Arrival of Bluebirds Ignites Excitement

May • 2015
“It’s really quite amazing
coming one day to find
feathers, the next finding a
nest, and two weeks later,
finding eggs,” said Amery
fifth grade student
Jonathan Lorsung. Lorsung and
his classmates are lucky to have the
opportunity to monitor a bluebird nest
box trail just outside of their classroom.
Bluebirds, a symbol of happiness, are
a welcomed sign of spring as they are
one of the first songbirds to return to
Wisconsin. The bluebirds’ arrival also
signals the beginning of an exciting
time in fifth grade as students begin
their bluebird nest box trail monitoring
project. A bluebird trail is a series of
nest boxes that have been carefully built
and placed in areas to attract bluebirds
and other cavity-nesting birds.
The bluebird nest box trail can be found
along the perimeter of the Amery
Intermediate School playground and
the school forest. The trail was first
established in 2008 when fifth grade
teachers Cory Otterness and Samantha
Montana constructed six nest boxes.
Otterness donated the wood and
prepared the kits, and Montana then
worked with students to build the
boxes. Since 2008 five more nest boxes
have been added.
Arrival of Bluebirds
Ignites Excitement
Each year, the project begins
with a presentation by Lowell
Peterson, the School and Youth
Outreach Coordinator of the
Bluebird Restoration Association of
Wisconsin (BRAW). Students learn
about the life cycle of the bluebird,
their predators and how to monitor
and identify cavity-nesting birds.
“It’s an amazing experience to see life and how birds
grow up. I think everyone likes it when they see these
beautiful birds because the birds are in the sky all
the time so we never get to watch them
or see them closely. ”
Bryauna Ralidak, grade 5
In mid-to-late April, classrooms begin
to monitor their nest boxes weekly
and record their observations. Since
bluebirds are not the only species
that inhabit these nest
boxes, students are able to
view and learn about other
cavity-nesting birds such as tree
swallows, chickadees and wrens.
As a result of their participation in
this project, students learn how to
identify a variety of bird species, see
firsthand the life-cycle of a bird, develop
a greater appreciation for songbirds and
understand how their conservation efforts
can greatly assist the restoration of a
species.
The bluebird population dropped to
alarmingly low numbers in the late 1970’s
and 80’s due to loss of habitat, ice storms
on their wintering grounds, and poor
nesting success. In response, Wisconsin
DNR’s Bureau of Endangered Resources
worked with citizen groups around the
state to build bluebird nest box trails
to support the growth of the bluebird
population. In 2010 it was reported the
species’ population had been restored
with a record high count, as a result of
these nest box trails.
If you are interested in learning
more about bluebirds and nest box
management, check out the wonderful
resources found at the Bluebird
Restoration Association of Wisconsin
website: http://www.braw.org/.
“What I like best about doing
activities with the bluebird
boxes is going out in nature
and hearing bluebirds chirp
and when you open the
boxes you see maybe
a nest or just some
feathers. When you
see the nest, it’s
very amazing to see
what materials
the bird used
and the shape.
All and all, the
bluebirds are
fascinating. ”
Courtney
Glenna,
grade 5
Far left:
Sophia Danielson,
4th grade and
Raina Bryan, 5th
grade
Right photos:
Students are using
bird identification
guides
Amery Intermediate Students Awarded
Wisconsin Society for Ornithology Youth Grant
Amery Intermediate School students, Sophia Danielson and Raina
Bryan, were recently awarded the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology
Youth Grant. The grant’s purpose is to “foster an appreciation of birds
amongst Wisconsin’s youth.” The girls learned of the grant opportunity
from their teachers who had recently attended a Flying WILD educator
workshop. Together, the girls determined that their school could
benefit from the grant of $250 by purchasing a class set of Wisconsin
bird identification guides. The girls explained in their grant proposal
that the guides would be used to learn more about and then identify
the birds found within the school forest located on the school’s
campus. The desired result they hoped to see was that their fellow
classmates would have more concern for wildlife and nature as a result
of their birdwatching and identification project.
Students post their nest box observations on the
large chart in the fifth grade neighborhood
Full Childcare Center to
Open this Fall Adding
Infant and Toddler Care
Amery Schools opened the Clubhouse Before & Afterschool Care
program in 2007 to serve families with children in 4K through grade 5.
Over a period of four years the Clubhouse quickly grew to include a 4K
Wraparound program during the school day and Summer Day Camp.
