Tri-County Area School District PRSRT STD Tri-County Area School District December 2012 409 S West Street Page #1 U.S. POSTAGE PAID Plainfield, WI 54966-9608 Plainfield WI 54966 PERMIT #7 (715) 335-6366 CAR RT ST www.tricounty.k12.wi.us RURAL ROUTE OR POST OFFICE BOXHOLDER December 2012 Dakota Lockhart, Matthew Nigh and Stone Stommel of the Tri-County FFA Chapter at- tended the National FFA Organization’s 212 o Conference and Kyle Pavek and Sam Miller attended the National FFA Organization’s 360 o Conference at the Olympia Resort, Ocono- mowoc, Wisconsin November 9-10, 2012. Over 450 FFA members and advisors partici- pated in this national personal development conference held annually in Wisconsin. The 212 o Conference is a two-day personal development seminar designed for high school freshman and sophomores involved in the FFA organization. 212 o-the temperature at which water boils-will focus on taking students to the boiling point of leadership. At 211 o water is extremely hot, but just one more degree gets us to the next level. These confer- ences focus on student development. Students will be challenged to push the limits. Themes for this conference include: Virtues, Growth and Collaboration. 360 o took students full circle in chapter leadership development. The conference covered every angle for developing action plans for their chapters. Themes for this conference include: Vision and Influence. 360 o conferences focus on chapter development. It cre- ated a new experience specifically for high school juniors and seniors. This conference allows students to polish their leadership and communication skills and learn how to utilize those skills through leadership and community service. “FFA’s personal development conferences are an exceptional opportunity for FFA members to participate in a national conference without leaving their home state,” said Cheryl Zimmerman, State FFA executive Director. “These conferences bring out the very best in students and advisors who participate. It really helps the students focus on who they are and what they can become. We are also excited that this is the first year for this new leadership curriculum offered by the National FFA Organization. Leadership development is a key focus in the National FFA Organization. Helping FFA members develop their leadership skills and focus on who they are and what they can become is key to the mission of the Organization. Members start at the local chapter level in their home high schools and can become active at both the state and national levels. Conference staff members are college students who are former state or national FFA officers. Many staff members have also worked as counselors for the Washington Leadership Conference, FFA’s national leadership seminar held in Washington, D.C. each sum- mer. Premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education is the mission of the National FFA Organiza- tion and the 212 o and 360 o Conferences are only one of the many opportunities that the FFA organization offers its members to de- velop lifetime leadership skills. The Wisconsin Association of FFA is comprised of 253 local chapters preparing over 19,000 stu- dents in high school and junior high for careers in agriculture. FFA is making a positive difference in the lives of young people, to- day and in the future. The TCAEA Chili Supper was another successful gathering of community and staff to support our students by fundraising for scholar- ships. This was the kickoff of our new big scholarship raffle. Along with the chili, diners also enjoyed a bucket raffle during the event. Tickets for the big raffle drawing, to be held right after Parent/Teacher conferences on February 28 th , will be sold at home events in- cluding sports and concerts. Prizes are $1000 first, $500 second, $250 third and fourth, a quilt, autographed Packer football, and gift cards. Tickets are $5 for one, $10 for three, and $20 for seven. Tri-County Area School District December 2012 Page #2 In September the 1 st graders took a trip to the school forest. We talked about animal habitats and the children turned themselves into living trees. Now in science, we are learning about the different classifications of ani- mals. In October, the students each received a RIF book. They celebrated fall with a costume parade and party. In November, 1 st graders became pilgrims and feasted on their home made butter with crackers and popcorn. We continue to work on becoming good independent readers. We are excited about using the RAZ kids program. Thank you, parents, for encouraging your child to work on this at home as well as at school! From : Mrs. George (first grade teacher) 2nd Graders enjoyed a Thanksgiving meal with their teacher! As I passed by I