Email: jelinjo@lodischoolswi.org
Website: https://high.lodi.k12.wi.us/
Location: 1100 Sauk Street, Lodi, WI, USA
Phone: 608-592-3853
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LodiSchoolsWI/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lodischoolswi/?hl=en
Hello, Lodi High School Families
As we kick off Semester 2, I want to commend our students and staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the first half of the school year. This new semester brings fresh opportunities for academic growth, personal development, and continued success. Whether you're challenging yourself in the classroom, exploring new interests, or setting goals for the months ahead, I encourage everyone to stay focused and make the most of the learning experiences ahead.
Winter sports and activities are in full swing, and it’s been exciting to see our students showcase their talents and school spirit. From basketball, wrestling, hockey, dance team, and our winter extracurriculars, our teams and clubs are representing Lodi High School with pride. Be sure to support your classmates by attending games, competitions, and performances. It means a lot to our student-athletes and performers.
Let’s continue to build on the positive momentum of the first semester and make the second half of the year even better. Stay engaged, support one another, and keep working toward your goals.
Go Blue Devils!
Mr. Jelinek
Recognizing Two Hall of Fame Coaches
Lodi High School is proud to announce that on Monday, February 3, 2025 two legendary coaches will be recognized in a ceremony at halftime of the boys basketball game between Lodi and Wisconsin Dells. Mitch Hauser and David Puls will soon be inducted into the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Football Coaches Hall of Fame respectively. The High School is thrilled to honor both of these coaches who have had such an impact on the young people of the Lodi community over the years.
Leadership Council Events
A big thank you needs to go out to Mr. Kittleson, Ms. Schoepp, Mr. Marshall and our Leadership Council students for organizing another successful After Game Volleyball Tournament. close to 80 students attended and were able to show off their volleyball skill and enjoy some free pizza. The next tournament will take place this Friday, Feb. 7.
Leadership Council is also hosting a Ski Trip this Wednesday. Bring your friends and join us for the ski trip on Wednesday, February 5th!!! The bus will leave around 3:45 and return back to the high school around 8:45. You will need to bring money for food if you would like to eat there. Steps to sign up are below. The online portal will closes today at midnight. Students should email Prof. Schoepp with any questions. Hope you can join us!
Steps to sign up
Group code: LODI2025
You will sign up and pay right in the portal
Complete the permission slip that can be found in the office
Senior Signing Days
Lodi High School will offer signing dates during the 2024-25 school year for prospective student-athletes. The dates are determined using the initial signing date for each period as listed on the National Letter of Intent website. Please reach out to Lodi High School Athletic Director, Sue Meffert, if you are interested in setting something up.
Sue Meffert
608-592-3853 ext. 4412
Upcoming dates will be:
February 5, 2025
April 16, 2025
Spring Sports Code of Conduct Meeting
The spring sports code of conduct player/parent meeting will be February 10 at 7:00pm in the high school auditorium. All athletes and a parent/guardian should attend.
If you attended a code of conduct meeting for fall or winter sports, you do not need to arrive until 7:30pm. At that time, each spring sport coach for baseball, golf, girls' soccer, softball, and track/field will then hold a player/parent meeting.
Lacrosse players will only need to attend the code of conduct meeting starting at 7:00 pm, if you have not attended one for a fall sport or winter sport. All lacrosse players and a parent/guardian should attend the Sauk Prairie sports meeting on Monday, March 3 at 6:00pm in the Sauk Prairie High School main gym.
Parent - Teacher Conferences
Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27. As we have done in the past, parents will be able to schedule a 15 minute conference with their teachers. As that night draws nearer an IC message will be sent with information on how to schedule a conference. In the meantime, if you are interested in helping support our staff by providing dinner for them, please fill out the survey provided by parent, PTO member, and Primary School teacher, Melissa Walsh.
Thank you for your support!
9th & 10th Grade Practice ACT Opportunity
This coming March 11, all high schools in Wisconsin will administer the ACT exam to their 11th graders. At LHS, 9th, 10th, and 12th graders are not required to attend school on this day.
However, over the past few years, we have offered 9th and 10th grade students the opportunity to take a practice ACT exam, and last year, nearly 90 students participated. We see tremendous benefits in students taking the practice exam and are excited to provide this opportunity again this year.
If you are interested in signing up your 9th or 10th grader to take the practice ACT on March 11, please review the following documents:
Why Should My 9th or 10th Grader Take the Practice ACT? - Link
Participation Survey - Link
Please fill this out to help us prepare room assignments and other logistics related to proctoring the test. This survey will remain open until March 7.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out.
