School Athletics

Local marching bands shine at StarFest (09/30/08)
In a field of 16 schools, the two high school marching bands from Le Mars represented the community well Saturday at the StarFest marching competition in Sioux City. Gehlen Catholic Schools' Marching Jays placed first in Class 1A, at the competition Sept. 27 in the Olsen Stadium...

Open house set for LCS additions, renovation (09/30/08)
An open house at the Le Mars Community Middle and High Schools will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. The open house provides the public an opportunity to tour the new middle school gymnasium, the three new technology enhanced classrooms at the high school, and the renovations that were completed in the high school following the move of the superintendent's office...

Saggau shares stories of inspiration to motivate students (09/26/08)
"Make good choices" was the message Bernie Saggau shared with Le Mars students in grades four through 12 Thursday. "The freedom of choice is to be what you want to be," Saggau said. "The more education you have, the more choices you have." Saggau, past executive director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSSA), was invited by Le Mars Community Schools (LCS) to talk about his life experiences to inspire LCS and Gehlen Catholic School students...

Group wants to address dangerous pedestrian spots (09/26/08)
Colleen Bortscheller spends a lot of time biking. She likes cycling to work or heading to the recreation trail for a ride. But one place she doesn't like to bike is 12th Street Southwest in Le Mars. "I think it's very hazardous, not only for students walking or biking to school, but also adults," Bortscheller said...

Iowa native earned students' trust teaching on reservation (09/25/08)
Maria Valen remembers her former Crow and Cheyenne students fondly, especially this week -- Native American Heritage Week. Valen, a new high school English teacher at Gehlen Catholic School, spent two years prior to coming to Le Mars educating American Indian students in Montana...

School sends message: no bullies allowed (09/24/08)
What may start out as joking or teasing could turn into bullying. Bullying may be physical, verbal or emotional in nature and is seen as an aggressive behavior that is intentional and that involves an imbalance of power or strength and is typically repeated over time, according to information from the program, "Stop Bullying Now."...

School board waits on decision about future levy (09/23/08)
The Le Mars Community School board won't decide whether or not to make another try at starting the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) until November. Monday night's board of education meeting was the first opportunity for board members to discuss together the outcome of the Sept. 9 ISL vote...

Hinton School Board steps closer to using eminent domain (09/22/08)
Last week Hinton School Board members moved forward to possibly try to obtain agricultural land through eminent domain by scheduling a public hearing in November. "It's a necessary step before we would be able to actually pursue the possible use of eminent domain," said Robert Held, Hinton School Board president...

Le Mars native to speak on behalf of National Education Association (09/19/08)
A Le Mars native who is now president of the National Education Association will be speaking in West Des Moines at the end of this month. Dennis Van Roekel, who was elected to the position in July, will be talking at an IowaPolitics.com forum about the November election and answering questions educational issues...

Group seeks people to 'Think outside the car' (09/19/08)
More than half the students at Le Mars schools drive or ride in a car to school every day, according to a recent survey. But a group of locals are looking into other options, and they want your help. Locals are invited to a Safe Routes to School meeting 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Le Mars Convention Center to talk about the possibility of starting a Safe Routes to School program in Le Mars...

Retirement closes 50 years of education service for Franke (09/12/08)
After more than 50 years of dedicating her life to the education of children, first as a kindergarten teacher and then as a school board member, Marjorie Franke is retiring from her work in the Le Mars Community School District. After receiving a gavel and retirement plaque Monday evening at the Le Mars Community School Board of Education meeting, Franke gaveled her last board meeting to adjournment...

AmeriCorps team preps Loess Hills for bison (09/11/08)
Men and women ages 18-24 from across the nation are building fences, restoring grasslands and helping with research in the Loess Hills through Oct. 2. The 10-member AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team, has been working in the Broken Kettle Grasslands and Five Ridge Prairie in Plymouth County since August...

Do your duty - vote (09/08/08)
It's the end of a era. With the passage of a new law by the Iowa Legislature, terms of school board members will grow to four years. Each school district in the state has submitted plans with the Iowa Secretary of State as to how they will phase in these new terms...

