Weekly Update
Submitted by rukamau on March 1, 2013 - 5:37pm
The School District of Black River Falls is committed to creating a learner-responsive environment that ensures educational excellence and life-long learning.
Welcome!
On Monday, February 25, Patty Jacobson was appointed to fill the board vacancy created by the resignation of Ramie Bakken. Patty took her Oath of Office on Monday and attended her first full special meeting on Tuesday. Her term will expire in April 2014 at which time she will be able to run for election if she chooses.
Board of Education Update
On Tuesday, February 26, Axel Dressler was nominated to fill the Clerk position (formerly held by Ramie Bakken) from now until the reorganization meeting in May.
Special Congratulations
Melissa Riggs gave birth to Ella Ann Riggs on February 5, 2013 at 8:04 am. Congratulations to the Riggs Family!
Exciting News!
The 34thJump Rope for Heart event was held on Saturday, February 23 with donations raised by the students totaling almost $6,000. There were 57 students in grades 2-5 who participated that day. The speed jumping certificates were awarded to first place girls winner Aubrey F, and the 2ndplace winner was Betsy O. Both girls are from Third Street. Jack J was the boys speed jumping champion from Third Street while Paul B from Gebhardt was in 2nd place. The student collecting the most donations was Gebhardt’s Cassidy B. She raised $680! The other top fundraisers were Tyreal K, Summer R, Frannie E, and Maddie D. Thanks to all of the participants for a great day! Thanks, Mary Danielson, for coordinating this effort!
Put this on your calendar!
- The BRF PTO Winter Carnival is scheduled for Thursday, March 7 at the Black River Falls High School from 5-8 pm. The Carnival is a huge fundraiser for the BRF PTO; they use the funds to help pay for special activities and supplies to enrich student learning. Everyone is invited!
- Jackson in Action presents Building a Healthier Jackson County on Monday, March 18, 2013.
- The high school music department presents the musical “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” March 7, 8, and 9 at 7:00 pm at the Lunda Theater. The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens.
A Reminder:
The Board Members reviewed the superintendent applications on Tuesday, February 26 at 5:00 pm.
Monday, March 4 at 5:00 pm and Tuesday, March 5 at 5:00 pm will be the first round interviews.
Monday, March 18 at 5:00 pm will be the second round interviews.
The finalists will participate in a public forum on a date and time yet to be determined.
The Board will make their decision on April 4, 2013.
Did You Know…?
…the Board of Canvassers met on Tuesday, February 26, 2013 at 9:00 am to canvass the votes from the February 19 primary election? The OFFICIAL results are as follows:
David Mack = 571
Todd A. Stittleburg = 386
Tina L. Boisen = 372
Amy Hoffman = 361
Patty Jacobsen = 332
Mark A. Thomley = 135
Write-Ins = 2
The top four vote-getters move on to the April ballot.
Forrest Street News from Mike Lichucki
Today was Dr. Seuss day. We had a great volunteer turnout. Some of the activities included: Goldfish math, guest readers, buddy readers, art projects, music activities, Dr. Seuss bingo in PE, and a wacky scavenger hunt to name a few. Much fun! Thanks to Sue Wester, Patty Harelson, Julie Warmke, and Barb Gluch for all of their hard work planning!
Thanks to Sue Jenkins for being our Cat in the Hat!
The FS parent survey closed. We are interested in seeing how we can improve our school.
The first grade and kindergarten worked toward completing the second round of benchmark assessments. It's great to see such growth in literacy.
Ok. Enough snow. The kids (and staff) are ready for some springtime fun on the playground.
Thanks to Sarah Boberg for doing a great job subbing for Ann Wilson. Welcome back, Ann! See you in a few days, Sarah, as she will sub for Melanie Simones.
Forrest Street has a Facebook page. Please join if you want daily snippets of life with the little ones.
After receiving such "validating" feedback regarding Leslie Fendt's Haiku, I'd like to continue the tradition with a Limerick about Becky Markee:
There once was a rockstar named Markee
Who takes care of all students we see
She is flexible
Always dependable
She's everything we wish to be
Third Street News from Shelly Severson
Kids in third grade have been busy working on solar system projects. They are truly "out of this world!"
Mary McCann's class adopted an eagle from the Defenders of Wildlife. What a great activity to model for kids and something for the class to rally behind!
Betsy Mashak has done a great job bringing back an old tradition! You've seen a couple of news blurbs about second graders visiting Pine View throughout the year. I am so appreciative that Betsy took that first step to begin the monthly visits! This past week, Jake Dahlke's classroom also went along on the visit. Both generations gain from these visits!
