Gibraltar News - Spring 2020

“Wisdom begins in wonder.” - Socrates

GIBRALTAR school news

SPRING SPRING2021 2020

Friends of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Area Schools

Virtual Student Recognition Assemblies!

Co-Teaching During a Pandemic

Even a worldwide pandemic can’t stop Gibraltar Elementary staff and students from holding their monthly Student BYRecognition JODI HOYERMAN & MARISSA NORTON, GIBRALTAR GRADE 1 TEACHERS Assembly! These assemblies are very important for continuing to What do co-teachers do when a pandemic sets in and COVID smaller groups of first graders. Teachers adjusted the lessons and recognize students who demonstrate restrictions are put into place?

Pivot!

We have collaboratively co- the pacing based on their learners’ needs. positive character traits and as a chance taught fi rst grade for many years at Gibraltar Elementary. We’ve to connect virtually at least once a month First grade was completely remote during the first trimester. To flexibly mixed students during instructional sessions, making two as a school. Students for the past three classrooms of students into one family of learners. This year, begin building a family of learners, we created a daily share months have been invited to big a virtual time in which each student was spotlighted and encouraged to theassembly pandemicvia brought aboutYouTube new challenges a private link for our instructional share. Students shared their pets, toys, creations, jokes, and family design. contemplated howcan wechat couldwith build a learning community whereWestudents and staff events. Another special highlight was our First Grade Holiday Talent andeach meet students’ needs when they other, see familiar faces at school, are intentionally kept Show, held the day before distanced and bondand as an separated elementary school.

Mr. Annen and Mr. Mulrain address the students in Recognition YouTube. winter Assembly break. viaStudents from one another. There prepared for a week. They were certainly obstacles to Students Recognized for Perseverance in March Students Recognized for Courage in April amazingly performed overcome!

K - Callum Neu K - Evren Wttenmyer puppet shows, danced, 1 -InEmmett Christianson 1 - Wyatt Smith sang, told holiday jokes, August, we designed 2a - common Erik Wolfe schedule. We 2 - Luke and Landon Pelkey shared special holiday 3kept - Jacksun Penchoff 3 - Kayla Gonzales traditions, and even a few this daily framework 4consistent - Isabella Vera 4 - Hannah Zoschke parents joined in on the throughout the 5school - All Students 5 Hudson Fitzgerald fun. We laughed and sang year. First graders 6soon - Owen Dannhaussen 6 - Aaron Brey together, creating a special learned that at the first grade memory. top of each hour a new learning session began. This Midyear, students began predictability was beneficial to return to the school because our families and building and were placed in their designated classroom cohorts, students knew what to anticipate throughout the day. As students while others remained at home. Although separated, our students slowly opted to return to school, this common schedule allowed for continued to learn more about each other.

We assigned a daily a seamless transition into a hybrid format.

By Mary Jo Witteborg, DECA Advisor Roll Call Student who would check attendance. First graders had During this pandemic year, a typical first grade day consisted fun switching it up each day and asking their friends to replace the of eight instructional sessions. Some sessions were taught to the typical “Here” or “Present” with different responses such as: share whole group with one of us leading the instruction within a Zoom your favorite holiday, favorite pet, favorite shape, or favorite number. meeting and the other teacher casting on a display and assisting First graders love to celebrate their birthdays. The pandemic students. The technology department provided each Gibraltar restrictions made us rethink our typical birthday traditions. We classroom with a display board, web camera, tripod, and conference created a “Birthday Buzz” event. The birthday student listened to microphone which enabled students to interact and see their classmates regardless of where they were physically-at home or in each student give a compliment, ask a question, send a birthday the classroom across the hall. Other sessions were held on Zoom with wish, or sing a song. The students loved it so much that we may mixed groups placed in breakout rooms. Mrs. Meyer and ProfeTomás continue this tradition post-pandemic. joined our daily first grade phonics sessions, leading instruction to

Parent Perspectives: “(My daughter) said she loved having both of you teaching her different things and likes that she gets to know more teachers this way. She said “its way better to have two teachers that you know because then that is just more options if you ever need help on anything”.

