May is School Board Appreciation Month and at the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District, we are proud to take this opportunity to recognize the outstanding service of our school board members. These dedicated individuals, with their unwavering commitment, work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every student has access to a high-quality education in a safe, supportive environment.

Our board members, as key decision-makers, shape the direction of our schools. Their decisions, from adopting policies and overseeing district budgets to advocating for academic excellence and student success, directly impact the lives of our students. Their leadership is not just vital, it’s personal.

We are proud to recognize the members of the Martensdale-St. Marys School Board:

• Bill Denny - District #1 (President)
• Jeff Bowlin - District #3 (Vice President)
• Heath Banks - District #4
• Colleen Haglan-Lynch - District #5
• Travis Tibbits - District #2

Their leadership ensures that Martensdale-St. Marys remains a place where students grow into confident, capable learners and leaders. Throughout May, we invite our community to express gratitude for their service and dedication, whether it's a simple thank you note or a small gesture of appreciation.

To our board members: Thank you for your vision, your voice, and your unwavering support of our students, staff, and schools.

Registration for the 2025-2026 school year is now open!

Here are a few points regarding the Registration process:

1. Registration must be done using a computer, not a phone.
2. When registering, please ensure that you are in the 2025-2026 School Year in the drop down.
3. Register on the JMC Platform using this link:https://mstm.onlinejmc.com/>
4. All Payments are made on the RevTrak Platform using this link:https://mstm.revtrak.net

Registration Reminders:

1. All forms must be signed electronically to complete registration.
2. All students in a family must be registered individually.
3. New families should visit the Central Office to register.
4. Preschool families that have completed their initial registration and payment on RevTrak must now register in JMC.
5. Family passwords for JMC must be updated using a minimum of 12 characters.

For assistance, contact Jessica Hart at 641-351-7400 x525 or via e-mail atjessica_hart@mstm.us.

Daycare Registration for the Summer of 2025 and the 2025-2026 School Year is now open at Daycare Registration.

Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District proudly announces that senior Emily Hughes has been named a 2025 Iowa Governor's Scholar, one of the state's most prestigious academic honors.

The Iowa Governor's Scholar Program, established in 2003, recognizes the highest-achieving academic seniors from each participating high school. The program is a joint effort by the Iowa Governor's Office, the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA), and the title sponsor, Iowa Farm Bureau. Honorees are selected by their schools based on their academic performance over their first seven high school semesters. Students receive a commemorative photo plaque and certificate during the recognition ceremony. ​

Emily was honored at the official ceremony held on Sunday, April 27, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The event celebrated top scholars from across the state, and a livestream was available for families and supporters who could not attend in person.​

"Receiving the Iowa Governor's Scholar Award is more than a recognition of academic excellence. This honor highlights Emily's drive to succeed at the highest level and her commitment to personal growth," said Jon Fitzpatrick, 7-12 Principal at Martensdale-St. Marys. "Emily's leadership and integrity set her apart not just as a top scholar, but as a role model within the school and community. Congratulations on this outstanding and well-deserved award".

In addition to her academic achievements, Emily has been actively involved in various extracurricular activities, including Softball, Cheerleading, and Basketball. She has also contributed to school and community service initiatives, including FCA, FCCLA, Silver Cord, Chapter Officer for Best Buddies, National Honor Society President, and Lutheran Church of Hope Youth Leader. Her participation reflects her commitment to making a positive impact beyond the classroom.​

Emily plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa this fall, where she will major in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She then plans to obtain a Master's in Speech-Language Pathology to pursue a career as a Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist.

The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District congratulates Emily Hughes on this outstanding accomplishment and thanks her for being an exemplary representative of the Blue Devils.

Beth Happe has announced plans to retire as the Elementary Principal of the Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Happe arrived in Martensdale prior to the 2015-2016 school year and served the district for the last 10 years in her current role. During that time, Happe was instrumental in helping the District grow its academic programs, manage the COVID-19 pandemic, and transition to a four-day instructional week this past year.

When talking about her time at MSTM, Happe stated, “Over the past ten years,  I have had the privilege to work alongside dedicated staff members and am proud of the work we have accomplished together. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities of professional growth that have been afforded to me during my time here. I am looking forward to spending more time with family and friends.”

Happe will conclude a 35-year career in education this summer, where she worked as a teacher for 17 years, a consultant for 4 years, and a school administrator for 14. 

“We are grateful for the strong impact that Beth had on our students and community these last ten years,” said Bill Watson, Superintendent. “I am appreciative of the opportunity I had these last two years learning from her and I hope she enjoys good health, happiness, and many exciting adventures in retirement.”