School board candidates share views heading into election (09/02/08)
The Le Mars Community School District has two open seats on the board of education. The election to fill the District 3 and 5 seats will be Sept. 9. Joe Cain and incumbent Dan Smith are running for the District 5 spot, and Mark Hemmingson is running a write-in campaign for the District 3 spot, which no one filed papers to fill. To get to know the candidates more, the Daily Sentinel asked each one eight questions, which are printed below with their answers.

School election absentee ballots still available (09/02/08)
School board elections for Plymouth County school districts will be Tuesday, Sept. 9. In the Le Mars Community School District, polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. where voters will cast their ballots for two director seats, and give a "yes" or "no" vote on the Instructional Support Levy request...

Questions answered on school levy issue (08/29/08)
Two public information meetings brought approximately 75 Le Mars Community School District residents out to learn about the Instructional Support Levy (ISL) Wednesday and Thursday evenings. A vote on whether to implement the levy will be held on Sept. 9, the same day as school board elections...

State's site visit team gives LCS favorable review (08/28/08)
A report from the State Department of Education on their April visit to Le Mars Community Schools pointed out a number of strengths for the district, according to Dr. Carl Turner, assistant superintendent. Turner shared the report at the school board meeting Monday...

ISL information meetings time for public questions (08/27/08)
Community informational meetings have been set concerning the upcoming Instructional Support Levy (ISL) election for Le Mars Community Schools. The meetings will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 27 and 28, in the district's Education Service Center at 940 Lincoln St. S.W...

School board members answer questions about ISL (08/26/08)
On Sept. 9, voters in the Le Mars Community School District will decide whether to approve a tax levy that would raise money for LCS teacher salaries, books, programs and transportation fuel. That Instructional Support Levy (ISL) has proved the source of much debate. Two LCS School Board members -- Patrick Murphy and Mark Stelzer -- sat down with the Daily Sentinel editorial staff to talk through some of the questions about the levy...

Hemmingson starts write-in campaign for school board (08/21/08)
A no-man race for a seat on the Le Mars school board became a one-man race Wednesday. Mark Hemmingson, of Le Mars, announced his plan to run as a write-in candidate for the District 3 seat on the Le Mars Community School Board. Hemmingson stepped up after no one filed papers by the July 31 deadline...

Hinton School Board looks into legal options to obtain land (08/19/08)
Hinton Community School Board members discussed Monday the possibility of using eminent domain to obtain land on which to construct a new elementary school and gymnasium. The school board decided to find out more about steps necessary to obtain 8 acres adjacent to the current school from property owners, Kevin and Annette Held, through eminent domain...

Remsen students' class schedules start early again (08/14/08)
Remsen-Union and Remsen St. Mary's students grabbed book bags, donned school clothes and headed back to class Wednesday. For the second year in a row, the schools started about a week earlier than other schools. Remsen-Union Superintendent Ken Howard said 78 percent of community members surveyed in January, half-way through the 2007-08 school year, indicated they liked the new schedule...

Write-in candidate could win school board seat (08/13/08)
With no candidate filing for a vacant seat on the Le Mars Community School Board of Education for District 3, board members discussed this week how the seat will be filled. "There is an opportunity for a write-in candidate to be elected," said Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt...

Enrollment one of key issues in ISL decision (08/12/08)
Le Mars Community School Board of Education members discussed the impact of the outcome of the Instructional Suppot Levy (SL) election during their meeting Monday evening. The ISL as proposed by the board, would raise money for the school's general fund through a mix of instructional support state aid, ISL property tax and ISL income surtax. The issue will be put to a vote on Sept. 9, the same day as school board elections...

School board rebuts land purchase rumor (08/12/08)
The Le Mars Community School District has not purchased property, board members said at Monday night's meeting. Board member Cris Collins brought the issue to the table at the end of the board meeting as other business. Collins told the board he had received a call from a concerned citizen in the community about comments from another citizen who said their information came from a "very reliable" source that the Le Mars Community School Board "had bought the Hahn property just west of the stadium and the purchase involved an exorbitant amount of money.". ...

