Welcome to the Children`s House

School District of Amery
March • 2016
7C;HO
Welcome to the
Children’s
House
I
magine a classroom full of students of
different ages all working with objects
of their choice. It is quiet, yet busy,
and the teacher is working with students
on the floor! This is the Montessori
Children’s House, and in the fall of 2016,
it’s coming to Amery Schools.
New choices will greet Amery Lien
Elementary school students next fall.
The Amery Montessori School will offer
incoming 4K and Kindergarten students
an opportunity to experience a learning
environment based on a 100-year-old
philosophy. Amery Montessori will offer
two, 4K/K multiage classrooms, known as
Children’s Houses.
Cedj[iieh_
Teachers Lisa Hill and Gwyn Otto have
finished seven months of training through
the North American Montessori Center
and are certified to facilitate learning for
children ages 4 through 6. “I have had the
opportunity to observe many Montessori
classrooms over the past months, and
I was just drawn in,” said Gwyn Otto.
“There was a calm, peacefulness to the
classroom, and the students had so much
respect for each other and the materials,
that I feel like I’ve been called to do this.”
A Montessori classroom is
characterized as a child-sized world
with an emphasis on natural, authentic
materials, rather than plastic or
replicated materials. The classroom is
very neutral with soothing colors and
inviting areas of discovery. Montessori
teachers are engaged with students in
their learning areas, and most of the
time will be found sitting on the floor
working with individuals or small groups
of multiage children.
Students have a choice of
different activities during a three hour,
uninterrupted discovery period in the
morning. During this time, they are
allowed to manipulate materials and
learn based on three essential freedoms:
freedom to move, freedom to choose,
and freedom to repeat. Children work
at their own pace to show mastery of
concepts through hands-on, discoverybased learning. Once a skill is mastered,
the child is introduced to a new concept,
and the learning expands and continues.
Students develop order, self-correction,
and self-assessment through the
exploration of Montessori materials. Children work within a community
of learners while practicing courtesy,
harmony, and respect for themselves,
the materials, and other learners.
Even though the environment and
Children work at their own
pace to show mastery of
concepts through hands-on,
discovery-based learning
procedures differ from a more traditional
focus, grade level curriculum and WI state
standards still apply to students in the
Montessori school. Montessori students
will also have enrichment courses, such as
music and physical education.
“Children have different learning
styles; they learn at different rates and in
different ways,” said Amery Elementary
School Principal, Cheryl Meyer. “The
School District of Amery is interested in
developing the best school environment
for all students to help prepare for lifelong
learning and success.”
Families wishing to participate
in the Montessori “Children’s House”
must complete an application, which is
available on the Amery School District
website: www.amerysd.k12.wi.us.
Currently, there is an enrollment capacity
of 40 students. If enrollment applications
exceed capacity, a lottery will take place.
“We are excited to be able to offer a
different choice to our families next
year,” said Lisa Hill. “I have been
teaching in the traditional learning
environment my entire career,
and am looking forward to
trying something new.”
—By Jennifer Swenson
What does
Montessori Mean?
The Montessori Method of
education is named for Maria
Montessori who, in the early
20th century, devoted her life
to the observation and study
of children. Through this study,
Dr. Montessori developed
a philosophy of education
and child development. She
discovered that children
learn best when engaged
in self-directed, purposeful
activities that they have chosen
themselves.
Who is it for?
The Montessori Method is a way
of learning and has no distinction
of class or intelligence. This is a
very exciting opportunity for all
learners who: live in the Amery
School District, are open enrolled
under the open enrollment law,
or apply for enrollment during
the open enrollment period.
Applications are available on the
Amery School District website,
www.amerysd.k12.wi.us, and
must be returned to the district
by April 15, 2016.
7C;HO
Cedj[iieh_
Photos used are
from our current
4-K classrooms
“There was a calm, peacefulness to the classroom,
and the students had so much respect for each
other and the materials.”
