โ€œLet the hands-on learning begin!โ€

Our 6th Grade Science students visited the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge for an amazing day of outdoor learning. Students studied the many plants and animals that make up this beautiful area, explored the uses of various plants in their learning journals, and recorded their observations and discoveries throughout the trip.

At the end of the visit, students shared their reflections and favorite experiences with the whole group. Thankfully, the weather cooperated!

A big thank you to all of the teachers and chaperones who helped make this an incredible learning journey for our students.

https://youtube.com/shorts/UAay-qOkuxA?feature=share
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
As we wrap up another school year, we'd like to recognize the five dedicated volunteers who made our Onalaska O.W.L. (Optimism, Wisdom, Leadership) mentoring program such a success.

Together, these amazing mentors invested 115 hours meeting with elementary and middle school students, offering encouragement, guidance, and a caring presence throughout the year. Through their optimism, wisdom, and leadership, they helped students build confidence, overcome challenges, and celebrate successes.

The impact of a positive role model can last a lifetime, and we are grateful for the time and heart our mentors shared with our students.

Thank you to our amazing mentors for investing in our students and helping make our school community stronger. Your generosity, encouragement, and commitment are truly appreciated! ๐Ÿ’™

Interested in making a difference in a student's life? We are always looking for caring adults to join our mentoring team. If you are interested in becoming an Onalaska O.W.L. mentor, please contact Casey Peters or Heather Jacoby for more information at 360-978-4111.
https://www.onysd.wednet.edu/page/owl
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
As we wrap up another school year, we'd like to recognize the five dedicated volunteers who made our Onalaska O.W.L. (Optimism, Wisdom, Leadership) mentoring program such a success.  Together, these amazing mentors invested 115 hours meeting with elementary and middle school students, offering encouragement, guidance, and a caring presence throughout the year. Through their optimism, wisdom, and leadership, they helped students build confidence, overcome challenges, and celebrate successes.  The impact of a positive role model can last a lifetime, and we are grateful for the time and heart our mentors shared with our students.  Thank you to our amazing mentors for investing in our students and helping make our school community stronger. Your generosity, encouragement, and commitment are truly appreciated! ๐Ÿ’™  Interested in making a difference in a student's life? We are always looking for caring adults to join our mentoring team. If you are interested in becoming an Onalaska O.W.L. mentor, please contact Casey Peters or Heather Jacoby for more information at 360-978-4111.
Dog Days of Summer are back! Check out the flyer and get signed up!
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
Dog Days of Summer Flyer
๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’› Field Trip Frenzy 2026 Adventures! ๐Ÿ’›๐Ÿ’œ

Our elementary students had an incredible time during this year's Field Trip Frenzy, enjoying two days packed with fun, exploration, creativity, and community adventures!

Mrs. Roxanne Smith shared that her second graders kicked things off with an exciting game of BINGO before heading out on a walking adventure to the Mill Pond, where they enjoyed time at the park and cooled off with popsicles generously provided by our wonderful PTO. ๐Ÿญโ˜€๏ธ

Students also enjoyed walking field trips throughout the community, including visits to the fire station and other local destinations. Creative minds were hard at work as students created colorful chalk murals, and countless adventures and hands-on experiences kept our students engaged and smiling throughout the event. ๐ŸŽจ๐Ÿš’๐ŸŒณ

Students in grades K-5 also gathered for a picnic at the middle school track. Sack lunches were provided by our amazing kitchen staff or brought from home, and every student received a bag of chips courtesy of our PTO. ๐Ÿฅช๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ’œ

A special thank you to Mrs. Smith for sharing these moments, to our PTO for helping provide treats and snacks, and to all of the staff and community members who helped make Field Trip Frenzy such a memorable experience for our students. The smiles in these photos say it all! ๐Ÿ’›

#OnalaskaSchools #FieldTripFrenzy #PurpleAndGold #StudentAdventures #ThankYouPTO #WeAreOnalaska ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›

https://youtube.com/shorts/IS8zI3kmwEc?feature=share
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
๐ŸŒŒ Observatory Open House This Saturday Night ๐ŸŒŒ

Join us this Saturday evening, June 13, from 11:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. as we open the Observatory for a night of exploring the wonders of the deep sky.

Our viewing plan includes a variety of fascinating celestial objects, including:
โœจ Globular Clusters
โœจ Planetary Nebulae
โœจ Interstellar Nebulae
โœจ Galaxies

Depending on attendance, we may keep the Observatory open a little later.

