May 9, 2021
"We're all in this together. We make each other strong!
Being there for each other, is where we all belong!"



Dear Southern Door Community,

I used the above quote one year ago when we thought we were facing the most challenging time as a school. Little did we know that a year later, we would have embraced and rose above challenges never before imagined and done so. Unlike some other districts, we have been in school face-to-face since the beginning of the school year, have had our co-curricular activities happening, and continue to see our students experience success.
 
As parents and as a community, you told us you wanted your children back in school, and we have done that. The ability of doing so was because you as our community, even with diverse opinions about many of the issues, came together for the common good, and did whatever was asked - safety and health wise - to ensure the safest learning environment possible for our students and staff. Our weekly dashboard continues to be a testament that what we have in place here at school is working for us right now.
 
As conditions change, we have altered our processes and procedures. One of the greatest joys we witnessed this past week was the return of choral and instrumental music in a live concert – an experience we had not had here at Southern Door for 550 days. With all the best practices put in place by our music staff, we were able to invite in limited guests to witness the joy of once again hearing the music created by our talented musicians. This was something we could not do earlier this school year.
 
With only 15 days of school left, we plan to be consistent, and keep much of what has made us successful in place, so that we can finish out our school year with students participating in the traditional end-of-year activities that they could not do last spring at this time - the spring athletics, special programs, and of course, an in-person graduation.
 
We can all readily admit that the end of the pandemic cannot come too soon, but while it still affects our community, we have a responsibility to continue to follow the consult we receive from our healthcare professionals. There is no doubt that many of the current restrictions will be replaced, relaxed, or eliminated for next fall, pending the outcome of the pandemic's status in our community. Those decisions will be part of the summer planning done by administration and the school board, just as they worked to develop our Fly Like An Eagle plan when we reopened school last fall.
 
Even though the challenges of providing an education during a pandemic was not easy, and at times inconvenient, it was our working together as students, staff, families, and community that kept us in school this year, and celebrating all the things about us that make us Eagle Proud and Eagle Strong. 

Yours in Education,
Patti
Patricia Vickman, Superintendent
IN THIS ISSUE
*Borderlands Book Published
*Votes Needed for Artwork
*Forensics Team Excels at State
*District Receives Fab Lab Grant
*School Lunch Heroes
*Volunteers Needed for School Yard Garden
*National Honor Society Inductees
*Convocation Plaza Brick Sale Opens

Community Events: Big Brothers Big Sisters Day at the Ballgame; B.U.G. Fire Dept. Fundraiser; Gardner & SD Recycling Day; Belgian Days Run/Walk
SDHS Publishes “BORDERLANDS: A JOURNAL OF LITERACY & VISUAL ARTS

Over 50 high school students, showcasing works of nonfiction, fiction, poetry and visual arts including woods, photography, and many other mediums comprise the first edition of SDHS Borderlands: A Journal of Literary & Visual Arts. 

The interdisciplinary project, showcasing student work, was overseen by Mr. John McCaulley, art teacher and Ms. Jamie Teska, ELA teacher, along with the assistance of Mr. Joe Knaapen, associate. The book is available on Amazon for $31.99 + costs. Proceeds will go towards a scholarship.
IMPORTANT DATES
NotePlease closely monitor the school calendar and sign up for rschooltoday updates so you are made aware of cancellations and postponements, especially now with the ever changing times.
7p each day - Graduating Senior Spotlights on SD Facebook page

Sunday, May 9
Happy Mother's Day to ALL Moms️, Moms to Be, Grandmothers, Step-Moms, Foster Moms, and “Been Like a Mom to me” Moms! We honor and love you all ! Have a lovely day!

