Ithaca School District

If your child rides Mike H’s bus (bus 17), please check your child's backpack. Someone on that bus has been exposed to Covid. Because of assigned seats, not all students are impacted.

Make this flu season a little bit easier on your family by signing your student up for this year's flu clinic at school. Ithaca students may receive this year's flu vaccine if the following form is completed and returned. The clinic will be THIS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6th in the Multi-Purpose Room. Forms and information sheets were sent home with students last Friday. More forms and the drop off are located outside the office.

Do you need to get out of the house for a few hours a day AND make some money at the same time? Come and join the amazing Team at Ithaca Schools. The Ithaca School District is looking to hire part time team members for a variety of positions. Pay is $15 per hour and hours are negotiable, but you could work up to 25 hours per week if you would like. We do have immediate openings. Please contact Ithaca HR at 585-2512 with any questions. Call right away to join the Ithaca team!

Mon. Nov. 2, 2020 Today is a Day 1 Elementary is a Day 1 Today's schedule for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th Grade - Choir, 8th Grade - Band. Today all hs choir students will have choir, and all percussion students (except for those in choir) will have Band. Lunch for today: 1st choice, BBQ Rib , 2nd choice, Mini Corn Dog, Baked Beans, Carrots & Dip, Mandarin Oranges, Dinner Roll, Milk National Honor Society has a meeting during Attack today.  The high school student council will be holding a mock presidential election for our high school students. Come to the commons during lunch hour on Tuesday November 3rd to cast your ballot. Results will be announced on Wednesday November 4th. Contact the student council if you need more information.  There will be a flu clinic at Ithaca on Friday, Nov. 6th in the multi-purpose room. Permission slips went home Friday. Please have the H.S. and M.S. students return the signed permission slips outside the office if you plan to get an immunization. Elementary students return permission slips to their teachers.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Rural Route 1 Popcorn order pick up has been moved to FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 from after school until 8 PM still in the Multi-Purpose room (drive up on the firelane).  We apologize for the inconvenience.  If you are unable to pick up at this time or are available to help unload the truck and sort orders starting at Noon, please contact Karia Brown at joekariabrown@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of the Ithaca PTSO! Word of the Day: Excoriate Excoriate v. Censure or criticize severely; Severely berate: “He was excoriated for his mistakes.” Birthdays: Elementary—none H.S./M.S.—Danielle Hatfield

The Aging & Disability Resource Center is collecting data related to food security. This survey is anonymous and confidential. Please complete this survey by Thursday, November 4th. Thank you for participating! If you have any questions, please call the ADRC (608)355-3289 and ask to speak with Susan Blodgett or Marina Wittmann. Survey Link: https://forms.gle/azbjsFZWQscSpGZb9

Don't forget, Charlie Brown! And it's a full moon, too!

Since me missed THROWBACK THURSDAY, how about a FUN MEMORY FRIDAY? Who remembers the VB team from 2000? Tag a member of this team if you are friends with them on FB.

The Ithaca School District is looking to hire part time paraprofessionals. Applicants should be flexible, professional, patient and encouraging with a variety of learning levels. The individuals filling these roles will work closely with staff members to provide additional learning, coaching, tutoring, and supervision to our students. The role may require using office equipment, having basic computer skills and knowledge of common computer programs. Pay is $15 per hour and you will average around 25 hours per week. Please contact Ithaca HR at 585-2512 with any questions. Call right away to join the Ithaca team!

Halloween might look different at your house this year. If you see any ghosts, ghouls, sports heroes, princesses, or other characters that look like our students, send us a picture! We'd love to see the creativity and to share the photos in our yearbooks too. Feel free to send to the school's FB Messenger inbox or email to juli.thompson@ithaca.k12.wi.us or plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us.

