September 18, 2017

Students of the week for 
9/11-9/15
Every week each teacher team (diamond, onyx, hive, silver, and applied academic) selects one student they feel went above and beyond to demonstrate The Karcher Way.  These students then are recognized by being our "Students of the week"!  Each student is given a KCB (Karcher Character Buck) and their pictures and teacher descriptions are posted in two places within our building.  Congrats to our first group of students!  We all want to thank you for your leadership and strong character!   

Diamond House: Zahria Davis

Zahria has gone out of her way on multiple occasions to help her peers and her teachers.  Her positive attitude is contagious and she is a great example of the Karcher Way.  

Onyx House: Aiden Buss

Aiden is an extremely thoughtful guy.  He notices things that need to be done.  He goes above and beyond to help out, not for attention or KCBs, just for the sake of being helpful.  Aiden, your teachers and classmates appreciate it!

Hive House: Noelle Voegelli

The Hive is proud to select  Noelle Voegelli as the student of the week.  Noelle demonstrated great responsibility in the classroom as she made solid contributions in discussions. She is extremely respectful towards her peers and teachers.  

Silver House: Braden Bienemann (Not Pictured)

Silver House chooses Braden Bienemann as Student of the Week for showing compassion and kindness to his peers. We are impressed with his generosity and awareness of the needs of others.

Applied Academics: Zoe Lipor

Applied Academic teachers chose Zoe Lipor as the student of week based on the time, effort, and energy she brings to Internet and Web Design. She is a positive and kind student who has a great sense of humor.

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Reminders/Information

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• Girls Basketball schedule has changed... click HERE to access the updated game schedule.  
• If you have questions please contact our coaches: 
• Kurt Rummler (krummler@basd.k12.wi.us) 
• Brad Ferstenou (bferstenou@basd.k12.wi.us) 

September 21 - Bowling Club starts!  

• For detailed information click HERE.  
• Permission Slip click HERE.

• September 29 - First FNL (Friday Night Live) from 6:00 - 8:00pm!

• FNL provides a great option for students to choose on a Friday night!  There will be dodgeball tournaments, concessions, board games, outdoor activities (depending on weather), ping pong, and a few other things for students to do.  This is popular for students with around 180 students attending!  
• In order to get in there will be permission slips available in the main office with a cost of 2 dollars, or 2 canned goods, or 2 KCBs (Karcher Character Bucks).  
• Permission slips will be available to students a week prior.  
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math) Opportunity for 7th and 8th grade girls!
• The Expanding Your Horizons Conference is a one-day STEM immersion experience dedicated to providing middle school girls with an opportunity to learn more about career options for women in science, technology, engineering, and math.  
• This year's conference is on Saturday, November 4th, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. Participants will be able to choose multiple areas of interest and experience hands-on workshops led by professional women and college students knowledgeable in the field.
• Enrollment will be on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a limited number of slots available.  Registration papers can be returned to the Karcher office, with payment by check made to EYH, or cash, by Friday, October 13th.   All permission and releases must be signed before official registration can take place.
• If you have any questions about this optional opportunity, please contact Donna Sturdevant. dsturdevant@basd.k12.wi.us

7th grade information: 

• September 29 - 7th grade School Forest Field Trip
• The buses will leave school at 9:40am and return around 1:00. 
• Parents/Guardians interested in chaperoning all students will be bringing home permission slips and on the permission slips there is a place to volunteer to chaperone.  
• Questions should be directed to Barb Berezowitz (bberezowitz@basd.k12.wi.us) or Andrea Hancock (ahancock@basd.k12.wi.us).
• Diamond House students: 
• House apparel is available to purchase at the following website:  bonfire.com/diamond if you are interested!
• The last day to purchase is September 19.
• Contact Brad Ferstenou (bferstenou@basd.k12.wi.us) with any questions!  

