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SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MERCER QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Fall 2019
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School District of Mercer
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2690 W. Margaret Street
Mercer, WI 54547
phone: 715- 476-2154
fax: 715-476-2587
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Mrs. Sheri Kopka, Interim District Administrator
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Mrs. Tricia Thompson, Business Manager
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Dear Parents and Community Members,
We have had a bumpy start to our year, but it is times like this that show how supportive this community is, and how we come together as a family. I want to thank everyone who attended and donated to the benefit of the Nelson/Knorr family at the Great Northern. There is another benefit on October 26th from 1-5 pm at the Lake Tomahawk Community Center please attend if you are able.
We have welcomed 26 new students to our school this year. This includes two foreign exchange students Margherita Baratta from Italy and Soley Osk Sigthorsdottir from Iceland. We have one of our students, Brooklyn Anderson, who has been accepted by the Breakfast Rotary Club of Minocqua to be an exchange student next year. She is raising funds for her exchange year now. While we have been hosting exchange students at our school for quite some time now this will be the first of our students to go on an exchange in a very long time.
I want to thank all the students, staff, and community members who are helping to make this school year successful and who give so much of their time to this school. I would like to learn about your thoughts and feelings of the Mercer School. Please take a moment to complete a survey about our school at the address provided. If you do not have internet access, a printed version of the survey is available at the school for you to pick up and fill out. The staff and myself appreciate any feedback provided as we move forward with the spirit of improvement here in our district. The address for the survey is; https://forms.gle/yLJPVaFuiY7ikCiV6
We will be launching a new Mercer School Website in the near future. Please watch for further updates as we move forward with this. For students who do not have access to the internet at home, temporary hotspots are available for check out at the school.
All of us at the school take the safety of our students very seriously. Currently a great risk to students across the country is vaping. To help educate our students on the risks of vaping, we will be taking all 7-12 grade students to a presentation on the risks associated with vaping at the Chequamegon HS in Park Falls on October 23rd. There will also be a presentation for parents at the Chequamegon HS in Park Falls at 6 pm on October 23rd and I encourage all parents to attend this important educational opportunity.
This year we have chosen “Imagine Math” to assist in providing math interventions for all students in grades 3-10. I ask you to please take the time to have your child show you their “Imagine Math”, and encourage them to complete 15 minutes each night. “Imagine Math” provides live online math tutors until 9 pm each night for students who may be struggling. We will provide demonstrations of “Imagine Math” during upcoming conferences in November.
Last but not least, I hope everyone is enjoying the fall weather. We appreciate all your support for the Mercer School.
Sincerely,
Sheri Kopka
Please find attached the proposed 2019-2020 budget. The proposed budget moves several expenses from Fund 80 into Fund 10. The proposed Fund 80 levy has been decreased from $250,000 in the 2018-2019 school year to $90,561 in the 2019-2020 school year. This movement of funds will have an impact in our Fund 10 budget, which you will notice also decreases the general fund balance for the year. We have also included in the proposed budget, specifically in Fund 10, funding for essential repairs in the school. The repairs are for the electrical panels which the Building and Grounds Committee have determined are a priority. Please note that this budget is preliminary and as such, is subject to change.
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MERCER SCHOOL LEVIES
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Year
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Levy
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Valuation
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Levy Rate
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2001-02
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1,799,097
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246,251,800
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0.00730592
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2002-03
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1,801,754
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264,419,900
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0.00681399
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2003-04
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1,917,386
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287,377,700
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0.00667201
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2004-05
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1,919,878
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299,188,200
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0.00641696
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2005-06
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1,934,911
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351,210,000
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0.00550927
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2006-07
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2,058,716
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400,348,200
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0.00514231
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2007-08
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2,158,885
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460,175,900
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0.00469143
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2008-09
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2,035,625
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466,355,200
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0.00436497
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2009-10
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2,078,576
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494,568,700
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0.00420281
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2010-11
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2,044,427
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475,288,300
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0.00430145
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2011-12
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2,242,108
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460,527,800
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0.00486991
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2012-13
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2,101,481
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429,831,000
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0.00489036
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2013-14
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2,735,947
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421,683,600
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0.00648941
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2014-15
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2,257,428
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444,433,900
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0.00508016
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2015-16
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2,287,395
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449,680,400
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0.00508743
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2016-17
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2,254,394
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444,336,100
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0.00507447
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2017-18
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2,322,319
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437,976,300
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0.00530239
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2018-19
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2,308,830
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449,849,200
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0.00513245
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2019-20
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2,267,477
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461,789,400
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0.00482099
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Proposed 2019-2020 tax levy 0.00482099
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2018-2019 tax levy 0.00513245
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This is a preliminary budget and amounts may change following the finalized State Budget.
