What's New

New Hoops Donation
A Slam Dunk of a Gift
10/18/2017
Teaching the importance of giving to their young children, the Schmidt family donated four adjustable height basketball hoops recently installed at the Johnson School playground.
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Butterfly release
Butterflies Galore
10/17/2017
Second-graders experienced the life-cycle of the Monarch first-hand, as they completed the butterfly project. From eggs to caterpillars, and chrysalis to butterflies, students helped every step of the way, and applied their learning for a better understanding of how the habitat affects what is alive in different regions.
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Buddhist Temple
Awareness & Understanding of Different Belief Systems
10/06/2017
During Mrs. Bumgarner's World Area Belief Systems unit, students took a field trip to Sioux City to experience the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, Beth Shalom Congregation and Pho Mon Buddhist Temple.
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Geocaching
Geocaching with GPS
10/03/2017
After learning about the importance of cardinal directions and maps, discussing coordinates and how the whole earth is one big grid, students put their knowledge to the test through Geocaching.
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Digital Citizenship Presentation
Digital Citizenship and Ethical Decisions
09/27/2017
Legal professionals educated SHS students about the social, emotional and legal ramifications of technology related crimes.
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Proper Handshake
Lessons in Professional Etiquette
09/27/2017
Community volunteers and school staff partnered to teach students important professionalism skills necessary for life after high school.
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Prairie Life at Oneota
The Sights and Sounds of the Prairie
09/26/2017
Learning was brought to life at Oneota, as Clay County Conservation Board Naturalist, Bree Hanson, shared about plant and animal life in the prairie.
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V. J. Smith speaking
It's About Us
09/20/2017
V. J. Smith, author of "The Richest Man in Town," spoke with 8th graders as a culminating activity to reading the book during Boot Camp.
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Bus Evacuation Drills
District Bus Evacuation Drills
09/19/2017
Students across the district are completing required bus evacuation drills.
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Egg Drop
Collaboration+Cooperation+Perseverance=Teamwork
08/30/2017
Middle school math students practiced their teamwork skills as they worked together to complete an egg drop project.
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Academic Recognition Ceremony
Academic Recognition Ceremony
08/29/2017
Congratulations to these students for their academic achievement during the 2016-17 school year!
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Registration
Student Registration Information
07/12/2017
Registration
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Career Experiences
Career Experience Statistics Prove Support
05/31/2017
Statistics have been gathered for students participating in Career Experiences as well as Extended Career Experiences, and they are proof that Spencer and the surrounding region support the program.
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Mr. DeWitt
Thank You, Mr. DeWitt
05/26/2017
Students and staff gathered to surprise Mr. DeWitt with a sendoff, offering their thanks for his many years of service to Spencer Community Schools and for positively impacting all of the lives he has touched.
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This is the image for the news article titled Staff Recognition and Celebration
Staff Recognition and Celebration
05/26/2017
Shortly after the final bell rang for the 2016-17 school year, staff from the entire district gathered to celebrate and be recognized for their service to Spencer Community Schools.
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Pearl Harbor
A Tribute to Pearl Harbor
05/25/2017
After reading a trilogy about Pearl Harbor, the students in Mrs. Glover's language arts class were moved to do a project about the attack and the aftermath of destruction.
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Donor of Distinction Award winners
SHS Seniors Earn Donor of Distinction Designation
05/24/2017
By donating five units of blood before graduation at both school and community blood drives, five SHS seniors earned the Donor of Distinction award through LifeServe Blood Center.
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Painted Circuits
Painted Circuits Create Teaching Tool
05/18/2017
AP Physics students created the solfege scale using painted circuits to be a visual and auditory teaching tool for the music department.
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Retirement Image
District Retirement Reception
05/11/2017
District Retirement Reception May 23rd
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Gordon Watson and grandson
Determined to Make a Difference
05/11/2017
Experience the first-hand account of a participant in the Selma to Montgomery March to gain voting rights for African Americans.
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Will Dible
Dible to Present at National AP Conference
05/10/2017
SHS AP Physics and Physical Science Instructor, Will Dible, will present at the National AP Conference in Washington D.C. in July.
