From the Desk of Mr. Marc Ritteman, HS Principal…

Our mission at LMHS is to help our students grow into

“…knowledgeable, skilled, and confident citizens capable of

succeeding in their future.” What does that mean? Last

year, the teaching staff developed an interpretation of those

words and we called it the “Quality Graduate.” I’ve put it in

a newsletter before and it looks like this:

Literacy

1. Excellent written and verbal

communication skills

2. Critical consumers of

information

Independent, Daily Living,

Citizenship

1. Organization

2. Financial Responsibility

3. Self-Reliant

4. Behave in a socially

acceptable manner

5. Civic Minded

Character

1. Integrity

2. Work Ethic

3. Perseverance

4. Confidence

Academic Competence and

Thinking Skills 1. Basic Level of Proficiency in

all subject areas

2. Critical Thinking Skills

3. Problem Solving Skills

4. Collaboration

Our teachers are o.k. with this list, but we would like to

know what you think. Please visit the link below and

complete the anonymous three question survey. Your

feedback is valuable to us. Thank you.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZT7NNQV

**********************************************************

Silence is not only golden, it is seldom misquoted.

--Bob Monkhouse

What’s in this issue? 1st Quarter Honor Roll

Staff Spotlight

Information Spot

Character Counts

Title I Information

BC Music Festival

Winter Sports

All-Region Football

JH GBB

Interview with

former LMHS

Graduate and the

reigning SD

Teacher of the Year

Litchville-Marion

High School 104- 2nd Street

Marion, ND 58466

Phone: 669-2261

Phone: 669-2262

Fax: 669-2316

Website:

www.litchville-

marion.k12.nd.us

Join us on

FaceBook @

Litchville Marion

School District

DECEMBER 2015 School Newsletter

Litchville-Marion

High School

2015-16 School Year

Grade A Honor Roll Grade B Honor Roll

12 Jacey Alber 12 Dana Carlson

12 Tayla Formo 12 Damon Smith

12 Morgan Gentzkow 12 Jerry Walker

12 Morgan Smith 11 Jerome Rosland

12 Skyler Van Bruggen 11 Kolby Tangen

12 Tierra Velure 10 Wyatt Gentzkow

11 Lucas Baumgartner 10 Jackson Haakenson

11 Victoria Holland 10 Ernest Trzpuc

11 Caitlin Miedema 9 Tylar Matthews

11 Alex Reiten

11 Landon Smith

10 Hannah Dykstra

10 Bethany Reiten

10 Ethan Velure

9 Graci Miller

9 Cara Van Bruggen

8 Ty Alber

8 Megan Beyer

8 Vera Rosland

7 McKenzie Frank

7 David Henry

7 Rosalyn Ray

7 Caitlin Reiten

7 Maggie Sears

7 Morgan Van Bruggen

The Litchville-Marion Dollars for Scholars have started their annual raffle ticket sales. There are 250 tickets available at $10 per ticket. Tickets will be sold thru January 15, 2016, and winners for cash prizes will be drawn in the month of February. If you are interested in

supporting your local Dollars for Scholars chapter and would like the chance to win cash, please contact a board member to purchase a ticket. Current Board members are: Laurel

Alber, Rindy Velure, Robin Miedema, Heather Severance, April Foth, Cory Foth, Rhea Miller, and Justin Enger. Students of the L-M Senior Class are also helping sell tickets.

LMHS 1ST QUARTER HONOR ROLL [Cite your source here.]

Mr. Boyd Westman, is our Elementary and High School Physical Education Teacher as well as 9th Grade Geography and Driver: Traffic Safety Education Instructor at LMHS. Mr. Westman is the son of Lyle and Valerie Westman. He graduated high school from Divide County and went to college at Minot State University. Mr. Westman’s wife, Rebecca, teaches at Litchville-Marion Elementary School. They have two children: Kellen (7) and Cambrie (3). Mr. Westman enjoys deer hunting, all sports, movies, and officiating. Organizations he is involved with are: President of North Dakota Driver & Traffic Education Association, ND Officials Association, and he’s also on the Endowment Committee at Trinity Lutheran Church in Valley City, ND.

