Wishing you happy birthday just once today isn't enough. Today, August 6th, we wish Charlie Jones and Kasey King a very Happy Birthday! Charlie is finishing his training, so he won't get to see these wishes today, but we hope he still has a great day. Happy day to you both!
Attention: Ithaca Trap Club members and potential members. There is a meeting on Sunday, August 9th at 1:00. The meeting is at the Hillpoint Rod and Gun Club. Please attend.
Birthdays give you an even better reason to do something special. Make your day wonderful, Allison Durst! Happy Birthday today, August 5th. Hope it's groovy.
Are you a junior or senior that may have some free time in the mornings? Want to earn some money and credits as a TA or volunteer? Ithaca Public Schools are in need of reliable junior and/or senior students to help on bus routes in the morning assisting with taking temperatures and documenting. This position would earn $9/hour for roughly two hours per day. Personal protective equipment would be provided, and some cleaning duties may be involved. Interested students must be in good academic standing and be able to get to school in the morning before bus routes begin. Anyone under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian approval. To apply, complete an employment form and contact Brooke Hackl in the district office at 585-2512.
Ithaca will not be having its annual co-curricular meeting in August. All paperwork is still required to participate in extracurricular activities. You can find links to what is needed on the Ithaca website. Students and their parents/guardians need to read/watch the co-curricular code and sign it. You can watch the video from last year by clicking the following link https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=32hI5NPUDUs. The school has a few DVD copies that can be checked out if needed. Fall sport athletes should turn their paperwork into their coaches who will deliver it to the school. If your child doesn't play a fall sport have them turn their paperwork in when school starts. Thanks.
So much to smile about for your birthday! Today, August 4th, we wish Abby Wiedenfeld a very Happy Birthday. We hope it's Puurrrr-fect!
Mrs. Prouty sent home an email message last week. If you did not receive it, please check your spam for her email.
It starts with julie.prouty
It's not a birthday without a pinata....or is it a cake? Well, whatever you have, make sure you have a great time! Happy Birthday today, August 3rd to Wyatt Laukant and Ms. Cheri Jacobson.
I think the same applies to birthday cake. Enjoy the frosting! Enjoy your day! Happy Birthday wishes today, August 2nd, to go out to Landen Moody!
Even artists like da Vinci get creative for birthdays. Happy Birthday to one of our own creative talents today, August 1st, to Jacob Mueller! May your day be filled with color and fun.
What compliments great sweet corn? Great birthdays and a "corn-y" joke. Happy Birthday today, July 31st to Ben Huebsch and Keegan Jones. We hope your day is a-MAIZE-ing!
It's your birthday, so treat yourself! Today, July 30th, we send out big Happy Birthday wishes to Cortez Kleinsasser!
Turn that frown upside down! We've got some birthdays to smile about. Happy Birthday today, July 29th, to Finley Fowell and Robert Ringelstetter!
We found this portrait sent years ago from Bob Ross wishing Happy Birthday today, July 28th to Leah Tourdot and Ms. Peg Durkin. Have a wonderful birthday! May all of it be happy, not just the trees.
Even though there's ups and downs on the roller coaster of life, it's always an adventure. May the next year bring lots of fun and excitement! Happy Birthday today, July 27th to Braeden Freestone.
We send beautiful birthday wishes to some wonderful birthday girls today, July 26th. Happy Birthday to Ember Hollands and Kapri Kalland!
Let me take a deep breath for today's birthdays.... It's July 25th, and today we wish Happy Birthday to Zachary Jacobson, Kolton Kalish, Kyan Kalish, Bailey Wanless, Sterling Weitzel, Bethany Weldon, Mrs. Hannah Chavez, and Mr. Matt Mezera.
Check out the agenda for Monday's (July 27th) School Board of Education Meeting. Use the Zoom link to register in advance before attending virtually.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WMrtyOOGSXcSdf_UouIFz5elACsZj79yLb47ppDF2Xo/edit?usp=sharing
The Ithaca Lions do so much for our students and community. Let's help them continue that tradition!
The Ithaca Lions will be having a Brat sale at the WCCU in Richland Center on Friday, August 7th to raise money for our Stuff The Bus fundraiser for the Ithaca School. They will be serving brats, hot dogs, chips, soda, and water. There will also be bars and cookies for sale.
Their 3rd annual Stuff the Bus will be held on Wednesday August 19th at the school in Ithaca from 12:00 to 6:30. Drop off supplies or cash donations then or to any Ithaca Lion. They hope to make this the best one yet, but can't do it without your support. Thanks for your past support.
Also, The Ithaca Lions in conjunction with NexTrex will be collecting plastic. They will have to collect 500 pounds in six months and NexTrex will donate a park bench to the Ithaca Lions which is made of recycled plastics. The collection bin location has not been announced yet. If you would start saving now, it will make the collection more successful. If you have any questions you may contact any Lion or Dick Hauser at 605-585-4808.
Congratulations to Talena Sprecher! She competed in the National FCCLA Star Event competition. She received a Gold rating in her category of Job Interview. Here she is doing her interview via Zoom.
To our smart, talented, pretty, creative, and fabulous birthday gals. Happy Birthday today, July 23rd, to Ilana Bloczynski and Tammie Cayse-Fry!
Ok, so I remembered because I get a list of birthdays. But it doesn't mean you don't get big wishes! Happy Birthday today, July 21st to Max Koch and Koen Pyfferoen! Celebrate and have a great day!
YES! We're talkin' to you! We're wishing Happy Birthday today, July 21st to Max Koch and Koen Pyfferoen.
Ithaca Public Schools are looking for four (4) part time paraprofessionals. Applicants should be flexible, professional, patient and encouraging with a variety of learning levels. The individuals filling these roles will work closely with staff members to provide additional learning, coaching, tutoring, and supervision to our students. The role may require using office equipment, having basic computer skills and knowledge of common computer programs. Please contact Brooke Hackl at the district office at 585-2512 with any questions. These positions along with other openings in the district are also posted on the WECAN website: https://wecan.education.wisc.edu/#/. To apply there, you must create an account.
Ithaca Elementary is seeking a certified teacher to begin the 2020-21 school year. This candidate must be able to teach students of all ability levels. They must have a genuine interest in improving student achievement and contributing in a positive manner to the overall school environment. Desired skills include: Incorporate differentiated instructional strategies into lesson planning and lesson delivery; develop and build positive relationships with students, staff, and parents; utilize evidence-based best practices; use assessments to plan, monitor, and assess student understanding; collaborate with other professionals.
This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in Education with certification in areas of intermediate grades. The Ithaca District offers a highly competitive benefits package, including Health, Dental, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance.
Initial training begins August 17 with several days of various trainings/collaborations before students arrive September 1.
Interested individuals will find the position posted in WECAN but can also call Ithaca School at 608.585.2512.
Brace yourself! Saddle up and help us celebrate birthdays today, July 20th. Happy Birthday to Kierra Atkinson and Brielle Kennedy!
So much to celebrate today, July 19th! Celebrate until the donkeys or cows come home. We send out redonkulous Happy Birthday wishes to Quintis Banker, Jaxon Scott, Michael Self and extra special wishes to Erin Miller.
One of our ex-STRAW-dinary students has a birthday today, July 18th. Happy Birthday wishes to Nick King!
We've got a lot of cool chicks in our school. Happy Birthday today, July 17th to one of them. Have a birthday that's as cool as you are, Kaila Layton!
Ithaca Elementary is looking for a long term substitute teacher for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year! The best candidate for this position has a bachelor's degree in education and loves working with first grade students. Official experience and a state teaching license is preferred, but we welcome those with informal experiences as well. Candidates will be covering the beginning of the school year. We ask that candidates are flexible and willing to work with the everyday changes that a classroom has to offer. It is also important that you are willing to become a part of the Ithaca community and serve the many families throughout the district. Apply online through WECAN at WECAN.education.wisc.edu. Questions may be directed to Ithaca Elementary School Principal Kathleen Schoen at 608/585-2311.
The Ithaca Public Schools are committed to safety, flexibility, and instruction always but especially in light of our current environment. Please read the following document outlining the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 school year. The article is also shared on our "News" tab.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Av-qnq0RktCfazeLinXICM5VQt4xZXbEU8UqDTTpu64/edit?usp=sharing
We have a quiz today, July 15th for Mrs. Shawna Kitsemble on her birthday. What do you get every birthday? Happy Birthday!
What's your jam? Today's Happy Birthday wishes go out to someone who teaches kinders for her jam! Happy Birthday today, July 14th, to Mrs. McKenzie Mindham.
Are you kitten me? You have a birthday? Happy Birthday wishes today, July 13th, go out to Madison Hackl, Mrs. Sarah Bailey, and Mrs. Julie Prouty. Have a purr-fect day!
Adventures await in the year ahead for you! Today, July 12th, we wish Happy Birthday to Deegan Ihm and Samuel Jones. Go out and celebrate and find your adventure!
Help us plan for fall! Don't forget to complete the Transportation Form that went out recently. This form will help us plan for getting students to and from school safely. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC03VhDNkYGynVOXRggwRfXaM9GzJGVAMCJDrN2_D98kP5Sw/viewform
Hot off the presses! Check out the schedule for summer band lessons. Lessons begin Monday, July 13th. The schedule is also on our "News" tab on the website and app.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P5AOHAlMm5E5cnJ9txaGOf97NLJ1BcRYMFhp9ZsCeS8/edit?usp=sharing
Polish up your boots and kick up your heels. We've got some birthdays to celebrate! Happy Birthday to Molly Geraths, and Shelby Funk celebrates a very special birthday!
Happy Birthday today, July 9th, to Braylen Logue! Put on your best pink and purple, and get your sparkle shined up. Have a great day celebrating you!
With lots of emotion and from deep down, we send out birthday wishes today, July 8th, to Autumn McBain. Happy Birthday! Belt it out!
Happy Birthday wishes come in big sizes for big hearts. This wish comes from Hulk Hogan, too. Today, July 7th, we wish a great birthday to Memphis Burkhalter!
Happy Birthday wishes go out today, July 6th to a STARR student! We hope Eli Starr has a bright birthday.
The fireworks are over, but the celebration is just beginning for birthdays! Have a very Happy Birthday today, July 5th, to Wesley Brown, Samuel Geraths, and Ellie Otto.
You share a birthday with our nation! Have a star spangled birthday today, July 4th, to Alejandro Abarca and Alexis McBain. Happy Birthday!
Ithaca Public School currently has a job opening for a paraprofessional. Applicants should be flexible, professional, patient and encouraging with a variety of learning levels. The individual filling this role will work closely with staff members to provide additional learning, coaching, tutoring, and supervision to our students. This role may require using office equipment, having basic computer skills and knowledge of common computer programs. Questions may be directed to Brooke Hackl in the Ithaca School District Office at 585-2512 ext. 406 during normal business hours. Refer to Ithaca School District Policy 373 for more details regarding this position. To apply, complete an application form found on the "Employment" tab of our website.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R9qBx6o_Oxi_2m3J3IAf4GC6Yg6eb9CNKb7fex0Ekkc/edit?usp=sharing
Doggone it! It's Remington Baney's birthday today, July 3rd. Have a very Happy Birthday! Celebrate and have fun.
5th Grade Parents! If your student is interested in joining our band, but hasn't done the online listening activity, please have them do this by Monday, July 6. Click on the link below and go to "Instrument Matching Tool". Click on "Matching Tool" to begin the listening activity and then click "submit".
https://www.bepartofthemusic.org/group/index.php?id=3162
On Thursday, July 9th, the students will try instruments and parents will receive information on renting or buying an instrument. Please use the following form to sign up for a time to do this. Students will be able to start learning their instruments beginning July 27th.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a2R5ZgWzZLS8_48ZWwZ12yzwS8cnGvlBU6up2K-6lEo/edit?usp=sharing
I raise my coffee mug! I'd like to make a toast to Austin Fry and Liam Starks that they may have a very Happy Birthday today, July 2nd! Make it great!
All Ithaca families are asked to complete this transportation form by July 15th. Please answer for all of your children; there are two sections, morning and afternoon. The district is trying to create safe busing patterns, in light of the pandemic.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeC03VhDNkYGynVOXRggwRfXaM9GzJGVAMCJDrN2_D98kP5Sw/viewform
Parents of Grades 6 - 12 Band Students: Summer Band Lessons will start on July 13 for the students going into grades 6 - 12. Students were given a chance to sign up for lessons during their last online assignment in May. Please ask them if they signed up. If they did, there is no need to sign up again. If they didn't, or if something has changed and they can't take lessons, please use the following link to fill out the google form with this information. Please do so by this Friday, July 3, 2020. Please watch for the schedule to come out next week online. Lessons will be done a little differently this year. Students will be spaced apart at least 6 feet, the chairs and stands will be disinfected between each lesson, lessons will possibly be held outside (under a tent). More information may be included when the schedule comes out.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegJnRvVEpCEnBrpjfCRLaWRjUPkaEMzcjOy9UvXoSYjVpDKA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Please read this important letter from Mr. Lechnir and Mrs. Prouty regarding our in-person 2020 graduation ceremony on July 12th at 11:00 AM. It includes details and guidelines that all will be expected to follow. We look forward to celebrating our graduating Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020! The letter may also be found under our "News" page on the school's website and app.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PI9AiVuUwLo5BiEb6vMwk0CcS8WFQsM0IXhvD0IHxy8/edit?usp=sharing
We are passing along some sport related information from the WIAA - WIAA Summer Contact FAQ
https://5il.co/ht53 and WIAA Reopen School Sports-Summer https://5il.co/ht54
It's time for a birthday party! Turn up the mew-sic to celebrate. Today, June 30th, we wish Rhiya Waterman a very Happy Birthday!
Another year older?! You don't look it at all. Today, June 28th, we send out birthday wishes to some marvelous Bulldogs. Happy Birthday, Deegan Mezera, Landon Thompson, and Mrs. Emily Zorea!
Super Happy Birthday wishes go out to one of our Super Students. Happy Birthday today, June 27th, to Dalton Ihm!
Are you looking for volunteer opportunities? The Richland Center Tourism Board is looking for 2 youth (or a youth and adult) who can commit to two- 4hr shifts (8-noon or 12-4) per month (July and August) to provide visitor information, answer phone calls, be a friendly, smiling greeter at the Depot Visitor Center in Richland Center two weekend days (Friday and/or Saturday) each month. There will be a short application process and training for those who meet the requirements. Contact Christy Adsit at 608/647-3035.
Who's a birthday girl? Happy Birthday to Ruthie Weitzel today, June 26th!
Some Paw-some students have birthdays today, June 25th. Happy Birthday wishes to Cameron Brown and Memphis Phillips today. Have a howling good time celebrating you!
Ithaca is seeking individuals who are interested in guiding our student-athletes. Middle School Football is needing to fill a head coach position and an assistant coach position. There are also openings in our High School Volleyball program for two assistant coaches. Interested applicants should complete an employment application found on our website under "Employment" and contact Athletic Director Zac Thome at thomzac@ithaca.k12.wi.us or call the district office to leave a message at 585-2512.
It's a special day for two of our students! Happy Birthday wishes today, June 24th, to Hadley Czys and a very special birthday for Gunner Honer! Enjoy your day.
Please review the press release from Richland County Emergency Management regarding the progression to Phase II reopening https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P7y7gfVDFpCxLYVgbv9TSDz85puwRqDKns5RsdQa9SE/edit?usp=sharing
It's time to celebrate! A very Happy Birthday today, June 23rd to Gavriel Fauver, Scout Mezera, and Logan Rutherford. Have a wonderful and special day celebrating YOU!
Please read this important update from Ithaca Superintendent Mrs. Julie Prouty regarding the most recent Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Education Forward plan.
The letter may also be found in an article on our "News" tab on our website and app.
No one is you-er than you! And today, June 21st, we wish Happy Birthday to you, James Kypke!
It's the last week for the food pick up next week! What a success this program has been. If you still want to sign up to participate in the program for next week and receive delicious Carr Valley curd on the 25th, use the link below or go to our "News" page to find the Food Service Survey. Thanks to all our families who have participated to make it such a success!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLW3Q52IAG1nNqVwFkzk1OE43axqmMqLsmAX3ETPaGrA6oCA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Let's sing Happy Birthday today, June 20th, to Kayla Fry and Hunter Kennedy!
Don’t forget next week is the last week of our Food Program Pick Up device. Sign up today so you don’t miss out on fresh Carr Valley cheese curds compliments of Jones Chevrolet-Buick on June 25! Find e survey on our website and app under the “News” article “Food Service Survey”.
S'more birthdays today, June 19th. Happy Birthday to Emma Hilby, Devon Hisel, Alyssa Mueller, and Brock Nelson! Have a great day celebrating you!
Bubbles the Clown is happy to report that the 98th Annual Ithaca Fair is still on! The fair will be Saturday, October 3, 2020. Here is the Ithaca Fair Book so you can create and grow entries for it this summer! When we get a theme and times for everything, we will add that. We will still use FairEntry.com this year to streamline the entry process. An exhibit organization sheet is also included on the last page of the fair book. Registration will open in August. Any fair book questions can be directed to Mr. Jim Favreau at favrjim@ithaca.k12.wi.us or Mrs. Jill Plonka at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us.
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ogbl#inbox/FMfcgxwHNqMgxBZpsFJMRPkDqKGpgrXv?projector=1
Join the Ithaca FCCLA as Papa Murphy sponsors a Share Night. Head over tonight from 4pm until 8pm to support the club!
https://www.facebook.com/events/553354685551971/
Birthdays rule! Let's wish a Happy Birthday to Mrs. Paula Boland today, June 18th! Don't be "mean" about it, because she's above "average".
Join WRCO-FM 100.9 and at https://wrco.com this Friday at 7 for "Rewind, Press Play!". This rewind "sports broadcast" program will feature the Ithaca Baseball State Championship from 2016. Phil Nee has the play-by-play call of the game featuring an Ithaca State Title. During the broadcast you can enjoy Phil's interview with Coach Dan Clary and some former players, as they reminisce about the title run. Again, it will be broadcast on WRCO-FM 100.9 and WRCO.com this Friday evening at 7:00 PM.
This survey has been created to assist in gathering information to best prepare the district to manage the safety and welfare of all our Ithaca family. The Ithaca School District is preparing for as many avenues of learning as possible (including remote learning, every other day access to school, full time learning for all, one week at Ithaca and then one-week remote learning, the younger the child the more at school learning, among many other ideas). We have weekly Wednesday 3:00 meetings about this (ask the office for a login). All are welcome to attend and participate.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0fiT2_0PMhJ2qTB2ErnuUy_gN79xxI_te32Cc_O3zZx-aPg/viewform
When you're twins, do you get to celebrate twice as much? When you share a birthday with twins, can you celebrate three times as much? Happy Birthday wishes today, June 16th to Eugene and Leo Dederich and Noah Drone! Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, nah!
Please email Mr. Favreau if you are interested in the first ever virtual Wisconsin FFA Agriscience Fair and Talent Show. To learn more about these amazing events you can visit the "Intro to FFA" PowerPoint, talk to an officer, or ask your advisor! Let's make the best of the 2020 virtual Wisconsin State FFA convention July 6-10 by participating!
Party cats are here to celebrate a birthday! We want to wish Addyson Jurgensen a Happy Birthday today, June 15th!
Get ready to celebrate! Happy Birthday wishes today, June 14th, to Cole Brownlee! Have a great day.
Birthday Wishes! Today, June 13th, we wish Kaylee Miller and Carissa Willis a very Happy Birthday! Celebrate and make it unbelievable.
June is Dairy Month! It's hard to beat celebrating Dairy Month than eating fresh cheese curds. Patrons of our Food Program Pick Up were able to get fresh Carr Valley curd compliments of a donation from Jones Chevrolet-Buick of Richland Center. Fifty pounds of curd were handed out last night and another 50 pounds will be handed out on June 25 to our Food Program families.
(And don't forget to sign up for next week's food program!)
Ithaca Public School is looking to fill a new position of bookkeeper and administrative assistant to our staff. A full description of this position is found in our District Policy Manual - Policy 361 (a link is below). To apply, complete the Employment Application found on our website under "Employment" and submit to our district office. Questions may be referred to Brooke Hackl, District HR/Payroll at 585-2512 during normal business hours.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pvHoTTk3a_U-5812dhPMSZzd7fiipKiuxiKejZzBBRY/edit
Substitute Teacher Training! Have you considered becoming a substitute teacher for the Ithaca School District or other surrounding districts? CESA 3 will be offering VIRTUAL substitute teacher training next Tuesday, June 16th. If you or someone you know has an interest, sign up here: https://bit.ly/2W9CraX
This training, along with an associate's degree or higher, is a requirement for a substitute teacher's license in Wisconsin.
Ithaca Staff wanted to still be able to send our students off into the summer break with flair! Check out this video of Ithaca Staff wishing our students well as we head into summer. Have a great Summer Break! Stay well and have fun.
https://spark.adobe.com/video/STFizIdoSraiO
Remember, you can view our Board of Education and Committee meeting ZOOM recordings at the following location on our website: https://www.ithaca.k12.wi.us/o/ithaca-school-district/page/2020-video-links
Seniors and senior families! Please take your banners from the display in front of the Community Gym as soon as possible. Also, keep July 12 open as the date for our face-to-face graduation! Details will not be finalized until the end of June, so stay tuned.
To celebrate, or not to celebrate? That should never be the question! Happy Birthday, today, June 10th to Mrs. Melany Wontor! We hope it's gr8.
Congratulations to our one and only FFA advisor, tech Ed teacher, and agriculture teacher Mr. Favreau on receiving the Ken Solis award! This award is for an outstanding teacher in out school and is given to one teacher per year. Thank you for your dedication to teaching and FFA and congrats again on your accomplishment Mr. Favreau!
If you filled out a Food Service survey for next week and it appeared differently than other weeks, please complete the survey again. Inadvertently it was edited, and there were missing question fields. The information that you would enter there is needed for our program. Thanks for your cooperation.
Good luck to Talena Sprecher as she competes in the National FCCLA Job Interview Star Event. Although many of the State and National school competitions were cancelled this spring, FCCLA decided to host their National Convention virtually. This allowed some of the contests to be held via zoom or in a electronic submission format.
Talena qualified for Nationals by being one of the top two scores in her division at the district contest. She had to prepare a portfolio for the judges and will have a half hour interview via Zoom.
We start the week with birthday shout outs. Even though it's a Monday, have a great day. Happy Birthday today, June 8th, to Abdias Abarca and Caden Keller!
Greetings Ithaca administration, staff, students, community members and graduating seniors.
Since we are unable to meet as a group for our annual commencement celebration at this time, we would like to share the following links (Ithaca Website, Vidyard and YouTube) to view our virtual graduation ceremony. We have included a PDF version of the "Commencement Paper Program" in on our launch document. This program will be featured throughout our video graduation as well.
On Monday, June 1 our graduating seniors, participating staff and administration came together in the Ithaca High School Gymnasium to present speeches, commencement rituals and the presentation of diplomas to be recorded and debuted at the regularly scheduled graduation date and time of June 7, 2020 at 1:00 PM.
At this time we are proud, honored and humbled to present to you the commencement ceremony of the Ithaca Class of 2020. (please visit the following document for all of the video launch options) https://docs.google.com/document/d/14EoaVcGZ5tg8ub6QZt7NrINWBeWxLq-jH8P8r1OGqZU/edit?usp=sharing
You may also click on any of the following direct links to the video - https://www.ithaca.k12.wi.us/o/ithaca-school-district/page/graduation-2020--16 or https://share.vidyard.com/watch/UtuZ9KpQTBMGWj3CnXrD6b? or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghZGpJDtBas&feature=youtu.be
Before the weekend is over, we can't miss sending birthday wishes out. Happy Birthday to August Ringelstetter today, June 7th!
