TASD PAWS Newsletter 1/31/24

A look back at

JANUARY 2024 Tomah Area School District tomah.education

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Hello Tomah Area School District Families and Community Members!

We hope you enjoy this issue of the monthly PAWS! It’s exciting to showcase and celebrate the wonderful achievements of our students and faculty here at Tomah Area School District!

Tomah High School’s Distinguished Alumni program has been a proud tradition in our district for several years! The nomination process is open now through May 30, 2024, and we highly encourage you to complete a nomination form for consideration as planning begins for the Fall 2024 award presentation which is held during Homecoming week.

Information about the Distinguished Alumni program is available on our district website. Forms may also be picked up at the District Office.

Thank you for your partnership making our district a great place to learn and grow!

-Dr. Mike Hanson District Administrator

Stay up to date on all the latest district news

HERE

We’re hiring!

High Quality Student Learning. Every Child. Every Day.

4K & 5K enrollment

for 2024-2025

Enrollment for 4K and 5K is open during the month of February!

WHO should enroll?

• Children who will turn 4/5 years old on or before September 1st, 2024 • Children already enrolled in TASD do not need to register WHEN can I enroll?

• The month of February!

HOW do I enroll?

• Existing TASD families registering a NEW student should enroll through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal -Directions HERE • New families can enroll online at www.tomah.education/enrollment -Directions HERE • As an alternative, computers are available at the District Office for your use

child development screenings

Do you have concerns about your child’s development? Tomah Area School District offers screenings by appointment for children with birthdates between September 1, 2018 - September 1, 2021. If you have concerns, please complete the online form and a member of our Pupil Services Department will contact you.

This opportunity is available from February 1, 2024 – April 1, 2024.

IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS, PLEASE FILL OUT THE SHORT ONLINE FORM AT: https://forms.office.com/r/gJPYJ2m6P0

If you have questions, please contact the Pupil Services Department: 608-374-7011

If you have questions regarding enrollment, please contact the District Registrar: kellijanusheske@tomah.education 608-374-7009

Friends are waiting! www.tomah.education/enrollment

Our Timber Pups 4K program offers preschool-age children of the Tomah Area School District equal access to a safe and nurturing early educational experience that will build the foundation to become a lifelong learner.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON 4K VISIT www.tomah.education/timber-pups

HIGH QUALITY STUDENT LEARNING.

EVERY CHILD. EVERY DAY.

HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT LIMITED EDITION SHOW CHOIR WINS BACK-TOBACK GRAND CHAMPION TITLES! The High School Limited Edition Show Choir started rehearsing this summer, but their season has only just begun. The group has competed in three competitions so far and has taken home the title of Grand Champion in the last two! Setting school records yet again for the show choir.

Their first competition was in Holmen and they took home five awards: Best Dressed Band Best Band Spirit Award People’s Choice Award Best Female Vocalist (Kami Murray) Competition number two brought them to New London where they won: Spirit Award Best Female Soloist (Kami Murray) GRAND CHAMPION The Altoona LocoPalooza was next, and they won: Best Female Soloist (Kami Murray) Best Male Soloist (Lucas Salzwedel) GRAND CHAMPION The have four more competitions left for the season before finishing it off with their first invitation to compete at Nationals in Branson, MO in April!

Upcoming Competitions: FEB 3: DePere FEB 10: Logan FEB 17: Sparta FEB 24: Hastings APRIL 13: Nationals, Branson, MO

DECA THS DECA RECOGNIZED FOR THRIVE LEVEL CHAPTER CAMPAIGNS

Tomah High School DECA was among 645 chapters, in the nation, that achieved Thrive Level recognition during the 2023-2024 school year and will be commended at DECA’s International Career Development Conference (ICDC) held April 27-30, 2024, in Anaheim, California. Tomah High School was one of eight Wisconsin high schools to complete both the Chapter and Membership Campaigns.

Each fall, DECA offers four campaigns for chapters to complete as part of their program of leadership for the year.