THANK YOU

“I think this year has gone really well and (she) loves school. Even with all the changes you both have kept things so well organized and she enjoyed all of it. I don’t know how you managed with the day to day changes it seemed at times but we had nothing but a positive experience with both in person and atThis home learning.” special issue of the Gibraltar School News focuses on of the highlights distance learning. teaching With “Mysome personal opinion is thatofthe more teachers, everyone in the midst of distance learning, it is diffi cultthat styles, differing formats of teaching and variety of learning to continue our normal lives. One of the largest parts of kids are exposed to as young children just helps to prepare them a student’s normal day was attending school.

Distance for relationships with future educators, bosses, friends and learning can feellikevery so model we worked stay colleagues. I really the isolating co-teaching for thattoreason.” connected by holding virtual class meetings and events, and utilizing has remote featuresexperience that allowand “(Mybydaughter) lovedlearning her first-grade shareI think videos, andexposure classroomforwork mystudents husbandtoand thatpictures, the more her to with eachteachers, other. Wethehadbetter. to getWecreative newteaching tools wonderful think using the team makepositive some offortheherthings we use in the classroom hastobeen as well. Having observed somework of the remotely.

We even had get over our fears of the camera lessons while the kids were home on zoom, it’s clear that the in oforder messages lessons our two you to hadrecord team regular taught before, andand it felt prettyfor seamless students. to watch you do so. I appreciated that you both were always organized and if there was a technological or other issue that Gibraltar Schools theto students, parents, arose, you had anotherthank teacher address it with, ratherandthan the community for all of your support through thisetc.” all the kids yelling whether or not they could see the screen challenging time.

Our first-grade co-teaching design survived the Thank youwith to the County Emergency Support pandemic manyDoortechnological and instructional Coalition for helping in so many ways, but especially adaptations. Students remained in their classroom cohortsforand helpingthe with the protocols. food service program! followed safety Despite the pandemic restrictions, a family of learners emerged.

Students the added Thank you to Sturgeon Bay Schools forhad assisting withbenefi the t of food bothservice of us program! teaching, observing, and conferring. We look forward to a new school year in which we will be able to reduce ourThank screen flexibly mixwho students, gather story time, youtime, to every parent has become an for involuntary play partner games, and return to table timeis learning. For now, homeschooling teacher.

Homeschooling a choice, but in wethe aretime celebrating ability pivot and provide our students of COVIDour there is notochoice. with a strong educational foundation.

We thank the Gibraltar community for its generosity in funding their school with the resources that allow us to shift quickly to remote education, provide consistent Gibraltar extends a special thank you to Teri Berndt, Nicolet Five Gibraltar DECA members competed at the Wisconsin DECA PAGE 2 PAGE 3 4 and prepare for what comes education forPAGE all children, Career Development Conference in Lake Geneva Tuesday and Bank, and Mert Larsen, On Deck Clothing Company, for traveling next. to Lake&Geneva judge Hospitality •and TourismVoice and theHighlights Retail Wednesday. All five earned awards to advance to the International • Forest Days EarthtoDay Viking • Art Awards Merchandising Events. In addition, Berndt and Jim Jordan served as Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Nashville, Tennessee.

We thank the DOT for continuing with the Hwy 42 project mentors to the students prior to their competitions. during schoolhouse closure so that our re-opening will Double qualifying for ICDC is the team of Seniors Brandon include improved campus access.

Stillman and Connor Duffy. They earned 1st place in the Sports and These outstanding accomplishments were to be challenged Entertainment Marketing Team series, the largest event at the state in Nashville at the end of April. Students researched, studied and We thank our communities for heeding the call for social conference. In addition, they earned 2nd place for their Integrated practiced hard to achieve these outstanding awards. It is very isolation and its implications for local businesses. Making Marketing Event Campaign which is a marketing proposal for the uncommon to reach these levels of accomplishment! Unfortunately, hard decisions has made us all safer.