8th grade information: 

Outdoor Education 

• There will be a parent informational meeting on September 20 @ 6:00pm in the Karcher library for any 8th grade parents who would like to hear or know more about Outdoor Education. 
• This is not mandatory for parents/guardians.  The intent is to provide a time for parents to have more background and understanding of Outdoor Education who may want to know more about it.  
• The cost of Outdoor Education is 140 dollars.
• Kringle forms will be due back to Karcher on September 22.  Students should turn them into their 7th hour teachers. 
• The below image is the form: 

Note:  This meeting will meet right before the Washington DC parent meeting on September 20 @ 7:00pm in the library for those interested in the DC trip.  

Pictures from the last week of school!  Ending with our Karcher Kickoff day!  

Noodle math challenge in Ms. Jorgenson's 7th grade math class.











Students in Ms. Salbrieter's Spanish class practicing and presenting their Spanish skits!

Students in Ms. Pelnar's class making progress on their ceramic pieces!

The Karcher Way - Our character education program ending with our Karcher Kickoff day on September 15.  What a great community of learners we have!!!

BHS poms team came to participate in our Kickoff day and assisted and then competed with our students in a kick line challenge!

7th grade advisory students showing off their kick line abilities!

8th grading advisory students showing off their kick line abilities!

8th grade winning advisory for the tug of war challenge - Ms. Sturevant's advisory.  

7th grade winning advisory for the tug of war challenge - Mr. Ferstenou's advisory.  

Karcher Kickoff Day afternoon activities - working to develop and build a team culture!

September 11, 2017

Students of the week for
September 5 - September 9 

Every week each teacher team (diamond, onyx, hive, silver, and applied academic) selects one student they feel went above and beyond to demonstrate The Karcher Way.  These students then are recognized by being our "Students of the week"!  Each student is given a KCB (Karcher Character Buck) and their pictures and teacher descriptions are posted in two places within our building.  Congrats to our first group of students!  We all want to thank you for your leadership and strong character!   

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Reminders/Information

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• Overall information:  
• If your student will be leaving school early please send them with a note and/or call prior so that we can have them ready when you arrive.  
• Students waiting will wait at the top of the stairs and come down once they see your vehicle in the circle drive.  You can use the circle drive after 7:30am and before 2:00 for drop off and pick up.  
• Non bus riders that are going to go home with another student on the bus: 
• They need a note from parent/guardian and bring it to the main office.  
• A blue form will then be given to your student to show the bus driver.
• 50 cents needs to be handed to the bus driver when they get on the bus.  
• Regular bus riders going home with a friend on another bus: 
• Need a note from parent/guardian and bring it to the main office.
• Will be given a blue form that the need to hand to the bus driver in order to get on.  
• Grab and go breakfast
• Free breakfast is offered to all students who attend Karcher.  Grab and Go is available to students prior to advisory in the morning so please encourage them to take advantage!     
• Weekly emails will be sent to parents/guardians from your students!  
• Each week your student will share what they have been working on during their time at Karcher.  We encourage you to respond via email to assist students with proper email exchanges along with conversations at home to encourage communication about school with their parents/guardians!  
• Look for an email this week from your student regarding their English class!  
• Learning Habits Rubric/Grade
• Our focus at Karcher is on student growth when it comes to academic achievement but also on student's learning habits (behavior) as well.  All of our teachers gradebooks will reflect 10% of their grade on learning habits and 90% of their grade on academic growth/achievement.  
• The below image is a copy of our learning habits rubric.  If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask!  

