Ithaca School District

The giving spirit extends to donating blood! The need for blood is very large right now. Please consider donating blood during the FFA Ithaca Community Blood Drive on December 14th in the Community Gym. Schedule an appointment online: bit.ly/ithacadec14 or call 877-232-4376 to be a priority donor. All blood types are urgently needed to help us maintain a healthy blood supply during the winter months and holiday season. Thank you for your life-saving donation!

Tomorrow, November 24th, is a scheduled Early Release as we begin our Thanksgiving Holiday break. Elementary students begin releasing at 12:15pm. The final bell for Middle and High School is at 12:36pm. Enjoy this time to reflect on all the gifts for which we are thankful.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nov. 23rd, 2021 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: Turkey Supreme, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Yams, Cranberry Sauce, Mandarin Oranges, Dinner Roll, Dessert, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band. HS - Day 1 Schedule It is that time of year again! The HS student council is sponsoring Deck The Halls! Join in the fun by decorating your room, door, and locker for prizes! Awards will be given for the best teacher decorated door individual and the best teacher decorated door group. All MS and HS students that participate in decorating their lockers will win a prize too! Decorating must be complete by Friday, Dec. 4 at the end of the day. Judging will be the following Monday. But wait! There is more! The student council is also having the annual Passages Food drive for the month of December. Prizes to the top three classes that collect the most pounds of food! We will collect weekly for the first three weeks of December and announce the winners on December 22! Help support Passages with your donation! Ms Hilby's 5th hr study hall is to report to Mr. Thome's room with their materials. There will be a FBLA club meeting during Attack today in Mrs. Burnley's room. Grades 6 - 12 Band Students: The calendar raffle tickets and money must be turned in by next Tuesday, Nov. 30th. All tickets are expected to be sold. If you cannot sell all of your tickets, please bring them in to Mrs. Behrens this week so that someone else can sell them. Football Calendar Raffle Winner for November 23rd, Jonah Marchwick -Congratulations! Seniors, MAKE SURE you submit your Senior Portrait, Baby Picture, and Then & Now Pictures to Mrs. Burnley or directly to the Josten's website (https://images.jostens.com/416245955) by WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24. Feel free to forward the Josten's link to your photographer or email it to the adult helping you with your pictures. Also, make sure that you have submitted your Senior Quote and Senior Legacy. Thank you to the seniors who have already submitted your pictures and statements to the yearbook staff. Again, the deadline is NOVEMBER 24! Choir Students: The end of the fruit sale is coming fast. All orders need to be turned in by Wednesday. Make sure you collect all the sales by that time and be sure to turn in your order forms before Thanksgiving Break. This Day in History: 1859. The infamous Western outlaw known as “Billy the Kid” is mostly likely born in a poor Irish neighborhood on New York City’s East Side on November 23, 1859. (Much about his early life is unknown or unverified.) Before he was shot dead at age 21, Billy reputedly killed at least nine people in the American West. Word of the Day: enclave. An enclave is an area inhabited by people who are different in some way from the people in the surrounding areas. The district includes an enclave in which students of the university reside. Birthdays: Elementary—no Birthdays H.S./M.S.—Abby Plonka, Ally Plonka, Haleigh Colson

Attention Girls Basketball fans! The Ithaca High School Girls Basketball game originally scheduled for tonight at Wonewoc-Center has been cancelled.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nov. 22nd, 2021 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today: First Choice - Mac and Cheese, Second Choice - Brat, Broccoli, Peaches, Breadstick, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th and 8th Grade - Choir. HS - Day 2 Schedule. Grades 6 - 12 Band Students: The calendar raffle tickets and money must be turned in by next Tuesday, Nov. 30th. All tickets are expected to be sold. If you cannot sell all of your tickets, please bring them in to Mrs. Behrens this week so that someone else can sell them. Football Calendar Raffle Winner for November 20th = Karin Teplen, November 21st = Austin Durst, November 22nd = Betty Morel - Congratulations! There will be a middle school FFA meeting today. Bring a friend and come to room 316 for some fun FFA time! There will be a National Honor Society meeting today during Attack in the Library. Seniors, MAKE SURE you submit your Senior Portrait, Baby Picture, and Then & Now Pictures to Mrs. Burnley or directly to the Josten's website (https://images.jostens.com/416245955) by WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24. Feel free to forward the Josten's link to your photographer or email it to the adult helping you with your pictures. Also, make sure that you have submitted your Senior Quote and Senior Legacy. Thank you to the seniors who have already submitted your pictures and statements to the yearbook staff. Again, the deadline is NOVEMBER 24! Choir Students: The end of the fruit sale is coming fast. All orders need to be turned in by Wednesday. Make sure you collect all the sales by that time and be sure to turn in your order forms before Thanksgiving Break. This Day in History: John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, was assassinated while traveling through Dallas, Texas, in an open-top convertible.First lady Jacqueline Kennedy accompanied her husband along with Texas Governor John Connally and his wife, for a 10-mile motorcade through the streets of downtown Dallas on November 22. Sitting in a Lincoln convertible, they waved at the large and enthusiastic crowds gathered along the parade route. As their vehicle passed the Texas School Book Depository Building at 12:30 p.m., Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired three shots from the sixth floor, fatally wounding President Kennedy and seriously injuring Governor Connally. Word of the Day: Roister (verb) means "to engage in noisy partying or celebration." Fans roistered after their team won the championship. Birthdays: Elementary—none H.S./M.S.—none

