Ithaca School District

Don't forget! Tomorrow, January 5th is a scheduled early release. Elementary will begin releasing at 12:15pm, and the final bell for Middle and High School is 12:36pm.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jan. 3rd, 2022 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - BBQ Rib, Second Choice - Mini Corn Dogs, Baked Beans, Applesauce, Dinner Roll, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band, HS - Band. The final winners in the Ithaca Band Parents Calendar Raffle were: Greg Dischler - $75, Danny Clary - $150, Heather Thome - $175, and Crystal Peer - $250. Thank you to everyone for supporting this fundraiser! Junior Class: You have concessions on Tuesday night, January 4. Please sign up on Mrs. Behrens door to work. All forensics students should attend a meeting today during ATTACK time in the LMC. This week's concessions are: Monday – FFA Tuesday - Junior Class Thursday - HS Student Council Friday - FCCLA FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will gather for our group huddle Thursday morning Jan 6th at 7am. We will share an encouraging New Year's devotion & message. Breakfast will be served. All high school students are welcome! Seniors! Next Monday evening (Jan 10) at 6:00pm we will host a ‘Senior Scholarship Prep Night’. This will be an evening to assist you with any scholarship essays and questions you may have. Pizza and soda will be served. Please RSVP and sign up by the guidance office. Any questions, please see Mrs. Kershner. There will be a high school FFA meeting on Tuesday, January 4th in Ms. Sprecher's room at ATTACK. Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega surrenders to U.S. On January 3, 1990, Panama’s General Manuel Antonio Noriega, after holing up for 10 days at the Vatican embassy in Panama City, surrenders to U.S. military troops to face charges of drug trafficking. Noriega was flown to Miami the following day and crowds of citizens on the streets of Panama City rejoiced. On July 10, 1992, the former dictator was convicted of drug trafficking, money laundering and racketeering and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Word of the Day: Palindrome PAL-un-drohm noun. A palindrome is a word, verse, or sentence (as "Able was I ere I saw Elba"), or a number (as 2002) that reads the same backward or forward. Hannah was amused when Otto pointed out that they both had first names that were palindromes. Elementary—None H.S./M.S.—None

Don't forget to sign up for New Year's Eve Trivia night by Tuesday, Dec. 28 by 6 PM!! This event is FREE and you could win a $50 gift card!!

Our staff have so very many talents! Recently at the Elementary Winter Music Program, some of our staff members sang Carol of the Bells. Enjoy their performance! https://youtu.be/iFT98NsUiLw

From all of us at Ithaca Public Schools, a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season to all our families and community!

Good morning everyone, Adam Hess here. Our new Ithaca website DNS/SSL has migrated, and it looks WONDERFUL. Our team will be browsing the site over the next few days to verify all data migrated in a proper manner. Until then, please enjoy our new site. I would like to give special thanks to staff member Juli Thompson. Juli handled the site design, data migration, and backend platform migration for Ithaca. She worked one on one with our hosting team. Juli went above and beyond on this project, and it shows!! The new design will allow for easier navigation and easier data location for our end users. Plus, it looks pretty cool! https://www.ithaca.k12.wi.us