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Actual
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Actual
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Proposed
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2017-18
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2018-19
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2019-20
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EXPENDITURES
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110 Elementary/Title I/SAGE
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718,013.00
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692,111.00
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750,442.00
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120 Regular
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414,316.00
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428,535.00
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342,700.00
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130 Vocational
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110,177.00
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116,998.00
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168,859.00
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140 Physical
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76,638.00
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73,611.00
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81,629.00
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160 Co-curricular
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86,983.00
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93,806.00
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110,551.00
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170 Special Needs
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2,109.00
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1,837.00
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2,100.00
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210 Pupil Services
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46,322.00
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67,712.00
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68,911.00
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220 Instructional Staff Services
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92,230.00
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67,159.00
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114,319.00
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230 Administration & School Board
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352,922.00
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435,407.00
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478,780.00
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250 Operation & Maintenance
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391,611.00
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395,872.00
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444,212.00
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260 Central Services
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15,925.00
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18,889.00
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21,765.00
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270 Insurance
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33,982.00
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69,587.00
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35,355.00
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280 Short Term Borrowing
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476.00
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1,485.00
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1,600.00
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290 Other Support/Retirement
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18,258.00
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21,309.00
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18,063.00
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400 Non-Program Transactions
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541,247.00
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407,920.00
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454,663.00
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Total Fund 10 - General
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2,901,209.00
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2,892,238.00
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3,093,949.00
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Total Fund 21 - Revenue Trust Fund
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0.00
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0.00
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30,503.00
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Total Fund 27 - Special Education
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335,349.00
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298,949.00
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330,698.00
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Total Fund 30 - Debt Service
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58,522.00
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21,321.00
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32,493.00
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Total Fund 49 - Capital Projects Fund
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0.00
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91,240.00
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47,760.00
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Total Fund 50 - Food Service
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74,445.00
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61,913.00
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88,616.00
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Total Fund 71 - Scholarships
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18,200.00
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5,550.00
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15,000.00
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Total Fund 80-Community Service
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203,000.00
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147,744.00
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192,934.00
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Total Expenditures:
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3,590,725.00
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3,518,955.00
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3,831,953.00
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FUND BALANCES
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Fund 10 Balance - General
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624,080.00
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503,107.00
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206,911.00
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Fund 27 Balance - Special Education
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0.00
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0.00
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0.00
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Fund 30 Balance - Debt Service
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59,375.00
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59,430.00
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59,530.00
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Fund 49 Balance - Capital Projects Fund
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0.00
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47,760.00
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0.00
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Fund 50 Balance - Food Service
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28,045.00
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44,928.00
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44,928.00
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Fund 71 Balance - Scholarships
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118,603.00
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119,783.00
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119,933.00
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Fund 80 Balance - Community Service
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117.00
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102,373.00
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0.00
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TOTAL FUNDS BALANCE
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833,220.00
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877,381.00
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431,302.00
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REVENUES
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FUND 10 GENERAL FUND
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2,747,080.00
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2,771,265.00
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2,797,753.00
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FUND 27 SPECIAL EDUCATION
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335,350.00
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298,949.00
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330,698.00
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FUND 30 DEBT SERVICE
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37,212.00
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21,375.00
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32,593.00
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FUND 49 CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
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0.00
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139,000.00
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0.00
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FUND 50 FOOD SERVICE
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86,870.00
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78,796.00
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88,616.00
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FUND 71 SCHOLARSHIPS
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26,851.00
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6,730.00
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15,150.00
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FUND 80 COMMUNITY SERVICE FUND
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203,000.00
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250,000.00
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90,561.00
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TOTAL ALL FUNDS
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3,436,363.00
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3,566,115.00
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3,355,371.00
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What’s Happening:
2 yr. old program
Hello, Let me start out by introducing myself. I am Brandi Swearingen and I am serving as the long term sub in the 2 year old room. I have been employed at the Mercer School since 2012, serving as a paraprofessional for the district. During my time here at Mercer School, I have become 1 of the first 5 people in the state of Wisconsin to complete the National Deafblind Intervener Credential course. Before coming to work here at Mercer School I was an Early Childhood Teacher at Camp Jorn in Manitowish Waters, WI for 10 years. I have 3 children, Avian who graduated from Mercer in 2018 and is now in her sophomore year of college at the University of Wisconsin River Falls. Devin who is a junior here at Mercer School and Ryan who is a Sophomore.
