Rain put a damper on Bike to School Day in Shawano, but some youngsters didn’t let the weather Wednesday get them down.

Principal Karen Smith said 15 to 20 Olga Brener Intermediate School students made the trek to school on their bikes.

“We had more than we anticipated with the weather,” Smith said. “It was a good turnout.”

The count was lower at the other participating schools, Hillcrest Primary, Shawano Community Middle, Sacred Heart Catholic and St. James Lutheran.

Each student who participated was rewarded with a prize bag containing a bike helmet, Subway gift card, bike reflector, reflector zipper pull, water bottle and T-shirt.

Principal Elisha Wagenson provided another reward for the nine students who rode their bikes to Sacred Heart.

“We did have lower participation due to the weather, but our students were allowed to bike inside the gym,” she said.

She also said Sacred Heart likely will reschedule the event on a nicer day.

At Hillcrest, Principal Troy Edwards had hoped to see weather similar to Tuesday’s, when the sun was out and the temperature climbed to 70 degrees.

“Unfortunately, due to weather, it did not meet our expectations,” he said. “I wish the weather was nicer today.”

Students who braved the rain in the morning had a drier ride home as the sun peaked out Wednesday afternoon.

The local celebration of National Bike to School Day was organized by Safe Routes to School, a project of Shawano Pathways dedicated to encouraging exercise and creating safe ways for students to get to school other than motorized vehicles.

The first Bike to School Day was held in 2012, an offshoot of International Walk to School Day, which started in 1997 and has grown to includes thousands of schools across the U.S. and elsewhere each October.

More than 2,200 schools across the nation were expected to participate in Bike to School Day. May also has been designated National Bike Month.

“We’re excited to see the energy and momentum for Bike to School Day grow year after year,” said Lauren Marchetti, director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School, which coordinates National Bike to School Day. “It’s inspiring to see the number of communities and families that come together on this day to support active transportation and safe environments for biking and walking to school.”

Nancy Schultz, University of Wisconsin-Extension family living educator for Shawano County, is the local coordinator of Safe Routes to School.

The rain slowed the work, but didn’t stop it completely.

Despite drizzly conditions Wednesday, more than 300 Bonduel High School students left their classrooms, many dressed in bright yellow shirts that read “Lend a Paw,” for a real-life experiment in giving back as the school conducted its third annual community service day.

Some students descended on Bonduel’s Village and Cedar parks to clean them up, while others put a little elbow grease into fixing up the Golden Sands Golf Course in Cecil. Other groups went to Shawano Lake County Park and Navarino Nature Center to help prepare those areas for the summer, and still more students walked along roads in Waukechon to pick up litter.

The school’s band and choir students performed for residents at area nursing homes. Students from the school’s Spanish classes traveled to Eisenhower Elementary School in Green Bay to work one-on-one with younger kids as they begin to learn the language.

Missy Dowden, an administrative assistant at the high school and a key coordinator for the community service day, said the entire student population gets involved as a sign of appreciation for all that the community has done to support local schools and students.

“The community members, they don’t know we’re doing it today,” Dowden said as she was preparing to take lunch to the students working at the nature center. “Right now, they’ve seen all the kids out there in yellow, and somebody came in the building and said, ‘Hey! What are you guys up to?’”

The students were not able to get as much done as planned due to the weather. BHS business teacher Tim Mayer, while leading a group of students picking up trash around the ball diamond at Village Park, said his students were originally supposed to be painting and staining park amenities, but the showers that came off and on made that impossible.

“We’ll just keep doing what we can,” Mayer said.

The work is appreciated by officials at the various sites. Keith Marquardt, county parks director, noted that the Bonduel students’ help comes at a key time, as he won’t have most of his summer staff in place until after Memorial Day.

“They’ve been raking, setting up the fire pits — all the stuff that needs to get done and we don’t have the time to do it,” Marquardt said. “When we get these kids out there, they get a lot done in one day.”

As friends and classmates were gathering under a covered picnic area for lunch at Shawano Lake, junior Adam Kallin continued to work solo, clearing dead leaves from the pathways leading to the campground. Kallin has been involved with all three of the community service days, always coming to the county park with the Skills USA group.

“The school does this every year to give back to the community for supporting our school,” Kallin said. “A lot of the stuff our school has wouldn’t be here without the community’s support, so this is just us giving back.”

The students each year come back with a better understanding of the area’s amenities, Dowden said.

“We’re trying to broaden and go to different areas each year,” Dowden said. “It’s very easy to find projects.”

Bowler School District

The Bowler Elementary School music department will present its spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday at the school.

The concert will feature performances by the jazz ensemble, high school band and choir, grades six-eight intermediate band and choir, and fifth-grade beginning band. A variety of music will be presented.

On May 2, Bowler High School music students performed at the State Music Festival in Stevens Point. Thirteen Bowler entries received a first rating; seven entries received a second rating.

Receiving firsts were the saxophone choir; trumpet choir; heritage polka ensemble (26 members); alto sax duet, Lyndsey Agar and Allison Stewart; vocal solos, Bryton Kratwell, Cody Montez, Drew Payne, Maranda Brei, Lyndsey Agar; musical theater solos, Lyndsey Agar, Savannah Schwantes; vocal duets, Cody Montez and Drew Payne, Bryton Kratwell and Lyndsey Agar. Receiving seconds were the brass choir; men’s ensemble; SATB vocal ensemble; ladies triple trio; vocal solos, Taylor Matsche, Savannah Schwantes; music theatre solo, Taylor Matsche.

Accompanists were Debbie Emmel, Katrina Resch and Marelyn Krueger. Directors are Amanda Hein and Alan Marquardt.

St. Paul Lutheran School

The early and warm spring weather gave the fourth-graders at St. Paul Lutheran School an opportunity to combine math and science lessons with some outdoor, hands-on learning. Friday, the students planted begonias, purchased from the school’s PTL flower sale this week and donated by their teacher, as a service project to beautify the school’s property.

Sacred Heart Catholic School

Top walkers for April are McKenna Yeager, kindergarten; Davis Lyons, first grade; Hannah Yeager, second grade; Dugan Webster, third grade; McKenzie Kaquatosh, fourth grade; Dakota Miller, fifth grade; Paul Meisner, sixth grade; Demetrius Kaquatosh, seventh grade. Congratulations to our top walkers for April.

Elizabeth Behnke won lunch with Father Luke Ferris for raising the most money for Jump Rope for Heart. Elizabeth and her mom, Abbey, enjoyed some ice cream for dessert.

Our parish will be blessed to have Jim Lonick ordained as a deacon on Saturday. Congratulate him the next time you see him. Please keep Jim and his family in your prayers.

“Blast to the Past” is the theme for Vacation Bible School this year. VBS is being held from 1-4 p.m. June 15-19. The fee is $25. VBS is for children entering grades 1-5. There will be transportation from summer school. If you are interested in helping with VBS, call Susi Kurek at 715-526-4104. Registration forms will be available at the parish center.

