Ivanhoe School Board August 23 meeting

By Tammy Mathison
hendrickspioneer@gmail.com

The ISD 403 Ivanhoe School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, Aug. 23.
Music Instructor Mrs. Deb Larson spoke to the board during the “opportunity for citizens to speak” portion of the meeting, informing the board that rather than having the students in shop build cabinets for her classroom as previously discussed, she has found cabinetry at Lowes to use for storage in her classroom. By purchasing the pre-made cabinets, this will cost less than having them built by about $300. Larson also suggested to the board that these same type cabinets would fit well in the area by the elevator to be used as storage, since the lack of storage in the building has been discussed. The board thanked her for her suggestion and will look into it further.

Margaret Swanson also spoke to the board and told them that the trophies had been boxed and put upstairs to be stored. Swanson also told the board that after the final count of attendees of the All–School Reunion that there were over 600 people. The initial report of over 500 was an estimate. The board thanked her for packing them away and for all that she did in regard to the All-School Reunion.

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Making plans for the future

by Tammy Mathison
hpioneer@itctel.com

Lincoln HI Valedictorian Jeremy Marczak and Salutatorian Bradly Pape are pictured by their lockers at Lincoln HI High School. - Photo by Tammy Mathison

On Saturday, May 29 at 2 p.m. commencement exercises will be held at Lincoln HI High School.

This year’s valedictorian is Jeremy Scott Marczak, son of Fred and Peggy Marczak.

Jeremy’s plans for the future include attending Lake Area Tech in Watertown, S.D. for Electronic Systems Technology and eventually going into business for himself in the electronics field designing circuit boards. “I like computers and video games and systems,” said Marczak. “My brother went for the same thing and he talked me into it too.”

Salutatorian for the Lincoln HI Class of 2010 is Bradly Pape, son of Deb and Jack Vizecky.

Bradly plans to attend Minnesota State University in Mankato with a double major in biology and psychology with the long-term goal of going into emergency medicine or neurology. “Since I’ve been in high school, I have wanted to become a doctor,” said Pape. “Next year I will take EMT courses in Mankato.” Pape also said that he would like to eventually study abroad for a semester, probably in Europe and that for right now, he does not know yet where he will attend medical school. Pape said that this summer, he plans to “shadow” a doctor, possibly in Marshall.

Both young men said that while they are looking forward to the new experiences that come with going off to school, they will miss their friends and people at Lincoln HI.

An historic night at Lincoln HI

A little audience participation anyone? Prom attendees are pictured shooting the crowd with silly string and squirt guns while others are just hamming it up. - Photo by Tammy Mathison

By Tammy Mathison
hpioneer@itctel.com

On Saturday, May 1 Lincoln HI High School held their annual Junior-Senior Prom with the theme “History in the Making.” The decorations were tropical with a large rock waterfall as the focal point on one side and a gazebo on the other. The floor was covered with a cloth-like fabric that resembled a sandy beach. Also on the floor were rocks arranged in the number 2011 – the year of the Juniors’ graduation.

The evening began with the meal at Shady Beach Restaurant at Lake Cochrane followed by portraits by Jessica Rae Photography at the school. At 7 p.m. the Grand March was held.

Music for the dance was provided by The Dance Machine out of Brookings, S.D. The post prom party was held at the school this year with the students enjoying several activities including Paintless Paintball, a Survivor game, bean bags, a hypnotist and a Guitar Hero game provided by Games to Go.

Hendricks School Board votes to reduce two positions

By Tammy Mathison
hpioneer@itctel.com

The Hendricks School Board voted to reduce two educational positions during their April 20 meeting. With unanimous roll call votes, the position held by Samantha Matthys and the .14 time position held by Lisa Schmidt, the board voted to not renew either of the two ladies for the 2010-11 school year.

Superintendent Houck also advised the board that, not knowing what the state is doing in regards to funding, the board will have to be looking at other areas for reduction. Houck mentioned possible reductions in time in the kitchen and business office and changes to bus routes. Houck went on to say, “without the referendum, we would not make the budget.”

