Community Talk www.lacrosseschools.org December, 2014 Dream...Believe...Achieve them dream, Randy Nelson, Superintendent believe, and achieve. This year we are highlighting their personal interests the word achieve. We don’t to shape their individual have to look far to see the success. It is inspiring to achievements and impact that hear the stories of risk, graduates from the School perseverance and success; District of La Crosse are including Central graduate having in our community and Julie Sleik Mozumdar (’91) throughout the world. Our who owns Supercube LLC in graduates are contractors, Minneapolis, MN, or Rhonda lawyers, business owners, (Kauffman) Rude (Logan ’82) teachers, and doctors. They who is a social worker for have taken the skills they La Crosse County, or Heath learned in our schools and Graves (Logan ’88) who serves they have combined them with as a school resource officer in our schools, and Central graduate Johnny Brevick (’03) who not only has a successful career as a creative marketing manager at Logistics Health Inc., but also co-founded the Hope Lives Foundation to support young people impacted by cancer. Central graduate Danielle Trussoni (’92) recently returned to the area to share an excerpt from her New York Times best-selling book with the students at Central. She not only shared what the writing and publishing process Officer Heath Graves (Logan ‘88) visits with a student in is like for students, but also the Logan Commons. Two years ago I shared with you that we had added three words to the bottom of the School District of La Crosse logo. Those words, dream, believe and achieve, guide all of the work that we do in our schools as well as why we do it. Ask any of our teachers why they went into the education profession and their response will include one or more of those three themes. We exist to guide the young people that walk through our doors, to help the importance of following your dreams and using your talents. We are proud of our graduates’ and students’ achievements, some of which you will read about in this publication. We know that there are countless more stories of success and achievement that we could share with you. We also know that our students’ successes are the result of the strong support our community has for our schools. I thank you for that support, and I look forward to sharing our students’ achievements with you for years to come. In Support of Our Kids, Seniors Receive National Merit Honors Logan High School senior Madrigal von Muchow has been named a National Merit Semifinalist by the National Merit Scholarship Program. Classmates Andrew Smith of Logan and Jessica Halter of Central were named Commended Students. Students are selected based on test scores, an essay, their schools’ curricula and school official recommendations, as well as involvement in activities and leadership. Madrigal von Muchow Awarded students are among the top 5% of students from across the country who enter the National Merit Scholarship Program by Andrew Smith taking the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Von Muchow has completed the application process and will learn in February if she is a Merit Finalist. Congratulations to all three students on their outstanding academic achievements. Jessica Halter Community Talk A magazine showcasing quality education and community commitment 2 Partnerships Make the Difference I believe one of the greatest strengths of the Connie L. Troyanek, Board of Education President School District of La Crosse It’s hard to School. This school year has is our ability to individualize believe the been full of new opportunities education to meet the needs holiday season is nearly and unique experiences for our of all our students. This upon us. It seems like just students. A new charter high individualization results in yesterday we were kicking school, student trips to Pine students with impressive off the start of the school Ridge Indian Reservation, and leadership skills, high levels year and opening the new expanded partnerships with of academic excellence and Northside Elementary the YMCA to name a few. compassion. I hope you enjoy reading how our students are partnering with community organizations to learn, grow and make a difference. I thank you for your partnership and support of our schools. Students in Steve Johnston’s Digital Electronics class are taking their skills up a level, literally. The Logan 10th through 12th graders are embarking on a project to design an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that would be used to identify power line problems and obstructions. “We are in the very beginning stages,” explains Johnston. “This is something that has never been done before at the high school level.” One of the greatest obstacles Johnston and needs. Engineers from Dairyland Power will offer technical expertise on the power line grids that the vehicle would travel. “This project is a perfect example of the types of projects the La Crosse Public Education Foundation likes to fund,” shares David Stoeffler, the foundation’s executive director. “Teachers are stretching students’ thinking through innovative projects and we are able to support the innovation through a classroom grant.” Digital Electronics Class Takes on Power Problem 2 his students faced to launch be to increase efficiency in the program was funding. identifying and repairing the Thanks to a recent Classroom problem and restoring service Innovation Grant awarded to the customers. by the La Crosse Public “This is a real world Education Foundation, technical problem that that challenge no longer the students can relate exists. The grant will to,” Johnston states. purchase the needed “When the power is out materials to build the the impact on a person vehicle. and community