IOWA-GRANT PANTHER PRESS

Welcome February, the month of the ground hog, of promises of spring, and of course, valentines, which we would not have if weren’t for the courageous opposition to the Roman oppression of early Christians. Secret marriages of soldiers spared young men from going to war and legend has it that a jailer’s daughter’s blindness was healed by St. Valentine in conjunction with his martyrdom. Perhaps at least one frozen heart was warmed.

If our schools are the heart of the community, then our students, parents, teachers and staff are the heart of our schools. Around school, we celebrate and congratulate our Valedictorian Noah Lange and our Salutatorian William Fulton. Congratulations to both of you, your parents, and thank you to our teachers and staff who provide support in helping every student reach their full potential in partnership with the community. We also congratulate three of our outstanding teachers, who have announced their retirement at the end of the school year, Shirley Buss, Angie Boldt, and Brenda Wasley, who together have given more than ninety years of service to the Iowa-Grant School District. Congratulations, thank you, and of course, remember … always a Panther!

Also in February, the board of education has a lot on the agenda. The board is deeply involved in the process of hiring a new superintendent. The posting attracted a strong field of candidates and first-round interviews scheduled for February 4, 2026. Construction meetings on the locker room renovation project will commence on February 12th. And finally, I anticipate that there will be some discussion with Highland Community Schools as they hold meetings with the public to consider prospects of more cooperation with Iowa-Grant regarding athletic co-ops.

Please allow me to end by sharing a short memory from another icy February. Our buildings and grounds director (his name was Mike too) came to me with a complaint he had received from a community member. The complaint was regarding the message he had posted on the school’s marquee, “Think Spring!” In the complainant’s view, this message was discriminatory against winter. After a moment of silence, I advised Mike that in deference, we should probably change the message. I suggested, “Just remove the word, Spring.” Surely, no one would find thinking an discriminatory practice.

I hope that it’s still safe to say, “Think Spring”, as our spring sports meetings are already underway. I also hope that all hearts are warmed and tenderness is extended to all your loved ones.

2/02 3:30 PM - 6:00PM Forensics - Ice Cream Social - IGHS IMC

2/02 6:00 PM Baskeball: Boys Freshmen Tournament vs Multiple Schools @ Mineral Point

2/02 6:00 PM Gymnastics: Varsity Meet vs River Valley @ River Valley HS

2/03 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Southwestern (Home) (IGEMS)

2/03 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Benton (Home)

2/03 7:15 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Southwestern (Home)

2/05 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys Freshmen vs Prairie du Chien (Away)

2/05 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls Varisty vs Fennimore (Home)

2/06 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Riverdale (Away)

2/06 6:00 PM Wrestling: Girls Varsity Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Boscobel HS

2/06 7:15 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Riverdale (Away)

2/07 9:00 AM Wrestling: Girls Varisty Invitational vs Multiple Schools @ Richland Center HS

2/07 10:00 AM Gymnastics: Varsity Invtitational @ Dodgeville HS - Lower Gym

2/07 8:00 PM - 11:00PM Snowball Dance

2/09 6:00 PM Band/Choir Trip Information Meeting

2/09 6:30 PM Music Parent's Meeting

2/10 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Dodgeville (Away)

2/10 7:15 PM Basketball: Girls Varisty vs Darlington (Away)

2/10 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varisty vs Dodgeville (Away)

2/12 Abraham Lincoln's Birthday

2/12 6:00 PM Basketball: JV vs Darlington (Home)

2/12 7:15 PM Basketball: Varsity vs Darlington (Home)

2/13 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Southwestern (Home)

2/14 10:00 AM Gymnastics: Varsity Invitational vs Platteville (Away)

2/14 12:30 PM Basketball: Boys Freshmen vs Cuba City (Home) (IGEMS)

2/14 12:30 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Cuba City (Home) (IGHS)

2/14 1:45 PM BasketballL Boys Varsity vs Cuba City

2/15 Susan B. Anthony's Birthday

2/16 3:30 PM Forensics Sub-District @ IGEMS

2/17 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Fennimore (Away)

2/17 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Belmont (Home)

2/17 7:15 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Fennimore (Away)

2/18 6:30 PM Board Meeting

2/19 5:00 PM Basketball: Boys Freshmen vs Lancaster (Home)\

2/19 5:00 PM Gymnastics: Varsity Conference Meet @ Dodgeville HS

2/19 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Mineral Point (Away)

2/19 6:00 PM Basketball: Girls Varsity vs Mineral Point (Away)

2/19 7:30 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Mineral Point (Away)

2/22 George Washington's Birthday

2/23 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys JV vs Highland (Home)

2/26 Wrestling: Boys and Girls Individual State

2/26 6:00 PM Basketball: Boys Freshmen vs Lancaster (Away)

2/26 6:00 PM Baskeball: Boys JV vs Cuba City (Away)

2/26 7:15 PM Basketball: Boys Varsity vs Cuba City (Away)

