Students from CMS & WMS were selected to participate in the Southeastern Iowa String Teachers Honors Orchestra. They braved the snow this past weekend and traveled to Bettendorf for all-day rehearsals and a concert that evening. Nice job representing our middle schools!

Ms. Wiebe's 6th grade ag classes at Central are working on creating posters teaching others why agriculture is important.

This week's MHS Work Experience Program trainee, pictured casually leaning against MCSD's new mid-sized bus, is Matthew Saltz. Matthew is pictured with MCSD Lead Mechanic John Martz. (Not pictured is Jeff Hall the newest member to our transportation tech crew.)

Matthew has been getting a look at what it takes to keep the fifty MCSD buses and vans cleaned up and road ready. Matthew is currently assisting John and Jeff with detailing tasks so our fleet of vehicles are cleaned up and ready to hit the road.

John is 1980 MHS graduate and has worked for the MCSD for six years but has been "turning wrenches" in the area since 1981. We appreciate John and Jeff's help with our students' training and their hard work to keep those wheels going, "round and round, round and round."

Congratulations to the Muscatine FFA Meats Evaluation Team on their performance at the Western National Roundup Meat Contest as part of the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado this past week. Students earned the right to compete at this National Contest by placing 2nd in the state contest this past August. The contest was Saturday the 12th and awards were Sunday the 13th. The team, comprised of Dailyn Garrett, Hope Reichert, Jamie Sprague, Allen Tian, Joscelyn Boynton, and Sierra Long, spent the week traveling and practicing at various meatpacking plants throughout the midwest. The team ended up 10th overall in the nation and 3rd overall in Beef Grading. Participants in the Meats Evaluation and Technology Career Development Event (CDE) or Meat Judging learn about the science of meat. During this team event, students evaluate beef, pork, and lamb for quality and yield grade; identify various meat cuts and place carcasses; and identify wholesale and/or retail cuts.

This event is ideal for students who are interested in exploring or pursuing career opportunities in the meat animal or food science industry. Students are challenged to develop analytical skills, critical thinking strategies, and effective communication skills.

Thirty staff members across the district participated in CPR training this week. Every building in our district has staff who are trained in CPR!