An outstanding planning group at Third Street organized our first full-fledged Dr. Seuss day! While the classroom teachers are busy administering the Benchmark Assessment to individual students within their classrooms, the masses of students will rotate throughout the building to eight different Dr. Seuss themed stations. All of our support staff, non-classroom teachers, and parent volunteers are "manning" those stations! Tina Gilbertson was kind enough to also supply us with some high school Buddy Readers for one of our stations! What a fantastic event for kids, while still serving a great need for the school! Thanks to Maria McNeely, Sherry Erickson, Cassie Hammond, Jen Bolger, Carolyn Johnson, and Stephanie Cowles for helping to plan the stations!
Gebhardt News from Shelly Severson
Shawn Moretti and Jordan Young just wrapped up their basketball unit where students worked on basketball fundamentals of dribbling, passing, shooting, and offensive/defensive strategies. They are now starting their badminton/cardiovascular fitness unit. Emphasis will be on learning how to improve cardiovascular fitness through implementation of the pacer test. Based on students' individual cardiovascular fitness levels, classes will begin working on goal setting and heart rate monitoring in relation to physical activity intensity. Since March is the Month of Madness in the world of sports, they are also teaching the students how to develop and navigate a tournament bracket during their badminton unit in addition to work on racquet skills.
This year, Gebhardt was again asked to participate in National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) testing. On Wednesday, sixty-two 4th grade students participated. It went very well. Thanks to the 4th grade staff for their great support and flexibility in scheduling, especially with the students who were not being tested!
Beginning this week, 5th grade teachers began administering the Benchmark Assessment to all of their students. Next week, 4th and 5th grade teachers will continue to administer this one-on-one assessment. This is a wonderful opportunity for teachers to get an "in-depth" look at their students, as readers. Teachers have been taking conference notes on their students throughout the school year, but those are quick "snap shots" of their reading behaviors. By administering the Benchmark again at this time of year, teachers can gain in-depth information of how their students have grown as readers and what areas they still need support and teaching to help them continue to improve. It is certainly a cumbersome assessment, but well worth the time it takes to be able to obtain such comprehensive information about their students!
High School News from Tom Chambers
Paula Hardie took fourteen students to Decorah, IA on February 24-25 to the Dorian Band Festival at Luther College. These students were selected to attend through a nomination process, and they were joined by students from 121 other schools in Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. There were three ensembles that the students were a part of: two 250-member massed bands and a 70-member symphonic band. This year's massed bands were conducted by Dr. Mark Whitlock from University of Minnesota Duluth and Professor Marcellus Brown from Boise State University. The Symphonic Band was directed by Dr. Joan deAlbuquerque, director of bands at Luther College.
“The Tiger Way” - HS Student Volunteers:
Modeling the “Tigers Take Care of Tigers” mantra, 17 high school students have volunteered to help their young brethren at the BRF Elementary School Carnival next Thursday evening. You will find our students doing everything from face-painting and Minnow Races to Soda Toss and Football Throw! Be sure to let these great Tigers know we appreciate their time when you see them on March 7.
Youth Art Month:
Heather Yand Abigail M were selected artists that represented BRFHS in the 2013 Regional Youth Art Month (YAM) exhibit that was held at the La Crosse Public Library during the month of January. The artwork of both Heather and Abigail advanced to the state level and was exhibited in the State Capitol Rotunda February 23 – March 1 with an Exhibit Closing Ceremony on March 1.
YAM is an annual observance, which emphasizes the value of art education for all children and encourages public support for quality art programs and is celebrated throughout the country during March. An art exhibit featuring 300 artworks by pre K-12 grade Wisconsin students was displayed in the Rotunda from February 24 through March 1, 2013. The Wisconsin Art Education Association (WAEA) was pleased to kick off (YAM) with keynote speakers Angela Johnson, Arts Coordinator for the Madison Children‘s Museum, Anne Katz, Executive Director of Arts Wisconsin and Dr. Julie Palkowski, Department of Public Instruction, Fine Arts and Creativity Consultant and a musical performance by Fall Creek’s High School Guitar Ensemble and Treble Choir under the direction of by Brad Stoughton and Jennifer Mason.
WT Graham Award 2013: Heather Y
There are 42 W.T. Graham Youth Art Awards presented each year at the state show in the Capitol Rotunda. Seven awards are presented to each one of the six state Regions which consists of 50 selected works that have advanced to the state level from the regional show. William T. Graham is the benefactor. The award is unique because it is not just the student who is honored; the teacher also receives a framed certificate, as does the school. The awards were presented on March 1 at the ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda by Jen Goodnough, the coordinator of the W.T. Graham Youth Art Awards program. In their YAM packet, the student receives a Youth Art Month certificate, a WTG certificate and a letter, a pencil with the YAM logo, and a Madison center map from the GCVB. In the fall of 2013, the framed pieces will be returned to the student along with a framed certificate of commendation.
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