
Panther Newsletter
Central Springs Community School District
Upcoming Dates
Don’t forget these important upcoming dates:
March 4th: 2:05 pm Early Dismissal - Conferences
March 6th: 2:05 pm Early Dismissal - Conferences
March 10th - 14th: Spring Break no school or daycare
April 9th: 12:30 pm Dismissal - Teacher PD
May 23rd: 12:30 pm Dismissal - Last Day of School
Voted PPEL
The Central Springs Community School District (CSD) School Board voted unanimously to move a Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) to a ballot question vote scheduled for Tuesday, March 4, 2024. The District is seeking funds for maintaining and improving our schools' infrastructure, equipment, and facilities.
Planned projects include:
Upgrading the Nora Springs parking lots, including drainage improvements and restructuring the daycare/preschool drop-off area.
Boiler replacements for both campuses.
Adding air conditioning in both buildings.
Expanding and upgrading CTE (Career and Technical Education) classrooms.
Voters will be asked to approve the PPEL for an amount not to exceed $1.34 per $1,000 of assessed property value with an income surtax for the next 10 years.
We encourage all community members to stay informed about this decision.
Sukup Engineering Day
On Thursday, February 20th, Mrs. Fessler took Whitney Davis, Michael Liggins, and Alaina Clarke to Sukup’s Engineering Day, where they explored engineering fields and toured the plant to learn about each engineering area.
5th & 6th Grade Honor Choir
Congratulations to the 12 Fifth and Sixth Grade students from Central Springs who were selected for the 2025 North Central District Iowa Choral Directors Association Fifth and Sixth Grade Honor Choir held at the Ed and Betty Wilcox Performing Arts Center in Algona, IA on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Students were selected by their directors and spent time outside of school preparing pieces for the Honor Choir. There were approximately 220 students from around the North Central District representing 22 schools. The honor choir was directed by Mrs. Jolene Schaefer of Storm Lake Middle School.
Students Selected were:
Fifth Grade: Ella Blickenderfer, Bryce Heimer, Ella Knudson, Gretta Miller, Henrik Sturges and Ryker Timpe
Sixth Grade:
Perrin Echelberger, Caleb Frascht, Briley Lorentzen, Henry Pappas, Violet Poulter and Hunter White
School of Art Exhibition
We're excited to announce the student artists whose work has been selected for the 2025 School Art Exhibition at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum! Their creative pieces will be showcased during Youth Art Month and will be honored at the Recognition Reception & Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 8 at 11:00 AM.
Featured Artists:
Kaci Crum - Stoneware
Jovi Nelson - Stoneware
Braylan Bull - Stoneware
Dillon Blickenderfer - Stoneware
Sydney Berding - Stoneware
Laney Flippo - Stoneware
Joseph Young - Stoneware
Sophia High - Charcoal
Autumn Sabin - Acrylic
Faith Austin - Color Pencil/Sharpie
All Sides
Jovi Nelson's Stoneware Piece
Cotton Candy
Braylan Bull's Stoneware Piece
Aztec
Dillon Blickenderfer's Stoneware Piece
Enchanted Forest Set
Sydney Berding's Stoneware Piece
Love
Laney Flippo's Stoneware Piece
Rustic Ruins
Joseph Young's Stoneware Piece
Pointillism
Autumn Sabin's Acrylic Piece
Future Static
Sophia High's Charcoal Piece
Faith
Faith Austin's Color Pencil/Sharpie Piece
Kindergarten Reads Flat Stanley
After reading the timeless classic Flat Stanley book (written in 1964), Nora Springs kindergarten students sent their Flat Selves through the mail in search of adventure. Return mail arrived in mass including pictures, handmade books, souvenirs, and even treats to share. A record 26 states were visited by Flat Kindergarten students this year!
