Ithaca School District

Great things are happening at Ithaca, EVERY DAY! Enjoy this video highlighting ALL the recent GREAT things happening at our district! You may see someone you know! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alnqB0bQKhk

Join the Ithaca FBLA as they warm our community this winter! Bring in new or gently used items to Mrs Burnley's room until December 15th. Items of need are socks, hats, gloves, and coats.

5th grader's 3rd day of Kindness challenge was to Smile at Everyone they see! It’s contagious! Can you join them in smiling to spread kindness?

Elf Shop donations are still being accepted! While cleaning and decorating, please consider donating items you no longer need. 4K through 5th grade will be shopping for gifts to give to their parents, guardians or grandparents on December 20th. Donations may be dropped off in the office or in room 107.

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Tue, Dec 12, 2023 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today - First Choice: Orange chicken w/rice, Second Choice: Polish sausage w/bun, Cowboy beans, pineapple, WG roll, dessert From Mrs. Behrens: Band and Choir students: Congratulations on your wonderful performances at the Winter Concert last night. Your hard work really showed and I’m so proud of all of you! Thank you to the staff members who attended the concert. We appreciate your support. I would like to thank the basketball coaches, Mr. Klang and Mr. Benson, for rearranging the practice schedule so that we could set up in time for the concert. Thank you to all of the students who helped move everything to the gym and who came early to help set it up. Also, thank you Tom Walker for getting the gym ready for the concert. I appreciate everyone’s help! From Ms. Sprecher: High School FFA will meet Today (December 12) during ATTACK. Ithaca FFA middle school will meet Friday during ATTACK. Concessions Tonight (Tue) night Concessions are by the Music Boosters. From Ms Durkin: In the spirit of the holiday season, the Ithaca Student Council will be hosting their annual non-perishable food fundraiser for Passages in Richland Center. Passages is a homeless shelter for battered women. For the past 3 decades, Ithaca has had an annual holiday food drive and we would like to continue this tradition. Each elementary classroom will have boxes and student council representatives to help the kids get into the fun of giving. Class advisors will also have boxes in their classrooms for students to donate in the middle school and high school. All classes kindergarten through 12th grade will be able to compete and the class that collects the most boxes will get a Pizza Hut pizza party hosted by the student council. We will start collecting food next Monday December 18th and our last day to collect will be next Friday morning December 22nd. From Mrs. Burnley: FBLA members, remember to let Mrs. Burnley know by the end of the day on Wednesday, Dec. 13 what event you want to do for the Regional Leadership Conference. Registration ends this week. From Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Club: There will be an Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Club meeting on Wed, Dec 13th at Ithaca starting at 7pm for any interested supporters. From Ms Schoen: Mark your calendars for the 2023 Elementary Winter Music Program which will be held Wed, Dec 13, at 2:00 p.m. in the main gym. All are welcome to attend. From Mrs Kershner: FCA students- just a reminder to start bringing in your donated items for Banana Bread baking this Thursday, Dec 14. All donations can be dropped off in the guidance office. From Mrs. Stellner and Mrs. Pluemer: There is a Sources of Strength meeting this Thursday, Dec. 14, during ATTACK. HS will meet in the LMC, MS will meet in Mr. Kelly’s room. From Ithaca Music Boosters: Items from the Alsum Farms fundraiser will be delivered this Thursday, Dec 14. Volunteers are requested to assist with sorting and loading orders beginning at 2:30pm. Pick up will begin at 3:30 until 6:00pm. If you are unable to pick up during that time, you must arrange for someone to pick up for you that night. Ithaca Giving Tree: We ask that all gifts be returned unwrapped and with the tag to the school office no later than Fri, Dec 15. Thank you for your care and participation. Call Ms. Schoen or Mrs. Pluemer if you need more information. From Ms. Jones: 4th/5th grade boys basketball will begin practice Fri, Dec 15 from 5:30-7:00 in the Community Gym. Schedules will be handed out at that time. Any questions contact Janelle at 608-588-4535. Ms Durkin: Get into the holiday spirit with the annual door decorating contest! The student council is sponsoring the gym door contest this year. Seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen will compete by decorating a designated gym door. There is no specific theme this year, so have fun. Remember to bring your own supplies and team up with your classmates and get into holiday spirit. You may begin decorating today and doors have to be finished by this Fri, Dec 15. From PTSO: Popcorn Friday will be this Friday, December 15. 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 Freshman class! Mrs. Kershner: Attention High School Juniors and Seniors: If you were considering being a part of the Youth Apprenticeship Program for this year, please see Mrs. Kershner on or before Wed, Dec 20. The deadline for enrollment is approaching. Thank you! Birthdays Elementary: Bo Louis, Clark Ward MS/HS: Derek Franzen Staff: none

LET’S HELP THOSE IN NEED! Passages Food Drive will take place December 18-22. Elementary and Middle School will have boxes in their classrooms and High School’s boxes will be in their advisers room: Freshmen ~Mrs. Burnley Sophomores~ Mr. Nee Junior ~ Mr. Klang Senior ~ Mrs. Deitelhoff Boxes will be tallied each day with the help of student council members assigned to each elementary class. Please bring non-perishable food items and toiletries like soap, tissues, toilet paper etc. to your class every morning. The student council will count and pick them up Class that raises the most boxes (minimum of 10 boxes) will get a Pizza Hut pizza party!

