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FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT

Iowa Legislature In Session - Educational Topics

  With the Iowa Legislative Session underway, now is the time to express support for our public schools in Iowa.  Our students need us to express our support for education to our legislative representatives in Iowa.  

  A few of the things we will be monitoring during the 2018 Legislative Session. 

1. Operational Sharing - Both Fremont-Mills and Stanton receive additional funding each year for sharing Superintendent, Curriculum, Maintenance, Transportation (FM/Sidney), Counselor (FM/Sidney) (Stanton/Red Oak), Business Manager (Stanton/Red Oak) of $139,944 per year to each district .  This sunsets this year, and the legislature will be deciding whether to extend it, needless to say - very important to our schools.

2.  Supplemental State Aid - is the amount of growth in the per pupil funding set by the legislature each year.  We currently receive $6,664 per student.  Last year the increase was set at 1.11% - Governor Reynolds has called for 1.5% increase in per pupil funding.  With school expenditures going up 2-3% per year, it becomes very difficult for school districts to find the dollars to maintain programs, which leads to program cuts, and ultimately impacts what schools are able to do for students.  

3.  Extension of the Statewide Penny Sales Tax for School Infrastructure - this law currently sunsets in 2029.  Most schools use this to drive down property taxes, specifically by relying on sales tax dollars to fund school facility needs.  Both FM and Stanton aggressively have and will use these funds for our projects, allowing more dollars to be used for classroom learning.  Extending the sunset allows schools to bond into the future against the sales tax, providing property tax relief, and gives our communities a mechanism to provide outstanding facilities for our kids.

4.  Equity in the Funding Formula and Transportation - There is a disparity between what some schools receive in the per pupil funding formula - it dates back to the 1970's.  According to Iowa School Finance Information Services, both Stanton and Fremont-Mills are $175 per student below what the maximum amount  that some other districts receive ($6,839).  This totals $32,550 annually at Stanton, and $81,200 at Fremont-Mills.  Transportation Equity is relatively simple - rural districts are forced to spend much more of the dollars we receive to transport our students than what urban and suburban districts spend - leaving less dollars for rural districts to pump into the actual learning process in our schools.  Children deserve the same quality of education, no matter where they live in our state. 

5.  School Choice - There is a movement in the legislature to provide tax cut incentives for home schooled  and parochial school students.  While we believe and value that education is a family choice, it is difficult to accept these tax incentives when the state is running short on money and is having a difficult time finding the dollars to help schools keep pace with increasing expenditures.  Public schools are necessary to provide a quality education to all students, especially those that are the most at-risk, or can't afford a private school education.  

6.  Support for the AEA - Over the past several years the Area Education Agencies have had their budgets cut - our schools depend on the AEA's to provide services that we could not provide (afford) on our own - special education support, professional development and

instructional support, speech and hearing services just to name a few.  Our kids benefit greatly from our AEA!

  If you choose to contact your legislators keep a couple of things in mind:  

  First, they are our neighbors and are willing to serve the people of Southwest Iowa - make sure to thank them for their service.   Also, remember to always be respectful of them and the job they are doing, it is never appropriate to be disrespectful of them - even if you disagree on some issues.   They have a tough job.

  This said, our legislators need to hear from the people they represent, especially parents and community members, to advocate for our public schools!  

Legislators Representing Stanton:

State Representative Cecil Dolecheck - cecil.dolecheck@legis.iowa.gov

State Representative David Sieck - david.sieck@legis.iowa.gov

Iowa House Phone:  515-281-3221

State Senator Mark Costello - mark.costello@legis.iowa.gov

Iowa Senate Phone:  515-281-3371

Thank You for Supporting our Community School Districts!

SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Pink Out

  The FCCLA is sponsoring a "Pink Out" night to raise money for Relay for Life on Tuesday, January 23^rd. Wear pink. Activities that are scheduled include a silent auction of players' jerseys (if you "win" with the highest bid, you get to wear their jersey on Friday during the FM game), chuck-a-duck and pass the bucket.  

Yearbook Sales

  The 2018 “CAPTURE THE MOMENT” yearbook will go on sale beginning January 26^th. From January 26^th through February 1^st, the books will cost $50.00 and starting February 2^nd, the books will cost $60. Contact a yearbook staffer to order and pay for your book.

  You may also purchase your yearbook online with a credit card. To order online, go to www.stantonschools.com and click on the link that you see pictured above. That will take you to shopjostens.com where you can purchase your book. This link will go into effect starting January 27^th.

  You can personalize your yearbook as follows:

               Icons (up to 4) for $3.50

               One line of personalization for $6.00

  Regardless of which method you use to order, the book has lots of timeless moments that the staff has worked very hard on so don’t miss out on a great “CAPTURE THE MOMENT” book about Stanton High School.

