The Mosinee School District is pleased to announce the Teachers of the Year for the 2013-14 school year.

Bobbi Jo Olson has been a teacher at the elementary school for the past ten years. Bobbi Jo grew up in Watertown, South Dakota the youngest of six children, all of whom attended college and earned teaching degrees. She attended the University of Sioux Falls, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where she earned a bachelor of arts in education degree with an emphasis in reading instruc-

tion pre-K to grade eight. Since graduating from college, Bobbi Jo has attended workshops on brain based learning, improv-ing reading and writing skills, hands-on math, and technology implementation. She believes students need to be engaged in their learning for learning to occur. Bobbi Jo’s husband Chris, also teaches at the elementary school. Chris and Bobbi Jo have three children; Isabelle, Dakota, and Sophia Sally Jo. The fourth member of their family is a black cocker spaniel named Jonah. As a young child, Bobbi Jo played school with her stuffed animals and dolls. Her parents provided her with a chalkboard and pointer stick which kept her teaching for hours. While in high school, she worked as an elementary tutor, in addition to a variety of organizations that involved working with young students. According to Bobbi Jo, “Children are so inspiring and their enthusiasm for life and learning is one of the best adventures to be around, there is never a dull moment, or a day that is the same.”

The middle school staff has selected Nancy Reuter as their Teacher of the Year. Nancy has worked in the Mosinee District for the past sixteen years and grew up in Minocqua, Wisconsin attending Lake-land Union High School. She went to the University of Stevens Point and earned a bachelor of science degree in Exceptional Education and an associ-ate degree in Educational Interpreting

for the Deaf. Nancy earned a master’s in education through Viterbo. She went into education because her father advised her to figure out what you love to do and find someone to pay you to do it. She feels helping struggling students learn fits

MOSINEE LINKA link between the district and its citizens.

Volume 29, Number 4February, 2014The

The Mosinee Link - page 1

Mosinee Selects 2013-14 Teachers of the Yearthat definition to a tee. Nancy had teachers who made learning fun, even when it was hard, and she wanted to be one of those people. Nancy is married to Jason Reuter, a Mosinee native, and they have two children who attend school in Mosinee through open enrollment, Victoria (12) and Nicholas (8). For the past 22 years Nancy has co-directed Timbertop Nature Camp for Children with Learning Disabilities. In addition to her work with the camp, Nancy has taught summer school in Mosinee, and has co-directed the middle school Drama Club since 1999.

Amanda Hoppe has taught in Mosinee for eight years and is the Mosinee High School selection for Teacher of the Year. She grew up in Oconto, Wisconsin where she at-tended Oconto Senior High School. Her family consists of her parents Mike and Chris Hoppe, two brothers, two nephews, two nieces, and her dog Ella. Amanda received an associate degree from UW-Marinette and a bachelors

and masters degree from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and is certified to teach social studies, government, his-tory, psychology and sociology. She chose education as her profession because she loved the energy of the school environ-ment. Amanda feels that growth and change is constant and the organized, yet chaotic nature of life in a high school is an ideal fit for her. Working in education gives Amanda the precious opportunity to positively impact the academic and personal growth of students and athletes. She enjoys working with, and learning from students in the classroom, athletic competition, and in the summer school program. Amanda commented, “I am deeply honored and thankful for this award. I am grateful for the enthusiasm of my students, the collaborative efforts of my amazing colleagues, the devoted support staff, and the sup-portive administration at Mosinee High School.”

Teacher of the Year selection is based on leadership skills, community involvement, development, implementation of cur-riculum, and the recipient's growth as a professional. Nominees also must have taught in the Mosinee School District for at least three years.

The Mosinee School District is fortunate to have many outstanding teachers and staff -- the 2013-14 Teachers of the Year are no exception. Congratulations to each of these fine educators. v

The Mosinee Link - page 2

MHS Band Performs at Liberty Bowl

The MHS band and color guard traveled to Memphis, TN to perform in the Liberty Bowl parade and halftime show with ten other bands (above) on December 30 and 31. The group finished fourth out of seven in its class for parade performance and received the Spirit Award presented by the event staff, music staff, and adjudicators.

Empowered Dream Hunts Presentation

Zavier Danyo (far left, center) accepts a $200 check from Joe and Joey Ramsey of Empowered Dream Hunts, Inc. (EDH) on behalf of the Mosinee Special Education program. Joining the presentation are the classes of Mr. Leitz and Mrs. Skutak. The funds will be used for classroom resources and future class trips. EDH provides opportunities for those with disabilities to participate in activities such as hunting with the assistance of others. Special thanks to the local businesses who made donations to this fundraising event.

