Ithaca School District

The MS Student Council is holding their annual Valentine Gram fundraiser again this year. Sales will start on January 20 and run through January 28. All order forms must be turned in by the end of the day on January 28 to Mrs. Hilby. Elementary students will be bringing order forms home next week, MS/HS students and anyone else can pick up an order form from the Office or outside room 204 starting next week. If you are interested in ordering and don't have an order form or are unsure how, feel free to reach out to Mrs. Hilby at hilbsam@ithaca.k12.wi.us. Payment is due upon ordering.

The MS Student Council is hosting a MS Movie Night for any Ithaca Middle School Students on February 4, 2022 in the Multipurpose Room. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and close at 6:15 p.m. for the movie to start. Once the doors close no one will be allowed in or out. Plan to be picked up by 8 p.m. Drinks and snacks will be provided.

The Lions are collecting plastic bags at Ithaca school. The collection bin is in the commons. Please help by saving your bags and putting them in the container.  With the bags, the plastic is used to make benches. The Ithaca Volleyball team sponsored one earlier this year.  Do you have a group that would like to sponsor one through the Lions? Contact an Ithaca Lion today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jan. 13th, 2022 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - Chicken Parmesan, Second Choice - Pizza, Winter Blend Vegetables, Applesauce, Dinner Roll, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band, HS - Band. Junior Class: There will be a class meeting tomorrow, Friday, during Attack time in the Band room. Seniors: There is a signup sheet in the office. Please sign your name the way you want it printed on your diploma. HS student council will meet on Thursday, Jan. 13 during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher's room. ATTENTION Seniors, Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen: Please email Mrs. Burnley any candid pictures of your classmates that we can use in the yearbook on your class portraits pages. Seniors, the yearbook staff would especially appreciate "Through the Years Pictures". The Lions are collecting plastic bags at school. The collection bin is in the commons. Please help by saving your bags and putting them in the container. With the bags, the plastic is used to make benches. The Volleyball team sponsored one earlier this year. Do you have a group that would like to sponsor one through the Lions? Contact an Ithaca Lion today. The MS Student Council is hosting a MS Movie Night for any Ithaca Middle School Students on February 4, 2022 in the Multipurpose Room. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and close at 6:15 p.m. for the movie to start. Once the doors close no one will be allowed in or out. Plan to be picked up by 8 p.m. Drinks and snacks will be provided. The MS Student Council is holding their annual Valentine Gram fundraiser again this year. Sales will start next week, on January 20, and run through January 28. All orders forms must be turned in by the end of the day on January 28 to Mrs. Hilby. Orders for will be available starting next week, Elementary's sent home and MS/HS in the office or outside Room 204. If you are interested in ordering and don't have an order form or are unsure how, feel free to reach out to Mrs. Hilby at hilbsam@ithaca.k12.wi.us Payment is due upon ordering. Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: NCAA adopts controversial Proposition 48 On January 13, 1986, NCAA schools vote to adopt Proposition 48, a controversial regulation that mandates minimum high school grades and scores on standardized college entrance exames for student-athletes to participate in sports as freshmen. The proposition, which passes by a large margin, has a disproportional impact on Black male athletes. Word of the Day: Meritorious mair-uh-TOR-ee-us adjective Meritorious means "deserving of honor or esteem."At the gathering, the company's president expressed his gratitude to employees for their meritorious service. Elementary—None H.S./M.S.—None Staff—Ms. Chay Schmitt

With basketball season hitting full stride, we celebrate our Throwback Thursday with team pictures from 20 years ago. Enjoy!