Large Group Speech

  District Large Group Speech Contest at Treynor High School is tomorrow, January 20^th. Here is the schedule: Group Improv (Austin Houston, Noah Kammerer, Devin Isaccson) 8:24 AM, Center F; Group Mime (Austin Houston, Noah Kammerer, Devin Isaccson, Will Roberts, Waverley Brown) 9:21 AM, Center B; Group Improv (Kegan Sundberg, Ryan Volquartsen, Sam Lindgren) 9:56 AM, Center F; Radio Broadcasting (Nick Mueller, Will Roberts, Waverley Brown, Abbi Adams, Emily Hammargren, Mallorie Wookey, Nicole Vorhies, Anika Wenstrand) 11:00 AM, Center J; Radio Broadcasting (Andrew Hammargren, Easton Hultman, Savanna Moffett, Emma Roberts, Alyssa Resh, Kaitlyn Bruce, Brooklyn Adams, Kami Tibben) 12:30 PM, Center J. The speech students have been working extremely hard the past few weeks! The group is excited to compete! Good Luck!!

  This week the students in group improv and mime performed for the elementary students on Friday. We also had the two radio broadcasts played for the middle and high school students on Thursday and Friday. It is so wonderful to have twenty-three students in the high school excited about speech and the fine arts! Saturday's contests results will be posted on the school's Facebook page, KSCI, KMA, and next week's bulletin. Thanks for the support! 

Swing Choir Luncheon

  Swing Choir Soup Luncheon will be Sunday, January 28^th, from 11:30 AM-1:00 AM at Mamrelund Lutheran Church. They will be serving Ham & Potato, Broccoli Cheese, and Chicken Noodle. The swing choir will be performing between 12:30 PM and 1:00 PM. Cost is free-will donation.

Driver's Education
  Stanton will be starting a Driver's Education class sometime mid-February. Please talk with your student if they are of age 14 or older and have their permit or will be obtaining it before 1^st day of class, they are eligible. If this works for you have them sign up in the office or give us a call in the high school office at 829-2162. Fees have not been set as of yet.

7^th and 8^th Grade Science Fair

  The 7^th and 8^th grade students will be presenting Science Fair projects beginning January 22^nd. Corner Conference Science teachers have decided to only include experiments at the Corner Conference Science Fair. Please make sure your son/ daughter is working on finding an experiment for the Science Fair. The top 20 presentations will attend the Corner Conference Science Fair in February. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Subbert or Mrs. Erickson at the school.

ATHLETICS

Conference Tournament

  The Corner Conference Tournament began on Monday, January 15^th, and runs through Saturday, January 20^th.

  School passes, season passes, and conference passes are not accepted for this. Admission is $5.00 for all adults and $3.00 for students.

  The consolation and finals of the girls tournament will be held at Fremont-Mills starting at 6:00 PM on Friday, January 19^th. The consolation and finals of the boys tournament will be held at East Mills starting at 6:00 PM on Saturday, January 20^th

Viqueens

  Stanton improved its record to 7-5 with a 27-24 victory over East Mills a team that had beaten the Queens earlier in the season. The defensive effort put on by the Queens was outstanding, holding EM to 17% shooting on the night and forcing 33 turnovers. The score was tight throughout the contest with EM taking a lead late with the score 24-22 Shelby Brockshus hit two 15 foot jumpers to put the Queens ahead 26-24 and Tara Peterson added a free throw for the final margin.

  Stanton Viqueens lost in the first round of the Corner Conf. Tourney on Monday night against Essex 36-23. Cold shooting and turnovers doomed the Queens who were on a 3 game win streak. The Queens struggled to make something happen offensively. The Queens did turn it up a notch in the second half but just could not get on track.

Vikings

  The Vikings took on East Mills last Friday. We were able to stay ahead throughout and were able to hit some free-throws down the stretch to stay undefeated in the conference race. 

Junior High Girls Basketball

  The Queens have only one game left for the season, which will be at Essex on January 23^rd. The team continues to appreciate the wonderful support of the school, friends, families, and community! Go Viqueens!!

