1. Art and Diseño

FEBRUARY 2015
Every Child…..Every Class…..Every Day
A Message from the District Administrator
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Greetings from the Wisconsin Heights School District
Message from the
District Administrator
Community Support
makes a Difference
1
2-6
Referendum
7
Fund Balance
8-10
The February Newsletter’s showcase article is on the community’s support of its
schools. Community support has and continues to make a difference in how the
District operates; in fact, we could not do it without you. Thank you to John
Donaldson for writing the article and to the community for its support.
Recently, I entered the 21st Century by joining Twitter. I will be using Twitter to
highlight school district events and accomplishments as well as announce
school closings due to weather. You can find me at @WHSD_Supt.
Elementary News
11
WHEF
12
Middle/High School
News
13
WHPTO
14
Music Department
15
Guidance Department
16
Take care and come join us at one of the many school events planned throughout February.
Lunch Menu
17
Sincerely,
February Athletic
Activities
18
Lastly, on January 12th, the Board of Education voted to bring a two year operational referendum to the electorate on April 7th. This newsletter contains additional information about the referendum, but future communications will be
sent directly to residents. Our website also has a couple of summary documents.
Mark Elworthy
District Administrator
Reminder on Weather Delays and Closings
If school is delayed or postponed, our goal is to make a decision by 5:30 a.m. In
making the decision, the District Administrator drives the roads and consults with
First Student, local snowplow drivers, and area District Administrators. We will
broadcast the decision on local television or radio stations.
If the wind chill is sustained at -35 degrees, most school districts will close (local
decision).
Mark Elworthy
District Administrator
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WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
Wisconsin Heights—Community Support makes a Difference
John Donaldson
The Wisconsin Heights School District has experienced declining enrollment for the better part of two
decades, but this year, the district received some good news on the numbers front: Enrollment in 2014-15 is up
by nearly 40 students.
The current school session represents only the second time in the past 18 years the district has seen its
student population rise. Since the turn to the 21st century, district school boards and administrators have worked
to economize, reconfigure, trim and in some cases cut in order to deal with a steady shift from state aid to local
education funding. They have reduced expenditures where possible, but the primary goal is still maximizing the
educational benefit to students.
In the community, the work has not gone unnoticed. While upgrading things like boiler and air-handling
systems and replacing windows and beefing up insulation to conserve energy, the district has also been systematically updating its educational technology to keep pace with today’s changing society. Things like Internetready SmartBoards®, teachers attest, are invaluable tools when teaching students who have been raised in the
age of smart phones, touch pads and laptops.
No one knows yet if this year’s population increase represents a trend or a blip, but at the very least, it is
a promising sign. The additional students will help the district financially over time, with some resultant aid money coming next year. Because Heights has qualified for special adjustment “hold harmless” aid because of its persistent declining enrollment in recent years, the district will not see all of the additional state aid for two to three
years.
The first population increase during the overall decline came in 2007-08, when the district rolled out a
four-year-old kindergarten program and in so doing essentially annexed additional student population by adding
a grade level. This year, the numbers are genuinely up. This past year, housing growth increased somewhat in
the Wisconsin Heights area as the local economy, like the state and country’s economy, showed renewed signs
of life after the multi-year “Great Recession”.
The FFA attends the National Convention
“The only time we plateaued was when we added 4K, and that was
a blip, because we added, and basically reset the bar,” said District
Superintendent Dr. Mark Elworthy earlier this month. “This year it’s
for real. We’ll know more in a couple of years about what the future
holds.”
Student numbers are significant because the Wisconsin school aid
funding formula is in large part based on the ratio of students to
land value. In the State’s eyes, Heights is a “land-rich” community
with relatively few students to educate. “When I came here in ’08,
we were at 40 percent funding,” recalls Elworthy. “Now we’re at 20
per cent.”
