Cutting Edge, Collaborative, And Effective Education

WEM Newsletter

As the fall sports and activities have come to a close and the winter season begins, we want to take a few minutes and show our gratitude to our students, staff, and families for a memorable beginning to the 2023-2024 school year. We wish you and your families nothing but the best this holiday season. #WEMBucs

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A Message from the Superintendent

I am honored to introduce myself as the Superintendent of Waterville, Elysian, Morristown Schools. It is with great enthusiasm and commitment that I join this school district to serve in continuing to shape a future where every learner can thrive. I look forward to working with stakeholders to ensure the success of our students.

Over the past few months, I have engaged in a process of getting to know our school district. I am committed to understanding the unique strengths and challenges that define our school district. I continue to listen as to lay a strong foundation for informed leadership in our district.

The district is looking at updating its strategic plan. This process would take the input from Staff, Students, Stakeholders, and School Board to provide the guide for us to do our work. It is essential that we have a clear and shared vision that fosters a common understanding of our educational goals. This alignment helps create a cohesive and collaborative approach to improving educational outcomes. This plan will be our roadmap to guide our decisions and resource allocation. Ultimately, this strategic plan will provide a foundation for transparent communication in order to instill confidence and trust in the district's continued improvement in delivering high quality education while fostering the well-being of our students.

I look forward to seeing you in our communities and supporting our students in all the great things they do. Thank you for all that you do to continue to support our students.

BUCS Sightings

6th grade students took a field trip to Target Field touring the facility and taking a few swings in the batting cages.

Our preschoolers studied fire prevention this fall and had the opportunity to meet a real firefighter, tour a firetruck, and learn more about fire safety from Captain Matt Duhme.

Advanced PE students climbed to new heights at Minnesota State University Mankato

How's our driving? Call 1-800- GOLF-PRO. WEM Advanced PE had the opportunity to take a swing at Topgolf

Congratulation to our 2023 WEM Homecoming Court and King and Queen, Connor and Claire Bohlen!

Work hard, play hard! Rewarding our students with a fun activity this fall!

Fall Sports Recap

By Jeff Boran

The Buccaneer Football team ended the season with a 3-6 record, with their last game of the season being a 22-6 victory over Medford. Luke Michael (Sr.), Keegan Kuball (Jr.) and Talen Taylor (So.) were All-District Selections. Aric Williams (Sr.) and Isaac Quast (Sr.) were Honorable Mention All-District. Team Award winners were - MVP & Buccaneer Award - Luke Michael, Offensive POY Talen Taylor, Defensive POY Brady Murphy, Lineman of the Year - Keegan Kuball, Outstanding Special Teams - Aric Williams and Scouty Award Avery Breyer. Seniors for the Buccaneers were Macy Anderson, Cody Culhne, Bryce Gagnon, Dylan Holicky, Evan Lange-Wenker, Luke Michael, Spencer Oorlog, Redzel Priebe, Isaac Quast, Koby Sanders and Aric Williams. With participation numbers (over 50 expected in 2024) on the rise the Bucs look to take the next steps in 2024 to getting back to Championship Caliber.

WEM Volleyball won their 8th straight Subsection title and played Southwest Christian (Class AA Number 1 ranked team) for the Section 2AA Championship losing 3-1 finishing their season with an overall record of 24-9. The Bucs placed 3rd in the Gopher Conference behind state rated Bethlehem Academy and Kenyon-Wanamingo. All- Gopher Conference selections were Josie Volkman (Sr.), Claire Bohlen (Sr.) & Addison Condon (So.). Ashlyn Pelant (Jr.) was Honorable Mention & McKenna Schuster was the Sportsmanship winner. Claire Bohlen was the Team MVP and voted best Offensive player, which she shared with Ashlyn Pelant (Jr.). Josie Volkman was the team's best defensive player. Addison Condon was voted Most Improved and McKenna Schuster was the Buccaneer Teammate Award winner. Seniors for the Lady Bucs were Claire Bohlen, Alayna Atherton, Josie Volkman and Grace Baker. Baker, Bohlen and Volkman all ended their careers with over 1000 digs! For 2024 the Bucs look to continue their winning ways and bring home more hardware!

Cross Country. The WEM/JWP Grizzly Boys and Girls Cross Country Team both ended the season as Gopher Conference Runners Up! Gopher Conference runners were Wyatt Jans (9), Gavin Brown (11), Teagan Mulder (7), Alexander Kleve (11) Honorable Mention and Maddox Moreno (10) Sportsmanship Award on the boys side. For the girls Mackenzie Westphal (8), Kwynn Krause (10), Madalyn Miller (8) Honorable Mention and Lauren White Sportsmanship Award. No runners advanced to state for 2023 but with the youth of the squad and improving numbers look out for the Grizzlies in 2024!

WEM Activities Link

BUCS Student Section

JOSEPHINE VOLKMANN

SENIOR: CLASS OF 2024

Josie is involved in MHS, FFA, FCCLA, Volleyball, Track and Field, Student Council and is a class officer. Josie also takes several PSEO classes and is an honor roll student.

A recap of the school year thus far includes many exciting experiences! The school year began with a flag-raising ceremony by the WEM FFA and cupcakes sponsored by the WEM Student Council on the first Friday, celebrating making it through the first week of school. Our new teachers have established themselves and are making great connections with the students. Volleyball had a successful season, winning the subsection match for the third year in a row and putting up a good fight in the section final game. The WEM Student Council held a successful food drive and started a giving tree and a winter clothing donation box to assist families in Le Sueur County. The FCCLA held a blood drive and bake sale, encouraging many students and teachers to donate blood. Overall, the school year has been exciting, but I can say that many students are anxious for Christmas Break and to be halfway done with the school year.

BUCS Community

The Student Council of WEM sponsored a food drive for the month of November. One hundred and thirty-five pounds of food was collected and delivered to the Echo Food Shelf in Mankato on November 22. Major Scott Shelbourn of the Mankato Salvation Army states, "Demand is up 15-20 percent over pre-pandemic levels." Thank you to our students for their generosity during this holiday season!

Our 5-8th grade students raised $200 and collected 115 non-perishable food items for The Hats 4 Hope Food Drive! Donations will be given to the Faribault Food Shelf and Elysian Food Bank. Thank you to all of our students for their generosity and the Jr High Student Council for organizing the event.

School Board Meetings

Regular WEM School Board meetings are scheduled for the fourth Monday of each month with the third Monday as an alternative if the 4th Monday is a holiday. Meeting times are usually 6:30 p.m. in the WEM Board Room in Waterville. Planning Session meetings are usually scheduled for the second Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Regular board meetings are live-streamed, recorded, and archived on the website.

Upcoming meeting dates are as follows: