Corissa Arndt from Whiskers TNR of Warren County has kindly passed along some photos of her kittens enjoying the fleece blankets our secondary Talented and Gifted students made for a recent community service activity. Here’s a sneak peek at a few of them. Thank you to everyone who donated and participated in making these blankets to help keep these kittens warm!


TAG/Enrichment News & Updates

One of the requests we have received over the course of the last year is for the school to provide a way for those not connected to the school to stay informed.

We have developed a solution to solve that problem through JMC Messenger.

To sign up to receive information, follow these instructions:

1.      Enter the following URL into your browser:  <https://mstm.onlinejmc.com/CM/>

2.      Click *Sign-up* under the Login button.

3.      Complete the initial registration and follow the final account setup steps.

4.      Customize your communication preferences and manage your account with ease on our Community Messenger settings page where you will enter an e-mail address and/or cell phone number to receive text messages.

*Group Signup*

As part of that registration, you will be asked to enter which Group(s) you wish to participate in, to receive more targeted information.

We have established three groups:

*General Information* – this is for information about the school district and will include general updates provided by the Superintendent (usually bi-weekly during the school year).

* *

*Activities Updates* – this is for information pertaining to student activities to include athletics, the performing arts, and clubs.

*Urgent School Updates* – this is for messages pertaining to urgent information such as a late start, early dismissal, or snow day or other important message that needs to be received in a timely manner.

*Who Should Sign Up for JMC Messenger?*

*Families*.  We utilize JMC as our primary communication tool with families in the school district. We encourage you to enter additional contacts as the only connection is made with individual(s) listed as the primary contact at registration.

*Extended Families*.  Perhaps a grandparent or other relative wants up to date information on the happenings at the school. This is an excellent way to stay connected beyond our website and social media accounts.

*Community Members*. For those in the community near and far that wish to stay connected to the school, this is another way to stay informed beyond our website and social media accounts.

*Need Help Signing Up?*

If you need assistance setting up an account, stop by the Central Office of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District between 8:00am – 3:00pm, Monday-Friday.

Martensdale-St Marys Community School District

Get Connected!

The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District will be hosting a district wide Career Day on Friday, October 11, 2024.  

We are looking for volunteers from all different professions to participate in vehicle / equipment displays, a College and Career Fair, or both.

Friday, October 11, 2024

****

**Vehicle / Equipment Displays**

8:15am-8:30am:  Vehicle / Equipment Set up

8:45am-10:45am:  Elementary Students

10:45am-11:45am:  Junior High & High School Students

****

**College / Career Fair**

1:00pm-1:30pm:  Booth set up

1:30pm-2:15pm:  Junior High School Students

2:15pm-3:30pm:  High School Students

3:30pm-3:45pm:  Clean up



If interested, please complete the following survey at this link:

<https://forms.gle/4DKB9vb3P9w2KP9BA>



Please contact one of the following individuals with questions:

Heather Nichols:   <heather_nichols@mstm.us>

Gabrielle Stonebrook:  <gabrielle_stonebrook@mstm.us>

Emily Wood:  <emily_wood@mstm.us>

MSTM Career Exploration Day

Preparations are well underway for the 2024-2025 school year in and around the building and we look forward to welcoming your student(s) back on August 23, 2024.

To ensure that we can serve all students to the best of our abilities, we need to know who to expect when we return on August 23, 2024.

### **Register Today for the 2024-2025 School Year**

If you have not already done so, please register for the 2024-2025 school year here:

[JMC Registration Portal](https://mstm.onlinejmc.com/)

### **Complete Book Fee Payments for the 2024-2025 School Year**

In addition, we ask that you complete payments for your student(s) for the 2024-2025 school year here:

[RevTrak – Book Fee Payments](https://mstm.revtrak.net/Book-Fee-Payments/#/list)

### **Free and Reduced Lunch Applications Now Open**

For those that feel they qualify, please download the 2024-2025 Iowa Application for Free and Reduced School Meals here: 

[2024-2025 FRL Application](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TmwSe0hjhdZzDfUz2SZjnjqVFcq7Y8fK/view)

*Once complete, this form should be submitted to the Director of Nutrition Services, Cassandra Ackerson at* <cassandra_ackerson@mstm.us>*; you may also e-mail Director Ackerson with any questions or for assistance.*

Complete Your Registration and Pay Fees Today

On July 1, 2024, the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District will hold two public hearings regarding the use of SAVE Revenue.

