Friday, October 27, 2017

This Week in Our Schools: 10/23 - 10/26, 2017

Select the image below to see ours students and staff in action This Week in Our Schools!

Featured this week:

  • Colorado Elementary: Colorado's Running Club.
  • Colorado Elementary: Fall Festival Fun.
  • Colorado Elementary: Meet Vanilla Bean!
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Hines' Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Eichelberger's PK Class and Mrs. Whitlow's Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Miss Harder's Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Ms. Eggert's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Arceo's Kindergarten Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Kulland's 1st and 2nd Grade P.E. Classes.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Dusenberry's 1st Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Jefferson and Central Middle School Reading Buddies.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Annual Fall Harvest Celebration!
  • Madison Elementary: Ms. Holder's Kindergarten Art Classes.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Skidmore's Kindergarten Class.
  • McKinley Elementary: Mrs. Bloomquist's 2nd Grade Library Lesson with Ms. Pedersen's Class.
  • McKinley Elementary: Ms. Pedersen's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: PBIS Dance Party!
  • Mulberry Elementary: Principal for 120 Minutes!
  • Mulberry Elementary: Stars and Stripes Leaders with Central's Flag Team.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. Green's Kindergarten Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: 1st Quarter Extra Recess - SOAR!
  • Central Middle School: Justice League Heroes of the Week!
  • Central Middle School: Sixth Grade Penny Wars Challenge!
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. Larson-Walgren's 6th Grade ELA Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. Beatty's 6th Grade Social Studies Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Ms. Wiebe's Agriculture Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. Kinsey and Mrs. Ruckles ELA Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. Larson-Walgren's and Mrs. Beatty's 6th Grade ELA Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Ms. Duran's 6th Grade ESL Class.
  • Central Middle School: Ms. Hazelett's Combined Art Class (Mrs. Fick's and Mrs. Week's Classes).
  • West Middle School: Ms. Duran's 6th Grade ESL Class.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Schroeder's 8th Grade Robotics Class.
  • Muscatine High School: Speech and Debate Team.
  • Muscatine High School: Muskie Orchestra: Iowa All-State Music Festival.
  • Muscatine High School: Ms. Phillip's English Language Development Class.
  • Muscatine High School: Mr. Schmelzer's Work Experience Class.
  • Muscatine High School: Model United Nations.
  • Muscatine High School: FFA National Convention.
  • Muscatine High School: Mrs. Hovland's Essential Algebra II Classes.
  • Muscatine High School: Drama Rehearsals for "Twelve Angry Jurors."
  • This Week in Muskie Sports
  • District Staff: Grant Elementary Honors Custodian "Mr. Dan"

Board Briefs for Monday, October 23, 2017 Work Session

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in work session on Monday, October 23, 2017 at 6 p.m. at Muscatine High School in the Library Café. Board members present: President Tammi Drawbaugh, Tim Bower, John Dabeet, Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, Toby McCarter, and Mary Wildermuth. Also present: Superintendent Jerry Riibe, Director of Finance Tom Anderson, Assistant Superintendent Mike McGrory, Director of Teaching and Learning Becky Wichers.

  1. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Visitors and media representatives were welcomed.
  3. Tyler Riley, FEH Architects, reviewed the bids received for the Muscatine Physical Educational Building Project. 
  4. Approved and accept the bid by Bi-State Contracting in the amount of $2,466,740 which includes Alternate 1 and 2 for the Muscatine Physical Education Building with one director voting no.
  5. Dr. Jared Smith, Muscatine High School Principal along with Assistant Principal Mark Groteluschen presented information on the High School Academies for 9th-12th grades.
  6. Dr. Smith presented the MHS Plan on a Page. 
  7. Activities/Athletic Director Mike Morgan presented information on the high school’s goal to have every student connected to an activity while at MHS.
  8. The board’s next meeting is: Monday November 13, 2017 at 7 p.m. at City Hall.
  9. The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.

There was no board book.


Thursday, October 26, 2017

This Week in Our Schools: 10/16 - 10/20/17

Select the picture below to see our students and staff in action This Week in Our Schools!

