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UPCOMING EVENTS
For a complete calendar listing, please visit us here:

BHS Winter
Band and Choir Concerts
Date: December 16
Time: 1:30 p.m. (Freshman Band and Symphony Band); 3 p.m. (Treble Choir and Chamber Choir); 4:30 p.m. (Concert Choir and T-Bird Band)

Baraboo Acts: Serve2Unite
Date: December 17
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Place: Al Ringling Theatre
Notes: This is the first event in th Baraboo Acts series. This event is free and open to the public.

Thunderbird Day of Peace
Date: December 18
Time: All day
Place: Baraboo High School
Note: This event is not open to the public or press

BHS Self-Guided
Holiday Tour
Date: December 21
Time: 6 p.m.
Place: Baraboo High School
Note: If you haven't seen the newly renovated Baraboo High School, here's your chance!

Winter Break - No School
Date: Dec. 24 - Jan. 1

Youth Mental Health First Aid Training
Date: February 21, 2019
Time: 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Place: Baraboo High School
Note: Preregistration required. Contact  Cathy Hlavacek to register or for more information.

Elementary Winter
P/T Conferences
Date: March 13 / March 14
Time: 1:30-4 p.m. / 4-7 p.m.

Second Annual
Food for Kidz Event
Date: March 30
Place: Baraboo High School gym

No School
Date: January 25

Spring Break - No School
Date: April 15 - 19

Memorial Day - No School
Date: May 27

Last Day of School
Date: June 6
Note: This will be a full day of school

Food for Kidz
Date: March 30

COMMUNITY LINKS

The mission of Hope House is to prevent abuse and provide support to victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Toll-free 24-Hour Confidential Helpline:
1-800-584-6790
Street Address:
720 Ash Street
Baraboo, WI 53913
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8:00AM to 4:30PM

The Baraboo Public Library offers a safe and welcoming environment, providing area residents and visitors with confidential access to cutting edge, high quality resources.    

Riptide is a summer swim program for ages 5 to 18. Registration is open for the spring stroke clinic and summer season.

Online registration now open. Ages 6-18. Certified, trained coaches. Spring and Fall seasons. Email BarabooSoccerClub@gmail.
com with questions.

Ages 9 and older. For more information, contact Ginger Clark at   608 963-8127.

Baraboo School District E-Newsletter
December 13, 2018
First Baraboo Acts Event Scheduled for Dec.17
Baraboo Acts: Serve2Unite
Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, 7:30 p.m.
Al Ringling Theatre,  136 4th Ave, Baraboo, WI 53913
This event is free and open to the public.

Baraboo Acts: Serve2Unite

After an image surfaced on social media that caused great hurt in our community and around the world in November 2018, Baraboo community leaders collaboratively began planning a series of programs to discuss ways for our community to heal, learn and grow together with a message of unity, tolerance, love and learning. The first program, Baraboo Gathers , was held Nov. 19 at Baraboo High School, followed by Baraboo Talks , on Nov. 29 at Baraboo City Hall.

Based on the community's priorities identified during Baraboo Talks, we have recognized concrete areas for action and improvement in our community and prioritized these ideas in the development of a Community Action Plan, which will consist of short-range and long-range plans for our community to address such topics as equity, inclusivity, safety, deeper learning and restorative justice.

Please join us for the first event in the Baraboo Acts series, Baraboo Acts: Serve2Unite, at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 17 at the Al Ringling Theatre, 136 4th Ave, Baraboo, WI 53913 . "The Gift of Our Wounds" author Pardeep Singh Kaleka , a Sikh who lost his father Satwant Singh Kaleka in the August 5th, 2012 Sikh Temple of Wisconsin shooting, and "My Life After Hate" author Arno Michaelis , a former white supremacist who helped start a gang in the late 1980s that produced the August 5th shooter, share a message of forgiveness and compassion while addressing a host of social issues, including violence, racism, sexism, homophobia, religious intolerance, Holocaust remembrance and genocide prevention.

The first steps in the Community Action Plan will also be presented during this program.

The Baraboo Acts Series is brought to you by leaders of the Baraboo Community in collaboration with Serve2Unite and We Are Many - United Against Hate. For more information, contact Holly Henderson, Communications Specialist for the School District of Baraboo at hhenderson@barabooschools.net .

For a printable version of this invitation, please click here.
Para ver esta carta en español, por favor haga clic aquí.

