At Martensdale-St. Marys, summer isn't just a break—it's a time to build, improve, and prepare for the year ahead. Our staff and project partners have been hard at work completing several exciting projects that will enhance learning and growth opportunities for current and future Blue Devils.

Science Classrooms Get a Major Update

This summer, our science classrooms are undergoing a complete remodel. With a new concrete floor already poured, crews have nearly completed the drywall and are installing fixtures to transform these spaces into modern learning environments. The HVAC system is slated to ship on August 8 with the installation of cabinets, flooring, HVAC, and painting, the next few weeks will be busy in advance of substantial completion on August 15. These renovations are designed to provide better support for hands-on learning, lab activities, and innovative instructional opportunities for our current and future students at Martensdale-St. Marys. These new classrooms will be completed and ready for learning at the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Softball Facility Takes Shape

The future home of Blue Devil Softball is quickly becoming a reality. With the significant ground and drainage work now complete, construction crews continue to make steady progress on developing the field and its supporting structures. Once completed, this modern facility will provide students with a top-tier playing surface, updated practice/warm-up areas, and space that enables them to grow and develop while at Martensdale-St. Marys. This facility will be completed late fall/early winter and ready for the 2026 Softball season.

New Furniture Transforms the Learning Environment

Across the district, classrooms are being refreshed with new furniture for students and staff. From flexible seating options to improved workspaces, these upgrades offer more than updated looks. These upgrades aim to create spaces that promote engagement, comfort, and effective learning for all grade levels. Through these efforts, the learning environment has been enhanced to support the growth and development of our students. All furniture upgrades will be in place and ready for students and staff by the start of the 2025-2026 school year.

Media Center Gets Refresh

The MSTM Media Center is also getting a fresh, modern update! New paint, bookcases, and flexible furniture are being added to create a more inviting and functional space for students to read, study, and collaborate. These upgrades will help transform the library into a true hub for learning and exploration, supporting both academic and independent growth.

Planning for the Future

Planning for the construction of the new entrance, the new gym, and HVAC, electrical, and fire safety upgrades continues. The Board of Directors will receive a presentation at its meeting on August 7 which will detail that planning. Additional information will be shared in the coming weeks and months as the design process ends

2025 MSTM Summer Projects Gallery

We want to thank our custodial and maintenance staff for their hard work this summer. From cleaning classrooms and floors to painting walls and updating lights around the school, their dedication to our students and staff by providing clean and safe learning spaces is second to none.

We are excited about the progress we have made so far and look forward to continuing to build a better future for Martensdale-St. Marys. We look forward to all students, staff, and families seeing these endeavors.

The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District will observe the 2025 Unified Iowa High School Activities Federation Non-Contact Period from Sunday, July 27, through Sunday, August 3, 2025.

During this designated week, all school-sponsored activities across the state, including athletics, music, speech, drama, and other extracurricular programs, will be paused. The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union (IGHSAU), Iowa High School Music Association (IHSMA), and Iowa High School Speech Association (IHSSA) have collectively set aside this time to encourage students, coaches, and families to rest, recharge, and reconnect.

No practices, rehearsals, camps, or use of school facilities for student activities will occur during this week.

We encourage all Blue Devil families to take full advantage of this time to relax and enjoy meaningful moments together.

For more information about the Unified Non-Contact Period, please visit the official websites of Iowa’s high school activity associations.

At Martensdale-St. Marys, keeping our students, families, and community informed is a top priority. We offer multiple ways to stay connected with important updates, announcements, events, and news throughout the school year.

Whether you're a parent, guardian, student, or community supporter, here’s how you can stay in the loop:

🌐 District Website Visit www.mstm.us for the latest news, calendars, menus, important documents, and updates from across the district. This is your go-to source for comprehensive information about school operations, programs, and events.

✉️ JMC Community Messenger Sign up for JMC Community Messenger to receive real-time updates by email and/or text. This is the quickest way to hear about:

School closures or delays

Event reminders

Emergency notifications

District-wide announcements

Sign Up Here ➡️ JMC Community Messenger

📱 Social Media Stay engaged with daily updates, photos, and highlights from around the district:

Facebook: Martensdale-St. Marys CSD

X (formerly Twitter): @MSTMSupt

Follow us to see classroom activities, athletic events, student achievements, and more!

By staying connected through one or more of these platforms, you’ll never miss a moment of what’s happening at MSTM. We’re committed to clear, timely, and accessible communication with all members of our school community.

If you have questions or need assistance accessing any of these platforms, please contact the district office.

Let’s go Blue Devils! 💙💛

Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District is proud to recognize Asher Henson for being selected to participate in the 2025 Governor’s Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair. Asher is one of just 25 youth across Iowa chosen for this prestigious event.

Asher will show his steer, Colt, during the Charity Steer Show on August 9 at the Iowa State Fair. The event brings together youth exhibitors, community leaders, and state officials for a livestock showcase and auction that benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. These funds support families by providing housing, meals, and care while their children receive critical medical treatment.

In addition to preparing Colt for the show, Asher is actively supporting Ronald McDonald House families by raising funds, collecting essential supplies, and gathering thousands of pop tabs. On August 8, Asher and the other participants will volunteer at one of Iowa’s Ronald McDonald Houses, helping with facility projects and connecting directly with the families whose efforts they support.