The first month of the school year came with many unexpected changes in the 2 Year Old Tiger Cub’s Classroom. I am happy to inform you that we have adjusted well. I want to thank you for trusting me to care for and nurture your children through that difficult time.
We have been working on many things in the classroom. Taking turns playing with toys, meal time table manners, using our words to express our wants and needs, hand washing and many other self-help skills. If that was not enough, each day we also practice the alphabet, counting, shapes, colors, the current month, days of the week and the weather. There is also a daily project that we do to help reinforce the theme that we are working on. The themes we explored in September were Getting to know you, Colors/Shapes & Numbers, Apples and Fall. In October we will be focusing on Farm, Community Helpers, Transportation, Pumpkins and Halloween.
As the weather starts to change, remember that we go outside daily. Please send your child appropriately dressed for the weather and ready to play.
Happy Fall,
Ms. Brandi
Pre-K:
The Pre-Kindergarten class is off to a great start! They are all very smart, capable students and I know we are going to have a great year! We started off the year talking about school and apples. We made apple muffins and they were very yummy! Next we had a unit on Forest Animals and made different projects about different animals that live in the forest. We talked about dinosaurs and how paleontologists find dinosaur bones and put them together to see what the dinosaur looked like. The students got to put T-Rex bones back together and the results were cute! We talked about the different seasons and that it is Autumn now. We collected different colored leaves and I laminated them to last longer. We are doing a unit on community helpers and a couple of parents will be coming in to talk about their jobs and how they help the community. The students are excited for Halloween and are telling me about their costumes!
Holly Duensing
Kindergarten:
We have finally settled in as Kindergartners. The children have been working hard learning all of their new routines. They are learning how to work on group tasks and individual tasks. In Reading the children are learning how to decode simple stories. These books go home in their Book Bag every night. I would like to thank the After School Staff and parents for listening to the children read nightly. Their Reading Skills have become so much stronger due to the effort.
We have a new math series which introduces and reviews concepts at a higher level. For example, our students are discussing different ways to make 5 with two colors (3 and 2, 1 and 4, 0 and 5, etc...) vs. only counting the sets and writing the numbers.
We have already enjoyed balancing apples on our head, as in Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Seuss and making applesauce. The Kindergartners created some beautiful Fall Murals with leaves they collected with their parents. These are on display on the Cafeteria window. We'll be taking our Fall Hike soon, too. Halloween is coming up, of course, and we are looking forward to wearing our costumes on October 31st and parading through town at 2:15.
Mrs. Fitzgerald
Grade 1:
Hello from first grade! My name is Keisha Holland and I am the new first grade teacher! We are into the routine of school and are working hard on following directions. We are learning short vowels in reading and spelling and will be beginning our subtraction unit in math! We have also done some apple and pumpkin projects and are able to enjoy some quiet reading on our own with classroom pillows! We have much more to learn in first grade! I look forward to working with your children this school year and look forward to talking to you at conference time!
Mrs. Holland
Grade 2:
In second grade, we are excited about our many opportunities to practice independence! Our reading and language arts program is enhanced by using a system called The Daily 5. While students are fully engaged with literacy activities, I am able to confer with individuals and small groups to help them to work on their specific needs. This enables everyone to be actively engaged in learning at all times.
We spend time every day enjoying books together, and we are currently fascinated by farm life as we read Charlotte’s Web. My desire is not only to help develop successful readers, but readers who love to read and write about great literature! We each have our own online accounts on RAZ-kids, which gives us even more opportunities to read “good fit” books and great practice in answering comprehension questions.
We are focused on perfecting D’Nealian handwriting so that we can begin to write in cursive this year. We enjoy working in our writing notebooks, where we will be practicing writing letters, stories, poems, instructions, descriptions, etc.
We are once again recipients of grant money funded by the Book Trust program curated by Scholastic Books. Each second grader has the opportunity to select $7.00 worth of books every month from the book club at no cost to the student’s family. Since these books are a gift to the children, they write their names in them and take them home. We have received our first shipment of books, and we were very excited and thankful for them.
Our new math series is challenging, but we are making great progress as we currently explore the value of ones, tens, and hundreds. We also work every day with an online program called Freckle, which provides focused practice for each of us, giving us the chance to learn something new each time we use the program.
We’re off to a great start in second grade, and we appreciate the support and encouragement we get from home. Students are welcome to work on RAZ-kids and Freckle Math at home as well as at school. Please let me know if you’d like more information about those programs.
Mrs. Nuce
Grade 3:
Welcome Back! We have been very busy building our brains in the last few weeks. The third graders have been learning the ropes of our classroom and our daily routines. We’ve been sharing ways we can be role models for each other and what responsible choices look like as we work together as a team.
