Friday, April 27, 2018

This Week in Our Schools: April 23 - 27, 2018

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

Featured this week:

  • District-wide Students
  • Colorado Elementary: Ms. Holder's 2nd Grade Art Students.
  • Colorado Elementary: Colorado's Annual Craft Fair.
  • Franklin Elementary: Miss Harder's Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Week's 5th Grade Class.
  • Grant Elementary: First Grade Field Trip.
  • Grant Elementary: 4th-5th Grade Battle of the Books.
  • Grant Elementary: Students Meet Webster the Duck.
  • Jefferson Elementary: STEAM Club.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Pig Kisses.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Spring into Reading Family Reading Night.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Todd's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Fourth Graders Shine Bright.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Manjoine's 5th Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Jefferson's Graduating Seniors.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Skidmores' Kindergarten Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Madison Music Makers.
  • Madison Elementary: Miss Lofgren's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Shepherd's 5th Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Madison Students Choose Kindness.
  • McKinley Elementary: Ms. DeVrieze's 4th Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Riding for Success.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Ms. Vogeler's 1st Grade Class.
  • Central Middle School: 6th Grade Super Heroes!
  • Central Middle School: Choose Kind Over Cool.
  • Central Middle School: 6th Grade Book Battle.
  • Central Middle School: Ms. King's Pre-AP ELA Classes.
  • Central Middle School: Ms. Beale's 7th Grade Science Classes.
  • West Middle School:  Iowa Future Problem Solving Contest.
  • West Middle School: 7th Grade Student Recognition.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Fox's and Mrs. Castillo's 8th Grade Science Classes.
  • Muscatine High School: MHS FFA.
  • Muscatine High School: MHS Drama and Music Departments Present Curtains the Musical.
  • Muscatine High School: Ms. Hirschfeld's Geometry Students.
  • Muscatine High School: AP Research Capstone Scholars.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Board Briefs for Monday, April 23, 2018 Work Session

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in work session on Monday, April 23, 2018 at 6 p.m. at the Madison Elementary. Board members present: President Tammi Drawbaugh, Directors Tim Bower, John Dabeet, Toby McCarter, and Mary Wildermuth. Director Aaron Finn was present via phone. Director Nathan Mather was absent. 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. Principal Stephanie Zillig and 4th grade student leadership team members presented information on Madison Elementary.
  4. Capital Projects were reviewed (documents: SAVE and cash flow)
    1. proposed bus replacements.
    2. proposed musical instrument replacement schedule.
    3. proposed Early Childhood Center: 
      1. The district will look into hiring an organization to study long-term facility planning.
  5. Upcoming meetings and events were announced:
    1. April 27, 2018 - MHS College Decision Day.
    2. May 5, 2018 - Race for the Schools; 8 a.m.; MHS.
    3. May 6, 2018 - Excellence in Education Celebration Luncheon; 1 p.m.; MHS Student Commons.
    4. May 14, 2018 - Regular Board Meeting; 7 p.m.;  City Hall.
  6. The board went into closed session for the superintendent’s evaluation per Iowa Code Section 21.5(i). Time: 7:55 p.m.
  7. The board returned to open session. Time: 9:10 p.m.
  8. The board approved extending the superintendent’s contract. 
  9. Meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m. 

Monday, April 23, 2018

This Week in Our Schools: April 16-23, 2018


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

Featured this week:

  • District-Wide Students
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Noll's 1st Grade Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: 4th Grade Junior Achievement.
  • Franklin Elementary: Miss Harder's Kindergarten Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Henderson's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Leadership Day.
  • Grant Elementary: Miss Dindinger's Begindergarten Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Kulland's Kindergarten P.E. Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Paul's 4th Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Celebrating Student Leaders.
  • Jefferson Elementary: 5th Grade Music Students.
  • Jefferson Elementary: 5th Grade Project Jack Grant Award.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Manjoine's 5th Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Student Talent Show.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Annual School Carnival.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Ms. Story's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students and ASL/Bilingual Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Randleman's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Miss Bean's Kindergarten Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Poppe's 4th Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Ms. Connor's 5th Grade Class.
  • McKinley Elementary: Mrs. Johnson's Class.
  • McKinley Elementary: Ms. Pedersen's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Mulberry Elementary: 5th Grade MathCount Winners.
  • Central Middle School: 6th Grade Ag Safety Day.
  • Central Middle School: Mr. Edkin's Robotics 1 and 2 Students.
  • Central Middle School: Mr. Kvapil's Coding Class.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Clark and Mrs. Mosher's 6th Grade Reading Classes.
  • West Middle School: Miss Bloomquist's Battle of the Books.
  • West Middle School: Mr. LeClere's 7th Grade Robotics Class.
  • Muscatine High School: FFA Banquet.
  • Muscatine High School: IHSMA Solo/Small Ensemble Contest.
  • Muscatine High School: Ag Class Bee Release.
  • District-wide Staff



Friday, April 13, 2018

This Week in Our Schools: April 9 - 12, 2018

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

Featured this week:

