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
Happy New Year, Lodi High School Families!
As the 1st semester of the 24/25 school year comes to a close, I want to commend our students, staff, and families for their hard work and commitment throughout these past months. This is a pivotal time of year, with final exams, projects, and reflections on what we’ve accomplished together. I encourage our students to stay focused and finish strong as they showcase their learning and growth. Please remind your student to reach out to teachers or counselors if they need support, and let’s all work together to make these final weeks productive and positive.
The end of one chapter also marks the beginning of another, and we are excited about the opportunities the new semester will bring. Fresh courses, upcoming events, and new goals lie ahead, offering students a chance to showcase their talents. Whether participating in academics, athletics, arts, or service activities, there’s something for every student to engage with and explore.
As always, thank you for your partnership as we help our students succeed and make the most of their high school experience.
Go Blue Devils!
Mr. Jelinek
With the 1st Semester coming to a close soon, and Final Exams right around the corner, here are some reminders for students and parents:
All students need to be present for their scheduled exam period. The only students who don’t need to be here for their classes are students who TA at the high school or have senior release.
In order to maintain a quiet, testing environment during exams, students must remain in the class for the FULL 90 MINUTES.
Students will be allowed to study quietly in the commons at any time, where teachers will act as resources for various content areas.
Students will have open campus for lunch during finals week.
Weather Contingency Plan
Please note: If there is a weather related closure on any day during finals week, finals will all be delayed a day.
If there is a weather related closure on January 15, the finals schedule for that day will take place on January 16, the finals scheduled for January 16 will be scheduled for January 17, and the finals scheduled for January 17 will take place on January 21.
If there are two days of inclement weather (for example, closure on January 15 and January 16), finals will be scheduled on January 17, January 21, and January 22.
If there is a weather related late start either day, the finals schedule will begin at 10 a.m. and be adjusted accordingly with the make-up exam periods being canceled for the day in question.
If we have an early release due to weather on Wednesday or Thursday, the final that is missed would be rescheduled for Friday afternoon. For example, if we have an early release on January 15, the exam missed would be rescheduled for January 17 during the make-up exam time. Any exams that need to be made up would then need to be scheduled individually by the student with his or her teacher.
Friday, January 17
The Lodi Athletic Booster Club is once again sponsoring the annual Rock the Gym Night fundraiser. Fans will have opportunities to win some great prizes while supporting our Girls and Boys Basketball Teams when they face off against Lake Mills. The evening starts with the girls at 6:00 pm, and the boys play in the nightcap, with the tip-off set for 7:30 pm.
The chairs featured to the right were purchased by the Booster Club!
The schedule for participation in Rock the Gym for our Wrestling and Boys and Girls Basketball teams is listed below.
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.
Health Class
During the 24/25 school year, Ms. Puls' Health classes have been partnering with OSC in a program called Blue Devil Buddies, where her 9th grade students meet with OSC students once a month either at the high school or at the elementary school. During their time together the students do team building activities where they learn a little bit about each other. The connections they build between the two classes help the overall culture at both schools.
Featured in the photo to the right is Ms. Puls, along with OSC teachers, Abbey Ballweg and Jessica Homan.
Art Events
This winter and spring, the art department has several extracurricular opportunities for students to participate in. Please see the link below for deadlines and descriptions.
On Wednesday, December 11 the FFA held a Blood Drive. The drive collected 41 units on a goal of 46! Your contributions helped save up to 123 lives!
You may not be aware, but our FFA blood drives not only save lives, but also give scholarship opportunities for our students. For the 2024-2025 Scholarship we have collected 82 units (this includes the July drive). Currently, LHS has earned the $1,000.00 Scholarship tier, and with one more drive to go (March 19th), a LHS student(s) should be in position to earn the $1,500.00 Scholarship! WOW!
Thank you Mr. Anderson, FFA students and specifically, Senior, Vivian Beld, for your planning and running of this worthwhile event!!
Once again this year, we'd like to extend our appreciation to our students who performed in our annual Holiday Concert. As always Doug Hoeft, our band director, and Kate MacRae, our chorus director, had our students prepared and singing and playing their best for family and friends. The highlight of the evening was the annual tradition of alumni, staff members and parents joining our students in the Hallelujah Chorus that ended the evening magnificently.
Homerooms decorated their doors in a Holiday theme during our final Advisory Lesson of 2024. Students were challenged with using random items that were placed in a bag for each homeroom. Winning homerooms this year were Mr. Murray's, Ms. Ashbeck's, Ms. MacRae's and Ms. Potter's. Special recognition went to Ms. Barlow's Homeroom for being the most creative.
November - 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.
Spanish - Eleanor Beld
Social Studies - Connor Skrum
STEAM - Adam Sprague
Science - Grant Dailey
Music - JP Simpson
English - Alyson Stratton
Office/Custodial/LMC - Abby Strong
Art - Shaun Clemens
PE - Mason Edgerly
CTE - Nicholas Rentmeister
Math - Eva Taylor (not pictured)
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
January 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.
In addition, seniors are encouraged to start looking 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. Information about local scholarships will be emailed to students later this month and will be posted on the counseling website.
