Mansfield Middle School 5th Grade Students spent a week displaying their knowledge of the scientific world building Biome Dioramas. The Dioramas were displayed in the 5th/6th grade hallway for roughly a week. Students used their imagination picking out tremendous designs an what Biome they wanted emulate.
Students used their knowledge they gained in Mrs. Howard’s science class to distinguish which biome diorama they would like to build. Students studied the five main biomes of forest, savanna, desert, grassland, and tundra. Mrs. Howard has spent tireless hours putting together projects for students to incorporate hands on learning activities for students to display their knowledge of the content area.
Biomes are the known as the world’s major communities as determined by their vegetation and adaptations or organisms in their environment. Biomes continue to change and have changed throughout history. Students discussed the different processes associated with each biome and the importance of conservation and preservation of natural habitats and biomes on the Earth.
Great job to Mrs. Howard and her 5th grade students for displaying their work and spending time putting together dioramas to display their knowledge.
Great job Mansfield 5th Grade and Mrs. Howard.
MMS Students Learn Through Biome Dioramas
Fellowship Baptist Church Annual Wild Game Banquet
Fellowship Baptist Church Gym
111 College Road, Witcherville, AR
Saturday, March 11, 2017
FREE Events, Meal & Music
Events at 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting)
BB Gun Shoot
Fishing Casting Contest
Plus Door Prizes
Meal at 6:00 p.m.
A Variety of Wild Game Chili / Normal Food Too
Enjoy Bluegrass/Gospel Music
by: “Just Us” while you eat
For Information Call:
479-461-3860 (Gary Martin)
479-252-1341 (John Byers)
Kentucky Butter Cake
Madison Macnew, Resident Press Contributor
With the spring season come April showers and May flowers. But for many, spring means the return of the horse racing season. Maybe you can’t go to the Derby this season, but you can get a taste of Kentucky at home with this delicious Kentucky Butter Cake.
Kentucky Butter Cake
Cake Ingredients:
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
Butter Sauce Ingredients:
¾ cup white sugar
1/3 cup butter
3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan.
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, 2 cups sugar, salt, baking powder and baking soda. Blend in buttermilk, 1 cup of butter, 2 teaspoons of vanilla and 4 eggs. Beat for 3 minutes at medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.
- While cake is baking, prepare butter sauce. In a saucepan combine the remaining ¾ cups sugar, 1/3 cups butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla, and water. Cook over medium heat until fully melted and combined. Do not boil.
- Prick holes into the still warm cake. Slowly pour sauce over cake. Let cake cool before removing from pan.
Mansfield Track Girls Await Outdoor Season
Some members of the 2017 Mansfield senior girls track team take a moment to try on their new track gear as they ready for the upcoming outdoor season. The squad members raised money for their new uniforms and had a chance to debut the new look at the Booneville Bearcat Relays.
The wait is finally over For the Mansfield Lady Tiger track team. After a disappointing showing at the 2017 Indoor State Finals back in early February, the team hopes to regain a measure of credibility with the start of their outdoor season.
Hobbled a bit by the flu and other extenuating circumstances, Mansfield fell out of the top ten for the first time in team history at the combined 1A-4A indoor competition. Now the team looks to rebound with the help of a refocused group of seniors and an assortment of underclassmen for the spring outdoor schedule.
Seniors Eden Jones, Makiah Holmes, Fayth Schwartz, and Audrey Walker are full time Mansfield track athletes that hold the key to the upcoming Lady Tiger success. They along with fellow senior Whittney Clark, a dual sport (softball and track) athlete, have the most experience as well as the most number of trips to a state final.
As of press time, the four full time senior track stars were to have opened their outdoor season with a trip to Booneville on Tuesday, March 7. Along with the other full time track participants on the team, the group’s Bearcat Relays attendance was to be their only non-qualifying event of the spring.
Up to seven softball players that crossover to track including Clark where schedule for diamond duty the day of the Booneville meet.
“Our girls were disappointed in their overall rankings at the indoor meet,” said long time Mansfield mentor John Mackey. “With Audrey (Walker) getting the flu, Eden (Jones) recovering from a knee issue, and the basketball players limited to a few practices; the indoor meet was a tough row to hoe.”
“I think our kids will recover,” continued the coach. “Our players are resilient. We typically find ways to maximizes strengths and sacrifice for each other. The outdoor season gives us a chance to regroup and make another push for a title.”
Walker was the Lady Tigers MVP last season. After learning a pair of new events in her junior campaign, the college recruit is the only member of the squad with an individual state title on her resume. The soon to be graduate won the 2016 state outdoor finals in the 300m hurdles.
