Ithaca School District

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As we near the end of the school year, Ithaca Public Schools wishes to congratulate the Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2023. Today's spotlight shines bright on seniors Elise Newkirk and Rachel Stocks. Congratulations to them and to all their classmates. Your community is so proud of you, and we wish you well in all you seek to accomplish. #ClassOf2023 #LearnersTodayLeadersTomorrow #IthacaBulldogs

Popcorn Friday this week! This week is hosted by the 4th grade class. Cost is 50 cents per bag, limit 2 per child.

For the second year in a row, Ithaca High School Forensics has earned the Distinction in Speech Award as announced by the state Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association (WISDAA) office. This award is to recognize teams that have performed in the top 6-10% of medal-winning teams. Three years ago, the team earned the Excellence in Speech Award for performing in the top 5%. Of this year's top schools and Gold Medallion winner districts, none are as small as Ithaca, which reflects the deep talent Ithaca's students possess and that is able to be encouraged. All members of this year's team are also involved in other extra-curricular activities that make preparing and rehearsing more challenging than at many other schools. Ithaca's performers experienced many challenges this season, but persevered through to the State Festival. Additionally, Alana Nelson was recognized for earning the prestigious Gold Medallion for cumulative Gold Medals in her high school career. This year's team was guided by coaches Juli Thompson, Chay Schmitt, and Emily Zorea as well as volunteer Louise Murphey. Congratulations to all our performers for all they overcame and achieved this season!

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Thur, May 4, 2023 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today - First Choice: Chicken Patty/Hamburger Bun, Second Choice: BBQ Rib/Sub Bun, Corn, Applesauce, Dessert, Milk For the second year in a row, Ithaca High School Forensics has earned the Distinction in Speech Award announced by the state WISDAA office. This award is is given to teams performing in the 6-10% of medal-winning teams. Three years ago, our team earned the Excellence in Speech Award for performing in the top 5%. Our performers are exceptional, and many beyond our community agree. Additionally, Alana Nelson was officially recognized for earning the Gold Medallion for cumulative Gold Medals in her high school career. Congratulations to all our performers for all they overcame and achieved this season! From Mr. Crawford and Mrs. Niemeyer: Excited to announce that both bands earned 2’s and both choirs earned 1’s at large group contest yesterday! Even with all the snow days, field trips and schedule mix-ups, you just can’t hide the talent at Ithaca. From Mr. Andresen: Good luck to the students taking their AP Statistics Exam today. Be above average - skew the curve - and I hope your results are statistically significant. From Ms Durkin: Student Council please pick up the flyers for teacher appreciation week in Ms Durkin’s room today. Please have the posters attached by Friday after school. From Mrs. Boland and Mrs. Burnley: Thank you to everyone who supported the Junior Class last night at the Culver’s Share Night. It was a successful evening! From Mrs. Kershner: Seniors please check your email regarding: ‘Senior Spotlight’ - For those of you who have already responded. Thank you! For those of you who still need to, please email Mrs. Kershner with the information. This is due Fri, May 5. From Mrs. Burnley: FBLA will be hosting Donut Friday tomorrow, May 4. Donuts will be $1 and will sold at the end of middle school and high school lunches. Limit one donut per student. Thank you for supporting FBLA and helping Abby Plonka and Maggie Gschwind get to Nationals in Atlanta, GA this summer! From Track Coaches: Please wish the Ithaca/Weston Middle School track team good luck as they conclude their season tonight at River Valley. Field events start at 4pm, and running events start at 4:15pm. Athletes should be released at 1:55 unless otherwise announced. Good luck athletes! From the 4th Grade Class: Popcorn Friday is this week and is hosted by the 4th grade class. Cost is 50 cents per bag, limit 2 per child. From Ms. Schmitt: Wesley Brown’s can drive for Ben is nearing an end! Drop off cans in Ms. Schmitt’s room by the end of the day Fri, May 5 or contact Wes to schedule a home pickup. From PTSO: Our final PTSO meeting for the school year will be held Tue, May 9 at 3:45pm in the LMC. We will be holding officer elections for open positions at this meeting. Current open positions are: Pres, Treas, Yearbook Coordinator, and 1 year term Secr. If you are interested in a position please reach out to Jill Plonka. From Mrs. Zorea: There is a National Honor Society meeting May 11 during Attack in the LMC. From Mrs. Newkirk: On May 15, Helga Moser, a local author, will be visiting K-5th grade students at Ithaca. If you would like to order autographed copies of her books, please fill out the order form that your elementary teacher gave you, or pick up an order form in the office. From the PTSO: Did you miss the deadline to order an Elementary/MS yearbook? We ordered extra! Email us at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com to reserve a copy. Yearbooks will be handed out May 31/June 1. Thank you! From the FFA: This weekend is the big Grand opening of the FFA greenhouse! We have 12" baskets, bedding plants and planters. Hours on Sat May 6 are from 9-1pm and Sun May 7 noon-3pm. We will also be open on Saturday May 13 and 20 from 9 am - 1 pm. Sales are also by appointment. Support Ithaca FFA by purchasing your hanging flower baskets and bedding plants from our greenhouse. There is a sign up for Summer League Volleyball at River Valley outside the office. Summer League is played on Monday Nights in June and July. Any 2023 players grades 9-12 that are intending to play Summer League need to sign up by Thursday, May 11, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Angie Young at 608-604-9260. Word of the day: The verb pacify has several related definitions. Among the most common are “to soothe the anger or agitation of” (as in “pacify a crying child”) and “to appease” (“trying to pacify the enemy”). Whenever there’s a thunderstorm I find that letting my dog sleep at the foot of the bed helps to pacify her. This Day in History: A ceremony on May 4, 1905 marks the official beginning of the second attempt to build the Panama Canal. This second attempt to bridge the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans will succeed, dramatically altering world trade as well as the physical and geopolitical landscape of Central America. Birthdays: Staff: Mrs. Pluemer

