Gibraltar Spring 2025

“Summer is singing with joy, and the beaches are inviting you with dancing waves.” – Debasish Mridha

GIBRALTAR school news

SPRING 2025

Friends of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Area Schools

Two Decades of Creative Workshops for Gibraltar High School Friends of Gibraltar has partnered with the Hardy Gallery for twenty years to provide creative workshops in the arts to all Gibraltar High School students each school year. The workshop day took place this school year in March and included all Gibraltar students in grades 9, 10, and 12. Students in grade 11 take the ACT test on this day.

The workshops take place in creative studio spaces from Sturgeon Bay to Ellison Bay. The spaces are donated by community members and community organizations. The workshop leaders and supplies are paid by funds raised

by Friends of Gibraltar, Gibraltar High School, and the Hardy Gallery.

Thank you to the workshop leaders for the time they spent sharing their creative professions with students! This year the following workshops were provided: Naomi Moes Jenkins: Create Animal Sculptures with Resin! - The Clearing James Viste: Introduction to Blacksmithing - The Clearing

Terry Murphy: Songwriting - Rob Roy Campbell for hosting the workshop at the Snapcrackle Tabernacle Home Studio

Stephanie Trenchard and Jeremy Popelka: Glass Blowing Workshop Popelka Trenchard Glass Studio

Kelly Bresnahan: Introduction to Woodturning: How to Make a Salt Pig (a two-piece container and serving spoon from a large piece of wood by removing material) - The Clearing

Suzanne Rose: Small Camera Big Print Smartphone Photography Workshop - Bjorklunden

Teresa Lind: Aluminum Pour Casting - Gibraltar High School

Nicole Herbst: Nature Felt Painting and Mini Intuitive Weavings - Bjorklunden

Willow Bayer: Paper Collage - Artist Guild

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE Gibraltar School District Remodel April 18, 2025 SAFETY:

Songwriting Residency In April, Gibraltar Elementary School students in grade 5 participated in songwriting workshops with Grammyaward-winning artist, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, to discover the power of their creativity and to have fun using words in ways that are meaningful to them. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo taught students about rhythm, rhyme, and keeping the beat while sharing their emotions.

Cabinets and flooring will be delivered to the jobsite in April. Please be aware of the increased amount of trucks and equipment on campus.

PROGRESS THIS WEEK:

GOALS NEXT 2 WEEKS:

Building • Area B & C exterior door frames underway • Area C drywall finish complete • Area B & C paint underway • Area B ceilings underway • Area A & B cabinets underway • Area B lockers complete • Area B carpet underway • Area C elevator underway • Area A & B plumbing, electrical and mechanical finishes underway

Building • Area B & C exterior door frames to complete • Area B paint to complete • Area B carpet to complete • Area A & B vinyl flooring to start • Area A & B cabinets to complete • Area B interior doors to start

MILESTONE DATES: • •

Phase 1 Building Enclosed – 1/14/25 Phase 1 Substantial Completion – 8/29/25

Phase 1 Construction Area

Students learned to write rhyming rap songs about things that inspire them. They performed their original songs at the Door Community Auditorium for their school and community.

This performance was part of Door Community Auditorium’s Passport Program, a series of unique cultural and educational experiences, bringing the world to Door County students. DCA has been providing opportunities like these to our community since our earliest days in 1991 and under the Passport Program name since 2017. And, because of generous funding support from our Passport Program Sponsors, we were able to offer FREE tickets to Door County students for the public performance and $10 tickets to accompanying family members and school staff.

Hats off to our Passport Program Presenting Sponsor: Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik, Major Sponsors: The Dörr Hotel, Main Street Market, Matt & Karla Sagorac, Wild Tomato Wood-Fired Pizza and Grille Fish Creek, and Wisconsin Public Radio; and Passport Partners: Chris & Willow Alexander, Grasse’s Grill, Landmark Resort Door County, The Red Putter Mini Golf, Sister Bay Suds, and Wood Rabbit Acupuncture.

Special thanks to Door Community Auditorium and Friends of Gibraltar for providing the Passport Program!