Mr. Dale Conrad, is our Elementary and High School Music Teacher. He attended school in Page, ND and graduated college from Valley City State University, Class of 1984. He was teacher at Kulm Public School for ten years and Wilmot, SD for 5 years prior to LMHS. Activities he was involved in while in high school were all music and drama activities, as well as football. Mr. Conrad has 5 siblings (3 brothers and 2 sisters). Some of the things that he enjoys are his love to travel, camping, and being with my many friends that he has met through 32 years of teaching. Organizations he is involved with are EBC Christmas Show for past 10 years and he also directs the Page Community Band. Mr. Conrad enjoys working with the students and past students of LMHS. “There is a lot of talent in this community.”

Thank You: Thank you to everyone who brought treats to school for

National Education Week. Thank you to the Teachers & Staff for making our school so great!! ----Mr. Larson

Thank You: Thank you to Roger & Julie Miller for donating their

garden carrots to the school. We appreciate your thoughtfulness! ATTENTION SENIORS (SENIOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS): LMHS Seniors need to have one digital photo for yearbook (emailed to Kris Piehl @ Kris.Piehl@k12.nd.us) & TWO vertical (2-1/2”x3”) preferably in color by Friday, December 18th. They can be 3 different poses or all the same. Pictures will be used for the yearbook, senior composites (posted in both high school & elementary buildings), newspapers, and graduation program. Please submit these pictures to Kris at the office and/or email by 12-18-15. Thank you!

Coming Up: December 2nd from 5:30-7:30 Tree Lighting on newly planted

evergreen across from the Marion Community Hall, with chili and hot cocoa in the Marion Community Hall. Instead of a free will offering, please bring a non-perishable food item for the LaMoure County Food Pantry. December 12th from 10:00 am – Noon is Santa Claus Day at the Marion Community Hall. Come visit Santa and enjoy Christmas goodies. Drawings for hams & turkeys. ---Thank you. Meagen Smith, GMA President

LMHS STAFF…CONNECTION WITH L-M ELEM. SCHOOL [Cite your source here.]

Character Counts Week was held the week of November 9th-13th. All classes participated in a door decorating contest which brought a touch of creativity and art to our high school hallways! The sophomore class won the

contest, which was voted on by teachers, but each and every door looked amazing! Because all classes put forth such great effort on their doors, all students were treated to a fun filled afternoon on November 25th. Great job to

all our students and a special thanks to all our Character Counts students who planned and implemented the week's activities!!! You are all greatly appreciated!!!

SENIORS – SIDE 1 SENIORS – SIDE 2 JUNIORS SOPHOMORES

FRESHMAN – SIDE 1 FRESHMAN – SIDE 2 8th GRADE 7th GRADE

Remind Your Child When Taking A Test to:

→ Listen carefully to any directions by the teacher and read all directions before beginning the test.

→ Skim over the test before you start to plan your time.

→ Focus on one question at a time. Read each question twice before answering.

→ Answer questions you know or easy questions first. Mark any difficult questions and some back to them later.

→ Read all the choices to a question before answering.

→ When you are unsure, use resources around the classroom to give you a clue.

→ If you are unsure, narrow your choices and make your best choice.

→ After choosing an answer, stick with your first choice unless you know that you have made mistake.

→ Proof read your test to help eliminate careless mistakes, incomplete answers, or skipped questions before

turning in your test.

CHARACTER COUNTS WEEK [Cite your source here.]

Barnes County Music Festival was held on November 16th on the campus of Valley City State University. Dr. Christopher Redform was guest conductor for the choir and Tom Kjelland was guest conductor for the band. Students from the area schools of Maple Valley, Enderlin, Page-Hope, Barnes County North, Montpelier, Griggs County Central, and Litchville-Marion took part in the concert.

