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May 2011 - Johnston Community School District

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High <strong>School</strong> Mock TrialSubmitted by Kathy Paul, ELP CoordinatorNinth through twelfth graders from <strong>Johnston</strong> <strong>Community</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> recently competed in the annualMock Trial program. Kathy Paul is teacher-coach for the program, and Sue Cline is teacher liaison. The teamsare listed below (coaches noted in bold).Res Ipso Loquitur Team X Team WallaceGuilty of BeingAwesomeImpeachmentand Cream***Loraine Wallace Jon Vasey Loraine Wallace Rachele Hjelmaas Rachele HjelmaasChase Wallace Amber Solberg Ellie Wallace Joel Hjelmaas Joel HjelmaasTaylor Mithelman Shae Atteburg Jeremy Caracci Jeff Margolin Jeff Margolin*Grant McDonald *Mike Shi Emily Hanson *Josh Hjelmaas *Alex HjelmaasAlex Peterson *Julia North Taylor Jones John Koopal *Jacob HjelmaasKaitlyn Aldrich Vaibhav Srikaran Adam Johanson Sarah Margolin **+Mikayla StutzmanHelen Lagerblade *Sanjay Koduvalli Ben Nelson Katie Landy *Molly WardAnna Pierce Megan Martin Stanzy Snyder *Abby Dockum *Cindy XuAndrew Tubbs Anyana Kumar Carmen Vajgrt *+Millie Varley *Ryan SmahaSam Sparland Bailey Pierotti *Monica Gagne *Matt McDermott*Erika Gebard Jonathan Caracci Melinda Paszkiewicz *Elizabeth MillsPaige Vaden *Chris DockumLydia Sinclair *Rosemarie FreymarkTeam D Dawg Justice League The Scuttlebutt Double Jeopardy <strong>Johnston</strong> JusticeDoyle Sanders Suzie Berregaard RaeAnn Guns Brian Scieszinski Kaycee SchippersMaryAnn Strawhacker Nick Holland Jeff Carley Mike Mock Dalton HandelMatthew Beary Jaihui Huang **Carly Crist Laura Scieszinski Kayla Jansen*Eric Welter Sydney Rissler Olivia Gunns Kenzie Foldes Kelsey Acheson*Leah Bowman Shianne Thomas Sarah Lewis Andrew Mills Sierra BallardHank Mandsager Hannah Wiles Courtney Norelius *Riley Deutsch Jordan BogeKayla Flyckt Breanna Williams Ashley Shaw *Pratyusha Bujimalla Tyler Fenton*Claire Nagel Zea Zhu **Aditi Dinakar Karen Chen Audrey KausSarah <strong>May</strong>er Fatiha Iqbal *Andrew Boge Hannah Berger *Swathi Somisetty*Julia Henning *Jonathan Katz Natalie VanderPloeg Alex Clark Hannah WilesJoy Tan *Amy Nihart Kevin WuDan Van BrocklinMegan Gibbons*Outstanding witness or attorney—district level+Outstanding witness or attorney—state level**Outstanding witness AND attorney—district level***Every member of Impeachment and Cream was cited for an award2


History DayMarch 30-31State Historical BuildingSubmitted by Kathy Paul, ELP CoordinatorAditi Dinakar, Andrew Boge, Kathy Paul, Kaitlyn Aldrich,Sam SparlandShuda Jarboe, Kathy PaulHannah Van Zee, Jordan Boge, Megan Gibbons,Pratyusha BujimallaEmmaGrace Walter, Nicholas Lee, Marcus Miller,Georgia Carroll8 th and 9 th graders recently competed in the district History Day contests held on March 30-31at the State Historical Building. Students created projects centered on the theme “Debate andDiplomacy in History” which they researched and developed for five to six months. Many hadprimary sources, including interviews, newspapers, and documents. Students took second placetrophy in the contests, with 9 th grade included in the senior division and 8 th grade in thejunior division.3


