Ithaca School District

Congratulations to the 17 students who participated in the FBLA Regional Leadership Conference on Saturday at River Ridge High School. Twelve students qualified to participate in the State Leadership Conference in Green Bay April 8 - 9. First-place winners of their events were Abby Plonka in Introduction to Parliamentary Procedures, Ally Plonka in Introduction to Marketing Concepts, and Landon Thompson in Insurance and Risk Management. Second-place finishers were the team of Jadyn Boland and Izzie Ortiz in Introduction to Social Media, the team of Emma Coy and Alivya Young in Broadcast Journalism, and the team of Holly King, Kailey Newkirk, and Tristen Peterson in Graphic Design. Third-place finishers were Maggie Gschwind in Public Speaking and Callie Muckler in Introduction to Public Speaking. Qualifying as an alternate to the State Leadership Conference is Annabeth Sprecher who placed 4th in Job Interview. Also participating at RLC were Josie Laue in Organizational Leadership and the team of Danny Feryance, Matt Kepler, and Ethan Birkrem in Sports and Entertainment Management. Thank you, Mrs. Sprecher, for chaperoning!

If you've ever wanted to take an exotic vacation without leaving the comfort of Ithaca, the 7th grade Ecologists have made projects just for you! Our young scientists are studying Earth's biomes, climate, vegetation, and animals before diving into food webs, and some ambitious students decided to show their learning by creating dioramas that depict the different elements of Earth's biomes. Enjoy a mini-vacation through these mini-landscapes while you await your spring break plans!

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Wed, Feb 7, 2024 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today - First Choice: Grilled cheese w/ tomato soup, Second Choice: Hot dog w/ bun, Carrots, peaches, milk From Ms Schoen: Willow Valley Church is having a pancake supper starting at 4:30 tonight From Mrs. Deitelhoff: There will be an FCCLA meeting today, Wednesday Feb, 7 during attack in Mrs. Deitelhoff’s room. From Ms. Durkin: There will be an Art Club meeting today during ATTACK. If you are in FCCLA, please attend that meeting first. From Mrs. Zorea: Author Erin Soderberg Downing will be visiting Ithaca to talk with students in Grades 3-8 on Wed, Feb 7, 2024. Erin has written more than 50 books for kids and teens. Erin will discuss her newest novel, Just Keep Walking and will share many behind-the-scenes secrets from her writing process-from generating ideas to creating characters to research to writing first drives to revisions and beyond. If you would like signed copies of Erin’s books and need another order form, please see Mrs. Zorea. From Mrs. Stellner and Mrs. Pluemer Sources of Strength will meet Thursday, Feb. 8th, during ATTACK. High School will meet in the LMC and Middle School will meet in Mr. Kelly’s room. From PTSO: Popcorn Friday will be this Fri, Feb 9. Elementary students, your classroom teacher will take your order and money. Middle School and High School students you will be able to purchase yours during breakfast, at the end of your hallways. Cost is $0.50 per bag, limit 2 bags per person. Help support the 1st grade class! From Ithaca Basketball Boosters: Ithaca Alumni Basketball games and 3-pt contest will be held this Saturday, Feb 10th in the High School gym. Doors open at 4:00pm and will start with the open 3-pt contest at 4:30pm. Alumni games will begin at 6:00pm with the women's games and men to follow. Players should bring a light and dark shirt. A silent auction will start at 4:00pm and conclude at the start of the second half of the men’s game. Concessions available all night. Proceeds benefit the Ithaca Basketball Boosters. From PTSO: Enjoy an afternoon with your family and friends at Symons Recreation Complex for FREE!!! Feb 11 from 1:30-3:45 p.m. the PTSO will be holding their Swim for Free Family Day. All you have to do is come to Symons and let them know at the counter that you are for the Ithaca PTSO Swim Day. We hope to see you there! From PTSO: Our next PTSO meeting will be Feb 13 at 3:45pm in the LMC. We hope to see you there! From Forensics coaches: Be sure you’re keeping up with emails and working regularly with coaches this week and next week. Our first contest is Monday, February 19th at Riverdale Elementary. The Ithaca FFA is selling strawberries again this year. The students will be collecting orders until Feb 20 and the strawberries will arrive the week of March 11. To order, please contact a FFA member, Ms. Sprecher or find an order form on the Ithaca FFA and Ithaca Schools facebook page. WORD OF THE DAY: capitulate to surrender to an enemy, often after negotiating terms, or to stop trying to fight or resist something. The teacher refused to capitulate: no calculators were to be used during the exam. THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On February 7, 1964, Pan Am Yankee Clipper flight 101 from London Heathrow lands at New York’s Kennedy Airport—and “Beatlemania” arrives. It was the first visit to the United States by the Beatles, a British rock-and-roll quartet that had just scored its first No. 1 U.S. hit six days before with “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” At Kennedy, the “Fab Four”—dressed in mod suits and sporting their trademark pudding bowl haircuts—were greeted by 3,000 screaming fans who caused a near riot when the boys stepped off their plane and onto American soil. BIRTHDAYS: Elementary - Eva Scholl, Madelyn Wilkinson, Sawyer Wilkinson Middle School - none High School - none Faculty & Staff - none

Ithaca High School Boys Basketball recently honored their seniors. Coach Benson thanked seniors Micah Salisbury and Danny Feryance. All of your hard work and dedication is very much appreciated. It's your leadership that has helped your team get to where they are today. Good luck to both of you after you graduate.