These two hearings will provide the District with revenue, in addition to that which it will ask the public to approve through a General Obligation Bond referendum in November, to complete a series of projects in the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District.

These projects include:

*   HVAC Renovation in the existing building

*   Addition of a new, safe and secure single entrance on the north side of campus

*   Addition of a Bus Loop / Parking Lot

*   Addition of a Gymnasium

*   An allowance for new furniture throughout all classrooms

*   Science Room Renovations

*   Softball Field relocation and site improvements

*Hearing #1*

*A public hearing will be held in the Media Center, 390 Burlington, Martensdale, Iowa, on July 1, 2024, at 5:00 P.M., on the proposal to issue approximately $2,500,000 School Infrastructure Sales, Services and Use Tax Revenue Bonds, which may be issued in one or more series over multiple fiscal years pursuant to Iowa Code Sections 423F.2 and 423F.4, for the purpose of providing funds to remodel, repair, and improve existing classroom space and to relocate the softball field, including site improvements, including costs of issuance and a debt service reserve fund if required by the purchaser.  Any bond proceeds remaining after completion of this project will be used for other school infrastructure projects as authorized by the School District's Revenue Purpose Statement.*

*Hearing #2*

*A public hearing will be held in the Media Center, 390 Burlington, Martensdale, Iowa, on July 1, 2024, at 5:00 P.M., on the proposal to use SAVE Revenue for the following athletic facility infrastructure project: to relocate the softball field, including site improvements.  The current estimated cost of this athletic facility infrastructure project is $1,300,000.*



If you have questions regarding this matter, please contact Bill Watson, Superintendent at <bill_watson@mstm.us> or 641-764-2466.

Notice of Public Hearings - July 1, 2024

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 decisions based on the best interest of students aligned with the district’s mission and vision.

Here is the tentative agenda with meeting dates for the next school year:

***September 25, 2024:  5:30pm – 6:30pm***

Presentation of ISASP Results

Presentation of Conditions for Learning Survey

Portrait of a Graduate Work

Communication from School Work

***November 7, 2024:  5:30pm – 6:30pm***

Presentation on Bullying and Harassment

Finalize Portrait of a Graduate Work

Communication from School Work

***February 11, 2024:  5:30pm – 6:30pm***

Special Education Presentation

Title-I Reading Presentation

Communication from School Work

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 at <bill_watson@mstm.us> by September 1, 2024.

[The Board of Directors will approve the committee for the 2024-2025 school year at its regular meeting in September.]()

Now Accepting SIAC Applications for 2024-2025 School Year

As we continue to finalize our facilities plan in the District, one of the key components we have identified is that the softball field must move from the north side of the school in Martensdale. After discussions internally and with community members, we have identified a location here in Martensdale near the stadium where the new softball field will be relocated as part of this plan.

We will hold a public meeting on Thursday, June 6, 2024, at 5:30pm in the Media Center at the school to share the layout and receive input regarding the site.

Facilities Discussion:  Softball Field set for June 6

Please use this [Talented and Gifted/Enrichment Nomination Form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdglUEU3229VO1JEhah4dTLeS6dqXwEYtGPlvwMy7sZNpaS2g/viewform) to nominate a student who might benefit from enrichment services. Contact Beth Grafft, the Talented and Gifted Facilitator, at beth_grafft@mstm.us with any questions.

Enrichment

Nomination Form

Kittens enjoying the fleece blankets our secondary Talented and Gifted students made for a recent community service activity.

Martensdale-St Marys Community School District

TAG/Enrichment News & Updates

Enrichment News

Nomination Form

Community Service Updates

Community Service Updates

Community Service Updates