Community Connections
Community Connections Logo
October 9, 2026
ELKHART LAKE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) is proud to announce the School District of Jefferson as the recipient of the 2026 Wisconsin School Business Services Award. The district, represented by Ryan Bandt, Director of Business Services, was recognized on Thursday, October 8, during WASBO's 2026 Fall Conference at The Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.
Watch the district’s recognition video here: https://youtu.be/MSqTOKhV1Pk
The purpose of the Wisconsin School Business Services Award is to recognize outstanding practices and new ideas that result in significant contributions to school entities or the profession of school business management.
The School District of Jefferson is receiving the 2026 award for its enrollment-driven staffing model, which takes a long-term approach to aligning staffing with changing enrollment while balancing fiscal responsibility with the experience of students and staff. The district combines enrollment projections, cohort survival modeling, board-established class-size expectations, secondary course requests, and comparisons with similar districts to guide responsible staffing decisions.
For the 2026-27 school year, this approach allowed Jefferson to reduce 5.0 certified full-time equivalent (FTE) positions through retirements and resignations without issuing non-renewals. At the same time, the district's staff experience index rose to the 93rd comparison percentile. The model demonstrates how thoughtful, data-informed planning can help school districts respond to enrollment changes while minimizing disruption to students and staff.
This honor includes a $1,000 award, sponsored by Baird Public Finance, to support continuing professional development for district staff. The award recognizes innovative school business practices that improve efficiency, strengthen district operations, and offer solutions that other Wisconsin school districts can share.
WASBO encourages school districts and organizations to share this news with local media outlets.
WASBO is the association where Wisconsin's School Business and Operations Professionals Connect, Learn, & Lead! The association provides professional development for school business staff, fosters a support network, and advocates for funding that ensures outstanding educational opportunities for all children in Wisconsin.
####
October 7, 2026
On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the City of Jefferson, School District of Jefferson, Jefferson Area Chamber of Commerce and Kikkoman Foods Inc. welcomed seven students from Nagareyama Otakanomori High School in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, as part of an international cultural and educational exchange.
Chiba Prefecture and the State of Wisconsin established a sister-state relationship on May 21, 1990. Since that time, the two regions have continued to strengthen their relationship through exchanges focused primarily on culture and education.
The visiting students are members of the Nagareyama Otakanomori High School dance group, which has named itself “Badgers7” in recognition of its connection to Wisconsin. The group performs Yosakoi and contemporary dance.
Yosakoi is an energetic Japanese dance style that originated in Japan and is commonly performed at festivals and community events. The dance combines traditional Japanese movements with modern music, creating a lively and expressive performance.
During their visit to Jefferson High School, the Badgers7 students performed Yosakoi and contemporary dances in the high school auditorium for students and community members. Following the performance, the Japanese students had the opportunity to teach Jefferson High School students some of the movements and choreography of the Yosakoi dance.
The cultural exchange continued with visits to several Jefferson community landmarks, including Jefferson City Hall, the Jefferson Public Library and the Jefferson Historical Society. The visits provided the students with opportunities to learn more about the community, its history and local government and to connect with Jefferson residents.
The visit highlights the value of international student exchanges in building understanding and friendships across cultures. Through music, dance, education and shared experiences, students from Jefferson and Nagareyama are able to learn from one another while strengthening the longstanding relationship between Wisconsin and Chiba Prefecture.
September 1, 2026
Sarah Schnuelle, an educator at Sullivan Elementary, has received a Fulbright Teacher Exchange award for the 2026-2027 cycle from the U.S. Department of State.
Sarah is among the approximately 2,500 U.S. citizens who will teach, study, and conduct research abroad for the 2026-2027 academic year through the Fulbright Program. Fulbrighters engage in cutting-edge research and expand their professional networks, often continuing research collaborations started abroad and laying the groundwork for forging future partnerships between institutions. Upon returning to their home institutions, labs, and classrooms, they share their experiences, becoming champions of international collaboration. Many go on to host visiting scholars and inspire colleagues and students to pursue transformative opportunities abroad.
Fulbright Teacher Exchanges advance American competitiveness through exchanges and training for K-12 teachers. U.S. Fulbright Teachers learn cutting-edge educational practices in the technology, AI, and critical minerals fields.
The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 as a bold investment in global peace and American prosperity through educational and cultural exchange. The Fulbright Program is marking its 80th anniversary in 2026, which coincides with America's 250th anniversary celebration. This dual milestone provides an unprecedented opportunity to showcase the Fulbright Program's role in America's legacy of leadership, innovation, international collaboration, and American excellence.
Fulbright provides opportunities for exceptional Americans and participants from 160 countries and locations to study, teach, and conduct research abroad. For eight decades, Fulbrighters have been leaders at the forefront of discovery and innovation, conducting cutting edge research, advancing critical industries, and preparing future generations with new skills and perspectives.
More than 2,500 U.S. Fulbrighters – teachers, artists, and professionals from all backgrounds – teach, study, or conduct research overseas through the Fulbright Program annually. Learn more about Fulbright Teacher Exchanges at fulbrightteacherexchanges.org. For more information about the Fulbright Program, visit fulbrightprogram.org.
Fulbright Teacher Exchanges, FulbrightTeach@irex.org
April 21, 2026
By Pam Chickering Wilson For the Daily Union
What would Shakespeare have thought if he knew that more than four centuries after his birth, his words would still take life upon the stage, and moreover, that they’d find new resonance with every generation?
The Jefferson High School drama department’s spring production, a musical adaption of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” will open Thursday night - on what’s widely believed to be the playwright’s 462nd birthday.
