3rd quarter begins Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Parents/Guardians,

I hope you had a wonderful holiday break.

I would like to take a moment to share with you the importance of daily school attendance and its connection to an upcoming state reporting date. Every school day matters. When students attend regularly, they are more engaged, achieve at higher levels, and build habits that set them up for long-term success.

In addition to the benefits for your child, attendance also has a direct impact on our schools. On Friday, January 9th, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) requires all schools to complete what is known as the “Second Friday Count.” This official enrollment count helps determine the level of state funding our district receives. Put simply, the students who are present on this day are included in our enrollment numbers, and those numbers play a key role in the resources available to support teaching and learning in our schools.

While every day of attendance is important for your child’s learning, the Second Friday of January carries added significance for our entire district. We ask for your help in making sure your child is present and ready for school on that day.

Thank you for your partnership in supporting both your child’s success and the success of our schools. Your efforts to prioritize attendance make a meaningful difference for students, families, and staff across our community.

With appreciation,

George Chironis

Director of Business Services

Lake Geneva Schools

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

If you missed any of our fantastic concerts, please click on the links below to watch and enjoy!

On Thursday, December 18, 2025, the Lake Geneva Middle School Counseling Department had the distinct honor of celebrating outstanding students at their Above & Beyond Ceremony. This prestigious award is designed to showcase outstanding students who go above and beyond everyday expectations at Lake Geneva Middle School. The winners have displayed qualities such as overcoming challenges, exceeding typical performance, displaying perseverance, consistently staying positive, and supporting others. Congratulations to all the amazing students at Lake Geneva Middle School.

LGMS SOUL Club sponsored an "ugly" sweater decorating contest. Our 6th grade winner was Maddie with her Shrek sweater. 7th grade winner was Gabbi and her "67"sweater. The winner from 8th grade with his Home Alone sweater, who also took grand prize for top winner of the school, was Billy.

Congratulations to all!

Our 8th grade SOUL Club members kicked off the week by bringing some holiday cheer to our staff at LGMS. There were Panera bagels, doughnuts from our local Piggly Wiggly, and much more. We appreciate all of our teachers and staff at LGMS. Thank you & happy holidays.

Our Multilingual Department hosted a Holiday Treat Share at Lake Geneva Middle School. It was a warm, joyful celebration of family, food, and language! Families, students, and staff gathered in our language classroom to share lunch, swap stories, and taste traditions. We had German spritz cookies, Japanese Dango, enchiladas, mazapanes, pozole verde, ensalada de fruta, atole de cajeta, and many Christmas cookies and other sweet treats.

Our multilingual department is rich with Spanish, Thai, Vietnamese, and German - each language adding to the tapestry of our classroom.



These moments matter: Our ML program’s goal is to deepen students’ English oral and literacy skills and through events like this we are able to put into practice what we learn in our classes. Academic growth is rooted in family and community. Thank you to the families who joined us and to the students and staff who brought their traditions to the table!

During a recent visit to Mr. Jooss' class at Lake Geneva Middle School, Mrs. Erin Zigler, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, noted:

Students engaged in a movement activity to demonstrate their understanding between controllable and uncontrollable events in their lives; Students reflecting on which stress tools might work best for them to help lower stress levels; Students connecting real-life events to stress, and which events they have control over and which events they do not; how do they respond to these scenarios?

Mr. Jooss using the "ripple" Total Participation Technique in his instruction: students were given time to individually reflect on the stress prompts, then they had time to work with a partner, and then it was discussed as a group.

It was evident that students were very familiar with routines and expectations. When the bell rang, students lined up outside the classroom waiting for Mr. Jooss to welcome them in. When entering, students went directly to their seats and focused their attention on Mr. Jooss.

While students were working in partners, Mr. Jooss circulated the classroom to assess progress and provide feedback to students.

Thank you, Mr. Jooss, for the instruction you provide to help students create healthy habits in their school and personal lives.

Ms. Erin Zigler, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, visited Ms. Sarah Opie’s class on Monday. During the visit, she noted:

- Students working together in teams to read recipes and follow instructions

- Students familiar with group routines, where each member was assigned a role and knew how to help the team complete the cooking assignment

-Students applying real-life skills in their learning. When speaking with the students, this was the first time many of them had ever done something such as melt butter and measure ingredients

- Students engaged, smiling, and having a great time learning

-Ms. Opie circulating the classroom, providing the students with immediate feedback and tips

- Students proud of their finished product and enjoying eating them

- Students cleaning up their kitchens and transitioning to the next activity

Thank you, Ms. Opie, for providing such an engaging classroom that directly relates to learning in the real world!

Ms. McGreevy's classroom is a welcoming and warm environment. It is evident that students feel comfortable sharing and working with others, as shown by their willingness to participate, discuss, and collaborate in pairs.

During our visit, the classroom was engaged in a lesson in the Amplify unit, "Mysteries and Investigations." We noted: -The learning target clearly stated on the board, communicating to students what the learning expectation for the lesson was (I can work to evaluate...); Students using key vocabulary words, in context, as they discussed theories around the cause of yellow fever. Students used key terms including: contamination, germs, hypothesis, infected, transmission, germs

-Ms. McGreevy modeling how to write a clear "If, then" statement to summarize the findings around yellow fever

-Students drawing conclusions based on scientific hypotheses around the cause of yellow fever

-Students engaged in writing their own "If, then" statements based on their experimental group

-Ms. McGreevy asking students to defend their thinking and provide "the why" to support their evidence

-Students engaged in partner work, discussing the viewpoints of key volunteers in the scientific work around discovering the cause of yellow fever.