The girls battle at home tonight - come out and GET LOUD!

Come out this Friday, February 9th to support the Ithaca/RC WIHA Team! Get your homecooked spaghetti supper served by our team from 3:45pm until 6:45pm in the High School Commons. Adult meals are $8, Student meals are $5, and those 5 and under are $3. Funds raised help offset costs such as stable fees at shows. Thank you for your support!

You can guide our Bulldogs!! The need for substitute teachers is great. You could be a great addition to our pool of substitute teachers. Register for the next CESA 3 in-person training course led by Brad Van Epps on Wednesday, March 13th from 9:00am until 2:00pm at the CESA 3 office in Fennimore. This training, along with an associate degree, completes the state requirements for obtaining a short-term substitute teacher license. Use this link to gain more information or register. https://hopin.com/events/substitute-teacher-training-bf14558a-c082-4499-a2e1-0f6f12292265

Ithaca Alumni Basketball games and 3-pt contest will be held this Saturday, Feb 10th in the High School gym. Doors open at 4:00pm and will start with the open 3-pt contest at 4:30pm. Alumni games will begin at 6:00pm with the women's games and men to follow. Players should bring a light and dark shirt. A silent auction will start at 4:00pm and conclude at the start of the second half of the men’s game. Concessions available all night. Proceeds benefit the Ithaca Basketball Boosters.

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Tue, Feb 6, 2024 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today - First Choice: Sloppy Joes, Second Choice: Hot Turkey Sandwich, WG Bun, Sweet Potatoes, Pears, Milk From Ms. Sprecher: High school FFA will meet today, Tuesday Feb. 6 during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher’s room. From Mrs. Zorea: Author Erin Soderberg Downing will be visiting Ithaca to talk with students in Grades 3-8 on Wed, Feb 7, 2024. Erin has written more than 50 books for kids and teens. Erin will discuss her newest novel, Just Keep Walking and will share many behind-the-scenes secrets from her writing process-from generating ideas to creating characters to research to writing first drives to revisions and beyond. If you would like signed copies of Erin’s books and need another order form, please see Mrs. Zorea. From Mrs. Stellner and Mrs. Pluemer: Sources of Strength will meet Thursday, Feb. 8th, during ATTACK. High School will meet in the LMC and Middle School will meet in Mr. Kelly’s room. From PTSO: Popcorn Friday will be this Fri, Feb 9. Elementary students, your classroom teacher will take your order and money. Middle School and High School students you will be able to purchase yours during breakfast, at the end of your hallways. Cost is $0.50 per bag, limit 2 bags per person. Help support the 1st grade class! From Ithaca Basketball Boosters: Ithaca Alumni Basketball games and 3-pt contest will be held this Saturday, Feb 10th in the High School gym. Doors open at 4:00pm and will start with the open 3-pt contest at 4:30pm. Alumni games will begin at 6:00pm with the women's games and men to follow. Players should bring a light and dark shirt. A silent auction will start at 4:00pm and conclude at the start of the second half of the men’s game. Concessions available all night. Proceeds benefit the Ithaca Basketball Boosters. From PTSO: Enjoy an afternoon with your family and friends at Symons Recreation Complex for FREE!!! Feb 11 from 1:30-3:45 p.m. the PTSO will be holding their Swim for Free Family Day. All you have to do is come to Symons and let them know at the counter that you are for the Ithaca PTSO Swim Day. We hope to see you there! From PTSO: Our next PTSO meeting will be Feb 13 at 3:45pm in the LMC. We hope to see you there! The Ithaca FFA is selling strawberries again this year. The students will be collecting orders until Feb 20 and the strawberries will arrive the week of March 11. To order, please contact a FFA member, Ms. Sprecher or find an order form on the Ithaca FFA and Ithaca Schools Facebook page. BIRTHDAYS: Elementary - none Middle School - none High School - none Faculty & Staff - Ms Rieder at the Daycare

Get to know our Ithaca Staff! Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting our staff, both newly hired and old hands! Please enjoy our "Get to know you" posts. Today's featured Ithaca employee is Zac Thome.

School Counselors Celebrate During National School Counseling Week, Feb. 5–9, 2024. Help Ithaca Public Schools thank Ms Meredith Bevan, Mrs Monica Kershner, and Ms Shelly Pluemer by enjoying our YouTube FEATURED Presentation! (Runtime 2 minutes and 11 seconds) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VoP2cWtqXE

The girls and boys hit the court tonight!