State law provides school districts in Heights’ cash-strapped position
– and there are many of them – with an option: they can go to their
communities and ask for help in order to maintain an education
program the community finds acceptable. As 2015 got underway,
the Wisconsin Heights School Board approved a two-year, operating
referendum that will go before the voters April 7. The district is
seeking permission from the voters to exceed its revenue limit by
$1.425 million in 2015-16 and $1.825 million in 2016-17. This will be
the fourth time since 2008 the district has gone to the community.
“The school board’s been very grateful for the community helping
us financially,” said school board President Tom Turk last week.
Wisconsin Heights has been able to keep its educational program
intact and vibrant with a combination of austerity measures, the retirement of longtime teachers, and with sustained commitment from the community. The school boards and administrations have made budget cuts,
yes, but they have also taken steps to make the curriculum more responsive to the needs of district students. Test scores and parent satisfaction have remained high, and in some educational areas, like reading
and math, Wisconsin Heights is a leader in the Capitol Conference and
when compared to other school districts around Dane County.
Black Earth American Legion Commander Dennis Wood and one of
the leaders of the Wisconsin Heights Alumni, a 1965 graduate of Wisconsin
Heights, says he values the education the district has provided him, his wife
Pat, and his children and grandchildren. Like many others, Wood says that
despite the problems declining enrollment presents the school board and
the community, it is Heights’ smallness that sets it apart from other neighboring districts.
“I feel it is a pride element from the top to the bottom,” said
Wood. “Being recognized as a very good educational district year after
year helps a lot. One-on-one instruction can be provided as needed, mentoring programs, teachers helping teachers and students helping stu- Students participating in flag folding
etiquette during 2014 Veterans Day
dents. Athletes get a chance to play on a competitive sports team, includ- Ceremony
ing some athletes who might not be able to compete at the larger schools.”
“In 2017 our grandson Jesse will graduate from Heights - need I say more? There is a sense of ownership in the district,” said Wood. “We have received a quality education at Heights for the past 50 years: I still
coach at Heights, Pat still collects tickets every home game, and we follow our grandchildren Jesse and Jada
through their careers at Wisconsin Heights. Pat and I see the need to pass on this feeling, this tradition, for
years to come.”
Sara Shackleton of Mazomanie, a member of the Wisconsin Heights Optimist Club and another of those
early graduates, agrees with Wood that Wisconsin Heights fosters “a sense of community” that has served generations of students. She also agrees that the school system’s smallness is its strength.
“At Heights kids don't get lost: They are not allowed to get lost, physically, emotionally, or intellectually. Staffers pay attention to kids’ needs and talents,” she said.
“At Heights you can be in the band, on the football team, study the Black Earth Creek, and be in drama,” Shackleton added. “Students don't have to specialize in activities. They can try out lots of different ones.”
Parades in the community bring everyone together
WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
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WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
What a great feeling to be a Wisconsin
Heights Graduate
“It’s a close knit community,” added Turk, a 1987 alum. “It has smaller
class sizes and there is true community involvement in the district. The
staff and the community are all very involved with the education of our
youth. “The staff was very involved in making sure that I got the most
out of my education, the education they were providing. I always try to
keep the core of what I was taught in my decision-making. It’s always
there. I want all of our youth to have the same positive outlook when
they look back as I do.”
The Wisconsin Heights School District benefits from the generosity and
support of many other local organizations like the Wisconsin Heights
Educational Foundation, Heights Picnic Boosters, and parent organizations (WHPTO and PIE), who are main contributors.
 The Wisconsin Heights Education Foundation was incorporated in
1999 as a 501c3, nonprofit charitable corporation. Its purpose is to raise
money to enhance educational opportunity within the WHSD, mainly for
senior scholarships for students continuing with college education and
mini grants to be used in the school and community where there is an
unmet need for funds. The WHEF awards scholarships to graduating seniors each year. These scholarships provide valuable financial support for
those continuing on with their education. Because of the generous donations to WHEF, most seniors that apply are awarded a scholarship.
Last year over $24,000 in local scholarships were awarded.
 The Picnic Boosters, organized by Steve Schmitt and several community members, have raised almost $1 million over time for school and
community athletic teams. Their contributions raised at the annual
fundraiser at the Black Earth Fire Department have instilled community
pride and spirit which has made a difference. The Picnic Boosters have
enhanced and created wonderful opportunities for Heights students.
