School District of Baraboo

Today was an exciting day for BELC 4K students and families because it was the first day of 4K! The Baraboo Early Learning Cooperative, more commonly known as BELC, is a 4-year-old Kindergarten program offered by BSD in partnership with various community childcare providers: Children’s Day Center, Bear-A-Boo Daycare, and the Head Start/Renewal Unlimited Agency. #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Did you know it's National Read a Book Day? 📚 Books can bring new worlds to life, challenge our thinking, and take us on exciting adventures. First-grade students in Mrs. Zuhlke's class at Al Behrman Elementary learn about the library today when they read a new book! 📖 What new books are you reading? Share with us in the comments below👇 #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Educators returned to work on August 29th and 30th for pre-session professional development. All staff gathered Tuesday morning at BHS to celebrate the start of the year and an overview of the 2023-26 Strategic Plan before heading to their buildings for additional professional development and completing final preparations for the year. Dr. Briggs discussed the importance of building community and a sense of belonging in his message to all staff. He said, “It is important to be curious and ask questions, and not be judgemental.” At the outset of a new school year for the Baraboo School District, these words hold special significance. They encourage students, educators, and the entire community to embrace a mindset of open-minded exploration and inquiry. Instead of hastily forming judgments or assumptions, the quote advocates for fostering curiosity, as well as a genuine desire to understand and learn from others. By embodying this philosophy, students can approach their studies with a thirst for knowledge, teachers can create inclusive and supportive classrooms, and the entire district can work together to create an environment where the pursuit of understanding takes precedence over snap judgments. #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Those big yellow vehicles will be out in full force now that school is back in session. They are carrying precious cargo, so please be aware and take extra care! #AlwaysOnwardBSD #Tbirdtidbit

Last Wednesday all BSD educators gathered at BHS for professional development with the day's topic focused on school building safety. BSD partnered with the City of Baraboo Police Department and Sauk County Emergency Management for safety updates from first responders and worked in Building Emergency Response Teams before returning to buildings for any additional meetings with principals and time to organize for the start of the year. BSD would like to give a big thank YOU to BSD School Resource Officers Meyer and Sabol, the Baraboo Police Department, and Sauk County Emergency Management for leading the training! #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Happy Labor Day! BSD is closed for the holiday. Students and staff will return tomorrow. To the dream weavers, the innovators, and the go-getters, we salute you on this Labor Day. Your fearlessness and willingness to embrace change lead us to greatness! #AlwaysOnwardBSD

📚✏️ Exciting times in the Baraboo School District! Our students, teachers, and learning community are off to an amazing start this school year. Here's to a year full of growth, learning, and success! 🖍🏫 #AlwaysOnwardBSD #BackToSchool

Dear Thunderbird Families, I am excited to welcome you all back as we gear up to begin the 2023-24 school year. I hope this letter finds you all well and excited to return to school. In just a few days the 2023-24 school year kicks off, and it holds a lot of promise to be an exceptional one. Much of that is because of YOU as families, staff, and community members. Thank you for your continued commitment and engagement as a community. You all are essential school community members. We will continue to focus this year on building our beloved community through our district-wide vision and mission. Our Vision: What we aspire to be: A leader in education through innovation and continuous improvement with a focus on the whole student. Our Mission: What we aspire to do: Engage, challenge, and inspire every student, every day, in every way. Students and staff will utilize the power of community across every learning environment. As educators, we understand the importance of belonging as a key driver in an ever-changing world. We want to make sure EVERY STUDENT, FAMILY, and STAFF member understands they are a part of our beloved learning community. We also want to make sure that this happens EVERY DAY, not just every once in a while. We are committed as the School District of Baraboo to ensure CommUNITY in EVERY WAY! Always Onward, Dr. Rainey L. Briggs Superintendent

The back-to-school open house nights in the BSD were a resounding success, igniting excitement and fostering family connectedness! These evenings offer a vibrant opportunity for students, parents, and staff to unite, sharing in anticipation of the upcoming academic journey. Information and interactive displays showcase innovative teaching methods and curriculum highlights, sparking curiosity. Teachers warmly greeted families, forming crucial connections, and establishing a collaborative atmosphere. These open house nights embody our district's commitment to engaging every student every day in every way while setting the stage for a year of mutual growth and achievement. #AlwaysOnwardBSD