There's room for everyone on the nice list! Students of Mr Nee are working with Mrs Jensen's kindergarten class to spread some cheer this season. Stay tuned to see what these elves are working on.

Congratulations to the Ithaca-Weston High School wrestling team for placing 6th as a team at the LaCrosse Logan Invitational on Saturday against some tough competition from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Results of the I-W wrestlers were: Kerrick Thompson - 5th, Hunter Moe - 9th, Ethan Stowell - 5th, Derek Franzen - 7th, Channing Wheaton - 10th, Nolen Waldner - 6th, Logan Anderson - 6th, Kayden Coleman - 6th. Top finishers were Blake Bingham with 3rd, Mac Neefe with 2nd, and Caleb Birkrem with 1st. Their next meet is this Saturday at Richland Center High School starting at 9am.

Fifth graders completed their 2nd Kindness Challenge on Friday! They had to write down two inspiring quotes and hang them around the school to spread joy.

The Ithaca PTSO's annual Rural Route 1 popcorn fundraiser was a huge success! Thank you all for supporting the Ithaca PTSO and their efforts. If you missed out on the sale, they have some extras! Contact Sam Hilby to purchase. hilbsam@ithaca.k12.wi.us

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Mon, Dec 11, 2023 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today - First Choice: Cheese Pizza, Second Choice: Hot Turkey Sub, WG Roll, carrots, blueberries, and yogurt From Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Club: Congratulations to the Ithaca-Weston High School wrestling team for placing 6th as a team at the LaCrosse Logan Invitational on Saturday against some tough competition from Minnesota and Wisconsin. Top finishers were Blake Bingham with 3rd, Mac Neefe with 2nd, and Caleb Birkrem with 1st. Their next meet is this Saturday at Richland Center High School at 9am. There will be an Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Club meeting on Wed, Dec 13th at Ithaca starting at 7pm for any interested supporters. From Mrs. Behrens: High School Band Students - Your next payment of $300 for your trip to Florida, is due today. From Ms. Sprecher: High School FFA will meet Tuesday December 12 during ATTACK. Ithaca FFA middle school will meet Thursday during ATTACK. Concessions Tuesday night Concessions is Music Boosters. From Mrs. Burnley and Mrs. Thompson: There will be a Freshman class meeting Today, Dec. 11 in Mrs. Burnley’s room. From Mrs. Behrens: The Winter Band and Choir Concert will be held on Mon, Dec 11, starting at 7:00 pm. Come and hear songs of the holiday season. From Ms Schoen: Mark your calendars for the 2023 Elementary Winter Music Program which will be held Wed, Dec 13, at 2:00 p.m. in the main gym. All are welcome to attend. From Mrs Kershner: FCA students- just a reminder to start bringing in your donated items for Banana Bread baking this Thursday, Dec 14. All donations can be dropped off in the guidance office. Ithaca Giving Tree: We ask that all gifts be returned unwrapped and with the tag to the school office no later than Fri, Dec 15. Thank you for your care and participation. Call Ms. Schoen or Mrs. Pluemer if you need more information. From Ms. Jones: 4th/5th grade boys basketball will begin practice Fri, Dec 15 from 5:30-7:00 in the Community Gym. Schedules will be handed out at that time. Any questions contact Janelle at 608-588-4535. From Ms Durkin: Get into the holiday spirit with the annual door decorating contest! The student council is sponsoring the gym door contest this year. Seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen will compete by decorating a designated gym door. There is no specific theme this year, so have fun. Remember to bring your own supplies and team up with your classmates and get into holiday spirit. You may begin decorating today and doors have to be finished by this Fri, Dec 15. From PTSO: Popcorn Friday will be this Friday, December 15. 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 Freshman class! Mrs. Kershner: Attention High School Juniors and Seniors: If you were considering being a part of the Youth Apprenticeship Program for this year, please see Mrs. Kershner on or before Wed, Dec 20. The deadline for enrollment is approaching. Thank you! Word of the Day: Tincture a solution made by mixing a medicinal substance in an alcoholic solvent. It can also refer to a slight trace of something, as in “a tincture of doubt.” The shelves behind the apothecary counter were lined with dozens of jars and vials containing tinctures of every color of the rainbow. This day in history: 1941 Adolf Hitler declares war on the United States, bringing America, which had been neutral, into the European conflict. Birthdays Elementary: none MS/HS: none Staff: Mrs. Sheila Kitsembel

Mrs. Preuss's 5th graders have started 12 days of Kindness! The purpose is to spread kindness throughout the Ithaca community. Our 1st kindness challenge was to write cards to service members.

