Hello, Bulldogs!
Le Mars Community School Facilities Input
After May 13, please watch your mail for a postcard from Le Mars Community Schools regarding a facility input survey. This survey will ask for your input regarding our current facilities and the direction you would like to see our school district move in terms of aging elementary buildings and other potential infrastructure needs identified by our facility study. We want to hear from all residences. This is your school district so please take the time to give your input. Thank you!
Last Day of the 2023-2024 School Year
Due to winter weather in January, our last day of school will be Wednesday, May 29, 2024. We will have a two-hour early dismissal that day.
The End of Another School Year
As another school year draws to a close, I would like to thank the students, families, staff, School Board, and community for their support this school year. We are so fortunate to live in a community that supports the education of our young people at such a high level. Our students are able to fulfill their education with a caring and nurturing staff who help students achieve their potential, show them the great possibilities for their future, and provide the necessary support to do so. This school year has been a success! Thank you to everyone for a great, successful school year! The Le Mars community is a great place to live and raise children. Have a great summer!
Ms. Amy Gehling
4th Grade
Kluckhohn Elementary
“Ms. Gehling exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator: dedication, passion, creativity, and compassion,” reads Amy Gehling’s nomination. “Her patience, kindness, and genuine care for students’ well-being make her not only an outstanding educator, but also a beloved mentor and role model.”
Ms. Gehling has served as a 4th grade teacher at Kluckhohn Elementary since joining the Le Mars Community School District twenty-one (21) years ago. In addition, she has been active as a mentor teacher and a model teacher through the district’s Teacher Leadership program. In this role, she has provided unwavering support and encouragement to new teachers and has been instrumental in their professional growth.
Ms. Gehling was nominated for this award by Amber Christiansen, parent of one of Ms. Gehling’s students, stating “Ms. Gehling has an exceptional ability to engage students in the wonders of science. She fosters a learning environment where curiosity is encouraged and questions are welcomed. Through hands-on experiments, interactive demonstrations, and creative projects, she ignites a sense of wonder and excitement in each student, making science come alive in ways that captivate young minds.”
Congratulations, Ms. Gehling. Your “classroom environment is one of warmth, encouragement, and intellectual curiosity, where students feel valued, respected, and motivated to learn”. We thank you for being an inspiration and fostering a lifelong love of learning.
Rich Ziettlow
Class of 1967
Richard Ziettlow is the 2024 Distinguished Alumni of the Year. He is from the Class of 1967 and was nominated by Mary Reynolds. She stated, “Rich is a leader in the community and a believer in teamwork. He is creative, innovative and always has a positive attitude. Rich is an inspirational role model for our community.”
Rich graduated from Westmar College and worked in the field of information technology until his retirement. He was a project manager for American Airlines in Tulsa, OK. While living there, he was involved in the Tulsa community and in his church.
He and his high school sweetheart, Rev. Dr. Jean Engelbrecht Ziettlow (1968) moved back to Le Mars in 2012, to be close to their aging parents. It was now his time to be involved in projects that interested him that he was not able to do in-depth before his retirement.
In his free time he plays golf (and was on the high school golf team), is active in his church, musically and in the praise band, as well as the LCHS Alumni Noteables. He and Jean enjoy traveling. They have two children and five grandchildren.
His project management experience has been very helpful as he works on various City projects to keep them structured and on track. He has been involved on many committees - Chair of the Chamber Design Committee; the Alley Art program; the City of Le Mars Tourism Committee; working with high schoolers on the Youth on Main Street program; and co-writing grants for the city.
He currently serves as President of the Le Mars Historic Preservation Commission and President of the non-profit Le Mars Community Day Care Center board of directors.
In her nomination, Mary wrote, “The LCS Distinguished Alumni award is a very special honor, not just for the recipient, but also for the community at large, as it reflects the values of the people who have graduated from LCS. Rich Ziettlow exemplifies these qualities through his true spirit of service and community improvement. He volunteers for the benefit of the community of Le Mars and its future.”
Kennedy Wiltgen
is the daughter of Staci Hassman and Mark Wiltgen. She plans to attend WITCC or DMACC and then
transfer to USD for secondary or elementary education.
Kennedy has been involved in National Honor Society and Honor Roll. In addition, she has tutored in the middle school, worked concessions for volleyball and basketball games; volunteered at the YMCA parade, movie nights, skate night, 5K glow run, and for Scaritage Park in Primghar.
Zoe Wittkop
daughter of Russ & Xinjie Wittkop, is currently planning to attend SDSU to study Engineering or
Computer Science and to play soccer. Zoe has been active in Basketball, Soccer, Individual Speech, Large Group Speech, Student Council, National Honor Society and Lead Dog. She has also been involved with children’s liturgy, concessions, Little League concessions, and youth camps.
