Twelve students competed at the Visual Arts Classic on February 21st at Northland College in Ashland. Students worked on a long term project for months and brought it with them to the competition. Short term projects were started and finished on site in two and a half hours. Of the 24 projects, 18 took first place honors and the other six took second place. As a team, the students won the Critical Thinking Challenge, Art History Quiz Bowl, and the overall Regional Championship. As Regional Champions, the team will compete in all categories at the state meet on April 17th. 

Upcoming Events

MONDAY:  Boys JV and Varsity Basketball @ Washburn 5:45pm and 7:15pm

TUESDAY:  Girls Basketball vs Barron 5:45pm and 7:15pm

                    Wrestling Team Sectional @ Baldwin-Woodville 6:00pm

THURSDAY:  Boys JV and Varsity Basketball @ Barron 5:45pm and 7:15pm

FRIDAY:  Girls JV and Varsity Basketball @ Cameron 5:45pm and 7:15pm

Band

• Alumni Pep Band Night kicked off the basketball pep band season this year.  The Tiger Pep Band will continue to support the basketball team at several home games in February.
• The pit band for musical started rehearsing before school a few weeks ago to prepare for the 2020 NHS Musical: Spamalot (February 16 & 17).  The NHS Concert Band is preparing music for two upcoming performances.
• On February 26, the NHS Concert Band will perform for a panel of three adjudicators at the annual WSMA Instrumental Music Festival taking place at Northwestern in our auditorium.  For this event, the group will be performing Chant and Jubilo by Francis McBeth, Chasing Sunlight by Cait Nishimura and The Perfect Morning by Darryll Johnson II.  They will add Imaginarium by Randall D. Standridge, as well as a brand new work for band by Ian Deterling, for the NHS Spring Concert on Monday, March 9 (7:30 pm).

You can follow the band on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/northwesternhighschoolband/

Choir

The choir said goodbye to our student teacher, Ms. Olson, at the end of the semester. As our new semester begins, we are working on music for the Spring Concert on Monday, March 9 at 7:30pm. For that concert, we will share the stage with the band, and will perform some music from our large group competition. That competition will take place on the Luostari stage on March 11. The choir performs music from the state’s Class A contest list, the most difficult music category. 

At the end of February, the group will make its annual trip to Chanhassen Dinner Theatres to see The Music Man.

DECA

Your NHS DECA Chapter competed at UW-Stout on January 11th.  We had 36 competitors attend the conference.  From that 36, we had 21 students who medaled.  That’s almost 60% of the chapter who got up on stage!  Moreover, the following students placed in their events:

• Kylie Benesch and Brianna Linderholm: 3rd Place in Travel and Tourism Team Decision Making
• Brooklyn DeGraef: 2nd Place in Restaurant and Food Service Management
• Ryleigh Hill and Jocelyn Luostari: 1st Place in Hospitality Services and Team Decision Making

Moving forward, 10 student representatives will be competing or participating at the State Career Development Conference in March at the Grand Lake Geneva Resort.  Wish them luck!

Forensics

The forensics (speech) season is upon us. We have 27 groups of speakers preparing speeches, reading poetry, or memorizing scripts to perform for speech judges. Our first competition will take place on February 27 at Northwestern. Students perform three times for three different judges in hopes of earning enough points to advance to the next level of competition. We will need some volunteers to help our event run smoothly. :) In addition, the public is invited to come and watch students perform. The rounds will be roughly at 4pm, 5:30pm, and 7pm.

Musical

Even amidst the flu and other ailments, the rehearsals for the 2020 musical, Spamalot, have been intense in January, as the cast and crew gets set for opening night on Feb. 15 and 16. Tickets for the show are now on sale in the high school office!

National Honor Society

The National Honor Society just wrapped up the 4th annual Dodgeball event to raise money for a local organization.  This year the National Honor Society chose to support CASDA (Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse).  The dodgeball tournament raised over $200 that will be donated to CASDA.

Next up is volunteering for the Birkie in February.  A group of National Honor Society members will be going to Hayward to volunteer at the Bib Pick Up station at the American Birkebeiner.  

Solo & Ensemble (music)

Students in the band and choir are getting ready for solo and ensemble competition that will take place in March in Ashland. Several soloists and small groups have gotten music to rehearse on their own, and they will then perform for judges at the competition.

Tiger STRONG. Tiger PROUD.
RESPECT. RESPONSIBILITY. READY.