Please remember that all Observatory openings are weather dependent. Watch for updates if conditions change.

We hope to see you under the stars!
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
Observatory this Saturday evening, June 13th, between 11:30 p.m. and 1:00 a.m.  The plan is to view a variety of deep-sky objects, including Globular Clusters, Planetary Nebulae, Interstellar Nebulae, and Galaxies. Depending on the attendance, we may keep the Observatory open a bit later.
Fifth Grade Weather Report
Featuring Mallorie, Skye, Rugar & Harley from Miss Finleyโ€™s class ๐ŸŒค๏ธ

https://youtu.be/rUnEsMdTm4s
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
๐Ÿงตโœจ A Year of Creativity, Craftsmanship, and Hard Work! โœจ๐Ÿงต

Our Middle School textile arts students have spent the school year learning new skills, expressing their creativity, and putting countless hours into their quilt projects. Mrs. Dunworth has compiled a special video showcasing their amazing work, and we couldn't be more proud of what these students have accomplished!

From the first stitch to the final quilt, each project reflects dedication, patience, and artistic talent. Thank you, Mrs. Dunworth, for inspiring and encouraging our students throughout the year, and congratulations to our textile artists on a job well done!

๐ŸŽฅ Take a look at this year's quilt projects and celebrate the creativity and hard work of our Middle School students. We hope you enjoy the showcase as much as we do! ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿชก๐Ÿงต

#OnalaskaPride #StudentCreativity #TextileArts #MiddleSchoolArtists #Quilting #LearningByDoing #StudentSuccess

https://youtu.be/InrE_RCN3_U
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
Fifth Grade Weather Report | June 4 ๐ŸŒค๏ธ

https://youtu.be/Ny5rBpeC7w0
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ”ฌ Best Day Ever in Science! ๐Ÿ”ฌ๐Ÿ“š

Our middle school scientists had an exciting hands-on learning experience during dissection day! Mrs. Richardson shared this great photo of three students who were all smiles after the activity and summed up the day perfectly:

๐Ÿ’ฌ "Best day ever!"

Learning comes to life when students have the opportunity to explore, investigate, and discover firsthand. Experiences like these help build curiosity, critical thinking skills, and a deeper understanding of science.

Great job, Mrs. Richardson, and way to embrace the excitement of learning! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿงช๐Ÿ”

#OnalaskaSchools #FutureScientists #HandsOnLearning #MiddleSchoolScience #LearningInAction #BestDayEver
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
3 middle school girls said "best day ever" to dissection day in science
color picture from a textbook of the internal organs of a frog
Dissection structure of a frog

๐Ÿฅš๐ŸŽ‰ 2026 Egg Drop Challenge Success! ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿฅš

This year, our 6th grade students were invited to participate in the annual Egg Drop Challenge alongside the 7th and 8th gradersโ€”and they rose to the challenge in impressive fashion!

Students in Mrs. Richardsonโ€™s and Mr. Gerbrachtโ€™s Middle School Science classes, with assistance from Mrs. Walster, applied creativity, engineering, and scientific thinking to design devices that would protect their eggs from impact. Their hard work, problem-solving skills, and innovation were on full display throughout the competition.

๐Ÿ† 1st Period Winners
๐Ÿฅ‡ Best Design: Scarlett C.

๐ŸŽจ Creative Design:

  • Avery P.

  • Annabelle L.

  • Kyanna K.

๐Ÿ† 2nd Period Winners
๐Ÿฅ‡ Overall Best Survival Design:

  • June B.

  • Laura H.

  • Paislee M.

๐ŸŽจ Most Creative Design:

  • Evie L. B.

  • Aria J.

  • Zane M.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Scientific Design:

  • Shelby B.

  • Paige B.

  • Kennlie C.

Congratulations to all of our participants for accepting the challenge and demonstrating outstanding creativity, perseverance, and scientific thinking. Our 6th graders embraced the opportunity to compete alongside older students and showed that great ideas and determination can lead to outstanding results.

๐Ÿ“ธ Thank you to Mrs. Richardson for providing the information and photos, and to Mrs. Richardson, Mr. Gerbracht, and Mrs. Walster for helping make this hands-on STEM learning experience a success.

โญ Special appearance by Mrs. Johnson, who helped make the event even more memorable!