 Parent organizations WHPTO and PIE are the glue to schools. When
help is needed for a project or school activity, they are there. They fund
a majority of field trips and assist in making the education students receive come to life. Both organizations provide support during and outside of the school day. WHPTO has provided significant funds to purchase additional technology to ensure every grade level has access to
technology at the elementary schools. Party in the Park is a wonderful
community event held every spring.
You always know when our fan section cheers
Elementary school students visit a local farm where the FFA
leads the instruction for the day.
WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
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TIMES HAVE CHANGED
Last fall, Wisconsin Heights
marked its 50-year anniversary. Consolidation talks in the early late 50s and early
60s culminated with a successful vote to
join the Black Earth and Mazomanie
school districts into one; the first senior
class to graduate from the new Wisconsin
Heights School District was the Class of
1964. The students in that first class actually attended classes in the Black Earth
and Mazomanie buildings while the new
high school, located midway between the
two villages, was being constructed.
Alumni Float the Homecoming Parade marking 50 years as school district
Some of the students in that first class actually worked on the construction site that summer. Wisconsin
Heights was touted as a state-of-the-art facility, with the latest in technology and educational approach. Students at the school were called the “Vanguards”, and the original symbol was a rocket, based on the Vanguard
space propulsion program that kick-started the United States’ fledgling space program. Less than a decade later,
Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. It was an exciting time.
Since that initial consolidation, Wisconsin Heights has undergone five major changes. In Elworthy’s estimation, “These time frames have defined the district.”
1) In the 1970s, after much debate and soul-searching, district voters eventually approved a plan to
drastically remodel the school facilities still located in the villages, each of which housed a K-8 program. Overcrowding was the issue then, as the Greatest Generation’s last kids and the early Baby Boomers’ babies were all
going to school. Another major factor was the dilapidated condition of the old buildings.
Some saw this as an opportunity to make education more efficient by somehow combining grade levels
to avoid staff and facilities duplication, but in the end, the only plan that could gain approval from Black Earth
and Mazomanie loyalists was continuing to have a K-8 program in each village. So that’s what was done.
2) In the mid-90s, by just a nine-vote margin, district voters approved adding a middle school facility
that was joined at the hip to a remodeled high school. Two K-5 programs remained in Black Earth and Mazomanie. This was also in large part a response to overcrowding, but the population projections didn’t anticipate
what was going to commence four years down the line. The middle school and high school wings shared the
cafeteria, as well as gymnasium, art, band and other “special” facilities.
3) The current period of declining enrollment quietly began in 1998. Coincidentally that is the same year
the State of Wisconsin implemented its “Open Enrollment” legislation, which allows families to enroll students
in school districts they don’t live in. Open enrollment is not the sole reason the district has seen its student
numbers fall, but it has been a contributing factor. Over the years, however, the perception by some that bigger
is necessarily better has to some extent given way to the notion that the more intimate environment offered by
a small school district has distinct advantages.
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WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
4) The effects of the decline began to mount as the cost of providing local education increasingly shifted
to local taxpayers, since state aid is distributed on a per-pupil basis. During the 2006 - 2007 school year, the
school board voted to reconfigure the district’s elementary schools, with 4K through second grade students going to Black Earth and third through fifth grade students to Mazomanie. In one sense this was done to address
the fiscal realities brought about by declining enrollment, but it was also done as a means of improving and
standardizing the education the district could provide its students.
5) The fifth chapter in the Heights history has yet to conclude. The first operational referendum approved by the voters was put forth in 2008, and since then local voters have given the district permission to exceed its revenue limit two additional times, in 2010 and 2012.
“We’ve made our financial situation much more stable and predictable,” said Elworthy. “It’s not easy to
ask the community….but I think the engagement with the community has been a regular conversation, people
are aware. On the district’s end, we’re appreciative of the support and we take it very seriously. That’s a very
important responsibility. We have to continue to be good stewards. It’s not a given. The reality is with the funding formula is an equalization funding formula: There are winners and losers. We’re on the end that needs assistance from the community.”
