So many smiles and great energy as we welcome students back to school. Have a great year!!
Welcome Back to School!
WEB – Where Everybody Belongs
Hudson Middle School incoming Class of 2026 participated in the second year of WEB. WEB, which stands for “Where Everybody Belongs” is a middle school orientation and transition program that welcomes 6th graders and helps to make them feel comfortable throughout the first year of their middle school experience. Built on the belief that students can help students succeed, the program trains mentors from the 8th grade class to be WEB leaders. As positive role models, WEB leaders are mentors and student leaders who guide the 6th graders to discover what it takes to be successful at Hudson Middle School.
WEB provides 6th graders with support and guidance from 8th graders who have been through the challenges of middle school including attending a larger school.
- This year we have forty-five (45) 8th grade WEB leaders along with five (5) Freshman who returned to help as former WEB leaders.
- We had about 350 6th grader students attend the WEB orientation activities.
- Five Middle School staff trained the WEB leaders.
- Other Middle School staff joined the actual orientation day.
- Large group activities were held in the gym for the first two hours of the day. These activities included a variety of group activities that got people moving and excited.
- Small group activities were also held and led by the WEB leaders and school staff. These activities included cooperative games and other fun ways to get to know each other.
- Additionally, the 6th graders had time to practice opening their lockers and toured the building.
Thanks to our WEB leaders and staff for helping our 6th graders feel welcome and connected to Hudson Middle School!
Learning All Year Long – Hudson Hosts Western WI Ed Tech Summit
Hudson hosted the Western Wisconsin Ed Tech Summit this week. Over 170 educators from Hudson, River Falls, Menomonie, and New Richmond participated in two days of learning new ways to use technology to support their classroom instruction. Teachers were able to choose from 48 different sessions ranging from basic Google usage for students to using technology and computers to control robots built by students.
Thanks to the Hudson Instructional Technology Department for taking a leadership role in the summit.
Willow River Playground Gets a Makeover
The playground at Willow River Elementary school got a makeover this week. Volunteers from Faithworks at Faith Community Church repainted the Unites States map, trimmed shrubs, pulled weeds and added some new shrubs and flowers.
Pictured above: Front row, left to right, Tim Sackett, Caleb Prince (a Willow River Elementary student), Nancy Youngman, and Leslie Redner. Back row, left to right, Phil Mach, John Brink, Tim Prince (Willow River parent and Pastor for Missional Community at FCC), Darcy Prince (Willow River parent) and Daniel Redner.
Pictured above: Volunteer Nancy Youngman and her granddaughter, Brianna Youngman, trim shrubs near the school building.
Pictured above – Volunteers plant new shrubs and perennials in front of the Willow River Elementary School sign at the corners of Fourth and Oak Streets.
Faithworks contributes a week of service to support short-term projects across the St. Croix valley. It is a cross-generational experience that brings together more than a 100 volunteers daily to assist with painting, yard work, and more.
Future Problem Solving International Conference
Throughout the school year, over thirty (30) Hudson students in grades 5-10 competed in the Scenario Writing Competition for Future Problem Solving. Of those students, twelve (12) qualified to attend the state Future Problem Solving competition this past April. The Wisconsin State winners were invited to advance to the international conference. Hudson’s four state winners included, Ben Weaver – 1st place WI Scenario Writer, Junior Division; George Cook – 2nd place WI Scenario Writer, Junior Division; Ainsley Kennedy – 1st place WI Scenario Writer, Senior Division; and Julia Ginsbach – 2nd place WI Scenario Writer, Senior Division.
Pictured above: Benjamin Weaver (Hudson Middle School); George Cook (Hudson Prairie Elementary School); Ainsley Kennedy (Hudson High School); Julia Ginsbach (Hudson High School)
At the Future Problem Solving International Conference, the students were matched up with writers from around the United States and the world for the team scenario writing competition. During the competition, teams wrote a new, collaborative story in two hours based on a future scene and topic. This year’s topic was “De-Extinction.” There were 85 competitors who qualified for the International Scenario Writing competition. Hudson came home with two awards. Benjamin Weaver’s team scenario earned 2nd place in the Junior Division and Julia Ginsbach’s team scenario earned 1st place in the Senior Division.
Picture above: Benjamin Weaver with his teammates from Kentucky, Michigan and France.
Pictured above: Julia Ginsbach with her teammates from California, Washington and Kentucky.
The Future Problem Solving International Conference provides participants with the opportunity to experience a high-level of competition and gain valuable feedback from a wider audience on their writing. Additionally, participants learn about and interact with students from diverse cultures, gaining a global perspective on topics and issues that affect our whole world and collective future. It is a motivating and enriching experience for all who attend!
Flags and flag bearers at the Opening Ceremony of at the Future Problem Solvers International Conference at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.