Goodbye 2012 Hello 2013

Saying so long 2012

&

Welcoming in the new year

As we say goodbye to another year and welcome in a new beginning it would seem appropriate to reflect on the past year and keep some perspective as we move forward.  To that end, The Top 75 'Pictures of the Day' for 2012 (click on the picture to view):

First Sunrise of 2012

 And now for some perspective....I am predicting that one of the first 5 mistakes I make in the in 2013 will be the following:

For the Arrowhead Staff and Board of Education, wishing you and your family all the best in 2013.  

Veterans Tribute

Arrowhead High School

Arrowhead Area Veterans Tribute

Craig Haase, Joe Paul, and Ron Reichle, members of the Arrowhead Social Studies Department have been working for several months developing a veteran’s display case, which is located in the North Campus commons at Arrowhead High School.  On December 8, 2012 a dinner celebration was hosted at Arrowhead High School with over 140 veterans and their family members to officially "open" the display. 

Joe Paul, AHS Social Studies Teacher
welcomes Veterans & introduces
the Veterans Recognition Project

(From left to right) Kent Rice, school board, Bob Rosch, school board,
Mrs. Sudbrink, and Al Zietlow, school board cut the ribbon to
officially open the Veterans Tribute display.

The following representatives presented at the event:

            Morgan Roelke                                            Swallow Student

            Dan Vrakas                                                  Waukesha County Executive

            Robert Rosch                                               Vice President, Arrowhead School Board

            Craig Haase, Joe Paul, & Ron Reichle      Arrowhead Social Studies Teachers

            Arrowhead HS Boys Basketball Team (presented gifts to the veterans)

Ron Reichle, AHS Social Studies Teacher
makes opening remarks to the Veterans

Mr. Haase, Mr. Paul, and Mr. Reichle, along with their students have worked very hard to identify Hartland High School Veterans and Arrowhead High School Veterans to be recognized and honored in the display.  Several artifacts, donated by veterans and their families, are on display in the showcase.  Fundraising efforts, along with generous donations from the following individuals, organizations, and businesses have made the display and the dinner recognition possible:

            

            Anonymous Display Case                           Bronson Haase Family

            Kath Godluck                                               Bryan Mullett Family

            Klink’s Carpet                                              Lorleberg’s Hardware Store

            Al Zietlow                                                     Kent Rice

            Bob Rosch                                                    Sue & Mark Casetta

            Cheri Kaiser                                                 John Chessario

            AHS Wally Beans Coffee Shop                  Mark Johnson & AHS Farm

            Blunck Plumbing                                        Shanna Hechimovich

            Lynn Walters                                              Alex Wesner

Thanks to the efforts of the Arrowhead staff, students, veterans, their families, and several community members, the Veterans Display Case will be a permanent part of Arrowhead High School representing a tribute to our Veterans for all to experience.  Please come and visit our school to see the display.

Hartland High School Veterans

1913-1956

Arrowhead High School veterans

1956-Present

World War II                          Korean War/Era                  Vietnam War

Clem Becker USN                      Laverne Ferris USA                  Bob Bulen USAF

John Becker USA                      Gerald Frankenberg USN         Thomas Carstens USMC

Warren Brown USN                  Herbert Hancock USN              David Godluck USMC

Ralph James Fleming USA      Tom Hanrahan USMC               John Dalton USA

Bill Hilger USN                          Norbert O’Leske USMC            Tom Downing USA

Joe Hilger USA                          Robert Schwartz USA                Thomas Hoffman USAF

John Hilger USN                       Ronnie Frankenberg USA          Randy Howland USA

Tudy Jennaro USA                  Carl Zeutzius USAF                     John Kraft USN

Ken LeRoy USAF                     Al Zietlow USA                             Russell Lembke USA

Lawrence Lewitzi USN                                                                   Michael Stegner USN

Robert Lloyd USN                                                                           Donald Sudbrink USA

Jon Palmer USN                                                                              Ken Laatsch USMC

Bruce Pfeiffer USN                                                                          Kent Rice USA

Frederick Pfeiffer USN      

Robert Pfeiffer ARMY

William Pfeiffer USN

Wilfred Zeirke USN

Bill Hilger WWII Veteran
Stands next to Display Showcase

Bill Pfeiffer WWII Veteran
views the Display Showcase

Arrowhead hs post vietnam veterans

                                Ryan Bethke USMC

                                                Scott Bethke USA

                                                Nicholas Clawson USA

                                                William Groth USAF

                                                Linda Pfeiffer USA

                                                Richard Roy USN

                                                Tim Vilter USA

                                                Kenneth Zilisch USAF

                                                Karen Goetz USA

                                                Barbara Morris USA

                                                Robert Rosch USAF                       

Veterans Dinner Recognition
140 Veterans & Family Members attended the event

Arrowhead Boys Basketball Team members
prepare to present gifts to the
Veterans attending the recognition dinner

Bob Rosch, Arrowhead School Board member, and Veteran
shares remarks and extends appreciation to all Veterans who have served our country.

