LITCHVILLE-MARION HIGH SCHOOL 104 2ND STREET, MARION, ND 58466

PHONE NUMBERS: 701.669.2261 * 701.669.2262 or FAX NUMBER: 701.669.2316

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From the Desk of Mr. Marc Ritteman, High School Principal…

The Litchville-Marion School Board recently held two “School Board Retreats” to discuss various issues

concerning the district’s future.

The first meeting began with a screening of the documentary, Most Likely to Succeed and was followed by a

group discussion. The documentary criticized many features of traditional schooling and provided a different

lens through which to examine our current practices. A great conversation ensued, but the group felt more

stakeholders needed to be heard to broaden perspective. Another meeting was scheduled for the following week

in Litchville.

The second meeting was well attended by staff and many of those present contributed during the two hour

session. Board President Rindy Velure led the meeting and encouraged everyone in attendance to identify areas

of focus and concern. Over thirty issues were mentioned with building or facility-related problems mentioned

most frequently.

I believe meetings like these are important for several reasons, two of which I’ll discuss. First, they provide a

mechanism for the identification and resolution of major issues. It’s important for a school to constantly

evaluate itself if it wants to improve. These meetings have helped us to identify problem areas that might have

gone unnoticed. Second, I think we will develop a clearer understanding of our school’s philosophy and values

through this process. An ambiguous core purpose leads to conflict and confusion throughout the organization. A

clear purpose helps ensure everyone is pulling in the same direction.

It’s likely that the board will have additional retreats in the coming months. I would encourage all district

stakeholders to attend so your voice will be heard.

CONGRATULATIONS LUCAS BAUMGARTNER

SILVER TEAM

ALL-STATE ACADEMIC TEAM!!

The 2017 North Dakota Academic All-State Teams have been

selected. The high school seniors are nominated by their school

principal and compete for the honor on a state-wide basis in both

Class A and Class B divisions. Student selection is based on

overall grade-point averages, ACT or SAT test scores,

extracurricular activities, community involvement and leadership qualities.

Gold, Silver, and Bronze Team members will be presented a certificate of merit by the North Dakota Association of Secondary

School Principals. In addition, WDAY and Forum Communications will present a medallion to each team member during a

televised “Parade of Academic Champions” at the Class A Basketball Tournament in Bismarck on Friday, March 10, 2017, and

the Class B Boys Basketball Tournament in Minot on Friday, March 17, 2017.

This Program is co-sponsored by the North Dakota Association of Secondary School Principals and WDAY-TV in Fargo,

WDAZ-TV in Grand Forks, KBMY-TV in Bismarck, KMCY-TV in Minot and Forum Communications Companies.

HUNTER SAFETY EDUCATION HELD AT LITCHVILLE-MARION HIGH SCHOOL

Pictured back l-r: Mirelle Peddycord-Contreras, Izzy Miller, Josie Lang, Georgia Lettenmaier, Brady Pfaff-Christianson, Hayden Luck, and Wyatt Miller. Middle l-r: Mr. Ralph Danuser, Cathy Schlenker, Cassia Schlenker, Ethan Luck, Jaret Alber, Colten Luck, and Zach Dally. Front l-r: Makenzie Knight,

Simeon Schlenker, Ethan Schlenker, Michael Frank, Garnet Schlenker, Amy Smith, and Mr. Calvin Leyendecker. Inset: Cody Froehlich

LITCHVILLE-MARION HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN CLASS VALENTINE FUNDRAISER RECAP

The Freshman Class of Litchville-Marion High School wishes to thank everyone for making the fundraiser the tremendous success it turned out to be this year.

The group of five (5) freshman students took in an amount of __$854.65__ this year to assist with their share of the costs for prom and future expenses they will face. The group consisting of Ty Alber, Megan Beyer, Kasey Karlgaard, Vera Rosland, and Dylan Shaw made a total profit of ___$424.42____ after the expenses to create the baskets of $430.23. Again, thank you everyone and we hope you enjoyed your item(s). Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!!

Dave Handt, LMHS Freshmen Class Advisor

Math Counts Competition Litchville-Marion 7th & 8th Grade students who represented our school at the Math Counts Competition in LaMoure on Wednesday, February 8th:

Back Row (left to right): Kierra Christoferson, Maggie Sears, David Henry, Caitlin Reiten, Makayla Jones, Macy Robert

Middle (left to right): Gloria Knudson, Camden Parkhurst, McKenzie Frank, Morgan Van Bruggen, Sammi Weber, Mollie Robbins

Front (left to right): Jonathan Shaw, Matthew Thomas, Anastasia Swiontek, Sam Brumfield, Alex Huber

MORGAN VAN BRUGGEN & MCKENZIE FRANK REPRESENT LMHS AT COUNTY SPELLING BEE

On Wednesday, February 15th, Morgan Van

Bruggen and Mckenzie Frank represented LMHS at the LaMoure County Spelling Bee. Students took both a written test and participated in an oral spelling round. Both girls did an AWESOME job and represented our school well!!!!!

