Ithaca School District

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

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!

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

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

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

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!

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.

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Thu, Dec 7, 2023 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today - First Choice: Mozzarella sticks, Second Choice: Chicken nuggets, Baked beans, apples and pears, WG roll Ithaca Giving Tree: We ask that all gifts be returned, unwrapped, along with the tag, to the school office no later than Friday, December 15. Thank you for your care and participation. Call Mrs. Schoen or Mrs. Pluemer if you need more information. From Mr. Andresen: There is a Math Team meeting today. Concessions, contests, and T-shirts will be some of the items discussed. Attendance is crucial. See you in Mr. Andresen’s room during ATTACK!! From Mr. Klang: There will be an Archery Club Meeting in Mr. Klang's room during ATTACK Today Dec. 7th for any interested 6th-12th grade students. From Mrs. Behrens: High School Band Students - Your next payment of $300 for your trip to Florida, is due tomorrow, Friday, December 8. From Mrs. Behrens: The Winter Band and Choir Concert will be held on Monday, December 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 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 Saturday, Dec 9 from 11 -2. From Ms. Jones: 4th/5th grade boys basketball will begin practice next Friday, December 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. 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 Wednesday, Dec 20. The deadline for enrollment is approaching. Thank you! 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 tomorrow and doors have to be finished by Dec 15th. Word of the Day: Permeable: used especially to describe things that have pores or openings that permit liquids or gases to pass through. The new housing project will include a permeable parking lot to help mitigate stormwater runoff. This day in history: On December 7, 1941, at 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into World War II. Birthdays: none

What is the RAPTOR system and how does it help Ithaca? Here is an Ithaca YouTube Featured Presentation explaining THE RAPTOR! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO_yq66M8jg

Twinning IS winning! The Ithaca LMC is once again "Merry and Bright"!

Families were invited to participate in the Ithaca PTSO's 6th Annual Gingerbread House Fun Night. What a great night full of hot chocolate, smiles, laughter, and holiday fun!

Ithaca's elementary students participated in the national "Hour of Code" initiative during their weekly Library class from December 4th-8th during Computer Science Education Week. "Hour of Code" is a week-long program designed to introduce students to the basics of computer coding. In their Library curriculum, Ithaca elementary students create projects to show their learning using both digital and real-world materials. This week, students wrote basic computer algorithms using bee bot robots and resources from the Code.org website. These lessons also gave students a chance to practice being attentive to details, developing a plan to solve problems, and checking their work and making revisions as part of the learning process.

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Wed, Dec 6, 2023 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today - First Choice: Mini Corn Dogs, Second Choice: Brat/bun, Hash browns, peaches Ithaca Giving Tree: We ask that all gifts be returned, unwrapped, along with the tag, to the school office no later than Friday, December 15. Thank you for your care and participation. Call Mrs. Schoen or Mrs. Pluemer if you need more information. From Mr. Andresen: There is a Math Team meeting today. Concessions, contests, and T-shirts will be some of the items discussed. Attendance is crucial. See you in Mr. Andresen’s room during ATTACK!! From Mrs. Behrens: High School Band Students - Your next payment of $300 for your trip to Florida, is due this Friday, December 8. From Ms Durkin: Come out and support the Ithaca Student Council for Culver’s Share Night Tonight from 4-8. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the snowball dance! Student council members do not forget your sign up times. From Mrs Kershner: FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will be gathering this Thursday, Dec 7th at 7:00am. Join us for an encouraging devotion, big breakfast and then a game of Dodgeball. All are welcome! 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 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 Saturday, Dec 9 from 11 -2. 4th/5th grade boys basketball will begin practice next Friday, December 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 Mrs Thompson: Those interested in or wanting more information about forensics should meet with a coach before break. Our next meeting is Dec 18th, and each of you should have a category chosen by then. Lost: Black backpack with basketball shoes, shorts, tshirt. If found, please return to the school office. Word of the Day: Smite “to hit someone or something very hard.” Other uses of the word include “to severely injure, kill, or attack someone” (as in “smitten by disease”) and “to captivate or take” (as in “smitten by her beauty”). // He smote the ball mightily, which helped us win the game. This day in history: On December 6, 1865, the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, officially ending the institution of slavery, is ratified. “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” With these words, the single greatest change wrought by the Civil War was officially noted in the Constitution. Birthdays: none

You can help AND enjoy a delicious meal! Culvers SHARE night TONIGHT from 4 to 8 PM! Join us in supporting the Ithaca School Student Council as 10% of ALL sales will be donated to the Student Council.

Great FOOD is happening at Ithaca! Delicious local food on the menu at Ithaca today - cheeseburgers featuring Spring Creeks Beef.

The holiday spirit has been found in the LMC. “OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO READ!"

You have another opportunity to enjoy ELF this weekend. “Elf the Musical” with an Ithaca VIBE? YES please! Join Ithaca graduate Matthew Roh as he portrays Buddy the Elf. Current Ithaca 6th grade students: Sarah Ellis, Molly Geraths, and Madison Hackl are cast members as well. Kortni Urban (spouse of teacher Trent Urban) graces the stage as well! The production will be held at the former UW Richland Coppertop Theater December 8 and 9 at 7:00 PM and a matinee on December 10 at 2:00 PM