The Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union (Badger) High School Board approved the notice of retirement provided by Principal Ms. Jennifer Straus, effective June 30, 2024

Ms. Straus has served as an administrator at Badger High School for 15 years, joining Badger as an Associate Principal in 2009 and then as Principal in 2019. Prior to joining Badger, Ms. Straus served as an Associate Principal and Social Studies Teacher in other Wisconsin School Districts. Ms. Straus has dedicated 33 years to the field of education.

“I have enjoyed working with the students, teachers, and staff at Badger High School,” Straus said. “My goal has been to be the best principal I can be for the Badger community and to live my life with compassion and kindness, and I believe I have done just that,” she continued.” “I want to thank our dedicated teachers and staff, fantastic students and parents, and the great communities for their unwavering support of Badger High School,” Straus concluded.

The School Board and Superintendent, Dr. Peter Wilson, thanked Straus for her 15 years of dedicated service to Lake Geneva Schools.

“Ms. Straus has been an esteemed member of Lake Geneva Schools. We appreciate her years of service and wish her a fantastic retirement,” stated Superintendent Dr. Peter Wilson. “As we plan for next school year, I am confident we will find a highly qualified and passionate leader to work in partnership with our Associate Principals, Mrs. Lisa Kendall and Mrs. Jenn Chironis, as well as our Teachers and Staff, to continue to move Badger forward and do what is in the best interest of all our students,” Wilson continued.

Ms. Straus will continue to serve as Badger’s Principal through June 30, 2024. A collaborative process involving students, parents, community members, employees, and school board members will be implemented this winter/spring to identify and select the next Badger High School Principal. More specific information will be shared as it becomes available.

February 1, 2, 3 Badger Theater will perform the Winter Play "Bethel Park Falls" by Jason Pizzarello at 7:00 pm in the Badger Recital Hall

The residents of the small town of Bethel are facing a crisis: Their beloved park has been sold out from under them and it's sending their lives into a tailspin. In nine interconnected vignettes, sixteen locals grapple with the loss of jobs, homes, and spouses, but find love, courage, and forgiveness as the park magically transforms through four seasons of the year in a single day. From a tired security guard trying get home to her kids, to a young mayor in over his head, to a nostalgic fisherman who can't seem to catch anything, everyone takes a fall... and picks themselves up again. Bethel Park Falls draws a group of complex, fascinating, funny people together into one poignant story about the spaces where communities connect.

The 4th-12th grade Orchestra presents their District Orchestra Festival! Come join them on Tuesday, February 20th at 6 PM in the LGMS Gym. Students will need to arrive by 5:15 pm to rehearse the combined 4-12th Grade piece. ***Students need to wear their orchestra uniform: Black Orchestra Polo, Black Pants, Black Shoes & Socks***

Internet Safety: March 21st

Bennet Merens from WI Bureau of Consumer Protection will discuss safe practices for children while accessing the internet. Children have access at home, school, or a friend's house! Parents should be aware of online activities to keep them safe. Topics include online gaming, downloading apps, sharing photos, & clicking links. Register online: https://lakegenevaschools.revtrak.net/badger-community-education/-winter/#/v/Consumer-Protection--Winter

Badger High School Showcase

Please join us at the Badger High School Showcase on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Badger High School Sports Center. 

The night will allow parents, students, and community members the opportunity to explore Badger!  

• Learn about Badger classes, programs, athletics, and activities
• Meet Teachers and Counselors
• Learn about the student registration process
• Q&A sessions with Counselors
• Student-led tours will run every 15 minutes from the Sports Center to key areas around the building, such as the fitness center, fine arts, music, and west wing, where there will be hands-on demonstrations showcasing all that Badger has to offer!

Stay for a Free Community Awareness Session: “Up in 'Smoke' - Vaping trends, devices, and what you can do to prevent youth use.” beginning at 6:15 PM in the Auditorium. Click here for details about the “Up in Smoke” Awareness Session.

Free Community Awareness Session Up in 'Smoke - Vaping trends, devices, and what you can do to prevent youth use

Presented by Melissa Moore, Certified Prevention Specialist, Owner & Trainer, M3 Consulting LLC

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

6:15 PM

Badger High School

Badger Auditorium

220 E. South Street

Lake Geneva, WI 53147

It’s not just water. Taking a page out of the traditional tobacco industry using fruity flavors, attractive packaging, catchy advertising, and clever devices to attract the next generation of customers. And with the increased availability of both nicotine and cannabis products, it is a trend that anyone concerned about the health of youth (and the entire community) should know more about!

Attendees will learn:

• Basics of vaping, and why youth are especially at risk for addiction.
• A breakdown of the devices, and the various substances used in vapes.
• Industry tactics, social media influences, and other use trends.
• What works in prevention (& what doesn’t) to help parents, schools and the community address this growing threat.

Adults only, please.

Pre-registration is highly encouraged. Walk-ins welcome. 

Register Now: https://bit.ly/LGSawarenessEvent

How to Create a Safe Internet Experience For You Family

The greatest threat against our youth is Access! How can we protect our families from online threats? This workshop will help you with valuable resources to keep your family safe online. Register online: https://lakegenevaschools.revtrak.net/badger-community-education/-winter/#/v/How-to-Create-a-Safe-Internet-Experience-for-Your-Family

Dear Parents and Guardians,

February 7, 2024 will be our first Badger Showcase.  This is a night where students and families can tour Badger, sit in on sectionals with information for those new to Badger and looking to learn more about the process of selecting classes for the 2024-25 school year.  There will be information from each department, activity, and athletics along with demonstrations in specific areas of the building.  Our Leadership Class will give tours to incoming students and families.  It will be an engaging night that seeks to educate our Badger community about all the opportunities we have for our students and engage in activities that empower students to make quality choices when they choose their classes for the 2024-2025 school year.