Walker, on her way to that state title last season, learned the hurdles and high jump as new additions to her already busy meet docket. Previously, the senior Tiger was utilized as a relay specialist and 400m runner. In her break out junior year, Walker finished in the top eight at the state 300m hurdles, 100m hurdles, and high jump.
Jones has scored in the state finals in all three of her previous seasons. She has also attended two Meet of Champions track meets. Once she went to the MOC as a member of the 4x800m relay team, and another time as a high jumper. She will continue both targeted events and most likely step into a sprint relay role for the first time in her career.
Schwartz, a pole vault specialist, scored at last year’s state finals and again this year at the 2017 indoor championships. This year, she is trying her hops at the long jump pit to increase her potential service to the team.
Holmes made the state meet last year as a member of the 4x100m relay team. She was a blink of an eye away from scoring at this year’s indoor competition in the 60m hurdles.
According to her coach, Holmes brings the most versatility. The senior can perform well in three different field events, all three relays, and both hurdle races. As the coach sees it, she is good at too many things. Narrowing that focus is the challenge that coach and player are both happy to resolve.
Clark has been valuable in a multitude of areas as well. Limited to a handful of outings because of a starting role on the softball team, the senior has enjoyed success mostly at the pole vault pit, triple jump runway, and the 4x400m relay. She was one of a ten Lady Tigers to medal at this year’s February final.
Joining Mansfield’s fulltime roster is a pair of juniors in Megan Rose and Corrina Wesley. Both have earned previous trips to post season competition.
Rose is the most decorated of the two athletes with multiple cross country and track awards to her credit. She was both the 2015 and 2016 Mansfield Cross Country Player of the Year. For the track team, she covers the most distance of any Lady Tiger.
This year, Rose plans on a heavy load by racing in the 4x800m relay, 1600m run, 800m run, and the 3200m run.
“If anyone can accomplish the feat it’s Megan,” stated Mackey. “The longer the race, the better she is. She loves running so much, it’s almost scary.”
Wesley is a jumps specialist with the triple jump venue locked into her primary sights. She made the 3A state meet last year with a personal record on her final jump of the 3A Region 1 West District Meet.
Wesley can run a variety of events around the oval as well. She has increased her stamina for the long or middle distance races with equal ability. This year she will be counted on to help in two to three relays as well as the 400m dash.
Sophomores abound on the Tiger roster. Alyssa Berry (distance) Haylee Buckner (high jump), Hailey Byers (100m), Emily Parish (pole vault), and Allie Willsey (jumps) make up the full time tenth graders.
Sophomores that plan on cameo appearances due to softball obligations include Brooklyn Carlton (hurdles, jumps, relays), Macy Davis (hurdles, throws), Riley Shoell (throws, relays), Kyla Sysakayavong (throws, sprints), and Rylea Weaver (throws).
Senior Makayla Bolton attended the indoor state finals for the first time this year. She is a full time softball player but has plans to make the outdoor track roster later in the spring.
Mansfield City Council Approves Walking Trail
The question of whether Mansfield will receive a walking trail was finally answered tonight at the Special City Council meeting held at City Hall
Mayor Austin summarized the purpose of the meeting is to review the bids, and vote For, or AGAINST the proposed walking trail. Austin added, “We’ve talked about this for too long, and it’s time to go ahead, or not.”
A total of (3) bids were received for the 1/4 mile long walking trail located in the City Park, just North of Mansfield City Hall. Low bid $33,913.50, and Highest bid was $48,582.00
Council member Sheri Hopkins addressed the council with concerns from citizens worried about wash out of the park and how it will affect the walking trail, the new construction, and no focus on the Fire Department. Mayor Austin replied, “Several trails are built near water.”
Council Member Dave Johnson asked Mayor Austin who is responsible for maintenance, and future repairs of the walking trail. The Mayor replied, “The City of Mansfield is responsible.”
Council Member Georganna Mabry made the motion to accept the lowest bid to begin the construction on the Mansfield walking trail, seconded by Nathan Sterling. Motion For (Nathan Sterling, Georganna Mabry, Beverly Lyons, and Sheri Hopkins), Against (Rick McDaniel, and Dave Johnson). Motion passed.
With the motion passed, the City of Mansfield agrees to pay 20% of the 33913.50 plus engineers fees which comes from the park fund, and 80% is from the grant from the Highway Transportation Department.
$33,913.50 (Low Bid) + $5,250.00 (Engineers Fee) = $39,163.50
Budgeted 2017 park fund is $20,000.00
MMS 5th & 6th Grade Honor Roll / Principal’s List
Congratulations Mansfield Middle School students on your achievements.
