

Blue Devil Bulletin
October, 2024
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From the Principal
Dear LHS Families ,
As we move through the school year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the strong partnership we’ve built between school and home. The support you provide has been instrumental in making this year so successful for our students, both in and out of the classroom.
From the very beginning of the year, we’ve seen tremendous growth in our students’ learning, character development, and participation in school activities. This progress wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration between our dedicated staff and you, our amazing parents. Together, we are creating an environment where students feel encouraged, challenged, and supported every day.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to your child's education and to Lodi High School. We look forward to continuing this great momentum for the rest of the year!
Go Blue Devils!!
Mr. Jelinek
Upcoming Important Dates
The 2024/25 Student School Board Rep. - Caleb Rotzoll
This past week students had an opportunity to vote for one of three candidates that applied to be on the ballot for this years student school board representative. The three students were Junior, Katherine Hall, Freshman, Mar Ross, and Senior Caleb Rotzoll. Each candidate submitted a letter of application that included:
Why they were interested in the position?
What are some experiences in the past that best prepared them for such a role?
What type of impact did they envision their role as a student representative will have on the Lodi School community?
They also created a video that was linked to the ballot so our student body could learn more about each of the candidates. Thank you to Mar, Katherine, and Caleb for their efforts in running for this important role. Your efforts do not go unnoticed.
Homecoming - 2024 - DISCO!
Here are some of the HIGHLIGHTS:
- The tradition of Class Golf Carts in the Parade continues
- Area businesses once again display our class banners
- Class of 2026 wins the Powder Puff Championship again!
- Over $2600 was raised at the Powder Puff Fundraiser Night
- Football team wins 35-0 over Clinton.
- More than 46 Individuals from the community and surrounding area present at the Career Fair
- LHS students provide service to many locations in the community
The Powder Puff Fundraiser
Thank you to the community for helping support our efforts in raising $2600 for Reach-Out-Lodi and the Santa Project this year.
Homecoming Court and Royalty
Congratulations to Emma Naden and Michael Cahalane for being voted in as our Homecoming Royalty!
Other members of this year's court were Adrianna Gonzalez, Abi Wagner, Addison Bell, Tessa Pertzborn, Izzy Bahe, Dakota Pierquet, Grant Beyer and Bentley Smith.
LHS Career Fair
Once again on the Friday of Homecoming, LHS hosted the annual Career Fair. Students were able to attend 5 sessions in the morning where more than 46 individuals shared information about their careers. The event included former students, parents of students, and school board members. It also featured presenters with experience in the trades or manufacturing, presenters with experience in marketing and sales, small business owners, presenters with a job related to human resources and several presenters with experience in science or the medical field.
We'd like to give a huge thank you to all of our presenters for taking time out of their busy schedules to help give some guidance and share information with our high schoolers.
Here is a link to this year's presenters.
From the Counseling Office
October 2024
Post-Secondary Night
A Post-Secondary Meeting will be held on October 17th at 6:00 p.m. in the LGI at Lodi High School. A representative from Madison College’s Financial Aid Office will be presenting information about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additional information about the FAFSA, including a link to the application, can be found at https://studentaid.gov/. General information about scholarships can be found on the counseling website. Counselors will also be available at the meeting to answer general questions about post-secondary options.
Senior Meetings
Counselors will be inviting seniors to set up an individual meeting to discuss their post-secondary plans. These meetings will occur during the school day throughout the month of October. Parents who would like to attend their child’s senior meeting are invited to reach out to a counselor to schedule a meeting time. Please contact Grant Lembcke at lembcgr@lodischoolswi.org or 592-3853 ext. 4413 or Megan Kinonen at kinonme@lodischools.wi.org or 592-3853 ext. 4414
UW System Applications
The University of Wisconsin System Colleges are now accepting applications. Students are encouraged to apply early in their senior year. The UW System application is available online at apply.wisconsin.edu. More information about the UW System can be found on The UW-HELP website at uwhelp.wiscsonsin.edu.
Madison College
Seniors interested in applying to Madison College should submit an application as soon as possible. Please check Madison College’s website for specific program information: madisoncollege.edu.