The show uses the original story and the Bard’s well-polished words, but intersperses thematic musical numbers by contemporary artist Shaina Taub, providing a modern twist of pop, folk and soul.
This adaptation has only been performed a few times, premiering in 2017 in New York’s Central Park, so it should be a new experience for everyone in the audience.
“It represents a change of pace from Disney and fairy tales,” said vocal music director Bryce Muenchow. “The modern music is really engaging.” “I didn’t know anything about the story, but when I first heard the soundtrack, I was hooked,” said assistant director Kim Hart. Muenchow said the cast has also really taken to the music, rising to the challenge of performing in new styles.
Some audience members may be familiar with the original Shakespeare play to which the new music serves as a backdrop and interpretation. Lighthearted and joyful, even a little silly, the plot of “As You Like It,” features a young man eager to prove himself, a young maiden disguised as a young man, a repressive duke in the castle, his exiled predecessor leading a free-spirited community in the mythical forest of Arden, and a bevy of young couples who over the course of the play meet, chase, escape, misunderstand and reconcile - all of the adventures that come with romantic love.
At its heart, though, the show goes deeper than its rather ridiculous plot. It’s about love in all its forms - love between couples, yes, but also brotherly love, the love between friends, love of community and love of humanity, even the process of coming to love and accept oneself.
There’s a moment early in the play when the main character, Orlando, bursts into the exiled Duke Senior’s camp in the woods, sword drawn. At this point, the intrusion could easily have turned into a battle. Instead, Duke Senior comes forward with an outstretched hand, inviting Orlando to sit, to join with the exiles in their meal, and to make himself at home. The play seems to ask, what kind of world would we live in if everyone greeted each other with a warm welcome, rather than a defensive or even pre-emptive attack?
Directed by Ryan Clarksen, assisted by Hart, the show is choreographed by Anders Clarksen, with vocal music direction by Bryce Muenchow and instrumental music direction by Denise Tubman-Reichhoff. Muenchow also served as scenic director and builder, with assistance by Nicole Riemenschneider, Keri Hill, and the students in the JHS Stagecraft class. Overseeing costumes, hair and makeup were Angie Griffith, Nicole Reimenschneider, and Jesa Muelenbruch.
Lead characters include: Landyn Alvarado as Orlando, the youngest son of Sir Roland deBoys, driven out by a cruel older brother; Katie Emery as the exiled duke’s daughter Rosalind and her alter-ego Ganymede; Michael Wilson as Duke Senior, who has found freedom and contentment in his new forest home; Owen Hall as Duke Frederick, who usurps his brother’s throne, exiles Duke Senior, the first duke’s daughter and eventually his own; Eva Franchi as Jaques, a melancholy minstrel whose sarcasm hides her own insecurity; Noah Nabak as Oliver, who comes to seek out Orlando and winds up being saved by the brother he has scorned; And Ava Miller as Celia, Rosalind’s #1 supporter, who chooses exile herself rather than to abandon her friend; Secondary romantic figures rounding out the list of main characters are Kahlan Schuyler as Silvia, Serenity Vang as Phoebe, William Riemenschneider as Touchstone and Alejandro Leal-Maldonado as Andy.
There’s also a series of professional wrestlers and their fans, a population of happy-go-lucky forest dwellers, and an assortment of nobles, courtiers, and minions, along with a troupe of dancers who back up some of the musical numbers with the panache of a boy band. “It was so exciting to develop the costumes for a musical no one here has ever seen before,” said Angie Griffith, one of the costumers. “It’s Shakespeare, but it’s not traditional. It’s really fun to start with a blank slate.”
Muenchow said he was excited to see the set take shape, playing off the themes of unity and disunity. “The costumes, the set, the lighting, they all work together to set a mood,” said director Ryan Clarksen. “One of the best things about this is that it’s a feel-good show,” Clarksen said. “It’s meant to be uplifting and reaffirming.” He said there’s a really good mix of talented actors, some of whom have honed their craft in the JHS program for the past four years, and some who are just starting out, and they have all brought a real energy to this show.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Jefferson High School’s spring musical "As You Like It," by Shakespeare, with music by Shaina Taub. WHEN: Performances are set Thursday, Friday and Saturday April 23, 24, and 25 at 7 p.m. and Sunday April 26 at 2 p.m.
Discounted advance tickets are available at jhseagles.ludus.com. Tickets cost full price at the door.
Student/senior tickets cost $9 in advance and $10 at the door. Adult admission costs $11 in advance and $12 at the door.
December 21, 2025
Daily Union Article: A team of two Jefferson Middle School sixth-graders has won a statewide investors club competition, beating out hundreds of other middle and high school teams from across Wisconsin.
Otto Nobling and Ezra Mares will receive $500 each from EconomicsWisconsin, as the top winners in the competition in which 222 middle and high school teams were entered.
Jefferson Middle School social studies teacher and team advisor Erich Utrie said it’s been about a decade since Jefferson took the top statewide honors in the investors club competition, placing first among both middle and high school teams. He said Jefferson has entered a middle school team in the annual competition since 2014.
“It’s very rare for a middle school team to win, it’s dominated by high school teams,” Utrie said. “To win it all… I’m just proud. I’m proud of the positive participation, the enthusiasm, the decision-making and, I think, realizing how difficult it is.”
Nobling and Mares were also joined by other top finishers from Jefferson.
Jefferson, in fact, swept the middle school level this year, taking not only first but also second and third places in the middle school team competition. This is the second time Jefferson has made that kind of sweep at the middle school level, Utrie noted.
Jefferson seventh-graders Cameron Thom, Liam Schuld, and Isaac Auer placed second in the middle school division — which Utrie called “another amazing achievement,” — and fourth overall statewide among both middle and high school teams.
