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_[email protected].

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

Over the past few months, we have been exploring an option related to moving from the Pride of Iowa Conference to the West Central Activities Conference in future years.

We will hold an information session on Tuesday, August 19, at 5:30pm in the Media Center to share information regarding this potential move and answer any questions from the community.

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.