
Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk
12/21 Day 5A 12/22 Day 6B 12/23 Day 1A 12/24 12/25
Cereal or Toast Egg/Sausage Biscuit Breakfast Pizza
Milk & Juice Milk & Juice Milk & Juice
Cheeseburger w/g Bun Orange Chicken Breaded Pork Pattie
Baked Beans Broccoli Mashed Potatoes/Gravy
French Fries Carrots/Pineapple Carrots
Peaches Rice Applesauce
Milk Milk Milk
12/28 12/29 12/30 12/31 1/1
Non-discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. "In accordance with Federal law and U.S.
Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-
10410, or call toll free (866)632-1010102 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the
Federal Relay Service at (800)877-83310; or (800)845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."
**** THIS MENU IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE ****
In addition to the breakfast items listed, yogurt, breakfast bars and fresh fruit are offered daily!!
Grades 4-12 have a fruit and vegetable bar available to
them.
WINTER BREAK