Excellence Achieved
Winter 2023-2024 Highlights
Treynor Honored With U.S. News' Best Schools Award
On Tuesday, April 23, 2024, U.S. News published their 2024 Best Middle School/High School rankings and the news is good for Treynor Community School District. The Middle School and High School earned a "Best Schools Award". Overall, Treynor MS/HS is ranked #26 in Iowa and #9 in Omaha Metro Area Schools. Read their published information about the district here, including the new rankings.
About 2024 Best High Schools
- The 2024 edition of Best High Schools includes a numerical ranking of nearly all public high schools nationwide – almost 18,000 of them – based on multiple sources of objective data.
- There are rankings within each state and within each census-designated metropolitan area that has three or more high schools, as well as the Best STEM Schools ranking and comprehensive Best Charter Schools and Best Magnet Schools rankings.
- Includes rankings of high schools within each school district that has three or more high schools.
- Treynor CSD's U.S. News profile page includes information on enrollment, graduation rates, student body demographics, location, school type and results of state assessments as well as Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate tests.
- Best High Schools rankings, available online only, are produced in conjunction with RTI International, a global research firm. U.S. News doesn’t collect data directly from high schools; all data comes directly from official third-party sources.
- AP and IB data come directly from the College Board and International Baccalaureate, respectively, for use in the rankings.
- The state assessment data and graduation rates are from each state, and other data comes from the U.S. Department of Education Common Core of Data.
- For more information on how U.S. News evaluates public high schools, please see the methodology.
Treynor Recipient of Credentials to Careers Grant
The Iowa Department of Education awarded over $1.7 million in competitive grants to 20 Iowa school districts focused on aligning secondary career and technical education programs with student attainment of industry-recognized credentials. The Credentials to Careers grant will support high school students earning credentials with labor market value. Treynor High School was one of the 20 schools that will receive this grant worth $122,400!
Industry-Recognized Credentials (IRCs) are important milestones for many individual career pathways. Both at the secondary and post-secondary levels, students should have the opportunity to earn education- and work-related credentials that verify skill mastery, educational attainment and the ability to perform a task or operation. Credentials are also valuable to employers, allowing them to determine the skill or education level of job applicants without having to perform an assessment for each one. Recipients of such credentials have demonstrated that they possess the knowledge, skills and competencies required to perform specific tasks or roles within that industry.
The credentials that Jenny Berens (Academic Success Advisor/Career Coach) and Danie Floerchinger (6-12 School Counselor) applied for and will be available for Treynor High School students to receive are:
- CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) Certification - We are working with IWCC to offer this certification this summer for students interested in the medical field.
- OSHA 10 Certification - Students that take any of Mr. Messerschmidt’s Industrial Arts Classes in the fall will be able to get this certification.
- Precision Measurement Certification and Hand Tool Identification and Safety Certification - Students that take any of Mr. Messerschmidt’s Industrial Arts Classes in the fall will be able to get this certification.
- CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) Certification - We are working with IWCC to offer this certification this summer for students interested, but must be 18 years of age.
- Treynor will also be purchasing tool sets for the Industrial Arts Room as well as CPR kits that will be used each year to certify our seniors in CPR.
We are very excited about this opportunity for our students! Read more about this program on the Iowa Department of Education Website.
Jenny Berens Leads Career Guidance Program
This year, Jenny Berens has been hard at work in a new role at Treynor - Career Coach. In this role, she facilitates the Student Assistance Teams for students in 6-12th grades. These teams aim to support students in need of assistance by monitoring and responding to student data such as attendance, grades, and behavior, amongst other factors. The teams then develop a plan for each student and tracks the data to monitor the success of interventions.
Additionally, Mrs. Berens serves as the 504 Coordinator for the secondary grades. She develops, modifies, and monitors 504 plans for eligible students. This ensures that teachers are aware of and successfully implementing appropriate modifications and accommodations for students. This helps keep teachers and other staff informed of progress, incidents, and concerns.
As the district's Career Coach, Mrs. Berens plans, advises, and shares academic and career information between parents, teachers, students, and administration. She also encourages and supports student's career and academic goals.
Mrs. Berens works with students to explore post-secondary options including apprenticeships, trade schools, two and four year public and private colleges and universities, military branches, and the workforce. Career exploration takes place both in the classroom and through career discover campus visits, career fairs, and workplace field trips.
Looking forward, the district has four goals for the 2024-2025 school year. First, establishing yearly campus visits to local postsecondary institutions starting in 8th grade. Secondly, requiring written reflections after college and career experiences students participate in. Third, having 80% of high school teachers incorporate career-related activities into curriculum. Lastly, having all students create a resume in 8th grade to be updated annually with Mrs. Berens, the Career Coach.