History Day ResultsKathy Paul, ELP Coordinator and Sue Cline, ELP Teacher<strong>Johnston</strong> Middle <strong>School</strong> History Day Results9th grade categoriesExhibitsSierra Ballard and Jovana MajstorovicCallie Coulter and Simrita VarmaPratyusha Bujimalla, Megan Gibbons, Jordan Boge, and Hannah VanZeeHannah WilesKaren ChenWeb SiteDocumentaryNatalie VanderPloeg and Bailey PierottiSanjay KodavalliPaperAbby DockumAditi Dinakar and Andrew Boge8th Grade CategoriesExhibitsPaperJacob OrrShuda JarboeSmeet MistryNicholas CollisonSandra KrommingaNathaniel StandishAutumn Askew, Elizabeth Reiher, and Kara GarsideWeb site:Alex Casten and Ethan NiuDocumentaryRuchira Shekar, Addy Pender, Courtnery Mithelman and Shana HudsonMiddle <strong>School</strong> StudentsAdvance to State!Performance:Meredith ToebbenGeorgia Carroll, Marcus Miller, Nicholas Lee & EmmaGrace WalterIt’s a school RecoRd!A record 12 students from <strong>Johnston</strong> schools qualified for the National History Day event in CollegePark, MD June 12th through 16th. Those students are:8th graders Shuda Jarboe, MeredithToebben, Addy Pender, RuchiShekar, Courtney Mithelman, ShanaHudson, Marcus Miller, EmmaGraceWalter, Georgia Carroll and NicholasLee. 9th Grade: Karen Chen, AbbyDockum, Aditi Dinikar, AndrewBoge, Pratryusha Bujimalla, HannahVan Zee, Jordan Boge, and MeganGibbons.7th GradeSarah HenryHannah Crooks8th GradeShuda JarboeAddy PenderRuchi ShekarCourtney MithelmanShana Hudson9th GradeAbby DockumAditi DinakarAndrew Boge11th GradeKaitlyn AldrichSam Sparland4


JMS students take 1st PlaceRegional Knowledge BowlFrom the Desk of….Kathy Paul, ELP CoordinatorThe Regional Middle <strong>School</strong>Knowledge Bowl was held onApril 27 at Merle Hay Mall and <strong>Johnston</strong>Middle <strong>School</strong> students Jack Dolde, Ethan Niu, Alex Casten,and Smeet Mistry won the first place trophy. The studentscompeted in both written and oral rounds, with questionsrelated to all academic subjects. The boys also did well lastyear in the 7th grade competition, and were ranked secondgoing into the regional rounds. They qualified by competingin a computer round done at school.Jack Dolde, Ethan Niu, Alex Casten, and Smeet Mistry.Mock Trial Teams represent <strong>Johnston</strong>at State CompetitionTeam D Dawg, Impeachment and Cream, andGuilty of Being Awesome represented <strong>Johnston</strong> with 29 otherteams at the state competition on March 24-26 at the PolkCounty Convention Center. Millie Varley (witness) andMikayla Stutzman (lawyer) were recognized at state for theiroutstanding individual performances. This was MikaylaStutzman’s second year in a row that she was selected asoutstanding witness. Team D Dawg finished in 5 th place,losing by half a point to the eventual state champion. Coach DoyleSanders has volunteered as an attorney coach for over 15 years.There were 4 teams at state recognized for the Judge CritelliAward for Professional Conduct and Decorum. Both Impeachmentand Cream and Guilty of Being Awesome, coached by Joel andRachele Hjelmaas, and Jeff Margolin were recipients of thisspecial honor.High <strong>School</strong>ers take 2nd place in Senior DivisionHistory Days <strong>District</strong> Competition(Back, left to right) Pratyusha Bujumalla, Abby Dockum, Natalie VanderPloeg,Kaitlyn Aldrich, Sam Sparland. (Middle, Left to right) Mrs. Paul, Hannah VanZee,Jovanna Majstorovic, Callie Coulter, Aditi Dinakar, Jordan Boge, Andrew Boge.(Front, left to right) Sierra Ballard, Sanjay Koduvalli, Simrita Varma, MeganGibbons.5