*** Please note that the Baraboo School District will have a Thunderbird Day of Peace on Dec. 18, with Pardeep Kaleka and Arno Michaelis serving as the Keynote speakers, and presentations on such topics as the History of Anti-Semitism, Social Media Literacy, Civil Rights, Diversity and Restorative Justice. The Thunderbird Day of Peace at Baraboo High School will be closed to the public and press.

FBLA & FFA Stock BHS Food Closet
Hunger does not discriminate. In public schools across Wisconsin, one in every six students may not know where their next meal comes from. Though they are being fed in the school setting, many of these students are still going home where there is nothing to eat, and some students don't know where to go in order to get help with their hunger.

On December 17, 2018, we will be unveiling the Baraboo High School Food Closet -- providing a safe and discreet way for students to gather basic food items for a meal. Students then take items home and share with their families. The Baraboo FBLA and FFA chapters have teamed up to start this new community service activity. The Chapters will be working together, along with local businesses to keep the shelves stocked continuously. Together we are working to better the lives' of students struggling with poverty.

This giving season, the Baraboo FBLA students at the High School have been eager to help the community through our annual food drive. Due to the positive feedback we have received, it was decided to not only help our community outside of school, but within our school as well. In the Baraboo School District we have over 50% of our students on the free and reduced lunch plan.  We knew many of our students were hungry in their own homes. It is for these students that we are asking for donations to help stock the shelves--not only now but over the rest of the school year. Currently, we have built up a collection of canned food items, along with items such as toothpaste and hand lotions. These are everyday items for some of us, but for others hold a lot of value.  

As a school district and a community we are looking for items that would a be quick meal for kids to be able to take home, such as Ramen noodles, mac and cheese, granola bars, tuna helper, peanut butter, jelly, spaghetti sauce, and pastas, to name a few, as well as some other personal hygiene essentials.  If you can help, please drop off items to the main office.

Pool Punch Cards - Buy Two Get One FREE!

NF Students Compete with Catapults
Fourth grade students at North Freedom Elementary School recently took part in a "Catapult Engineering Project." Students were given limited time to design and build a working catapult that would be used in competition against fellow classmates.  

BHS Students Put Christopher Columbus on Trial
Help kickoff the Baraboo hockey season by repping an authentic Baraboo hockey jersey.  The Baraboo High School Store will now be selling boy's hockey jerseys for $40 for a limited time.  The store is located in the Baraboo High School lobby, and is open from 7:15 am - 10:35 am & 1:50 p.m. - 3:15 pm.

Proceeds will go towards supporting the Baraboo Blue Line Club. The BLC helps make everything happen for both the youth and the high school boy's team whether its equipment, travel, food, or ice. 

When you buy a jersey, you will also get an exclusive ticket into the home Baraboo vs Deforest game for free on Tuesday, December 18th. Come support the Blue Line Club and get a jersey while you can! 

For more information, please contact BHS teacher Greg Manson at gmanson@barabooschools.net.

BHS Students Put Christopher Columbus on Trial
During the final week of November, Baraboo High School students in Mr. Blasing's and Mrs. Crammond's World History classes worked on a mock trial simulation in their Americas unit. The students took sides as prosecution and defense for the the accused, Christopher Columbus. The students researched evidence and studied primary and secondary source documents revolving around Columbus's three journeys to the "new world." 

To wrap up the simulation, the classes participated in the mock trial with the help of the Honorable Alan White, retired. Judge White served more than 35 years in law with over 10 years as a circuit court judge in Columbia County. Judge White helped students get a better understanding of trial proceedings while also sharing his experiences as a lawyer and judge. 

A huge thank you goes out to Judge White for sharing his time with our World History classes as well as our civics classes during his two days at BHS.

JYMS Girls Basketball Meeting
There will be an informational meeting for girls who would like to play Grades 7 & 8 Basketball at Jack Young Middle School. 

The meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the JYMS Auditorium. Parents should register their child for the sport on the Parent Portal prior to the meeting, or arrive by 5 p.m. to register that night. Private school and homeschool students living in the Baraboo school district boundaries are welcome to participate in JYMS Athletics. The season begins on January 2. 

Please e-mail  jlangkamp@barabooschools.net if you have any questions.

JYMS Students Gain Perspective on Book Through In-Class Speakers
The 6th grade students at Jack Young Middle School are currently reading "The War That Saved My Life," a historical fiction book set in London in 1931. The main character, Ada, was born with a club foot that was never treated. Ada's mother, ashamed of Ada's birth defect, banished her to her bedroom while neglecting her basic needs, including her education.

