Dr. Ackley’s Message . . .
APRIL 2ND REFERENDUM FAQs
What is the actual question on the April 2nd ballot?
Shall the North Lake School District, Waukesha County, Wisconsin be authorized to exceed the revenue limit specified in Section 121.91, Wisconsin Statutes, by $850,000 per year for four years, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year and ending with the 2027-2028 school year, for non-recurring purposes to sustain operational costs?
What will an approved referendum pay for?
An operational referendum will maintain the existing educational programming which includes school staff and benefits as well as rising costs for utilities, transportation, and special education.
Why is the amount lower than last spring?
The operational referendum amount is lower because the District cut just under $500,000 in the 2023-2024 school budget. The District would not reinstate the cuts with the exception of two very part-time teachers (Reading and Tech. Ed). The District also received a slight per pupil increase for the 2023-2024 school year of $81,000. Finally, open enrollment continues to be a healthy revenue source for North Lake School.
How will an approved referendum affect my taxes?
The tax impact is only an estimate at this time. However, families with a home value of $400,000 could expect a tax impact of $1.16 per day for the first year.
Why is the referendum important to our community?
The operational referendum is important for our community because it upholds the values and traditions North Lake is known for, protects your property values, and supports town businesses. The school is the heart, and the students are the soul of our local, rural community.
Where can I find out more information on the referendum?
You can visit northlakeschool.org and attend a community meeting on February 21st at 6:30 p.m. in the Lakers Library or February 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at the Town Hall Library.
100 DAYS ~ 100 SOCKS
Please join us in celebrating the 100th day of school on February 9th by donating new socks for the homeless. There is a table next to the office to collect sock donations. Thank you, Mrs. Diane Cull, for the suggestion and delivery to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, Hope House, and Sojourners Family Peace Center.
The kindergarten classes will count and tally the socks in groups of 10. Updates to follow in the next WAVE.
Screenagers LAST SHOWING – 2/15/24 @ 4pm in Lakers Library
This is a special invitation for all North Lake parents, especially those in our lower school (4k – 4th grade) to join us for the last showing of Screenagers 3. It is not too soon to learn about tech addiction, violent video games, and digital safety.
Cute Kid Story: It was dismissal time, and I needed to confirm an afterschool plan.
I asked a 5 year old, “What is your father’s phone number?”
He happily replied, “1992.”
This answer gave me pause, and Mrs. Giesie clarified that the number was probably the passcode to the parent’s phone. This interaction caused me to reflect on the impact of technology in the daily lives of our littlest learners, AND why parents need to see Screenagers.
BUS DRIVER APPRECIATION WEEK
Our Dousman Transport drivers are committed to safely driving our students to and from school each and every day. They work to develop good relationships with their students, parents, and school staff.
Additionally, these dedicated individuals often need to work through difficult driving conditions, while continuing to focus on safety. Please take a moment to thank your child’s bus driver during the week of February 12-16.
LITERACY LIGHTS THE NIGHT – FEBRUARY 8TH
We are all looking forward to the 13th Annual Literacy Lights the Night and meeting our keynote speaker, Mr. Greg Budzien. Mr. Budzien will share his recent publication, Tea for Three. Miss Wartman has done a good job organizing this popular event. Join us whether you are a reader or not, February 8th at 5:00 p.m. in the big gym.
FORENSICS TEAM
The North Lake Forensics Team did an incredible job at their first meet last week at Central Middle School in Hartford. Over 100 students hailing from various schools across southwest Wisconsin participated in the event. Our Lakers secured six first-place blue ribbons, four second-place red ribbons, and garnered two bronze medals, one silver medal, and one gold medal across three categories overall. We are looking forward to our next meet on February 9th. Go Lakers!
COSMIC LAKERS
Congratulations on the first of two 6th grade Cosmic Lakers Dance Squad performances. This student led club is a huge success and supported by parents including Coach Renee Nies.
NLEF Mother Son Duckpin Bowling
February Dates to Remember
1
5th Grade Boys’ Basketball – Lake Country Blue at NLS – 4:30 p.m.
6th Grade Boys’ Basketball – Merton White at NLS – 5:30 p.m.
5
Open Enrollment Applications Period Begins – February 5-April 26
7th Grade Boys’ Basketball – North Shore Green at NLS – 4:30 p.m.