And sixth-graders Eron Dzaferi and Ethan Kirchner placed third in the middle school division and eighth overall with Utrie noting that “they made a huge comeback on the last two days,” of the competition.
Participants spend 10 weeks learning about stocks and investing, using real life scenarios to understand the concepts. Each team gets $100,000 of fake money to invest in different stocks. They can also borrow up to $50,000 plus interest.
“If you choose a stock, you can put in roughly 25% of your portfolio value,” Utrie shared. “Meaning you can’t put all your money into one stock. So, they’re forced to diversify.”
“Me and my dad are going to go half on a laptop that I really want,” Mares said when asked what he will do with the prize money. Nobling said he’s unsure how he’ll spend the prize money.
Other Jefferson students said they were excited to be a part of the club and the competition. Dzaferi, whose parents run a cafe in Jefferson, said he expects to take it over one day and is eager to keeping learning how to “invest money and stuff like that,” to help out his parents and the business in the long-term.
Auer had previous experience with other stock and investments and said he joined the club to build on that knowledge. He said as part of the club they learned about things like what a short sell is, and other selling methods.
November 13, 2025
Daily Union Article JEFFERSON — Each year since 2018, Jefferson High School’s Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC) club has hosted a community Thanksgiving dinner.
This year, it will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., in the Jefferson High School commons. This is a traditional turkey dinner available as dine-in, take-out, or local delivery.
The BASIC organization asks that all orders are placed by Nov. 21, by emailing jhsbasic@gmail.com or calling (920) 675-1149 and leaving a voicemail. Be sure to include first and last name, the number of meals, and whether it is dine-in, take-out, or local delivery. For delivery, please provide the address.
The tradition started back in 2018, when BASIC students came to Dean Buchholz, the club’s advisor.
The students who came forward had worked on a similar event and wanted to bring it to a community that they lived in.
“The first year, we probably served around 100 people,” Buchholz said. “We did a mixture of catered as well as made some of our own things in the school kitchen. It was a lot of extra time and work. Then we started catering everything so we could just simply have it brought in and then we could serve it.”
BASIC now annually provides around 300 Thanksgiving dinners. Around 50 students have signed up to help serve and pack food for attendees. Food has been catered through Glenns Market in Watertown.
“We try to get our local churches involved, being his is the faith-based club,” Buchholz said. “The Chapel has been a huge donor. The Knights of Columbus and St. Vincent De Paul’s have both been very large donors towards it. And then some of the other service organizations, like Optimist and groups like that, have helped us out too. And then the Jerson Community Foundation has also been a part of that.” Without the support of local churches and donors, the Thanksgiving dinner would not be possible. Since this is a student club through Jefferson High School, three student seniors are leading the group. This year Hannah Werning, Abby Ostopowicz, and Breanna Buhholz are the organizers.
November 11, 2025
“Spreading the News“ a rollicking comedy: Jefferson High School one-act takes stage Friday.
You’ve all witnessed this: One person thinks they see something, but doesn’t interpret the situation quite right, and that faulty observation gets passed along to the next person and the next, the magnitude of error increasing with each ear and mouth the story passes through.
So it goes in “Spreading the News,” Jefferson High School’s fall one-act play, which offers a tale of misinterpretation and mischance that rolls downhill ever faster as the day’s gossip spreads through a small, close-knit Irish village.
The play, by Lady Gregory, was written in 1904 and first staged in Dublin. The classic is a departure from recent JHS plays, but despite the setting - distant in time and place from modern-day Jefferson - the theme is a universal one.
It starts simply enough, when villager “Red” Jack Smith accidentally leaves his hayfork at the village market, and hapless Bartley Fallon picks it up and follows Smith in attempt to return the farm tool to its rightful owner.
The townsfolk don’t know why Fallon is carrying the hayfork, and soon it gets about that Fallon is chasing Smith. Quick to assume ill intent, villagers are soon gossiping about the pursuit and what Fallon might have against his red-haired neighbor. The tale twists as it goes through the famously hard-of-hearing Mrs. Tarpey, the town drunk Tim Casey and a crowd of others with a keen news sense but little interest in fact-checking.
Soon enough, the “chase” (which is not happening) has become a “murder.” People have even convinced themselves, without evidence, of a motive for the crime which did not occur.
When he reenters the scene, Fallon tries to explain, but his mopey demeanor and roundabout phrasing do him no favors, and when Smith blithely shows up toward the end of the play, villagers assume he’s a ghost, so convinced are they that he has been murdered and left in a field.
All this plays out against a backdrop of conflict between Ireland and imperial power England. The town, all native Irish folks, has a new British magistrate, his posh and plummy tones standing out strongly against the villagers’ local accents. The magistrate, though he has just arrived in town and knows nothing of the situation here, believes Ireland is a rough and lawless place and is looking for crime in every barrel and apple cart. News of this supposed murder plays right into his prejudices.
JHS drama students, led by directors Ryan Clarksen and Kim Hart, have been working hard on the production since mid-September, starting with the Irish accent all of the players except the magistrate had to master.
“It’s been almost 10 years since we did a play in which the whole cast spoke in an accent,” Clarksen said. “Our cast members studied, watched lots of video recordings and listened to lots of audio tracks to hone in on the Dublin accent.”
As to the acting in the play, the students have taken a general story with lots of charm and potential and turned it up several notches. The actors took on the work of creating unique characters, and as the play came together, cast members added a lot of physical comedy that was not explicitly written into the script but which underlines the humor of the situation.
“I am really proud of what our students have done. Everyone has made tremendous strides,” said Clarksen.
