Posted: March 3, 2009

Pack 62 to bring ComedySportz to Fine Arts Center

Cub Scout Pack 62 at Lannon Elementary School will bring ComedySportz to the Hamilton Fine Arts Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28.

ComedySportz is competitive: two teams battle for laughs and points as they make up scenes, games and songs on the spot. The audience votes for the winners, and a referee calls the fouls. Volunteers are encouraged to join the players in the fun, fast-paced comedy for an evening to remember – or live down – for years to come.

Pack 62 (part of the Potawatomi Area Council Glacier Hills District) has 43 scouts ranging in age from 7 to 10 from Lannon, Sussex, Lisbon and Menomonee Falls. The Pack made the decision to bring a "family-friendly" show to the community in lieu of its standard spring fundraiser.

Tickets cost $10 and can be purchased at www.hamiltondistrict.k12.wi.us/hfac or directly from Pack 62. For more information, contact Donna Jach, (262) 255-6792 or mrs.yuk@hotmail.com.

Posted: March 17, 2009

HHS students to attend career fair at Expo Center

Hamilton High School students will participate in the seventh annual Building Advantage Career Fair on March 24 at the Waukesha Expo Center.

Students will get a hands-on experience with skilled workers in over 20 different trades, including carpenters, electricians and masons. Students can chat with current union members and apprentices and learn how to enter a building trades career.

More information is available from Erika Duelge, 262-547-8000, and at www.buildingadvantage.org.

TMS to hold book fair next month

Templeton Middle School invites parents, children, teachers and community members to attend the Scholastic Book Fair from Tuesday, March 31, through Friday, April 3.

The book fair will be open each day from 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 3:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. April 2 during Parent-Teacher Conferences. A wide range of books specifically selected to appeal to middle school tastes and interests will be featured, including mystery and adventure novels, fantasy trilogies, sports guides, graphic novels and the latest bestsellers from more than 150 publishers.

Visitors to the fair can check each teacher's classroom wish list, then purchase and donate a requested book. All proceeds will help raise funds for the school library and build its collection of classroom reading materials.

Templeton's Home and School parent group also donated enough money to buy $5 book vouchers for every student.

The fair is part of the school's program to encourage life-long reading habits among its students. Studies indicate that being a reader is more predictive of success than intelligence, economic background or gender.

Hamilton choir to stage concert

The Hamilton High School Choir invites the community to a Solo and Ensemble Showcase Concert at 7 p.m. tonight in the Hamilton Fine Arts Center.

The concert will feature the choir and solo and small ensemble performances by students who will sing March 21 at the District Solo and Ensemble Competition at Brown Deer High School.

The choir and soloists will perform a wide variety of music for the competition, including the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and the jazz standard, "Smile."

"This concert is a great opportunity for the students to share their hard work with you," said music teacher Marilyn Spiess. "Bring your family and friends to this unique display of vocal music!"

Reading disabilities: Where does dyslexia fit in?

Parents United, a consortium of schools from the school districts of Arrowhead, Hamilton, Hartland-Lakeside, Kettle Moraine, Merton, Muskego-Norway, Oconomowoc and Pewaukee, presents "Reading disabilities: Where does dyslexia fit in?" with guest lecturer Nick Hanford of Adaptive Technology Resource from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at West Wood Health & Fitness Center, 2900 Golf Road, Pewaukee.

Learn about adaptive technology and how it is used, the different types of adaptive technology and how it helps people with dyslexia, and hear one man's personal experience.

This is a free program open to all parents, educators and community members. Preregistration is appreciated. Contact Edie Scott, (262) 965-2001 or ediescott50@yahoo.com.

Posted: March 24, 2009

HFAC hosts The Nylons

The Canadian a cappella group, The Nylons, take the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, March 27, at Hamilton Fine Arts Center.

Formed in the back of a delicatessen in Toronto, this four-member vocal group has performed more than 1,000 concerts in dozens of tours worldwide, including Japan, Korea, China, Australia, Europe, Brazil, the United States and Canada, and sold more than 3 million CDs, including seven gold and six platinum albums.

The Nylons are also known for the energy of their live shows and their rapport with audiences.

Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (55-plus) and $10 for students. Reserved seating tickets may be purchased online at www.HamiltonFineArtsCenter.com or by visiting the HFAC box office, W220 N6151 Town Line Road in Lisbon, from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays or at 6:30 p.m. the night of the show (no phone orders accepted).