Fish Creek Winter Games. Senior Aubrey Peot earned sixth place in due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation a state of the Business Finance Series. Senior Jack Weitman earned 8th place emergency was declared in Tennessee. Therefore, DECA regretfully in the Apparel and Accessories Series. Senior Kayla Scharrig was announced that this year’s International Career Development chosen to represent Wisconsin on the Emerging Leaders Council.

Conference to be held in Nashville is cancelled.

All Five Gibraltar State DECA Competitors Qualify for International Competition

INSIDE:

Hairpin 5K Run/Walk

Join the 2020 VIRTUAL July 4, 2021 Hairpin 5K Run/Walk

Who Are the Heroes?

The Hairpin 5K Run/Walk is the longest

Participants JuneCounty, 20 – July 5, to it is runningwill5Khave in from Door WI2020 and complete a 5K run/walk on a route of your choice.

Runners, you a great July 4 tradition for runners and will be able to submit your time and we will ship out medals for walkers of all ages!

1st place times in each age category and gender.

By Bridget Schopf

Friends GibraltarFriends Schools has hosted the Hairpin 5K Run/ Thisof year of Gibraltar will Reading Specialist & Literacy Instructional Coach Walk as a fundraising event for over 30 years with the proceeds continue the Hairpin 5K Run/Walk as a providing all of the funding each year for field trips and Living in the middle of Door County, away from the highways, hybrid event with options participate enrichment experiences for students in grades K-12 attoGibraltar under the shelter of trees is a beautiful thing until you need a in person andin the virtually on5KJuly 4.

Schools. Your participation Virtual Hairpin Run/Walk reliable internet to meet face to face with students 6-7 hours will allow Friends of Gibraltar to continue providing excellent each day. educational programs for Gibraltar Schools.

Gibraltar students participate for FREE!

“I can’t hear you. Are you talking?”“Your voice is lagging.” “It’s Friends of Gibraltar Schools has hosted the Hairpin 5Kglitchy.”

Run/“You sound like a robot.” “You’re frozen!” These are all things I’ve heard my students say over the course of this remote Walk as a fundraising event for over 30 years with the proceeds learning providing all of the funding each year for field trips and adventure. Being a person who plans and over plans, when things do not go as I had intended, I have been known to enrichment experiences for students in grades K-12 at Gibraltar shed some tears.

Schools in Fish Creek, WI.

What I’ve learned from my students during these trying times

During the pandemic we continued a weekly virtual outdoor is flexibility. It was an elementary student whom I could not hear that started typing in the chat box in order to communicate education program in partnership with the Ridges Sanctuary with me that got students outside exploring and learning about nature in and finish the lesson. It was an elementary student who said, “Let me try a different room, maybe the internet will their backyards. Students created artwork, poetry, writing, and be better.” It was an elementary student who said, “I can meet videos to share their nature observations. with you later, maybe it will be better then.” Flexibility, that’s

Fish Creek, WI HAIRPINRUN.COM

what I’ve learned from these courageous, persistent, hard-

This coming school year more than ever studentsworking need students. experiential education to bring their learning to life and to strengthen their connections in our community. Thank Every you day, across media sources, we hear about heroes. Heroes who are helping us to get through this pandemic. My heroes are for helping us provide these programs by participating in the the students in front of me who help to problem solve while Hairpin 5K! Please contact vinni.chomeau@gibraltar.k12.wi.us still working hard to learn. I am blessed to teach and learn from for free Gibraltar student registration and if you would these like to remarkable young people every day! volunteer or be a sponsor for the 5K.

Register at Hairpinrun.com

“Have you LIKED the Gibraltar Area Schools facebook page? You should! It’s full of fun and interesting school events and notices.