BHS Link Leaders were working hard earlier this week getting ready for tomorrow's first day with 9th readers and new students to the building! #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Did you see the great article in Tuesday's BNR about the amazing Lambers Bus Lines drivers? 22 dedicated drivers transport nearly 900 BSD students each day to and from school covering more than 300,000 miles a school year. You can be one of them! Contact Lamers Bus Lines today to learn more about becoming a bus driver for the 2023-24 school year. You will make a positive difference in the lives of BSD students every day in every way. Article Link: https://bit.ly/3OVdADf #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Discover excellence at Baraboo School District's Open House tonight! Join us for an evening of important information, building tours, and meet our dedicated educators. Elementary Schools & BELC 4K - 4:00-6:00 pm Jack Young Middle School - 4:30-6:30 pm Baraboo High School - 5:30-7:30 pm Elementary and Jack Young Middle School students are encouraged to bring their school supplies with them today. Baraboo High School students should bring supplies on their first day of school. #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Homecoming is early compared to recent years and will take place the week of September 10, 2023. The week of school spirit and Thunderbird pride will include the following events: Sunday, September 10, 2023 Powder Buff Volleyball 5:00 - BHS Gym Powder Puff Football 6:30 - BHS Flambeau Field Friday, September 15 Homecoming Parade 3:30 - Downtown Baraboo Football game vs. LaCrosse Riverhawks 7:00 - BHS Flambeau Field Join us in the fun! Please also note the adjusted early release schedule for the week. 4K-12th grade students will attend a full day of instruction on Wednesday, September 13, 2023, and have an early release on Friday, September 15, 2023. 4K students do not have instruction on September 15, 2023. #T-BirdTidbit #AlwaysOnwardBSD

"Nothing that's worth Anything is easy." - Barack Obama #AlwaysOnwardBSD #MotivatioanlMonday

Are you looking to build a new home in Baraboo? The BHS Building Trades Class would love to help you build a place to call home! Unfortunately, their project did not work out this year and the class is in need of a project for School Year 2023-24. Please contact Mr. Mark Weiss, Tech Ed Teacher, at mweiss@barabooschools.net or (608) 355-3940 Ext. 2227. Just look at the amazing craftsmanship and talent of our Building Trades students and staff! #AlwaysOnwardBSD

To help reduce the anxiety that can often be experienced with attending the first day of school, the first day of school for the 2023-2024 School Year will be different for 6th-12th-grade students than in past years. Baraboo High School • 9th-grade students and new 10th-12th-grade students to BHS report Friday, September 1, 2023. More information will be sent by Baraboo High School. • Returning 10th-12th grade students report Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and do not need to attend Friday, September 1, 2023. Jack Young Middle School • 6th-grade students and new 7th and 8th-grade students to JYMS report Friday, September 1, 2023. Further details will be shared by Jack Young Middle School. • Returning 7th and 8th-grade students report Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and do not need to attend Friday, September 1, 2023. #AlwaysOnwardBSD All Elementary Buildings All kindergarten-5th grade students report Friday, September 1, 2023, for their first day of school. Baraboo Early Learning Cooperative 4K and Early Childhood Program All 4K and Early Childhood students report on Thursday, September 7, 2023, for their first day of school.

This week BSD welcomed new educators to Baraboo and held a new educator orientation, often called Camp Thunderbird. The schedule for the week was packed with a variety of activities and training. Some of the highlights included a welcome breakfast and a tour of our district and the greater Baraboo community to see all that it has to offer. BSD is committed to supporting our new educators and building a culture of belonging which is why five days are dedicated to team building, training, and learning as the District focuses work on building the Beloved Community. The support new educators receive will be ongoing, embedded in daily practice, based on best practices, and will provide them with ample opportunities for experimentation and reflection. Read more stories like this one in today's Thunderbird Thursday! Link: https://conta.cc/3P6SC5H #AlwaysOnward

This week BSD welcomed new educators to Baraboo and held a new educator orientation, often called Camp Thunderbird. The schedule for the week was packed with a variety of activities and training. Some of the highlights included a welcome breakfast and a tour of our district and the greater Baraboo community to see all that it has to offer. BSD is committed to supporting our new educators and building a culture of belonging which is why five days are dedicated to team building, training, and learning as the District focuses work on building the Beloved Community. The support new educators receive will be ongoing, embedded in daily practice, based on best practices, and will provide them with ample opportunities for experimentation and reflection. Read the complete story in today's Thunderbird Thursday! Link: https://conta.cc/3P6SC5H #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Earlier this month Summer BSD Kid Stop students and staff had a field trip to Bello's Circus Extreme. They even got to take part in some of the show! #AlwaysOnwardBSD

BSD is excited to announce that our district is participating in a Free Breakfast and Lunch program for the 2023-2024 school year through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP allows economically challenged schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting Free and Reduced Meal applications. Schools and districts that take part in this program are reimbursed for the food services costs using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other programs such as FoodShare, also known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. All students enrolled at the following school(s) may participate in the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program at no charge: Al Behrman Elementary Household applications are required to receive free or reduced-price meals at the following site(s): Baraboo High School, East Elementary, Gordon L. Willson Elementary, Jack Young Middle School, North Freedom Elementary, and West Kindergarten Center. Visit the Parent Portal to complete a Free and Reduced Meal application. Link: https://baraboowi.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/baraboo.jsp #AlwaysOnwardBSD