Congratulations to Channing Brown for breaking the 1,000 point mark for his High School basketball career! Reaching this milestone as a junior is an incredible accomplishment, made possible by the support of teammates, coaches, family, and community. Well done, Channing!

Get to know our Ithaca Staff! Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting our staff, both newly hired and old hands! Please enjoy our "Get to know you" posts. Today's featured Ithaca employee is Kathleen Schoen.

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Mon, Feb 5, 2024 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today - First Choice: Cheese pizza, Second Choice: Cheeseburger/WG Bun, Broccoli, peaches, WG Roll, milk Congratulations to the Ithaca Weston wrestling team for finishing third at Saturday’s SRR conference wrestling tournament. Special congrats to Nolan Waldner For winning a championship and to Caleb Birkrem for winning his second championship. Good luck at regionals next weekend! From Mrs. Burnley: Congratulations to the 17 students who participated in the FBLA Regional Leadership Conference on Saturday at River Ridge High School. 12 students qualified to participate in the State Leadership Conference in Green Bay April 8 - 9. Participating on Saturday in the Regional Leadership Conference were Josie Laue, Danny Feryance, Matt Kepler, and Ethan Birkrem. Annabeth Sprecher is an alternate to the SLC. State qualifiers are Emma Coy, Alivya Young, Callie Muckler, Abby Plonka, Landon Thompson, Jadyn Boland, Izzie Ortiz, Holly King, Kailey Newkirk, Tristen Peterson, Maggie Gschwind and Ally Plonka. Thank you Mrs. Sprecher for chaperoning! From Mr. Andresen: Reminder to all Math Team competitors that we are responsible for concessions on Mon, Feb 5 to facilitate purchase of Math Team T-shirts. Please sign up in Mr. Andresen’s room ASAP. From Mrs. Zorea: Author Erin Soderberg Downing will be visiting Ithaca to talk with students in Grades 3-8 on Wed, Feb 7, 2024. Erin has written more than 50 books for kids and teens. Erin will discuss her newest novel, Just Keep Walking and will share many behind-the-scenes secrets from her writing process-from generating ideas to creating characters to research to writing first drives to revisions and beyond. If you would like signed copies of Erin’s books and need another order form, please see Mrs. Zorea. From PTSO: Popcorn Friday will be this Friday, February 9. Elementary students, your classroom teacher will take your order and money. Middle School and High School students you will be able to purchase yours during breakfast, at the end of your hallways. Cost is $0.50 per bag, limit 2 bags per person. Help support the 1st grade class! From PTSO: Enjoy an afternoon with your family and friends at Symons Recreation Complex for FREE!!! February 11 from 1:30-3:45 p.m. the PTSO will be holding their Swim for Free Family Day. All you have to do is come to Symons and let them know at the counter that you are for the Ithaca PTSO Swim Day. We hope to see you there! From Ms. Sprecher: The Ithaca FFA is selling strawberries again this year. The students will be collecting orders until Feb 20 and the strawberries will arrive the week of March 11. To order, please contact a FFA member, Ms. Sprecher or find an order form on the Ithaca FFA and Ithaca Schools facebook page. WORD OF THE DAY: Unfettered describes what is not controlled or restricted. It is a synonym of both free and unrestrained. The biographer has been given unfettered access to the family's collection of personal correspondence. THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On February 5, 1934, Henry Louis Aaron Jr., the baseball slugger who broke Babe Ruth’s legendary record of 714 homers, is born in Mobile, Alabama. BIRTHDAYS: none

It's National School Counseling Week 2024! Ithaca Public Schools thanks our exceptional crew of Ms Meredith Bevan, Mrs Monica Kershner, and Ms Shelly Pluemer. Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), National School Counseling Week highlights the essential contribution of professionals within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Take a moment to thank Ms Bevan, Mrs Kershner, and Ms Pluemer.

Did you know Ithaca has a GAME CLUB? We do and it is AWESOME! But it is more than just games. Enjoy this YouTube Presentation to learn more about Game Club @ Ithaca! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvNAgU18GCk

Remember, you can get ALL the good stuff by visiting and liking our 2 YouTube channels. From live sporting events to daily videos and everything in between! https://www.youtube.com/@IthacaSchools https://www.youtube.com/@AdamHessIthaca

Good luck to all of the FBLA members who are competing at the Regional Leadership Conference tomorrow, Sat., Feb. 3 at River Ridge High School. Remember that we will be meeting at 6 am by the band room doors. Please be dressed and ready for the competition when we meet. Don’t forget to bring your permission slip (if you haven’t turned it in yet), your ID, and your charged Chromebook if you need it.

Tomorrow the Ithaca-Weston High School wrestlers travel to Kickapoo High School for the 2024 Scenic Ridge & Rivers Conference Tournament. Admission is free, and the action kicks off at 9:30. Come cheer them on. Keep up on Trackwrestling.com for updates as the competition progresses. Good luck wrestlers and coaches!