Featured this week:

  • Parents as Teachers: Art Center Fun!
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Hines' and Ms. Schumaker’s Kindergarten Classes.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Hines Kindergarten Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: Ms. Holder's 5th Grade Art Students.
  • Franklin Elementary: Ms. Harder's Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Calderon's English Learning Classes.
  • Grant Elementary: Leadership Lab.
  • Jefferson Elementary: 4th Grade Recess Fun.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mr. Loos' 3rd Grade Class in Art.
  • Madison Elementary: Firefighters Visit Students.
  • McKinley Elementary: Mrs. Luna's 1st Grade Class.
  • McKinley Elementary: Ms. Pedersen's 2nd Grade Class.
  • West Middle School: Fall Chorus Concert.
  • West Middle School: Ms. Plemmons' and Mrs. Ortega's Classes.
  • West Middle School: Fall Orchestra Concert.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Schroeder's FTC Class.
  • West Middle School: Library Fall Book Sale!
  • Muscatine High School: Speech and Debate Team.
  • Muscatine High School: Key Club.
  • Muscatine High School: Ag Class Fall Harvest.
  • Muscatine High School: MHS Fall Choral Concert.
  • Muscatine High School: Mighty Muskie Marching Band.
  • Muscatine High School: MHS Treble Choir.
  • Muscatine High School: IHSMA All-State Choir Rehearsal.
  • Muscatine High School: Mrs. Calderon, Mrs. Medina, Mrs. Walker's Classes.
  • Muscatine High School: Mrs. Christensen's Geometry Classes.
  • Muskie FFA: Middle and High School FFA at Purdue Boilermaker Mock Livestock Judging Contest
  • This Week in Muskie Sports
  • District Staff: Jenny Mullikin Wins Award.

Friday, October 20, 2017

This Week In Our Schools: 10/9 - 10/13/2017

Scroll down to see our students and staff in action This Week in Our Schools!

Featured this week:

  • Colorado Elementary: Lunch with Muscatine Firefighters.
  • Colorado Elementary: Preparing for Tonight's Fall Festival.
  • Franklin Elementary: Ms. Harder's Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Ms. Clemens' Kindergarten Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Leadership Lab.
  • Grant Elementary: Miss Dindinger's Begindergarten Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Ms. Wolf's 4th Grade Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Tailgate Party!
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mr. Loos' 3rd Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Story's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Ms. Bean's Kindergarten Class.
  • Madison Elementary: 4th Grade.
  • McKinley Elementary: McKinley's 1st Running Club!
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. Evans' Kindergarten and Mrs. Haag's 3rd Grade Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Orchestra's Halloween Concert.
  • Central Middle School: Engineering Students Visit Jefferson.
  • Central Middle School: Sign Language Club.
  • Central Middle School: 6th Grade BizTown!
  • Central Middle School: 6th Grade Downtown Muscatine Field Trip.
  • Central Middle School: Visiting Artist Grace Kelly with TAG Musicians.
  • Central Middle School: Ms. Wiebe's 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Ag Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Mr. Edkin's 7th and 8th Grade Robotics Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Belin-Blank Center Recognizes 8th Grader Emilio Bobay.
  • Central Middle School and MHS Choirs: Real Men Sing at Wartburg College.
  • Muscatine High School: Mr. Day's Agriculture Classes.
  • Muscatine High School: Ms. Ruesch's Biology Classes.
  • Muscatine High School: 10-12 Grade Academy Students.
  • Muscatine High School: Ms. Canahui's Spanish I Class.
  • Muscatine High School: Juntos “Noche de Familia” night!
  • Muscatine High School: Drama Rehearsals for 12 Angry Jurors.
  • Muscatine High School: All-State Choir Audition Rehearsal.
  • This Week in Muskie Sports!
  • National School Lunch Week!