Area B Paint, Ceiling, Carpet & Cabinets

Area B Paint, Ceiling & Carpet

Area B Paint, Ceiling & Lockers

Friends of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Area Schools

SPRING 2025

High School Esports Team Finds Success in First Season

By Logan Winker, Technology Support Specialist Competitive video gaming, known as esports, is rapidly gaining popularity in high schools across the country, and our school has quickly made a name for itself in this growing field. In its inaugural season, the Gibraltar Esports Club made an impressive run to the state tournament, finishing 6th out of 92 teams statewide.

Esports, short for electronic sports, brings students together to compete in organized, team-based video game competitions. Just like traditional sports, players train, strategize, and work together to achieve success. While some may think of gaming as just a hobby, esports requires critical thinking, communication, teamwork, and quick decisionmaking—skills that benefit students both in and out of competition.

Our school’s esports journey began in early December with a dedicated group of students passionate about gaming and teamwork. The team committed to regular practices, developing strategies, and honing their skills against tough competition. Their hard work paid off as they advanced through the season, earning a spot in the state tournament.

Not only are students honing their skills in competition, but also in broadcasting and news media. Several students have used this opportunity to explore and expand their knowledge of the media industry, successfully hosting a “Live Watch Party” for the students and teachers at Gibraltar. All spectators were then able to watch their fellow students compete in the state tournament.

The success of the esports club is a testament to

Today Readers, Tomorrow Leaders

By Lori LeRoy, Grade 3 Teacher

the dedication of our students and the growing opportunities within high school esports. Many colleges now offer scholarships for esports athletes, and careers in gaming, technology, and digital media are on the rise. For students interested in STEM fields, communication, or game design, esports provides valuable experience and connections.

With a strong first season behind them, the Gibraltar Esports Club is looking ahead to the future. Plans are already in motion to expand the program, welcome new players, and build on this season’s success. If this year’s performance is any indication, the future of esports at our school is bright.

For students interested in joining or learning more, the club is always open to new members. For community members interested in volunteering or wanting to know more, feel free to contact Gibraltar Secondary School.

Did you know the amount of water on Earth has been the same for billions of years? Did you know nearly one-fifth of the world’s population doesn’t have access to enough water? Did you know that how we treat water will affect every species on the planet, now and for years to come? Gibraltar third graders know these facts! They have been hard at work learning about the importance of water.

As part of our EL Language Arts Curriculum, students are reading the book One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Rochelle Strauss to build background knowledge about freshwater around the world. They are also reading other literary and informational resource texts about three important issues related to water: access to water, demands on water, and water pollution.

But wait! There’s more! In the next few weeks, students will be comparing

multiple authors’ points of view to their own points of view and writing opinion essays about the importance of water conservation. They will also be learning about the Ryan’s Well Foundation, which raises money to build wells in Africa and educate people about the need to conserve water. At the end of the module, students will also plan and create a video public service announcement to educate others about their chosen water issue and to encourage others to take action with specific recommendations to solve the problem. Teaching children about water conservation helps them understand the importance of sustainable practices for the future. They can become advocates for reducing water pollution, helping people have access to the water they need, protecting wetlands, and preserving natural habitats. Water is such a precious resource. Let’s all do our part to conserve it!

Congratulations to our esports team on an incredible debut season—we can’t wait to see what’s next!

Military Enlistment Ceremony 2025 NFL Draft

Gibraltar Sign Language Club

By Anna Carlson-Krauel, Secondary Administrative Assistant

By Anna Carlson-Krauel , Secondary Administrative Assistant

Cafeteria News

During the much awaited NFL draft in Green Bay, Gibraltar senior Nolan Giesler participated in the Military Enlistment Ceremony. On April 26th, Nolan Giesler enlisted in the United States Navy during the NFL draft on national television.

Nolan was selected out of 55 other individuals to participate in this ceremony. Originally planning to pursue a degree in engineering, Nolan made the selfless decision to serve his country, motivated by both the rising cost of college and a strong sense of duty.