On Monday, December 10th, 6th graders at Jack Young Middle School had the wonderful opportunity to hear community members, Ed and Casey Kothbauer, speak about their experiences with club foot. Both Ed and Casey had corrective surgery as infants with little to no limitations throughout their lives. Students were enamored with their stories, including the many professional athletes who were also born with club foot; including LeRoy Butler, Charles Woodson, Troy Aikman, Kristi Yamaguchi, Mia Hamm, and Freddy Sanchez to name a few.

ABE Teams Up with Boys and Girls Club of Baraboo
Al Behrman Elementary School and Boys and Girls Club of Baraboo teamed up to provide a FREE Family Spaghetti Dinner to all ABE students and their families on Thursday, December 8th. The meal included spaghetti, salad, bread and lemonade, and what meal would be complete without Culver's custard for Dessert?!

Library Hosts Winter Break Events
The Baraboo School District enjoys a partnership with the Baraboo Public Library. Please see the following events hosted by the library during winter break.

5th Graders Investigate the Insides of Invasive Fish
Mrs. Shafer's 5th graders at North Freedom Elementary have been trying to solve a mystery about population changes in the Great Lakes. Their investigations brought them to the topic of invasive species, so they spent an afternoon dissecting a lake perch and sea lamprey to study their internal organs. Using surgical scissors, a scalpel, and other dissecting tools, students were able to discover many similarities and differences between these two species.

We're Hiring!
The Baraboo School District is seeking candidates for long-term substitute custodian and daily substitute custodian positions for the 2018-19 school year. 

The long-term position will be full-time, 40 hours a week, Monday - Friday from  2:30 pm to 11:00 pm for the duration of the appointment, with the option of staying on as a regular substitute custodian once the appointment ends. Applications for these positions can be found online at www.baraboo.k12.wi.us/district/jobs.cfm . Applications can also be picked up and submitted to: District's Maintenance Shop;  1210 Berkley Blvd;  Baraboo, WI  53913

Questions should be directed to Dan O'Brien, Director of Buildings and Grounds at 608-355-3985.

BHS Named to College Board's AP District Honor Roll
The Baraboo School District is one of only 373 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored by the College Board with placement on the 9th Annual AP ® District Honor Roll.  

To be included on the 9th Annual Honor Roll, the Baraboo School District ha d to, since 2016, increase the number of students participating in AP (Advanced Placement) while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP Exam scores of 3 or higher. Reaching these goals shows that this district is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for AP.

"Our teachers have worked hard to increase Advanced Placement offerings at BHS and to encourage students to challenge themselves. As a result, we are seeing more and more of our students taking advantage of these offerings which helps to improve their college admission chances, better prepares them for college, and so much more," said Baraboo High School Principal Glenn Bildsten.
 
Dr. Nick Karls, District Director of Teaching and Learning, said, "This distinction is a recognition of the highly trained and passionate educators at Baraboo High School who have been continually focused on increasing educational opportunities and outcomes for all students."

National data from 2018 show that among American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students with a high degree of readiness for AP, only about half are participating. The first step to getting more of these students to participate is to give them access. Courses must be made available, gatekeeping must stop, and doors must be equitably opened. The Baraboo School District is committed to expanding the availability of AP courses among prepared and motivated students of all backgrounds.

"Success in Advanced Placement is a combination of students' own motivation and the opportunities educators provide for them," said Trevor Packer, senior vice president of AP and Instruction at the College Board. "I'm inspired by the teachers and administrators in this district who have worked to clear a path for more students of all backgrounds to earn college credit during high school."
  
Helping more students learn at a higher level and earn higher AP scores is an objective of all members of the AP community, from AP teachers to district and school administrators to college professors. Many districts are experimenting with initiatives and strategies to see how they can expand access and improve student performance at the same time.

In 2018, more than 4,000 colleges and universities around the world received AP scores for college credit, advanced placement, or both, and/or consideration in the admissions process. Inclusion in the 9th Annual AP District Honor Roll is based on a review of three years of AP data, from 2016 to 2018, looking across 38 AP Exams, including world language and culture. The following criteria were used.

Districts must:
·       Increase participation/access to AP by at least 4% in large districts, at least 6% in medium districts, and at least 11% in small districts;
  • Increased or maintained the percentage of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students taking exams and increased or maintained the percentage of American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander students scoring 3+ on at least one AP Exam; and
  • Improve or maintain performance levels when comparing the 2018 percentage of students scoring a 3 or higher to the 2016 percentage, unless the district has already attained a performance level at which more than 70% of its AP students earn a 3 or higher.
When these outcomes have been achieved among an AP student population in which 30% or more are underrepresented minority students (American Indian/Alaska Native, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander) and/or 30% or more are low - income students (students who qualify for free or reduced - price lunch), a symbol has been affixed to the district name to highlight this work.