The director actually double-cast the play, assigning understudies to all of the main characters, and in fact, one of these understudies - Charlie Hudson - has now taken on the lead role of Bartley Fallon, developing the character tremendously in a shortened window of time.
Other leads include Eva Franchi as Mrs. Fallon, William Riemenschneider as Jack Smith, Michael Wilson as the creaky but eager Sean Early, Landyn Alvarado as the tipsy Tim Casey, and Serenity Vang as the nearly deaf Mrs. Tarpey.
Rounding out the leads are Katherine Emery as Mrs. Tully (quick to believe anything bad about a person), Owen Hall as the local constable (and magistrate’s assistant) Jo Muldoon, and Nathan Harmon as the overbearing and pompous magistrate.
Understudies and ensemble members include Oz Vogel, Kahlan Schuyler, Clayton Cass, Sawyer Bolger, Jonah Lita, Noah Nabak, Giuliana Farina, Ava Miller, Connor Crabtree, Tyrelle Griswold, Ambrielle Schmidt, Lauren Siegert, and Geraldine Varela.
Serving as student stage manager is Amanda Boucher, with Ava Rundle as assistant stage manager. Student Stella Price served as master set builder. The student tech crew also includes Kateara Boettcher on lights and Eden Schweitzer on sound. The running crew is made up of Easton Hansen, Kinley Patterson, Roselyn Robinson, and Cesar Valadez-Abrego. Finally, the wardrobe crew is made up of students Cinnia Boyanovsky, Madyson Siegert, and Ellie Sparks.
The show is fresh off its competition run and was an audience favorite at the recent sectional contest. As a competition play, it starts with a bare stage and all of the set-up, action and take-down must take place within 40 minutes, ending up with the bare stage again.
“The work the students have done is incredible,” Clarksen said. “They’ve put a lot of effort into the accents, the action, the timing, and their characters, and they’re working really well together as an ensemble.”
There will be two local shows, Friday and Saturday night, Nov, 14 and 15, both of them at 7 p.m. in the Jefferson High School auditorium.
Tickets - available at the door - cost $6 general admission and $5 for students and seniors.
(Article Contributed by Pam Chickering-Wilson)
September 16, 2025
The School District of Jefferson invites the community to an open house celebrating the completion of construction and renovations at East Elementary on Monday, October 27, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The event will give community members the chance to see firsthand the results of the 2022 Capital Facilities Referendum projects.
The celebration will begin with a brief presentation in the newly renovated gymnasium, followed by guided tours of the updated spaces. We will provide pizza as a light hors d'oeuvres for our guests, and we will have a limited number of engraved pieces of original slate to give away. Attendees will have the opportunity to see how the district's commitment to creating a safer, more modern learning environment has been put into action.
"We are excited to thank our community for their support and share the results of their investment in our schools," said Charles Urness, School District of Jefferson Superintendent. "We look forward to celebrating these enhancements that will offer our students a significantly enhanced and safer educational environment."
The community is also welcome to stay for the regular School Board meeting, which will be held in the newly updated library at East Elementary at 6:00 p.m.
The district encourages all community members, including students, staff, and families, to attend and celebrate the positive impact of these projects. The School District of Jefferson is proud to share this significant milestone and thank the community for its collaborative efforts in making these improvements possible.
For more information on the facilities projects, visit: www.sdoj.org/district/facilities/framing-our-future-facilities
May 11, 2025
-PAM CHICKERING WILSON For the Daily Union
Three years ago, they were puny fifth-graders. Now, they’re poised to make an impact at Jefferson High School or the parochial or private institution of their choice.
The students, next year’s high school freshmen, have used the intervening years to excel in the classroom, to pursue numerous extracurricular interests from sports to History Bowl, and have made a positive impact on their classmates.
In keeping with tradition, the Jefferson Rotary Club honored the top 10 percent of the eighth grade classes from surrounding schools with a luncheon and ceremony, telling all of the honorees they wanted to see the students return in four years for the Top 10 percent high school recognition ceremony.
Honored at Wednesday’s event were representatives from Jefferson Middle School as well as St. John the Baptist Catholic School and St. John’s Lutheran School of Jefferson and St. Peter’s Lutheran School of Helenville.
Joining the students were parents and other family members, all of whom were treated to a luncheon at Tinto’s banquet hall.
Jefferson Middle School honorees included: Easton Ambrose, the son of Arik and Ashley Ambrose; Clayton Cass, the son of Steven and Christina Cass; Gracelyn Condon, the daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Condon; Henry Ebel, the son of Deb and Seth Ebel; Karley Krahn, the daughter of Beth and Chris Krahn; Alexis and Claire Lipshetz, the children of Jessica and Terry Lipshetz; Ezra Nobling, the son of Christine and Tim Nobling; Sheila Rangel Garcia, the daughter of Juan Rangel and Maria Garcia, Bryce Schmutte, the son of Nicholas Schmutte, and Allyson Wroblewski-Schmutte; Kahlan Schuyler, the child of Lindsey and Dylan Schuyler; Eli Skoug, the son of Jennifer and Jeff Skoug; and Jackson Wetherell, the son of Angela and Philip Wetherell.
Representing St. Peter’s Lutheran School in Helenville were Addy Statz, the daughter of Brian and Jenny Statz, and Hailey Thoma, the daughter of Jim and Melissa Thoma.
Representing St. John the Baptist Catholic School was Audrina Schroeder, the daughter of Matt and Tara Schroeder.
Representing St. John’s Lutheran School were Kinsley Kutz, the child of Aaron and Melanie Kutz, and Reed Wilbanks, the son of Sarah and Tim Wilbanks.