John Donaldson recently retired as the Editor of the News Sickle Arrow after 40 years of employment. John is a
long-time resident of the Wisconsin Heights School District.
The Annual Ecology Class trip makes what students learn in the classroom come alive.
Spring 2015 Operational Referendum Summary
Mark Elworthy
On January 12, 2015, the Board of Education decided to place the following resolution on the April 7, 2015 Spring
Election Ballot:
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGET TO
EXCEED REVENUE LIMIT FOR TWO YEARS FOR NON-RECURRING PURPOSES
Be it resolved by the School Board of the Wisconsin Heights School District, Dane and Iowa counties, Wisconsin,
that the revenues included in the School District budget be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in
Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $1,425,000 for the 2015-2016 school year and by $1,825,000 for the 2016
-2017 school year for non-recurring purposes.
This will be the fourth operational referendum proposed since 2009 to address the decrease in state funding.
Yearly reductions of the District Budget occurred from 2004-2012 totaling $3.973million. All employee groups
were reduced by 40% in size which paralleled the declining enrollment.
Summary of Recent Operating Referendums; all three passed
•2009-10, 2010-11; $575,000, $275,000
•2011-12, 2012-13; $175,000, 675,000
•2013-14, 2014-15; $750,000, $1,150,000
The changes in requested operational referendum dollars is based on changes in state funding that is calculated
with the State of Wisconsin Funding Formula. Future communications from the district will be provided to its
electorate throughout the next couple of months.
Changes in State Aid
Note: Hold Harmless Funding is a result of declining enrollment. The State provides assistance to districts that
experience a reduction of aid by more than 15% in a fiscal year.
WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
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WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
Fund Balance
Mark Elworthy
What is a School District Fund Balance?
When people review the Annual Meeting packet or inquire about the budget, one of the first questions is about
fund balance. The District has a Fund Balance Policy to aid in the development of the budget and its operations.
The Fund Balance consists of Assets (What a district owns) less Liabilities (What a district owes). It is made up of
cash, cash equivalents (i.e. investments), and non-cash components (i.e. taxes receivable, payables).
Fund balance is often confused with cash. However, fund balance is not the equivalent of a person’s savings or
cash accounts. It is not entirely cash that can be used for any purpose. Financial cash reserves (cash and cash
equivalents) are only a portion of fund balance. Policymakers need to focus on the amount of cash reserves that
school districts need to operate.
For district audit purposes, fund balance is measured on June 30th. This one-time, fund balance “snapshot” will
include significant receivables (August tax receivables, grants receivable, and delayed state aid payments). Taxes receivable in August for the prior school year is the largest receivable recorded in the June 30 fund balance.
Why are sufficient cash reserves so important?
A district’s financial cash reserves must be adequate to protect the short-term and long-term educational opportunities for that community’s children against some type of financial disruption.
Insufficient cash reserves will result in the district borrowing to meet cash flow needs. Borrowing will result in
an additional interest expense borne by taxpayers and fewer taxpayer dollars available for needed educational
programming. Appropriate financial reserves will result in higher credit ratings that will lower district borrowing
costs.
Cash reserves are needed for cash flow purposes because:
 Districts receive much of their state aid right before their fiscal year ends as they determine their ending
fund balance on June 30th. Some general aid is paid in July but recorded as part of the June 30 fund balance.
 Districts receive no state general aid in August, October, November and May.
 Property taxes begin flowing to school districts six months after the fiscal year has begun. There is no property tax income for districts in the months of July through December.
 The $897 million in school levy credits and first dollar credits are received by school districts after the fiscal
year is over. These payments for the previous school year are received in August, but are included in the
June 30 fund balance. All of the receivables mentioned above cannot be used to pay any bills or make district payroll.
 Cash reserves provide a way to set money aside for planned and unplanned expenses such as repairs (roof),
maintenance (new heating systems etc.), catastrophic (or near catastrophic) events, or major purchases
(buses, textbooks).