Amery Inquiring Minds (AIM)
Inspiring a love for learning
How often will AIM
students see their
grade level peers in the
traditional school?
What is AIM?
AIM is a NEW Grade 3-5 Multiage Project
Based Learning School. AIM will open this
fall for the 2016-2017 school year.
AIM students will have one recess per day
with their grade level friends. They will
also continue to go to band and recorder.
Where will AIM be
located?
In the Intermediate school. It will be a
new school within our school!
Is it available for all
grade 3-5 students?
Why are we adding AIM
to Amery Schools?
All children have different learning styles,
therefore they learn at different rates
and in different ways. We want to offer
the best learning environment for all
students.
What is project based
learning?
Project Based Learning is a teaching
method in which students investigate
and respond to questions, problems, and
challenges and present their findings
through a final public product.
Who will do best
in AIM?
Students who:
- enjoy hands-on projects
- want to explore topics in-depth
- enjoy using a wide variety of
technology tools
- appreciate choice and input in their
learning
- thrive in an active learning
environment
Why have a multiage
classroom?
Some advantages include:
• Student goals designed around
competencies, not grade levels
• Children develop a sense of family
with their classmates
• Older children have the opportunity
to serve as mentors and to take
leadership roles
• Children are more likely to cooperate
than to compete
• Older children model more
sophisticated approaches to problem
solving, and younger children are able
to accomplish tasks they could not
do without the assistance of older
children.
Yes. If the number of students that apply
to AIM exceeds the enrollment limit of
60, a lottery will be held. Students at each
grade level will have an equal opportunity
to gain entrance.
How will students be
assessed?
Students will still learn academic content.
Grade-level learning skills will be
taught and utilized in the project-based
environment to meet WI State standards.
WHO IS THE AIM
Education Team?
Mrs. Sue Bielmeier is currently a
4th grade teacher and serves as the
district’s Outdoor Education Committee
chairperson.
Mr. Jeremiah Fisk is currently a 5th grade
teacher and has also been employed by
the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) for 19 years.
Mrs. Samantha Montana is a 5th grade
teacher who is passionate about utilizing
the school forest in her teaching.
How do I enroll my
child in AIM?
Obtain an application form available
on the Amery School website or from
the Amery Intermediate School office.
Complete the form, and submit it before
the April 15 deadline.
How can I learn more?
Visit the School District of Amery website,
and go to the ‘school’ tab,
and/or call Ms. Schock, the
Intermediate School Principal.
INFORMATIONAL MEETING:
Thursday, March 17th
6:30 pm
Amery Intermediate School
in the Media Center
Photos used are from our current
grade 3-5 classrooms
Letter
from the
District
Administrator
,
8 More Great
Advantages to
Amery Schools
Greetings!
The School District of Amery has made progress on innovative
plans in several areas that I want to share with you.
Next year, both Lien Elementary and Amery Intermediate
School will offer new Project Based Learning (PBL) programs. Lien
Elementary will open a Montessori School for students in 4K and
Kindergarten. There is a plan for a more extensive phase-in of the
Montessori School over the next three years. For more information
on grades 3-5, Project Based Learning contact Ms. Schock, Amery
Intermediate School Principal. For more information on grades 4K-K
Montessori School and grade 1-2 Project Based Learning contact
Mrs. Meyer, Lien Elementary Principal.
Much work has been completed on the School District of
Amery Strategic Plan. As I stated last fall, we are in the process of
developing a guiding document for the future of the school district.
This will be a document that is being developed with input from
staff, community representatives and students. Much work was
done on the strategic plan last year. This year, we are revisiting
that work and giving more value to it by involving more people and
listening to their input. Hundreds of comments have been gathered
through face-to-face meetings and surveys. Information has been
reviewed and continues to be reviewed while conclusions are drawn
from the data. As we work through this important process to guide
the future of the school district, information will be made available
through the school’s website.