AP Exam Information
Students who are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses at Lodi High School have the opportunity to sign up to take the AP exams in May. The exams are offered from May 5th - May 16th; the dates and times for each exam can be found here. In general, students who receive a score of 3, 4, or 5 can receive college credit from the college or university that they attend in the future. Credits earned vary by institution. More information about transferring AP credits can be found on specific college websites and through the AP Credit Policy Search.
Students need to register for any AP exams they wish to take through their College Board account. Below is some important information about AP exam registration
The cost of each exam is $99. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch should contact Mrs. Kinonen about a fee reduction.
The deadline for students to sign up for exams is Thursday, October 31st.
Each student enrolled in an AP course will need to select “yes” or “no” to the question about whether or not they want an exam ordered (the default is set to “undecided”).
Any student who wishes to register for an exam after October 31st should contact Mrs. Kinonen. Students who wish to register for an exam after November 15th will incur a $40 late fee. Exams cannot be ordered after March 15th.
Any student who orders an exam and later decides not to take the exam should reach out to Mrs. Kinonen. There is a $40 cancellation fee for any exam canceled after November 15th.
Payment can be made by cash or check made out to Lodi High School or by credit card through Infinite Campus (fee will be added to Infinite Campus after November 15th)
Any questions about the exams should be directed to Mrs. Kinonen at kinonme@lodischoolswi.org or 608-592-3853 ext. 4414
1st Semester Grading Schedule
1st semester progress grades will be posted on Infinite Campus soon. Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions about their progress.
Parent Teacher Conferences - Thursday, Oct 17 - 3:30 - 7:30
Hello, High School Families.
This Thursday, Oct. 17, is our first round of Parent/Teacher Conferences at LHS. They start at 3:30 pm and will conclude at 7:30. As we have done the past few years, we will again ask parents/guardians to schedule a 15 minute conference with their teachers. When scheduling you will be given the option of a conference via phone conversation, Google Meet, or in-person. If you choose to conference through Google Meet, please be sure to look for a Google Meet Calendar invitation from the teacher which will confirm the conference.
More information will be shared next week on how to schedule a conference with your child's teachers.
High School Standardized Testing - Thursday, Oct.24
Practice ACT for Juniors and Practice Pre-ACT for Freshmen
On Thursday, October 24 all 11th graders will be taking the Practice ACT. This test is similar to the ACT. Our 9th graders will also be taking the Practice Pre-ACT.
Our goal is to give our students as many opportunities to familiarize themselves with the test for these reasons:
Taking a practice test lowers their anxiety
A practice test gives a baseline score to work from
Taking a practice test builds endurance
Test taking is a skill to be learned
Practice tests raise your scores
German Exchange Opportunities!
Are you interested in hosting a student from Germany this spring and/or traveling to Germany next fall? If so, please attend the informational meeting on Wednesday, October 9th @ 6:30 pm in the LMC. At this meeting Mr. Kittleson and Mrs. Gleiss will present information about the process for hosting a German student this May and traveling to Germany next October. If you would like to attend, but can not, send Mr. Kittleson an email (kittlma@lodischoolswi.org).
Ice Age Trail Campus Designation Celebration
On Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024, the School District of Lodi and the Ice Age Trail Alliance will celebrate the district’s designation as an Ice Age Trail Campus. The School District of Lodi is the first K-12 district to receive this designation. The celebration will run from 4 pm - 6pm highlighted by a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held at 4:30 pm behind Lodi High School to celebrate the new addition of the Ice Age Trail. This new segment will connect the City of Lodi Segment of the trail with a new trail extending from the high school bridge to Industrial Drive. As part of the celebration, there will be self guided trail walks and informational booths inside the Lodi High School Commons.
Of special note is that the new section of trail is the only segment of the Ice Age Trail that was completely student-built in Wisconsin. We will be honoring the work done by students in the School District of Lodi, along with the numerous community clubs and volunteers that have made this partnership between the Ice Age Trail Alliance and the School District of Lodi possible. We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Clubs and Teams to Join
MATH TEAM
There will be a math team meeting during intervention on Friday, Oct. 4th. This will be held in Mrs. Paskey's room. Please attend if you are planning to join OR if you just want to hear more about the club.