Beginning this fall when the new school year begins, the Clubhouse
will become a full-service childcare center caring for infants and
toddlers as well as school-age children.
“When we learned that some families were leaving Amery Schools
to find childcare in neighboring communities, we knew we had to
respond,” said Tracy Hendrickson, Director of Community Education
& Communications. The Clubhouse will be in the Lien Elementary
School where remodeling will take place this summer to transform
four classrooms into fun and engaging spaces that will meet state
licensing and Youngstar quality care guidelines. According to the new
Clubhouse Director, Nina Hutton, the expansion is a result of a need in
the Amery area for more childcare, and the school has the resources
to fill this need. Hutton began her new position in Amery in early May
and is excited for the new plans. “It is important that families have
quality childcare available to them within the community, and we can
provide that for them,” Hutton said.
The goal of the Clubhouse has always been to provide a safe,
supervised, fun, and enriching environment. According to the
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, “Studies show that
children who experience engaging, one-on-one activities and safe,
healthy and nurturing learning environments have a better chance at
lifelong success. They’re more likely to graduate from high school, less
likely to engage in criminal activity or participate in special education
programs. And they often earn higher wages throughout their
lifetime.”
The benefit to families is the convenience of quality childcare in
a safe and nurturing environment with the availability of numerous
school resources. The benefit to the community and to Amery Schools
is that families will stay within the community for childcare and for
school.
The Clubhouse is not limited to Amery School District families.
All families living in and outside of the Amery-area community are
welcome to enroll their infants, toddlers and children through grade 5.
Currently accepting enrollment for
care to begin September 1, 2015
For questions or to enroll, feel free to call or
email Director, Nina Hutton at 715.268.9771
extension 434, [email protected]
All Day, Every Day 4K
to Begin This Fall
In 1999 Lien Elementary School began a half-day 4K
program for 4-year-old students. Beginning this September,
the 4K program will be expanded to full days, five days per
week and provide more opportunities for students to learn
and thrive in a structured play environment.
According to Lien Elementary Principal Cheryl Meyer,
the half-day program is a good program, but they can offer
so much more with a full-day program. The full-day program
will feature reading and language arts, literacy stations,
math, social studies, science, structured and investigative
play, rest time and story time. It is essential for oral language
development that children are exposed to a variety of
authentic literature, nursery rhymes, and language.
“It is important to understand that a child’s work is
their play,” Meyer said. An addition to the current program
is the opportunity children will have to participate in
specials – art, music, physical education and media/
library – opportunities they do not experience
presently due to a lack of time. “The children will
be in a safe, rich learning environment for the full
day,” Meyer said.
The benefits to families and children include
convenience for families as they will not
have to find daycare. Other than providing
full-day school, it is also a developmentally
appropriate five-day per week program:
transportation is provided to and from
school, all children will have the option
of a healthy breakfast and lunch, and
childcare is not needed.
The new program is also flexible
for parents and guardians who do
not want their children at school
for the full five days. The 4K staff
will work with individual families
to meet their needs.
For questions or to enroll,
feel free to call or email
Principal, Cheryl Meyer at
715.268.9771 ext. 266,
[email protected]
Scholarship Winners 2015
AgStar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rylee Black, Trent Dado, Chelsey Jensen
Amery American Legion Post 169 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allison Schultz
Amery Archery Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Colin Bursik
Amery Fall Festival Royalty Bethany Dix, Amy Johnson, Camiron Schafer, Allison Schultz, Sierra Skye Schwartz
Amery Farmers Union Cooperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mackenzie Frye
Amery FFA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rylee Black, Trent Dado, McKenna Dunham,
Josh Goglin, Chelsey Jensen
Amery Fire Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Devin White
Amery Free Press Spring Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marko Uzeirovic
Amery High School Red Cross . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trent Dado
Amery High School Student Counci . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janelle Moore
Amery Hospital and Clinic Health Care
Colin Bursik
Amery Hospital and Clinic Volunteer Partners . . . . . . . . . . . . . KrystalAnn Bies,
Regan Grimm, Eli Johnson, Mitchell Meyer
Amery Ladies VFW Auxiliary Post 7929 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rylee Black,
Felicia Jensen, Devin Swager
Amery Lions Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Ahmedic, Chelsey Jensen,
Felicia Jensen, Michayla Klopotek
Amery Police Department Kops & Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Marquand
Amery Rotary Club STRIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heather Dohney,
Robert Henry, Hannah Pearson
Amery Technical Products, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reece Vergin
Amery Telcom, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janelle Moore
Amery Woman’s Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sierra Skye Schwartz
AnnMarie Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bethany Dix
Arnold Olson Memorial Golden Age Manor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Janelle Moore
Bill Baldwin Band Booster’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley Forrest