 There is much uncertainty about state and federal funding, as well as the myriad problems posed to school
districts in declining enrollment. For the more than 60 percent of Wisconsin school districts currently in declining enrollment, having sufficient cash reserves allows these districts to better manage the decline.
The establishment of sufficient and stable district cash reserves is considered a prudent business practice and
demonstrates solid financial planning, sound fiscal management and a strong district fiscal position.
Fund Balance con’t
Mark Elworthy
Summary of the Wisconsin Heights School District Fund Balance ending June 30, 2014
Summary
Cash – Money present in the District account on June 30, 2014. Until taxes are received in August, this pays
the summer bills.
Accounts Fund 38 (debt payment in October) and Fund 21(Student Activity Account) – These are dollars that
are not available for use by the district for operational purposes.
Taxes receivable – This money arrives in August and is payment from the previous year’s levy.
State and Local Government - Taxes the respective governmental bodies will pay the district.
Liabilities Owed – Expenditures the District will need to pay but have not occurred yet such as payroll for
the previous fiscal year.
WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
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WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
Fund Balance con’t
Mark Elworthy
Summary of the Wisconsin Heights School District Cash Flow. Noticeable increases were the result of the following:

2013-14 - Settlements with Black Earth Utilities and the Department of Transportation when the District
sold some property for the redesign of the entrance/exit.

2014-15 – The middle/high school roof project was postponed until the fall of 2015.
Please note the settlements with Black Earth Utility and the Department of Transportation were used to fund
roof projects at the middle/high school which will result in a lower cash balance in July 2015.
Five Year Summary of District Cash Positions
1. June 2014 is higher in comparison to most years because the roof project was delayed
2. Months of low cash reserves – November and December with exceptions (highlighted)
3. Months of high cash reserves – August, January, and February, which is when taxes are paid
On January 12, 2015, the Board of Education committed the fund balance to the following projects when funds
are available and in compliance with the Board Fund Balance Policy:
 Mazomanie HVAC Replacement – system has failed
 MS/HS Pavement Replacement – pavement has failed
 MS/HS Windows – the middle school and district office windows have failed
 HS Tech Ed Roof – anticipated failure
 Phone system – safety (upgrade)
 Wireless/IT development
 MS/HS HVAC Controls (upgrade)
 Black Earth Elementary HVAC
Each of the projects will need individual Board of Education consideration in order to formally start the planning
process, funding, and construction. Capital projects are identified based on priority, repair/replacement, return
on investment, educational benefits, and safety.
Elementary News
Dale Green, Principal
We are looking forward to Parent-Teacher Conferences on February 26th-27th. We will be sending a note home
in backpacks with your specific time.
Judy Young, author of seventeen books for children, will be visiting the elementary schools on February 25th.
We are anticipating a wonderful experience with her, telling stories and learning more about the aspects of the
life of an author. The day will include visits to both elementary schools, a teacher session after school and taking
part in our literacy night that evening with students and parents. Specific information about literacy night and
her visit will be coming home in backpacks. Thank you to WHPTO for sponsoring her visit!
A huge thank you to our elementary students, parents and staff for the remarkable turn out we had for this
year’s annual food drive. With your help, we were able to donate around 1,500 food and personal care items to
our local Mazomanie Community Food Pantry. With the delivery of the food we collected, we were able to help
stock the shelves of the food pantry this holiday season. Thank you again for your participation and generosity!
PRE-REGISTRATION TO BE HELD FOR 2015-2016 K4/K5
On February 10th, from 3:30 pm—6:00 pm, the Wisconsin Heights School District will be pre-registering students
for its 2015-2016 K4 and K5 classes. Pre-registration will be held in the Black Earth Elementary School cafeteria.
Parents of children who will be four years old on or before September 1, 2015, are invited to come and enroll
their child in the K4 class, while parents of children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2015,
are invited to enroll their child in the K5 class. (Students who are currently enrolled in the Wisconsin Heights K4
class will be automatically enrolled into the K5 program and do not need to attend this night of pre-registration.)
