Welcome back to School (at Home)! Staff are hoping all families are getting settled into their new routine. If you have questions, concerns, need resources, or just want to talk, reach out to a staff member. Staff will be trying to reach you and your students at home. If you notice a blocked or unknown number, it may be them.
Mrs. Prouty hopes families were able to enjoy a little fun during Spring Break. School resumes in it's new way on Monday! Staff are "looking" forward to "seeing" students soon. Got your classroom ready at home? Take a look at Mrs. Prouty's new office.
Could you or someone you know benefit from a Pop-Up Pantry food tote? Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program is making a Pop-Up Pantry stop in Ithaca on Wed. Apr. 1 from 12:30-1:30 in the Twp Garage parking lot. Call or visit their website for more info. Spread the word!
It’s not the kind of Spring Break you thought you’d have. You might be feeling frustrated, stressed out, scared. You’re not alone. Your Ithaca family is going through this with you. When there are so many uncertainties, this is absolutely certain: One team, One School, One Family. If you need something – anything – reach out to a staff member. We are never far away. Even if it’s just to talk. We are here to support you and each other always. And know this, we miss you.
Ithaca Staff hope all are doing as well as can be expected during this time! As we prepare to make some decisions regarding home-based learning, we are asking at least one member of each family completes this survey regarding internet access, hotspot possibility, and devices for students in your homes. Please feel welcome to add comments at the end of the survey if your situation doesn't fit the questions asked. Any additional questions may be referred to Mrs. Schoen at 583-2622.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdAKHUu_Wb9XroQdq8Rz945rzXucV-uj5lV1VEh78BRrgFZEg/viewform
Ithaca Seniors! Updates to some scholarships have been added to the school's website under the Counselor's Corner. Please note that Southwest Technical College Foundation and Lenz Family Scholarship deadlines have been extended to April 15, 2020, and the UW-Plattevillel-Richland Campus Foundation scholarship has been extended to April 17, 2020.
https://www.ithaca.k12.wi.us/o/ithaca-school-district/page/scholarship-info--4
The UW Extension Office has put out a document dealing with potential personal financial concerns you may have. There are links to resources and common questions with answers.
https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/toughtimes/covid-19-financial-resources/
Congratulations to the 2020 Ithaca School District Delta Kappa Gamma Winners.
Delta Kappa Gamma is hosted by the Lambda Chapter and offered to all students 3rd-12th grade. Students must write, illustrate, and publish their own story. Our elementary teachers have championed this contest and writing within the classroom for over ten years, and the accomplishments of our writers shows it! Congratulations, and job well done, students!
Attention Ithaca Seniors:
Just a friendly reminder to keep working on scholarships. Make sure you are also applying for scholarships at your school of choice. Go to their websites for more details. There is a list of some available scholarships on our website. Follow the attached path to "additional scholarship opportunities." **The Southwest Tech. Lenz Scholarship is due March 31 to Ms. Bevan and the Richland County Bank Scholarship is due April 3 to Ms. Bevan. You may either drop them off at the school to put in Ms. Bevan's mailbox after Spring Break or you may mail them to the school. Ithaca School, Attn: Meredith Bevan, 24615 State Hwy. 58, Richland Center, WI 53581. Mailed scholarships must arrive by the deadline, so please do not wait until the last minute. SW Tech Foundation Scholarships are due March 31 and UW Platteville-Richland Foundation Scholarships are due April 1. Both are submitted online and the links are on our website. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Ms. Bevan bevamer@ithaca.k12.wi.us.
With heavy heart, we share the passing of an Ithaca legend, Mrs. Shirley Braithwaite on her 90th birthday. Mrs. Braithwaite touched so many lives in her time at Ithaca. Her music and enthusiasm for all things were more than legendary. She and Wilmer brought Christmas joy to young and old as well. The Ithaca Community and Public School sends sympathies to her husband, family, and all who will mourn the loss of one of Ithaca's finest. Please share your memories with one another and those who never met her.
https://www.prattfuneralservice.com/obituaries/Shirley-Braithwaite?obId=12472184#/obituaryInfo
The Ithaca School District supports Ithaca families. We will begin providing breakfast and lunch to all Ithaca families for your children 18 and under regardless of your financial status. A food survey is located on the school web page, through social media and at this link ( https://forms.gle/krR9TGm1W7tbNTcF6 ) for all Ithaca families to complete who wish to participate beginning Monday, March 30, 2020. Each week, a new survey will be available for families to complete. Ithaca volunteers and staff will be providing pickup from 4-6 pm Monday, March 30-Friday, April 3. We ask that the front seat of the vehicle be vacant so that the food bag can be placed on the seat. This will limit if not prevent completely any contact between the passengers and the food server. We will have a drive-thru set up at the school. Watch for signs. Food service will continue through the closure. Updates will be broadcast on WRCO, the school website and the Ithaca School District Facebook page
Ithaca Families. A reminder that the building will be open today, Wednesday, March 18th until 3 P.M. for students and parents to pick up school work, empty hall and gym lockers, pick up medications, etc. Please be respectful of social distances, and we will monitor how many people are in the building in order to do so. Check in at the main entrance, retrieve a check list, and at the end of your visit, return that completed check list.
Ithaca will be open Wednesday, March 18, 9:00-3:00 for parents to get the resources planned for students during the Covid shutdown. Many thanks to everyone that came Tuesday!
Ithaca is open until 8:00 tonight for students to clean out lockers and pick up their resources.
Please be aware that I typed in Tuesday, March 27,It should be TODAY, March 17.
Tuesday, March 27, 2020
Homebound instructional work is set up for our students. The doors will be open for families to pick up work, and clean out lockers from 4:00 to 8:00 PMTuesday. We will also be open from 9:00-3:00 Wednesday, March 18. We will monitor the doors so that we do not surpass the “10 contact person rule” Only the front entrance will be used. All medication is in the office, a parent must sign for it.
Elementary, All of the teachers have packed up everything into the students’ cubbies. You may stop in the library for books and art room for supplies.
Middle school, All the packets are in Mrs. Boland’s room. You should go to your locker and gym locker and the band room if needed.
High School Clean out gym lockers, lockers and stop in all classrooms for each child, do not forget band instruments.
For Middle school and High school, we will have check-off sheets so nothing is missed.
Julie Prouty, Chris Lechnir, Kathleen Schoen, Cheryl Richards
Ithaca Public School Social Worker, Shelly Pluemer, shares a valuable article about making the best of the time spent at home right now. She also adds that it is important to know contact information for adolescent mental health providers resources in the Richland County area.
https://confidentparentsconfidentkids.org/2020/03/13/my-kids-school-is-closed-so-now-what/
Student resources and announcements located here: https://www.apptegy.net/s/news-ithaca-school-district/articles/resources-for-students-announcements
Some more updates on cancellations from Mrs. Plonka:
March 17 - Modern Woodmen speech - cancelled
March 18 PTSO meeting - cancelled
March 19 - Game Club - cancelled
March 26 - 3rd grade Lit Wars - Postponed (for now)
Ithaca Public Schools will be closed starting Monday, March 16. This is a change to the decision made earlier today. All instructional staff should report to work.