From the Elementary Principal
by Elementary Principal Jill Schulz
Happy summer!
What a year we’ve had at Spencer Elementary School! This school year saw our students and staff engaged in exciting learning experiences. These experiences included participating in engaging classroom activities as well as opportunities to venture outside of our school on field trips to extend our learning. These outside learning experiences were put on hold for 18 months and we were excited to bring these opportunities back for our students. A few favorites for our students and staff include visits to our state Capitol (grades 4-6 got to go this year!), the planetarium at UW-SP, Nasonville Dairy, Wildwood Zoo, CWA airport, Taylor County Youth Expo, maple syrup collection, and, of course, trips to our local school forest. We are so thankful to parents who took time from their busy schedules to help chaperone these learning adventures!
We also enjoyed showcasing our 4K-5th grade students during our elementary concert on May 19. Miss Amanda Seefeldt has such a knack of bringing out the best in all our students. All our students grow as musicians throughout the school year and our spring concert is the perfect place for all to see these talents. The students’ pride and excitement for their portion of the concert is evident to all in attendance. Thank you, Miss Seefeldt, for making our Rocket musicians shine!
I want to take this opportunity to thank the Spencer community for all their continued support and trust in our school system. The “yes” vote on the latest referendum will allow us to continue to provide a valuable education to all our students.
The end of this school year marks transitions for our elementary school. We have several staff from our elementary school who are retiring after spending their whole career with our school district. I want to wish this crew all the best in their next great adventure -- “retirement”.
Deb Stuttgen - paraprofessional, 28 years at Spencer Elementary School Ann Pankratz - 1st grade teacher, 35 years at Spencer Elementary School Mary Kolstad - 1st grade teacher, 36 years at Spencer Elementary School Laurie Anderson - 2nd grade teacher, 26 years at Spencer Elementary School Mary Buss - 5th grade teacher, 27 years at Spencer Elementary School Although we are losing over 152 years of experience, I am excited about the new staff that we are bringing into our district for the new school year.
Speaking of retirements, I will also be retiring this year. I want to thank the Spencer community for the opportunity to work in this district for the last 25 years! I have been blessed with 35 years in education and count my years in Spencer as the absolute best. During my tenure in education, I have taught 1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 8th, alternative high school, and adults! Of course, my principalship role is the one that completed my career in education.
Thank you to all who I have worked with over the years; the students who I often learned as much from as they learned from me; the parents who are so dedicated to their children and know that learning continues at home; to the community for supporting our district financially and with volunteering to work with our students; and to the staff at our school whose dedication to help our children grow both academically and emotionally is absolutely second to none.
Best to all, Mrs. Jill Schulz