Boake Christensen Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kassandra Gillitzer
Bookworm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bethany Dix, Heidi Van Blaricom
Bremer Bank, N.A., Amery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Van Blaricom
Burnett-Dairy Cooperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rylee Black, Trent Dado
Byron Burman Masonic Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marko Uzeirovic
Byron Burman Memorial Lions Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Heidi Van Blaricom
Carlson Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Roling
Countryside Cooperative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trent Dado, Chelsey Jensen
Daryl K. and Lois Lien Memoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maggie Christiansen
Deer Park Fire Departmen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rylee Black
Diane A. Fansler Valedictorian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanner Wears
Dick’s Fresh Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mackenzie Bielmeier
Doris Morris Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trent Dado
Dr. Valentine Kremser Memorial . . . . . . Colten Faschingbauer
Dynatronix, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tyler Molde
Eddie H. and Donald L. Olson . . . . Rylee Black, Trent Dado,
Sierra Skye Schwartz, Molly Stewart, Connor Wears
FCCLA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samantha Sigsworth
Foremost Farms USA, Agricultural Education . . . . . . . . .
Trent Dado
Friends of the Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emma Ahmedic
Friends of the Library/Marlene Grasser Memorial
Mackenzie Bielmeier
Friends of the Polk County Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maggie Christiansen, Sierra Skye Schwartz, Molly Stewart
General Federation of Woman’s Clubs of
Wisconsin, Health . . . . . . . . . . . . Felicia Jensen
Class of 2015
Henry Yetter Wrestling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Landon Conner
Ira & Mary Lindgren Masonic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Devin White
Jim and Felice Leadholm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allison Schultz
Kelli Elmer Memorial R.N. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . KrystalAnn Bies
LeRoy A. Peterson Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanner Wears
Linda Behling Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hannah Pearson
Manufacturing Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Landon Conner
Marcia Pyle Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samantha Sigsworth
Marcia Pyle Memorial/Amery Community Theater . . . . . . . Amy Johnson,
Camiron Schafer
Mary Richey Global Volunteer Award . . . . . . . . . . . Sierra Skye Schwartz
Matthew’s Fine Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Johnson
Matthew’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanner Peterson
Michael Severson Memoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Regan Grimm
Milton F. Simon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Townsend
Minglewood, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rylee Black
Mitchell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McKenna Jackson, Austin Selvig
Mooney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley Forrest
National FFA- Built Ford Tough/Cox Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trent Dado
National FFA – Ram Trucks Dealer/Bernard’s Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
Rosalie Wolff
National FFA- John Deere Dealer/Frontier Ag & Turf . . . . . . . Rylee Black
New Richmond Farmers Union Cooperative . . . . . . . . . Adam Johannsen,
Rosalie Wolff
New Richmond Masonic Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Alex Becker
Novitzke, Gust, Sempf, Whitley & Bergmanis . . . . . . . . . . . Hallie Krueger
Palmer H. and Onilea Sondreal Memorial . . . . Michael McGurran-Meinen
Patrick Hessler Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Josh Goglin
Paul Roberts Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Ramin
Peter Haugen Memoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Amy Johnson
Polk Burnett Citizen Scholar . . . . . . . . . Mackenzie Bielmeier, Trent Dado
Polk Burnett County Voiture 236 40 et 8 Fund to Promote Nursing Janelle Moore
Polk County Farm Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trent Dado, Chelsey Jensen
Ranger Jeremy Bird Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . Landon Conner, Trent Dado,
Adam Johannsen
Ruby’s Pantry of Amery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Samantha Sigsworth
Sadie and John Burman Memorial Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Camiron Schafer
School Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Simonson
Sid Bjorkman Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sierra Skye Schwartz
Snowmobile Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Devin White
Stone Creek Custom Interiors, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reece Vergin
Stower Community . . . . . . . . Sierra Skye Schwartz, Samantha Sigsworth
Susan Gust Memorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sierra Skye Schwartz
Technical Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . McKenna Dunham
Turek Serendipity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jorgen Stevens
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7929 Allison Schultz, Sierra Skye
Schwartz, Molly Stewart
Volga . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chelsey Jensen
Warrior Warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bethany Dix, Mackenzie Frye
Wears Family and Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Emily Simonson
WEAC Region 1 Amery Professional Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . Patrick Roling
WESTconsin Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanner Wears
Wisconsin Academic Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tanner Wears
Wisconsin Agri-Business Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Trent Dado
On Senior Awards Night
, 133 scholarships were
presented to the Class of 2015. The amount awarded to students was
over $113,350 with over $97,600 coming directly from our community!