Coming up next week! Mark your calendars for the Ithaca Art Show! The annual Ithaca Art Show will be held this spring on May 12th in the Ithaca Commons from 3:30 until 7:00pm. Artwork from all Ithaca students will be on display.

As we near the end of the school year, Ithaca Public Schools wishes to congratulate the Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2023. Today's spotlight shines bright on seniors Evan Gomez and Talena Sprecher. Congratulations to them and to all their classmates. Your community is so proud of you, and we wish you well in all you seek to accomplish. #ClassOf2023 #LearnersTodayLeadersTomorrow #IthacaBulldogs

The Junior Class is having a Culver’s Share Night tonight Wed, May 3. Help support them in the many activities of their class, and let them serve you supper! Thank you all for your support.

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Wed, May 3, 2023 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today - First Choice: Mini Corn Dogs, Second Choice: Hot Ham & Cheese/WG Hamburger Bun, Broccoli, Fresh Fruit, WG Dinner roll, Milk From Coach Larrabee: Weston Trap Team had a 1st place conference finish in week 2. This puts the team 283.5 team points in front on 2nd place Algoma 2 weeks into the spring league. Individually we have 7 boys in the top 25 boys and 5 girls in the top 25 girls in the conference. We have 2 girls in the top 25 girls in the state. Abby Verthein is in 2nd place and Lora Hinz is 17th. Boys results: Mason King - 6th, Garrett Granger - 6th, Sebastian Turner - 10th, Owen Feryance - 12th, Hunter Coy - 16th, Gavin Kast - 20th, Hayden Verthein - 24th. Girls results: Abby Verthein - 1st, Lora Hinz - 2nd, Brianna Clark - 8th, Katie Fry - 10th, Lilyanna Kast - 10th. Congratulations on an awesome week of shooting. Coach Larrabee From Ms. Sprecher: Congratulations to the FFA teams that competed at the State Contest last week. Agronomy team of Wes Nelson, Darin Nelson, Alan Pomering and Caleb Birkrem was 6th earning Gold. Wes placed 12th and Darin 18th. The Livestock team won gold and was Reserve Champion with Individual placings of Bailey Wanless 6th, Talena Sprecher 11th, Logan Anderson 19th and Violet Dilley 21st. Meats team of Hailey Boon, Ryan Biermeir, Katie Fry and Annabeth Sprecher earned a Bronze. The Poultry team of Zander Jones, Dante Kleinsasser, Casey Pomering and Ethan Stowell earned a Bronze. The Milk Products team of Holly King, Elli Durst, Evan Gomez and David Fargen were 5th and gold with David being the State Champion! Ms0 Sprecher is very proud of all of you! From The Junior Class: The Junior Class is having a Culver’s Share Night tonight Wed, May 3. From Mrs. Kershner: FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will gather for Huddle on Thur, May 4 at 7am. All students are welcome. Join us for a big breakfast and an impacting devotion called: Every Rep Counts. Hope you will join us! From Mrs. Kershner: Seniors please check your email regarding: ‘Senior Spotlight’ - For those of you who have already responded. Thank you! For those of you who still need to, please email Mrs. Kershner with the information. This is due Fri, May 5. Any questions please stop in the guidance