Jack Young Middle School Newsletter
Baraboo School District Newsletter
 
Calendar of Events
Food Service
Indoor Pool
Connect With Us

What is a middle schooler,
I was asked one day.
I knew what he was...
but what should I say?

He is noise and confusion.
He is silence that is deep.
He is sunshine and laughter,
or a cloud that will weep.

He is swift as an arrow.
He is a waster of time.
He wants to be rich,
but cannot save a dime.

He is rude and nasty.
He is polite as can be.
He wants parental guidance,
but fights to be free.

He is aggressive and bossy.
He is timid and shy.
He knows all the answers,
but still will ask "why"?

He is awkward and clumsy.
He is graceful and poised.
He is ever changing,
but do not be annoyed.

What is a middle schooler,
I was asked one day.
He is the future unfolding.
Do not stand in his way.

||Author Unknown||



JYMS News
February 5, 2016
 It is an honor to serve the Baraboo community as the Principal of Jack Young Middle School. I have worked in the Baraboo School District since 1993 and I am proud to call Baraboo home.

It is both my personal and professional goal to provide each and every student in the Baraboo School District with a safe and challenging academic environment. Our most precious resource is our children and we must continuously work to provide them with the highest quality education possible. 

Jack Young Middle School is committed to providing every student with opportunities to learn at a level of challenge uniquely appropriate for them. We offer a wide variety of learning opportunities, led by highly qualified teachers. 

I am married to Lynn Gunnell, who is currently the Choir Director at Baraboo High School. We have three children in the Baraboo School District, including two current middle school students. 

I love Jack Young Middle School and my goal is to create a middle school that kids love too.

John Gunnell- Principal
JYMS January T-Bird of the Month
                      
                                            6th Grade
                         
                                                
           
          Payton                                                 Brady
                                        7th Grade
                                       
                                                    
                 
                   Ethan                                               Kahlysta
                                                                                 
                                             8th Grade

                                              
                
                 Trinity                                                   Alec      
UPCOMING EVENTS 



Saturday, February 27th - WSMA District Solo Ensemble Festival

March 1st- Author Visit (Ann Bausum)    
     
March 14th- Pi Day/Math Night 

March 14th-March 18-Spring Fling Week 
      
March 21st to March 25th- Spring Break 

March 30th (1:30-5:00 PM)- Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 31st (4:00-7:30 PM)- Parent-Teacher Conferences

April 1st- End of Third Quarter
   
                                  
   
     7th and 8th grade Girl's Basketball Schedule


Monday, Feb. 1st:      4:15 at Sauk Prairie Middle School 
Thursday, Feb. 4th:    4:15 vs Portage at home
Monday, Feb. 8th:      4:15 at Reedsburg  
                                                7th grade:  South Elementary                                                                                 8th Grade: Webb Middle School
Thursday, Feb. 11:      4:15 at Beaver Dam Middle School
Tuesday, Feb. 16th:    4:15 vs Waunakee at home
Thursday, Feb. 18th:   4:15 at Verona-Badger Ridge Middle School
Monday, Feb. 22:        4:15 vs DeForest at home
Tuesday, Feb. 23:        4:15 vs Poynette at home 


Spelling Bee Results!
The District Spelling Bee, grades 5-8, took place on Thursday, January 14  in the JYMS auditorium.    We've never had a  Spelling   Bee  that has made it through 19 rounds! It was an impressive demonstration of  spelling  skill. 
1st Place - Kyra H (Grade 8) 
2nd Place - Lara J (Grade 8) 
Alternate - Eva H (Grade 6) - eliminated in round 11

Kyra and Lara will advance to the regional  Spelling  Bee in Portage on  February 2. In the event one of them cannot attend, Eva will take her place.  Congratulations to all 3!