Athletic Director Mr. Thome received this message from the WIAA who asked him to share:
Greetings,
We are well aware of a news item posted on the WNFL radio website yesterday that misrepresents the existing reality with regard to football and fall sports. No new announcement was made from our office about the status of fall sports, and an excerpt from an interview with a different media outlet was taken out of context and used as the source.
Safety and health continue to be our biggest concerns. More accurately, we are optimistic and hopeful that our schools will be able to provide fall sports. But it will ultimately come down to local and state health leaders who are the experts determining if our schools can provide sport opportunities to their student-athletes.
We have been involved in some very detailed and intensive communication with the DHS, DPI and the governor's office - near daily - as we work with our sport medical advisory to develop summer contact guidance for our members should they be able to reopen and offer sports. However, it is not finalized yet. We will be discussing the potential opportunities with our committees beginning with the Sports Advisory on Monday. We have been keeping WADA informed of our efforts to develop guidance.
We know and understand the interest in all of this and have been working hard to get it right. We hold out hope that our student-athletes will have opportunities in July and in the fall.
In regards to fall sports, what we are sharing with anyone who asks:
1. At this point nothing has been canceled.
2. That status can change as other virus developments might emerge.
3. We HOPE kids might return to their schools come fall, and if they do and if schools reopen, we will do our best to have a plan and guidance that our members might choose to use - along with input from state and local health authorities - to decide locally if they can resume their sport and activity programs.
Respectfully,
WIAA Executive Staff
Thank you to all the families who have used our Food Service Pick Up program! You've made it a huge success. There is still time today to sign up for next week's program. ALSO, the surveys for the remaining weeks are now open. Complete them all now or up until the Friday before the following week. Find all the surveys on our website under the "News" tab in the "Food Service Survey" article. Each week has it's own survey. Links will also be listed in a Facebook post going out today. Sign up for this FREE service for all children in your home who are senior students and younger.
If the forecast is right, it's a beautiful day to celebrate a birthday! Today, June 6th, we wish Lorenzo Bell a very Happy Birthday!
REMINDER - This Sunday, June 7 at 1:00 PM is our virtual commencement ceremony. We will be sharing information and the links to the ceremony just before 1:00 PM on Sunday. We will send them via email, Twitter, Facebook, our School APP and will post it on our website. We encourage you to make this an event that your graduating senior will remember, forever. Have a nice lunch before the ceremony, talk about fun times at school through the years, take pictures of your senior in cap and gown, have grandma and grandpa (if distancing acceptable) over for the viewing party. We stand with you in this unprecedented and challenging time. Congratulations to the Ithaca class of 2020, and remember to join us this Sunday at 1:00 PM for our virtual graduation ceremony.
Wisconsin families are invited to join the Mission: Healthy Kids Summer Healthy Family Challenge. It's a free and fun way to work on some healthy habits together this summer. Complete the Challenge, and you'll be entered into a drawing to win one of five family prize packages that include for Fitbit Inspire fitness trackers and a $100 Home Chef gift card. Visit missionhealthykids.org for details and to get started on the Challenge!
Join WRCO-FM 100.9 and at https://wrco.com this evening at 7 for "Rewind, Press Play!". This rewind "sports broadcast" program will feature an Ithaca Softball match-up from June 5, 2014 (6 years to the day!) Phil Nee has the play-by-play call of the Sectional Championship featuring Ithaca vs. Argyle. During the broadcast, enjoy Phil's interview with Todd and Jordan Cockroft as they reminisce about that game. Again, it will be broadcast on WRCO-FM 100.9 and WRCO.com tonight at 7:00 PM.
A big round of applause and Congratulations to Ithaca Honor Roll students. These High School and Middle School students were on the Honor Roll 1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarters of this year. So much to be proud of! Keep up the hard work, Bulldogs!
Ermagersh! More birfthdays to celebrate. Today, June 5th we wish Happy Birthday to Chase Keller and Olivia Menne!
Sunshine, clear sky, beautiful weather... Sounds like the perfect day to celebrate birthdays. Happy Birthday today, June 4th, to Miranda Franzen, Kydyn Mueller, and Spencer Nelson.
Recently, students of Ms. Durkin's Art Program completed projects dedicated to our local health care professionals and their tireless commitment as front-line workers. Please enjoy the following video of that art work, as we are pleased to be able to share it with our Ithaca community.
https://share.vidyard.com/watch/psEdF6rZ3qduQxr2cC3LHb?
Parents, if you registered your young writer for the Hidden Valley Reading Council's Young Authors Workshop for students in grades K-5 that was scheduled for June 11th on the UW-Plattevill/Richland campus, that workshop has been cancelled. Registrants should have received an email. Check your spam folder if you missed a notification.
Temporary food benefits for children who usually get free or reduced-price school meals: Since schools are closed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, children who usually get free or reduced-price school meals through the National School Lunch Program can instead get temporary food benefits. These benefits are called Pandemic EBT or P-EBT. Children can get these benefits in addition to any other school meals they are getting.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is automatically providing these benefits to most children who usually get free or reduced-price school meals based on information they have on file. If the Wisconsin Department of Health Services is able to verify your information, the benefits will automatically be provided on your QUEST card if you have one or on a P-EBT card you will get in the mail. You can use these cards like a debit card to buy food. You will get a letter in the mail letting you know if you are automatically getting the benefits. You may also get an email in addition to the mailed letter. See more information about these benefits and how you will be notified at dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/forwardhealth-foodshare.htm
If the Wisconsin Department of Health Services does not have your information or is not able to verify your information, you will need to apply for the benefits. If you have not been notified that you are automatically getting these benefits by May 20, please complete the application at access.wi.gov/s/pebt?language=en_US. You must apply for the benefits by June 30.
It is very important that the information you provide for each child who usually gets free or reduced-price school meals exactly matches the information your school has on file. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services will look at that information to make sure you can get the benefits.
If you apply and your information cannot be verified, please check with us to make sure your information is correct. You can contact us at 608-585-2512. We will work with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to make sure the correct information is on file.
SWCAP recently learned we will be receiving WI Rental Assistance Program (WRAP) funds, resulting from the CARES Act. The purpose of these funds is to help those who were negatively impacted by COVID-19 and are struggling to pay rent or security deposit. The SWCAP program will provide funding to eligible individuals residing in the Wisconsin counties of Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland.
In general, an applicant must be an adult resident of Wisconsin, with a household income at or below 80% of the county median income in the month of the application or the prior month. For those eligible, the program may provide direct financial assistance for rent owed and/or security deposits. The program will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, and the program will expire once CARES funding is exhausted.
----> PLEASE NOTE: SWCAP is not yet taking applications. We will post application instructions and contact information online, once the program is operational, on or about June 8, 2020.
We are excited and relieved to have these funds available to eligible residents of Southwestern Wisconsin.
We do not currently have any programs that provide similar assistance with mortgage payments. If you are struggling with mortgage payments due to COVID, you may wish to contact Neighborhood Housing Services of Southwest Wisconsin or Wisconsin Rural Housing at https://www.wisconsinruralhousing.org/ to talk with them about programs and services that may be able to help.
Join WRCO-FM 100.9 and at https://wrco.com this Friday evening at 7 for "Rewind, Press Play!". This rewind "sports broadcast" program will feature an Ithaca Softball match-up from June 5, 2014 (6 years to the day!) Phil Nee has the play-by-play call of the Sectional Championship featuring Ithaca vs. Argyle. During the broadcast, enjoy Phil's interview with Todd and Jordan Cockroft as they reminisce about that game. Again, it will be broadcats on WRCO-FM 100.9 and WRCO.com this Friday at 7:00 PM.
Our school's food service program has received funding to continue to offer the Food Service Pick Up Program past the last day of school. Find the form on our website, app, or Facebook page to sign up for next week - June 8th through the 12th. As before, this service is available to ANY minors living in your household, to include seniors that just graduated. If you open enroll and live outside the district, you still qualify for Ithaca's food program. If you live in the district but open enroll to another district, you still qualify for Ithaca's food program. The survey must be completed each week and must be submitted by the Friday prior to the week. This week, the survey should be completed by Friday, June 5th.
To find the survey on our website and app, go to "Explore" from the main page, and click on "News". From there, open the article titled "Food Service Survey". The link is embedded in the article and listed at the end.
Sign up your household, pass the word along, and encourage others to participate!
Sunday, June 7 at 1:00 PM is our virtual commencement ceremony. We will be sharing information and the links to the ceremony just before 1:00 PM on Sunday. We will send them via email, Twitter, Facebook, our School APP and will post it on our website. We encourage you to make this an event that your graduating senior will remember, forever. Have a nice lunch before the ceremony, talk about fun times at school through the years, take pictures of your senior in cap and gown, have grandma and grandpa (if distancing acceptable) over for the viewing party. We stand with you in this unprecedented and challenging time. Congratulations to the Ithaca class of 2020, and remember to join us this Sunday at 1:00 PM for our virtual graduation ceremony.
It's gonna be a hot one today! Stay cool and celebrate. Today, June 2nd, we wish Happy Birthday to Branden Debeukelar!
Attention Ithaca Families: If you were unable to return books, Chromebooks, and turn in final school work, please do so Tuesday, June 2 or Wed, June 3 from 9AM-4PM.
Just a reminder that All Ithaca athletic facilities are closed until July 1, 2020. This is for the entire community, not just Ithaca Athletics. If the State of Wisconsin or WIAA makes changes we will let you know. Thank you. Zac Thome, Ithaca Athletic Director.
Do you have health or mental health needs and don't know where to start or who to see? "Well Badger Resource Center" is a Wisconsin health information and referral service, operated by the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation and in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. They connect Wisconsin individuals and families with the resources they’re looking for — specifically for services for children and youth with special healthcare needs, financial assistance, health care and coverage, nutrition help, and more. Check out the link to see how they can help you!
https://www.wellbadger.org/s/?language=en_US
Who doesn't love a good reason to eat cake? Have a very Happy Birthday today, June 1st, Anthony Prouty! Have some birthday cake to celebrate.
Even though it's the last day of May, we have May birthday wishes to go out. Happy Birthday to Gwen Sharp today, May 31st!
You forgot to sign up for the Food Service program for next week? I know I did! Good thing there's still time to fill it out. We'll leave the survey open for you to complete it today so you don't miss out next week! Find it on our "News" tab under the Food Service Survey article.
What a wonderful day to celebrate a birthday. Happy Birthday wishes today, May 30th, go out to Channing Wheaton! We'll be singing Happy Birthday all day.
UW-Platteville, Richland, and Baraboo summer camps are Re-Inventing Summer by going virtual! Check out this site and click on Virtual Youth Camps to register for online classes: https://www.uwplatt.edu/youth-programs. Some courses are for creative writing, advanced high school subjects, acting, just to name a few. See our "News" tab article "UW-Platteville Virtual Youth Camps" for more information or visit the link above.
Happy Friday! And Happy Birthday to Serenity Clary and Clayton Lee. Sending you birthday wishes from a safe distance.
Since we are not able to get together in person, we are delighted to share with you the scholarship and award recipients, as well as the future plans for the Ithaca Class of 2020. Please visit out Google Doc for all the links and details: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j-dkJuVDXCzAA9-BJZKEHthJuNmx8Vm2d2NyW6v5dvs/edit?usp=sharing
Don't forget TODAY, Friday, May 29th, the building is open from 10am until 6pm for returning homework, Chromebooks, library books, or any other district-owned items. Please pick up elementary and middle school yearbooks, completed art projects, any lost/found items, and Mrs. Zorea has books to take home for elementary students in the gym. If you didn't order an elementary or middle school yearbook, but would like to purchase one, they will be for sale while supplies last at school today (make checks payable to Ithaca PTSO). If you are unable to come today, please discuss arrangements with Mr. Lechnir or Mrs. Schoen.
Don't forget, this morning at 9:00 AM we will be debuting the Ithaca Class of 2020 Awards and Scholarships. We will have a video presentation plus all the text to read the awards, as well. All the information will be posted to Facebook, Twitter, Ithaca App Push and an email. All data will be contained in a Google Doc just for you. We will send the info / doc information at 9:00 AM as we release the video. Please enjoy this presentation at 9 AM, as we celebrate the Ithaca Class of 2020.
Don't forget! Senior Scholarship and Awards will be posted to the Ithaca Facebook Page, email and other Social Media outlets at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29th (tomorrow). There will be a link to a YouTube or VidYard video (your choice), showing each student's "Senior Picture" along with future plans, awards and scholarships. Again, that video will premiere tomorrow, Friday May 29 at 9:00 AM.
SENIORS! Are you coming to graduation taping? We still have not heard from all of you! Don't assume Ms. Durkin knows you're coming unless you have emailed or called her.
June 1st we will be videotaping for virtual graduation that will be aired on June 7th at the time slotted for graduation. YOU MUST BE HERE on June 1st to tape this for the class. We will be breaking up the class in groups for social distancing. Meet in the commons at the time your group is supposed to meet. WEAR YOUR CAP AND GOWN.
We start at 8am with speeches...
Speeches by Jim, Bethany, Zach and McKenna. Ms. Durkin has a speech from McKenna. The others need to be finished and ready to go for editing ASAP! Email her a copy please.
These are the times and groups broken up for the day. Please make arrangements to be here. If you are not feeling well, we will reschedule. If you do not respond
or make arrangements to be here, you will not be videotaped. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Durkin ASAP.
Group 1 9-10am: Jim, Logan C, Ellie, Noelle, Aaron
Group 2 10-11am: Shelby, Keegan, Gunner, Melissa, Charlie
Group 3 11-12pm: Alexis, Kayde, Raelyn, Erin Louis, Jonah
Group 4 12-1pm ; Erin Miller, Carrie, McKenna, Andrew, Zach
Group 5 1-2pm: Aubrey, Logan Olson, JoAnn, Stone, Robert
Group 6 2-3pm: Caleb, Elizabeth, Kaleb, Sterling, Beth, Sawyer
Food Service pick up next week will still be from 4pm until 6pm at the Elementary doors as has been done other days. The time in today's earlier message was incorrect. Pick up is still from 4pm until 6pm Monday through Friday next week. The program will continue through June.
Did you order a 2019-2020 yearbook? If you ordered an elementary or middle school yearbook, they will be available for pick up this Friday, May 29th in the Commons from 10am until 6pm. They will be labelled with the students' names on them. Students who ordered a high school yearbook have been notified via their school email address of their order status. If anyone would like to purchase a middle school or elementary yearbook, extras are available Friday for $15. Bring your money that day if you'd like one.
Summer is almost here! Do you know where your library books are? Please round them up and return them to the Commons this Friday between 10am and 6pm. There is a large box labeled "Library Books" for you to return them. Keep reading this summer! Utilize SORA, the Brewer Library curbside pick up service, our online Scholastic Book Fair, the free books in the High School gym, or one of the other many options available to you for reading over the summer.
Congratulations to the 4th and 5th grade Lit Wars team who competed virtually via Zoom on May 7. They had to answer 60 tough questions about 6 preselected books they read during the school year and placed in a tie for 2nd of all schools competing! Participating were Peyton Brown, Alyssa Olson, Isaiah Fargen, Callie Muckler, and Aubri Imhoff. I am beaming with pride from how well you all worked together to come up with the answers! Mrs. Plonka
Our food program pick up continues next week! Use the form on our website and app on the "News" tab in the Food Service Program article to sign up for next week's service. There is a new survey each week. Pick up is Monday through Friday from 6pm until 7pm at the elementary door. If you are unable to pick up but can arrange for someone else to, please indicate that on the form. This service is available to all children 18 years of age and under for all youth enrolled or living in the district. Help keep your pantry stocked in snacks, milk, and juice! Any questions may be directed to Kathleen Schoen at 583-2622.
From Mrs. Schoen:
The school year is its the final stretch. We sincerely appreciate how you have worked with your student and the teachers as we worked through so many unknowns.
This Friday, May 29,from 10am-6pm will be the final drop off of student work. There are items to be picked up as well--elementary art projects, leftover items found in lockers or desks, etc.
Chromebooks and chargers are to be returned Friday, May 29 between 10am and 6pm. If your child needs to keep the chromebook over the summer, the Chromebook Use Agreement remains in effect through the summer months. When school resumes, if the chromebook is damaged or unusable, you will be responsible for the replacement cost before another chromebook may be issued.
When returning textbooks and class books, write the student’s name in the book and place on table beside the teacher’s tote (MS/HS) and in the tote (elementary)
All library books should be returned at this time.
Anything borrowed from a teacher should be well labeled and returned.
A final reminder that this is last week of the 2019-20 school year so all assigned school work must be completed and turned in to your teacher by Friday, May 29, 2020.
If unable to make the Friday drop due to family circumstance, call and ask for either Mrs. Schoen or Mr. Lechnir to arrange an alternative time June 2nd or 3rd. . The building remains closed due to the order by the State Dept of Health Services.
As before, up to 10 will be allowed in at one time so as to maintain social distancing and other Covid safety measures. We are requesting only one (1) adult /student in the building per family.
Elementary parents: If you have not already, please pick up 4 free books for each elementary-aged child. Mrs. Zorea has many, many to choose from .
Free lunches and breakfasts will continue through the end of June. Weekly sign up surveys are found on the Ithaca website. Everyone is encouraged to participate.
And finally, your family is invited to drive through Ithaca from 6-7pm as the teachers line the streets for the Ithaca Summer Send Off! Drive slow and wave to the staff who will be there to wish their students well as the 2019-20 school year ends.
Take care!
Don't forget tonight's Summer Send Off! Staff will line Hwy 58 from the Community Gym to Willow Creek Road (the homecoming parade route) from 6pm until 7pm. Drive by, say hello, and wave! Stay in your vehicles and maintain highway safety. Both lanes of traffic will be used. It will NOT be one-way traffic. Also, send Mrs. Diane Clements off into retirement! Thank her for all her dedication and commitment to Ithaca students.
Since we are not able to meet as a group for our annual end of the year celebrations, we wanted to share the updated plans with our community. Senior Scholarship and Awards will be posted to the Ithaca Facebook page at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 29th. There will be a YouTube video included showing each student's "Senior Picture" along with future plans, awards and scholarships. Again, that video will premiere Friday May 29 at 9:00 AM. The Senior Graduation Video will also include the Scholarships and Awards video and will be debuted on Sunday, June 7th at 1:00 p.m.
Ithaca, along with 30 other schools, participated in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Region 4 Leadership Conference on February 1 in Baraboo. We are proud of how the 18 Ithaca students who participated in the FBLA RLC represented our school and community. Out of the 18 students, 14 students placed in the top eight. Eighth through fourth place finishers are
8th place Erica Steinmetz: Intro to Business Objective Test
7th place Brooklyn Freestone: Intro to Business Communications Objective Test
6th place Emma Schoen: Organizational Leadership Objective Test
5th place Maddie Richards and Lexi Stowell: Social Media Campaign
4th place Erin Louis: Business Communication Objective Test and Elise Newkirk and Alana Nelson: Intro to Business Presentation.
Students that placed in the top three qualified for the State Leadership Conference. These students include:
3rd place awards - Zach Nelson: Agribusiness Objective Test and Talena Sprecher: Intro to Public Speaking
2nd place awards - Ellie Crook, Noelle Crook, and Shelby Funk Publication Design and McKenna Muckler: Electronic Career Portfolio
1st place awards - Audrey Newkirk and Ryan Lee: Broadcast Journalism and Aaron Feryance: Computer Problem Solving Objective Test.
Congratulations to everyone on their hard work!
Congratulations to Audrey Newkirk who was elected as the FBLA Vice President of Region 4. Not only are we excited for Audrey’s new position, but a requirement of the office is hosting the FBLA Region 4 Leadership Conference at Ithaca next year on February 6, 2021. We’re looking forward to hosting this event and showing the region our wonderful community.
The 66th Annual FBLA State Leadership Conference was canceled due to COVID-19. The National FBLA Conference that was scheduled to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, was also canceled. The FBLA Board of Directors opted to develop a virtual format. Seven students from Ithaca will participate in the Virtual National Leadership Conference. McKenna Muckler and the team of Audrey Newkirk and Ryan Lee will participate in their presentation events. Aaron Feryance, Erin Louis, Zach Nelson, and Emma Schoen will participate in their objective test events. Ellie Crook, Noelle Crook, and Shelby Funk also qualified for the competition. Good luck to all of the participants! Competitive medals and prize checks will be sent to the winning competitors between July 10 and July 15.
Thank you to everyone who supported the students and helped them prepare for these events. A huge thank you to our Ithaca FBLA advisor, Mrs. Burnley, Mr. Adam Hess for his technology expertise, and Mrs. Julie Prouty for supporting the FBLA program.
We have "Reese"-ently heard there are special wishes due today, May 26th. Happy Birthday to Reese Richards!
Mrs. Diane Clements, a paraprofessional at our district, is retiring after 7 years of working with the students at Ithaca. Within those years, Diane has worked with our smallest Bulldogs all the way to our graduates. To thank Mrs. Clements for her years of service, she will be stationed at the end of the "Summer Send Off" parade route tomorrow from 6pm until 7pm with signs and balloons. Any family planning on participating, please feel free to make signs for Mrs. Clements to read as you drive by.
Not only is it Memorial Day today, May 25th, but there are birthdays today, too! Happy Birthday to Lucas Pluemer, and to Carrie Morris we wish a very special Happy Birthday!
Traditional celebrations for Memorial Day are different this year. The reason we honor this day remains the same. Remember our fallen servicemen and women who gave all for the protection of our freedoms, the freedoms of others in the world, and the rights of humanity. We invite you to find your own way of honoring the fallen this Memorial Day.
Tomorrow Bower-Gunnill-Dalton VFW Post 2267 will still hold a public Memorial Day service at the St. Mary's Cemetery in Richland Center beginning at 10:30am honoring our area fallen servicemen and women. It will also be live streamed from on the Richland Center Tourism Facebook page for those of us choosing to attend from home. Please find a way to honor our fallen, as they have given all so that we may have so much.
From the VFW Post 2267 Facebook Page,
"According to legend, Memorial Day-type remembrances began a year after the end of America’s Civil War. Shops in Waterloo, N.Y. closed for a day in 1866 to honor soldiers killed in that four-year war. The day of remembrance eventually spread to places such as Richmond, Virginia, where flowers were put on the graves of soldiers and, by 1868, a ceremony was added in which the dead were honored with songs and flowers. The annual ceremony began to be called Decoration Day. In 1882, the name was changed to Memorial Day. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a federal holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. Memorial Day celebrations include flags and bunting, eagles and other symbols of America’s hard-fought wars and fallen soldiers.
Postcards were one way to express the emotions of Memorial Day and to honor those who had died for their country. They are great collectibles, with their bright colors and sentimental pictures and words. This 1911 postcard with the words “Lest We Forget” was published by LR Conwell."
Don't forget to sign up for the Food Program pick up next week. Due to Memorial Day, there is no pick up on Monday. The survey is still open today if you'd like to sign up. Go to our website or app on the "News" tab and open the article "Food Service Survey" to find the link.
A very Happy Birthday goes out today, May 23rd to Annalynn Webster! Have a very special day.
As we head into the long weekend, today, May 22nd, we have birthdays to celebrate. Happy Birthday to Nathan Drone and Mr. David Klang!
Ithaca Summer Send Off!
Join Ithaca staff as we send off students for the summer!
Tuesday, May 26 from 6-7pm
Rain Date: Wednesday, May 27 from 6-7pm
Staff will be along the sidewalks of Highway 58 from the Community Gym to Willow Creek Road (the Homecoming parade route).
All social distancing guidelines will be followed.
We ask that you maintain highway safety.
