CUSHING FIRST-GRADERS MAKE THE MOST OF THE CHILLY WEATHER!!! The colder weather created a perfect opportunity for a science experiment using what else, freezing. Students practiced using the skills of a scientist like predicting, observing, discussing and concluding while trying making chilly treats to enjoy.
CHEER BRINGS THE SPIRIT!!! On Saturday January 24th, 2025, KM Varsity Cheer competed at the Kettle Moraine Lutheran Cheer Competition. They placed 2nd in the Varsity Non-Tumble Large division and 2nd in Varsity Game Day Large division! Next stop - WACPC Prelims / Regionals on February 15th at Hartford Union High School!
UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING SCHOOL REFUSAL – Mar 10, 2025, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM at KMHS Library!!! This educational presentation offers vital information and resources to help you address school refusal and prevent avoidance in youth in other areas of their life. School avoidance and refusal alone have been on the rise, with approximately 10-15% of students identified as "chronically absent.” This increasing trend has been exacerbated and is tied to increased anxiety, social skill gaps, and challenges re-adapting to structured environments. Your involvement and understanding are key to your child's success. Together, we can create a supportive environment where every student can flourish. Learn Evidence-Based Strategies for Prevention and Intervention. Explore How to Build Resilience in Children and Teens. Gain Knowledge to Foster Resilience in Your Child. Tools to Help Them Overcome Obstacles and Thrive. Sign up now at https://www.galsinstitute.com/event-details/km-parent-talk-school-refusal.
KM PERFORM STUDENTS ALSO KNOW HOW TO LISTEN!!! Last Friday, three students from the Kettle Moraine School for Arts and Performance participated in the Minnesota Music Listening Competition, with their coach, Ms. Hannah Sternberg. Our students competed against 8 other teams for the regional competition and earned second place, missing first by only 5 points! With this score, our students qualified for the national competition. To prepare, students studied over 60 pieces from all of music history dating back to 1100 AD! They then worked together to complete a test that asked specific details about select pieces, and had to identify which of the many pieces was playing from a 5-10 second excerpt! Congratulations on their nationals qualification!
INFO NIGHTS AND OPEN HOUSES!!! We have a number of exciting events coming up to introduce students to our KM High School Choices. In addition, the K-12 KM Showcase will take place on February 19th with representation from all of our schools!
YOUTH CHEER CONTINUES TO EXCEL IN COMPETITION!! The KM Youth cheer teams competed at the KMLHS Cheer Competition. The Little Lasers Gold K-2 team placed 1st, Little Lasers Blue 3-5 team placed 2nd! Great work!!
KM ALUMNI INDUCTED INTO TRAILBLAZER HALL OF FAME!!! This year's Trailblazers are Kara Krause, Daniel Nottling, and JJ Weber. They were joined by a panel of students, including Senior Class President Maggie Magill, Senior Class Vice President Savanna Kildow, and National Honor Society President Cameron LaRoque for a discussion and question and answer period with Kettle Moraine High School students. Superintendent Steve Plum and KMHS Principal Justin Bestor helped to coordinate and emcee the event. Several members of the Trailblazer Hall of Fame Selection Committee were also present. For more information on the accomplishments of each of our new members please visit our website https://www.kmsd.edu/page/alumni.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS!!! Residents from Riverside Lodge on Three Pillars Senior Living Communities' campus in Dousman recently presented Dousman Elementary School Psychologist Brenda Sweet with 50 bookmarks for her students. "Our residents enjoyed the creativity and fun the project afforded," said Jen Graf, Three Pillars' Senior Director of Dementia Programming. "Our residents take immense joy knowing the surprise gift of hand-made bookmarks will delight children at their local elementary school. We take great pride in our partnership with Kettle Moraine School District and this is just one of a number of intergenerational initiatives we're able to collaborate on."
AUDITORIUM GRAND OPENING!!! The long-awaited grand opening of our auditorium went off perfectly despite the weather. We had a great turnout and were able to thank the many individuals, families, and businesses who made this project possible. The students performed their "greatest hits" from the year with a show that encompassed a wide variety of acts from our music and theater programs. Watch the video from this week's Laser Focused at https://vimeo.com/1049435381!
WAUKESHA TAC TRANSITION FAIR!! Wednesday March 5th from 5-7pm! Stop by for information and resources from community agencies for you and your family. There will be many agencies and vendors sharing information on the services they provide.