FFA Competes at National Convention

Mosinee FFA members (l to r) Advisor Gary Wirkus, Shelby Herring, Leah Hilgart, Tanner Johnson, Julie Kijak, Marissa Nechuta, Taylor Polka, and Hazel Schira were awarded a Bronze emblem for their portfolio based the results of their presentation on a contemporary agricultural issue. The Career Development Event was held in conjunction with the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY.

MMS Sponsors Food Drive

Continuing with the popular movie theme from the "Hunger Games," MMS was "Catching Fire" with their annual food drive. The event netted over 2,533 pounds of food which was donated to community food pantries. Pictured above is Mr. McCarthy's sixth grade TA, who topped all other "districts" by bringing in over 280 pounds of food. Special thanks to all who did their part to end hunger . . . and may the odds be ever in your favor!

by Dr. Ann Schultz, Superintendent of SchoolsGreat schools begin with great

teachers. Great teachers set high goals for their students and walk the journey of learning new content and building upon their skills alongside of our chil-dren. They perpetually look for ways to improve their effectiveness as a teacher. Great teachers courageously measure their effectiveness and ask for feedback

from their students and their families. Great teachers are reflec-tive and evaluate what they do. They look closely at their student learning data and they ask themselves, “Am I doing all that I can to do to reach every child?” Our superstars in the classrooms avidly reach out to students and families and engage them both in the process of learning. They have a clear and precise laser focus in the classroom and the time they have with our children is a sacred time that is packed with rich experiences. Everything that great teachers do from exhaustive and purposeful planning for every minute of instruction to the meaningful relationships that they create and nurture with our children contributes to our children’s learning experiences. Great teachers make a sig-nificant difference in our community. Great teachers surrender excuses and relentlessly set high goals for our students to meet. Mosinee Schools are filled with great teachers! This month we proudly celebrate and congratulate our teachers of the year; Bobbi Jo Olson, Nancy Reuter and Amanda Hoppe. Please join me in honoring the rest of our great teachers by sending an email, a letter, or a text to those teachers who make a difference in the lives of our children every day! v

Great Schools Begin with Great Teachers

Open Enrollment Dates - Feb. 3 - Apr. 30The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has

announced the dates for public school Open Enrollment for the 2014-15 school year. If you would like your child to attend a different public school next year, you must apply to the school district of choice between February 3 and April 30, 2014. Late applications will not be accepted. Parents may apply in one of two ways: online at http://sms.dpi.wi.gv/sms psctoc or via paper application obtained from the DPI. For more informa-tion contact: DPI, P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707; toll free at 888-245-2732; email at: openenrollment@dpi.wi.gov; or visit their website at: http://sms.dpi.wi.gov/sms psctoc. v

4K Registration Begins February 3Mosinee 4K (four-year-old kindergarten) registration begins

February 3, 2014 for the 2014-15 school year. Children who are four years old on/before September 1, 2014 are eligible to regis-ter. Registration packets are available from Mosinee Elementary School or at one of the 4K sites. For more information about the program and the local community sites, please visit the district website at www.mosineeschools.org and search 4K. Or call Terese Baier, 4-K Coordinator, at 715-845-2947, Ext. 310. v

Eighth Grade Parent Orientation - Feb. 17Mosinee High School will hold its annual Eighth Grade

Parent Orientation Night on Monday, February 17. Parents may choose either the 5:00-6:00 or 6:30-7:30 session held in the high school study hall, Room 613. Please use Entrance 4 across from the football stadium to enter. The sessions will acquaint parents with the Course Planning and Career Guide, high school policies and procedures, graduation requirements, and a typical freshman schedule. Inclement weather date: February 20. v

Mosinee Board of Education Notes At the January 20, 2014 regular Board of Education meet-ing, the Board approved the following:• minutes from the December 17 Board of Education meeting • December voucher list and treasurer's report• first reading of newly revised School Board Policy 345.6 -

Graduation Requirements• one-time shirt allowance for custodians with a common design• True Time software from Skyward• increase in Summer Custodial pay rate to $7.50/hour• increase in Substitute Teacher pay rate to $100.00/day• contract from 2014-2016 with Krause Howard for auditing

services• purchase orders for 60 Chromebooks and a cartIn other business, the Board: • heard reports on WASB, CESA 9, student issues/events, from

