The Clipper Connection

STURGEON BAY HIGH SCHOOL

Fall Athletic Recap

BY JON DUPUIS

The 2025 Fall athletic season is coming to an end, and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed to making this season a success on and off the field. The dedication of our student-athletes, support from our families, coaches, and community members, shows that Clipper Nation continues to thrive.

Football - The football team was very young and inexperienced. They worked hard to improve throughout the year and battled to the final whistle. They finished with a 0-9 record; however, there were many positives that happened on and off the field that the team can build on. One priority for the team is to commit to the weight room as they continue to improve on specific skill sets. Two players were selected to the All-Conference team. Landon Evers was voted Honorable Mention at Offensive Line, and Alex Boden was voted Honorable Mention at Punter.

Boys Soccer - The boys soccer team finished with an undefeated regular season record in conference play (11-0-1) for another conference championship. They finished with an overall record of 16-3-2 for the regular season. The team earned the #1 seed in the WIAA playoffs. The team won its 17th straight Regional title and earned second at the state tournament. Jaylen Reynolds was voted Packerland Defensive Player of the Year. Will Estes was voted Packerland Player of the Year. 8 players earned All Conference recognition. These include: Finn Stevenson - 1st Team Forward, Zone Wienke - 1st Team Forward, Will Estes -1st Team Midfielder, Joni Ismaili - 1st Team Midfielder, Daniel Wienke - 1st Team Midfielder, Jaylen Reynolds - 1st Team Defender, Kemal Wienke - 2nd Team Midfielder, and Simon Downey - 2nd Team Defender. Todd Maas secured his 300th win as the Head Boys soccer coach in the sectional semi-final win.

Cross Country - The cross country team had much success throughout the year, with multiple student athletes improving on their times and getting PR’s. The team finished with 3 all conference selections and 1 first teamer. Delaney Skiba broke the Sturgeon Bay HS 5k time, while earning 5th place at the conference meet, earning Delaney 1st team honors. Decon and Atticus Haus secured honorable mention with their respective finishes at the conference meet. The Boys team

finished 5th overall in conference, while the girls placed 4th overall. Delaney Skiba qualified for the State Cross Country meet with a 5th place finish at Sectionals.

Girls Volleyball - The girls volleyball team finished tied for 2nd in conference play this year with a 6-2 record. The team had some thrilling 5 set victories at home this year and earned the 9th seed in the WIAA playoffs. Playing tough competition (sometimes against higher division opponents), they held their own and finished with an 11-26 overall record. The team earned 6 all conference selections. These included: Audrey Harrington - 1st Team Outside Hitter, Makenna Coyhis - 2nd Team Setter, Yarrow Goettelman - HM Opposite Hitter, Regan Kasten - HM Middle Blocker, Miya Nell - HM Middle Blocker, and Izzy Schoeneman - HM Outside Hitter.

Girls Swim - Girls swim has had another strong year as they competed for another conference title. They placed third overall in the conference and had strong performances all year by Chole Bissen. Chloe earned 2nd team all conference in 200 medley relay and 400 yard freestyle relay. Chloe also earned first team all conference honors in the 100 yard butterfly. Hannah Denil and Mia Olson set PR’s throughout the year in multiple events. The team looks forward to the upcoming sectional meet and state meets.

Girls Golf - The girls golf team continued to grow and improve on their play as individuals and as a team. Keira Wesley earned 2nd team all conference. The team finished in 5th place on the North Division side of the Bay Conference and 9th overall. Top performers of the year included Hayden Montevideo, Keira Wesley, and Maria Neri.

We look forward to the upcoming winter season!

Important upcoming dates for the start of the 2025-26 winter season:

November 10th - Girls Basketball

November 17th - Boys Basketball, Boys Wrestling, Girls Wrestling

Please check the Sturgeon Bay Athletic website under Sturgeon Bay High School for more information about athletic clubs that are offered in the winter. These include Ski/Snowboard, Bowling, and Dance.

