Battler Proud
Each month this academic year, the Battle Lake School will celebrate staff and students that exhibit characteristics of the "Battler Proud" way. Students and staff have the opportunity to nominate anybody within the school they feel have shown specific character traits for that month. Make sure to check our upcoming newsletters to see the recipients of these awards!
Battlers Connect
Battle Lake School Open House/Family & Community Fun Night - Recap
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CyCXNMUR5ToyPRFAjkBp8MdmAWoOmrDG/view?usp=sharing
Football
We caught up with Mr. Olson to learn more about OTC Bulldogs football. Take a look!
I've been doing it since I was 18 years old.
How do you prep your team for games?
Strong week of practice and film study that matches the apponent.
Have you ever planned a pre-game speech?
I've planned many and give them all the time.
How do you think your team will play this season?
I have high expectations but other factors that come into play are injuries and weather.
What might others be surprised to know about you?
I like to cook.
What else can you tell us about your team?
Very fun group of young men that work hard and want to win.
Checking in with Volleyball
When Mrs. Heather Akerman moved back into the Battle Lake area, Battle Lake School was in need of an Assistant Coach, so she gave it a try and ended up loving it! She has now been coaching the Volleyball team for 20 years! Mrs. Akerman enjoys making memories and relationships with her athletes, however, she is always worried about not having enough time for her athletes. When asked who her greatest influence was as it related to coaching and she said Mrs. Wallevand. She went on to say that she had a huge impact on her coaching style as she was fiercely competitive but at the same time, always kind and compassionate. Following in her footsteps, Mrs. Akerman also has the kind, compassionate personality that anyone can bond with.
Running with Cross Country
Brady Speicher is the head coach of the OTC Cross Country team. He has been running for 16 years, since 7th grade. Six of those years have been spent Coaching Cross Country at Battle Lake. He considers himself a personable coach that doesn’t get angry, and he says the cross country team would agree. His favorite part about coaching is seeing people get PRs (Personal Records).
A Cross Country competition, or meet, is usually composed of 30 teams at most, but usually less. When you cross the finish line, you earn your team a point based on your placing. If you’re in 50th, you get 50 points. As a team, you add up your top ten runners points. The lowest team score wins the meet.
After School Program
The Afterschool program has grown more and more every year since it was started in 2007. It’s run by Ms. Mills, and this year there’s about 50 children in the program. The school felt there was a need for childcare within the building, and Ms. Mills has managed it ever since. The atmosphere in the Afterschool room is busy and the kids have fun doing the various activities with their friends after school hours have ended. They can play with toys and games, read books, and finish homework during their time in the room.
Coming Soon...Shrek The Musical!
We caught up with Mr. Horn to learn more about him and Shrek The Musical, check it out!
MusicThe music will all be from the musical itself, not the movie.
Favorite Song
His favorite song from the muscial is “Whats up Duloc?”
His favorite character is Pinnochio! He says Pinnochio is so funny and is a surprise to people who haven’t seen the movie. With that said, he thinks Donkey is sassy and feels Shrek would be nothing without him.
Mr. Horn plans to inspire the people in the musical by saying they collectively need to stay driven as the music in the show is very complex. He also says Battle Lake has been known for the arts and the standard set by the community is one that we need to strive to to achieve!
Mr. Horn became a music teacher because he wanted to make a difference in the lives of students. He says music is an emotional connection that opens up even the most hard hearted person and allows them to have an outlet. He loves music with all his heart and has very high standards, but all through the scope of relationships with students.
Mr Horn says, there is this thought that you can be musical, but not athletic or vice versa…. here's something surprising about Mr. Horn that proves that you can be musical and athletic. In 2007 he was an ESPN top 150 recruit for football at the center position. In 2011, he was invited to the NFL regional combine due in large part to their offensive line being ranked 3rd in NCAA from DI all the way to DIII letting up only .33 sacks per game. He loves sports! And hopes to coach football and track with the potential to coach other sports as well!
Mr. Horn is a great teacher, and he thinks that it was an amazing choice to come here. He states himself that, "It is so fun to be part of a school that has a tradition of exellence.” He says it felt like family from day one of coming here. So lets appreciate Mr. Horn!!
Now it was Ms. Lukken's turn to answer some questions, take a look!
Why Shrek?
Ms. Lukken says the reason they picked Shrek as the play was because it fit the school really well, especially the strong male leads.
Ms. Lukken's favorite characters are Shrek and Donkey as a duo, their comedy moments are easily the best in the show, she also likes Farquad too.
Ms. Lukken shared with us that the play's storyline will be almost Identical to the movie. There will be a few changes but they will be very similar.
And our biggest question of all from our interview is if Shrek and Fiona's face will be painted green...thank goodness ladies and gentlemen, because she says that it's the most likely!!!
Food Service
There were multiple reasons. The people in the school were personable to them, some had children in the school, and it was appealing working with people they knew.
How do you know how much food to make for every student in the school?
It's a guessing game most of time!
What is your favorite meal to make when it's "Chef's Choice" and do you choose something that's easy to make?
We try to make something that is a "favorite" with the students in the school.
How long does it usually take to prepare the food and be ready for the students?
3 1/2 hours to prepare the food and be ready to serve.
What is your least favorite type of food to make?
Grilled cheese sandwiches and mac and cheese.
Chess, Checkers, and Board Games Club
Homecoming 2023 - Recap!
Monday
Homecoming week started off with Coronation as the activity and Movie Night (wear your pajamas) as the dress up day.
Meet the Homecoming Court
Freshman: Kinley Bormann & Randy Christensen, Belle Bormann & Billy Durbin
Sophomores: Danica Byrne & Jake Draeger
Juniors: Janie Lhotak & Trevor Stans
Seniors: Kaylee Trosdahl & Mason Dalluge, Laney Frost & Jack Mekalson, Susanna Schaefer & Sawyer Christensen
Kindergarten Prince & Princess: Emerson Dorn & Crosby Cameron
Congratulations to Mason Dalluge and Laney Frost for winning Homecoming King & Queen!
Tuesday
The dress up for Tuesday was Parent Trap (twin with a friend). We saw students twinning with their friends, students twinning with staff, and teachers and staff twinning with one another! The activity was Kingpin.
Wednesday
Wednesday was a fun filled day for the students as they had two activities to participate in and watch. First came Ironman Volleyball. It was exciting to watch the girls coach the boys. The students then got to watch Powderpuff Football with the Junior and Senior girls playing football against each other. Each team played their hardest but the Seniors came out with the win with a score of 42-18. The dress up theme was Barbie vs Oppenheimer. It was a sea of pink and black in the school!
Thursday
The dress up theme was Decade Day, staff & students did not dissapoint with their creativity in their choice of attire, representing decades of the past. The activity was dodgeball which is definitely a favorite in the school.
Friday
Sadly, this was the last day of Homecoming 2023 but it was full of fun. The dress up was School Spirit Day & anything but a backpack. It was so much fun to see the creative ideas that the students came up with to carry all of their school supplies in ANYTHING but a backpack. The activity for the day was the school parade and it was awesome to see all the community members come and watch everyone walking in the parade. That evening, the OTC Bulldogs Varsity football played Ashby-Brandon-Evansville, winning with a score of 28-18. Homecoming ended with the school dance.
Sports Corner
Battle Lake School Contact Information
Website: www.battlelakeschool.k12.mn.us
Location: 402 Summit Street West, Battle Lake, MN, USA
Phone: 218-864-5215
Facebook: facebook.com/BLSchools
Twitter: @BLSchools