Kindergarten Roundup Boasts 60 New Cardinals
On April 12th, the elementary welcomed 60 students during its annual Roundup. Incoming students were able to engage with the kindergarten teachers, tour the building, complete learning activities and even "sign with" the Cardinals! During that time, parents, guardians, and family members gathered in the library for an informational session to answer any questions they might have. We look forward to having the newest Cardinals join the flock!
Elementary Springs Into Reading with Coach Sloth
Coach Sloth first came up with his children's book idea in high school where he also played multiple sports. After high school, he went to Iowa State and then continued on to coach and act in notable movies like We Are Marshall, Leatherheads, Dark Knight Rises, and Amazing Spider-Man. Coach Sloth decided to publish his own stories while reading children's books to his young son. Now, he travels across the United States to share his books.
Treynor Welcomes Students to ACT Score Clubs
We are happy to share Treynor’s ACT 25+ Club members so far this year! These students scored a 25-29 on the ACT:
- Ella Ausdemore
- Abhi Bista
- Cameron Church
- Karson Elwood
- Emmersen Fox
- Aubree James
- Holden Minahan
- Addie Minahan
- Haley Nowlin
- Charlie Schrage
- Peter Young
The following students joined the ACT 30+ club this year:
- Griffin Gregg
- Ryder Davidson
- Danny Kinsella
- Chloe Pryor
Treynor National Honor Society Welcomes 2023-2024 Inductees
The National Honor Society inducted 39 new members this year! There are now 80 total members in Treynor's chapter of the National Honor Society.
Inductees:
- Brooke Atteberry
- Gabrielle Blanchard
- Jordyn Boswell
- Morgan Brown
- Brooklyn Casey
- Luke Christensen
- Molly Coffman
- Kallie Danker
- Griffin Gregg
- Dane Guttau
- Ethan Hill
- Delaney Jorgenson
- Clare Keiner
- Elizabeth Kinsella
- Carolynn Knott
- Alyssa Kulesa
- Lulu LaScala
- Jozie Lewis
- Aleczander Lovely
- Taylor Mass
- Delaney Mathews
- Drew Meyers
- Jude Mieska
- Karlie Miller
- Adalyn Minahan
- Tristen Pearce
- Meghan Pierce
- Bailey Roberts
- Tara Sadr
- Claire Schrage
- Jett Sornson
- Corbin Thien
- Ella Tiarks
- Kiera Vorthmann
- Lanee Wasenius
- Emery Whitney
- Elyse Winchell
- Lilly Yochum
- Zoey Zadalis
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Headed to Nationals
The Iowa FBLA State Leadership Conference was held March 24th-26th in Cedar Rapids. The conference consists of general sessions, competitive events, seminars, workshops, the election of officers, awards and recognition, special programs, and other leadership and educational learning activities. Treynor High School's FBLA class, led by Mrs. Jodi Behrendt, attended and came away with some awards. Congratulations to these students:
- Eva Fipps 2nd place in Journalism (Qualified for Nationals in Orlando) and 7th for Public Policy and Advocacy
- Brooke Atteberry 5th place in Organizational Leadership and an alternate for Nationals
- Chloe Pryor 9th place in Personal Finance and Organizational Leadership
FBLA is a career and technical student organization for students around the state of Iowa. Its goal is to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences.
Boy's Basketball Concludes Impressive Season
The Treynor boys' basketball team made it to the state tournament this year, where they finished as Semi-Finalists! Their season ended with a 22-4 record.
2nd Team All State - Jace Tams
Western Iowa Conference (WIC) 1st Team - Ethan Konz & Jace Tams
Western Iowa Conference (WIC) Honorable Mention - Karson Elwood & Alec Lovely
Western Iowa Conference (WIC) All Academic - Karson Elwood, Ethan Konz & Jace Tams
Treynor Girls' Basketball Completes Season as WIC Champions
The Treynor girls' basketball team completed their season as Western Iowa Conference (WIC) champions and regional semifinalists! Their record for the season was 16-6.
Western Iowa Conference (WIC) 1st Team - Nora Konz
Western Iowa Conference (WIC) 2nd Team - Jozie Lewis & Alexa Schwartz
Western Iowa Conference (WIC) Honorable Mention - Claire Schrage
Western Iowa Conference (WIC) All Academic - Allison Houser, Jayden Huisman, Jozie Lewis, Cadence Quick, Alexa Schwartz & Ella Tiarks
Treynor Wrestling Sees State Tournament Finish
Danny Kinsella finished 2nd place in the state for the 2023-2024 season. He was Treynor's 1st State Finalist. Zack Robbins finished 8th at the State Tournament. Levi Miller and Emma Miller also qualified for the state tournament this year. Congratulations to Danny Kinsella and Levi Young for making the All Academic Team!