The community is invited to our second annual Spring Showcase beginning at 5 p.m. Thursday. There will be a science fair, art fair, writer’s walls and a concert at 6 p.m. The eighth grade will perform its play at 7 p.m.

St. James Lutheran School

We had an amazing response to our Race for Education fundraiser. As of Friday, our total came to $22,822! Friday afternoon, the students and lots of volunteers and staff got outside to “Race for Education.” It was a beautiful afternoon. The students in kindergarten through third grade stayed on the school grounds, while the older students walked over to the middle school and did their walk at the track. Thank you to everyone. It was a wonderful response to this year’s fundraiser, and we are so grateful. Once we are sure we have gotten in all the donations, we will let everyone know what the final total is and how we plan to use it.

Congratulations to fifth-grader Ananya Wilson, fourth-grader Braden Barkley and first-grader Trevor Schwartz for reaching their Accelerated Reader goals. They will be going out with Principal Susan Longmire for pizza before the end of the year. It takes a long time to accumulate that many points. It is a great accomplishment for these students. Great job!

The Preschool 3’s held their Mother’s Tea on May 7 and 8. The children made fruit salad for their mothers and sang some special songs. The tea ended with the song “Four Hugs a Day” and a bit of pampering for their moms.

Tigerton Elementary School

The school’s inaugural Spring Forestry Event was held May 1 at the Tigerton School Forest and Environmental Lab. The event involved all K-5 students and staff. The students and staff rotated around to five stations that related to forestry and habitats that were taught by Dale Zaug, Raptor Education Group Inc., Tim Ewing, director of the Navarino Nature Center, and several Tigerton High School forestry students. The stations included tree cookies, where students learned how to determine the age of the tree by counting annual rings, determine the springwood and summerwood of a tree, and parts of a trunk; tree identification; determining a tree’s diameter; pond study; and raptors, including the American kestrel, barn owl and red-tailed hawk.

Gresham Community School

The sixth grade had state testing for reading and writing Thursday.

Gresham had a health fair Friday. There were stations featuring the Stockbridge-Munsee Police Department, Gresham FFA, Menominee Clinic, Gresham Area Firefighters, COM Nursing Program and the county health department, to name a few.

The Gresham FFA had its spring roadside cleanup along County Road A.

Freshmen and sophomores are taking the ACT Aspire standardized test.

Olga Brener Intermediate School

The following students were chosen by their teachers and/or peers for demonstrating the Hawk Trait “Leadership”: Lyneesa Mendez, Jenna Arens, Turina Schreiber, Baelyn Putz, Kaitlin Rancier, Brady Kristof, Dominick Aguilar, Dylan Hodkiewicz, Ben Rouse, Drake Herm, Brady Glysch, Hailey Rancier, Arland Dillenburg, Madeline Heling, Ania Hoffman, Felix Lyles, Morgan VanEperen, Evelyn Lyles, Blaize Fernandez, Brandon Reed, Julian Perez, Jayden VanOss, Brianna Goetsch, Norma Roubideaux, Wyatt Braun, Ray LeMieux, Carly Knope, Kaden Marcell, Caitlyn Kroeger, Makaylla Sackatook, Joey Sperberg, Elliott Lowney, Kate Williams, Austin Hill and Margo Gull. Keep up the great work!

The fourth-grade students are learning about dairy farms in Wisconsin. In conjunction with their learning, the students visited a local dairy farm and participated in the FFA-led Adventures in Dairyland. The students learned about different dairy cows, the uses for the cows, how dairy farms operate and more. They also made butter. The classes are led by high school FFA members.

Upcoming: May 18, Ice Cream Social; May 18-21, Book Fair; May 22, half day of school; May 25, no school; June 4, last day of school (half day).

Bonduel Elementary School

The Bonduel Elementary first-graders have been working on Wizard of Oz-themed activities such as characters, setting, vocabulary, math word problems, compare/contrast, fairy tales and graphing. This is in preparation for their production of the mini musical, “The Wizard of Oz.” They have been practicing their songs and parts since the beginning of March and are very excited to show off their hard work. They will perform at 1:30 p.m. May 29 at Bonduel High School in Sousa Hall. The children will make digital pictures of themselves in costume; the pictures are shown at the conclusion when the students are introduced. Mark your calendars and make sure you come early to get a good seat. You won’t want to miss it! Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the presentation.

On May 7, we took 51 fourth-graders to Madison. The coach bus picked us up at 8 a.m. We played games, watched movies and ate on the bus. We toured the Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison and saw many amazing animals. Some of the favorites were the monkeys and giraffes. We had a picnic lunch by the playground. Then we headed to the Wisconsin Historical Museum. The guided tour took us to a trading post and logging/lumbering exhibit. We went inside a mine and an Aztalan house. Next stop: our magnificent state Capitol! We toured the rooms of the Senate and Assembly and even climbed up and went out on the observation deck. A beautiful view! We arrived back at BES around 7 p.m. The students made many connections throughout the day to classroom lessons learned about our state and this trip. Happy memories were made by all.

St. Paul Lutheran School

Need your car washed? Students in the fifth and sixth grades will be washing cars for a freewill donation from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the church/school parking lot. Proceeds will go toward their end-of-year field trip to a Milwaukee Brewers game. While you wait, enjoy a brownie or cookie at their bake sale.

Thursday, our final Scholastic Book Fair of this school year begins. This is a great time for grandparents, aunts and uncles to stock up on books as gifts to encourage summer reading. The book fair will be open following each church service this weekend.

About 15 St. Paul students, along with some parents, participated in this year’s Cellcom 5K on Saturday as the culmination of the Prevea Luv 2 Run program. They did very well. Most ran the entire 3.2 miles, impressing their parents. On Sunday, St. Paul was again represented at the half-marathon (13.1 miles) with coach Deb Guenterberg participating. Teacher Kari Williams and teacher aide Bridgett Dingeldein ran the full marathon as a relay team, each running a little over 6 miles. What a great example of healthy leadership and encouragement for the staff and students.

St. James Lutheran School

The 3- and 4-year-old students were unable to walk on the day that had been arranged, and so this week they walked together in the gym for this year’s Race to Education. There was never a more enthusiastic bunch than these young children. Thank you to all those who supported these students. They had a lot of fun and at the same time raised money for our Race for Education.

This past week, our school received an email from the Department of Public Instruction informing us that St. James has been accepted into the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program. More than 1,000 student applications were submitted. Under state law, if more than 1,000 students apply to the program, only the 25 schools with the most applications will be permitted to participate in the random drawing for available voucher slots. However, state law also stipulates that those schools that participated in the WPCP in the 2014-15 school year will retain the same number of voucher slots they received in 2014-15. This brings the total number of schools permitted to participate in the WPCP for the 2015-16 school year to 35, as there are 10 current WPCP schools that are not among the top 25 schools with the most applications.

