The Day the School Ran on Para Power
In honor of Paraeducator Appreciation Week
One ordinary morning, something very unusual happened…
The school bell rang, the buses arrived, and the day began—but little did anyone know, this was the day everything would depend on a very special team.
Because on this particular day, the paraeducators weren’t just helping… they were running the show.
McKayla and Karly were already in motion before the first bell, somehow in three places at once, greeting students, answering questions, and locating a mysteriously missing backpack that had, of course, been “right here a second ago.”
Amanda (both of them!) and Jennifer W. had already solved two problems, tied three shoes, and redirected at least five students with the kind of calm precision that deserves its own superpower name.
Sylvia and David exchanged a knowing look—the kind that says, “We’ve got this”—as they helped get everyone settled and ready to learn, while Leah and Irene worked their magic turning “I don’t want to” into “Okay, I’ll try.”
Ana and Sheri kept things moving with steady encouragement, while Krystal and Dessirae handled the ever-changing schedule like expert air traffic controllers—no delays, no crashes, just smooth landings.
Chris and Alma stepped in exactly where they were needed (as they always do), while Jennifer R. and Fred brought a reassuring presence that made even the busiest moments feel manageable.
Jodi, Steve, and Ron seemed to have a sixth sense for being in the right place at the right time—whether it was helping a student refocus, tracking down a missing assignment, or offering just the right words at just the right moment.
Meanwhile, Amanda (yes, still both of them!), Holly, and Rachel kept things running behind the scenes, solving problems no one else even noticed had started.
Dorothy and Nicole brought patience and kindness to every interaction, while Denise and Elijah added just the right mix of energy and encouragement to keep students engaged and smiling.
Owen and Sandy made learning feel approachable and steady, while Amber and Brynn helped turn small victories into big celebrations.
And Monica—well, Monica was exactly where she needed to be, just like everyone else, helping the day come together in ways that often go unseen but are always felt.
By the time the final bell rang, the school day had been a success. Lessons were learned, challenges were met, and students went home a little more confident than when they arrived.
As the building grew quiet, someone finally said what everyone had been thinking:
“Can you imagine a day here without our paraeducators?”
The answer came quickly.
“Nope.”
And really, that says it all.
Fifth Grade Weather Report | April 17
Featuring Kayden & Phoenix from Ms. Ferry’s class 🌤️
The Fifth Grade Weather Report for Thursday, April 16th — featuring Savannah from Ms. Ferry’s class! 🌦️
Our fifth grade students truly enjoy creating these weather reports for our community! 😉
We might be seeing future Logger News broadcasters in the making! 🎤
Weather Report
Featuring Jaedon (Miss Finley) & Cooper (Ms. Marshall) 🌧️
https://youtu.be/L4fjc1QQY88
Featuring special guests Nutella & Blueberry Jam 🌤️
https://youtu.be/YfGdEnDRDw8
We ended our day with a fun surprise for our K–2nd grade students… an Easter egg hunt! 🐰🥚 A huge thank you to Bethel Church “Eggstravaganza” for donating over 1,000 eggs for the third year. Each egg was filled with candy, instant win prizes like McDonald’s dessert coupons 🍦, marshmallow Peeps, and even QR codes for a chance to win big prizes like a Great Wolf Lodge stay 🐺🏨
The students had an absolute blast running, searching, and celebrating together! 🎉 To make it even more exciting, two Easter bunnies and a chick made a special appearance during the hunt 🐰🐰🐣
Such a fun way to wrap up an eventful day in Mrs. Smith’s class! 💕
https://youtu.be/ftLE9GURcDg
One boy bunny and one girl bunny showed up in their very bouncy inflatable suits and decided to help our Safety Patrol get students safely across the crosswalk 🚸👏
The girl bunny took her job VERY seriously, striking her best pose 📸 to remind everyone that the 📚 BOOK FAIR 📚 is happening this week in the elementary/middle school library, even during conferences! Stop by and check it out… because as she says, “Bunnies LOVE to read!” 🐇📖💖
Meanwhile… the boy bunny may have gotten a little too confident hopping off the curb 😅💥 (don’t worry, he’s okay, just slightly less graceful than expected)