office. From the 4th Grade Class: Popcorn Friday this week! This week is hosted by the 4th grade class. Cost is 50 cents per bag, limit 2 per child. From Ms. Schmitt: Wesley Brown’s can drive for Ben is nearing an end! Cans can be dropped off at Ms Schmitt’s room by the end of the day Fri, May 5 or contact Wes directly to schedule a home pickup. From PTSO: Our final PTSO meeting for the school year will be held Tuesday, May 9 at 3:45 p.m. in the LMC. We will be holding officer elections for open positions at this meeting. Our current open positions are: Pres, Treas, Yearbook Coordinator, and 1 year term Secr. If you are interested in a position please reach out to Jill Plonka. We hope to see you there! From Mrs. Zorea: There is a National Honor Society meeting on May 11 during Attack in the LMC. From Mrs. Newkirk: On May 15, Helga Moser, a local author, will be visiting K-5th grade students at Ithaca. If you would like to order autographed copies of her books, please fill out the order form that your elementary teacher gave you, or pick up an order form from the office. From the PTSO: Did you miss the deadline to order an Elementary/MS yearbook? We ordered extra so don't pay for the price increase/shipping. Email us at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com to reserve a copy today. Right now we have about 20 extra. Yearbooks will be handed out May 31/June 1. From the FFA: This weekend is the big Grand opening of the FFA greenhouse! We have 12" baskets, bedding plants and planters. We will be open Sat May 6 from 9-1pm and Sun May 7 12-3pm. We will also be open on Sat May 13 and 20 from 9-1pm. We will also sell by appointment. Attention high school students looking to make some extra money and gain valuable experience! We are seeking students interested in umpiring Ithaca youth softball and baseball games. Apply to be a youth umpire today! Contact Lori at 608-444-7291 or LLPulvermacher@gmail.com for more information. Word of the day: A contraption, noun, is a usually mechanical or electronic device or gadget. The students worked as a team to create a Rube Goldberg contraption that can fill a pet food bowl at the press of a lever. This Day in History: On May 3, 1469, the Italian philosopher and writer Niccolo Machiavelli is born. A lifelong patriot and diehard proponent of a unified Italy, Machiavelli became one of the fathers of modern political theory. Machiavelli has long been associated with the practice of diabolical expediency in the realm of politics. The term “Machiavellian” is used to describe an action undertaken for gain without regard for right or wrong. Birthdays: Elementary: none MS/HS: none

Blooming this weekend! FFA will be holding our annual greenhouse sale on Sat. May 6, May 13 and May from 9 to 1 pm and Sunday May 7 from noon to 3 pm. We have hundreds of hanging baskets and deck pots, bedding flowers and vegetables. Don't miss out on the beautiful selection. After the 20th, we will be closing the greenhouse for the season and the leftover plants will be going to the Fennimore auction. If you are unable to make it to the greenhouse on the hours posted, please contact Ms. Sprecher at 585-2311 ext. 316 to set up an appointment.