We are working on reading closely to practice fluency (rate or reading) and also so that we are able to comprehend both the main ideas and details of our text. We just read a silly story called The Trial of Cardigan Jones where we practiced those skills as well as discussed why courts are an important part of our government.
We began an animal research project called the “Northwood’s Name Game.” Students chose an animal to research and found important facts about their animal. We then discussed the importance of putting facts into our own third grade words, so they make sense to us and others. Their facts were turned into clues, which are displayed as a game for the younger students. Stop by and take a guess!
We are using a few online reading, math and science programs this year.
Raz-Kids allow us to read books at our level and practice important skills. Your child takes online quizzes related to each book they read online and it monitors their skills and advances them as their skills improve throughout the year. Please feel free to use this website at home as it builds important fluency and comprehension skills. The website is www.raz-kids.com. Your child is familiar with the login process and how to navigate the site. We are also using a new online math program called math.imaginelearning.com, which allows your child to practice valuable math skills at their level. They also are familiar with logging on to this site and could practice these valuable skills at home for additional practice. Science Studies Weekly (studiesweekly.com) is also something we will be studying each week that allows us to learn valuable science content, in a fun and engaging way. I encourage your child to show you this site. It’s a wonderful way to learn difficult text in a meaningful and more manageable way.
Thank you for all your support and encouragement at home. It’s greatly appreciated!
Mrs. Powers
Grades 4-6: English Language Arts:
We have begun another exciting year of learning and fun. It’s great to be a Tiger!
Students started out with a review of basic sentence structure, subjects and predicates, capitalization and punctuation. These concepts form the building blocks of the four types of sentences: declarative (statement), interrogative (question), imperative (command), and exclamatory (exclamation). Students will advance to learn how to use appositives and complex sentences.
Students are developing various strategies and using helpful tools to develop their study habits. Be sure to check out assignment sheets which cover necessary requirements for upcoming weeks. If you are absent or want to work ahead, these sheets help you stay on schedule. Think about a topic before studying it, and you will master the skill more proficiently. Practice reading strategies such as predicting, using phonics, decoding words, monitoring your understanding, evaluating an author, and summarizing (book reports). Book report projects require planning, setting goals, following a schedule, comprehending what you read, taking notes on relevant information, reading fluently orally, presenting a project to the class, and making a final art product by following directions.
Students are creative thinkers and writers. They will become masters of the paragraph – by organizing topic sentences, using signal words, and developing supporting ideas. We will practice how to make inferences and build essays, narratives, stories, and reports. The important part of any project is the process - the journey. Please think about the purpose of each task. On more complex assignments, you might struggle, but if you see patterns and a purpose for what you are doing, you will succeed - and truly learn!
Challenge yourself to improve and grow. Please ask for clarification, and feel free to provide suggestions any time. Thanks for your cooperation and enthusiasm. This is my 34th year of teaching, and being in the classroom with Tigers every day is truly an honor and a pleasure. Let’s have the best year ever!
Mrs. Benzel
Grades 4-6: Social Studies and Health:
Welcome back! I am looking forward to another wonderful year with our 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. Hopefully everyone has had a good start to the new school year. The 4th graders started off their year with refining their keyboarding skills. Students will have the ability to log onto an account using typing.com, as well as dance mat typing. In Social Studies the 4th graders started their Wisconsin study and will be learning all that our state has to offer. 5th grade has started a more comprehensive Health curriculum and in Social Studies they are studying U.S. History. 6th grade have been also learning more Health concepts with a focus on building positive relationships. In Social Studies they are studying Ancient Civilizations and World History.
As always, parents can feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding their child’s progress. As an educational team, we can ensure a positive year for your child.
Mrs. Schoeneman
Grades 4-6: Math and Science:
In our fourth, fifth, and sixth grade math and science classes, we began the year by learning Mr. Tollakson’s classroom rules. Students in sixth grade created signs to post in our classroom so anyone who enters our classroom can identify our classroom rules. Always Take Notes, Pick up Trash Everywhere you go, Say “Please” and “Thank you”
We abide by these three rules every day to hold ourselves accountable while treating others with respect and helping keep our school and community clean.
We begin every class period by participating in a relaxing or calming activity from GoNoodle.com. We usually do yoga or a dance to help us get ready for the class period. This activity helps students calm their nerves and get the jitters out.
In sixth grade math, we are exploring equivalent ratios. We have worked through many word problems, which allow us to relate equivalent ratios to real world situations.
In sixth grade science we are exploring how modern technology has changed the way we view and map earth. We have learned about many concepts such as remote sensing, earth’s four major parts, land features, latitude, longitude, topographic maps, contour lines, and Geographic information systems to name a few.