The Ithaca boy's basketball game scheduled for Thursday January 13 (tonight) has been rescheduled to Monday February 21

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jan. 12th, 2022 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today: First Choice - Cheeseburger, Second Choice - Brat, Baked Beans, Strawberries, Dessert, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th and 8th Grade - Choir, HS - Choir. Seniors: There is a signup sheet in the office. Please sign your name the way you want it printed on your diploma. Forensics students will meet during ATTACK time today in the LMC. All Juniors should go to their ACT prep instead of this meeting. This year's SnoBall's theme is Enchanted Forest/Northern Lights. It is on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 8-11 pm. If you are bringing a guest, please sign them up in the office today before the end of the day. Attention Youth Apprenticeship students. Please check your school email regarding an assignment that must be completed today. Any questions please see Mrs. Kershner. HS student council will meet on Thursday, Jan. 13 during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher's room Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: Massive earthquake strikes Haiti On January 12, 2010, Haiti is devastated by a massive earthquake. It drew an outpouring of support from around the globe, but the small nation has yet to fully recover. Word of the Day: Stir-crazy STER-KRAY-zee adjective Stir-crazy means "distraught because of prolonged confinement." Guests at the ski lodge began going stir-crazy after Day 3 of being snowed in by the blizzard. Elementary—None H.S./M.S.—Elli Durst, Wesley Nelson

The Ithaca School District is holding Developmental/4K Screening on Wednesday, April 13, and Thursday, April 14, 2022, for any child in the Ithaca School District and surrounding communities that will turn 3-years-old or 4-years-old on or before September 1, 2022. Screening allows us to get to know your 3-year-old or 4-year-old child better in a play-based screening scenario. It will also allow you to receive information for/about your young child, whether there may be any developmental concerns that need to be addressed in preparation for their future school experience, and to register your 4-year-old child for 4-Year-Old Kindergarten for the 2022-2023 school year. Please call the Ithaca School Office at (608) 585-2311 to register and schedule a screening appointment by January 28, 2022. Thank you, and we look forward to meeting you and your child! El distrito escolar de Ithaca llevará a cabo una evaluación de desarrollo/4K el miércoles 13 de abril y el jueves 14 de abril de 2022 para cualquier niño en el distrito escolar de Ithaca y las comunidades circundantes que cumplirá 3 o 4 años el o antes del 1 de septiembre de 2022. La evaluación nos permite conocer mejor a su hijo de 3 o 4 años en un escenario de evaluación basado en el juego. También le permitirá recibir información para/sobre su hijo pequeño, si puede haber algún problema de desarrollo que deba abordarse en preparación para su futura experiencia escolar, y registrar a su hijo de 4 años para 4-Year- Antiguo Jardín de Infantes para el año escolar 2022-2023. Llame a la oficina de la escuela de Ithaca al (608) 585-2311 para registrarse y programar una cita de evaluación antes del 28 de enero de 2022. ¡Gracias y esperamos conocerlo a usted y a su hijo!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jan. 11th, 2022 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - Sweet & Sassy Chicken, Second Choice - Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Spinach Salad, Peaches, Dinner Roll, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band, HS - Band. Seniors: There is a signup sheet in the office. Please sign your name the way you want it printed on your diploma. Forensics students will meet during ATTACK time this Wednesday, January 12th in the LMC. All Juniors should go to their ACT prep instead of this meeting. There will be an FBLA club meeting today during Attack in Mrs. Burnley's room. This year's SnoBall's theme is Enchanted Forest/Northern Lights. It is on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 8-11 pm. If you are bringing a guest, please sign them up in the office before the end of the day on Wednesday, Jan.19. Attention Youth Apprenticeship students. Please check your school email regarding an assignment that must be completed by Wednesday January 12th. Any questions please see Mrs. Kershner. HS student council will meet on Thursday, Jan. 13 during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher's room. The January PTSO meeting will today at 3:45 p.m. in the LMC. A zoom link will be provided on the PTSO Facebook page for anyone unable to make it in person. Babysitting will also be provided. We hope to see you there! Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: U.S. Surgeon General announces definitive link between smoking and cancer. United States Surgeon General Luther Terry knew his report was a bombshell. He intentionally chose to release it on January 11, 1964, a Saturday, so as to limit its immediate effects on the stock market. It was on this date that, on behalf of the U.S. Government, Terry announced a definitive link between smoking and cancer. U.S. Surgeon General announces definitive Word of the Day: Tome TOHM noun A tome is a large or scholarly book. The book is a literary tome set during the French Revolution. Elementary—Declan Miller H.S./M.S.—None