Friends of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Area Schools

SPRING 2020

Learning From a Distance

A glimmer of normalcy remains with distance learning and continues to cause well rounded students. While classroom teachers are working hard to deliver new instruction in Reading, Writing, and Math, teachers also continue to provide activities in music, art, Spanish, physical education, library/tech, and life skills to continue to develop our Gibraltar Vikings into well rounded students ready to take on the world. It is a difficult time and a challenge for both teachers and students but positive attitudes and the determination to work hard to create an environment that caused learning to happen!

students explore their interests and grow in their skills, on their own, right before my eyes. My heart is truly filled with pride for my students, their families, and my community. Thank You!

Here are some of the highlights from Gibraltar’s Distance Learning!

Tapas and Pinchos! Profe Tomás (Mr. Shane Harvey), Elementary Spanish, K-2

Elementary Activity BINGO! Every Monday, Gibraltar Elementary students get a Bingo card full of 25 new activities in art, music, physical education, Spanish and library/ tech. Students are required to do one 30-minute special activity each day. Each of the seven specialist teachers provides 4 diverse activities in their area. The center square of the Bingo card incorporates a Forest Day program video provided

by The Ridges, Friends of Gibraltar, and Gibraltar Elementary School that encourages students to spend time outside learning about and engaging with nature. To add a little incentive to the Bingo card, for every bingo a student earns in a week, the student’s name is entered in a drawing for prizes!

Some of the most popular activities on the Gibraltar Elementary Activity Bingo card include: Free Choice Art! - Mrs. Karla Donohue, Elementary Art I have had the pleasure of witnessing firsthand the creativity that takes place when students make artwork of their choice. Parents and grandparents have been working hand in hand with their young family members to make so many wonderful things.

Families share their talents and create not only art but memories that will last a lifetime. I watch my

Sing a Concert Song! Mrs. Lori Free, Elementary Music Students select a song of their choice to perform virtually. Emma sang “Rainbow” by Sia from My Little Pony. Students have also been experiencing different styles of music and dance such as K-POP, Rise Up Children’s Choir, and Beatbox.

Students watched a video about Tapas and Pinchos and share a picture or video of their creations. Students made everything from a delicious quesadilla, new food combinations, to a beautifully made stick of hotdog-cheese-hotdog-cheese. Another favorite Spanish activity has been Zoom sessions with Profe using just one piece of paper and any colors to create things like emotion monsters, a Mother’s Day card, and a well-balanced plate and labels for their bedroom.

activities done by many grades K-5 students has been to learn 5 things in Sign Language through Gallaudet University. PBS provided Molly of Denali and Jo Wilder and the Capitol Case for the second most visited activities.

Mindfulness! - Ms. Brooke Peterson, Elementary School Counselor Life Skills lessons activities include videos on mindfulness, calming methods and stress relief. Other activities include creating a Covid-19 time capsule, giving examples of caring, and even emotion charades. Calming activities are just as important (if not more so) during this time. Here are a couple of the student responses: “After the activity, I felt super calm and very confident about my day!” “When I was belly breathing I felt really calm and then when I opened my eyes slowly I felt like I was in a new world and I felt more joyful than I was.”

Gus the dragon to motivate our students during remote learning. We even used some tools to bring them to life to virtually visit and say hello to our students! We have also included brains and body breaks and games, just as we would in the classroom. We have also utilized Zoom and the Seesaw Blog tools for students say hi to their friends, share videos, pictures, and classroom work.

Group Meetings! Kindergarten – Liz Thomas and Susan Olson Remote Learning for Kindergarten was a daily activity in Reading, Writing, Math and Word Work with as much hands-on activities as possible!

Weekly Group Meetings have been pajama, costume, pet show, and art show just to add some fun. We miss our students and we are so thankful that the parents of our students have been great partners in meeting the needs of their children.

Nature Photography! High School Art, Mrs. Salm

Class Reunion!