As we near the end of the school year, Ithaca Public Schools wishes to congratulate the Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2023. Today's spotlight shines bright on seniors Natashia Mueller and Hailey Boon. Congratulations to them and to all their classmates. Your community is so proud of you, and we wish you well in all you seek to accomplish. #ClassOf2023 #LearnersTodayLeadersTomorrow #IthacaBulldogs

Weston Trap Team had a 1st place conference finish in week 2. This puts the team 283.5 team points in front on 2nd place Algoma 2 weeks into the spring league. Individually we have 7 boys in the top 25 boys and 5 girls in the top 25 girls in conference. We have 2 girls in the top 25 girls in the state. Abby Verthein is in 2nd place and Lora Hinz is 17th. Boys: Mason King - 6th Garrett Granger - 6th Sebastian Turner - 10th Owen Feryance - 12th Hunter Coy - 16th Gavin Kast - 20th Hayden Verthein - 24th Girls: Abby Verthein - 1st Lora Hinz - 2nd Brianna Clark - 8th Katie Fry - 10th Lilyanna Kast - 10th Congratulations on an awesome week of shooting. Coach Larrabee

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Tues, May 2, 2023 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today - First Choice: Fish Sticks, Second Choice: Hamburger/WG Bun, Baked Beans, Pears, WG Dinner Roll, Milk From Track Coaches: Congratulations to the Ithaca/Weston Middle School track team on another successful meet last night at Kickapoo despite very challenging wind. Highlights include personal bests for the girls 4X100m relay of Emma Birkrem, Ashlynn Fowell, Ellie Otto, and Payton Olson, Ellie Otto and Aliyah Swenson in the 800, Ashlynn Fowell in the discus, and Aspen Young in the 200. Boys highlights include Kerrick Thompson 8th in the 100 hurdles and 3rd in pole vault, Braysen Garcia-Boland 4th in the pole vault, Quintis Banker 3rd in high jump and 1st in the 100, Sam Jones 6th in the 400, Gage Buscher 7th in the triple jump, Herry Clancy and Deakin McDonough placed 7th and 8th in the 800, the 4X100m relay placed 6th of Sam Jones, Kerrick Thompson, Makai Tauaalo, and Quintis Banker, and a huge personal best for Blake Straight in the 1600. To all the team, very well done. The last meet of the season is Thursday at River Valley. From Mrs. Pluemer: Parents, caregivers, adult community members: Join us Tuesday, May 2nd, from 5:30-8pm in the Ithaca School Commons, to learn more about helping our children make positive, healthy, drug-free choices. Dinner will be provided at 5:30. Please RSVP to 608-585-2311 x 117. From The Junior Class: The Junior Class is having a Culver’s Share Night on Wednesday, May 3. From Mrs. Kershner: FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will gather for Huddle on Thursday, May 4th at 7:00am. All students are welcome. Join us for a big breakfast and an impacting devotion called: Every Rep Counts- Hope you will join us! From Mrs. Kershner: Seniors please check your email regarding: ‘Senior Spotlight’ - For those of you who have already responded..thank you! For those of you who still need to, please email Mrs. Kershner with the information. This is due Friday, May 5th. Any questions please stop in the guidance office. Popcorn Friday this week! This week is hosted by the 4th grade class. Cost is 50 cents per bag, limit 2 per child. From Ms. Schmitt: Wesley Brown’s can drive for Ben is nearing an end! Cans can be dropped off at Ms. Schmitt’s room (204) by the end of the day Friday, May 5 or you can contact Wes directly to schedule a home pickup. From Mrs. Zorea: There is a National Honor Society meeting on May 11th during Attack in the LMC. From Mrs. Newkirk: On May 15th, Helga Moser, a local author, will be visiting K-5th grade students at Ithaca. If you would like to order autographed copies of her books, please fill out the order form that your elementary teacher gave you, or pick up an order form from the office. From the PTSO: Did you miss the deadline to order an Elementary/MS yearbook? We ordered extra so don't pay for the price increase/shipping. Email us at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com to reserve a copy today. First come, first serve basis - right now we have about 20 extra. Yearbooks will be handed out May 31/June 1. Thank you! From the FFA: This weekend is the big Grand opening of the FFA greenhouse! We have beautiful 12 inch baskets, bedding plants and planters. We will be open Sat. May 6 from 9 to 1 pm and Sunday May 7 from noon to 3 pm. We will also be open on Saturday May 13 and 20 from 9 am - 1 pm. We will also sell by appointment. Support Ithaca FFA by purchasing your hanging flower baskets and bedding plants from our greenhouse. Attention high school students looking to make some extra money and gain valuable experience! Here’s a great opportunity to be a part of the action! We are seeking students interested in umpiring Ithaca youth softball and baseball games. If you're looking for a fun and rewarding way to earn some extra cash, while also gaining some valuable experience and making a positive impact on your community, we encourage you to apply to be a youth umpire today! Contact Lori at 608-444-7291 or LLPulvermacher@gmail.com for more information. Word of the day: Lackadaisical Something or someone described as lackadaisical, adjective, is lacking in life, spirit, or zest. His teachers did not approve of his lackadaisical approach to homework. This Day in History: The modern legend of the Loch Ness Monster is born when a sighting makes local news on May 2, 1933. The newspaper Inverness Courier relates an account of a local couple who claim to have seen “an enormous animal rolling and plunging on the surface.” The story of the “monster” (a moniker chosen by the Courier editor) becomes a media phenomenon, with London newspapers sending correspondents to Scotland and a circus offering a 20,000 pound sterling reward for capture of the beast. Birthdays: Elementary: none MS/HS: Conner Montes