Serving as guest speaker at the eighth grade Top 10 Percent event was Ron Wegner, Jefferson fire chief, who spoke on the importance of service as well as academics. At the end of the ceremony, each student received individual recognition from the Rotarians, school officials — JMS principal Mike Matteson, St. Peter’s principal Joel Westenberg, St. John the Baptist principal Bill Bare; and St. John’s Lutheran principal Peter Lemke — and their families. Each honoree received a certificate recognizing their achievements.
May 5, 2025
The School District of Jefferson is excited to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, May 5-9. This week is a dedicated time to acknowledge the contributions of our staff to the education and well-being of our students.
At the School District of Jefferson, we believe that every member of our team plays a vital role in the education and well-being of Jefferson students. From our dedicated teachers and administrators to our supportive office staff, custodians, food service workers, and paraprofessionals – everyone teaches and makes a positive impact each and every day. Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for their hard work and commitment.
The district encourages students, parents, and community members to take a moment to thank the individuals who make a difference in the lives of Jefferson students. Our staff's dedication aligns perfectly with our district's mission of 'Empowering Futures Together'. Their collective efforts ensure that all our students have the opportunity to positively impact society, which is our ultimate vision.
The School District of Jefferson is deeply grateful for the passion, resilience, and support of its entire staff. Their commitment to fostering a safe, engaging, and growth-oriented environment is the cornerstone of the district's success.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
April 29, 2025
-PAM CHICKERING WILSON For the Daily Union
Jefferson High School qualified 24 students for the Wisconsin School Music Association’s 2025 State Solo and Ensemble Festival. These included two instrumentalists playing three different pieces on three different instruments, two larger vocal ensembles and several solos and duets.
To earn a place at state, the high school musicians first had to play a Class A (the most difficult level) piece at district during the regional Solo and Ensemble festival at Jefferson High School in mid-March, and to earn a “starred first” score, with only a handful of errors noted out of 50 points, said Denise Reichhoff, Jefferson High School band director.
Those entries that qualified for state went on to perform this past Saturday at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. At the state level, the qualifications for each rating got even more stringent, so a performance that could have earned a *1 at district might receive a 2nd at state.
Instrumental qualifiers included Anthony Schunk, who earned a 1st rating on his parade drum solo, and Claire Griffith, who earned 1st ratings on two different entries, playing two different instruments, bass clarinet and tenor saxophone.
In vocal music, two vocal ensembles received 1st ratings: the Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the all-treble Select Voices. In addition, JHS had several vocal soloists and a vocal duet qualify for state.
Landyn Alvarado received a 1st rating on a musical theatre solo, a 1st on a classical vocal solo and was part of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Michael Wilson received a 1st rating on a musical theatre solo, a 1st on a classical vocal solo and was part of the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
Piper Crabtree received a 1st on her alto solo and a 2nd on her musical theatre solo and was part of Vocal Jazz.
Jesa Muelenbruch received a 1st on her alto solo and was part of Vocal Jazz.
Mackenzie Denton earned a 1st on her musical theater solo and was part of Select Voices.
Carter Wojes and Maddy Hans earned a 1st on their classical duet and Carter also earned a 2nd on his classical solo.
Katie Emery earned a 2nd on her classical solo and was also part of Vocal Jazz.
Eva Franchi qualified for state with a musical theatre solo and earned a 2nd and was part of Select Voices.
As part of the larger singing groups, Payton Splittgerber, Chase Meixner, Shara Wetzel, Amanda Boucher, Madeleine Luebbe, Breanna Buchholz, Abbygale Ewing, Carlie Wagner, Diane Espino, Haley Petersen, Victoria Rodriguez, Jasmine Wirth, and Johannah Kraus earned 1st ratings.
“Everyone did an excellent job,” said Bryce Muenchow, vocal music director.
'Todos a una.' Jefferson High School inducts Spanish Honor Society members
April 17, 2025 -PAM CHICKERING WILSON For the Daily Union
Jefferson High School honored top Spanish students Wednesday as it hosted its annual induction for the Francisco Jiménez Chapter of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica (Spanish honor society.)
The Spanish honor society is a national organization honoring students based on a combination of their academic performance in the language and their personal character.
Members perform four hours per semester of community service, and they promote both the study of the language itself and overall goodwill toward people who become familiar with other cultures. Members receive a certificate when they are inducted. Later, upon their high school graduation, they get to wear a medal from the organization as well as having their names recognized in the graduation program.
Wednesday’s ceremony was attended by the Spanish Honor Society’s 14 existing members, along with new inductees and their families. The bilingual ceremony includes the recitation of a poem of encouragement, and the declaration of the oath of membership by student honorees.
To be selected, students must have attained at least sophomore rank and be enrolled in or have completed Spanish III, Spanish III Honors or an Advanced Placement Spanish class.
They must commit to continue taking Spanish through the final AP class or until they graduate, whichever comes first. They must have at least a 3.0 (B) grade point average in all Spanish classes and an average GPA of at least 3.0 in all Jefferson High School classes, with no major disciplinary infractions on record.
The Spanish Honor Society was established in 1955 by the association of North American teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. Its motto is “Todos a una,” or “all together.”
At the ceremony Wednesday afternoon, new inductees were given a chapter candle to light, promising to dedicate themselves to the study of Spanish, recognizing the language as a strong tie between people of different origins, races and religions, and to promote friendship and understanding between cultures. Leading the ceremony were officers Carmen Cortés and Yoselin García Gomez, assisted by Spanish teacher Bridget Foerster and chapter advisor Ellen Spitalli.
