october 2020 different but still dynamite! · promoting excellence in academics, arts, and...
TRANSCRIPT
www.mountvernon.k12.ia.us PROMOTING EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS, ARTS, AND ATHLETICS
MUSTANGMUSTANG DISTRICT NEWSDISTRICT NEWSMOUNT VERNON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
REMINDER....Oct. 7: Early Dismissal, 1:05 pmOct. 12: School Board Meeting, 6:30 pmOct. 20 & 21: Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8 pmOct. 21 & 22: Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8 pmOct. 21: Early Dismissal, 1:05 pm Oct. 22 & 29: High School Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8 pmOct. 23: End of the 1st QuarterOct. 30: No School
OCTOBER 2020
DIFFERENT.... BUT STILL DYNAMITE!
Achievement - Peter Kollman 1962 (d)Service - Scot Christiansen 1978
Fine Arts - Braden Pospisil Rood 1993Community Impact - Sonia Essex Redmond 1982
Athletic - Steve Andrew 1968 (d)
CONGRATULATIONS!TO THIS YEAR’S MV ALUMNITO THIS YEAR’S MV ALUMNIHALL OF FAME RECIPIENTSHALL OF FAME RECIPIENTS
L to R: Peter Kollman, Scot Christiansen, Braden Pospisil Rood, Sonia Essex Redmond, Steve Andrew
The spirit lives on in you
There will be NO in-person events this year due to Covid-19 safety concerns. However recipients will be recognized in publications and online.
They will receive their awards during Homecoming weekend 2021.
www.mountvernon.k12.ia.us 2 Mount Vernon Community School District News OCTOBER 2020
Mount Vernon Community School District
-DIRECTORY-ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE Superintendent Office ............................... (319) 895-8845525 Palisades Road SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314 Superintendent: Dr. Greg Batenhorst [email protected] Superintendent Secretary: Amy Weber Bookkeeper: Tasha Whitman Business Manager: Matt Burke Alumni Association: Kathy Staskal Foundation Director: Ben BrannamanFOR ALL BUILDINGS ....................................................... Grounds & Buildings: Marty Williams & Chris Noll Technology & Website Admin: Sean Flockhart Systems Administrator: Tim Larson School Lunch Program: Marcia Purington Transportation: Dennis Gross (895-6205) Equal Opport. & Level I Investigator: Bldg. Principals
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLMain Office/Attendance ............................ (319) 895-6251615 5th Ave SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314 Principal: Kate Stanton [email protected] Building Secretary: Denise Havill Building Secretary: Lori Arnold Elementary Nurse: Jenna Wear School Counselor: Nicole Elliott ELP: Susannah Maddock Media Center: Megan Casey Kids Club: Teresa Hines - (319) 560-2958
MIDDLE SCHOOLMain Office/Attendance ............................ (319) 895-6254525 Palisades Road SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314 Principal: Bob Haugse [email protected] Building Secretary: Chiara Burke Building Secretary: Patty Mote Athletic Director: Aaron Truitt Middle School Nurse: Megan Krapfl School Counselor: Kori Leighty ELP: Susannah Maddock Media Center: Suzette Kragenbrink Kids Club: Teresa Hines - (319) 560-2958
HIGH SCHOOLMain Office/Attendance ............................ (319) 895-8843731 Palisades Road SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314 Principal: Steve Brand [email protected] Assistant Principal & Activities Director: Matt Thede [email protected] Activities Secretary: Val Binsfield Building Secretary: Mary Hale Registrar & Building Secretary: Stephanie Timm School Counselor: Brett Karkosh High School Nurse: Megan Krapfl Media Center: Suzette Kragenbrink Alternative Education & Transition Center Director: Brandi Viter-Pitlik
BOARD OF EDUCATION SHERRY GRUNDER, President LORI MERLAK, Vice PresidentDENISE BRANNAMAN, RICK ELLIOTT, NANNETTE GUNN, JEREMY KUNZ, LANCE SCHOFF, MembersMATT BURKE, Secretary Treasurer
-DISTRICT NEWS- This district newsletter is published 10 times per year for parents and residents of the Mount Vernon Community School District. Views are those of the authors. District related articles can be submitted via email by the 10th of every month to Amy Weber at [email protected]. No permission is necessary to reproduce contents unless otherwise noted.
Alumni Quote A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Greg Batenhorst, Superintendent
I have had several role models when it comes to community involvement. I would... include several Mount Vernon School District teachers as role models -- Dick Peters, Charles Halsey and Don Stine each have given of their time, talent, and treasure to our community, and their actions have inspired me in my volunteer endeavors.”