is great. The project Steve Johnston The UAV can travel involves students the power lines quickly designing an unmanned aerial to identify the source of the vehicle that would travel problem.” power lines during an outage The students will start by to determine where in the researching vehicle designs line and what is causing the as well as calculate power power outage. The goal would requirements and battery Health Science Academy Returns to Pine Ridge this past October. The students coordinated an eight station health fair that educated Reservation youth on healthy eating, signs of depression, obesity and the effects of smoking. “Our students Health Science & Pine Ridge took what they students share their compassion had learned about tiles. various health related Eight students from topics and designed interactive the school district’s Health educational displays,” shares Science Academy traveled Annette O’Hern, Supervisor of to the Pine Ridge Indian Career and Choice Education. Reservation with Gundersen Nearly 200 middle and Health System’s Global high school students from Partners to share wellness information and compassion Crazy Horse and Little Wound schools attended the fair. The La Crosse students also shared the La Crosse Compassion Project with the Reservation’s youth. “It was an exciting intergenerational activity,” O’Hern explains. “The elders taught us about ‘wowauncila,’ the Lakota word meaning, ‘to walk with compassion.” Reservation students then created 6 by 6 compassion tiles, similar to the art pieces created by students in the School District of La Crosse. “When the compassion tiles were being made the conversations taking place were powerful,” O’Hern notes. “Our students were sharing examples of compassion in our community and how they show compassion and the Lakota students were doing the same. It was a great cultural lesson.” In May another team of Health Science Academy students will visit Pine Ridge where plans are underway for the Reservation’s kindergarten through 5th grade students to participate in the Compassion Project. “They say compassion is contagious and after this trip I would have to agree,” O’Hern shares while beaming with pride from the work of the Academy students. Community Talk A magazine showcasing quality education and community commitment 3 International Students Share Experiences Logan High School teacher Rhonda Mc Gowan is passionate about opening students’ eyes to the world. “I believe students grow by getting to know others from another country. I want them to compare their culture with someone else’s in a non-judgmental way,” she shared. To do that, Mc Gowan organized a day where the Logan International exchange students shared about their culture and took questions from fellow students. “It is amazing that even The presentation is one though these exchange of several events that are now students are in our school linked to the School District of many students had not yet La Crosse’s Global Certificate. connected with them,” Mc Gowan and other World Mc Gowan added. Language teachers The Logan students designed the certificate asked questions that program as a way to ranged from, “How much acknowledge students’ homework do you get?” international education to “Which food do you experiences. miss most from home?” Logan Senior The students Rhonda Mc Gowan Kendall Fowler were surprised at will be one of the many of the answers, especially first students in the district to learning that students in receive the certificate. Sweden get paid to go to “It is great to hear about school. others experiences, how we are District Administrators Receive State Honors Two School District of La Crosse administrators Laura Huber were recently honored by state organizations for their leadership and excellence. Laura Huber, Principal of Northside Elementary and Coulee Montessori schools, was named the Midwest Reading Council and the Wisconsin Schools Reading Association Administrator of the Year. Huber came to the School District of La Crosse in 2009 when she was named Principal of Franklin, Roosevelt, and Coulee Montessori schools. Under her leadership the north side schools were consolidated into one school, renamed Northside Elementary, and the new school was built and opened this past fall. Additionally, Northside Elementary has twice received the honor of being named a School of Recognition by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for high academic achievement in a high poverty school. Steve Hole, Logan High School Athletic Director, was named the District 3 Athletic Director of the Year by the Wisconsin Athletics Directors Association. Hole has been the athletic director at Logan High School since 2003. In addition to his athletic director duties he is a math teacher at Logan. Hole first came to Logan in 1979. “Both Laura and Steve do an amazing job with our students,” shares Superintendent of Schools Randy Nelson. “They go above and beyond each and every day and instill in our students the importance of a strong work ethic that will benefit them for years to come. Steve Hole different and how we can make a difference in supporting their challenges,” said the senior who intends to pursue an International Studies degree. In addition to the speakers’ panel, Fowler has volunteered at the International Gardens as well as Lincoln Middle School’s Oktoberfest. Upcoming Global Certificate events scheduled at Logan will include creating Spanish storybooks, international trips and more guest speakers and panels. Community Talk A magazine showcasing quality education and community commitment 4 Painted Playgrounds Promote Healthy Activity Teachers and students get a workout on the Fit and Fun Playground. When Spence Elementary School Principal Shelley Shirel observed her school’s recess