Do not get out of your car; just drive by, wave, and say hello.
Both lanes of Highway 58 will be used. It will NOT be one-way traffic.
See you Tuesday!
"Lettuce" celebrate birthdays! Today, May 21st we send out a big Happy Birthday to Elise Newkirk, Taygan Ryan, Jed Scallon, and Rebekah Weitzel.
Does your student want to join our new group of beginning band students? If so, please click on the following link and go to "Instrument Matching Tool". Students should do the listening activity and then click on "submit". This is the first step in the process of choosing an instrument. Please do this by June 5th. Also included on this website are videos of all of the band instruments playing so that students can hear what the instruments sound like and start thinking about what they might like to play. (Link is also found on our website and app in the "News" tab.)
https://www.bepartofthemusic.org/group/index.php?id=3162
Mrs. Boland’s students are working with numbers in different ways to use the same mathematical concepts. They made a meal for their family, converted the recipe to new measurements, and graphed 2 ingredients to keep equivalent proportions. Yummy!
The Food Program survey for next week is now open. Sign up by completing the survey on our website and app under the "News" tab in the Food Service article or on our Facebook page. Complete a new survey for each week. Next week, the program runs from Tuesday through Friday. There is NO pick up on Monday, May 25th due to the Memorial Day holiday.
The Richland County Mental Health Coalition is partnering with Ithaca and Richland School Districts to promote mental well-being of our students. Hortonville Area School District in northeastern Wisconsin is part of N.E.W. Mental Health Connection https://www.newmentalhealthconnection.org/, and is our mentor school. They, along with Prairie du Chien Public School, are guiding our districts in screening students to identify topics and individuals who need more focused attention. By screening students, we can better serve their needs. This video shows how Hortonville Area School District decided to utilize screening and campus-based visits to help promote healthy mental well-being for all their students. Hortonville was the first high school in Wisconsin to implement Sources of Strength in 2015. Since then 42 high schools and two middle schools implemented Sources of Strength. Together, we work toward teaching Hope, Help and Strength.
https://dpi.wi.gov/news/dpi-connected/mental-health-video
Like other graduates before them, this year's graduating seniors face a future of uncertainty. Unlike other classes, the Class of 2020 will be able to say they encountered challenges like no other. We wish them congratulations, as does the US Department of Education.
The Krouskop Park Fence along Highway 14 has been transformed in to an awesome display to honor the graduates of the area schools. Each of the Class of 2020 students are featured on a beautiful sign with their name, photo, and an image of their school mascot. Schools represented (in alphabetical order) are Eagle, Hillsboro, Ithaca, Kickapoo, Richland Center, Riverdale, and Weston.
A huge thank you to Southwest Partners, Richland County Bank, Walsh's Ace Hardware, Wallace Cooper & Elliott Insurance, Erie Insurance, and Rotary Lights for their help in making this wonderful display to honor our area graduates.
If you can come to Richland Center and take a look at the fence that is great, but if not, here is a video of the entire fence for you to enjoy - https://share.vidyard.com/watch/i5q7Kihxyy3uE5ubVMX6XM?
#Classof2020
Please continue to keep the Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020 in your thoughts as they graduate. They have worked hard to achieve such an accomplishment! We complete our spotlight on the seniors with Sterling Weitzel, Bethany Weldon, and Sawyer Willis.
We want to wish AJ Manning a Happy Birthday today, May 16th! Hope it's legen-DAIRY!
So much to be proud of! We would like to continue to shine a bright spotlight on the Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020. Today we honor Caleb Scallon, Elizabeth Stocks, and Kaleb Underwood.
June 1st we will be videotaping for virtual graduation that will be aired on June 7th at the time slotted for graduation. YOU MUST BE HERE on June 1st to tape this for the class. We will be breaking up the class in groups for social distancing . Meet in the commons at the time your group is supposed to meet. WEAR YOUR CAP AND GOWN.
We start at 8am with taping speeches, so Jim, Beth, McKenna and Zach need to be there at this time as well as their scheduled time slot.
These are the times and groups broken up for the day. Please make arrangements to be here. If you are not feeling well, we will reschedule. If you do not respond or make arrangements to be here, you will not be videotaped. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Durkin ASAP.
Group 1 9-10am Jim, Logan Clary, Ellie, Noelle, Aaron
Group 2 10-11am Shelby, Keegan, Gunner, Melissa, Charlie
Group 3 11-12pm Alexis, Kayde, Raelyn, Erin Louis, Jonah
Group 4 12-1pm Erin Miller, Carrie, McKenna, Andrew, Zach
Group 5 1-2pm Aubrey, Logan Olson, JoAnn, Stone, Robert
Group 6 2-3pm Caleb, Elizabeth, Kaleb, Sterling, Beth, Sawyer
Happy Birthday, Ethan Birkrem! We hope you have lots to smile about today.
Wednesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled the “Safer at Home Order” issued by Governor Evers/Department of Health and Human Services (DHS) was no longer in effect and allowed for restrictions for non-essential businesses and on travel to be lifted. However, the ruling also specifically excluded the section of the order that called for school closure for purposes of instruction and extra/co-curricular activities. Here is a letter to district residents from Ithaca Superintendent, Julie Prouty, concerning that ruling. Please visit our Google Document Link to view the letter. https://drive.google.com/file/d/14ulsc3yEeCuWTFPSRwLcPtfFbPy7oUmT/view?usp=sharing
Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020 will never forget their senior year. May we shower them with praises for persevering through it all. Today's spotlight is on JoAnn Pretsch, Stone Richwalski, and Robert Ringelstetter.
More artistic talent to share! From Garrett and Emmett some pics of their hard work Garrett finished his skull project. Emmett likes to watch videos of tutorials and try to complete them. Logan worked on finishing touches to his wood burning project. Keep it up, Bulldogs! What are you working on?
Calling all elementary readers! There are hundreds of free books set up in the high school gym. Each student in elementary school is able to pick four books to take home and keep. Come to school on either Friday, May 15, or Friday, May 29th from 10am-6pm to pick your books. We will have Covid safety measures in place. Please watch for signs.
There is a wide variety of books for both lower elementary and upper elementary readers, so everyone is sure to find books they are excited about. Come pick out your four books!
These books were purchased with Scholastic Dollars earned from past Book Fairs. Sales boost our ability to promote reading. Thanks for supporting our Book Fairs!
It's your birthday! Today we wish Audiana Abarca and Parker Grassman a very Happy Birthday! You otter be excited.
We keep the spotlight shining on the Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020 today by highlighting Zach Nelson, Aubrey Olson, and Logan Olson. Congratulations, seniors!
As you know, each week our food service staff assemble a breakfast and lunch for every member of our families who have signed up for our pick up service. This has been as many as 450 meals! Take advantage of this service and sign up for next week's program. Can't pick up yourself? No problem! Arrange for someone to pick up for you and indicate on the survey. You can find the link on our "News" tab. There is a new survey each week.
Birthday twins?! Today, May 13th, we wish Hallie Steinmetz and Aspen Young a very Happy Birthday!
Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020 deserves a big "Congratulations" for achieving success. Today we spotlight Carrie Morris, Mckenna Muckler, and Andrew Mueller.
While we strive to meet the academic needs of our students, we recognize the need to also provide support for emotional and mental health needs. In an effort to best support our students and families, we are inviting caregivers to complete this form if they have a need or concern. If you need support in any of these areas, please let us know by filling out this form, or reaching out to your trusted contact person at school. Thank you!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jCK1lDLuw-TpwW4UB6qvxnP8toIU8jXvnFvrXc8TqDg/viewform?edit_requested=true
It's May 12th, and we have some birthday wishes to go out. Happy Birthday to Brennan Wiedenfeld!
We honor our Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020 by shining the spotlight on them. Today we showcase Erin Louis, Jonah Marchwick, and Erin Miller. Good luck in all your future endeavors!
This week, our school’s virtual Scholastic Book Fair opens! You are able to order books online. Orders that are $25 or more ship FREE to your home! Shop at home to find great summer reading options. When you do, our school receives resources to enhance our classrooms and library!
Use this link to access our school’s book fair: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/ithacaelementaryschool
Mrs. Prouty's geometry students were tasked with creating their own origami forms. Here are examples from Addison, Alana, Brooklyn, and Elise.
Little surprises brighten up dark days. Thanks to senior Mckenna Muckler for the beautiful bulletin board reminding us that we can make a difference each and every day.
As we shine the spotlight on our Ithaca High School Seniors, today we honor Alexis Kast, Kayde Koch, and Raelyn Lasse. We wish you all the best for you in your future.
It's a very special day for Keegan Gerbig! Today, May 10th, we wish him Happy Birthday!
The spotlight today for the Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020 is on Gunner Honer, Melissa Hutchison, and Charlie Jones. Congratulations, Graduates!
Today, May 9th, we wish Preschool teacher Mrs. Brittany Penfield a very Happy Birthday!
Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020 spotlight today is on Aaron Feryance, Shelby Funk, and Keegan Gerbig. Dream big and go after those dreams!
Ms. Durkin's been receiving more art pictures! 4th Graders worked on asymmetrical art, and Alyssa, Addison, and Memphis sent her photos of their work. Senior JoAnn sent a picture of her finished Snail project.
Don't forget to sign up for next week's food program (link below)! This week, a generous donation of 50 pounds of Carr Valley cheese curds from Sue Ripp (great aunt of an Ithaca student) were distributed to each family that participated in the program. Don't miss out on this great resource to help your family and our food program! And a big thank you to Sue for all you do for our students and families.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0FINdgZNqenUkITR1sC-SmPIx4eEq2r98bEZ_6tqVfErDpQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Today begins our spotlight on the Ithaca High School Senior Class of 2020. Congratulations to you all! Featured Seniors today are Jim Clary, Logan Clary, Ellie Crook, and Noelle Crook.
Today is Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. We see the child first, the struggle second, but the struggle is real. We support our children, whatever challenges they face!
Mr. Mani, Ms. Durkin, and the senior class would like to thank Susan Bloczynski for making the senior banners, Mrs. Prouty and Mr. Lechnir for helping provide the resources to make this happen, and Steve Louis, Jody Louis, Greg Olson, and Aaron Nelson for hanging these banners for the seniors. In honor of the seniors, we will light up the scoreboard every Friday night this month at sunset. Thank you all during this difficult time.
Logan Clary celebrates his birthday today, May 7th. A very special Happy Birthday to you!
Time for a Throwback Thursday picture. We travel back to the 1999 Ithaconian for some Track and Field memories. Tag team members from 1999. This is from 21 years ago. How is this possible?
Fourth Graders work on creating their own Coat of Arms in art class. Here are some completed projects from Rhiya and Dalton.
The Food Service Survey for next week is now open! Be sure to sign up for this FREE meal option that provides anyone 18 years of age and younger with breakfast and lunch. All students and residents of the Ithaca School District qualify regardless of financial situation. See our website and app under the "News" tab for the "Food Service Survey" article. Complete the survey listed there by Friday, May 8th.
In social studies, fourth grade students created dioramas representing the early Native American groups and their Wisconsin environments. Students studied about the homes, environment, food, and cultural traditions of these people. These early groups inhabited Wisconsin from 10,000 B.C. to 1200 A.D. The Paleo, Archaic, Woodland, Mississippian, Oneota groups are represented in the dioramas that were displayed in the library.
See the Mini-Monet's that are our students. Starry Night inspired Zander, Rainey, Maddix, and their family to create their own art. Addyson recreated Water Lillies. Cameron drew his own Starry Night. Abby drew Monet's Pond. What beautiful art!
Band Students! The Yankee Candle Fundraiser items are still available to be picked up TODAY Tuesday, May 5, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. When you pick them up, please drive into the high school parking lot and go to the band room door that leads outside. Please only 1 person at a time at the door and Mrs. Behrens will hand your order out to you.
Our students spread so much May Day cheer on Friday! Little Bulldog Clara hit up her neighborhood. Shayla and Brennan also made May Day baskets to pass out. Zander, Rainey, and Maddix spread some May Day cheer around, too.
More wonderful art to share from our talented Bulldogs! Deegan completed his cup weavings. Shayla recreated an under the sea environment. Owen used Georgia O'Keefe to inspire him. Emma created woven art.
Families are invited to "stop in" to The Parent Cafe sponsored by the UW Extension Office. Sessions are open Wednesday mornings from 9-10am or Thursday afternoons from 1-2pm. The Parent Cafe is a free, weekly opportunity for parents and caregivers in Southwest Wisconsin to talk with each other. As we connect, we find resources and gain skills that can make our families happier. Each Parent Cafe is hosted by an Extension Educator from Southwest Wisconsin and lasts one hour.
Participants can join via phone or video-chat, with
connection information provided after you register.
https://richland.extension.wisc.edu/2020/05/01/the-parent-cafe/
Happy Staff Appreciation Week. As parents, I think we can all say our level of appreciation has evolved this spring. Here's to a GREAT Staff!! Thanks for all you do for our students, your fellow staff members, the Ithaca community, administration and the School District. We APPRECIATE you!!!
May the 4th be with you today on your birthday. Happy Birthday to Jayden McBride and Ms. Shelly Pluemer!
A very Happy and Special Birthday to Zach Nelson! We hope it's a-moo-zing!
Art can be so enjoyable as a family! Hallie, Tyler, and Erica sat down together to work on art projects. Wonderful finished creations!
If you forgot to sign up for the food program distribution next week, it's still open today, Sat., May 2nd. This is a great program to support our food program, the many layers of the food supply chain, and it could keep those kids from asking what's for lunch a million times and eating all your snacks. Find the link to the survey on our website or app under the "News" tab in the "Food Service Survey" article. You must complete a new survey each week. Help us reach a new record!
Ira Coppernoll and Conner Montes celebrate their birthday today, May 2nd. Happy Birthday to you both! Enjoy the weekend. You all deserve it!
May 1st is also School Lunch Hero Day! We want to honor the food service staff who tirelessly prepare meals for our students. During the closure, they have been assembling meals for our pick up program. This week, they set a milestone with preparing meals for 244 students. They have a few extras ready each day, so that total for meals was 490! You read that right! Thank you everyday, but especially thank you for promoting healthy eating, promoting our food program, and sustaining the many layers of our food supply chain. Thank you School Lunch HEROES!
Today is May Day! And for our final day of Virtual Spirit Week, it's take a paper flower to a neighbor. Yesterday was Hat Day. Deegan wore the luck of the Irish. You can hardly see Scout under her pretty hat. Rhiya "bear-ly" got into her hat. Juliet is ready for her day of work.
A reminder that today between 10:00am and 6:00pm you may drop off completed work and pick up work in the Commons. Teachers would have been communicating if you have work to pick up. We ask you to enter at the main door, use hand sanitizer upon entry, maintain social distancing courtesies, and follow instructions to exit out the middle school door.
Happy May Day and Happy Birthday today, May 1st to Avery Kranz and Chelsey Offerdahl. Have a great day and celebrate you!
The Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP) is travelling to nearby communities with a Pop-Up Pantry Food Distribution program. Check out, follow or like their Facebook page for updated information. They will be in Muscoda tomorrow, May 1st and Lone Rock May 6th.
Ms. Durkin continues to receive so much effort and talent in the art she's seeing. Keep it up Bulldogs! Check out Kapri's watercolor drawing, Carissa's flamingo in progress, Tanner's work on Monet's pond, and Ivie's rainbow drawing.
Dig out your hats! Today is Hat Day for Virtual Spirit Week. Send your pictures! Yesterday, Shalya, Aaron, Juliet, and Eli wore their PJs (I'll bet more of you did - it's the hottest fashion trend in quarantine.)
Have a very Happy Birthday, Blake Wobschall! You're the last birthday of April. Today is still April, but tomorrow, guess what?
Band Students: The Yankee Candle Fundraiser items will be delivered on Friday, May 1. You may pick your items up on Friday, 12:30 - 2:30 pm, or on Tuesday, May 5, 1:30 - 3:30 pm. When you pick them up, please drive into the high school parking lot and go to the band room door that leads outside. Please only 1 person at a time at the door and Mrs. Behrens will hand your order out to you.
April is Alcohol Awareness Month. Wisconsin Department of Health Services has ideas for how to talk with your child(ren) about underage drinking. Check out the various suggestions for all age groups. Small Talks: Start Talking, It Makes a Difference
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/small-talks/start-talking.htm
It's PJ Day today for Virtual Spirit Week. This might be the easiest for us all right now! Let's see what you're sporting. Yesterday we got some great snapshots of Crazy Hair from Brennan, Julie, Mrs. Moser, Mrs. Penfield, Ms. Powell, and Mrs. Wobschall. Fun to see the wild!
Next week's food sign up is OPEN!
All families qualify for FREE Breakfast/Lunch regardless of your family's financial situation! Please complete the form found on our website and app under the "News" tab or our Facebook page. There is a new survey each week. Surveys for the following week open on Wednesday and close on Friday.
The survey will be used to request FREE Breakfast/Lunch meals the week of May 4 - 8, 2020, for ANY child UNDER the age of 18 in your home, whether or not your family receives free or reduced lunches, during Ithaca School's closure.
Requests MUST be submitted by Friday, May 1st. Any questions can be directed to Kathleen Schoen at 583-2622.
Pick up is daily from 4-6pm. If you are unable to pick up during that time, arrangements may be made prior to pick up to allow someone else to pick up for you. If you like, you may indicate this on the survey form.
https://docs.google.com/forms/...
It's Brooklyn Freestone's birthday today, April 29th! Happy Birthday and have a fantastic day.
Please visit our website and app under the "News" tab for an updated message from Principals Mr. Lechnir and Mrs. Schoen regarding communication with parents and students and drop off/pick up this Friday and upcoming dates.
Completing work as a family helps make the process more enjoyable. The same can be said for art. Alana and Elise like creating and completing projects together.
Attention families of Seniors! We are asking for feedback regarding Graduation for Class of 2020 Seniors. This form will help administration and the School Board make decisions that will help determine how our district will celebrate our seniors.
Please be aware that per the "safer at home" order, we are not allowed to have more than 10 people at an organized event for school until after June 30, 2020. We would prefer to have a traditional graduation, but right now, that does not look possible.
Thank you in advance for your participation by completing the survey. We are asking the parents and guardians of current seniors about their opinion. Seniors will have a survey also. As of April 27, 2020, we are NOT allowed to have school-sponsored activities on grounds until at least June 30, 2020. Due to insurance, the outdoor theater is not possible.
A link is found below, and it is also found on our "News" tab under the article discussing this survey.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScQw1rdp90EKz2EJ0qg0QVeojJke3gcnKaF6bKPuhaYlVll0Q/viewform
Today's theme for Virtual Spirit week is Crazy Hair! Let's see what you come up with! Yesterday we had Ithaca Bulldog Pride with wear purple. Thanks to Eli, Spencer, and Elise for sharing their Pride Pictures.
Feliz cumpleaños, Randy Pichardo-Flores! Lo extrañamos mucho. Ten un buen dia!
Happy birthday, Randy Pichardo-Flores! We miss you so much. Have a nice day!
More incredible art work from our students! Ms. Durkin looks forward to seeing her students and their art, so please continue to share! Alyssa completed her Family Coat of Arms. Oliver created an array of rainbow chalk art. Sara portrayed the beauty of these horses.
It's Virtual Spirit Week! What purple or Ithaca gear are you sporting? Mrs. Zorea got some outside time in today with her Bulldog Pride.
Don't frown! You should still celebrate your birthday a little bit. Happy Birthday today, April 27th to Lucas Smyth and Kerrick Thompson!
Let's wish Katarina Aschenbrenner a Happy Birthday today, April 25th. Enjoy the weekend!
Get creative for Virtual Spirit Week! Next week Apr. 27th - May 1st is Virtual Spirit Week. Check out the themes and share your pictures!
To say we miss you is an understatement! Ithaca Public School administration and staff want to show you that we miss you. We wish we could see you in our regular setting, but for now electronic communication and phone calls will have to do. You can see us in this video though, and see how much we miss you!
https://spark.adobe.com/video/ic88bBWj5SsrY
We want to wish Raelyn Lasse and Kaleb Underwood big Happy Birthday wishes today, April 24th! May all those candles on your cake avoid drawing the fire department. We're still under a burn ban. :)
We send out Happy Birthday wishes today, April 23rd to Devin Ihm! Have a wonderful day.
Wrestling families: Please return your wrestling singlet to the school. Any Ithaca singlet, wrestling shoes, or headgear that was loaned out should be put in a plastic bag and labeled clearly with the athlete's name. It can then be delivered to Ithaca School during the homework drop offs on May 1st, 15th, and 29th from 10am until 6pm. There will be a box labeled "Wrestling Singlets/Gear". We ask that you please return these for next year's use. Thank you!
Do you have some art to share? Ms. Durkin is excited to see all the wonderful work her students have been doing. Keep sharing and keep it up! Jon Hash has been working on some art of his own. Such talent in our district!
The food service survey for next week April 27th through May 1st is open for completion. It may be found on our website and app under "News" in the "Food Service Survey" posting. Please complete it by Friday, April 24th. Refer any questions to Kathleen Schoen at 583-2622.
Happy Wednesday, April 22nd. Today we want to wish our G/T Director, Mrs. Jill Plonka, a very happy birthday!
In 1976, the esteemed career of Principal Ernest Modjeski began at Ithaca. He guided countless students and community members during his time at Ithaca and in their lives after they left our community. Mr. Modjeski passed away on Friday, April 17th, and we extend our sympathies to Mr. Modjeski's family and all who mourn the loss of a great man and amazing educator.
https://www.dickinsonfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Ernest--Lee-Modjeski?obId=12711429
Ms. Durkin's high school students have tremendous talent! Logan Clary shared his barn board creation with her. Jacob Mueller drew amazing pictures. Thanks for sharing your work with us! Ms. Durkin encourages you all to keep creating and sharing your work.
All Middle and High School students should be checking their school email account daily. Teachers are noticing that some students aren't doing so. Emails from your teachers contain important information for your schoolwork and are a way for them to make sure you're doing well.
Wish a Happy Birthday today, April 21st to Juliet Hein and Hunter Moe! Have a wonderful day!
Thanks, Abby! She pointed out this beautiful rainbow tonight. A sign of brighter days ahead. Even nature has a smile for you.
Happy Birthday wishes today, Sunday, April 19th, go out to Jonah Marchwick and Anthony Varela! Have a great day!
We're too far away to see you in person, but today, April 18th, we wish Cayden Beasley, Ryan Miller, and Eli Swenson a very Happy Birthday!
Attn: Middle schoolers interested in participating in the UW-LaCrosse Science & Math Expo in May. They are doing a virtual Expo! Instead of an abstract and a trifold they want you to create a Power Point/Google Slide OR a pdf of your experiment, research, or math game. Let Mrs. Plonka know by April 22 (next Wednesday) at plonjil@ithaca.k12.wi.us if you want to participate or have any questions. She'll get you more details on what to include in your Slides/pdf.
More talent from our artists! Alexis and Autumn surprised their mom with amazing art work. Addyson posed with her Family Coat of Arms. Memphis showed off his Family Coat of Arms, too. Art is a great outlet to relax or take a break from book work. Keep up the creativity!
Today is FRIDAAAAY, April 17th, and we wish a Happy Little Birthday to Alivya Young!
Parents, guardians, and students - if you weren't able to come to school the last 2 days to drop off and pick up or missed something, please come today, Friday, April 17th between 9am and noon.
Today is the last day to come to pick up learning resources and turn in what you have from 10am until 6pm. Also sign up for the free breakfast and lunch food service pick up. Links and information may be found on our website and app under the "News" tab or on our Facebook page.
A Toad-ally Happy Birthday today to Ethan Cockroft and Reid Wosbschall! Have a great day!
Please have all Middle school and High students check their Ithaca email for important group announcements.
