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4 months ago, Tori Griggs
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world - Nelson Mandela

Each month, I have one token to award a student, allowing them to choose a book from the book vending machine, generously donated from Peak Credit Union. The students and I decided to select the winner using the Wheel of Names, a random name picker. Students earn a spot on the wheel by turning in any homework during the month. This monthโ€™s winner was Lucasโ€”congratulations! Everyone is excited for the next drawing at the end of October.
Turning in homework is an important way for students to show responsibility and stay engaged with their learning. We hope this incentive encourages more students to develop these habits while fostering a love of reading by rewarding them with a book they can enjoy.

Mrs. Smith 9/30/2025

4 months ago, Tori Griggs
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Winter sports are almost hereโ€”practices begin as early as October 13th! ๐Ÿ€โ›ธ๏ธ๐Ÿคผ

To make sure your athlete is ready to go on day one, please take care of these steps:
โœ… Complete the CNEEB application (on Skyward)
โœ… Purchase a current ASB card
โœ… Pay the $150 fee per athlete, per sport (HS pay at HS office, MS pay at MS office โ€“ cash/check only)

๐Ÿ’ป You can also find the full fee schedule under the Athletics section on the district website.

We canโ€™t wait to kick off an exciting winter seasonโ€”thank you for supporting our student athletes! ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
Today, our 5th graders received a special lesson in flag etiquette as they prepare to take on an important new roleโ€”raising and lowering our schoolโ€™s flag each day.

This responsibility is both an honor and a tradition, and we are proud to see our students stepping up with respect and pride.

A big thank you to Mr. Gerbracht for leading this meaningful lesson!
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
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4 months ago, Tori Griggs
A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up to make new trees - Amelia Earhart
Rain or shine, recess is on! ๐ŸŒง๏ธโ˜€๏ธ Students enjoyed their very first recess under the new covered play shed today.
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
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4 months ago, Tori Griggs
Children are the worldโ€™s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future - John F
๐ŸŽ‰ ๐—” ๐—›๐—จ๐—š๐—˜ ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜-๐—ผ๐˜‚๐˜ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐—ฎ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐˜‡๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด Ony Combined Pto ! ๐ŸŽ‰

We are beyond grateful for all the time, energy, and heart you pour into our staff, students, and community. ๐Ÿ’œ From field trips to field days, fundraisers to cheering at gamesโ€”you make it all possible!

Your Ony Spirit shines bright wherever you go, and we couldnโ€™t do it without you. ๐ŸŒŸ Thank you for being one of our schoolโ€™s biggest supporters and for helping make our community such a special place! ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ–ค

#OnySpirit #ThankYouPTO #CommunityStrong #onalaska #ItsAGreatDayToBeALogger
4 months ago, Tori Griggs
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5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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Nothing beats recess with friends and a little sunshine before the rain rolls in! ๐ŸŒค๏ธ
5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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๐Ÿฆ•โœจ Our 2nd graders became paleontologists for the day!

Mrs. Smithโ€™s and Mrs. Gerbrachtโ€™s 2nd grade classes wrapped up their skills โ€œBig Digโ€ lesson on paleontology with a hands-on simulated dinosaur dig. Students carefully uncovered their own dinosaurs, just like real scientists, and got to take home a fact card about their discovery.

This exciting activity sparked curiosity, teamwork, and a love for learningโ€”plus, a whole lot of smiles!

๐Ÿ“ธ Check out Part 1 of our young dino diggers in action!
5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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๐Ÿฆ–๐Ÿ”Ž More 2nd grade dino discoveries!

Our 2nd graders in Mrs. Smithโ€™s and Mrs. Gerbrachtโ€™s classes had a blast finishing their โ€œBig Digโ€ lesson. Each student uncovered their own dinosaur and proudly shared their fact cardโ€”making science come to life in a big way!

Scroll through this second round of photos to see more of their incredible simulated dig.

๐Ÿ“ธ Hereโ€™s Part 2 of our dino dig adventureโ€”great job, 2nd graders, you may have some future scientists in the making!
5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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September 16, 2025

Dear Onalaska Families,

At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, our district enacted a modified lockdown at the high school out of an abundance of caution.

