Middle Schoolers are invited to attend the Winter Luau Dance Party on December 13, 2019 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Ithaca Community Gym (“Old Gym”). Admission is $5, and new at this dance: Competitions ~ Hula Hoopin’, Musical Chairs, and Limbo! Winners get a Prize. Snacks and beverages provided.
The weekend winners in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle were: Susan Meyer - $50, Eric Hoffman - $75. and Braeden Freestone - $50.
Just a friendly reminder that we are now taking appointments for our Developmental/4K Screening in January. If your child will be 3-years-old or 4-years-old on or before September 1, please call the school office at (608) 585-2311 to reserve your spot!
Our music departments are in the holiday spirit! Upcoming events are:
Winter Choir Concert (Middle and High School) in the High School gym tonight, December 9th at 7pm.
The High School Band is Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 15th.
Winter Band Concert is Tuesday, December 17th at 7pm in the High School gym.
Elementary Winter Program in the Community Gym on Thursday, December 19th at 1:30pm.
Looking for a gift for that “hard to buy for” person?
Consider purchasing a personalized brick from That’s My Brick. Bricks are once again being sold to help fund the student patio, to add features to the playground, and to beautify the school grounds.
Anyone can purchase a brick, for just about any reason: Class spirit, graduation, memorials, groups, clubs, advertisement, family pride/heritage...
Orders can be placed at https://www.thatsmybrick.com/ithacawi. Order deadline date is Dec 20, 2019.
Questions? Contact Jenna Wipperfurth at Ithaca Schools 585-2311 or jenna.wipperfurth@ithaca.k12.wi.us
Are you aware of the Pioneer Pledge Program?
The Pioneer Pledge program will cover the cost of tuition and fees (not including room and board) for all new freshmen who are Pell eligible.
Requirements:
• Be a new freshman admitted to UW-Platteville (branch campuses are not eligible) by May 1
• Submit a FAFSA and be Pell eligible
• Be a resident of Wisconsin for tuition purposes
• Enroll as a full-time student in the Fall 2020
General renewal criteria will include: remain in good academic standing, successfully complete 30 credits per academic year, and remain Pell eligible. Students who meet the renewal criteria will remain eligible for the program for up to eight consecutive semesters.
Softball girls, please come and see Mrs. Boland about the Softball Camp.
Thursday's winner of $100 in the Ithaca Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Dale Tydrich of Cazenovia with ticket #319.
TONIGHT! From 4:00-7:30 pm, let the Horse Club make supper for you--tacos!! Walking tacos, taco salad or soft shell tacos--$5. Proceeds for scholarships and entry fees. Plan to attend!!
There will be a football booster club meeting at 6:00 on Tuesday December 10 in the commons.
Our Throwback Thursday takes us back to the days of typewriters and when cut and paste meant scissors and glue. This is the staff responsible for the 1984 Ithaca Yearbook.
The 7th grade Life Science class has been studying plant and animal cells. As a final assessment they build models of cells to show the types of organelles in cells.
Wednesday's winner of $50 in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Kim Auz of Richland Center, with ticket #370.
The PTSO Gingerbread House Family Fun Night is back! Join us on Friday, December 6 in the Commons starting at 5 PM to build a gingerbread house! Frosting, graham crackers and milk cartons will be provided; all you have to bring is a base like cardboard or a cookie sheet, candy decorations, and your imagination! Free hot cocoa will be served as well. First, second, and third place houses will receive prizes! Hope to see you then!
High school students who are interested in joining our forensics team should meet on Tuesday, December 10, during attack time. The meeting will be in Mr. Lange's room, number 106.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In light of recent events at various high schools in Wisconsin where law enforcement personnel were called upon to intervene in situations for the safety and well-being of students and staff, we are reminding all families that the Ithaca School District and Richland County Sheriff’s Department have a strong partnership in place. We are grateful for the in-school support we receive from the officers that work closely with our schools and for the open lines of communication that exist between us and both the sheriffs’ and police departments.
Today, December 5, 2019, Ithaca had an unplanned lockdown for the entire district. There was an altercation with a student at lunch, and we needed to clear all the students from the halls so that the officers could do their work. As soon as we felt the students were safe, we released the lockdown to resume normal activities. I am proud to state our county sheriff’s department not only assisted but came back to make sure we were all OK.
In the Ithaca School District’s mission, it states that we will “ensure the highest levels of learning in a positive, safe, community-rich environment.” Our administrators work with city and county authorities on emergency safety training and simulations, and all of our employees annually review safety procedures and practice drills. Unfortunately, with the recent news from other Wisconsin districts, we are reminded that we must continually remain vigilant.
The Ithaca School District maintains a variety of active security measures at all times, including locked exterior doors, mandatory check-in procedures at school entrances, video surveillance, and the shot detector alarm. In recent years, we have invested grant funds to enhance security at school building entrances, numbering doors and windows, installing new security cameras, installing equipment to improve communication within our buildings, and more.
A comprehensive emergency response plan guides our response to emergency situations at the district and school levels. Staff are trained to implement emergency procedures and participate in practice drills throughout the year. Students receive training as well, including participation fire drills, severe weather drills, and lockdown drills during the year.
The Richland County Sheriff, Richland Emergency management, and Richland Police Department personnel regularly participate in the review of our security and emergency procedures. Additionally, there is a county safety team consisting of members of all area schools, EMT, fire, and emergency management. We know in an emergency, we will have the assistance of the entire county.
Of course, we cannot do the work of keeping everyone safe alone. We need students, parents, and community support. We encourage parents to speak with their students to emphasize the role that they have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to school safety made by students or community members, etc.), and communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators or other trusted adults. Ithaca Schools uses the Safe Schools Alert as an Online Tip Reporting System. This is linked in our Ithaca App, on the webpage, and there are posted links in the building.
We recognize that recent events have raised concerns and we want to assure you that we have taken steps and continue to implement measures to ensure the safety of students and staff. Please contact your school principal or your child's school counselor if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Sincerely,
Julie R. Prouty
Ithaca School District Superintendent
Basketball Open Gym for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls. Old Gym, this Sunday, December 8th from 6-7:30 pm. Come and work on your shooting. Pass the word!
There will be a Safesitter Class held at the Richland Hospital Monday, December 30th from 9:00am-3:30pm. This class is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they're home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. If interested, you must pre-register and pay by December 12th. Please see Ms. Bevan for fee and registration information.
Come to Weston on Thursday, December 5th and support the Ithaca-Weston wrestlers at our annual T-shirt night. Arrive early to get a FREE Ithaca-Weston wrestling t-shirt (while supplies last) and watch the wrestlers battle New Lisbon.
Also, wrestling open mat for this Thursday, December 5th will be immediately after school until 5 p.m. (Due to the high school Varsity dual at Weston). Open mat will continue, twice per week, until Christmas break, every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 6:15 p.m. With any questions, please contact Troy Clary.
Tuesday's winner of $50 in the Ithaca Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Jared Klingaman of Richland Center, with ticket #95.