The Martensdale-St. Marys Partners in Education (PIE) Fundraiser is back for its second year—and it’s shaping up to be an evening you won’t want to miss!

Join MSTM PIE on Friday, February 28, 2026, at Red Acre Barn in Prole, IA, for a night filled with community, fun, and an opportunity to make a lasting impact on MSTM students.

Last year’s Night Out in Nashville was an incredible success, thanks to the overwhelming support from our Blue Devil community. This year, PIE is unveiling a brand-new theme and even bigger goals to help provide valuable resources and opportunities for students, teachers, and schools.

Your support ensures MSTM students continue to receive exceptional educational experiences both inside and outside the classroom.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsorship Opportunities

MSTM Partners in Education invites local businesses, organizations, and community members to partner as event sponsors. Sponsorships provide critical support for this fundraiser and come with recognition throughout the event.

Details about sponsorship levels, benefits, and how to sign up will be shared soon. It’s a meaningful way to invest in MSTM while highlighting your support for education.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Look Back at Last Year’s Success

Night Out in Nashville brought together families, alumni, and supporters to raise significant funds for MSTM students. Here’s a quick look back at some memorable moments:

2025 Partners in Education Fundraiser Gallery

What’s Next?

Stay tuned for exciting announcements, including:

• How this year’s event will support MSTM
• Details about the event theme and activities
• Ticket information and sponsorship sign-up links

Mark your calendars now and help MSTM Partners in Education continue to make a difference!

The next School Board Election for the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District will be held on November 4, 2025.

Three director districts will be contested in 2025. Districts #1, #2, and #4 are up for election; a map of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District with districts may be found here.

Key Election Dates:

• Monday, August 25, 2025 – First day to file nomination papers.
  • Each candidate must file the Affidavit of Candidacy and Nomination Papers. These must be filed with the Board Secretary Ashley Kraber (due Sept 18, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.)
  • The affidavit of candidacy and nomination petitions must be filed together or they will be rejected. Copies of nomination papers are available at the school district office (please contact the Board Secretary Ashley Kraber), the county auditor's office, or on the Iowa Secretary of State's Website.
  • The minimum number of signatures needed depends on the number of registered voters in the school district. In the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District, 10 signatures are required, but it is recommended to obtain more should any signatures be considered invalid.
• Thursday, September 18, 2025 (by 5:00 PM) – Final day to file all required documents.
• Tuesday, September 23, 2025 (by 5:00 PM) – Final day to withdraw your candidacy.
• Tuesday, November 4, 2025 – Election Day (polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM).
  Current Board of Directors - Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District:
• District 1: Bill Denny, Board President, term expires in 2025
• District 2: Travis Tibbits, term expires in 2025
• District 3: Jeff Bowlin, Board Vice President, term expires in 2027
• District 4: Heath Banks, term expires in 2025
• District 5, Colleen Haglan-Lynch, term expires in 2027 The Board of Directors meet monthly at 5:30 pm in the Martensdale-St. Marys Media Center. Additional meetings are held as necessary. Candidate forms and additional information are available at the Iowa Association of School Boards website: https://www.ia-sb.org/school-board-elections. For local questions or help with filing, contact the Board Secretary Ashley Kraber at ashley_kraber@mstm.usor Superintendent Dr. Bill Watson at bill_watson@mstm.us

Picture days for the 2025-2026 school year have been set.

ELEMENTARY

MSTM Elementary Picture Day is coming on Thursday, September 11.

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTXD9KBJ.

Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping! Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day.

Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

JH & HS

MSTM Junior High and High School Picture Day is coming on Wednesday, September 10.

You can place your order on mylifetouch.com using your Picture Day ID: EVTJT4S9C.

Order before midnight on Picture Day to get FREE shipping! Your child can also bring their completed flyer with cash or check on Picture Day.

Orders after Picture Day must be placed online only on mylifetouch.com.

The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District is excited to welcome our students and families back for the new school year!

To help everyone get settled and prepared, we invite you to attend our annual 2025-26 Open House on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

The open house will be held from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

This is a great opportunity for you and your student to:

• Meet their teachers and school staff.
• Find their classrooms and navigate the school layout.
• Get answers to any questions you may have before the first day of school.

  We look forward to a fantastic year and can't wait to see you there!

  Go Blue Devils!

The School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) is a community group that gives stakeholder voice to school improvement goals and actions of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District.

Based on the committee members’ analysis of the needs assessment data, they will make recommendations to the Board about the following components:

1. Major educational needs

2. Student learning goals

3. Curriculum, assessment, and instruction

4. Long range and annual goals that include, but are not limited to, the state indicators that address reading, mathematics, and science achievement

5. Bullying and harassment prevention goals, programs, training, and other initiatives

6. Any other issues which relate to school improvement

The SIAC makes recommendations based on the best interest of students aligned with the district’s mission and vision.

Here are the tentative meeting dates for the next school year:

October 1, 2025: 5:30pm – 6:30pm

November 10, 2025: 5:30pm – 6:30pm

February 10, 2026: 5:30pm – 6:30pm

This year’s focus will be on strategic planning.

If you are interested in joining the SIAC, please send an e-mail indicating your interest with your name, connection to the school (i.e. student, teacher, parent, community member), and your contact information to Dr. Bill Watson atbill_watson@mstm.usby September 2, 2025.

For the better part of the last six months, the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District has been engaged in conversations with the West Central Activities Conference about a conference change.

MSTM currently is an active member of the Pride of Iowa Conference.

On Tuesday, August 19, Activities Director Adam Fraher presented to community members on the current and potential state of conference alignment. You may review the presentation here: MSTM Conference Alignment Discussion.

The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District is excited to unveil the first design renderings for our new secure entrance and multi-purpose gymnasium, providing a detailed look at the future of our campus.

These renderings are the culmination of extensive planning and community feedback. The images reveal a modern, welcoming entrance on the north side of the building, designed to significantly enhance security for our students and staff. Visitors will enter a dedicated secure vestibule before gaining access to the main school areas.

The designs also showcase the new, multi-purpose gymnasium, a state-of-the-art facility that will provide expanded opportunities for athletic programs, physical education, and community events. The renderings illustrate a bright and spacious interior, reflecting a commitment to providing a top-tier environment for our students.

View additional renderings here: MSTM Addition Renderings

In addition to the building additions, the renderings highlight improvements to the campus infrastructure, including a streamlined new drive off Highway 28, a dedicated bus loop, and a more efficient parent drop-off and pick-up area.

The district invites the community to view the renderings below and envision the positive impact these projects will have on our school. Stay tuned for further updates as we continue this journey together.

Warren County Health Services is hosting a series of immunization clinics to help families prepare for the upcoming school year. Keeping our students healthy is a top priority, and up-to-date immunizations are a key component of a safe and thriving learning environment.

These clinics are designed to make it easy and convenient for all students to receive the required vaccinations before classes begin.

Immunization Clinic Details:

• Thursday, August 18th: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
• Friday, August 19th: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
• Saturday, August 20th: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM
• Sunday, August 21st: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Walk-ins are welcome at these clinics, but to ensure a quick and efficient visit, families are encouraged to make an appointment in advance. Please refer to the full flyer for information on how to schedule.

If you have any questions regarding required immunizations or the clinic dates, please get in touch with Warren County Health Services directly at 515-690-9190.

If you have questions regarding your child's immunizations for the 2025-2026 school year, contact Lynn Wente at lynn_wente@mstm.us.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to school this year, healthy and ready to learn!