8th Grade Boys’ Basketball – Erin at NLS – 5:30 p.m.
6
5th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at Swallow Black – 4:30 p.m.
8th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at Swallow Gold – 5:30 p.m.
7
6th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at North Shore White – 4:30 p.m.
7th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at Merton White – 5:30 p.m.
8
Literacy Lights the Night – 5:00-6:30 p.m.
9
Pajama Day & Stuffy Day
12
Bus Driver Appreciation Week – February 12-16
8th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at Merton Blue – 6:30 p.m.
Culver’s Night – 5:00-8:00 p.m.
13
6th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at Stone Bank -4:30 p.m.
14
5th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at North Shore Green – 4:30 p.m.
6th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at Swallow Black – 5:30 p.m.
7th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at Merton Blue – 5:30 p.m.
8th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at North Shore White – 5:30 p.m.
15
11:30 Dismissal – No Lunch
Parent Teacher Conferences – 12:00-8:00 p.m.
Screenagers Presentation – 4:00-5:00 p.m. – Lakers Library
16
No School – Midwinter Break
19
Non Student Day – Midwinter Break
20
5th Grade Boys’ Basketball – Erin at NLS – 4:30 p.m.
6th Grade Boys’ Basketball – Richmond at NLS – 5:30 p.m.
7th Grade Boys’ Basketball – Stone Bank Red at NLS – 6:30 p.m.
21
6th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at North Shore Green – 4:30 p.m.
School Board Meeting – 5:30 p.m. Conference Room
Community Referendum Meeting – 6:30 p.m. Conference Room
22
7th Grade Boys’ Basketball – NLS at Richmond – 5:30 p.m.
23
Sports Day
NLEF Family Bingo Night
26
AMSAC 5-6 Boys Basketball Tournaments – February 26 – March 2
5th Grade at North Lake
6th Grade at Lake Country
A Note from Ms. Meister...
Come together! The partnership we build together between school and family is important for student success. Parent/Guardian and Teacher Conferences are a great way to share information about your child and get information from teachers about their academic performance and progress.
North Lake School conferences will be held on Thursday, February 15th from noon to 8:00pm with a teacher dinner break from 4:30 to 5:00pm. Click on the name/s below to sign up. We look forward to seeing you at school.
Kindergarten: Mrs. Giesie Mrs. Toczyski
1st Grade: Mrs. Tarkowski Miss Wartman
2nd Grade: Mrs. Brittnacher Mr. Ray
3rd Grade: Mr. Budde and Mrs. Kudis
4th Grade: Sign up with your child’s homeroom teacher**
5th and 6th grade: Sign up with your child’s homeroom teacher**
Mrs. Andorfer Mr. Kaczor Mrs. Richman Mrs. Ruck
7th and 8th grade: Sign up with the teacher(s) of your choice
Miss Mays Mr. McConville Mrs. Minor Mrs. Wagner
Special Education, Specials and Elective teachers: Mrs. Clauer (Phy. Ed.), Mr. Krieger (Music), Mrs. Lesch (School Counselor), Mrs. Lyons (Art), Mrs. Westcott and Mr. Wood will all be available for drop-in visits. Feel free to stop by their classroom or office.
**Grades 4-6**
If you would like to meet with teachers in addition to your child’s homeroom teacher, please contact that teacher directly to schedule a time slot.
Counseling Corner
Hello North Lake Families!
After watching Screenagers with our 6th – 8th graders I have had the opportunity to discuss it with my 8th grade Health classes. What great insight these kids have! Here are some questions that you could talk about with your children (of any age).
- How can you handle big emotions in a safe way?
- What do you think leads kids to make unhealthy choices?
- What is your plan if you are confronted with a choice that you know isn’t good for you? What will you do and say? Who can help?
We will be giving you one more chance to see Screenagers on our conference day. I know you will find it worth your while! Please join us at 4:00 p.m. in the library.
Another interesting resource: Meta’s New Messaging Rules to Keep Our Kids Safer Online
- Some good information here about how to help YOU make sure your kids are safer online
Next Spirit Day: 2/9
Pajama and Stuffy Day!
As always, please let me know if there are any ways that I can support your child!
Take care-
Jill Lesch