Because state law requires that schools participating in the voucher program in the 2014-15 school year receive at least the same number of voucher slots for the 2015-16 school year, it is expected that all available voucher slots for 2015-16 will be assigned to schools continuing in the program from the current 2014-15 school year.

There are several proposals affecting the choice program that are included in the state budget, including changes to students eligibility, school participation and a potential change in the enrollment cap. Therefore, DPI will not conduct the random drawing in May, but will instead wait for the state budget process to be completed. DPI believes it would create confusion for parents and schools if the drawing is completed prior to the passage of the state budget because changes in the law could possibly result in the need for a new random drawing.

DPI will share this information with the parents of all 48 eligible applicants from St. James.

When Matthew and Mitchell LaBerge were diagnosed with autism 15 years ago, no one knew much about the disorder or what the identical twins would be able to accomplish in life.

Friday, they will reach a milestone, which some might have thought unreachable, when they cross the stage with their fellow graduates from the Bonduel High School Class of 2015 to receive their diplomas.

Dave LaBerge, the twins’ father, acknowledged it was not an easy journey for the twins or their family, which includes mom Julie — the pupil service director, and her husband, the network director in the Bonduel School District — and 13-year-old Jessica, especially at the beginning.

“Social interactions with peers were always a struggle and something that they really needed assistance with,” he said. “At that time we knew very little about what (autism) was and what we should be doing.”

As autism-related education and services improved, so did the twins’ chances of overcoming their obstacles. Dave LaBerge credited the help of multiple agencies, the school district and a supportive Bonduel community with helping the twins continue to grow.

“There are so many people that have contributed to the success of Matt and Mitch, and we will forever be grateful for that,” he said.

The twins underwent several years of occupational therapy. They forced themselves to become active in the school’s clubs and activities.

Over the last four years, they have been involved in student council, Future Business Leaders of America, audiovisual projects involving the football and basketball teams and the school newspaper. Both played on the varsity golf team.

Mitchell said golf motivated him to seek success beyond the course and in the classroom.

“The weather is beautiful and I get to know people from other schools, and it helped me work hard in school all four years,” Mitchell said. “It has been a great school for me and I made a lot of great friends along the way.”

The twins agreed it was not always easy.

“I just kept working hard every day and kept a positive attitude,” Mitchell said.

“Keep fighting every day and get through it, and stay positive, and get better,” Matthew said.

They shared their experiences and discussed autism on a website they created as a FBLA project.

“The overall perseverance and dedication they have shown through this process has been the thing that I find most impressive,” Dave LaBerge said. “They have taught us what it really is like to struggle and continue to try day after day, no matter what.”

Their journey will continue when they attend Northeast Wisconsin Technical College to study web marketing, graphic design or another facet of information technology.

Leading the Class of 2015 at graduation will be valedictorian Danny Tauchen and salutatorian Deanna Zernicke. Tauchen plans to attend Michigan Technological University to study engineering. Zernicke will study pre-law and economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Shawano Community High School is one of 12 Wisconsin high schools to be certified through the National Automotive Technician Education Foundation.

NATEF oversees automotive education facilities for technical colleges and high schools across the country. The school was notified in early May of the designation.

The foundation ensures that students in its programs come out with superior knowledge of how to repair vehicles, SCHS automotive technology teacher Jeremy Hodkiewicz said.

“NATEF is there to make sure that schools are teaching to the proper standards and things like that,” he said.

Hodkiewicz said he was hesitant when first approached about certifying the local program because NATEF originally focused on just four areas of automotive technology, while SCHS provided a more well-rounded approach. Recent changes in NATEF policy to provide additional areas of learning convinced Hodkiewicz to apply for the certification, he said.

“They added maintenance and light repair, which fits in perfectly with what the high school has always done,” Hodkiewicz said. “It makes sense that we’re not just focusing on four direct areas.”

To get the certification, SCHS had to form an advisory board and undergo an extensive two-day committee review in March. Everything, from the curriculum to the smallest tool, needed to comply with NATEF standards.

Two local businesses came to the school’s aid. American Car Care donated an alignment machine to assist the school. Shawano Auto Sales agreed to donate vehicles for educational purposes.

“The number of donations (to the program) should increase through MGM, Ford and the manufacturing level,” Hodkiewicz said. “What they donate goes to schools that are certified.”

The certification comes at a good time, according to Hodkiewicz, as many schools facing budget cuts are trimming back or ending automotive technology programs while the need for qualified auto mechanics is on the increase.

Hodkiewicz was honored for his efforts at a Shawano School Board meeting by receiving the district’s new Hawk Way award, which goes to students and staff who go the extra mile to benefit the schools.

The certification makes Shawano the northern-most school in Wisconsin to be part of NATEF. Most of the other Wisconsin schools participating in the program are in Madison and Milwaukee.

The Bonduel High School Class of 2015 will always hold a special place in the heart of first-year Principal Jane Wonderling.

Wonderling encouraged the 79 students at Friday’s commencement ceremoney to continue to push themselves, to stretch their limits and to continue to develop as they depart the confines of BHS.

“This is my first year and I am proud of the Class of 2015,” Wonderling said. “You need to continue to learn and grow and try something new. Don’t be afraid to get outside of your comfort zone.”

Wonderling replaced Patrick Rau, who was elevated to school superintendent following the retirement of Peter Behnke last year.

Daniel Tauchen, class valedictorian and president, encouraged his classmates to take time to savor the special moments. He thanked the faculty, staff and coaches for the successes he achieved in high school.

“Take the time to thank someone,” said Tauchen, who will attend Michigan Technological University in the fall.

Salutatorian Deanna Zernicke emphasized not taking anything for granted.

“Take the time to enjoy the little things in life and take any opportunities that are given to you and live in the moment,” she said. “Be thankful and cherish what you have at this very moment because the future is never promised. …

“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and that is why it is important to be present.”

Zernicke will attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study pre-law and economics.

Faculty commencement speaker Robert Henshaw, the school’s science teacher, told the graduates to not fear failure, to remain positive and to do something they love.

“You have to embrace the process, and become an expert at something,” Henshaw said.

Wonderling agreed, telling the students, after a setback, to "dust yourselves off and move forward.”

Students and teachers from Olga Brener Intermediate School, St. James School and Sacred Heart School are helping run a town this week.

Local fifth-graders, as well as some fourth- and sixth-graders, are filling key roles at JA BizTown on Wednesday and Thursday at the Junior Achievement Kohl’s Education Center in Milwaukee.

Students spend a day operating a bank, restaurant, newspaper, retail store, city hall and 10 other businesses. JA BizTown combines months of in-class learning with a daylong visit to the interactive, simulated town.

“When students arrive at JA BizTown for their day in the lab, they come prepared. They have already spent quite a bit of classroom time getting ready to be the consumers, the workers, the business owners of BizTown,” said Tim Greinert, JA Wisconsin executive director.