Our NMS Mission

Northwestern Middle School is an organization that exists to serve the developmental needs of early adolescents. Our mission is to promote success for all students through a solid academic, exploratory and extra-curricular program that encourages the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and creative growth of our students in a safe environment while empowering them to become socially responsible citizens and lifelong learners.

NMS Students Receives Regional Recognition

The “Middle School Essay Contest”, proudly sponsored by the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, winners have been announced. The winners, runners- up and honorable mentions were chosen from scores of entries from around the region.

The contest was open to all Middle School students from The Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Northeastern Minnesota and Northwestern Wisconsin. This year the Center asked that students consider this quote by Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson at the opening of the trials at Nuremberg for accused Nazi war criminals. Students were asked: What do you think he meant by the “grave responsibility” of Justice? What does justice mean to you and why is it so important that justice be done in our world today?

There were 163 essays from nine schools in the region in the Sixth Grade Division and DANIEL HARWOOD
from NMS was one of the winners! A huge thank you to Mrs. Navarro for encouraging and guiding her
students through that local project.

And Even More NMS Contest Winners

• Congrats to RILEY EBERHARDT for winning the district Spelling Bee! Riley has been invited to compete at the 2020 Regional Spelling Bee on February 5th at CESA #12 in Ashland.
• Congrats to Owen Nielcen (first place), Maria Wiita (second), and Francesca Germano (third) in the GeoBee!
• Congrats to Teegan Metz, for becoming a WORLD Champion in the Eagle River Derby World Championship Races!

NMS Gratitude To:

• Our NMS FACT members who worked on the new Vape Cloud bulletin board outside the gym. The bulletin board is designed to be interactive so check out the facts about the dangers of vaping.
• Mr. Hintzman and Mrs. Knoll for taking care of important logistical details that made the District Spelling Bee a success.

NMS Shout Outs To:

• Morgan Martens, who  participated in the John Beargrease Sled Dog Race!

Additional NMS Info for Families:

• We want to give a warm welcome to Michaela Ruhman, a Northwestern graduate who went on to UWS to study education and returns home to join the NMS team as a teacher this month We are thrilled to have her and excited for our students and staff.
• Middle school wrestling begins on Thursday, February 13th at 3:30 in the multipurpose room. Middle school wrestling is open to all middle school students. Registration is done on the high school website. Families create an account and upload a current athletic physical to the site. The team practices after school from 3:30 to 5:30 every day except Wednesdays. The district provides busing to and from all conference meets.
  • Coach: Jeff Olson/Contact Information: 715-364-2218 ext 1410 or jolson@nw-tigers.org

NMS FEBRUARY ACTIVITIES/REMINDERS

• February 4
  • NMS Forensics Level I Meet at Superior Middle School 4:00 P.M.
• February 5
  • CESA #12 Regional Spelling Bee (Ashland, WI)
• February 11
  • NMS Volleyball Game
• February 13
  • Middle School Wrestling Begins at 3:30 in the NMS multipurpose room.
• February 14 
  • NMS to NHS to watch a dress rehearsal of the 2020 musical, Spamalot School Edition
  • NMS Volleyball Game
• February 18
  • NMS Do It Yourself (DIY) Club
    • Must have signed permission slip on file and be signed up in the office.
• February 19
  • NMS Parent Teacher Conferences, 4:00-7:30 p.m.
• February 20
  • NMS Parents Group Meeting, 3:30-4:00 p.m., NMS Library
    • Contact Becky Landwehr, landwehr@live.com
    • Can't make it due to schedules or other obligations?
    • No worries!
    • Just DIAL in: 712-775-7031 (ENTER MEETING ID 555-984-859)
• February 20
  • NMS Volleyball Game
• February 21
  • NMS EXPERIENCE DAY
• February 25
  • NMS Volleyball Game
• February 28
  • NMS Volleyball Game

The School District of Maple recently released a promotional video - CHECK IT OUT BY CLICKING HERE: https://youtu.be/65Bvpx22W4Y

Tiger STRONG. Tiger PROUD.
RESPECT. RESPONSIBILITY. READY.

NMS Mission Reminder

Northwestern Middle School is an organization that exists to serve the developmental needs of early adolescents. Our mission is to promote success for all students through a solid academic, exploratory and extra-curricular program that encourages the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and creative growth of our students in a safe environment while empowering them to become socially responsible citizens and lifelong learners.