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dec. 22, 2021 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today: First Choice - Turkey Supreme, Second Choice - Baked Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans, Orange Fluff, Dinner Roll, Holiday Sugar Cookie, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th and 8th Grade - Choir, HS - Choir. Tuesday's winner of $75 in the Ithaca Band Parents Calendar Raffle was Jason Klepacz, of Cazenovia, with ticket #248. Junior Class: You have concessions on the day that you get back from winter break. Please let Mrs. Behrens know if you can work. Attention High School Students. Please see Mrs. Kershner today, if you would like a Fellowship of Christian Athletes t-shirt. The cost is $6.00. Thanks The totals are in and the Ithaca school family collected 1372.5 pounds of food for Passages! The race for the most food collected was tight by the 4th grade made a late game push and came out in first with 289 pounds. Second with 250 pounds was Kindergarten. the next three places were really tight but bringing in 163 pounds for third place is the 8th grade. 4th place with 156 pounds is 4K and 5th place with 152.5 pounds is third grade. Thank you all so much for helping with this wonderful cause to aid our local victims of domestic violence. It is very appreciated! Hey Students… psst, HEY students! Listen to this awesome news! We couldn’t be more proud of you! Between last week's boys basketball game and this week's girls game… “Hoops for Huebsch” raised a total of ….(drum role please)….. $4,435.00 to go to the American Family Children’s Hospital Oncology department in honor of our friend Ben! How cool is that? Our financial gift will comfort patients, care for them and help with research! A huge THANK YOU to our students, community and area businesses for your generous support! Seniors...Seniors...SENIORS...If you have not turned in your Senior Portrait, Baby Picture or Senior Quote, PLEASE submit it to Mrs. Burnley or Jostens before school resumes on Jan. 3. The Yearbook Staff truly does not want an empty square next to your name. If you haven't submitted your Senior Survey, please complete it by Jan. 3 also. If you have pictures that you would like to include on the "Through the Years" page, please email them to Mrs. Burnley as soon as possible. THANK YOU! The 2020-2021 Yearbook Supplement has arrived! If you purchased a yearbook last year, please see Mrs. Burnley to pick up your Supplement. Choir Students: Remember to turn in your fruit fundraiser money to Mrs. Willis or Mrs. Niemeyer before break. If you have questions or concerns, stop by to talk. The Ithaca FBLA is hosting a Coat Drive this week. Please bring any coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and any other winter apparel that you have outgrown or no longer use to Mrs. Burnley's room by the end of the day on Wednesday, Dec. 22nd. Thank you for making a difference during the cold weather! There will be a middle school girls’ basketball open gym today after school until 5:15 in the old gym. Please meet Coach Miller in the commons after school Wednesday and walk down with her. Also on Wednesday, December 22nd at 5:15pm we will have a player/parent/coach meeting to get contact information, sign up for concessions and hand out practice schedules. Everyone is invited to visit the library and pick out free books to take home and keep. Mrs. Zorea adds new books to our library every month. To make room for the new books that are being added, books that have not been read in a while have been removed from the library collection. All of these books are on tables in the library marked "FREE." These books need a forever home. You can choose and take as many books as you want. Come to the library and pick out some free books. One of our students is going through a very difficult time. If you would like to know more and offer your support, please visit this care page: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/benhuebsch/journal/view/id/61b7892e82357ae224f5a93d It's not too late to join Forensics! If you missed Friday's meeting but still want to join or have questions about what we are about, stop in and chat with Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Zorea, or Ms Schmitt. All Forensics students should make time to talk with a coach about your category and topic or selection before the start of break. Zoom meetings are possible too! The PTSO will be hosting a Virtual Ithaca Family & Friends Trivia Night via Zoom on December 31 - New Year's Eve - starting at 6 PM. Sign up your team by emailing the PTSO at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com with your group or family name by December 28. We will be drawing for three $50 gift cards throughout the night and you must Zoom in to win. Join us for family fun and prizes as we ring in the new year! Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: First gorilla born in captivity. On December 22, 1956, a baby gorilla named Colo enters the world at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio, becoming the first-ever gorilla born in captivity. Weighing in at approximately 4 pounds. Word of the Day: Benign bih-NYNE adjective Benign means "not causing harm or injury." In medicine, it refers to tumors that are not cancerous. The email seemed benign, but it was discovered to be from a hacker. Elementary—Dec.27th: Malakai Tauaalo; Dec. 31st: Lyvia Pickel; Jan. 1: Breydun VonBehren; Jan. 2nd: Alexander Toussaint H.S./M.S.—Dec. 25th: Micah Salisbury; Dec. 26th: Evan Gomez, Kailey Newkirk; Dec. 31: Wyatt Hilby, Adam Kepler; Jan. 1st: Ethan Stowell; Jan. 2nd: Peyton Brown Staff—Dec. 27th: Adam Hess; Dec. 29th: Mr. Herbst; Dec. 30: Mr. Mani

Each year, our National Honor Society and High School Student Council challenge our grade levels to beat each other out in a food collection benefitting Passages, Inc. of Richland County. As is done each year, Ithaca pulls through! This year, the Ithaca School family collected 1372.5 pounds of food for Passages! Ultimate winners are the clients of Passages. However, class winners were 4th grade, with a late game push at 289 pounds of food. Second with 250 pounds was Kindergarten. The next three places were really tight but bringing in 163 pounds for third place is the 8th grade. Fourth place with 156 pounds is 4K, and 5th place with 152.5 pounds is third grade. Passages reports that our drive is one of their biggest donations each year, making a huge impact on their clients. They are so very grateful!

Some of our second graders recently read the story Ah, Music! Students constructed their own instruments from recycled materials and presented them to the class. Their finale was a parade. They played the instruments and paraded through the elementary hallway.