LMHS SOPHOMORE CLASS SELLING PIZZA KITS The Sophomore class will be starting their class fundraiser on March 1st.

This year they are once again selling Little Caesars Pizza Kits. Students will be selling through the end of March. Delivery of the kits will be on April 4th. Contact any Sophomore to order or contact the school. (Sophomore Class Members: Raymond Armstrong, Demetrio Castillo, Elias Holland, Jamin Kramer, Jamison Kramer, Tylar Matthews, Graci Miller, Shasta Shaw) Thanks!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO

KOLBY TANGEN & JEROME ROSLAND ON QUALIFYING FOR STATE SPEECH!!

THEY RECEIVED 1ST PLACE IN HUMOROUS DUO AT THE SPEECH MEET AT BARNES COUNTY NORTH!! FANTASTIC!!

STAFF PROFILE ~ Getting to know you…

Mr. Marc Ritteman

What do you do at LMHS? High School Principal and teach World History

Family: Wife – Linsey and Children – Grace, McKenna, and Luke

Do you volunteer anywhere? Not at this time

If you could paint your room any color, what would it be? Gray

Favorite Cuisine: American: Cheeseburgers, Fries, Hot Dogs, Nachos, Popcorn, Chicken Strips, anything fried

Last thing that made you laugh out loud: ?? Biggest Pet Peeve: Open Lockers Favorite TV Show growing up: Simpsons & Seinfeld

Who was your most influential teacher(s) and why: Rod Oksendahl, PE & Football Coach – He was

passionate, intense, and honest.

What you like most about LMHS or message you’d like to share with parents/students: Thanks for all you

do!

Mr. Tyler Lee

What do you do at LMHS? Elementary Principal and teach Business Education

Family: Wife – Dakotah and Children – Emmery, Adalynn, Rhett, and Baby Boy Lee due this spring!

Do you volunteer anywhere? Not at this time

If you could paint your room any color, what would it be? Carolina Blue (Go Tar Heels)

Favorite Cuisine: Homemade Pizza

Last thing that made you laugh: Mr. Larson

Biggest Pet Peeve: People who won’t give an honest effort

Favorite TV Show growing up: The Simpsons

Who was your most influential teacher(s) and why: Too many to choose, all good people

What you like most about LMHS or message you’d like to share with parents/students: Our student-to-

teacher ratio allows us to do great things.

Mrs. Kris Piehl

What do you do at LMHS? High School Administrative Assistant

Family: Husband – Jeff and Children – Devin, Tasha, and Landon

Do you volunteer anywhere? Marion Lutheran WELCA Secretary, Marion Lakeview Cemetery

Secretary/Treasurer, Sunday School and VBS Teacher, LaMoure PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) Board,

Litchville-Marion Area Community Calendar Chairman

If you could paint your room any color, what would it be? Earth tone colors Favorite Cuisine: Mexican

Last thing that made you laugh: Landon – he is like living with a cartoon character!

Biggest Pet Peeve: People that don’t call in to school if their students are sick/gone to appointments/etc. I really

do care and wonder if they are ok – if they are having car trouble/home alone – etc.

Favorite TV Show growing up: The Facts of Life, Different Strokes, Little House on the Prairie

Who were your most influential teacher(s) and why: So many to choose from – they were all great! I even had

Mrs. Legge for a teacher/yearbook advisor – and now she’s a great co-worker! I would say that my high school

coaches played an important role in my life and career – Mr. Willert (Basketball and Track Coach), Mr. Thoreson (Basketball Coach),

Mr. Fiechtner & Mr. Paczkowski (Music Teachers and Basketball Coach) and Mrs. Willert & Jackie Baertsch (Cheerleading

Coaches) – Mrs. Boom, Mrs. Bowen, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Wagner, Mrs. Sather, Mrs. Legge (to name a few) – they were icons of our

school – great teachers, tough but fair, hard-working and super caring!

What you like most about LMHS or message you’d like to share with parents/students: I’m thankful for a small school where

we can all help one another out when needed. I love the work I do as school administrative assistant – I am here to help in any way

that I can to keep the lines of communication open for all – students/parents/administration/teachers/staff.

SPRING SCHOOL PICTURE DAY AT

LITCHVILLE-MARION HIGH SCHOOL

TUESDAY, MARCH 28

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!

Congratulations LMHS and LHS Seniors!

Litchville-Marion and LaMoure

High School Seniors just wrapped up their senior sports seasons or

will be in the near future – wishing them all the best in their future

and want to thank them for their leadership on and off the

court/mat!!