POWERLIFTING CLUB
Students that are interested in participating in powerlifting this winter, please fill out the sign up form attached to the announcements or come to the front office to sign up.
ART CLUB
October 3rd will be our first Art Club gathering! Sign-up for Mrs. Robarge's IP if you're interested! All are welcome.
MUSICAL STAGE CREW
If you are interested in being a part of this year's stage crew for THE MUSIC MAN, please join us for an informational meeting on Wednesday, October 2nd during intervention. You should bring your Chromebook to the meeting. Please sign up for the "Auditorium". If you are unable to attend or have any questions, email Erica Bardwell at bardwer@lodischoolswi.org.
National Honors Society
Juniors and Seniors that have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, are eligible to apply for NHS. A letter was sent home this week with an explanation of the application process. NHS candidates must complete the Candidate Information Form by Thursday, October 10. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Heimerman (heimean@lodischoolswi.org).
National Honors Society Food Drive
The National Honor Society will be conducting a food drive to support Reach Out Lodi. On Oct. 31, during Lodi Trick or Treat hours, NHS students will be going door-to-door to collect non-perishable food items which will be donated to Reach Out Lodi's food pantry. Families can also drop off food at Lodi High School from Oct. 28-31 for the drive. Reach Out Lodi's wish list includes the following items:
- Flour
- Sugar
- Ketchup
- Cereal
- Mayonnaise
- Salt/Pepper
- Vegetable Oil
- Canned Fruit
- Canned Vegetables
- Canned Soups
- Macaroni and Cheese
New Feature!
How to Help Your Child Navigate Through High School
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!
Speak Up Speak Out - Wisconsin
Speak Up Speak Out 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.
Therapy Dogs are Back!
We are excited that a couple of guests will be joining our students during intervention period on Wednesday this school year. Maximus and Monty are certified therapy dogs that Patti Nelson brings in to connect with students. These friendly, trained animals are here to support our students' emotional well-being by providing comfort, reducing stress, and promoting a positive atmosphere. Research shows that interactions with therapy dogs can help lower anxiety, improve mood, and even enhance focus. Whether it's a gentle pat on their fur or a moment of quiet companionship, these dogs offer a unique kind of support that words can't always provide. We're thrilled to have them on campus and look forward to the positive impact they bring to our school community. We also will be hosting Chewy who will be joining us during snack break on Mondays and Intervention on Friday.
School Forest
Growing together: A time to plant, and a time to harvest at the School Forest
Much excitement has been growing surrounding the revitalization of outdoor learning and increased use of Lodi’s School Forest, located on County Road J near Smokey Hollow Campground. Over 600 of our kids grades 4K-12 visited the outdoor classroom last year to build their academic skills while immersed in nature. The School Forest committee of teachers, administrators, and community members remains committed to the long term goal of each School District of Lodi student visiting the Lodi School Forest every year for outdoor learning. Plans for curricular adaptations, teacher training, and infrastructural and accessibility developments are being outlined and intentionally implemented to further improve outdoor learning opportunities for Lodi’s students.
Of the many aspects of stewardship of the school forest, ecosystem health is a primary concern. Hand-planted by students in the 1960s and 70s, the red pine stands are now ready for harvest. The School District of Lodi is working with DNR foresters and professional loggers to selectively cut timber. Students have also been actively involved in this process, learning by doing, in tree selection and invasive species removal.
In the long-term, harvesting is an important step in making way for new generations of trees, and ridding the area of invasive species and disease. In the short-term — well–– it might look a little ugly. Luckily, forests are resilient and regenerative plant communities that require this sort of maintenance to thrive and endure. Leo Olson, LHS Science Teacher and School Forest Coordinator says, “We’re excited to continue the legacy of sustainable forestry in Lodi as a learning opportunity for our students. Acting as responsible stewards of the land is a part of our civic commitment to caring for our School District’s amazing resources.”
For more info about the School Forest and our work to restore it, visit The School District of Lodi Forest Website.