Pre-registration is an important component in our district budget planning for the coming school year. We base
our initial K4/K5 staffing and class assignments on the number of students who are pre-registered.
Parents are asked to bring to pre-registration verification of their child's birth date (birth certificate) and also
proof of residency (utility bill, phone bill, lease, etc.) Children do not need to attend.
At pre-registration you will receive several forms, one to be completed immediately and others to be completed
before school begins in the fall. Parents of K4 students will also be asked to choose an “Orientation” time.
“Orientation” is a time for you and your child to meet the K4 teachers and to see the classrooms prior to the beginning of the school year. There will also be a short presentation by school staff with an opportunity for questions. K4 Orientation is set for the evening of Thursday, April 23rd.
Please extend this invitation to anyone you know who has recently moved into the Wisconsin Heights School District.
We look forward to seeing you at registration. Please feel free to call the Black Earth Elementary School office at
767-2251 with any questions.
WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
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WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
February Elementary Events:
4th Battle of the Books, Mazo 1:30 pm
5th WHPTO Meeting, 6:30 pm, MZ LMC
10th 2015-2016 K4/K5 Pre-Registration, 3:30 pm—6:00 pm at Black Earth Elementary
11th Early Release, K-5 dismissed at 11:25 am, no K4 classes
2:00 pm Valentine’s Day party! (Cards, crafts & yummy treats for all ages at the Black Earth Library)
24
th
1st Grade Music Program
25th Author Visit – Judy Young
26th Regular School Day, Parent-Teacher Conferences 4:00 pm -8:00 pm
27th No School for Students
Parent-Teacher Conferences 8:00 am—12:00 pm
Wisconsin Heights
Educational Foundation, Inc
Jim Craney
As a charter member of the Wisconsin Heights Educational Foundation (WHEF) Board, I know from experience
the importance and value of scholarships. Over the years, I have solicited scholarship dollars from many civic,
service and fraternal organizations within our communities, and from businesses as well. The response has been gratifying, and the appreciation and
smiles on the recipients’ faces on Scholarship Awards Night in May makes
it all worthwhile.
The cost of higher education has ballooned in recent decades. Seeking a
college degree has become a big ticket item, comparable with buying two
or three cars, or a small house.
Often, household budgets are stressed when students enroll in institutions of higher learning, and student loan
debt can mount up quickly. Funds donated by the community and distributed through the WHEF as scholarships
and awards help graduates with tuition, textbooks, and living expenses.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation for your generous commitment to the
continuing education of Wisconsin Heights Seniors. In today’s economy, every little bit helps.
Middle/High School News
Asta Sepetys, Principal
February already!! We're off to a great start with second semester! Just a reminder as we continue on with the cold weather - we see a number of students,
especially MS students, who go out for recess on a daily basis and wear very
little outerwear to protect themselves from the cold....no coats, no hats, no
gloves, SHORTS! etc. We do expect students to go outside for the short daily
recess - it is a healthy and much needed opportunity for them to breathe some
fresh air and get their circulation systems moving mid-day. You may also want
to take a trip into our office to find your child's lost items in our packed Lost &
Found. We have a number of clothing items from both Middle and High School!
Soon after Parent/Teacher conferences on Feb. 26-27, the items will be taken to
Goodwill, as our office is unable to store them. We will display them during P/T
conferences in hopes of the items finding their way to their rightful owners.
On another note, I want to commend the following students who had perfect attendance for the entire first
semester! They are:
Middle School
Kyle Bartel, Audrey Biemeret, Kassidy Frame, Dylan Gee, Lelia Hasman, Gibson Heathcote, Natalie Hering, Emma King, Tayler Kraemer, Dayne Louis, Kara Loy, Connor Murphy, Aidan Olson, Kristina Prchal-Travis, Christopher Russell, Nicole Sander, Jaden Stampfli, Kaya Teela, Hunter Walz
High School
Chad Boutelle, Tony Caminiti, Eva Gemrich, Jack Harris, Ben Kirchman, Sawyer Mickelson, Haley Myers, Griffin
Parks, Katie Parrell, Jenna Schoenmann, Joshua Schoenmann, William Seston, Jacob Wehler
Congratulations to all!