The local chapter takes its name from Francisco Jiménez, who immigrated with his family from Mexico to the United States and as a child worked in the fields of California. His family moved with the seasons to follow the harvest, and thus he missed months of school every year. However, Jiménez persisted in his education, becoming a U.S. citizen and obtaining his bachelor’s degree in Spanish in 1966.
After receiving his Ph.D. in Latin American Literature, Jiménez published and edited many books about Mexican and Mexican-American literature. He has published his stories in more than 50 books and anthologies.
New inductees to the Spanish Honor Society for the 2024-25 school year are Joselyn Ávila, Elienai Basilio, Amanda Boucher, Elienai Cervantes, Eva Franchi, Arely Hernández, Madeleine Luebbe, Daisy Osorio Ramírez, Xiomara Ramírez, and Kaylynn Tizapa.
They joined continuing members Carmen Cortés, Isabel Dusenberry, Yoselin García Gomez, Yrely Hernández, Kateri Kawleski, Addison McMahon, Andrea Mejia, Kyler Pulkrabek, Jaelynne Ramírez, Yarely Ramírez, Marlene Rangel García, Vidal Serrano, and Adrian Weber.
February 17, 2025
The Wisconsin State Reading Conference was very much a Jefferson endeavor.
Organized by Sarah Schnuelle, Sullivan Elementary School reading teacher and president-elect of the WSRA, the event featured around 40 guest speakers from across the nation, including two with Jefferson ties.
Additionally, two School District of Jefferson administrators received state recognition for their literacy efforts at the event — district superintendent Dr. Charles Urness and Sullivan principal Nikki Krause — each being named “Outstanding Administrators” by the WSRA.
The conference, held Feb. 6-7 at Milwaukee’s Baird Center, drew some 700 attendees from across the state and beyond, including 52 Jefferson staff members.
Many attended on their own time and without compensation in order to learn about the latest research-based reading methods and to build on the tools they had already been using in the classroom, while minimizing taxpayer expense.
The SDRA has been around for 65 years, and is considered one of the nation’s premier professional growth opportunities in this field.
“Its unique in-person format brings together literary professionals and advocates from across the country, and that learning environment is rare in today’s increasingly digital world,” Schnuelle said. “I wish every teacher everywhere could have the support Jefferson did this year — an opportunity to connect with other professionals, to have their work validated and their thinking challenged, and to leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to return to the classroom with fresh ideas. It’s just a truly special experience.”
This year’s conference had the theme of “Infinite Pages, the Unfolding Story of Literacy.”
The conference is held annually, but it takes some three years to plan and coordinate, and that job falls to the incoming state president of the WSRA.
Schnuelle called on a team of talented people to assist in coordinating various aspects of the conference, including some with local ties.
The conference planning committee included book sale coordinator Kerry Niemuth, a reading teacher at East Elementary School and coordinator of the literacy team for the School District of Jefferson; conference exhibits chair Mary Kenas, a former Jefferson reading teacher now teaching in Stevens Point; and hospitality coordinator Barb Johnson, a retired administrator at Jefferson, who currently provides Reading Corps interventions (through Americorps) at East Elementary.
“Storytelling remains a powerful tool for connecting with others and fostering empathy, even in the face of challenges,” Schnuelle said. “Through the sharing of our stories, we can continue to advocate for the dignity of our students and the humanity of the teaching profession. We can also hold fast to what we know to be best practice while embracing opportunities to grow our literacy knowledge.”
“As the 2025 Wisconsin State Reading Association conference chair, I have had the distinct privilege of curating a profoundly talented group of speakers with ideas to share and stories to tell,” Schnuelle said in her introduction to the conference. “While we gather together, we can hear each other’s stories, learn from one another and work to shape a brighter tomorrow through the transformative power of literacy.”
The WSRA states as its mission to provide leadership, advocacy and professional learning for implementing effective literacy practices, understanding the complex nature of literacy, honoring the unique needs of diverse students, and engaging students to apply their literacies in meaningful ways in a changing world.
“I knew three years ago when I entered the presidential cycle that it would be my responsibility to put together this conference, and truly, that was part of my motivation to get involved,” Schnuelle said.
“This conference has been the culmination of three years of dreaming and one year of intensive planning,” she said. “It was such an honor to be able to communicate directly with the top researchers and innovators in our field.”
The conference featured one keynote speaker each day and then three different breakout sessions with 14 different topics offered per session.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson opened for the conference on Thursday morning, speaking passionately about the importance of reading and the role of teachers in general in improving students’ lives.
Friday’s keynote speaker was Reyna Granda, whose personal memoirs have made her famous. She spoke on how storytelling empowered her to overcome the language, cultural and legal barriers she faced while pursuing her dreams across physical and metaphorical borders.
Along with prominent teachers, authors and researchers from across the nation, a couple of people with Jefferson ties also led breakout sessions at the conference.
Another featured speaker was librarian John Shu, the author of “Louder than Hunger,” and “The Gift of Story,” who spoke about his experiences with obsessive-compulsive disorder and anorexia and his struggle to hear over the voices in his head telling him he was not good enough.
Former Jefferson teacher Theresa Smith (Master of Science, Certified Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology) spoke on the partnership between speech and language pathologists and reading interventionists.
Former West Elementary School art teacher Chelsea Brown talked about her experience going from being a non-renewed teacher (at another district) to becoming the State Teacher of the Year in 2019.
Another neat local touch was that Debbie Hart, Jefferson art teacher, had her fifth-graders make hundreds of origami butterflies for use as table decorations at the conference.
Other topics ranged from the science of reading to reaching at-risk students to incorporating fantasy writing in classes, to book clubs to the process of becoming a National Board Certified teacher, and much more.