Building Designee Judy Pearson told the board the workshop convention she and the other teachers attended in Sioux Falls, S.D. on April 19 was a “great experience.” Teachers signed up and attended different workshops that day which dealt with technology. Pearson went on to talk about the MCA testing which is currently underway and mentioned school volunteer week, thanking volunteers such as the PTO, Karen Richmond, and Darlene TerMeer for all they do at the elementary.

The Missoula Children’s Theatre is coming to Lincoln HI Elementary the week of May 10 through the 15. Pearson asked the board if it would be acceptable for the students participating in the theater production to get out of school at 3 p.m. on those days to go to practice. The board was agreeable. Information was sent home with the elementary students. All students in grades K-6 are welcome to try out for the production which will take place on May 15.

Many students will be needed to participate and all of the students whether they are in the production or not will benefit from the Missoula group coming. Gary Johnson mentioned that also that week a theatre person with the Syttende Mai will be at the elementary school.

Lincoln HI High School’s Seussical Jr. helps bring the magical world of Dr. Suess to life

By Tammy Mathison
hpioneer@itctel.com

The Whos appeal to Horton for help in this scene of the musical Seussical Jr. put on by the Lincoln HI music department recently. - Photo by Tammy Mathison

The Lincoln HI music department presented the musical Seussical Jr. under the direction of Mrs. Deb Larson on April
15–17.

Prior to the performances on each of the evenings, the Torch Out Cancer Relay For Life team served a meal from 5-7 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Over the course of the three days the team served about 254 meals, including those served to the several of the cast and crew of the musical.

The cast and crew were comprised of the 34 senior high choir members who were either in the cast or behind the scenes doing things such as lights and sound.  The 11 junior high choir members were the hunters and the fish.
Larson said that they were “lucky to be able to purchase the sets from Marshall High School,” thereby being able to save time and money in making the sets themselves.

Larson also said that one thing that stood out for her with this musical was how it highlighted the different groups of people in the performance in addition to the main characters.

The a musical  contained several different stories that Dr. Seuss wrote, with Horton Hears a Who being the main storyline. Horton, played by Travis Studemann, finds himself being judged and troubled when he finds a dust speck with the Whos living on it. When he tells people that there are little people on it, he gets laughed at and eventually brought to court. But Horton doesn’t give up, because “A person’s a person no matter how small.” At the end of the musical, when Horton is in court and the speck is said to be boiled, Horton tells the Whos that they need to make themselves heard. They try and they try but nothing works. Then JoJo, played by Andrew Swanson, makes a noise, a noise so loud that everyone hears them and apologizes to Horton.

With a few dance numbers in addition to the outstanding vocal performances, the performances were well received by the public with attendance in the hundreds. Following the first performance, which had about 200 attendees, the word spread fast in the area that if one wanted to get a good seat, you would have to arrive early. For the second and third performances, extra chairs were set out and the bleachers were extended to accommodate attendees. The second and third performances each had about 250 people in attendance.

Larson said that the students were emotional at the end of the performance on Saturday evening, “especially the juniors and seniors because for them, this is their last musical,” said Larson. Lincoln HI High School presents a musical every other year.

In addition to practicing for the musical, students in the music department were also getting ready for Large Group and Solo and Ensemble Contests which  took place on Thursday, April 8. Several of the students will be performing during the upcoming Lincoln HI Evening of the Arts on Wednesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. The Speech team will also present some of their speeches and there will be several pieces of art done by Mr. Scott Hanson’s art students on display.

Larson and all of her students at both the high school and the elementary  have also been practicing for their upcoming spring concerts, with the High School concert slated to take place on May 21 and the elementary concert to be held on May 7.

Lincoln HI Elementary holds school on Saturday

By Tammy Mathison
hpioneer@itctel.com

For Lincoln HI Elementary students, Friday, April 9 did not signal the end of the school week. Rather, they were back at it again on Saturday, April 10 until 1 p.m. to make up one of the snow days and to review for the MCA tests which began on Monday, April 12.