The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District has been recognized with the prestigious Carrie Chapman Catt Award, a distinction celebrating schools across Iowa that promote civic engagement and voter registration among their students.

Presented annually by the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office, the Carrie Chapman Catt Award honors high schools that register at least 90% of eligible students to vote. Named after Iowa native and national suffrage leader Carrie Chapman Catt, the award underscores the importance of preparing young citizens to actively participate in the democratic process.

This year, Martensdale-St. Marys reached — and surpassed — the 90% voter registration goal among its eligible senior students, demonstrating a strong commitment to fostering civic responsibility and community leadership. The achievement reflects months of dedicated efforts by students, faculty, and administration to educate and empower future voters. This also marks the third year Martensdale-St. Marys has received the award.

The Martensdale-St. Marys community has long valued civic education, and this recognition stands as a testament to the district’s ongoing commitment to developing informed and engaged citizens.

As Iowa moves forward into another critical election year, Martensdale-St. Marys students will be well-prepared to carry on the legacy of Carrie Chapman Catt — leading with knowledge, responsibility, and a voice for positive change.

About the Carrie Chapman Catt Award: The award was established by the Iowa Secretary of State to honor high schools that actively promote voter registration among their students. It is named after Carrie Chapman Catt, an Iowa State alumna and pioneering leader in the women's suffrage movement who played a pivotal role in securing the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District is excited to invite families, friends, and community members to our*Extended Learning Program (ELP) Symposium*!

📍Location:MSTM Elementary Gym 📅Date:Thursday, May 8 ⏰Time:8:00–9:30 AM

This special event showcases the innovative work of our*Martensdale-St. Marys students in Grades 4–12*, who have been diving deep into passion projects and creative explorations throughout the year as part of the ELP. From engineering designs to artistic expressions and everything in between, our students are eager to share what they’ve accomplished.

The ELP Symposium is a celebration of learning beyond the classroom and a reflection of our district’s commitment to academic excellence and student-driven discovery. We warmly welcome parents, grandparents, and all members of the Blue Devil community to join us in supporting these young thinkers and creators.

Come be inspired by the talent and hard work of our MSTM students—we can’t wait to see you there!

Each year on Administrative Professionals Day, we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the individuals who play an essential role in the daily operations of Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District. While their work often happens behind the scenes, the impact of our administrative staff is felt throughout every hallway, classroom, and office.

From answering phone calls and managing schedules to supporting staff, students, and families with patience and professionalism — our administrative professionals are truly the backbone of our district. Their attention to detail, welcoming presence, and dedication help create the smooth, supportive environment that allows our school to thrive.

Please join us in celebrating our Administrative Professionals:

• Ashley Blaisdell - Elementary Administrative Assistant
• Jessica Hart - Accounts Payable Clerk / Central Office Receptionist
• Christy Henderson - Junior High / High School Administrative Assistant

Let’s all take a moment to thank the administrative professionals at MSTM who help keep our district running with care and commitment each and every day.

From all of us at Martensdale-St. Marys — thank you for all that you do!

Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District proudly recognizes Kelin Gonzalez and Abigail (Abby) Hughes for earning the prestigious Iowa Seal of Biliteracy. This honor celebrates their dedication to language learning and cross-cultural communication.

The Iowa Seal of Biliteracy is awarded to students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language by high school graduation. It reflects a student's ability to communicate in two or more languages at a high level of fluency—an invaluable skill in today's global society.

Meet the Honorees

Kelin Gonzalez - earned the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy by demonstrating fluency in Spanish, a skill she sharpened with the help of her Spanish class, particularly in writing. Kelin will attend Iowa State University to major in Business Management with a minor in Interior Design.

Abby Hughes - achieved the Seal through dedication and immersive learning—studying, reading, listening to Spanish music, and practicing outside of school in various settings. Abby plans to study Finance at Briar Cliff University, minor in Spanish, and play softball.

Opening Doors for the Future

By earning this recognition, both students now carry an important credential into their post-secondary lives—one that can provide a competitive edge in college admissions, scholarships, and future employment. The Seal is also a testament to their perseverance, cultural awareness, and commitment to lifelong learning.

Martensdale-St. Marys celebrates Kelin and Abby's achievements and applauds their efforts to become global citizens through language. Their success sets a powerful example for future students and highlights the value of bilingualism in a diverse world.

For more information about the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy, visit the Iowa Department of Education's website.