Maple Avenue student writer places second

Maple Avenue Elementary School fifth-grader Lana Morgan took second place in her age division in the 14th annual Wisconsin Letters About Literature competition and has been invited to an awards ceremony April 18 at Grant Elementary School in Wisconsin Rapids during the Wisconsin Literary Bash/Prairie Chicken Festival.

The competition challenged students in grades four through 12 to write to any author – living or dead – explaining how his or her published work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves. Students were encouraged to use good writing and grammar skills in their letter.

Morgan wrote to Al Gore about his book, "An Inconvenient Truth."

The contest originated at the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., and is offered in partnership with Target stores.

Posted: March 31, 2009

Kindergartner treated for meningitis

Waukesha County health officials announced Friday that a kindergartner at the Willow Springs Learning Center had contracted Lake Country's second case of bacterial meningitis in a week.

They said this case has no connection to the student at Arrowhead High School who was hospitalized earlier last week with the same disease. The kindergartner is being treated for the disease, they added, and do not fear an outbreak at his school.

County health officials said they had advised about 60 students and others who might have been exposed to take antibiotics as a preventive measure.

Meningitis, which can be fatal, is spread only through intimate contact such as kissing or sharing food, beverages, smoking materials or utensils.

The bacteria can cause infection of the bloodstream and meningitis, an inflammation of the lining of the spinal cord and brain. Symptoms include severe headaches, stiffness in the neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, rash and confusion.

Posted: April 7, 2009

Fifth-grader wins lit letter award

Maple Avenue Elementary School fifth-grader Lana Morgan of Sussex recently earned a second-place award in this year's Wisconsin Letters About Literature writing contest.

Judges chose her letter to Al Gore, author of "An Inconvenient Truth," in the Level I competition for student is grades 4-6.

"I have read your book … twice," she wrote Gore. "I hope that people all over the world also read your book and think about what we can do to help our planet."

Morgan has been invited to read her letter at the Letters About Literature awards program during the Wisconsin Literary Bash, which will be held April 18 in conjunctoon with the Wisconsin Prairie Chicken Festival at Grant Elementary School in Wisconsin Rapids. There she will receive a check for $50, a gift certificate from Book World and copies of a book and a CD by Wisconsin author Tom Montag.

Morgan was one of 800 Wisconsin students and 50,000 nationwide who competed in the annual event this year.

HHS students qualify for state music festival

Hamilton High School music students participated March 21 in the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) District Solo and Ensemble Music Festival held at Brown Deer High School.

Qualifying for the WSMA state competition April 25 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee were:

Corie Spankowski, Daniel Barch, Jarrett Taivalkoski, Lindsay James, Jennifer Dardich, Nicholas Ritter, Sarah Geier, Kelson Zarling, Alex Crane, Matthew Kline, Darcie Adams, Ellen Kudronowicz, Joshua Guarisco, Lauren Dawley, Andrew Kerber, Alexandra Koelbl, Lauren Little, Gabrielle Lyons, Stephanie Peterson, Seth Leinbach, Sarah Vowels and Kelsey Steinmetz.

Templeton Future Problem Solvers qualify for state

The Templeton Middle School Future Problem Solving team of Taylor Burns, Megan Hessler, Caitlin Kennedy and Brendan Schlaman created a booklet on "space junk" that qualified them for the State Bowl in Green Lake on April 19-21.

Students on the team are now researching the new topic of the "counterfeit economy." Marquette Law Professor Bruce Boyden spoke March 3 to Future Problem Solvers explaining the differences between copyright, trademark and patent laws.

TMS kids to tour UW-Waukesha

All Templeton Middle School eighth-graders will visit the University of Wisconsin-Waukesha to learn about college.

Groups of students will tour the university April 22 and 29 and May 6 and 12 to obtain information about academic planning and career choices beyond high school, followed by a student panel discussion and lunch in the student union.

TMS students recognized in lit letter contest

Templeton Middle School eighth-grader Caroline Hope earned an honorable mention in the Letters About Literature contest, sponsored by the United States Library of Congress. She wrote to Mary O'Hara about the novel "My Friend Flicka."

With 54,000 entries submitted and after two rounds of evaluation, the following students' work were among the 75 semi-finalists for their age division in Wisconsin: sixth-grader Kevin Fantl and eighth-graders Katherine Bitz, Makayla Emmer, Theodora Hermberg and Nathan Goecks.

All were invited to an awards ceremony April 18 at Grant Elementary School in Wisconsin Rapids during the Wisconsin Literary Bash/Prairie Chicken Festival.