Packets, learning materials, and turn-in bins? Check! Chromebooks for those who need them? Check! Muscle Man Randy Savage? Check! Last night's pick up/drop off had it all together in one place. Great things are happening for our Bulldogs! (P.S. "Tell your kids Mr. Mani says hi.")
Don't forget to order your Elementary or Middle School Yearbook! Links to the online order are listed below or may be found on our "News" tab. Middle School orders may be placed until this Friday, April 17th. https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/view_account.asp?l=750002E8-A1BE-46A4-BE32-2335C86CDAA4&fbclid=IwAR2cWskkYy4gG_bbzHTpfGTA_Jt-LurP4xql6bTK-4JtCAJF2F4u2-z9HmQ
Elementary orders will be accepted until Monday, April 20th. https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/IthacaElementary2020?fbclid=IwAR1vVvkXN5v5WWblA0oP-6hrMQ3aGLvEtzQcWWHBgJxnoM5RPoieF7xjlWg
Each book is $15.
Here is the survey to complete for next week's distribution from April 20th until 24th. This breakfast and lunch distribution is FREE to all families in the Ithaca district regardless of financial status. It is available for anyone in the household under 18 or still in high school. There is a new survey each week.
Ithaca staff will be providing pickup from 4-6pm Monday, April 20-Friday, April 24. A new survey is required each week. Access this week's survey here or at the end of this message. Complete the survey by the end of this week, Friday, April 17th.
We ask that the front seat of the vehicle be vacant so that the food bag can be placed on the seat. This will limit if not prevent completely any contact between the passengers and the food server. The drive-thru is set up on the elementary side of the building. Watch for signs.
Food service will continue through the closure. Updates will be broadcast on WRCO, the school website and the Ithaca School District Facebook page.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSecsvjYidxVX_uxPE4YVQNTvgBpBIdaU0N-beBn-qoerPb9GA/viewform?usp=sf_link
Ms. Durkin was missing her students and seeing them when they complete art with her. Receiving pictures of their completed projects is bringing her big smiles. We've got great artists! Easton created some Easter art. Tanner painted his door windows. Jacey and Briggs said it all.
Students, parents, and guardians: Please read through the letter from principals Mr. Lechnir and Mrs. Schoen regarding pick up/drop off on Wed. and Thurs. this week. The complete letter may be found on our website and app under "News" or on our Facebook page.
If you did not receive a phone call or text, please contact the district office, as it is likely we do not have a current phone number for you. Same holds for an email address. If you did not receive the email message with the information, we do not have a current email address for you.
It is recommended that the one parent or adult coming to school brings their own bags or boxes to carry materials.
Let's send some Ha-PEA Birthday wishes today, April 14th, to Valerie Fauver, Connie Pulvermacher, and Matthew Roh!
Just a friendly reminder that there IS food pick up today! We’re here until 6.
April 13, 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians of Ithaca students, (please have pen and paper handy)
We hope all have been able to remain safe during this difficult time. Staff are at school every day and phone messages are checked daily so if you need something, please call. Also, ALL families of the Ithaca School District are highly encouraged to participate in the FREE daily breakfast/lunch. Visit the school website weekly to submit your request. If you have questions, contact either Annette Louis or Kathleen Schoen.
Some things regarding this next “round” of learning:
We will have the school open for you to return student work packets and to pick up the next round. Elementary will continue with packets. Middle and High School are moving their classes to Google Classroom for the most part. If your middle or high school child has not accessed their school email account, they need to do that as the teacher has been in contact with them through Google Classroom.
Material pickup and drop off will be Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16, from 10 AM-6 PM.
Chromebooks are being prepared for only the students (Gr 3-12) who indicated on the Student Tech Avail (for parents) Survey that a device was needed. An agreement for use must be signed by a parent at the time of pickup. Please bring your own pen.
Please come through the main entrance, maintain social distancing practices, use sanitizer, follow directions for picking up all class materials, drop off completed work packets in teacher-labeled totes, and pick up and sign for chromebooks. Please then follow the signs to exit the building out a different door from the main entrance.
We are allowing only one (1) adult /student in the building per family. This is to help reduce the amount of people in and out of the building. Do maintain social distancing and use hand sanitizers. Please do your best to protect yourself and others. Come with a list of your student’s teachers/classes so you know what to collect.
We will have internet access in the parking lots for students to use as needed beginning April 20. Everyone is to remain in their cars, download/upload as needed, and leave as soon as possible. This service is being provided because we understand the problem of connectivity we have in our district. All school rules apply because of being on school property.
Although the teachers are doing things similarly, all student and/or parent should be in contact with the teacher weekly. Our teachers want to support the learning as well as family needs during this time. If you have not been contacted yet, please call the school office to ensure we have an accurate phone number in our system. Assigned student learning should be completed. Each teacher will be in contact with the student and/or parent regarding how work will be “turned in.”
MS/HS school work is to be satisfactorily completed and returned to the teacher. Teachers will then issue a CP (Covid Pass) / CF (Covid Fail) grade based on the school work completed and turned in. The Pass/Fail grade will be for all MS/HS 2nd semester grades (including 3rd quarter). ThePass/Fail grading system does not factor into overall cumulative GPA . Elementary grading remains the same and each teacher will indicate which work is to be turned in or discussed during their weekly check-in calls.
Upcoming packet drop offs will be outside the main entrance on Fridays in May. May 1, 15, and 29 from 10 AM until 6 PM. Be sure the student’s name is on all papers turned into the labeled tote.
Ithaca Seniors and parents of Seniors, the graduation ceremony is pending the directive of the Governor regarding closure and social distancing.
Prom is postponed until further notice as are all other school activities.
Again, take care of yourself and your family. Be safe.
Sincerely,
Mr. Lechnir Ms. Schoen
More reading, and we love it! Aaron relaxes while he reads. Kristin reads to her boys Devin, Dalton, Deegan, and Dyson. They make reading a family event!
Birthday wishes today go out to Aaron Bloczynski and Anna Dahlke! Going back to Mar. 31st we wish a Belated Birthday to Naila Lorenzo-Castillo and Logan Olson who had a very special day to celebrate!
Happy Easter from Ithaca Public Schools! Take this day to reflect on all the wonderful things you have in your life. If you can't see people important to you today face-to-face, we hope you are able to talk to them on the phone, send a message, or visit virtually.
Happy Birthday today, Apr. 11th to Jason Logue, Darin Nelson, and Kegan Ringelstetter! Belated Happy Birthday to Audrey Newkirk and Middle School teacher Mrs. Kris Willis on Mar. 29th and on Mar. 30th to Channing Brown, Katy King, and 1st grade teacher Mrs. Heather Owen!
Is your food survey completed for next week? There's still time today to get it done. The link can be quickly found under the "News" tab on our website and app or scroll down through the "Live Feed" or on our Facebook page. A new survey is sent each week.
Today we wish Megann Fenton Happy Birthday! We go back to Mar. 25th to wish Owen Feryance a Happy Birthday. Mar. 26th Happy Birthday wishes to Tristen Peterson. Birthday wishes from Mar. 27th to office staff Barb Michel. Happy Birthday to Tyler Steinmetz on Mar. 28th.
A reminder that there is no school on Friday, April 10th and Monday, April 13th. Enjoy the long weekend!
Pauquette Centers are offering free webinars from their professionals! Topics include mindfulness, managing anxiety in youth, and depression. You can even watch recordings of previous webinars. Check out this link for details.
https://pauquette.com/mental-health-services/free_webinars/
Sauk County has a webpage devoted to resources for families.
https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth/covid-19-resources-individuals-and-families
They are also promoting a Wellness Webinar on Thursdays at 6pm. Register for the webinar at the link below. It does not seem that you need to be a Sauk County resident to participate.
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2135353142295848973
Reading and pets go hand in hand! Pets like reading, too. Reid is enjoying a Bear Grylls book and his cat, Roscoe, thinks he needs to read the book also! Michael and his pup also read together.
Happy Birthday today, Apr. 9th, to Landen Richards! We missed wishing Matthew Kepler Happy Birthday on Mar. 23rd, and on Mar. 24th Izabela Ortiz, our custodian Ben Murphy, and Mrs. Schoen celebrated their special days.
Order your Elementary Yearbooks now! Orders will be accepted until April 20th. Each book is $15. Click the link to order.
https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/IthacaElementary2020?fbclid=IwAR3kMTMgmPLtotqY-YhjGuZgEUpwlksNc8n-PVolRtCX3A0eiRAbH9WO5ZE
Look at these awesome readers! Parker's mom caught him reading to his sister. Syvannah reads in her favorite spot - her bed! Reading doesn't have to be a chore. Find a comfortable spot to relax or find someone to read to. Keep it up and keep the pictures coming!
The transformation is complete! Some of our students and staff were asking about the progress of a cocoon an Ithaca family had. We're happy to show you the results. Was it a cocoon or a chrysalis? The major difference between a chrysalis and a cocoon is that a chrysalis is the hardened body of a butterfly pupa, whereas a cocoon is an external structure constructed by larvae of moths to protect themselves during the pupal stage. This beauty is a Tiger Moth!
A reminder that due to the Good Friday holiday, there is no food service pick up this Friday.
Sign up for next week's FREE Breakfast/Lunch regardless of your family's financial situation. Complete the following form (also found on our website and app under Live Feed and News tabs, or our Facebook page). Each week has a new form. The survey will be used to request FREE Breakfast/Lunch meals the week of April 13-17, 2020, for ANY child UNDER the age of 18 in your home, whether or not your family receives free or reduced lunches, during Ithaca School's closure. Requests MUST be submitted by Friday, April 10th. Any questions can be directed to Kathleen Schoen at 583-2622. Pick up is daily from 4-6pm. If you are unable to pick up during that time, arrangements may be made prior to pick up to allow someone else to pick up for you. If you like, you may indicate this on the survey form. https://forms.gle/dBYwHqhYSJ1b2ZgY8
Birthday wishes today go back to Mar. 18th for Addison Smyth, Mar. 19th for Samuel Hollands and Melissa Hutchison, Mar. 20th for Aliyah Swenson, Mar. 21st for Braxton Fowell, and Ellie Crook had a very special day on Mar. 22nd. Happy Belated Birthday to you all!
Loss again comes to the Ithaca Community. Orlen Richards (Class of '52) passed away yesterday. For 30 years, Orlen drove bus for Ithaca students and "retired to a celebration typically reserved for returning championship sports teams." We extend sympathies to the many staff and students who are part of Orlen's family. Orlen touched many Ithaca student lives over all those years - our sympathies to you all as well.
https://www.clarymemorialfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Orlen-Richards/#!/Obituary
If it seems like we're putting a lot of focus on reading.... We ARE! Reading will help keep you entertained and there are so many ways to learn while doing do. Aspen finds all kinds of ways to read. I'll bet you didn't recognize Kaylee - she lets her hair down to read at home.
Today, we wish Zander Jones Happy Birthday! Going back to March 17th, we wish Happy Belated Birthday to Kaylynn Burns, David Fargen, and Trista Pluemer.
Food pick up for today begins at 4pm until 6pm. Don't forget! See you there.
Middle School families! Order it now!! Place your order now for the 2019-2020 Ithaca Middle School yearbook.
https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/view_account.asp?l=750002E8-A1BE-46A4-BE32-2335C86CDAA4&fbclid=IwAR0mCXXfR5Zx0yWonXvwlfjgXa3NOnYy0pBjrpTmGF6wgcShXZ0GDJ6ZGcQ
What is your reading routine? These readers shared an example of where they read. Ella is reading on the couch, and Kaylynn built a fort and read there. Mrs. Thompson's friend Arnold took a break while working at his desk in his office to read. Let's see where you read.
Ithaca School District is reaching out to families who have children enrolled in our district as residents or open enrolled. We would like to pass on information that may be helpful to your family during this COVID-19 pandemic.
If your household’s economic status has been affected by loss of income due to the Safe-at-Home mandate, we want to remind you that besides filing for possible unemployment we recommend that you check out eligibility for the FoodShare program or other benefit programs that are available.
The FoodShare Resource page can be found at: https://www.hungertaskforce.org/get-help/apply-for-foodshare/
The WI FoodShare Access page for applying can be found at: https://access.wisconsin.gov/access/
Wish 5th grade teacher Michele Wobschall a Happy Birthday today! We'll also go back for some belated Happy Birthday wishes to bus driver Mike Hutchison and 5th grade teacher Kally Clary on Mar. 15th, and from Mar. 16th Carter Pluemer and 4th grade teacher Trent Urban. Hope you were still able to celebrate!
April 5th Happy Birthday wishes for Liberty Clary and Aubrey Wiedenfeld. On March 14th, we missed wishing Logan Anderson and Aaron Jacobson Happy Birthday. Happy Birthday to you all.
Today we wish a very Happy Birthday to Olivia Biermeier, Caleb Birkrem, Lennon Neefe, and Mason Parduhn! Backtracking, April Fool's Day birthday wishes go out to Brooklyn Dahlke, Mason Fenton, Hudson Huebsch, Chad Meyer, and Joann Pretsch. Sending lots of Birthday Wishes!
Miss Annette says don’t forget your food pick up! We’re here until 6. And fill out the survey for next week too!
More creative reading going on. Did you know that reading aloud helps with comprehension and fluency. It builds confidence with speaking and helps readers understand new words by hearing them in context. Read to your children, have them read to you, or read together! Brayden found a tree to read to his sister. Gracelynn's tiger listens to her read.
It's important during times like these to stop, and do something you love. Brooklyn channeled her inner Ms. Durkin today and created a beautiful "stained glass" window for her family's living room.
Don't forget to complete the Food Distribution survey for next week! Every family qualifies regardless of financial situation. It's a great way to feed you or the kiddos and save you a trip to the store to stay safe and healthy. Link is on our website under Live Feed and on the FB post.
New today! We've missed being able to wish you Happy Birthday. If we missed you while we were away, your wishes will be coming soon. Today, Apr. 3rd, we wish Alex Franke, Rylan Hash, and Rainey Jones Happy Birthday. Apr. 2nd birthday wishes go to Jed Sieber.
Please read the letter in this link from Mr. Lechnir and Mrs. Schoen regarding learning as we move ahead in this closure. Do not hesitate to reach out to either Mr. Lechnir or Mrs. Schoen with any concerns.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fPX_u_G-5sOYiGssGqQl9NvmUrwLmcZ0RWek2Jbgu24/edit?usp=sharing
Don’t forget your food pick up today! We’re here until 6pm!
So much fun seeing all the reading and fun going on with it. Curtis and his family built a fort, and he read to his sister in it. Elise found a cozy spot by the fireplace with her cat. Keep the pictures coming! And keep on reading!
Ms. Durkin is teaching the colors of the rainbow - ROY G BIV - and the order they are in. One student, Alex Toussaint, took his assignment outside to spread some cheer and color. A perfect picture to share today!
Today's Throwback Thursday spotlight is on last year's 6th graders when they looked back on their reading throughout the year in Mrs. Zorea's class. What has been your favorite book this year?
https://youtu.be/myPYyx8M-vE
All families qualify for FREE Breakfast/Lunch regardless of your families financial situation. Please complete the following form (also found on our website and app under Live Feed or our Facebook page). The survey will be used to request FREE Breakfast/Lunch meals the week of April 6-10, 2020, for ANY child UNDER the age of 18 in your home, whether or not your family receives free or reduced lunches, during Ithaca School's closure. Requests MUST be submitted by Friday, April 3th. Any questions can be directed to Kathleen Schoen at 583-2622. Pick up is daily from 4-6pm. If you are unable to pick up during that time, arrangements may be made prior to pick up to allow someone else to pick up for you. If you like, you may indicate this on the survey form. (Edited to correct the link and update dates/times) https://forms.gle/FkRtPVTorYKW74Mq7
We have made a couple of additions to our https://www.ithaca.k12.wi.us website. Here is a YOUTUBE video explaining what we have done. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sLtbznUDcg
The upcoming Policy, Curriculum and Instruction, and Buildings and Grounds Committee meetings have been cancelled. Please refer to the school "Events" tab or calendar to view any changes, cancellations, or rescheduled events. They will be as up-to-date as possible.
No Foolin'!! There's reading going on! Thanks to the Neefe's and Ihm's for sharing their reading pictures with us. Sutton and Lennon took advantage of a sunny day to read on the steps together. Dyson found a comfy spot in a beanbag chair to read a little Dog Man. Keep reading! Keep sharing pictures!
Remember to pick up sack breakfast and lunches at Ithaca School today from 4pm until 6pm. If you forgot yesterday, we have you covered! Pull in on the elementary side, and let us serve you with a smile! Look for a survey for next week's distribution soon.
Parents of Ithaca Students: We need your input. If you have not yet completed the Parent Tech Survey, please do so ASAP as we are making plans for student learning in the weeks to come. We want your input!! Thank you, Mr. Lechnir and Ms Schoen
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAKHUu_Wb9XroQdq8Rz945rzXucV-uj5lV1VEh78BRrgFZEg/viewform
We know how challenging this new learning environment is. Remember that sometimes the simplest forms of learning are the most valuable and even stress-reducing. Mrs. Newkirk and Mrs. Zorea challenge you all to read everyday. Send us your pictures of reading going on at home! Email to juli.thompson@ithaca.k12.wi.us or send via FB Messenger through the school's page.
The Newkirks found some obvious and creative ways to enjoy reading at home. Where do you like to read?
Mrs. Pluemer wants to remind everyone not to neglect your mental health. Managing stress and applying simple coping strategies can greatly improve mental health. Check out the link for suggestions. It specifically lists the importance of recognizing the different ways children deal with stress versus adults. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fprepare%2Fmanaging-stress-anxiety.html
"Children and teens react, in part, on what they see from the adults around them. When parents and caregivers deal with the COVID-19 calmly and confidently, they can provide the best support for their children. Parents can be more reassuring to others around them, especially children, if they are better prepared.
Not all children and teens respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes to watch for include:
-Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
-Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting)
-Excessive worry or sadness
-Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
-Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens
-Poor school performance or avoiding school
-Difficulty with attention and concentration
-Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
-Unexplained headaches or body pain
-Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs
There are many things you can do to support your child:
-Take time to talk with your child or teen about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child or teen can understand.
-Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
-Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
-Try to keep up with regular routines. If schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.
-Be a role model. Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members."
A reminder to families who signed up for breakfast/lunch pick up this week: Swing in NOW until 6pm. Quite a few haven’t picked up yet.
Welcome back to School (at Home)! Staff are hoping all families are getting settled into their new routine. If you have questions, concerns, need resources, or just want to talk, reach out to a staff member. Staff will be trying to reach you and your students at home. If you notice a blocked or unknown number, it may be them.
Mrs. Prouty hopes families were able to enjoy a little fun during Spring Break. School resumes in it's new way on Monday! Staff are "looking" forward to "seeing" students soon. Got your classroom ready at home? Take a look at Mrs. Prouty's new office.
Could you or someone you know benefit from a Pop-Up Pantry food tote? Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program is making a Pop-Up Pantry stop in Ithaca on Wed. Apr. 1 from 12:30-1:30 in the Twp Garage parking lot. Call or visit their website for more info. Spread the word!
It’s not the kind of Spring Break you thought you’d have. You might be feeling frustrated, stressed out, scared. You’re not alone. Your Ithaca family is going through this with you. When there are so many uncertainties, this is absolutely certain: One team, One School, One Family. If you need something – anything – reach out to a staff member. We are never far away. Even if it’s just to talk. We are here to support you and each other always. And know this, we miss you.
Ithaca Staff hope all are doing as well as can be expected during this time! As we prepare to make some decisions regarding home-based learning, we are asking at least one member of each family completes this survey regarding internet access, hotspot possibility, and devices for students in your homes. Please feel welcome to add comments at the end of the survey if your situation doesn't fit the questions asked. Any additional questions may be referred to Mrs. Schoen at 583-2622.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAKHUu_Wb9XroQdq8Rz945rzXucV-uj5lV1VEh78BRrgFZEg/viewform
Ithaca Seniors! Updates to some scholarships have been added to the school's website under the Counselor's Corner. Please note that Southwest Technical College Foundation and Lenz Family Scholarship deadlines have been extended to April 15, 2020, and the UW-Plattevillel-Richland Campus Foundation scholarship has been extended to April 17, 2020.
https://www.ithaca.k12.wi.us/o/ithaca-school-district/page/scholarship-info--4
The UW Extension Office has put out a document dealing with potential personal financial concerns you may have. There are links to resources and common questions with answers.
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/toughtimes/covid-19-financial-resources/
Congratulations to the 2020 Ithaca School District Delta Kappa Gamma Winners.
Delta Kappa Gamma is hosted by the Lambda Chapter and offered to all students 3rd-12th grade. Students must write, illustrate, and publish their own story. Our elementary teachers have championed this contest and writing within the classroom for over ten years, and the accomplishments of our writers shows it! Congratulations, and job well done, students!
Attention Ithaca Seniors:
Just a friendly reminder to keep working on scholarships. Make sure you are also applying for scholarships at your school of choice. Go to their websites for more details. There is a list of some available scholarships on our website. Follow the attached path to "additional scholarship opportunities." **The Southwest Tech. Lenz Scholarship is due March 31 to Ms. Bevan and the Richland County Bank Scholarship is due April 3 to Ms. Bevan. You may either drop them off at the school to put in Ms. Bevan's mailbox after Spring Break or you may mail them to the school. Ithaca School, Attn: Meredith Bevan, 24615 State Hwy. 58, Richland Center, WI 53581. Mailed scholarships must arrive by the deadline, so please do not wait until the last minute. SW Tech Foundation Scholarships are due March 31 and UW Platteville-Richland Foundation Scholarships are due April 1. Both are submitted online and the links are on our website. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Ms. Bevan bevamer@ithaca.k12.wi.us.
With heavy heart, we share the passing of an Ithaca legend, Mrs. Shirley Braithwaite on her 90th birthday. Mrs. Braithwaite touched so many lives in her time at Ithaca. Her music and enthusiasm for all things were more than legendary. She and Wilmer brought Christmas joy to young and old as well. The Ithaca Community and Public School sends sympathies to her husband, family, and all who will mourn the loss of one of Ithaca's finest. Please share your memories with one another and those who never met her.
https://www.prattfuneralservice.com/obituaries/Shirley-Braithwaite?obId=12472184#/obituaryInfo
The Ithaca School District supports Ithaca families. We will begin providing breakfast and lunch to all Ithaca families for your children 18 and under regardless of your financial status. A food survey is located on the school web page, through social media and at this link ( https://forms.gle/krR9TGm1W7tbNTcF6 ) for all Ithaca families to complete who wish to participate beginning Monday, March 30, 2020. Each week, a new survey will be available for families to complete. Ithaca volunteers and staff will be providing pickup from 4-6 pm Monday, March 30-Friday, April 3. We ask that the front seat of the vehicle be vacant so that the food bag can be placed on the seat. This will limit if not prevent completely any contact between the passengers and the food server. We will have a drive-thru set up at the school. Watch for signs. Food service will continue through the closure. Updates will be broadcast on WRCO, the school website and the Ithaca School District Facebook page
Ithaca Families. A reminder that the building will be open today, Wednesday, March 18th until 3 P.M. for students and parents to pick up school work, empty hall and gym lockers, pick up medications, etc. Please be respectful of social distances, and we will monitor how many people are in the building in order to do so. Check in at the main entrance, retrieve a check list, and at the end of your visit, return that completed check list.
Ithaca will be open Wednesday, March 18, 9:00-3:00 for parents to get the resources planned for students during the Covid shutdown. Many thanks to everyone that came Tuesday!
Ithaca is open until 8:00 tonight for students to clean out lockers and pick up their resources.
Please be aware that I typed in Tuesday, March 27,It should be TODAY, March 17.