Paula Tonn
School District of Lodi Library Media Specialist & School Forest Committee member
Blue Devil Manufacturing
Lodi’s Fab Lab and Accounting II Team Up to Create
Blue Devil Manufacturing
In an exciting initiative at Lodi High School, students from the Fab Lab class are joining forces with their peers from the Accounting II class to launch a real business: Blue Devil Manufacturing. This collaboration not only provides students with hands-on experience in entrepreneurship but also allows them to apply their skills in a real-world context.
The Fab Lab students will take the lead in the production side of the business. Equipped with tools and technology, they will be responsible for creating and fulfilling product orders. This hands-on experience will enhance their technical skills and foster creativity as they design and manufacture various items.
Meanwhile, the Accounting II students will manage the business operations. Their responsibilities will include tracking orders, managing inventory, processing invoices, and overseeing cash flow. This partnership provides them with invaluable experience in financial management and business operations.
This collaboration represents a unique learning opportunity for both groups of students. By working together, they will develop crucial skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. The Fab Lab students will gain insight into the business side of their creative projects, while the Accounting II students will see the tangible results of their financial management efforts.
Blue Devil Manufacturing is more than just a classroom project; it aims to serve the local community by offering quality products made by students. Production will begin soon and the products, along with the order form can be found on the website: Blue Devil Manufacturing Website.
Nurse Notes - October
Pertussis (whooping cough):
It’s hard to believe that we are heading into October already. October is a good time to keep up with the flu vaccine to help reduce the severity and spread of illness. With that, this fall we received notification around the state and from Columbia County Public Health about multiple pertussis cases. I am including the letter that was sent out to families on 9/27/24 but wanted to share it again. We are following the guidelines from Public Health and our Medical Advisor. If your child would experience pertussis-like symptoms (listed in letter) then we asked your child to be evaluated by your provider and a letter from your provider of when your child can return to school. You may have to fax it to the school or drop it off when your child returns. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and help in reducing the spread of illness in our schools. General Exposure Letter HEALTH ALERT 2 (1).docx
Illness Prevention:
Please keep students home if they are ill. Reducing the spread can help to keep students engaged and ready to learn in the classroom. CDC link is prevention action tips to help to protect your family.
Return To School After Illness: Quick guide to returning to school
Immunizations:
If you have received paperwork in the mail this two weeks then please review, sign, and return to school by October 11th. If any families are interested in vaccinating this month then Columbia County Health is great resources to use that can assist in helping to get your family vaccinated. Please to them or myself if you have any questions.
Columbia County Health Dept:
Call (608) 742-9227 Columbia County Website
Please reach out if you have any changes in your students’ health or if you have questions or concerns. Please reach out to any changes in your students' health or if you have any questions or concerns.
Janelle Sivam RN, BSN
District Nurse
High School: 608-592-3853 ext: 4484
Middle School: 608-592-3854 ext: 3484
ES/OSC: 608-592-3842 ext: 2103
Primary School: 608-592-3855 ext:1004
Food Service
October 2024
Welcome Fall!
It is so wonderful to have everyone back! We are brewing up lots of specials for you this month. Thank you to all who tried the Cheeseburger fries. We had mixed reviews but we will keep trying new things. Everyone loved the cheeseburger pizza!
Our LTO - limited time offering - this month is a Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese! Our plant based LTO will be 3 Bean Sweet Potato Chili. YUM! Please try them and let us know what you think.
Our HOM - harvests of the month - are apples, kale and cinnamon. Watch for them in our menus. Once again, this year we will be doing the Great Apple Crunch on Thursday, October 10th! We need some volunteers to have their picture taken crunching on an apple! All of the apples will be locally sourced from local apple orchards. This month we will also have a special guest Chef from Taher. Chef Anthony will be here on Thursday, October 17th and Friday, October 18th. Thursday will be a surprise lunch and Friday Chef Anthony will make Penne Matricana (a pasta dish) with homemade focaccia bread. I have tried both and they are delicious! Please come down and say hi to Chef Anthony and try his specialty dish. We are excited to have him visit our Lodi Schools!
As always if there is something you would like to see on the menu please let me know.
We hope you enjoy our spooky kitchen-watch out for goblins and ghouls!
Diane Lueck
Food Service Director
LHS Staff Appreciation
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.
LHS Family Resources
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
Co-Curricular Photos
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!