Higginbotham

Live Classes! Señora T. (Mrs. Gina Thomas), Elementary Spanish, Grades 3- 5

High school art students were asked to explore nature and submit 3-5 photos showing “Spring” in their eyes. Students were to consider composition, color, texture, light, patterns and mood.

Hosting virtual classes face to face has been the most enjoyable part of remote learning.

Dear Drunk Drivers! Driver Education, Mrs. Lindenberg

The second grade class met every Friday on Zoom for a Class Reunion Meeting. Students each take a turn sharing what’s “Big, New, Wonderful, Exciting” just like they did every day in the classroom.

Outdoor Activities and Star Wars Yoga! - Mr. Mike Peck, Elementary Physical Education

Driver education students were assigned to write a heartfelt letter called “Dear Drunk Driver” advocating against driving under the influence. They recorded themselves reading their letter using the online platform Flipgrid.

The most popular Physical Education choice has been to pick a favorite outdoor activity and carry it out for 30 minutes with a family member. Two other favorites are Character Safety Choice videos and Cosmic Kids series of yoga which includes themes like Star Wars and Minecraft.

Learning Sign Language! - Mr. Mike Scoville, Elementary Library and Technology Classes One of the best parts of planning is knowing that all topics can be found in the library. One of

Gibraltar Academic Distance Learning Highlights!

Phonics Brought to Life! - K-2 Multi-Age, Mrs. Heidler, Ms. Daubner, Mrs. Schleicher We continued to use our classroom phonic friends Mabel the elephant, Rasheed the lion, and

–

Grade

2,

Becky

Poetry Celebration! - Grades 3-5 Multi-age, Katie Sixel, Justin Burress, Mary Lamberson On May 15th, the 3rd-5th grade multiage students participated in a virtual poetry celebration. Each student had the chance to share a poem that they wrote during our poetry unit. It went off without a glitch, I mean hitch!

Heritage Show and Tell! - Grade 3, Lori LeRoy and Katie Sixel In a fun cross-curricular project, both third grade classrooms teamed up to learn about the millions of immigrants who had dreams of coming to America in the late 1800s and 1900s. The

Friends of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Area Schools

SPRING 2020

Ladies on Life Class Proceeds with Virtual Wellness Workshops One of the events that is most treasured by the seniors in Mrs. Lindenberg’s Ladies on Life class is the end of the year wellness workshops which they create and host for the 8th grade girls. Our senior ladies fondly remember this event from when they were in 8th grade and were looking forward to a different role as “hosts” this year. When the decision to close school was made, the seniors emphatically requested we move forward with an alternative plan: to proceed with the workshops virtually!

The purpose of the workshops is to provide 8th grade women with relevant, insightful information and skills to make the transition into high school a healthy and positive one.

The workshops were held over a four-day span; each one featuring a unique topic and hosted by a different small group of seniors.

“Surviving High School 101” hosted by Jolie Fitzgerald, Andrea Mejia, & Breighy Wehling, addressed the many academic and social issues facing many incoming freshmen. Their goal was to help equip the 8th grades girls with advice and skills as to how to be successful and happy in high school.

Aubrey Peot and Taylor Stai hosted a session called “Happy Health” that focused on mental health struggles such as body image, anxiety, and depression, how they impact the lives and well-being of young women, and most importantly, how to cope.

“Weaving Through Relationships” was the title of the third workshop facilitated

by Margaret Carlisle, Cassidy Stark, and Alana Tidquist who wanted to focus on the importance of healthy relationships with friends, family, partners, and self. They addressed healthy boundary setting, dealing with drama and toxic relationships, and effective decision-making.

The week concluded with an interactive Q & A panel discussion where the 8th graders had the opportunity to ask their burning questions relating to life in high school.

We hope that the 8th graders found it to be an enjoyable and valuable week of workshops.

We are so excited to see our efforts impact the lives of these young women in a positive way!

