What's New @ 542

The National Honor Society (NHS) elevates a school’s commitment to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. These four pillars have been associated with membership in the organization since its inception in 1921.

Today, it is estimated that more than one million students participate in NHS activities. NHS chapters are found in all 50 states, US Territories, Canada, and around the world. Chapter membership not only recognizes students for their accomplishments, but challenges them to develop further through active involvement in school activities and community service.

As such, NHS chapters and students are in schools that care not only about student achievement, but also community engagement.

On December 17, the following Battlers were inducted into the Minnesota Honor Society:

Kaitlyn Brandner

Eliana Cole

Erika Heibel

Annika Lukken

Festive Foods was a great success! Staff members at the Battle Lake School were challenged to donate non-perishable food throughout the month of December to donate to the Battle Lake Emergency Food Shelf.

Food shelf clients may receive for our more days' supply of food with each visit and may visit twice a month. They also receive coupons that may be used at Larry's Foods to purchase milk, eggs, bread, or fresh produce. More than 100 families are being served by the food shelf. Located at the Battle Lake Senior Citizens Center, the food shelf is open each Thursday from 2:00 - 6:00 pm

This year, Battle Lake School is proud to announce that we collected and donated 200 pounds of food to the Battle Lake Emergency Food Shelf.

The bands worked all fall on the music for their concert. The Jr. and Sr. High Bands also had the Veterans Day Program and a bunch of pep band performances within that time frame. The Elementary Band had some unusual challenges because most of the band, both 5th and 6th graders, started playing their instruments for the first time after the start of this school year. Both the Elementary Band and the Jazz Band only rehearse once a week, so they prepare to perform with very little group practice time.

The Jr. High Band performed a song called "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" that featured the trumpet section. Solos are an important part of jazz music, so many of the players took a turn with a solo including Raeanne F, Grace V, Madison C., Brodey M., and Erik S.

I believe that the favorite song among the Sr. High Band was "NFL Films: Music of the Gridiron," stated Mrs. Orpen. We dedicated that one to Mr. Himmelspach because he and Mrs. Himmelspach purchased that one for the Band a number of years ago. That particular song has a fun part for the trombones, and their son Luke, prompted a search for the music and was able to play it when he was in school as well.

My favorite song was "Brazilian Sleigh Bells" because all of my students played it together. Around 80 Battle Lake instrumentalists in grades 5-12 making music together! It was great!

We wanted to know how the holiday concerts went for choir, so we caught up with Mr. Neisen to find out!

I think one piece in particular that stood out to the audience was Peter Anglea's "Silent Night". This was an entirely new composition of Silent Night, which was completely different from the one most folks are used to. I think when the audience saw "Silent Night" on the program, their minds went to the commonly known composition from Franz Gruber. So it was nice to introduce them to a new and very different version of it! I really enjoyed teaching and conducting "Silent Night". It was so different and the students loved working on it! Silent Night, and Away in a Manger were definitely our toughest pieces to get down.

The choirs had been practicing all of first semester (amongst learning music for the rest of the year, too!)

There were a few solos from each performing group! We had Delia Tebrugge and Halie George from JH Choir, Noah Mansker sang a solo during Chorale, and for Concert Choir, we had Blake Alonzo and Noah Mansker singing solos and Madi Ness and Victoria Wensauer sang a duet!

Each day, thousands of people – people just like you – provide compassionate care to those in need. The Red Cross has a network of generous donors, volunteers, and employees share a mission of preventing and relieving suffering, here at home and around the world.

They roll up their sleeves and donate time, money, and blood. They learn or teach life-saving skills so our communities can be better prepared when the need arises. They do this every day because the Red Cross is needed - every day.

Red Cross volunteers and staff work to deliver vital services – from providing relief and support to those in crisis, to helping them be prepared to respond in emergencies.

From the mission, fundamental principles, and business practices that guide their organization, the history of their service has existed for more than a century.

In December, the Battle Lake School held their annual blood drive in the school gymnasium. Students volunteered to work and community members and students alike, donated blood. A blood donation occurs when a person voluntarily has blood drawn and used for transfusions and/or made into biopharmaceutical medications.Take a look!

A club new to Battle Lake School is the Chess, Checkers, and Board Games (CCB) Club. This club is open to all 7-12 graders. It meets every Tuesday during WIN hour, opening with a short meeting, which is then followed by networking and games for members. The games include, chess, checkers, a variety of card/board games, and more!

“There has always been a Spelling Bee in Battle Lake for as long as anyone can remember. Even staff who attended Battle Lake School themselves remember the Spelling Bee,” states Tanya Maethner.

There were many great spellers from grades 5 -8 that participated January 26th in the Battle Lake School Spelling Bee. The competitors and their grade levels were as follows:

5th Grade: Korben Wedeking, Jack Kirsch, Olivia Akerman, Andrew Kerzman, Mason Harworth

6th Grade: Carson Drechsel, Hanna Cathey, Maeci Tandberg, Ethan Sonju, Oliver Heggem

7th Grade: Avaya Condiff, Fred Scott, Brayden Meyer, Claire Kraemer, Graycie Cameron

8th Grade: Olivia Buttke, Leland Brooks, Garrison Fleischauer

Congratulations to our winner, Graycie Cameron! Graycie now qualifies to compete at the Region 4 Spelling Bee set to take place February 8 in Fergus Falls.