Tuesday, March 27, 2020
Homebound instructional work is set up for our students. The doors will be open for families to pick up work, and clean out lockers from 4:00 to 8:00 PMTuesday. We will also be open from 9:00-3:00 Wednesday, March 18. We will monitor the doors so that we do not surpass the “10 contact person rule” Only the front entrance will be used. All medication is in the office, a parent must sign for it.
Elementary, All of the teachers have packed up everything into the students’ cubbies. You may stop in the library for books and art room for supplies.
Middle school, All the packets are in Mrs. Boland’s room. You should go to your locker and gym locker and the band room if needed.
High School Clean out gym lockers, lockers and stop in all classrooms for each child, do not forget band instruments.
For Middle school and High school, we will have check-off sheets so nothing is missed.
Julie Prouty, Chris Lechnir, Kathleen Schoen, Cheryl Richards
Ithaca Public School Social Worker, Shelly Pluemer, shares a valuable article about making the best of the time spent at home right now. She also adds that it is important to know contact information for adolescent mental health providers resources in the Richland County area.
https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/2020/03/13/my-kids-school-is-closed-so-now-what/
Student resources and announcements located here: https://www.apptegy.net/s/news-ithaca-school-district/articles/resources-for-students-announcements
Some more updates on cancellations from Mrs. Plonka:
March 17 - Modern Woodmen speech - cancelled
March 18 PTSO meeting - cancelled
March 19 - Game Club - cancelled
March 26 - 3rd grade Lit Wars - Postponed (for now)
Ithaca Public Schools will be closed starting Monday, March 16. This is a change to the decision made earlier today. All instructional staff should report to work.
Ithaca School District will remain open on Monday and Tuesday, March 16-17. As conditions change, this will be updated. Please read the letter posted on the webpage for specifics.
For anyone who had been planning on attending the Richland Hospital's seminar Vaping: The Good, The Bad, and The Deadly it has been cancelled. At this time, they are cancelling all outside organization meetings held at the Hospital effective immediately, extending through April.It is unknown if events will be rescheduled.
Some great news among all the cancellations! Congratulations, JoAnn Pretsch!!
Congratulations to the following for Best of Show at Richland Area High School Art Exhibit:
Misunderstood by Beth Bohringer, Boscobel;
Love Yours by Elizabeth Kenudson, RV;
Glitter Girl by McKenzie Bell, Hillsboro;
Identity by Emerson Harmon, Dodgeville;
London, JoAnn Pretsch, Ithaca;
Captain America by McKenzie Bell, Hillsboro.
Kids College on the UW-La Crosse campus on April 3rd has been cancelled.
The Lit Wars competition scheduled for next Thursday will be done by students at their own schools. Ithaca students will compete at Ithaca. 3rd Grade Lit Wars has not been changed at this time.
Updated cancellations: State FCCLA and FBLA competitions have been cancelled at this time.
Please review most current posts to stay up-to-date with cancellations. They are posted quickly after the decisions are dispersed.
The High School Band trip to Florida over Spring Break has been postponed. We are looking into rescheduling for a later date
With regard to student and community health and safety the winter sports banquet for Monday has been cancelled.
Due to the cancellation, the gear turn in for boys basketball will be Monday after school.
Mr. Favreau was informed that the FFA Contest hosted by UW-Platteville, which was to be held next week on March 19th has been canceled. This was a decision made by the UW-P folks and the FFA has not responded as of yet with any possible makeup alternatives (sites or dates). This is a State qualifying event....so updates will be posted out as soon as possible.
Ms. Durkin has been notified that the student art showcase held in the Student Center on the UW-P/Richland campus has been cancelled. Select Ithaca students were to have their talent on display at this event.
Forensics students: Although your season has been cut short, your coaches are very proud of you for working so hard and performing so well.
From the Executive Director of the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association: It is with a heavy heart we must announce cancellation of ALL speech festivals – district and State – for the remainder of the season. Today, Gov. Tony Evers declared a public health emergency, and in accordance, State Statute Ch. 250 requires we cancel our events. With uncertainty and limited time between now and the end of the school year, there are no reasonable means to plan and execute an alternate timeline for festival dates or locations. Several other states have cancelled their State Speech contests, so this is, indeed, an extraordinary situation.
With regard to student and community health and safety, the Solo and Ensemble competition Ithaca would be hosting tomorrow (Saturday, March 14th) is cancelled. This is also in response to the State competition being cancelled.
Attn students in grades 3-12: Game Club will be next Thursday, March 19 from after school until 5 PM. Elementary please bring permission forms. We will meet in the Commons for a snack and then go to the Multi-purpose room.
Today’s $50 winner of the Ithaca Wrestling Calendar Raffle is Jim Bailey.
Forensics Students and Parents: The district meet is currently scheduled for Saturday, March 21 at UW Platteville. Students should be at school to board the bus at 6:10 that morning; return time will be approximately 2:00 p.m.
Important information related to the Covid 19 virus:
From the Forensics Association: Effective immediately, all WHSFA District festivals are closed to outside guests (i.e., family, friends, etc.). Only contestants and adjudicators will be allowed in contest rooms. This will be strictly enforced. Rounds cannot begin if any additional people beyond adjudicator, contestants, or a school-sanctioned aide for a student with special needs is in the room.
With that in mind, students should plan to ride the bus both to and from Platteville.
In the event that UW Platteville becomes unavailable due to the virus, the location of the district meet may change. Cancellation is a possibility if there is no alternative.
Please email Coach Louise Murphey with questions or concerns: murplou@ithaca.k12.wi.us.
We will be hosting our Conference Solo/Ensemble Contest here this Saturday, May 14th. A reminder to Choir families: we need your help with concessions for Solo and Ensemble for Saturday March 14. Please go to Sign-Up Genius to see what you can do. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4eaeab2fa5fb6-concessions
The March PTSO meeting will be held next Wednesday, March 18 at 3:45 in the LMC. Babysitting will be provided. We hope to see you there!
Please read Superintendent Julie Prouty's message concerning topics involving COVID-19 concerns.
If you get a chance this week, head over to UW- Richland Student Center to see local high school art work on display! These pieces art on display are from Ithaca. Kayde Koch, Jacob Mueller, and JoAnn Pretsch all have work entered.
The Class of 2020 would like to thank all the people who came out last night to support us at Culvers. A big thank you to the seniors who worked last night.
Seniors: Mandatory meeting during attack on Friday to get your caps and gowns. If you owe money, you need to pay that on Friday.
There will be an informational meeting for all interested in High School Volleyball for next year on Thursday, March 12 during ATTACK Time in the LMC. This includes any 8th graders who may want to play next year.
Today’s $50 winner of the Ithaca Wrestling Calendar Raffle is Eric Olson
Today’s $50 winner of the Ithaca Wrestling Calendar Raffle is David Fargen.
Attention: High School Baseball players. There will be a meeting in Mr. Kelly’s room immediately after school on Thursday. If you are playing baseball- Be There! It will only last about 10-15 minutes. Coach Clary
To let families know: Bus 1 is running about 30 minutes late.
The first grade class had Officer Kyle Mueller from Sauk County visit and tell all about his occupation of being a law enforcement officer.
They were asked questions by Officer Kyle, the students asked questions, were given candy, and were lucky enough to climb through the back seat of his car.
Softball team pictures will be Wednesday after school. The Softball Parent Meeting Thursday at 6:00 in the commons.
Richland Junior Bowlers All you can eat Pizza Buffet on Thursday, March 12th, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM at the Phoenix Center Bowling Alley in Richland Center. Cost is $10 per person & $5 for ages 10 & under. All You Can Eat Pizza also Includes:Tossed Salad, Dessert, Soda, Coffee & Water. Nice variety of Raffle & Silent Auction Items Available! also a 50/50 Raffle. All proceeds will benefit Richland Junior Bowlers Schloraship Program. Come & support several of the bowlers from the Ithaca school & their scholarship program.
Today’s $50 winner of the Ithaca Wrestling Calendar Raffle is Bruce Hemmersbach.
Tomorrow night the Ithaca Senior Class will be hosting Culvers Share Night in Richland Center from 4pm until 8pm. Please come out and support the senior class with their final class fundraiser! Proceeds will go to paying for graduation.
It is that time of year again; time for Youth Baseball/Softball Registration. You can find the links for the code of conduct and registration form on Class Dojo, the school Facebook Page, and the announcements. We also have a few copies in the front office. There are a few new changes this year, so please look at the forms carefully. Deadline to have the completed forms turned in is March 20. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, Brett Maxwell 588-4496.
Trap club season is approaching quickly. Sign-up is to be completed by March 23rd. It is recommend to talk to the coach and complete the sign-up by March 10th. THE SPRING MEETING AND FUN SHOOT IS ON MARCH 15TH. Contact head coach John Crook at 608-712-3535 or jcrook717@gmail.com for more information. He can guide you through the signup process and what you’ll need to compete. Also, talk with some of the students who have been involved in the trap club for the past two years - They’ll have positive things to say!
Hope For Change is a promotion by the Partners for Prevention Coalition - an organization dedicated to preventing substance abuse by creating safe and healthy communities. At the Hope For Change event, stories of recovery will be shared, and resources for various recovery and support networks will be available.
Don’t forget! Monday, March 9th is an early release day!
Attention high school students age 16 and over who are interested in pursuing a job in a health career: the Scenic Rivers Area Health Education Center is taking applications for health careers summer camps held in La Crosse on June 21-24, 2020 or in Platteville on June 28-July 1, 2020. Deadline to apply is March 31. Please see Mrs. Plonka for more information.
- In 2019, 40% of Richland County high school youth reported that they tried vaping. (Youth Risk Behavioral Survey). That is around 280 young people.- Richland County, WI YRBS survey
Inconspicuous vaping is ever-evolving. Knowledge about the dangers is increasing. Attend the upcoming talk on vaping at the Richland Hospital. Dr. Wright and Anna Banker, NP will help you identify the signs of someone that is vaping and how to talk to youth about the risks. Questions will be welcomed. This is a free event at the Richalnd Hosptial on Thursday, March 26th from 5:30-7:00pm. If you have any questions regarding the even, feel free to contact Dana Gochenaur at the Richland Hospital 647-6321 X 2413.
Today’s $50 winner of the Ithaca Wrestling Calendar Raffle is Kreg Perkins. On Saturday, Shanna Franzen $75.00 and on Sunday, Pat Drea $50.00.
The winter sports banquet will be Monday March 16th at 6pm in the commons.
The Middle School Wrestlers won the conference wrestling tournament yesterday. Congratulations!
First graders are learning about the different occupations in their communities! Today Frank, one of our custodians, came in to talk about his job. The children asked questions and even had the chance to see boilers, a storage closet, and watched Frank use the Zamboni. They all enjoyed it!
Join us at the meeting to contribute to:
• Worksite wellness completed in partnership with Rockwell Automation, The Richland Hospital, and Symons Recreation Complex
• Healthy Wisconsin Communities Designation
• Richland County will join other Wisconsin communities being recognized for their efforts to improve health & amenities to serve their citizens!
• Influencing policies to support wellness Richland School District, RC Aquatic Center, G.R.A.C.E., FoodWIse & school gardens, Color Run with Sources of Strength
• Talk with other community leaders about how we can influence health for everyone! Use the tool.
Richland FIT Steering Committee members 2019-20:
Cindy Chicker-co-chair (HWLI graduate)
Chelsea Wunnicke-co-chair (HWLI graduate)
Betsy Roesler (HWLI graduate)
Sheri Scott (HWLI graduate)
Mary Nee (HWLI participant)
Marcia Carlson
Amy Hardy
Abbey Ewing (welcome!)
We look forward to seeing you there!!
Choir Parents: We need your help with concessions for Solo and Ensemble for Saturday March 14. This year Ithaca is hosting the contest. Please go to Sign-Up Genius to see what you can do. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0d4eaeab2fa5fb6-concessions
Nothing to do tomorrow night? The Annual Ithaca PTSO's FREE Bingo night will be Friday, March 6 starting at 6 PM in the Commons. All Ithaca friends and family are welcome to this event. We have LOTS of prizes and everyone goes home with a free book! Hope to see you then!
School social workers are a vital part of the district. Students' learning is enhanced with the assistance and attention social workers provide. Happy School Social Workers Week!
Choir students: Remember to pick up your Butter Braid orders today in the commons at the end of the school day.
The Policy meeting scheduled for tonight will be held Thursday, March 4 at 6:00 PM instead.
Congratulations to the Destination Imagination teams who competed on Saturday at Middleton and did a fantastic job representing Ithaca. Placing 5th in Improv were the Scream Testers - Olivia Menne, Ally Plonka, Owen Feryance, and Abby Plonka. Placing 4th in Improv was High Aspirations Low Expectations - Ilana Bloczynski, Tristen Peterson, Trista Pluemer, and Maggie Gschwind. Placing 3rd in Engineering were the Meeses Geeses - Kaylee Peterson, Emma Coy, Kaylee Miller, Alivya Young, and Miranda Franzen. Placing 2nd in Fine Arts and earning a trip to state were the Pickle Pals - Allison Durst and Holly King. Placing 1st in Improv and also earning a trip to state were the 7 Yetis - Kerrick Thompson, Meghan Miller, Sam Jones, Ethan Birkrem, Maylee Pluemer, and Annabeth Sprecher. The Meeses Geeses, Pickle Pals, and 7 Yetis all ranked 1st in their instant challenges as well.
Thank you to everyone who came to the share night at Culvers yesterday! The Junior class appreciates your suppprt!
Congratulations to the Elementary Battle of the Books team as they placed 10th yesterday out of 23 teams at the MVGTN competition in Warrens! Members of the team are Ethan Birkrem, Maylee Pluemer, Peyton Brown, Ashlynn Fowell, and Memphis Burkhalter. I was very proud of your teamwork and you represented Ithaca well!! ~ Mrs. Plonka
Check out the banners in the Commons honoring our Valedictorian, Zach Nelson, and Salutatorian, Bethany Weldon. Thank you to the Ithaca PTSO for purchasing them and to Frank Wastlick for hanging them up.
From organizer, Dana Gochenaur: Due to the high numbers of influenza within the community, we feel it would be in the best interest of the students to cancel Club Scrub for tonight. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you have any questions, please feel free to call.
Come and support the Junior class for their Share night from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. at Culvers tonight.
Ithaca is doing a mental health screening for all freshmen. There is a video explaining the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYp8jM9t7mY&feature=youtu.be
On Sunday the Youth Basketball program had our end of the year youth basketball party! Youth families gathered and we celebrated with food, a program and a fun open gym for the kids!
We would like to thank our basketball booster club for their support and our volunteer coaches for their time and dedication to the program:
Joe Brown, John Young, Darin Steinmetz, Kristin Ihm, Brenda Olson, Janelle Jones, Shelly Maxwell & Monica Kershner.
March 1-7 is National School Social Worker Week. School Social Workers support students, families, and the community in mental health, relationships, and a variety of social/emotional/behavioral areas for personal and academic wellness.
Juniors and International students: Those that have not turned in permission slips, bring them to Ms. Bevan today. Meet in the commons on Tuesday morning at 8:00a.m. with #2 pencils and a calculator to leave for ACT testing. Please make sure to be on time for the bus.
Butter Braid orders will be here on Thursday. Please make arrangements to pick up your order in the commons right after school. If you have a large order, you might need to make arrangements to have someone pick you up that day. Remember that Butter Braids are frozen and will need to stay that way until you deliver them. We DO NOT have enough freezer space here at school to store your orders.
There are still quite a few ACT permission forms missing for our students taking the ACT. Forms are due Monday to Ms. Bevan. Here is a copy for your convenience.
Read Across America Week begins next week on Monday to commemorate Dr. Seuss Week! Share a love of reading with your family and your students' classes. Bring a book to school to read, and rediscover your love for Dr. Seuss' books by reading them at home too.
Serenity Clary will soon share her love of singing at two state wrestling tournaments. She will Be performing the national anthem at the 2020 State Individual Wrestling Tournament tomorrow at the Kohl Center in Madison and at the Youth State Wrestling Match in March, also in Madison, at the Alliant Center. Read more about her in the February 27, 2020, issue of the Richland Observer!
Wash your hands!! According to the CDC, handwashing can help prevent illness. It involves five simple and effective steps (Wet, Lather, Scrub, Rinse, Dry) that you can take to reduce the spread of diarrheal and respiratory illness so you can stay healthy. Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It’s quick, it’s simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs.
Taken from the attached article, "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that best practices for hand washing include not only rinsing the hands with water, but also applying soap and scrubbing the palms, the back of the hands, between the fingers, and under the fingernails.
A person should scrub for at least 20 seconds before rinsing the soap and drying the hands with a clean towel.
However, Prof. Nicolaides notes that of the people who do wash their hands after using the restroom, many never apply soap and spend under 15 seconds on the procedure."
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-hand-washing-really-could-slow-down-an-epidemic?fbclid=IwAR1adoAaENcxF1mcZOC6IeNWrdyUG2VVI-2pvlxC697gdj7MB4cNvslV_4s
Make plans now for dinner at Culvers next Tuesday, March 3rd! The Junior class will be having a share night from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. Come support the Juniors as they raise money for their Prom!
ACT Testing will be on Tuesday, March 3rd for junior and international students. The test will be administered at the UW-Platteville-Richland Campus so we will be leaving Ithaca at 8:00a.m. that morning. Students should turn in permission slips to Ms. Bevan by Monday, March 2nd. Thank you!
The flu (influenza), colds (viral upper respiratory infections) and whooping cough (pertussis) are highly contagious and, in the initial stages, might seem alike. This comparison chart could help you and your healthcare provider determine what course of treatment is needed.
There will be an end of the year pizza party for any Youth Basketball player this Sunday from 12:00-2:00 in the Commons. This does include little Dribblers. Pizza will be served.
The High School Baseball sign-up sheet is now posted next to the office. It is important that you get signed up so coaches can start planning logistics for the season. Thank you!!
Just a reminder: Applications for Early College Credit Program, Start College Now Program, and the College Up Program are due to Ms. Bevan by March 1st.
The Annual Ithaca PTSO's FREE Bingo night will be next Friday, March 6 starting at 6 PM in the Commons. All Ithaca friends and family are welcome to this event. We have LOTS of prizes and everyone goes home with a free book! Hope to see you then!
FFA Week festivities continued yesterday with students and staff sporting their flannel. The excitement continued with milk drinking contests among the high school students.
Around the area Influenza still has a stonghold on our community. To keep the risk for infections as low as possible, check this link to look for suggestions:
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/actions-prevent-flu.htm
Hand-washing, covering your mouth with an arm or sleeve, and keeping your hands away from your face are three vital steps to reducing your risk for infection.
Seniors: Just a reminder: Please be watching your scholarship deadlines. They are all posted on the website. Local packets are due this Friday. Check with Ms. Bevan to see if your 3 rating sheets and/or recommendation letters have been received. If you have any questions, please ask.
https://www.ithaca.k12.wi.us/o/ithaca-school-district/page/scholarship-info--4
State Bound!! Good Luck to Ithaca-Weston wrestlers Sawyer Willis and Monty Jennings at the State Wrestling Tournament on Thursday night! The pep assembly Thursday during ATTACK Time will include sending them off in style.
Attention Middle School Students: Anyone interested in participating in the Modern Woodmen Speech Contest, please talk to Mrs. Plonka for more information. The topic for this year's speech is "What Freedom Means to Me".
All juniors and international students will be taking the ACT Test on Tuesday, March 3rd at the UW Platteville-Richland campus. The bus will leave from Ithaca School at 8:00a.m.,so please be on time. Students should return permission slips to Ms. Bevan by Friday, Feb. 28th.
FFA Week activities began yesterday. Day 1 of FFA week included a spaghetti eating contest. The freshman dominated both rounds!!
There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, February 28. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the Elementary and Middle School DI teams. Middle and High School students: we will come around to the classrooms to sell at Attack time with teacher permission.
There will be Math ACT review this Wednesday evening from 4:30 - 5:30 and Thursday from 3:30 - 4:30.
A reminder that this is FFA Week and our Dress Up Day for Tuesday will be Flannel Day and Wednesday is Camo Day...don't forget there will be Ice Cream on Friday for all high school students participating in the dress up days.
We will be having a short pep assembly on Thursday during ATTACK Time from 9:36am-10:06am . Our winter sports teams and the various club activities will be recognized. We will also be sending Sawyer Willis and Monty Jennings off to the Individual State Wrestling Tournament where they will be competing on Thursday night at the Kohl Center.
The middle school girls basketball teams will be playing their last game of the season tonight! 7th grade at 5:00, with 8th grade to follow. This will also be our parents night recognition! Join us in the old gym and come support your lady bulldogs!
Ithaca Elementary is looking for two (2) long term substitute teachers for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year! The best candidate for this position has a bachelor's degree in education and loves working with kindergarten or first grade students. Official experience and a state teaching license is preferred, but we welcome those with informal experiences as well. Candidates will be beginning the school year and filling one position for ten weeks or another for twelve. We ask that candidates are flexible and willing to work with the everyday changes that a classroom has to offer. It is also important that you are willing to become a part of the Ithaca community and serve the many families throughout the district. Apply online through WECAN at WECAN.education.wisc.edu. Questions may be directed to Ithaca Elementary School Principal Kathleen Schoen at 608/585-2311.
Just a reminder! There will be no school on Friday, Feb. 21st.
Next week, February 24th through the 28th, is National FFA week! Help support the Ithaca FFA chapter and the National FFA organization by partaking in our fun FFA week events and dress up days.
Monday is favorite agriculture implement/truck/car brand dress up day and there will be a spaghetti eating contest at lunch. Thank you in advance to all who participate.
HS Band Students: Please remember that we are setting up your Disney Tickets and Bands tomorrow, Friday, February 21st. Please come at the time that you signed up.
Have some of the best pancakes around on Sunday as the Ithaca Lions host one of their fabulous Pancake Breakfasts to support Kaliey Koleman. Kaliey is the daughter of Ithaca graduate, Holly Harlan. She is currently a 6th grader at River Valley and receiving Leukemia treatments through American Family Childrens Hospital. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog. Support Kaliey and Holly and enjoy a delicious breakfast!
Spring is coming and so is Track season! The signup sheet is on the office window. We especially need as accurate of a count for boys, because we would like to get new uniforms this season. Our first practice is March 9th!
Any students that were absent during scheduling Monday or still needed to get a parent/guardian signature, please turn in your colored scheduling sheet to Ms. Bevan's mailbox in the main office.
The PTSO is still looking for volunteers to help provide the meal for our teachers during parent teacher conferences on Thursday, February 20. Please go to Sign Up genius to bring something! Drop off your item/s anytime before 3:30 PM on Thursday by taking them to the FACE room, the office, or down to room 104. If you bring it in the morning, we can bake it for you or store it at school. Any questions, contact Ms. Sprecher. Thank you!! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094facac2dabfe3-parent
Come shop at the book fair during Parent/Teacher Conferences! While you're in the building, browse the Scholastic Book Fair. Choose from the selection of pre-school through young-adult books. If we reach a minimum sales goal, 25% of our sales comes back to us in Scholastic Bucks!
Congratulations to Ithaca-Weston Wrestler Sawyer Willis! Sawyer set some goals at the beginning of his Senior year of Wrestling.Two were to reach 100 career wins and 50 career pins. He met his career win goal last Saturday on his home wrestling mat at the WIAA Regional tournament. He currently has 61 pins. No better feeling than reaching your goal!
The February PTSO meeting will be held Wednesday, February 19 at 3:45 p.m. in the LMC. Babysitting will be provided . We hope to see you there.