At one point, things got a little… competitive 🫣 The safety patrol flags turned into “swords” and suddenly we had a full bunny duel in the crosswalk ⚔️🐰🐰. We’re still not sure who won, but we ARE sure it was hilarious 😂
A huge THANK YOU to Owen Langehennig and Maleah Stewart for being such great sports and bringing the bunny magic to life 🐰✨
And thank you to Jessica Waslter for sharing this egg-cellent story with us! 🥚💛
Stay safe, keep reading, and keep hopping into the library this week! 📚🐰
https://youtube.com/shorts/MfmBf-pmtR8?feature=share
They took a walking field trip to Carlisle Lake to watch Onalaska High School Aquaculture students release fish into the water 🐟💧
So much learning, fresh air, and real-world science in action! 🌎✨
Way to go, future scientists! 👏🧪
https://youtube.com/shorts/wAMV8oRI4vE?feature=share
Mrs. Smith’s class is excited to share that we now have 11 chicks 🐥
Students were thrilled and even got to witness some chicks right after they hatched. It was such an unforgettable moment to see them enter the world 💛
A big thank you to Bubba for coming in and giving students the opportunity to gently hold a chick. It was a very special experience for everyone 🤲🐣
We also welcomed other classrooms who stopped by to meet our newest arrivals. The excitement continues to grow as more chicks are expected soon 😊
https://youtube.com/shorts/XjkWZ9MSP4s?feature=share
Spring Break 4/6 - 4/10
Logger News is Back and expanding to districtwide features coming soon!
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💜💛💙⚾
From courage in the toughest moments to stepping onto the field with strength and heart, Brody Hamilton is the definition of what it means to be a true Logger 💪
A cancer survivor, a hometown hero, and now getting ready to run the bases at the Seattle Mariners opening game… we couldn’t be more proud 🥹⚾💙
Brody, you represent the very best of Onalaska. Your strength inspires us. Your journey reminds us what resilience looks like. And your spirit shines in every purple, gold, and Mariners blue moment 💜💛💙
Once a Logger, always a Logger 🌲
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#OnalaskaLoggers #LoggerPride #Mariners #SeattleMariners #CancerSurvivor #CommunityStrong #SmallTownBigHeart #Inspiration #GoLoggers #MarinersOpeningDay
🎉 The Scholastic Book Fair is coming! 📚✨
Get ready for a fun filled week of reading adventures from March 30th through April 3rd!
📅 Book Fair Hours
Monday and Tuesday 8 am to 3 pm
Wednesday 8 am to 1:30 pm
Thursday 8 am to 7 pm
Friday 8 am to 1:30 pm
The Book Fair will be open during conferences, so it is the perfect time to stop by with your family! 👨👩👧👦
As always, homeschool families are welcome to join the fun! 💜💛
Here is the link to the online store so you can preview what will be in stock and shop anytime.
eWall will be available so your students do not have to carry cash. Easy, safe, and convenient! 💳
The Scholastic Book Fair is a time honored tradition that continues to grow with each new generation of readers. Come be part of the excitement and help spark a love of reading! 📖✨
Thanks to Bubba Iverson for generously lending us his incubator and eggs, our students are getting a hands-on look at the life cycle of a chicken as part of our Knowledge curriculum.
All three second grade classes had the opportunity to watch as Bubba demonstrated how to candle the eggs and observe the movement inside. It was an amazing experience to see life developing right before our eyes 👀
We currently have 25 eggs in the incubator and can’t wait to welcome our chicks during the last week of the month 🐥
Stay tuned for updates as we get closer to hatch day 💛
https://youtube.com/shorts/UJDo5XMF_C4?feature=share
We are currently hiring:
🧹 Custodial Subs
🍽️ Kitchen Staff Subs
🚌 Bus Drivers (CDL required)
Make a difference in our schools and support our students and staff!
👉 Apply today: onysd.wednet.edu
#OnalaskaSchools #NowHiring #SubstitutesNeeded #JoinOurTeam
Students learned about anatomy and ecosystems while getting a hands-on experience they won’t forget. 🌊🧠✨
Featuring Zoe & Rugar from Miss Finley’s class 🌤️
https://youtu.be/IXnw9jJEo9w
Onalaska Middle School 6th grade students will be participating in the 33rd Annual Student Green Congress. 🌿📊🎉
We are proud of their hard work and excited to see them represent our school! 👏💚
