Celebrating Our Staff

The group of retirees standing together.

At the close of each school year, we take a moment to celebrate the contributions of our retirees and congratulate those who have achieved years of service milestones. The Hudson School District is proud to honor the impact these individuals have made throughout their careers. They have touched the lives of thousands of learners, young and old. Their collective service exemplifies the School District’s vision to empower all students to cultivate their talents, embrace their passions, and leverage their learning to impact the world around them.

Those honored on June 2, 2021 included:

Retirees

Ernest Beachy (6 years); Lori Bieging (19 years); Diane Blihovde (24 years); Cynthia Brinsko (22 years); Cynthia Burak-Gresmer (16 years); Gwendolyn Conklin (20 years); Deborah Gangnon (15 years); Mary Gerzmehle (23 years); Dawn Grund (8 years); Laura Kiesler (24 years); Kris Larson (16 years); Christine Mattis (19 years); Cynthia Mitchell (35 years); Terri Ostertag (18 years); Brian Petermeier (27 years); Sandra Peterson (3 years); James Stejskal (23 years); Donna Stohlman (7 years); Julie Tangen (30 years); Natalie Thorson (24 years).

35 Years of Service

Cynthia Mitchell, Lois Zezza

30 Years of Service

John Dornfeld, Rachel Mueller, Julie Tangen

25 Years of Service

Heather Bohl, Timothy Chukel, Sheila Mullally, Celeste Nelson, Dolf Schmidt

20 Years of Service

John Aide, Susan Anderson, Rhonda Austin, Renee Bonse, Amy Briggs, Becky Brooks, Gwendolyn Conklin, Lori Finnegan, Jill Germain, Laurie Harmon, Phyllis Harper, Shelly Johannsen, Michele Johnson, Susan Johnson, Jay Kluz, Jason Lund, Ryan McCarthy, Erin Meier-Williamson, Cathy Schewe, Lisa Skoyen, Robert Smith, Jessica Stein, Leann Stein, Anita Stilwell

15 Years of Service

Kim Behnke, Kristine Bjerk, Charles Bublitz, Luke Chaffee, Tim Erickson, Lisa Faletti-Watkins, Karen Frye, Deborah Gangnon, Elizabeth Ganz, Crystal Geigle, Angela Goebel, Lisa Hayes, Adam Kaufman, Julie King-Hildreth, Blake Kotajarvi, Shane Magee, John McGinley, Vickie McLaughlin, Katie Murphy, Britt Peterson, Holly Quinn-Marrs, Angela Rehmus, Dan Weiland

10 Years of Service

Melissa Briese, Kalynn Brown, Cindy Clark, Lindi Everson, Jessica Flanagan, Nicole Gunderson, Megan Halvorson, Jody Kreibich, Greta Lewis, Christine Lila, Jessica Maalis, Lauren Mattson, Anthony Meincke, Julie Michaels, Aaron Moen, Steven Schoenecker, Nicholas Syman, Katie Vanasse

 

Hudson Named 2020 Best Communities for Music Education

Best Communities for Music Education poster

Congratulations to the Hudson School District for receiving the 2020 Best Communities for Music Education award. The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) recognizes outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to school districts and schools that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment and access to music education.

Awards are determined based on annual survey information. Survey questions are aligned with goals for equity and access to music education for all students, and also with national standards for music education.  This survey seeks to support communities everywhere that are working to assure music education opportunities for all students. Criteria selection gauges funding, participation, opportunity, standards, community, facilities, and other factors that affect access to comprehensive music education.

Thank you to our Hudson School District music teachers and the many community partners who support music as an essential component of learning in the lives of children!

 

International Technology & Engineering Educators Program of Excellence

MS Tech Ed teachers pose with their award.

Outstanding technology and engineering programs from around the world, including the program from Hudson Middle School were honored by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA) at its 82nd Annual Conference held in March.

Thirty-one technology and engineering education programs at the elementary, middle, and high school levels received ITEEA’s Program Excellence Award. The Program Excellence Award is one of the highest honors given to technology and engineering education programs is presented in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the profession and students. The Program Excellence Award provides public recognition at the local/state through international levels.

The Program Excellence Award program is designed to recognize superior K-12 technology and engineering education programs from around the world. These award-winning programs serve as a standard for comparison and models for the development of other programs. Therefore, it is essential that each program selected and recognized reflects contemporary technology engineering education.