FCA Huddle group will meet this Thursday, 7:00 am in the FACE room. All middle school and high school students are welcome! Come enjoy a big hot breakfast, inspiring devotion and encouraging message. Hope to see you. Bring a friend!
Due to poor road conditions, Ithaca is on a two hour delay. There is no morning 4K. 2/18/2020
The PTSO families are providing the meal for our teachers for parent teacher conferences on Thursday, February 20. Please go to Sign Up genius to sign up to bring something! Drop them off anytime before 3:30 PM on Thursday by taking them to the FACE room, the office, or down to room 104. If you bring it in the morning, we can bake it for you or store it for you at school. Any questions, contact Mrs. Sprecher. Thank you!! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/508094facac2dabfe3-parent
Due to impending weather, Ithaca Public Schools will be dismissing at 1:00pm. There will NOT be any afternoon 4K today.
Choir Students: Remember that tomorrow is the day you turn in your Butter Braid orders and money. See Mrs. Niemeyer or Mrs. Willis if you have questions.
Softball sign-up is up by the office. Please put your name next to the number you want this year.
A reminder that tomorrow, Monday, February 17th, students in grades 8-11 need to have their colored scheduling sheet filled out and signed by a parent/guardian to schedule with teachers. Remember that you may look on your shared drive for the Course Description Guide if you have questions about courses or reach out and ask your teachers. Also, Seniors will not need to report until 10:00a.m. on the 17th.
HS Band Students and Parents, don't forget! The Florida Trip Meeting will be held this Sunday, February 16th, at 2:00 pm.
Ithaca will open two hours late on Friday, February 14, 2020 due to the inclement weather. No AM 4K.
There are many academic opportunities for our students to earn college credits, complete post-secondary certifications, or learn on the job while still in high school! Before you complete your course schedule for the 2020-21 school year, read over this link to see if any of the opportunities can help you reach your career goals! Reach out to Ms. Bevan for any questions or clarification.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mhEQoO29VbXKBskL1TlljWuk3lXc_-wL3E3JkneImnc/edit?usp=sharing
Attention graduating seniors! Check out our website for scholarship information. Review some locally offered scholarships, deadlines for application, and links to free scholarship searches. To get there: Go to the Ithaca School website www.ithaca.k12.wi.us; click on "Explore"; under the High School section, expand the "Counselor's Corner" tab; click on "Scholarship Info". Pay special attention to all requirements for applications and any deadlines. Scholarships are free money that doesn't need to be repaid.
The February PTSO meeting will be held next Wednesday, February 19 at 3:45 p.m. in the LMC. Babysitting will be provided . We hope to see you there.
It's BOOK FAIR TIME! There are so many choices! But is there something that is missing your student is wanting? Can't make it to school during shopping times? Worry the money you're sending isn't going to make it to the book fair? There are solutions! Check out the online book fair. Go to ScholasticBookFairs.com and click "Find a Fair" or type "Ithaca Elementary" in the "Find a Fair" search engine. When you click on Ithaca Elementary, a new window takes you to the Welcome Page of our school's fair. Users will need to create a secure profile, but that's all there is to it! For shopping online during the fair, Scholastic will give Ithaca Schools 25% back! We use those Scholastic Dollars to purchase books, beanbags, bookshelves, or other items for classrooms and the LMC. Come on in or shop online - all our students benefit!
February 10-14 is Bus Driver Appreciation Week!
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction joins with Governor Tony Evers to recognize the important contribution that bus drivers make in support of education in the state. Thousands of dedicated men and women work every day to transport children safely to and from school. They become friends and protectors of their passengers, responsible for students’ safety in sometimes difficult conditions, and their work is respected and appreciated. Transporting students over the millions of miles each school year, school bus drivers provide one of the safest ways to make sure students get to and from school. We would like to say THANK YOU to Owen, Tammy, Bill, Cathlynn, Mike, Troy, and Frank S. for your dedication to our school, community, and most of all, to our kids!
If you're thinking of hitting the road tomorrow night, consider cheering on our Lady Bulldogs as they travel to La Farge to play basketball. During that game, fans will also be supporting a young La Farge student facing leukemia. Feel free to wear orange as well to support Faith!
Game ON! Attention students in grades 3-12: Game Club will meet this week on Thursday, Feb. 13th from after school until 5 PM. Meet in the commons for a snack and then we will go to the Multi Purpose Room. Bring warm clothes if you want to go sled riding!
Students in grades 8-11! Make sure you have your colored scheduling sheet filled out and signed by a parent/guardian this week. You will need to have it here and ready to go on Monday morning, February 17th to schedule with teachers. It would be a good idea to complete it, have it signed and place in your locker so that on Monday morning it will be waiting for you. Remember that you may look on your shared drive for the Course Description Guide if you have questions about courses or reach out and ask your teachers. If you have other questions or are having trouble figuring out how the schedule works, please stop in and see Ms. Bevan this week. Seniors will not need to report until 10:00a.m. on the 17th.
It's that time again to start bringing in your Boxtops, Village Hearth, and Tyson labels! Please have them in by Wednesday, February 19. Elementary can turn in to your teachers. Everyone else can drop off in the bin outside the office. And don't forget the Boxtops app!
Ithaca Public Schools wishes to thank the Richland County Bank for the new scoreboards! Pictured here are Ithaca School Board members and members of Richland County Bank, including the newest 2-week old Bulldog!
Mr. Triphan dispelled rumors that brooms can stand upright only on certain days NASA alleges they will stand. Thanks for revealing the #FakeNews!
Ithaca, along with 30 other schools, participated in the FBLA Region 4 Leadership Conference on Saturday, February 1 in Baraboo. We are proud of how the 18 Ithaca students who participated in the FBLA RLC represented our school and community. We're thrilled to announce that 9 of these students are advancing to the FBLA State Leadership Conference in Madison on March 30 and 31! Students who won their event were Aaron Feryance, Ryan Lee and Audrey Newkirk. Students who earned 2nd place were Ellie Crook, Noelle Crook, Shelby Funk and McKenna Muckler. 3rd place recipients were Zach Nelson and Talena Sprecher. The three students who will be alternates for their events at state are Erin Louis, Alana Nelson and Elise Newkirk. Congratulations to everyone on their hard work.
CONGRATULATIONS to Audrey Newkirk who was elected as the FBLA Vice President of Region 4. Not only are we excited for Audrey's new leadership position, but a requirement of the office is hosting the FBLA Region 4 Leadership Conference at Ithaca next year on February 6. We're looking forward to hosting this event and showing the region our wonderful community.
Thank you also to everyone who supported the students and helped them prepare for the FBLA Regional Leadership Conference!
Congratulations to the FCCLA members who competed at regionals on Friday. Receiving Silvers were Paige Nowicki, Adrianna Longo, Nate Drone, and Jaci Rosenow. Advancing to state competition in April are Talena Sprecher, Briella Hollands, Kaleb Underwood, Brandon Debukler, Dani Hatfield, Katarina Weitzel, McKenzie Weeden, Kyannah Koch, Kyla Pluemer and Hayley Boone. Great job everyone!
Let the Middle School Student Council babysit for you this Friday! Registration has been extended to Thursday.
The PTSO, in conjunction with the MS Student Council, is offering free-will donation babysitting this Friday, February 14 - Valentine's Day from 5:30-8. Just bring your children into the commons and we will take them from there. We are asking for a $5 donation per family. You may pick up your child(ren) by 8 PM in the Multi Purpose room. PTSO adults will supervise and all proceeds go to the Middle School Student Council.
The Scholastic Book Fair is here! Visit the book fair in the LMC from February 11 through February 20th. The book fair will also be open for Parent-Teacher Conferences on February 18th and 20th. Books will be available for elementary, middle and high school students, with some titles selling for as little as $1. Come check out the Book Fair in the LMC.
The Florida meeting has been canceled and will be rescheduled for next Sunday, February 16th, at 2:00 pm. See you then!
HS Band Students and Parents: A reminder that you have a mandatory informational meeting on Sunday at 2:00 pm in the Commons. This meeting will cover all rules and expectations about the Band Trip to Florida. If we receive the snow that is predicted for Sunday, a decision will be made at 11:00 am if the Florida trip meeting needs to be canceled and rescheduled. Please check the Ithaca High School Band Facebook Page or listen to WRCO to see if it is still scheduled at 2:00 pm.
This week is National School Counseling Week! We thank Ms. Bevan and Mrs. Pluemer for all they do to assist our students in so many ways. School counselors are actively engaged in helping students examine their abilities, strengths, interests and talents; for working in a partnership with parents as they encounter the challenges of raising children in today’s world; for focusing on positive ways to enhance students’ academic, postsecondary and social/emotional development; and working with teachers and other educators to provide an educational system where students can realize their potential and set healthy, realistic and optimistic aspirations for themselves. We cannot thank Ms. Bevan and Mrs. Pluemer enough for all they do every day!
There will be no JV boys basketball practice today.
The Ithaca 6th through 12 grade choir students are selling delicious Butter Braids. See a choir student to check out flavors available and place your order. Sales will end on February 18th.
Good luck tomorrow to our Middle School Math Counts team of Aaron Bloczynski, Caleb Birkrem, Alivya Young, Sammy Clary, Danny Feryance, Miranda Franzen, Kaylee Peterson, Xander Sorenson, Holly King, and Allison Durst as they travel to Onalaska tomorrow for the sectional competition.
7th and 8th grade students: Please see Mrs. Willis if you are interested in attending Club Scrub and pick up an application this week.
7th and 8th grade students: Please see Mrs. Willis if you are interested in attending Club Scrub and pick up an application this week.
Remember, Today, Feb. 6th is an Early Release Day for Students.
HS Band Students and Parents: A reminder that you have a mandatory informational meeting on Sunday at 2:00 pm in the Commons. This meeting will cover all rules and expectations about the Band Trip to Florida.
Just a reminder...FCA- Huddle group, will be tomorrow morning (Thursday) 7:00am! Enjoy a Big breakfast, fellowship and an inspiring message from The NFL Today, called ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’! Bring a friend, be encouraged...You’ll be glad you came! See you tomorrow morning!
On Friday, January 31, five 6th graders attended the CESA 3 Improv workshop with Ann Dolan at Lancaster. They learned how to work together, establish the scene, and perform a story with a beginning, middle, and end. These students are also competing in the regional Destination Imagination contest on Feb. 29 in the Improv challenge category.
With great pride, Ithaca Public Schools announces that Zac Nelson has been named the Class of 2020 Valedictorian and Bethany Weldon has been named Salutatorian. Congratulations!
The PTSO, in conjunction with the Middle School Student Council, is offering free-will offering babysitting for Valentine's Day - Friday, Feb. 14, from 5:30-8 PM. Please return the filled out form with donation (if donating) to your child's teacher by Monday, February 10. All proceeds go to fund Middle School Student Council activities.
There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, Feb. 7. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the Kindergarten class. Middle and High School students: we will come around to the classrooms to sell at Attack time with teacher permission.
Congratulations goes out to Talena Sprecher for taking 1st place at last night's Creed Speaking event at the FFA District Speaking contest held in Boscobel. Talena now qualifies to compete in the Sectional Speaking contest in Shullsburg on March 25th.
Richland Junior Bowlers Share Night is from 4 PM - 8 PM on Wednesday, February 5th at Richland Center Culver's. Proceeds will benefit the Junior Bowlers Scholarship Program. Dine In or Drive thru! Come & support several of the bowlers from the Ithaca school & their scholarship program.
This Thursday Feb 6th, FCA Huddle group will meet. 😃 7:00 am in the FACE room. You won’t want to miss this one! Our message is from The NFL Today and is called ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’- come be encouraged and inspired on hearing some amazing testimonies from NFL players. Hope to see you!! Invite some friends! All middle school and high school students are welcome! Breakfast will be served!! 🍳 🥞 🥛 🍩
Come support the Middle School wrestlers tonight in their only home meet. Wrestling starts at 5:30.
BINGO!! Don't forget the PTSO will be hosting a FREE Family Bingo Book Exchange Night on Friday, January 31 in the Multi-purpose room from 6 PM - 7:30 PM for all Ithaca families and friends. Books for all ages will be given away as prizes at this Bingo night. If you have some books you'd like to see go to a new home, bring them! If you don't have extra books, don't worry because we've got lots!
Please mark your calendars boys basketball players and families! Parent's night for will be on February 3rd vs North Crawford. Youth Night will be February 13 vs. Kickapoo. Senior Night will be held on February 27th vs. La Farge. Please spread the word and GO Bulldogs!
Congratulations to Aaron and Ilana Bloczynski who did a fantastic job representing Ithaca at the West Sectional Spelling Bee at Weston on January 29. Ilana placed 4th in the competition and Aaron placed 2nd out of 14 students from Weston, Wauzeka, Seneca, North Crawford, Bluff View Prairie du Chien and Prairie Catholic. We are proud of you!
Great job to the 7 students who represented Ithaca at the Middle School Science Quiz Bowl competition at UW Madison this past Saturday. 21 teams from around Wisconsin participated in the contest. Competing on Ithaca team 1 were Aaron Bloczynski, Micah Salisbury, and Caleb Birkrem. Team 2 members were Ilana Bloczynski, Trista Pluemer, Maggie Gschwind, and Allison Durst.
Reminder: Middle School Student Council will be running their annual Valentine Gram Fundraiser through Jan. 31st. Order forms are located outside room 204 or in the office. All completed orders and payments must be turned in by THIS Friday, Jan. 31st. to Mrs. Hilby via mailbox, in person, or on her desk. Valentine Grams will be delivered on February 14. Middle School Student Council greatly appreciates your support.
Seniors if you haven't submitted pictures for the yearbook you need to do so ASAP!
Today marks the 34th anniversary of the Challenger Shuttle explosion that took the lives of seven crew members including teacher Christa McAuliffe.
Pardon me for a personal reflection. As a 4th grader and like so many students across the nation, we had been prepped by our teachers for this moment. We studied the aeronautics program, reviewed the lessons Mrs. McAuliffe would be conducting from space, talked about the training she endured to become a civilian and female astronaut! Her selection made it seem that anyone of us young people could choose and do anything.
As other classes joined us in our classroom, we huddled close to the roll-cart TV. We joined Mission Control in the countdown... BLAST OFF! The cheers were loud and excited!
And then 73 seconds later it all changed.
Our youth today have become desensitized now to horrendous video, but we had never seen something like that. It was very awful to watch and experience as a young person. Now, I can admire the way our teachers gathered their emotions and talked to us, reassured us, and were honest with us.
It is often said that heroes walk among us. How very true. Christa McAuliffe has become an example of that for my generation. She provided us with a public example of the lengths that educators of any type go through to inspire learning and find connections to ALL of their students. Figuratively and at times literally, educators give their lives to young people.
In honor of Christa McAuliffe, remember the dedication of one or more of your "teachers". And teachers come in many forms! If you have the opportunity to do so, thank them.
Thank you, Mrs. McAuliffe.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-challenger-disaster-mcauliffes-students-have-gone-2016jan27-story.html
The sledding hill was kind of a byproduct of outside landscaping leftovers, and yet a wonderful one! The hill is an exciting focal spot whenever it's open. Yesterday, the older elementary students were caught with big smiles and laughs enjoying the sledding hill.
Congratulations are in order for Ithaca High School and Middle School students who earned placement to the 2nd Quarter Honor Roll. Hard work, well done!
This past Saturday there were 19 middle school and high school students that participated in Honors Choir at Mineral Point. They spent the day working on difficult music with other excellent musicians throughout our music conference. Mrs. Niemeyer is very proud of their representation of Ithaca, especially because of their positive attitude, respect, and beautiful singing!
There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, January 31. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the Elementary and Middle School Destination Imagination teams. Middle and High School students: we will come around to the classrooms to sell at Attack time with teacher permission.
The PTSO will be hosting a FREE Family Bingo Book Exchange Night on Friday, January 31 in the Multi-purpose room from 6 PM - 7:30 PM. Books will be given away as prizes at this Bingo night. If you have some books you'd like to see go to a new home, bring them! If you don't have extra books, don't worry because we've got lots! (The BIG Family Bingo night with lots of prizes will be March 6 - more information on that event coming later.) Any questions, contact Jill Plonka at 986-2921 or japlonka@hotmail.com.
Reminder to Middle School Science Quiz Bowl participants: The bus for Madison will leave from school at 6:30 AM tomorrow, Saturday, morning.
Reminder to honors choir participants:
The bus leaves from the elementary entrance at 7:30 am tomorrow. Bring music and money for concessions. Dress comfortably, but bring dress clothes for the concert at 4:30 pm. Students can be picked up from Mineral Point provided they give me a note. The bus should return by 7 pm.
The Ithaca vs North Crawford boys basketball game tonight (at Ithaca) has been canceled.
Due to inclement weather, Ithaca School District will not have school today, January 24, 2020
Today is January 24, 2020. Ithaca has a two hour delay. There is no morning 4K.
So much talent in Ithaca Students! Some of Peg Durkin's art students have work on display at the CESA 3 office. View other works of art in the Commons as you attend events or visit.
Our Throwback Thursday picture takes us to the 1998 Ithaconian, as we celebrate National Honor Society. Look at all of those young faces!
Due to our delay and local road conditions, Ithaca students will NOT be traveling to Mineral Point today for Honors Choir rehearsals. There WILL, however, be sectional rehearsals with Mrs. Niemeyer at times throughout the day.
Today is Thursday, January 23, 2020. Ithaca School District has a 2 hour delay. There is no AM 4K
Today is Thursday, January 23, 2020. Ithaca Schools have a 2 hour delay
Congrats to Mr. Jeff Behrens and the Richland High School Band on their performance today at the State School Board Convention!
There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, January 24. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the Elementary and Middle School Destination Imagination teams. Middle and High School students: we will come around to the classrooms to sell at Attack time with teacher permission.
Winter Wonderland, this year's Snoball dance, will be held at the Ithaca commons on Saturday Feb. 1st from 8p to 11p. If you are bringing a guest that is not an Ithaca student, they must be signed up by Friday January 31.
The Middle School Student Council will be holding their annual Valentine Gram Fundraiser again this year. Orders will be taken from January 27-31. All orders and money must be turned in to Mrs. Hilby by 3:25 p.m. on January 31. Completed orders should be turned in to Mrs. Hilby via mailbox, her personally, or on her desk.
There are new grams offered this year! Please note one change that is not listed on the flyers/order forms: The puppy gram is available while supplies last on a first-come-first-served basis. We do have a green frog as a backup in case we run out of puppies. If you would specifically like a frog instead please list that on your order from.
Thank you for your support with this fundraiser.
Game Club will be held this Thursday, January 23 from after school until 5 PM. All students in grades 3-12 are welcome to attend. We will meet in the commons for a snack and then go to the Multi-purpose room for games. Hope to see you all then! Mrs. Parduhn and Mrs. Plonka
If you are a certified nurse, and you are interested in working at Ithaca 1-2 days a month, please fill out our application on the website under "Explore" and then "Employment". Turn completed application forms in to the office or district office.
Ninth grader Erica Steinmetz and seventh grader Allison Durst entered the Teaching Today WI Dream Careers essay contest last November. Authors wrote an essay on their dream career. Allison was one of the 6 middle school winners and will receive a $100 cash prize and Erica received an honorable mention and will receive a $75 cash prize. Congratulations ladies on your excellent essays!
Winning essays will be featured in upcoming issues of Teaching Today - Wisconsin. View the full article with a complete list of winners here http://www.teachingtodaywi.com/mobile/index.html.
Last Tuesday the 4th and 5th grade Math 24 teams traveled to Southwest Tech for the CESA 3 competition. There were 102 students from 17 schools participating in the contest. Placings and points are as follows:
In 4th grade Alyssa Olson placed 9th with 122 points, Memphis Burkhalter placed 13th with 111 points, and Peyton Brown placed 31st with 67 points. In 5th grade Ethan Birkrem just missed a ribbon placing 4th with 105 points, Aubri Imhoff placed 19th with 51 points, and Maylee Pluemer placed 22nd with 44 points. Congratulations we are all very proud of you – you did an outstanding job representing Ithaca!
The High School Science Quiz Bowl trip to Milwaukee tomorrow (Saturday Jan 18) has been cancelled.
This message from Ithaca Boys Basketball: No practice today due to the anticipated road conditions. See you on Monday!
The Ithaca at Lafarge girls basketball game for tonight has been postponed due to impending weather.
The Grow Rural Education program allows eligible farmers to nominate their local public school district for grants to help enhance STEM education. Nominations are now open through April 1st. Once nominated, school districts submit applications to compete for $15,000 grant to help fund projects that enhance their STEM curriculum.
Here is a link to fill out a nomination: https://www.americasfarmers.com/grow-rural-education/
Eligible farmers and schools are defined at this link: https://www.americasfarmers.com/grow-rural-education/program-rules/
A story is circulating about a 104 year-old WWII Veteran that is asking for Valentine's cards to be mailed to him for Valentine's Day. To honor him for everything he has done for our country and to make his day, the Middle School Student Council is going to be collecting Valentine's Cards and sending to him. If your class or anyone in general is interested in making cards for him please let Mrs. Hilby or a Middle School Student Council member know. They will be collecting them from now until January 31, and then mailing them out.
Ithaca Students have art hanging at CESA 3 in Fennimore. Look for it when you are there!
Reminder that we are tree nut/peanut sensitive which means you make every attempt to NOT have any tree nuts/peanuts in food you bring into the school. This is literally a life-threatening situation.
Attention NHS members: Don't forget we have concessions on Thursday night for the boy’s basketball game. Please be here.
HS Band Students: A reminder that you have pep band on Thursday night. Please be here by 6:45 pm.
Just a reminder... The FCA and GIG will be having a movie night...tonight! All middle school and high school students are welcome to attend Willow Valley Church...Supper will be served at 5:30 - followed by the showing: ‘Overcomer’ - an inspiring movie for all!
Popcorn will be provided. Bring a friend!
Snowshoeing for 5th graders was postponed for today, but the weather didn't keep Mr. Mani from encouraging winter outdoor fun! This Snowbody was created during recess today thanks to the help of a lot of creativity and hard work of our older elementary students.
The Ithaca school spelling bee was held in the gym last week with 31 students in grades 4-8 participating. Our 3rd place speller is Maggie Gschwind, 2nd place is Ilana Bloczynski and after 38 rounds, our Ithaca Spelling Bee champion 2020 is Aaron Bloczynski who won with the word ’successor’. Aaron and Ilana will represent Ithaca at the West Sectional Bee at Weston on January 29 and Maggie will serve as alternate. Congratulations to everyone, I am very proud of each and every one of you! Mrs. Plonka
For ease of use, our Facility Use Form is now located on the web and app! Look under "Explore" and click on the "Community Related" tab under "Printable Forms". Clicking on "Facility Use Form" will open the form needed to make reservations. This form must be submitted at least five days prior to the date of use.
Families without internet at home. If you qualify to receive assistance for this program, information may be found at https://www.wisconsinruralhousing.org/about-3. This program helps households obtain internet for those that meet these qualifications: Must have 1 child in middle or high school; Must have a device that is internet accessible; Must be under 80% County Median Income; Your home must be able to receive internet. Applications are on the web, or print from this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7iybYZWzv6nbjNMYjlRNDRsQmk1NlFyT2hmN2Vmc01HNVFV/view?usp=sharing
The FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) and GIG are teaming up to host a movie night!! 🎥
Wednesday, January 15 @ Willow Valley Church. Supper will be provided & will be served from 5:30-6:15- following supper will be the showing of: ‘Overcomer’- an inspiring movie about an encouraging coach and cross country athlete finding her identity and purpose.
ALL middle school and high school students are welcome! Bring a friend!
Popcorn will be provided!
Hope to see you!!
