By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
TOMAHAWK – With summer winding down and the first day of the 2021-2022 school year on Wednesday, Sept. 1 getting closer, School District of Tomahawk Elementary School Principal Guy Steckbauer, Middle School Principal Wendell Quesinberry, and High School Principal Ryan Huseby each sent out letters to families welcoming new staff and explaining various back-to-school procedures.
Elementary School
In his letter to families, Steckbauer made note of the numerous staff changes that have occurred going into the school year:
Mrs. Tami Thieme will be moving from her second grade position to a math interventionist position.
Mrs. Sarah Miller will be moving from her Kindergarten position to a second grade position.
Mr. John Roberts will be a new physical education teacher with the departure of Mr. Ben Gotz.
Mrs. Courtney Sennett will be a new 4th grade teacher with the departure of Mrs. Katie Mackin.
Mrs. Baylee Dallman will be a new 2nd grade teacher, with Mrs. Hannah Jarvensivu moving to 3rd grade.
Ms. Amanda Timm will be a new 1st grade teacher.
Mr. Bill Jelinek will be a new special education teacher.
Mrs. Sarah Hauge will be a new special education teacher.
Mrs. Rachel Morrision will be a new Kindergarten teacher with the departure of Mrs. Amanda Kovar.
“We wish the people that have left us the best of luck, but please join me in welcoming all of our new staff to Tomahawk Elementary,” Steckbauer said. “We are excited to have them be part of our team.”
The elementary school’s first day of will be Wednesday, Sept. 1, with days starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 3:10 p.m.
“If your child attends 4K Tuesday/Thursday, their first day of school is Thursday, Sept. 2,” Steckbauer noted.
Steckbauer also laid out the elementary school’s pick-up/drop-off locations, asking parents to drop off their students no earlier than 7:55 a.m.
Grades 4K, K, and 1 may be dropped off at door 10, grade 2 may be dropped off at Door 9, and grades 3, 4, and 5 may be dropped off at Door 8.
Staff members will be available at each entrance to assist students.
Steckbauer asked parents picking up their students at the end of the day to arrive no earlier than 3 p.m. Students may be picked up at the same doors at which they were dropped off, with grades 4K, K, and 1 being released at 3:05 p.m., grade 2 being released at 3:08 p.m., and grades 3, 4, and 5 being released at 3:10 p.m.
“We will continue to have a drop-off lane in the morning, with staff outside to help your children get to where they need to be,” Steckbauer stated. “This helps prevent backup issues in our parking lot.”
Steckbauer noted that updated news and communications can be found on the district’s website and Facebook page.
“Enjoy your last few weeks of the summer,” Steckbauer said. “I look forward to seeing you soon.”
Middle School
Quesinberry began his letter to families by introducing new middle school staff members.
“This year we welcome three new teachers,” Quesinberry said. “Katie Pintens will teach 7th grade ELA and Social Studies, Scott Wendt will join our MS Special Education team, and Julie Schroder will teach Art. Also joining our team will be Tracy Bartz, who is transferring from the High School.”
The middle school will continue with its “Where Everybody Belongs” (WEB) program for the 2021-2022 school year.
Quesinberry explained that WEB is “a middle school orientation and transition program where 8th grade leaders welcome and connect with new students in an effort to help them adjust and feel comfortable through their first year of middle school.”
The first day of school on Wednesday, Sept. 1 will be dedicated to WEB orientation, with only 6th grade and WEB leaders attending that day, Quesinberry said. All other students will attend their first day of school on Thursday, Sept. 2.
School photographs are slated for Thursday, Sept. 2.
Quesinberry said all middle school students will be required to enter and exit the building via Door #4. Doors will open for student entry at 7:45 a.m., and breakfast will be available free of charge.
“I look forward to seeing our hallways full again and having a safe, productive and exciting 2021-22 school year,” Quesinberry said.
High School
In his letter to families, Huseby reminded families that THS is continuing to sponsor Link Crew, its 9th grade transition program.
“Link Crew will provide the opportunity for students to lead fellow students by developing positive relationships that evolve into mentorship and role modeling,” Huseby explained. “Upperclassmen apply and become trained as Link Crew Leaders to work with incoming 9th graders on the first day of school and throughout the school year to promote and build a positive culture that makes Tomahawk High School great.”
Huseby noted that only freshmen and Link Leaders will report to school on Wednesday, Sept. 1, with bus transportation running as normal that day. Sophomores, juniors and seniors will report to school on Thursday, Sept. 2.
School doors will open for entry at 7:45 a.m., with first hour starting at 8 a.m. High school students utilizing the student parking lot or being dropped off on the east side of the building will use Doors #24 and #25 (high school cafeteria) to enter. Students arriving on the bus will enter through Door #4.
Picture day will be held on Sept. 7. Information will be distributed to students at school.
“On behalf of everyone at THS, I wish our families a fantastic start to the school year,” Huseby said.
Office contact information
For more information, contact the elementary school office at 715-453-2126, the middle school office at 715-453-5371, or the high school office at 715-453-2106.