The Lake Geneva Joint #1 and Lake Geneva-Genoa City Union High School districts are privileged to announce the 2025-2026 teachers of the year and support staff of the year. Congratulations to the following individuals!

Teachers of the Year:

Dee Dee Giovingo Badger High School

Kory Garlock Central-Denison

Special Services Support Teacher of the Year

Nancy Salazar, Special Services, Badger High School

Support Staff Employee of the Year Joint 1:

Lindsey Hansen, Central-Denison

The districts will celebrate the teachers and support staff of the year, as well as our retirees, at a banquet on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at Hawk’s View Golf Club.

This year’s prom, “Vintage Hollywood,” will be held at Grand Geneva Resort in the Grand Ballroom on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Prior to the dance, we will host a grand march and crown the prom king and queen in the Badger High School auditorium for parents, friends, and family. Students will be required to ride a bus from Badger to the Grand Geneva. This is a parking and safety precaution; therefore, students will not be permitted to drive themselves to Grand Geneva. Students must park their vehicles in the student lot by district office. Check-in, for prom attendees, will begin at 5:30 at Badger. The grand march will begin at 5:45; you must be checked in at Badger by 6:00. A formal dinner and dance will take place in the Forum at Grand Geneva from 7:00-11:00. Bus transportation back to Badger will be provided starting at 9:30 p.m. 

Students’ safety is our number one priority; administration and police personnel will be on site to provide security and administer random breathalyzer tests to students upon their arrival at Badger High School and/or The Grand Geneva. Please take a moment to speak with your students about the dangers of underage drinking and the importance of appropriate behavior at this formal event. If you have any questions about prom, please contact one of the junior class advisors listed below.

Thank you!

Jessica Noller…348-2000 ext. 2705

Amy Phillips… 348-2000 ext. 2611

Stephani Reynolds…348-2000 ext. 2605

SEMESTER 2 FINAL EXAM DATES AND DISMISSAL TIMES

Exam Dates:

• June 3, Periods 1, 3, and 5 - 1:14PM dismissal.
• June 4, Periods 2, 4, and 6 - 1:14PM dismissal.
• June 5, Periods 7 and 8 - 10:55AM dismissal.

Final Exam Reminder:

All students are required to take their final exams during their assigned class periods on our scheduled final exam days. Students may not take their exams early. Please plan accordingly and make sure you arrive on time, prepared, and ready to finish the school year strong!  

Please read the linked document, titled Final Exam Incentives 2025-2026, regarding student exemption from final exams. Final exams will take place June 3 through June 5. Final Exam Incentives 2025-2026 

If you have any questions regarding student exemption from final exams, please feel free to reach out to our Badger Administrators listed below.

• Students whose last name begins with A-L, Associate Principal, Bridget Hansen bridget.hansen@badger.k12.wi.us
• Students whose last name begins with M-Z, Associate Principal, Lisa Kendall lisa.kendall@badger.k12.wi.us
• Principal, Andrea Kaplan, andrea.kaplan@badger.k12.wi.us

The Spring Blood Drive will take place at Badger on Thursday, May 14, from 8AM to 1PM in the Main Gym. Sign up by clicking here and entering our Badger High zip code: 53147.

Why Give Blood?

• About 1 in 3 people will need a blood transfusion. 1 in 7 hospital patients need blood.
• It only takes about 5-10 minutes to donate blood. Donors spend approximately 45 minutes at the blood drive from the moment they walk in, to the time they finish their last cookie.
• Get out of class for an hour.
• You can find out what your blood type is!
• You get a free mini physical exam including pulse, bp and hemoglobin check via sensor. No more finger poke.
• You can follow your blood journey by downloading the Red Cross Blood App and find out what hospital your blood is transported to when it is being transported!



This past month the Badger Art Department has participated in two local student art shows.

1. The Geneva Lakes Art Foundation at Gallery 223 hosted a Student Art Show that included all schools in Walworth County and some surrounding areas.