2025 JERRY AWARD NOMINATIONS!!! KM participates in a state-wide program through the Overture Center called "The Jerry Awards." They sent three people to review our performances and sent us critiques and the following award nominations. Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Ensemble, Outstanding Orchestra, Outstanding Lead Performances: Josephine Byrne - Cinderella, Johnathan Doome - Jack, William Kastner - Wolf/Cinderella's Prince, Edith Cramer - Little Red Riding Hood, Emma Hipp - Baker's Wife, Ireland Anderson - Witch, and Cayden Amidei - Baker. Outstanding Supporting Performance: Orlando Corchado - Rapunzel's Prince, Outstanding Direction: Shelly Hooper, Outstanding Musical Direction: Emma Milton & Kevin Erickson, Outstanding Scenic Design: Matthew Dunlap, Outstanding Lighting Design: Katrina Kyle, Outstanding Costume Design: Abigail Kean. Cayden and Joy will also be recognized as the recipients of this production's "Spirit Award."
KM EXPLORE COME SEE IT LIVE EVENT!!! Drop by the Wales Elementary Campus from 9-10 am on January 29th to visit the KM Explore Charter and learn more about our amazing staff and students. Explore focuses on meeting the individual needs of all students by creating social capital and having our staff, families, and community partners target what kids need. We foster a growth mindset where it is okay to fail or make a mistake. That’s part of the process of learning. We want students to develop the habits that are going to make them successful citizens, such as persistence, managing impulsivity, and listening with empathy and understanding. Relationships are very important and we hope to build one with you on the 29th!
INFO NIGHTS FOR KMHS CAMPUS!!! Each year, our five high schools host info nights for middle school families from within, and outside the district, to learn more about their curriculum, learning models, activities, and offerings. This is a great opportunity to meet other students, and speak with educators and administrators.
BBALL DOUBLE HEADERS!!! KM is hosting two double-headers where the Boys and Girls Basketball teams will be competing on the same night. They will take on Muskego the 4th and Catholic Memorial the 6th. Both nights present a great opportunity to see some fantastic basketball and show some Laser Spirit! Get your tickets now!!
KM PARTICIPATING IN DEER DISTRICT PREP SHOWCASE AT FISERV!!! Deer District Prep Showcase February 8th at Fiserv Forum featuring ten of the state's top teams. The Lasers earned the primetime 6pm spot vs. Nicolet. Special ticket offer $12 per ticket. The goal is for each school to sell a minimum of 500 tickets.
CONCERT FOR A CAUSE WITH HAWS!! Our 7th Grade students have chosen HAWS (hawspets.org) as our charity/non-profit of choice to raise awareness and funds in line with our mission of a “charity concert”. The students have been researching organizations in our area to support and have voted on HAWS as the top charity of choice this year. In line with the mission of using music to support a cause, we are asking families to consider donating to HAWS at the concert. Both cash and online donations will be accepted, and we will have more information about HAWS during the concert. If you are able to, we would love it if you can support the mission!
KM 4K FAIR WAS A GREAT SUCCESS!! The KM 4K Fair is a great opportunity for families to learn more about 4-year-old kindergarten at each of our elementary schools and partner providers, as well as wrap care opportunities. Watch the video from our last issue of Laser Focused https://vimeo.com/1047988710! To learn more about KM4K or register your child, visit https://www.kmsd.edu/o/kmsd/page/about-km4k, or contact our 4K Director, Justin Nies, at niesjustin@kmsd.edu.
ONE KM!!! Retail and Product Design students held a focus group with Wales Elementary 4th and 5th graders to create shirts for KMmade.com. They worked with Mrs. Racine and Mrs. Blawat to facilitate the project and students got to chose their designs. The shirts should be available at the end of the month.
SIGNING DAY!!! We held a personal signing day for Brayden Thompson this week. Brayden has committed to Missouri State for football. Congrats!
KM4K FAIR TONIGHT 5-7 PM AT DOUSMAN ELEMENTARY!!! This is a great opportunity to learn more about four-year-old kindergarten in the Kettle Moraine School District! This annual event is fun and informative for young learners and their families. The open house format features booths from each of our elementary sites and wrap-around care partners, allowing you to find the right option for your family. To learn more about KM4K, visit https://www.kmsd.edu/o/kmsd/page/about-km4k, or contact our 4K Director, Justin Nies, at niesjustin@kmsd.edu.