School District of Maple Ranked HIGH in the State of Wisconsin for Academic Excellence

Did you know that the School District of Maple is ranked 28th out of 419 districts in the state of Wisconsin? Check out this article that was sent to us from the Milwaukee area: https://patch.com/wisconsin/milwaukee/2019-school-report-cards-all-419-wisconsin-districts-ranked

Musical Excellence

To all of our NMS Choir and Band Students...Wow, just wow. The auditorium was packed and they rocked it. Our students took the word “excellence” and put it right up there on the stage and showed the whole place PRECISELY what Tiger Excellence looks like. Way to go! And a special shout out to Mr. Goodlet, Mr. Hintzman, and Ms. Olson for leading in the incredible way you do. Tiger Pride, Tiger Proud.

NMS Teacher Becomes Nationally Board Certified

Congrats to Mr. Mike Ketola, NMS Social Studies 7 and 8 teacher, who has just become Nationally Board Certified. This is quite the professional feat, taking over two years to complete. Now Mr. Ketola is part of the 3% of all educators in the United States to accomplish this achievement.

NMS Gratitude To:

● All of our staff members who helped dig each other out of the parking lot during our snowy days here at NMS! #TEAMWORK!
● NMS Door Decorating Winners!! Non Advisory Winners…..3rd place The Library, 2nd place Room 63 (6th grade wing), and in 1st place Room 77 (down by the Spanish room)! Advisory 3rd place Mrs. Teal’s, 2nd place Ms. Schuster, and in 1st place Mr. Gustafson!!!! Congrats to all of the participants and thank you for making our school look AMAZING!

Additional NMS Info for Families:

• Youth Wrestling Club is now happening. Wrestling Club is for any students in grades K-8. The practices will be Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7-8 pm.
• Congrats to our NMS Boys Basketball Team who finished up their season. They will be played on campus in the sold out, standing room only (haha!) NMS Stadium for all to watch on Friday. It was AWESOME!
• 7th and 8th grade Volleyball sign-ups in the office. Start signing up on-line and getting your physical up to date. If you have questions see Mr. Lawton.
• Our FACT Team has been meeting during lunches and doing great work here at NMS. Contact Mrs. Kaufman with questions.
• Choir Members: Don’t forget to turn in your CONCERT REPORTS to Mr. Goodlet!
• On Friday we closed out the DECADE with our annual Winter Activity extravaganza! Ask your child what he/she/they did for this fun tradition here at NMS!
• Progress Reports go home on Friday...Check Skyward for missing assignments.
• NMS Forensics Club sign ups are happening. Forensics provides students a fun opportunity to improve their oral communication skills. It’s a great way to get involved in an after school activity. Contact Mrs. Honkanen or Mr. Ward with questions.
• The Geography Bee Competition will take place at 9:30am on January 17th. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Ward. Qualifying students were announced today. Ask your child if he/she/they were one of them!
• Remember...NO SCHOOL December 23-January 1. Stay safe and warm!

NMS JANUARY ACTIVITIES/REMINDERS

• 1 No School
• 6 NMS Forensics Team Practice Starts 3:20 p.m.
• 9 NMS Quarter 2 Dance, 3:20-5:45 p.m.
• 13 8th Grade Orientation Meeting for Families, 6:00 p.m., NHS Auditorium
• 14 NWMA MS All-Conference Band (5:00 pm concert at NHS)
• 16 NMS Parents Group Meeting, 3:30-4:00 p.m., NMS Library 
  • Contact Becky Landwehr, landwehr@live.com
  • Can't make it due to schedules or other obligations?
  • No worries!
  • Just DIAL in: 712-775-7031 (ENTER MEETING ID 555-984-859)
• 21 NMS Do It Yourself (DIY) Club
  • Must have signed permission slip on file and be signed up in the office.
• 23 End of Second Quarter - CHECK SKYWARD for missing assignments.
• 24 NO SCHOOL - Teacher Inservice

Band & Color Guard

The band & color guard put their marching uniforms back on for the KBJR Christmas City of the North Parade on Friday, November 22.  The annual event kicked off in downtown Duluth at 6:30 pm.

In December, the band will have several performances.  On Saturday, December 7, the Jazz Band will perform at the annual Java Jive Concert.  Please note, this year’s concert is at 10:30 am and will be held in the NHS Cafeteria.  On Monday, December 16, the NHS Concert Band will join the NMS bands on the Winter Band Concert.  The concert will be at 7:30 PM and will take place in the Patricia Luostari Theatre for the Performing Arts at NHS.

You can follow the band on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/northwesternhighschoolband/

Choir

The concert choir is preparing for their winter concert that will take place on Monday, December 9 at the Patricia Luostari Theatre for the Performing Arts. As part of their tradition, orders are now being taken through December 5. Please consider supporting the choir with a poinsettia purchase while at the same time taking the time to honor, thank, or memorialize a loved one. Please email mgoodlet@nw-tigers.org to receive an order form. 

