DECEMBER 2008

As the first snows of the season fly, I find myself looking back thee months to the beginning of our school year. We started off the year with great enthusiasm and eagerness. There was change. Many new faces and familiar ones in new places greeted us back in September.

At the high school we had heard very good things about the incoming freshman class. The middle school and high school teachers do talk with each other, and during those first few weeks conversations always center around how the incoming class compares to the one before and the one coming after. This class stacked up! I have had many conversations with teachers who have commented on the accomplishments and the responsibility of the freshman class as a whole.

I am proud of these students, just as I am proud of our teachers and their accomplishments. For example, Ms. Perry’s art student, Raina, was selected to receive a 2008 W.T. Graham Youth Art Award and the art piece was on display this summer at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Another accomplishment that will benefit not only our students but also the entire community is the completion of the new and expanded tennis courts. Mr. Rukavina, Spanish teacher and tennis coach, spearheaded the efforts, which led to a $40,000 grant, the founding of a community tennis club affiliated with the USTA and a much-deserved award for his time, hard work and efforts in seeing these projects through to completion.  

November was an extremely busy month and began with the end of term one and a well planned and activity-filled Native American Awareness Week, a celebration of our local Ho-Chunk culture and other Native American cultures.  This year the high school welcomed artisans, history and legal experts as well the perennial favorite--the cooking experts--into our classes. Students and staff enjoyed hearing about the accomplishments of the Ho-Chunk people, seeing their beautiful pottery work and tasting the scrumptious fry bread! Thanks so much to Tina Boisen, Lori Pettibone, Barb McKenzie-Blackdeer, Michelle Gulbronson and all the others who worked to put together a great week.

For me, the highlight was seeing some of our students out at the mini-powow performing brilliantly in front of their peers. It is truly inspiring to see that these young people are proud and confident to display their skills. Congratulations to all the dancers. You showed tremendous character and respect for your traditions.

The next week we put the sophomores to the test, literally. Our sophomores took the WKCE (Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exam). This is a federally-mandated test, which is part of the No-Child Left Behind law. It is a very important exam, even though it doesn’t show up on students’ report cards. The results do show up, though. The school’s results are published in the paper, and each student and parent receive the results later in the spring. These scores are, to some degree, a report card on the school. We look at the results to determine how well our students are learning and what we can do to improve their learning. Stay tuned for the results and check out previous years’ results for the WKCE, ACT and other achievement data at the WINNS website: http://dpi.wi.gov/sig/index.html.

The month finished in a flurry with a short week prior to the Thanksgiving break. It is hard to believe that we only have 15 school days before our next break. These days will also be vey full. Our music students are busily preparing for this year’s madrigal dinner. The dinner will be held on December 13 and 14. Be sure to get your tickets ASAP! Contact a band or choir student or call the music department at extension 2402. If for some reason you have to miss the madrigal, be sure to take in the holiday concert at the Lunda Theater on Monday, December 15.

Also, our winter sports seasons are now off and running. You can stop in the office for a schedule or check out the new scheduling website at: http://www.couleeconference.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?G5genie=68&school_id=4 (or access it from the brf.org website under calendars, then athletics. What a great way to stay up-to-date with our athletic teams. Go Tigers!

Finally, a note to parents and students; it is not too soon to start thinking about next school year. Seniors, be sure to check with your counselor to be sure you are on track with your plans after high school. Juniors, sophomores and freshmen, take a look at your classes for second semester and discuss your future plans with your parents and your adviser.

Parents, take some time to listen and discuss your son or daughter’s future plans. The foundation you help your child prepare today with academics and character will have an enormous impact on their future career and their success in life.

Please share with us ideas, questions or concerns. We are here to help you and the students.

Happy holidays to you all,

Tom Chambers
Principal