New Faces, Same Clipper Spirit: SBHS Welcomes Its Newest Staff Members

BY KADENCE PATZA, YEARBOOK STUDENT

Brandon Joly

We are excited to welcome a new math teacher, Brandon Joly. From student teaching in Beloit and assisting at the University of Iowa to one of our math classrooms at SBHS, Mr. Joly is excited to introduce a new project-based curriculum. As he continues his journey as a math teacher, Mr. Joly hopes his students can connect the skills they learn in class to the real world and are able to acknowledge their value.

Sierra Wilcox

SBHS is delighted to welcome a new special education associate, Sierra Wilcox. As a graduate from Kettle Moraine HS, UW La Crosse, and Viterbo University, and having experience substitute teaching in Onalaska, Wisconsin, Ms. Wilcox is excited to bring her teaching background to SBHS. Her favorite part of working at SBHS is how friendly the staff and students are. Being a new staff member this year, Ms. Wilcox hopes to build trust with her students so they have someone to rely on.

Elyse Incha

This year, we welcome Sturgeon Bay’s newest science teacher, Elyse Incha, who specializes in physics. A graduate from Antigo High School and UW-Madison, Ms. Incha was drawn to Sturgeon Bay by her “desire to live on Lake Michigan”. She quickly learned how supportive the staff members at SBHS

are, and how “fabulous” her students are. Ms. Incha was excited to carry on her predecessor’s tradition of the trebuchet launch with her physics class. She has enjoyed building and launching rockets with her astronomy class, and hopes that all of her students “have fun while learning science”.

Maria Galan Sanchez-Seco

We are excited to welcome SBHS’s new Spanish teacher, Maria Galan Sanchez-Seco. Mrs. Galan graduated from Alcalá University and went on to teach in Madrid, Spain, and Indiana. Going further into the school year, Mrs. Galan is excited to teach her English acquisition class. She currently enjoys talking with her students during passing periods and loves working with her colleagues. As the wife of a former Clipper, Mrs. Galan felt that living and teaching in Sturgeon Bay was the perfect fit for her.

Julia Peterson

SBHS is thrilled to welcome the district’s new English Learner (EL) Coordinator, Julia Peterson. Ms. Peterson graduated from New Trier High School, Lawrence University, and UW Stout, and then taught in Fond du Lac and Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. As she starts off the school year, Ms. Peterson is most excited to “move our multilingual program forward to meet the needs of a growing population”. Having the chance to work in the district, in the classroom, and at a student level with the ability to create change is what drew Ms. Peterson to SBHS. So far, Ms. Peterson’s favorite memory is realizing that the Sturgeon Bay mascot is a ship, not a sturgeon.

Hard Work Pays Off: SBHS Band to Take the Stage at Walt Disney World

BY AVA ESTES, SBHS BAND STUDENT

After three years of hard work and dedication, the Sturgeon Bay High School band has been accepted to play at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Under music director Mrs. Heidi Hintz’s instruction, the band works hard to continue to have the opportunity to play at this venue every four years.

The band will leave on March 27, 2026, and with this departure rapidly approaching, students have kept themselves busy bagging groceries, playing at community events, and even selling Kwik Trip car wash passes to help fundraise for the trip in any way they can. In a recent fundraiser, students played music and sold raffle tickets for The Lodge at Leathem Smith’s bingo night on Wednesday, October 8th. The night was a huge success for the band, who raised over $1,200 in just a few hours of playing.

Mrs. Hintz talks about the immense amounts of planning around the “funding, safety, learning experience, and fun experience.” She makes it clear that none of this could be done without our community, saying that “if we didn’t have community support for this program, it wouldn’t exist.”

Anyone who wishes to support the Sturgeon Bay High School band in their endeavors should save their Econo Foods receipts and stop by the store on November 26. The band will be bagging groceries from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and a percentage of the proceeds from the receipts goes straight to the band’s trip fund. Additionally, the band’s annual Winter Concert will be held in the Sturgeon Bay High School auditorium at 7:00 pm on December 8. Coming for a night of great music filled with holiday tunes is another great way to support this amazing program.