These campaigns are designed to grow membership engagement and build lasting partnerships within the school and local community. Chapters that achieve Thrive Level receive a commemorative pennant, flag and plaque. The chapters also have an opportunity to participate in ICDC. In order to receive Thrive Level recognition, the chapter completed two out of three chapter campaigns, including the community service campaign, ethical leadership campaign, and promotional campaign.

The Tomah High School DECA Leadership Team, who led the chapter to Thrive recognition consisted of President Lily Joyce, and Vice Presidents: Marie Bannan, Eva Hendrickson, Alexa Miller, Carter Ollendick, Drishti Patel, and Preston Wildes, with the assistance of I can’t their advisor, Daniel Briggs.

say enough good things about our future leaders.

Over the past few months, to complete the Community Service, Promotional and Membership Campaigns, our students have engaged the community in a wide range of activities. Members worked within the community at the Community Kindness 5K, Grand National Tractor Pull, and Molter’s Trunk or Treat. They also provided free tailgates at THS home football games, collected donation for the Neighbor for Neighbor Food Pantry, and participated in many other events at THS.

The highlight of their year thus far has been their annual Pennies for Presents Campaign. Each year, Tomah DECA collects donations to help provide a more enjoyable holiday for families of the Tomah Area School District. This year in addition to the many students, staff and parents, Tomah DECA was helped by Tomah Wal-Mart, the Tomah Wal-Mart Distribution Center and the Pepsi Cola Bottling Company. As a result, a record number of people were able to be provided with gifts for the holidays.

“The students at THS are amazing. This is the third time in the last four years our DECA kids have received this recognition, and they are not done yet. In January, they began competing to represent Wisconsin at the International level. We have had competitors at ICDC, each of the last six years, and this group looks to continue that success. I can’t say enough good things about our future leaders.” said Daniel Briggs, THS Business Teacher and DECA Advisor.

DISTRICT COMPETITION RESULTS IN DECA MAKING SCHOOL HISTORY Tomah DECA had an excellent performance at the D1 District Competition at UW-Stout. Bringing home more awards than EVER before, competing in 13 different categories. Tomah will now be sending 18 competitors to the State Career Develpment Conference Competiton, in Lake Geneva, February 25-28!

Results for State Qualifiers: Preston Wildes - Champion in Quick Serve Restaurant Management Eva Hendrickson and Laurn Guenther - Champions in Hospitality Team Decision Making Lily Joyce - Marketing Communications - 2nd Place Tyler Moake- Automotive Service Management - 2nd Place Cadence Davies - Restaurant Food Service Management - 2nd Place Manraj Grewal - Personal Finance - Finalist Kai Garvin - Principles of Business Management - Finalist Alexa Miller - Human Resource Management - Finalist Makayla Ueeck - Restaurant Food Service Management - Finalist Tanner Gross - Principles of Finance - Finalist Madison Wildes and Raven Wegman - Sports Entertainment Marketing Team Decision Making - Finalist Molly Stavlo and Carter Ollendick - Hospitality Team Decision Making - Finalist Rounding out the District Team: Marco Huser - Principles of Finance Isaiah Huebbe - Principles of Finance Hannah Raabe - Human Resource Managment Drishti Patel - Hotel Lodging Management Serenity Thayer - Restaurant Food Service Management Katie Thompson and Greta Quinlan - Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making Makenzie Kohn and Flora Last - Business Law Team Decision Making Representing Tomah at State in Project will be Marie Bannan, Lily Joyce, Alex Paisley

CHANGE CHALLENGE

LaGrange Elementary

Many years ago, LaGrange started a tradition of helping out their families that needed a little extra help in providing a Christmas for their children. The staff would hold a collection and provided gifts to a few of their families. About 8 - 10 years ago the PTO got involved as they saw the need at the school grow. And so, the Change Challenge was started. The week before Thanksgiving the students can bring in change and deposit it in containers in the office. It is a competition between grade levels.

The day before Thanksgiving break, they hold an assembly and the amounts collected per grade level are revealed.

The "winning" grade levels then get to take part in silly activities involving volunteer staff. They have done everything from human sundaes to kissing farm animals! The last two years the student council planned the activities for the assembly. This year the third graders won and posed for a photo with their ice cream sandwich prize!