(From left to right) Kent Rice and Al Zietlow, Arrowhead School Board members and Veterans
make remarks during the Veterans recognition, honoring the men and women who have served our country.

Parent Communication December 19, 2012

Re:  Update School Safety Concern

Arrowhead Parents:

This communication is being sent to Arrowhead parents to provide an update on the rumors circulating regarding threats of violence at our school.  At this point, the information stems from rumor and not a specific threat.  This rumor is circulating in many other school districts throughout the State as well.  Arrowhead High School has enlisted the support of local law enforcement departments and is relying on their expertise in responding to and investigating this matter. 

As always, Arrowhead High School and the law enforcement departments supporting our school, take every potential threat seriously, especially in light of recent events.  Our district is fortunate to have a full-time School Resource Officer on duty at our school.  Information being shared is with the intent to simply inform and not to alarm or cause a panic.

The District appreciates that this rumor has raised considerable anxiety among parents.  Please know that the school’s administration, School Resource Officer, and local law enforcement have all been responding to and investigating all information regarding the threat, which appears to be circulating primarily through social networking/media. These types of threats can never be tolerated, and given the recent tragic events, they create even greater concern than ever before.

At this time, we have been assured that there is nothing to indicate that there is a credible threat to students and staff safety at our school.  Law enforcement officials have asked that we not share specific details of the increased security measures being taken at our school, as to not compromise the effectiveness of these efforts. We can, however, share that there is an increased police presence and that access to our buildings will be restricted and monitored.

Due to the uncertain weather pattern forecasted to impact our area, Thursday evening after-school events have been canceled.  The cancelation is not related, in any manner, to the rumor/threat.  Due to the difficulty in rescheduling events, coupled with the uncertain weather pattern, it was decided to proactively respond by rescheduling the events for another date.  Inclement weather impacting the operations of schools will be communicated as detailed in a previous communication sent to parents.

Please be assured that we will continue to do all we can to provide a safe, orderly, positive, and productive learning environment for your children.  We encourage parents to have your students in attendance at school; however, we will respect that if you have concerns about your daughter or son attending school on Friday, that you, as a parent, have the right to excuse your child.  Your support and cooperation in addressing this matter is greatly appreciated.

Craig Jefson

Superintendent

Arrowhead Union High School District

Parent Communication December 18, 2012

Re:  Rumor/Threat Arrowhead High School

To Arrowhead Parents and Staff:

On December 18th,  the Arrowhead administration became aware of a rumor that had surfaced regarding a possible threat that would occur on Friday, December 21, 2012 at Arrowhead High School.  School officials and the Waukesha Sheriff’s Department have investigated the matter and have determined there is no indication that this is a credible threat.  We have also been in contact with a neighboring school district, which is dealing with a similar rumor/threat to occur on the same day.

The Waukesha Sheriff’s Department and the Hartland Police Department have been involved in reviewing the matter.  As a precaution, we will take additional security measures towards ensuring the safety of our students and staff.

As we don’t know the source of the rumor, please take the opportunity to discuss this concern with your child.  If your child has reliable information, he/she should report it directly to the school’s administration or Deputy Pete Freyer, School Resource Officer.

The District and the Sheriff’s Department are taking all necessary steps to ensure students and staff members are safe.   The District wanted the parents and staff to be aware of this situation in a timely manner, and we will share any additional information as is appropriate. 

School will be open and the learning opportunities for students will proceed as normal.   Should parents have any concerns about your daughter or son attending school, parents have the right to excuse your child.

Craig Jefson

Superintendent

Arrowhead Union High School District

Final State Report Card

DPI Releases Final State Report Cards

Holiday Train In Hartland

Arrowhead Student Senate's Santa's Workshop

AHS TV 11 20 2012

Check out the latest AHS TV Broadcast.