A member of our maintenance team observed an individual on district property who did not have permission or a clear purpose to be there. The employee immediately notified our School Safety Officer (SSO)Wetzel, who responded to the scene and attempted to contact the individual. When the individual refused to comply and continued walking on school property, the high school was placed into a modified lockdown as a precautionary measure, and a call was placed to 911 reporting a disorderly subject trespassing.

During this time, the individual escalated in behavior and became aggressive toward another member of our maintenance team. SSO Wetzel maintained control of the situation until Lewis County Sheriffโ€™s Office deputies arrived. The individual was soon located and taken into custody.

I am extremely proud of our administrators and staff who followed all safety protocols to keep students secure. Special recognition goes to SSO Wetzel for his steady leadership in maintaining safety, as well as to our maintenance team for serving as the eyes and ears around our schools and acting quickly to notify our safety officer.

The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Thank you for your continued support and trust as we work each day to keep our schools safe.

Sincerely,
Brenda Padgett
Superintendent
5 months ago, Tori Griggs

New Play Shed Brings Year-Round Fun!

What's going on with the playground? We are glad you asked!
Our 3rdโ€“5th grade playground has a brand-new upgradeโ€”and the students are already loving it! The new play shed is officially up and ready for action, providing a covered space where students can enjoy the big toy underneath, rain or shine (or even snow!). Not only does it make recess more fun, but it also gives students a safe and dry spot to line up by classroom when the bell rings. This is all thanks to a grant the district received called Health Kids, Health Schools

The fun doesnโ€™t stop thereโ€”a brand-new climbing structure will soon be joining the playground shenanigans, giving our students even more ways to stay active and play together.

While the shed is already safe and sound for daily use, a few more improvements are on the horizon, thanks to funds pledged by the legislature. Be on the lookout for these upgrades starting next spring.

What an exciting addition to our campusโ€”we canโ€™t wait to see all the smiles and adventures this new space will bring!

5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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High school JV soccer vs WF West won 3-0

Article and pictures contributed by Dessirae McBee
5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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Welcome Classes of 2038 & 2039!

The first day of school was a little foggy outside, but the smiles of our newest Loggers lit up the morning! Our kindergarten and transitional kindergarten studentsโ€”the Classes of 2038 and 2039โ€”were warmly welcomed by Superintendent Brenda Padgett, Elementary Principal Larry Markuson, and Athletic Director Mazen Saade. Kindergarten teachers Mrs. Olsen, Mrs. Oien, and Mrs. Koenig were all smiles as they greeted students and families in the drop-off line and waved to those arriving by bus.

Adding to the excitement, our high school football team jumped in to help, eagerly directing traffic through the busy drop-off line, while the Onalaska PTO cheered on our littlest learners as they took their first big steps into school.

It was a fun, joy-filled morning that set the tone for a fantastic year aheadโ€”welcome to Onalaska, Classes of 2038 and 2039!
5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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A Bright Beginning for Our Youngest Loggers What a wonderful first day for our kindergarten and transitional kindergarten students! The fog may have lingered, but the joy and excitement shone brightly as families dropped off their little ones. Superintendent Brenda Padgett, Principal Larry Markuson, Athletic Director Mazen Saade, and our amazing kindergarten teachersโ€”Mrs. Olsen, Mrs. Oien, and Mrs. Koenigโ€”were there to welcome students with big smiles and waves. Special thanks to our high school football team for helping with traffic and to the Onalaska PTO for bringing the cheers! It was the perfect kickoff to a new school year for the Classes of 2038 and 2039.
5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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Every year since September 11th, 2001 students have been making flags to pay their respects for the lives lost on that tragic day.
~Mrs. Richardson
5 months ago, Tori Griggs
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๐Ÿ“ธโœจ Say Cheese, Onalaska! โœจ๐Ÿ“ธ
Picture Day for Preschoolโ€“8th Grade is coming up on Tuesday, September 30th!

Get those bright smiles readyโ€”this is your chance to capture the memories of the 2025 school year!

๐Ÿ‘‰ Friendly reminder: Preschool kicks off September 22nd, so our littlest Loggers will be ready for the camera too. ๐Ÿ’œ๐Ÿ’›
5 months ago, Tori Griggs