Hello, Bulldogs! This school year continues with our students performing at high levels, academically and within our extra-curricular activities. I would like to congratulate all of our students, teachers, and sponsors/coaches on great success this winter. Our students have been making their mark at the state and local levels within speech, music, and athletics. Le Mars can take great pride in the fact that our students are representing our community in great fashion, with strong character and talent!
LCSD Comparison to Other Iowa District Tax Rates
I would like to provide some information that is important for our community to know. Our Board of Education has done a very good job working to keep our tax rates low. Taxes help pay for the services schools provide. LCSD is working to provide the best education for our children while running as efficiently as possible on a conservative budget. As a matter of fact, for 2024 the Le Mars Community School District ranks in the bottom 12% of the lowest school district tax rates out of 325 Iowa school districts.
LCSD Infrastructure Update
Recently, the Le Mars Board of Education received the district-wide facility study from ISG. This study can be viewed at www.lemarscsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/1-2023-12-11-LeMars-CSD Facility-Assessment-Presentation_ISG.pdf. On January 29, 2024, the Board performed a prioritization activity based on the data for all district-wide buildings. Data for each buildings’ exterior/interior integrity, structural systems, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, technology, security and safety, accessibility, and educational adequacy were provided. Based on the study’s identified needs for each building, ISG estimates the cost to get our buildings in a condition suitable for use over the next ten years are as follows:
Building Cost to Repair / Upgrade
Clark Elementary......................................................$9,920,100.00
Franklin Elementary...............................................$10,950,600.00
Kluckhohn Elementary.............................................$6,908,470.00
Total........................................................................$27,779,170.00
Middle School........................................................$33,292,000.00
High School............................................................$23,355,740.00
Additionally, the report noted that Clark and Franklin Elementary buildings are exceeding their functional capacities. In other words, there are more students in these buildings than is adequate. Keeping in mind that our Le Mars Community Development Plan also has the goal of growing our community to 20,000 residents by 2045, our Board of Education believes it must develop an infrastructure plan to meet current and long-term needs of an aging infrastructure in order to best serve our children. Clark and Franklin Elementary buildings were built in 1939 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Great Depression Works Progress Administration and Kluckhohn Elementary was opened in 1971. These buildings’ infrastructure needs are great, as indicated by the cost to repair and renovate above.
After much data analysis, the Le Mars Board of Education made the determination to further investigate the following options (in no particular order of preference):
- Option 1: Permanently close Clark and Franklin Elementary buildings, update and renovate Kluckhohn as a lower elementary facility, and build a new upper elementary facility.
- Option 2: Permanently close Clark, Franklin, and Kluckhohn Elementary buildings and build one elementary to house preschool through fifth grade.
Note, the Board will also be considering other infrastructure needs around the district, such as the T and I building, bus garage, updated HVAC and roofing at the MS and HS, building security, etc.
The Board has now asked for a community input committee to be created to assist in further investigation and feedback into their prioritized options. This committee will be made up of representation from a wide range of stakeholders from our community to provide input to the Board. The Board will then be reaching out to our community as a whole for their input.
It is an exciting time for our school district and entire community! We will provide you with more information on the progress of this task as it becomes available.
Snow Days
Currently, we have missed 26 hours of school (4 days) due to weather that will need to be made up. Therefore, at this time, the last day of school will be May 29. Keep your fingers crossed for continued good weather.
Go Bulldogs!
Note to Parents:
Note to Parents:
7th graders need Tdap & Meningococcal vaccination and seniors need 2nd Meningococcal vaccination by the start of the school year. Start thinking ahead for next year and get your child's appointment scheduled now.
All Freshmen need to show proof of a dental exam within the last year. If you need a form, have your student stop by the office to grab one. Otherwise, one can be found at any dental office. This can be dropped off to the office or faxed to 712-548-4450.
Reminder to all parents:
No prescription or non-prescription medication is allowed to be carried by any student for safety reasons per school policy.
Spring is almost here, and that means the third quarter is starting to wind down. The end of the 3rd quarter is March 15; report cards will be mailed shortly after that date.