Bradyn Anderson
is the son of Debi Douma-Herren & Tighe Herren and Chase & Veronica Anderson. He plans to attend
Iowa State University to major in Engineering and minor in Music. Throughout high school, Bradyn has been involved in the Big Red Band, LCHS Orchestra, Chamber/Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Cordas da Camara, Crimson & Black Pit, National Honor Society, and Quiz Bowl. During the summers, Bradyn
plays in the Le Mars and Sioux City Municipal Bands. He also volunteers at Wet Nose Rescue and the Le Mars Methodist Church.
Desiree Breuer
the daughter of Nick & Carmen Breuer, will be attending the University of South Dakota to major in Medical Biology and minor in Public Health, with the hopes of attending med school. Desiree has been involved in National Honor Society, FFA, Student Council, Wrestling, Marching Band, Concert Band, Drumline, Pep Band, Show Choir Band, Jazz Band, Symphony, Solo & Ensemble, and Fair Royalty. She has been active in 4-H and doing volunteer work through her church and FFA, helping during the county fair, hosting a stuffed animal drive and Easter egg hunt, helping with summer vacation Bible school, making care packages for veterans, and so much more!
Emma DeRuyter
the daughter of Dave & Becky DeRuyter, is planning to attend Iowa State University to double major in
Psychology and Criminal Justice. She hopes to work as a forensic psychologist or consultant to the FBI, DEA, or Homeland Security. Emma has been active in Student Council, Dance Team, Show Choir, Large Group Speech, Chamber Choir, Treble Choir, Soccer, National Honor Society, Thespians, District Learning and Instructional Impact Team, Quiz Bowl, Band, Football Cheer, and Spanish Club. She is a
head teacher, coach, and competitive dance team member at The Turn Around, employee of Bob’s Drive Inn, vacation Bible school teacher and sound board operator at St. John’s, Spanish tutor, Bethlehem Revisited volunteer, and a founder of “A Chance to Dance” charity.
Kennedy McInnis
the daughter of Greg & Christy McInnis, plans to attend college as a Biology major on the pre-med track. Kennedy has been involved in Basketball, IE and Large Group Speech, Choir, Show Choir, Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Solo and Ensemble Contest, Softball, Track, Student Council, National Honor Society, Lead Dog, and Thespians. She has been a 4-H member, Plymouth County 4-H Youth
Council president, Plymouth County 4-H Foundation member, dance, Iowa American Legion Auxiliary girls state participant, and member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Melissa Leraas
has been teaching middle school Social Studies her entire career with Le Mars Community. She has also coached JV volleyball and middle school volleyball for a few years.
Melissa and her husband, Dave, have been married for 24 years. They are the parents of two children. Libby is a 2023 graduate of LCHS and is currently a student at Iowa State University. Brenna is a junior at LCHS.
Melissa shared, “Le Mars Community has been a wonderful place to work. I have enjoyed teaching students about the world we live in and sharing my love of history with them. There is never a dull moment with middle school students! I have worked with so many great people over the years. They have been great support in all kinds of situations.”
Melissa’s favorite memory…….teaching both of her daughters! She loved being able to see them during her work day.
Vicki Oetken
currently teaches 3rd grade at Clark Elementary and plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2023-24 school year. She began working with Le Mars Community for eight years as a substitute teacher and in 1999, joined the district as an early intervention reading teacher. Two years later she began
teaching 1st grade at Clark Elementary and after another five years, began teaching 3rd grade at Clark.
Vicki is married to Brett, a retired LCHS agriculture teacher who currently teaches agriculture for WITCC. They have three children. Sarah is a librarian at Sioux Falls Community Schools and her husband Ryan Becker is employed with First National Bank of Sioux Falls. Lindsey acts and works in theater in St. Paul, Minnesota. Nate lives in Des Moines working for a healthcare company doing data analysis.
“My years as a substitute teacher was an opportunity to learn from many teachers of different grade levels/programs, and allowed me to be home to raise my children,” states Vicki. “I was lucky enough to be mentored into each of my positions by highly experienced amazing teachers. I’ve enjoyed working with all of my colleagues through the district, but I’m especially blessed and proud to have spent my career working at Clark Elementary. I cannot speak highly enough of my friends/colleagues at Clark who do their jobs with professionalism, integrity, and diligence every day.”
When asked to share her favorite memory, Vicki responded “It is impossible to choose one favorite memory, but when I wrote my philosophy of education paper in college, I spoke of how important it was to me to ensure each child believed in themselves and had confidence and self love. My hope is that I accomplished that as well as provided the skills necessary to their education. I can honestly say that those same students have touched my life and helped me grow as a person and teacher, and it’s because of them I am the person I am today.”
Tanya Schroeder
began her 25-year career with Le Mars Community Schools in the special education preschool classroom at Franklin Elementary and then at Clark Elementary. For the last 10 years she has been
teaching Kindergarten at Clark.
Tanya and her husband Preston have four boys; three are graduates of LCHS. Tyler lives in Sheldon; Tanner and Trevor live in Le Mars; twelve-year old Parker is a 6th grader at LCMS.
Tanya comments “I am not from Le Mars. This was my first teaching job, and I have lived here for 25 years.” “I have lots of memories of teaching preschool” shares Tanya. “I will always have great memories of the awesome teachers I work with at Clark!”
