Welcome to the April 2017 Community Connect Newsletter
If the photos do not appear, please click the "display images" link at the top of your email.
Exciting New Offerings Coming For The
2017-18 School Year...  
A Message From Superintendent Dr. James Gottinger

I am pleased to announce that starting in the 2017-18 school year, Lake Geneva Schools will offer two exciting new programs that will greatly benefit our students and school families.
1) Before & After School Childcare:
Lake Geneva Schools and the Geneva Lakes Family YMCA have joined together to provide a before and after school enrichment program for the 2017-2018 school year at Central-Denison and Star Center Elementary Schools.

Any child between grades 5K and 5th grade that is enrolled at Central-Denison, Eastview or Star Center may become part of the program as long as space is available. 

The district is proud to partner with the YMCA in this endeavor to provide for the families of our community. This program will be an added benefit for our school community and provide enrichment and wellness opportunities for our students. This before and after school program will address major strategies of our Strategic Plan in the areas of community engagement and developing the whole child. 

The program will begin with the start of the 2017-2018 school year, Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to the start of school in the morning and from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. 

Please refer to this program flyer for complete details. You can contact Jami Golz, YMCA Youth and Family Director, for more information at 262-248-6211, ext. 26, or e-mail  jami.golz@glymca.org

I am confident this program will be extremely beneficial to the families of our community. I hope you will feel the same!
2) Online Learning Program:
Badger High School and Lake Geneva Middle School will provide online learning opportunities for students beginning with the 2017-2018 school year. An informational meeting for parents has been scheduled for May 11 at 6:00 pm in the District Administration Building, located at 208 South Street in Lake Geneva.

Any student in grades 6-12 attending Badger High School or Lake Geneva Middle School or receiving home-based education and residing within the district may apply. Acceptance of applications may be based on availability, individual student needs and input from school staff.

Courses offered online are aligned to national and state standards. Lake Geneva Middle and Badger High School students can enrich their course selection with courses not currently offered by the school districts.

The informational meeting on May 11 will further explain the program, provide information on course options and requirements and begin the registration process.

More information can be obtained by visiting our website at  www.LakeGenevaSchools.com/online or by contacting:
We are all excited to expand our offerings to the students of our educational community in an online environment. These opportunities for an enriched curriculum are consistent with our strategic objective of the strategic plan to improve student achievement through enhanced curricular offerings.

We hope to see many interested parents at our informational meeting on Thursday, May 11 at 6:00 pm in the District Administration Building, located at 208 South Street in Lake Geneva.

District Success Story of The Month
Lake Geneva 4K Program Gets Moving Thanks To 
WEA Trust & Lake Geneva Jaycees Grants
Strategic Plan Tie-In: Promoting Community Engagement, Developing The Whole Learner &
Enhancing Quality Facilities & Resources
Learn, grow, succeed. That's what our Lake Geneva Schools 4-year-old kindergarten program is all about. Thanks to generous donations from WEA Trust and the Lake Geneva Jaycees, our 4K students at Central-Denision Elementary School have new equipment to help them do those things. 

Central-Denison 4K teacher Mrs. Cyndi Nelson applied for grants from both organizations earlier this year requesting financial support to develop a 4K large motor skills area and purchase equipment to help students strengthen their skills and encourage physical activity.

"Our 4K teachers are seeing a decrease in large motor abilities, along with difficulties in fine motor skills," Nelson said. "This is especially important when it comes to our 4K students. Studies have shown that students with strong gross and motor skills are more productive and attentive," she added.

More than 100 school districts in Wisconsin applied for the WEA Trust's 2017 Forward Together grant. Mrs. Nelson's program was one of only three selected to receive awards! 

A representative from WEA Trust visited Mrs. Nelson's classroom on March 16 to present her with a $3,000 check. The kids LOVED the super-sized check!  The WEA Trust award, coupled with the Jaycee's donation, has enabled the school to purchase a variety of r esources for students, including jumbo trikes, sensory mats and balance beams. Students enjoyed the new equipment with their families at a 4K family fun day held in the Central-Denison gym.

Visit the Cen-Den Facebook Page to see video and photos from their celebration.
Introducing the Community Backpack
In line with our Strategic Plan objective promoting community engagement, Lake Geneva Schools is pleased to announce the rollout of a new community resource for area families called the Community Backpack, available now on LakeGenevaSchools.com/backpack.