Greetings from Beaver Creek!News from Beaver Creek ElementarySubmitted by Nancy McGill, ELP TeacherI have thoroughly enjoyed the children this year and thank each and every one of you for your support,words of encouragement, and assistance as you helped to make the 2010-<strong>2011</strong> another very good year!There has been such growth and excitement this year as children in grades 3,4 and 5 explored the high levelof challenge in the Language Arts study! I wish everyone could experience the tremendous level ofengagement and collaborative problem solving that goes on during a sentence, paragraph, essay or poemanalysis. It is so exciting!Fourth graders chose a classic novel from their Caesar’s English text to read for the last book of the year.Choices include The Yearling, War of the Worlds, Lord of the Flies and Alice in Wonderland, to name a few.The books are proving challenging, but rewarding to the children. It has been a great finish to a year ofchallenging reading!Math Olympiad participants outdid themselves this year! Our Beaver Creek team achieved the honor ofbeing in the top 10% of all teams participating in this worldwide contest. Our top scorer, Preston Peddicordfrom Ms. Segebart’s fifth grade classroom achieved an overall score of 24/25. Congratulations! Fourthgrader, Aditi Jithendra was our second place winner with a score of 20/25. We have a tie for third place:Jack Lucas and Ethan Haezebroeck, both scored 19/25. No one scored below 10/25 this year – also a first forus! We had a great team this year and I thank everyone who made that possible!I have been very busy as the year draws to a close, meeting and working with as many students as I canfrom the primary grades. I am meeting new First and Second grade friends and learning about theiraccomplishments this year and seeking information that will help me recommend cluster groups for thecoming year. We have been reading, thinking, solving problems, playing math games, writing and readingpoetry and generally getting to know one another. I have really enjoyed this opportunity to meet manychildren who are eager and ready to learn!The identification process has been completed and again, I want to thank parents for all their supportthrough out this process. It is lengthy and can be tedious; however, it is such a fantastic process to help usget to know the children, appreciate their academic growth and help identify an appropriate level ofservice the <strong>2011</strong> – 2012 school year.As always, should you have questions about the program or what your child is doing please contact me;Nancy McGill, your ELP Beaver Creek staff person. I am happy to help. Have a relaxing summer!6


News from Timber Ridge and Horizon ElementariesSubmitted by Mitzi Hetherton, ELP Teacher, Timber Ridge and HorizonToday—Horizon 1st gradersTomorrow—children’s storybook authors!After reading Mary Ann Hoberman’s book, A House is a House for Me,Horizon first graders created new pages for the book:The solar system is a house for a planet. -Colin ShermerA hive is a house for honey. -Kade TankeA mouth is a house for a tongue. -Zoey BuchanA cab [of a pickup truck] is the house for a black lab. -Sara Lastine*A bag is a house for Cheetos. -Cade Godwin*(kindergartener)Second graders are working on stateand community research. Afterreading several ABC books to studythe format, they are creating their ownABC book about Des Moines and Iowa.Students are learning how to look forinformation, how to know what isimportant information, and how toorganize their ideas.After reading Animals Should Definitely Not WearClothing, the first graders created their own ―Animalsshould definitely not‖ stories...―Animals should definitelynot go to school becausebilly goats would eat thepaper, and giraffes couldnever see the teacherbecause its head would bethrough the roof.‖–Jenna Woodsmall―Animals shoulddefinitely not eatspaghetti because theopossum mightmistake its tail for anoodle, and a pigmight splash in thespaghetti sauce.‖–Sydney Pille3rd, 4 th and 5 th gradershave completed theirexploration of advancedgrammar and vocabulary.They look forward to starting poetry andwriting to end the school year.7


News from Timber Ridge and Horizon ElementariesSubmitted by Mitzi Hetherton, ELP Teacher, Timber Ridge and HorizonAnd the Winners Are….Math Olympiad WinnersHorizonBen Tinker, 5 th grade - 19 pointsChris Yao, 4th grade—18 pointsStock Market GameHorizon’s Top InvestorsBen TinkerAbi RameshNatalie VossSpecial thanks to Abi’sgenerous tidbit ofinformation aboutSouthwest Energy, weall reaped the windfallfrom that investment!Timber RidgeEmily Battani, 5th grade—14 pointsJoe Paul, 4th grade—14 pointsTimber Ridge’s Top InvestorsSarah SchadeJakob KnowltonKevin DialSpecial thanks to TimHanstad fromEdward Jones forcoming in to lookover the students’portfolios early inthe game and forgiving advice onwhere they shouldgo next.Fourth Grade NewsFourth graders at Horizon have requested to study famousphilosophers after learning a little about Socrates in Caesar’s Englishclass. We will delve into a study of a few of the more well-knownphilosophers using Philosophy for Kids curriculum.Fourth grade math students at Timber Ridge have beenusing protractors to create a Treasure Hunt map for their peers inour study of angles in geometry.8