As we near the end of the school year, Ithaca Public Schools wishes to congratulate the Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2023. Today's spotlight shines bright on seniors Alana Nelson and Erica Steinmetz. Congratulations to them and to all their classmates. Your community is so proud of you, and we wish you well in all you seek to accomplish. #ClassOf2023 #LearnersTodayLeadersTomorrow #IthacaBulldogs

Did you miss the deadline to order an Elementary/MS yearbook? We ordered extra so don't pay for the price increase/shipping. Email us at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com to reserve a copy today. First come, first serve basis - right now we have about 20 extra. Yearbooks will be handed out May 31/June 1. Thank you!

The Ithaca Middle School 6th grade class finished learning about topographic maps and celebrated by creating their own topographic map out of cardboard. They learned how to determine distance and height with the states They chose. Learning how to read topographic maps was fun yet challenging.

Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow Announcements: Mon, May 1, 2023 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today - First Choice: Cheesy Quesadilla, Second Choice: Hot Dog/Bun, Cooked Carrots, Peaches, WG Dinner Roll, Milk From The Junior Class: The Class of 2024 would like to thank the following people that helped with Prom: Class Advisors- Mrs. Boland and Mrs. Burnley, Patrick Boland for making the arch, Frank and Ben for assisting and cleaning the gym, Mr. Crawford and Mrs. Niemeyer for helping with decorations, Mr. Klang, Mr. Crawford and Mr. Herbst for chaperoning, and Angie Young for the food Wednesday night and the parents who helped decorate and provided food and drinks. Thank you also to the Miniature King and Queen, Jace Niemeyer and Clara Thome. Congratulations to the 2023 King Landon Thompson and Queen Kaylee Peterson. From Track Coaches: The Ithaca/Weston Middle School team travels to Kickapoo tonight, Monday, for a meet. Good luck to you all! Please release them at 2:40. This is a change from the original time. From The Junior Class: The Junior Class is having a Culver’s Share Night on Wednesday, May 3. From Mrs. Kershner: FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will gather for Huddle on Thursday, May 4th at 7:00am. All students are welcome. Join us for a big breakfast and an impacting devotion called: Every Rep Counts- Hope you will join us! From Mrs. Kershner: Seniors please check your email regarding: ‘Senior Spotlight’ - For those of you who have already responded. Thank you! For those of you who still need to, please email Mrs. Kershner with the information. This is due Friday, May 5th. Any questions please stop in the guidance office. Popcorn Friday this week! This week is hosted by the 4th grade class. Cost is 50 cents per bag, limit 2 per child. From Mrs. Pluemer: Parents, caregivers, adult community members: Join us Tuesday, May 2nd, from 5:30-8pm in the Ithaca School Commons, to learn more about helping our children make positive, healthy, drug-free choices. Dinner provided at 5:30. Please RSVP to 608-585-2311 x 117. From Ms. Schmitt: Wesley Brown’s can drive for Ben is nearing an end! Cans can be dropped off at Ms. Schmitt’s room (204) by the end of the day Friday, May 5 or contact Wes directly to schedule a home pickup. From Mrs. Newkirk: On May 15th, Helga Moser, a local author, will be visiting K-5th grade students at Ithaca. If you would like to order autographed copies of her books, please