Nolan achieved an outstanding score on the ASVAB, testing at twice the national average, and tied for the highest score his instructor has seen for candidates entering the Navy’s elite Nuclear Division. He will be specializing in Nuclear Power Generation.

His Gibraltar family is so proud of Nolan and were so excited to witness this special moment during the once-in-a-lifetime event here in Wisconsin.

The Student Nutrition Advisory Club (SNAC) was established this school year and met for the first time in March! We had members participating from grades 4 -12, making a really nice cross section of student opinions and ideas. Two adults also attended.

Club members were able to taste test and evaluate orange chicken with brown rice and Big Daddy’s pizza. Feedback was very positive, and both items debuted on April’s menu as a direct result of our tasting. Next week we will meet to evaluate and try some new recipes for potential inclusion in our National School Lunch Program.

The club is open for any student in grades 4-12 and meets once a month.

The secondary school club, Project 180, adopted a Viking Cafe bulletin board for May to kick off mental health month. Mrs. Roberts, Project 180 Coordinator, stated that the students had fun doing it. It turned out beautifully and is full of positive messages. Some of the messages are to set boundaries, that you belong, to eat well, prioritize self care, seek support, and have gratitude, among others.

The Gibraltar middle school students have recently formed a new club to learn sign language. The idea was developed by the6th grade class who wanted to learn how to communicate with a fellow student more fluidly. Administration enthusiastically accepted the idea and the sign language club was formed!

Headed by Mrs. Alumbaugh (Mrs. A) in the first month the club has already learned the alphabet and actively sign their names and fellow classmates’ names. They are now learning colors, numbers, emotions, and food names.

Recently the students took their new learned skills out to the public and ordered food from Blue Horse entirely in sign language. They have also learned how to sign the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear and shared this with the 4K class.

This club is not only enriching the lives of students, but our community as a whole. We are so proud of the initiative these students took to start this club, and we can’t wait to see how it grows!

Mental Health Awareness Month Gibraltar continues to take a multilayered approach to addressing the health and mental wellness of our students. The district has implemented the Character Strong curriculum across the entire district and trained school staff in trauma-informed and restorative practices. Three years ago, the district established an Allies in Mental Health team that has been meeting regularly to continue to build tiered systems of support for our students. One achievement to highlight is the addition on our school district website of a mental health tab. This tab takes you to a quick rundown of local and greater community resources to address mental health, whether it be a crisis or resources for support.

The district connects students with experts and inspirational speakers. This spring Friends of Gibraltar and the secondary school hosted speaker Tasha Schuh to speak with students about the tools that have helped her build resilience. Schuh is an inspirational speaker who equips youth and educators to be resilient for their mental and emotional health. The four components of her speech, PATH (Purpose, Attitude, Team, and Hope), helped Tasha be resilient after a life-changing theater accident at

Cora Hays is a freshman who recently won the Door County Rotary Club speech contest.

Her speech was about cyber bullying, which she felt is a growing problem that needed to be addressed. She is a member of the United Against Hate club here at Gibraltar and is passionate about diversity and inclusion for all. age 16, which left her paralyzed from the chest down. She now lives a vibrant, fulfilling life, sharing her message of PATH across the nation.

Tasha’s message empowered Gibraltar students and staff with tangible tools to improve their mental and emotional health and overcome life’s challenges.

Students developed mindful activities for themselves and their peers to experience after Schuh’s visit. Student leaders let the school know the kinds of mindfulness activities they need to feel supported, and they organized a series of activities ranging from card games and crafts to music journaling, coloring, meditation, and walks in the woods. The act of creating these activities and participating in them empowers students to explore ways to support their mental wellbeing.

# DID YOU KNOW? #

By Mary Witteborg, Gibraltar Social Media/Website Features Your Gibraltar Social media gal, Mary Witteborg, has been putting hashtags on posts for a specific reason!

She tags the post with the year those children will graduate! For example, first graders get tagged with #gibraltarclassof2036. When you click on that hashtag you will find a multitude of posts of that class. Won’t it be fun down the road to have those photos available at your fingertips? Enjoy!