Students had to write job applications and interview for the jobs. They might not get their first choice job, but all students leave with a better understanding of a local economy, Greinert said.

Teachers and volunteers also had to prepare for their roles through an online course.

BizTown is a capstone program that pulls in components of the three goals of Junior Achievement: entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial literacy. The educational experience has been funded primarily by a grant from Dollars for Scholars.

Junior Achievement is taught in kindergarten through 12th grade in the Shawano School District. Its programs help prepare young people for the real world by showing them how to generate and manage wealth, how to create jobs to make communities more robust, and how to apply entrepreneurial thinking to the workplace.

When Shawano Community High School seniors receive their diplomas Friday, some will be thinking about college, or technical school or getting a job.

Two graduates, Mary VanScoik and Jory Peebles, will continue family traditions by joining the military.

VanScoik will become the first woman in her family to enlist. She will join the Marine Corps and before long depart for basic training in Paris Island, South Carolina.

She is the daughter of Jim and Lisa VanScoik.

VanScoik’s grandfather and father served in the Army, two uncles were in the Navy, and a cousin was a Marine.

“My family is extremely proud and happy for me,” she said.

At SCHS, VanScoik was vice president of VICA and involved in hockey.

Peebles is joining the Air Force Reserve and will head to Lackland Air Force base in San Antonio, Texas, for basic training.

“A lot of my family has been in the armed forces,” Peebles said. “My grandpa, my uncle, my great-uncle and a couple other distant family members.”

He is the son of Jesse Peebles and Sandra Welch.

Peeble has been very active in the Landstad 4-H Club and serves on its board of directors.

Both students are not ruling out continuing their education following their service commitments. Peebles is considering a career as a welder, and VanScoik is considering the legal services field.

Asked what they will remember most about high school, VanScoik said she will remember her friends, while Peebles won’t soon forget the recent visit by a few past and present Green Bay Packers.

Both remain anxious about military life.

“I am extremely nervous, but at the same time, I am excited to go out and start new things and be part of something that is bigger than myself,” VanScoik said.

“It is exhilarating, having the ability to serve your country is a great thing,” Peebles said. “Helping to keep this country safe is what it is all about.”

Leading the SCHS Class of 2015 at commencement will be valedictorian Cole Huntington and salutatorian Elena Bohm, who both plan to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Class president Madeline Schultz will be the student speaker.

Shawano Community High School

Candidates for graduation

Zhuldyz Abenova, Courtney Ainsworth, Nicole Ainsworth, Travis Amerson, Sara Arens, Trevor Aschenbrenner, Regina Awonohopay, Catherine Barker, Brendan Barkow, Elizabeth Bastar, Noah Bell, Rashawn Bell, Nathan Biesterveld, Briana Boda, Elena Bohm, Daniel Boivin, Mason Boogren, Cody Borsche, Emily Brei, Alexia Brooks, Quincy Burr, Hannah Busch, Isabelle Carroll, Casey Clark, Christie Clark, Rolando Colón, Miranda Cook, Molly Craig, Carina K. Crowe, Caritina Cuenca, Brendan Cummings,

Talon DeBroux, Ciara Denomie, Christian Dinger, Zachery Dobberstein, Jolene Downs, Erin Duquain, Ivy Eatherton, Hannah Elertson, Chandler Fairbairn, Maria Fuller, Kyla J. Genke, Taylor Genke, Terrell Gibbs, Shayla Gilson, McCasalin Gorman, Adam Haarth, Paige Hafner, Bailie Hahn, Kahri Hajos, Alicia Hanson, Joseph Hass, Chase Henning, Julia Heup, Anna Hietpas, Bryce Hilliker, Jayce Hinkfuss, Dylan Hintz, Gary-Lee Hogan, Stephanie Hohn, Kayla Holtz, Nicole Horne, Whitney Huffman, Cole Huntington,

Mackenzi Ihrcke, Brianna Jechorek, Kiahna Johnson, Wesley M. Johnsen, Noah Kallies, Louisa Keenan, Jacob Klister, Sajen Knueppel, Tessa Komp, Devlyn Koon, Merissa Krueger, Jessica Kust, Quinlan LaBillois, Jack Lacy, Livia Lima, Christian Lindner, Rachel Lohrengel, Austin Lundell, Tabitha Mackowiak, Myra MacMurray, Ethan Magee, Leslie Maulson, Madison McBride, EmmaLee J. McGuckian, Michael Medina, Erin Mehlhorn, Brooke Meidam, Mitchell Micik, Theodore Mickelson, Jasmine Miller, Miranda Montoure, Braden Mueller,

Abigail Nead, Kelsey Neumeier, Donovan Newton, Elizabeth Marie Norton, Shaina Notinokey, Katelyn Onesti, Jaime Oshkeshequoam, Dalton Parson, Austin Peach, Jory Peebles, Luke Perez, Nathaniel J. Phalen, Hayle Ponchot, Lauren Popp, Jordan Michelle Priewe, Olivia Pubanz, Kyle Quinn, Francesca Rabas, Cole Reuter, Hope Reynolds, Jordan Rodriguez, Dolan Rose, Chase Roth, Mariah Ruehle, Brittany Russell, Cerise Russell,

Dakota J. Schimmel, Ky Schmidt, Jacob Schoenike, Colton Schroeder, Madeline Schultz, Holly Schwecke, Amie Seelig, Travis Seifert, Maria Senzig, Daran Sexton, Shania Skalitzky, Zachery Soper, Zachary Sousek, AnnMarie Spice, Kaitlynn Springborn, Ryder Stefl, Maria Steinke, Drew Straley, Tommy Stueck III, Ryan Swadner, Katelyn Teetzen, Ailysh Tetting, Isaac Theis, Joseph Tourtillott,

Threse Van Dyck, Mary VanScoik, Courtney Vomastic, Grant Wainio, Crecensio Walksceaseley, Brandon Warrington, Sylvia Warrington, Curtis Waupoose, TiChanel Waupoose, Dean Weaver, Ryan Weaver, Anita Welch, Travis Welch, Kayleen White, Morgan Wickman, Paul Wilber Jr., Nathaniel Wilson, Tori Wiskow, Zachary Wolterman.

While the futures of Gresham Community School’s Class of 2015 leaders remain uncertain, both plan to serve others in some capacity following Friday’s commencement ceremony.

Valedictorian Christian Haffner and salutatorian Tyli Lau, both Mormons, will do mission work on behalf of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Haffner might decide to attend Marquette University first.

“I will either serve a mission for my church or go to Marquette as a preferred walk-on in basketball,” Haffner said. “I have been talking to (Marquette) over the past month.”

Haffner was honored as the Central Wisconsin Conference-10 Player of the Year this past season and was selected to participate in a 3-point shootout in Madison during the state basketball tournament.

He said he will make a decision within a month.

