Ithaca School District

For the past three decades, the Ithaca high school kids have hosted the Passage Food Drive every Christmas. Passages is a non profit facility in Richland County that helps women in domestic abuse situations. In the beginning, the senior class hosted the food drive and over time the Ithaca Student Council took over the duties of organizing the fund raiser. This year, the Ithaca Student Council paired up council members with elementary and middle school classes in the spirit of competition and for a goal in the end, a Pizza Hut party for the winning class. This year, the 4th grade group with their partners, Kailey Newkirk, Tristen Peterson, and Maggie Kershner won the contest by collecting 22 boxes for their grade. A total of 75 boxes were collected and donated to Passage on December 22nd. * Pictured left to right. Izzie Ortiz, Tristen Peterson, Kailey Newkirk, Maggie Kershner, Kaylee Peterson, Emma Coy, Alyvia Young, Sammy Clary, Isaiah Fargen, Kerrick Thompson, Keegan Jones, Devin Ihm, Ethan Birkrem, Clayton Lee

Catch your Ithaca-Weston High School girls wrestlers in action this Friday and Saturday. Friday the girls head to Mauston for their girls invitational - wrestling starts at 4:30. On Saturday, the girls travel to Kickapoo for their girls invitational and some of our area's best wrestlers. Action starts at 9:30, and admission is free. 📷 credit: Lisa Clary

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Thur, Jan 4, 2023
Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today - First Choice: Soft Shell Tacos, Second Choice: Chicken Fajitas, Carrots, Fruit Cocktail, milk From Ms Durkin: There will be a student council meeting today, January 4th in the art room during ATTACK. From Mrs. Stellner and Mrs.Pluemer: Sources of Strength students, remember to wear your Sources of Strength t-shirts this first Friday of the month, Jan. 5th. From Ms. Sprecher: Middle School FFA Qui8z Bowl will meet this Friday, Jan. 5, during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher’s room. Concessions this Friday is the Music Boosters. From Forensics Coaches: We will have a meeting during ATTACK time on Monday, Jan 8th in the LMC. Students should have selections made or drafts started by then. If you would still like to join, see Ms Schmitt, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Zorea, or email Mrs Murphey. From PTSO: Our next PTSO meeting will be January 9 at 3:45pm in the LMC. We hope to see you there! From PTSO: Popcorn Friday will be next Wednesday, January 10. 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 4K class! From Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Club: A reminder to youth, middle, and high school wrestling families that volunteers as well as donations are needed for our annual High School tournament on Saturday, January 13th at Weston. To sign up, use the link to view, then contact Jessi Brandt via TeamReach or message the Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Facebook page. From PTSO: PRICE REDUCTION……We still have the following RR1 flavors available for $8 each: butter microwave, kettle corn microwave, caramel sea salt, cheddar cheese, jalapeno cheddar, and white cheddar. We also have the following RR1 flavors available for $10 each: white gold, mud puddles, peanut butter cup. If you are interested please reach out to Samantha Hilby at hilbsam@ithaca.k12.wi.us. From Mrs. Behrens: High School Band Students - Your final payment for the Florida trip is due on Monday, January 8. Word of the Day: Purview refers to an area within which someone or something has authority, influence, or knowledge. It can also refer to a range of vision, understanding, or awareness. I’ll do my best to answer your questions, but please note that my field is linguistics, and topics relating to economics are beyond my purview. This day in history: On January 4, 1965, in his State of the Union address, President Lyndon Baines Johnson lays out for Congress a laundry list of legislation needed to achieve his plan for a Great Society. Following Johnson’s lead, Congress enacted sweeping legislation in the areas of civil rights, health care, education and the environment. The 1965 State of the Union address heralded the creation of Medicare/Medicaid, Head Start, the Voting Rights Act, the Civil Rights Act, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the White House Conference on Natural Beauty. Johnson also signed the National Foundation of the Arts and Humanities Act, out of which emerged the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Birthdays Elementary: none MS/HS: Savannah Stowell Staff: non

What's happening at Ithaca? Here is a YouTube presentation of our upcoming events! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySqKwut-OeY

Mark your calendars for the first in a series of Ithaca PTSO Free Swim Days at the Symons Complex! On Sunday, February 11th from 1:30pm until 4:00pm, all Ithaca friends and families - adults, kids, and alumni - are welcome to enjoy free time in the Symons pool.

