April 9-13 Tornado and Severe Weather Awareness Week

April 13 JRG Tornado Drill—1:00

April 20 Early Release—11:20

April 30-May 4 Scholastic BOGO Book Fair

May 3 New Student Orientation—6:00-7:15

May 7 Band and Choir Concert 7th Grade—6:00 8th Grade—7:15

May 11 Early Release—11:20

ROCKS Badger Sports Park Lock-In—10:00 PM-6:00 AM

May 24 All Library Books Due

May 28 No School—Memorial Day

May 29 Chromebook Turn-In

8th Grade Recognition—6:00

May 31 Class Trips 7th Grade—Bay Beach 8th Grade—Great America

Last Day of School

April 11

2018

Learning, Leadership and Laughter…The JRG Journey

Gator News J.R. Gerritts Middle School • 545 S. John St. • Kimberly, WI • 920-788-7905

a Glance Celebrations

Gators in the Swamp

ACP

Activities and Events

Mr. Hoerth’s Ex. Tech Photo of the Week Winners Theme: Editing Your Own Photo

Congratulations to the following winners:

Peyton Lueneburg—Beach

Alyna Decker—Buildings

Congratulations Jodi King

2018 Kohl Teacher Fellowship Winner! JRG is proud to announce that JRG math teacher Jodi King has been selected as a recipient of the 2018 Kohl Teacher Fellowship. The Kohl Fellowship recognizes educators in Wisconsin who demonstrate leadership, act as agents of positive change, and inspire a love of learning. Jodi is completing her twenty-second year as a math teacher at JRG, having joined the staff in 1996. She will be formally recognized later in April in a ceremony at Fond du Lac High School. She joins Kurt Scholz, Ulli Balistreri, Matt Bumgardner and the recently retired Tim Handrich among JRG staff who have received Kohl Fellowship recognition.

In the classroom, Jodi strives to recognize, value and challenge each student while providing an engaging math learning experience. Jodi teaches Math 8 and Math 1, and provides additional support to students through the Foundations program. She also serves as the district’s Mentor Coach, supporting about 40 mentor teachers per year, who in turn support our new teachers. In that role, she is also a teacher for the district New Teacher course, and completed a review and revision of our district’s mentoring program. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, the highest professional certification available to educators. As a Kohl recipient, JRG receives a $6000 grant, and Jodi also receives a separate $6000 grant from the Kohl Foundation. Congratulations Jodi and thank you for all you do to make JRG and our district a great place for students, families and staff!

Health Class Reminder for Human Growth and Development Attached with this month’s Gator News you will find the Human Growth and Development objectives for your middle school student. Health class at JRG is a quarter long experience, therefore your child will participate in the curriculum during the nine weeks he or she has the class. For parents interested in exempting their child from the Human Growth and Development unit, please contact your child’s health teacher. Megan Berger, Mike Chalupny and Jason Jochimsen

Project Starfish Intended to Help Families in Financial Need Limited Financial Assistance is available for activities, events and programs at JRG Middle School through Project Starfish. In partnership with U. S. Ventures, Inc., JRG is proud to announce its participation with Project Starfish. Project Starfish provides an opportunity for students to develop a plan to volunteer within the school community and "pay it forward" in an effort to make a difference to others. This could be anything from helping clean up school property; helping in the office, weeding, or an approved project the student may self select. Participants in Project Starfish remain confidential, must demonstrate financial hardship and must complete their volunteer work prior to the activity. Forms to participate in Project Starfish can be picked up in the Student Services office and can be found later in this newsletter. Submission of a request does not guarantee assistance.

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Gators In The Swamp “Gators in the Swamp” is similar to what other schools might call “Faces in the Crowd.” It is meant to highlight the great students that we have at JRG so that we can get to know more people within our school. If we can become a more connected school, then JRG will be even more enjoyable. These students were chosen at random upon filling out a Google Form in their TLC. Each student answered a couple questions about themselves, and provided us with permission to use their picture and some of their information in Gator News. If you see these students, use their information as a way to start a conversation with them or to just acknowledge that you saw them in Gator News.

Meredith Robb (7th Grade Bayou)

Meredith likes to hang out with her friends and family. Also, she likes to go to the beach.

Will Johnson (8th Grade Bayou)

Will is looking forward to the end of the school year. He also likes biking.

Meghan Van Gruensven (7th Grade Glade)

Meghan likes to play video games. She is looking forward to the Octoling Expansion in her video game this summer.

Sainithya Attota (8th Grade Glade)

Sainithya likes to read, listen to music, ride her bike, and of course, hang out with her friends and family. Her favorite place that she has visited would have to be London.

Kimberly Gallegos (8th Grade Lagoon)

Kimberly is involved in track and enjoys playing disc golf.

Parker Selle (7th Grade Lagoon)

Parker likes to play video games, is involved in track and likes math.

Jenna Scholz (7th Grade Swampie)

Jenna likes to play soccer, she is involved in track and she is looking forward to school being over.

Ricky Martin (8th grade Swampie)

Ricky likes to play fortnite, he is involved in track and band and his favorite class is gym because it is fun.

