Dialogue
Neenah Joint School District Newsletter - June 2024
Congratulations Class of 2024!
The first graduation ceremony at the new Neenah High School was held on May 22. Diplomas were awarded to 477 students in this year's graduating class. Graduation Day also included the annual "Grad Walks" through each elementary school and a parade around the high school campus. Best of luck to our Class of 2024!
Students and Community Say Goodbye to Hoover
Community Meeting Set for Shattuck PAC Renovation
A community meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 25 at 6 p.m. to discuss potential renovations to the Shattuck Performing Arts Center and Pickard Auditorium at Neenah Middle School. Architects will present renderings, receive feedback and answer questions about the potential project. The event will be held in the Neenah Middle School cafeteria.
Koenecke Selected as Neenah Middle School Principal
A familiar face to Neenah Middle School students and staff has been named the school’s new Principal for the 2024-25 school year.
Jenni Koenecke, who served as the school’s Associate Principal for the past two years, has been selected to replace Jackie Muñoz-Ellmann. Muñoz-Ellmann was recently named the District’s Assistant District Administrator for Leadership and Engagement, replacing Chad Buboltz.
“Jenni brings an unwavering commitment to supporting all students and staff at Neenah Middle School to reach their full potential.” said incoming Neenah Superintendent Dr. Steve Harrison. “Her belief that all students can achieve at high levels as well as her desire to collaborate with staff will serve her well as she leads the largest middle school in the state of Wisconsin.”
Additionally, Middle School Associate Principal Curtis Bartlett has been named the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, replacing Tim Kachur. Cale Pulczinski recently resigned as Director of Facilities and Stephanie Phernetton resigned as Director of Pupil Services.
Spring Sports Squads Achieve State Success
Neenah’s boys lacrosse team finished runner-up at the inaugural WIAA state championship match following a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to Middleton on June 8.
The Rockets led with under two minutes remaining before Middleton tied the match on a goal with 1:27 left and then scored the winning goal with 37 seconds remaining. The Rockets reached the tournament with an 11-6 win over Hudson in the sectional final at Rocket Stadium. This marked the first season the WIAA has sponsored lacrosse as a championship sport.
Neenah also reached the state tournament in boys team tennis for the fifth straight year. The Rockets lost in the quarterfinals 4-3 to Kimberly, but it did not affect Neenah's 161-match winning streak in Fox Valley Association dual matches that is still intact after an 8-0 record in the regular season.
In track and field, freshman Celia Gentile placed second in the girls long jump and Rachel Dietrich was third in the girls 800-meter run. Grant Dean was third in the boys 400-meter run.
Free Summer Lunches Continue Through June 28
The free summer lunch program will continue for all students in the community through June 28. Free meals are available for any child 18-and-under who resides in the NJSD boundary.
Meals are served Monday-Friday at Hoover, Horace Mann, Taft and Tullar. Meals are available for students enrolled in summer school and their siblings from 11-11:25 a.m. and for all children in the community from 11:25-11:45 a.m. Meals are also served Monday-Friday at the Neenah Public Library from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. for all children in the community.
All meals must be consumed on site. The meals will feature special guest appearances and students can register daily for a Nintendo Switch drawing that will be awarded on the final day.
What's Happening in Our Schools
Alliance Students Learn Fishing From State Champs
Taft Readers Enjoy Camping-Themed Activities
Runner's High Students Complete Half Marathon
Gaerthofner Competing in USA Olympic Swimming Trials
Neenah High School junior Drew Gaerthofner will compete in the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials on June 15 in Indianapolis. Gaerthofner swam a time of 1:02.14 in the 100-meter breaststroke at the Jack Pettinger Invite at UW-Madison on June 1. The qualifying time in the event is 1:02.19.
He is among 87 competitors in the event, which will be held on the opening day of the Olympic Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium. The event is set to begin at 10 a.m. Central Time on June 15 and will be televised on Peacock. The top three finishers will compete in the Summer Olympics in Paris.
Gaerthofner will be a senior at Neenah next fall and has verbally committed to swim collegiately at UW-Madison. He placed third at the WIAA state championships in the 100-yard breaststroke in February with a time of 55.78 seconds.