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Career Experience
Timing is Everything
05/10/2017
Being in the right place at the right time helped Makenzie Folsom confirm her career path in Obstetrics.
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Archaeological Dig Site
Students Explore an Archaeological Dig Site
05/10/2017
SMS teacher puts a twist on the Ancient Civilizations Unit by transforming her classroom into an archaeological dig site.
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Brandi Botcher
Perfect Attendance Breeds Success
05/09/2017
Senior, Brandi Botcher, serves as a role model for others through her perfect school attendance, positively impacting her success in school and extracurricular activities.
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Coffee Cart
Fillin Cups Makes the Ordinary Extraordinary
05/05/2017
A student-run coffee cart enhances students' work skills and 21st century skills.
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environment
Impacting the Environment
05/02/2017
The DNR brought a hands-on experience to second-graders, teaching the students how to positively impact the environment.
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Forces and Motion Roller Coaster
The Science Behind a Roller Coaster Ride
04/27/2017
Science students created roller coasters utilizing concepts learned during their Forces and Motion unit.
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Recycling Truck Demonstration
Johnson Kindergartners Celebrate Earth Day
04/27/2017
To celebrate Earth Day, kindergartners traveled to six activity stations, completing hands-on activities, learning how to do their part to keep the earth clean.
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Artist John Bramblitt
Art Makes a Good Day Better
04/26/2017
Artist, John Bramblitt, teaches others about finding light amidst the darkness through art.
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Theatre ECE
Exploring the Fine Arts Industry
04/25/2017
Learn how one SHS senior took her passion for music and theatre to the next level through her year-long Music and Theatre Extended Career Experience.
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Fuel the Tigers
Fuel the Tigers
04/25/2017
Support the Spencer Activities Department with every gallon of gas purchased.
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state graduation rate
Graduation Rates on the Rise
04/19/2017
Statewide graduation rates continue to increase and dropout rates are decreasing. Learn how Spencer Community Schools is performing better than the state rates.
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coteaching
High School Staff Shares Benefits of Co-Teaching
04/12/2017
Presenting to the School Improvement Advisory Committee and Spencer School Board members during a Lighthouse Session, staff from SHS shared about the benefits of Co-Teaching.
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Career Day
Career Day Adds Value Beyond School
04/10/2017
Career Day helped 8th graders to explore career interests and practice life skills.
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parks
Collaborative Project Traverses Grade Levels
04/05/2017
Middle schoolers in grades six and eight worked together to learn about and positively impact parks.
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Tax Rate Graph
Spencer Community Schools Tax Levy to Decline
03/30/2017
The Spencer School Board approved a tax rate reduction for the 2017-2018 school year, which will positively impact property taxes for the residents of the school district.
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DARE
The DARE Toolkit
03/30/2017
Nearly 180 students graduated from DARE, a program created to give students tools to help them make safe, healthy choices.
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babies
A Simulated Reality of Parenting
03/29/2017
Crying babies led to an eye-opening experience for students enrolled in Parenting and Child Development.
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Autumn's Center
Health Science Students Experience Autumn's Center
03/29/2017
A team of dedicated professionals spent a day with Health Science Extended Career Experience students, exposing them to a tremendous amount of information and offering great advice for pursuing different pathways within behavioral health.
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Lighthouse
Spencer Middle School Lighthouse Session
03/28/2017
Middle school staff presented their Lighthouse Session to board members and the School Improvement Advisory Committee, sharing their road to Value Beyond School.
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Scientist
A Real Scientist Visited Mrs. Griffin's Class
03/28/2017
A real scientist turned Mrs. Griffin's classroom into a lab, conducting several science experiments with students armed in goggles and gloves.
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eggs
Eggs Submerged in Vinegar...What Will Happen Next?
03/28/2017
Predictions were made as eggs were submerged into cups filled with vinegar. What will happen next?
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NASA
3...2...1...Blastoff!
03/23/2017
SHS students attend the NASA Space Settlement Design Competition at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
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Grant Recipients
CF Industries Award Mini-Grants
03/17/2017
CF Industries awarded mini-grants to teachers throughout the district.
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Blood Control Certification
Students Earn Blood Control Certification
03/15/2017
Health Academy students completed the newly launched Blood Control Certification course through Spencer Hospital.