Accounting II Students Achieve QuickBooks Certification
Congratulations to four of the Accounting II students who have successfully achieved Quickbooks Certification, demonstrating their proficiency in using the popular accounting software. Braedon Dorshorst, Preston Follis, Caleb Lord, and Nicholas Rentmeister have now joined the ranks of Quickbooks Certified Users, a valuable credential recognized by employers across various industries. This accomplishment will undoubtedly enhance their career prospects and provide them with a competitive edge in the job market
Art News
Congratulations to our 5 Lodi High School students Ella Austin-Nash, Grace Schilling, Mason Yates, Mac Griffis, and Adrianna Gonzalez for being selected to display their art in the 2025 Wisconsin Art Education Association's Youth Art Month Show next month. If you're interested in attending the event, it will take place at 100 S. Baldwin St. Madison, WI at the Commonwealth Gallery from 12-3 pm on February 23, 2025.
The Devil's Advocate
The Devil’s Advocate Newspaper is an online news platform that’s managed by the students of Lodi High School. The students are part of the Writing for Publication class, where they conduct interviews with other students and teachers to cover various topics. They aim to be inclusive and make sure that every student’s voice is heard through their publication. The website features news articles, opinion pieces, fun games, and other content that’s written by the students themselves.
The Lodi High School Newspaper is an excellent example of student journalism. The students work together to produce quality content that is informative and engaging. Their publication serves as a platform for students to share their thoughts and ideas on various topics. The website is easy to navigate and provides a user-friendly experience for readers.
Overall, the Lodi High School Newspaper is a fantastic opportunity for students to develop their writing skills and gain valuable experience in journalism. It’s an inclusive platform that encourages students to share their perspectives and contribute to the school community.
Follow the Link to some informational and intriguing articles that some of our students have written.
December - Students of the Month
The following students were selected as "student of the month" for November. Every month, staff from each department have the opportunity to nominate a student who has gone above and beyond in the past month. Award winners are presented with a certificate, enjoy some breakfast snacks, and receive a personal thank you note from the nominating teacher.
- CTE - Caleb Lord
English - Lydia McGrath
Science - Emma Smith
Spanish - Jayden Millin
Social Studies - Mikayla Dachel
STEAM - James Walsh
Math - Lilly Alt
Music - Mar Ross
Art - Bridget Parpart
Office/Custodial/LMC - Amelia Clark (not pictured)
PE - Hailey Bell (not pictured)
LHS Students Perform in the All-State Band
Congratulations to Megan Smith, Blake Simpson, and Mikayla Dachel who recently participated in the prestigious All-State Band organized by the Wisconsin Concert Band Association!
Over the course of two days, they engaged in intensive rehearsals and collaborated with talented musicians from across the state. They were also treated to performances by outstanding guest bands. The weekend concluded in a spectacular finale concert, where they proudly represented our music program, school, and community with great Lodi Pride.
Here are some upcoming performance dates for our LHS Band:
Friday, February 7 - Pep Band Boys Basketball
Tuesday, February 11 - Pep Band Hockey
Saturday, February 22 - District Solo & Ensemble
Thursday, February 27 - Bucks Band at Fiserv Forum
Our German Exchange program is still in need of four gracious host families who would be willing to host a student from Thursday, April 24th until Monday, May 12th. Here are the responsibilities of a host family:
Responsibilities of a Host-Family
It has been truly rewarding to see that, year after year, both here and abroad, the home-stay experience is the highlight of our students’ time within the larger travel itinerary. It is amazing how quickly friendships can form between students and their host-families in such a relatively short amount of time. None of this would be possible without caring families and the role each individual family plays within this program. The responsibilities of a host include:
Welcome your guest as you would welcome a family member
Care for and interact with your guest as you would care for your own child
Provide your guest with a bed in their own room and meals during their stay
Include your guest in your plans with family and/or friends
Show your guest those things in Lodi and Wisconsin you feel would be interesting to a visitor to our city/state.
Break the ice by staying in contact via email and social media before their arrival.
For more information about hosting for this exchange program, click this link. This document includes information on the following:
- Program overview
- Cost of hosting (time and money)
- Required home visit info
- AND MORE!
Below is the tentative schedule for the German students coming this Spring!
Please let Mr. Kittleson know if you have any questions or concerns: Email: kittlma@lodischoolswi.org
February 2025
Scholarships and Financial Aid
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for seniors. For more information and to access the application, please visit studentaid.gov. Families can get help completing the FAFSA by attending a Free College Goal Wisconsin event. The events are held at locations throughout the state in January and February. To get more information and to register for an event, please visit https://collegegoalwi.org/. Students have a chance to win a scholarship just by attending a College Goal Wisconsin event.
