New school nurse at GMG

GARWIN — Sara Steinback became the new school nurse at GMG on Jan. 16. She replaces Tracy Anderson, who moved to Omaha, Neb., as her husband was transferred.

Steinback works part time between the high school and elementary buildings. She is at school everyday 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Days at the elementary are Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Tuesday and Friday morning will find her at the high school and Thursday is her day off.

She may be reached by calling the GMG Elementary Central office at Green Mountain. The number is 641-474-2251.

Her duties include making sure all students have immunization records up to date, checking on sick children, basic first aid and handling all health records for students and teachers. She also spends time with parents about any health concerns.

Steinback and her husband, Jesse, have a little girl, Evelyn, who is two. And a little boy, Ian Henry, is due to be born the end of May. Jesse is employed at DuPont in Nevada.

Following her graduation from Shadow Ridge High School in Las Vegas, Nev., in 2005, she attended North West Iowa Community College and graduated with an Associate Degree in Nursing and became an RN. She has a varied background in nursing as she is also a med aide, LPN and an EMT.

Prior to becoming GMG School Nurse, Steinback worked in nursing homes. Most recently she was occupational health nurse at the Marshalltown Generating Station Power Plant.

She says her biggest challenge since becoming a school nurse is, “Suddenly becoming a day worker. I am just dead by 10 p.m.” You see she had always worked the night shift.

There are ties to Garwin as her Grandpa was James Helleso, a 1956 Garwin High School graduate. And she and Jesse were married in 2011 at the Iowa River Church of the Brethren on Wallace Avenue just south of Green Mountain.

Steinback said, “The environment at GMG is so different than anywhere else I’ve worked. The people are so nice and there is less drama. I have a whole new respect for paras and teachers, their job is way more stressful than what I do.”

Shomo-Madsen Insurance in elite group

Shomo-Madsen Insurance has been selected to be part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America “Best Practices” Study Group.

Only 254 of the roughly 19,000 independent agencies throughout the U.S., and only six independent agencies in the State of Iowa, qualified for inclusion in the 2016 Best Practices Study. An IIABA affiliated state association or an insurance company must first nominate the agency which then must qualify based on outstanding customer retention, growth, stability and financial management. More than 1,800 agencies were nominated this year. In addition to Shomo-Madsen Insurance, Iowa was also represented by AG Risk Insurance, Oelwein; CSB Insurance Group, Johnston; Holmes-Murphy, West Des Moines; LMC Insurance & Risk Management, West Des Moines and True North Companies, Cedar Rapids.

The Best Practices Study was initiated by IIABA in 1993 as the foundation for efforts to improve agency performance.

The Shomo-Madsen Insurance Agency has its roots in the Marshalltown community back to the early 1950s and offers a wide range of insurance products to meet the needs of individuals, families, businesses and includes a special focus on insuring cities, counties and school systems.

For more information on the Best Practices Study, contact Jennifer Becker at IIABA, 800-221-7917.

Art teacher part of statewide standards team

Marshalltown Community School District elementary art teacher Maggie Parks has been selected to be part of a new team that will develop recommended statewide standards in fine arts.

The team’s mission is to create a series of concepts and skills designed to foster creativity and critical thinking in fine arts, which include visual art, general music, instrumental music, vocal music, theater, dance and media arts.

“I am very excited that the Iowa Department of Education has solidified their commitment to quality fine arts instruction by reviewing and hopefully adopting rigorous standards for Iowa students,” Parks said. “I’m honored to be chosen for the team, and I’m looking forward to the review process. I plan to bring all that I learn from the experience back to the Marshalltown art department to benefit our students.”

The team had its first meeting on Feb. 21. The team will seek public feedback and eventually will offer recommended standards to the State Board of Education for consideration. Parks teaches art at Fisher and Woodbury elementary schools.

Park and Rec instructor selected for large events

Master Mike Wickham, 5th degree Black Belt, international referee and head instructor for the Marshalltown Park and Rec Taekwondo program, has learned of his selection as a referee for the 2017 USA National Team Trials in Dallas, Texas, on March 17 and 18.

Master Wickham is one of 30 referees in the nation selected by USA Taekwondo to work at the event. The first place finishers in each division will be on the USA Team which will travel to the World Championships in Korea this June. Among those competing will be USA Olympians that were on the 2012 and 2016 teams attempting to earn a spot on this years team.

On March 31-April 2, Master Wickham travels to the University of San Diego to take part in the Collegiate National Championships where he has an added role beyond being a referee, Master Wickham is the USA National Collegiate Association referee vice-chair. In the Collegiate Nationals, teams from colleges and universities throughout the United States compete with Black Belts specifically working to earn a spot on the team that will be traveling to the World University Championships later this year.

Registration for classes is going on now. The next session begins Feb. 27. Contact the Parks and Recreation Department for more information or go to the website at www.marshalltownparkandrec.com

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