Principal's Corner, Mr. Chad Steinmetz

As we prepare this newsletter, we are approaching the midterm of our first trimester of the

2026-2027 school year. I would like to take a moment to compliment our students and staff

and say thank you for a successful start to the school year. We know that each year brings

changes and new challenges. Thank you to you as parents/guardians for supporting your

children and our staff in this adventure!

Parent – Teacher Conferences

The School District of Bloomer will be hosting Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday,

October 22 nd from 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., and Friday, October 23 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon.

Teachers will have a dinner break from 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 22 nd . School

district staff also have a professional development day on Thursday, October 22, so there is no

school for students on that day. All three schools in the district will be following the same

schedule for Parent-Teacher Conferences. It is our hope that this format will be convenient for

parents/guardians who have children in more than one building. When you arrive at Bloomer

High School for conferences, we ask that you please stop by the office to pick up your child’s

schedule (if necessary) and any other necessary instructions.

At the high school, teachers will be available in their classrooms for the entire afternoon and

evening of conferences. Since we do have some teachers who travel between buildings,

schedules indicating teachers’ specific times and locations will be available in the high school

office.

First trimester midterm reports will be sent home via email in mid-October prior to parent-

teacher conferences. They are required for students in danger of failing and recommended for

students performing below their academic ability. I encourage you to attend parent-teacher

conferences on October 22-23, as this is a great opportunity to connect with the teachers to

discuss your child’s academic progress.

Wisconsin Student Assessment System

As we progress into the 2026-2027 school year, we would like to provide you with a calendar

for the WSAS – Wisconsin Student Assessment System. All freshmen and sophomores will take

the PreACT Secure exam, which assesses students for readiness in English, mathematics,

reading, science and writing. These scores predict future scores on the ACT Plus Writing exam.

Sophomores will also take the Wisconsin Forward Exam, which assesses social studies. All

juniors will take the ACT Plus Writing exam. The ACT Plus Writing exam consists of four

multiple-choice tests: English, mathematics, reading, and science, and a 30-minute essay test

that measures writing skills. The ACT can be used for college enrollment, scholarships, and

NCAA eligibility requirements. A summary of the testing requirements is listed below:

Freshmen PreACT Secure for Grade 9 – Wednesday, April 7

Sophomores PreACT Secure for Grade 10 – Wednesday, April 7

Wisconsin Forward Exam (Social Studies) – Wednesday, April 7

Juniors ACT Plus Writing – Wednesday, March 17

Specific information will be provided to you in February and March of 2027.

Activities Director, Mr. Jason Steinmetz

As we head into the month of October, our fall sports teams are well into their seasons. As a matter of fact, the seasons are approaching the tournament series.

Our girls’ tennis players will begin tournament play with sub-sectionals in Amery on Monday, Oct. 5.

The boys and girls cross country runners will compete in the Cloverbelt Conference Meet hosted by Regis at Fall Creek on Saturday, Oct. 17. Our boys cross country team will compete in sectionals on Friday, Oct. 23 at UWBC and our girls cross country team will compete in sectionals on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Menomonie.

WIAA tournament play begins for the volleyball team with regionals starting on Tuesday, October 20.

Level-one playoffs in football begin on Friday, October 23.

Girls Golf head to Turtleback in Rice Lake on October 1 for Regionals with Sectionals following on Oct. 5 at the Luck Municipal Golf Course.

News from Student Services, Mrs.Seibel & Mrs.Clements

From the Student Services Office

Freshman and Sophomores:

Students have been meeting with Mrs. Clements for check-ins. All students will meet with Mrs. Clements at some point during the first trimester. If you have any questions or concerns as we begin this new school year, please feel free to contact me via email malia.clements@bloomer.k12.wi.us or phone 715.568.2800. Thank you for your support!

All Students:

Chippewa Valley Technical College is hosting a Fall Open House on November 5th 3:30-7:00pm. Please see the link below for more information.

https://www.cvtc.edu/events/fall-open-house

Important Information for Seniors!

College Applications:

The UW System began accepting applications on August 1st, apply on-line at apply.wisconsin.edu.

The WI Technical Colleges also have begun accepting applications. Go to www.witechcolleges.com to apply.

Please see Mrs. Seibel with any questions.

Seniors are reminded to check the state and national scholarship list on a regular basis. The list is available on the student services high school website. https://www.bloomer.k12.wi.us/o/bhs/documents/scholarships/726176

Here is a list of things seniors can start working so they are ready for when scholarships are available.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAGRDDYckdc/cOpIx5Z5Rm7GAYrHqpCntg/view?utm_content=DAGRDDYckdc&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor

Financial Aid Night:

On Monday, October 12th at 6pm in the commons, there will be a representative from UWEC to talk about the Financial Aid process. The FAFSA application this year opens up on October 1st. If you have not filled out the FAFSA before or need a refresher, I would highly recommend both students and parents attending this night.