• We no longer have planners for all students.  If your student would like a planner you can pick one up at any local store or we do have 25 available for purchase in the main office.  The cost of a planner from Karcher is 3 dollars.  
• PE Clothing:
• Students should be bringing in their white or gray t-shirt and a pair of shorts between Wednesday and Friday of this week for their PE uniform.  Names will be written on their t-shirts this week with September 18 being the first day students will be expected to change into their PE uniforms.  
• If you have any questions please contact Hans Block (hblock@basd.k12.wi.us) or Jon Nelson (jnelson@basd.k12.wi.us)  
• Yearbook orders: 
• Forms can be picked up in the main office or from teachers in order to purchase a yearbook for 25.00.  Payments should be made out to Karcher Middle School with advisory teacher's names noted on the envelope.  If you are paying with cash you will receive a receipt of payment.  
• September 12 - Picture Day is tomorrow.  All students were given picture order forms last week.  Students should bring their order forms with tomorrow and give them to the photographer.  
• Students should have their pictures taken whether they have their order forms with them or forgot them tomorrow.  
• If they forgot their order form they can get an new form from the office and return the order form the following day or order online @ inter-state.com/order.  If you order online use the following code:  19112XA
• September 15 - Karcher Kickoff Day!  
• We will be having a school wide Character Education Kickoff Day were students participate in school wide activities with their advisory, house, grade, and school.  
• Lunch will be a picnic lunch were the following items will be served for students to take school lunch.  If the items below are not desired by your student please send a bag lunch.  
• Hotdog w/ bun (grilled by Mr. Berezowitz)
• Sliced apples 
• Carrots
• Cookie
• Chips
• White or Chocolate Milk
• September 21 - Bowling Club starts!  
• For detailed information click HERE.  
• Permission Slip click HERE.
• September 29 - First FNL (Friday Night Live) from 6:00 - 8:00pm!
• FNL provides a great option for students to choose on a Friday night!  There will be dodgeball tournaments, concessions, board games, outdoor activities (depending on weather), ping pong, and a few other things for students to do.  This is popular for students with around 180 students attending!  
• In order to get in there will be permission slips available in the main office with a cost of 2 dollars, or 2 canned goods, or 2 KCBs (Karcher Character Bucks).  
• Permission slips will be available to students a week prior.  

7th grade information: 

• September 29 - 7th grade School Forest Field Trip
• The buses will leave school at 9:40am and return around 1:00. 
• Parents/Guardians interested in chaperoning all students will be bringing home permission slips and on the permission slips there is a place to volunteer to chaperone.  
• Questions should be directed to Barb Berezowitz (bberezowitz@basd.k12.wi.us) or Andrea Hancock (ahancock@basd.k12.wi.us).
• Diamond House students: 
• House apparel is available to purchase at the following website:  bonfire.com/diamond if you are interested!
• The last day to purchase is September 19.
• Contact Brad Ferstenou (bferstenou@basd.k12.wi.us) with any questions!  

8th grade information: 

Outdoor Education 

• There will be a parent informational meeting on September 20 @ 6:00pm in the Karcher library for any 8th grade parents who would like to hear or know more about Outdoor Education. 
• This is not mandatory for parents/guardians.  The intent is to provide a time for parents to have more background and understanding of Outdoor Education who may want to know more about it.  
• The cost of Outdoor Education is 140 dollars.
• The Kringle fundraiser for Outdoor Education is being handed out to students today!  This fundraiser is to assist with the cost of the trip for individual students.  The money your student raises will take money off of their individual cost for Outdoor Education. 
• Kringle forms will be due back to Karcher on September 22.  Students should turn them into their 7th hour teachers. 
• The below image is the form your student should have with them as they come home today, September 11.  

Note:  This meeting will meet right before the Washington DC parent meeting on September 20 @ 7:00pm in the library for those interested in the DC trip.  

Extra Curricular Activities starting in September:

Note:  To participate in extra curricular activities all students must have a current physical on file at Karcher.  

• If you are an 8th grader and participated in athletics during the 2016-2017 school year you will be required to turn in an alternate year card (blue).  
• If you did not participate in athletics as a 7th grader you will need to submit the physical card (yellow) to participate.  
• Incoming 7th graders most likely need to turn in a physical card (yellow).
• All athletes will need to turn in either the blue or yellow card to participate prior to the first practice.  

Click HERE to access the physical paperwork (yellow).
Click HERE for an alternate year card (blue).  

• Cross Country started and runs through mid-October with practices after school from 2:45-4:00.
• Coach contact:  Amanda Thate (athate@basd.k12.wi.us) and/or Alyssa Riggs (ariggs@basd.k12.wi.us)
• Click HERE for the Cross-Country Schedule.  
• Girls Basketball starts today, September 11, and run through the end of October with practices held at the following times: 
• Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday:  2:45-4:15.
• Wednesdays:  3:20 - 4:45
• Coach contact:  
• Kurt Rummler (7th grade) krummler@basd.k12.wi.us
• Brad Ferstenou (8th grade)  bferstenou@basd.k12.wi.us
• Click HERE for the Girls Basketball Schedule.
• Flag Football will start practice on September 12.  
• Meeting every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for six weeks from 2:30 - 4:00 
• Coach contact:  Hans Block (hblock@basd.k12.wi.us)
• Click HERE for the schedule.