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Board Briefs for Monday, October 9, 2017 Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in regular session on Monday, October 9, 2017 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. President Tammi Drawbaugh called the meeting to order. Directors Tim Bower, John Dabeet, Aaron Finn, Nathan Mather, Toby McCarter, and Mary Wildermuth were present. Also present were Superintendent Jerry Riibe, Assistant Superintendent Mike McGrory, and Director of Finance Tom Anderson.
  1. The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
  2. Visitors and media representatives were welcomed.
  3. Student Council update was given.
  4. October’s Outstanding Employees were recognized: Scott Comstock, Erin Fox and Katie Castillo, Jame Hayes, Julie Kundel, and Theresa Riley. 
  5. No one spoke during Citizens Speak.
  6. Report on board goals/targets was given.
  7. Consent agenda was approved which included:
    1. The minutes of the September 18, 2017 Regular Session of the Retiring Board and the September 18, 2017 Organizational/Annual Meeting.
    2. Employment Recommendations of:
      1. Resignations – Certified Staff: Trisha Latimer – Special Education at Mulberry and Marjorie Martel – Talented and Gifted at McKinley.
      2. Resignations – Schedule C: Lindsey Reed – Cheer Assistant at MHS; Matthew Rivera – Girls Golf at MHS.
      3. Hires – Schedule C: Catherine Clemens – Assistant Pom Pon at MHS.
    3. Student Teaching Agreements with Wm. Penn and St. Ambrose University.
    4. Bills and Claims Against the District dated October 9, 2017.
  8. Approved administration authority to seek modified supplemental amounts from the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for actual cost of LEP program instruction for 2016-17.
  9. The following policies were approved:
    1. 701.1 Planning the Budget 
    2. 701.2 Preparation of the Budget Document 
    3. 701.3 Requirements of the Budget Document 
    4. 701.4 Publication of the Budget 
    5. 701.5 Public Review of the Budget 
    6. 701.6 Budget Adoption by the Board 
    7. 701.7 Budget as a Spending Plan 
    8. 701.8 Transfer of Inactive Account Funds 
    9. 701.9 Financial Accounting System 
    10. 702.1 Local, State, and Federal Income 
    11. 702.3 Educational Materials Fee (delete) 
    12. 702.4 Sale of Bonds 
    13. 702.5 Investments 
    14. 702.6 Gifts, Grants, and Bequests 
    15. 702.8 Special Assessments (delete) 
    16. 703.1 Purchasing and Bidding 
    17. 703.2 Requisitions/Purchase Orders 
    18. 703.3 Receiving Goods and Services 
    19. 703.4 Approval and Payment of Goods and Services 
    20. 703.7 Bidding Procedures for Public Improvements (delete) 
    21. 703.8 Credit Card Use 
    22. 704.3 Financial Report, Published 
    23. 704.4 Annual Financial Statement, Published (delete) 
    24. 704.6 Inventory 
    25. 704.7 Intangible Assets (delete)
    26. 704.8 GASB45 
    27. 705.2 Personnel Records (moving to 400 series) 
    28. 705.3 Student Records (delete) 
    29. 706.1 Insurance Program 
    30. 708.1 School Food Program (new) 
    31. 708.2 Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility (new)
    32. 708.3 Vending Machines (new) 
    33. 709.1 Student School Transportation Eligibility (new) 
    34. 709.2 Student Transportation and Extracurricular Activities (new) 
    35. 709.3 Summer School Program Transportation Service (new)
  10. A MHS Band presentation was provided.
  11. A presentation on the joint partnership between MCSD Foundation and Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine was provided.
  12. Early Retirement for 2017-18 was discussed.
  13. The board heard a second reading on the following policies:
    1. 401.15 Personnel Records (moving from 705.3) 
    2. 803 Disposal of School Equipment 
    3. 805 Crisis Management and Response Plan 
    4. 806.1 Buildings and Sites Long Range Planning – NEW 
    5. 806.2 Buildings and Sites Surveys – NEW 
    6. 806.3 Educational Specifications for Buildings and Sites – NEW 
    7. 806.4 Site Acquisition – NEW 
    8. 807.1 Maintenance Schedule – NEW 
    9. 807.2 Requests for Improvements – NEW 
    10. 807.3 Emergency Repairs – NEW
    11. 807.4 Buildings and Site Adaption for Persons with Disabilities – NEW 
    12. 807.5 Vandalism – NEW 
    13. 807.6 Energy Conservation – NEW 
    14. 808 Lease, Sale or Disposal of School Buildings and Sites – NEW 
    15. 900.1  Tobacco/Nicotine Free Environment – DELETE 
    16. 900.2 Releases to News Media – Internal Unit News 
    17. 900.5 Visitation by Students, Adults, Groups, or Agencies to the MCSD 
    18. 900.10 News Conferences and Interviews – NEW 
    19. 900.11 Live Broadcast or Videotaping – NEW 
    20. 900.13 Advertising and Promoting – NEW
  14. The July and August financials were shared.
  15. Upcoming Events and Meetings were announced:
    1. October 23-26, 2017 – Parent/Teacher Conferences
    2. October 23, 2017 – Joint Foundation Partnership Signing Ceremony at 5 p.m. at MHS in Student Commons
    3. October 23, 2017 – Board Work Session at 6 p.m. at MHS Library
    4. October 26, 2017 – 2 Hour Early Dismissal for Parent-Teacher Conferences
    5. October 27, 2017 – NO SCHOOL – Parent/Teacher Conference Comp Day
    6. October 30, 2017 – NO SCHOOL – Teacher Inservice
  16. The meeting adjourned at 8:27 p.m.
To see the complete board book, go to: Board Book - October 9, 2017