Fri. Oct. 30th, 2020 Today is a Day 2 Elementary is a Day 6 Today's schedule for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th Grade - Band, 8th Grade - Choir. High School Band/Choir is on the Day 3 schedule. Lunch for today: 1st choice, Hamburger, 2nd choice, Quesadilla, Corn, Pears, Dinner Roll, Sugar Cookie, Milk National Honor Society has a meeting during Attack on Monday, November 2nd. This week is Red Ribbon week. Did you know...:? 24% of Ithaca 11th graders in 2019 reported ever having used marijuana (on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, YRBS). Decline in school performance, increased risk of mental health issues, impaired driving, and potential for addiction (research shows that about 1 in 6 teens who repeatedly use marijuana can become addicted) are all negative effects of marijuana use in teens. (CDC) Some good data to end Red Ribbon week, 2020. Did you know…? Reported use of heroin, methamphetamines, and other illegal drugs besides marijuana in the past 12 months, on the 2019 YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey), was too small to report. Know what you stand for and stand for it--it’s your future! Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Rural Route 1 Popcorn order pick up has been moved to FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 from after school until 8 PM still in the Multi-Purpose room (drive up on the firelane). We apologize for the inconvenience. If you are unable to pick up at this time or are available to help unload the truck and sort orders starting at Noon, please contact Karia Brown at joekariabrown@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of the Ithaca PTSO! Attn Girls in grades 6-12 - UW-Platteville has a FREE class for girls who want to learn how to code. They Zoom meet every Tuesday from 4-6 PM. What a terrific way to see if a career in computer programming and coding is for you! Go to go.uwplatt.edu/girls-who-code or contact Mrs. Plonka for more information. Attention Middle and High School Students: The Dream Careers Essay contest is open! Contact Mrs. Plonka for details at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us. Please have your submissions to Mrs. Plonka by December 1. Word of the Day: Pontificate Pontificate v. To speak or behave in a pompous or dogmatic manner. “He pontificates at great length in political matters.” Birthdays: Elementary—Jetta Blow, Sutton Neefe, on Saturday, Dysen Ihm on Sunday, Bristol Nielsen H.S./M.S.—on Saturday, Bodie Hilleshiem, and Sunday, Justin Durst

Thurs. Oct. 29th, 2020 Today is a Day 1 Elementary is a Day 5 Today's schedule for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th Grade - Choir, 8th Grade - Band.  High School Band/Choir are on the Day 2 schedule.   Lunch for today: 1 st choice, Chicken Patty, 2 nd choice, Polish Sausage, Baked Beans, Applesauce, Milk Seniors:  These seniors need to order caps and gowns by Friday: Tyler Coppernoll, Noah Drone, Maddy Roh. If you need the website to order, see Ms Durkin or check your three emails about it from Jostens. National Honor Society has a meeting during Attack on Monday, November 2nd.  Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Rural Route 1 Popcorn order pick up has been moved to FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 from after school until 8 PM still in the Multi-Purpose room (drive up on the firelane).  We apologize for the inconvenience.  If you are unable to pick up at this time or are available to help unload the truck and sort orders starting at Noon, please contact Karia Brown at joekariabrown@gmail.com.  Thank you for your support of the Ithaca PTSO! Attn Girls in grades 6-12 - UW-Platteville has a FREE class for girls who want to learn how to code.  They Zoom meet every Tuesday from 4-6 PM.  What a terrific way to see if a career in computer programming and coding is for you!  Go to go.uwplatt.edu/girls-who-code or contact Mrs. Plonka for more information. Attention Middle and High School Students:  The Dream Careers Essay contest is open!  Contact Mrs. Plonka for details at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us.  Please have your submissions to Mrs. Plonka by December 1. Word of the Day: Corpulent Corpulent adj. Physically bulky; fat. “The once corpulent woman is now trim and fit.” Birthdays: Elementary—Brayden Burns H.S./M.S.—Dax Neefe and Makai Tauaalo

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the Rural Route 1 Popcorn order pick up has been moved to FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13 from after school until 8 PM still in the Multi-Purpose room (drive up on the fire lane). We apologize for the inconvenience. If you are unable to pick up at this time or are available to help unload the truck and sort orders starting at Noon, please contact Karia Brown at joekariabrown@gmail.com. Thank you for your support of the Ithaca PTSO!