time she saw kids walking aimlessly. After learning of a company called Fit and Fun Playscapes while at a conference this summer teacher Paul Holman sees she knew she may have found a the benefits of the new solution. activities. “I wanted to find a way to “Any activity that better utilize the blacktop and motivates students to get to give the students structured up and move will impact games,” she shared. their fitness level,” he states. The Fit and Fun Playscapes “Getting exercise through Company designs stencils of play is an important part of games and activities that can be a healthy lifestyle and overall painted on blacktop. A grant fitness.” from the La Crosse County Shirel Health Department called believes that there the Healthy Wisconsin will be benefits in the Partnership Program classroom as well. (HWPP) funded the “We know from brain purchase. research that getting Staff and volunteers set students outside and to work painting hopscotch, active oxygenates four square, targets and a Paul Holman the brain and the maze onto the blacktop students come to this fall. Additional class better prepared to activities will be added in the learn,” she adds. spring. Spence Physical Education Logan Bike Shop Responds to Local Need When Logan Middle School’s Bike Works coordinator Matthew Christen received a call from the Salvation Army that they were looking for bikes, he knew his program could fill the need. Christen and 8-10 students meet twice a week to build and repair bikes. The program recently built and donated 53 bikes to an organization in Ghana. The bike shop receives a regular shipment of bikes that have been dropped off at the county landfill. The bikes are then assessed to determine if they are repairable or should be scrapped for parts. “The students take a lot of pride in getting the bikes cleaned up and ready for someone to use,” states Christen. “By donating them to the Salvation Army the students had a strong sense of giving back to the community.” Logan 7th grader Orion Lee was one of the Bike Works volunteers. “I wanted to help out the community,” he said. “I was happy to give the bikes to the people who needed it more than me.” Lee was previously the recipient of a Bike Works bike. He received his bike through the shop’s “Earn a Bike” program. Lee volunteered at the bike shop for 10 hours and passed two exams, one on bicycle parts and the other on bike safety, the requirements to earning a bike. “I want the students to develop a passion for lifelong biking,” Christen adds. “I see myself as a mentor.” Logan Middle School’s Bike Works coordinator Matthew Christen and student Orion Lee stand with the bikes they helped repair for the Salvation Army. Community 5 Talk A magazine showcasing quality education and community commitment Board of Education Honors Hunger Taskforce YMCA Partnership YMCA Health Benefits Health Science Science Academy Academy Students Plans After High School: UW-La Crosse Academic Achievement: Superintendent Randy Nelson and Board of Education President Connie Troyanek present the •• National Merit Scholar community partnership award to Nancy Fee, Hunger School Activities: •• Mock Trial Taskforce Board of Directors President. SOTA II Students Take on Bullying Through Musical At the School of Technology and Arts II (SOTAII) students are used to showcasing their work through music and performance. So, when teachers Jennifer Gulsvig and Josh Wolcott approached the students about integrating their writing assignments into a musical they were up for the challenge. No Bullies, Get Real was a musical that included five songs about bullying issues. The school’s 7th graders choreographed the numbers and taught them to the rest of the school. In language arts the students wrote stories and poems on topics about bullying and then worked in groups to develop a script from the writings. “It was powerful to listen to the students during the process,” shared SOTA II teacher Josh Wolcott. “We all have experienced some form of bullying in our lives and this was a platform to talk about it.” The SOTA II students performed their musical four times for other students in the district including the students at nearby SOTA I. “The ultimate message is we all have a choice and we all have a responsibility to be kind to one another,” Wolcott added. SOTA II students perform the musical No Bullies, Get Real. Health Science Academy students workout in the Wellness Center at the YMCA. Stop into the La Crosse 45 minute rotation in the branch of the YMCA on a Wellness Center working Tuesday morning and you toward their wellness goals. will find members of the “It is my hope that the School District of La Crosse’s students would continue to Health Science Academy work toward their goal of putting their newfound being more physically active physiology knowledge outside of our class,” George to the test. Students adds. “This class gives them participate in lab activities the opportunity to explore utilizing a multitude of multiple ways to go about resources available at the improving their health.” Y after completing online “Partnerships have coursework that is been the key to offered in partnership the Health Science with the Wisconsin Academy’s success,” Education Network. shares Annette “We do hands-on O’Hern, Supervisor activities that integrate of Career and Choice what the students Education. “This is are learning in both another great example their anatomy and of a partnership that Nahmie George gives our students physiology and exercise physiology hands-on learning classes,” shares Nahmie opportunities that we couldn’t George who teaches the as easily provide within our exercise physiology course. schools.” In addition, each student designs a personal wellness plan based on their goals for their overall health and