There is a great conversation taking place in the School
District of Amery. We have engaged staff, students and
community members in this conversation to plan our
future. Since August, I have had the opportunity to meet
hundreds of new community members, parents, students
and staff members. Every day I see great teaching and
learning taking place in our schools. Teachers and
support staff have an awesome responsibility to
prepare our students for their future, and they take
this task seriously. I have to pause to thank the
great educators and all School District of Amery
employees for the sincere caring and great job
they do with the most precious thing we have…
the children of our community who will make
our future brighter.
What a great community I have the
opportunity to serve! One of my goals
continues to be to take the School District
of Amery from “Good” to “Great”. I have
stated before, and will continue to say, it
is my intention to help make our school
one of the premier school districts in
the state in all phases of educational
experience.
James Kuchta
District Administrator n
#1
A four-week, quality enrichment and
remedial Summer School program that
is the perfect balance between fun and
learning! Classes are taught by certified
teachers, and bussing, breakfast and lunch
are provided.
#2 A diverse athletics program that produced
three committed Division I athletes from
the Class of 2016.
#3 Individualized career counseling and a
required careers course for all high school
students.
#4 A school garden at Lien Elementary that is
planted and harvested by students. Some
of the harvest is served for school lunch
and snack. During the summer, the food
is shared with Annie’s Lunch Box, a free
Summer Lunch program for all school
aged children.
#5 “The Children’s House” Montessori
multi-age school will be available to
Lien Elementary students in grades 4K-K
beginning in September 2016. Montessori
schools promote hands on, self-paced,
collaborative, joyful learning.
#6 A school sponsored Driver’s Education
program.
#7 A student population that is large enough
to offer a wide variety of classes and extracurricular and athletic opportunities, yet
class sizes are not so large that students
get lost in the shuffle.
#8 An outstanding agriculture department
where students are currently spearheading
an aquaponics project including an 800gallon tank that will be used to raise tilapia.
The water and waste from the tank will
be recycled through a hydroponics system
used to grow tomatoes and lettuce
for the school lunch program. n
Alumni Spotlights
Peter
BRUESEHOFF
Angela V. (Morse)
LALLEMONT
• AHS Class of 1994 •
• AHS Class of 1997 •
Academic background
Academic background
B.A. in biology/chemistry, minor in French, Carthage College;
Ph.D. in chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.S., Business Administration, UW-River Falls; Carlson School
of Management, University of Minnesota; and
J.D. Hamline University School of Law
Professional background and current employment:
I began my career in the diagnostics division at Abbott
Laboratories in North Chicago as a Senior Technical Support
Scientist, working with assays used to screen donated blood
samples for infectious diseases. After 4 years at Abbott, I
took on the role of Product Quality Assurance Manager at
Promega Corporation in Madison. In my 9 years at Promega,
I supervised 10 QA Scientists and supported the development
and manufacture of products used in life science research and
forensics applications. In 2016, I assumed a new role as Senior
Quality Manager at Roche NimbleGen Inc., where we develop
and manufacture reagents used in DNA sequencing.
How did your experiences at Amery Schools contribute to
your professional career? My experiences in Amery Schools
helped prepare me for many aspects of life in college, in
graduate school, and in my career. In particular, the influences
of Mr. Schieffer and Madame Rimestad were invaluable in
guiding me to learn as much as I could and truly push myself
into new areas of knowledge and development. I have taken
that desire and drive to continue learning through college
and graduate school, and to all of the positions I’ve held in
my career. Additionally, my experiences with cross country
and track and field helped me to appreciate the benefits
of teamwork and the importance of activities outside the
classroom. Overall, my experiences in Amery Schools taught
me that much of success is dependent of self-motivation,
coupled with incredible guidance and support from mentors
like Mr. Schieffer and Madame Rimestad who truly care about
students and their futures. n
Professional background and current employment: I graduated
from UW-River Falls in 2002 and worked in various Human
Resources positions including banking, non-profit, school districts
and government. In 2006, I obtained my juris doctorate degree.