The careers class applied the life skills and job skills they have been learning about and practicing during the Mock Interviews yesterday. Sophomores prepared a cover letter, resume and references for an entry level job they would like to apply for. Community business people donated their time and talent to interview the students and give them feedback on their interview as well as their cover letter and resumes. Although the students were nervous, they all agreed that the interview wasn't as bad as they thought it would be. The careers class teaches interviewing skills to every high school student as well as help them set goals for being career and college ready. A big thanks to the following for donating their time to invest in the future of our students: Julie Doudna, Dana Francois, DeAnna Jelinek, Pam Kaufmann, Chuck Keller, Monica Kershner, Laura Melby, Brian Moore, Marty Richards, Dave Schoen, and Ashley Touissant.
The January PTSO meeting will be held next Wednesday, January 15 at 3:45 in the LMC. Babysitting will be provided. We hope to see you there!
4K-2nd grade youth wrestling sign up is tonight, January 9th at 6pm in the multipurpose room. There will be a wrestling booster club meeting immediately following for anyone interested.
There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, January 10. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the 5th grade class. Middle and High School students: we will come around to the classrooms to sell at Attack time with teacher permission.
Watch the Bee! The Ithaca School Spelling Bee will be held Thursday, January 9 starting at 8:30 in the Gym. Everyone is welcome to come and watch 30 of our best spellers in grades 4-8 compete to represent Ithaca at the West Sectional spelling competition later this month.
All parents and guardians are asked to complete this survey as part of a mental health program Ithaca Public Schools is part of in conjunction with Richland Center schools. Please follow the instructions according to the school your children attend. Thank you for all your help!
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehkdygnWFFXh0MvYQ3zEvCQ5F272waCUL4IvU7rFuId6ydLw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
Are you concerned about bullying for your or someone else's child? Check out this link for helpful information about what to look for, what to say and do, and more!
https://www.stopbullying.gov/
Art Club Meeting tonight is cancelled and rescheduled for after school this Thursday.
Seniors: Please stop in the office and print your full name as you wish it to appear on your diploma. It won't be long now! Thank you.
Middle School Student Council is working to help wildlife. Save your mascara wands and old bra clasps! Clean old mascara wands with soap and water, place them in a zip bag and bring them in. Wildlife refuges use mascara wands to clean animals from oil, larvae, fly eggs, mites, infections, mud, and other contaminants. Cut off clasps from old bras to be used by refuges to repair damaged turtle shells. Bring all items to Mrs. Hilby! Thank you for helping us help animals!
On Friday and Saturday, 21 MS and HS Band students participated in the Conference Honors Band Festival held at Riverdale HS. Students from 10 schools participated. The students had an outstanding concert on Saturday night. Thank you, students, for your dedication and work ethic! You did a great job in representing Ithaca. The following students participated: Calix Wheaton, Montanna Scott, Paige Nowicki, Benji Clary, Rylee Jacobson, Nick King, Emma Schoen, Jaci Rosenow, Tristen Peterson, Allison Durst, Holly King, Kaylee Peterson, Alivya Young, Josie Laue, Brianna Alt, Sam Clary, Kaylee Miller, Bailey Wanless, Trista Pluemer, Micah Salisbury, Xander Sorenson.
Join the Ithaca Lions in supporting an Ithaca family. This pancake breakfast will assist the Weitzel family as Tara is undergoing her treatments and recovery.
https://www.facebook.com/events/815294548896822/
The Ithaca School Spelling Bee will be held Thursday, January 9 starting at 8:30 in the Gym. Everyone is welcome to come and watch 30 of our best spellers in grades 4-8 compete to represent Ithaca at the West Sectional spelling competition later this month.
The final winners in the Ithaca Band Parents Calendar Raffle were: Brandon Johnson - $50, Shannan Amacher - $75, Taylor Sanderfoot - $75, Amy Fry - $150, Jeni Meyer - $175, and Kreg Perkins - $250. Thank you to everyone who supported this fundraiser!
The 38th Annual Bi-State Wrestling Tournament brought over 700 wrestlers and almost 70 teams from Minnesota and Wisconsin to the LaCrosse Center. Ithaca-Weston wrestlers saw tough competition and performed quite well according to Coach Clary. Congratulations to Sawyer Willis and Monty Jennings on their 10th and 11th place finishes, respectively. All the wrestlers have plenty to be proud of Ithaca-Weston placed 10th in the Division 3 standings with 68 points. Many wrestlers scored team points and all wrestled competitively. Next up, I-W travels to the Sauk Prairie Tournament on Saturday, Jan. 4th. (Photos courtesy of Lisa Clary)
Middle school girls basketball practice is cancelled today (Monday, December 30) due to impending weather moving in this afternoon.
We will reschedule for in the community (old) gym tomorrow from 10am until 12pm for anyone that can make it.
Monday Dec 30, 2019: Due to current slippery conditions and impending weather later today, ALL HS boys basketball practices today are cancelled.
Sometimes we get caught red-handed. Sometimes principals get caught "read" handed... What started as a small reading group, grew into a large reading group with Mrs. Schoen.
Congratulations to Brooklyn Granger who has very successfully completed her first college semester at Southwest Tech! As part of CollEDGE Up, Brooklyn is enrolled in the 11-12-14 Nursing Program. More information on CollEDGE Up may be found at https://www.swtc.edu/academics/colledge-up. Again, Congratulations, Brooklyn!
All classes at Ithaca were in the giving spirit this season! The High School Student Council and National Honor Society held a food drive for Passages. Thanks to the generosity of all, 1733.3 pounds of donations were collected! Wow!
Mrs. Zorea presented recently as a guest at the 772: Library Services to Children and Young Adults at UW-Madison's graduate school. She and five other colleagues who serve youth in libraries provided practical information about what the aspiring librarians in the course can expect when they enter youth library work. Her background in both public library and school library youth services, made her an excellent resource to answer questions from both areas. Mrs. Zorea states that our state has a great new group of upcoming professionals!
Didn't catch the Elementary Music Program? Well, don't fret! View it here:
https://youtu.be/eptF6pX4k5Q
As you cheer on the Lady Bulldogs tonight at home against Wauzeka-Steuben, stop by to buy some walking tacos and baked goods as well as other concessions from the Middle School Student Council.
Cheer on the Ithaca-Weston wrestlers! Good Luck at Brookwood tonight and tomorrow at Richland Center.
There is a middle school wrestling meet on Jan. 6th at Royall which was just added to the schedule. So we will have to start practice on Jan 2nd the day we come back from break.
Thursday's winner of $100 in the Ithaca Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Jesse Hash of Richland Center, with ticket #379.
Middle and High School track and field families! The Ithaca Track Club is working concessions at the January 3rd boys basketball game. Workers are needed. We need at least 6 workers. If you aren’t able to work but would like to contribute, we are hoping to sell sandwiches and some other food items other than the usual. Please contact Jeanna Lorenz or Juli Thompson to sign up.
Art Club: We will meet after school Friday, tomorrow until 5pm. All high school students are welcome at any time!
Need a Christmas gift idea for that hard-to-buy-for person on your list? You're in luck! The PTSO will be selling Rural Route 1 popcorn and spirit items at the boy’s basketball game tonight.
Wednesday's winner of $50 in the Ithaca Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Sabrina Mueller of Richland Center, with ticket #605.
Don't forget the Elementary Music Program is tomorrow! Watch the student production in the Community gym beginning at 1:30.
Congratulations to all Ithaca Bands and Mrs. Behrens on a job well-done at last night's concert. The 5th grade band made their musical debut as did the High School Jazz Band. The hard work of all the students was apparent in the exceptional performances!
There will be a Baseball Booster Meeting Thursday 6:00 pm in the commons. Any parent of a high school baseball player who is interested in helping support Ithaca Baseball is welcome to attend.
As we roll into the Holiday Break, families, please take a moment or two to grab up any lost items in the lost and found and all gear in your students' cubbies. The break is a time for our custodial staff to make a clean "sweep" of the hallways and classrooms. You give them a great Christmas gift by limiting the clutter they need to work around. Thanks to all our custodial staff for all they do to keep our buildings and grounds safe and neat for all our Bulldogs and staff!
Choir Students: Please remember to turn in your money for the fruit sale to Mrs. Niemeyer or Mrs. Willis by the end of this week.
Tuesday's winner of $50 in the Ithaca Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Cody Mitchell of Dodgeville, with ticket # 387.
Just a reminder: FCA Huddle group Christmas party, tomorrow morning! 7:00- FACE room. Breakfast, devotion, fellowship and white elephant gift exchange! Come join us! Merry Christmas!
Middle school wrestling will start January 6th after winter break. Practice will run 3:45-5:30. Have a great winter break. Coach Anderson.
The Winter Band Concert will be held tonight at 7:00 pm. Band students in grades 5 - 12 will be featured.
Monday's winner of $75 in the Ithaca Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Geralyn and Steve Kohlstadt of Richland Center, with ticket #269.
Don't forget the food drive for Passages is still ongoing until Friday! See the list for needed items.
The top three grades as of Monday are:
1. Fifth grade - 336 pounds
2. Fourth grade - 178.4 pounds
3. 4K - 44.3 pounds
Our donations have helped Passages families for nearly a whole year! Keep the giving spirit going!
FCA Christmas party huddle morning- 7:00 am Thursday Dec 19! Join us for a Christmas breakfast, devotion, fellowship & our annual white elephant gift exchange. See flyers in the hall or check out our Facebook page for more details! Hope you’ll join us!
Evelyn Kolman, a 1942 Ithaca graduate, celebrated her 95th birthday on December 15th. Evelyn has been supporting Ithaca students for over 20 years by donating school supplies yearly. As a small token of appreciation, the students created and signed cards to wish Evelyn a Happy 95th Birthday.
Evelyn, along with her family, would like to sincerely thank the students and staff for taking the time to help make her birthday so special.
Just a friendly reminder: 7th & 8th grade girls basketball practice will start after school, 3:45-5:30. Following practice, there will be a brief student athlete/parent meeting. Thank you!!
The weekend winners in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle were: Eugene Miller - $50, Amber Hilby - $75. and Kristi Durst - $50.
Last night these high school band students gave of their own time and volunteered to go Christmas caroling around the Ithaca community. We had a great time and the community members really enjoyed hearing them! Thank you students for using your musical talents and bringing Christmas joy to the community!
Check out the upcoming Community Education courses offered on both the Richland and Platteville campuses. Registration is OPEN!
https://campus.uwplatt.edu/continuing/enrichment
Watch our band students perform next week! The Winter Band Concert will be held on Tuesday, December 17th, at 7:00 pm. Band students in grades 5 - 12 will be featured.
Next week is the 5 days of Christmas for the whole school. Show your Christmas spirit on Monday with Pajama Day. Dress code still applies, but let's make it fun!
High School Band students: Your final Florida trip payment is due on Monday, December 16. All money has to be turned in at that time.
As you probably know, many residents at PV have little money to spend and/or few relatives to assist them with purchasing those little things that make everyday living a little nicer.
This is the 15th year that Ithaca School District has collected items for Pine Valley Community Village. Each year, your generous gifts benefit people in our own area. Often these people are past neighbors, old family friends, a relative, or someone we may know who has met with an unfortunate event/ illness that require their life to be supported in an atmosphere where constant and safe care is provided.
As members of the Ithaca School Family, we feel it is important for children to learn to reach out to and aid others who are different or less fortunate than we are. We not only strive to educate your child to the best of our abilities, but we also endeavor to do our part, in developing them into the best human beings possible. We feel the “wish list” project is well worth undertaking yearly and that it demonstrates true kindness and generosity.
You may send gifts at anytime. We will keep them here at school until we make our Christmas visit to Pine Valley the week of December 16th.
At this time, we extend to you, a sincere and heartfelt thank you for any contributions that can be made on your family’s behalf.
Again, thank you!
The Ithaca School Staff
Thursday's winner of $100 in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Monica Kershner of Lone Rock, with ticket #617.
The middle school girls basketball season will begin next week! Any interested girls in 7th and 8th grade, are asked to please sign up! There is a sign up sheet in the commons. We will begin practice on Monday December 16 (3:45-5:30) Following practice we will have a brief student athlete/parent meeting (held in the old gym).
Little Dribblers basketball practice, grades K thru 2nd, will be in the multipurpose room this Saturday from 10:15-11:00am.
St Mary's-Keyesville and St. Kilian's-Bear Valley are going to both be participating in Wreaths Across America this coming Saturday, December 14th at 11:00 AM. Wreaths Across America is a program where veterans, deceased and living, are remembered and honored for their service. It is also an opportunity to teach youth to value freedom. VFW Post 2267 of Richland Center will be assisting at St. Mary's-Keyesville. The Lone Rock American Legion will be assisting at St. Kilian's-Bear Valley. All are welcome to attend. These are the only two cemeteries in Richland County which are having Wreaths Across America ceremonies this Saturday. These cemeteries will be joining over 1600 other cemeteries to honor our veterans. All programs in the United States start precisely at 11am (12 Noon Eastern Standard Time). Food and fellowship to follow in St. Mary's parish hall and St. Kilian's basement.
More information on the Wreaths Across America organization and it's history may be found at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/our-story.
Here are the preliminary numbers for the food drive:
High school - none =(
8th - none
7th - 13 pounds
6th - 7
5th - 46.5
4th - 52.5
3rd - 19.5
2nd - 14
1st - 6.5
kindergarten - 3.5
4K - 23
This is a great start! Keep the donations coming!
Check out this event! After School Robotics sessions are being hosted by UW-Platteville Richland Continuing Education Institute. Session A: Wednesdays, Feb 5–March 4 6–7:30pm; Session B: Wednesdays, March 25–April 22 6–7:30pm. Build your LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robot. Robots will be built with interchangeable parts and are fully programmable to kick a ball, move in a circle, and listen to your commands. Innovation and creativity are required. You will work individually and in teams to build robots of your own design. Best for students entering grades 2–6. Session A and B are both five-weeks and cover the same material. *ALL PARENTS MUST FILL OUT HEALTH AND CONSENT FORMS AT REGISTRATION* https://www.facebook.com/events/3361378740643524/
Wednesday's winner of $50 in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Jorge Solorzano of Fennimore, with ticket #629.
Choir Students who sold fruit: Remember to pick up your fruit the Saturday from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. at Oakwood Fruit Farm. If you cannot be there, make arrangements for someone else to pick it up for you. Oakwood is closed for the season so this will be the only time you will be able to get your fruit.
All of the gifts and gift cards for the NHS Host a Family are due in Mrs. Wontor’s room, Room 310, by 3:30 tomorrow. They will be delivered to the family this weekend. Thank you for your support!
Our Throwback Thursday pic takes us to the 1980 yearbook as we celebrate boys JV basketball. What a memory!
Tuesday's winner of $50 in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Adam Kepler of Richland Center, with ticket #625.
If you ordered a wreath from the Ithaca Wrestling Club it will be available to pick-up today. Pick-up is from 3-6 p.m. at the bus barn. Thank you for your support of Ithaca Wrestling.
Start planning your wardrobe for next week! As we look forward to the Holiday Break, students will enjoy dressing up differently each day. We hope you'll all participate in the fun! The Five Days of Christmas are:
Monday - Pajama Day
Tuesday - Ugly Holiday/Christmas Sweater Day
Wednesday - Holiday Hat or Favorite Holiday Character Day
Thursday - Christmas Colors/Pattern Day
Friday - Flannel Day
Congratulations to the Choirs on a wonderful concert last night! Mrs. Niemeyer is very proud!
Monday's winner of $75 in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Amanda Fowell of Richland Center, with ticket #99.
There will be a football booster club meeting at 6:00 pm tonight in the commons.
The PTSO Winter apparel order is in! Please plan to pick your order up in the commons this Thursday, December 12 after school until 5 P.M. If you cannot pick up at this time please contact Karia Brown at joekariabrown@gmail.com.
Members of the High School Band will be Christmas Caroling on December 15, 5:00 - 7:30 pm, in the Ithaca, Keyesville, and Sextonville areas. If you know of any community member who would enjoy us stopping to play for them, please let Mrs. Behrens know.
Farmers in our community are facing extraordinary challenges. The Richland County Extension Office is coordinating "Stronger Together", a series of sessions addressing current challenges in the farming community. Sessions are free and a lunch is provided.
The first session is tomorrow, December 10th. Contact Chelsea Wunnicke, Family Living Educator for information or to register at 608.647.6148 or email chelsea.wunnicke@wisc.edu
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/dairy/events/stronger-together/
Middle Schoolers are invited to attend the Winter Luau Dance Party on December 13, 2019 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. in the Ithaca Community Gym (“Old Gym”). Admission is $5, and new at this dance: Competitions ~ Hula Hoopin’, Musical Chairs, and Limbo! Winners get a Prize. Snacks and beverages provided.
The annual food drive put on by Student Council and the NHS starts December 9 and goes through December 20. Have your children bring their donations to their classroom and student council members will collect items during the week. The coordinator from Passages stated that our donations help them out for almost a year!
This year we are making the food drive competition a school wide event. The top three classes throughout the elementary, middle, and high school who collect the most pounds of food will get a pizza party during lunch. Along with these changes, water will not be accepted as a donation. Thank you for your support and donations to the less fortunate people in our community!
Here is a list of common needs at Passages:
~Soups,
~Tuna
~Spaghetti Sauce & Noodles
~Canned Ravioli & Other Pasta
~Egg Noodles
~Salt & Pepper
~Mac & Cheese
~Cake & Brownie Mixes
~Baked Beans, Black Beans, Refried Beans
~Taco Shells & Flour Tortillas
~Hamburger & Tuna Helper
~Ketchup, Mustard, Mayonnaise
~Instant Potatoes
~Rice, Spanish Rice, etc.
~Peanut Butter
~Jelly & Jams
~Sugar, Brown Sugar, Powder Sugar, Flour
~Ramen Noodles
~Canned Vegetables
~Canned Fruits, Fruit Cups
~Applesauce
~Cereal
The weekend winners in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle were: Susan Meyer - $50, Eric Hoffman - $75. and Braeden Freestone - $50.
Just a friendly reminder that we are now taking appointments for our Developmental/4K Screening in January. If your child will be 3-years-old or 4-years-old on or before September 1, please call the school office at (608) 585-2311 to reserve your spot!
Our music departments are in the holiday spirit! Upcoming events are:
Winter Choir Concert (Middle and High School) in the High School gym tonight, December 9th at 7pm.
The High School Band is Christmas Caroling on Sunday, December 15th.
Winter Band Concert is Tuesday, December 17th at 7pm in the High School gym.
Elementary Winter Program in the Community Gym on Thursday, December 19th at 1:30pm.
Are you aware of the Pioneer Pledge Program?
The Pioneer Pledge program will cover the cost of tuition and fees (not including room and board) for all new freshmen who are Pell eligible.
Requirements:
• Be a new freshman admitted to UW-Platteville (branch campuses are not eligible) by May 1
• Submit a FAFSA and be Pell eligible
• Be a resident of Wisconsin for tuition purposes
• Enroll as a full-time student in the Fall 2020
General renewal criteria will include: remain in good academic standing, successfully complete 30 credits per academic year, and remain Pell eligible. Students who meet the renewal criteria will remain eligible for the program for up to eight consecutive semesters.
Looking for a gift for that “hard to buy for” person?
Consider purchasing a personalized brick from That’s My Brick. Bricks are once again being sold to help fund the student patio, to add features to the playground, and to beautify the school grounds.
Anyone can purchase a brick, for just about any reason: Class spirit, graduation, memorials, groups, clubs, advertisement, family pride/heritage...
Orders can be placed at https://www.thatsmybrick.com/ithacawi. Order deadline date is Dec 20, 2019.
Questions? Contact Jenna Wipperfurth at Ithaca Schools 585-2311 or jenna.wipperfurth@ithaca.k12.wi.us
There will be a football booster club meeting at 6:00 on Tuesday December 10 in the commons.
Softball girls, please come and see Mrs. Boland about the Softball Camp.
Thursday's winner of $100 in the Ithaca Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Dale Tydrich of Cazenovia with ticket #319.
TONIGHT! From 4:00-7:30 pm, let the Horse Club make supper for you--tacos!! Walking tacos, taco salad or soft shell tacos--$5. Proceeds for scholarships and entry fees. Plan to attend!!
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In light of recent events at various high schools in Wisconsin where law enforcement personnel were called upon to intervene in situations for the safety and well-being of students and staff, we are reminding all families that the Ithaca School District and Richland County Sheriff’s Department have a strong partnership in place. We are grateful for the in-school support we receive from the officers that work closely with our schools and for the open lines of communication that exist between us and both the sheriffs’ and police departments.
Today, December 5, 2019, Ithaca had an unplanned lockdown for the entire district. There was an altercation with a student at lunch, and we needed to clear all the students from the halls so that the officers could do their work. As soon as we felt the students were safe, we released the lockdown to resume normal activities. I am proud to state our county sheriff’s department not only assisted but came back to make sure we were all OK.
In the Ithaca School District’s mission, it states that we will “ensure the highest levels of learning in a positive, safe, community-rich environment.” Our administrators work with city and county authorities on emergency safety training and simulations, and all of our employees annually review safety procedures and practice drills. Unfortunately, with the recent news from other Wisconsin districts, we are reminded that we must continually remain vigilant.
The Ithaca School District maintains a variety of active security measures at all times, including locked exterior doors, mandatory check-in procedures at school entrances, video surveillance, and the shot detector alarm. In recent years, we have invested grant funds to enhance security at school building entrances, numbering doors and windows, installing new security cameras, installing equipment to improve communication within our buildings, and more.
A comprehensive emergency response plan guides our response to emergency situations at the district and school levels. Staff are trained to implement emergency procedures and participate in practice drills throughout the year. Students receive training as well, including participation fire drills, severe weather drills, and lockdown drills during the year.
The Richland County Sheriff, Richland Emergency management, and Richland Police Department personnel regularly participate in the review of our security and emergency procedures. Additionally, there is a county safety team consisting of members of all area schools, EMT, fire, and emergency management. We know in an emergency, we will have the assistance of the entire county.
Of course, we cannot do the work of keeping everyone safe alone. We need students, parents, and community support. We encourage parents to speak with their students to emphasize the role that they have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to school safety made by students or community members, etc.), and communicating any personal safety concerns to school administrators or other trusted adults. Ithaca Schools uses the Safe Schools Alert as an Online Tip Reporting System. This is linked in our Ithaca App, on the webpage, and there are posted links in the building.
We recognize that recent events have raised concerns and we want to assure you that we have taken steps and continue to implement measures to ensure the safety of students and staff. Please contact your school principal or your child's school counselor if you have any questions or would like additional information.
Sincerely,
Julie R. Prouty
Ithaca School District Superintendent
The PTSO Gingerbread House Family Fun Night is back! Join us on Friday, December 6 in the Commons starting at 5 PM to build a gingerbread house! Frosting, graham crackers and milk cartons will be provided; all you have to bring is a base like cardboard or a cookie sheet, candy decorations, and your imagination! Free hot cocoa will be served as well. First, second, and third place houses will receive prizes! Hope to see you then!
The 7th grade Life Science class has been studying plant and animal cells. As a final assessment they build models of cells to show the types of organelles in cells.
Wednesday's winner of $50 in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Kim Auz of Richland Center, with ticket #370.
Basketball Open Gym for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade girls. Old Gym, this Sunday, December 8th from 6-7:30 pm. Come and work on your shooting. Pass the word!
Our Throwback Thursday takes us back to the days of typewriters and when cut and paste meant scissors and glue. This is the staff responsible for the 1984 Ithaca Yearbook.
High school students who are interested in joining our forensics team should meet on Tuesday, December 10, during attack time. The meeting will be in Mr. Lange's room, number 106.
Any students interested in joining FCCLA please meet during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher's room on Thursday. If you are not able to make it to the meeting, please see Ms. Sprecher by the end of this week.