Haffner is as proud, if not moreso, of his work in the classroom and community as his efforts in athletics.

“All my years put together, I put together a 3.98 GPA, and it is pretty good,” he said.

Haffner was a member of the student council, Quiz Bowl team and math club.

He said his parents, Kim and Newell Haffner (a teacher and assistant principal at the school), helped him succeed.

“I was expected to do a lot more, but it was nice having him as a teacher,” said Haffner, the oldest of five children.

Haffner said he will miss the tightknit community of Gresham, his 18 classmates and the roar of the crowd.

“In the basketball games, we had the crowd going,” he said. “And I will miss my friends and all of the good times we had.”

Christian Haffner noted the salutatorian was well-liked by a wide range of people and made an impact in the community, helping in after school activities, including the Homework Club.

While Lau has made a decision to pursue mission work, she has not received the call, yet. Like Haffner, she was involved in various school organizations and community projects.

Haffer said Lau, who could not be reached for this story, is well-liked and made an impact on many people.

“She has always been smart and a hard worker,” he said. “She helps out the kids a lot in the Homework Club, and they like her.”

Three local students received Kohl Excellence Scholarships for 2015 to continue their education after high school.

They are Sara Arens and Kiahna Johnson, from Shawano Community High School, and Dan Tauchen, from Bonduel High School. Each will receive a $3,000 scholarship.

The annual awards are usually $1,000, but the sponsoring foundation tripled the amount this year in recognition of the scholarship’s 25th anniversary.

“I was very shocked,” Tauchen said of the news that he had received a Kohl scholarship. “It felt really good that I was being recognized for the work I went through in high school.”

The work is no short list, either. Besides being the class valedictorian, Tauchen played in the several of the school’s bands and sang in the choir and show choir, as well as being a three-sport athlete. He was also a member of the FFA and National Honor Society.

“I didn’t have much time to myself,” Tauchen said.

Arens and Johnson were also heavily involved with school organizations, besides being in the top 10 percent of their class.

Johnson played soccer and cross-country, performed in the pit orchestra and participated in the school musical, and has been a member of NHS, student council, Students Against Destructive Decisions and Bridge to Success (a program that helps incoming high school freshmen).

Arens was in the pit orchestra, participated on the swim team, performed in the jazz band and belonged to NHS and Bridge to Success.

“For me, I’m a little bit of a perfectionists. Straight A’s is the way to go for me,” Arens said. “I also like using my knowledge and abilities to the fullest.”

As for the future, Tauchen plans to attend Michigan Technological University, and Arens will attend the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Johnson said she has not decided where to continue her education, but she hopes to attend a college where she can do something that has a “cultural impact.”

“It’s really important for people to understand different cultures so we can all get along and build those bridges,” Johnson said. “I have a Peruvian mom, so I come from two different cultures, I guess. I like being able to see how two different cultures can form a family and unite the peace-building bridge.”

Kohl Excellence Scholarship recipients have demonstrated excellence in the academic arena and high motivation to achieve, have displayed a broad range of activity and leadership outside the academic setting, and have shown strong promise for succeeding in college and beyond, according to a press release from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.

The scholarship was established by Herb Kohl, a retired U.S. senator from Wisconsin, in 1990 and has provided $9 million in awards to date, according to the foundation.

Shawano Community High School

The American Legion of Wisconsin annually provides the Americanism and Government scholarship program, which fosters interest in all levels of government and citizenship, and provides students the opportunity to receive recognition and scholarships. A 50-question test is administered to test a student’s knowledge of U.S. government, Wisconsin government and county government. In addition, a student must answer an essay question.

Annually, 32 winners from the entire state are selected by the Americanism Committee of The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin. This year, Shawano Community High School is pleased to announce that Emily Jones, a sophomore, was one of those winners. For her efforts, she received a certificate of recognition and a $250 scholarship. Emily is the daughter of Timothy and Sally Jones.

Gresham Community School

On May 13, the Gresham high school students went on an incentive field trip. The kids visited Badgers Sports Park and went bowling at Super Bowl.

The freshman and sophomores had ACT Aspire testing throughout the week.

On May 15, there was a blood drive at Gresham Community School. Staff and students 16 and older were encouraged to donate blood.

There was a middle and high school choir concert on May 15. On May 18, there was an elementary choir concert.

The plant science class and FFA are holding a plant sale from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday through June 6.

Sacred Heart Catholic School

Our music department is raising money for a new piano. Keys may be purchased in honor of or in memory of a loved one. White keys cost $50; black keys, $25; treble/bass clefs, $10; music notes, $1. Checks can be made out to Sacred Heart Catholic School.

The third-graders were busy creating a volcano in a bottle and discussing how volcanoes work.

After attending Mass Tuesday morning, the eighth-grade students along with their chaperones, Wendy Lundt, Father Luke Ferris, Amy Piantek and Randy Panzer, left for their service trip to Chicago.

Bowler School District

Who would want to build something only to break it when they were done? What do you get when you give students 300 toothpicks and a bottle of glue?

Well, in Katie Hansen’s class, you get toothpick bridges! Students spent 10 days building their bridges only to destroy them in the end. Students needed to figure out the best way of making bridges that weighed little but held a lot. Some bridges had very classic designs while others had a basic form.

All the bridges were required to be 35 centimeters long and able to have the wooden down be attached with the bucket that would hold the weights. The students then placed weights into the bucket to find out the mass that their bridge would hold. This year there was one bridge that held every weight, as well as a lead ore rock! Congratulations to Alissa Rickert on that bridge.

Saturday’s commencement ceremonies at the College of Menominee Nation represented a special milestone for the college.

The 111 students eligible for graduation from CMN’s Keshena and Green Bay campuses brought the college’s total number of alumni above the 1,000 mark.

Candidates received bachelor’s and associate degrees, technical diplomas and certificates of mastery in 15 programs of study. The group included members and descendants of 11 American Indian tribes and residents from 28 communities in Wisconsin, Michigan and North Carolina.

Commencement speakers included CMN President Verna Fowler, guest speaker Alton (Sonny) Smart, Trenton Miller Sr., who spoke on behalf of the graduating class, and Justin Gauthier, a 2011 CMN graduate who welcomed the new graduates to the ranks of alumni.

Smart, of the Bad River Band of Ojibway, is a member of the social work faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and was one of the first four instructors at CMN when it opened in January 1993.

Miller, a Shawano resident, received his CMN degree in natural resources. He is a son of the late Glen Miller, a Menominee leader during whose tenure the idea of the tribal college was conceived.

After earning his associate degree at CMN, Gauthier enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and recently completed his baccalaureate there in English.

A special President’s Award was given during ceremonies to Loretta Webster of the Oneida Tribe. Webster was recognized for her aid in the 1992-93 academic year in the establishment of the College of Menominee Nation while she served as associate vice chancellor for cultural diversity at UW-Stevens Point. Fowler cited Webster for facilitating discussions with the Stevens Point chancellor that led to a credit-transfer agreement as CMN began offering classes.