Sonia Essex Redmond '82Mount Vernon Alumni Community Impact Hall of Fame recipient
Peter De Witt is a well-known educator and consultant, and I had the pleasure to take part in a professional development session with him a few weeks ago. I was barely able to join this online learning session, as we were in the middle of working through our first COVID-19 positive test of the school year. In the midst of an incredibly busy time, Dr. De Witt said something that made me take pause and think: “This is not a time to get through, but it is a time to learn.” Right now, it is easy to take the mindset that we just need to get through these tough times and just focus on survival. Dr. De Witt’s comments challenge us to look at this time as a time to grow and thrive, not a time to just get by. I was reminded of the old adage that times of crisis are times of opportunity. Moving forward; I challenge all of us as educators, students, parents, and community members to identify how we can grow as life continues to throw obstacles at us. Our goal should be to come out of the other end of the COVID-19 crisis as better people than before the crisis. The only way we can do this is to join in the challenge together, supporting one another and and giving one another a fair amount of grace as we navigate through these challenging times. When I was a principal, I was faced with a challenge in helping my school community work through tough times when political and personal beliefs were as polarized as I had ever seen them. Fast forward another dozen or so years, and now more than ever we are polarized in our beliefs about what should be done to improve things in our nation. In my role as principal, I told the parents of my students that I hoped their children left the school with two things; good hearts and open minds. That is what I am hoping for all of us as we continue to work through a series of challenges unlike anything we have likely seen before. By focusing on the social-emotional needs of our students and families we are working to ensure that people have hope and are good hearted in relationships with others, especially when working with those with whom we do not always agree. By providing students with quality learning experiences that expose them to a variety of viewpoints on important topics, we are helping them keep an open mind when working with a variety of people with different beliefs. So that is my hope for all of us for 2020-2021, that we possess good hearts and open minds. Thank you for your patience as we work through our new reality, and for your feedback on the surveys we recently sent regarding your current thoughts on how to proceed through the remainder of the school year.
MVCSD FOUNDATION
Ben BrannanmanFoundation Director
SUPPORT MVCSD FOUNDATION
Did you know that the Foundation has a Fundraiser at One Mission? During the 2019-20 school year, I am thrilled to report that we raised more than $1,000 through our One Mission fundraiser. How awesome is that! We are excited to partner with One Mission again this year, and have set a goal to raise $2,500 to impact Mount Vernon Schools. We are so fortunate to have One Mission here in Mount Vernon. Stop by their shop uptown or go to onemission.fund/support/mvcsd-foundation to check out some of their awesome products, and together let’s support our Mount Vernon students.
On Mount Vernon!Ben ‘05
Interested in supporting the MV Schools Foundation? Checks can be made payable to MVCSD Foundation and mailed to MVCSD Foundation, 525 Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon, IA, 52314. You can also make a gift online at www.mvcsd.org/give. Contact Foundation Director Ben Brannaman at 319-693-9520 or [email protected].
MVCSD Foundation Board of Trustees:Ann Koppenhaver’78 [President], Dave Ryan’85 [Vice-President], Matt Burke [Treasurer] Jeremy Kunz [School Board Representative], Virginia Roudabush, Tom Wieseler, Jenna Wiebel Wischmeyer’91, Carol Woods-Boren'75, Mary Young
NEW! ONLINE DONATION & SPORT PASS PURCHASE OPTION It is now easier than ever to donate to Mount Vernon Community School District or to buy a parent/community member sport pass! Visit mvcsd.org/give to donate to the Foundation, WETAP, MVMS PTO, MV Fine Arts Association, or MV Booster Club or to purchase an adult sport pass(es). When you are making a donation, if the descrip-tion in the Item includes the word "Donations", it will be treated as tax deductible by the Mount Vernon Community School District 501(c)(3) Foundation.
WETAP is a group of all Washington Elementary teachers(staff), parents, guardians or grandparents, with a common goal to enhance children’s social, emotional and intellectual growth. WETAP supports classroom activities, teacher requests, school events, and family-oriented functions. WETAP also coordinates volunteers to assist with events. We would love to hear your ideas! Meetings are the 1st Monday of every month. For meeting info, updates, and events please follow us on Twitter: @mvwetap or on Facebook: Wetap. Our next meeting is Monday Oct. 5th. If you have any questions please reach out on social media or to the President of WETAP, Kayla Billingsley [email protected] WETAP Provided Funds over the summer for:Kindergarten welcome packetsKindergarten team: yoga matsKindergarten(Whitehead): plus, plus blocks3rd Grade: Voice amplifiers4th Grade: a reading subscriptionMusic/Mrs. Keast: Rhythmic sticks and fabric for rhythmic scarfsAnd last but certainly not least: A large donation to the new WE playground! We couldn’t have done this with out you and the donations from WE Walk. WE Walk is our one fundraiser that we normally do in October, but this year we are going to have a fundraiser with One Mission. Please be on the look out for upcoming info on our fundraiser with One Mission soon. This year will be different than any other years, but we are determined to make this a great year for the students at WE!
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY TEACHERS & PARENTS
WETAP (WE's PTO)
On Oct. 7 from 4:00-8:00 PM in the High School Library the Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) will be offering assistance with filing the FAFSA. As of today, this event will take place in person and social distance guidelines will apply. If you are interested in doing a virtual appointment on a separate day these can be done on an individual basis. Please use the links below to set up your in person appointment on Oct. 7 or individual appointments on a separate date. Questions may be directed to High School Counselor, Brett Karkosh at [email protected] School Sign up:https://www.schedulicity.com/scheduling/ICARUB/workshops
Iowa College Access Network:Virtual Appointment
UPCOMING FAFSA HELP
Mount Vernon Community School District News OCTOBER 2020 3www.mountvernon.k12.ia.us
YEARBOOKS ARE IN! The 2020 yearbooks have arrived. Students who purchased the 2020 yearbooks may pick them up at the high school. There are also 15 extra copies of the 2020 book available for purchase in the high school office for $55. Get yours today!