The staff at LCHS has had a busy year so far. During our in-service time, the teachers have been working to align the curriculum depth of knowledge with the Iowa Core. The state of Iowa has identified core standards and benchmarks for all Math, Science, English, and Social Studies classes. This school year the state is updating the math standards. Teachers are also continually working on updating their essential learnings, writing common assessments, creating student interventions, and working on their instruction. The staff does this to be responsive to our students current needs.
On March 19-22 we will be taking the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP). These tests measure how students are doing academically. The state uses the test scores to determine part of the schools score for the Iowa Performance Profile. Please stress the importance of doing your best on this test, as this does impact what we do for professional development. The ISASP is important for another reason, students who want to take concurrent (dual-credit, college) courses in English, math, history, or science need to be proficient on the assessment. This requirement was set by the Senior Year Plus legislation. You should be receiving a letter from the guidance office explaining other requirements if your child registered to take these classes next year. Students who registered for these classes will also have to meet the guidelines set by Western Iowa Tech, unless they qualify through their ACT results and submit their scores to the guidance office. Again, this is a part of the Senior Year Plus legislation. If you have questions regarding this information, please contact Melissa Hill or Judd Kopperud.
Prom will be on April 6 this year. Students may pick up the prom ticket order form in the office. All LCHS Juniors and Seniors are eligible to attend prom. We are allowing out-of-town dates that are in grades 10-12. LCHS Sophomores can come as a date with a LCHS Junior or Senior. Students with an out-of-town date will need to get an approval form from the office. Parents interested in helping at prom with either decorating or supervising, please contact Ashley Ludwig. You may reach her at the high school by calling 546-4153 or emailing Ashley.Ludwig@lemarscsd.org. The after-prom is also in need of parent assistance. If you are able to help out with after-prom, please contact Tina Laskie at tlaskie@premieronline.net or 712-540-7494.
As always, if you have any concerns about your child’s progress in school, please contact teachers to arrange a meeting to discuss your concerns. We want all our students to succeed.
Have a great March!
Melissa Hill
Email: melissa.hill@lemarscsd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/lemarscsd.org/lchs-counseling/home
Twitter: @lemarsguidance
Judd Kopperud
Saturday, April 20, 2024 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
All meetings we will be in Room 101- Mr. Bahr at the high school.
Link to sign up - https://bit.ly/LCHSACTPREP
To be considered for federal student aid, complete the FAFSA at www.FAFSA.ED.Gov If you need additional help, contact the guidance office or check out these resources: www.icansucceed.org
- federalstudentaid -- @FAFSA
- ICAN – ICAN@icansucceed
We are moving into the spring season at the Middle School. With spring comes several big events at the Middle School. The first is the ISASP tests. The guidance counselors give a detailed description in their update but please remind your son or daughter to take the tests seriously and to do his or her best. We use this data on a regular basis in making decisions on instruction that impacts your child.
The next big event is the 7th and 8th grade dance. This dance will run from 6:30-8:30 on March 22nd. The theme this year is "Tropical." I will send out an email to all 7th and 8th grade parents ahead of the dance, so please be on the lookout for that.
The final big event that I want to highlight is the 50th Middle School Carnival! If you have never been to the carnival, I encourage you to check it out. It is our biggest fundraiser each year and helps supply our classrooms with much-needed materials. The carnival will be on April 5th in the Middle School. Enter through the main doors to get your tickets. We hope you consider coming out for a fun-filled night with your family while supporting the Middle School at the carnival.
Reminder please reach out whenever you have concerns or questions to either Mr. Nikkel or myself. We look forward to having a great Spring!
CHARACTER STRONG TRAIT OF THE MONTH: COOPERATION
For the month of March our character trait is Cooperation. One way to think about Cooperation is “working together to reach shared goals.” When we cooperate with each other, it helps us get the work done and also makes everyone feel valued. Cooperation is an important skill for students to have at school, but also to possess as they become grownups in the workforce!
Cooperation is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Kind. Across grade levels, students will be developing skills like perspective-taking, conflict resolution, and leadership. These skills will help them be cooperative students and make LCSD a great place to learn and work together!
Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Cooperation. Here are 2 “PurposeFull Pursuits” you can complete together!
- Cooperation is working together to reach shared goals. This week, plan a time where everyone needs to work together to accomplish a shared goal like cleaning up the space you live in or making a meal together. Make sure everyone has a role to play with specific tasks. When the project is complete, discuss and celebrate how each person’s part was important to the end result.
- Find a time to sit in a circle together and celebrate all the ways you have seen each other practice Cooperation. Take turns sharing responses to the following prompts or make up your own! Remember to practice Cooperation as you take turns and listen to each other. Celebration Prompts: ● What family member(s) do you want to celebrate for their Cooperation this month? ● What is 1 way you were a leader this month? What is 1 way you were a helpful follower this month?
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns that we can help with!
Mrs. Kari Kopperud (Clark & Franklin School Counselor)
Mrs. Abby Simington (Kluckhohn School Counselor)
Kindergarten Kick Off will be held the first week of March. Eligible students are children who will be five years old on or before September 15, 2024. Parents should complete the registration link as soon as possible. If you have pre-registered but not received your building assignment, please contact Stacy at 712-546-4185. Kindergarten Kick Off nights are as follows:
Monday, March 4 - Kluckhohn 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 5 - Franklin 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 7 - Clark 5:30-6:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, please contact Stacy Regennitter at 712-546-4185 or stacy.regennitter@lemarscsd.org
Le Mars PTO Mission Statement -- Encourage our children's education and support teachers by building relationships with students and parents in our community.
PTO's look back on February, it was great! We showed the love to our teachers, in our PTO teacher appreciation days.
- “You are extra OREO-dinary!”
- “Thank you for teaching with FLAIR!” Build your own LOTUS ENERGY DRINK
- “There’s just no SUB-stitute for you!"
PTO also provided snacks for 121 ELL students. The teachers distributed the snacks to their students on their 4 testing days. We are proud of their hard work.
Birthday breakfast for February, March, and April Birthdays was greatly attended at all 3 schools. With a total of 473 people RSVPing. 45 dozen donuts were served by Iowa State Bank. Thank you to all of you that purchased books in honor of a child. Our libraries now have 88 new books. Thank you to all our sponsors. We couldn't do it without you.
PTO's looking forward to the kindergarten parent meetings happening in March. We will have PTO members at each school. Members will be helping with a sweet treat and refreshments for parents. PTO is excited to be helping with some of the cost for t-shirts. The t-shirts will be given out to the incoming kindergartners to have their first school pride t-shirt.
PTO will also be providing snacks for our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Clark, Franklin, and Kluckhohn during ISASP testing in April.
Please do remember to check out the teachers favorites lists on our Le Mars PTO Facebook page. Teachers appreciation week is May 6-10.
LeMars Community Education Enhancement Project
Spring is in the air, with an occasional robin sighting. Here’s hoping those robins know what they are in for!
LEEP board members met on Monday, February 5, 2024, for their monthly meeting. Mr. Jerad Wulf, Kluckhohn elementary principal, was a special guest. Mr. Wulf, on behalf of the three elementary schools, presented “One Book One School”, which is a partnership between school and home. “One Book, One School” is a program in which all families will receive a copy of a book and are encouraged to read it on a nightly basis, as a family. A letter from Mr. Wulf and Dr. Utesch will be sent home within the next month explaining this program. LEEP will fund $7,500.00, to purchase the novels, one for each elementary family. LEEP will use funds raised from the MENuMASTERS event.
Election of officers took place during the February meeting. Officers elected are Gayle Vonk, president, Helena McDougall, vice president, Angela Hurd, treasurer, and Lorraine DeJong, secretary.
Teacher requests honored at the February meeting:
- Laura VanOtterloo, Kluckhohn PE teacher: reimbursement for $284.00. The funds were used to purchase PE posters to provide visuals for students explaining health, wellness, and physical fitness.