Top Left: Landon Smith – Wrestling Son of Wade & Jamie Smith, Litchville Top Right: Caitlin Miedema – Girls BB

Daughter of Darren & Robin Miedema, Litchville Bottom Left: Levi Hirschkorn - Boys BB

Son of Darin & Larinda Hirschkorn, LaMoure Bottom Right: Kallene Klever – Girls BB

Daughter of Troy & Beth Klever, LaMoure

Litchville-Marion Dollars for Scholars

February raffle winners to date:

February 6 - Darbie Parenteau - $50

February 8 - Molly Musland - $50

February 10 - Justin Vogel - $100

February 13 – Michelle Carlblom - $50

February 15 – Mitch Miller - $50

February 17 – Gayann Van Bruggen - $100

Feb. 20 – Delray Dykstra - $50

Feb. 22 – Tayla Formo - $50

For the final listing of winners: See the Litchville-Marion School District FaceBook Page.

Attention: Dollars for Scholars Qualification Change

Dollars for Scholars is an excellent organization which provides thousands of

dollars in scholarship funds for students who attend school districts that have

Dollars for Scholars Chapters. Fortunately for our Litchville-Marion students,

we have a chapter in our district and provide approximately $14,000 in

scholarship funds each year to our graduating seniors who are planning to go

on for post-secondary training.

The LM Dollars for Scholars Chapter secures funds to ensure the continuation of scholarship opportunities for our local grads through a number of fundraising events and efforts. Such events include the Dollars for Scholars cash drawing raffle tickets, the Bingo, Baskets and More event, an annual alumni/community mailing and attendance at Dollars for Scholars Conferences. We value the importance of post-secondary training, whether such training be 2-year, 4-year or beyond, as well as other certification or transition program options and are proud to be able to assist our area grads with the rising costs of higher education! Starting next year, Dollars for Scholars will be adding a new criterion for scholarship eligibility. Students in grades 9-12 will be required to pick up 5 volunteer points for each year they attend high school at Litchville-Marion. These points can be earned by volunteering to assist with fundraising events and efforts. For instance, if a student volunteers to help out with the Bingo event, and stays 2 hours, they would earn 2 volunteer points. Another example would be for every 5 raffle tickets sold, they would earn 2 volunteer points. In order to qualify for our LM Dollars for Scholars scholarships, seniors will have to be able to report 20 DFS related volunteer points, earned between their freshman and senior years of high school. Next year’s seniors will only need 5 points to qualify, juniors 10 and sophomores 15 before they apply their senior year. More details on ways to earn volunteer points will be sent out in the fall next year when school starts. Please encourage your student(s) to begin earning their points early!

Scholarship Opportunities

The following scholarships have deadlines falling throughout the month of March & Early April. To find direct links to these scholarships, and many more, visit my counselor webpage at www.counselor-connection.weebly.com. **Indicates local/state scholarships. All others are open to students across the nation.

Ag Country Farm Credit Services Scholarship - $1,000 - 24 Awards - Deadline: March 1 North Dakota United Foundation Scholarship - $500 to $750 - Deadline: March 1st (app available after the 1st of the year) **Dakota Central Telecommunications - $1,000 - 5 Awards - Deadline March 1st **Dakotah Bank - $500 - $1,000 - Several Awards - Deadline March 1st **Farm Credit Services of North Dakota - $1,000 - 10 Awards - Deadline: March 1st **Heartland Chevy Scholarship Program - $500-$5,000 - 10 Awards - Deadline: March 9th **Co-Op House Scholarship - $ Unknown - Number of Awards Vary - Deadline: March 15 **NDFB Future of Ag Scholarship- $1,000- 1 Award- Deadline March 15th **NDFB Becki Palmer Scholarship- $1,000- 1 Award- Deadline March 15th **First Community Credit Union- $4,000 - 7 Awards - Deadline: March 18th ** BND Real Deal Scholarship -- $500 - 48 Awards - Apply only once... name stays in... more chances to win!! *CHS Foundation Scholarship - $1,000 - 100 Awards - Deadline: March 31st **REACH Club Scholarship - $250 - 1 Award - Deadline: March 31st **Great River Energy Scholarship - $1,000 - Number of Awards Unknown - Deadline: March 31st **Dollars for Scholars Scholarships - Amounts Vary - Numerous Awards - Deadline: April 1st **Unison Bank Scholarship - $1,000 - 1 Award - Deadline: April 3rd (no link available... applications on the counselor bulletin board) *Stanley Moore Scholarship - $1,000 - Several Awards - Deadline: April 3rd

The scholarships I’ve listed here are mostly local and state scholarships, as this is the time of year for

these scholarship opportunities. To find more scholarships due in Feb. & early March check my website.

Counselor Connection