Posted: April 28, 2009

Chinese student needs host family

Nacel Open Door is looking for a host family for a 16-year-old boy from China who will arrive at the end of August to attend his senior year at Hamilton High School and leave in June.

Beiquan (Nacel does not give out last names) loves computers, movies and music (he plays guitar, harmonica and melodica). He also plays basketball, soccer and tennis.

He is an A student and speaks English very well, having studied it for 14 years. He will pay for all personal expenses, school lunches and fees and has medical insurance. He does not need his own room, just a bed. He needs a host famly as soon as possible to get his visa.

More information is available from Lindsey Klein, Hamilton High School's advisor for internation students, at 246-6471, or from Carrie Schulz, Nacel's Wisconsin Coordinator, at schulzcarr@aol.com.

HHS parents asked for school assessment

Hamilton High School parents will have a chance to offer their thoughts, opinions and insights about the school through participation in an online assessment May 1-22 at pridefactor.jostens.com.

Pride Factor takes approximately 10-12 minutes to complete. The survey presents 39 statements eliciting participants' responses, from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree." Parents may also leave anonymous feedback about any part of school life.

The computers in Lab 18 and the IMC at the high school will be available during the May 7 parent-teacher conferences for those who would like to complete the assessment there.

The code for Hamilton parents is FYCU6OTO. After entering it, click the "begin" button in the lower right corner of the screen.

Fifth-graders aid chimpanzee fund

Christina Garley's fifth-grade classroom at Maple Avenue Elementary School donated $50 to the New England Anti-Vivisection Society as part of its Buck a Book program, which encourages students to read on their own and raise money for a cause they deem important.

The class chose the anti-vivisection group's Project Release and Restitution, which provides chimpanzees who have been used in biomedical research and testing with retirement to a permanent sanctuary.

FSYL seeks students for 2009-10 sessions

Falls/Sussex Youth Leadership (FSYL), a program of the Menomonee Falls and Sussex Area Chambers of Commerce, has begun the first round of applicant selection for the program's sixth class, beginning in July.

Freshmen and sophomores from Menomonee Falls or Hamilton High Schools or from private schools in either community are eligible to apply by the May 1 deadline.

Modeled after Leadership Menomonee Falls, an adult program with similar goals, FSYL is an interactive summer program to help 25 students entering their junior and sophomore years the following fall gain a better understanding of business, government and volunteer/community organizations and inspire them to become active participants and civic leaders in their communities.

Applications are available from Menomonee Falls and Hamilton High Schools, Menomonee Falls North Junior High and the Menomonee Falls and Sussex Area Chambers of Commerce. More information about this program is available from the Menomonee Falls chamber, (262) 251-2430, or the Sussex chambers, (262) 246-4940.

Posted: May 12, 2009

TMS teacher earns FPS award

Templeton Middle School teacher Sherry Malmon was presented the Marian Carr Award at the Future Problem Solving State Bowl on April 19 in Green Lake.

Malmon earned the award for her distinguished coaching, enthusiasm and support for the program.

Marian Carr was an early supporter of Wisconsin Future Problem Solving and put in many hours to help it succeed. An award was established in her name to honor adults who have shown exceptional service and dedication to the Future Problem Solving Program.

Power Test hosts student tours

Hamilton High School students from the Applied Engineering and Technology Program will be touring the Power Test Inc.'s Sussex facility Friday, May 15.

Four 60-student groups will tour the company for one hour each to find out more about career paths in engineering, manufacturing and technology

Power Test departments – include machining, fabrication, electronics, assembly, inspection, crating, engineering, drafting, sales and administration – will demonstrate what they do and how they interact with the rest of the company.

Demonstrations will include diesel engine test equipment in different configurations, race engine test equipment and transmission test systems.

Living Sussex Sun, Posted: Sept. 1, 2009

Free-and-reduced lunch offered

The Hamilton School District announced its policy for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, or milk served under the Special Milk Program. Each school office and the district office have copies of the policy for those interested.

Household size and income criteria determine eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the established levels are eligible for free and reduced price meals or free milk if a split-session student does not have access to the school lunch or breakfast service.

Application forms are being sent to all homes with a notice to parents or guardians. To apply, households must fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available in the principal's office in each school. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes and the household income falls families should contact the school.

In certain cases, foster children are also eligible. If a household has foster children and wishes to apply, contact the school for more information. The information provided by the household on the application is confidential.

For more information, call Judy Pinter, Hamilton School District food service manager, at (262) 246-1973 Ext. 1142.