Special Education Teachers Tackle Virtual Learning Remote learning has been an interesting time for all teachers and this is especially true for those that teach Special Education for students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). In the physical classroom, special education teachers work with students to help them learn math and reading skills if the students have a learning disability or support them by teaching coping skills, so they can stay focused on learning if they have a behavioral need. They also help them interact with peers and learn valuable social emotional skills. Related service personnel, such as Speech Pathologists, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists, assist students by addressing speech and/or language needs, helping to develop strength, precision, and coordination with gross and fine motor skills to assist in academic achievement, and teach social-emotional regulation strategies.

This is no different during remote learning, however the way special education is delivered

students read electronic books, watched historical videos, and they even took a virtual field trip to Ellis Island, the United States’ busiest immigrant inspections station in New York Harbor. The students also researched information about their own heritage, and at the end of the school year will participate in a virtual Heritage Show and Tell experience!

Virtual Trip to the Capital! Grade 4, Justin Burress, Laura VanDreese, and Jacquelyn Warecki Tuesday, May 5th, 2020 would have been the annual 4th grade field trip to Madison to tour the capitol building and Wisconsin Historical Museum.

Instead, 4th grader teachers, Mr. Burress, Mrs. VanDreese, and Mrs. Warecki thought it would be fitting to have the 4th graders investigate the capitol virtually. While inside, they visited a variety of rooms...learning many new things, while responding to questions via Google Docs.

Did you know that Wisconsin’s first governor was Henry Dodge and the marble used in the capitol was shipped all the way from Greece?

Remote Learning Routine! Grade 5 - Marissa Norton and Devin Thomas Each day, around 9AM a checklist is posted to Seesaw giving the students the assignments for the day. Each day Mr. T does a video morning message and Mrs. Norton sends an afternoon video message which includes a read aloud for the day. Class meetings are held twice weekly with Google Meet and Zoom and we were available to meet with students throughout the day whenever needed. Providing opportunities to see friendly faces definitely made the days go by faster.

Historical Fiction and KaHoot Math! – Grade 6, Jeanne Hoffman and Andrew Ortmayer Sixth-grade students are exploring the historical fiction genre in writing. While recognizing that they are living through a terribly difficult period in

to students has been an interesting problem to solve. Many special education teachers have been using video or voice chatting on the computer to support students with assignments given by their regular education classroom teacher. Others have been finding tech tools such as JamBoard or Google Docs to share a learning space with students virtually. Special Education Teachers also have been helping caregivers understand skills being practiced by students in activities assigned, whether it is rhyming, taking turns, or persistence. They show caregivers ways they can implement IEP goals into everyday activities for the younger students.

No matter where Gibraltar Special Education teachers meet their students, whether it’s online or in the physical classroom, we continue to have strong relationships with our students and families to make sure that everyone succeeds.

history, they are learning the value of adding their verse to the stories that will be told for generations to come. Their writing gives us a glimpse into our lives during this COVID period. Here are a few excerpts from their historical fiction stories: ~Finally, I decided to do something other than listen to music; I started to watch my favorite show. Episode after episode, laughter after laughter. Then I was on season 4 episode 23. It was morning, not much to do today. ~So, in the end, everyone in Door County ends up getting the virus from Carol and all the open businesses. Soon enough, everyone is sick. This is the story of a 12, going on a 13, year-old girl who ends up dead because she was forced to go to the orthodontist. ~The question is, “When will this end?” I know this will keep popping in my head for the rest of the day. ~ The day is finally done. Sara has seen her students, virtually. She is starting to relax when her phone buzzes and an email pops up. Naturally, she opens it. It had the best information an email could contain. It says, “We have decided to lift the lockdown. Things will start to reopen next week.”

“Victory!” Sara screams out.

Grade 6 favorite math activity has been to have a weekly Kahoot! We meet up virtually and do a trivia contest, usually with math, but also with bonus trivia.