Wed. Oct. 28th, 2020 Today is a Day 2 Food Service distribution will continue while we are virtually learning. Pick up will be available two days per week at the Elementary entrance doors similar to the pick up last spring from 4pm until 6pm. Tuesday will be two meals, and Thursday will be three meals. There will be a zoom FBLA meeting at 1 pm on Wednesday, October 28.  Email Ryan Lee if you need the zoom link.  If you missed the September meeting, but are still interested in joining, please attend.  Membership is due soon. This is National Red Ribbon week. Did you know?...In the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), 26-29% of 10th-12th grade Ithaca students reported they had had at least one drink in the past 30 days. According to NIAAA research, people who started drinking before age 15 were 50% more likely to become alcohol dependent as adults. (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) Attn Girls in grades 6-12 - UW-Platteville has a FREE class for girls who want to learn how to code.  They Zoom meet every Tuesday from 4-6 PM.  What a terrific way to see if a career in computer programming and coding is for you!  Go to go.uwplatt.edu/girls-who-code or contact Mrs. Plonka for more information. Attention Middle and High School Students:  The Dream Careers Essay contest is open!  Contact Mrs. Plonka for details at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us.  Please have your submissions to Mrs. Plonka by December 1. Word of the Day: Dubious Dubious adj. Hesitating or doubting. Not to be relied upon; suspect. “He seemed dubious about the idea.” Birthdays: Elementary—none H.S./M.S.—none

Tues. Oct. 27th, 2020 Today is a Day 1 Today's schedule for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th Grade - Band, 8th Grade - Choir. High School Band/Choir are on the Day 1 schedule. Food Service distribution will continue while we are virtually learning. Pick up will be available two days per week at the Elementary entrance doors similar to the pick up last spring from 4pm until 6pm. Tuesday will be two meals, and Thursday will be three meals. This week we observe Red Ribbon week, for drug abuse prevention. Did you know....? 47% of 9th grade students reported having had a drink of alcohol. (Ithaca 2019 Youth Behavior Risk Survey) Among students who drank, 35% had their first drink before age 13. Among students who drank, 45% had engaged in binge drinking. Persistent changes to the brain, caused by binge drinking in adolescence, can lead to behavioral struggles, problems maintaining work, acquiring an education, maintaining stable relationships, and controlling cravings or impulses for alcohol or other drugs. (American Addiction Centers, alcohol.org) Attn Girls in grades 6-12 - UW-Platteville has a FREE class for girls who want to learn how to code. They Zoom meet every Tuesday from 4-6 PM. What a terrific way to see if a career in computer programming and coding is for you! Go to go.uwplatt.edu/girls-who-code or contact Mrs. Plonka for more information. Attention Middle and High School Students: The Dream Careers Essay contest is open! Contact Mrs. Plonka for details at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us. Please have your submissions to Mrs. Plonka by December 1. Word of the Day: Slavish Slavish adj. Showing no originality; blindly imitative: “A slavish copy of the original work.” Birthdays: Elementary—Aydin Kloehn H.S./M.S.—none

Mon. Oct. 26, 2020 Today is a Day 2 Today's schedule for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th Grade - Choir, 8th Grade - Band. High School Band/Choir are on the Day 5 schedule. Food Service distribution will continue while we are virtually learning. Pick up will be available two days per week at the Elementary entrance doors similar to the pick up last spring from 4pm until 6pm. Tuesday will be two meals, and Thursday will be three meals. October 23-31 is National Red Ribbon Week. Red Ribbon Week started after the death of Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena, who in 1985 was brutally murdered by drug traffickers he was investigating in Mexico. After his death, people wanted to honor his sacrifice. Local celebrations began in California – where Camarena grew up – in 1985, and in 1988 the National Family Partnership started the first National Red Ribbon Week. This week students have opportunities to participate in activities to learn more about healthy choices, personal responsibility, and/or facts about drugs and drug use. Did you know?...40% of Ithaca high school students reported having ever tried vaping, on the 2019 YRBS (Youth Risk Behavior Survey). Nicotine associated with vaping can slow brain development in teens and affect memory, concentration, learning, self-control, attention, and mood, and increase the risk of other types of addiction later in life. Attn Girls in grades 6-12 - UW-Platteville has a FREE class for girls who want to learn how to code. They Zoom meet every Wednesday from 4-6 PM. What a terrific way to see if a career in computer programming and coding is for you! Go to go.uwplatt.edu/girls-who-code or contact Mrs. Plonka for more information. Attention Middle and High School Students: The Dream Careers Essay contest is open! Contact Mrs. Plonka for details at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us. Please have your submissions to Mrs. Plonka by December 1. Word of the Day: Ambivalent Ambivalent; Ambivalence adj. Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something or someone. “She has ambivalent feelings about the relationship.” Birthdays: Elementary—Easton Nelson H.S./M.S.—Alexander Evans Staff--Sue Meyer

October 23-31 is National Red Ribbon week for drug abuse prevention. Students in all grades will have the opportunity to participate in activities related to such topics as making healthy choices and setting goals(K-6), refusal skills (6), brain development and drug use (6-12), and facts and information about different types of drugs (6-12).