In fifth grade math, we are exploring place value from the millions to thousandths place. We have worked as a group to learn how to read and write numbers in standard, expanded, and word form.
In fifth grade science, we are exploring how engineering uses science. We learned that engineers solve problems and scientists add to our knowledge and understanding. We conducted an experiment where we tested straws to determine how much weight they can hold. We learned that the more straws bound together the stronger they were.
In fourth grade math, we are exploring whole numbers, multi-digit whole numbers, and decimal numbers. We have also began learning how to round numbers to the nearest thousand, ten thousand, and hundred thousand by decomposing numbers and using a vertical number line.
In fourth grade science, we are exploring how engineers use technology to solve problems. We learned about various types of technology such as a stove or a dishwasher. We then determined the need or a want that is met by that piece of technology.
We have had a great start to the 2019-2020 school year in our classroom. We are excited to explore this new adventure together!
Best Regards,
Mr. Tollakson
Elementary Learning Resource room:
I hope you all enjoyed your summer because fall is definitely upon us! It has been so nice seeing all the familiar faces - and some new ones too - this past month as the school year began.
We again will be working on building academic and self-help skills that will support success both now and in the future. All of our students have so much potential and I am excited to be a part of helping them to grow and learn.
It's going to be a great year!
Ms. Ciriacks
Physical Education/Athletics:
Wow! I cannot believe this is going to be my 6th year here in Mercer. It’s Awesome being a Mercer Tiger or a Mercer/Butternut Pioneer. During prek-2nd grades we will being learning the fundamental of movements. In our older grades we have been playing football, physical fitness testing, biking and going outside playing kickball. There are also a lot of extra-curricular going on such as middle school basketball, varsity football, varsity and middle school cross country and varsity volleyball. I hope you all get an opportunity to get to a game or a meet. This is going to be a great year.
As always,
Go Tigers and Go Pioneers!
Coach Miller
Art Department:
Welcome back to school, Mercer! What an excellent beginning to fall in the Northwoods. We've hit the ground running in the art room this year. Zoe Botes is enrolled in AP Art, the first time this class is offered in Mercer, and she's excitedly plugging away at what is a rigorous portfolio schedule. In most other classes, we're spending some time with fall colors, and gearing up for a spooky Halloween. The 5th and 6th graders are building miniature houses we're going to launch into the ether a la the movie "Up." So if you see a house and balloons floating around, please follow the note's instructions and return it to the school with mention of where you found it. The group whose house makes it the furthest wins a prize. In photography, we're doing some exciting picture taking and building our Photoshop skills. We've already made some great talisman in ceramics, and the drawing group is gearing up for the street art competition.
In culinary arts, we've already made pizza, frye bread tacos, apple delights and Icelandic treats, and we'll be competing in the annual Chili Competition at Associated Bank. Additionally, we hope you all have the Mercer Thanksgiving meal circled on your calendars. Last year, the first year we made the meal, was a great success, but we hope to blow that turnout out of the water! All in all it's been an exciting beginning to the 2019-20 school year here in Mercer. Happy hunting!
Mr. Griffin
Music:
Now that the school year is well under way our music students have been busy. The Jr. Sr. Band is learning several new musical selections and has begun preparing to perform at our Homecoming Football Game on October 12th and the Halloween Parade as well as the Veterans Day Program. Our Beginning Band students have received their instruments and are learning to read music while properly playing their instruments.
In our Pre K through 3rd grade music classes we focus on singing and movement to music. We are singing several different songs about autumn and the fall holidays.
Tuesday September 24th Mercer student’s grades 3 - 12 attended a concert of Brazilian music performed by the five piece band “Paulo Padiha e Bando.” The band performed Brazilian style music on traditional Brazilian instruments. The concert was held at the Mercer Community Center and was sponsored by Arts Midwest World Fest. World Fest brings high caliber international music groups to small Midwest schools. This was the first of a series of four concerts. The second presentation will be in April and feature “Hadar Maoz” from Israel.
I am excited about the progress of our music students. Thank you to the Mercer community for your continued support.
