Monthly Newsletter

Hello, Bulldogs!

Our students continue to shine both academically and in extracurricular activities this school year. I want to extend my congratulations to all of our students, teachers, and sponsors/coaches for their hard work and achievements this winter. From speech and music to athletics, our students are making their mark at both the state and local levels. Le Mars can take pride in the way they represent our community in great fashion, with strong character and talent!

Tax Rates: Comparison to Other Iowa Districts

Our Board of Education remains committed to providing a top-quality education while keeping tax rates as low as possible. Taxes are essential in funding the services our schools provide, and we take great care in balancing financial responsibility with educational excellence. In fact, for 2024, Le Mars CSD ranks in the bottom 12% of the lowest school district tax rates out of 325 Iowa districts. We will continue to work efficiently to provide the best opportunities for our students while maintaining a conservative budget.

Elementary Building Project Update

The Core Planning Committee, consisting of parents, local residents, business owners, community leaders, safety officials, elementary staff, and school board members, has met several times to provide ISG architects input into the design of the new elementary building. The committee took part in tabletop activities to identify building location options, floor plans, and layouts. ISG has developed multiple concepts based on the committee's input, and the next phase will focus on refining those plans to finalize a completed design.

District Leadership Instructional Impact Team (DLIIT)

The District Leadership Instructional Impact Team (DLIIT) recently held its second meeting of the school year. This group is made up of community members, teachers, administrators, students, and school board members. The group plays a key role in:

• Collecting and analyzing relevant data to be used in the district decision-making process,
• Providing systematic input to the Board of Education regarding issues facing the school district,
• Ensuring the development of plans for purposeful and meaningful change,
• Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of short- and long-term district development plans,
• Coordinating communication through the school community.

During the February 13 meeting, High School Principal Dr. Mark Iverson presented on our Career and Technical Education Program, with the team providing input on the program and potential apprenticeship ideas. The team also heard a report from the principals about the Iowa School Performance Profile, which provides insight into state-identified indicators for school success. You can view the profile here.

Additionally, the principals shared updates on character education programs across grade levels, reinforcing our commitment to developing well-rounded students. The group also received the latest updates on the new elementary school building design.

We appreciate our DLIIT volunteers for their time, input, and dedication to helping shape the future of our district. Your involvement is invaluable as we continue working toward excellence in education.

Thank you for your continued support of Le Mars CSD!

• March 6: Middle School & High School Orchestra Concert, 7:30 PM
• March 7: Middle School Band Solo & Ensemble Contest, 4:00 - 8:00 PM
• March 11: National Honor Society Ceremony, 6:30 PM
• March 12: 2-Hour Early Out (Teacher In-Service)
• March 13: Middle School Vocal Concert, 7:00 PM
• March 18: 5th Grade Vocal Concert, 7:00 PM
• March 21: No School
• April 2: 2-Hour Early Out (Teacher In-Service)
• April 4: Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline
• April 5: Prom
• April 17: 2-Hour Early Out (Teacher In-Service)
• April 18-21: No School (Spring Vacation)

As you prepare for the upcoming school year, please remember that:

• 7th-grade students need Tdap and Meningococcal vaccinations.
• 12th-grade students need a second Meningococcal vaccination.

These vaccinations are needed before the first day of school. Planning ahead ensures a smooth start to the new school year!

Do not send your child to school if they have:

• A fever of 100.0 degrees or higher (Child must be fever-free for 24 hours without any fever-reducing medication)

• Vomited or had diarrhea in the last 24 hours

No prescription or non-prescription medication is allowed to be carried by any student for safety reasons per school policy.

Students now have two breakfast options: hot or cold, allowing them to choose their preference each morning.

For lunch, the menu remains the same for all K-12 students, with portion sizes. High school students continue to have two lunch choices each day.

Spring is around the corner! As we welcome the changing seasons, the third quarter is quickly coming to a close. The quarter officially ends on March 10, and report cards will be mailed shortly after.

From March 25-28, students will take the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP), a test to measure how students are performing academically. These scores not only contribute to our school’s Iowa Performance Profile but also impact future professional development efforts.

Another reason the ISASP is important is because it is used to determine if a student is proficient to take concurrent (dual-credit) courses in English, math, history, or science. This is part of the Senior Year Plus legislation. Students who registered for these courses will receive a letter from the guidance office detailing additional requirements, including those set by Western Iowa Tech (unless they qualify via ACT scores and submit them to the guidance office). If you have questions, please contact Melissa Hill or Judd Kopperud.

Prom is set for Saturday, April 5! Prom ticket order forms are available in the office. LCHS junior and senior students may have a date from another school who is in grades 10-12 or may ask a sophomore from LCHS. Dates from another school in grades 10-12 must be approved by the office. Freshmen and dates that do not attend high school will not be permitted.

• Parents interested in helping at prom with either decorating or supervising, please contact Tifany Wright at 712-546-4153 or Tifany.Wright@lemarscsd.org.
• After-Prom is also in need of parent assistance. If you are able to help with after-prom, please contact Janelle Bixenman (Jlbixenman@gmail.com or 712-540-8339) or Kate Melvin (Katem@perspectiveinsurance.com or 515-291-3478).

If you have any concerns about your child or their progress, please don’t hesitate to contact their teacher to arrange a meeting. We’re here to help every student succeed.

Let’s finish the quarter strong!

The Le Mars CSD Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for our students. Since its inception in 1991, the Foundation has partnered with generous donors to award $1,451,115 in scholarships. Last year alone, 140 scholarships totaling $107,000 were distributed thanks to the support of 63 donors.

The scholarship application materials are available to the Class of 2025. Application deadline is Friday, April 4, 2025.