Thurs. Oct. 22, 2020 Today is a Day 1 Today's schedule for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th Grade - Band, 8th Grade - Choir. High School Band/Choir are on the Day 4 schedule. Food Service distribution will continue while we are virtually learning. Pick up will be available two days per week at the Elementary entrance doors similar to the pick up last spring from 4pm until 6pm. Tuesday will be two meals, and Thursday will be three meals. Attention Middle and High School Students: The Dream Careers Essay contest is open! Contact Mrs. Plonka for details at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us. Please have your submissions to Mrs. Plonka by December 1. The Scholastic Book Fair is open online from October 12-25th. Shop at www.scholastic.com/bf/ithacaelementaryschool1. Book-only orders of $25 or more ship to your home for free. Every purchase helps our school. The book fair has titles for all ages, from 4K through high school. Our goal is to sell 314 books. Help us reach our goal by shopping the online book fair! Word of the Day: Gravitas Gravitas n. Dignity, seriousness, or solemnity in manner. “He has the necessary gravitas to lead the company.” Birthdays: Elementary—none H.S./M.S.—none Staff-Ms. Loven

Wed. Oct. 21, 2020 Today is a Day 2 Food Service distribution will continue while we are virtually learning. Pick up will be available two days per week at the Elementary entrance doors similar to the pick up last spring from 4pm until 6pm. Tuesday will be two meals, and Thursday will be three meals. Attention Middle and High School Students: The Dream Careers Essay contest is open! Contact Mrs. Plonka for details at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us. Please have your submissions to Mrs. Plonka by December 1. There will be an Ithaca PTSO meeting today, Oct. 21 starting at 4 PM via Zoom. Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7190983725 We will be discussing the fate of Trunk or Treat this year, the RR1 and online spirit wear fundraisers and ideas for possible replacement activities for in-person events. All are welcome to attend, hope to see you then! The Scholastic Book Fair is open online from October 12-25th. Shop at www.scholastic.com/bf/ithacaelementaryschool1. Book-only orders of $25 or more ship to your home for free. Every purchase helps our school. The book fair has titles for all ages, from 4K through high school. Our goal is to sell 314 books. Help us reach our goal by shopping the online book fair! Incendiary: Incendiary adj. Designed to cause fires. “An incendiary device.” Birthdays: Elementary—Sofia Weber H.S./M.S.—Talena Sprecher

Parent/Teacher conferences are tonight and Thursday night! There is still time to schedule a conference if you'd like to do so. Simply email your students' teacher/s to discuss a time.

Tues. Oct. 20th, 2020 Today is a Day 1 Today's schedule for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th Grade - Choir, 8th Grade - Band. High School Band/Choir are on the Day 3 schedule. Food Service distribution will continue while we are virtually learning. Pick up will be available two days per week at the Elementary entrance doors similar to the pick up last spring from 4pm until 6pm. Tuesday will be two meals, and Thursday will be three meals. Attention Middle and High School Students: The Dream Careers Essay contest is open! Contact Mrs. Plonka for details at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us. Please have your submissions to Mrs. Plonka by December 1. Middle and High school students participating in the Patriots Pen or Voice of Democracy contests should have their essays or speech audio files to Mrs. Plonka by today, Oct. 20th. If you have any questions, contact Mrs. Plonka at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us There will be an Ithaca PTSO meeting Wednesday, Oct. 21 starting at 4 PM via Zoom. Link:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7190983725 We will be discussing the fate of Trunk or Treat this year, the RR1 and online spirit wear fundraisers and ideas for possible replacement activities for in-person events. All are welcome to attend, hope to see you then! The Scholastic Book Fair is open online from October 12-25th. Shop at www.scholastic.com/bf/ithacaelementaryschool1. Book-only orders of $25 or more ship to your home for free. Every purchase helps our school. The book fair has titles for all ages, from 4K through high school. Our goal is to sell 314 books. Help us reach our goal by shopping the online book fair! Word of the Day: Dismal Dismal adj Gloomy. Depressing; dreary. “The business was a dismal failure;” “Dismal weather.” Birthdays: Elementary—Brock Martyniuk H.S.M.S.—Nolen Waldner