A little information meant to impress:  

Kyra spelled correctly: vituperative, sakura, vainglorious, ecclesiastical, pachyderm, joule, jai alai, nonage, portico

Lara spelled correctly: deciduous, desertification, interlocutor, susurration, auriferous, insouciance, de rigueur, leitmotif, cheongsam

Maggie Schumacher
Reading Specialist
From the Social Studies World
National History Day is an exciting academic enrichment program that helps  students in 6th through 12th grade learn about historical issues, ideas, people, and events. This yearlong academic adventure, sponsored and coordinated by the Wisconsin Historical Society, fosters students' enthusiasm for learning and their love for history.
Working individually or collaboratively in groups of two to five, students produce historical documentaries, exhibits, dramatic performances, and research papers based on an  annual theme.
Below is a summary of the program from the WHS website:

NHD School Competition - On January 22,  24 8th grade students participated with 15 community members volunteering their time as judges.    Some of the topics students are researching this year include Elizabeth Blackwell, Dachau and Auschwitz Concentration Camps, Ellis Island, The Gold Rush, The 1936 Olympics, Amelia Earhart, and The Pony Express.  The students will be competing in the NHD regional competition on  Feb. 27th in Madison. Top three in each category will go on to state, which is held in Madison in April.   Good luck to all!
        
Geography Bee                            
O ur annual school-wide Geography Bee, sponsored by the National Geographic Society, was recently held.  The following students were the 10 finalists: 
Alec S          Emily B
Justin R       Solveig A
Molly S         Brennan G
Calvin P       Natalie R
Jordan F      Bella S

After some intense rounds of questions, Alec was declared the winner for a second year in a row; Justin was the runner-up.  Great job everyone!  Alec will now be taking a test to qualify for the state competition.  Good luck to Alec!  
Audacious Muse News
The AUDACIOUS MUSE literary magazine is accepting submissions.
 DON'T MISS OUT! Get PUBLISHED!
 Entries due by  April 15th

          SUBMIT works in each genre --       
          Poetry, Fiction,  Memoir, Cartoon,
          Graphic Story/Poetry, & Artwork

Check our website for examples, details, submission guidelines, and tips: 


 
Forensics is underway!

 

Forensics is off to an incredible start! This year we have over 30 students preparing their performances for our upcoming meets.  Students will compete in 3 meets in the Madison area on January 30th February 6th  and February 13th.  Some students are working on an individual reading of prose, poetry, farrago, storytelling, radio broadcasting or solo acting.  Other students will be acting out original skits or reading prepared readers theater! Mrs. Garcia and Mrs. McCulloch are so impressed with the talent and encourage others to consider joining next year.
Chromebook Corner
Please remind your student to charge their chromebooks each day. The batteries will function better and have a longer life span if they are not allowed to totally run down.

It is imperative that the Chromebooks stay in their cases at all times to prevent damage.


Feel free to contact Mrs. Adams at [email protected]  if you have any questions about your student's chromebook.


                                          

Notes from the Library

Recently I've rediscovered the joy of listening to audiobooks. I've listened to audiobooks in the past, but I often chose not to experience books this way because using earbuds isn't my favorite thing to do. When my family got a new car last May, technology allowed me to sync my phone with my automobile's entertainment system. With the availability of audiobooks through Overdrive (through both our school and the public library), they were a viable choice again! I now find myself listening to and from work each day and really enjoying the drive time.
Some have expressed concerns about readers of middle school and high school age experiencing books in this way. There is plenty of research and anecdotal evidence about the merits of listening to books for older readers. Click here for an excellent annotated bibliography about the benefits of audiobooks for young people. Some of the benefits that stand out to me are the fact that listeners get the experience of hearing a professional reader, books that may be too difficult for the reader to decode and comprehend in printed form alone are suddenly an option, and listening to books is just plain fun and can help build positive attitudes about reading.
I encourage you and your child to give audiobooks a try. There are lots of great titles available in our Overdrive library. JYMS students can listen directly through their Chromebooks, making it very convenient. Happy listening!


Mrs Steiner
 
 


From Mrs. Kowalke's desk in Student Services
 
 A gentle reminder to middle school parents:


D ear Mom and Dad, 
    
If you really love me, then please...
     
Don't spoil me
.  I know that I should not have all that I ask for; I am only testing you.
     
Don't be afraid to be firm with me
.  I prefer it.  It makes me feel more secure.
     
Don't let me form bad habits
.  I have to rely on you to detect them in the early  stages.
     
Don't make me feel smaller than I am
.  It only makes me behave stupidly "big".
     
Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it.
 I'll be much more receptive if you talk quietly with me in private.
     