Local Scholarships
The local scholarship information is now available on the counseling website. The application has been emailed to all seniors.
In addition to the local scholarships, seniors are encouraged to look at scholarship information on the websites of the colleges/technical schools to which they have applied. Additional scholarship information can be found on the “Scholarships” section of the LHS Counseling website. Please feel free to reach out to a counselor with any questions. Mr. Lembcke can be reached at 608-592-3853 ext. 4413 or lembcgr@lodischoolswi.org, and Mrs. Kinonen can be reached at 08-592-3853 ext. 4414 or kinonme@lodischoolswi.org.
STEM Academy
The STEM Academy is a dual enrollment program where Lodi High School students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and/or Math (STEM) take a full-time schedule of college classes at Madison College over 11th and 12th grade. Dual enrollment means that students earn both college credits and credits toward high school graduation. Students can earn 60+ college credits. Starting in the fall 2025, the School District of Lodi will pay the full tuition for the program, but families will be responsible for transportation. Sophomore students who are interested in applying for STEM Academy should reach out to a counselor for an application and/or more information. Applications are due February 17, 2025.
The Math Department
Every month one of our departments will share some advice with our parents on how best you can help support your child during these sometimes very difficult years. Many of our teachers have or have had teenagers of their own, so they 100% understand the challenges that parenting this age group can present.
We hope you enjoy the video!
Here's a reminder of Speak Up Speak Out, which is a resource created by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Office of School Safety. It serves a a tip line for anyone to report a safety issue within the school. Students, parents, school staff, or any Lodi community member can submit a school safety concern or threat via the Speak Up Speak Out - Wisconsin website. This resource is monitored around the clock by the state of Wisconsin for major safety issues so that we can respond efficiently to a threat.
1. Senior photos, Baby photos, and "remember when" photos should be sent to Mr. Schmidt as soon as possible!
2. Ordering the 2025 Yearbook:
Basic yearbooks cost $55. Your name can be engraved on the front cover for an additional $8.
- To pay by debit or credit card, click here:
- To pay by cash or check, send your payment with the student's name to the high school, c/o Garit Schmidt. Please make out checks to Lodi High School. If you want to order personalization, icons, etc.please fill out an order form from your homeroom teacher.
3. If you would like to buy a business ad, or grad ad for the yearbook, please follow this link
or email Mr. Schmidt schmiga@lodischoolswi.org
If you have any questions, you can contact me here: schmiga@lodischoolswi.org
Heart Awareness Month:
February is American Heart Month, which gives each of us an opportunity to motivate our students, family, and friends to promote healthier decisions and steps to prevent heart disease. Taking care of your heart can be challenging during our daily lives but small acts of self-care, exercise, quality sleep, and cooking healthy meals can help your heart.
National Wear Red Day Friday, 7th
Dental Awareness Month:
This is a great time for a reminder of dental health for your child(s) and family. Some basic reminders with your child(s) will help them to maintain healthy oral health. I have included two resources if you are interested in services at school or low cost dental service at Madison College.
Dental Resource at School: Bridging Brighter Smiles
Dental Information from Madison College: In February, Madison Hygiene Clinic is offering free dental cleaning. Please contact them at 1-608-258-2400. Space is limited so it’s recommended that you call to check availability. Without the offer the clinic does offer cleaning, x-rays, and examination for $40.00. Click on this link for more information Dental Hygiene Clinic
Illness:
It's that time of year that we have seen an increase around our area and state of respiratory illnesses such as Influenza, COVID, or Pneumonia. We have been monitoring and increasing cleaning throughout the schools including a reeducation with all students of the importance of handwashing. Frequent handwashing is one best way to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. Although it’s impossible to keep hands germ-free, washing hands with soap and water throughout the day can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes.
Basic steps to help prevent the spread of illness:
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose CDC Link.
Clean your hands CDC Link. Frequent hand-washing is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness. It is a good reminder to wash your hands throughout the day.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
Please keep your child home if they have the following symptoms:
Fever (100.0 degrees or more without the use of fever reducing medication)
Vomiting (must be 24 hours vomit free before returning to school)
Diarrhea (must be 24 hours diarrhea free before returning to school)
If they have been diagnosed with the flu or COVID then they will need to stay home until they are 24 hours fever free without fever reducing medication and their symptoms are improved (when they are feeling well and can actively participate in school)
Chills, body aches, or active cough (cannot control coughing and coughing frequently), it’s ok to have an occasional cough
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Janelle Sivam RN, BSN
District Nurse
PS 608-592-3855 ext 1004
February 2025
Happy Winter everyone!