With the help of the guidance counselor, families are chosen and asked if they would like to participate in the program. This year, over $2,000 was raised! The money is used to buy gifts for the kids (under 18) of our needy families. Ms. Olson, the third-grade teacher at LaGrange, with help from some of the staff, then goes shopping.

Staff often donates additional needed items. Each child gets two outfits, socks, underwear, pajamas, 2 toys, 2 books and winter items if they are needed. Other staff help out by writing names on stockings, gathering toothbrushes from a dentist, or other donations, and participating in a big "wrapping party" held sometime in December. Parents then pick up the gifts before winter break to bring home.

HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT FIFTH GRADERS COMPETE IN MATH COMPETITION

Twelve 5th graders from across the district were chosen to compete in the Regional Math Knowledge Competition at Sparta Middle School, on January 11th, hosted by the Mississippi Valley Gifted and Talented Network. The competition was held in two portions. First, the students took an individual test and Tomah had two students make the top three!

Cayden Conzemius placed 2nd!

Avery Harmon placed 3rd!

Then there was the team competition. Tomah had three teams compete and our teams took ALL of top three places!

1st Place -Team 3 (Allison Ravenscroft, Willard Gould, Connor Wendt, Graham Jacobsen) 2nd Place -Team 1 (Brody Joyce, Alexia Young, Jaxyn Dettinger, Avery Harmon) 3rd Place -Team 2 (Cayden Conzemius, Lily Forest, Garrett Schultz, Mahin Patel) Congratulations! We are so proud of these amazing fifth graders and their stellar math skills!

What a great day to be a Timberwolf!

High Quality Student Learning. Every Child. Every Day.

THS ACADEMIC DECATHLON Tomah High School’s Academic Decathlon has been having stellar performances recently, placing 3rd at regionals and 9th statewide, advancing them to the State Competition for the 5th consecutive year!

Leading the way is Joanna Stryker, tying a school record in math score, receiving 4 ribbons and placing 2nd overall at the last competition! Adam Johnson, Ross Killgo, Lucy Jankowski, Nick Salzwedel, Ian Thompson, Dani Ludke, and Elius Hennegan all took home ribbons at the event, with Elius, Dani, Adam, and Lucy taking home first place finishes.

Tomah will be competing at the State Competition on March 14th and 15th in Green Bay. Congratulations to our AD students and Good Luck at State!

CHOIR STUDENTS PERFORM WITH 1,000 PERSON CHOIR AT VOCAL FESTIVAL A group of junior and senior choir students attended the Dorian Vocal Festival at Luther College. Students spent two days rehearsing pieces with 1,000 other high school students from over 200 high schools. An amazing experience for everyone involved!

Back Row (L to R): Mason Welch, Lucas Salzwedel, Adam Johnson Middle Row : Addy Holmquist, Maddy McNulty, Logan Larson, Daniel Jungmeyer Front Row: Kami Murray, Aubrey Jungmeyer

ACROSS the DISTRICT follow our story here

Keeping our students and staff safe is an ongoing commitment at TASD. This month, we performed a drill with the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Team.

Everyone performed their job and responded exactly as they should have. Performing practice drills such as this one move THS one step closer to being designated as a heart safe school!

i

Students Chosen to participate in ALL-State BAND The Wisconsin Concert Band Association (WCBA) holds their annual conference in a new location every two years. This year, the conference took place at UW-Whitewater. As a part of the conference, there is an AllState Junior Band that features middle school band students, and an All-State Senior Band that features high school students.

Four students from TMS were selected to participate in the All-State Junior Band under the direction of Mr. Jason Rygg. Two THS students were selected to participate in the All-State Senior Band under the direction of Colonel Lowell Graham. What an honor it was for our students to be selected to participate and play with band members from around the state!