“People came away with new tools, new ideas, new materials and new inspiration to use in their home districts,” Schnuelle said.
“The focus on literacy is very timely, especially with all of the changes we are seeing at the legislative level,” the conference chair said.
Schnuelle said that white we understand the “science of reading” much better now than in past eras, breakthroughs continue to be made that allow teachers to reach students previously passed by, and new methods continue to be developed to help those who experience problems with reading.
“Even how we define literacy has changed,” she said. She noted that originally, this meant solely deciphering words on a page. Now it has expanded to include making determinations about the reliability of advertisements, digital information and social media, as well as visual literacy (the ability to interpret, understand and create meaning from images).”
She said that while the majority of attendees came from Wisconsin, others traveled a great distance to come to the conference, including one from Alaska. One of the speakers, coming from Illinois in the middle of an ice storm, had to delay her presentation but ultimately made it.
Schnuelle said that the feedback she has received so far about the conference has been entirely positive, with people calling the event “life-changing,” “life-affirming,” and “perspective-shifting.”
“After several years of webinars and teleconferences, people are desperate for in-person social learning,” Schnuelle said.
Schnuelle said that through the process of planning and hosting the conference, her own professional knowledge grew a great deal and she feels that she now has new tools and motivation to help students.
“It was just phenomenal, and so relevant to what I do on a daily basis,” said Lindsay Maslowski, special education teacher at Jefferson High School.
“For our district as a whole, I kept hearing the word ‘inspirational,’” Schnuelle said. “It’s the time of year when the weather is grey and awful, a lot of people are sick and spring break is far away. People are getting kind of bogged down in all they have to do. To go to a conference like this and hear all of these incredible speakers was reinvigorating.”
Sarah Schnuelle
Dr. Charles Urness
Nikki Krause
November 6, 2024
We want to provide an update on the operational referendum question that was on the ballot on Tuesday, November 5. We are grateful to announce that preliminary results indicate the referendum has passed, allowing us to avoid substantial cuts to programs, services, and staffing across our schools. Thank you for supporting this referendum. The successful passage of the referendum is a testament to the strong community spirit and commitment to our students. Even with this extra taxpayer support, the District’s mill rate will still be $0.10 less than the previous year.
With the referendum's approval, the School Board will be authorized to exceed the district’s state-imposed revenue limit by up to $1.4 million annually for the next four years. While you don’t directly see the impact of an operational referendum as you did with the improvements made with the support of the 2022 capital referendum, this additional funding will ensure that we can continue to provide the high-quality education our students deserve.
We sincerely appreciate the engagement we have seen from our community throughout this process. We have had some productive conversations about the future of our schools and will continue these conversations as we move forward with our budgeting process. It's important to note that due to the state funding formula in Wisconsin, community support through referendums is necessary to maintain the quality of education our students receive. Your ongoing support is vital as we strive for excellence in education.
Official results will be certified on November 11, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. in the School District Office. Thank you once again for your support of Jefferson Schools and for helping us empower the futures of the students we serve.
October 29, 2024
The School District of Jefferson hosted a successful ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 24th to showcase the completion of significant renovations at the district's high school. Community members, district staff, and local officials gathered to tour the transformed learning spaces and thank voters for supporting the 2022 Capital Facilities Referendum.
The event started with a ceremony outside the new construction lab addition at the back of the high school building at 700 West Milwaukee Street. Superintendent Charles Urness thanked the Facility Advisory Committee, the voters and taxpayers, project partners Findorff and EUA, the tech ed and Ag teachers, administrators, the School Board, parents, and students for the parts everyone played in this project.
After the ribbon cutting, attendees were welcomed into the newly updated Tech Ed and Agriculture areas to tour the spaces. Students were in each area showcasing the cutting-edge equipment and their skills through hands-on demonstrations. In the new foods lab, the Agriculture Department and FFA Alumni treated guests to Culver's custard while students highlighted the significant benefits the upgrades will bring to their future education.
"We are thrilled to unveil these remarkable renovations to our high school campus," said Superintendent Charles Urness. "These improvements were made possible by the generosity and vision of our community, and they will have a profound impact on the educational experiences we can provide for our students."
Key highlights of the high school renovations include:
New equipment in the Metals Shop, including a CNC router, mini mill, and lathes
Upgraded dust collection and air filtration systems in the Wood Shop
Expansion of the Automotive Shop, with additions like an alignment rack and paint booth
A brand new, state-of-the-art Agriculture Shop and test kitchen
Expansion of the engineering lab with new 3D printers and a laser engraver
“Our students and staff now have access to learning environments that rival any in the region," added Urness. "These spaces will foster collaboration, hands-on learning, and the development of critical technical skills."
The district continued celebrating the high school renovations at the regularly scheduled Board Meeting on October 28th, where community members had the opportunity to tour the newly renovated High School Auditorium.
For more information about the School District of Jefferson and these facility enhancements, please visit https://www.sdoj.org/district/framing-our-future-facilities.cfm.
October 14, 2024
The School District of Jefferson, with support from the Charles E. Kubly Foundation and the Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition, will be hosting a My Ascensions documentary film screening on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in the Jefferson High School Auditorium at 700 West Milwaukee Street in Jefferson. The film aims to spread hope and put an end to the national suicide epidemic, which claims the lives of 20 young people each day.