Officer Wehn, Police Liaison on his tasks and schedule since becoming full-time with the district, and Ron Mueller, MS principal and Davonne Eldredge, ES principal gave Power-Point presentations on the 2013-14 Learning Objectives for their buildings

• discussed staff recognition, Teacher Match, and the Great Northern Conference bus rate comparison. Updates were given on the Title I Reading teacher temporary hire, explor-ing the hiring of a cleaning contractor, and the Financial Consultant and Architect

• discussed the superintendent's evaluation and personnel issues in Closed/Executive session

• accepted an $18,000 check from PTO for student enrichment • future board agenda items: Volunteerism in the Schools

The next regular meeting will be Tuesday, February 18, 2014, at 7:00 pm in the District Educational Service Center conference room. The public is invited to attend. v

The Mosinee Link - page 3

District Shorts . . . PTO CornerAt its January meeting the PTO:

• approved a donation of $18,000 to the Mosinee School District to be used for student enrichment

• approved three $250 scholarships for graduating seniors• drew the January winners of the PTO Support the Classroom

program: Andrea Lewens, Jenny Bruening, Lori Hodgson, Tiffany Tanck, and Desta Krueger

• announced the 4K-3 Sock Hop will be April 11, 2014The next PTO meeting is Monday, February 10, 2014 at

6:00 pm, in Room C124 of the elementary school. Free babysitting is provided. v

Second Grade Concert DonationsMosinee Elementary School second graders were able to

make a food, clothing, and $237.42 donation to the local food pantry/thrift store - Hope's Closet, thanks to the generosity of the family and friends who attended their holiday concert. Sincere thanks to all who contributed! v

MMS Students Travel to Grand TheaterMosinee Middle School seventh graders attended the Grand

Theater presentation of "A Christmas Carol." In preparation for the trip students read the classic story and after returning they performed the play version. Special thanks to the Mosinee PTO for providing transportation to this event. v

FCCLA Provides Hats, Mittens, GlovesMosinee High School students in FCCLA (Family, Career,

and Community Leaders of America), along with students in the Design Principles class, brought in used wool sweaters and transformed them into beautiful fleece-lined wool mittens as part of their Helping Hands mitten community service project. Students donated 50 pairs of mittens to the middle and high school student services departments, with the remaining pairs sold and the proceeds used to purchase hats, mittens, and gloves for the elementary school. v

Student Senate Hosts Blood DriveThe Mosinee High School Student Senate hosts a blood

drive for the Blood Center of Wisconsin. BCW personnel netted 51 units of whole blood from 54 donors. The donation has the potential of saving 153 lives and will benefit local hospitals. v

MOSINEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 10 PTO Meeting - ES Rm. C124 6:00 pm 14 Teacher Inservice - NO SCHOOL MOSINEE MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 7th Gr. Girls BB - Shawano Trn. (A) TBA 8th Gr. Girls BB - Shawano Trn. (A) TBA 4 7th Gr. Girls BB - Antigo (H) 4:00 8th Gr. Girls BB - Antigo (A) 4:00 6 7th Gr. Girls BB - Ben Franklin (A) 5:15 8th Gr. Girls BB - Ben Franklin (A) 5:15 13 7th Gr. Girls BB - Wisc. Rapids (A) 4:00 8th Gr. Girls BB - Wisc. Rapids (H) 4:00 14 Teacher Inservice - NO SCHOOL 17 8th Gr. Parent Orientation Night Meeting Sessions at: 5:00 or 6:00 in HS Rm. 613 Inclement Weather Date: Feb. 20 18 7th Gr. Girls BB - Horace Mann (H) 4:00 8th Gr. Girls BB - Horace Mann (A) 4:00 20 7th Gr. Girls BB - John Muir (A) 4:00 8th Gr. Girls BB - John Muir (H) 4:00 22 Solo-Ensemble - Everest (A) All Day MOSINEE HIGH SCHOOL 1 Gymnastics - Antigo Inv. (A) 11:00 Girls Hockey - Green Bay East (A) 4:00 4 Gymnastics - Lakeland (A) 5:45 Girls Hockey - Onalaska (A) 6:00 Boys Hockey - Waupaca (H) 7:00 Boys BB - Weyauwega-Fremont (H) 7:30 6 Boys Hockey - Rhinelander (H) 7:00 7 Girls BB - Rhinelander (H) 7:30 Boys BB - Rhinelander (A) 7:30 11 Gymnastics - Chequamegon (A) 5:45 Boys Hockey - Tomahawk (A) 7:00 Girls BB - Antigo (H) 7:30 Boys BB - Antigo (A) 7:30 13 Boys Hockey - Antigo (A) 7:00 14 Teacher Inservice - NO SCHOOL Girls Hockey - Fond du Lac (H) 7:00 Girls BB - Lakeland (H) 7:30 15 Wrestling - Regionals - Nekoosa (A) TBA 18 Boys Hockey - Regionals (A) TBA Girls BB - Green Bay Preble (H) 7:30