Rachel Cunningham
initially joined the district as a German teacher for the high school and gradually transitioned to the high school’s Social Studies department. She has coached both 7th and 8th grade volleyball at various times throughout her tenure and next year will be an advisor for the LCHS student council.
Rachel and her husband, Mike, have four children: Katie is in her second year at SDSU, Kari is a senior at LCHS, Kali is a freshman at LCHS, and Kieran is a 6th grader at LCMS.
“When I took this job, I knew absolutely nothing about either the town of Le Mars or the school district,” remarks Rachel. “I didn’t know how blessed I would be to have accidentally landed in such an awesome place to work and raise a family, and I’m so grateful the district took a chance on me! A lot of things have changed since I started teaching, but one constant has always been that I work with a lot of really good people.”
When asked about her favorite memories, Rachel responded, “I have had several classes that were just a lot of fun.”
Tina Gray
was initially hired to teach 9th grade English half-time. A few years later, she also shared a 7th/8th grade English position with Rosemary Cronin. Currently, she is a full-time 8th grade Literacy teacher. In addition, Tina is involved with coordinating the after-school program and teaching summer school.
Tina’s husband, Harry, is a retired South Sioux City art teacher who keeps very busy volunteering and painting. They have three children. Andy is employed with Wells Enterprises and lives in Le Mars with his wife Niki and their children. Hillary lives in Seattle working for the Trade and Justice Education Fund. She is engaged to be married to Rutger Ceballos in July. Joel and his wife Brianna live in Johnston where Joel works for ADI, an e-commerce company in Des Moines, and Brianna teaches 8th grade for the Saydel school district.
“I am so thankful for the people I work with,” comments Tina. “They listen, let me vent/rant, offer good ideas, support me, laugh with me, and help me laugh at myself. From administrators to teachers, to our para-professionals and other support staff, I am blessed.”
“One of my favorite memories involves a troubled young 8th grade boy who was struggling with school, home, and life,” recalls Tina. “He and I had our run-ins and our good heart-to-heart conversations. Life challenged him even more in high school, but he did graduate with a lot of support. He came back to visit several years later and thanked several of us for caring and offering support to him. He now has a family, great job, and a master’s degree. I think of him on
tough days to remind myself that we can make a difference.”
All students entering 7th grade must provide proof of a T-dap booster and meningococcal vaccine before the start of the school year. Start thinking ahead for next year and get your child's appointment scheduled now.
All students (Homeschool and ILC) entering 12th grade must provide proof of a meningococcal vaccine before the start of the school year. If your student has had a meningococcal vaccination BEFORE the age of 16, a second meningococcal vaccination is required by law. 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.
We have made it to May! With May comes the nice weather and the end of our school year. I would like to thank all the students and families for their cooperation and support throughout this school year.
As we get into May, we have one big event left in the school year, that is graduation. Graduation is set for May 19 at 3:00 pm. The tentative plan is to have it outside at Le Mars Community Stadium. A determination will be made by Thursday of that week if it needs to be moved inside because of the weather forecast. In the past, each family received 4 tickets for graduation, 2 for the floor and 2 for the bleachers. The rest of the gym was general admission. We will also provide families with 4 tickets per family as we move outside. The middle sections of the stadium will be reserved for those with tickets and the outer sections will be general admission.
Some dates for Senior parents: May 10 is the last day of regular class. May 13 and 14 are Senior semester test days. May 15 at 9:00 am is our graduation breakfast and practice. Cost for the breakfast is $5 and needs to be paid in the office by May 3. Also on the 15th at 6:30 pm is the Senior Awards Night program. This will be in the auditorium at the middle school. We strongly encourage seniors that will be awarded a scholarship to attend the awards ceremony.
The dates for non-senior students are as follows: Last day of class is on May 23. Semester tests will be May 24, 28, and 29. If your student does not have to take semester tests, he/she is done on May 23. Students will need to check in computers on their last day of school.
Have a great summer, and see you next school year!
Melissa Hill
Email: melissa.hill@lemarscsd.org
Website: https://sites.google.com/lemarscsd.org/lchs-counseling/home
Twitter: @lemarsguidance
Judd Kopperud
LeMars Community Education Enhancement Project
10th MENuMASTERS 2024
Date is changed to: Saturday, October 19, 2024
Plymouth County Fairgrounds Century Hall
Due to circumstances beyond our control the 2024 MENuMASTERS had to change their date.
Mark your calendars!
Contact Mike Jacobsma at mike.jacobsma@iowastatebank.net if your group would like to be a chef or need more information.
All other questions regarding MENuMASTERS or LEEP please contact President Gayle Vonk at wall.elements@yahoo.com
This year's event includes: ample food samples, music trivia, and prizes for best theme, main dish, dessert, appetizer, side dish and overall food.
A special thank you goes out to all of our volunteers, LEEP Board Members and staff for their outstanding support! We appreciate your time and talent!