Le Mars Community welcomes new teachers (08/12/08)
Le Mars Community Schools will start the year with a few staff changes. A new elementary art teacher, assistant middle school principal and high school special education teacher are making preparations to begin the year at LCS. Kimberly Strohbeen Strohbeen will be bringing a splash of color to the LCS elementary as a part-time art teacher. ...

Pedal power: How bike-friendly is Le Mars? (08/08/08)
Around the nation, store managers are reporting that more people are picking up bikes to get around. At Wal-Mart in Le Mars, demand has increased for bicycles lately, according to Don Terry, toy department manager. "More people are wanting to get a bike to bike to work and do in-town riding," he said...

Building on education: LCS addition nearly complete (08/07/08)
With only two weeks until school starts, teachers and staff at Le Mars Community High School and Middle School are busy putting the finishing touches on moves to new classroom space and computer labs and looking forward to the new middle school gymnasium...

Fairgrounds get a touch-up from Boy Scouts (08/07/08)
For Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout is the highest rank they can achieve. Zack Gaul and Zack Nemmers, of Troop No. 184, decided to spruce up parts of the Plymouth County Fairgrounds to obtain that rank. Eagle Scouts must demonstrate they live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, earn a total of 21 merit badges, and serve actively in a position of responsibility for six months...

Kingsley-Pierson school board race slims (08/06/08)
A Kingsley-Pierson woman has pulled out of her district's school board race. Susan Edgar, who filed papers to run for the Kingsley-Pierson District 4 seat, decided this week to step out of the race. Her decision cuts the number of people running for the seat from three to two...

Iowa athletes compete in Beijing for 2008 Olympics (08/05/08)
Iowa may be about 6,000 miles from Beijing, China, but starting this week, Iowa will have a presence in the 2008 Olympic hub. More than 10 athletes from Iowa or with Iowa connections are arriving in the Chinese capital this week to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics, which run Aug 8-24...

Merrill's before- and after-school program is a go (08/04/08)
Kissinger Elementary students will be able to enroll in a before- and after-school program at Merrill's First United Methodist Church when classes resume on August 21. Throughout the past year, the town has been working to develop a before- and after-school program to provide activities and supervision for students whose parents work longer than school hours...

Merrill's before- and after-school program on hold (07/31/08)
What began as a great opportunity for the Merrill may not be ready in time when classes resume this fall. Throughout the past year, the town has been working to develop a before- and after-school program to provide activities and supervision for students whose parents work longer than school hours...

LCS board puts ISL issue to voters (07/28/08)
Le Mars Community School District residents will cast their vote on Sept. 9 on whether the district will participate in the Instructional Support Levy. The school board met at noon Friday to hold a public hearing on the resolution to participate. After hearing from two members of the public, the board unanimously passed the resolution and set the date for the vote...

Out of the ring: Behind the Scenes of Impact Pro Wrestling (07/24/08)
What do you do after your "nine to five" job is over? Let's say instead of just heading home, you traded your work boots or suit and tie in for some spandex or a mask. For the members of Impact Pro Wrestling, this scenario is reality. Wednesday evening before their electrifying show at the Plymouth County Fair, I was given a taste of what it takes to be wrestler on the lower professional circuit...

Deadline to enter school board election nears (07/23/08)
Ten school board positions are up for election this fall in Plymouth County, and the deadline to file papers is only a week away. Candidates wishing to run for seats must turn in nomination papers with a designated number of signatures by 5 p.m. Thursday, July 31 to their schools' board secretary...

Hinton residents debate future home for new elementary (07/17/08)
By a show of hands the majority of more than 100 Hinton residents expressed a desire Tuesday to build a new elementary adjacent to the town's existing school. The Hinton School Board met with the public Tuesday to receive comments from the people as to their thoughts concerning the district's plans to construct a new pre-Kindergarten through third grade elementary school and competitive gymnasium...