Don't always protect me from consequences.
 Sometimes I need to learn the hard way.
     
Don't nag
.  If you do, I will protect myself by ignoring you.
     
Don't make rash promises.
 Remember that I feel let down when promises are 
 broken. 
     
Don't forget that I cannot always explain myself as well and I would like.
My answers can't always satisfy you.
     
Don't be inconsistent.
That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.
     
Don't put me off when I ask questions.
 If you do, you will find that I stop  asking and seek information elsewhere.
     
Don't tell me my fears are silly.
They are terribly real to me, and you can  reassure me if you try to understand.
     
Don't suggest that you are perfect or infallible.
 Its too great a shock when I  discover you are neither.
     
Don't forget I love exploring.
 I couldn't learn without it, so please put up with  it.
     
Don't forget how quickly I am growing up.
It must be very difficult for you to  remember that, but please try.
     
Don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of understanding and love, but I     don't  need to tell you that, do I?
                                                                           
Love, 
Your Child


                                   6th Grade Teachers



It has been a great first  and second quarters with our sixth graders. They have shown tremendous growth as they have transitioned into the middle school. We are looking forward to the rest of the school year! 

 

6th Grade Level Team

Mathematics:              Language Arts:     
- Mrs. Bauer                          - Mr. Ashbeck
- Mr. Gile                               - Ms. Nelson
- Mrs. Lohr                            - Mrs. Sabaka
- Ms. Dzanic                          - Mrs. Zick


Social Studies:            Science:
- Mr. Ashbeck                        - Mrs. Krucas
- Mrs. Mathers                       - Mrs. McDonald

Click link below for 6th grade newsletter
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WBb99IHr3GbgXohp1ITcAWfrI0k6H6qPt7DyN-bSO6M/edit?ts=562f9220
                                      7th Grade Teachers
 
It is with great pleasure and excitement that we welcome you to Jack Young Middle School, the Home of the Thunderbirds! We are excited to be working with the class of 2021 and look forward to a great year ahead!


 
Mathematics:                                     Social Studies:
-Ms. Dzanic                                           -Mr.Considine
-Mrs. Kish-Rosciszewski
-Mr. Beall (7-8)


Language Arts:                                   Science:
-Mr. Frisch                                              -Ms. Krucas
-Mrs. Larson                                           -Mrs. Halverson
-Mrs. Mjelde

Click on link below for 7th grade newsletter:

                                       8th Grade Teachers
 
 
Our ultimate goal at JYMS is to ensure that our students succeed in all facets of life.  Your involvement is a key piece to helping us accomplish this goal.  We realize the need for an open line of communication between ourselves and you as the parent/guardian of your student. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns.  Please use the Infinite Campus Portal to check your student's grades and talk to your student about their grades. The more we are on the same page the better chance your student has of reaching their full potential. In the end that is what we all want. Thank you for all that you do for our students!



Mathematics:                                           Social Studies:
-Mr. Bauer                                                -Mrs. Garcia
-Mr. Beall                                                 - Mr. Jones
-Mr. Brickl
-Mrs. Grogan
-Ms. Roth


Language Arts:                                         Science
-Mrs. Ehlert                                               -Mr. Phillips
-Mrs. McCulloch                                        -Mr. Witthun
-Ms.  Nelson

Click link below for the 3rd quarter 8th grade newsletter:

    Things to Know           
       
Snow Days: When school is cancelled or delayed due to severe weather conditions, parent/guardians will receive a "auto dialer message" announcing school and announcements will be made on the following radio stations: 

WPDQ ­­ 740 A.M. 
WRDB ­­ 104.9 FM AND 1400 AM 
WMLI ­­ 96.7 FM 
WZEE ­­ 104 FM 
WNNO ­­ 106.9 FM AND 900 AM 
WTSO ­­ 1070 AM 
WPDR ­­ 100 FM AND 1350 AM 
WOLX ­­ 94.9 AM 
WIBA ­­ 101.5 FM AND 1310 AM 


Check local TV stations as well. Please do not call the school, as the phones may be needed for emergency purposes. Please have a plan in place for your students in the event school is cancelled during the school day. Thank you!

Hurry Up Spring!!