The Ithaca School District is required to make the Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan available to the public online, and to offer the public opportunity to review the plan and provide feedback on the plan. Your comments will be considered during reviews of the plan. Please provide the district with your questions, comments, and/or concerns as they relate to the Ithaca School District Safe Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan before December 8, 2021. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UStLMdu6BMZv5AnW9R47-jzCf-0WjorhtMrqgEbXvx8/edit?usp=sharing https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfHA3kI1YhAM2de5aWV3P8ottHO30DprVvrTRMKB719shovig/viewform

Our students look forward to holiday meals! Tomorrow is one of those days! Enjoy a special holiday meal made special for our students by our kitchen staff tomorrow. There will be only one meal choice. Tomorrow's hot lunch choice will be Turkey Supreme with all the fixin's. Sides will be mashed potatoes, Mandarin oranges, yams, and cranberry sauce with a dinner roll, dessert, and milk.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nov. 19th, 2021 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - Pizza, Second Choice - Chicken Fajita, Steamed Carrots, Pears, Dinner Roll, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band. HS - Day 1 Schedule. Junior Class: Thank you for all of your help at concessions last night. You did a great job! Mrs. Behrens Football Calendar Raffle Winner for November 19th, Doug Faber -Congratulations! Choir Students: The end of the fruit sale is coming fast. All orders need to be turned in by next Wednesday. Make sure you collect all the sales by that time and be sure to turn in your order forms before Thanksgiving Break. High School FFA Members: A reminder that there is OPTIONAL FFA team building today during Seminar, lunch and ATTACK time. Meet in Ms Sprecher's room at seminar time. There will be a National Honor Society meeting on Monday, November 22nd during Attack in the Library. 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 5th grade class. 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. This Day in History: President Lincoln delivers Gettysburg Address On November 19, 1863, at the dedication of a military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln delivers one of the most memorable speeches in American history. In fewer than 275 words, Lincoln brilliantly and movingly reminded a war-weary public why the Union had to fight, and win, the Civil War. Word of the Day: Draconian dray-KOH-nee-un adjective Draconian means "cruel" or "severe." It is usually used to describe harsh laws, rules, or regulations. Small businesses believe that the new tax is draconian. Birthdays: Elementary—today: Avah Fargen, on Sunday: Christopher Prouty, and Remington Whiteaker H.S./M.S.—on Sunday: Natashia Mueller

Spanish I and Spanish II students learned about the Mexican and Latin American tradition of celebrating Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead is a celebration and welcoming of the souls of the deceased family members and friends. Families often create “ofrendas” or altars to celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones. Spanish students created their own altars or “ofrendas”. The students were to choose either a famous Spanish-speaking person or a friend, family member or pet and create an altar that represented this person or pet. Spanish 2 students wrote a paragraph detailing the likes and dislikes of their chosen person or pet. Spanish II students practiced lots of Spanish grammar! The students did a marvelous job of creating a mini altar for “Dia de los Muertos”.

The Ithaca Youth Basketball (all youth - boys and girls) apparel and jersey store is open! Place your order before the store closes on December 2nd. Check out the store by clicking this link that takes you to the Ithaca Girls Basketball program Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/456857427815454/permalink/2021201034714411/

A group of sophomore and freshman students traveled with Mr. Thome to the Ridge and Valley Conference Sportsmanship Summit in De Soto. The student athletes were able to learn a lot of great team building ideas and ways to increase sportsmanship in the Ithaca community. It was great to see how well they worked together and with students from other conference schools.

Ithaca Public Schools is looking to add to our team! We are seeking an After School Program Group Leader, a Gifted and Talented/Learning Enrichment Activities coach, and substitute teachers. Contact Brooke Hackl in the District Office at 608/585-2512 or view postings on wecan.waspa.org.