Thanks to Mrs Kitsembel and Mrs Newkirk, who helped orchestrate a free book selection before Winter Break, these 2nd graders enjoyed paging through their choices before heading home. Did you read over Winter Break? With the unwavering support of the Ithaca Administration who passionately promote reading, as part of the Title 1 program, Mrs Kitsembel and Mrs Newkirk has been able to provide free books for our young Bulldogs to keep as their own. Did you know that Title 1 services are supplemented by state funding when families complete free/reduced lunch applications and show financial need? Your efforts to complete such forms help Ithaca provide more opportunities and resources like these.

Youth, middle, and high school wrestling families! Volunteers as well as donations are needed for our annual High School tournament on Saturday, January 13th at Weston. To sign up, use the link to view, then contact Jessi Brandt via TeamReach or message the Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Facebook page. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1j6VAuGGDuY1pj_vOqCp_8o_N-98q3SGO51wj5Z6WE7o/edit?usp=sharing

PRICE REDUCTION!! Didn't get your Rural Route 1 popcorn? All yours got gobbled up over the holidays (no judgement!)? The Ithaca PTSO still has the following RR1 flavors available for $8 each: butter microwave, kettle corn microwave, caramel sea salt, cheddar cheese, jalapeno cheddar, and white cheddar. Also available for $10 each are: white gold, mud puddles, peanut butter cup. If you are interested please reach out to Samantha Hilby at hilbsam@ithaca.k12.wi.us.

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Wed, Jan 3, 2023 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today - First Choice: Philly Chicken Sub, Second Choice: Hot dog, Baked beans, pineapple,yogurt, milk From Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Club: Prem’s Brat Fundraiser forms can still be turned in today, Jan 3rd. Middle School wrestlers can turn them into Mrs. Thompson. High School wrestlers should turn theirs in to your coaches. Youth wrestlers should turn theirs in to coaches at practice on Thursday. No late orders will be allowed after Thursday. Also a reminder to youth, middle, and high school wrestling families that volunteers as well as donations are needed for our annual High School tournament on Saturday, January 13th at Weston. To sign up, use the link to view, then contact Jessi Brandt via TeamReach or message the Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Facebook page. From Ms Durkin: There will be a student council meeting tomorrow Thursday, January 4th in the art room during ATTACK. From Mr. Andresen: There will be a math competition at 8th hour and ATTACK on Wednesday, Jan 3rd. Also, a reminder that concessions are January 8th and 9th next week. Attendance is crucial for the continuation of various opportunities here at Ithaca. From Mrs. Stellner and Mrs.Pluemer: Sources of Strength students, remember to wear your Sources of Strength t-shirts this first Friday of the month, Jan. 5th. From Forensics Coaches: We will have a meeting during ATTACK time on Monday, Jan 8th in the LMC. Students should have selections made or drafts started by then. If you would still like to join, see Ms Schmitt, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Zorea, or email Mrs Murphey. From PTSO: Our next PTSO meeting will be January 9 at 3:45pm in the LMC. We hope to see you there! From PTSO: Popcorn Friday will be next Wednesday, January 10. 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 4K class! From PTSO: PRICE REDUCTION……We still have the following RR1 flavors available for $8 each: butter microwave, kettle corn microwave, caramel sea salt, cheddar cheese, jalapeno cheddar, and white cheddar. We also have the following RR1 flavors available for $10 each: white gold, mud puddles, peanut butter cup. If you are interested please reach out to Samantha Hilby at hilbsam@ithaca.k12.wi.us. From Mrs. Behrens: High School Band Students - Your final payment for the Florida trip is due on Monday, January 8. From Mrs.Behrens: Band students who will be participating in Honors Band Festival this Friday and Saturday: Please turn in your permission slip and Subway form to Mrs. Behrens today (Wednesday). Word of the Day: A raconteur is someone who excels in telling anecdotes. A bona fide raconteur, Paola can turn even mundane experiences into hilariously entertaining stories. This day in history: On January 3, 1959, President Eisenhower signs a special proclamation admitting the territory of Alaska into the Union as the 49th and largest state. Birthdays: none

On December 19th, Ithaca's National Honor Society chapter met with the Kindergarten class for a Christmas and winter themed program. The National Honor Society students read the book, If You Take A Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff aloud. Then, they led the Kindergarteners in a math sequencing activity using the coding bee bot robots that the Kindergarteners had learned to use earlier this month in their Library classes. It was a great afternoon to build relationships between grade levels at Ithaca.