Pictures from the first week of school!

  Ms. Rummler's class... getting their brains going on a historical timeline.  

 Learning the lay of the land in the cafeteria.

 Students enjoying their time outside at recess right after lunch.

Students participating in a friendly relay race competition in PE class!

Mr. Stoughton helping students understand their own voices.  

Ms. Nettesheim, Ms. Tenhagen, Ms. Parr, and Ms. Zeman working on their classroom guiding principles in math class.

 Students working on the news in Ms. Newholm's class.  

Students in Ms. Geyso's class discussing what it means to act like a goose.  

Studnets in Mr. Schmidt's class brainstorming about their own personal thoughts on what it means to be American.

Mr. Jone's math class where students are working through math scenarios to figure out clues.  

Passing time!

Students in Ms. Pelnar's class starting their first clay project with Ms. Pelnar modeling the process for the students prior to starting.  

 Students in STEM class with Mr. Yopp discussing what they think STEM is and why they signed up to take STEM.  Some amazing answers from the students!

Students in Ms. Botsford's advisory learning how things work here at Karcher.  

Mr. Ferstenou going over lunchroom expectations with his advisory.  

Students in 7th grade sitting with their advisories on the first two days of school and learning about how the cafeteria flows!  

Our welcome to and/or back to Karcher first day assemblies!

 Our first day assembly explaining our school's dress code with a few teacher's as our dress code models.  

Proper use of technology assembly.

August 14, 2017

WELCOME BACK!

Parents and Guardians,

School is just around the corner and we are excited to meet our new incoming 7th graders and see our now 8th graders again!  We have an excellent staff here at Karcher;  they are extremely dedicated to the academic growth and character development of all of our students.  This can be recognized when looking at our academic gains our 7th and 8th grade students made during the 2016-2017 school year on the MAP assessments (noted below) in comparison to the national mean.  We are all eager to get back to school and continue making strides forward with all of our students throughout the 2017-2018 school year and will work hard to make significant gains in academic growth again! 

Throughout the school year our way of keeping parents in the loop for Karcher is through the use of this blog.  I will update the blog every 2-3 weeks and you will receive an email through Skyward informing you of each updated blog.  The blog is always accessible on the Karcher Middle School website in the center of the screen.  You can also bookmark karchermiddleschool.blogspot.com to have constant access to the blog.  Each blog throughout the school year will be archived and can be accessed at the bottom of the most recent blog.  

On behalf of the staff here at Karcher we look forward to working with each and every student so they all can achieve academic growth and have some fun along the way. 

Go Demons!

Jill Oelslager, principal

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Reminders/Information

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• Online Registration is currently open!  Simply login to your Skyward account to register online.  
• If you are in need of assistance our office at Karcher is open between 7:00am - 3:30pm.   
• Once school is in session the office is open from 6:45am - 3:45pm.  
• Onsite registration for assistance is also available at Burlington High School on August 17 during the below times: 
• 7:00am - 1:00pm 
• 2:30pm - 6:30pm 
• Student schedules will be available online on August 25 after 2:00pm.  
• Karcher Open House:  August 30 from 6:30 - 7:30pm.
• Students, parents, and/or guardians will have the opportunity to locate their classrooms and talk with staff.
• Please bring a printed copy of your student's schedule.
• Please do not bring any of your school supplies as locker combinations will be handed out during the school day on September 5.  