After graduation, I worked for Watson & Speight, P.A. in Red Wing,
Minnesota. My husband and I relocated to Winona, Minnesota, and I
was hired as an associate attorney at Price, McCluer & Plachecki Law
Firm in 2011. In August 2015, I was promoted to a partner in Price,
McCluer, Plachecki & Lallemont. I practice in the areas of real estate,
family law, landlord/tenant law, estate planning and bankruptcy. I am
licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In 2015, I was selected as one
of the top 10 Minnesota family law attorneys for client satisfaction.
How did your experiences at Amery Schools contribute to
your professional career? The class of 1997 was academically
competitive. Working with Mrs. Hendrickson on the school
newspaper provided me with valuable writing experience
which has served me well throughout my career. History
was not one of my strong subjects, yet I took AP History
with Mr. Butcher. That class taught me that I can
accomplish anything if I really want it and work hard. I
remembered this accomplishment as I studied for the
LSAT and the Bar Exam. Finally, I was incredibly shy
in school, and Mr. Baldwin took it upon himself to
“teach me how to talk.” His persistence and belief
in me as a person is something I will never forget.
The teachers I had at Amery Schools provided a
foundation for my academic success in college
and beyond. n
Amery Virtual Education
Virtual programming offers on-line education to students by providing high quality,
interactive courses that meet Wisconsin and national education standards.
ADVANTAGES
• Eligible to participate in WIAA team sports, school music/drama programs, school clubs/ organizations, and school related field trips, etc.
• Academic and technical assistance from school staff
• No out of pocket expenses
• School computer and an Internet stipend
• Earn an Amery High School Diploma
• “Any time, any place, or any pace”
• Accelerated courses
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Expanded school curriculum
Please contact any of the school offices
Open Enroll
Today!
Your children may attend
Amery Schools even if you live
in another school district!
What is Public School Open Enrollment?
Wisconsin’s inter-district public school open enrollment program allows parents to
apply for their children to attend school districts other than the one in which they live.
Who may participate in open enrollment?
Students in 5-year-old kindergarten to grade 12 may apply to participate in open enrollment.
Open enrollment for prekindergarten, 4-year-old kindergarten and early childhood education is limited. Parents
should call their resident school districts to find out if their preschool-aged children qualify for open enrollment.
How do I apply for Open Enrollment for my student?
·
·
On-line (recommended) at http://oe.dpi.wi.gov/
Although on-line application is recommended, paper applications may be obtained from the Department of
Public Instruction or any school district after February 1, 2016 for the 2016-17 school year, and must be
delivered (hand-delivery is recommended) to the nonresident school district during the application period.
Important Open Enrollment dates:
February 1 - April 29, 2016
Parents must submit applications online or directly to the nonresident school district. Still have questions about
Open Enrollment? Please feel free to contact the District Office at 715-268-9771 x272.
CONNECT WITH US
For parents
PowerSchool – access
through website or the school
app. Includes student grades,
attendance, schedules, lunch
account balance, and more.
Family Folders – access
online through the school
website and the school app
Remind 101 used at the
Middle School for text
and email alerts
Homework
Hotline used
at the Middle
School
For everyone
www.amerysd.k12.wi.us
QR code to website
APP – free from the App Store or Google
Play. Includes the school calendar,
athletic events, social media links, menus,
staff directory, Comm. Ed link
Facebook –
School District of Amery
Twitter - @AmerySchools
Instagram – ameryschools
YouTube – Amery Schools
You’re invited
Please join us for the annual
AMERY EMPTY BOWLS
Thursday, April 7th
5-7pm
Amery High School
$10/person
includes a handmade ceramic or wooden bowl,
soup, entertainment and a silent auction
•••
All proceeds will provide funding for the “Happy Kids Backpack”
program, which aids in fighting hunger at a community level.