Webster, who is a UW Law School graduate, subsequently served as land management attorney and in other capacities for the Oneida Tribe. More recently, she has practiced and fostered traditional arts. The award commended her work on behalf of American Indian students and communities.

Professor Ruth (Cyndi) Pyatskowit of the college’s teacher education program received the 2015 American Indian College Fund Teacher of the Year Award. She is project director and principle investigator on several education and literacy grants at the college focused on young children. She is a respected educator with more than 30 years professional experience and substantial work with Head Start and other early childhood initiatives.

The college, which opened for students in 1993, is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is one of only three Land Grant institutions in Wisconsin and one of 36 recognized tribal colleges in North America. It enrolls American Indian and non-Indian students on its Keshena and Green Bay campuses.

COLLEGE OF MENOMINEE NATION

Spring 2015 graduates

BACHELOR OF ARTS

Public administration: Shane A. Dixon Sr., Shawano; Bryan L. Waukau, Keshena.

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Business administration: Mani A. Boyd, Shawano; Denise M. Madosh, Susan M. Waukau and Arlyne L. Wayka, Keshena. Madosh earned academic honors.

Early childhood/elementary education: Theresa M. Carroll and Amy L. Jensen, Gresham; Pauline A. Centers, Seymour; Andrew G. Manthey and Megan L. Welk, Shawano. All five earned highest academic honors.

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accounting: Sarah L. Steinback, Shawano.

Biological and physical sciences: Lucille R. Martin, Bowler; Brennan A. Waupoose, Keshena; Jaime L. Wheelock, Oneida. Wheelock earned high academic honors.

Early childhood education: Lucille R. Martin, Bowler; Nakoa D. Chiltoskie, Cherokee, North Carolina; Noelle A. Madosh and Deidre A. Caldwell, Keshena.

Liberal studies/humanities: Larry Madden, Bowler; Amellia F. McGeshick, Green Bay. McGeshick earned high academic honors.

Liberal studies/social sciences: Carol J. Bogda, Carol L. Brunette, Angela S. Hernandez, Jesse D. Kaquatosh-Williams, Amber F. Webster and Melissa J. Wilber, Green Bay; Mason S. Powless, Seymour; Denise L. Nacotee and Mary A. Shawanokasic, Keshena. Brunette and Powless earned high academic honors.

Natural resources: Luis A. Kakkak and Timothy B. Waupoose, Keshena; Trenton T. Miller Sr., Shawano.

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE

Nursing: Vincent H. Bilotti, Tara R. Rysewyk, Crystal R. Thiem and Renee M. Williams, Green Bay; Katie M. Borntreger, Rhonda A. Lindstrom, Nicole R. Mertz and Chanda N. Oviedo, Shawano; Melanie George, Kaukauna; Ashley A. Gipp, Clintonville; Katie J. Lowney and Houa K. Moua, Appleton; Carrie L. Rozoff, Denmark; Steven J. Seidl, Luxemburg; Laura L. Thayer, Bonduel; Kenlee M. Wasurick, Greenleaf; Colleen M. Wayka, Keshena

TECHNICAL DIPLOMA

–Business Office Technician: Kode-Ray C. Adams, Gresham; Jodie L. Davids, Bowler; Maria L. Frechette and Marsha L. Miller, Keshena; Desma M. Wayka, Neopit. Adams and Frechette earned high academic honors.

–Electricity: Dana A. Bergeon and Benjamin M. Rudolph, Shawano; Allen G. Grignon and Brian L. Grignon, Keshena; Daniel J. Hebert, Gresham. Rudolph earned high honors.

–Practical Nursing: Brenda K. Balthazor, Amber L. Bodoh, Sally E. Kauth, Sarah M. Krueger and Nicole L. Zabel, Clintonville; Stephanie M. Bishop, Pulaski; Gina M. Blazek, Daggett, Michigan; Stephanie L. Bugler, Keshena; Audra E. Demmith, Mountain; Jason J. Boucher, Karissa A. Donley and Kayla C. Prichard, Shawano; Gaudalupe M. Guzman, Lori L. Hanson, Lana J. McVeigh, Katie E. Muellenbach, Lorna L. Odeen, Cassie L. Petersen, You Vang, Constance R. Wray and Tiffany N. Young, Green Bay; Rachel E. Huested, Wrightstown; Stephanie A. Miller, Marinette; Tiffany A. Nennig, Manitowoc; Melissa R. Rass, Stevens Point; Ariel J. Schmidt and Christine A. Van Dahm, Appleton; Angela M. Schneider, De Pere; Jill M. Seefeldt, Wild Rose; Heidi L. Spurlock-Mondragon, Krakow; and Paula K. Wojtalewicz, Iola.

– Sustainable Residential Building Systems: Anthony Brown, Crystal K. Lyons and Richard A. Tourtillott III, Keshena; Jesse J. Hugginis, Clintonville; Jared Skenadore, Oneida. Skenadore earned academic honors.

–Welding: Shawn C. Behnke, Mitchell J. Mazemke and George A. Swett, Shawano; Jesse Downs, Bonduel; Kyle J. Grignon, Neopit; Antonio V. Waukau Sr., Kyle J. Wilber and Christopher J. Wynos, Keshena; Lucas B. Huntington, Gresham; Raymond J. Mickelson and Ohkwalli Skenandore, Green Bay; Aaron M. Vele, Tigerton. Downs earned high academic honors. Mickelson earned academic honors.

CERTIFICATE OF MASTERY

Criminal Justice: Forrest Perez, Keshena.

The Shawano School District has named six students as recipients of Hawk Way awards, including two students from Shawano Community Middle School who were recognized for standing up to bullies.

Collin Buermann, on three separate occasions, stood up to bullying behavior, District Superintendent Gary Cumberland said.

The first incident was noticed when Buermann helped a student find his hat after bullies took it away and put it in the snow, Cumberland said..

“It might seem like a small thing, but he was the only student in the entire recess who even tried to help the boy,” Cumberland said. “His actions exemplify the Hawk Way.”

The second incident was when Buermann stood up to an eighth-grade student who was verbally and physically bullying a sixth-grade student, Cumberland, and the third incident occurred when Buermann stopped a physical fight between two students, keeping the bully and his victim apart while calling for adults to help.

Kylie Guenther was recognized for combating bullies in her own way when she went to a teacher and expressed concern about a special-needs student being taken advantage of and laughed at by another student.

“Kylie didn’t have to do this herself, but knew in her heart she couldn’t solve this on her own,” Cumberland said. “Having students like Kylie look out for other students and accept her peers for who they are is a great quality to have.”