It's Holiday Mealtime at Ithaca for lunch tomorrow! Our kitchen staff is preparing a favorite our students look forward to each year. Enjoy a choice of Turkey Supreme or Baked Ham with sweet potatoes, green beans, orange fluff, dinner roll and holiday sugar cookie.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dec. 21, 2021 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - Baked Fish, Second Choice - Chicken Burger, Broccoli w/Cheese Sauce, Strawberry/Blueberries, Dinner Roll, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band, HS - Band. Monday's winner of $50 in the Ithaca Band Parents Calendar Raffle was Eric Wanless, of Gays Mills. FBLA will have a meeting today during Attack. Choir Students: Remember to turn in your fruit fundraiser money to Mrs. Willis or Mrs. Niemeyer before break. If you have questions or concerns, stop by to talk. Tonight at the Varsity Girls Basketball game we will gather at halftime for ‘Hoops for Huebsch’. Pay $1.00 and shoot a shot! All proceeds will go to benefit the American Family Children’s Hospital Oncology department, in honor of Ben! Help us reach our goal of $4,242.00 … so far we have raise $3,450.00…only $792.00 to go!! Don’t forget to wear your green! Go Bulldogs! Great job on Christmas colors, hats and flannel yesterday! Tomorrow is the last day before Christmas break so let's kick it off by wearing our pajamas at school! HS students, don't forget to sign up for a fun room for tomorrow after lunch. The student council has some great activities planned. We will do our regular schedule in the morning and begin the holiday fun right after lunch. If you have a set of bags that we can use for the corn hole tournament we would be appreciative to be able to borrow them. Holiday door judging results: 1st place goes to the Juniors, 2nd place to the Sophomores, 3rd place to the Freshman, and the seniors received the ba humbug award. The teacher door decorating results will be announced tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped to make our school look festive! The Ithaca FBLA is hosting a Coat Drive this week. Please bring any coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and any other winter apparel that you have outgrown or no longer use to Mrs. Burnley's room by the end of the day on Wednesday, Dec. 22nd. Thank you for making a difference during the cold weather! There will be a middle school girls’ basketball open gym on Wednesday, December 22nd from after school until 5:15 in the old gym. Please meet Coach Miller in the commons after school Wednesday and walk down with her. Also on Wednesday, December 22nd at 5:15pm we will have a player/parent/coach meeting to get contact information, sign up for concessions and hand out practice schedules. Everyone is invited to visit the library and pick out free books to take home and keep. Mrs. Zorea adds new books to our library every month. To make room for the new books that are being added, books that have not been read in a while have been removed from the library collection. All of these books are on tables in the library marked "FREE." These books need a forever home. You can choose and take as many books as you want. Come to the library, and pick out some free books. One of our students is going through a very difficult time. If you would like to know more and offer your support, please visit this care page: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/benhuebsch/journal/view/id/61b7892e82357ae224f5a93d It's not too late to join Forensics! If you missed Friday's meeting but still want to join or have questions about what we are about, stop in and chat with Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Zorea, or Ms Schmitt. All Forensics students should make time to talk with a coach about your category and topic or selection before the start of break. Zoom meetings are possible too! The PTSO will be hosting a Virtual Ithaca Family & Friends Trivia Night via Zoom on December 31 - New Year's Eve - starting at 6 PM. Sign up your team by emailing the PTSO at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com with your group or family name by December 28. We will be drawing for three $50 gift cards throughout the night and you must Zoom in to win. Join us for family fun and prizes as we ring in the new year! Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: Pan Am Flight 103 explodes over Scotland. On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 from London to New York explodes in midair over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members aboard, as well as 11 Lockerbie residents on the ground. A bomb hidden inside an audio cassette player detonated in the cargo area when the plane was at an altitude of 31,000 feet. The disaster, which became the subject of Britain’s largest criminal investigation, was believed to be an attack against the United States. One hundred eighty nine of the victims were American. Word of the Day: Exasperate ig-ZASS-puh-rayt verb Exasperate means "to cause irritation or annoyance to someone" or "to excite the anger of someone." The flight delays began to exasperate people in the airport. Elementary—None H.S./M.S.—Katarina Weitzel

Candy, cocoa, crackers, frosting, and fun! Such talented Gingerbread House constructors! Thank you to all the families that came out for a fantastic evening. The Holiday fun isn't over: Mark your calendars for Virtual Family Trivia night on New Year's Eve (Dec. 31). Have your team names in by the 28th to IthacaPTSO@gmail.com. Merry Christmas everybody!

