Anthon-Oto Fifth Graders Participate in Solo/Ensemble Contest

   The Anthon-Oto 5th grade instrumental students performed at their solo and ensemble contest on Tuesday, March 9th.
   Students receiving a 1+ and an outstanding performance award were the following: Shaylee Ames and Juan DelaGarza, clarinet solos; and Abigail Sturgeon, bell solo.
   Students receiving a ighly superior (1+) rating were the following: Rebekah Schram, clarinet solo; Skylar McDermott, trumpet solo and Abigail Sturgeon, snare drum solo.
   Students receiving a superior (1) rating were the following: Anne Weber, flute solo; Brooke Bailey, Kyler McDermott and Brett Weaver, clarinet solos; Brady Gothier, trumpet solo and Taylor Hayes, trombone solo.
   Dylan Feller received an excellent (2) rating for his trombone solo.
   The judge was Betty Berigan from Cherokee.
   The students are under the direction of Colleen Schwartzkopf.

Maple Valley Fifth Graders Participate in Solo/Ensemble Contest

   The Maple Valley 5th grade instrumental students performed at their solo and ensemble contest on Monday, March 8, 2010.
   Students receiving a 1+ and an outstanding performance award were the following: Adam Ehlers, trumpet solo; Jaicey Rhode, trombone solo and Talon Brown, snare drum solo.
   Students receiving a highly superior (1+) rating were the following: Nikalya Aguirre, flute solo; Katrina Schmidt, clarinet solo and Rebecca Whitney, trumpet solo.
   Students receiving a superior (1) rating were the following: Jonah Thompson, Maeci Eyer and Jaycee Gray, clarinet solos; and Lauren Green, trumpet solo.
   The judge was Dixie Brueck from Battle Creek.
   The students are under the direction of Colleen Schwartzkopf.

AOMV Sixth Graders Participate in Solo/Ensemble Contest

   The Anthon Oto-Maple Valley 6th grade instrumental music students performed at their solo and ensemble contest on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. They had sixteen entries and received eight Division 1+’s, four Division 1’s and four Division 2’s.
   Entries receiving a Division 1+ and an outstanding performance award were the following:
   Clarinet Solo: Maddy Hinkel
   Trumpet Solos: Bradley Goslar
   Baritone Solo: Kyle Drees
   Snare Drum Solo: Shayla Brown
   Clarinet Duet: Maddy Hinkel and Conor Collins
   Snare Drum Duet: Michael Swanson and Shayla Brown
   Entries receiving a Division 1+ were the following:
   Snare Drum Solos: Michael Swanson
   Trumpet Duet: Tristine Boysen and Katie Zimmerman
   Entries receiving a Division 1 rating were the following:
   Clarinet Solos: Conor Collins and Leslie Gosch
   Trumpet Solo: Tristine Boysen
   Baritone Solo: Sean Keiner
   Entries receiving a Division 2 rating were the following:
   Flute Solo: Catherine Dublinske
   Clarinet Solo: Alexa Lloyd
   Trumpet Solos: Katie Zimmerman and Austin Petersen
   Dixie Brueck from Battle Creek was the judge, and Deb Ernst and Crista Else were the accompanists. The students are under the direction of Colleen Schwartzkopf.

