Wausau School Forest
Students learn in woodsy setting
The Wausau School Forest provides a special learning experience for students in the Wausau School District. Located 11 miles southwest of Wausau on the banks of the Wisconsin River, the School Forest has been a part of the WSD curriculum since 1942.
The forest of pine and hardwoods covering more than 400 acres becomes a classroom unlike any other. Here students learn about nature, they learn about working together, and they learn that there is a little more inside of themselves than they thought possible.
While at the school forest, students study lumbering history at the Hugh Curtis Memorial Museum, and challenge themselves on the rappelling tower and obstacle courses.
Hugh Curtis Memorial Museum
The Hugh Curtis Memorial Museum is a log cabin filled with artifacts, tools, photographs and memorabilia from Wisconsin's past. Students visit to explore the lumbering industry and its affect on our state.
The rappelling tower is used by various groups that wish to explore personal challenges for their participants.
This experience is offered to learners from age 11 to those well into their 80s. Participation is limited to 30 students per three-hour session.
Arrangements for instructors must be made well in advance, and additional fees apply.
The Wausau School Forest offers group and individualized obstacle courses. It provides challenging and confidence-building activities in a safe environment. Adult supervision is required.
Wausau School District
Students can apply for open campus lunch
Parents should be reminded of the open/closed campus policy that went into effect with the start of the 2004-05 school year.
The policy extends the privilege of one 40-minute open (off campus) lunch per day to all second-semester sophomores, all juniors and all seniors at both Wausau West and Wausau East high schools. All other students will have a closed campus lunch. Application forms will be available in homeroom at the beginning of the school year.
To retain this open campus lunch privilege, a student must have the following: Parental permission on file; passing grades; good attendance; good behavior; and all fees and fines must be paid.
Details of this list of conditions can be found in the student's handbook/planner which will be distributed in homeroom on the first day of classes.
Christine Kadonsky, a history teacher at Wausau West, was selected to attend two summer teacher institutes.
Kadonsky studied "Federal Trials and Great Debates in United States History" in Washington, D.C. At the Supreme Court, the participants heard the justices announce their opinions and met Justice Sonya Sotomayor. The institute was sponsored by the American Bar Association and the Federal Judicial Center.
In addition, Kadonsky participated in the "Transatlantic Outreach Program," a two-week study tour of Germany. The program is a public/private partnership initiative of the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Goethe-Institut.
Immunizations need to be up-to-date
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. State health officials encourage parents to make immunization appointments for their children before the school year starts.
Families with health insurance should schedule appointments with their health care provider. State-supplied vaccines are available at local health departments through the Vaccines for Children program for families whose children are not covered by insurance, are on Medical Assistance or are American Indian or Alaska Native.
State requirements and recommendations apply to children in kindergarten through high school, and vary by grade.
To help parents and caregivers understand which vaccines are required or recommended for their children, go to www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p4/P44021.pdf.
To keep track of vaccines children have already received, visit the Wisconsin Immunization Registry: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/publicaccess.htm. Health care providers can help show families how to access their child's immunization records through the WIR.
Backpack distribution Saturday
Fill a Backpack Fill a Need distribution will be from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the National Guard Armory, 833 S. 17th Ave., Wausau.
This fall, 6,000 Marathon County students from 4-year-old kindergarten to grade eight are eligible for Fill A Backpack Fill A Need. Need has increased nearly 40 percent in the past five years, and every child deserves to start the school year off with the supplies needed to learn.
Marathon County students who are eligible for free lunch from 4-year-old kindergarten to grade eight for the 2013-14 school year are eligible for a backpack. Reduced lunch eligible students do not qualify.