Wisconsin Tuition Promise

Undergraduate students (new first–year and transfer students) with family Adjusted Gross Incomes (AGI) ≤ $55,000 who enroll at participating UWs in fall 2027 will be eligible. In order to participate in and remain eligible for the Wisconsin Tuition Promise students must:

*Be Wisconsin residents from start to finish;
*Be first–time associate degree–seeking or bachelor’s degree–seeking (first–year or transfer) students;
*Enroll full–time and/or complete 24 credit hours each academic year;
*Complete a FAFSA each year and in the first year have an AGI of ≤ $55,000;
*Be continuously enrolled (however, students will have the opportunity to appeal to place their Wisconsin Tuition Promise on hold on the basis of extenuating circumstances); and,
*Meet Standards of Academic Progress (SAP) and other Title IV eligibility requirements.

All UW colleges are participating, except UW Madison and UW Milwaukee. Both have their own programs called the Bucky's Tuition Promise and Milwaukee Tuition Promise.

UW Admission Representatives Visits:

October 6th - UW Madison @ 2:30pm

October 20th - UW Green Bay @ 2:30pm

October 21st - Ripon College @ 2:30pm

*Representatives will be in Student Services*

Reality Day

This is a REQUIRED event for all seniors. Reality Day will take place on Thursday, October 29th. Seniors will leave for the event sometime during 1st hour and will return after lunch. There will be some prep work that students will do ahead of time during advisee for this day.

Juniors:

PreACT

On October 28th, all juniors will be taking the PreACT. The PreACT includes multiple choice questions in English, reading, math and science. Test results will show students strengths and where more high school coursework is needed. All students will receive a copy of their test booklet and results so they may review the questions and compare their submitted responses to the correct answers. This will help students prepare for the state mandated ACT test that all juniors will take on March 10th. If you have additional questions or would like to learn more about this assessment, visit the ACT website at http://www.act.org/preact.

High School Academies

On October 20th there will be a representative from Chippewa Valley Technical College here to speak to all of our juniors about high school academy opportunities. Please see the list of programs that are available next year. These programs fill up fast so if you have a student who is interested, they can start applying on November 2nd. Here is the link to see what is available. (These options are available for current sophomores and juniors)

https://www.cvtc.edu/admissions/college-credit-opportunities-in-high-school/hs-academies

Examples of programs that students have applied for: CNA, IT Software Development Specialist, College Transfer Program, Truck Driving (CDL), Auto Maintenance, EMT, Pre-Nursing, Electrical Maintenance, Welding, etc.

Start College Now/Early College Credit Program

If there are classes that Bloomer High School does not offer, students are able to apply to courses at technical college (Start College Now) or a UW College (Early College Credit Program). If a student is interested in pursuing this , please have them stop down to student services. Applications for the Start College Now and Early College Credit Program are due on October 1st. For more information please visit these links:

Start College Now Application-

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16gL8MaPoqkVwMZGjT8atpPCrrzXm9Tvz/view?usp=sharing

Wisconsin Technical Colleges Start College Now -

https://mywtcs.wtcsystem.edu/educational-services/career-prep-dual-enrollment/start-college-now/

UW System ECCP Information -

https://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/prepare-for-college/meet-your-admission-requirements/non-degree/

UW System ECCP Application -

https://www.wisconsin.edu/earn-college-credit-in-high-school/early-college-credit-program/

Whats Happening in FFA

As autumn settles in, Bloomer FFA is kicking off one of our most exciting months of the year. From national travel to spooky adventures and delicious fall traditions, here’s everything happening in our chapter this October.

Annual Fruit Sale Begins September 30

Fall means fruit season! Our annual fruit sale is officially underway, offering a variety of apples, oranges, pears, grapefruit, and assorted boxes.

Purchasing fruit supports our chapter’s activities, leadership opportunities, and community events.

How to Order:

Reach out to any high school FFA member or contact the school directly to be connected with one of our advisors.

We truly appreciate everyone who supports Bloomer FFA — your contributions make a difference.

Haunted Trail – October 16 & 17 at 3 Lakes Ski Trail

Bloomer FFA is gearing up for a spooky weekend as we host our annual Haunted Trail! This year’s trail features new scenes, more scares, and fun for all ages.

Kid-Friendly Trail:

🕖 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (both nights)

Perfect for families, younger children, and anyone who prefers a lighter scare.