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Tiger Expectations Award
Students Earn Tiger Expectations Award
03/15/2017
Thirty middle school students were peer or teacher nominated to receive the Tiger Expectations Award, exemplifying the ideals of living the "TIGER" way!
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Kyle
D.A.R.E. Creating a Toolkit to Live a Safe, Healthy Life
03/10/2017
Through D.A.R.E., Lt. Kyle Van Otterloo of the Spencer Police Department, works with all 5th graders for 10 weeks to teach decision-making skills for safe and healthy living.
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Mentors
Tiger Mentoring Program Mentor Appreciation
03/09/2017
Tiger mentors gathered to be recognized for their service, receive a mentor training refresher and grow together through networking.
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mentors
Mentoring Matters
02/24/2017
Learn more about how to support and participate with the Tiger Mentoring Program at Spencer Middle School.
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Ag Outlook
Spencer FFA Particpated at Ag Outlook
02/22/2017
Spencer FFA participated at Ag Outlook 2017 by hosting a booth and networking with agriculture vendors and speakers.
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Writing Strategies
Students Benefit from Newly Implemented Writing Strategies
02/16/2017
Elementary representatives share about new strategies to teach writing through the implementation of Common Core Units of Study in Opinion, Information and Narrative Writing.
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PBL
Project Based Learning...STEM Style
02/15/2017
Through Project Based Learning, eighth grade students at Spencer Middle School were able to become experts about one of the six STEM-based professions of their choice and present their findings to their peers and parents during conferences.
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implement
Noteboom Implement, Something for Every Skill Set
02/11/2017
Noteboom Implement representatives taught SHS students during a Career Experience that there is a job for nearly every skill set available at their dealership.
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panel
Learning from Community Leaders
02/09/2017
Community leaders share life lessons with English I students.
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Smart Bus
School Buses Get "Smart"
02/07/2017
Getting smarter isn’t only for the students at Spencer Community Schools. Buses are next in line to get “smarter” as the transportation and technology departments work together to complete a test pilot to determine the usefulness and cost effectiveness of Wi-Fi on school buses.
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Wild Fit
Wild Fit
02/07/2017
Students spent time during structured recess competing against animals during Wild Fit.
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Iowa WORKS
Iowa WORKS Youth Academy
02/03/2017
Extended Career Experience students attended the Iowa WORKS Youth Academy and worked with a team of people to develop a greater sense of their areas of interest and the tools necessary to turn those interests into post-secondary plans.
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game of life
The Game of Life
02/01/2017
Seniors at Spencer High School got a financial reality check as they took part in the 3rd Annual Game of Life.
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OSHA
Blazing the Trail to the Real World Through Extended Career Experiences
01/30/2017
Through Extended Career Experiences, students get real-world experience at worksites located throughout the region.
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balls
Classroom Benefits of Moving Naturally
01/20/2017
Students benefit by incorporating movement into the everyday classroom.
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teacher training
Teacher In-Services...Why Everyone Wins
01/20/2017
Learn more about teacher in-services and the direct impact they have on student achievement.
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homebase
Newspaper Bridge Building Activity
01/19/2017
Homebase at SHS was spent creating a project utilizing time management and collaboration skills.
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owl
Hoo, Hoo, Hoo Came to Visit the First Graders
01/19/2017
Bree Hanson, Clay County Conservation Board Naturalist, visited first graders at Johnson School, and owls were the topic of conversation.
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foundation
Foundation’s Tiger Pa’s to Perform January 20
01/17/2017
Support Spencer Tiger Basketball and the Spencer Community School Foundation by attending the basketball games Friday, the 20th. Be entertained by the Tiger Pa's during halftime of both the boys' and girls' games, and consider a donation to benefit elementary students.
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Pitch
Pitching Entrepreneurial Passions
01/15/2017
After a semester of research and development, Entrepreneurship students pitched their business ideas to a panel of community leaders.
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Rube Goldberg
Physics Students Participate in the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest
01/11/2017
Physics students will be taking their zany creations to Minnesota State University to participate in the Rube Goldberg Machine Contest.