On Saturday, the following middle school and high school band students participated in the Conference Honors Band Festival at Iowa Grant HS: Emma Schoen, Alana Nelson, Brooklyn Freestone, Erica Steinmetz, Allison Durst, Maggie Gschwind, Owen Feryance, Tyler Steinmetz, Derek Franzen, Izzie Ortiz, Ally Plonka, Abby Plonka, and Valerie Fauver. Congratulations on the great concert performance! Also, thank you to the parents who came to Iowa Grant to attend the concert. Your support of the students performance is appreciated!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jan. 10th, 2022 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today: First Choice - Mac & Cheese, Second Choice - Fish Sandwich, Steamed Carrots, Mixed Fruit, Bread Stick, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th and 8th Grade - Choir, HS - Choir. On Saturday, the following middle school and high school band students participated in the Conference Honors Band Festival at Iowa Grant HS: Emma Schoen, Alana Nelson, Brooklyn Freestone, Erica Steinmetz, Allison Durst, Maggie Gschwind, Owen Feryance, Tyler Steinmetz, Derek Franzen, Izzie Ortiz, Ally Plonka, Abby Plonka, and Valerie Fauver. Congratulations on the great concert performance! Also, thank you to the parents who came to Iowa Grant to attend the concert. Your support of the students performance is appreciated! This year's SnoBall's theme is Enchanted Forest/Northern Lights. It is on Saturday, Jan. 22 from 8-11 pm. If you are bringing a guest, please sign them up in the office before the end of the day Wednesday, Jan.19. Attention Youth Apprenticeship students. Please check your school email regarding an assignment that must be completed by Wednesday January 12th. Any questions please see Mrs. Kershner. HS student council will meet on Thursday, Jan. 13 during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher's room The January PTSO meeting will be Tuesday, January 11 at 3:45 p.m. in the LMC. A zoom link will be provided on the PTSO Facebook page for anyone unable to make it in person. Babysitting will also be provided. We hope to see you there! Seniors! Monday evening (Jan 10) at 6:00pm we will host a ‘Senior Scholarship Prep Night’. This will be an evening to assist you with any scholarship essays and questions you may have. Pizza and soda will be served. Please RSVP and sign up by the guidance office. Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: Gusher signals start of U.S. oil industry On January 10, 1901, a drilling derrick at Spindletop Hill near Beaumont, Texas, produces an enormous gusher of crude oil, coating the landscape for hundreds of feet and signaling the advent of the American oil industry. The geyser was discovered at a depth of over 1,000 feet, flowed at an initial rate of approximately 100,000 barrels a day and took nine days to cap. Word of the Day: Affable AF-uh-bul adjective Affable means "being pleasant and at ease in talking to others" or "characterized by ease and friendliness." The affable owner of the restaurant can be seen most nights welcoming his guests and making light conversation. Elementary—Aiden Ewing and Ethan Fry H.S./M.S.—None