Monday, January 31

3:15 - 8:00 pm

Tuesday, February 1

7:30 - 8:30 am

Wednesday, February 2

7:30 - 8:30 am and 3:15 - 8:00 pm

Thursday, February 3

7:30 - 8:30 am and 3:15 - 8:00 pm

Friday, February 4

7:30 - 8:30 am and 3:15 - 8:00 pm

Online shopping available January 31 - February 13!

For a preview of the Book Fair or to shop online, CLICK HERE!

All proceeds benefit reading programs at Battle Lake School!

Basketball has started their season!

We sat down with Mr. Marso, who has been coaching the girl’s Varsity team for 12 years, to get some information about how the season has been going. Take a look!

So far they have 8 wins and 3 losses. The 3 losses have been really close and very good games. Some highlights from this season include Grace VanErp reaching 1000 points and Adysen Tysdal beating the school record by 7 3-pointers in one game. The team is looking forward to the rest of the season and making a nice run for the playoffs. Go Battlers!

Recently Grace achieved great success in her basketball career, reaching 1,000 points! We sat down with Grace to learn more, take a look.

How long have you been playing basketball?

I have been playing basketball competitively since 4th grade, but since my dad was a basketball coach, and my brothers all played, I was interested in the game when I was really little.

What is it like getting 1,000 points?

It has been a goal that I have had since Junior High, so seeing it all come together is really special to me. I didn't really know how to react since we still had a whole game to play and I didn't want to lose focus, but it was still really cool. Kind of a bummer I wasn't able to get it at our home game on Friday vs Underwood, but my teammates made it a special moment so I appreciated that a lot!

How has basketball helped you in your day-to-day life?

To me, basketball is one of those sports where you get out of it what you put into it. So it has motivated me to get stronger and has taught me what it takes to be different from others on the court. In my last five years on this team, I have learned a lot of leadership skills that I will carry with me. It also gives me time every day to be active and to distract me from school or other things going on. I will miss the early mornings in the gym with Ady, trying to improve our game so our team can be successful.

Who has been your mentor when it comes to basketball?

When it comes to basketball my greatest mentor is my dad. He used to be a basketball coach, so he knows a few things. He has spent hours in the gym with me and has taught me everything. Along with him, my four older brothers have been huge mentors for me. They are the ones who played 1v1 with me, made me get in the weight room, taught me different skills, and were amazing athletes to watch when they were in high school. Their success made me want to be just like them.

Anything else you want to add?

Thank you for recognizing me for this accomplishment! It seriously means a lot to know that my hard work is noticed. It feels good knowing that the time put in has unfolded over the years as I have worked toward this goal. I just hope reaching this milestone inspires some of the younger girls in our program to get in the gym and to keep working hard!

We caught up with coach Jason Rogers to get an update on wrestling, check it out!

How is wrestling going this year?

Wrestling is going just about how I expected it to this year. We have a mixture of very seasoned wrestlers and very raw wrestlers. Those that have been wrestling most of their lives are doing very well, and those that have just started are coming along. They are starting to understand what it takes to be a successful wrestler and are starting to implement those strategies.

How did you get into wrestling?

Well wrestling was something that my dad and uncles did, so it was instilled in me at a very young age. I started wrestling in Kindergarten and wrestled all the way through my Senior year. This is the one sport that, I believe, instills the most life values in you. If you wrestle you have to be very mentally tough, not only on the mat but off the mat as well. You have to watch your weight, all while getting ready to go out on the mat and take on your opponent. It is not like a team sport where if someone makes a mistake there is someone else there to cover you. All eyes are on you and your opponent, and that can be very intimidating. Now once you have that mental toughness, you have to become physically tough. It is almost a 12 month a year sport. In the off season you have to commit yourself to getting in the weight room and making yourself into the most physically tough you can be. Not to mention all the bumps and bruises and sprains that you have to work through. Then you throw in school work and other life events, it can be very strenuous.

How many kids are leaving wrestling this year?

Wrestling is starting to see a drop in participation statewide. Which in turn means that OTC has also seen a drop in participation. We started out with about 30 on our roster to begin the season and we are now down to about 22. We lost three this year to physical ailments where doctors recommended that they don't wrestle anymore, and there are others that just didn't want to try and keep up with the routine that it takes to be a wrestler.

Is this your first year coaching wrestling?

No, it is not. I was an assistant coach for OTC for nine seasons prior to this. I worked with Head Coach Scott Hart all those years and I want to try and continue to provide the athletes a wonderful experience with Bulldog wrestling the way Coach Hart did.

Click on a link below to get the athletic schedule for that week.

Click on a link below to get the athletic schedule for that week.

January 31 - February 6

February 7 - 13

February 14 - 20

February 21 - 27

February 28 - March 6

February 9

Elementary Parent/Teacher Conferences

February 14

School Board Meeting

February 21

No School for Students & Staff

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Website: www.battlelakeschool.k12.mn.us
Location: 402 Summit Street West, Battle Lake, MN, USA
Phone: 218-864-5215
Facebook: facebook.com/BLSchools
Twitter: @BLSchools