Mary Jo Mykkanen
9-12 Learning Resource Room:
In the beginning of the school year, I always get many questions about special education. The question that always comes up is what is an IEP? If your child receives special education services, they must have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). That’s the law. An IEP is an important legal document. It spells out your child’s learning needs, the services the school will provide and how progress will be measured. Several people, including parents, are involved in creating this document. The entire process can be a great way to sort out your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Working on the IEP can help you figure out ways to help them succeed in school. The federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Act, requires that schools create an IEP for every child receiving special education services. Kids from age 3 through high school graduation or a maximum age of 21 can be eligible for an IEP. The IEP should address each child’s unique learning issues and include specific educational goals. The IEP begins with a statement of your child’s present level of performance, which is basically how your child is doing in school now. It will list the student’s strengths and areas for improvement along with parent concerns. Next will be your child’s annual educational goals. The IEP also list special education supports and services that the school will provide to help your child reach goals along with modifications and accommodations the school will provide to help your child make progress. Any accommodations that are required on the state standardized test will also be included. The IEP usually ends with a program summary which list the primary disability, beginning and ending dates of services, and a statement that includes the frequency, location, and duration for the services the student will receive.
Mr. Saeger
Grades 7-12: English and Language Arts:
7th grade English students have been busy reading the first novel in the Skeleton Creek series by Patrick Carman. They’re really enjoying all of the videos that go along with this mystery story.
8th graders have started the novel, The Devil’s Arithmetic, by Jane Yolen. They have been learning about the history of the Holocaust through this fictional story about a 12-year-old girl who travels back to this time period. 9th graders/Introduction to Literature students have just finished a unit on short stories. They reviewed plot line components, created plot lines for various short stories, and ended the unit with the short story, The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson, focusing on the purpose of traditions. They have just started the novel, Stargirl, by Jerry Spinelli, focusing on the theme of conformity. 10th graders/Composition and Speech students have been working on a persuasive writing unit. They’ve explored ethos, pathos, and logos persuasion techniques, and are now working on a persuasive essays/letters to companies/products of their choice with the goal of “persuading” them to respond to their letters with free promotional merchandise. 11th graders/American Literature students have been busy learning about the depression era and the history of the dust bowl from the novel, The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck. Finally, 12thgrade English students have been exploring what societal views and expectations were of women during the late 18th/early 19th centuries through the novel, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen. All classes are finishing up their 1st quarter book reports. Check out their book advertisements on the bulletin board outside of the English room!
Mrs. Guenard
Grades 7-12 Mathematics:
Seventh Grade has been pouring over proportional relationships, looking forward to linear relations. Eighth grade has been working on exponential relations, looking forward to banking and urban planning work. Algebra One students have been investigating polynomial components and simplification. Geometry students have been learning about different angle relations and the difference between congruence and equality. Algebra Two students have had fun first thing in the morning dealing with a review of properties, simplification, solving equations and inequalities. Pre-Calculus is learning new notation, graphing and relationship techniques. Calculus has begun studying limits on the way to integrals. The new course this year, Transitional Math, is a bridge from Algebra One to Geometry for those who need to review basic processes for performing better in future math courses.
The Sophomore Class (2022) thank you for your support of their efforts at varsity volleyball game concessions. We will be doing a couple of other fundraisers this year in hope of boosting the funds available for their Senior Class trip in two and half years. So, again, thank you for your support.
Mr. Wambold
Grades 7-12: Social Studies:
World History is about to start classical Greece.
US History is studying transformation of the US, from rural, agricultural society to urban, industrial society at turn into 20th century.
Geography class is working on their country projects.
8th grade US History is finishing English colonies then onto American revolution.
AP US History is working on presentations.
Sociology class is finishing foundations of sociology.
I'm excited to join the teaching team at Mercer School. I love to laugh and my happy place is in my garden. In my spare time I love to hike, swim, ski, or just curl up with a good book. I'm new to Northern WI (we live in Washburn) but I've lived nearby in Northwood’s of MN near Lake Superior for over 15 years. I'm looking forward to getting to know my students as we explore new topics and projects in the classroom, advising student Council and learning more about the Mercer community.
Mrs. Suelflow
Grades 7-12: Science:
Thank you to our student body, faculty, staff, parents and board members for the gracious warm welcome to the Mercer school community. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share my passion for science and engineering with our student body. I hope all of you have as much fun this year as I know I will. We have a number of activities that will cross over multiple grades throughout the year.
Did you know that there is a volcano outside of Mercer...and that Wisconsin is one of 2 places in the United States where you can see rocks that are over 3 billion years old......... well your 7th-grade kids have been to those places. We will also be learning about cells and how those cells work together to keep the organism that is us functioning every day.
Our 8th-grade students have been learning about potential, kinetic and conservation of energy they got to understand these concepts by building and experimenting with rollback cans, we are now progressing to the much-loved subject chemistry.........starting with the properties of matter. We have other experiments planned that will keep your kids engaged and prepared to move on to other science topics.