November is Native American Heritage Month. Third, fourth, and fifth-grade Ithaca students learned about our Ho-Chunk neighbors during a presentation that was brought possible by our local Delta Kappa Gamma chapter. Presenters brought artifacts such as baskets, moccasins, and regalia, and the Ithaca students were able to learn about the Ho-Chunk people and culture. Students and teachers shared in a traditional Ho-Chunk dance and learned about the importance of Ho-Chunk traditions. Thank you, Mrs Bailey, for bringing this to our students.

Some of our Ithaca High School students participated in a Sources of Strength Peer Leader training at the Richland Center Community Center on November 9, 2021. Sources of Strength focuses on training and empowering Peer Leaders to impact their world through the power of connection, hope, help and strength. Students learned more about their own sources of strength and how to reach others, through games, instruction, and small group activities.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nov. 18th, 2021 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today: First Choice - Grill Cheese & Soup - Second Choice, Rib Sandwich, Peas, Mixed Fruit, Dessert, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th and 8th Grade - Choir. HS - Day 2 Schedule. Football Calendar Raffle Winner for November 18th, Aaron Kepler-Congratulations! HS student council will meet today during Seminar in Ms. Sprecher room. The Richland Center Junior Bowlers will be having a share night at Papa Murphy's in Richland Center this Thursday, November 18th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Come out to Papa Murphy’s & support the Junior Bowlers and their Scholarship Program. There will be a youth basketball sign up meeting today at 5:30pm in the Commons. All boys and girls in Kindergarten through 6th grade interested in playing basketball should come to the sign up meeting. If you have questions, please message John Young at 608-604-9270. High School FFA Members: A reminder that there is OPTIONAL FFA team building on Friday during Seminar, lunch and ATTACK time. Meet in Ms Sprecher's room at seminar time. The Ithaca FFA apparel sale is now open! Place your orders today for guaranteed delivery by Christmas! Store closes November 23rd. Find the link to order on the Ithaca FFA Facebook page or ask an Ithaca FFA member. Thank you for your support! There will be a National Honor Society meeting on Monday, November 22nd during Attack in the Library. There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, November 19. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the 5th grade class. 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. This Day in History: On November 18, 1978, Peoples Temple founder Jim Jones leads hundreds of his followers in a mass murder-suicide at their agricultural commune in a remote part of the South American nation of Guyana. Many of Jones’ followers willingly ingested a poison-laced punch while others were forced to do so at gunpoint. The final death toll at Jonestown that day was 909; a third of those who perished were children. Word of the Day: Amity AM-uh-tee noun Amity means "friendship" or "friendly relations between nations." Amity between the nations was restored with the treaty. Birthdays: Elementary—None H.S./M.S.—Herald Clancy

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nov. 17th, 2021 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - Bar-B-Q Sandwich, Second Choice - Mini Corn Dogs, Romaine Salad, Applesauce, Dinner Roll, Dessert, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band. HS - Day 1 Schedule. Junior Class: You will have a class meeting today, during lunch, in the Band room. Football Calendar Raffle Winner for November 17th, Alex Hasse-Congratulations! Junior Class: You have concessions this Thursday, Nov. 18th. Please sign up to work on Mrs. Behrens' door. Also, please let Mrs. Behrens know if one of your parents can supervise concessions that night. The Richland Center Junior Bowlers will be having a share night at Papa Murphy's in Richland Center this Thursday, November 18th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Come out to Papa Murphy’s & support the Junior Bowlers and their Scholarship Program. There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, November 19. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the 5th grade class. 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. Fellowship of Christian Athletes! FCA huddle is back! Join us for a great breakfast, encouraging devotion and student fellowship! This coming Thursday morning at 7:00am. All high school students are welcome! There will be a youth basketball sign up meeting on Thursday, November 18th at 5:30pm in the Commons. All boys and girls in Kindergarten through 6th grade interested in playing basketball should come to the sign up meeting. If you have questions, please message John Young at 608-604-9270. This Day in History: Queen Mary I, the monarch of England and Ireland since 1553, dies and is succeeded by her 25-year-old half-sister, Elizabeth. The two half-sisters, both daughters of King Henry VIII, had a stormy relationship during Mary’s five-year reign. Mary, who was brought up as a Catholic, enacted pro-Catholic legislation and made efforts to restore the pope to supremacy in England. A Protestant rebellion ensued, and Queen Mary imprisoned Elizabeth, a Protestant, in the Tower of London on suspicion of complicity. After Mary’s death, Elizabeth survived several Catholic plots against her; though her ascension was greeted with approval by most of England’s lords, who were largely Protestant and hoped for greater religious tolerance under a Protestant queen. Under the early guidance of Secretary of State Sir William Cecil, Elizabeth repealed Mary’s pro-Catholic legislation, established a permanent Protestant Church of England, and encouraged the Calvinist reformers in Scotland. Word of the Day: Negotiate nih-GOH-shee-ayt verb Negotiate means "to deal with or bring about through discussion or compromise." It also means, for people and things in motion, "to get through, around, or over successfully." The parties negotiated an agreement. Birthdays: Elementary—No birthdays H.S./M.S.—No birthdays