Excellent attendance and promptness are such important and basic vocational habits that we all need to promote to our children. The habits that students acquire and practice now will be the habits that will transfer into
their adult lives. Our school takes a tough stand on attendance - state statutes outline that five unexcused absences may result in a truancy ticket with stiff $$ penalties, and ten excused absences may result in subsequent
absences requiring medical documentation. I can't imagine that any of us have adult employment that allows
us that much margin for absences. Attendance history is one of the first questions I am asked by employers
during reference checks, inquiring about a student's potential employment. So, kudos to our perfect attendance students - the administration and staff of Wisconsin Heights MS/HS are proud of your achievement.
Please take note of the following events scheduled for February at the Middle-High School:
 Monday, Feb. 2—HS Capitol Conference Forensics met at Luther Prep—4:00 PM
 Wednesday, Feb. 4—MS Battle of the Books
 Feb. 9 –14—Midwinter Week—various student activities, dress up days, and lunch games!!
 Monday, Feb. 9—6:30 PM—MS/HS Mock Solo Ensemble for band/choir students
 Wednesday, Feb. 11—Early Release Schedule, students dismissed at 11:45 AM
 Saturday, Feb. 14—8:30—11:30 PM—HS Midwinter Dance
 Wednesday. Feb. 18—9:00 AM—2:00 PM—FBLA Blood Drive
 Saturday, Feb. 22—all day—MS/HS Solo & Ensemble Music Festival at Cambridge
 Thursday, Feb. 26—regular school day for students + Parent/Teacher Conferences in the evening, 4—8 PM
 Friday, Feb. 27—no school for students—Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:00am—12:00noon
 Saturday, Feb 28—District Solo & Ensemble Festival @ Marshall—all day
WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
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Wisconsin Heights Optimist Quality Student of the Quarter
Clay Caminiti—Optimist Student of the Quarter for Wisconsin Heights Middle School
Lindsey Rettenmund—Optimist Student of the Quarter for Wisconsin Heights High School
WHPTO Update
Heather Schomber
It looks like the quiet winter months will quickly be coming to an end and we are ready for some excitement here
at PTO! Our next BIG event will be Fun Night at Mazomanie Elementary School on
March 6. This event is always busy and the kids have a great time, but remember...these events take many hands to be successful. We will need plenty of volunteers for short shifts to ensure the success of this event. Watch your e-mail and take
home folders for volunteer opportunities to help. Another event is quickly approaching as well - Party in the Park! We have already begun the prep work for this event. If
you are interested in helping us plan, stop by our next meeting, or drop us an e-mail.
We would love to have you!
[email protected]
Hope to see you at our next WHPTO meeting...February 5 @ 6:30 pm, Mazomanie Elementary School.
Notes from the Music Department
Gina Ademino
If you walk into a band or choir rehearsal, you can feel it. If you walk into the cafeteria after school, you can
feel it. Music students are undoubtedly enthusiastic about preparing for District Solo/Ensemble this month.
Drama students are enthusiastic about preparing for next month’s production of “The Sound of Music.” Emerson once said that “nothing GREAT was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” We hope you get a chance to see
and hear the great things that music students are doing at Wisconsin Heights.
Upcoming Events:
*February 2:
Music Boosters Meeting @ 6:30 pm Band Ensemble Room
Final Memphis/New Orleans trip payment due ($280)
*February 3, 12 & 23:
Pep Band dates for HS Band. Call times are 6:45 pm
*February 9:
Mock Solo/Ensemble @ 6:30 pm at Wis Heights (Gr. 7—12 Band/Choir)
*February 13-14:
Select Students will play at the UW Platteville Tri State Honors Band
*February 26-27:
HS Band/Choir Bake Sale at Parent/Teacher Conferences
*February 28:
District Solo/Ensemble Festival at Marshall (Gr. 7-12 Band/Choir)
Looking to donate?