Playing Math Board Games! – Jody Weitman, Math Interventionist Where There’s a Will There’s a Way! We were able to play math board game with a student remotely to practice a skill during a math intervention lesson.

Students made instruments from items they had at home and shared what sounds the instruments made.

Friends of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Area Schools

SPRING 2020

THE PROCESS OF US

By Charlie Eckhardt, Director of Instrumental Music

Directing a group of school aged musicians learning a new performance piece is complex. It seldom turns out like you see in the movies. In the real-world school directors often feel like the ancient mythological figure of Sisyphus; making progress, but at the next rehearsal the boulder has rolled. Mastering a piece of music requires teamwork and focus. Gains are not quick, and once achieved they need to be reinforced.

After solo/ensemble the band began rehearsing a difficult tune called Arabesque. During some rehearsals, entire sections would relocate so they could work on mastering just a few measures. At other rehearsals the whole band would work to make intricate melodic lines and rhythms mesh.

This is the process of “us”. This is a collective experience. Just before we left, the band and I shared a moment. The day all we had worked on started coming together. Cora opened up with the flute solo setting the mood for the ensemble entrance. Sections performing their individual parts in synchronization: the parts making the whole. As a performer, the awareness of how your individual effort is combined and enhanced by the group is real. It’s when the magic happens. It’s not Hollywood, it’s Gibraltar. It’s not professionals, it’s our students. In that moment the performer hears their individual work is part of something bigger, greater. It is an experience hard to get to in other classes. It is the process of us.

In a shelter in place band world the process of us is gone. You may have seen videos of musicians performing via the connectivity

Business Management Students use Covid-19 Issues in Case Studies Mary Witteborg, Business Education Teacher

Case studies involving Crisis Management and How to Bring Back Your Workforce and Customers are just two real case studies students in the Business Management class are taking seriously during these unreal times. They first put together a Crisis Plan for their (or their employers) business that addressed adjustments to product mix, staffing, promotional strategies and safety protocols. Their slide presentations included situations like acts of nature, pandemics, and business disasters like a fire and flooding. The How to Bring Back Your Workforce and Customers case study was designed to have students think through all the policies and precautions they would need to set

up in order to re-open their business while keeping all stakeholders safe. The case study read, “You have several employees that are laid off and collecting unemployment. You need to open your business to get cash flow to pay your overhead. Identify policies you would need to put into place in order to get your employees back on the job and customers through your door. There’s a lot of information out there and a lot of controversy.” Witteborg recognizes that Gibraltar Students are higher level thinkers and can take situations like these and really apply management principles. Don’t underestimate your Gibraltar employees. They can be a great resource!

Personal Finance Student are Virtually Building Wealth Mary Witteborg, Business Education Teacher

Students in the Personal Finance Class are VIRTUAL winners in the Stock Market Contest, sponsored by How the Market Works. As of May 13th, just ten trading days into the game, the leader has turned $10,000 into $11,466, an almost 15% ROI. Penny Stocks are doing well! The majority of the students (32 out of 38 in the game) have a

positive return on their investments. Goes to show there is a way to build wealth in a bear market. Top investors include Hayden Hoffman, Connor Duffy, Will Brandt, Nick Voight, and Spencer Krause. BUT, this may all change by the time this publication is public. Wyatt Hertwig, Jack Moore, Molly McCormack and Jack Weitman are gaining fast.

Forest Days and Tree Talks Go Virtual

of the internet? It’s an illusion. Those videos are organized to the nanosecond, performing to a click track, each part is uploaded and stitched together with digital editing. The internet is not fast enough for even rudimentary performance.

I’m asked, “how do you teach virtual band?” You can’t. The best course is to encourage students to practice. Via google calendar students have been scheduling lessons, individually and with others.

I listen, assess, and make suggestions for improvement. For the students it is still challenging. It demands attention to detail and nuance. Making progress, attaining mastery still feels good, but at an individual level. I encourage all of our musicians to keep practicing for the day we eventually get back and once again participate in the process of us.