GUIDANCE

Iowa Assessments

  The Stanton Community Schools will administer the Iowa Assessments beginning Tuesday, January 30^th, to all students in grades 3-11.
  The purpose of the Iowa Assessments is to provide the school with

information and to help teachers make sound educational decisions about student's learning. The scores will allow teachers to check

each student's year-to-year growth and to identify each child's strongest and weakest areas of achievement. When test results are used in conjunction with teacher observation and other information from the classroom, teachers and parents can work together to identify and address the educational needs of each student.
Just as in the everyday school activities, you can help your child do their best by seeing that he/she is fully rested. This year, like last year, all students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth will be

offered breakfast on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the testing week. This breakfast will be at no cost to the students and ALL STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO GO DOWN FOR THE BREAKFAST BUT DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SERVING LINE IF THEY DO NOT WANT TO EAT BREAKFAST AT SCHOOL. The breakfast is being offered to those who would like to eat breakfast at school. The Stanton PTSO, along with the school, has generously offered to donate funds to help cover the cost of breakfast for the students. The menu for the 3 days is as follows:

  Tuesday, January 30^th-Breakfast Wrap, Muffin, Fruit, Juice, Milk

  Wednesday, January 31^st-Sausage Gravy w/Biscuit. Muffin, Fruit, Juice, Milk

  Thursday, February 1^st- Breakfast Pizza. Muffin, Fruit, Juice, Milk

Scholarships

Strayer-Rairden Scholarship in Physics – due Jan. 31

http://www.physics.uiowa.edu/undergraduate-program/undergraduate-scholarships-and-awards/strayer-rairden-scholarship-physics

-$1,000 each year, renewable for up to 3 successive years following the initial award

-must be from the state of Iowa

-must have applied for admission to The University of Iowa and declared physics or astronomy as a major

-must take the Drake Physics Prize exam (deadline for this exam is in early December and it is given at the student’s high school in January)

John Deere Scholarship-Feb 1
John Deere will sponsor 5 $2000
Check it out online at www.ffa.org/scholarships

Tim Dwight Foundation, Inc. Scholarship – Feb. 1
Eligibility
To be eligible to receive a Tim Dwight Foundation, Inc. Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• be a United States citizen
• be a graduating senior from an accredited Iowa high school
• have applied to and ultimately be accepted by and enrolled in on a full-time basis (12 credits or more) one of the following accredited four-year universities:
  • the University of Iowa
  • Iowa State University
  • the University of Northern Iowa
• submit official transcripts for grades 9 through 11( including class rank and cumulative GPA)
• complete The Tim Dwight Foundation Inc. Scholarship Program Application in which the applicant provides evidence of the difficulties and challenges faced in achieving his/her goals during high school and the challenges the applicant will face while attending one of the above-listed universities.

http://timdwightcamp.com/scholarship

Iowa 4-H Scholarships
-February 1
-list of scholarships, instructions, and application available at https://iowa4h.awardspring.com/Home/Scholarships
-also available at the Montgomery County Extension office.

Masonic Scholarship - due February 1, 2018
-Approximately 60 scholarships in the amount of $2,000 will be awarded
-Must be a senior planning to attend an accredited institution which provides (1) a two or four year college program or (2) vocational training
-Need not have a Masonic connection
-The principal criterion is service to school and community with special emphasis upon leadership roles in these areas.
-An applicant’s record, communication skills, and need for financial assistance are also considered carefully as is an evaluation of the applicant by a school official.
-The organization, appearance, and completeness of the application itself is also a factor considered in the selection process.
-The Scholarship Selection Committee will select a number of finalists who will be asked to appear before the committee for a personal interview.
-Applications may be found in the office or at http://grandlodgeofiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017_18_Scholarship_Application.pdf

The Iowa Arts Scholarship for the Arts - due February 1, 2018

-must be enrolled at the senior class level in an Iowa high school

-must have proven artistic ability in the area of music, dance, visual arts, traditional arts, theatre or literature (creative writing)

-be accepted as a full-time undergraduate student at a fully accredited Iowa college or university with a major in one or more of the areas listed above

-up to five scholarships of $1,000 to $2,000 are awarded annually

-For complete guidelines and eligibility requirements, please visit www.iowaartscouncil.org.

FFA Scholarships – due Feb. 1, 2018

-must be a U.S. citizen

-must be a high school senior or currently enrolled in college

-information available at http://scholarships.ffa.org and click on the “scholarship” link

2018 Future of Iowa Agriculture Scholarship Program

February 3, 2018

APPLICANT/APPLICATION

REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for “First-year Scholarships” must be entering their first undergraduate year at an accredited junior college, college or university.

Applicants for “Upperclassmen Scholarships” must be entering at least their second year at an accredited junior college, college or university.

Applicant must be pursuing an undergraduate or Graduate degree in a program of study that can equip the student to contribute to the agriculture industry in Iowa.

Applicant must be an Iowa Corn Growers Association member or son/daughter of An ICGA member.

Apply for ICGA membership at

Scholarship applications will be available on our website at https://www.iowacorn.org/media/cms/Scholarship_Application_2017__Print_D07F5C255D4A2.pdf.

By November 1, 2017, and must be submitted by February

3, 2018.

Elks Vocational Scholarship – Feb. 3

-$500

-Designated for students who will be pursuing a 2 year or less vocational training education or program

-The student does not need to be a relative of an Elks member.  It is open to all students that meet the criteria.