There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, January 7. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the Kindergarten class. Middle school students we will sell in your hallway by the elementary doors during your breakfast. High school we will sell in the hallway by the vending machine during your breakfast.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jan. 6th, 2022 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today: First Choice - Bar-B-Que, Second Choice - Cheddarwurst, Corn, Pears, Dessert, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th and 8th Grade - Choir, HS - Choir. Honors Band Students - Please remember to bring in your permission slip by Friday. Concessions are HS Student Council tonight (Thursday) and FCCLA on Friday. There will be a Math Club meeting in Mr. Andresen's room today during ATTACK time. There will be an FCCLA meeting on Friday in Ms. Stocks room during attack. Attention Youth Apprenticeship students. Please check your school email regarding an assignment that must be completed by Wednesday January 12th. Any questions please see Mrs. Kershner HS student council will meet on Thursday, Jan. 13 during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher's room. We are welcoming the State FFA Officer Mia Hillebrand to our school on Monday. If you want more information, talk to an officer or Ms. Sprecher. The January PTSO meeting will be next Tuesday, January 11 at 3:45 p.m. in the LMC. A zoom link will be provided on the PTSO Facebook page for anyone unable to make it in person. Babysitting will also be provided. We hope to see you there! There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, January 7. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the Kindergarten class. Middle school students we will sell in your hallway by the elementary doors during your breakfast. High school we will sell in the hallway by the vending machine during your breakfast. Seniors! Next Monday evening (Jan 10) at 6:00pm we will host a ‘Senior Scholarship Prep Night’. This will be an evening to assist you with any scholarship essays and questions you may have. Pizza and soda will be served. Please RSVP and sign up by the guidance office. Any questions, please see Mrs. Kershner Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: Samuel Morse unveils the telegraph, revolutionizing communication On January 6, 1838, Samuel Morse’s telegraph system is demonstrated for the first time at the Speedwell Iron Works in Morristown, New Jersey. The telegraph, a device which used electric impulses to transmit encoded messages over a wire, would eventually revolutionize long-distance communication, reaching the height of its popularity in the 1920s and 1930s. Word of the Day: Cerulean suh-ROO-lee-un adjective Cerulean means "resembling the blue of the sky." The painting depicts autumnal trees bordering a cerulean lake. Elementary—Paislee Sims H.S./M.S.—None

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jan. 5th, 2022 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - Baked Fish, Second Choice - Pulled Pork Sandwich, Green Beans, Baby Carrots & Dip, Pineapple, Dinner Roll, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band, HS - Band. On Thursday, January 6th, there will be a Math Club meeting in Mr. Andresen's room during ATTACK time. There will be a High School FFA meeting on Thursday in Ms. Sprechers room at ATTACK There will be a HS student council meeting next Thursday, Jan.13th during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher's room. There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, January 7. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the Kindergarten class. Middle school students we will sell in your hallway by the elementary doors during your breakfast. High school we will sell in the hallway by the vending machine during your breakfast. FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will gather for our group huddle Thursday morning Jan 6th at 7am. We will share an encouraging New Years devotion & message. Breakfast will be served. All high school students are welcome! Seniors! Next Monday evening (Jan 10) at 6:00pm we will host a ‘Senior Scholarship Prep Night’. This will be an evening to assist you with any scholarship essays and questions you may have. Pizza and soda will be served. Please RSVP and sign up by the guidance office. Any questions, please see Mrs. Kershner Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: Golden Gate Bridge is born Following the Gold Rush boom that began in 1849, speculators realized the land north of San Francisco Bay would increase in value in direct proportion to its accessibility to the city. Soon, a plan was hatched to build a bridge that would span the Golden Gate, a narrow, 400-foot deep strait that serves as the mouth of the San Francisco Bay. Word of the Day: Sully SUL-ee verb Sully means "to make soiled or tarnished." The money-related charges brought against the restaurant's owner has sullied her reputation. Elementary—Atlas Begay H.S./M.S.—Arianna Louis Staff—Ms. Stocks