We are excited for the future of the Treynor wrestling program in the 2024-2025 season. Cody Kingery has been named the boys' head coach, and Cullen Udell has been named the girls' head coach.
Treynor Debate Duo Makes School History as State Quarterfinalists
Evelyn Church and Hailey Wiebold were Treynor's first ever State Quarterfinalists! Congratulations, ladies!
Individual & Large Group Speech Head to All-State Contest
Four students competed in the Large Group All-State Speech contest. Congratulations to Abhi Bista, Emma Miller, Monica Osborn, and Gretchen Swalwell!
Jazz Band and Choir Compete in Festivals & Championships
Annual POPS Concert Celebrates the 80's
The annual POPS Concert, presented by the Treynor Music Department, went back to the 80's on March 21st! The POPs concert featured performances by middle school and high school performers. The audience was able to vote on a fan favorite. This year's fan favorite awards was given to the middle school jazz band. Thank you to the Music Boosters for providing a delicious meal!
Night of The Arts Transforms Elementary Into Art Gallery
On April 22nd, Mr. Stinman, Miss Weis, and the Junior Treynor Women (JTW) hosted their annual Night of the Arts and ice cream social. The elementary was filled wall to wall with projects from every student in the building. Each grade level also had the opportunity to show off their vocal and instrumental music skills. JTW's ice cream social fundraiser helps the fine arts department be able to purchase additional supplies for their programs. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the arts!
Treynor Preschool Hosts Yoga Night
On April 23, Green Hills AEA partnered with us to host our Family Yoga Night. All preschool students and their parents were invited to attend. During the session, the kids and parents learned about breathing techniques to calm our bodies. Several yoga poses were practiced and combined into a yoga flow. The children and their parents explored how different colors make us feel. All participants were given a small set of yoga cards to keep, as well as a storybook that embedded one of the breathing techniques into it. It was a great night for everyone that attended!
Elementary Coin War Fundraiser Exceeds Expectations
National Honor Society Hosts Blood Drive
The Treynor National Honor Society hosted their annual Red Cross blood drive at Treynor High School on Tuesday, April 9th. Our senior NHS members worked hard by recruiting donors, helping set up tables and chairs, welcoming and checking in donors, providing snacks and drinks, and supporting the Red Cross staff as needed. The drive collected 76 pints of blood, which has the potential to save 228 lives!
Junior Optimist International (JOI) Club Hosts Adopt-A-Child Event
This winter, middle school and high school study hall classes collected gifts and money for the New Visions "Adopt-a-Child" holiday program. This project was coordinated by the High School JOI Club. The student groups brought in over 150 gifts and more than $1000 in cash. With cash in hand, some of the JOI members went shopping to complete each child's wish list. These gifts and leftover cash were taken to New Visions for distribution to the children and families that were adopted.
"We were so thankful that we could sponsor this event to help bring a little joy to children this holiday season. Without the help of the teachers, students and JOI Club members, this project would not have been successful. Thank you, everyone, for helping us complete our mission of serving others," stated JOI Club Sponsor Shelly Bailey.
Treynor Students Serve Open Door Mission
Treynor students and faculty had a record breaking service project day this spring! On April 12th, students from the middle school and high school packed 100,001 Meals for Hope, decorated You Matter placemats, and sorted and hung 2.5 tons of donated clothing. This is the seventh anniversary for the Treynor Day of Caring, and we couldn't be more proud!
TeamMates Mentoring Program
On January 23rd, during National Mentoring Month, the mentors from our TeamMates program were recognized before the girls' basketball game.
On April 26th, the students and mentors in our TeamMates program took a field trip to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Despite some light rain, mentors and their mentees were able to enjoy a visit to the top zoo in the nation!
We'd like to thank all of our mentors for their dedication to our students and for donating their time to them. The positive impact you make on their lives is monumental!
Treynor Staff Are Raising the Red "C"
Jen Brammer
Megan Kerkmann
Megan is a para in our building and we are so blessed to have her working with us. Megan takes on any role necessary to make things run smoothly for all kids and staff in our building.
One example of this is her willingness to help one of our students with math every day. This particular student is behind from years of medical issues and misses quite a bit of school, making it challenging for him to keep up with daily work. Megan works with him during math and helps us meet him where he is at mathematically so we can close as many of his gaps as possible. He is making wonderful progress!
Another example is her volunteering to give up her evening to be on stage at the 4th grade music concert to support one of our special needs students. She kept him safe and entertained, which allowed him to be a part of this event with his peers and it was so heartwarming to watch. She truly deserves to be acknowledged. We are lucky to have her!
Lori Castle
102 East Main Street, Treynor, IA, USA
Phone: (712) 487-3414