All students rehearsed in the morning and then had lunch on campus. After lunch, they enjoyed a movie at Valley Cinema. Three o’clock came with a final rehearsal in Grachain Gym with a final concert for the public at 5:30 pm. Students representing Litchville-Marion High School were: Cara Van Bruggen, Tierra Velure, Bethany Reiten, Hannah Dykstra, Graci Miller, Chris Thu, Ernest Trzpuc, Tylar Matthews, Kolby Tangen,

Ethan Velure, Lucas Baumgartner, and Skyler Van Bruggen (missing from the picture were Chris Thu & Bethany Reiten).

A special thanks to the L-M Music Boosters for providing the cost of the movie and dinner after the concert.

BARNES COUNTY MUSIC FESTIVAL [Cite your source here.]

Music All-Stars!

2015-16 LLM LOBOE BASKETBALL SCHEDULES

GIRLS GAMES BOYS GAMES Friday, Dec. 4 – MPB @ Home – 6:00 pm Tuesday, Dec. 15 – LLM @ Milnor/N. Sargent – 6:00 pm

Dec. 8, 10, 12 – Barnes County Tourney – TBA Thursday, Dec. 17 – LLM vs. Lisbon (Home) – 6:00 pm

Tuesday, Dec. 15 – LLM @ Ellendale – 6:00 pm Monday, Dec. 21 – LLM vs. Maple Valley (Home) – 6:00

Friday, Dec. 18 – LLM @ Lisbon – 6:00 pm Tuesday, Dec. 29 – LLM @ Aberdeen Classic – 2:00 pm

Wed, Dec. 30 – LLM @ Hillsboro Jamboree - 6:30 pm Friday, Jan. 1 – LLM @ Jamestown vs. Sacred Heart – 7:00

Saturday, Jan. 2 – LLM @ Zeeland – 6:00 pm Friday, Jan. 8 – LLM @ Linton – 6:00 pm

Tuesday, Jan. 5 – LLM @ Linton – 6:00 pm Saturday, Jan. 9 – LLM @ Lake Park-Audobon – 1:00 pm

Saturday, Jan. 9 – LLM @ Lake Park-Audubon – 1:00 pm Jan. 12, 15, 16 – Barnes County Tourney - TBA

Friday, Jan. 15 – LLM @ BCN – 6:00 pm Tuesday, Jan. 19 – LLM vs. Midkota (Home) 4:30/7:30 Monday, Jan. 18 – LLM @ Milnor-N. Sargent – 6:00 pm Friday, Jan. 22 – LLM @ Ellendale – 6:00 pm

Tuesday, Jan. 19 – LLM vs. Midkota (Home) 4:30/6:00 Friday, Jan. 29 – LLM @ Carrington – 6:00 pm Thursday, Jan. 21 – LLM vs. Edgeley/Kulm (Home) – 6:00 Saturday, Jan. 30 – LLM vs. Enderlin (Home) – 6:00 pm

Tuesday, Jan. 26 – LLM @ Carrington – 6:00 pm Tuesday, Feb. 2 – LLM vs. Oakes (Home) – 6:00 pm

Thursday, Jan. 28 – LLM vs. Oakes (Home) – 6:00 pm Thursday, Feb. 4 – LLM @ BCN – 6:00 pm

Monday, Feb. 1 – LLM @ Sargent Central – 6:00 pm Tuesday, Feb. 9 – vs. Edgeley/Kulm/Mont (Home) – 6:00

Friday, Feb. 5 – LLM @ South Border (Wishek) – 6:00 Thursday, Feb. 11 – LLM vs. MPB (Home) – 6:00 pm

Monday, Feb. 8 – LLM vs. Maple Valley (Home) – 6:00 Thursday, Feb. 18 – LLM @ South Border (Wishek) – 6:00

Feb. 12, 13, 15 – District Tourney @ Jamestown – TBA Feb. 26, 27, 29 – District Tourney @ Jamestown – TBA

Feb. 22, 23, 25 – Region Tourney @ Jamestown – TBA March 7, 8, 10 – Regional Tourney @ Jamestown - TBA