Late-Night Trail:

🕚 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

For those brave enough to take on the full Haunted Trail experience.

We are also looking for volunteers! If you are willing and able, we are in need of any help or donations you could offer. Contact the following individuals for any questions.

Anna Blum: 27bluann@bloomer.k12.wi.us

Kaytlin Pahulu: 28pahkay@bloomer.k12.wi.us

We encourage all community members to come out, enjoy the fall weather, and support our chapter. Costumes welcome!

National FFA Convention & Expo – October 20–24

A group of our members will be traveling to Indianapolis for the National FFA Convention & Expo — one of the largest student gatherings in the country.

They’ll participate in:

Leadership workshops
Career and college expos
National keynote speakers
Sessions celebrating FFA members nationwide

This is an incredible opportunity for our students to grow, connect, and represent Bloomer FFA on a national stage. We encourage all high school members to consider attending in future years!

Pumpkins & Pizza – October 28

One of our favorite fall traditions returns!

Join us for pumpkin carving, pizza, and a fun afternoon with fellow members.

📍 Mrs. Haas’s shop

⏰ 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

🎟 Open to all high school and middle school members

Bring: Yourself, a friend, and your best carving ideas.

Provided: Pumpkins, pizza, drinks, and carving tools.

Stay Connected

Follow Bloomer FFA on social media for event updates, photos, reminders, and chapter highlights throughout the month.

Thank You

A huge thank you to our members, advisors, parents, and community supporters. October is one of our busiest months, and none of these events would be possible without your dedication and involvement. We’re proud to serve our community and excited for everything ahead.

News from the Music Department - Ms Malmanger and Mr Tiller

October is filled with music for the Bloomer High school Band and Choir. Both groups will be performing for Homecoming on October 10th with the full choir performing the National Anthem, and the band delivering an exciting field show. The 2026 Bloomer HS Marching Band field show will feature lead singer Chase Bucheger from the award-winning Eau Claire band "Uncommon Denominator". The show this year will cover music from Mariah Carey, Shania Twain, and Dolly Parton. The Bloomer High School Music Department will also be having a Fall Concert on October 19th, at 7:00pm. Performing groups include Choir, Band, Jazz A and B, and Mezzo Fortes. The students have been practicing hard and are excited to perform for their friends and family.

FBLA News

Bloomer High School FBLA Builds Connections for the Future

Bloomer High School is excited to announce that our Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter is now officially registered with the FBLA National Office. As we grow our chapter, we look forward to continuing a strong tradition of service and leadership while creating new connections between our students and the local and regional community.

A major goal of FBLA is to connect students with local and regional businesses and employers. These partnerships will give students opportunities to learn about careers, explore current industry trends, develop professional skills, and begin building their professional networks. We are excited to learn from the businesses and professionals who help make our community strong while finding new ways for our students to give back through service.

Students will also have the opportunity to participate in FBLA competitive events in a variety of business-related areas. Students who place in the top three at regional competition will advance to the State Leadership Conference in Green Bay in April. Top finishers at state may then qualify for the National Leadership Conference in Ohio in June 2027. We look forward to representing Bloomer High School with a strong competitive spirit.

We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to partnering with our community to help prepare the next generation of leaders! If you are interested in partnering with or supporting our FBLA chapter, please feel free to contact the FBLA adviser, Kelsey Anderson, at kelsey.anderson@bloomer.k12.wi.us.

Class of 2027 Updates:October

Welcome back to another school year at BHS! Watch for these monthly articles in the school newsletter for the latest updates and information specifically for seniors and senior families.

Check out the “Senior Year At-A-Glance” document included in this newsletter. You should have received a hard copy in your student’s folder at goal-setting conferences. It will help you keep track of what’s important each month as we move toward graduation in May.

Graduation will be Friday, May 28, 2027. Location and time will be confirmed in May.

This month, students will vote for class officers, class clothing design, class motto, class song, and class flower. Class colors are always black and orange. Voting will be done through Google Forms, so seniors should watch their emails!

We will have a senior clothing order in late October featuring the class-chosen design in t-shirt and sweatshirt options. Ordering information will be provided during advisees and through email for delivery in November.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Senior and baby photos provided to the yearbook will be used in the senior slideshow, and senior photos are provided to area newspapers for their senior features.

Make sure to get your photos to Mrs. Kostner in the school library. The deadline is always in December.

Questions or concerns related to senior year/graduation?

Contact Julie Anderson, senior class coordinator

julie.anderson@bloomer.k12.wi.us 715-568-5300, x4320

Bloomer High School

October 2026