We are pleased to announce that after 38 years of working in the Wisconsin Heights School District, Kate Backus is moving on to a new and exciting chapter of her life: retirement!
She started her career teaching first and second grade at Black Earth Elementary when it was a K-8 building, and then spent a year teaching 5th and 6th grade. When she moved over to the Mazomanie school, Kate found her favorite grade to teach was 3rd grade, and that's where she stayed. In her time teaching in the district, she has seen the elementary schools split into two buildings, celebrated the building of the Middle School, and joined in the vision for a one campus facility. About her time here Kate says, "Wisconsin Heights has always been a district that looks forward to the future of education while maintaining the qualities that help nurture achievement. Having been a part of various leadership committees throughout the years, I have seen the commitment our administration and staff has to keeping the focus on growing our students into successful, lifelong learners...There have been many changes throughout my time here. Technology has been a big one. Mimeograph machines (complete with purple fingers) changed to copiers, teaching with overhead projectors morphed into Smartboards, and filmstrips became Youtubes. It has been quite an adventure! I will greatly miss the friends, families, staff, and students that have been part of my daily life."
Thank you for your #VanguardPride and dedication to the Wisconsin Heights School District, along with the kids, families and staff along the way. Congratulations on your retirement, Kate! 💚
The National Honor Society Vanguard Chapter is proud to welcome new members: Emma A., Cody B., Mya B., Lydia C., Nola F., Brie P., and Nicholas R.
NHS selection process is a school-wide recognition of excellence in academics, leadership, service, and character.
#VanguardPride
On Friday afternoon, #VanguardPride 4K students and teachers hosted "Lemonade with Ladies"! Along with the lemonade, guests enjoyed fruit pizza, games, and books read by Mrs. Updike.
What a great way to welcome summer! 🌞🍋
The Middle School & High School Fall Sports Registration & Information night will be held on May 24th at 7:30 pm in the Wisconsin Heights North Gym.
Students and parents are encouraged to attend to:
- Meet coaches
- Get the sport updates
- Skyward online student & parent registration process
If you have any questions, please feel free to email Ms. Zuberbuehler, Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at kzuberbuehler@wisheights.k12.wi.us or 608-767-2586 ext. 2602
#VanguardPride Wisconsin Heights Athletics Week of May 15, 2023
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1MK0yQvqQp_afwCiav8C3jRd4XdMb18A3YucYWNv1Cm8/edit#gid=0
At the end of the 2022-23 school year, Linda Acker will be moving into a new chapter in her life: retirement!
Linda started teaching in the Wisconsin Heights School District as a 2nd grade teacher in 1991 and as such has seen the district change and grow for the last 32 years. When she first started at Wisconsin Heights, the middle school was just being built. Since then, she's seen the elementary school buildings change to PreK-2nd grade and a 3rd grade to 5th grade, and then back to one when they joined as part of the One Campus building at the beginning of this school year. The curriculum and learning environments have changed over the years as well. She has seen changes in the classrooms such as getting a phone, to the first desktop Apple computer, and now to Chromebooks and online learning.
Linda says, "Words can't express how much I have loved teaching. Not seeing staff and children everyday will take some time to get used to. I have taught over 400 children and have met amazing families. The communities are great to live and work in... I wish nothing but the best for Wisconsin Heights in the years to come. Thank you so much for everything. Go Vanguards!!" 💚
We wish you the very best as you move into retirement, Linda. Thank you for all you've done for our kids, families, and staff in the #VanguardPride community! Happy retirement!
Important: Work permit system changes
The Department of Workforce Development's Equal Rights Division has developed a new online work permit application tool that will be available to the parents of minors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer, tablet, smartphone, or similar device.
As of June 30, 2023, we will no longer be able to issue work permits at the District Office.
You can find the information on our Employment of Minors and Work Permits page at: https://www.wisheights.k12.wi.us/page/employment-of-minors-and-work-permits
#VanguardPride
4th graders had perfect weather for the Ice Age Trail Hike on Wednesday! They observed different glacial features and even saw some Sandhill Cranes!