TMS Students: Isabella Dobson (Clarinet), Rachel Zastoupil (Bass Clarinet), Lily Tank (Flute), Karlee Scholz (Horn)

THS Students: Alyssa Marth (Clarinet) Lauren Kline (Trumpet)

MIDDLE SCHOOL Students perform in HONORS BAND Cheyenna Ganzevoort, Clarinet Delilah Abbott, Clarinet, Kalin Brown, Flute Preston Stryker, Trombone Jacob Haun, Trumpet Ethan Gigous, Trumpet TJ Harris, Tuba Molly Olson, Baritone Saxophone Liam Griffin, Euphonium Carter Anderson, Euphonium Brianna Krings, Alto Saxophone Isabella Dobson, Clarinet Rebeckah Cleveland, Clarinet Karalee Nelson, Clarinet Jadali Emery, Clarinet Lily Tank, Flute Makenna Uhing, Flute Karlee Scholz, Horn Caden Rowan, Percussion Ben DuBois, Trombone Alysha Frey, Trombone Clara Gouty, Trombone Warren MacDougall, Trumpet Rachel Zastoupil, Bass Clarinet

Twenty-four 7th and 8th grade TMS Students were accepted into the UWEC Middle School Honor Band. They received their music before the honor band and worked both at home and at school on their music.

On Friday January 26th, all of the accepted students came to UW-Eau Claire and attended many rehearsals which culminated into the final concert. There were 3 honor bands conducted by Mr. Chris Gleason, Dr. Phil Ostrander, and Dr. John Stewart. What an achievement for our students!

4K Fun Friday Events NOTE: If there is not enough snow for sledding, we will be playing games in the Oakdale 4K classroom.

WHO: All 4-K students, younger siblings and special adult (parent, grandparent, neighbor, babysitter, aunt or uncle)

WHAT: Bundle up and join the 4-K teachers for two fun outside events.

WHEN: **Friday, February 9th 1:30-3:00 PM we will be sledding behind Oakdale Elementary School. We will have some sleds available, but please bring your own if you have one. Please park at the Oakdale Town Park located right off HWY 12&16. **Friday, February 23rd 10:00-11:00 AM we will meet at the Tomah Area School District Wolf Den to explore and hike in the school woods. We will have treats (Cancelled if below a ten-degree temperature at 9:00)

WHERE: Feb 9th: Hill behind Oakdale Elementary School (Right off HWY 12&16) Feb 23rd: TASD Wolf Den~ Glendale Ave (By the VA)

Questions: Please contact your child’s 4-K teacher

to see the THS Athletes of the Month!

A look at Winter Sports

Photo credit: Nate Beier/GX3 Media

THS Dance Team earned their way to compete at State with two 4th place wins at Regionals for their D2 Jazz and D3 Pom routines, as well as wins for two solos from Emma Gearing and Bella Arne.

Tomah / Sparta Hockey Team celebrated Senior Night on January 18th and skated away with a 6-0 win over Onalaska!

Senior Dawson Downey took First Place at JV State for Wrestling!

Freshman Quinn Gerke scored 31 points in the January 22nd face off against Sparta, giving Tomah the win at 75-61 and earning the Timberwolves their first conference win of the season!

A Tomah / Sparta Figure Skating Team has finally come to fruition after years of hard work! The team has already seen a couple competitions so far this season!

The Tomah Area School District honors the accomplishments and humanitarian efforts of alumni through nomination, selection and induction to our Distinguished Alumni program. It is hoped that this recognition will provide role models for our current students, instill pride in our community and provide an opportunity to celebrate the successes of these outstanding individuals. We believe distinguished alumni can inspire our students to continue the legacy of excellence which is defined by those whom we are honoring - individuals who have made a difference and have made our world a better place.

2023 Inductees Greg Griffin and Donna Ulteig

SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS!

www.tomah.education/Distinguised-Alumni 2021 Inductee Linda Netsch

DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO: Is a graduate of THS or attended THS for at least two years?

Is a THS Alumni of at least 10 years?

Has a record of outstanding achievement in his/her career field or fulfillment of personal educational potential?

Has a history of outstanding leadership, character and service to his/her community?

Nominations close May 30th www.tomah.education

129 W. Clifton St. Tomah, WI 54660

Tomah Area School District

608 - 374 - 7004

...a look ahead to the month of FEBRUARY

calendar subject to change. please visit our online district calendar & athletics calendar for the most up-to-date information

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High Quality Student Learning. Every Child. Every Day.