Fall sports are off to a dynamite start!Football, volleyball, and cross country student
athletes have been working hard and that hard work is paying off.
Boys cross country is rated 7th in 3A, girls cross country is rated 9th in 3A,
football is rated 5th in 2A, and volleyball is currently rated 2nd in 3A.
GO MUSTANGS!
DIFFERENT.... BUT STILL DYNAMITE!
SOFTBALL FIELD UPGRADES Renovations to the Mount Vernon Community School District and Cornell College softball field have begun! Dave Van Metre, a Mount Vernon native and longtime benefactor for both Cornell College and the Mount Vernon Community School District, is donating all goods and services for the $1.673 million extensive renovation that will make the facility one of the premiere softball complexes in the Midwest. The project will include the installation of a field turf field, additional seating, a combined press box/concessions building, new lighting, sunken dugouts, new batting cages and bullpens, and many more upgrades. Not only will the student athletes benefit, but the fans can look forward to a better fan experience at games. Cornell College and the Mount Vernon Community School District are again extremely grateful to Dave and Carol Van Metre for their support of their programs. They are also grateful for the hard work and support of those Mount Vernon community members who constructed the facility that both schools have had the opportunity to use over the past decade plus.
NEW TEACHERS FOR 2020-21 The Mount Vernon Community School District is excited to welcome the following new teachers!
Allison HerdliskaKindergarten
Bridget O'ConnorPreSchool
Cayla BalsarMS Language Arts
Chris ChapmanMS Physical Education
Rachael GlazaMS Special Education
Kori LeightyMS Counselor
Michael RasoHS Math
Ned KellyHS English
MV CLUB VOLLEYBALL INTEREST FORM Anyone girls in grades 4th - 8th who might like to play club volleyball this winter - life allowing, please complete the MV Club Volleyball Interest Form.
www.mountvernon.k12.ia.us 4 Mount Vernon Community School District News OCTOBER 2020
PETER KOLLMAN ‘62 (d)Achievement Hall of Fame recipient Peter Kollman, class of 1962, was nominated by alums Richard ‘Dick’ Miner 1961 and 1962 classmate Michael ‘Mike’ Biderman. After graduation from MVHS, Peter attended Grinnell College then earned both his Masters and Phd at Princeton University before beginning a career in medical research and teaching at the University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF). Dick says ‘few of Peter’s former schoolmates or family friends in Mount Vernon heard much of his many accomplishments because Peter was never one to “toot his own horn. Sadly, in May 2001 at the age of 56, Peter died of a fast-moving cancer. Ironically, much of Peter’s biomedical research dealt with aspects of the very cancer that took his life. It was only at the memorial service at his home in San Francisco that I began to grasp the breadth and importance of the contributions he made. ” Dr. Fred E. Cohe wrote in ‘Structure – Cell Press,‘ (excerpt reprinted with permission):
Although his career was foreshortened, his contributions to the application of quantum and molecular mechanics calculations to address important chemical and biological problems will live on in the students he trained and the AMBER suite of (computer) programs that he produced. I came to know Peter in 1978 when he created the early version of what would ultimately become AMBER. He went on to build an incredibly productive research and training program. Through over 400 publications, Peter and his students and collaborators helped us to understand the behavior of water, alkanes, peptides, nucleic acids, proteins, and pharmaceuticals.
Perhaps he is best known for his scholarly contributions to the field of Free Energy Perturbation calculations ... I wrote two papers on this subject. Peter wrote fifty.
Dr. Christopher I. Bayly wrote in the ‘Biophysical Journal’ (excerpt reprinted by permission):
While his death leaves an empty space in the computational chemistry community, it also gives us the occasion to celebrate the now-completed opus of his life. From the standpoint of the fashionable “scientific statistics,” his contribution was prodigious: over his 31-year career he was an author on more than 400 journal articles (more than one per month, on average), and more than 50 reviews and chapters, and he was the 11th most-cited chemist between 1981 and 1997. Today the AMBER suite of programs is one of the most widely used academic packages for bio-molecular simulation, applied in over 1000 academic and industrial laboratories.
Another major turning point in his research came with the incorporation of free-energy calculations into AMBER in 1987. Recently, he had been extending approximate free-energy methods to include enhanced sampling and continuum dielectric methods (the latter again to improve the treatment of long-range electrostatics), culminating in the MM-PBSA method. His positive approach has had a lasting impact on those who passed through his laboratory, and serves for many as a model of scientific interaction.
Peter will be represented by his family, daughter Sarah Kollman Regnier, son Eli Kollman, and sisters Gerda Kollman Bennett 1959 and Miriam Kollman 1967. Gerda can be reached at 209 Blackwell Road, Pennington, NJ 08534, or [email protected]
SCOT CHRISTIANSEN ‘78Service Hall of Fame recipient Dr. Scot Christiansen, class of 1978, was nominated for this award by former MVHS teacher Don Stine.