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Drop off your old ink jet cartridges (no toner tubes), cell phones and small electronics in the main office
(MS/HS), or drop boxes at both elementary schools for the Music Boosters.
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We will also take that used band instrument, acoustic guitar, keyboard and music stand off your hands and
put it into the hands of a music student. Contact Gina Ademino, Middle School Director, 767-2586 x3402.
Noteworthy Quote:
“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.” - Maya
Angelou
WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
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WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS
Guidance Department
Kurt Wong, Guidance Counselor
Scholarship Opportunities
Please check the binder in the guidance office for scholarship opportunities and application deadlines. Currently
we have a variety of random scholarships in the binder. The vast majority of local scholarships however won’t be
available to apply for until later in February. I will make a presentation to all seniors in early February explaining the WHEF and Independent scholarships that are run through our school.
College Goal Sunday (financial aid help)
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Get Free, on-site professional assistance filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Talk to financial aid professionals about financial aid resources and how to apply
Get information regarding state-wide student services, admission requirements, and more!
http://www.collegegoalwi.org/
MADISON - two locations
Edgewood College
Wednesday, February 25, 6:00 p.m.
1000 Edgewood College Ave
Main Entrance
Madison, WI 53711
UW-Baraboo
Saturday, February 28, 2:00 p.m.
1006 Connie Rd
Baraboo, WI 53913
Assistance available at all sites:
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Adult/Non-Traditional Student Concerns
FAFSA on the Web
Grants/Scholarships
Loans/Borrowing
One-on-one assistance
Transfer and Continuing Education Students
Important ACT Information
***Due to new state requirements the ACT with writing exam will be given to all juniors in the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Heights will be giving the exam on Tuesday, March 3. There will be no cost for the exam and your
student will automatically be signed up. The results of this test may also be used for college applications. However, students may still sign up for other ACT tests being offered if they wanted to try to improve their scores. If
your student wants to retake the exam there are opportunities outside of the school in April, June, September,
October and December of 2015. You will be charged for these exams.
NEW—FREE ACT and SAT test preparation materials are now available on-line to our students through this website: http://knowhow2gowisconsin.org/. Students should contact Mr. Wong if they have any questions.
Online ACT applications can be done at www.actstudent.org. Test dates and deadlines can also be found there.
WISCONSIN HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT
10173 US Highway 14
Mazomanie, WI 53560
Phone: (608) 767-2595
Fax: (608) 767-3579
Email: [email protected]
“Every Child...Every Class...Every Day”
FEBRUARY ATHLETIC EVENTS
Page 18
Girls’ Basketball
Boys’ Basketball
3—JV/V vs. Belleville 6:00/7:30
3—9/JV/V @ Richland Center 6:00/7:30
6—JV/V @ Marshall 6:00/7:30
5—9/JV/V vs. New Glarus 6:00/7:30
12—JV/V vs. Cambridge 6:00/7:30
10—9/JV/V @ Waterloo 6:00/7:30
17—JV/V @ New Glarus 6:00/7:30
13—9/JV/V vs. Belleville 6:00/7:30
20—JV/V @ Lake Mills 6:00/7:30
19-- 9/JV/V @ Cambridge 6:00/7:30
23—9/JV/V @ Luther Prep 6:00/7:30
26—9/JV/V @ Lodi 6:00/7:30
7/8 Girls Basketball
3—7/8 @ Reedsburg Webb Middle 4:15
5—7/8 vs. Poynette Middle 4:15
Upcoming Athletic Dates
9—7/8 vs. Baraboo 4:15
March 9
12—7/8 vs. Waunakee Middle 4:15
High School Track practice begins.
16—7/8 vs. Deforest Middle 4:15
19—7/8 @ Mount Horeb Middle
March 16
V = Varsity
JV = Junior Varsity
7/8/9 = Indicates Grade
MS = Middle School
BOLD indicates a game played at home
High School Softball practice begins.
March 23
High School Girls Soccer practice and High
School Baseball practice begins.