And remember, if you are not on social media, you can find most of the fun features on the Gibraltar website.

Have you put the app on your phone yet?

Friends of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Area Schools

SPRING 2025

ART NEWS

By Emily Salm, Secondary Art Teacher The art room at Gibraltar High School has been buzzing with creativity this spring, as students dive into ceramics, sculpture, and mixed media projects that showcase both imagination and technical skill. Their hard work and artistic growth are on full display in the 51st Annual Salon of Door County High School Art at the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay, running from April 5th through May 17th, 2025.

Lauren Bertges Grade 12

McCartney Schwab Grade 11 Edwin Solis Grade 10

Ombeline Finck Grade 12

Berkley Schwab Grade 11

We’re proud to celebrate two standout achievements: Ombeline Finck was honored with the prestigious Award of Excellence at the Miller Art Museum, and Dasia Daubner received an Honorable Mention for her outstanding work.

Their recognition reflects the dedication and talent found across Gibraltar’s art program and reminds us how important the arts are in shaping confident, expressive young voices.

Abigail DeMeuse Grade 11

Ivana Northrup Grade 11

Be sure to stop by the exhibition and support these emerging artists!

Charlotte Grasse Grade 12 Sam Bass Grade 12

Lauren Lautenbach Grade 12 Xavier Gaddes Grade 10 Sunny Benzow Dasia Daubner Grade 12

Improv Workshops Friends of Gibraltar partnered with Third Avenue PlayWorks to provide a series of Improv acting workshops for grade 4 as a way to build communication and acceptance skills. Students worked with actor Dan Klarer from Third Avenue PlayWorks on their improv acting skills through a series of team games that

encourage teamwork, cooperation, creative thinking, and communication skills. Students presented a showcase of improv games to their parents at the Door Community Auditorium. Thank you, Dan Klarer, Third Avenue PlayWorks, and the Door Community Auditorium for hosting the event.

Student Poetry in the Community

Metals Class Is Heating Up Mr. Hatch, Technology Education Instructor

The Metals Fabrication class has been ramping up production this semester with projects designed around the students’ interests. Fire pits with complex geometric designs have been popular and wonderfully executed. Students have also built wood-fired rocket stoves (J stoves) with grill and pizza oven attachments. If the weather cooperates, students are able to cook lunch on their new creations. Sculptural creations are always underway as well. Students have made a variety of metal sculptures of birds, fish, and horses. Participating students include (but are not limited to) Aaron Greene, Bairen Lhost, Gio Mercier, Sean Neal, Jacob Virlee, Wyatt Bultman, Owen Dannhausen, Issac Nelson, and Trey Perlman.

Bat Condo Partnership Continues at Gibraltar Mr. Hatch, Technology Education Instructor

The 2025 Gibraltar 8th grade class has continued its partnership with the Door County Parks Department to place Bat condos in each county park. Last year’s condo was placed in Murphy Park in Egg Harbor (near the Horseshoe Bay Cave). We have doubled our production this school year, and the Door County Parks Department will be installing the condos at Robert LaSalle County Park in Clay Banks.

This project is designed to be construction light and give students first-hand experience following plans and working with common building materials and tools. Each condo is able to house 2,000 bats over the summer months and will aid in the repopulation of bats in Northeastern Wisconsin that have been in decline due to White Nose Syndrome.

by Linda Fey, Secondary English Students in Ms. Fey’s English 12 and English 104/AP English Literature courses will be sharing their original works of poetry with the community at two upcoming events. This year’s students are continuing the tradition of participating in literary arts in our community.

As part of their English classes, all 12th grade students compose poetry in response to a different prompt each week of fall semester, and then in the Spring semester they choose

five of those poems to refine in a weekly workshop and revision session. Each student will read one of their polished poems to a community audience as part of their senior English final portfolio.

This year, students will be presenting to the community on May 12th at the regularly scheduled school board meeting in the secondary IMC and again on May 14th for the Dickinson Poetry Series at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Water Street in Ephraim. Both events begin at 7 pm.