2/26 State Academic Decathalon @ Green Bay

2/27 State Academic Decathalon @ Green Bay

2/27 12:30 PM Early Dismissal

2/27 Wrestling: Boys and Girls Individual State

2/28 Wrestling: Boys and Girls Individual State

SENIORS

Distinguished Honors:

Trinity Baker, Nina Buroker, William Fulton, Emma Govier, Quinn Hoeper, Rilya Hrubes, Josie Jelle, Brooklyn Jennings, Addison Kramer, Noah Lange, Treaton Loeffelholz, Gabriella Munson,

Everett Zimmer

High Honors:

Pajessa Baker, Jaxon Busse, Daniel Dosch, Adeline Foley, Anayeli Garcia-Cuahuizo, Lexie Kuhls,

Sam Lundell, Laina McPhail, Ellison Moen, Trenton Pelton, Reese Peterson, Myles Pettit, Delaney Reid, Laila Ritchie, Addyson Winkers, Taylor Zoha

Honors:

Eric Bartolo-Garcia, Abigail Hake, Quentin Koss, Alexandria Sporle

JUNIORS

Distinguished Honors:

Cash Anderson, Blayden Bonson, Kristina Crow, Abigail Droessler, Addeline Elg, Landon Friesen, Jacob Grindey, Madelyn Klein, Serenity Rose, Brayden Shemak, June Spurley, Charlie Volenec,

Deacon Wetzel, Jack Whitaker, Owen Wyatt

High Honors:

Ella Dosch, Mason Hove, Connor Johnson, Presley Lehman, Lillian Linscheid, Calvin McHone,

Kyleigh Miles, Valeria Ramos Ramirez, Carly Shores, Kendra Wallace

Honors:

Jason Bartolo-Garcia, Griffen Cartwright, Noah Gochenaur, Harlei Rochon

SOPHOMORES

Distinguished Honors:

Taylor Aide, Malen Anitua Sesumaga, Kylie Breuer, Breanna Dowell, Alayna Enloe,

Ava Klaas, Olivia Koss, Trinity Lowe, Lilly Peterson, Braelyn Rothamer, Ezmae Sandberg,

Georgia Trecek

High Honors:

Reese DiVall, Liam Hildreth, Joslyn Iverson, Cadence Kelley, Evelena Linscheid, Stevie Pelton, Brynne Pettit, Rena Pettit, Hadleigh Vivian

Honors:

Jason Biddick, Ty Cutts, Trinity Loeffelholz, Chelsey Mueller, Cole Schauff

FRESHMEN

Distinguished Honors:

Madalynn Allen, Dacota Freymiller, Ryker Hrubes, Leah Nelson, Blake Schauff, Elsie Van Overmeer

High Honors:

Rohwen Aultman, Myah Batton, Avah Clark, Deven Engrav, Lainey James, Tucker Leix,

Mackenzie Liddicoat, Brody Lindner, Ainsley Pickel, Alex Potter, Jaeden Rolli, Ever Schilling,

Ruby Volenec, Kipton Wetzel

Honors:

Oliver Christiansen, Maxwell Hake, Trygve Herlitz-Collins, Isaiah Hines, Owen Munson,

Kayden Peterson

Iowa-Grant recently welcomed new members into the Iowa-Grant High School Chapter of the National Honor Society. Students are selected for this organization based on effective demonstration of the four qualities held in high esteem by the association: Character, Scholarship, Leadership, and Service.

Our newly inducted members include:

Ellison Moen, Trenton Pelton, Laila Ritchie, Addyson Winkers, Everett Zimmer,

Chris Crow, Abigail Droessler, Addeline Elg, Landon Friesen, Madelyn Klein, Lillian Linscheid, June Spurley

Our new members were inducted by our current Senior members:

Pajessa Baker, Trinity Baker, Adeline Foley, William Fulton, Abigail Hake, Quinn Hoeper,

Quentin Koss, Addison Kramer, Noah Lange, Gabriella Munson, Delaney Reid, Lucinda Spurley

The IGHS Sources of Strength Peer Leaders were involved in several activities first semester. The Sources of Strength Adult and Peer Advisors work together to create a culture of help-seeking and connection, sending a message to their peers that it is okay to not feel ok, and that reaching out for help is a sign of Strength, not weakness. Peer Leaders act as the eyes and ears of the school/community, helping to guide where there are areas in need of support.

Some of the activities Peer Leaders led were Wellness Wednesdays for students, volunteering at the nursing home, a scavenger hunt to find Elf on the Shelf, and hosting a Final Exam "pump up" table with snacks and encouragement for students to do their best during final exams. We are proud of the work this group of leaders is doing to make our school and community a better place!

January was a slow month for our chapter; nevertheless we still had a lot of fun at our monthly meeting. At our meeting, we recapped the previous month and briefly discussed CDE’s and LDE’s. There is a spreadsheet in Google Classroom now with the practice schedule. Members interested in applying for a State Proficiency Award for their SAE were educated on how to use The AET website. The officers had a lock-in on January 15th to plan FFA week and to bond as a team. We opened up the opportunity for members to make Valentine’s Cards for veterans to express gratitude for their service. The cards were due back by the 23rd. We are ramping up practice for the FFA District LDE competition, which is on February 4th.