Course Selection for 2025-26
Last month, counselors talked to students about requesting courses for next school year. Course requests are due on January 24th. We encourage you to have a conversation with your student(s) and to look through the course catalog for information about graduation requirements and course offerings. The course catalog can be found on the high school counseling website at https://high.lodi.k12.wi.us/counseling/course-catalog-and-scheduling 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.
Second Semester Schedules
Schedule Changes for Semester 2 must be completed by January 10th.
The Science 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: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1116951/Lodi-High-School/2025-Yearbook/2024081004323688382/CATALOG_SHOP/ Jostens Online Orders Payment plans are available online.
- 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:https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1116951/Lodi-High-School/2025-Yearbook/2024081004323804082/CATALOG_SHOP/
or email Mr. Schmidt schmiga@lodischoolswi.org
If you have any questions, you can contact me here: schmiga@lodischoolswi.org
Frostbite:
Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation.
Warning signs of frostbite include:
Numbness and a white or grayish‐ yellow color to the affected skin, which may feel unusually firm or waxy.
People with frostbite are often unaware until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb.
At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any exposed skin—frostbite may be beginning.
Treatment for frostbite:
If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care.
Frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure to cold. If you suspect someone has frostbite, also check if the affected person shows signs of hypothermia.
Symptoms of hypothermia may include shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss and slurred speech.
Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance.
If there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and immediate medical care is not available: Get to a warm place as soon as possible. Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes as this increases the damage. Immerse the affected area in warm—not hot—water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body).
Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers. Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage. Don’t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned.
Prevention:
Adults and children should wear:
A hat, scarf or knit mask to cover face and mouth
Sleeves that are snug at the wrist
Mittens (they are warmer than gloves)
Water‐resistant coat waterproof and insulated boots or shoes.
Illness:
Keeping students home when they are ill helps to reduce the spread of illness. The link from CDC is a quick guide of what you can do to help reduce the spread.
CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance
Resource(s):
Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children’s Resource Network helps assist families, caregivers, professionals, and organizations in finding a wide array of supports and services.
Link to Wisconsin Wayfinder webpage or toll-free number 877-947-2929
Janelle Sivam RN, BSN
School Nurse
Lodi High School 608-592-3853 Ext 4484
LES/OSC 608-592-3842 Ext 2103
January 2025
Happy New Year to All! I hope everyone had the chance to spend time with family and friends.
I want to send a special thank you to everyone-staff, students and teachers for a great December experience. The kitchens were decorated beautifully by staff at every school and staff dressed up and played merry to go with the season. The Grinch even made several appearances in the kitchens!
In December, our Chef on Display, John Sugimura prepared a Japanese meal for the school board, principals and administrators. We did the same Japanese meal - Yakitori Soba for the students and staff the next day. John did a tableside dumpling tasting for the teachers right before lunch as a thank you for all of their support. John visited the classrooms of Renee Moldenhauer and JP Fassbender. He talked about his Japanese background and roots, sharing that he is a professionally trained sushi chef and a graduate of the prestigious Sushi Institute of America in Little Tokyo. Chef John is committed to sparking curiosity and excitement for authentic Japanese Food. He explained the significance and meaning in every element of his dishes. He made dumplings for each class, taught each class how to use chopsticks, how the food is plated and why, and the principles that stemmed from his grandmother Tsui who along with his grandfather was held in an internment camp during WWII because they were Japanese. The students were very attentive and participated in making the dumplings, plating them and of course eating them! What a real life experience this was for all of us. Thank you again Renee and JP for allowing us to teach the students about other world cuisines and Chef John for sharing your talent and culture with us.
This month our United Tastes of America leads us to classic beef stew over biscuits. We will also offer a turkey piegga for our Limited Time Offering. Our Harvest of the Month specials are grapefruit, cabbage and winter savoy which is a type of lettuce. Please try them throughout the month in specials and on our salad bars.
As a reminder, please be mindful to return trays and silverware dish area so we have enough to serve. We have lost many trays and silverware since school started and it is very expensive
to keep replacing them. Thank you for your cooperation.
Have a great January!
Diane Lueck
Taher and School District Food Service Director
Community Resource Enrichment and Wellness
Pool News!
We are starting to wrap up our semester here at the pool for our High School Water Safety Instructor PE students! These students are eligible to receive their certification and begin to teach swim lessons here at the Lodi Indoor Community Pool. They have done a fantastic job in class so far and will have the opportunity to teach preschool age students next week during class!
Lodi Indoor Community Pool Offerings
Swim Lessons
Private Swim Lessons for all ages
Aqua Fitness Class
Open lap and family swim times
Pool rental
Pool memberships
American Red Cross Lifeguard and WSI certifications
Some CREW offerings
Adult Pickleball
Adult Volleyball
Boot Camp
Youth Wrestling including girls only wrestling
Little Yogi
Girls Basketball
Youth Dance
For more information regarding C.R.E.W. or the pool visit our website!
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!
During the month of January and into the 2nd semester, we will continue to have three therapy dogs Maximus, Monty and Chewy, visit Lodi High School on a weekly basis. With the help of handlers, Paula Tonn and Patti Nelson, these three companions have been supporting our students and staff during lunch and intervention in the LMC.
The high school staff directory is located on the Lodi High School homepage under Contact Us. Here is a link to the staff directory.