The scholarships include donations from families, businesses,
individuals, and organizations within and outside the Amery-area
community. Thank you!!
Senior Honors
Class of 2015
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: Five students with highest Grade Point Average
Tanner Wears
Connor Wears Trent Dado
Rylee Black
Molly Stewart
HONOR CORDS: Minimum of a 3.9 Grade Point Average
Emma Ahmedic’
Hallie Krueger
Heidi Van Blaricom
Rylee Black
Allison Schultz
Connor Wears
Colin Bursik
Sierra Skye Schwartz
Tanner Wears
Trent Dado
Molly Stewart
Rosalie Wolff
Bethany Dix
Marko Uzeirovic
Special Honors
Tanner Wears
SALUTATORIAN
VALEDICTORIAN
CITIZENSHIP AWARD: Upper 10% of class, in at least 5 extra-curricular activities, and recognition as a class officer or officer
of an extra-curricular activity, letter winner, or participation in district or regional or sectional or state competition.
Emma Ahmedic
Sierra Skye Schwartz
Rylee Black
Molly Stewart
Colin Bursik
Marko Uzeirovic
Trent Dado
Connor Wears
Bethany Dix
Tanner Wears
Allison Schultz
PERFECT ATTENDANCE: Samantha Marie Sigsworth
MIDDLE BORDER CONFERENCE SCHOLAR ATHLETES: Molly Stewart & Tanner Wears
NATIONAL SCHOOL CHORAL AWARD: Amy Johnson
JOHN PHILIP SOUSA INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC AWARD: Camiron Schafer
LOUIS ARMSTRONG JAZZ AWARD: Allison Schultz
OUTSTANDING ENGLISH STUDENT: Sierra Skye Schwartz
FRENCH AWARDS - Les Meilleurs Eleves: Connor Wears & Tanner Wears
SPANISH AWARDS – Estudiantes Sobresalientes: Chelsey Jensen & Molly Stewart
Connor Wears
Tanner Wears is the son of Curtis Wears and Susan Wears. Tanner plans to attend the University of Wisconsin
Madison to major in Mechanical Engineering. “I decided to further my education as an engineer because I want
to positively impact the world in my lifetime, and what a better way to do that than by developing new and more
efficient engine systems, which is the type of career I want to pursue.”
In school Tanner participated in cross country, track and field, basketball, wrestling, Skills USA, student
council, National Honor Society, trap shooting team, and ice fishing team. He earned multiple All–Conference
athletic awards, two WIAA state appearances, and the Middle Border Conference Scholar Athlete Award. In
his junior year he traveled to France with a group of AHS students.
Outside of school Tanner participated extensively in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of
Eagle Scout, scouting’s highest award. He also spends a lot of his free time in the outdoors.
Tanner’s favorite memory from high school is his cross country and track and field career. “When
you have participated and invested so much time into running, it is not simply a sport, but a lifestyle that
requires constant attention in order to reach a goal.”
Tanner would like to thank his parents for always supporting him, his coaches for always pushing
him towards success, and his teachers for inspiring him to reach a higher education.
Connor Wears is the son of Curtis and Susan Wears. Connor will attend the University of
Wisconsin Madison as a Computer Science major. Computer Science is not the only reason
he chose UW Madison. “I’ve wanted to be a Badger since I was young. Now, I will be living
the dream by making memories on campus, cheering for the Badgers at the Kohl Center and
Camp Randall, and increasing my knowledge at a top U.S. school.”
Connor played football, basketball, and baseball for the Warriors. He was a member
of the National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, FBLA and Student Council and also participated
in the France Trip where he was able to spend “unforgettable weeks in a foreign country.”
Also active in the Boy Scouts of America, Connor received his Eagle Scout rank
in 2014 after completing a service project for the Amery baseball program and school
district. He is a member of the congregational family at First Lutheran Church.