At 16 years old, varsity cheerleader Emma Benoit attempted to end her life. MY ASCENSION is the story of the day that changed Emma’s life and everything that’s happened since. MY ASCENSION is an inspiring look at Emma’s story and includes firsthand experiences of families, friends, school officials, and suicide prevention experts. The film does not shy away from the difficult realities of the ongoing youth suicide crisis but shares valuable resources to help keep teens safe. A Trailer to the film can be found at https://www.myascension.us/
The My Ascension Project is making it possible for communities across the country to put Emma’s message of hope and healing to use in their own neighborhoods. The screening is open to ALL Jefferson County middle and high school families and community members. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the film will begin at 7:00 p.m. Mental health professionals will be on hand after the film to answer questions.
September 13, 2024
This summer, the School District of Jefferson formed a Strategic Planning committee to update the district’s commitments, pillars, and five-year strategic objectives and define the District's direction for the next five years. This process provided all committee members with the necessary background information. It included a facilitator, Joe Schroeder Consulting, along with a team of 27 individuals from community members, business leaders, teachers, support staff members, parents, students, and administrators. The School Board approved the updated plan on August 26th.
We want to thank everyone who was a part of this process. Strong Schools = Strong Communities and vice versa. We could not have completed our work without our community's support.
The purpose of the Strategic Plan is to provide guidance for the annual development of milestones that align with the four core strategies and key performance objectives. This annual process provides a structure for the continuous improvement work to be completed over the long-term in order to meet the District’s mission, vision, and commitments for student learning.
The School District’s Mission of “Empowering futures together” and vision, so that “All students positively impact society” have remained steadfast. The committee looked at the District beliefs and updated the commitments within the new Strategic Plan.
Commitments
SAFETY & BELONGING:
Creating and maintaining a safe, productive environment where all people are treated with respect and dignity.
ENGAGEMENT:
Providing all students with relevant, high-quality core instruction, empowering them to discover their passion and reach their full potential.
GROWTH & ACCOUNTABILITY:
Developing successful outcomes for every student by eliminating inequities through self-reflection, growth, and action.
COMMUNICATION & OUTREACH:
Actively fostering family engagement and community involvement to build positive relationships, trust, and commitment.
DEVELOPMENT:
Taking responsibility for developing academically, socially, and behaviorally responsible citizens across our entire learning community.
The following four updated pillars organize our continuous improvement work at the district and the school level over the long term. These pillars are further defined and supported by our five-year strategic objectives within each. Using this document as a guide, we will develop annual goals with action steps to accomplish these multi-year strategic objectives. This process provides a structure for the continuous improvement work to be completed over the long term to advance the District’s mission, vision, and commitments to student learning and organizational excellence.
Foster Student Engagement and Learning
● Develop and implement high-leverage instructional practices that address opportunity gaps and support student growth.
● Foster a climate and culture for engagement, collaboration, and belonging.
Connect School and Community Through Partnerships
● Prioritize transparent communication that fosters trust within the community while engaging diverse groups and strengthening family voice.
● Promote meaningful relationships and dialogue between school and community to ensure access and representation.
Cultivate Staff Growth for Leadership and Retention
● Implement ongoing research-aligned professional learning to achieve desired student outcomes.
● Foster a climate and culture for engagement, collaboration, and belonging.
Continuously Improve Service and Operations
● Align resources in a sustainable, responsible, and flexible manner to meet the evolving needs of the district and community.
More information about the plan can be found here: https://www.sdoj.org/district/strategic-plan.cfm
August 27, 2024
Kikkoman of Jefferson Sponsors School District Stadium in 10-Year Agreement
JEFFERSON, WI - The School District of Jefferson is pleased to announce a new sponsorship agreement with Kikkoman Corporation. Under the terms of the agreement, Kikkoman will donate $80,000 to the school district over the next 10 years. In recognition of this generous contribution, the district's outdoor football, soccer, and track stadium will be renamed "Kikkoman Stadium" for the duration of the sponsorship.
This partnership represents a significant investment in local education and athletics. The funds will help support various programs and initiatives within the school district, benefiting students and the community at large.
Mark Peterson, Athletic Director for the School District of Jefferson, expressed his gratitude for the sponsorship: "We appreciate the generous sponsorship donation from Kikkoman’s Jefferson location and look forward to a long positive relationship. In an era of tight budgets and state funding that has not kept up with inflation, the district looks for ways to increase revenue that will not impact local taxpayers."
The agreement with Kikkoman joins existing corporate partnerships supporting the district, including Premier Bank's sponsorship of Gym #1 and Fort Health Care’s sponsorship of the pool, both at Jefferson High School. The District has also partnered with several other sponsors for scoreboards, mesh screens, and scorer’s tables.
The School District of Jefferson and Kikkoman’s Jefferson location are excited about this new chapter of collaboration and community support. The first Jefferson High School home football game is August 30, 2024.
For more information, please contact:
Valerie Schmitt
920-675-1010
About the School District of Jefferson:
About Kikkoman of Jefferson:
May 9, 2024
FROM THE OFFICE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF JEFFERSON SUPERINTENDENT
Dear Jefferson Community,
As we look ahead to updating our 5-year strategic plan and charting the future course for our district, your input is invaluable. The recent failed operational referendum highlighted the need for us to regroup and develop a clear vision that aligns with the priorities of our community.
We want to hear from you. What does our district do well? In what areas can we improve? What are the most important issues we should focus on moving forward? Your perspectives will help guide our strategic planning process and ensure we are meeting the needs of our students, families, and community.
In the next few days, please be on the lookout for a postcard in your mailbox with a link to an online survey. You can also access the survey directly by visiting our website at www.sdoj.org/community/2024survey.cfm. The survey will be open through June 3rd.
This is an opportunity to have your voice heard and shape the future direction of our schools. I strongly encourage everyone to participate. Your feedback is critical as we plan for years to come.
Thank you for your continued support of the School District of Jefferson. We look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Charles Urness
Superintendent
School District of Jefferson