fill out the order form that your elementary teacher gave you, or pick up an order form from the office. From Mr. Crawford and Mrs. Niemeyer: Thank you to everyone who came out to support the music department at the Italian Dinner and Cabaret this past Friday! It was a great night filled with fun and music! From the PTSO: Did you miss the deadline to order an Elementary/MS yearbook? We ordered extra so don't pay for the price increase/shipping. Email us at IthacaPTSO@gmail.com to reserve a copy today. First come, first serve basis - right now we have about 20 extra. Yearbooks will be handed out May 31/June 1. Thank you! From the FFA: This weekend is the big Grand opening of the FFA greenhouse! We have beautiful 12 inch baskets, bedding plants and planters. We will be open Sat. May 6 from 9 to 1 pm and Sunday May 7 from noon to 3 pm. We will also be open on Saturday May 13 and 20 from 9 am - 1 pm. We will also sell by appointment. Support Ithaca FFA by purchasing your hanging flower baskets and bedding plants from our greenhouse. Attention high school students looking to make some extra money and gain valuable experience! We are seeking students interested in umpiring Ithaca youth softball and baseball games. If you're looking for a fun and rewarding way to earn some extra cash, and gain some valuable experience making a positive impact on your community, apply to be a youth umpire today! Contact Lori at 608-444-7291 or LLPulvermacher@gmail.com for more information. Word of the day: To MacGyver, verb, something is to make, form, or repair it with materials that are conveniently on hand. Social media websites are full of videos that show people MacGyvering everything from a life jacket out of a pair of pants to a stove using three metal cans and some dirt. This Day in History: On May 1, 1958, President Eisenhower proclaims Law Day to honor the role of law in the creation of the United States of America. Three years later, Congress followed suit by passing a joint resolution establishing May 1 as Law Day. The American Bar Association defines Law Day as: “A national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day underscores how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms that all Americans share.” The language of the statute ordaining May 1 calls it “a special day of celebration by the American people in appreciation of their liberties and rededication to the ideals of equality and justice under law.” Birthdays: Elementary: none MS/HS: Chelsey Offerdahl

On May 15, Helga Moser, a local author, will be visiting kindergarten through 5th grade students. She will be discussing her books along with the writing and publishing process. If you would like to purchase an autographed copy of her books, please fill out the attached form. If you have any questions, please email Andrea Newkirk at newkand@ithaca.k12.wi.us. Thank you for supporting this local author!

The Ithaca School District would like to introduce to you the 2023 Co- Valedictorians, Salutatorian and ACT 30+ achievement. Congratulations on your outstanding academic achievements! Co- Valedictorians: Alana Nelson- Daughter of Andy and Sarah Nelson Kyla Pluemer- Daughter of Jeramie and Shelly Pluemer Salutatorian: Elise Newkirk- Daughter of Paul and Andrea Newkirk ACT+ Achievement: Talena Sprecher- Daughter of Melissa Sprecher

No more waiting! Today's the day of our Italian Cabaret! Support our music students and enjoy a great meal. Join us tonight at 6:00 for great food, and even better talent! Tickets can still be purchased at the door.