Badger was able to enter 10 student art pieces. The following students had their work displayed in downtown Lake Geneva from April 14-19th:

Alexia Anaya, Alyssa Adams, Gabriella Sandfer, Sally Gowan, Dakota Ellis, Lilyonna Kribley, Madisyn Braden, Jackson Leach, Sophia Liontas, and Marley Butler.

Award Winners were:

BEST IN SHOW AWARD- $750.00 cash to Alexia Anaya, What Seeps In My Sleep

EMERGING ARTIST AWARD- $250.00 gift card to Alyssa Adams, The Hangout

2. The 2026 Congressional Art Show was also held this month hosted by Bryan Steil of the 1st Congressional District. Badger was able to enter 4 student art pieces. The following students had their work displayed at the Caledonia Village Hall on April 25th:

Alexia Anaya, Zoe Terkhorn, Lilyonna Kribley, and Sally Gowan

Alexia Anaya placed in the top 4 of this year's Congressional Art Competition.

Please see attached photos and congratulate these students when you see them!

These students had a great experience attending workshops and sessions, taking tests, and presenting projects in Atlanta. We are so proud of how these students represented not only Badger, but the entire state of Wisconsin. Congratulations and well done!

Volunteer Opportunities

Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back? Volunteer at Lake Geneva Schools!

Whether you have a few hours a month or want to get regularly involved, there's an opportunity for you. From classroom support to special events, many positions are available throughout our schools.

We're also actively seeking volunteers for our Multilingual Department! Bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, or Thai and English is preferred, but not necessary.

Ready to get started? Contact any of our building principals to learn how you can help.

Mrs. Stephanie Ford 

Central-Denison Elementary

(262) 348-4000 

Mrs. Katherine Stanton

Eastview Elementary

(262) 348-6000 

Mrs. Jenn Chironis

Star Center Elementary

(262) 348-7000 

Mrs. Anne Heck

Lake Geneva Middle School 

(262) 348-3000 

Mrs. Andrea Kaplan

Badger High School 

(262) 348-2000 

Together, we are strengthening the connection between our schools and our community one volunteer at a time.

Students are expected to leave the school premises immediately after dismissal at 2:45PM. Students may remain on school grounds only if they are participating in an extracurricular activity, receiving academic assistance, or involved in a sport. If a student is released early from their activity, they must wait in the Union until their ride arrives or the late bus departs. Students may NOT roam around the school at any time.



Buses will run Monday through Thursday at 4:30PM and 5:45PM. On Fridays, one bus will run at 5:45PM. Students must have a pass from a teacher or coach to ride the late buses.

If your student will need to leave during the school day, please be sure to notify the school office no later than an hour before their departure time; the earlier the better. This helps ensure timeliness for appointments and limits disruption to the learning environment.

Additionally, if you leave a voicemail on the attendance line, please know that your message will be heard as soon as time allows. This may take a while as nearly 100 voicemails are received each day.

Tree House Child and Family Center: Positive Behavior Strategies – Free Virtual Training

Open to parents, primary caregivers, educators, and youth-serving professionals! Topics in this one-hour virtual workshop include:

– How to help prevent challenging behaviors from occurring

– How to understand the acting-out cycle and when to intervene

– How to give effective instructions to improve listening

– How to promote self-regulation skills and guidelines for screen time

Choose the virtual training date that works best for you!

Each workshop will take place on a Tuesday from 5:30-6:30 pm:

May 12 • June 16 • July 14 • August 11 • September 22

Advance registration required: https://bit.ly/THPBS2026. 

Presented in partnership by Dr. Brooke Winchell and the Tree House.

Art Department:

Tuesday & Thursday 3:00-4:00PM

Business Department:

Students can individually schedule time after school with Mr. Huff or Mrs. Pyun as needed. 