Our Ithaca Elementary students in kindergarten through 5th grade put on their Winter Music Program! Their music talent was showcased during Christmas and other holiday songs. Lots of smiles and entertainment!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dec. 20, 2021 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today: First Choice - Chili, Second Choice - Mini Corn Dogs, Carrots, Pears, Dinner Rolls, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th and 8th Grade - Choir, HS - It is a Choir day, however, those who are going caroling tonight with the band, should go to band today. The weekend winners in the Band Parents Calendar Raffle were Heidi Manning - $50, Rhonda Johnson - $50, and Steven Young - $100. The high school band will be Christmas caroling around the community tonight from 6:00 - 7:45 pm. FBLA will have a meeting during Attack on Tuesday, Dec. 21. The Ithaca FBLA is hosting a Coat Drive this week. Please bring any coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and any other winter apparel that you have outgrown or no longer use to Mrs. Burnley's room by the end of the day on Wednesday, Dec. 20. Thank you for making a difference during the cold weather! Tomorrow dress up day celebrating our last few days before break is Ugly Holiday/Christmas Sweater Day. We can't wait to see everyone's sweater! There will be a middle school FFA meeting today. Please bring your chromebooks and a friend! High school students: Wednesday will be the annual student council sponsored fun afternoon. After lunch, we will be offering many fun activities including a corn hole tournament, movie rooms, game room, minute to win it games and activities in the gym. Signup sheets will be posted on Monday. There will be a middle school girls’ basketball open gym on Wednesday, December 22nd from after school until 5:15 in the old gym. Please meet Coach Miller in the commons after school Wednesday and walk down with her. Also on Wednesday, December 22nd at 5:15pm we will have a player/parent/coach meeting to get contact information, sign up for concessions and hand out practice schedules. Everyone is invited to visit the library and pick out free books to take home and keep. Mrs. Zorea adds new books to our library every month. To make room for the new books that are being added, books that have not been read in a while have been removed from the library collection. All of these books are on tables in the library marked "FREE." These books need a forever home. You can choose and take as many books as you want. Come to the library, and pick out some free books. One of our students is going through a very difficult time. If you would like to know more and offer your support, please visit this care page: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/benhuebsch/journal/view/id/61b7892e82357ae224f5a93d It's not too late to join Forensics! If you missed Friday's meeting but still want to join or have questions about what we are about, stop in and chat with Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Zorea, or Ms Schmitt. All Forensics students should make time to talk with a coach about your category and topic or selection before the start of break. Zoom meetings are possible too! The PTSO will be hosting a Virtual Ithaca Family & Friends Trivia Night via Zoom on December 31 - New Year's Eve - starting at 6 PM. Sign up your team by emailing the PTSO at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com with your group or family name by December 28. We will be drawing for three $50 gift cards throughout the night and you must Zoom in to win. Join us for family fun and prizes as we ring in the new year! Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: Elvis Presley is drafted. On December 20, 1957, while spending the Christmas holidays at Graceland, his newly purchased Tennessee mansion, rock-and-roll star Elvis Presley receives his draft notice for the United States Army. Word of the Day: Huckster HUCK-ster noun A huckster is a person who is aggressive or dishonest in selling.The jewelry that the huckster was peddling was obviously imitation. Elementary—None H.S./M.S.—Marshell Self