Don't forget! Tomorrow, January 5th is a scheduled early release. Elementary will begin releasing at 12:15pm, and the final bell for Middle and High School is 12:36pm.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jan. 4th, 2022 Today is a Day 2 Lunch for today: First Choice - Cheesy Chicken Casserole, Second Choice - Pizza Burger, Peas, Caesar Salad, Peaches, Bread Stick, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Band, 7th and 8th Grade - Choir, HS - Choir. Junior Class: You have concessions tonight and no one has signed up to work. If no one signs up by 2nd hour, the concessions will be given to another class or club that wants it. Please sign up on Mrs. Behrens' door. There will be a High School FFA meeting on Thursday in Ms. Sprecher's room at ATTACK There will be a HS student council meeting on Thursday during ATTACK in Ms. Sprecher's room. There will be a popcorn sale this Friday, January 7. Cost is 50 cents a bag, limit 2 bags per student please. Proceeds this week will go to the Kindergarten class. Middle school students we will sell in your hallway by the elementary doors during your breakfast. High school we will sell in the hallway by the vending machine during your breakfast. FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will gather for our group huddle Thursday morning Jan 6th at 7am. We will share an encouraging New Year's devotion & message. Breakfast will be served. All high school students are welcome! Seniors! Next Monday evening (Jan 10) at 6:00pm we will host a ‘Senior Scholarship Prep Night’. This will be an evening to assist you with any scholarship essays and questions you may have. Pizza and soda will be served. Please RSVP and sign up by the guidance office. Any questions, please see Mrs. Kershner Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: L.B.J. envisions a Great Society in his State of the Union address. On January 4, 1965, in his State of the Union address, President Lyndon Baines Johnson lays out for Congress a laundry list of legislation needed to achieve his plan for a Great Society. On the heels of John F. Kennedy’s tragic death, Americans had elected Johnson, his vice president, to the presidency by the largest popular vote in the nation’s history. Johnson used this mandate to push for improvements he believed would better Americans’ quality of life. Word of the Day: Antithetical an-tuh-THET-ih-kul adjective. Antithetical means "directly opposite of or opposed." The question asks students to describe and analyze the antithetical forces of good and evil in the story. Elementary—None H.S./M.S.—None

ANNOUNCEMENTS: Jan. 3rd, 2022 Today is a Day 1 Lunch for today: First Choice - BBQ Rib, Second Choice - Mini Corn Dogs, Baked Beans, Applesauce, Dinner Roll, Milk The schedule today for Band and Choir is: 6th Grade - Choir, 7th and 8th Grade - Band, HS - Band. The final winners in the Ithaca Band Parents Calendar Raffle were: Greg Dischler - $75, Danny Clary - $150, Heather Thome - $175, and Crystal Peer - $250. Thank you to everyone for supporting this fundraiser! Junior Class: You have concessions on Tuesday night, January 4. Please sign up on Mrs. Behrens door to work. All forensics students should attend a meeting today during ATTACK time in the LMC. This week's concessions are: Monday – FFA Tuesday - Junior Class Thursday - HS Student Council Friday - FCCLA FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) will gather for our group huddle Thursday morning Jan 6th at 7am. We will share an encouraging New Year's devotion & message. Breakfast will be served. All high school students are welcome! Seniors! Next Monday evening (Jan 10) at 6:00pm we will host a ‘Senior Scholarship Prep Night’. This will be an evening to assist you with any scholarship essays and questions you may have. Pizza and soda will be served. Please RSVP and sign up by the guidance office. Any questions, please see Mrs. Kershner. There will be a high school FFA meeting on Tuesday, January 4th in Ms. Sprecher's room at ATTACK. Elementary--what is the temperature right now? How many more degrees until it's warm enough to go out? How many more degrees is it above (or below) our going-outside temperature? What time will we check the temperature for lunch recess? This Day in History: Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega surrenders to U.S. On January 3, 1990, Panama’s General Manuel Antonio Noriega, after holing up for 10 days at the Vatican embassy in Panama City, surrenders to U.S. military troops to face charges of drug trafficking. Noriega was flown to Miami the following day and crowds of citizens on the streets of Panama City rejoiced. On July 10, 1992, the former dictator was convicted of drug trafficking, money laundering and racketeering and sentenced to 40 years in prison. Word of the Day: Palindrome PAL-un-drohm noun. A palindrome is a word, verse, or sentence (as "Able was I ere I saw Elba"), or a number (as 2002) that reads the same backward or forward. Hannah was amused when Otto pointed out that they both had first names that were palindromes. Elementary—None H.S./M.S.—None

Don't forget to sign up for New Year's Eve Trivia night by Tuesday, Dec. 28 by 6 PM!! This event is FREE and you could win a $50 gift card!!

Our staff have so very many talents! Recently at the Elementary Winter Music Program, some of our staff members sang Carol of the Bells. Enjoy their performance! https://youtu.be/iFT98NsUiLw

From all of us at Ithaca Public Schools, a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season to all our families and community!