Iowa-Grant hosted SWAL Honors Band on January 9th and 10th. This event brought in Matt Gregg and Aaron Cooley from UW-Platteville to work with some of the best musicians from each SWAL school. Thanks to our Music Parents group for feeding the kids both days and manning the concession stand! We also had 6 HS students give up their day off on the 16th to participate in the Dubuque Honors Band. Congrats to all of these kids for representing us well. There is one more honors band event, Tri-State Honors Band, coming up on Valentine's weekend.

IGHS will be hosting a Blood Drive on Friday, March 20th from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM. Please consider donating blood.

Last weekend 18 Iowa-Grant Choir students participated in the SWAL Conference Honors Choir! The concert featured some folk song arrangements, Musical Theater songs, and some contemporary choral works.

In February, IGEMS will be busy with events! National School Counselor’s Week is February 2nd - 8th, and we honor Jennifer Leeser at IGEMS for her contributions to our students.

February 11th will kick off the American Heart Association activities in grades K-4 in our physical education program. Middle School Wrestling and Girls Middle School Basketball will wrap up mostly on the road this month. We have our last home basketball game on February 5th.

We will also celebrate Acts of Kindness Week with Dress-up Days:

Please see Ms. Kennicker’s calendar for more details.

Monday, February 16th: Favorite Sports Team

Tuesday, February 17th: Crazy Hair and Headwear Day

Wednesday, February 18th: PJ Day

Thursday, February 19th: Dress Like Your Teacher Day

Friday, February 20th: Panther Day - Olympic Day with a fun afternoon in the works!

FFA week in Wisconsin is February 21st-28th.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the spelling bee last month and our spelling bee representative. Thank you to Mrs. Boldt for organizing the event.

We have an early dismissal on February 27th at 12:30 p.m. so please mark your calendars.

Before long, we will be planning for summer school. The year is flying by! Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

Developing Executive Functioning Skills (preschool-1st grade)

Executive functioning skills is a fancy term used to describe the skills we use everyday to complete tasks. In the classroom, executive functioning skills support children as they follow directions, take turns, solve problems, manage emotions, stay organized, and complete tasks. These are truly “school super skills.”

Families can help build these skills through simple, everyday activities:

• Planning and Preparing: Cook a meal together by listing ingredients and gathering supplies.
  
  

• Organization: Sort laundry by color or type, match socks, or stack towels.
  
  

• Attention and Memory: Play the traditional memory card game or try a movement game like, “I Can, Can You?” where children repeat and add actions.
  
  

• Time Management: Use a timer for clean-up or getting ready and try to “beat the clock.” Help children break big tasks (such as cleaning a room) into smaller more manageable steps.
  
  

• Flexible Thinking: Find multiple ways to do the same task, such as building a tower or saying good night.
  
  

• Self-Control: Practice calming strategies like taking five deep breaths.

Executive functioning skills develop over time, but they grow strongest through play, routines, and real-life experiences. Remember, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress, and small moments at home can make a big difference.

Source: Parent-Powered, (formerly Ready 4K)

8th Grade High Honors:

Lucille Anderson, Corbin Batton, Charlie Bollant, Hope Colson, Kierah Dahl. Olivia Enloe, Aubrey Gochenaur, Isabell Johnson, Isla Klaas, Evie Koss, Natalie Mayne, Ayden Olson, Callie Pickel, Jaxson Reiter, Jordence Rothamer, Caitlyn Runde, Kaydee Shemak, Sadie Spurley, Elijah Straka, Elway Walter, Quinn Williams, and Landon Wyatt

7th grade High Honors:

Stevie Brokopp, Easton Halverson, Wyatt A Hamilton, Brycen Hasburgh, George Linscheid, Taytum Loeffelholz, Abigail Mueller, Hannah Nelson, Kensie Schultz, Matthias Straka, Adalee Thorud, and Ezzy Walter

8th Grade Honors:

Bayley Baker, Allison Bartolo-Garcia, Katie Bartolo Rivera, Ivan Chipahua Acatzihua, Joshua Connolly, Elijah Fulton, Blade Hahn, Klyde Halverson, Zayleigh Hermanson, Easton Liddicoat, and Grant Schauff

7th Grade Honors:

Chloe-Ann Freymiller, Connor Govier, EvAngela Halverson, Atley Lehman, Tate Lindner, Graham Pierick, and Adrienne Pluemer

A big thank you to Tower Junction for gifting our second graders free bowling passes for completing their December Reading Logs! We appreciate your support and generosity!

We had three IGEMS reading millionaires for the first semester of school. We challenge our students to read one million words during the school year. Students who read a million words or more have better vocabulary and problem solving skills. They also perform better on standardized assessments that are given. These three eighth grade students have already accomplished this great achievement in half the time. Pictured L-R: Evie K. (8 books of over 300 pgs. read), Jordence R. (16 books read), and Joshua C. (18 books read). Keep on reading, Panthers!

IGEMS will be hosting a BOGO book fair the week of Spring Conferences. Mark your calendars for April 14th -16th.