Currently a resident of Edgewood, Iowa, Scot is a family practice physician at the Edgewood Satellite Clinic. The clinic is part of the Regional Family Health in Manchester, Iowa. In addition, he is Medical Director for the Oelwein Healthcare Center and the Grandview Healthcare Center, both located in Oelwein, Iowa and also for the Regional Medical Center Inpatient care unit, and the RMC Wound clinic.
Above and beyond his daily job, Scot is a respected member of the Edgewood community. Among his community service projects are membership on the Edgewood Chamber of Commerce and the Ed-Co Community School Board. He has served as assistant director of the Ed-Co fall play for 13 years, sharing his talent and passion for quality dramatic productions. He currently serves as the medical director for the Edgewood Ambulance Service, .
In addition, Scot has inherited a love of nature from his father, Dr. Paul Christiansen, a Biology professor emeritus from Cornell College. Scot has established over eight acres of native prairie on his farm, along with additional acres of native grasses and timber. He was recognized in 2013 as Clayton County Woodland Owner of the Year for his efforts to enhance their forest resource and improve wildlife habitat.
Nominator Don Stine points out that Scot was named a Presidential Scholar in high school -- the only one Mount Vernon has ever had. Academically Scot hit many milestones, including being selected as one of only 141 students nationwide for this award - one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students. He was also a National Merit Finalist, representing the top one percent of seniors in the U.S. Scot was class valedictorian and earned the Iowa Bar Citizenship Award.
In high school Scot was in band, chorus, and swing choir, earning All-State honors his junior and senior year, and drama and speech and earning an Outstanding Rating in original oratory and Reader’s Theatre. He was also a 3-sport athlete in football, basketball and track.
After high school Scot graduated from the University of Iowa College of Medicine and the Wausau Family Practice Residency Program. During medical school Scot became a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Medical Society. He is currently a member of the American Academy of Family Practice, American Board of Family Practice, and frequent preceptor for University of Iowa medical students. He is a collaborating physician for the U of I IRENE Research Network. He has also served on the Clayton County Board of Health.
Most recently Scot has been faced with handling Covid-19 patients. Among them a rural Edgewood man who said “ I can’t say enough what Dr. Christiansen did for me. He went the extra mile. He called to see how I was doing. That means a lot. I think he would do that for anyone.” (source Manchester Press, May 6, 2020)
Send your congratulations to Scot at 34782 Littleport Road, Edgewood, IA 52042 or at [email protected]
BRADEN POSPISIL ROOD ‘93Fine Arts Hall of Fame recipient Braden Pospisil Rood, class of 1993, was nominated for this award by alum Kim Zangger Tucker 1994 and former MVHS teacher Donna Jacob.
Currently a resident of Mount Vernon, IA, Braden is an alum that found herself in New York City exploring theatrical opportunities before settling back in Mount Vernon.
Not one to let the dust settle under her feet, she has become a popular mainstay on Mount Vernon stages and in the community with her drama and musical talents.
In high school Braden participated in speech 4 years, chorus 4 years, and theatre 4 years, including All-State speech and many other activities. Her most memorable production in high school was Fruma Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof or her All-State performance of Laughing Wild.
At the University of Northern Iowa, UNI, Braden was a member of 11 productions, including a main role in as Lady Fancy in Sir Patient Fancy and Dora Strang in Equus and Mary Bland in Eating Raoul, and was a Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Semi-Finalist.
In New York City she was a member of many productions as a well as founder of the theatre company, The Key Theatre. It was in New York during a production of A Real Kiss that she met her husband, Anton.
Since her return to Mount Vernon in 2002 she has
The Mount Vernon Community School District Alumni Association is pleased to announce the following alums were selected as 2020 Alumni Hall of Fame recipients. Normally all Hall of Fame events take place on the Friday of Homecoming week. There will be NO in-person events this year due to Covid-19 safety concerns. However recipients will be recognized in publications and online. They will receive their awards during Homecoming weekend 2021.
L to R: Achievement - Peter Kollman 1962 (d), Service - Scot Christiansen 1978, Fine Arts - Braden Pospisil Rood 1993, Community Impact - Sonia Essex Redmond 1982, Athletic - Steve Andrew 1968 (d)
OO OO
2020 MV ALUMNI HALL OF FAME RECIPIENTS
Mount Vernon Community School District News OCTOBER 2020 5www.mountvernon.k12.ia.us
been a board member of Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre and has been involved in over 50 theatre productions for MVLCT, along with several at Theatre Cedar Rapids, Dreamwell and other companies within the Corridor.
The list of productions she has been a part of are pages long, but include roles from acting and dancing to set design, producer, and director.