  • 2018 Excellence in Education Award Recipients
  • District-Wide Students
  • Colorado Elementary: Mini-Dance Marathon.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Noll's 1st Grade Class.
  • Colorado Elementary: Mrs. Yahn's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Hepker's Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Paul's 4th Grade Class.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Miss Mary's Preschool Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Godden-Alloway's Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Yetter's Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Kindness Challenge.
  • Madison Elementary: Attendance Incentive.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Ward's 2nd Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mr. Stewart's 3rd Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Mrs. Poppe’s 4th Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Ms. Connor's 5th Grade Class.
  • Madison Elementary: Ms. Holder's Art Students.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Blue Out Day.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Major Saver Winners.
  • Mulberry Elementary: Finley and Friend.
  • Central Middle School: Student Leadership Group.
  • Central Middle School: Ms. Pautz's Science Class.
  • Muscatine High School: Mrs. Hill's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Class.
  • Muscatine High School: Academy Robotic Students.
  • Muscatine High School: Model U.N.
  • District-Wide Staff

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Board Briefs for Monday, April 9, 2018 Regular Board Meeting

The Board of Education of the Muscatine Community School District met in regular session on Monday, April 9, 2018 at 7 p.m. at City Hall. Present were Board President Tammi Drawbaugh, Board Vice President Mary Wildermuth, Directors Tim Bower, John Dabeet, Nathan Mather, and Toby McCarter. Director Aaron Finn was absent. 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. A public hearing was held for the purpose of certifying the 2018-19 school budget. 
  4. Saul Ocampo and Brook Horton updated the board on recent and upcoming student council activities.
  5. The MHS Mock Trial Team was recognized along with advisor Mike Fladlien who was honored at the state event and inducted into the Iowa Mock Trial Hall of Fame.
  6. The April Outstanding Employees were recognized. They are: Tasha Cantrell, Kathy Degner, Stacy Emrich, Emily Schroeder, and Lorinda Toborg.
  7. No one spoke during Citizens Speak.
  8. As part of board targets, Superintendent Riibe presented information on enrollment trends.
  9. The consent agenda was approved which includes: 
    1. The minutes of the March 5, 2018 Regular Session and the March 26, 2018 Work Session.
    2. Employment Recommendations of: 
      1. Resignations - Certified Administrators: Jason Wester, Principal, Franklin Elementary.
      2. New Hires - Certified Staff: Kenedy Heirmerdinger - MHS Social Studies; Kyle Kennedy - MHS Social Studies.
      3. Resignations - Certified Staff (all effective at end of 2017-18 school year unless noted): Michael Clancy - MHS Social Studies; Virginia Dahms - Jefferson Instructional Coach; Travonne Danielson - Franklin 1st Grade (effective 3-21-18); Susan Guffey - MHS Spanish; Rebecca Harris - MHS Math; Kari Morton - Grant 2nd Grade.
      4. Resignations - Classified Professionals: Charles Velasquez - Energy Consultant.
      5. New Hires - Schedule C: Abigail Zoller - MHS Assistant Forensics; Andrew Dobek - WMS Track.
      6. Resignations - Schedule C: Rebecca Harris - MHS Girls Cross Country and MHS Girls Assistant Track; Gabriel McDonald - MHS Assistant Basketball; Herb Holler - MHS Assistant Football.
    3. Bills and Claims against the district dated April 9, 2018.
  10. Hired Bohnsack and Frommelt, LLP for auditing services for 3 years.
  11. Approved certifying the budget for the 2018-19 school year with a levy rate of $14.79105 and a budget in the amount of $86,202,797.
  12. Approved the 2018-19 General Student Fee Structure. 
  13. Approved the high school athletic sharing agreements with various surrounding districts.
  14. A second reading was held on policy 401.5 Family and Medical Leave.
  15. The board will conduct Superintendent Riibe’s Evaluation at it's next meeting.
  16. The financials for the month of February were shared.
  17. The following upcoming meetings and events were announced:
    1. April 12, 2018 Kindergarten Round Up; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Administration Center
    2. April 13, 2018 Teacher Inservice Day; No School for Students
    3. April 23, 2018 Board Work Session; 6 p.m.; Madison Elementary
    4. May 14, 2018 Board Regular Session; 7 p.m.; City Hall
  18. The meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

To see the agenda with supporting documents, go to: April 9, 2018 Board Agenda/Supporting Documents
Watch the board meeting on the district's YouTube channel.

Monday, April 9, 2018

This Week in Our Schools: April 2 - 6, 2018

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


Featured this week:

  • Blue Out Day
  • Parents as Teachers: Spring Fling!
  • Franklin Elementary: Mrs. Hepker's Class.
  • Franklin Elementary: Ms. Huber's Class.
  • Grant Elementary: Silver Cord Volunteer.
  • Grant Elementary: Mrs. Foxen's 1st Grade Art Students.
  • Grant Elementary: Major Saver Ticket Sellers.
  • Jefferson Elementary: STEAM.
  • Jefferson Elementary: Mrs. Story's Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students.
  • Madison Elementary: Celebrating 45 Office Referral-Free Days.
  • Madison Elementary: Theme Day - Dress Like Your Favorite Teacher.
  • Central Middle School: Science Bowl and Science Enrichment Students.
  • West Middle School: Mrs. Hyink's 8th Grade P.E. Classes.
  • West Middle School: Ms. Wiebe's 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Ag Classes.
  • Muscatine High School: Miss Montandon's Human Anatomy Classes.
  • Muscatine High School: Model United Nations.
  • Muscatine High School: 11th and 12th Grade Academy Students.
  • Muscatine High School: Muscatine Jazz Ensemble.
  • Muscatine High School: Mr. Schmelzer's Work Experience Students.
  • Muskie Sports: Go Muskies!
  • District-Wide Staff