Tag Archives: Region 5

DC Everest Inspires project helps students to see the power of positive influences

photo of key chain

Wausau Daily Herald: D.C. Everest Senior High social studies instructor Brad Seeley doesn’t simply teach history; he encourages students to consider their place in the world and how they can make the world a better place, Assistant Principal Todd Bohm said.

“Brad doesn’t treat history as a linear timeline of events. His students study the context of history, the humanity and the ‘what ifs.’ Students examine a subject from every angle and step into the shoes of people with varying beliefs to better understand different perspectives,” Bohm said.

“He inspires students to make a positive impact despite what differences they may have.”

Three years ago, Seeley launched DCETalks — an evening in which students showcase their yearlong Genius Projects. The event, inspired by TED Talks, focuses on each student’s unique personal perspective and challenges them to see history through a different lens.

During the 2016-17 school year, Seeley initiated the DCE ONE project, designed to raise awareness about the power of diversity when people unite around a common cause and their community.

This year, Seeley’s Advanced Placement United States History and Comparative Politics students took part in his latest project — DCE Inspires.

“Every one of us has a person in our life who has had a positive impact on us — who has helped make us who we are by encouraging and challenging us,” Seeley said. “I started DCE Inspires to recognize the power of inspiration and emphasize the important role we can play in one another’s lives.”

Read more about DC Everest’s program.

Spencer students help boy with disability get around a little easier

photo of Spencer School District student

WSAW.com: A student in Spencer is able to get around a little easier thanks to the help of Spencer School District staff, Northcentral Technical College and his family.

Noel is a student at Spencer Elementary and was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that limits his mobility.

Students made a self-motorized car just for Noel that has unique switches designed to help him get around easier.

“It gives Noel the opportunity to move independently and explore. It really helps prepare him for more advanced mobility such as a power wheelchair later on,” said Kristin Jacobson, Assistant Director of Special Education.

Read more about the Spencer School District’s mobility project.

Wausau barista business giving special needs students independence and job skills

Wausau

WSAW.com: In the halls of Wausau East High School a group of students is gaining independence and job skills while running a business.

“They’re starting to believe in themselves. They’re starting to think ‘Oh, I can do this,” explained teacher Anissa Walter.

She’s the organizer for Jack’s Joe. The mobile coffee business, run by students with special needs, is a play on the name of the school mascot– the Lumberjacks.

Students, like Elizabeth and Sarah are learning how to be a team, manage inventory and handle money. Skills that will prepare them for the real world.

The business was created through a grant from Reach for the Stars. Since last spring, the rolling coffee shop is a favorite of staff and students.

The coffee is donated by Tom Belongia, owner at Biggby Coffee.

He said he was happy to be apart of the project.

“The teachers had seen a video online of a similar program and they were actually at Biggby Coffee and brainstorming and they asked, ‘Is this something you could actually help us out with?’ I though it was such a beautiful wonderful idea and it fit,” Belongia recalled.

Read the complete article.

Marshfield Tigers “Pride Pump” to benefit Schools

Marshfield

WSAU.com: In Marshfield, fueling up your vehicle can now help support local schools.

That’s according to Marshfield School Board member Mark Konrardy, who says the owner of the Baltus Oil Company will make a small donatation to the school district for every gallon of gas purchased from a specially marked Marshfield Tigers Pride Pump.

“John Baltus, with Baltus gas stations, made a proposal,” Konrardy said.  “He would like to put in a ‘Pride Pump’ and we thought it was a very good idea, and very good for the school district.”

“He’ll pick one of his gas stations, pick one of the pumps, and he’ll put the Marshfield School District logo on it,” Konrardy explained.  “And a certain amount of those proceeds will then go to the school district.”

Read more.

High-tech labs gear teens toward workforce in Wausau

Wausau Daily Herald: Senior Brennen Pozorski learned how to fine tune the new cobalt-blue, manual mills in the Wausau East High School metals lab and was setting them up and leveling their tables a week after classes started this fall.

The 17-year-old likes working with his hands and is thinking about attending Northcentral Technical College, where he already has some credits earned through his high school classes. Pozorski will likely earn more of those credits before graduating and in the process learn how to use the lab’s new computer numerical-controlled — or CNC — mills, which can be programmed to cut things out and drill.