The Mosinee Link - page 4

Mosinee School District591 West State Highway 153Mosinee, Wisconsin 54455www.mosineeschools.org

Non-Profit OrganizationU.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 19Mosinee, Wisconsin 54455

LOCAL POSTAL PATRONECRWSS

""The Mosinee Link" is pub-lished monthly to promote communication and coopera-tion between district residents and the schools.Link CoordinatorCindy Olson

Editorial Board Kim FandreyLori HodgsonDana Kamke Ann Kedrowski Kathy Klingenberg

ReportersAdministrators, Staff, & StudentsAddress comments and inquires to:Superintendent of SchoolsMosinee School District591 W. State Highway 153Mosinee, WI 54455 715-693-2530

The Mosinee School District shall not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, handicap or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law in the educational programs or activities which it operates or in employment practices. All inquiries or complaints regarding discrimination under Title II, Title IX, Section 504 or other state or federal law shall be directed to Cheryl Polster, Director of Instructional Programs, Mosinee School District, 591 West Highway 153, Mosinee, WI 54455 at 715-693-2530.

Diane KlingerRon KlinnerAnn SchultzHeather SkutakTricia Splinter

February Calendar of Events

20 Girls Hockey - Regionals (A) TBA Boys Hockey - Regionals (A) TBA 21 Girls BB - Northland Pines (A) 7:30 Boys BB - Northland Pines (H) 7:30 Wrestling - Sectionals - Seymour (A) TBA 22 Solo-Ensemble - Everest (A) All Day Gymnastics - GNC Meet (A) 11:00 24 Girls BB - Nekoosa (H) 7:30 25 Girls Hockey - Sectionals (A) TBA Boys Hockey - Sectionals (A) TBA Boys BB - Regionals (A) TBA 27 Gymnastics - Sectionals - Antigo (A) 6:15 28 Girls Hockey - Sectionals (A) TBA Boys BB - Regionals (A) TBA

Community Outreach ClassesFor more info contact Michelle Pozorski at 693-2550 Ext. 3696.

Class Begins Day Sess. Time Loc.Intro. SLR Cameras 2-4 Tu 2 6:00-8:00 MHSVinyasa Yoga 2-5 W 6 6:30-7:45 MHSBasic Cake Decor. 2-8 Sa 1 10:00-3:00 MHSTravelers Spanish 2-11 Tu 1 6:00-7:30 MHSKnitting for Kids 2-13 Th 3 6:00-6:45 MHSTorte Class 2-22 Sa 1 10:00-12:00 MHSBasic Cupcake Decor. 2-22 Sa 1 12:30-2:30 MHSIonic Foot Bath 2-25 Tu 1 6:00-7:00 Healing Energy Solu.

405 4th Str.

VFW Presents Writing Awards

Jim Morris and Jim Riedel (far right) of the Mosinee VFW present checks to the Mosinee High School Voice of Democracy winners, (l to r) Madison Barabas (5th), Hannah Nygard (4th), Lydia Mackie (3rd), Rochelle Koshalek (2nd), and Josie Antonich (1st).

Checks were also presented to MMS Patriot's Pen winners. They were: (l to r) Jim Riedel (VFW), Claudia Sackmann (5th), Grayson Barrett (4th), Mrs. Kamke, Carissa Welch (3rd), Mrs. Mulry, Karlie Bonnell (2nd), Jim Morris (VFW), and Valerie DeHaven (1st).

MES Sponsors Miracle TreeMES students learned about the importance of giving to others in need by stocking the Miracle Tree with non-perishable food items and new hats and mittens. (L to r) Lilli Park, Cale Maahs, Casey Polega, Korah Logterman, Briley Kaczor, Owen Lynch, and Logan Groshek.

TEACHER INSERVICE - NO SCHOOLFriday, February 14, 2014