DO YOU HAVE A CHILD WHO WILL BE 3 OR 4 YEARS OLD PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 1, 2024? This is an opportunity to gain information about your child’s development and community resources. A group of professionals will screen your child to determine how to support them best academically. You will also have the opportunity to register your 4-year-old child for 4-year-old kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. If your child was already screened at 3 years old in the past, please register and sign up for them to be screened again. Please have your registration completed and screening appointment secured by Friday, January 12, 2024. Once these tasks are completed, you will be sent a packet with more information to complete and return at your child’s screening appointment. If your child is younger than 2 1/2 and you have concerns about his/her development, please talk to your pediatrician about a referral to the Richland County Birth to Three Program.

Congratulations to the Ithaca-Weston High School wrestling team on a very successful Bi-State Classic at the LaCrosse Center last weekend. This tournament hosts some of the very best wrestlers in Minnesota and Wisconsin in all divisions. Highlights include a 2nd place finish for Kaylee Manning in the first all-girl tournament. Logan Anderson and Nolen Waldner qualified to continue on to Saturday’s session. Mac Neefe placed 8th out of a 49-man bracket. Catch them in action this Saturday at the Sauk Prairie Eagle Invite.

Congratulations and thank you to all who participated in the annual Ithaca Passages Food Drive. We collected 75 boxes of food and non-perishable goods. Your generosity was incredible, and you helped many in need during the holiday season. Congratulations to the 4th grade who raised 22 boxes and won the Pizza Hut party. Thanks to our staff, students, and community for making our Passages "food and non-perishable goods" drive another HUGE success!!

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Tue, Jan 2, 2023 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today - First Choice: Quesadilla, Second Choice: Hot Turkey Sandwich, Corn, applesauce, WG roll, milk Congratulations to the Ithaca-Weston High School wrestling team on a very successful Bi-State Classic at the LaCrosse Center last weekend. This tournament hosts some of the very best wrestlers in Minnesota and Wisconsin in all divisions. Highlights include a 2nd place finish for Kaylee Manning in the first all-girl tournament. Logan Anderson and Nolen Waldner qualified to continue on to Saturday’s session. Mac Neefe placed 8th out of a 49-man bracket. Catch them in action this Saturday at the Sauk Prairie Eagle Invite. From Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Club: Prem’s Brat Fundraiser forms are due today, Jan 2nd. Middle School wrestlers can turn them in to Mrs. Thompson. High School wrestlers should turn theirs in to your coaches. Youth wrestlers should turn theirs in to coaches at practice on Thursday. No late orders will be allowed after Thursday. From Ms Durkin: Congratulations and thank you to all who participated in the annual Ithaca Passages Food Drive. We collected 75 boxes of food and non-perishable goods. Your generosity was incredible and you helped many in need during the holiday season. Congratulations to the 4th grade who raised 22 boxes and won the Pizza Hut party. From Mr. Andresen: There will be a math competition at 8th hour and ATTACK on Wednesday, Jan 3rd. Also, a reminder that concessions are January 8th and 9th next week. Attendance is crucial for the continuation of various opportunities here at Ithaca. From Forensics Coaches: We will have a meeting during ATTACK time on Monday, Jan 8th in the LMC. Students should have selections made or drafts started by then. If you would still like to join, see Ms Schmitt, Mrs Thompson, Mrs Zorea, or email Mrs Murphey. Birthdays Elementary: Alex Toussaint MS/HS: Peyton Brown Staff: none

"Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it's about doing, being and becoming." Mike Dooley What will you do, be, become? Happy New Year from all of us at Ithaca Public Schools. A reminder that we will see everyone back at school tomorrow, January 2nd!

We won't be having a white Christmas, but Ithaca Public Schools wish that your days will still be Merry and Bright. Happy Holidays to all our students, families, staff, and community.

Fourteen of our interested Ithaca High School students attended a tour at Richland Patterns, Inc. Here they make and develop foundry patterns. They are a CNC machining job shop, including CAD programming, advanced model creation & custom fabrications. The students were very informed and learned about metal and plastic industrial patterns. Thank you Richland Patterns, Inc for the opportunity to explore this career pathway.

It was a Secret Santa gift exchange featuring the Ithaca 6th Grade Band, MS Band and HS Band. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!

Thanks to Mrs. Newkirk and Mrs. Kitsembel for setting up a wonderful opportunity for students to keep learning AND reading over the Winter Break. Ithaca offered students free books from "Books 4 Schools" for students to take home. Each student could pick out 2 books. Merry Christmas and Happy New BOOK!

On the 11th day of Kindness the 5th grader had to read to someone younger than them. So we traveled up the hall to 1st grade and the room was a buzz of 1st and 5th graders reading to each other! We even stayed 5 minutes longer because they were having such a great time!