Wausau East and Wausau West high schools have a lot of new equipment and upgraded spaces for technology education. Welding booths, a laser engraver, plasma tables, a maker space, 3-D printers, revived wood and metals labs and a brand-new 9,000-square-foot auto lab all have been added to the schools’ tech-ed department in recent months.

It’s a good time for Wausau high schoolers to get into auto repair, manufacturing, design and other tech-centric electives. And local businesses hope students will be turned on to their industries after exploring them in school.

School district leaders, notably Career and Technical Education Coordinator Jon Winter, worked with businesses in the community to tailor the improvements at the high schools to what manufacturers and other local companies need. Some of those companies chipped in for equipment to help train students in technical-education courses.

“We see that they have a need. We’re trying to fill those pipelines,” Winter said of employers. “We built these facilities for our community.”

Read more.

Black River Falls showcases, dedicates new elementary school

Jackson County Chronicle: The Black River Falls School District dedicated is new elementary school during a special ceremony Monday evening.

Hundreds of people attended the open house for Red Creek Elementary, which has been serving students since the start of the 2016-17 school year earlier this month.

Tours were available before the ceremony, which included remarks from local and state school officials and those involved in the design and construction of the building. John Ashley, executive director of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, complimented both the building and the community support that allowed it to come to fruition.

“It took my breath away,” Ashley said of his tour of the building. “You were thinking about kids. I have never seen a more kid-friendly environment.

“This is really a testament to the people of this community believing in your kids.”

Read more.

Marshfield students compete at health conference

Marshfield News-Herald: Four students from Marshfield High School competed at the Health Occupations Student of America International Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, from June 22 to 25.  More than 9,000 students across the nation and several countries competed at the event that focused on health care careers, according to a news release from the Marshfield School District.

Roma Shah competed in an epidemiology event, which was part of the emergency preparedness category. Maddy Schiebe competed in the sports medicine event, where she needed to take a knowledge test and be prepared to demonstrate her skill set.  Nikita Gonugunta competed in the human growth and development knowledge test event. Aman Bassi competed in the medical photography event. Bassi’s presentation of three photos he took of medical professionals and their job descriptions earned him placement among the top 10 students at the international convention.

Read more.

Rosholt students raise money for Honor Flights

Stevens Point Journal: Rosholt Elementary School students and Rosholt Middle School sixth-graders recently took part in a Never Forgotten Honor Flight assembly in the Rosholt School District auditorium. During the program, 12 veterans who have either been on an Honor Flight or who are on the Honor Flight Waiting List were honored. Many of the veterans spoke about the time they spent serving the country and about the Honor Flight.

With a variety of fundraisers for the Honor Flight during the school year, students were able to raise more than $1,000, which will send two more veterans on the Honor Flight.

Read more.

Wausau students raise $6,000 to help disabled racers

WAOW.com: John Muir Middle School students in Wausau have spent months raising money for a race chair for children with disabilities, and on Tuesday, it was revealed.

The school teamed up with myTeam Triumph, a nonprofit that lets people with disabilities use specifically made race chairs in Wisconsin for 5Ks, marathons, triathlons, and more.

The chair cost $5,000, but the students raised $6,000 through fundraisers and incentives, even collecting pennies to add to the total.

“It’s amazing, and it’s so rare to see that students that want to benefit others and give back in that way, and so we’re just blown away and so thankful of the students at John Muir Middle School,” myTeam Triumph executive director Christian Jensen said.

Read more.

Wausau educator recognized by police department

Wausau School District Director of Pupil Services Dr. Jeff Lindell received The Educator Award from the Wausau Police Department ​at its first-ever Awards Banquet held on March 1. 

This award is presented to an educator who best represents the Wausau School District and exemplifies excellence in their profession. This individual has made outstanding contributions to academic achievement and works hand-in-hand with the police department and other community organizations to keep our schools safe while educating youth and families. 

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Williams said, “Jeff is amazing at what he does and how he does it. His affable, thoughtful, empathetic, and collegial nature helps to contribute to our District and its students’ success.” 

JeffL