Monday, October 9, 2017

This Week in Our Schools: 10/2/17 - 10/6/17

Scroll down to see our students and staff in action This Week in Our Schools!

Featured this week:

  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Hines' and Mrs. Schumaker's Kindergarten Classes.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Noll's 1st Grade Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Miss Harder's Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Ms. Beeding's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Reed's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: 3rd Grade Honey Harvest.
  • Franklin Elementary: Maker's Space.
  • Grant Elementary: Leadership Lab.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Kulland's 3rd Grade Phys Ed Classes.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Paul's 4th Grade Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Kulland's 5th Grade Phys Ed Classes.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Story's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Ms. Wester's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Ms. Stanberry's 2nd Grade Art Classes.
  • Madison Elementary: Madison Mustang Night at Muskie Volleyball!
  • Madison Elementary: Ms. Skidmore's Kindergarten Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Madison 5th Grade Student Leadership Team.
  • Madison Elementary: Ms. Connor's 5th Grade Class.
  • McKinley Elementary: Ms. Pedersen's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Lunch SOAR Celebration for October.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. Greene's Kindergarten Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. Evans' Kindergarten Class with Mrs. Haag's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. Haag's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. McDonald's 5th Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: GermX Design Contest Winner!
  • Central Middle School: Mr. Youngbauer's Class.
  • Central Middle School: BizTown Preparation.
  • This Week in Muskie Sports
  • District-Wide Staff: Colorado Staff.
  • District-Wide Staff: Grant Staff.

Friday, October 6, 2017

This Week in Our Schools: 9/25-9/29/17

Select the image below to see our students and staff in action This Week in Our Schools!

Featured this week:

  • The Muskie Way!
  • Parents as Teachers: Learning Through Play.
  • Hurricane Harvey Relief Update: From Texas!
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Hines' Kindergarten Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Yahn's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Garrett's 2nd Grade Music Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Weeks' 5th Grade Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Leadership Lab
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Nebergall's Kindergarten Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Swailes' PK Class.
  • McKinley Elementary: Mrs. Spratt's Kindergarten Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Mrs. Greene's Kindergarten Class.
  • Central Middle School: Mrs. Pautz's 8th Grade Science Class.
  • Central Middle School: Ms. McCreary's 8th Grade Reading Star!
  • Central Middle School: Ms. Wiebe's 7th & 8th Grade Ag Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Online Classes.
  • Central Middle School: 8th Grade Pre-AP English/Language Arts Classes.
  • West Middle School: Orchestra.
  • Muscatine High School: Key Club's Cardboard Overnight.
  • Muscatine High School: Mighty Muskie Marching Band.
  • Muscatine High School: Mrs. Coffman's Biology Class.
  • Muscatine High School: The Muskie Bistro.
  • Muscatine High School: FFA Southeast Iowa District Soil Contest.
  • Muscatine High School: Mock Interviews.
  • This Week in Muskie Sports