NHS Blood Drive February 29

National Honor Society students at DeForest Area High School, with the help of the American Red Cross, will be hosting their bi-annual blood drive on Wednesday, February 29 from 9 am until 2 pm.  The event will take place in the high school’s North Gym.  All members of the community are invited to donate. 

To donate blood, a few requirements need to be met:  donors are asked to bring a photo ID or donor card and eat a well-balanced breakfast.  Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh more than 100 pounds, and be in good health.  Those interested in donating may either show up during the allotted time or call to set up an appointment.  For more information or to make an appointment, please contact Racquel Drunasky at 842-6775.

DAHS DECA Districts

On Saturday, January 14, 60 DeForest Area High School DECA members went to Sun Prarie High School to compete in the DECA District 3 Career Development Conference.  DECA is an organization that prepares emerging leaders in the fields of marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools around the globe.

Students competed by taking tests in economics and a career cluster topic area. After the tests they participated in two role play events, where they were judged by local business people. A combination of points scored on the tests and role plays determined the “series champions”. Students from DeForest who achieved this honor were Hector Solis-Luna, Brianna Mowbray, Isabelle Renteria, Jess Beardsley, Marcus Shannon, Lauren McKay, Riley Pink and Matt Bedker. Other students who achieved Honorable Mention were Evan Hollis, Brandon Clarke, Lara Gahnz, Kate Finnegan and Mari Fletcher.

After the conference Marcus Shannon, DAHS chapter president, was quoted as saying “I can’t believe I got first place, and I really want to do well at state so I can compete at nationals in Salt Lake City.” State officer Matt Bedker added “I think we can all take what we learned here today and use this in our personal and professional lives — not only to develop as a competitor but as a person.  DECA has given me so many opportunities, and I am forever grateful.”  Also Avery Wiliams said “I can’t wait to take my talents to Lake Geneva” which is where the state conference is being held.

John Webster, DeForest Area High School’s DECA advisor, is now preparing students for the State Career Development Conference and Competition to be held in Lake Geneva on March 13-15.  Winners at the state level move on to national competition in Salt Lake City in April.

Student wins video contest with anti-bullying PSA

Jessie Brandmeier, 11^th grade student at DeForest Area High School, recently won third place in the 2012 WASB Student Video Contest for a video she produced, entitled, “Say Something.”

The video contest, sponsored by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Educational Media Technology Association, gives students an opportunity to create creative, thought-provoking videos individually, in a small group or as a class project. Brandmeier placed in the high school individual category.  According to WASB, “To participate in the contest, students submit a video—no longer than 4 minutes—that states how you or your generation will impact the world. The generation in school today has the potential to make a substantial impact on tomorrow’s world as they use and build upon the technologies of today. What will that impact be?”

Videos were judged on how well students addressed the topic. The quality of the production of the video as well as the depth of thought and creativity of the video was also taken into consideration. No professional assistance can be provided to produce the video.

Jessie’s winning video was displayed at the 2012 State Education Convention January 18-20 in Milwaukee and she received a $50 prize, courtesy of Marcus Hotels and Resorts.

Click HERE to view the video.

Perrodin discusses school bullying prevention in national interview

David Perrodin, Director of Student Services for DASD, was recently interviewed by Joe Bruzzese, founder of Sprigeo, a national school bullying prevention organization.

David oversees special education, counseling and nursing services for the district’s 3500 students.

David discussed the importance of effectively collecting and analyzing discipline and bullying data in addition to guiding listeners toward strategies for successfully mobilizing school and community resources in support of creating proactive school cultures.

Click HERE to listen to David’s interview.

Free help with the FAFSA February 18 & 19

Twenty-nine locations statewide are taking part in Wisconsin’s seventh annual College Goal Wisconsin.  The events offer financial aid application assistance to students planning to attend college the fall of 2012.

There are three sites in Dane County:  February 18 at Edgewood College and Madison College; and February 19 at DeForest Area High School.  The activities begin at 2 p.m.