For the last five years Braden has been a member of the Balderdash Ditty band, along Kim Benesh (1985) and Dale Beeks. The group sings to children at local preschools and schools teaching music concepts and learning through music. She is also a member of Leah Woosley and the Mother Chuckers and MV Uke Squad where she performs locally at events, small businesses and senior and community centers
A constant volunteer in the MV community, she is her class reunion coordinator, has been a member of the MV Chili Cook-off committee, Chocolate Stroll Parade Coordinator, Chalk the Walk volunteer and artist, Hallmark volunteer, Main Street Iowa tour guide, works with Hands Up Communications to bring ASL (American Sign Language) to our MVLCT shows so the deaf community can enjoy live theatre, is digitizing MVLCT’s photos from past productions and also works on the MVLCT’s website.
Braden is a member of Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre Board (President 9 years, Publicity 4 years) and a member of the A-Go-Gos. This group does fundraising for major fine arts projects and hosts an annual gala to honor those in the Mount Vernon-Lisbon area for their contribution to the arts. One of their events was the Frank Benesh (MV Alum 1956) Memorial 24-hour Telethon which raised $17,000 for air conditioning and renovations to the First Street Community Center Uptown Theatre. Another was the ‘Save the Tapes’ telethon which raised $6,000 to restore over 30 years of video tapes recorded by Dean Traver.
Braden was a member of the ‘Smithsonian Home Town Teams’ Kick Off Fundraiser where she was on the Planning Committee, a choreographer and a performer, which raised $3,000 for the exhibition in 2018 and until recently hosted ‘Good Morning Mount Vernon-Lisbon’, a weekly talk show about the AWESOMENESS of MV-L. Braden was named Mount Vernon CDG Volunteer of the Year in 2017.
Send your congratulations to Braden at 101 Crestview Dr NE, Mount Vernon IA 52314 or [email protected]
SONIA ESSEX REDMOND ‘82Community Impact Hall of Fame recipient Sonia Essex Redmond, class of 1982, was nominated for this award by classmate Sheri Russell Kahl and former MVHS teacher Don Stine.
Currently a resident of Mount Vernon, IA, Sonia says “I have had several role models when it comes to community involvement. Some of the biggest influencers were my grandparents and parents. I would also include several Mount Ver-non School District teachers as role models -- Dick Peters, Charles Halsey and Don Stine each have given of their time, talent, and treasure to our community, and their actions have inspired me in my volunteer endeavors.”
After high school, Sonia attended Kirkwood Com-munity College. She has worked at Mount Vernon Bank & Trust Company for 33 years, where she is currently an Assistant Vice President. Sonia has organized or assisted with many bank-sponsored community events, such as the Kids’ Safety Fair, Dick Peters History Lectures, Popcorn in the Park for the Mount Vernon Community Band Con-certs, Magical Night, and the Community Shred Day. “The encouragement I receive from bank management and their willingness to adjust work schedules to accommodate volunteer efforts are just a few of the reasons I love working at Mount Vernon Bank & Trust,” Sonia said.
In high school Sonia participated in 4 years of choir, theatre, and band, along with many community concerts and performances. After high school Sonia participated in the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Theatre for 3 years, and has been a St. John’s Catholic Church member for 35 years, serving at various times as religious education teacher, Finance Committee
member and chair, Parish Council and Parish Life committee member, choir member, and restarted the Parish Festival.
She was also a Girl Scout leader for seven years. “This was one of my favorite volunteer opportu-nities,” Sonia said. “Watching the girls grow from kindergartners into amazing young adults has been incredible. I keep in touch with most of the young women and am excited at what they have achieved.”
Sonia has been a member of the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce /Mount Vernon Lisbon Community Development Group for 33 years. During that time she has been involved with a multitude of projects and events including Heritage Days, has volunteered for CDG festivals and events for over twenty years, and served on many committees including the CDG Market Analysis Committee, and she was the CDG’s Open 4 Business Grant Coordinator for 6 years. She has coordinated and been involved with the free ‘Pictures with Santa’ at Magical Night for 29 years.
Sonia received Mount Vernon’s 2016 Main Street Iowa’s Leadership and Volunteer of the Year Award from Governor Kim Reynolds, and she has been recognized as the local CDG volunteer of the month twice.
In addition, she has been a member of the Mount Vernon Community Band for approximately 20 years where she plays alto saxophone and assists with public relations and roadie work. She also served 5 years on the Ushers Ferry Pioneer Village committee.
In Mount Vernon she has been on the Chapel View Manor Board of Directors for 6 years and is currently the board’s president. She also served on the City of Mount Vernon Comprehensive Planning Committee for 2 years.
Sonia is a member of the National T.T.T Society, Chapter EW, was a booster of the Mount Vernon High School Band, a past member of the GWPC Regional Advisory Board 2017 and the Grant Wood Area Advisory Board for the Family and Consumer Science Teachers.
Sonia can be reached at 200 4th St SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314 or at [email protected]
STEVE ANDREW ‘68 (d)Athletic Hall of Fame recipient Steve Andrew, class of 1968, was nominated for this award by classmates Barb Thomsen Neal, Ken Pospisil, and Mike Smith.
A legend in many circles, Steve was not only known for his athletic achievements, but for his outstanding character. Nominator Barb Neal describes Steve as a ’four-sport athlete who received 15 varsity letters for his achievements (in high school). He was the recipient of numerous accolades. He was simply an amazing, humble man, devoted to his faith and to his family. I can think of no athlete presently or in the past who is more deserving of this award.’