School officials said that they were pleased with the turnout, with very few students absent that day. Taking into consideration that it was a Saturday, school officials said that they understood if parents, and even a few of the teachers, had plans for that day.

“It was a great day, the attendance was wonderful. Very few kids were gone even though it was on a Saturday,” said Hendricks School Board member Angie Schumacher.

Lisa Schmidt, who in addition to being on the Hendricks School Board has a teaching certificate, was a substitute teacher on Saturday in the kindergarten classroom. “I feel that it was a very productive day. I am pleased with all of the students that came today and appreciate the parental support,” said Schmidt.

Lincoln HI first grade teacher and Building Designee Judy Pearson was also pleased with how the day turned out. “It was used as a review day to get ready for testing,” said Pearson. Pearson went on to say that there was an added bonus to having school on Saturday. “I had three parents come in to visit the classroom today. Having school today provided an opportunity for parents to come that usually can’t visit because of their jobs,” Pearson said.

When the Hendricks Board first announced their intention of having school on Saturday, the announcement was met with both criticism and skepticism, with some questioning if the kids would “get much” out of having school on Saturday, due to the fact that it is unusual to be going to school on a Saturday and if it would be hard to get the kids to buckle down to do because the high school did not have school, but also for Wednesday, June 2 because the elementary won’t have school. The question of whether there was an added cost to the schools due to bussing on those days also came up.

Superintendent Bruce Houck addressed those questions. “They (Ivanhoe) ran their busses today (Saturday) and we will run our busses on June 2. There is no extra cost. It evens out because of the snow days,” said Houck.

In response to the question if it was hard to get the students to buckle down on Saturday, Pearson responded by saying, “The kids knew that they would be doing school work today but they still had fun. If you make learning fun, they will enjoy it and that is the biggest thing,” said Pearson.

“It was a great day,” said elementary secretary Sharon Peterson. “I heard one little boy say ‘I didn’t want to come today, but it was fun. Let’s do it again!’,” Peterson said.

Lincoln HI High School selects new principal

By the Pioneer Staff
hpioneer@itctel.com

The Ivanhoe school board announced last week that it has selected Michelle Mortensen of Albert Lea for the principal position at Lincoln HI High School.

The school board selected Mortensen out of three finalists that were narrowed down from 14 candidates that were interviewed over a three day period, Lincoln HI Superintendent Dwayne Strand said.

Mortensen has been working in the Albert Lea School District as an interim junior high principal during the current school year, Strand said.

Strand said Mortensen is licensed to serve as a K-12 administrator and will soon also be licensed to serve as a superintendent.

“She is licensed as a K-12 administrator and will have completed her course work and internships for her superintendent’s license by September,” said Strand.

Strand said the school board was looking for someone who can help direct students as well as staff moving forward.

“From my perspective, Lincoln HI was looking for a strong instructional leader,” said Strand. “(The district was looking for) someone who had a good understanding of best practices that can be used in classrooms to promote the academic progress of our students. We wanted the person we chose to be able to direct the testing, as well as the curriculum and staff development programs at the high school while being able to manage the day to day operations the building.”

The school board had narrowed down its list to four finalists before one pulled out, Strand said.

Each of the three finalists the board selected had strong qualifications, Strand said. Mortensen’s experience as a teacher was one quality the board appreciated, he said.

“All three finalists for whom we made site visits were great potential candidates and the Board members and staff who were involved in the interview process felt that any of them would have been strong leaders for Lincoln HI High School,” said Strand.

“Mrs. Mortensen was selected as a person we felt would promote a strong, positive image of the high school,” he added. “Her involvement as a teacher in the Q-Comp program has also provided her with many experiences that will lend themselves well to her position as our high school principal.”

Strand said the district offered Mortensen a three-year contract to serve as principal.

While the district’s intent is to have her serve as principal, Strand said it is possible her position could be expanded to include the superintendent position after she finishes her license in September.