This Saturday or Sunday event, sponsored by the Wisconsin Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators, is designed to help families who are completing and submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Federal Government requires a FAFSA from all students seeking financial aid, including grants and loans, to attend and pay for college.  Completing the FAFSA is the first step for students to overcome the financial burdens and pursue their goals of higher education.

Dependent students, those born after January 1, 1989, should bring a parent along with completed federal income tax returns for 2011 (if filing) and W2 statements.  If a parent isn’t available, students should still attend.

The 2011 College Goal Wisconsin assisted 1,094 college-bound students/families and gave away one $250 scholarship and one $100 scholarship at each of its locations.

For more information regarding this event and materials needed to complete the FAFSA, visit www.collegegoalwi.org.

The College Goal Sunday®  program was created by the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., and with supplemental support from Lumina Foundation for Education.

Career Poem Winner

Kaitlyn Chambers, a 7^th grade student at DeForest Area Middle School, was the 1^st Place Winner of the 2011 Wisconsin State Poster and Poetry Contest – Middle School Division.  The event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Career Development Association (WCDA).  Her winning entry has been placed on the WCDA website www.wcda.org, and was put on display at the 2012 Careers Conference held last week in Madison.  In addition, Kaitlyn received a certificate and congratulations gift from WCDA in the mail.

Kaitlyn was given the opportunity to enter the contest through her 7^th grade English class taught by Jen Parker, and was submitted by school counselor Judi Walsh.

Kaitlyn’s poem, “When I Am Older,” has also been submitted to the National Career Development Association (NCDA) in the Middle School category.  National awards will be given to the first, second, and third place winners in the six divisions in both the Poetry and Poster Contests.

National winners will be recognized with the winning entries placed on the NCDA website, www.ncda.org, by April 20.  The winning entries will also be on display at the Annual Global Conference to be held in Atlanta, Georgia, June 21-23, 2012.  In addition, National winners will receive from the National Career Development Association, a certificate and a special congratulations gift.

Below is her winning poem:

When I Am Older

Kaitlyn Chambers

When I am older

I dream I’ll be

A famous author

Who lives near the sea.

Many books I’ll write

And people I’ll meet

Who’ll print my adventures

When they’re complete.

I’ll travel the world

In each place I’ll receive

The ideas I need

For the stories I weave.

I’ll have a good life

Living to the extreme

Because I’m an author

I’m living my dream!

DASD Digital Learning Showcase

DASD Digital Learning Day Showcase – a few digital learning practices by students and staff (a crowd sourced digital presentation)

DAMS Spelling Bee

L-R Gillian Staeven and Rachel Williams

Congratulations to Rachel Williams, 8th  grader at DeForest Area Middle School, who will participate in the annual regional spelling bee on February 15 in Stoughton.  Rachel won the district spelling bee after nine rounds, which advances her to complete with other students in the more challenging regional competition.  Taking second place was 7th grade student Gillian Staeven, who will serve as the alternate.  Forty 5^th through 8^th grade students participated in the district competition held on January 20 at the middle school.

Junior Parent Night

 

All juniors and their parents are should attend this year’s Junior Parent Night on Monday, February 6 at 6:00 pm in the Performing Arts Center. Counselors will be sharing valuable information about post-high school planning, including college entrance requirements and upcoming test dates. Each junior will receive a personalized folder with updated college admissions requirements, high school graduation information and current transcripts. This meeting will answer many of the questions parents and students might have related to postsecondary planning and college admission procedures and expectations. Please attend – it’s important information for every junior and junior parent to receive!

4th Annual Moo-ving for a Cure

On Friday, February 17, DeForest Area High School’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) will host the 4^th Annual “MOO-ving for a Cure” Event to cure Cancer from 5:30 to 8:30 pm in the DeForest High School North Gym.

FBLA is a high school organization for students interested in pursuing business and being active in their community through events such as MOO-ving for a Cure.  MOO-ving for a Cure is a family-friendly event consisting of carnival-type games, a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, concessions and much more! Proceeds from this event benefit the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. Over the past three years, DeForest FBLA has managed to donate over $10,000 to the UW Carbone Cancer Center and students hope to continue raising funds this year!