wellness. While at the Y the students spend one Community 6 Talk A magazine showcasing quality education and community commitment Choice and Charter School Priority Placement Opportunity In addition to our outstanding neighborhood schools, the School District of La Crosse offers a variety of unique choice and charter schools. Parents/guardians have the opportunity to submit an interest form for their student to attend one of our choice or charter schools during the “Priority Placement” window. For the upcoming (2015-2016) school year, interest forms for our choice and charter schools are being accepted through December 22, 2014. The Priority Placement window is available to families who have students currently attending one of our schools, or is living within the School District of La Crosse boundary. (Note: This includes currently enrolled out-of-district families.) The window allows our currently enrolled students or students living within the La Crosse boundary priority consideration in advance of the state’s open enrollment process, and provides an early indicator for staffing needs for the 2015-2016 school year. After December 22, 2014, you can still apply to attend one of the district’s choice or charter schools; however, your application will be considered with the general pool of applicants during the February 2, 2015 - April 30, 2015, open enrollment period (space permitting). For more information visit www.lacrosseschools.org or call 608.789.7654. Partnership Offers Hands-on Opportunities for Academy Students Students in the School District of La Crosse’s Construction Academy have learned about many of the professions and trades in the construction industry. Until recently their coursework had not included operating heavy machinery like cranes, end loaders and forklifts. A partnership with the Wisconsin Association of General Contractors resulted in the Academy having access to 5 heavy machinery simulators for the students to use. “We were one of only five programs in the entire state that got this opportunity,” shares Annette O’Hern, Supervisor of Career and Choice Education. The simulators are used by the Association to train employees in how to use various pieces of equipment. “This was an outstanding opportunity for the students and something they wouldn’t otherwise get to do,” shares teacher Doug Dammen. “Because of liability, no one industry. had hoped for. “The is going to let a high school “We are finding the Academy was designed student just jump into a piece students are coming down to meet the employment of equipment and learn how to to the lab during their free needs in the area and operate it. This gives the kids time to work on some of increase awareness of the a safe environment to explore their modules,” she adds. “It vast professions in the even more careers in the has certainly sparked some construction industry. construction industry.” interest in the students.” These partnerships really The computer simulators That interest is exactly allow us to do just that.” gave students daily tasks what teacher Nick Kalina similar to that of machine operators. The joysticks and steering wheels handle the same as the actual equipment. “This gave students an opportunity to go through the same training they would have to for actual heavy machinery employment,” O’Hern explains. The students welcomed the unique four week opportunity and the Associate Superintendent of Instruction Troy Harcey chance to explore another aspect of the watches as a student works with the Construction Academy’s simulator. Community 7 Talk A magazine showcasing quality education and community commitment We Appreciate These Donations to Our Schools (June-October, 2014) District Wide Donations •• WASBO donation for buildings and grounds professional development •• County of La Crosse for the Wisconsin Partnership Program •• Kaplan University backpacks & school supplies •• UW-La Crosse iMacs, desktop PC’s, LCD flat panels, printers •• Marine Credit Union monetary donation & school supplies •• Wisconsin State Reading Association donation of books •• Dahl Automotive donation to Adapted Sports League •• La Crosse Community Foundation/Blanchar Fund for kindergarten transportation support •• La Crosse Community Foundation/Jim’s Grocery bag donation to school lunch fund •• La Crosse Community Foundation donation to elementary student transportation Central High/ LaCrossroads •• Allen & Tamara Becker; Ken & Paula Silha; John & Beth Story entrance pavers •• Diana Hanson donation of memorial plaque •• Wisconsin Retired Educators donation to transportation costs •• Target, Inc. AVID program supplies •• WKBT-TV donation of student recognition supplies for LaCrossroads •• Chad Mickelson donation for transportation costs for boys cross country •• Mark Glendenning donation to boys basketball, football, golf, swim and track programs •• Office Depot donation to CD department Emerson Elementary •• Steve & Nicole Roisum monetary donation to food pantry •• Emerson PTO dontation to transportation costs •• Emmett Harter, Jr. & Ernie Harter donation to food pantry •• Jon & Jane Erickson donation to food pantry •• Marvin & Michelle Wanders donation to food pantry •• Target, Inc. donation of instructional supplies Hamilton/SOTA I •• Walmart donation of snacks •• Norskedalen donation for transportation costs dance residency; student transportation •• Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration donation for feeding the body & mind •• La Crosse Community Foundation/Jim’s Grocery Bag monetary donation to food pantry •• SOTA I Steering Committee donation for dance residency; student transportation; field trip admission Hintgen •• La Crosse Community Foundation/Jim’s Grocery Bag monetary donation to food pantry Lincoln Middle/SOTA II/ Coulee Montessori •• Kwik Trip donation of instructional supplies •• Lincoln Middle School/ SOTA II Coulee Montessori parent group donation classroom & instructional supplies; supplies for German Club Oktoberfest •• Safe Routes to Schools donation of physical education equipment •• Chad Mickelson donation for transportation costs for boys cross country •• Target, Inc. donation of instructional supplies Logan High •• Riverfront Foundation donation of special education supplies •• Logan High Booster Club donation of fieldhouse chairs; hockey supplies; homecoming supplies •• Pump House Regional Arts Center donation for transportation costs Logan Middle •• La Crosse Community Foundation/Jim’s Grocery Bag donation to food pantry •• Owens family donation to food pantry Longfellow Middle/LDI •• Herb Kohl Educational Foundation donation to technology innovation •• Target, Inc. donation of instructional supplies •• Annette Faller donation of trumpet for band department Northside Elementary/ Coulee Montessori •• Coulee Montessori EFFECT Team donation to tranportation costs •• WI Health & PE donation of cargo net/crash mat •• North Presbyterian Church & Congregation monetary donation to purchase t-shirts •• La Crosse Community Foundation/Jim’s Grocery Bag monetary donation to food pantry North Woods International •• La Crosse Community Foundation/Jim’s Grocery Bag monetary donation to food pantry Southern Bluffs Elementary •• Southern Bluffs Elementary PTO donation for mascot/ costume and risers •• GEN Youth Foundation donation of wellness equipment •• Upper Mississippi River Conservancy donation for transportation costs Spence Elementary •• Spence Elementary PTO books for classroom; transportation costs •• Freecause, Inc. donation of classroom furniture •• Target, Inc. donation of classroom furniture •• Progressive Casualty Insurance donation of playground equipment; computer for health assistant State Road Elementary •• County of La Crosse transformation grat •• State Road PTO monetary donation for Opera for the Young •• Wells Fargo Community Support Campaign donation of video equipment Summit Environmental •• Summit Environmental PTO donation of field trip admission; transportation costs •• La Crosse Community Foundation/Jim’s Grocery Bag monetary donation to food pantry •• State of Wisconsin donation for green & healthy schools recognition The School District of La Crosse is fortunate to have the strong support of the La Crosse community. Monetary and in-kind donations are appreciated and help stretch our schools’ budgets. To Support Our Schools Visit: www.lacrosseschools.org Community 8 Talk A magazine showcasing quality education and community commitment Middle School Students Receive Motivation to Supersize Their Dreams of the foundation, “I Am That Girl,” shared her journey with students. “I want young people to know that there are resources and support out there to help them achieve their goals,” she said. “I am a great example that you can overcome obstacles and achieve success.” Joe Beckman, of Epic on Purpose, also spoke to the students. His presentation, “The 6 P’s to Excellence” impressed upon students the Keynote Speaker Joe Beckman presents to a group of importance of having a plan students during the retreat. and how that plan will help For the second year in a row, Your Dreams,” challenged them achieve excellence. middle school students in the La students to dream big and “These students are at Crosse Schools took time away develop a plan to reach a critical time in their lives,” from their traditional studies to their goals, including plans shares Lorrae Swartz, a Logan focus on something different, for overcoming obstacles Middle School teacher who their dreams. The 7th and 8th along the way. helped organize the retreat. grade retreat titled, “Supersize Alexis Jones, founder “We want to give them all the skills and resources so they can find success and happiness.” The retreat was a partnership between multiple area school districts, the Women’s Fund of La Crosse and Gundersen Medical Foundation. “This is an example of how this community cares for and supports our young people,” shares Sue Peterson, another retreat coordinator. “Our goal was for students to leave the day with a greater sense of purpose, with the inspiration that if they can dream it, they can become it.” Preschool Registration Begins January 7th The School District of La Crosse will begin accepting registrations for the 2015-2016 Four Year Old Preschool Program beginning on January 7th. Registration hours from January 7th – 9th will be from 6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Any child, who is 4 years old on or before September 1, and lives in the School District of La Crosse attendance area, or will complete Wisconsin Open Enrollment, is eligible for preschool. The preschool program is 2.5 hours per day and is housed at a number of centers and schools throughout the district. The program is free to eligible children. New this year, it is required that parents register their preschooler in person at the Hogan Administrative Center, 807 East Avenue South. Complete details including required registration documents can be found at www.lacrosseschools.org Stay up to date with what is happening in the School District of La Crosse Find us on Facebook: Join our enewsletter: Follow our blog: Follow us on Twitter: Community Talk A publication of the School District of La Crosse Please direct articles, questions or comments to: La Crosse Schools Use your mobile device to scan the QR code or email [email protected] lacrosseschools.wordpress.com @Lacrosseschools CommunityTalk Hogan Administrative Center 807 East Avenue South La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: 608-789-7628 * [email protected]
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