Mrs. Ward’s sixth grade science students recently participated in several hands on learning opportunities. These included - measuring volume using the displacement method, investigating which materials allow electricity to flow and which do not, and building simple electric circuits.

A fun and meaningful time was had by all!

8th Grade Holiday Cheer

To find out more about what's happening at LGMS,

please like us on Facebook!

Students and parents! Alpine Valley is offering a ‘ski card’ that allows you to purchase lift tickets at a reduced price during the season. The card itself costs $30. Present the card at the ticket window to buy a reduced priced ($30) lift ticket for skiing after 3pm Sunday through Friday during the ski season.

You can buy a card for anyone under the age of 18. See Mr. Turk in 308 or email him at scott.turk@badger.k12.wi.us for information or to purchase the cards. Cash only and exact amount only please.

____________________________________________________________________

Each Friday in January and February, Mr. Turk will have lift tickets for Alpine Valley for anyone to ski. Parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, anyone can go for $30 (cash only-exact change only). Mr. Turk will have the lift tickets each week for the upcoming Friday.

See Mr. Turk in Room 308 for any questions or mail him at scott.turk@badger.k12.wi.us

If your student needs extra help after school from a teacher, students and/or parents/guardians are able to make arrangements with that specific teacher. We will have busing on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30pm. Thank you!

PARENTS NEED TO DROP OFF STUDENTS AROUND 7:10AM AS THE BELL RINGS FOR STUDENTS TO GO TO THEIR FIRST PERIOD CLASS.

ALL STUDENTS NEED TO BE IN THEIR HOMEROOM AT 7:20AM WHEN THE FINAL BELL RINGS OR THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED TARDY.

For the safety of everyone, please take a close look at our morning drop-off map for LGMS. We ask that when you are dropping off your student in the morning to please follow the arrows and instructions indicated on the map below.

If you choose to drop off in the parking lot, please pull into a parking space. You cannot drop off in the driving lane of the parking lot.

Thank you for your patience and consideration in keeping the safety of our students a first priority.

Doors: The side door 17 is open at 6:30am with supervision.

The main doors will be open at 7:00am. Please drop off on the side of building as much as you can.

Need to reach the office? Leaving early for an appt? Reporting an absence?

We have 3 easy ways to reach the LGMS main office:

1. Call the main line at 262-348-3000
2. Call the attendance line at 262-348-3040
3. Email the main office at lgmsoffice@badger.k12.wi.us

• If you are calling your student in for an absence, please call or email by 8:00am.

• If you are picking up your student for an appt, please send a note in the morning. Your student needs to bring it to the office before FLEX.

Dr. Kokodynski Patients: Did you know that if you have an appointment with Dr. Kokodynski that you can write your student a note with permission for them to walk over for their appointment. We do need parent permission for your student to walk over.

PLANNED ABSENCES

If your student is going to be out of school for 3 or more days you can request a planned absence sheet to collect what work they miss when they are out of school.

Students can always check their google classroom for missing assignments.

Thank you!

Students need to be to school by 7:10am and are to be in their homeroom by the time the bell rings at 7:20am. 

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!

Hello LGMS Parents/Guardians!  

We are very excited for this coming school year! For our athletics, we do have forms that are required for participation. We will be having parents/guardians complete the concussion/cardiac arrest agreement (waiver) through google form (linked below). This form is needed for your child to participate in ANY athletic intramural or interscholastic sport at LGMS but only needs to be filled out once per year. This form also needs to be filled out with your child. We want athletes to know and understand the signs and symptoms of a concussion or possible cardiac arrest.

All of the information needed is linked on the google form. This google form will need to be filled out prior to the first practice of the sport your student signs up for to be able to participate.

Also required is a school physical form. Please see link to the form below. This form is to be filled out by the parent and physician.

--

David Jooss

david.jooss@badger.k12.wi.us

Health Teacher/Activities Director

Lakers Soccer Director/Registrar

Director of Coaching Badger Boys Basketball

Intramural Soccer and Intramural Basketball Coach

Phone: (262) 348-3000 Ext. 8249

Fax: (262) 348-3092



LGMS ATHLETIC REGISTRATION FORM-Concussion Protocol

FREE Student Breakfast

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 - jaclyn.sanders@badger.k12.wi.us - 262-348-1015

Every Wednesday is Extended Homeroom.

 In addition, we will have Extended Homeroom Days during i-Ready and Forward Testing.

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

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

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.

Upcoming Dates & Locations:

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Summer Moon Coffee

80 E Geneva Square, Lake Geneva, WI

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

9:00 am - 10:00 am

The Porch

832 Geneva St Unit 2, Lake Geneva, WI

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 

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  

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 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.

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 clickclick herehere to learn more, fill out a school-specific reporting form to the best of your knowledge, and submit it.

Lake Geneva

Schools recognizes the important role that community organizations play in serving our students and area youth. Our Community Backpack program provides opportunities for local civic and not-for-profit organizations to share youth-related program information with the students and families in our district.

If you have a submission or you'd like to see events happening in the area, visit our Community Backpack page: http://bit.ly/2Nuk1jF

Please note that the content on this page will be updated frequently, so check back often.

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!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/4iAs48w

VIBE

Lake Geneva Schools Is Hiring!

We’re currently seeking candidates for a variety of support positions, including Administrative Assistants, Technical Support, Aides, and more. View open positions here: https://wecan.waspa.org/Emp

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

Lake Geneva Middle School

(262) 348-3000

webmaster@badger.k12.wi.us

www.lakegenevaschools.com

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