October- Newsletter

Hello Parents,

March comes in like a lion, and out like a lamb, they say... hard to think of lamb-like spring as I write this and it is 3 degrees below zero with 6-8 inches of snow on the way where I live!

A few important things are happening:

First, although I am sure it feels like we just finished Act 20 screening for winter, the spring window starts mid-March already! Those with students in 4K-3 will be contacted by their teachers about this important work. We are seeing lots of rising skill gains in daily work, iReady scores and in classes, so we are excited to see where everyone has grown!

You will also be receiving information about the Forward exams. These exams are taken in person in Kiel. Please check your inboxes for messages from Sandra Sickinger, our registrar about dates, times, and other options.

Thank you to those of you who made it out to our first BTLVA planetarium visit! It was fun to see everyone in person! There have been requests for another day, and that is in the planning. The biggest hurdle is a venue with big enough space-- especially the ceilings! Our PAC and gymnasiums are very busy places! Stay tuned!

March 7th KASD Non-work Day

March 27th and April 3 Forward Testing

March 30th End of 3rd Quarter

The 40 middle school cast and crew members of "Alice in Wonderland" have been working really hard and their preparation is paying off. The cast and crew hope you can join them either on Friday 2/28 at 7:00 pm or Saturday 3/1 at 2:00 pm.

Tickets can be found at cur8.com and they are $10 each.

Enjoy pizza, evening playtime, themed activities, and plenty of photo opportunities!

Pre-registration required.

Learn the Spring Wisconsin tradition of "sugaring", outdoor and wilderness survival skills, participate in a 2-day wetland ecology experience, or learn more about honeybees! Advance registration is required.

Curious about aviation as a hobby or career? Experience the wonders of aviation. This one-day event will introduce you to the joys of flight, provide hands-on experiences with fabrication and/or avionics, and inspire you to explore the many facets of aviation.

Planned activities may include:

• Hearing from girls and women who love aviation
• Young Eagles flights (weather permitting)
• RedBird Flight Simulators
• Learning about the physics of flight while building your own RC plane
• Getting hands-on with aviation technology

Registration and lunch are free and open to girls in 6th through 12th grade.

Summer STEM at the Naval Academy is a vibrant week of problem solving, exploratory learning, critical thinking, and team building for rising 9th-11th graders interested in a future in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. CLICK HERE for info/application.

2025 Session Dates

Summer STEM (rising 9th-11th graders)

Session 1 (Monday - Saturday): June 2 - 7, 2025

Session 2 (Monday - Saturday): June 9 - 14, 2025

Session 3 (Monday - Friday): June 16 - 20, 2025 (please note this session runs during a Federal holiday)

Learners of all ages will be invited to explore the horse-powered world of Wade House and Wisconsin in the mid-1800s. Upon arrival, visitors can step inside a reproduction stagecoach and learn about plank road travel. The horse-drawn world of the 19th century is on display in the Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum - where learners will test their skills by building their very own model carriage. A horse-drawn wagon transports visitors across the Mullet River to the historic core of the site where authentically costumed interpreters, muscle power and waterpower bring to life the work of the blacksmith and sawyer. Guests tour the 27-room Stagecoach Hotel, which once served weary travelers along the Plank Road.

Tuesday, May 20, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Explore papier-mâché, polymer clay, dioramas, and more. Young artists will be encouraged to make work in the spirit of the JMKAC exhibition theme, This Is Where I’m Coming From. Campers will draw inspiration from gallery visits and have an opportunity to showcase their work to friends and family on the last day of camp. Registration is limited!

6-8th Graders with at least 1 year experience: Check out all the opportunities for choir, band, and orchestra (piano included!)

HERE is a brochure to get more info.

If you are a budding novelist, or a promising young journalist, the Greater Madison Writing Project has a summer camp offering for you! Serving young writers in grades 3-12 and located at Olbrich Botanical Gardens, everyone will find something to get their creative juices flowing this summer! All sessions are facilitated by Greater Madison Writing Project Teacher-Leaders who provide a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment for every young writer.

Participants will be guided through writing exercises and have the opportunity to chart their own creative course. All writers will have the opportunity to share their writing through a variety of publishing opportunities. To get more info, CLICK HERE.

Attention to middle schoolers interested in a potential career in:

the Sciences (maybe Occupational Therapy, Forensic Science, or Ecology?)

the Arts (perhaps Storytelling, Art in Nature, or more?)

or Culinary (where students will learn about Midwest Cuisine while learning knife skills and overall kitchen safety along with menu planning, ingredient identification and use and front of house training before the Finale Dinner creation)

UW-La Crosse has some amazing programs you could attend (scholarships are available)!

Discovery Education has a plethora of options for on-demand Virtual Field Trips you can attend in the comfort of your own home! Even better? They offer before, during, and after activities to further expand your learning!

National Geographic also offers some Experiential Learning and Virtual Field Trips worth checking out.

HERE is another option for you to check out-you can search by topic, subject etc. They have an expansive video library that teaches about the US (states, regions, history, and geography) and other countries and cultures as well!