Middle School Matters

Website: lodi.k12.wi.us

Phone: (608) 592-3854

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LodiSchoolsWI/

Quick Links:

Middle School Absence Form

Breakfast Menu - Menu de desayuno de la escuela secundaria

Lunch Menu - Menu de almuerzo de la escuela secundaria

Staff Directory - 6th Grade Homework - 7th Grade Homework - 8th Grade Homework

1. Mire al inicio del boletín.

2. Busque un cuadro blanco y haga clic en "Translate"

3. En el cuadro que aparece, selecciona "Spanish".

4. Su boletín está ahora traducido.

Dear Lodi Middle School Students and Families,

It was great to see so many families attend Parent Teacher Conferences in February. These meetings are a valuable time to connect, reflect on student progress, and set establish our partnership in helping all students grow. Your collaboration is instrumental in supporting our students, and we genuinely appreciate your involvement. Additionally, a heartfelt thank you to families who provided food for our staff during this busy time. Your kindness and generosity do not go unnoticed!

With spring on the horizon, our school has a renewed sense of energy. The anticipation of outdoor activities, longer days, and spring break bring a sense of excitement. As we transition into the spring, our focus remains on supporting every student to finish the year strong.

Thanks for your continued support, and best wishes for a wonderful start to spring!

Take care and see you soon!

Work Hard - Be Kind

Derek Pertzborn

Principal, Lodi Middle School

pertzde@lodischoolswi.org | (608) 592-3854 ext. 3202

Mr. Pertzborn recently visited Piggly Wiggly in Waunakee to see UW football player (and his nephew), Mason Lane, and had the pleasure of meeting UW volleyball setter, Morgan Van Wie (Waunakee).

He also picked up a few groceries along the way, because even principals need snacks.

• Tue, March 10 - 6th Grade Overture

• Fri, March 20 - End of term 3

• Mon, March 23 - Fri, March 27 - Spring Break

• Mon, March 30 - School Resumes

• Tue, March 31 - 6th Grade choir to capital

• Wed, April 1 - Science Fair

• Thur, April 2 - Middle school dance

• Fri. April 3 - No School

Speak Up, Speak Out is a confidential tip line where anyone can anonymously report safety concerns within our school.

Reports may include threats to the school, concerns about a student’s safety, bullying, or any situation that doesn’t feel right. Every tip is taken seriously, and administration will follow up on all reports.

Speaking up helps keep our school community safe for everyone.

To submit a tip, click the link below.

We’re excited to welcome Greg Marshall to Lodi for a special student performance in the High School PAC on Wednesday, March 4!

Greg Marshall is a three-time Emmy Award-winning producer and writer, as well as a musician and storyteller who has performed for millions across the country. He has worked with professional athletes and teams including Aaron Rodgers, Donald Driver, Christian Yelich, and others, and serves as a story strategist for brands in a variety of industries. He also hosts the podcast Short Stories by Greg Marshall and is a husband and father of four.

Schedule for the Day:

• Students will begin the day with WYN Mini-Flex

• We will then walk to the high school to attend the performance

• The remainder of the day will follow a 2-hour late start schedule

This is a great opportunity for our students to engage with a dynamic speaker and storyteller. We look forward to a meaningful and memorable experience!

Lodi High School’s Thai Exchange Program will welcome students from our sister school for three weeks this October! During their stay, students will attend classes such as Phy-Ed, Art, STEAM, and Public Speaking, and will also enjoy a weekend trip to Chicago.

We are currently looking for host families for incoming 9th graders. If your family is interested in this unique cultural opportunity, please reach out to Mrs. Barlow or Mrs. Gorski for more information.

Mrs. Barlow - barloke@lodischoolswi.org

Mrs. Gorski - gorskma@lodischoolswi.org

Lodi Middle School students recently participated in the Greater Dane County Anthology Project, a regional writing and art contest for students in grades 5–8. This year’s theme, “Cross Roads,” inspired students to submit original work in categories such as creative writing, poetry, and artwork.

More than 475 students from 24 school districts participated, with top entries selected for publication in a regional anthology and recognition at a May awards ceremony at Madison College.

👏 Congratulations to Lodi winners!

March is Youth Art Month, a statewide celebration recognizing the importance of visual arts in education and the creativity of student artists across Wisconsin. This year, Lodi Middle School proudly had five students selected to enter exhibits, showcasing their talent and hard work. We are proud of our student artists for representing Lodi and sharing their creativity with the community! 🎉

Our Lodi Middle School Forensics Team took the stage at their first meet in Marshall! Since December, students have been working hard to develop their presentation skills, focusing on stage presence, gestures, pronunciation, and eye contact.

Their dedication paid off with confident, impressive performances—we couldn’t be more proud of their growth!

Next stop: Columbus Middle School on Tuesday, March 3. Let’s keep the momentum going, Blue Devils! 💙💪

Family should always remain at the center of a child’s life—providing guidance, support, and values that shape their future.

As children grow more independent, it’s natural for them to seek privacy. At the same time, staying involved matters:

• Ask about their day

• Get to know their friends

• Stay aware of social media use

• Check in on schoolwork

Being present—even a little “nosey”—shows your child you care, helps them navigate challenges, and reinforces that family is a source of love and stability.