National FFA Week February 15 - 22
Delicious Breakfast to Fuel before the Week
On February 14th, FFA members were treated to a special breakfast sponsored by Farm Bureau. Delicious donuts and milk were provided to students during the chapter meeting, helping to start off the day on a sweet note. Next week, members can look forward to even more donuts, as Clear Lake Bank and Trust will be supplying breakfast treats to further energize the group.
By: Emma Nachazel
Field Trips and Educational Opportunities
Ag 3 students recently took a trip to the Osage Co-op, furthering their knowledge of agricultural businesses. Meanwhile, Ag 4 students will hopefully be attending a tour of Meyer Agri-Air, Inc in Wellsburg, IA. More details will be shared soon as students continue to explore the diverse careers in the agriculture industry.
By: Emma Nachazel
Upcoming Events
The Central Springs FFA chapter is preparing for more exciting events in the near future. The FFA website, which has been in development, is expected to be completed soon. The highly anticipated banquet is coming soon, and new officers and chairpeople will be elected to lead the chapter in the upcoming months.
Subdricts took place on February 17th, District contests are scheduled for March, and the State FFA Convention will take place in April, providing further opportunities for members to showcase their skills and commitment to agricultural education.
National FFA Week at Central Springs is shaping up to be a week filled with fun, learning, and community spirit. FFA members, staff, and supporters are excited to celebrate the future of agriculture together!
Gratitude for Ongoing Support
The Central Springs FFA chapter would like to take a moment to express its sincere gratitude towards all the individuals, businesses, and organizations who have supported the chapter. Their continued dedication plays a key role in making this week’s activities and overall success of our FFA members possible. We look forward to continuing to build on these strong relationships in the future. Thank you for being a vital part of our success!
Preschool Fun!
Central Springs Youth Wrestling
Central Springs Youth Wrestling had 15 athletes qualify for the AAU State Wrestling Tournament! Good luck to the boys as they compete in Des Moines on March 1-2!
3rd-4th
Jack Paulus
Rory Sturges
Decker McDonough
5th-6th
Kallan Kohler
Bryce Heimer
Leo Paulus
Brody Trenhaile
Henrik Sturges
Thad Heimer
Josiah Prazak
7th-8th
Jaxton Kruger
Benton Schwarck
Jaxon Arthur
Cole Howe
Colton LeVan
Kindergarten - 3rd Grade Musical Events
Manly Campus:
K-3 Spring Concert - Monday, May 5 at 6:00 pm
Nora Springs Campus:
K-3 Spring Concert - Thursday, April 24 at 6:00 pm
4th-8th Grade Musical Events
Vocal 4-8
4/11 6-8 Musical (NS) 7:00 pm
4/29 4-5 Vocal/5-8 Band (NS) 7:00 pm
Band 5-8
4/29 5-8 Band/4-5 Vocal (NS) 7:00 pm
5/13 5-8 Band Solos (NS) 4:00 pm
Get to know some of our FFA Officers
Emma Nachazel
Grade/ Age: 11th grade /16 years old
Officer Position: Reporter
Favorite FFA event: Nation Convention
Why?: I am presented with different experiences that not everyone is presented with. The amazing opportunities given during the couple of days the event takes place enhances my leadership skills as I meet new people and attend workshops provided by the organization.
SAE project(s) I have multiple! Beef Project- I show beef cattle at local fairs. Goat project- I show goats at local fairs. Canine Depot- I work from time to time at my moms business working with small animals and cleaning. Gardening- I grow a home garden to produce nutritional food for my veggie stand at my house.
Why do you like FFA? Everything about FFA I love. I have been given the amazing opportunity to meet new people and become a better version of myself. I can’t thank the organization enough.
Zaila Dahlstrom
Grade/ Age: 11th grade/ 17 years old
Officer Position: Reporter
Favorite FFA event: State Convention
Why?: I get to meet tons of new friends through this FFA event!
SAE project: Cattle, I show them at local fairs
Why do you like FFA? Because it’s a learning opportunity that not everyone gets to experience.