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Follow JRG on Instagram, ‘Like’ Us on Facebook JRG can be found on Facebook at Facebook.com/JRGerritts. In addition, JRG is now on Instagram at JRGMSOfficial. These resources are used to provide occasional school-wide updates and for reminders about various upcoming events. Families also find it's fun to check out the hundreds of pictures of students participating in events, activities and other learning experiences at JRG.

Additional Opportunities Available on the KASD Community Events Page While many community opportunities are included in our weekly newsletters, additional events and opportunities are also posted on the District webpage under Community Events, or by clicking here. Links to items such as Park and Rec opportunities, community dances, educational opportunities, speakers, and local festivals can be found there.

WI DNR Boater Safety Classes, March, April and May, various dates and locations offering Super Science Saturday - a FREE event at Woodland Elementary 9:30 a.m., April 7, 2018 Pollyanna presented by the Papermaker Players April 12, 13, 14, 2018 YMCA Kids Fun Night, April 28, 2018 Girls Intro to Hockey at Fox River Girls Hockey Club, April and May 2018

4H Summer Camp at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center July 8-12, 2018 YMCA Camp Nan A Bo Sho Summer 2018 Camp Offerings 2018 Baseball/Softball/Tee Ball Registration for Combined Locks Rec. Dept. 2018 Baseball Registration and Information for Kimberly Park and Rec.

Forward Exam—Revised Schedule Below JRG students began Forward Exam testing in March, and will continue periodically until late April. All Wisconsin public school students in grades 3-8 are assessed annually using the Forward exam. At JRG, both grades complete assessments in Math and English Language Arts, while 8th graders are also assessed in Science and Social Studies. Schedule changes have been underlined below. Our testing schedule this year will be: April 10 - 12: 7th and 8th grade English Language Arts testing (during Language Arts Class) April 17 & 18: 7th and 8th grade Math testing (during Math class) April 23-May 4: Make-up testing (for students who need to finish testing for various reasons) The results from state testing, along with local measures such as report cards, MAP assessments, classroom assessments and teacher feedback, provide meaningful information about students’ academic achievement to parents, students, teachers and the school district. We use these results to identify ways we can improve our students’ learning. Important reminders for the Forward Exam:

As always, we ask that whenever possible families avoid scheduling appointments or other pre-scheduled absences during the testing sessions.

Remind your student to charge their Chromebook, since all testing is done online. Also, remember that students cannot use a personal device (laptop, Chromebook, etc.) for testing. We will provide those few students who typically opt to use their own device with a district Chromebook to use during testing.

Students should bring headphones on testing days, as some portions of the test require them.

Phones, smartwatches and any other personal electronic devices cannot be used by anyone (students or staff) in the testing environment. When possible, students should leave them at home on testing days. Teachers will be collecting these devices during testing, and returning them at the end of the testing session.

You can also help your child to perform at their best by ensuring that they get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.

Additional information about the Forward Exam can be found in this brochure. If you have questions about the Forward

Exam, please feel free to contact Eric Brinkmann, Principal.

The Kimberly Area School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, homelessness status, sex, including transgender status, change of sex or gender identity, disability,

age (except as authorized by law), military status or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability in any of its student programs or activities.

J.R. Gerritts Middle School * 545 S. John Street * Kimberly, WI 54136 (P) 920-788-7905 (F) 920-788-7914 (E) JRG@kimberly.k12.wi.us

Emergency Medications Please be aware that emergency medications that are provided for use during the school day will not be accessible after school hours. Parents and students plan ahead to have emergency medication available during after school activities such as clubs and sports. If an emergency arises and a student does not have their emergency medication available, 911 will be called.

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KIMBERLY HIGH SCHOOL-MANDATORY FALL SPORT MEETINGS

SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2018

5:30 – 6:30 – JACK RENKENS, INFORMATIONAL/MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER (AUDITORIUM)

Jack founded Recruiting Realities to provide student athletes and their families with an educational

resource about the collegiate athletic recruiting process. He also addresses positive sports parenting

and uses of social media by your child. For more information on Jack and Recruiting Realities please visit

www.recruitingrealities.com Attendance in not mandatory but we strongly encourage you to attend.

6:35 – 7:00 – FALL ORIENTATION MEETING (Parents of/and 1st time athletes at KHS)

All incoming freshmen fall athletes, new transfer student fall athletes and first time athletic participants

MUST attend this meeting with a parent.

7:05 – INDIVIDUAL FALL SPORT MEETINGS (All fall athletes and parents)

Each individual fall sport will meet in their own location (locations will be posted).

ALL fall athletes and parents MUST attend this meeting.

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JRG Club Information

Art Club - 3:05-4:15 Room 436

Upcoming Dates: April 16, 23, 30

May 7 (last meeting)

Contact: Mrs. Dagesse with questions. rdagesse@kimberly.k12.wi.us

Coding Club - 3:00-4:00 Room 111

Upcoming Dates: April 12, 17, 19, 23, 26, 30

May 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24 (last meeting)

Contact: Ms. Froze with questions: afroze@kimberly.k12.wi.us

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Rob DeLain KASD Homeless Liaison

920.788.7905

Kristine Nadolski 608.267.7338