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nov. 16th, 2021 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today: First Choice - Hamburger, Second Choice - Chicken Nuggets, Baked Beans, Baby Carrots, Peaches, Dinner Roll, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th and 8th Grade - Choir. HS - Day 2 Schedule. Junior Class: You have concessions this Thursday, Nov. 20. Please sign up to work on Mrs. Behrens' door. Also, please let Mrs. Behrens know if one of your parents can supervise concessions that night. Tonight is the first night for the girls basketball team. Come out and support them wearing neon! Jv at 6 varsity at 7:00. Football Calendar Raffle Winner for November 13th = Caden Keller, November 14th =Jodi Imhoff , November 15th = Mike Gunderson - November 16th, Roger Cockroft-Congratulations! Junior Class: You will have a class meeting on Wednesday, during lunch, in the Band room. There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, November 19. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the 5th grade class. 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. Fellowship of Christian Athletes! FCA huddle is back! Join us for a great breakfast, encouraging devotion and student fellowship! This coming Thursday morning at 7:00am. All high school students are welcome! There will be a youth basketball sign up meeting on Thursday, November 18th at 5:30pm in the Commons. All boys and girls in Kindergarten through 6th grade interested in playing basketball should come to the sign up meeting. If you have questions, please message John Young at 608-604-9270. This Day in History: On November 16, 1532, Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish explorer and conquistador, springs a trap on the Incan emperor, Atahualpa. With fewer than 200 men against several thousand, Pizarro lures Atahualpa to a feast in the emperor’s honor and then opens fire on the unarmed Incans. Pizarro’s men massacre the Incans and capture Atahualpa, forcing him to convert to Christianity before eventually killing him. Word of the Day: Facetious adjective fuh-SEE-shuss Facetious means "joking often inappropriately" or "meant to be humorous or funny." It usually describes something said or done as being annoying, silly, or improper. I was just being facetious. Birthdays: Elementary—None H.S./M.S.—On Monday: Rachel Stocks

Here is a reminder from Ithaca Schools. We have a Staff PLC day scheduled today. There will be no classes for students today.

In Library class, the 5th Grade learned about the federal government and used library research skills to take virtual field trips to the United States Capitol, the White House, and the Supreme Court. Students also learned how to research who their congressman is, and each student wrote a personal letter to Representative Ron Kind about an issue they are concerned about. This Library unit was a way for students to gain citizenship skills while learning about how our federal system of government works to represent the people.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nov. 12th, 2021 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - Quesadilla, Second Choice - Fish Sandwich, Corn, Mandarin Oranges, Breadstick, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band. HS - Day 1 Schedule. Football Calendar Raffle Winner for November 12th, Bonnie Jones -Congratulations! There will be a youth basketball sign up meeting on Thursday, November 18th at 5:30pm in the Commons. All boys and girls in Kindergarten through 6th grade interested in playing basketball should come to the sign up meeting. If you have questions, please message John Young at 608-604-9270. The Ithaca basketball apparel store is up and running! Please place your orders by November 15th by 10:00am. https://sportsworld.chipply.com/ithacagbb21/ The PTSO winter apparel sale is up & running! The sale is available ONLINE ONLY this year. Lots of gift ideas for your Bulldog fan! Please place your orders using the link below by November 14. Delivery will be before December 22. https://ithacaptso.itemorder.com/shop/sale/ This Day in History: Ellis Island closes. On November 12, 1954, Ellis Island, the gateway to America, shuts it doors after processing more than 12 million immigrants since opening in 1892. Today, tens of millions of Americans can trace their roots through Ellis Island, located in New York Harbor off the New Jersey coast and named for merchant Samuel Ellis, who owned the land in the 1770s. Word of the Day: Edify verb ED-uh-fye Edify means "to uplift, enlighten, or inform." The speaker's words edified the graduating class, giving them hope and encouragement. Birthdays: Elementary—Today: Lane Buscher, on Sunday: Brynli Brady and Maisy Tauaalo H.S./M.S.—None