HY _Vee Foundation Scholarship February 10 Download on-line

http://www.hy-vee.com/

HIGH SCHOOL ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:

Qualified students are eligible to apply every year.

You are eligible for consideration if:

-Applicant must be a high school senior working for Hy-Vee or subsidiary who began employment on or before September 15, 2016 or a high school senior son and/or daughter of a full-, regular-, or part-time Hy-Vee or subsidiary employee who has a minimum of six months employment as of September 15, 2016, AND

-Applicant must be enrolling in college for the first time.

You will need to submit by February 10 of the current year:

-Completed application form.

-Personal statement describing a time when Hy-Vee made a difference in your life and/or the life of your customer(s). Minimum of 300 words, maximum of 500 words.

-Resume listing accomplishments in academics, activities, arts and athletics, community service and future post-secondary plans.

-Official transcript, which should include present student status (for example, junior second semester), last semester’s GPA and cumulative GPA.

-Test results from the ACT (American College Testing) examination.

-A letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor or administrator. Although this is not a mandatory submission, it provides the judges with a more complete portrait of the applicant.

Iowa Newspaper Foundation Scholarships – due February 9, 2018 on-line

-Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic record, demonstrated talent

-Some consideration will be given to financial need.  

-Most awards are limited to students attending Iowa colleges, universities and community colleges; see scholarship descriptions for details.

-applications available at: https://inanews.com/foundation/scholarships/

World Class, The Mediacom Scholarship Program – February 17

-Fifty $1,000 scholarships

-Based on academic achievement and leadership

-Eligible students must have a Red Oak, Clarinda or Villisca address

-Scholarship awardees may attend any accredited two-year or four-year college, university, technical or vocational school within the United States.

-You may download the application at http://www.mediacomworldclass.com

Conservation District of Iowa and Montgomery Soil and Water Conservation District Scholarships

-due Feb 16, 2018

-presented to high school seniors pursuing programs in any field of agriculture or natural resources

-local scholarship of $400

-Winners will be asked to volunteer 4 to 8 hours working in the NRCS office in Red Oak, giving students a better understanding of conservation work done through this organization.

-three state level scholarships of $1,800, $1,200, and $1,000, and $300 for each of the six regional winners

-criteria consideration will be points: 60 points for leadership (leadership includes service, character, and self-motivation – 20 points each); and 40 points for scholastic achievement.

-scholarship application is online at https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9JW9EbHywzGbGs3VTVSZ1hpXy11SlhxNDdDOGxxa3RTVk5Z/view?usp=sharing

-all applications must be typed

Iowa Financial Know-How Challenge: Senior Scholarship

To qualify for the scholarship, students must:

http://www.iowastudentloan.org/SeniorScholarship

• Register by Feb 16, 2018. Online
• Complete two online financial literacy tutorials created by Iowa Student Loan.
• Take an online financial literacy assessment test created by Ednalysis, an Iowa educational research company.

Thirty $2,000 scholarships for Iowa high school seniors who plan to attend college in fall 2018. To qualify, students must register by February 16, 2018, complete two online financial literacy tutorials and complete a related financial literacy assessment test.
Tribute Award –due 2/28/2017
Any current high school JUNIOR who meets the following qualifications is eligible:
-Is enrolled in an accredited public or private high school in the United States
-Has at least 2.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale for the 9th and 10th grades
-Demonstrates accomplishments in Leadership and Community Service and has faced a significant roadblock or challenge.
-To apply online, go to https://www.discover.com/student-loans/scholarships/award.html

ANNOUNCEMENTS

After Prom Meeting

  There will be a Jr/Sr After Prom meeting on Wednesday, January 31^st, for all junior and senior parents at 6:00 PM in library.

East Mills Junior Class - Tailgate Dinner

  The East Mills Junior Class will be having a tailgate dinner during the conference tournament on Saturday, January 20^th, at 5:00 PM-7:30 PM. The meal will include Chili/Potato Soup, Cinnamon Roll, and Drink for $5.00.

COMING EVENTS

Friday, 19^th            Girls Conference Basketball Tournament Finals at Fremont-Mills

Saturday, 20^th        District Large Group Speech Contest

                              Boys Conference Basketball Tournament Finals at East Mills

Tuesday, 23^rd        3:30-Junior High Basketball at Essex

                              4:30-Junior Varsity Basketball with Essex, Here

                              6:00-Varsity Basketball with Essex, Here

                              Pink Out

Wednesday, 24^th   1:05/1:15-Early Dismissal

Friday, 26^th            4:30-Junior Varsity Basketball with Fremont-Mills, Here

                               5:00-Booster Club Meal

                               6:00-Varisty Basketball with Fremont-Mills, Here

Saturday, 27^th        8:30-11:00-Winter Formal