AOMV 7th/8th Graders Participate in Solo/Ensemble Contest

   The Anthon Oto-Maple Valley 7th and 8th grade instrumental music students performed at their solo and ensemble contest on Friday, March 5, 2010. They had forty-eight entries and received twenty-eight Division 1+’s, fifteen Division 1’s and five Division 2’s.
   Entries receiving a Division 1+ and an outstanding performance were awarded to the following:
   Flute Solo: Danielle Ortner
   Alto Saxophone Solos: Kristen Hatler and Ben Weber
   Baritone Saxophone solo: Logan Buth
   Snare Drum Solo: Danica Kafton, Josh Hatler and Hannah Sadler
   Trumpet Duets: Shaley McDermott and Alex Pulford; Adam Uhl and Bryce Hatler
   Trombone Trio: Jacob Miller, Paul Weber and Shawn Flanigan
   Snare Drum Duet: Danica Kafton and Josh Hatler
   Entries receiving a Division 1+ rating were the following:
   Flute Solos: Riley Ehlers, Laura Perez
   Clarinet Solos: Caleb Sturgeon, Anna DelaGarza
   Alto Saxophone Solo: Alex Boyle
   Trumpet Solos: Shaley McDermott, Austin Hazard, Chris Flannery
   Trombone Solo: Shawn Flanigan, James Schram
   Snare Drum Solo: Ashlynn Whiley, Marina Lacey
   Clarinet Quartet: Kristen Hatler, Ben Weber, Alex Boyle and Logan Buth
   Saxophone Duet: Laura Perez and Luke Whitney
   Saxophone Quintet: Riley Ehlers, Laura Perez, Kristen Hatler, Ben Weber and Logan Buth
   Snare Drum Duet: Marina Lacey and Hannah Sadler
   Percussion Ensemble: Danica Kafton, Josh Hatler, Ashlynn Whiley, Cameron Sexton and Riley Ehlers
   Entries receiving a Division 1 rating were the following:
   Flute Solo: Luke Whitney, Jordan Trucke
   Clarinet Solos: Leeann Livermore, Austin Walsh. Jon Pickel
   Trumpet Solos: Tessah Lugsch-Long, Derik Via, Justin Aguirre, Derrik Kerns
   Trombone Solo: Ellie Walsh
   Tuba Solo: Koty Garrison, Dustin Haney
   Snare Drum Solos: Kendra Sexton, Summer Beery
   Flute Trio: Laura Perez, Luke Whitney, Danielle Ortner
   Entries receiving a Division 2 rating were the following:
   Flute Solo: Alyssa Boggs
   Clarinet Solos: Gabby Teet. Alli Gotto
   Alto Saxophone Duet: Gabby Teet and Caleb Sturgeon
   Snare Drum Duet: Summer Beery and Kendra Sexton
   Dixie Brueck from Battle Creek was the judge, and Crista Else and Deb Ernst were the accompanists.
   The students are under the direction of Colleen Schwartzkopf.

From the desk of the superintendent: Steve Oberg

Maple Valley and Anthon-Oto Joint School Board Goals

   The Maple Valley School Board and the Anthon-Oto School Board met with Les Douma, retired AEA Administrator, Wednesday evening, March 17th. The primary purpose of the board's work session was to consider the district's current status, needs, and discuss appropriate long-term goals for the two districts. At this retreat four proposed joint goals were developed.
   The proposed 2010-2011 joint goals will be discussed again, possible revised and/or approved at the joint school board meeting on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, 6:30 PM held at the MVAO high school library in Mapleton.
   The following are the four proposed joint goals.
   Maple Valley and Anthon-Oto School Boards are committed to:

1. Vote to consolidate the Anthon-Oto and Maple Valley School Districts by July 1, 2012.
   1. Inform the patrons that the Anthon-Oto building will stay open.
   2. Explain the property tax savings for property owners.
   3. Show how the district can maximize the dollars received from the state in this process and timeline.
   4. Demonstrate how the use of the sharing dollars received from the state will allow the district to have less staff and/or program reductions.
   5. Explain that the Anthon-Oto district will not pay for the bond debt at the Maple Valley district.
   6. Inform the patrons how a consolidated district will increase stability for the future education of our students.
   7. Use all forms of media, newspapers, board meetings, message boards, hold and attend meetings to inform the patrons about the facts of the consolidation.
   8. Try to hold the consolidation vote by December 7, 2010 to consolidate on July 1, 2012.
2. Continue an emphasis on district communication for 2010-11.
   1. Review the usage of the district newsletter and its effectiveness versus the cost.
   2. Continue to build the one on one relationship between the teachers and parents.
   3. Use the community survey results for future decisions.
   4. Explore budget saving ideas including input/involvement from the staff.
3. Develop district curriculum and professional development activities.
   1. Continue to develop the Iowa Core Curriculum.
   2. Continue to monitor professional development activities and learning.
   3. Explore additional college credit options for our students.
4. Review current facility needs and or improvements.
   1. Explore options for a bus barn for the Maple Valley district.
   2. Explore options for new gym bleachers for the Anthon-Oto district.