Dr. Ackley’s Message . . .
AI AT NORTH LAKE SCHOOL
The North Lake School staff continues to learn about how best to integrate AI technology in our K-8th grade educational setting. As professionals, we agree that AI can be a productive learning tool; however, AI cannot replace a student’s own knowledge and expertise. Academic integrity will always be fundamentally tied to North Lake School District’s vision and mission. The integration of AI is beginning in the upper school (grades 5-8) and will be successful with clear communication between teachers and students.
These lessons are good examples of appropriate AI usage.
- 7th grade students used AI mode in Google to revise and edit a research paper about famous people.
- 8th grade students used Google Gemini to translate their original folktale into a picture story book for primary students.
In both of these examples, all AI support was recorded and submitted with the final project reflection sheet.
Look for updates to the Student Parent Handbook and Acceptable Use Policy which will explicitly address the use of AI in academic work, emphasizing transparency and integrity.
SCHOOL SAFETY DRILLS AND VISITOR MANAGEMENT
The top two rules of school safety are…
#1 Know who is in the building
#2 Lock interior and exterior doors at all times
Visitor management is a key component of school safety especially when drills are conducted. The office needs to know who is in the building at all times. The state wide tornado drill was cancelled last week due to actual inclement weather. However, fire and lock down drills are planned for the remainder of the school year. The lockdown drill in May will provide an opportunity for staff to practice our new emergency management system, Pikmykid. Parents will learn more about Pikmykid during the registration process.
DECLINING ENROLLMENT
Declining enrollment is a real problem for public schools in Wisconsin. The state’s school funding model is based on the number of resident students attending the district. One of the only ways that districts can generate additional revenue is through open enrollment. The reality of declining enrollment is not a new concept. Wisconsin schools have been in declining enrollment for over a decade.
North Lake’s solution to the lack of resident students is the attraction of open enrollment students. Maintaining a healthy student population creates a flourishing environment for teaching and learning. North Lake has been successfully dealing with declining enrollment since 2010 and we are reaching a record population of nearly 400 pupils!
FREE MILK
As a reminder, North Lake School provides free milk through the Federal Free Milk Program for the 2025-26 school year.
Water and milk are the school approved beverages for students during lunch and snack. Please do not send fruit drinks, sparkling waters, caffeinated beverages, etc. to school.
NLS GREETER
Would you like to be more involved on a daily basis at North Lake School? If so, please consider being a volunteer greeter at Door A from 7:45-8:45 a.m. and/or 11:00-12:00 p.m. for the 2026-27 school year. This volunteer opportunity includes visitor check-in, general information station, and welcome ambassador of our Great K-8!
Spirit Ticket Lunch Winners
3rd Grade Earth Day
4-14-26 All Comers Track Meet Results
Student | Event | Place |
Bower, Aubree | Girls 8 55 Meter Dash | 1 |
| Girls 8 110 Meter Dash | 3 |
Cech, Audrey | Girls 7 55 Meter Dash | 5 |
Cech, Sullivan | Boys 12 55 Meter Dash | 2 |
Daugs, Isaac | Boys 11 100 Meter Dash | 8 |
| Boys 11 High Jump | 8 |
| Boys 11 Long Jump | 10 |
| Boys 11 55 Meter Dash | 11 |
Dudon, Bennett | Boys 9 55 Meter Dash | 3 |
| Boys 9 High Jump | 1 |
| Boys 9 Long Jump | 3 |
Dundon, Brycen | Boys 7 55 Meter Dash | 3 |
| Boys 7 High Jump | 1 |
| Boys 7 Long Jump | 4 |
Foerch, Reese | Girls 13 400 Meter Dash | 4 |
Foerch, Reid | Boys 13 800 Meter Run | 2 |
Hicks, Maila | Girls 10 55 Meter Dash | 16 |
| Girls 10 Long Jump | 6 |
| Girls 10 Javelin Throw | 1 |
Reese, Ryder | Boys 11 55 Meter Dash | 9 |
| Boys 11 100 Meter Dash | 9 |
| Boys 11 200 Meter Dash | 2 |
Widenski, Parker | Girls 13 55 Meter Dash | 8 |
| Girls 13 100 Meter Dash | 16 |
| Girls 13 1600 Meter Run | 5 |
| Girls 13 110 Meter Hurdles | 5 |
| Girls 13 Long Jump | 11 |
Upcoming WAVE Dates
May 8
May 22 – Last WAVE of the year
Note from Ms. Meister...
FORWARD EXAM Testing Update:
The Wisconsin Forward exam testing in grades 3-8 has been completed. We expect to receive the results in late May. Students and their families can look forward to receiving an Individual Student Report (ISR) then.
Thanks again to the Student Leadership Team for distributing healthy brain food snacks to all!
A big THANK YOU to Mia Stremcha and all the book fair volunteers. The excitement it generates around books and reading is priceless!
Counseling Corner
Hello North Lake Families!
We’re kicking off a fun project in all classrooms over the next couple of weeks to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. A part of this involves talking to the students about how powerful their words can be when it comes to making someone feel appreciated and special. They are having a lot of fun doing something special for their teachers. Hopefully this will also help them realize the impact they can have.
This is also a great chance for a family chat about the power of words—both positive and negative. It’s easy to forget that the thoughts and words we share stay with other people long after we’ve said them. Let’s make sure the feelings we leave behind are positive ones!
I’m really hoping that our conversations here at school, and the ones you have at home, will help all of us remember to take a breath, think, and make sure that the words we’re sharing leave good feelings in their wake.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or if there is anything I can do to support your child.
Take care-
Jill Lesch
April Dates to Remember
27
8 Girls Volleyball at NLS
NL vs Stone Bank—4:30 pm
NL vs Merton White-6:10 pm
28
6 Girls Volleyball at Merton
NL Teal vs Merton White-4:30 pm
North Shore Gr. Vs NL Teal—5:20 pm
8 Girls Volleyball Tournament
29
7 Girls Volleyball at North Lake
Lake Country vs NL Black—4:30 pm
NL Black vs Richmond—6:10 pm
6 Girls Volleyball Tournament
30
7 Girls Volleyball Tournament
May Dates to Remember
4-8
Staff Appreciation Week
11
Culver’s Night – 5:00-8:00 pm
12
Red Cross Blood Drive – 2:30-6:00 pm
13
4th Grade Field Trip – Old World Wisconsin – 8:40-2:00 pm
15
1st Grade Field Trip – Milwaukee County Zoo – 8:45-2:00 pm
19
3rd Grade Field Trip – Discovery World – 8:00-1:30 pm
5th Grade Field Trip – JA Biztown – 9:00-1:30 pm
20
School Board Meeting in Conference Room – 5:30 pm
22
Anything but a Backpack Spirit Day
25
No School – Memorial Day
28
Music Theater Performance – 6:00 pm
29
4th Grade Field Trip – Madison Capitol Building – 7:30-2:15 pm
Music Theater Performance – 5:00 pm
30
NLEF Golf Outing
June Dates to Remember
2
8th Grade Field Trip – Kalahari – 7:45-5:30 pm
3
8th Grade Graduation in Gym – 5:30 pm
4
Field Day – 12:00-2:00 pm
Rainbow Spirit Day
5
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
Family Picnic – 11:00 am (all grades)
End of 4th Quarter