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The Great Depression
A Trip to the Clay County Heritage Center
01/10/2017
English ll students visited the Great Depression Exhibit at the Clay County Heritage Center to prepare for their next unit.
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Google Expeditions
Creating Opportunities for Students
01/03/2017
Learn how you can make a difference in the lives of students attending Spencer Community Schools.
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aloha
Aloha!
12/20/2016
Feel the warmth and traditions of Hawaii and the Philippines amidst the frigid outdoor temperatures.
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partners
Bringing Blessings to District Families
12/20/2016
The Spencer Education Association & SHS Student Council partnered to bring blessings to families who have students attending Spencer Community Schools.
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Farm Credit Services
Farm Credit Services of America Donation Impacts SHS Ag Program
12/13/2016
A donation from Farm Credit Services of America allows for the purchase of new agriculture curriculum.
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Balloon Tower
Spanish Students Impact the Healthcare Industry
12/06/2016
Spanish II students partner with regional healthcare providers to create cheat sheets with basic Spanish phrases and questions to help with Spanish-speaking patients who have limited Englis
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cip
Instructional Mentor Coaches at SHS
12/02/2016
Spencer Community Schools has implemented the Teacher Leadership and Compensation (TLC) System to help staff grow professionally and provide the best possible learning environment from which all students can benefit.
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K9 Designs
A Visit to K9 Designs
11/30/2016
A Career Experience at K9 Designs proves beneficial as an Entrepreneurship student gains knowledge about the business in which she wants to develop.
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Book Club
Survey of Literature Students Experience Value Beyond School
11/30/2016
Veterans, Spencer Public Library staff and students in Jean Fischer's Survey of Literature class came together for a powerful book review.
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Panda Rescue
The STEM Panda Rescue
11/28/2016
Using Lego WeDo 2.0, third graders built a helicopter to rescue a panda during their STEM class.
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Max
Lessons from Uncle Max
11/23/2016
As the highlight to their Culture unit, Max Elg spent time with first graders at Johnson School to share his story, past and present.
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Reading
Daily Reporter Staff Volunteer as Guest Readers
11/23/2016
Daily Reporter staff volunteer as guest readers throughout the year, sharing their passion for reading and writing with elementary students.
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JA
Junior Achievement Our Community
11/23/2016
Community volunteers teach students how citizens benefit from and contribute to a community's success.
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What Would Marty Do?
What Would Marty Do?
11/22/2016
Students listened to speaker V.J. Smith shared the important life lesson of how gratitude can change your life.
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Making a Difference through Project Based Learning
11/15/2016
Students presented projects completed through Project Based Learning during conferences.
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Herman the Worm Motivates Students to Read
Herman the Worm Motivates Students to Read
11/15/2016
As students read, Herman the Worm grows!
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Spencer Community School Foundation Announces Annual Giving Program
Spencer Community School Foundation Announces Annual Giving Program
11/15/2016
Learn how the Spencer Community School Foundation partners with the school to enrich and enhance the education of students.
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Thank You Veterans
11/10/2016
Students at Lincoln School discussed Veterans Day and how to actively participate in honoring those who serve our country.
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The Study of Different Belief Systems
11/09/2016
Find out what students learned when studying world religions and how differing belief systems create conflict.
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ppp
Passion Project Presentations
11/02/2016
6th graders put the methods of Project Based Learning into use as they created and presented their Passion Project. The students developed many important 21st century skills, while concluding that everyone has something to contribute to make a community a better place.
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NHS Symbol
NHS Students Making a Difference
11/01/2016
See how NHS students are making a difference.
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Alumni Reflections Video
Alumni Reflections
09/08/2016
Take a few minutes to hear alumni reflections about how Spencer Community Schools impacted their lives. Spencer Community Schools...Learning Today...Leading Tomorrow
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Farmers Bank
Farmers Bank Donation Moves SMS Closer to 1:1
Through a donation to purchase 30 new Chromebooks, Farmers Trust and Savings Bank helped Spencer Middle School move closer to their goal of going 1:1, issuing a Chromebook to each student for daily use.
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The Art of Writing a Children's Story
MTSS students wrote and illustrated a children's story, complete with a moral, and read the stories aloud to students at Johnson School.
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