Kathryn Kugel, a student at Shawano Community High School, was recognized for being a positive role model both in and out of school, Cumberland said. She’s heavily involved in 4-H, including participation in the organization’s state leadership. Kugel also participates in student council, the school’s yearbook, forensics, Destination Imagination, multiple bands, peer support groups and Students Against Destructive Decisions. She also competes in tennis, track and cross-country.

“Kathryn is always striving for leadership positions in clubs, as well as volunteering her time and providing community service,” Cumberland said.

Harold LaRock was nominated for the award for being a “thoughtful student,” Cumberland said. LaRock has shown caring for fellow SCHS students and kindness to his teachers.

“He’s a bit shy, but it doesn’t take him long to warm up to people. He is always very eager to learn,” Cumberland said.

Matthew Schwitzer, a SCMS student, was nominated for going out of his way to make things easy in school, from tightening music stands to repairing drum equipment. Schwitzer is also the school’s student council president and helped write a grant to the Shawano County Retired Teachers Association to bring a bike stunt show to school, Cumberland said.

“He presented on Veterans Day and gave a very respectful speech encouraging students to volunteer in our community,” Cumberland said.

Rounding out the award recipients was middle school student Tristan Szucs. Szucs was nominated for being respectful and being a hard worker, as well as helping out in the school’s weight room.

“He helped a new weight lifter to begin our program,” Cumberland said. “Tristan explained everything to him in detail and is very welcoming. He invited the student to work in his lifting group.”

Staff members at the two schools nominated students who they felt went above and beyond being a good student. The award was started in conjunction with the new Hawk Way philosophy announced at the beginning of the school year in an effort to make sure school was a positive experience.

Caroline Bedroske, executive director of Wolf River Lutheran High in Cecil, has been selected by the Van Lunen Center for Executive Management in Christian Schools at Calvin College for a fellowship.

The Van Lunen Center’s 2015-2016 fellows include educators from 24 schools across the United States, Canada and beyond.

The program is designed for school heads who seek professional development in their work as administrators of faith-based schools. The majority of participant expenses are covered by the Van Lunen Center, including cost of instruction, airfare, lodging, meals, coaching and access to topic experts.

The Van Lunen Center was established at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in January 2007 with a $2.5 million endowment gift to the college from the Richard D. Van Lunen Foundation.

“The sessions are presented in a dynamic and rigorous format that includes case studies, interactive workshops, and expert training led by the faculty and consultants,” said Jim Marsh, director of the Van Lunen Center.

“In areas such as marketing, student recruitment and retention, social media, strategic planning, fundraising campaigns, sustainability, governance and other topics relevant to executive management skills, participants will deepen their own leadership, develop skills and create deep relationships with peers and leaders,” he said. “They will become more prepared to craft and implement a sustainable Christian educational mission with parents, teachers and other supporting communities.”

The program begins with five residential days in July, continues in January 2016 for five days and ends with three days in July 2016.

The Shawano School District is stressing the importance of good nutrition with its summer food service program.

The program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, provides nutritious meals to children during the summer, when free and reduced-price school meals are unavailable.

Free meals will be made available to eligible children 18 and younger. Persons older than 18 who are determined by a state or local public educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled and who also participate in a public or private nonprofit school program during the regular school year may receive free meals as well.

Hillcrest Primary School and Shawano Community High School will serve free breakfasts from 7:45-9 a.m. and free lunches from 10:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. every day during summer school, which runs from June 15 through July 17.

Meals are provided to eligible children regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of meal service.

“This program fills a void created when school breakfast and lunches are not available,” said Sarah Moesch, director for Taher Inc., the district’s food service provider. “Helping parents meet the nutritional needs of their children is the strength of this program. Shawano School District is excited to offer this service.”

Alumnus Honoris Award recipient Jerald Schoenike offered advice to the Class of 2015 at Clintonville High School during the annual commencement ceremony Friday at the school.

“Be disciplined in what you do. Think before you act,” said Schoenike, a former Clintonville School District superintendent. “Most decisions provide time for thought and consequences.

“Volunteer. Find a way to serve without monetary pay. Always challenge yourself. Don’t be afraid of failure. Always try to get better at what you do. Keep yourself healthy along with laughter and humor. Take care of your future families—especially those members who are the oldest and youngest.

“That’s all there is. Now your task is to put it together.”

Schoenike said he was humbled to receive the Alumnus Honoris Award. He said he had much help along the way, especially from his family.

Schoenike grew up in Clintonville, graduated with the Class of 1953, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Stout and a doctorate from the University of Illinois, became a teacher and administrator, and was the Clintonville superintendent of schools from 1983-1996.

In his address, valedictorian Jarren Vanman used his experiences learning to ride a unicycle to reflect on the challenges the students will face.

“We are on the edge of tomorrow and the rest of our lives,” Vanman said. “Life ahead of us will be full of fear and challenges. It is up to us to balance fear with hard work and risks that are often necessary for our success if we take them wisely. …

“We will all fall many times in our future. … Each time we fall, reflect what we could do better.”

Salutatorian Christine Betz thanked the many people — parents, families and teachers — who helped the students along their journey, mixing patience with motivation. “They made us better people,” she said.

“It has been a wonderful ride,” Betz said. “We now move forward and show the world what we are made of.”

Every day, teacher Dean Hermsen’s “Bowler Rangers” take a different path into the outdoors. On July 2, they chose a path that led to the Bowler Ranger Station.

Ranger station workers put on a presentation covering fire safety, firefighting, tree identification, invasive species and more for six youngsters as a part of Bowler Elementary School’s summer school forestry class.

Smiles were abundant as the class tried out tools, including a fire shelter and fire hose, used by the rangers. They also hopped inside the station’s bulldozer.

Usually the students hike into the woods across from the school; whatever they find that they think is interesting is put in Hermsen’s pouch to bring back to the school. Once they return, the students research the items on an iPad to discover what they are.

Hermsen was looking for something different for the class to do, so he took a hike up to the ranger station. Forestry technician Dave Marquette gave him an overview. Hermsen then asked if Marquette would put on a similar presentation for the class, and Marquette thought it was a great idea.

The employees at the ranger station see involvement with the schools as a great way to ensure the future health of area forests.

“They’re our future, and we want to make sure that if they are having any problems with anything on ‘the back 40’ they aren’t afraid to swing by,” Ranger Zach Hylinski said.

Unfortunately the state Department of Natural Resources, which operates the station, does not have the resources to do more than three or four presentations a year.

“There just isn’t enough manpower,” Marquette said. “There are vacancies in Keshena, Waupaca and all across the state. … We don’t have the numbers to be able to go up to a school for a day. In this case, he was bringing the kids to us, so we could do something for them.”

A banquet July 23 at the College of Menominee Nation recognized the first 11 individuals to complete CMN’s new Shirley Daly Leadership Academy training.