Sauk County Long Term Recovery Funds Available
Jeffrey Jelinek
Sauk County, WI
Emergency Management Director
510 Broadway St.
Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913
Phone (608) 355-4410
Fax: (608) 355-3299
    E-Mail: jjelinek@co.sauk.wi.us

The water from the 2018 floods are long gone, but many residents are still experiencing difficulties related to the remnants of the flood. Long-term recovery funds are available due to the cooperation of the Greater Sauk Community Foundation and the generosity of many public and private donations. Thank you to those who have donated to the Sauk County Disaster Relief Fund.
 
This program is separate from the FEMA and SBA programs. The Sauk County Long Term Recovery Committee has funds and materials available for victims of the August flood. The fund is used to meet the unmet needs of Sauk County residents. These funds are only available for a limited time and cannot be used for business recovery.
 
Long Term Recovery funds can be used to pay for cleaning supplies, storage, counseling services, and small home repairs to name just a few. It is important that residents contact Sauk County Emergency Management at 608-355-3200 to register for the program.
 
You can still donate to flood recovery by making a check payable to the "Sauk County Disaster Relief Fund" and sending it to;
 
Greater Sauk Community Foundation
P.O. Box 544
Baraboo, WI 53913
 
Donations are tax deductible.
Attendance Matters: Every Student. Every Day. Every Grade.
It's that time of year, Thunderbirds: COLD & FLU SEASON!

With winter comes stuffy noses, runny noses, coughs and sore throats, aches and pains, fatigue and more. Sometimes it's hard to decide if you should send your student to school or keep them home to recover.

Our students learn important skills in class each and every day, and missing one day of school can set them behind. So when considering if today is a sick day or a school day, take a look at these  Sick Day VS. School Day guidelines.

Avoid pre-planned absences whenever possible. Scheduling doctor and dentist appointments outside of school hours will minimize the time your student is absent from school and help prevent a disruption in their learning.

The school can also be an excellent resource 
on deciding if your student should attend  school or stay home. If you have further questions, call your student's school!

If your student is too sick to attend school, please call or email your school's administrative assistant to let them know your student will not be attending. Your student can be excused by a parent or guardian up to 10 days per school year. Provide a professional note any time your student visits the doctor, as these absences are excused differently and do not count towards that 10-day total. Professional notes need to be provided within 3 days.

Click here for the Attendance Matters Infographic.
News from the Baraboo Indoor Pool
Registration for the Baraboo Indoor Pool's Parent-Tot Spring Sessions starts begins on Monday, Jan. 7, 2019. Fee is $35 for residents of the Baraboo School District and $55 for non-residents. Click here for more information, dates and times.

Registration for Winter Swimming Lessons is now open! The fee is $40 for residents of the Baraboo School District and $65 for non residents. Click here for more information, dates and times.

2019 Pool Passes are available and make a great holiday gift for that person who has everything!  Give the gift of health.  Great stocking stuffers! Click here for pool fees.

The Baraboo Indoor Pool is open during winter break. Click here to see the December Pool Calendar.
Help Keep Our Students Safe: Become A Crossing Guard
The Village of West Baraboo is currently hiring for crossing-guard positions. Applicants must be 18 years of age. Compensation is $10.00 per shift ($20 per day). If interested, please contact the Village of West Baraboo at 500 Cedar Street, West Baraboo, Wisconsin or call 608-356-2516.
Click Here to be directed to the Village of West Baraboo's Website

School Perceptions Survey Results Are In

Get Trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid
Baraboo School District Offers Volunteer Training
The Baraboo School District continues to welcome volunteers within each of our schools. 

Thank you to our many school volunteers and community partners for all of the ways in which you support and impact each of our Baraboo schools.

For more information on volunteering in our District, please click here.
#BarabooProud
Dear Members of the Baraboo Community,

We want you to know that we are dedicated to all students.

We are committed to upholding a community that values differences of identities, beliefs and perspectives. We are proud to support students, families and staff of different races, faiths, national origins, immigration status, political viewpoints, abilities, sexual orientation and gender identity. Every student and family is a valued member of our community. We continue to be dedicated to supporting the maximum growth of each student, enabling each to succeed in and contribute positively to a continuously evolving world.

Ultimately, we believe that diversity and inclusion makes us stronger as a school community.

Sincerely,

The Baraboo School District 
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