5th Grade Honor Roll, All A’s and B’s
Alexis Chestine, Carys Desormeaux, Cherin Foote, Harlie Fuller, Raine Hecox, Jaxon Heydenreich, James Jenkins, Peyton Martin, Kadence Mathisen, Emilie Nelson, Kadynce Robinson, Diamond Scoma, Brandon Segura, and Kynslee Ward.
5th Grade Principal List, All A’s
Alyson Edwards, Zachary Hayslip, Abigial Holder, Dakota Langford, Alyson McClain, Kaile Sysakayavong, Tyler Turnipseed, Donovan Walker, and Turner Wright
6th Grade Honor Roll, All A’s and B’s
Greyson Baggett, Haly Cass, Shasta Christopher, Connor Hattabaugh, Travis Martin, Magean Newman, Kindell Noblitt, Austin Quinalty, Julia Sadoski, Alayna Turner, Tyler Woolbright, and Rebecca Young
6th Grade Principal List, All A’s
Brooklyn Adams, Natalie Allison, Serenity Brunson, Braxton Byers, Cassidy Carlton, Seth Carter, Caleb Collier, Nathaniel Elmore, Reegan Emery, Kinley Hanfelder, Madelen Jones, Alina Lawhon, Madison McKusker, Bethany Sartin, Chandlan Silvey, Sara Smith, Clinton Stovall, and Alayana Swanger
United Way “Day of Caring” 2017
United Way of Fort Smith Area will hold its annual Day of Caring on April 18th. Day of Caring, is a community-wide event benefiting community partners in Crawford, Franklin, LeFlore, Logan, Sebastian and Sequoyah counties.
On Day of Caring, volunteer teams from local companies and businesses, families and individuals work together to complete projects and conduct special programs for United Way’s community partners who, much of the time, lack the necessary resources and manpower to tackle the projects. These projects range from visiting with the elderly in local nursing homes or painting a room to engaging in outdoor activities such as landscaping or washing windows.
This year the City of Mansfield has submitted a project for which they need 10 volunteers. The project is to paint the gazebo and public bathrooms, trim shrubs, install swing chains and seats, and paint fire plugs. Lunch will be provided to volunteers as well as any tools needed to complete the projects.
There are a total of 87 volunteer projects, with over 1000 volunteer opportunities available in our six-county service area. If you are not able to volunteer in Mansfield there are projects available in Alma, Barling, Booneville, Charleston, Fort Smith, Greenwood, Mulberry, Ozark, Paris, Poteau, Sallisaw and Van Buren. If you would like to view the projects and sign up to volunteer go to United Way Fort Smith .
There will be a kick-off breakfast at 8am in Fort Smith at Harry E. Kelly Riverfront Park and at 7:45 am in Booneville at the Jeral L. Hampton Meeting Place . If you sign up to volunteer by March 15th, you will receive a free t shirt. For more information on Day of Caring, contact Mitzy Little or Carrie Terry at 479-782-1311.
Artilce, and photo provided by Mitzy Little, Marketing Director, United Way of Fort Smith Area
Severe Weather Potential
Living in an area where Severe Storms and the threat of tornadoes, do you know the protocol, and process of utilizing the local Tornado Shelters?
During a “Tornado Warning” the shelters that are located at Mansfield School District will be opened for public use as soon as the warning is issued, and as soon as an official can open the doors.
NO pets, smoking, or alcohol are permitted, and once inside the shelter, you cannot leave until the warning expires.
Be safe.
MMS Annual Teachers vs Students Basketball Game
The Mansfield Middle School gym filled with students, teachers and administrative staff last Friday for their annual “Teachers vs. Students” basketball game.
In a single elimination bracket format, teams of students played in 4:00 games advancing winners to play until one team was left standing. That team would later play the Teachers in the final game.
When it was said and done, the Teachers defeated the Students with a final score of 63-11.
The Teachers hold bragging rights for yet, another year!
SPECIAL Mansfield City Council Meeting Thursday
During the February Mansfield City Council meeting, the council voted to hold a special meeting March 2, 2017 to discuss, and vote Against/For the proposed walking trail that has been the center of attention lately.
From what we know, and have understood thus far, there is grant money available to pay a portion of the walking trail costs, but will most likely not cover the full project cost.
If you have a voice either against of for this project, you are urged to attend the meeting at Mansfield City Hall this Thursday evening at 7:00PM at Mansfield City Hall.
Editors note: We have learned that the grant which will be used to fund the project is an 80/20 grant, which 80% of the grant is fully funded, and the 20% will be reimbursed after a period of time.