March 3, 4, 5 – State Tourney @ Grand Forks - TBA March 17, 18, 19 – State Tourney @ Minot - TBA

2015-16 LLM WRESTLING SCHEDULE Saturday, Dec. 5 – Hillsboro Tourney – TBA

Friday, Dec. 11 – Quad Meet (Home) LaMoure, Linton, Kindred, Bishop Ryan – TBA

Saturday, Dec. 12 – LaMoure Tournament – TBA

Thursday, Dec. 17 – Oakes Dual @ Oakes – 6:00 pm

Friday, Dec. 19 – Linton Tourney – TBA

Saturday, Dec. 20 – Linton Tourney – TBA

Tuesday, Jan. 5 – Tri-Meet (Home) LaMoure, Britton, SD and Kindred – TBA

Friday, Jan. 8 – Central Cass Tournament @ Casselton - TBA

Saturday, Jan. 9 – Central Cass Tournament @ Casselton – TBA

Thursday, Jan. 21 – Tri-Meet (Home) LaMoure, Lisbon, Edgeley/Ellendale – TBA

Friday, Jan. 22 – Lisbon Tournament @ Lisbon – TBA

Saturday, Jan. 23 – Lisbon Tournament @ Lisbon – TBA

Thursday, Jan. 28 – Tri-Meet @ Napoleon (LaMoure, Napoleon, South Border) – 5:30 pm

Friday, Jan. 29 – New Salem Tournament @ New Salem – 3:00 pm

Saturday, Jan. 30 – New Salem Tournament @ New Salem – 9:00 am

Saturday, Feb. 6 – Region Dual Meet @ Kindred – TBA

Saturday, Feb. 13 – Region Tournament @ South Border - TBA

February 18, 19, 20 – State Wrestling in Fargo - TBA

WINTER SPORTS [Cite your source here.]

2015 REGION 1 – ALL REGION FIRST TEAM CONGRATULATIONS TO

LMHS JUNIOR

LANDON SMITH Also on the All-Region Team for the Loboes:

First Team: Quinn Alo, Brady Warcken, and Tyler Sherman. Honorable Mention: Levi Hirschkorn, Marcus Good, and Drew Thielges

CONGRATULATIONS LOBOES!!!

2015 JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS BASKETBALL

Back Row (left to right): Coach Matt Trapp, Vera Rosland, Hailey Waloch, Allie Hebl, Ryleigh Podoll, Kaylynn Siedschlag, Erin Parise, Alyssa Ragan, Ashlyn Rode, Jakkia Duffy, Coach Jason Joy Front Row (left to right): Statistician Mac Bierman, Sammi Weber, Macy Robert, Rakell Stroh, Breanna Mittleider, Caitlin Reiten, Bailey Sandness, Morgan Van Bruggen, Maggie Sears, Olivia Christensen, and Statistician Hunter Mittleider. Not Pictured: Leah Flath Games left on the Schedule: Monday, Nov. 30 @ Sargent Central – 4:30 Thursday, Dec. 3 @ Edgeley Tourney – TBA Saturday, Dec. 5 @ Edgeley Tourney – TBA Monday, Dec. 7 vs. Edgeley/Kulm @ Marion – 4:30 Friday, Dec. 11 vs. BCN @ Marion – 4:30 Tuesday, Dec. 15 @ Ellendale – 4:30 (note time change) Thursday, Dec. 17 vs. Oakes @ Marion – 4:30

INTERVIEW WITH THE 2016 SOUTH DAKOTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR

MRS. SARAH (BAERTSCH) LUTZ – 2000 LMHS GRADUATE

Name: Sarah Lutz (Baertsch) Parents: Tom and Becky Baertsch (Marion, ND) Siblings: Abby Schmidt and Amanda Baertsch Husband: Jason Lutz Of course, you went to high school at LMHS – What are some of the activities you were involved in at LMHS? At LMHS, I was involved in basketball, cheerleading, choir, and track.