Tuesday's winner of $50 in the Ithaca Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Jared Klingaman of Richland Center, with ticket #95.
There will be a Safesitter Class held at the Richland Hospital Monday, December 30th from 9:00am-3:30pm. This class is designed to prepare students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they're home alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. If interested, you must pre-register and pay by December 12th. Please see Ms. Bevan for fee and registration information.
Come to Weston on Thursday, December 5th and support the Ithaca-Weston wrestlers at our annual T-shirt night. Arrive early to get a FREE Ithaca-Weston wrestling t-shirt (while supplies last) and watch the wrestlers battle New Lisbon.
Also, wrestling open mat for this Thursday, December 5th will be immediately after school until 5 p.m. (Due to the high school Varsity dual at Weston). Open mat will continue, twice per week, until Christmas break, every Tuesday and Thursday starting at 6:15 p.m. With any questions, please contact Troy Clary.
A drug-safety sweep with the Richland and Grant county K9 units was conducted today. Students and staff remained in their rooms while the sweep was conducted for confidentiality purposes. We are pleased to report that nothing was found. The Ithaca School District thanks the staff, students, and county officials for their cooperation and diligence for our safety.
Juniors and Seniors! Discover Southwest Tech, a campus visit opportunity will take place this Wed., Dec. 4th from 9am-11am. This event includes the following: ~Free Breakfast for all attendees!
~Campus Tour
~Admissions information session
~Student panel with current SWTC students
~Option for a one-on-one meeting with an advisor Students interested in coming to this event may sign up at: https://www.swtc.edu/admissions/visit-registration.aspx?visitType=DISCOVER Information may also be found outside of Ms. Bevan's door.
Seniors! Yearbook needs your baby and senior pictures. Don’t forget your senior quotes. To enter them go to Google Senior Classroom.
Monday's winner of $75 in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Amanda Fowell, with ticket #99.
The Ithaca School District is seeking your help! A community forum is going to be held where a number of area employers are going to share their expectations and/or desired skills they wish new employees to possess. Everyone who attends will have an opportunity to discuss this information in a small group. This will assist Ithaca in evaluating current offerings and future efforts.
Ithaca desarrollo de empleabilidad a estudiantes
El distrito escolar de Ithaca está buscando su ayuda. Se llevará a cabo un foro comunitario donde varios empleadores del área compartirán sus expactativas y /o habilidades deseadas que desean que posean los nuevos empleados. Todos los que asistan tendrán la oportunidad de discutir esta información en un grupo pequeño. Esto ayudará a Ithaca a evaluar las ofertas actuales y los esfuerzos futuros.
We now have an Ithaca Sources of Strength social media presence. Ithaca Sources of Strength is a group of peer leaders working to empower, support, and sustain positive social change in our school and community by promoting messages of hope, help, and strength! To see what our peer leaders have been up to add us today on Instagram and Facebook @ithacasourcesofstrength.
For instance, our Sources of Strength peer leaders created a Tree of Thanksgiving for students to name things that they give thanks for.
The National Honor Society is sponsoring a family again this year. The family is a former Ithaca family with two children. The daughter was diagnosed with cancer. Please sign up under the tree in the commons to donate items that will help them. There is a special need for gift cards and gas cards. Bring the items to Mrs. Wontor in room 310 by Friday, December 13th. Thank you for supporting this family.
The Middle School Student Council will have a National Cookie Day Cookie Sale on Wednesday, December 4 during the last 10 minutes of middle school lunch. Price is $0.50 per bag with two cookies per bag.
TACO FRIDAY! Let the Ithaca-RC Horse Club cook for you this Friday from 4:30pm-7pm in the High School Commons. Enjoy a tasty Taco Supper before you head to the basketball game or PTSO Gingerbread building.
There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, December 6. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the 4th grade class. Middle and HS students: we will come around to the classrooms to sell at Attack time with teacher permission.
Yesterday's winner of $50 in the Band Parent's Calendar Raffle was Al Stanek of Hillsboro, with ticket #256.
Happy Monday and welcome back to school.
Choir Students: Bring in all finalized fruit orders tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 2nd) and turn in to Mrs. Niemeyer or Mrs. Willis! Please do not turn in money with the orders. All money (checks written to Ithaca Choir Boosters) is to be turned in after fruit delivery. Please share!
Happy Thanksgiving from Ithaca Public Schools! We are grateful for hard-working students, a supportive community, and dedicated staff. Enjoy the holiday with those who make you feel thankful.
The PTSO Gingerbread House Family Fun Night is back! Join us on Friday, Dec. 6th in the Commons starting at 5 PM to build a gingerbread house! Frosting, graham crackers and milk cartons will be provided, all you have to bring is a base like cardboard or a cookie sheet, candy decorations, and your imagination! Free hot cocoa will be served as well. First, second, and third place houses will receive prizes! Hope to see you then!
It's not too late! Pre-order your Christmas Wreath to support Ithaca Wrestling! The 24" evergreen wreaths are only $18 each. Fill out an order form and return with payment to Mrs. Richards in the district office or The Richards Insurance Agency. Order forms are available in the commons, on Ithaca Wrestling & School District's Facebook pages as well as Ithaca School District Web page. Pre-paid Orders must be received by December 2nd with pick up in the commons on Wednesday, December 11th. Times to be determined. A Sample of the wreaths that are being sold is hanging in the commons along with order forms. If you have any questions, please contact Owen Richards at 604-1616.
Don't forget to stop in to Culver's TONIGHT to support the Patio and Playground Improvements Share Night from 4pm until 8pm. Let us serve you tonight before you serve everyone tomorrow. Thanks for your continued support of our outdoor areas. Our students enjoy all your efforts!
Support Ithaca Playground and Patio Improvements by heading to Culver's in Richland Center TOMORROW for a Share Night from 4pm until 8pm! Let them make your pre-Thanksgiving cooking simpler! Thanks to all your support, the ongoing improvements have been big hits!
A reminder to families that tomorrow, Wednesday, November 27th is an Early Release day.
Our PTSO-sponsored Game Club is always a big hit! Students enjoy a quick snack before diving right in.
Congratulations to 1st Quarter Honor Roll honorees from the Middle and High School! We are proud of the hard work our students do each day. Keep working hard!
If you remember Mrs. Prouty testified at the Capital last spring in support of passing a bill to provide an alternative for Special Education educators to receive proper credentials. That bill was passed recently by Gov. Evers. Wisconsin Act 44 creates an alternative to the requirement that an applicant for an initial special education teaching license must pass the Foundations of Reading Test (FORT). Under the bill, a person may instead complete a course that satisfies specific requirements.
One week left to pre-order your Christmas Wreath to support Ithaca Wrestling! The 24" evergreen wreaths are only $18 each. Fill out an order form and return with payment to Mrs. Richards in the district office or The Richards Insurance Agency. Order forms are available in the commons, on Ithaca Wrestling & School District's Facebook pages as well as Ithaca School District Web page. Pre-paid Orders must be received by December 2nd with pick up in the commons on Wednesday, December 11th. Times to be determined. A Sample of the wreaths that are being sold is hanging in the commons along with order forms. If you have any questions, please contact Owen Richards at 604-1616.
The annual Ithaca Choir Booster Fruit Sale is back! Find a choir member to place your order. The orders will close on December 2nd and the delivery date is December 14th.
4K/Developmental Screening is coming in January! Screening allows us to get to know your 3-year-old or 4-year-old child better in a play-based screening scenario. It will also allow you to receive information for/about your young child, whether there may be any developmental concerns that need addressed in preparation for their future school experience, and to register your 4-year-old child for
4-Year-Old Kindergarten for the 2020-2021 school year. See information in the images to register.
¡4K / Developmental Screening llegará en enero! La evaluación nos permite conocer mejor a su hijo de 3 años o de 4 años en un escenario de evaluación basado en el juego. También le permitirá a usted recibir información para / acerca de su hijo pequeño. Puede informarle si hay alguna inquietud sobre el desarrollo que deba abordarse en preparación para su futura experiencia escolar, y usted puede registrar a su hijo de
4 años para el Kindergarten de 4 años para el año escolar 2020-2021. Ver información en las imágenes para registrarse.
Support Ithaca Playground and Patio Improvements by heading to Culver's in Richland Center next Wed., November 27th for a Share Night from 4pm until 8pm! Let them make your pre-Thanksgiving cooking simpler! Thanks to all your support, the ongoing improvements have been big hits!
That lonely glove at your house wants its pal back! The lost and found has grown since the cold weather made its arrival. Please check through the lost and found area outside the office. Items still there on Wednesday will be cleaned out before Thanksgiving break.
Middle and high school students participating in the Dream Career Essay contest need to have their essays in to Mrs. Plonka in Google doc or pdf format by November 30. Next week! For more information, talk to Mrs. Plonka.
Band Students: All raffle tickets and money needs to be turned in by next Wednesday, November 27th. We want all tickets to be sold!
There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, November 22. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the 3rd grade class. Middle and High School students: we will come around to the classrooms to sell at Attack time with teacher permission.
The Ithaca Middle School Quiz Bowl team competed at the CESA 3 competition yesterday at Southwest Tech. Congratulations to Aaron Bloczynski who placed second high individual in the 8th grade individual test. The 8th grade team of Aaron Bloczynski, Alivya Young, Danny Feryance, and Caleb Birkrem did well placing in the top half of the 14 schools represented at the contest. Congratulations also to the 7th grade team of Maggie Gschwind, Sammy Clary, Ilana Bloczynski, and Trista Pluemer for placing 4th among 14 teams at the competition. You represented Ithaca well - I'm proud of you ~ Mrs. Plonka
Recent Ithaca Football Booster's Calendar Raffle ticket winners are: Nov 15 Gary Mossholder CVA Wolf 50 cal Muzzleloader w/scope, Nov 16 Bruce Adams $50, Nov 17 Kent Marshall $50, November 18, Brannon Gasper Remington 870 12 ga Express. Thank you for supporting Ithaca Football!
There will be Game Club TOMORROW after school until 5 PM. All students in grades 3-12 are invited. Elementary remember to return your permission slips to come. Middle and High - meet in the Commons after school for a healthy snack and we will go to the Multi-Purpose room for games. Make sure your ride is here by 5 PM please.
Come and support the Student Council TONIGHT for a Culver's share night. Proceeds go towards leadership training and scholarships. We hope to see everyone there!
CESA 3 is conducting a Substitute Teacher Training course on Tuesday, December 10th from 9:00am until 3:00pm (check in begins at 8:30am). This course is a requirement for obtaining a substitute teaching certificate from the Wisconsin DPI. If you hold at least an associates degree in any area, you are qualified to take this course and obtain your substitute teaching certificate. Register for the course or look for more information at https://login.myquickreg.com/register/event/event.cfm?eventid=24730. Another course is being offered on January 29th, 2020.
The need for substitutes is great, not only in our district, but those around us. Become a valuable resource in our schools to young minds!
There will be a PTSO meeting on TOMORROW, November 20 starting at 3:45 in the LMC. All are welcome and we hope to see you there!
The FFA Fall Blood Drive is TOMORROW from 9 am till 2 pm in the Community Gym. Sign up with Mr. Favreau, in the office, or on-line https://donate.wisconsin.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/190832. There are still openings for whole blood after 10am and for double red cell donations. This drive is also opened to the general public. And don't forget...."Give a pint , Get a Pint" of Culver's custard!
What’s happening this week in FCA? There will be a community outreach, Wednesday night, November 20, ‘Heart of An Athlete’- This will be held at the Richland Center High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30- event starts at 7::00. All middle school and high school students & families are invited! Enjoy a night filled with inspiring messages, encouraging music and door prizes!
And don't forget! Thursday morning....Fellowship is Christian Athletes “huddle” morning! 7:00 am breakfast and devotion! Hope to see you!
A sincere thank you from Mrs. Niemeyer goes out to everyone that made the Variety Show possible! Thanks so much to the Ithaca community as a whole for your enthusiasm for the arts. Let's keep it going for years to come! Thank you also to:
The choir students for accomplishing so much!
Andy and Glen Niemeyer, Mr. Favreau and Mr. Mani, Greg and Aubrey Olson, Kaleb Underwood, and Danny Clary's Family for the building of the stage extension.
The Ithaca Foundation and PTSO for supplying monetary funds for the stage.
Mr. Hess and Mr. Wastlick for helping with tech set up and other important details.
Audrey, Elise, Kailey and Mrs. Newkirk for designing the program.
Jenni Christianson and Heather Muckler for organizing decorations and intermission.
Brian Walder and Cheryl Crook for running the technical boards - couldn't have done it without you!
Rob Richards and Bob Frank for helping to set up curtains and lights.
Susan Bloczynski for taking pictures.
Flexible coaches and supportive teachers!!!
Mrs. Behrens and Mrs. Willis for guidance and encouragement.
Administration and school board.
Donate blood this Wednesday! The FFA Fall Blood Drive is scheduled for Wednesday November 20th from 9 am till 2 pm in the Community Gym. You may sign up with Mr. Favreau, in the office, or on-line at https://donate.wisconsin.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/190832. This drive is also open to the general public. And don't forget...."Give a pint , Get a Pint" of Culver's custard!
Recent Calendar raffle ticket winners are: Nov. 11 Cheri Delkamp Savage Axis 7mm-08 w/scope, Nov. 12 Bailey Paint $50, Nov. 13 Lisa Bomkamp Center Point 370 crossbow, Nov. 14 Mick Huebsch $50. Thank you for supporting Ithaca Football!
Winter arrived unexpectedly and has a tight grip on our weather. As our students go out to enjoy recess or time outside, please be mindful of what gear your children are bringing (or not bringing) to school. As Mrs. Schoen has sent home, we encourage students to make their own choices about the gear they wear outside. Our staff reviews their choices and only intervenes if the weather is dangerous for what they may be missing. Please know that our staff is very sensitive to the needs of our students, and we discuss often that we can be approached at any time when they need things. This includes winter gear. Our supportive community and staff have resources to help students if they need items like winter jackets, snow pants, boots, or any other supplies. We will be discreet in supplying them, but we need to know. Feel free to reach out to your student’s teacher, Mrs. Schoen, Mrs. Pluemer or any other staff member to communicate those needs. We are One Team, One School, One Family.
Come and support the student council Wed. Nov. 20th for a Culver's share night. Proceeds go towards leadership training and scholarships. We hope to see everyone there!
Attention high school students: If you haven't ordered your yearbook yet, no worries, check out the holiday specials that Josten's is offering! Posters with details and ordering code for FREE holiday cards can be found throughout the high school.
There will be Game Club Thur., Nov. 21 after school to 5 PM. All students in grades 3-12 are invited. Elementary remember to return your permission slips to come. Middle and High - meet in the Commons after school for a healthy snack and we will go to the Multi-Purpose room for games. Make sure your ride is here by 5 PM please.
There will be a PTSO meeting on Wednesday, November 20 starting at 3:45 in the LMC. All are welcome and we hope to see you there!
Congratulations to the 6th grade Math 24 Integers team of Abby Plonka, Derek Franzen, Hunter Kennedy and Izzie Ortiz who participated in Tomah! They had a full day of competition, math, and fun.
DONUT Friday is TOMORROW, November 15. All proceeds for the donut sale will be donated to The March of Dimes. Donuts will be sold for $1 to high school and middle school students during Attack Time in Mrs. Burnley's room and after lunch.
Recent Calendar Raffle winners are: Nov. 7, Danny Clary-$50, Nov. 8, Bruce Adams-Tri Star Setter 20 ga over/under, Nov. 9, Jake Dederich-$50, Nov. 10, Joel Young-$50. Thank you for supporting Ithaca Football!!
Have you ordered your Ithaca FCA apparel? Go to http://www.idoshirts.com and order your Fellowship of Christian Athletes t-shirt today! Deadline is Thursday night, Nov 14! Thanks for your support!
Support the Ithaca Wrestling Club and get in the Holiday Spirit early. The Club is offering you the opportunity to pre-order 24" evergreen wreaths at only $18 each. A Holiday wreath would make a great pre-Christmas gift for family and friends. You can pre-order your wreath by filling out an order form and returning with payment to Mrs. Richards in the district office or The Richards Insurance Agency. Order forms are available in the commons, on Ithaca Wrestling & School District's Facebook pages as well as Ithaca School District Web page. Pre-paid Orders must be received by December 2nd with pick up in the commons on Wednesday, December 11th. Times to be determined. A Sample of the wreaths that are being sold is hanging in the commons along with order forms. If you have any questions, please contact Owen Richards at 604-1616.
Be entertained by Ithaca singers this Friday and Saturday! Watch our choirs perform pieces with a 50's flair. No admission! Shows begin at 6:30pm in the Community Gym both nights. Ithaca Choir Boosters are providing light refreshments during intermission for a free will offering.
The FFA Fall Blood Drive is just around the corner! The Drive is scheduled for Wednesday November 20th from 9 am till 2 pm in the Community Gym. You may sign up with Mr. Favreau, in the office, or on-line at https://donate.wisconsin.versiti.org/donor/schedules/zip.
All students 16 years old and older are eligible to donate. This drive is also opened to the general public. And don't forget...."Give a pint , Get a Pint" of Culver's custard!
A reminder that there is NOT rehearsal for the Variety Show tonight. It is very important that all participants attend the rehearsal on Thursday, November 14th in the old gym. Kindergarten and 1st grade students only from 5-5:25 pm, 6-7-8th grade only from 5:30-6, and HS shortly after 6 pm. Come dressed in the outfit you plan to wear.
Good luck to the 6th grade Math 24 team of Abby Plonka, Derek Franzen, Hunter Kennedy and Izzie Ortiz as they travel to Tomah on Tuesday for the Math 24 Integers competition!
We take this time to remember our “Blue Star” and “Gold Star” Military Families and thank them for their sacrifice and generosity. We want them to know that they are a part of our Community.
A reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday, November 12th is an Early Release day for students and a PLC day for staff.
A reminder that there is a sign up sheet for any interested high school student looking to join boys basketball outside of Mr. Mezera's door. The parent/player/coach meeting will be held tonight at 6:30 in the commons. Please contact Coach Mezera if you are unable to attend.
Ithaca Middle School Student Council is asking for help. We are collecting items for our annual Elf Shop. For those of you who don't know what this is, elementary students get to come shop for their parents for Christmas. They purchase a gift for their parents (1 for each) at the cost of 25-50 cents each item. The elf shop has a slight change this year. It will run December 18 from 3:15 - 5:15 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. Parents will be asked to please stay in hallway as the MPR will be a "No Parent Zone" to ensure the surprise. More information will come out soon.
The student council then wraps the presents so it is a total surprise. How can we do this? This is where you all come in handy. We are looking for donations of gently used or brand new items that you no longer want or use. Some examples are listed below.
~coffee cups ~candles ~re-gifted items ~lotions ~tools ~jewelry ~body spray/cologne ~scarves ~dishes ~puzzles ~$ as we can go purchase items
If you have anything or would like to help, please let me know. I am willing to make arrangements to pick up items. You can also mail items to the school with attn: Samantha Hilby on them. Or you can drop them off the school. Thank you for any and all help. We greatly appreciate it!
Ithaca FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) is growing strong! Go to http://www.idoshirts.com
and order your FCA shirt today - Anyone can order. Deadline for online orders is Friday Nov 15.
The Tuesday, November 12th rehearsal for the Variety Show is cancelled. It is very important that all HS choir students participating in the Variety Show are present in the old gym shortly after 6 pm Thursday, November 14th.
Any high schoolers interested in wrestling are invited to attend an informational meeting on Friday during lunch in the Mezzanine. Please bring paper and pencil.
There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, November 8. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the 5th grade class. Middle and High School students: we will come around to the classrooms to sell at Attack time with teacher permission.
Band Parents Calendar Raffle tickets are still for sale! $10 each. Band Students: If you have calendar raffle tickets that you aren't going to sell, please return them to Mrs. Behrens so that someone else can sell them. Our goal this year is to sell all 700 tickets!
Ithaca Football Boosters Calendar Raffle winners: November 2nd $50 Gary Leeck, 3rd $50 Kari Honer, 4th Ruger American .270 Tom Doudna, 5th $50 Trevor Templen, 6th $100 Thad Weldon. Thank you for supporting Ithaca Football!
With Winter apparently here already, our Throwback Thursday photo focuses on the boys basketball season. This 1975 story is courtesy of the Richland Observer.
FCA- Fellowship of Christian Athletes will meet tomorrow morning (Thursday Nov 7) 7:00am in the FACE room. Start your day with a hot breakfast, fellowship, an encouraging message and devotion! All middle and high school students are welcome!
The Curriculum and Instruction Meeting scheduled for this evening is cancelled.
Due to inclement weather, Ithaca School District is closed today, November 6, 2019.
It's normal to feel frustrated when something is hard, but how we react to that frustration helps determine our success. This is why we challenge students - engaging in something that is hard creates growth and habits of perseverance.
"...they should value the time of struggle and know that they are on their way to being better, wiser and equipped with a stronger brain. Getting answers right is OK, being stuck and finding them hard is fantastic."
https://www.edsurge.com/news/2019-10-28-why-struggle-is-essential-for-the-brain-and-our-lives?utm_source=Youcubed+Updates&utm_campaign=11eb7ec351-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_11_03_06_35&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_230e567c40-11eb7ec351-164431385
Today is November 6, 2019. Ithaca School District has a two hour delay. No AM 4K
Today is November 6, 2019. Ithaca School District has a two hour delay
To prepare for the Variety Show, all participants of the Variety Show will rehearse Thursday, November 14th in the old gym. Kindergarten and 1st grade students only from 5-5:25 pm, 6-7-8th grade only from 5:30-6, and HS shortly after 6 pm. Come dressed in the outfit you plan to wear for the shows.
There will be a High school choir rehearsal in the old gym on Tuesday, November 12th starting around 6 pm. Pizza will be provided! Plan to be there until 8 pm.
There will be a high school girls’ basketball parent/player/coach meeting on Monday, November 11th at 6:00 pm right after practice.
The Kiwanis will be distributing new and slightly used coats for kids on Thursday, November 7th from 5:30 -7:30 at the Nazarene Outreach Center in Richland Center.
Ithaca Public Schools is seeking to hire a highly qualified, collaborative, high school math/science instructor. Read more and apply on the WECAN website at https://wecan.education.wisc.edu/#/.
Attn MS and HS students: Anyone interested in entering the Teaching Today WI Dream Career Essay Contest can get a copy of the guidelines from Mrs. Plonka. These essays are due in Word or pdf format to Mrs. Plonka by November 30. Cash prizes are awarded to the top 12 entries in the state and are published in the Teaching Today WI newspaper.
Any students in grades 3-12 who are interested in entering the Appelly Poetry contest should get an entry form and rules form from Mrs. Plonka. Your poems must be turned in to Mrs. Plonka on or by November 6.
A reminder that Richland County nurses will be here on Nov. 7th from 9:00-12:00 in the multi-purpose room to give flu vaccines to students that returned permission slips. If you want your child to be vaccinated, please fill out the permission slip and return to the school. High School students should stop in the office for permission slips.
Today Middle and High School students attended the Save a Life Tour at our school. They watched a moving interview of a teenager who was driving a car with her friend and brother when another driver hit their car. Her brother was killed by that distracted driver. Our speaker discussed the opportunity to be given a second chance - but that opportunity doesn't always happen for everyone. Choices behind the wheel don't always just impact ourselves. The video was emotional and very powerful. Our HS/MS students and staff were given the chance to drive simulators while texting and "impaired." Be prepared for your students to comment on some of your driving habits, and encourage conversations about safe driving behaviors. Our students and children are our most valuable possessions.
https://www.wsaw.com/video?vid=493203871