News from Timber Ridge and Lawson ElementariesSubmitted by Kristen Hartman, ELP Teacher, Timber Ridge and LawsonKindergarteners enjoyed listening to a variety of books that introduced them to different kinds of thinking.Students then had opportunities to practice thinking like an inventor, a detective, a magician, and a judge.First graders “traveled” to Crystal Pond Woods where they met many new friends who helped them review andlearn about different kinds of thinking. The activities encouraged the students to think like a detective, inventor,scientist, magician, and judge. Here a few groups sporting their “brainfocals” which helped them “see” things indifferent ways while they were inventing.Back Row: Jared H., Seth R., Jake W.Front Row: Kassady T., Jordan B., Jaeden T.Back row: Brandon N., Natalie S., Alaina C.Front row: Derek M., Gus A., Jared M., Zachary M.Math students in second through fifth grade explored many different concepts these past few monthsincluding fractions, decimals, geometry, measurement, and integers. The last Math Olympiad contest washeld in March for Lawson fourth and fifth graders. Congratulations to Hannah Short for being the topscorer! Lawson fourth and fifth graders enjoyed playing the Stock Market Game this spring.Congratulations to all of the students for making wise investment decisions and to Val Boska who placedfirst out of 21 students in our region!The students in second through fifth grade are wrapping up their advanced language studies for theyear. Second graders at Timber Ridge continued their study of figurative language (similes, metaphors,and analogies). They learned about the importance of context in determining the meaning of unknownwords and had lots of fun playing with words that have more than one meaning. Second graders at Lawsonchose a natural disaster to research, wrote a report on the disaster, and compiled their reports into abook to share with their classmates. Third graders enjoyed Michael Clay Thompson’s bookBuilding Language. The book introduced the students to the history, structure and elegance of ourlanguage. The third graders at Lawson also held a Pet Parade Expo the end of March. The students choseand researched a future pet to adopt or purchase. In choosingtheir pet they had to think about what attributes were importantto them and how the pet would fit into their family’s lifestyle.They also had to think about how much the pet would cost and howmuch care would be needed.Fourth and Fifth graders at Lawson completed their study ofLatin stems and advanced vocabulary. They also reviewed whatthey had learned earlier in the year about grammar and how toapply it in their writing. All students agree that the study ofLatin stems can help them unlock the meaning of more difficultor advanced words and enjoyed looking for them in their dailyreadings.9Back row: Mrs. Hartman, Brooklyn D., Jacob W., Connor G., Austin L.,Keyshawn G., Caden E., Marshawn G., Charlie P., and Sam D.Front row: Joseph H., Preston V., McKinzie H., Megan L., Mary N., Kayley G.


News from Wallace ElementarySubmitted by Judie Horka, ELP TeacherStudents in three grades are completing Envision projects. Fifth graders have been working on “CareerAspirations,” fourth graders are completing plans for their “Backyard Getaways” and third graders arecompleting their “Pet Parade” work. Each grade level held an Expo in the school media center to celebratetheir work.Macy ThompsonMath Olympiad ResultsSam PinedaMakenna MummWe had a successful year with Math Olympiads with 29 fourth and fifth grade students participating.Top scorers in each grade level win a Highest Individual Score trophy. We had a tie for top score in fifth gradeat 23 out of 25 points. The high score in fourth grade was 20 out of 25.Fourth Grade ParticipantsSam PinedaKiernan AdairGrant NelsonAidan YoungMacy ThompsonCarolyne WaldronMakenna MummGrace WigenPeri DoddJoe ConnollyAshley FrankeElaine HoelscherMacKenzie StanleySloane WilhelmMaclain BremnerFifth Grade ParticipantsSeth DiehlAnelisa GebardMicah KragtRachel NewmannThomas AltierAndrew SmalleyMark NagelWill GavinSydney HedgepethElvin NiuSean ReddickAndrew SpauldingWilliam JulstromHowie Butler4th grade participantsStudents in first through fifth grade have also have beenworking on a science unit focusing on carefully gathering data andutilizing it to make observations and predictions using evidence. Theunit is based on the book Dr. Xargle’s Book of Earthlets by JeanneWillis. Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young was used with some groups.Students worked to build inference skills through observing andtesting some mysterious samples.5th grade participants10