“She is currently completing her coursework and internship for her superintendent’s license which I believe she will complete by early next fall,” said Strand.

“The position may in the future become a combined position with the superintendency,” he added. “However, the interest of the Board, at this time, is to have a full time high school principal that can bring stability and continuity to our academic program at Lincoln HI.”

Strand said Mortensen was hired to serve the Ivanhoe school.

“Her licensure does give the Hendricks and Ivanhoe districts the opportunity to share her administrative expertise in the future if they choose to share a principal between the two sites,” said Strand. “However, again at this time, Mrs. Mortensen has been hired as a 7-12 high school principal.”

Getting the message

By Tammy Mathison
hpioneer@itctel.com

As part of his lyceum presentation, Kid Davie gave bells and costumes to Lincoln HI Elementary teachers, (l-r) Karen Champine, Jenai Wright, Barb Deuel, Mary Hexem, Jess Jordahl and Mike Buseth (what a day to substitute!) and dubbed them The Village Teachers as they played the “Alphabet Song” with their hand bells. - Photo by Tammy Mathison

Lincoln HI elementary students were treated to a lyceum presented by Kid Davie from Dakota Assemblies School Assembly Programs on Friday, March 26.

Kid Davie grabbed everyone’s attention by starting his program on stilts. Towering over the students, he introduced himself and told the students that he has performed in many places around the area and the world.

Throughout his program Kid Davie performed plate spinning, juggling and magic, asking the teachers to point out well-behaved children who were his helpers during the balance, magic and juggling portions of his show. Kid Davie explained that he used well-behaved children as he feels that good behavior should be rewarded.

Kid Davie spoke to the students about balance, informing them that having a balanced lifestyle is as important as having a balanced diet, using their school day, which includes exercising their brains as well as their bodies, as an example.

Kid Davie also spoke to the students about the importance of making good choices and asked them if they would put poison into their bodies and explained to them that smoking and illegal drugs are poisons.
Bringing a couple of volunteers down from the audience, Kid Davie demonstrated the importance of knowledge and having a good education by using rolls of toilet paper on a plunger. Kid Davie challenged the two volunteers to unroll the toilet paper as fast as they could, the best way they knew how. If they beat him at unrolling the toilet paper, he told them he would give them each $100. After he said “go” he watched the two students unroll their paper for a bit before he grabbed a leaf blower and blew the toilet paper off his roll. He asked the students if they thought that he had cheated and then explained that while they may see it that he had cheated, he had not. The challenge was to unroll the paper as fast as they could, the best they knew how, which for them, was by hand. Since Kid Davie knew that he had a leaf blower, how to use it and that he could unroll the paper faster with it. So using the leaf blower was the best way that Kid Davie knew how to unroll the paper.

Toward the end of his program, Kid Davie spoke to the students about pursuing their dreams, explaining that they won’t succeed if they don’t try and that there were also some other key components to achieving their dreams which included having a goal, a plan and accepting help when offered and the need for cooperation.

At this point, Kid Davie asked for teacher volunteers to help him demonstrate cooperation. Each teacher was given some type of hat or head gear to wear for their costume. Mike Buseth may have been rethinking agreeing to substitute teach that day after Kid Davie handed him a tiara, a tutu and a coconut bra to put on. Each teacher was given a hand bell and Kid Davie instructed them on how to shake their bell and when. After quite a bit of false starts and a lot of laughter, the teachers, who were dubbed The Village Teachers by Kid Davie, were able to give the grand finale to the program – a hand bell rendition of “The Alphabet Song.”