Once school starts:

• The school day at Karcher is from 7:20 - 2:30.  
• Morning information: 
• Buses drop off on Wainwright Street (by the gym).
• Students will be able to enter the building to access their lockers starting at 7:05am.  
• All parent drop off should occur on Robert Street or Henry Street (by the circle drive).  
• Parents will not be able to drive through the circle drive once the barrier is in place (am & pm) due to the high traffic flow of students walking.
• Students dropped off prior to 7:05am will be able to wait in the library until 7:05am.  
• Afternoon information: 
• Buses will be parked on Wainwright and Robert Street in the afternoon with departure at 2:36.   
• Parents can park on Robert Street after 2:36.  If coming prior to 2:36 for pick up we suggest parking on Henry Street.  
• Our first two days of the school year we will be running a modified bell schedule (we will still have a 7:20-2:30 day - just utilizing an atypical schedule)
• Our character curriculum will be utilized to assist students with the transition to school and ensure all students are comfortable and ready for the school year.  
• Click HERE for our regular daily bell schedule.  
• All students at Karcher will have the ability to have a free breakfast prior to the start of class.  We will make sure all students are aware of this through our daily announcements in advisory.  
• A cart will be in the 7th grade hallway for breakfast along with an additional cart in the 8th grade hallway.  
• One to One - Chromebooks!
• Every student will be given their BASD issued chromebook on the second day of school.  The chromebook given to them is the same chromebook they had during the 2016-2017 school year.  If your son/daughter is a new student they will be issued a chromebook as well on the second day of school.  
• Students at Karcher will not be allowed to bring their chromebooks home.  We will assist the students with the structure for pick up and drop off of their chromebooks at the start and end of each school day.  
• Students are responsible for their school issued chromebook and will need to follow the technology handbook guidelines.  
• Picture Day will be on September 12 throughout the school day.  
• Order form information will be handed out to students prior to picture day.  
• Tuesday/Thursday school will start on September 19th.
• Every Tuesday and Thursday the library will be open from 2:35 - 3:20 to provide a time for students to have access to their chromebooks and assistance from staff members with their academic work.  
• This time may also be used by teachers if they feel a student needs to be assigned to Tuesday or Thursday school due to their academic progress.  Parents would be contacted in the event a teacher decides to utilizes this time.  
• Health Office information:
• Please remember that if your child requires medication for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year that a new medication administration consent form will be required before medications can be administered.  Prescription medications do require a MD, PA, or NPAP signature.  Forms can be downloaded and printed from the District's website or picked up in our Karcher office.  All morning medications should be administered to the child at home BEFORE they arrive at school.  This prevents the need for controlled substance delivery between school and home.  It also assures that any necessary benefit of the medication is in your child's system so they are ready to start their 1st hour class upon arrival. 
• Please feel free to call Jessica Polcyn RN, BSN, Director of Health Services for any questions on medication use in the school (262) 763-0214 ext. 203.

Extra Curricular Activities starting in September:

Note:  To participate in extra curricular activities all students must have a current physical on file at Karcher.  

• If you are an 8th grader and participated in athletics during the 2016-2017 school year you will be required to turn in an alternate year card (blue).  
• If you did not participate in athletics as a 7th grader you will need to submit the physical card (yellow) to participate.  
• Incoming 7th graders most likely need to turn in a physical card (yellow).
• All athletes will need to turn in either the blue or yellow card to participate prior to the first practice.  

Click HERE to access the physical paperwork (yellow).
Click HERE for an alternate year card (blue).  

• Cross Country will start with an informational meeting on September 8 and run through mid-October with practices after school from 2:45-4:00.
• Coach contact:  Amanda Thate (athate@basd.k12.wi.us) and/or Alyssa Riggs (ariggs@basd.k12.wi.us)
• Click HERE for the Cross-Country Schedule.  
• Girls Basketball will start on September 11 and run through the end of October with practices held at the following times: 
• Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Friday:  2:45-4:15.
• Wednesdays:  3:20 - 4:45
• Coach contact:  
• Kurt Rummler (7th grade) krummler@basd.k12.wi.us
• Brad Ferstenou (8th grade)  bferstenou@basd.k12.wi.us
• Click HERE for the Girls Basketball Schedule.
• Flag Football will start practice on September 12.  
• Meeting every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday for six weeks from 2:30 - 4:00 
• Coach contact:  Hans Block (hblock@basd.k12.wi.us)
• Click HERE for the schedule.