Parents underestimate total number of absences throughout the year. 60% of parents said their child was absent an average of 2+ days a month, but not 10+ days a year. If a child is absent an average of 2+ days a month, then they are absent for more than 10+ days a year.

Studies show kids’ brains, and their gray matter, are low when they are on screens. School is prime habit-forming time.
Another habit that needs to be addressed is the misconception of multitasking. We are under this misconception we all can do it. And we can’t. You might think, I can listen to this lecture while my sister texts me. That is not supported by science or studies. It is literally derailing you. Your brain jumps off to another track and has to get back on. If you think you have not left that first track, you are wrong. Please help our students stay focused and off of their phones during instructional time.

Free & Reduced meal applications can be filled out at any time during the school year. Pick up an application from any school secretary or download it from the district website.

https://www.getschools.org/page/food-services

English 9: Getting back into the groove…We just finished reading Long Way Down by award winning young adult author Jason Reynolds. While reading, we focused on character analysis and symbolism, and we prefaced our reading with background information on gun violence in the United States. We are starting our short stories and literary elements unit, and we’ll talk about plot structure, figurative language, character types, etc. with each story.

We just finished our introductory unit learning about American Literature and exploring the American Dream. Students had to identify specific elements that they think represented their idea of the American Dream. Students realized the task was not as simple as it sounded, having to pinpoint specific texts to help them illustrate their conceptualization of the American Dream.

I am Mrs. Joten, and I am excited to join the G-E-T School District and the high school English department.

I grew up on a small farm outside of Blair, Wisconsin. My husband and I live in Taylor, Wisconsin.

I earned my bachelor’s degree (in comprehensive secondary English education) from UW-Eau Claire. Also, I hold a master’s degree in education - professional development from UW-La Crosse and a master’s degree in education - professional studies (with an emphasis in information, technology, and libraries) from UW-Whitewater. I am certified to teach English in grades 6-12, and I am a certified K-12 library media specialist.

I come to G-E-T with 24 years of experience in education, having taught high school English for sixteen years in the Blair-Taylor School District, and having served as their district library media specialist for eight.

Some of my hobbies and interests include reading, writing, playing games, doing puzzles, spending time with family and friends, watching movies/TV, and learning new things.

I am grateful to be here and excited for the future!

Geometry: We are finishing up our first unit, which covers a lot of vocabulary that we will be using throughout the entire semester. We have also been brushing up on some of our algebra skills such as solving equations and pythagorean theorem. We will be starting our next unit on constructions using the compass and rulers next week.

Tech Math: We completed our first unit on fractions and all of the wonderful uses on them last week. Next we have been working on percentages and how we can use them in the real world.

I also have a student teacher this semester, Rayna Swanson. She comes to us from Winona State and is from Blair-Taylor. Rayna has been helping out in the Pre-Calculus classroom along with teaching some of the Geometry classes. She will be with us until December.

Mr. Baures and Ms. Stetzer have been awarded a grant from the WHA (Wisconsin Hospital Association) to start a G-E-T Chapter of HOSA! HOSA is an international organization available to students in 6th - collegiate levels to assist them in accessing health occupations. We are in the process of affiliating our new chapter members and organizing ideas to explore healthcare careers. We marched in the Homecoming Parade and are working on a field to EPIC in Verona, WI. Congratulations to our first set of club officers:

President: L. James

Vice-President: L. Johnson

Treasurer: L. Schmitt

Clerk/Secretary: A. Rogers

We are super excited to build this new program for and by students so they can make informed decisions about their future while learning valuable life skills along the way!!

Physical Education classes have had an exciting start to the school year, with students completing units in Disc Golf, Football, and Volleyball. Students honed physical skills such as hand-eye coordination, throwing accuracy, agility, and teamwork throughout these units. They also developed key social skills, including communication, sportsmanship, and cooperation, essential for success in team-based games. We're looking forward to the upcoming units and continued growth in both physical fitness and personal development!

In Intro to Weight Training class, students began by mastering the basics of weight room safety, proper technique, and etiquette. As they've progressed, students have been given options tailored to their experience level, ranging from following structured workout routines to designing their own personalized fitness plans.

To start the year in Health students have been learning about overall wellness and more specifically stress & emotions. They went over all the different types of stress in our lives and most recently completed a project about their own unique "Personality Island", modeled after the movie Inside Out.

Hello! We have a lot to be excited about in our Social Studies department this semester, as we are training not one but TWO student teachers!

Michelle Smith is a student at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. She hails from the southside of Chicago (Oak Lawn) and plays on St. Mary’s softball team in the spring. Michelle will be working in Mr. Hurd’s classroom, leading a couple World History classes.

Kellen Szumski is a student at UW-LaCrosse. He is originally from Whitefish Bay, WI. Kellen works as a Mentor N’ Tutor site coordinator at UW-L. Kellen worked with Mr. Mendez last spring, observing him in class, and now is taking over some behavioral science courses in his classroom this fall.

We are very pleased with Michelle and Kellen’s work thus far, and are excited to see them grow under our guidance.

Lastly, our very own Angeline Gannon got married on August 31st to G-E-T alum Chris Thompson in Detroit Lakes, MN. They met in college at Valley City State University in Valley City, ND. If you see Angeline and Chris, please congratulate them on their marriage!

Mixed Choir and Robed Choir are working on their music preparing for the fall concert on October 21 at 7 pm in the PAC. Put it in your calendars!

Music fundraisers are coming up. The first will be September 29 from 9 am-1 pm and will include a bake sale and car wash at the Curling Club in Centerville. Free will donations will be accepted to raise money for the band and choir trip to New York this spring break. The second fundraiser will be on October 6 at WingHaven at 12:30 featuring Robed Choir, Vocal Point, and Out of the Blue. The third is on October 19 at Schwertel Farms from 4-9 pm. Students will be holding a bake sale, face painting, and haunting the corn maze. Kid friendly hours are from 4-6 pm. Please consider supporting our students and our program by attending these events.

Out of the Blue welcomed new members J. Ballentine (10), K. Ridolfo (9), L. Wood (9), and J. Waller (10). Current song selections are Crazy by Gnarls Barkley (soloist E. Dungy) and Use Somebody (soloist J. Waller) by Kings of Leon.

Vocal Point current song selections: Hold My Hand (soloist K. Cook) by Jess Glynne, Nothing Holding Me Back/Mercy (soloists B. Thill and S. Smock) by Shawn Mendes, People Like Us (soloist M. Tobias) by Kelly Clarkson, Because of You (soloist R. Garcia) by Kelly Clarkson, and an SSAA arrangement of Cowboy Casanova (soloists G. Woxland and B. Hansen) by Carrie Underwood.