Following is an excerpt from Barb’s nomination: “From a very early age, Steve showed signs of talent. He would gather his friends together for sandlot baseball games and then awe them with his ability to, not only hit a baseball, but to hit it over the fence. As summers ended and school started, pick up games of basketball or football soon began. Steve’s football reputation began in junior high. He was instrumental in the undefeated success of his team and broke the junior high record for throwing the football. Steve’s ability to throw a football was a harbinger for his career as the quarterback for the Mount Vernon Mustangs. He was effectively leading the JV team to an undefeated season when the senior varsity quarterback suffered an injury. Steve was quickly added to the varsity roster as the quarterback for the last two games of the season. (From then on Steve ONLY played at the varsity level in all sports.) He earned All-Conference honors as a back his sophomore and junior seasons. As a senior he quarterbacked his team to an undefeated season for the first time in many years. He was awarded All-conference honors for both offensive and defensive back and All-State honorable mention as quarterback. The team went from a 4-4 varsity record as
freshmen to undefeated conference champions as seniors. Basketball season followed. Steve’s ability to play guard was recognized by the coach immediately. As a freshman varsity player he ended the year with impressive statistics: highest free throw percentage at 68% and the most steals at 33. He helped lead the team from a 5-9 losing conference record his freshman year to a 13-3 winning record as a senior. The Mustangs were conference champions in both 1967 and 1968. Steve received All-Conference honorable mention as a sophomore and junior. He was chosen for the All-Conference 2nd team as a senior. In track he set a new school records at state in the 440 and 880 relay teams. Even with all of his athletic success, his greatest love was baseball. From sandlot ball to Little League to high school baseball to fast pitch softball, playing ball was his passion. Steve’s father, a renowned softball player, was a big influence, bestowing upon him the privilege of bat boy for his fast pitch team and always encouraging him along the way. Although baseball was considered a minor high school sport at the time, Steve made a major impact on the team. He played shortstop and relief pitcher. He was a four-year varsity letter winner and his contribution to the team was undeniable. Steve was considered the heart and soul of the Mount Vernon Mustangs. He was a respected and loved team leader who would sweat his guts out at every event. Steve’s greatest success as a ball player surpassed high school. He became a highly recruited and amazing softball player. According to the ‘Cedar Rapids Gazette’ headline, “Cancer claims ‘Mr. Softball’ on July 27, 2013, by J R Ogden, Steve was known as “Rookie” from his playing days. “He helped win national titles with Welty Way in 1971 and Teleconnect in 1987 and was a member of the 1980 national runner-up Midwest Galleries team. Andrew played in six national tournaments, six world tournaments and three Olympic Festivals. A two-time Major league batting champ, he was one of the best third basemen in the country, winning All-World selection twice and All-American honors once.”
Steve’s personal accomplishments included International Softball Championship (ISC) World Tournament RBI leader, American Softball Championship (ASC) All American selection, ISC All World selection twice, CR major open batting champion 2 times, CR Softball Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Iowa Softball Hall of Fame in 1993. Steve and his dad are the ONLY father-son inductees to the Iowa Softball Hall of Fame.”
Steve will be represented by his wife, Josie Andrew. She can be reached at 2180 David Ct NE, Cedar Rapids IA 52402, or [email protected]
Normally all Hall of Fame events take place on the Friday
of Homecoming week.There will be NO in-person
events this year. However recipients will
be recognized in publications and online.
They will receive their awards during
Homecoming weekend 2021.
www.mountvernon.k12.ia.us 6 Mount Vernon Community School District News OCTOBER 2020
How to dryDryer• Use the highest heat setting and leave in the dryer until
completely dry.
Air dry• Lay flat and allow to completely dry. If possible, place the mask
in direct sunlight.
MV FINE ARTS ASSOCIATIONContact: Crystal [email protected] support for all fine arts programs in Mount Vernon schools.MV Fine Arts Assoc. meets on the 1st Tuesday of each month.Next Meeting: October 6, 20207 pmHigh School Library
MVMS PTOContact: Lezli Luneckas Broomhall, President, [email protected] the positive aspects of Middle School life. All parents of Middle School students and staff are members of MVMS PTO.MVMS PTO meets on the 3rd Monday of each month. Next Meeting: October 19, 20206:00 pmMiddle School Library
WETAP Contact: Amanda Bishop, [email protected] parents, guardians, teacher & school staff of Washington Elementary students are members of WETAP.WETAP meets on the 1st Monday of each month.Next Meeting: October 5, 20206:30 pmWashington Elementary Art Room
BOOSTER CLUBContact: Jim Baty,[email protected] financial and volunteer support for all athletic programs at Mount Vernon High School and Middle School. The MV Booster Club meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Next Meeting: October 7, 20206:30 pm High School PAC Auditorium
MOUNT VERNON COMMUNITY SCHOOL PARENT GROUPS
IMPORTANT HEALTH INFORMATION
Recently, the Iowa Legislature passed a new law related to safety in our schools. One requirement for the district is to provide all students, staff, parents and community members a tool to report information related to keeping our schools and students safe. The Quick Tip feature allows you to identify the nature of the concern and which school or people may be impacted. If the location impacted is in a location other than one of the schools, please use the 999-999 code in the drop down box. Your tip will be forwarded to district officials who will follow-up on the information as soon as possible, and you may remain anonymous in your reporting. If it is an emergency situation that needs immediate attention, please do not use Quick Tip and instead call 911 for immediate assistance. The Quick Tip link may be found on the home page of the district website: www.mountvernon.k12.ia.us.
