Features

MCSD receives award for ‘Best Community for Music Education’

Published by admin on Wed, 05/25/2022 - 9:44am

     The Monticello Community School District was named one of the “2022 Best Communities for Music Education.” The award was presented by the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation.

   MCSD music staff from all grade levels were on hand on May 19 to accept the award from representatives from West Music.

   The NAMM Foundation “promotes the pleasures and benefits of music, and advances active participation in music-making across the lifespan.”

Austin Strong Foundation partners to offer ‘My DIPG Navigator’

Published by admin on Wed, 05/25/2022 - 9:39am

     Friday, May 20, was the sixth-year anniversary of the passing of 6-year-old Austin Smith. He passed away from DIPG, a rare form of childhood brain cancer.

     In mid-April, Britt and Mikinzie Smith attended a special event in Ann Arbor, Mich., at the Crisler Center at the University of Michigan. They were there as special guests at the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation gala.

May: School Board Recognition Month

Published by admin on Wed, 05/25/2022 - 9:04am

     May is School Board Recognition Month. Get to know your Monticello Board of Education members…

 

Mandy Norton

1. Tell us a little about your background and why you became a board member.

   I was born and raised in Monticello. I married my high school sweetheart and we have started a family of our own here in Monticello. My oldest, Riley, is a senior, and my daughter, Addison, is in seventh grade. We share our home with our dog, Dozer.

   I became a board member because there was an open seat and I decided to try it out.

Library’s Summer Reading Program begins May 31

Published by admin on Wed, 05/25/2022 - 8:59am

     "Read Beyond the Beaten Path" is the theme for the 2022 Summer Reading Program in Iowa.

   Registration for the SRP begins Tuesday, May 31, the day after Memorial Day. (The Monticello Public Library will be closed on Monday, May 30.) The SRP is open to readers of all ages. Reading logs are available for those in early literacy, grade school age, teenagers, and adults.

Monticello Fourth of July Parade plans underway

Published by admin on Wed, 05/25/2022 - 8:36am

     The Monticello Fourth of July Parade Committee is proud to welcome back the 41st Annual Fourth of July Parade. The parade will take place on Monday, July 4, starting at 11 a.m.

   The parade will take its usual route, starting and ending at the Berndes Center and traveling south on N. Sycamore Street and north on N. Maple Street, with the viewing/judging stand located at the intersection of E. First Street and S. Maple Street.

   The theme for this year’s parade is: “Celebrating Our Town’s Volunteers.”

Luckstead proud of students’ gains in special education

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 12:17pm

     After 29 years of teaching for the Monticello Community School District, Kelly Luckstead is retiring.

   “I’ve enjoyed my time here,” Luckstead said fondly. “But it’s the right time.”

   Luckstead is the fifth and sixth-grade special education teacher.

   “I support math and reading,” she said of her specialties.

   Luckstead works one-on-one with students who require a little more attention in the classroom, as well as with groups of students.

Parks and Rec offers ‘Growing Up Wild’ youth programming

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 12:16pm

     During the month of July, Monticello Parks and Recreation has an exciting program geared toward children ages 3 to 7.

   “Growing Up Wild” offers “ways to build and nurture children’s sense of wonder about nature, wildlife, and the great outdoors.”

   In late April, Parks and Rec staff spent the day in Cresco at the Prairie’s Edge Nature Center learning all about this program with representatives from the Iowa DNR. Growing Up Wild comes from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

MHS BPA students attend, compete at Nationals

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 7:07am

     Four of Monticello High School’s BPA (Business Professionals of America) traveled to Dallas, Texas, a couple of weeks ago to compete at the National Leadership Conference. One student, Alex Oswald, came away with seventh place in his competition.

   MHS BPA boasts about 15 students in grades nineth through 12th. Twelve of those students competed in Des Moines for the state competition. Six qualified for Nationals by placing in the top five:

   • Alex Oswald, Personal Finance Management, and Banking & Finance

Family Insurance receives award from West Bend Mutual

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 7:07am

     West Bend Mutual Insurance Company recently presented the Spirit of the Silver Lining Award to Family Insurance Agency for their ongoing support of the Austin Strong Foundation. Additionally, West Bend donated $5,000 to the Austin Strong Foundation to help support the Austin Smith Inclusive Playground construction.

   Jennifer Ballou, co-owner of Family Insurance, offered, “I am extremely happy to receive the Spirit of the Silver Lining Award, and to be able to have the grant money go toward the playground.”

State Fair seeks ‘Iowan of the Day’ nominations

Published by admin on Tue, 05/24/2022 - 7:06am

     The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are currently seeking the next group of outstanding Iowans for the 2022 “Iowan of the Day” award. We look for individuals across the state that exemplify leadership, citizenship, have a passion for volunteering, are involved in their community, and have made a positive impact on those around them. For 25 years, we have celebrated these amazing Iowans and we need your help finding our next “Iowan of the Day.”

   “Iowan of the Day” winners receive:

   • A day of recognition at the 2022 Iowa State Fair

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