How You Can Support

Asher’s efforts extend beyond the fairgrounds—and our community can help make an even greater impact. Here are a few ways to support Asher and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa:

• Donate pop tabs, gift cards, or individually packaged snacks
• Purchase items from the Ronald McDonald House Wishlist
• Make a direct donation in support of Asher’s team
• Attend the event on August 9 at 4:30 PM at the Iowa State Fair Livestock Pavilion

We are incredibly proud of Asher and the way he represents Martensdale-St. Marys with dedication and leadership. His involvement in this statewide event reflects the best of our school and community values.

Please join us in congratulating Asher on this incredible honor—and in cheering on Asher and Colt this August!

Martensdale-St. Marys is excited to offer JMC Community Messenger—a fast and convenient way for families and community members to stay informed about important school updates, announcements, weather alerts, and more.

By signing up, you can receive messages directly to your phone or email, ensuring you never miss a key update from the district.

🔗 Sign Up Today:

https://mstm.onlinejmc.com/CM/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fCM%2f

📌 Who Can Sign Up?

Any parent, guardian, or community member who wants to stay connected with MSTM events and announcements.

📌 What Kind of Updates Will I Receive?

• Emergency notifications
• Weather-related delays and cancellations
• School events and reminders
• District news and alerts

  Don’t miss out—stay informed and connected all year long with MSTM Community Messenger!

  If you have any questions or need assistance with signing up, please contact the Central Office at 641-351-7400.

The #4 Martensdale-St. Marys Blue Devils (30-5) will play the #5 Kee, Lansing in the Quarterfinal Round of the Class 1A State Baseball Tournament on Monday, July 21, 2025, at 1:30 pm. The State Tournament is played at Merchants Park in Carroll, IA.

With a win, Martensdale-St. Marys will face either Remsen St. Marys or Hillcrest Academy. If they win, they would play on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 in the Class 1A Semifinals.

Here is some additional information regarding the State Tournament:

Tickets & Parking Tickets for the 2025 State Baseball Tournament are on sale now. Tickets for all games are $10 each, plus fees, and available exclusively through the IHSAA Tickets Page. Tickets are good all day at each site. All seating is general admission, with ADA space available upon request. Tickets are not required for children under school age at IHSAA State Tournament events. Gates will open to spectators one hour prior to the first game start time in each session.

You can purchase tickets for the State Tournament through the following link: https://www.iahsaa.org/tickets/

Parking at Merchants Park is free and is first-come, first-serve at public spots around the facility.

Prohibited Items Alcoholic beverages Banners and signs Coolers, kegs, camel backs, glass containers, backpack-style hydration systems, and canned or bottled beverages (other than factory-sealed water bottles) Drones Large lens cameras (6″ or more) or tripods Noisemakers, horns, bugles or any disruptive devices Pets (service animals allowed) Strollers Tobacco of any kind (including e-cigarettes) Umbrellas Video cameras Weapons of any kind

Host sites and IHSAA reserve the right to prohibit any item deemed dangerous or inhibiting the overall fan experience.

The Bracket To view the Class 1A Bracket, visit: Class 1A Bracket

Watch Live

Can't make it to Merchants Park? You can now watch the tournament online: IHSSN Sports Network

The Board of Directors of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District approved the hiring of Erin Furbee as the District’s PK-12 Assistant Principal at the July 14, 2025 Board of Directors Meeting.

Furbee will assume the newly created role of PK-12 Assistant Principal at Martensdale-St. Marys following a leadership restructuring that took place when Beth Happe retired in May as the Elementary Principal. Furbee will begin her work at MSTM on August 4, 2025.

Furbee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Iowa State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Drake University. Most recently she was the Project Read Teacher at Indianola Middle School. She has classroom experience at both the elementary and middle school level.

Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District is proud to announce a new digital partnership with Bound, beginning in the 2025–2026 school year. Bound will serve as the district’s official platform for all activity and district calendars, sports registration, and event information, making it easier than ever for students, families, and community members to stay connected and informed.

What to Expect with Bound

Starting this fall, all athletic and activity registrations will be completed through Bound. This includes middle school and high school sports. Bound’s online registration tools will simplify the sign-up process, allowing families to complete forms, waivers, and other required documents in one place.

In addition to registrations, Bound will host our whole district and activity calendars. Whether it’s a football game, concert, early dismissal, or community event, everything will be available in one accessible, mobile-friendly location.

Online Ticketing Now Available

We are also excited to announce that online ticketing for all home athletic events will be available through Bound. Families and fans can purchase tickets directly from their phones or devices before arriving at games, streamlining the admission process and improving the spectator experience.

💵 Please note: Cash will still be accepted at the gate for those who prefer to pay in person.

Access MSTM on Bound

Visit our Bound page to explore the platform and begin familiarizing yourself with what’s ahead:

🔗 www.gobound.com/ia/schools/martensdale

This transition reflects our continued commitment to improving the experience for our students, families, and community. We’re excited for what’s ahead—and we can’t wait for you to join us on Bound.