QUICK TIP
OCTOBER MENUS Lunch menus for all buildings and remote learning students are linked below.Washington Elementary, MV Middle School, MV High School Hybrid Lunch Menu
Remote Learner & Hybrid Pick Up Lunch Menu
Menus are also available on the district webpage, Resources and Links, Menu.
Children need healthy meals to learn. Mount Vernon Community School District offers healthy meals every school day. Breakfast cost $1.90; lunch costs $3.00 at the Middle School and High School and $2.85 at the elementary. Your children may qualify for free meals/milk or for reduced price meals. Reduced price is $ .30 for breakfast and $ .40 for lunch. Return or mail the completed application to: Mount Vernon Community School District, 525 Palisades Rd SW, Mount Vernon, IA 52314.
WHO CAN GET FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS?• All children in households receiving benefits from Food Assistance, the Family Investment Program (FIP) or a fewspecific Medicaid programs are eligible for free or reduced price meals.• Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court are eligible for free meals.• Children participating in their school’s Head Start program are eligible for free meals.• Children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant are eligible for free meals.• Children may receive free or reduced price meals if your household’s income is at or below the limits on the FederalIncome Eligibility Guidelines below. (Requires submitting an Application for Free and Reduced Price Meals/Milk.)
FREE / REDUCED MEAL ELIGIBILITY
Masks are an additional step to help slow the spread of COVID-19 when combined with every day preventive actions and social distancing in public settings.Masks should be washed regularly. It is important to always remove masks correctly and wash your hands after handling or touching a used mask.HOW TO CLEAN:Washing machine:• You can include your mask with your regular laundry.• Use regular laundry detergent and the warmest appropriate
water setting for the cloth used to make the mask.
Washing by hand:• Check the label to see if your bleach is intended for disinfection. Some
bleach products, such as those designed for safe use on colored clothing, may not be suitable for disinfection.
--Use bleach containing 5.25%–8.25% sodium hypochlorite. Do not use a bleach product if the percentage is not in this range or is not specified. --Ensure the bleach product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. --Ensure adequate ventilation.• Prepare a bleach solution by mixing: --5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) of 5.25%–8.25% bleach per gallon of room temperature water or --4 teaspoons of 5.25%–8.25% bleach per quart of room temperature water• Soak the mask in the bleach solution for 5 minutes.• Discard the bleach solution down the drain and rinse the mask thoroughly
with cool or room temperature water.Make sure to completely dry the mask after washing.
HOW TO WASH MASKS
Using bleach safely:• Always read and follow the directions on the label to ensure safe and
effective use.• Be aware that bleach can damage cloth fabric over time.• Wear skin protection and consider eye protection for potential splash
hazards.• Use water at room temperature for dilution (unless stated otherwise on
the label).• Store and use bleach out of the reach of children and pets.• Special considerations should be made for people with asthma and they
should not be present when cleaning and disinfecting is happening as this can trigger asthma exacerbations. Learn more about reducing asthma triggers.
• See EPA’s 6 steps for Safe and Effective Disinfectant Use Thank you to everyone who donated pictures for the October district newsletter: Halverson Photography, Greg Batenhorst, Steve Brand, Matt Thede, JoAnn Gage, Scott Weber, Mitchell Gage, and Adam Vig.
THANK YOU!
Thank you Mount Vernon community for staying informed, taking care of yourselves and taking care of each other during this
pandemic. With the constant changing situation and the amount of information out on the internet, it is crucial to make sure you
have credible up-to-date information from reliable sources.It is also important to know what to do if you or a family member
becomes ill. The best source of advice is always your family doctor.
ATHLETICS CAN & BOTTLE FUND DRIVE If you have extra cans and bottles, please consider dropping them off at theBooster Club Can Donation Trailer (located at 1011 1st Ave NE, Mount Vernon) to help support Mustang Athletics. The following sports will be the benefactors of the funds raised from the donations: October: WrestlingNovember: Cross CountryDecember: BaseballThank you for your support!Go Mustangs!