Friends of Gibraltar and Gibraltar Area Schools

SPRING 2025

HAIRPIN 5K RUN/WALK

JULY

4

FOLLOW GIBRALTAR ON THREE PLATFORMS!

By Mary Witteborg, Gibraltar Public Relations

IN FISH CREEK REGISTER HAIRPINRUN.COM PRESENTED BY

PROCEEDS PROVIDE ENRICHING ART & EXPERIENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12 AT GIBRALTAR SCHOOLS.

(IT’S A FUN RUN/WALK AND YOU CAN STILL MAKE THE PARADE)

Would you like to see what’s going on at Gibraltar throughout week?

Classroom learning, sporting events, FOG programs, field trips, arts, and more are shared online!

GIBRALTAR AREA SCHOOLS WEBSITE. www.gibraltar. k12.wi.us/ Check out the NEWS: Upcoming Events! LIVE FEED: Fun features students are engaged in! Gallery pictures, café menus, and more! Put the website APP on your phone! Find it in the Apple APP Store. Just search Gibraltar Area Schools.

GIBRALTAR FACEBOOK PAGE: www.facebook.com/ GibraltarArea Daily features of extraordinary learning activities, upcoming events, achievements, and more!

GIBRALTAR INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/gibraltararea/ Many of the features posted on Facebook are also shared on Instagram.

FRIENDS OF GIBRALTAR WEBSITE: FriendsofGibraltar.org

Friends of Gibraltar Annual Membership 2024-2025 Become a member/sponsor of the Friends of Gibraltar (FOG), a non-profit organization that has provided Gibraltar students with unique educational opportunities by working collaboratively with Gibraltar Schools and the community since 1982!

FOG Membership/Sponsorship: Name: __________________________________________ ___ Family: $30 Email: __________________________________________ ___ Business: $50 Address: ________________________________________ ___ Sponsorship: __________ Phone: _________________________________________ Sponsor FOG programs: ____ Sponsor outdoor education with the Forest Day program for any amount $_____. ____ Number of students you want to sponsor at $50/students for Forest Days $_____.

(Forest Days costs FOG & Gibraltar $50/student/school year and is provided for 240 students).

Please send checks to: Friends of Gibraltar, Gibraltar Schools, 3942 State Highway 42, Fish Creek, WI, 54212 (920) 868-3284 Ext. 205 hancock@gibraltar.k12.wi.us Thank you for your support!

& PRESENT

THE 2025/26

PASSPORT PROGRAM A series of unique cultural and educational experiences, bringing the world to Door County Students.

KOO KOO Monday, June 16 Public show: 6:00 p.m.

THE PACK DRUMLINE Friday, September 12 Student Matinee: 1:30 p.m. | Public show: 7 p.m.

OKCELLO Co-presented w/DKAF Monday, September 22 Student Matinee: 1:30 p.m. | Public show: 7 p.m.

CIRQUE MECHANICS: TILT Thursday, October 30 Student Matinee: 9:15 a.m. | Public show: 7 p.m.

DANCE ALIVE’S THE NUTCRACKER Monday, December 1 Public show: Sunday, November 30, 3 p.m.

Student Matinee: Monday, December 1, 9:15 a.m.

THE PEKING ACROBATS Tuesday, February 10, 2026 Student Matinees: 9:15 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. | Public show: 7 p.m.

MICHAEL “LAUGHING FOX” CHARETTE

Student Matinee: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 9:15 a.m.

Public show: Thursday, March 12, 2026, 7 p.m.

WOMEN OF AMERICANA: A CELEBRATION OF AMERICAN MUSIC - FROM BOB DYLAN TO BONNIE RAITT Public show: Sunday, March 29, 2026, 7 p.m.

Student Matinee: Monday, March 30, 2026, 9:15 a.m.; 10:45 Vocal Workshop

Sponsors needed to fund these opportunities. Sponsor options begin at $500. Contact Cari at director@dcauditorium.org for more information.

WWW.DCAUDITORIUM.ORG • 3926 HWY 42, FISH CREEK • 920.868.2728