Sturgeon Bay’s high school band, students, parents, and faculty alike, have worked tirelessly this past year to make this trip happen. Congratulations to Sturgeon Bay High School on their acceptance, and good luck to the students who are on their way to Disney World!

Upcoming Calendar Dates

5TH GRADE BAND/CHOIR CONCERT

THURSDAY, DEC.11TH, 6:00 PM

GRADES 1 AND 2 WINTER CONCERT

THURSDAY, DEC. 16TH, 5:30 PM

GRADES 3 AND 4 WINTER CONCERT

THURSDAY, DEC. 16TH, 6:30 PM

4K/5K WINTER CONCERT FRIDAY, DEC. 19TH, 1:30 PM

SAWYER SNUGGLE

Photo by VIP Photography.

SUNRISE ELEMENTARY

Sunrise School Identified as ‘Exceptional’ is Defying the Odds

A new analysis conducted by the Educational News Group The 74, reviewed 41,883 schools in 10,414 districts throughout the nation identifying 2,158 campuses where third-grade reading performance exceeded expectations based on poverty rates. An interactive tool allows state and school-level comparisons of a school’s actual versus expected literacy rate, based on the

percentage of its students who qualify for free- and reduced-price lunch. This methodology identifies schools that are beating the odds and successfully teaching kids to read.

The data from the 2023-2024 school year revealed that Sunrise School third graders had a poverty level of 55% with a reading proficiency level of 66%, significantly beating the 45% expected

proficiency rate; therefore, placing the school in the ‘exceptional ‘ category.

The exceptional schools are in the top 5% of their state in terms of outscoring their expected reading proficiency.

The interactive tool displaying the data from the analysis can be viewed at the following website: www.the74million. org/article/these-schools-are-beatingthe-odds-in-teaching-kids-to-read/

Celebrating Student Success with PBIS Charm Assemblies

BY DAKOTA LONDO, SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Each month, our Sunrise community gathers for the PBIS Charm Assembly—a special celebration recognizing students who demonstrate growth, effort, and excellence across a variety of subjects and schoolwide expectations.

During each assembly, students from every classroom are chosen in each of the core subject areas—reading, math, social studies, and science—as well as in five special areas: physical education, music, STEAM, art, and library. Students are recognized each month for their achievements and positive contributions to our school community.

In addition to these subject areas, two special recognitions are awarded:

Rockstar Award: Presented to students who go above and beyond to help others or demonstrate kindness.

Class Ambassador Award: Given to one student from each classroom who exemplifies our school’s SAIL expecta-

tions (Safety, Achieve & Aspire, Include and Respect, & Lead Responsibly).

At the most recent assembly, 84 students were celebrated for their accomplishments. The monthly Charm Assemblies have quickly become a highlight for students and staff alike, fostering pride, community, and a shared commitment to positive behavior and learning growth. The students’ bright smiles and evident pride were truly infectious, spreading joy throughout the day!

A New School Year Brings New Faces to Sunrise!

We’re excited to welcome several new staff members (and one student intern) to the Sunrise family this year.

Andy Hall – Andy joins us as the Door County Alternative Program Director and Teacher.

Brittney Greenfield – Brittney is our new School Social Worker.

Julia Peterson – Julia is our new EL Director.

Miranda Larkin – Miranda is the STEAM teacher at Sawyer Elementary and now also at Sunrise. We’re excited to have her bring her fun, creative, and educational STEAM lessons to our students!

Kayla Londo – Kayla joins Sunrise as a Teacher’s Associate after previously working at Sawyer Elementary.

Lissa Lagerstrom – Lissa is our new Elementary Art Teacher at both Sunrise and Sawyer. She holds degrees in Fine Arts and 2-D Design and brings extensive K–12 art teaching experience, most recently from the Green Bay Area Public School District.

Kellie Kramer – Kellie joins Sunrise as a 4th

Grade Teacher. After a successful career in journalism, she pursued her teaching degree and most recently taught kindergarten in Prairie du Chien.

Emily Tonnon – Emily is our new 5th Grade Teacher. She recently graduated summa cum laude from UW–Green Bay.

