Pride Update

October will be an exciting month of learning beyond the classroom!

On Friday, October 3rd, our 7th and 8th graders will head to Boston School Forest for the day. They’ll begin preparing for their Devil’s Lake camping trip by researching the area’s habitat and geology, then using their findings to create videos that connect science with storytelling.

The following week, from October 8th–10th, both middle and high school students will head out on overnight fieldwork:

7th & 8th Grade – Devil’s Lake: Tent camping, campfire cooking, hiking, team-building, and exploring nature.
9th & 10th Grade – Trees for Tomorrow (Eagle River, WI): Immersive Environmental and Physical Science lessons including a night hike, ecosystem investigations, wind turbine building, carbon comparisons, and a bog exploration!
11th & 12th Grade – On Campus: Juniors and seniors will remain at PoDs and continue with their regular classes.

Important Reminders:

Permission slips and payments are due by Wednesday, October 1st. Please contact the office if cost is a concern—we never want finances to prevent participation.
A packing list will be shared next week.
All prescriptions must be submitted to the PoDs office immediately. Students may not self-carry prescription or over-the-counter medications. Staff will administer medications during the trips.

Get ready to dance, PoDs! The SPASH Homecoming Dance is happening Saturday, October 4th from 8–11 PM in the SPASH Fieldhouse. It’s a semi-formal night of music, friends, and fun—and all PoDs students are welcome to join! Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased from Ms. Lawrence in the PoDs office. Don’t wait—October 2nd is the LAST day to buy tickets, and no tickets will be sold at the door!

Planning to bring a guest from another school? Be sure to pick up a Guest Dance Form in the office and return it to the office by 2:00 PM on October 1st.

Attention 11th and 12th grade students! You can now apply for Mid-State Technical College and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point courses for the spring semester and earn college credits while still in high school. These courses are a great way to get ahead on college credits, explore career fields, and save money—the course is free as long as you pass! The application deadline is coming up fast on October 1st, so don’t wait. Check out the link below for all the details on how to fill out your application and where to turn it in!

MSTC Start College Now Instructions

UWSP Early College Credit Application

If your biological parents did not complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree, you are eligible for a

FREE college-prep program called Upward Bound through UW-Stevens Point! UWSP has

hosted the Upward Bound Program for over 55 years.

1. You may apply as soon as 8 th grade, but before 12 th grade

2. You can visit up to 9 colleges/universities/tech schools per year. We help you get to any

college you are interested in; it is NOT a recruitment program for UWSP.

3. Students are eligible for a live-in summer academic program on UWSP’s campus and

stay in the residence halls and eat in the dining facilities.

4. We take reward trips for those who participate in our activities throughout the school year

and summer.

5. Students get help with financial aid and college applications during their senior year.

6. Check out our video: https://youtu.be/0WPmg17M0qY

Requirements

Be a first-generation student (i.e., parents do not have a 4-year degree) OR income
eligible if parents’ have a 4-year bachelor’s degree
Be in 8-11 th grade
Have a desire to go to college, a 2- or 4-year degree.

APPLY NOW!

Seal-A-Smile is a free dental program coming to our school!

Students can get cleanings, sealants, fluoride treatments, and a toothbrush kit—all during the school day at no cost to families. After each visit, you’ll get a note about the care your child received.

The first visit is November 24 at 7:45am—a perfect time to get teeth cleaned before Thanksgiving break.

(A permission form must be filled out before any child can participate. All procedures will follow recommendations from the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for school-based dental programs)