6 th Grade Geek ProjectNews from Summit Middle <strong>School</strong>Submitted by Jessie Todd, ELP TeacherThis spring, students in Ms. Nystrom's and Ms. Mueller's literacy classes embarked on a unique biography researchproject, assisted by Mrs. Todd. Borrowing from the Geek the Library, a community awareness campaign designedto highlight the vital role of public libraries, students discussed the impact that libraries have on their education.The students explored the definition of the word Geek and how it has changed over the years from an unfashionableor socially inept person to a more positive meaning. The students then explored their personal passions and identifiedGEEKS that shared their passions. After selecting their favorite GEEK, they spent time researching. The next step wasto write and publish a sestina poem that celebrated their GEEK’s accomplishments. The sestina is a challengingform of poetry in which rather than simply rhyming, the actual line-ending words are repeated in successive stanzas ina designated rotating order. A sestina consists of six 6-line stanzas, concluding with a 3-line "envoi‖ which incorporatesall the line-ending words, some hidden inside the lines. The final task was to dress in character and pose for a personalGEEK poster that is now being displayed in their community common area.The students really enjoyed this activity and felt it was not only fun, but educational. Here is how Jillian Gabbysummed up this activity, ―We found our inner geek by researching things we love.‖ Elizabeth Boeschen stated, ―Thepoems were challenging but the posters were geekalicious.‖Wolfgang Amadeus MozartA Sestina by Brooke ThackerI, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,Am giving this testament of my life in music,Living with early fame.While strains of sound in my head beg, “Write,Write!” To hear the notesI nside, but at times lack the ability to turn them into soundsworthy to perform.From an early age, my father had meperform.He would say, “Mozart!Play!” And I would string together the notesInto a lacework of music.I began to writeMy own, dealing with ever-rising fame.But with fameComes the need to preform,To write,To create. All the notes cry» Motzart!Free us! Turn us into music!»All the sounds, those notes.Scribbling down the notesTo bow to the ever growing fame,The urge for music,The rush to convey them before I must preform.The signs all proclain 'MozartWill be appearing, playing what he writes!'Whenever I can writeI do, and I free those notesFrom where in my head they blow like sand. Whispersof «Mozart!Release us! Add to your fame!»And when I release them and preformI think what a challenge it is to live with the musicAll of that music,That pleads, haunts me until I writePreform,And liberate those notes.Mounting the stress, the fame.All the perople begging for Mozart.So, I, Mozart, freer of music,Have declined in fame, and yet I write.Though I compose, I do not preform. But I still free thoseeuphonious notes.11


National History DayNews from Summit Middle <strong>School</strong>Submitted by Jessie Todd, ELP Teacher46 students at Summit Middle <strong>School</strong> competed in National History Day. Our local competition was held at the State of IowaHistorical Building on Thursday, March 31 st . Students had an opportunity to share their projects while learning from other studentsabout various historical topics which connect to this year’s theme of “Debate & Diplomacy: Successes, Failures, Consequences.”Summit had a great day at the Regional History Day Competition! Of the 46 students who competed, 26 of them received awardsfor their projects! 14 students advanced to the State History Day Competition, which was held at the State of Iowa HistoricalBuilding on Monday, <strong>May</strong> 2 nd . State qualifiers included Afshan Chandani, Luke Safris, Donald Gee, Lavina Kalwani, Caroline Aldrich,Maddy Bradley, Anne Wallace, Anna Toot, Kaitlyn Hockmuth, Glen Nagel, Eilidh Chowanec, Katie Perkins, Sarah Henry, and HannahCrooks. Summit Middle <strong>School</strong> also won the Overall First Place Trophy for large schools competing in National History Day.Two students will be representing Summit Middle <strong>School</strong> at the National History Day event in College Park, Maryland onJune 12-16. Hannah Crooks and Sarah Henry will share the documentary they created detailing the role of the Equal RightsAmendment in America’s history.In addition, special awards were awarded to: Katie Perkins and Eilidh Chowanec, International History Award; Lavina Kalwani,Developing Democracy; and Donald Gee, Outstanding Entry in the Arts.Finalists in their categories included: Maddy Bradley, Anne Wallace, Katie Perkins, and Eilidh Chowanec.Hannah Crooks and Sarah Henry receive their invitation tothe National History Day event in Maryland.Lavina Kalwani stands by her exhibitLuke Safris and Afshan Chandaniare ready to share their workwith the NHD judges.Donald Gee poses with his special award forOutstanding Entry in the Arts.Caroline Aldrich received the Judge’s ChoiceAward for creative use of materials.Maddy Bradley and Anne Wallace were statefinalists with this stunning exhibit.12