Remember. Honor. Teach. Wreaths Across America events will be held on December 16th at St Mary's Catholic Church cemetery in Keyesville. St. Killian's Catholic Church cemetery wreath program in Bear Valley will be honoring their veterans using wreaths made by the Lone Rock American Legion Post. At locations across the nation, veterans and Gold Star parents will be honored as Americans remember them in laying of wreaths upon their tombstones as was begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization’s mission – Remember, Honor, Teach – is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as at thousands of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. Both groups of organizers are accepting donations to offset costs to honor their interred veterans and Gold Star mother. Contact Eileen Slaney Stevens (St Killian's) or Alan Lins (St Mary's) to contribute. www.wreathsacrossamerica.org #BeTheirWitness #JoinTheMission #RememberHonorTeach

What wonderful work by the Ithaca Art Department! Over the last several weeks, Ms. Durkin and Holly King have worked on replicating some vintage signs for Simpson’s Tractor. When you head to Simpson’s, be sure to enjoy those signs boasting an Ithaca swag!

How COOL is our school? Ithaca Middle and High School students enjoyed strawberry smoothies for breakfast this morning! Now THAT"S cool!

If you're heading to LaCrosse Logan High School tomorrow to cheer on the Ithaca-Weston High School wrestlers at the LaCrosse Logan Invitational, here are some things you need to know. Action starts at 10am. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for students, and NO CASH will be accepted for admissions. Pay at the door with debit or credit card, or purchase ahead of time with this link: https://gofan.co/event/1215559?schoolId=WI18311 Concessions are CASH ONLY. Good luck, wrestlers and coaches!

Yesterday morning the FCA students gathered for their morning Huddle. Encouragement, breakfast and then a game of Dodgeball was played! Good times together!

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Fri, Dec 8, 2023 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today - First Choice: Sloppy Joes/Bun, Second Choice: Chicken Strips, WG Roll, Peas, Mandarin Oranges From Mrs. Behrens: High School Band Students - Your next payment of $300 for your trip to Florida, is due today. From Ms Durkin: There will be an art club meeting today during ATTACK. Please plan to attend, we will take a group photo. From the Ithaca-Weston Wrestling Club: Good luck Ithaca-Weston High School wrestlers! Tomorrow they compete in the La Crosse Logan Invitational at La Crosse Logan High School. Action starts at 10am. Tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for students, and NO CASH will be accepted for admissions. Pay at the door with debit or credit card, or purchase ahead of time with this link: https://gofan.co/event/1215559?schoolId=WI18311 Concessions are CASH ONLY. From Ms. Sprecher: Concessions Friday is the freshman class. Ithaca FFA middle school and high school, please sign up for a half hour shift to ring bells at Wal-Mart this Sat, Dec 9 from 11:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. From Mrs. Behrens: The Winter Band and Choir Concert will be held on Mon, Dec 11, starting at 7:00 pm. Come and hear songs of the holiday season. From Ms Schoen: Mark your calendars for the 2023 Elementary Winter Music Program which will be held Wed, Dec 13, at 2:00 p.m. in the main gym. All are welcome to attend. Ithaca Giving Tree: We ask that all gifts be returned unwrapped and with the tag to the school office no later than Fri, Dec 15. Thank you for your care and participation. Call Ms. Schoen or Mrs. Pluemer if you need more information. From Ms. Jones: 4th/5th grade boys basketball will begin practice Fri, Dec 15 from 5:30-7:00 in the Community Gym. Schedules will be handed out at that time. Any questions contact Janelle at 608-588-4535. Ms Durkin: Get into the holiday spirit with the annual door decorating contest! The student council is sponsoring the gym door contest this year. Seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen will compete by decorating a designated gym door. There is no specific theme this year, so have fun. Remember to bring your own supplies and team up with your classmates and get into holiday spirit. You may begin decorating today and doors have to be finished by Fri, Dec 15. Mrs. Kershner: Attention High School Juniors and Seniors: If you were considering being a part of the Youth Apprenticeship Program for this year, please see Mrs. Kershner on or before Wed, Dec 20. The deadline for enrollment is approaching. Thank you! Birthdays Elementary: Brennan Klingaman - Sat 12/9, Payton Engle - Sun 12/10 MS/HS: none Staff: Mrs. Richards - Sun 12/10

Recently Ithaca FBLA members helped our 4K littles write letters to Santa, just in time for Christmas! Please enjoy this Ithaca YouTube Presentation highlighting this event. - https://youtu.be/GvarCbn-JIw

Recently the Ithaca FBLA members helped our 4K littles write letters to Santa, just in time for Christmas! Ithaca FBLA helpers included: Ethan Birkrem, Jadyn Boland, Maggie Gschwind, Callie Muckler, Izzie Ortiz, Abby Plonka, Ally Plonka, Annabeth Sprecher, Caleb Birkrem, Emma Coy, Danny Feryance, Maggie Gschwind, Matt Kepler, Josie Laue, Kailey Newkirk, Tristen Peterson, Alivya Young and non-FBLA student Micah Salisbury. Landon Thompson and Holly King were unable to participate.