Test Date: April 5

• March 16 - Late Registration Deadline (Late Fees Apply)
• March 28 - Photo Upload & Standby Deadline

Test Date: June 14

• May 9 - Regular Registration Deadline (Late Fee Applies after this date)
• May 26 - Late Registration Deadline
• June 6 - Photo Upload & Standby Deadline

Test Date: July 12

• June 6 - Regular Registration Deadline (Late Fee Applies after this date)
• June 20 - Late Registration Deadline
• July 4 - Photo Upload & Standby Deadline

Register at https://www.act.org/

• Le Mars School Code: 162-475

Log onto CollegeWeekLive.com for free ACT, SAT, and Toefl practice and test taking tips.

• Saturday, April 19, 2025 --- 1:00 - 4:00 pm
• Saturday, May 17, 2025 --- 1:00 - 4:00 pm

All meetings will be in Room 101 with Mr. Bahr at the high school.

Students at Le Mars CSD Middle School will be taking their Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) March 24-28. We want every student to perform their best, and we are asking for parent/guardian assistance to make sure that happens.

Standardized testing plays an important role in assessing your student’s academic progress and school performance. These tests help educators identify areas where students excel and where they may need additional support. Additionally, they provide valuable insights that help schools tailor instruction to better meet students' needs. While standardized tests are just one measure of success, preparing for them can build essential skills such as critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving.

As a parent/guardian, you can take several steps to ensure your child feels confident and prepared on test day.

• Establish a consistent homework and study routine.
• Encourage your child to review notes regularly and complete practice problems to help reinforce key concepts.
• Many prep resources, including online practice tests and study guides, are available to support your student’s learning.
• Make sure your child is well-rested and nourished.
• A good night’s sleep before the test and a healthy breakfast the morning of the exam can make a significant difference in focus and performance.
• Proper hydration and balanced meals throughout the week leading up to the test will also support your child’s mental and physical well-being.
• Help manage test anxiety by maintaining a positive and supportive environment.
• Encourage your child to stay calm and confident by reminding them that tests are just one part of their overall education.
• Teaching relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and positive self-talk can help alleviate stress and improve concentration.
• Stay informed about testing dates and requirements by communicating with your student’s teachers and school administrators.
• Understanding the testing schedule, policies, and expectations will allow you to better support your child.

By working together, we can help ensure that every student is prepared to do their best. Thank you for your ongoing support in your student’s education! If you have any questions or concerns regarding the ISASP tests, please contact Abby Johnson or Jason Martin.

The 51st Annual Middle School Carnival is set for Friday, April 4, at a new time of 6:00-8:00 pm. Get ready for a fun family night at Le Mars Middle School, with a bounce house, fun hats, baseball throw, and all your favorite activities. We have some new activities, including a contest of splash buckets—you vote for which staff member you want to get splashed—and a new giant blow-up dartboard. We hope you can join us at our biggest fundraiser of the year!

Starting Monday, March 3, Le Mars CSD will begin accepting preschool applications for the 2025-26 school year.

Enrollment is open to 4-year-old children in the community. Our goal is to create a diverse and well-rounded preschool class that reflects the Le Mars community. Children must be 4 years old on or before September 15, 2025, to be eligible.

The application will be available on the district website on March 3. The deadline to complete an application is April 3, 2025.

If needed, computers will be available at the Clark Elementary office for parents to use to complete the application.

For questions or more information, please contact Jodi Fisher at 712-546-8121 or jodi.fisher@lemarscsd.org.

We look forward to welcoming our newest Bulldogs!

A Moped Safety class will be held for students in the LeMars area on Saturday, March 8, at LeMars Middle School, Room C15 (Mr. Fehringer’s room). The class will run from 8:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

Per Iowa law, students aged 14 and 15 must complete this course to obtain a license to operate a moped on public highways. The minimum age to enroll is 13.

Registration:

• LeMars Community Students: Sign up and pay in the Middle School office (Amy Bergquist or Keri Schuett) before March 8.
• Non-LeMars Community Students: Register and pay on the day of the class.

Cost:

• Pre-registration: $50 (checks payable to Bill Dalton or cash accepted)
• Same-day registration: $55

If you have questions, please email bkdalton6@gmail.com.

The award will be presented at the Foundation’s Annual Awards Banquet to be held on Wednesday, April 23, at 6:30pm. in the lower level of the LeMars Convention Center. Tickets for the banquet will be available for the public by stopping in or calling the Superintendent’s Office at 712-546-4155.

The Transportation Department would like to remind parents that students must have a bus pass from their school to ride the bus. Riding the bus is a privilege, and 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 the rules to follow are:

• Remain seated while the 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, 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.

The month of March is associated with the start of spring. Get outside, watch the arc of the sun as it shifts toward the north, enjoy the longer days, and listen to the birds sing.

LEEP board members met for their monthly meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025. The agenda was light with no requests from
Le Mars CSD staff.

The main topic was a discussion of the 2025 MENuMASTERS fundraising event. Discussion was held about moving the event back to September, but because of the availability of the venue, DJ, and other conflicting events being held in LeMars, it was decided to hold the event on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Location will again be the Plymouth County Fairgrounds Century Hall. If your organization wants to participate in this successful event, you can sign up as chefs with Mike Jacobsma at mike.jacobsma@iowastatebank.net. All money raised at this event goes back to enhance the education of all students attending LeMars CSD.

Recent requests honored were purchasing Promethean boards for all 4th and 5th grade classrooms, novels for literacy enhancement, and interactive sport equipment for the high school PE and alternative PE classes.

The next regular LEEP meeting will be held Monday, March 3, 2025, at 5:30pm in the Middle School Library. All meetings are open to the public.