English Department:

Thursdays 3:00-4:00PM, Room 604

Math:

Wednesdays 3:00-4:00PM, Room 2812, starting in March

Multi Language/EL:

Monday: 3:00-4:00PM, Room 813

Tuesday: 3:00-4:00PM, Room 813

Wednesday: 3:00-4:00PM, Room 813

Thursday: 3:00-4:00PM, Room 813

Science:

Monday: 3-4:00PM, Mrs. Howe, Room 411

Tuesday: 3-4:00PM, Mr. Burg, Room 410

Wednesday: 3-4:00PM, Mr. Cullian, Room 401

Thursday: 3-4:00PM, Ms. Schrader, Room 409

World Language:

Monday: 3-4:00PM, Sarah Bunton, Room 812

Tuesday: 3-4:00PM, Julie Busch, 808

Wednesday: 3-4:00PM, Sarah Parry, 810

Thursday: 3-4:00PM, Josh Herrell, 809

Wisconsin Respiratory Viral Report is a great way to see Respiratory Illness trends in both the State of Wisconsin and different Regions of Wisconsin. If your child is diagnosed with a Respiratory Illness, please update their building health office and keep home until they are well enough to be in class and ready to learn.

Lake Geneva Schools have partnered with Dousman Transport Company (DTC) to bring you a new app called ZONAR MyView. This app is designed to improve safety, communication, and convenience for families by providing greater visibility into their child's transportation. Participation in the ZONAR MyView app is entirely optional, but we encourage you to use this convenient tool.

With ZONAR MyView, you can expect:

• Bus Tracking: View your child’s bus location through a secure mobile app.
• Notifications and Alerts: Receive notifications when the bus is approaching your stop, as well as alerts for delays or schedule changes.
• Improved Communication: Important transportation messages from DTC will be sent directly through the app.
• Easy to Use: The app is simple to navigate on your smartphone or tablet.

For further instructions and guidance, please click on Zonar MyView under the News tab on our Lake Geneva Schools website.

Lake Geneva Schools (Badger and Joint #1) is excited to continue to offer students FREE Breakfast for the 2025 - 2026 School Year.

School breakfast is healthy, convenient, and helps students do well in school. Every student at Badger High School, New Visions Charter School, Lake Geneva Middle School, Star Center Elementary School, Eastview Elementary School, Central-Denison Elementary School, and Maple Park Charter School is eligible to receive a healthy breakfast at their school each day till the end of the school year for no charge.

We are extremely happy to provide this service to our community. We encourage all students to participate!

Questions? Contact: Jaclyn Sanders, Lake Geneva Schools Food Service Coordinator, by email at jaclyn.sanders@badger.k12.wi.us or by phone at 262-348-1015.

We’re excited to share that our school boards have approved the 2026-2027 school year family calendar. Families can now review key dates and plan ahead for the upcoming year.

 View the full calendar here: https://bit.ly/4pYIGuO

May 1

• HOPE Squad Meeting 6:50AM
• Badger Spring Play 7:00PM

May 2

• Badger Spring Play 7:00PM

May 4

• Badger Spring Choir Concert 7:00PM

May 6

• Student Council Meeting 5:30PM
• Teacher of the Year Banquet 5:30PM Hawk's View Golf Club

May 9

• Badger Prom 7:00PM to 11:00PM
• Check in at Badger, begins at 5:30PM
• Grand March begins at 5:45PM
• All attendees must be checked in at Badger by 6:00PM

May 11

• Badger Board Meeting 6:30PM

May 13

• Badger Senior Awards & Scholarship Night 6:00PM

May 14

• Red Cross Blood Drive

May 18

• Badger Spring Orchestra Concert 7:00PM

May 20

• Badger Spring Band Concert 7:00PM

May 22

• Badger Underclassmen Awards
• 
  

May 25

• No School
• Memorial Day Parade 10:00AM

May 27

• Jazz Concert, 6:00PM

June 3

• Final Exams, Periods 1, 3 and 5, 1:14PM Dismissal
• Mandatory Graduation Practice in PE Center 1:30PM

June 4

• Final Exams, Periods 2, 4 and 6, 1:14PM Dismissal

June 5

• Final Exams, Periods 7 and 8, 10:55AM Dismissal

June 7

• Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony 11:00AM

When to Send Your Child to School or Keep Them Home

At Lake Geneva Schools, we know that regular attendance is key to academic success! Being in class daily helps students build strong habits, stay engaged, and gain valuable social skills. However, we also want to maintain a healthy, germ-free learning environment.