Drama

The Night of One Acts was held on November 14 and was a great success! Students performed two shows, The Blue Mailbox, and the contest play You Can’t Take It with You for a very appreciative audience. On Saturday, November 23, the company performed You Can’t Take It with You for a panel of state judges in Milwaukee.

The judges were extremely impressed by the professionalism of the production, and presented the team with the following awards at the state level: Outstanding Acting: Ariel Rutten, Lily Cain, Josh Olson; Outstanding Ensemble; and, the highest award possible, Critics Choice

Congratulations, team! Now...on to musical!

Show Choir

The NHS show choir, Tiger Beat, performed a show of Latin American music at the annual Washburn Show Choir Extravaganza on Saturday, November 16. The extravaganza included show choirs from Drummond, Ashland, and Washburn as well. It was a non-competitive, supportive concert with schools supporting schools.

Student Council

The Northwestern High School Student Council will be hosting the annual Toy Drive for KIN (kids in need). Students and families who are able are asked to bring unopened, unwrapped gifts or monetary donations and they will be donated to KIN for children in the district. We are accepting gifts until December 18th. 
 

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
School District of Maple
District Conference Room at Northwestern High School
Room 2270 (Entrance E)
Monday, November 11, 2019 – 5:00 p.m.
    
This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District’s business and is not to be considered a public community meeting.  There is a time for public participation during the meeting as indicated in the agenda.  
    

AGENDA

1. Call to order, roll call, and Pledge of Allegiance. 
2. Report on how the public was notified. 
3. Approval of the November 11, 2019 agenda.
4. Consent Agenda:  
   1. October 14, 2019 board meeting minutes, open and executive sessions.
   2. Treasurer’s Report.
   3. Payment of Invoices. 
   4. Resignation(s)/Employment.
5. Report on Allergy/Anaphylaxis – K. Clemmer and H. Miller 
6. Approval Items:   
   1. Mr. Goodlet, One Act Plays assistant coach, is requesting approval for an overnight state competition at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse on November 21-23, 2019.
   2. Mr. Nyhus, FFA Advisor is requesting permission for six (6) students to attend the 212/360 Leadership Conference in Wisconsin Dells November 15-16, 2019.  
   3. Mr. Kaufman, Head Wrestling Coach, is requesting to attend three overnight tournaments:  1) Ellsworth, WI Invitational on December 6-7, 2019, 2) the Wisconsin Dells Duals on December 13-14, 2019, and the Northern Badger Invitational on December 27-28, 2019 in River Falls, WI.
   4. Mr. Eberhardt, Head Girls Basketball Coach, is requesting to attend the overnight Menomonie Holiday Tournament in Menomonie, WI on December 27-28, 2019.  
   5. Mr. Lawton and the Northwestern Middle School Student Council request to hold Experience Day on February 21, 2020.
   6. Support Staff Policy #4140 – Termination (Revision)
   7. Final Budget and Certification of the 2019-20 Tax Levy 
7. Administrative reports:
   1. Communications Received
   2. School Board Election Notice and Schedule
   3. Maintenance Update
   4. 99th State Education Convention – January 22-24, 2020
   5. Donation(s)
   6. WASB correspondence and legislative report  
   7. CESA #12 Report 
   8. Reports from Northwestern High School, Northwestern Middle School, Northwestern Elementary/Iron River Elementary Schools, Athletic Director/Activities Coordinator, Director of Special Education, and Student Board Representatives.
   9. Student, staff, and community recognition:
8. Comments from the audience.
9. Consideration to move to an executive session pursuant to an executive session necessary for items exempted under open session according to Wisconsin State Statutes §19.85 (1)(c) and (f).  Included under these items are a discussion on post-employment compensation proposals and an expulsion hearing.   
10. Adjournment. 
     

The Golf Coaches Association of Wisconsin (GCAW) is pleased to announce that Claire Jarman  of Northwestern High School is an Academic All-State honoree for the recently concluded 2019 girls’ golf season, receiving a designation of High Honors.  In addition, McKenzie Tuura is also an Academic All-State honoree receiving a designation of Honors.  
 

Congratulations to the Northwestern Girls Golf team as they won the Heart of the North Conference Championship. Senior Kiernan Smith was the medalist at the conference golf tournament shooting a score of 80. This is the third consecutive championship for the team!!