NJSD Connection: May 18, 2012

A Communication for NJSD Staff Prepared by

Mary Pfeiffer, District Administrator

 

NJSD Strategic Focus

1)      Foster a Sense of Belonging for All

2)      Acquire 21st Century Skills

3)      Relentlessly Pursue Improvement

 

District Administrator's Message

Think of the pursuit of your dream as being like a major athletic event. Train for it. As you prepare and “exercise,” you will get stronger – mentally, emotionally, and physically. To successfully achieve your dream, you need to keep improving. The best way to do that is to…

 

• Keep your body fit

• Keep your heart flexible

• Keep your mind open

• Keep your comfort zone expanding

 

John C. Maxwell (2000)

 

In this edition of the NJSD Connection, you will witness many things happening in our District as our students and staff “exercise.”  The opportunities our staff and students engage in is remarkable. On a personal note, we experienced a loss in our District this past week. Mr. Jim Tietje, former special education teacher, was someone who always had an open mind and heart. He was genuine in every way and embodied the essence of being committed to students. I am thankful that I had an opportunity to know and work with Jim for five years.

 

Wishing you a sunny weekend filled with fun!

 

Death of a Former Colleague

Former special education teacher, Jim Tietje, passed away at Theda Clark Medical Center on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Mr. Tietje began teaching in August of 1974 at the former Gillingham School and moved to Neenah High School in 1987. Jim retired from teaching in the Neenah Joint School District in 2006. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Jim Tietje. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 19, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Neenah. The complete obituary may be accessed here.

 

Spring Road Celebrates Their New Playground Equipment

This past Friday, friends and family members were invited to a popcorn and hot dog picnic celebration of the grand opening of Spring Road School's new playground equipment. The Spring Road PTO has been working very hard over the past two years to raise money for this huge project. A big thank you to all of the community support through donations, fundraising, and the installation. New equipment includes parallel bars, bank of swings, tether ball, and play structure.

 

Spring Instrumental Music Concerts

Beginning instrumental students at Hoover and Spring Road celebrated their budding musical skills and talents at their spring instrumental music concert on May 8 and May 10 under the direction of Heather Shebesta.

 

Spring Road School Gets "Fit"

In an effort to promote a healthier lifestyle, relieve stress, and bond together, teachers at Spring Road School participated in an on-site yoga class, organized by fourth grade teacher April Keepers. The vinyasa flow class, taught by yoga instructor Rachel Marx, was offered free of charge as a teachers' appreciation "gift" from the Align Fit Yoga Studio of downtown Neenah. Participating teachers stretched together, laughed together, and thoroughly enjoyed the relaxation and stress relieving techniques, as well as the promotion of fitness and body sculpting. 

 

Musical Talents at Spring Road

The week of May 7, students from Spring Road had the opportunity to share with classmates their talents in general music class. There were singers; instrumentalists from piano, drums, guitar, music maker harps, bag pipes, harmonica, recorders, orchestral strings, band instruments, and boomwhackers; dancers; skits and comedy. The Spring Road Runners have many talents.

 

The Spring Road second graders concluded their musical journey of Peter and the Wolf with a puppet show in their general music class. The students "acted"/retold the story line with the music while identifying the characters with the instruments played. It was fun.

 

Shattuck Students Win Top Honors in Literary and Illustrator Competition

Four students from Shattuck Middle School won top honors in their grade in the Mary Jo Nettesheim Literary and Illustrator Competition. The three seventh graders are students in Mrs. Mulholland’s and Mrs. Landry’s classes and the eighth grader is a student in Mrs. Swartzell’s and Mrs. Young’s class. They received their awards on May 9 at Spring Road School in Neenah. The students’ entries were chosen among over 200 entries from Wisconsin. In seventh grade, first place was awarded to Ramona White; second place, Ashlynn Numrich; and third place, Bradley Gumtow. In eighth grade, first place was awarded to Laura Setton; she also won first place for her illustrations. In addition, Laura won the Omicron Chapter Delta Kappa Gamma Sigma trophy for state.

 

Volcanos Galore!

Third graders at Tullar Elementary School were treated to a real life example of volcanoes this week. Teacher Amy Schumacher decided that in addition to the book knowledge students receive about them, she would build an actual model, allowing chemicals to display what happens when a volcano erupts. As is evidenced by student faces, this learning experiment hit home! Thanks, Mrs. Schumacher, for making learning hands-on and fun in your classroom!