noticed well behaved students visiting quietly as piano music was piped from the smart board. Mrs. Olson is a teacher to be thankful for. The 3 rd grade had two very special presentations in early November. Mr. Doug Moericke from the Timber Wolf Alliance shared his knowledge of wolves in Wisconsin. We learned a lot about wolf behavior and the difference between wolves, coyotes and foxes. We explored a wolf pelt and wolf tracks. Mr. Moericke showed a very informative slide show that helped us in our wolf research. Two gentlemen from the Stevens Point Elks Club came on November 7 th to give student dictionaries to the entire 3 rd grade. The students were given a short presentation on how to use these special dictionaries. We are very grateful to Mr. Moericke and the Elks Club for these special presentations to our 3 rd graders. Pictured with two members of the Stevens Point Elks Club: Isaac Ceballos, Preston Knutson, Alex Wilkes, Evelyn Sauceda, Madeline Creamer, Eva Vasquez Pictured here: Nick Kessler, Mr. Moericke, Gabe Detlor, Annie Banda Tri-County Area School District December 2012 Page #3 Mrs. Ertl’s Class writes to our local veteran’s Mrs. Ertl’s 3rd grade class recently celebrated Veteran’s Day by writing letters to the local veterans in Plainfield. The students learned a lot about what it means to be a veteran, and how important they are to all of us. Be sure to thank a veteran today! Here are a few examples of the fine letters that were written: Dear Veterans, Thank you very much for serving our country. You risked your life for our freedom. I am grateful to you because you fought when I could not. I will honor you very much because you made your country proud. You mean very much to me. A veteran is a person who gives up everything to keep our country free. You are amazing! Yours Truly, Grace Murray Dear Veterans, Thank you for serving our country. I’m thankful for all you do for us. You are very honorable for standing up for what is right. Thank you for risking your life to save our country. I really appreciate it. I love that we have a day to honor you. I want to learn so much about you and be like you someday. I am glad you risked your life just for us. That is so thoughtful of you. Thank you for the freedom our country has. I appreciate it and so does my class, and so does the rest of the country. Sincerely, Rebeccah Dowen Dear Veterans, I really thank you so much for fighting for us and for our freedom. You have risked your lives and the country is safer because of you. I imagine that being a soldier would be a lot of work. I think it would be hard staying away from your family and not knowing when you are going to come home. I appreciate how you soldiers are brave and have sacrificed your time to serve our country. Sincerely, Evelyn Sauceda Dear Veterans, Thank you for serving your country in war, for putting your life in danger for your country. Because of your sacrifice, the USA is still a free country. You make your country proud. You have a lot of spirit and you encourage a lot of young adults. You made it so people in America have peace. You are honorable soldiers, and no matter what position you hold, we are still grateful. You make me proud. God bless you. Sincerely, Isaiah Buchberger Tri-County Students Will Be On WDUX Radio Station! WHEN: December 25 th from 11:30-12:00 *Mrs. Murray has arranged for K-12 th grade students in the ele- mentary music program, Middle/High School Choir Concert & MS/HS Band Concert, to play pieces from their concerts on WDUX Christmas Day! ENJOY!! Thank you Mrs. Murray for arranging this wonderful experience. Tri-County Area School District December 2012 Page #4 Tri-County receives $10,000 grant for iPad Enhancements District named winner in America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education ℠℠℠ Pictured here; Lee Flyte (Flyte Family Farm), Jessica Rettler (4 th Grade Teacher and Grant Recipient), Steve Lefever (Monsanto Representative), Wes Meddaugh (Heartland Farms Inc.), Mickii Miller (Miller Farms), Jerry Knutson (Oasis Irrigation LLC and K&K Farms, Inc.), and Gary Detlor (Detlor Farms) PLAINFIELD, Wis. (Nov. 27, 2012) – Students and teachers in Plainfield will soon be entering a new age of technology. Thanks to the support of local farmers and America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education ℠, Tri- County Area School District received a $10,000 grant to purchase and implement iPad technology for the first time in the Tri-County Area School District. America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, gives farmers the opportunity to nominate a public school district in their community to compete for a grant of either $10,000 or $25,000 to enhance education in the areas of math and/or science.