News from <strong>Johnston</strong> High <strong>School</strong>Submitted by Sue Cline, ELP Teacher<strong>Johnston</strong> Academic DecathlonThe <strong>Johnston</strong> Academic Decathlon team placedfifth overall at State competition March 4th and5th in Mount Vernon, Iowa. In addition to a verystrong team performance, there were severalindividual awards earned. Senior Joanna Kimplaced 2nd in Scholastic Essay. Senior MitchCampbell placed 3rd in Varsity Interview. JuniorAdam Jaschen earned the overall second placeVarsity trophy, by winning medals for 1st in Speech,2nd in Interview, Language/Literature and Music,and 3rd in Art and Superquiz. This is by far thebest individual placement by any <strong>Johnston</strong>competitor in recent history. Congratulations toAdam, Joanna, Mitch and the rest of theteam: Lisa VanWiel, Austin Busch, MeganMartin, Dellanie Couture, Grant McDonald,Joe Buising and Haris Kajtazovic.Front row: Adam Jaschen, Dellanie Couture,Joanna Kim, Lisa VanWiel, Megan Martin, Mrs. ClineBack row: Austin Busch, Grant McDonald, Joe Buising,Haris Kajaztovic, Mitch CampbellClass Day AssemblyThe Class Day assembly was held on <strong>May</strong> 23 and many ELP students were honored for their outstanding efforts and contributionsto the high school. White honor cords are awarded to the students who are in the top 3% of the graduating class. Gold cords aregiven to those in the top 15%. National Honor Society students wear a gold/purple cord. Student Council members are noted bya braid worn on their shoulder. Seven National Merit Scholars were presented with plaques announcing their achievement. Inaddition, each department identifies one or two outstanding seniors selected on the basis of participation , performance, andenthusiasm for the subject field. This year’s top 3% , National Merit Award winners and department award winners are listedbelow. These students also are identified on award plaques in the front entry of the high school, so we can highlight theimportance of academic achievement here at JHS.Department AwardsWe entered a new contest thisspring: History Bowl. It wasan interesting and very challengingquiz bowl featuringonly American and WorldHistory questions. Two teamscompeted at Dowling High<strong>School</strong> on March 26. Bothplayed well enough to make thesemi-finals, and we all learnedhow to prepare for this eventnext year.National Merit Award WinnersEric WelterMike ShiEmily ParkerKyle NaigSarah <strong>May</strong>erKevin HanMatt BearyArt & DesignMason JohnsonBrianna WengertBandAlex HjelmaasFCSAllie CristFrenchGeneva MongarAndy JensenSocial StudiesChris CobleSpanishEric WelterClaire NagelMatt BearyEmily BiseniusLeah BowmanHailey BridgewaterAllie CristKaty DavisChris DockumMary FengKevin HanJuli HenningTop 3%Alex HjelmaasAshlee HulbertAlex KramerSarah <strong>May</strong>erClaire NagelKyle NaigDirk OplandNicole PirieMike ShiEric WelterBusinessSarah ClevelandCorey ShaferELPMatt BearyEnglishBlaine SchlawinMikhala StutzmanYearbookMonika SehicMathKevin HanEmily BiseniusPEMatt DarlandJessica MozgaScienceMike ShiSarah <strong>May</strong>erIndustrial TechJake ThiesMegan RiceNewspaperKelsey KruseVocal MusicDan Van BrocklinJulia Henning13

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