2024-2025 Clintonville School District Board of Education
Back Row: Mark Zachow, Klint Barkow, Ben Huber (President), Glen Drew Lundt
Front Row: Jason Moder (Treasurer), Laurie Vollrath (Clerk), Kris Strauman (Vice President)
Student Council Recognition Week - Sterling Van Straten - Vice President
Earth Day Campus Clean-Up
Student Council Week - President - Carter Writt
Michelle Lewis - K Teacher at CES was highlighted in Dr. Jean and Friends Blog
https://drjeanandfriends.blogspot.com/2024/04/kindergarten-day.html
Michelle Lewis wrote this beautiful memoir that is perfect to share with you today! I know many of you feel the same way.
When I reflect on the 17 years I have been a teacher, I have definitely seen the pendulum swing back and forth in the field of public education.
Ever since I was in kindergarten, I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up. Every morning when I walk into my classroom, I still feel like I’m living my dream.
Even with all the challenges and changes in education, I still love being a teacher. I truly do not think there is much greater in life than looking into the eyes of a child and watching them grow, learn and discover the world around them.
Of course, like so many teachers out there, I find myself wishing so many things could be different in the world of early childhood education but I try to make the best of it and hope the pendulum swings back to a time when the focus becomes more about “what is truly best for kids.”
I hope somewhere down the road changes are made in education, especially in the realm of early childhood education to ensure ALL curriculum is developmentally appropriate. We are causing these young kiddos to feel anxious, defeated and as if “they can’t measure up.” Some of these kids truly feel stressed when they take assessments. Some already show signs of test anxiety.
In my classroom, I do my very best to meet all of the state standards and teach the provided curriculum but my main focus is always my students. I look to how they are doing, how they are feeling and what they need at any given moment.
I find ways to incorporate time for that “social- emotional learning” piece of the puzzle that is often missing in many curriculums. I practice/ teach Conscious Discipline by Dr Becky Bailey in my classroom and use “teachable moments” as opportunities for learning.
I want my students to understand the importance of showing empathy, kindness, compassion, etc. I want them to know they are loved. I want them to feel a sense of belonging at school and know they are a part of our school family. I want them to live with integrity and do the right thing, even when nobody is watching. I want them to know that they can aim for the stars, live their dreams and become whoever they want to be. I want them to know they can make a difference in this world .
As a teacher, I truly believe that teaching my kiddos the importance of being helpful, safe and kind is more important than teaching them their ABC’s and 123’s. Every day my 4K students recite our classroom mission statement in sign language.
“Today in 4K we will play together, learn together and work together. We are a school family. We will be helpful, safe and kind.”
In my classroom, I want my students to see “learning as fun” and I want them to truly want to come to school. Of course I want them to learn the academics they need to be successful in kindergarten and beyond but I also want to provide time for them to play, laugh, giggle, sing and dance.
I try to provide my students with the best possible learning experience every single day and I strive to take care of their social and emotional well-being.
One way I do this is by reserving the last 10 minutes on Thursdays (4K is only 4 days per week) for a DANCE PARTY, complete with colorful lights and songs the kids love to dance too. Obviously as teachers, we purchase items for our classroom “out of pocket” but I will say the disco ball laser light was without a doubt one of my best purchases for my classroom.
We dance to songs like “Gummy Bear,” “It’s Raining Tacos,” “The Hamster Dance,” “Happy” and the list goes on. It’s funny because I have taught my kids “The Locomotion” and we have made a train and danced around our classroom and even gone down the hallways and they absolutely LOVE IT! I often hear during our dance parties “Ms. Lewis, can we please do the train song?”
For 10 whole minutes, it is pure joy in my classroom. There is dancing and jumping and hand holding and laughing and I can guarantee, every child in my class walks out of my classroom with a smile! And guess what happens on Monday— they want a DANCE PARTY!
This blog I wrote wouldn’t be complete without personally thanking Greg Smedley-Warren. He is an absolutely AMAZING kindergarten teacher in Tennessee who prompted me to start having dance parties in my classroom after observing videos of his class having them.
Spanish students had a great time learning about mariachi music at the P.A.C. and eating Mexican food at Jaripeo Mexican Restaurant last Friday.
State Forensics! And we're off to state! The girls will enjoy touring our state capital before doing their final performance(s) of the year! What a great group of forensics! Thanks, Brewed, for our refreshments for the road!
Mr. Kuhn was guest reader at Dellwood Daycare to help recognize/celebrate the Week of the Young Child.
Student Council Week Dress Up Days - CMS and CHS
It was such a great leadership opportunity on Friday for the students at the Mental Wellness Student Leadership Conference. Mrs. Evers even presented with over 45 school districts attending from the state and 400 participants. I think we all left feeling inspired, with so many ideas for the district, and proud of all of the great things we are doing in Clintonville. Several districts asked for our contact information because of many of the activities we are doing. - Suzette Fountain
Student Council members did roadside cleanup on 4/10/2024. Thank you students and Mr. Owen for supervising!
3rd Quarter Attendance Incentive Winners:
Linken Korth, Jacqueln Syring, Alexis Bueltman, Jameson Heyer, Isaiah Breed, William Longsine, Ryan Huss, Sam Engel, Addison Lundt, Gema Ramirez, Layla Wayerski, Cameron Sparks, Hannah Curtis
Middle School students will be be hearing about the upcoming Scholastic Book Fair in the library this week. Remember, we will be open starting Thursday, April 18th through Thursday April 25th during the school day.
We will also be open for Middle School Family night on Thursday, April 18 from 5 to 7 pm. You can set up an eWallet now by visiting our Book Fair home page.
Thank You Chad Dobbe for your years of service on the Clintonville School Board.
ATTENTION ALL JUNIORS AND FAMILIES!
The last day to buy a prom ticket is Friday, April 12th. Tickets will be on sale at lunch in the commons.
The junior class will be decorating for Prom on April 26th starting at 1pm. If parents would like to help, they need to fill out a background check from on the school website.
Prom is April 27th from 7-11pm. Doors will close at 7:30pm. Tickets WILL NOT BE SOLD AT THE DOOR!
The Grand March is at 9pm. Families and community members are invited to watch the Grand March.
Please contact Brianna Eland with questions at beland@clintonville.k12.wi.us!
More eclipse pictures (Post 2)
Even more Eclipse Pictures (Post 1).
It definitely was an excited educational day in Clintonville.
More Eclipse Fun!
Eclipse Fun!
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the Middle and High School Library!
Students will be able to shop during the school day from Thursday, April 18 through Thursday, April 25th. The Book Fair will also be open during Family Night on April 18th from 5 to 7pm.
If you would rather not send cash with your student, you can set up a secure, digital eWallet by visiting our Book Fair homepage at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/clintonvillemiddle
Please contact Ms. Hill with any questions.