February brings lots of new things to try! Our Harvest of the Month fruit is pear, the vegetable is beets and the spice is oregano. We will be featuring a beet salad, fresh pears on the salad bar all month, sliced and diced pears featured throughout the month so watch the menu for these items. We will also be featuring Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders, Korean slaw, collard greens, pickled beets, oven fried chicken, homemade cornbread, Greek roasted potatoes with oregano, zucchini pesto pasta and vegetarian meatless tacos. Please try all of our wonderful offerings and let us know what you think.
A few reminders: Please keep food from your home out of the kitchen. It is hard for kitchen staff to know if items need to be purchased or not, and it slows the line down. Only students that purchasing food should be in the kitchen. Remember, if you touch an item, you will be asked to pay for it. Once unwrapped items have been touched, we have to throw them away by law. Do not unwrap items just to look at them. You will be asked to purchase them. Also, please do not put food or drink items in your pockets. Remember, we do have cameras! Please be sure to take fruit or veg and milk with your main entrée at lunch to make it a full meal for both breakfast & lunch. A full meal is much cheaper than paying for items ala carte! We appreciate everyone’s cooperation on these matters.
We will continue doing lucky tray days throughout February. You could win a free lunch or a cookie! It will be a surprise! We had our first winner in January and we will do a couple times in February. Watch for announcements!
Thank you for your support and feedback for the foodservice department. Take our survey to let us know how we're doing! The QR code is posted throughout the building. Have a great February!
Diane Lueck
Food Service Director Taher/Lodi School District
The Lodi Community Action Team (LCAT) was established in 2007 to address alcohol use among teens in the Lodi area. Over time, LCAT began to analyze the data collected in the community and assess actual events. This led to efforts to educate the community about the dangers of risky behaviors and promote a safer environment for our children.
In the winter of 2024, a strategic plan was developed to guide LCAT's initiatives. This plan is built on three key pillars: engage, empower, and elevate. With these pillars in mind, we aim to fulfill our mission of empowering our school and community to prevent youth substance use through education, environmental prevention strategies, and fostering connections with caring adults. Our quarterly newsletter is a way to share projects, events, trainings, and meetings.
Appreciate a Staff Member!
We have so many amazing educators here at Lodi High School! Mr. Jelinek and Mr. Marshall sat down with each staff member, and one of the common themes that came up was how much our staff love to be appreciated by the families that they serve. When you experience a staff member who is going above and beyond or deserves some recognition, please consider giving them a shout-out through our staff appreciation google form. Your appreciation will be put on a staff appreciation poster and shared with that staff member.
Below is a list of resources available to families here in Lodi.
Blessings in a Backpack
Students in this program receive a bag of non-perishable, kid-friendly food every Friday that is intended for them to be able to eat over the weekend. Bags will be dispensed in a discreet and confidential manner. If we don’t have school on Fridays, the bags will be placed in backpacks on Thursdays. This program began a few years back and continues to grow each school year adding more families. If you are interested in this program contact Val Bilkey, Primary School Counselor at 592-3855 ext 1216 or bilkeva@lodischoolswi.org.
Bridging Brighter Smiles
Professional Dental Services Provided Right at School
http://enrollment.bbsmiles.org/
Not sure if your child is enrolled, or due for care? Call Bridging Brighter Smiles at 262-896-9891, or email coordinator@bbsmiles.org.
Four Winds to Freedom
Certified Equine Gestalt Coach-partnering with horses to help teenagers and adolescents find self-love, joy, connection, and freedom while navigating their life’s challenges. For more information, see their websites: Four Winds to Freedom
Free and Reduced Lunch
The Free and Reduced Lunch program is income based. The application can be found on the school district website under ‘Our Families’ and then ‘Food Service’.
If you have any questions about this program reach out to Ariel Andrews 608.592.3855 ext. 1017 or andrear@lodischoolswi.org
Psychotherapy Center of Waunakee
This is a new partnership between the Psychotherapy Center and the school district of Lodi to offer integrated services in our buildings. Here is their flier in Spanish and English.
If you would like to get your child signed up for this service email Megan Kinonen.
Reach Out Lodi
A not-for-profit organization that has food, clothing, school supplies, and other basic essentials available for families. Calling ahead to set up an appointment and check on available resources can be helpful.
Address: 601 Clark St, Lodi, WI 53555
Please enjoy our first two Lodi Advocate Broadcasts of the School Year.
We are very fortunate to have Audrey Parpart take pictures at many of our co-curricular events. If you would like to view/download any of these photos, you can find them at the following link:
Please be sure to thank Audrey for all she does to capture these moments!
The high school staff directory is located on the Lodi High School homepage under Contact Us. Here is a link to the staff directory.
