Marsh Valley School District #21 Newsletter

Upcoming Events in the Marsh Valley Performing Arts Center

The Marsh Valley High School Performing Arts Center was privileged to host Michael Ballam in an evening concert on Saturday, January 20th.  the concert was presented by the Marsh Valley Performing Arts Committee and Zions Bank.  

Dr. Ballam was able to christen the brand new Yamaha C-7 Grand Piano that is now gracing the auditorium.  this piano became a goal after the first concert was presented last May 2006 with pianist Jon Schmidt. The committee realized that performers will expect to play on a quality instrument and a piano fitting to the beautiful auditorium needed to be found.  Donations were requested of the community and with the help of those donations, the school board and many generous community members the piano was able to come to the building now with the remainder of the money to be raised through the sale of piano keys.  Dr. Ballam donated the proceeds of his CD sales that evening to the piano and encouraged others to take part in the cause by purchasing a key for $200.  The "Buy-A-Key" Campaign is on going until the 88 keys are purchased.  If anyone is interested in a tax-deductible donation for a piano key, you can contact Ashleigh @ 775-3095 or see us at www.marshvalleyperformingarts.org.  The Performing Arts Committee is thankful to all who were able to come and enjoy this night and wish to welcome all to future events and seasons to come.

Friday, March 9th@7:00 pm - BYU Idaho Dance Alliance.  Dance Alliance is a unique company of about 35 BYU- Idaho students who are trained in many different genres of dance.  One main goal of Dance Alliance is to uplift and inspire audiences who experience the performances.  Tickets are $8 per person and available at Marsh Valley District Elementary Schools as well as in Pocatello at piano Gallery and Main Street Music.

Wednesday, March 28th @ 7:00p.m.  Taylor Viafanua.
With a love for singing ever since she could talk, it is no wonder that at age 15, Taylor Vaifanua communicates a song with a warmth and depth welll beyond her years.  Her love for music and performing was nurtured while living in Western Samoa for five years.  During this time, Taylor learned to appreciate the Polynesian lifestyle and found that she had a certain affinity for the muxic.
You can find more information at www.taylorvaifanua.com.  Tickets are $8 per person and available at MV elemntary schools and in Pocatello at Main Street Music and Piano Gallery.

Principle Receives Prestigious Award

Ms. Reichardt, principal at Marsh Valley Middle School, received a surprise when she as named Idaho Middle level Educator of the year for Region V.  She will now be in contention for the state title.  Her letter of nomination stated:  "Linda Reichardt is committed to the middle level philosophy of education.  She advocates for the Technology, Life and Career curriculum to be taught in both seventh and eighth grades.  She empowered the teachers to be creative in keeping the team meeting time when our school needed another teacher to keep teaming possible.  She holds high expectations for her staff to monitor student progress, Keep parents informed and celebrate student success.  Last year she made possible for all the middle school staff  to participate in the middle school staff to participate in the middle school conference.  Along with her principal's hat, Linda wears the educator's hat.  She teaches two sections of seventh grade life skills.  Linda changed our school's climate.  She made physical climate changes.  She added "Freddie the Falcon" to the gym walls and the hallway.  Our school name is on the back of the building for the public to see.  The rooms are all wallpaper border themed and posters of past accomplishments are above the lockers.  She created a wall of fame to celebrate students and community awards.  She created an inviting parent waiting/conference area.  Second, the emotional climate changed under leadership.  The staff is focused on the positive development of students.  The staff feels change.  The students feel safer that consistent consequences for behavior are published and carried out.  She advocates for individualized program changes to meet students' needs.  She is truly concerned with the students' welfare."

The Marsh Valley Middle School teachers and staff are proud of this honor for Ms. Reichardt and hope she receives the overall state title.

Our student-led conferences were held last month and a total of 46% of parents attended.

A new PAC (parent advisory council) has been formed and students of the month will once again be selected.

Downey Elementary Students Achieved Two Major Goals

Students set a goal of 4000 AR points by January 15 and earned 4039 points.  They celebrated with a root beer float party.  If they achieve another 4000 points by May 23, they will participate in an end-of-the-year party.
In mid-September students and staff began a "Walk Across America" project.  Miles were computed by figuring laps around the track and gym.. Miles at home by family members also counted.  A large United States map displayed in the hallway marks progress.
Their route began in Las Angeles, on to Portland, Boise Downey, Salt Lake and then east through Denver, Chicago, Washington D.C. and north to New York City, a total of 3600 miles. 
On February 8 a total of 3,081 miles had been logged.  The trip home will be a shorter route and students are determined to complete th imagined trip before year's end.
This activity is in keeping with the district wellness policy and encourages students to be proactive in a healthy lifestyle.

Robotics in the High School

Robotics is anew class this year at Marsh Valley High School.  We will be building a robot to take to regional competition in Portland, Oregon.  This is not a class simply about building robots, there are many important sills needed as well.  Our team consists of 2- students ranging form freshmen to seniors.  We also have to mentors.  The first is Marilyn Mikkelson, a teacher at Marsh Valley High school.  The second is Doug Alder, a current Idaho State University student working on his master's degree in mechanical engineering.  Tony DiVesti, a retired teacher of electricity and physical science is also volunteering his time with our team.  Our goals this year include: learning how to build a successful robot, becoming a team, as well as following rules and directions.
There are many skills for this project that seems to be the simple building of a robot.  We are able to learn about programming, building, designing, electricity, and public relations.  We are also learning how to trust each other, how to spend our time wisely, organizational skills, safety regulations, the importance of following rules and instructions, and how to become a team.  These are things that will benefit us throughout our lives.
We have many things to do this year being a rooking tea.  We are learning how to put everything together.  All our skills are accounted for no matter what they are.  We are learning how to trust people that normally we would not.  We are given rules and directions on how to build our robot along with the tasks it must perform.. We are starting from scratch, building it however we want.  We also have to have communication with the other teams along with good spirit.  
This is a great program where we all put our heads together and find a solution to a problem.  It gives students the opportunity to be a part of a unique sport which challenges the mind to a different way of thinking.  For more information, feel free to visit www.usfirst.org.