Awardees serve as models for their colleagues, inspiration to their communities, and leaders in their region, province, or state as proponents of advancing technological literacy for all.

ITEEA President, Dr. Philip A. Reed, DTE, shared, “The award winners exhibit so many high-quality programs and activities occurring globally in technology and engineering education! It is inspiring to learn from these leaders, and we should all feel proud to be connected with these colleagues.”

 

Healthy Use of Screen Time

Multiple images of children using different screen time devices.

The Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health offers the following information as a guide for families on the topic of screen time (click here to read Supporting Child Well-being Through Healthy Use of Screen Time).

“In Wisconsin, adolescents who experience episodes of major depression have steadily increased. At the same time, there has been a growing body of evidence to suggest the amount of screen time usage may initiate or worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression, reduce social connectedness, and contribute to poor social and emotional wellness.”

 

BizTown + Financial Literacy = Fun

A group of students pose in the Biz Town center.

Each year, Hudson Middle School sixth graders participate in “BizTown”, a learning lab simulation in St. Paul sponsored by Junior Achievement. Leading up to the lab simulation, students study economics and finance in their World Studies and Math classes. Students complete resumes, job applications, and participate in job interviews in their Language Arts classes. During their time in the lab, students work to operate a profitable business, manage their finances, gain an understanding of local government, and experience being an “adult” for the day. 

This year’s “Mayor” Lily Welle, from the Raider White House had this to say about her BizTown experience, “This experience will be very hard to forget. During the day my job was to run the whole town, answer questions or concerns, and spot out who was being a good worker and citizen. As mayor in others’ eyes, it seems that all you do is walk around and talk to people, when that is not it. As mayor, you have many responsibilities like making sure all of the citizens get paid the right amount, do all of the bank loans, give speeches about what’s going on in the town, set up the voting station, encourage others to have fun and get their work done, and more. Being mayor of BizTown was an amazing opportunity, and the staff and volunteers were so nice and encouraging. I hope that someday I can have a role or job just like this.”

Students seated at a table. A group of girls working at computers. Large group of students seated on the floor listening to presenter. Two students standing in the BizTown center. A group of students working together in an office. Two students working together on reviewing financial documents.

Middle School Hosts 4th Grade Book Buddies

Three students gathered around a desk working on their snowflake project.

Hudson Middle School 6th graders from Raider Blue have begun hosting 4th graders from Hudson Prairie Elementary for monthly community building. Time together is focused on practicing character traits or themes using books/video clips, chanting quotes, and creating projects. Not only are 4th grade students able to enjoy activities with a partner from the Middle School, they are also becoming more aware of the building and teachers they will experience when they transition to 6th grade. Our 6th grade students also gain important leadership skills.

The recent group read the book, “Snowflake Bentley,” by Jacqueline Briggs Martin. The story highlights how each snowflake is unique. Activities and discussions centered around ideas like:

  • “Every avalanche starts with just one snowflake.
  • “Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.” ~ Vesta M. Kelly

Middle School Hosts Academic and Career Planning Nights

Middle School students and their parents working together at desks.

The Middle School Counseling Department is hosting Academic and Career Planning (ACP) nights for 8th grade students and their families. The evening includes a large group presentation on Hudson High School graduation requirements and elective course options. The presentation will help students and families prepare for selecting High School classes. There is also a small group session that covers extracurricular activities and time to discuss student strengths, interests, goals, and wishes for the future. Time is also spent learning about the electronic academic and career planning resources.

Upcoming Academic and Career Planning Nights are scheduled for:

  • Tuesday, December 17th from 6:00-8:00 PM
  • Monday, January 6th from 6:00-8:00 PM
  • Thursday, January 16th from 6:00-8:00 PM

Space is limited so please sign up using the ACP Night Sign-Up Form (click here). 

Students are encouraged to bring their charged Chromebooks to the presentations.

Hudson Schools Exceed or Significantly Exceed Expectations

State of Wisconsin with the number 83.9 Significantly Exceeds Expectations

The Hudson School District is excited to report that the School District is ranked in the top 8% of Wisconsin school districts according to the recently released Wisconsin School Report Cards. All of the Hudson Schools scored an Exceeds or Significantly Exceeds Expectations on their report cards. The School District is particularly proud of progress made on closing learning gaps and making academic progress for all children.

Individual 2018-2019 School Report Cards can be viewed by clicking on the link below.

Click on the following link to learn more about Wisconsin School Report Cards: https://dpi.wi.gov/accountability/report-cards