School officials at Lincoln HI seize cell phones

By Tammy Mathison
hpioneer@itctel.com

On Thursday, March 25 Lincoln HI High School officials confiscated several cell phones belonging to seventh graders.
“The issue wasn’t texting,” said Superintendent Strand during an interview Monday afternoon. “It was the fact that they had it on their person. The policy clearly states that the phones have to be kept in their lockers. We have great kids here and most of the kids are very honest and follow the rules. But is someone texting answers during a test? I don’t know. Most of these phones have cameras in them. We don’t want that (picture taking) in the locker rooms. By not allowing the students to have them on their person, we can be assured that’s not going to be happening,” said Strand.
The policy Strand refers to is the Lincoln HI High School cell phone policy that has been in place for some time now. It reads:

Cell Phones – Cell phones must be kept in your locker! It must be turned off during school hours. Cell phones can only be used before and after school. No picture cell phones or cameras in the locker room. Consequences of cell phone/electronic device violations: First offense, loss of cell phone for three days. Second offense, loss of cell phone for 10 days. Third offense, parent meeting.

“We actually allow the students the use of their cell phone during the noon hour, which is a compromise, and we allow the students the use of school phones when they need to call a parent for something,” Strand said.

Strand went on to say that the cell phone policy would be revisited during the March 29 special meeting of the 403 School Board.

According to Strand, in light of last week’s incident, on Monday, March 29 all of the students at the high school were reminded of the policy and teachers will become more vigilant on the usage of cell phones.

“This is an issue that has gotten blown out of proportion,” said Strand. “It’s a rule and you have to follow the rules.”

Lincoln HI elementary students learn the three “R’s”

By Tammy Mathison
hpioneer@itctel.com

As part of the recycling program presented by the Lincoln County Environmental Office each grade participated in a “recycling relay” race. Each student grabbed an item out of a box then ran a small obstacle course to get to the end where they chose which bucket to throw their item into - recycling or garbage. At the end of the relay the items were sorted to see how well the kids knew what was recyclable and what was not. Cody Krier is pictured above throwing a bottle into the recycling bin. - Photo by Tammy Mathison

Lincoln HI Elementary students learned about reducing, reusing and recycling on Friday, March 12.
During the program Chrystal Dunker, of the Lincoln County Environmental office, spoke to students in grades 3-6 about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling their trash and the differences between a dump and a landfill, describing the job of a landfill and how it worked.

Dunker had the kids close their eyes and imagine that they were in Europe in the 1700’s and described the conditions that they would see there with garbage and filth in the streets. Dunker informed the students that the garbage 300 years ago would have been much different than today because people did reuse things until they could not use them any longer, but there was plenty of other filth in the streets. Dunker told the students that it wasn’t until later that the “garbage man” job was created and told them that this person would take a wheelbarrow and a broom and shovel to clean the streets, but just dumped the garbage at the end of town or in a river or the ocean.

Moving forward in time, Dunker had the students imagine what kind of garbage they would have as pioneers on the prairie. These people also had little waste, compared to today, with their garbage being 12 percent organic, six percent other (this could include broken glass or horse bridles, for instance) and 82 percent ash.

Bringing the students back to the present, Dunker informed them that on the average, each person creates six pounds of garbage per day. She set up a display illustrating to the students what the average garbage can today contains by weight – 34.3 percent paper, 25.7 percent other, 11.4 percent plastic, 5.1 percent metal and 2.8 percent glass.
Dunker told the students that the people of today, especially in the United States, are convenience oriented and that while the United States has only eight percent of the world’s population, it makes half of the world’s garbage.
Dunker used a Lunchable to illustrate to the students how much waste is made with convenience foods. When she was done taking everything out of the packaging, she literally held in small baggie a handful of food and had a fairly good sized bag filled with garbage.

She then showed the kids how much more food they could have for a lunch by spending the same amount of money.
Dunker spoke to the kids about ways to reuse things that they already have and how to sort recycling items and what is recyclable in Lincoln County.

Later in the day Dunker had each grade do a recycling relay where they grabbed a random item out of a box and ran a small obstacle course to the end of the gym, where they chose between two bins to throw their item into, recycling or garbage. At the end of the relay, Dunker and the students went through the bins to see how they did with knowing which was recyclable and which was not.

The program was made possible by the Lincoln County Environmental Office.