Our 9th graders are studying the Physical sciences and will be participating with the 10th and 11th-grade Biology class in a hands-on exercise called Groundwater detectives sponsored by the University Of Colorado College Of Engineering. These students will get experience in the identification of a chemical spill measuring soil ph and potential treatments for the contaminated water.
My juniors and seniors will be studying chemistry starting with the basics of elements, atoms, and ions and then progressing to modern atomic theory, organic and biochemistry.
Our robotics team under the guidance of Mr. Dean Gustafson and with the assistance of team leaders TJ and DJ will attempt to better their stellar performance of last year at the State competition with the goal of qualifying for the National tournament which will be held next year in Kentucky. Their initial design looks promising and will be tested at our first competition in December.
While we are not offering any AP classes this semester we are very active with independent study and are offering classes in Anatomy and Physiology, Astronomy, Medical Terminology some through a cooperative program for credit with Nicolet College.
Our students continue to support under the guidance of Zach Wilson from the Iron County DNR the Marten project (as in small furry creature) as well as the Snapshot Wisconsin trail camera program in our school forest. Our students will be taught how to use a compass as well as track capture and tag these once-endangered animals and provide data on the population size and density to the DNR.
Thanks again to the Mercer community for making me feel welcome and I look forward to challenging our kids this year and beyond.
Ed Tice
Business Education:
Hi there! I cannot believe it is October already and we have been at school for a month. My dad used to say the older you get the time goes faster! Boy was he right. The Business Education Department at Mercer School has hit the ground running. College Accounting (transcripted credit through Nicolet Technical College) is going great! Using a college textbook has taken some adjusting, but the kids in that class are doing great. I am sure it will be a huge success. I am now offering a new Business Math class and it has been so much fun. I don’t let the kids use calculators – it’s all pencil and scrap paper for them and they are doing fantastic! I am really proud of them.
Youth Apprenticeship
Youth Apprenticeship has gotten off to a great start this year. Went to CESA 9 for our YA meeting and with the CTE Incentive Grant that we were able to apply for due to the fact that we had four YA students enrolled last year, the YA program will receive up to $4,000 to build our program. My hope is to start scholarships for those completing the YA program. I will find out in late spring how much, if any, our program will receive. I am really happy that I brought this program to Mercer School; it helps our kids so much with hands-on working experience.
This year I have four YA students again and really happy they are participating. It is a great program and really encouraged by the success.
DECA
Mercer School has started its first DECA chapter. As the DECA advisor, I am slowly learning more about this organization. DECA stands for Distributive Education Clubs of America and their mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. So my goal for this year is to learn all I can about this program and participate in conferences to meet other teachers who have successful DECA programs in their schools. I will collaborate with the other DECA advisors and I plan to build this program into a huge success for Mercer School.
As the start of my third year here at Mercer School, I am proud to say the Business program is getting better and better each year. My focus for next year will be adding Microsoft Office coursework to my curriculum. Teaching Word, Excel, Power Point and Publisher is essential for all students going on to college or going into the working world. These skills are in big demand and our Mercer students will be ready for the task. I hope everyone has a great school year and I am proud to be a Mercer Tigers educator.
Sandy Karpen
Technology Education and Engineering:
8th Grade
The eighth grade class will be starting the year off with a measuring unit, which will lead into engineering and designing rockets on the 3d printer.
Auto service fundamentals
This class is transcripted through Nicolet College. So far we have discussed shop safety, hand and pneumatic tool uses, fastener types, torque specifications and thread repair. Soon students will be practicing basic maintenances.
Building Trades
This class will be learning power tool safety and operation, measuring techniques, and wall layouts to build a shed in the shop that has been funded by a community member.
Welding
Welding is a transcripted SMAW (stick) welding course through Nicolet Technical College. The students that complete this course will earn credits within the Technical College system welding course.
Mr. Markus
Director of Special Ed:
Dee Wells is the acting Director of Special Education. Dee has a background in school administration. Dee has also previously worked as a Director of Special Education and Pupil Services and a speech language therapist. Dee moved to the Northwoods recently and is pleased to be assisting the District and our students.
Counselors Corner:
Welcome back to a new school year everyone! While this school year did not start out as we had all hoped, I am so proud of our community and our ability to give back to one another and care deeply for one another. We are back on track with the students engaging in numerous activities in the coming months.
The sophomores, juniors, and seniors will be provided the ability to take the ASVAB in October. In addition, juniors and seniors will be attending the Wisconsin Education Fair at Northland Pines in October as well as being able to attend Nicolet College Visit Days. There are numerous college representatives visiting the school to talk with our juniors and seniors about their options for higher education and military representatives will be visiting throughout the school year.