Cordell Hoeft
Grade/ Age: 11th grade/ 16 years old
Officer Position: Vice President
Favorite FFA event: My favorite event that I’ve gotten to take part in was National convention
Why?: I was able to meet many people from across the country, as well as attend workshops to become better in many different aspects of life.
SAE project: My SAE project is working at Mason City Red Power during the summer as well as working on my uncles family farm.
Why do you like FFA?: I like ffa because of all the opportunities it can offer if you utilize them. From gaining job skills, real life skills, or leadership skills you can learn it all.
Charlene Prazak
Grade/ Age: 11th grade/ 16 years old
Officer Position: Sentinel
Favorite FFA event: My favorite event is the State Convention.
Why?: I get to compete while also having lots of fun and learning a lot!
SAE project: My SAE project is working with goats to get them ready to be shown at the fair.
Why do you like FFA?: I like FFA because I learn a lot about myself, other people, and my future.
Madison Edwards
Grade/ Age: 12th grade/ 17 years old
Officer Position: Secretary
Favorite FFA event: National Convention
Why?: you get to grow relationships with those in your chapter and meet new people from all over the nation. You learn great leadership skills through workshops and become inspired by the sessions.
SAE project: I work at the Olde Creamery and this handles working with dairy.
Why do you like FFA?: I love FFA because it gives me great leadership skills for my future. I am also so thankful for the opportunities I have had through this organization.
Ady Petersen
Grade/ Age: 10th Grade/ 15 years old
Officer Position: Treasurer
Favorite FFA event: Livestock Judging
Why?: I love being around livestock and getting to know them better. I have made so many new friends through judging and have become more confident.
SAE project(s): My SAE's include raising cattle as well as raising market broilers.
Why do you like FFA?: I like FFA because it gives me the opportunity to do things I am really passionate about. I love that I am able to share what I know about agriculture and grow as a leader and community member.
Winter Sports Update
Boys Wrestling 🤼
We had 7 kids that qualified for the State Wrestling Tournament.
Truman Hogen - 106lb
Lane Knudson - 113lb
Dawson Jacobsen - 126lb
Lincoln LeVan - 150lb
Caden Gibbons - 157lb
Jaxon Edwards - 165lb
Lincoln Blickenderfer - 190lb
Dawson Jacobsen finished 3rd.
Girls Basketball 🏀
We finished the regular season with a conference record of 7-7 and an overall record of 11-10. We played very well at times this year and beat several teams above us in the standings but with injuries and illness, we had some tough losses. I am very proud of some of our accomplishments and especially of the girls as we battle everyday to get better. We play on Saturday at Belmond-Klemme for the first round of Region 6 Class 2A and if we can find a way to win that then we play at West Fork(Sheffield) on Tuesday.
We will find out the post-season awards in the next few weeks and I anticipate that we will receive several. Kaci Crum was already accepted to play in a Class 2A - IGCA Larry Niemeyer All Star Game on March 15, 2025. Sharli Fessler was also selected to the IGCA Academic All-State for the 2024-2025 season.
- Coach Fess
Boys Basketball 🏀
-Coach Hamand
Cheer 🎀
-Coach Barker
Winter E-Sports 🎮
- Coach Nelson
Employment Opportunities
Elementary Schools
Brooke Brunsvold
PK-3 Principal
Manly:
641-454-3283
Fax 641-454-2212
105 S. East Street PO Box 190
Manly, IA 50456
Nora Springs:
641-749-5301
Fax 641-749-5898
509 N. Iowa Ave PO Box 367
Nora Springs, IA 50458
Middle/Intermediate Schools
Rob Hoffman
4-8 Principal
641-749-5301
Fax 641-749-5898
509 N. Iowa Ave
PO Box 367
Nora Springs, IA 50458
High School
Ken Estes
9-12 Principal
641-454-2208
Fax 641-454-2212
105 S. East Street
PO Box 190
Manly, IA 50456