Use this guide (https://bit.ly/healthyLGS) to help decide when your child should attend school or stay home to recover. If your child has a fever over 100.4°F, vomiting, or diarrhea in the last 24 hours, it's best for them to rest at home. For minor symptoms like a runny nose, if there’s no fever, they’re ready for class!

When in doubt, contact the school health office, and let's work together to keep everyone healthy and learning!

Driver Education Grant Program

Wisconsin DMV continues to develop the relaunches of the Driver Education Grant program with funding approved in the 2025-2027 biennial budget. Portions of this funding have begun to be released in a quarterly fashion. 

The Driver Education Grant Program provides grants to cover driver education tuition costs for 30 hours of classroom coursework, six hours of observation, and six hours of behind-the-wheel training for eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program, have not previously held a driver’s license, and who are between 14.5 and 19 years old may apply for the Driver Education Grant Program.



Students, parents, and all those who may be interested in a notification closer to the time of the launch can sign up with their email at: Wisconsin Department of Transportation Driver Education Grant Program. 

Direct Admit

Direct Admit Wisconsin is an initiative by the Universities of Wisconsin to proactively offer admission to qualifying high school students in between their junior and senior years of high school. Direct admission removes the traditional application process and instead uses data provided by the high school to admit students to universities.

You may be wondering, how can I be eligible to be a part of this Direct Admit Program? Well, you must be enrolled in a participating school district and opt to participate in the program.

Then, if you are on track to complete the credits required for admission – 4 units of English, 3 units of approved math, 3 units of social science, 3 units of natural science, and 4 additional academic units – you will receive an admission offer through Direct Admit Wisconsin. Each participating UW university has its own GPA and course requirements. Students are matched with participating UW universities using progress towards graduation, whether they are on track to complete the required credits for admission to the Universities of Wisconsin and their unweighted cumulative GPA. Check the Direct Admit website to view participating Wisconsin Universities and gather more information!

https://www.wisconsin.edu/direct-admissions/

Parchment and Transcript Requests

All students who are looking to order a transcript should make sure that they have an account set up through Parchment.com. If you have not already done so and are unsure about how to set up an account, you can stop by the Counseling Center to grab some printed instructions. If you are ordering a transcript before June 13th, please select the “hold for grades” option before placing an order.

Summer Recovery

Badger High School offers Summer School for credit recovery. During summer school, students can make up 0.5 credit in either math or English, helping them stay closer to graduation requirements. You should have already received information on how to sign your student up for summer school. If you have not, please send your student to the Counseling Center for a signup sheet. It is extremely important that students take advantage of these opportunities and avoid falling behind. The earlier we intervene, the more likely your student can get back on track and avoid getting into an academic situation that becomes difficult to recover from.

PSAT for the 2026-27 School Year 

The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) offers valuable opportunities for our 10th and 11th grade students beyond just practicing for the ACT in the Junior Year. For 11th graders, strong PSAT performance can qualify them for prestigious National Merit Scholarship recognition, opening doors to significant college scholarships and academic honors. Both grade levels benefit from the detailed score reports that highlight strengths and areas for improvement, helping students focus their ACT/SAT preparation efforts. The test also connects high-achieving students with college and career planning resources through the College Board's Student Search Service, where universities can reach out with information about programs and scholarships. Additionally, the PSAT provides early exposure to the college-readiness benchmarks and question formats students will encounter on the ACT, making it an excellent low-stakes opportunity to familiarize themselves with standardized testing expectations. We encourage all eligible students to take advantage of this valuable stepping stone toward their college and career goals. Interested in more information or want to sign up? Contact Robert Riley (School Counselor - Students A-Do) robert.riley@badger.k12.wi.us

The end of the year is drawing near!  Here are a few reminders from the Badger Library:



• AP Students looking for test practice and study tips should visit the library.  We have print study workbooks for checkout.  The Lake Geneva Public Library also has a great tutoring resource called BrainFuse.  This is a free online, live tutoring resource for anyone with a public library card.
• All library materials are due Tuesday, May 26th.  After this date, any library material(s) still checked out will result in a fine for the replacement cost of the material.  Those fines will be entered into PowerSchool on 5/27/2026.  We would much rather have the book than fine money!  Students receive weekly emails reminding them of overdue library materials or outstanding fines.  Students are encouraged to return library books at any time to avoid a fine or have a fine deleted. 
• Our SORA eBook, audioBook, eComics, and eMagazines platform is available to students all summer long.  Check our website for more details on access.