The Community Backpack is designed to serve as an hub where families can go to find out about community programs and resources for kids in grades pre-K through 12. 
Upcoming Events & Programs - Spread The Word!
LGMS To Host The US Navy Band Sea Chanters Chorus April 25 at 7:00 PM 
Tickets are required and can be picked up in the LGMS main office or by mailing the school a self-addressed stamped envelope along with a ticket request form.   LGMS is proud to be the only Wisconsin location on the Sea Chanters' national tour. Thank you to our event co-sponsor the Lake Geneva Regional News! Please help spread the word & get your tickets early. This is sure to be a "sell-out" event!
The Spring Community Education
Guide Is Here!
Explore a wide variety of classes for all ages. Register in person at Badger High School or via US Mail. Click the guide for classes & registration info.
Register Now For 2017 Summer Enrichment Programs
Exciting classes for children ages 3 - 8th grade. Classes start June 12. Register by June 5. Click the guide for class & registration details.
Badger DECA To Host Daddy Daughter Dance - April 22
Click the flyer for details.Register by April 20 in-person or  online here.
Color Runs Coming To Our Schools!
The Lake Geneva Middle School & Central-Denison Elementary PTO's are hosting Color Runs this spring! Check out the details below & get registered!
District Reminders
Monthly School Board Awards
Badger Board Award
Congrats to sophomore Kyle May on receiving the Achievement Plus award at the March Badger High School board meeting. Board member Niki Ceisel (pictured left) and teacher Tammy Larwa recognized Kyle for earning the highest math score on the 1st semester final exam. Wow!
Joint #1 Board Award
Congrats to Central-Denison students Erick Flores-Cruz, Aldo Tapie, Peyton Webb and Hunter McKittrick on becoming 1 Million Word Wizard Club Readers! These superstars received the Lake Geneva Joint #1 School board's Achievement Plus award on March 14 for their accomplishment.

Visit our Boards of Education Website for meeting dates and details
District Scrapbook
Badger FFA Plant Sale Coming May 4-22
Thank you to the Walworth County UW-Master Gardener Group for their assistance in the Badger High  Greenhouse! This group graciously helps our greenhouse management class students plant crops and prepare for our annual  Badger FFA  Greenhouse sale. Mark your calendars for May 4-22! Additional sale details will be posted by mid-April on LakeGenevaSchools.com.
Our 1st Annual Elementary Choir Festival held at Badger High School on March 6 was a tremendous success! Congrats to our Eastview, Star Center and Central-Denison Elementary school choirs and music teachers! Watch the concert video
Introducing The Big Badger Little Badger Club
Mrs. Salamone's English classes at Badger High launched a new program in March called the Big Badger Little Badger Club. High school students visit Central-Denison and Star Center Elementary schools three days/week at the end of their school day to read with children and serve as positive role models. What a beneficial experience for all involved! 
Badger DECA Advances To Nationals
Badger DECA won 14 top-six trophies at the state competition March 7-9, and 30 students were recognized on stage with medals in their events. Eighteen team members qualified to represent Wisconsin and compete at the DECA International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, Calf. April 26-29. Read more.

Badger Senior Earns National Art Award
Ellie Elmudesi has earned national recognition in the 2017 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious recognition program for creative teens in grades 7-12. She will attend a national awards ceremony at Carnegie Hall in June. Her painting will be displayed at the Pratt Institute’s Pratt Manhattan Gallery in New York City from June 2-12. Read more.



Badger Culinary Team Takes State,
Advances To Nationals
Congrats to our Badger culinary team on winning their 10th State Championship on March 14 in Milwaukee. Students will complete for their 3rd national title in Charleston, SC, April 27-30.
Badger FCCLA Students Win National Seat Belts Save Lives Award
The National Organizations for Youth Safety (NOYS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration invited high schools throughout the country to develop a local campaign to increase seat belt usage. The Seat Belts Save Challenge is documented by an unannounced seat belt check before a school’s campaign, followed by another unannounced check after a two-week education and awareness campaign conducted by students. Badger's FCCLA student campaign won the national award for the highest seat belt use rate, achieving an almost perfect usage rate of 97.8 percent! Great job, students! 
Have Good News?  Hit the Success Button and Share!
BADGER ATHLETICS
Stay up to date on Badger athletics events & successes on GoBadger.org


SUMMER SPORTS CAMPS
Check out all of the great camps & clinics on LakeGenevaSchools.com (search Camps & Clinics). Watch the Badger High School facebook page for updates and announcements.
 Like Our Newsletter?  Forward To A Friend So They Can Subscribe &
Be In The Loop On Lake Geneva Schools News!
Happy Spring! Have A Great Month!
Find archives of our Community Connect Newsletter on the homepage of