“My achievements at Amery High School can be credited to my Mom and
Dad for pushing me as hard as they did to try my best and good things will result.
I want to thank Mr. Steve Schieffer, Mr. Neil Pickard, Mr. Sam Bosley, and Mr. Mike
Rose for teaching me all I know about science and computers for my future. I also
want to thank my coaches Mr. Jesse Rose, Mr. Steve Bielmeier, Mr. Mark Luehman,
and Mr. Jeremiah Fisk for creating my hard-working character.”
Letter
from the
District
Administrator
Dear Parents, Guardians and Community Members:
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the
graduating Class of 2015. Our graduates have done an outstanding
job during their years in the School District of Amery. The class has
many outstanding students, athletes, musicians, artists, welders,
carpenters, cooks and singers, to name just a few. As the graduating
class of 2015 leaves Amery High School, there will be many more
exciting adventures that will occur in each and every one of our
student’s lives. We want to wish them the very best and look
forward to seeing them when they come back to visit.
During the past four months, 38 community members, students,
teachers, school board members, and administrators have been
working together to create the School District of Amery’s Strategic
Plan. The Strategic Plan helps to set direction for the District for
the next 3 to 5 years. This plan is focused on students, community,
facilities, finance, technology, and staff. The Strategic Plan will be
reviewed with School Board at the Board meeting on June 22nd. On
behalf of the School Board, I want to thank all the participants who
have contributed. We look forward to working with this plan in the
upcoming years and will continue to strive for outstanding excellence
in education within the School District of Amery.
We all know that our children are excited to have the next
few months off to enjoy the summer activities. I would encourage
all parents to make an effort to get a book in each of your child’s
hands and urge them to read at least one book during the summer
months. One great way to help increase reading time for your
child is for you to find a book and read as a family. Reading with
your children is a great family activity, so read a book for a
short period of time every evening throughout the summer if
at all possible.
On behalf of the entire staff of the School
District of Amery, I want to thank our community for
the continued support and encouragement. This
past year we began to realize what it is to be Like a
Warrior. There are many of the red signs up in our
local community that testify to their support of
our students and there will be many more added
as the days and months go on. You can also
participate by getting your own Like a Warrior
t-shirt. Being Like a Warrior can mean many
things to many people. As a school district,
we hope to Innovate, Lead and Succeed,
and we will do this by always remembering
that we are one school, one community,
one school district. We wish you the very
best summer, and Congratulations to the
Amery Class of 2015. n
5 More Great
Reasons to Choose
Amery Schools
#1
Fifty-seven acres of forest, wetland and prairie
on our school campus which are easily accessed
by the 4K-12 teachers, students and the
community. The area includes maintained trails,
an outdoor education structure, bridges and a
dock. Students learn about forestry, tap maple
trees, maintain school gardens, manage an apple
orchard, plant trees, monitor bluebirds, study
water quality, practice survival skills, participate
in prairie restoration, and snowshoe and hike on
the established trails.
#2 Personal laptop computers for all students in
grades 9-12, iPads in all 4K through grade 5
classrooms, classroom sets of Windows tablets
available to 4K through grade 5 classes, several
new mobile laptop labs in grades 6-8, wireless
campus, a 3D printer in the middle school, and 5
free copies of the latest version of MS Office per
student.
#3 Based on the Wisconsin School Report Card
Evaluation System, when compared to other
middle schools in the state, Amery Middle School
earned:
• The highest score in the Middle Border
Conference for the second year in a row
• The highest score of all 30 school districts in
the CESA 11 area for the second year in a row
• The 12th highest middle school report card
score in the state of Wisconsin
#4 All day, every day 4K.
#5 A full childcare center housed in the Lien
Elementary School and caring for children as
young as 6 weeks of age through grade 5. n
www.amerysd.k12.wi.us
Sincerely,
STEPHEN V. SCHIELL
District Administrator
@Amery Schools
School District
of Amery
Alumni Spotlights
Nick
FROHNAUER
Dr. Sarah
GALEWYRICK, MD
• AHS Class of 1995 •
• AHS Class of 2001 •
Academic background
University of Wisconsin-Madison: B.S. in Conservation Biology
& Minor in Environmental Studies
Iowa State University: M.S. Fisheries Biology
Academic background
Bachelor of Science, History of Science, University of WI-Madison
Medical Degree, University of WI School of Medicine & Public Health
Family Medicine Residency, University of WI Dept. of Family Medicine
Professional background and current employment:
I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of aquatic
environments throughout the US. I completed two internships
while a student at UW Madison. The first was as the assistant
lab manager for the University of Maine’s marine research
center. This involved assisting projects and maintenance in the
flowing seawater lab and assisting open ocean projects (one
lobster and two urchin studies). The second internship was
with the MN DNR working on the Mississippi River. I accepted
a graduate position with Iowa State University and studied an
isolated population of muskellunge in Voyageurs National Park,
MN. After receiving my degree, I ventured to Idaho to work
on a trout stream assessment for the state. Following that, I
worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service in Columbia, MO
studying the endangered pallid sturgeon on the Missouri River.