#EggDropChallenge #STEMEducation #MiddleSchoolScience #FutureEngineers #StudentSuccess #OnalaskaPride ๐Ÿฅš๐Ÿš€๐Ÿ“š

https://youtube.com/shorts/Jlx_XGjGUDs?feature=share

3 months ago, Tori Griggs
๐ŸŽญโœจ Do you recognize any of these famous wax exhibits? โœจ๐ŸŽญ

Our Annual 5th Grade Wax Museum took place on Tuesday, June 2, in the elementary gym, and our students did an amazing job bringing history to life! From presidents and explorers to scientists, athletes, musicians, inventors, and more, each student stepped into the role of a notable figure and shared their story.

You might spot familiar faces like JFK, Mother Teresa, Norman Rockwell, Betsy Ross, William Shakespeare, and many others throughout this slideshow! ๐Ÿ“šโญ

๐Ÿ‘ Great job to all of our 5th graders for their hard work, creativity, and outstanding presentations.

โ“Which famous figure do you recognize?
๐Ÿ† Which exhibit would have been your favorite to visit?

Leave your answers in the comments below! ๐Ÿ‘‡๐Ÿ˜Š

#OnalaskaProud #5thGradeWaxMuseum #LearningComesToLife #FutureLeaders #ElementaryExcellence


https://youtube.com/shorts/MIS8f1_zZpU?feature=share
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
The May 26 Board Meeting was a special evening as we celebrated upcoming retirees Wayne Nelson and Doug Abramson. Surrounded by family, friends, cake, and a heartfelt tribute video created by the Logger News crew, we recognized their many years of service and dedication to our students and community.

Wayne and Doug are both highly respected, deeply appreciated, and will be greatly missed. Thank you for everything you've done for Onalaska Schools. Congratulations on your retirement!
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
Jim Ball and Doug Abrahamson
Jim Ball and Wayne Nelson
๐Ÿ”๐Ÿ’ผ Career Day 2026 at Onalaska Elementary & Middle School ๐Ÿ’ผ๐Ÿ”

On May 29, students at Onalaska Elementary and Middle School had the opportunity to explore a wide variety of careers during our annual Career Day!

With 21 presenters sharing their experiences, students learned about professions including medicine, veterinary care, photography, electrical work, culinary arts, automotive repair, and many more.

Middle school students attended presentations and visited career booths to ask questions and learn about different career pathways. Elementary students welcomed professionals into their classrooms for engaging and interactive presentations.

A special thank you to all of our presenters for taking the time to inspire our students and help them explore future possibilities. Career Day was filled with learning, curiosity, and meaningful connections that will leave a lasting impact on our students.

Take a look at some of the highlights from this amazing day!

https://youtube.com/shorts/khkb_O8MerY?feature=share

#OnalaskaSchools #CareerDay #FutureReady #LoggerPride
3 months ago, Tori Griggs
The 2026-2027 School Calendar reflecting the changes for the 4 Day School Week has been finalized.

Please note that additional information regarding Enrichment Daysโ€”including eligibility criteria, available activities, registration procedures, and monthly sign-up deadlinesโ€”will be shared in late August. Enrichment Days will occur once each month from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Also note, snow days are built into the scheduled Enrichment Days. If weather conditions require us to use one of these days as a snow makeup day, we will notify families and staff that the scheduled Enrichment Day has been converted to a regular school day.

Thank you, and we look forward to a great school year!

4 months ago, Brenda Padgett
20262027 school calendar
Donuts for Guests like Dads

Donuts for Guests like Dads will be on Friday, June 12th. You are invited to have breakfast with your child on Friday, June 12th.
Time: Breakfast anytime between 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. (School starts at 8:25).
Place: Onalaska Elementary Dining Hall.
Please check in at the OEMS Office at 280 West 5th Street, 98570
Menu: Biscuits & Gravy or Cereal, โ€œDonutโ€, Fruit, Milk, and Coffee.

Price: Adults & Non-Students $3.50 (exact change is helpful). Students are Free.

No need to RSVP. We look forward to seeing you!