ACT prep has started for the junior class in an effort to get them ready for the ACT on March 3rd. Guidance has begun with the 1st through 6th grade and Academic and Career Planning, ACP, has started with the 7th through 12th grade. We have an updated system, Xello, which is more user friendly and student oriented than our previous system. Xello will be used for things such as interest exploration, learning style identification, and exploring possible career and college options.
Conferences will be held on November 6th and I would love for parents and families to stop by and meet with me to discuss your student’s test scores from last year.
I am looking forward to an amazing school year!
Best Wishes,
Ms. Amanda Kopka
Heads Up After School Program:
The Heads Up after school program is doing well! We are missing our co-worker, Dawn Knorr and wish her a speedy recovery. Nancy Currier, Raven Miller, and Mary Fitzgerald have been helping us out while Dawn is gone. The students have been enjoying the extra recess and snack after school and are getting their homework done with our help. The Tigerettes have been joining us after their practices. The Heads Up after school program is open to any student and high school students can earn community service hours by volunteering.
Holly Duensing
Heads Up Director
N&J Bus Service:
School is in full swing and we’ve been busy hauling students on daily routes, field trips and fall sporting events! We’re getting our buses prepared for the fast approaching winter. It’s hard to believe that we will be getting right into the winter sports soon!
Now that school is in session, we friendly remind all drivers to watch for and obey buses stopped at pickup and drop-off points. All cars are required to stop at a distance of at least 20 feet from the bus while the red flashing lights are activated. Thank you for helping ensure safety for our students!
Good luck to our Mercer Tigers that continue to make us all proud!
All of us at N & J
The Mercer Education Foundation:
The Mercer Education Foundation, founded in 2006, is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation. Our mission is to enhance the quality of education in the community by providing additional resources to the Mercer Public School and its students through tax-deductible donations, gifts, and bequests.
Since its inception the Foundation has disbursed over $72,000 in grants and $48,000 in scholarships. Grants include funding for courtyard beautification, snowshoes, cross-country ski equipment, bicycles, a 3D printer, computer software, SMART Boards, and musical instruments. In addition, the foundation has awarded grants to help fund field trips, transportation for academic competitions, and class travel abroad.
The Foundation board currently consists of 10 trustees and meets once a month in the school library. We are actively seeking new trustees and members who are interested in encouraging a support system for the school within the community. The Foundation raises funds through donations from alumni, community members, local businesses, and special events. If you are interested in finding out more, please join us at our next meeting on Thursday, November 14 at 4pm at the Mercer School Library. For additional information visit MercerEducationFoundation.org or follow us on Facebook.
Beth Wetzler
Secretary
Mercer Education Foundation
Letter from a Student:
Hello, my name is Brooklyn Anderson; I’m currently a sophomore at Mercer High School and looking to study abroad during my junior year. I'm currently working with the Rotary Youth Exchange located in Minocqua, WI. Rotary is a service organization that offers several different preparation options for potential foreign exchange students before they leave. They offer 3 different conferences to prepare students for whatever might come their way in a new country. The cost is $7,000 dollars; which includes airfare, accident insurance, conference meetings, visa, online language camp, and shuttle service to the Central States Conference meeting in Grand Rapids, MI. Mercer has never had an outbound exchange student, so my hope is to change this and start an ongoing process for years to come for the students of Mercer High School.
There are several reasons a trip like this would benefit myself and my future. Going abroad would give me endless stories to share when I come back home. Being away would also make me become more independent by learning a different language and experiencing school life away from my friends and teachers. Rotary has strict policies that I would have to follow while abroad to ensure I have a safe, engaging, and learning filled experience. I would be staying with up to 3 host families who are carefully screened by the Rotary International Officers. The experience of living with a host family would teach me to learn about and adapt to a new culture, as well as personally learn about new families where I would be able to establish life-long friendships. I've met with the officer of the District 6220 Club who was able to give me a better understanding of how the program works. Each year 3 students are accepted into the program from the Minocqua area. I have to write a list of the 12 countries that I would like to “call home” and rotary will decide, from my list, where I can go, depending on the opening and my age (I should find out in the beginning of January.)
While I’m abroad I can still attend different conference meetings to learn more about my assigned country. When I come back home I will be close to or fluent in the language spoken from the help of friends and family that I've made abroad. I have been lucky enough to be one of the three selected to study abroad through Rotary Youth Exchange. I have to owe $500 at my first conference meeting on October 18-20th. If would like to donate, please contact the Mercer High School front office. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to talk about the next chapter of my life. I am asking you and many others to help me reach my goal of studying abroad the 2020/21 school year.
Sincerely,
Brooklyn Anderson
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