School's out forever (07/10/08)
A Le Mars landmark for more than a century was demolished Wednesday. St. Joseph School, completed in 1905, was torn down to make way for a new Catholic church. A handful of the more than 2,000 students that studied in the building's classrooms gathered Wednesday to take pictures and watch the school be reduced to a pile of rubble...

Hinton school hosts public meeting on proposed expansion (07/01/08)
Hinton Community School is looking at building a new early elementary building and gym, and now officials want to hear what the public has to say. The school board will host a public meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15 in the school gym to give an update on the proposed pre-Kindergarten through third grade building and competitive gymnasium, anticipated to cost more than $7.5 million...

LCS administration makes the move (06/17/08)
Now there's a cornfield between the Le Mars Community Middle and High Schools and the district's new central office. The LCS administrative staff moved last week to the former Wells' Dairy headquarters on Lincoln Street Southwest. Along with the district superintendent's office and business office, the schools' technology and printing will also be based there...

Franke won't seek re-election to school board (06/11/08)
Two seats on the Le Mars Community School Board are up for election this fall. The seats held by Marjorie Franke, representing District 3, and Dan Smith, representing District 5, will be filled at the Sept. 9 school board election. At the board's Monday meeting, Franke announced to fellow board members she does not plan to seek re-election to her seat. Franke, a retired teacher with the Le Mars Community School District, has served on the board 18 years, since 1990...

LCS board tries again for instructional support levy (06/10/08)
The Le Mars Community School Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution to participate in the Instructional Support Program for a five-year period beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. This is the board's second attempt to implement the instructional support levy (ISL). A petition by district patrons put the same issue to a vote in March, when it was defeated...

Le Mars United Way awards funding to area agencies (06/03/08)
A teen pregnancy prevention program, meat vouchers for families in need, a fine arts after-school program and addiction recovery services are among 14 projects receiving grant money from the Le Mars United Way this year. Fourteen local agencies will be receiving a total of $58,500 from the nonprofit organization to provide area families with basic needs and services...

LCS board restarts process to adopt ISL (05/28/08)
The Le Mars Community School Board of Education has adopted a resolution to consider participating in the Instructional Support Program for five years and set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 9. The instructional support levy (ISL) program allows the district a source of raising revenue with a mix of property tax and income surtax for the district's instructional support program...

Two lease space in LCS central office building (05/21/08)
The Le Mars Community School board has approved leases for two new tenants in the school's Central Office Building. That building is the former Wells' Dairy Corporate building located on Lincoln Street South, which the district purchased in October 2007...

Youth football league kicks off this year (05/19/08)
A youth tackle football league that will give students in third through sixth grade a chance to suit up and play against area teams is starting late this summer in Le Mars. The league is a full-pad tackle football league for boys and girls with practice beginning Aug. 11...

LCS middle school principal hired (05/16/08)
The Le Mars Community Schools board of education approved the hiring of a new middle school assistant principal for the 2008-09 school year. Christopher Schmit, a middle school instructor at Waterloo, was recommended from the candidates interviewed for the position. He will replace Amy Johnson, who resigned the position this spring...

Mayor observes School Board Recognition Week (05/16/08)
With May 11-17 set as Iowa School Board Recognition Week, Le Mars Mayor Dick Kirchoff made sure he did his part to honor the local school boards. On Monday, May 12, he signed and presented a proclamation to members of the Le Mars Community Schools board of education. This year's theme --"Helping Students Reach New Heights" -- recognizes that Iowa's volunteer school board members are local leaders working to help students succeed...

LCS board looks at new ISL request (05/12/08)
A timeline prepared by Le Mars Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt indicates the board of education may soon begin the process to implement an Instructional Support Levy for the district. The Instructional Support Levy combines state funds, property tax and income surtax as a funding source for school districts. Le Mars Community School District voters defeated the ISL request in March...

Group looks at making Le Mars healthier (05/05/08)
A garden where people from the community can come grow their own vegetables and fruit. More bike racks around town. A website that lists recreation options and local food venders around the area. These were just three of the ideas a community group is throwing around as possible additions to Le Mars through a program called Iowa Fit for Life...