- Laura VanOtterloo, Kluckhohn PE teacher: reimbursement for $111.21. These funds were used to purchase PE equipment such as various sizes of volleyball/soccer balls, and beach balls. The different sizes of balls help to meet developmental needs of students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
- Kelly Collins, MS/HS Literacy coach: requisition for $71.53 to purchase novels for the middle school “Book Bash”. Seventh and eighth grade students are invited to join “Book Bash” in which students read 10 books and then compete against other schools answering questions.
- Jill Bomgaars, HS Spanish: requisition for $265.53 to purchase 30 supplemental books to build literacy skills in Spanish, building critical thinking skills.
The next LEEP meeting will be Monday, March 4, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., in the MS library. Meetings are open to the public.
If you would like more information contact:
- Gayle Vonk, president
- Helena McDougall, vice president
- Lorraine DeJong, secretary
Become a volunteer!
This summer’s program will be divided into two sessions. Classes will run each day from 7 am until 10 am.
The first session will begin Monday, June 3rd and run each weekday through June 14th.
Some driving times may be scheduled between June 17 and June 22.
The second session will run on the following dates:
- Monday, June 24 through Friday, June 28
- Saturday, June 29
- Monday, July 1 through Wednesday, July 3
- Friday, July 5
Some driving times may be scheduled between July 8 – July 13.
Starting dates are subject to change if the school year is extended due to weather.
Preference will be given to older students in requesting sessions.
REGISTRATION FORMS:
Starting March 1st you may pick up your form from the Le Mars Community High School Principal’s office. These forms must be returned on or before Friday, March 29th with the proper fee attached.
Le Mars Community & Gehlen Catholic students will need to pay $375.00 for this class. Gehlen Catholic students who live outside the Le Mars Community School District will need to pay $500.00. Those students residing outside the Le Mars Community School District who attend a school other than Gehlen Catholic will pay $500.00 also.
Le Mars Community School District will accept online applications for 4 yr. old preschool beginning March 1, 2024. The online application link can be found here: 2024-25 Clark Preschool Application
or on the school website www.lemarscsd.org under the Clark Elementary tab/Elementary Quick Links. If needed, computers will be available at the Clark Elementary office for parents to use to complete the application. Preschool applications must be submitted by Monday, April 1, 2024.
Enrollment is open to 4-year old children in the community with the goal of having a well-rounded diverse group of children that is representative of the population of Le Mars. Children must turn 4 years old by September 15, 2020 to be eligible.
Selection of children will be held during the first two weeks of April and parents will be notified about the selection of their child before April 15th. Selection will be based on a random selection process. The Le Mars School District reserves the right to enroll children based on gender, age, race, ethnicity, special needs and membership of low-income families for the purposes of high-quality preschool experiences.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jodi Fisher, Clark Elementary Secretary at 546-8121 or jodi.fisher@lemarscsd.org.
A Moped Safety class will be held for students in the Le Mars area at the Le Mars Middle School in room C15 (Mr. Fehringers' room) on Saturday, March 9th from 8:00 am to 2:15 pm. Iowans 14 and 15 years of age are required by law to take the moped course before receiving a license to operate a moped on public highways. Minimum age for this course is 13 1/2. Students wishing to take this class should sign up and pay in the middle school office (Mrs. Bergquist or Mrs. Schuett) before the class. Students that aren't in the Le Mars Community school district can sign up and pay on the day the course is taken. If you have questions, please email bkdalton6@gmail.com. Cost is $50; checks can be made out to Bill Dalton or parents can pay with cash.
The Transportation Department reminds parents that students must have a bus pass from their school to ride the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege. This privilege can be lost if the student does not have a pass, or if the rider does not follow the rules.
It is important that each student have a pass. These passes must be carried with them at all times and should be shown to the driver whenever asked.
The bus rules are posted in each bus. Please let your student know how important it is to follow these rules. Distracting the driver can be very serious. If the driver needs to watch the students, he or she is not watching the road.
Some of these rules to follow are:
- Remain seated while bus is in motion.
- No loud talking or profanity.
- No fighting or pushing. Always keep your hands to yourself.
- No throwing objects in or out of the bus.
- There are other rules also and we would hope that the students know what they are.
- Let’s all do the best we can to provide the students a safe ride to and from school this year.