Mount Vernon Community School District News OCTOBER 2020 7www.mountvernon.k12.ia.us
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
• 7VB, Solon, H, 4:15 pm• 8VB, Solon, T, 4:15 pm• 10VB & JVVB, CR Prairie, T, 6 pm
• 7VB, Williamsburg, H, 4:15 pm• 8VB, Williamsburg, T, 4:15 pm• Homecoming Coronation, First Street Field• Marching Band Community Performance, First Street Field, 7 pm
• HSCC - Varsity, WAMAC Meet @ Williamsburg, 4 pm• VVB, WAMAC Finals @ MV, 4 pm
• Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8 pm• High School Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8 pm
• High School Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8 pm
• 9VB @ Solon Tournament• VVB@ Waverly-Shell Rock Tournament
• VVB, Westside Invite @ CR Jefferson High School, 8:30 am• Homecoming Hypnotist / Movie Night - High School students only, HS Choir Room, HS Band Room, PAC, 9 - 11:30 pm
• ACT Test Administration @ MVHS - Building CLOSED from 7 am - 2 pm
OCTOBER 2020 ACTIVITY CALENDAR SUN MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT
EARLY DISMISSAL1:05 PM
• FAFSA Filing Assistance, HS Library, 4 - 8 pm - Additional details on page 2• MV Booster Club Meeting, PAC Auditorium, 6:30 pm
EARLY DISMISSAL1:05 PM
• Washington Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8 pm• Middle School Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8 pm• HSCC, Districts, TBA• VVB, 2nd Round of Regionals, TBA
• 7VB, Vinton-Shellsburg, T, 4:15 pm• 8VB, Vinton-Shellsburg, H, 4:15 pm• JVVB, MV Invite, 5:30 pm• 9/10FB, Solon, H, 6 pm• WETAP Meeting, Elementary Art Room #201, 6:30 pm
• VVB, WAMAC Pool Play @ TBA, 4 pm• MSCC, WAMAC Meet @ Center Point-Urbana, 4:15 pm• 9/10FB, South Tama, H, 6 pm• School Board Meeting, HS Library, 6:30 pm
• MVMS PTO Meeting, MS Library, 6 pm• VVB, 1st Round of Regionals, TBA
• MSCC, West Delaware, T, 4 pm• HSCC, West Delaware, T, 4:15 pm• 7FB, Clear Creek-Amana, T, 4:15 pm• 8FB, Clear Creek-Amana, H, 4:15 pm• HSVB, Marion, H, 9th A Team & 10th - 5 pm, 9th B Team & JV - 6 pm, Varsity to follow - SENIOR NIGHT• MV Fine Arts Association Meeting, HS Library, 7 pm
• 10VB, WAMAC Tournament @ Vinton-Shellsburg, 4 pm• MSFB, Dyersville Beckman, H, 8th @ 4:15 pm, 7th @ 5:30 pm
• Washington Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences, 4 - 8 pm
• VVB, Regional Finals, TBA
• HSFB - Varsity, Solon, T, 7 pm
• HSFB - Varsity, South Tama, H, 7 pm - HOMECOMING
• HSFB - 1st Round of Districts, TBA
• End of 1st Quarter• HSFB - 2nd Round of Districts, TBA
NO SCHOOL TODAY
• HSFB - 3rd Round of Districts, TBA • HSCC, State Meet, Lakeside Municipal Golf Course, Fort Dodge
• 7VB - 7th Grade Volleyball• 8VB - 8th Grade Volleyball• 9VB - 9th Grade Volleyball• 10VB - 10th Grade Volleyball• JVVB - Junior Varsity Volleyball• VVB - Varsity Volleyball• 7FB - 7th Grade Football• 8FB - 8th Grade Football• 9/10FB - 9th & 10th Grade Football• HSFB - Varsity - High School Football Varsity• MSCC - Middle School Cross Country• HSCC - High School Cross Country
At the time of publication, all calendar information is up to date. Due to fall weather & the COVID-19 virus taking it's toll on events, please check
the rSchool calendar regularly for the most accurate event schedules.
• PAC - Performing Arts Center @ High School • HS - High School• MS - Middle School• WE - Washington Elementary• MV - Mount Vernon• H - Home• T - Away
The theatre department is pleased to announce two fall plays: Sylvia and Proof. Both will be presented in the Performing Arts Center in early November.
Proof by David Auburn - Presented at 7:00 pm on November 6 and 14 On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions; the arrival of her estranged sister, Claire; and the attentions of Hal, a former student of her father’s who hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that her father left behind. Over the long weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father’s madness—or genius—will she inherit?
ROBERT - Jasper RoodHAL - Luke StephensCATHERINE - Alice ConroyCLAIRE - Ashlyn Steen
SAVE THE DATE!Sylvia by A.R. Gurney - Presented at 7:00 pm on November 7 and 13 Gwen and Kate have moved to Manhattan after twenty-two years of child-raising in the suburbs. Gwen's career as a financial trader is winding down, while Kate’s career, as a public-school English teacher, is beginning to offer her more opportunities. Gwen brings home a dog she found in the park—or that has found her—bearing only the name “Sylvia” on her name tag. A street-smart mixture of Lab and poodle, Sylvia becomes a major bone of contention between the couple. The relationship is put in serious jeopardy until,
after a series of hilarious and touching complications, Gwen and Kate learn to compromise, and Sylvia becomes a valued part of their lives.
SYLVIA - Lydia BeneshKATE - Lillie HawkerGWEN - Emrys YamanishiTAMI - Megan BaumlerPHYLLIS - Isabelle KrapflLESLIE - Lillian Bishop
Asst. Director - Aryn SiddellStage Manager - Sage McVay
Asst. Director - Aryn SiddellStage Manager - Sage McVay