I returned to the MN DNR in Duluth as a fisheries biologist. Two
years ago, I moved into my current position as the Minnesota’s
invasive fish coordinator. Most of my time is focused on
minimizing the impact of bighead, black, grass, and silver carp
on the state’s aquatic resources.
Professional background and current employment:
I am an Assistant Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at
the University of California San Francisco. I see patients of all ages at my
clinic. I work with 3rd year medical students in clinic, teaching them how to
see patients. I also teach small groups of third year medical students about
communication. In addition, I spend one half day a week supervising family
medicine residents.
How did your experiences at Amery High School contribute
to your professional career? AHS prepared me for my
college education and beyond. But it also offered avenues to
challenge, explore, and broaden oneself through advanced
classes, extracurricular activities, and travel opportunities.
Most importantly, I interacted with talented and engaged
teachers who offered guidance and support. For me, the most
influential teachers were Mr. Schieffer and Mr. Gange who help
foster my interest in science and natural resources. n
How did your experiences at Amery High School contribute to your
professional career?
I received a wonderful K-12 education in Amery Schools. Elementary
school teachers taught me to love learning, to read, and to play well with
others. Middle school teachers taught me to read music and ask better
questions. High school teachers challenged and encouraged me.
I was challenged in my advanced placement classes. I learned how to
organize my time and study. I left AHS with nearly a year of college
credits thanks to my AP classes. More importantly for my success
in college, I knew how to think critically and write well. These
skills made my transition to college and later medical school
much easier and more prepared.
Amery Schools also provided me with extracurricular
opportunities which allowed me to take on leadership roles
and learn new skills. For example, it was abundantly clear
that becoming a professional tennis player was never
going to be an option - but I enjoyed my 4 years on the
high school team. On the other hand, my skills as a
public speaker, well-honed by years of drama and
forensics, have helped me stand out throughout my
academic and professional career. n
Amery Virtual Education
Virtual programming offers on-line education to students by providing high quality,
interactive courses that meet Wisconsin and national education standards.
ADVANTAGES
• Eligible to participate in WIAA team sports, school music/drama programs, school clubs/ organizations, and school related field trips, etc.
• Academic and technical assistance from school staff
• No out of pocket expenses
• School computer and an Internet stipend
• Earn an Amery High School Diploma
• “Any time, any place, or any pace”
• Accelerated courses
FOR MORE INFORMATION
• Expanded school curriculum
Please contact any of the school offices
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Amery, WI 54001
Permit #20
Amery School District
543 Minneapolis Avenue
Amery, WI 54001
POSTAL PATRON
Innovate. Lead. Succeed.
COMING IN SEPTEMBER
All Day Every Day 4K AND
a Full Childcare Center
SEE PAGE 3
Congratulations!
Renee Chapek
Middle School
Teacher/Athletic
Director
28 years
Neil Pickard
High School
Science
Teacher
18 years
2015 SCHOOL
DISTRICT RETIREES
Marilyn Iverson
Intermediate
School Media
Paraeducator
26 years
Kim Johns
Middle School
Band/Cadet Band
Director
26 years
Carolyn Mertz
Secretary
22 years
Patricia Meyer
High School
Media
Paraeducator
33 years
JaLayne Paulson
Financial
Secretary
20 years
Patricia
Rasmussen
Van Driver
35 years
Shirley Rosenbush
School Nutrition
and Van Driver
22 years
Bobbi Swanson
Bus Driver
19 years
Jeanette Thompson
High School
Guidance
Secretary
27 years
Richard Trauley
Bus Driver
12 years
Your children may
attend Amery Schools
even if you live in
another school district!
Open Enroll
Today!
Contact the
District Office at
715-268-9771
x272