Your involvement truly makes a difference.

Looking to spark a meaningful conversation? Try asking one of these this week:

• What was the best part of your day today?

• How do you usually handle stress? Is there anything I can do to support you?

• What's something you are really proud of accomplishing recently?

Sometimes, a simple question can open the door to a great conversation.

Please remind your child to charge their Chromebook each night so it’s ready for learning the next day.

If a charger has been misplaced or lost, please contact techsupport@lodischoolswi.org for assistance.

Keeping devices charged helps our students stay focused and prepared for class each morning!

Showing up for school every day has a powerful impact on a student’s success—from kindergarten through high school.

Even as students grow more independent, families play an important role:

• Help ensure students arrive safely and on time

• Reinforce that attendance matters

• Talk about how showing up builds habits for future success

💙 Every day counts, and your support makes a difference!

If your child will be missing school, please remember to report the absence.

Families can easily complete the Absence Form using the button below—no need to call or email! However, if you have questions or are unable to complete the form, you can still contact us by:

📱 Calling the attendance line: (608) 592-3854 ext. 0
✉️ Emailing the office: msoffice@lodischoolswi.org

You can also find the Report an Absence link right on the Lodi Middle School homepage for quick access.

Students enrolled in Blessings in a Backpack receive a discreet bag of non-perishable, kid-friendly food each week to help support weekend meals.

• Bags are sent home every Friday

• If there is no school on Friday, bags go home on Thursday

Interested in enrolling?

Please complete the Blessing in a Backpack Google Form to sign up.

Professional dental services provided right at school for students and families in need.

Enroll: http://enrollment.bbsmiles.org/

Questions? Call 262-896-9891 or email coordinator@bbsmiles.org.

The Free and Reduced Lunch program is income based. Applications are available on the district website under Our Families - Food Service (English) or (Spanish).

Need help? Contact Ariel Andrews at 608-592-3855 ext. 1017 or andrear@lodischoolswi.org.

Hello Lodi Middle School Students, Families, and Staff!

March is shaping up to be an exciting (and delicious!) month in our Food Service program!

🌟 Harvest of the Month (HOM)

• Fruit: Pineapple

• Vegetable: Radish

• Spice: Parsley
  These featured items will appear in a variety of ways on our menu and salad bar—be sure to give them a try and share your feedback with us!

🌮 Limited-Time Offering (LTO)

• This month’s special is Baja Fish Tacos—we hope you enjoy this new flavor on the menu!

✝️ Lenten Options

• We will offer non-meat options on Fridays throughout Lent for those who are observing.

👨‍🍳 Special Guest Chef

• We’re excited to welcome back Chef Camilo on Friday, March 6 at the middle school!

• Featured menu: Jambalaya & Cajun Corn

• Stop by, say hello, and try something new!

🥗 National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month, and we are proud to celebrate by promoting healthy choices and food exploration:

• Students will have opportunities to try new foods and learn about their nutritional value

• We encourage curiosity—ask questions and explore what’s on your plate!

• Eating breakfast and lunch helps students stay focused and ready to learn

A special thank you to Michelle Howe and her students for growing fresh lettuce in their hydroponic garden—what a great example of bringing nutrition to life!

🎉 Bonus Fun

• Watch for surprise celebration days for students enjoying hot lunch—details coming soon!

• Nutritional information is always available on the Taher Food4Life website

🍀 Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

— Diane Lueck
Food Service Director, Taher / Lodi School District

Illness Reminder

As we move through cold and flu season, please help us keep our school community healthy.

Students should stay home until they are:

• 24 hours fever-free (without fever-reducing medication)

• 24 hours vomit-free and/or diarrhea-free

• Experiencing improved symptoms overall

If you are unsure whether your child should attend school, please contact Health Services. We are happy to help guide you.

Quick Guide for Returning to School

Preventing the Spread of Illness

Simple steps make a big difference:

• Stay home when sick

• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing

• Wash hands frequently — one of the best ways to prevent illness

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

• Stay up to date on flu vaccinations

For additional information, families can visit the American Academy of Pediatrics website.

Medical & Dental Appointments

If your child has a medical or dental appointment during the school day:

• Please ask the provider to fax a school excuse, or

• Send the excuse note with your child to the school office upon return.

This will allow the absence to be marked as medically excused.

If your child visits urgent care or the emergency room:

• Please request a school excuse for any missed days.

• If restrictions are required at school, ensure they are clearly written by the provider.

Family Resources

We encourage families to explore the following community supports:

• Wisconsin Wayfinder - (English) (Spanish) (Hmong)
  Children’s Resource Network assisting families, caregivers, and professionals in accessing services and supports.
  📞 Toll-Free: 877-947-2929

• Columbia County Public Health

If you have any health-related questions, please contact:

Janelle Sivam, RN, BSN
Lodi District Nurse
📧 sivamja@lodischoolswi.org
📱 608-573-1851
📠 608-592-1025

Missing a sweatshirt? Can’t find that water bottle? Each month we’ll post photos of items from our Lost & Found.

If you recognize something, email Dawn Maier (maierda@lodischoolswi.org) or have your student stop by the office to claim it.

The middle school staff directory is located on the Lodi Middle School homepage under Contact Us. Here is a link to the staff directory.