DISCOVER, LEARN, AND HAVE FUN WITH BADGER COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Looking to learn a new skill, explore a hobby, stay active, or just have a blast? Badger Community Education has you covered! We offer a wide range of affordable classes and activities for all ages — from fitness and wellness to arts, crafts, cooking, and more. Whether you're trying something for the first time, building on existing talents, or simply looking for a good time, there's something for everyone!

Check out everything we offer and sign up today at Badger Community Education. Let’s keep learning, growing, and having fun — together!

BULLYING, HARASSMENT, SCHOOL SAFETY REPORTING

If you have information regarding bullying, harassment, or other non-emergency school safety concerns and would like to report this information, please click here to learn more, fill out a school-specific reporting form to the best of your knowledge, and submit it.

COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL

Whom do I contact with a question or suggestion? 

Lake Geneva Schools’ communication protocols help promote direct, open, and respectful interactions so that we can quickly and efficiently resolve problems and concerns. The communication protocol starts with the staff member closest to the situation, as that person usually has the most information. However, at times, additional personnel are required to resolve specific concerns. Click here for more information and to view the Lake Geneva Schools Communication Matrix.

TEXT ALERT SIGN UP

Lake Geneva Schools has the ability to use SMS (text) messaging as another communication channel to share important information with families and staff regarding school closures or changes to the school day schedule. Federal law requires recipients to opt-in to receive such messages.

How can I opt-in to receive text messages?

📱Text the word “YES” or Y to 67587 from each wireless device on which you wish to receive texts.

📱Confirm that all text device numbers you wish to receive messages on are listed in your contact information: Families – verify that your cell phone is your primary phone number in your PowerSchool parent portal.

More information: https://bit.ly/4g2dhTb  

JOIN US FOR COFFEE WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT

Lake Geneva Schools Superintendent Dr. Peter Wilson warmly invites parents and community members to a series of informal “Coffee with the Superintendent” gatherings happening over the next several months. These relaxed events offer a great chance to chat openly about our schools—what’s going well and where we can improve. The final event in this series is scheduled below.

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

9:30 am - 10:30 am

Lake Geneva Public Library

918 W Main St, Lake Geneva, WI

Please RSVP before each event by calling 262-348-1005, but walk-ins are always welcome! We look forward to seeing you there!

https://www.lakegenevaschools.com/news/news-details/~board/district-news/post/join-us-for-coffee-with-the-superintendent 

UNSUNG HEROES

Lake Geneva Schools is proud to have the most dedicated teachers and staff! Now’s your chance to recognize a teacher or staff member who has made a meaningful difference in your life, your student’s journey, or your family’s experience. Share your appreciation, and we’ll spotlight these "Unsung Heroes" on our website, social media channels, and personally deliver your message to them. Let’s come together to celebrate the incredible people who make Lake Geneva Schools so special! #LakeGenevaSchools #E3LG

Click here to recognize a teacher or staff member: https://bit.ly/46hoMD1



UPCOMING EVENTS IN THE AREA

BICYCLE AND SCOOTER SAFETY INFORMATION

Community Backpack

The Lake Geneva Schools Community Backpack is your online bulletin for youth-related community activities and educational opportunities. Learn More

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

Our Website

Please visit our website frequently for district-wide

and school specific announcements, and important information. lakegenevaschools.com

Badger High School

(262) 348-2000

webmaster@badger.k12.wi.us

www.lakegenevaschools.com

Connect with us