What are your favorite High School memories? My favorite high school memories are playing sports, especially basketball. I also cherish the relationships I had with my peers and teachers. Where did you attend college? I went to college at North Dakota State University where I pursued degrees in Elementary Education and Child Development/Family Science. The Elementary Education degree was a partnership with Valley City State University, with classes taught on campus in Fargo. I received my Elementary Education degree from VCSU and Child Development/Family Science degree from NDSU in May 2005. Teaching experience and/or jobs where since college? After graduation, I worked at Clay Wilkin Head Start in Moorhead, MN as a long term sub position for two years before I moved to South Dakota. Upon moving to SD, I worked at Enemy Swim Day School as a 4th and 5th grade looping teacher for four years. After Enemy Swim, I moved to Pierre, SD where I became the third grade teacher for the Stanley County School District. This will be my 5th year at Stanley County and my 9th year teaching. How did you get nominated for Teacher of the Year? The whole Teacher of the Year process started when I was nominated by a colleague for the Stanley School District Teacher of the Year Award. After winning the school district award, I applied for the Regional Teacher of the Year Award. After filling out the written application, I was surprised with a school assembly to find out I had won the ESA 6 Region Teacher of the Year. The next step was to apply to the state level. At this point, I was so grateful and felt very fortunate to have made it this far. To apply for the state level, I had to submit a video of me teaching, more written questions, three references, and a face to face interview with various education professionals across the state of SD. We also had to video tape a 2-3 minute interview clip the same day we had our interview.

What was the ceremony like that night, the night you were “crowned” Teacher of the Year? The night of the ceremony was very special and surreal. I was so humbled to even be nominated and part of such an outstanding group of teachers. Winning the award was something that I never dreamed of. This night will forever be imprinted in my heart and a continuous motivation for me as an educator. What was your reaction when you were announced? How did you tell your parents? When the Secretary of Education opened up her sealed envelope and read the words, “This year’s SD teacher of the year is Sarah Lutz”, I was speechless. I was in shock. My mouth was wide open and I immediately was crying and trembling. The crowd was standing up clapping, and all I could think of was “Is this really happening”! I could not stop smiling. My husband in the meantime had texted my sister Abby who then called my parents and family. Once everything was over, I was able to call my parents and talk with them about the amazing experience. What are some of the things you will be doing during your “reign” as Teacher of the Year? As teacher of the year, I have the privilege to present a series of professional development seminars to aspiring teaching. I also will be involved in many professional learning opportunities. Some of them include traveling to Washington DC at the end of April where they will announce the National Teacher of the Year in a formal recognition ceremony at the White House, along with attending International Space Camp in Alabama to name a few. I hope to take what I’ll learn throughout this experience and put it back in my classroom. What is the most rewarding thing about Teaching? I believe being a teacher is one of the most rewarding careers anyone could have. I really love when my students feel comfortable and safe in their learning environment. I see them taking risks every day while they learn something new and aren’t afraid to make mistakes. As an educator, seeing your students task risks and investigate a concept on their own while learning and working together with their peers is very powerful. Who is your greatest influence? My greatest influence in life is my mom, Becky. She has always been my number one supporter and continually encourages and pushes me to the best teacher/person I can be. Her hard work ethic and love for teaching is something I have always admired and has inspired me to always go the extra mile for my kids. Something you would like to say to the students/staff at LMHS? There is nothing better than growing up in a small community and school. The quality and commitment of my teachers, coaches, and entire staff in the elementary and high school were second to none. I am so proud to say that my school family at Litchville-Marion had a huge part in the person I am today. I look back at those years as some of the best times of my life. Cherish the time, the positive relationships, and the life lessons that you receive from your teachers and coaches. Anything else you would like to add? Thanks again for all of the support and encouragement throughout this exciting time in my life. I will be forever grateful.

THANK YOU SARAH FOR TAKING TIME TO INTERVIEW FOR YOUR HIGH

SCHOOL NEWSLETTER, YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ALL OF US!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!