#VanguardPride
The NHS Dodgeball Tournament scheduled for tonight (5/10/2023) has been cancelled.
#VanguardPride
Let's give a huge #VanguardPride shout-out to the participants and coaches of our spring sports!
MS Track & Field, Golf, Softball, Girl's Soccer, HS Track & Field.
AP Calculus Students come in for some treats to keep their brains functioning for the 3.5 hours AP Exam today.
Good luck to Jill S, Sidney G, Cara B, Abby W, Keera P, Zoe Ac, Sam H, Kaden W, and Cayden K.
#VanguardPride
Teacher Appreciation Week is May 8-12, 2023!
We truly appreciate our #VanguardPride teachers! Not to brag, but we have the best! Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our students, families, and district!
Since we're closing in on the end of the year, we use this week to appreciate all our staff! Teachers, Support Staff, Assistants, Managers, and Administrators! Thank you!
Let's join together and let the #VanguardPride staff know how much they are appreciated!
Final call for #VanguardPride High School students to earn a half credit this summer! Register by May 12th!
Come and participate in Health & Wellness and get a head start on HS credits for the gym requirement. Students will learn the basics of nutrition, muscular and cardiovascular endurance, as well as creating and building healthy lifestyle habits. Each day will include practical application of a healthy lifestyle through weight training and a variety of physical activities.
Check out our Summer School information (Menu - Families) on the website or stop by the front office for more information!
Happy School Lunch Hero Day to our #VanguardPride Food Service Staff!
Thank you for making lunch possible at our schools. You're the reason why lunch is special. Happy #SchoolLunchHeroDay!
The Wisconsin Heights School District is currently seeking candidates for the following positions within the District for the 2023-2024 school year:
• Food Service/Cook
• Boys Basketball Head Varsity Coach
• MS/HS School Counselor
• District In-House Substitute Teacher
• Long Term Substitute – MS Science Teacher
For more information or to apply, please visit WECAN at https://wecan.education.wisc.edu/#/
It's time to acknowledge and celebrate our #Classof2023 with a #SeniorSpotlight on #VanguardPride senior, Cora Schaefer!
Plans after graduation: I plan to attend UW La Crosse to study sociology and fine art.
Activities during high school: Soccer, Drama Club, Green Team, National Honors Society, Students for Change, Visual Arts Classic, Art Club, Capitol Conference Art Show, and WSMA Solo/Ensemble festival.
Dream job: Ceramic Artist.
Favorite memory: Taking third place in the Visual Arts Classic quiz bowl.
Most proud of: I am most proud of being able to use my leadership position to positively change the peer to peer dynamic within the drama club this year. The rest of the officer team and I were able to create an accepting and welcoming space for everyone who participated in the play and/or the musical.
We're very proud of you, Cora! Congratulations!
Mrs. Updike's 4kers love to learn through play. Check out those structures!
We have a great group of #VanguardPride engineers.
All elementary students enjoyed an additional recess by meeting their fourth milestone of Gotcha tickets!
Only 5,000 more gotcha tickets until the ultimate reward… smashing pies in Mr. Moore’s face! 😃
Great work and keep it up!
The Big Buddies from Ms. Sartori's 5th grade class teamed up with Ms. Stenner's 4k class to go on a Sensory Scavenger Hunt.
They looked for things that involved using your senses. Some of the items on their list included finding things to crawl under and over, things that are rough, smooth and squishy, and something to use as a drum!
So much #VanguardPride fun was had enjoying the sun and playing together!
The #VanguardPride 7th Graders in Mrs. Schmitt's class got to learn about the country of Kyrgyzstan. Aizhana is one of our exchange students from the ASSE International program. She shared the meaning of her country's flag, common foods, landscapes, and the country emblem.
Thanks for sharing, Aizhana!