February 8, 2024 Badger will have an extended Homeroom.  During the hour, 9-11 grade students will be engaged in discussing and selecting their classes for next school year.  Students must choose enough classes to fill an 8 period day for both semester I and II.  Many students decide to fill one period each semester with a study hall to better manage their time.  Please look over the course guide to familiarize yourself with all the varied opportunities available at Badger.  Course selection ends on February 16.  Please reinforce the importance of choosing electives students want to take.  Once this schedule is created, there is limited ability to change.

Use the following links to view the Course Guide in two different formats:

https://heyzine.com/flip-book/2cb6876cca.html  - traditional guide

2024 - 2025 Career Planning & Course Guide - Website

During this extended Homeroom, Seniors will take a CTEERS survey that seeks to ascertain where they are headed after high school.  We also ask our Seniors to comment on what Badger has done well for them and what we need to improve upon.  All students will attend a presentation on the issues surrounding vaping during this extended Homeroom as well.  

Please continue to support our Badger athletes and actors during the month of February.  

Warm Regards,

Jenny Straus

ACT & PreACT Dates

The ACT will be administered to ALL Badger and New Visions Juniors on Tuesday, March 12th. We ask ALL Badger and New Visions Juniors to please arrive on time that morning. 

Freshmen, Sophomores, and Seniors will not attend school on this day.

The PreACT will be administered to ALL Badger and New Visions Freshmen and Sophomores on Tuesday, April 9th.  ALL Badger and New Visions Freshmen and Sophomores will need to arrive on time that morning.

Junior and Seniors will not attend school on this day.

Over the next few weeks, a practice test will be given to Junior students in English, Reading, Science and Math during their regularly scheduled classes. Additionally, a free Science Bootcamp will be offered to students from 3:30-4:30 on Feb 12, 26 and 28. Each session will cover a new topic, and we encourage students to attend all three sessions. Your child should sign up for this bootcamp in the Main Office or Counseling Center. Please encourage your child to visit act.org where they will find additional resources about the test, and ACT test prep options available to prepare themselves for the ACT test.  For our New Visions students, directions on how to access the practice tests and sign up for the ACT Science Bootcamp can be found posted to your Google Classroom on 1/30/24. 

February 1, 2024

• Winter Play 7:00pm Recital Hall

February 2, 2024

• Winter Play 7:00pm Recital Hall

February 3, 2024

• Winter Play 7:00pm Recital Hall

February 7, 2024

• Student Council Meeting 5:30pm Room 602
• Badger Showcase 4:00 - 6:00pm

February 9, 2024

• Course Selection Opens

February 12, 2024

• Badger Board Meeting 6:30pm

February 16, 2024

• Course Selection Closes

February 19, 2024

• No School - Teacher In-Service

February 20, 2024

• Orchestra Festival 7:00pm @ LGMS

February 26, 2024

• Winter Band Concert 7:00pm
• DECA State

February 27, 2024

• DECA State

February 28, 2024

• DECA State

Badger Showcase

Attention all students, parents, and Lake Geneva community members: Come one come all to the Badger Showcase! This brand new event will be held at Badger High School on Wednesday, February 7th from 4:00-6:00pm. Meet and greet teachers, club leaders, coaches, and preview all the great opportunities that Badger High School has to offer! Student-led tours will run every 15 minutes leaving from the Sports Center. Immediately following the Badger Showcase, all are invited to the “Up in Smoke” presentation starting at 6:15pm in the Auditorium.

Badger ACT

Calling all Juniors!! Mark your calendars and sharpen those pencils! Every Junior will be taking the ACT on March 12th at Badger High School. If you’re looking for helpful resources to prepare, check out ACT.org for more information and some helpful study guides!

FAFSA

The 2024–2025 FAFSA form is now available. The Department of Education has worked to address minor issues affecting users during the application process. Any student, regardless of income, who wants to be considered for federal, state, and school financial aid programs should fill out the FAFSA. This includes grants, scholarships, work-study funds, and loans. It takes most people less than one hour to fill out the FAFSA form, including gathering any personal documents and financial information needed to complete it. If you have questions about FAFSA, visit fafsa.gov for more information.

Course Registration

Course registration will be opening on February 7th and closes on February 16th. All Badger students will be registering for courses in their homerooms on February 8th. The brand new Badger High School Course Guide can be found on our Badger website! If you have any questions about course registration, please reach out to your counselor.

Badger Library’s First Annual Battle of the Books Championship was a hard-fought battle but The Book Was Better team secured their spot as champions. Collectively, the teams read twenty books with approximately 4,000 pages total and spent many nights after school preparing for the battle.  The Book Was Better team will now move on to compete in a statewide competition to see where they rank against other district championship teams. Best of luck to them!

Share News With Us

Share your news, event summaries, photos and/or give us a "head's up" on your upcoming events so we can promote your successes. Email photos@badger.k12.wi.us

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www.lakegenevaschools.com

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