We are also seeking sponsors:
• Bronze $100 – $400 • Silver $401 - $700 • Gold $701 - $1000 • Platinum $1,001
As a THANK YOU for your wonderful support for Empty Bowls, we will feature your business logo on our
additional marketing items such as newspaper advertisements and Facebook. Additionally, you can display
your personal company banner at our event. For more information, please contact Emily Larson, Amery
Empty Bowls Chair 715-268-9771 ex. 229, larsone@amerysd.k12.wi.us or Facebook Amery Empty Bowls.
School Staff Create Bowls
to Fight Against Hunger
Since mid-January, over twenty staff have donated time and made more
than one hundred unique ceramic bowls for the upcoming Empty Bowls
fundraiser. Renee Anderson, art teacher, is one of the Empty Bowls directors
and has been leading the bowl-making efforts. On Tuesday evenings, they
roll, mold and throw clay followed by smoothing, decorating and glazing.
According to Anderson, “The staff has been wonderful to work with
and the bowls are turning out beautiful; our goal is 300 bowls.”
“Empty Bowls” allows participating artists and groups to create
and donate bowls, then serve a simple meal. Guests at the event
purchase a bowl for their soup and keep it as a reminder of all
the empty bowls in the world. All proceeds are devoted to
local hunger-fighting organizations, primarily the ‘Happy Kids
Backpack’ program.
The Empty Bowls concept was initially designed by an art
teacher in Michigan who wanted to help students with a
fundraising project to support a local food pantry, and is now
used around the world to fight hunger!
This year’s Empty Bowls will be a cooperative effort
with Unity School, whose art department and technical
education department have volunteered to make ceramic
and wooden bowls to help their community’s families
fight hunger also.
We need help. Please consider making a
donation, contributing an item to the silent auction,
volunteering, providing entertainment at the event
or assisting in making the bowls.
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Amery, WI 54001
Permit #20
Amery School District
543 Minneapolis Avenue
Amery, WI 54001
POSTAL PATRON
Amery Middle School and Community Education Present
Now THAT’S Comedy!
A Series of classic comedy
sketches accompanying a
special version of
ANCE
T
IMPOR
EARNEST
THE
OF BEING
• • • Performances • • •
AUDITIONS
Friday, April 1 @ 7 pm &
February
23rd
OR10:30
24th am
Saturday,
April
2@
afterHigh
school
until 5:00
pm
Amery
School
Auditorium
in the Amery Middle School
• • • Tickets • • •
$5 Advance or $6 at the Door
Ages 6 and under Free
Rehearsals: Mondays
through
Thursdays after
untilJohnson
5 pm. Exact
Advance
tickets
available
atschool
Chet
rehearsal dates depend upon role assigned
Drug or Amery Middle School office
All students auditioning should come prepared to tell a joke as part of
the audition! Don’t fret – even a ‘knock-knock’ joke will do.
Performances Friday, April 1 @ 7:00 pm & Saturday, April 2 @ 10:30 am
in the Amery HS Auditorium
(Note . . . MS Track begins Monday, April 4 – you can be in the show and on the track team)
Community
Education
Fly Tying
For class details and information,
visit www.amerysd.k12.wi.us,
email commed@amerysd.k12.wi.us
or call 715-268-9771 x220
Babysitter Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 19
Balance Your Hormones Naturally . . . . . March 21
Estate Planning Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . March 21
Windows 10 Beginner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 29
Gardening for Butterflies,
Hummingbirds & Bees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 31
MS Excel Intro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 31
MS Excel Beginner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 5
Chainsaw Safety Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 2
Grow Your Own Shiitake Mushrooms . . . . . April 2
Get Fit FAST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 4
Balanced Foods for Balanced Moods . . . . . April 5
Knitting: Speed Stix Afghan . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 5
Sort, Store & More . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 5
Fly Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 12
Build Rustic Twig Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . April 16
ATV Safety: DNR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . April 18
Photobooks Using Shutterfly . . . . . . . . . . . . April 19
Boating Safety: DNR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 9
Hypnosis for Weight Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 9
Hypnosis for Tobacco Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 9
Knitting: Socks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 10
Hunter Safety NEW classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June