'Twas the week before Christmas, and all through the halls of Ithaca, our students dressed up each day in..... Monday, December 20th, wear your fun Holiday hat, Christmas colors, and/or flannel. Tuesday, December 21st, wear your ugliest Holiday/Christmas sweater. Wednesday, December 22nd, wear pajamas.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dec. 17, 2021 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - Cheeseburger, Second Choice - Brat, Cowboy Beans, Veggies & Dip, Mandarin Oranges, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band, HS - Day 1 Schedule. Thursday's winner of $75 in the Band Parents Calendar Raffle was Shari Kershner, with ticket #544. The high school band will be Christmas caroling around the community on Monday, December 20, 5:45 - 7:45 pm. If you know of anyone who would like to have us stop to play some carols for them, please let Mrs. Behrens know. There will be a middle school FFA meeting on Monday, December 20th. Please bring your Chromebook and a friend! Join in the fun with the 3 days of Christmas dress up next week. Monday is Christmas colors, Holiday hat and flannel day. High school students- next Wednesday will be the annual student council sponsored fun afternoon. After lunch, we will be offering many fun activities including a corn hole tournament, movie rooms, game room, minute to win it games and activities in the gym. Signup sheets will be posted on Monday. There is a middle school girls basketball signup sheet on the office window for all 6th -8th grade girls interested in playing this year. There will be a middle school girls’ basketball open gym next Wednesday, December 22nd from after school until 5:15 in the old gym. Please meet Coach Miller in the commons after school Wednesday and walk down with her. Also on Wednesday, December 22nd at 5:15pm we will have a player/parent/coach meeting to get contact information, sign up for concessions and hand out practice schedules. Everyone is invited to visit the library and pick out free books to take home and keep. Mrs. Zorea adds new books to our library every month. To make room for the new books that are being added, books that have not been read in a while have been removed from the library collection. All of these books are on tables in the library marked "FREE." These books need a forever home. You can choose and take as many books as you want. Come to the library and pick out some free books. One of our students is going through a very difficult time. If you would like to know more and offer your support, please visit this care page: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/benhuebsch/journal/view/id/61b7892e82357ae224f5a93d It's not too late to join Forensics! If you missed Friday's meeting but still want to join or have questions about what we are about, stop in and chat with Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Zorea, or Ms Schmitt. All Forensics students should make time to talk with a coach about your category and topic or selection before the start of break. Zoom meetings are possible too! There will be a popcorn sale today. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the Middle School Student Council. Middle school students we will sell in your hallway by the elementary doors during your breakfast. High school we will sell in the hallway by the vending machine during your breakfast. The PTSO's Gingerbread House Fun Night will be tonight starting at 5:30 in the Commons. A $50 gift card will be awarded to the 1st place entry, a $30 gift card for 2nd and a $20 gift card for 3rd. Hope to see you there! The PTSO will be hosting a Virtual Ithaca Family & Friends Trivia Night via Zoom on December 31 - New Year's Eve - starting at 6 PM. Sign up your team by emailing the PTSO at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com with your group or family name by December 28. We will be drawing for three $50 gift cards throughout the night, and you must Zoom in to win. Join us for family fun and prizes as we ring in the new year! Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? Did you know Rural Route 1 popcorn makes a great Christmas gift? The PTSO will be selling cash-n-carry popcorn in the school entryway by the office on Friday Dec. 17 during the boys and girls basketball games from about 6 PM to the end of the game. Most flavors available. Get 'em while they last! This Day in History: First airplane flies Near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first successful flight in history of a self-propelled, heavier-than-air aircraft on December 17, 1903. Orville piloted the gasoline-powered, propeller-driven biplane, which stayed aloft for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its inaugural flight. Word of the Day: Venerate VEN-uh-rayt verb Venerate means "to feel or show deep respect and honor for someone or something." Volunteers of the Peace Corps are venerated for their selfless dedication and contributions. Elementary—Today: Jaxson Elliott; Saturday: Paislee Grassman; on Sunday: Wyatt Kalland, Shayla Klingaman H.S./M.S.—Today: Jerika Banker; on Sunday: Danny Feryance, Benjamin Otto

Mrs. Hilby & Mrs. Umhoefer's 3rd hour HS Life Skills class made gluten free, sugar free Christmas cookies. They had to find a recipe that fit the criteria, create a shopping list, and go shopping for supplies. Mrs. Hilby had the dough already made for them due to time crunches, but they were able to roll out the dough and cut out the cookies (harder than anyone expected with this type of dough). Then they got to decorate the cookies with sugar free icing and take some home with them.

The PTSO will be hosting a Virtual Ithaca Family & Friends Trivia Night via Zoom on December 31 - New Year's Eve - starting at 6 PM. Sign up your team by emailing the PTSO at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com with your group or family name by December 28. We will be drawing for three $50 gift cards throughout the night, and you must Zoom in to win. Join us for family fun and prizes as we ring in the new year!

A member of the Ithaca student body is currently battling a health issue. Peg Durkin, the head of our Art Program, created a banner and asked staff and students to sign as a show of support. Also, Mick, Carly and their family would like to sincerely thank the community for the outpouring of support during this time.

Pick up today! Choir students, please pick up your fruit sale orders in the bus garage after school until 5:30. Contact Kris Willis or Liz Niemeyer if you are unable to make that time work. PTSO apparel store orders will be available for pickup today from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the commons. If you have any questions, please contact Karia Brown at joekariabrown@gmail.com.