Sincerely,


Mr. Markuson Jerry Carlson
OEMS Principal Food Service Director

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
Donuts for Guests like Dads  Donuts for Guests like Dads will be on Friday, June 12th.  You are invited to have breakfast with your child on Friday, June 12th. Time:  Breakfast anytime between 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.  (School starts at 8:25). Place:  Onalaska Elementary Dining Hall.              Please check in at the OEMS Office at 280 West 5th Street, 98570 Menu:  Biscuits & Gravy or Cereal, โ€œDonutโ€, Fruit, Milk, and Coffee.  Price:  Adults & Non-Students $3.50 (exact change is helpful).  Students are Free.  No need to RSVP.  We look forward to seeing you!    Sincerely,   Mr. Markuson		             Jerry Carlson			 OEMS Principal			Food Service Director		  This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
After years of service, countless memories, and lives changed, it's time to celebrate two incredible Loggers. This one is special. View the latest episode of Logger News here.

https://youtu.be/xJbUXf81m08?si=FNA2bqH0eImtZM7N
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
The Fifth Grade Weather Report for May 29th โ€” featuring Charlotte and Emily from Ms. Marshallโ€™s class! ๐ŸŒฆ๏ธ

https://youtu.be/HJI3FesvRTw
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
While some of our middle school students were knocking down pins at the bowling alley, another group was rolling into fun at the Centralia Rollerdrome for their Incentive Day! ๐Ÿ›ผโœจ

Students earned this exciting outing through their positive behavior, strong attendance, and commitment to their academics. The day was filled with music, laughter, skating, and making memories with friends.

A big thank you to Mrs. Morast, Mr. Gerbracht, and Ms. Sweers for spending the day with our students and helping make the experience so special.

Great job, Loggers! Keep up the hard work and keep earning these awesome opportunities! ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’› #LoggerPride #StudentSuccess #IncentiveDay
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
Middle school students   at the Centralia roller dome for middle school incentive day.
Middle school students   at the Centralia roller dome for middle school incentive day.
middle school students   at the Centralia roller dome for middle school incentive day.
Middle school students   at the Centralia roller dome for middle school incentive day.
Middle school students   at the Centralia roller dome for middle school incentive day.
Middle school students   at the Centralia roller dome for middle school incentive day.
Middle School students   at the Centralia roller dome for middle school incentive day.
Middle school students   at the Centralia roller dome for middle school incentive day.
Mrs. Morast, Ms. Sweers, and Mr. Gerbracht,  at the Centralia roller dome for middle school incentive day.
Strike up some fun! ๐ŸŽณ

Our middle school students recently enjoyed an Incentive Day at Fairway Lanes in Morton. Students earned this special trip through their hard work, positive behavior, strong attendance, and dedication to their grades.

The day was filled with bowling, laughter, friendly competition, and time to build connections with friends and staff. A big thank you to Mrs. Richardson, Mr. Southern, Mrs. Stingley, Ms. Nelson, Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Poppe, Dr. Dunworth, and bus driver Mrs. Nederlander for helping make the day such a great experience.

Way to go, Loggers! Keep up the great work and keep earning those rewards! ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’› #LoggerPride #StudentSuccess #IncentiveDay


https://youtube.com/shorts/xe1mij5eiuw?feature=share
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
๐Ÿ€ Onalaska Youth Basketball Camp ๐Ÿ€
June 16th-18th at the Onalaska High School Gym

Get ready for 3 days of basketball skills, games, competition, and fun with Coach Alana Olson, Coach Rex Stanley, and our Onalaska High School girls and boys basketball players!

This camp is open to boys and girls and is a great opportunity for young athletes to improve their game, build confidence, and have fun with friends.

๐Ÿ“… Camp Sessions
๐Ÿ€ Session I: Grades K-3
For students entering these grades in the 2026/2027 school year
โฐ 11:30 AM-12:30 PM
๐Ÿ’ฒ $30

๐Ÿ€ Session II: Grades 4-7
For students entering these grades in the 2026/2027 school year
โฐ 12:30 PM-2:30 PM
๐Ÿ’ฒ $40

๐Ÿ‘• Every registered player will receive a camp t-shirt!

Players should wear clean court shoes. Basketballs will be provided during camp, but players are welcome to bring their own.

We are excited to work with our future Loggers and make this a fun and positive experience for all skill levels!

๐Ÿ“ฉ Registration forms and flyer available now.
For questions, contact Coach Alana Olson:
aolson@onysd.wednet.edu
360-880-2755
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
Youth basketball flyer about camp coming up June 16th -18th
Youth basketball  registration sheet that is needed to attend the camp