Monday, May 10
--Softball tourney @ Mishicot; --Golf @ Vernon Hills
--6:30 SD Athletic Booster Club meeting
--6:30p Board of Education meeting

Tuesday, May 11
--Baseball & Softball vs Kewaunee
--Track & Field @ Algoma
--7p Grades 5-6 Spring Music Concert

Wednesday, May 12
National School Nurses Day -wear scrubs
or dress like a healthcare worker
--6:30p FFA Awards & Parent Night

Thursday, May 13
--MS Track & Field here; Softball vs Oconto;
--Golf @ Peninsula

Friday, May 14
--Baseball vs Oconto

Saturday, May 15
--Baseball @ Winneconne --Track & Field @ LIttle Chute

Sunday, May 16
--Big Brothers Big Sisters Fundraiser at the Kohlberg & Maplewood Ball games
ATTENTION SOUTHERN DOOR COMMUNITY – YOUR VOTES ARE NEEDED!
We would like to invite all family, friends, teachers and mentors to join the virtual celebration - and to vote on the Viewer's Choice Awards.  One of our students, Jackson Krueger, had his artwork, “Covid Run Away” nominated for the Youth Visual Arts Category.
Here is the link to vote on Jackson's Drawing. A person voting needs to cast a vote for ALL Youth and Adult categories to complete a full ballot. This event recognizing and honoring the winning artists and artwork will be on May 15th at 1:00 pm in an online virtual celebration. 
FORENSIC TEAM EXCELS AT STATE
 Congratulations to our SDHS Forensics Team where every entry earned a medal. 
GOLD MEDALISTS: Hayley Leroy in original works – poetry; Dalena Pakalske in storytelling – Frankenstein; and Suhani Patel, Kaylee Griep, Anna Staudenmaier, Brooke Strege, and Bethany Paye in group interpretative reading - “Women Regarding Politics." 
SILVER MEDALISTS: Amanda Austin, Laura Zittlow, Emily Baermann, Beyounce Hernandez and Kori Larsen-Ploeger in Group Interpretive Reading; Stephany Massart in Prose; & Hailey Kroening in Farrago
BRONZE MEDALISTS: Dale Swanson, Michael Nessinger, Zachery Rhoades, and Hailey Kroening in Playacting; Lillian Bongle in Prose; & Brynn Erickson in Farrago.
The team is coached by Mrs. Teska and her assistant, Mrs. Williamson. Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments of these students! 
FAB LAB GRANT RECEIVED
Southern Door is one of 28 schools in the state to receive $25,000 to expand the equipment in the elementary and middle school fab labs.

WEDC’s Fab Labs Grant Program is designed to support hands-on learning in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) by assisting public school districts with equipment purchases such as 3D printers, laser engravers, computer numerical control routers and plasma cutters for instructional and educational purposes.
 
This is the fourth Fab Lab grant the district has received since 2017 from WEDC. The district appreciates their continued support, which has helped to bring the engineering and design process now to all of our elementary, middle, and high school students. The additional equipment provided by this grant will enhance the hands-on, project-based learning opportunities of our PreK-12 STEAM curriculum as students develop their 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. 
NHS Induction Ceremony at Southern Door High School
Congratulations to these twenty-two students who were inducted into the National Honor Society on May 5, 2021: Lane Aleson; Amanda Austin; Madisyn Bauduin; Allianna Dufek; Erin Griep; Greta Gutschow; Beyounce Hernandez; Chloe Lustila; Hunter Malvitz; Victoria Marchant; Callie Miller; Michael Nessinger; Jacob Norton; Bethany Paye; Jacob Pierre; Drew Rass; Taylor Renard; Brooke Strege; Lakota Swett; Sanya Wienke; Laura Zittlow; & Matthew Zittlow.

Members were selected by a faculty council for meeting high standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character. The National Honor Society ranks as one of the oldest and most prestigious national organizations for high school students.  Chapter sponsors are Melissa Schley and Brandon Wautier .
PLAZA BRICK SALE - DEADLINE JUNE 15
Convocation Plaza, located outside the lobby to the Southern Door Community Auditorium, provides an opportunity for community residents, past and present students and/or their families and area businesses and organizations the chance to commemorate friends, a favorite staff member, family or special milestones and achievements while reaffirming their passion and commitment to the Southern Door Community Auditorium and Schools. Leave your legacy by purchasing an engraved brick - available in either 4" x 8" or 8" x 8" sizes. Numerous affordable design options are available! Learn more by clicking on this link.
BELGIAN DAYS RUN/WALK
SATURDAY, JULY 10, 2021- 8:00 AM
The 2021 Belgian Day Run will be held on Saturday, July 10th. There will be a youth dash, a 2-mile run/walk and a 4-mile run. All proceeds go to the Brussels-Union EMRs, Inc. used to purchase medical equipment and provide continuing education. Click on this link to access a registration form. Early registration deadline is June 20, 2021.