The pilot academy class was composed of Maurissa Bigjohn and Brandon Frechette, of the CMN Department of Continuing Education; Dr. Lisa Bosman, of the college’s engineering faculty; Kelli Chelberg, teacher education faculty; Maria Escalante, library director; Michael Faulds, Melissa Larson and Luis Ortiz, of CMN’s Green Bay/Oneida campus; Eric Jurgens, of the English faculty; Tessa James, student services, and Geraldine Sanapaw, the college’s registrar.

Participants in the academy were nominated by a CMN dean, director or faculty member and chosen by a selection committee. Eligibility included service as a full-time staff or faculty member at CMN for a minimum of one year and academic credentials of a bachelor’s degree or higher. All the nominees were then selected by a three-member committee.

The academy is designed meet the leadership development needs of faculty, staff and team leaders at the college. Planners noted that every organization needs to plan for the future, and developing one of its greatest assets — its employees — is essential.

Program participants studied characteristics a successful leader should possess, their own personalities and skills, and how to use personal strengths and address areas of improvement.

Information was provided on what makes a tribal college a unique institution and what other tribal colleges are doing to develop leaders. Training also provided information on the role the federal government plays in the tribal college process and what employees of tribal colleges need to do to make sure their institutions flourish.

The program is named for the late Shirley Daly and was funded with a gift in her honor. Daly served as leader of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin and was among those who fostered the idea of a tribal college in Keshena.

The College of Menominee Nation began offering classes in January 1993. CMN is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and Northeast Wisconsin Education Resource Alliance, among other affiliations.

The college’s May graduating class brought the number of CMN alumni to more than 1,000.

The Bonduel School District will begin classes for the 2015-16 school year Sept. 1 for high school freshmen and students in grades 4K through sixth. The remaining students will report for classes Sept. 2.

Starting and ending times at district schools will be as follows: 8:07 a.m. to 3:04 p.m. at Bonduel Elementary School, 8:03 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. at Bonduel Middle School and 8:03 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. at Bonduel High School.

All school buildings open at 7:45 a.m. and close at 4 p.m. Parents are asked not to drop children off at the schools prior to 7:45 a.m., especially in inclement weather.

All visitors are required to register at school offices upon entering the buildings.

Parents and students are also reminded of the closed campus policy. Students are not permitted off campus during normal school hours without a signed note from their parents.

Basic supplies for the school year include folders, notebooks, pens, pencils, scientific calculator, and loose leaf paper. A list of specific materials needed for each class is on the school website and will be available at registration.

Registration

New students can enroll in person at the appropriate school office from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. New students must be enrolled prior to Aug. 25.

Parents of 4-year-old kindergarten registrants are asked to bring their child’s immunization records and birth certificate when registering. No documentation is needed for any other new students.

Registration for all returning students in grades K-12 and students already screened for 4K is available online at www.bonduel.k12.wi.us.

Student fees, parking fees and lunch accounts can be paid by logging in to Family Access through the school’s website. Payments may also be made via mail or dropped off in the school offices.

Elementary school

Classroom assignments for all elementary students (K4 through grade five) will be available through Family Access online. If you do not have Internet access or are unable to use Family Access, call the Bonduel Elementary School office at 715-758-4810 for the information.

Students should report to their assigned classrooms when they arrive at school on the first day of classes. Parents can pay school fees and make deposits into their family food service accounts at the school’s open house, which will be from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 26.

Middle school

Bonduel Middle School students (grades six-eight) can view their schedules online.

Copies of locker assignments and schedules will also be available during the middle school open house from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 26. Sixth-graders and their parents are invited to an orientation program at 5 p.m. in the commons. The program is primarily designed for parents new to BMS and will provide parents with information about changes to expect as their child transitions to middle school.

Classes will begin at 8 a.m. Sept. 1 for sixth-graders only. They will participate in the WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) program, which is designed to improve the transition from elementary to middle school.

Sept. 2 will be the first day of school for seventh- and eighth-graders.

High school

The Bonduel High School open house will be from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 26.

Students can review their schedules through Skyward’s family and student access after Aug. 27.

Registration is available online through Family Access. The link on the BHS website provides instructions and forms. If you do not have Internet access or need assistance, you may stop in the high school office to complete the online application process.

Parking passes may be purchased and picked up in the office on the following dates and times: seniors, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 24; juniors, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 25; freshmen and sophomores, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26.

Freshmen will participate in the Link Crew Program on Sept. 1 to help each student transition into the high school and continue their education on a positive note.

Meal program

Daily elementary lunch prices will be $2.70. The middle school and high school daily lunch price will be $2.95. All payments for any food service programs, including a la carte items, will be deposited into a family or household account rather than into an individual child’s account. All meals and a la carte items purchased by children in the same family or household will be charged to the family account.

Although any amount of payment will be accepted, it is recommended that payments be in amounts equal to the expected monthly or quarterly meal costs. Additional charges will not be allowed whenever a household account is more than $10 behind in payments.

Menus are posted on the district’s website.

A salad bar will be available for all students as part of the regular lunch program. A la carte items have been changed to choices with fewer calories from fat. Vending machine choices have also been upgraded.

If students bring their lunches from home, parents are strongly encouraged to provide items with lower amounts of fats and calories. It is also recommended that any sodas should be sugar-free products.

Applications for free and reduced lunch rates were recently mailed to every family in the district. The application should be completed and returned prior to the first day of school.

All parents whose income qualifies are encouraged to complete the forms, even if their children may not participate in the food service program. District reimbursements for many grants and entitlement programs are based on the number of students qualified to participate in the free and reduced food service program. Reduced lunch rates are 40 cents per meal. Anyone having questions about the forms should call Brenda Staszak in the district office at 715-758-4862.

A breakfast program is also available daily for all students. The price of the daily breakfast program is $1.15 for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and $1.65 for middle school and high school students. Students who qualify for reduced lunch prices will pay 30 cents for breakfast. Milk will be 30 cents per carton and will be charged to the family food service account.

School fees

Fees can be paid at any school office on or before Sept. 4.

Student fees are $20 for elementary students, $25 for middle school students and $30 for high school students.

Parking fees for high school students will be $20. All family vehicles are covered by one parking fee. Students are strongly encouraged to use the district’s transportation system before and after school rather than driving their personal vehicles. Although school parking lots are carefully monitored, all accidents involving privately owned vehicles are the responsibility of their owners.

The music rental fee is unchanged at $40.

A student insurance plan is available at parent expense. The policy serves as a supplement for students who have minimal or no other insurance coverage. The basic plan covers all school activities with the exception of football. Insurance coverage for students playing football is also available. Students will receive a brochure outlining the type of coverage available through the plan at the open houses and from their coaches. Any questions about the student insurance program should be directed to Brenda Staszak in in the district office, 715-758-4862.

Parents are reminded that the school district does not pay medical expenses for accidents or injuries that happen on school grounds.

Transportation

Students will be picked up at their regular bus stops. Buses, drivers and routes will be similar to those for the past school year. Anyone uncertain about transportation schedules should call Ken Banker, transportation director, at 715-758-4870.