Under the Spotlight

By Lizz Thomas, Theater Director

Although it is true the Spotlight on our stage has gone out this year, next year it will burn even brighter than before.

2021 will bring new productions that will entertain and educate our community just as we have done in the past.

Calling all alumni: We would like to produce an alumni show, if you were in a Gibraltar High School Musical or one Act and are interested in performing again on the Door Community Auditorium stage please contact Lizz Thomas at lthomas@gibraltar.k12.wi.us.

As we plan for the future we need to say goodbye and send our congratulations to our seniors who have been integral to Gibraltar’s Theatre program. “Families are the compass that guides us. They are the inspiration to reach great heights, and our compass when we occasionally falter”. You are all family to me and have a place marked indelibly in my heart.

We have been through many obstacles together and came through with awards and standing ovations. Who could have predicted that the course of this year would change our plans. You are facing many disappointments as the year ends, but don’t let these obstacles faze your indomitable spirits!

Individually you are all stars but collectively you are a supernova! Go forth and show the world that nothing can stop you! With love and gratitude to: Eva Armbruster, Madi Clayton, Connor Duffy, Hayden Hoffman, Ulysses Jauregui, Jesper Johnson,Simon Kopischke, Solomon Lindenberg, Mara Packard, Lia Smith, and Cassidy Stark. You will be missed.

News from the Choir Room

Mary Bondeson, Choir Director, Grades 6-12

I am deeply grateful for this school and our administration for supporting us in negotiating the amazing transition to remote learning. We have all truly pieced together how to do this, and I have come to appreciate the ingenuity & dedication required of each of us to meet the needs of our students. I started right away by encouraging my singers to stay connected to music, to use music as respite from long hours in front of a screen, and to choose creative projects that keep them connected to others through music.

Friends of Gibraltar teamed up with the Ridges Sanctuary and Doorway to Nature, LLC to provide weekly virtual outdoor education experiences for Gibraltar students in grades K-8!

The Ridges Sanctuary continued providing the Forest Day program for all students in grades K-6 when the school closed in March. Instead of getting to take the classrooms outside for 90 minutes each month they created videos each week for students that prompted them to explore nature in their backyard and to observe the signs of spring!

Students learned about nature in Door County, birds, tree buds, fossils, snakes, frogs, flowers, pollinators and salamanders. They also learned mapping and observation skills! Thank you to the Ridges Sanctuary teachers Anna Foster and Sheryl Honig for providing such

fun and educational ways for students to explore outdoors! Anna and Sheryl even responded to student’s nature questions and stories. This was very popular with students and some weeks they got over 50 responses and they so kindly answered each and every one!

Jane Burress with Doorway to Nature provided virtual outdoor activities called Tree Talks each week for students in grades 7 and 8 based on observing nature and relieving stress! Thank you to Doorway to Nature for providing these rejuvenating outdoor experiences for students!

Students and staff miss getting to spend time outdoors together but we are thankful to have been able to continue these experiences virtually through the end of the school year.

Several students posted photos on social media for the Worldwide Day of Appreciation for Frontline Workers, by singing to Bill Wither’s “Lean On Me.” On June 7, the Gibraltar Virtual Graduation will include footage of a virtual choir comprised of some of our Grade 8 & H.S. Advanced Choir members, singing the National Anthem. I could not have imagined when this all started that the effort required to produce something like this would be so epic. But it is, and I could not be more proud to offer one small contribution to this very important ceremony. A special thank-you to Shane Harvey for playing the role of production engineer.

As hard-working & determined as we all are, it bears saying that this has taken a toll on our students. We are meant as human beings to be in each other’s company; and we know that young people learn best in the social and diversely rich educational environment of our school. As we move forward, it is my hope that everyone emerges from this stronger, more compassionate, and more connected.