Spanish II Students

SPANISH 2 STUDENTS 

SET UP MARKET TO BUY & SELL

Mrs. Koepke's Spanish 2 students engaged in a learning activity where they set up a market in class to sell and buy goods.  

Rumor has it some of Arrowhead's finest got creative in negotiating deals with some bartering going on - always looking for a deal.  ;~) 

Students had fake Euros to use, they made signs and brought in actual products to sell.

The entire activity was conducted with students speaking Spanish and from the pictures it appears all had a great time.  

NY Times Article Education Reform

Grading or Degrading?

Click on picture to access article

The New York Times published an opinion piece by Michael Brick providing his insights on the current "education reforms" and his views of the potential impact of these reforms on our schools and young people.  

Brick takes a look at the situation in Texas, which he calls "nobody's model of educational excellence", where there is a long history of using complex algorithms to assign grades (exemplary, recognized, acceptable, or unacceptable) to Texas schools.

"So far, such competition has achieved little more than re-segregation, long charter school waiting lists and the same anemic international rankings in science, math and literacy we've had for years."

Interesting read and an issue worth our attention.  It is imperative, for the benefit of our students and in being vigilant in maximizing our resources (e.g. staff, finances), that we evaluate and make determinations, responding in a thoughtful, productive, and proactive manner, rather than being reactionary.  

Arrowhead Science Team

SCIENCE TEAM TAKES 1st PLACE

Congratulations to the Arrowhead Science Team and their advisor Mrs. Cheri Kaiser for taking first place at the Opportunities Conference Science Competition at MSOE on November 20th.  Twenty teams of eight participated from Southeastern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois.  Team members are:

Members of the AHS Science Team

Strange, Max

Tschurwald, Griffin

Filmanowicz, John

Stoner, Kaitlin

Van Gilder, Andrew

McColl, Parker

Osowski, Stephan

Schneider, Nathan Bednarki, Zack

Medal winners in general science were Andrew Van Gilder and Zach Bednarki
Medal winner in Chemistry was Max Strange
Medal winners in Physics were Parker McColl and Zach Bednarki
Medal Winners in Biology were Griffin Tschurwald and Katlin Stoner.
Top overall scorers at the event were Griffin Tschurwald, John Filmanowicz, and Zach Bednarke.

Members of the AHS Science Team

Key Club Service to our Community

Key Club Holiday Festival 

Help Arrowhead Key Club help our community this holiday season! The Key Club will be collecting non-perishable food items for Stone Bank Food Pantry on Saturday, December 1, from 12 to 3:30 PM. New toys and monetary donations are appreciated as well. Please leave food in plastic bags on your doorstep or stop by Arrowhead High School North Campus.

Inclement Weather

INCLEMENT WEATHER - Impacting the operations of schools

With the potential for inclement winter weather just around the corner, I wanted to share with you avenues for determining if the weather has impacted school operations.  The following are the means that will be used to communicate with parents, students, and staff:

Communication Tool                                               Approximate Time to Process

Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArrowheadSchool           Posted as soon as decision is made

Parent Connect Phone Call (Sky Alert)                  Depending on system usage (@15 min.)

District Web-site: http://www.arrowheadschools.org/  @10 minutes after decision is made

District Phone Message System: 262-369-3611          @ 10 minutes after decision is made.

Local Television Stations & Web-sites                        Dependent on individual stations  

(approximately 15 to 30 minutes)

Television Stations in the order they are contacted:

• WISN 12: http://wisn
• CBS 58: http://www.cbs58.com/
• TODAY’S TMJ4: http://www.todaystmj4.com/
• FOX 6: http://fox6now.com/

Arrowhead is responsible for determining school delays and cancellations for all Arrowhead K-8 feeder schools.  Decisions are based on gathering information from a variety of weather services, neighboring school districts, and local resources (DOT, Dousman Transportation, law enforcement, county, etc.).  Every effort is made to obtain the most accurate information in making a determination of whether to run school.  As always, the final decision of whether it is safe enough for your child to travel to school is yours, the parent.  If a determination is made that school is in session and as a parent you do not want your child traveling to school, you should call school and ask that your child be excused for the day.

Being an optimist and because I prefer not to get up at 3:00 a.m. here’s hoping for another winter like we had last year.

Sincerely,

Craig Jefson

Arrowhead Superintendent