Cora Frangipane – Cora, a senior at Sturgeon Bay High School, joins us as our Youth Apprenticeship intern. She plans to study elementary education in college and is gaining handson experience helping in classrooms, at recess, and during lunch.

We’re so happy to have each of them on board and look forward to a wonderful year ahead!

Pictured: Youth Apprenticeship student and Sturgeon Bay High School senior Cora Frangipane with Sunrise 4th graders Sydney DeNamur and Willow Santy.

From Fossils to Football: 4th Graders Enjoy a Day in Green Bay

BY JENNY RABAS, 4TH GRADE TEACHER

Thanks to a generous grant from the Raibrook Foundation, the 4th graders were able to attend a free trip to the Neville Museum in Green Bay. During a guided tour of the Generations Gallery, students got to learn Wisconsin history on animals and their habitats, and even were able to check out fossils from Ice Age animals. They took time to explore the Spectacular Science exhibit, learning about gears, lights, extreme weather, engineering, germs and even the science behind candy making. Following lunch, we took the kids to Titletown for a chance to run around, race each other on the 50 yard dash, play a game of pick up football or enjoy the playground. It was a great day!

Congratulations to the 4th and 5th grade girls basketball teams on their great seasons. Both teams made significant improvements and had a lot of fun along the way.

Learning Beyond the Classroom: Fifth Graders Study Space at Crossroads

BY EMILY TONNON, 5TH GRADE TEACHER

On October 17, Sturgeon Bay’s 5th grade students embarked on an exciting field trip to Crossroads, where they explored the fascinating world of astronomy. Throughout the day, students engaged in hands-on learning experiences, using playdough to model the planets in our solar system and discovering how comets form and rockets launch. A highlight of the trip was visiting Crossroads’ impressive telescope, which offered a closer look at the wonders of space. Along with their science adventures, students also enjoyed spending time outdoors, connecting with nature right here in Sturgeon Bay.

All My Best Friends Represent Vertebrates!

BY CHRISTEL RUDDY, 3RD GRADE TEACHER

Third graders at Sunrise recently concluded a unit on animal classification. They learned the difference between vertebrates and invertebrates, and every classroom had a chance to host some local crayfish, and observe and hold them. Crayfish are crustaceans, which are invertebrates. Students then focused on the five common classes of vertebrates: amphibians, mammals, birds, fish, and reptiles. We remembered these five classes using the pneumonic device All My Best Friends Represent Vertebrates! Students focused on the characteristics of each class, and talked about similarities and differences they noticed. Another activity was to build lego-type animals, and classify them using characteristics like fur or hair, scales, feathers, being warm-blooded or cold-blooded, laying eggs or live birth. By the time they visited the NEW Zoo in Green Bay, these future zoologists were experts on classifying the animals they saw!

Pictured: 4th Grade Student, Daniel Fernandes with his Class Ambassador, Music, and Library Charms

First Graders Enjoy a Fun-Filled Day at Hillside Orchard

BY PATRICK SULLIVAN, ERIK TAUSCHEK, MADDIE WOLDT FIRST GRADE TEAM

First graders had an unforgettable day at Hillside Orchard! Students toured the apple processing facility, learning how apples go from the tree to the table and how apple cider is made. They also had the chance to pick their very own pumpkins and apples—six to take home and one to enjoy right on the spot!

The fun didn’t stop there—students went on a tractor-pulled wagon ride out to the pumpkin patch and back, taking in the beautiful fall scenery along the way.

Our first graders have been visiting Hillside Orchard for the past five years. Before that, the annual fall orchard trip took place at Schartner’s Farm Market. When a fire sadly prevented us from visiting there one year, Hillside Orchard kindly opened their doors to us—and we’ve been returning ever since!

This trip has become a beloved tradition that our students look forward to each fall. A big thank you to Hillside Orchard for welcoming our students and making this special outing possible year after year!

Kindergartners Explore Fall at Crossroads!

BY TAMMY KROLL, KINDERGARTEN TEACHER

In the middle of October, our kindergarten students took a trip to Crossroads to soak up the last bits of perfect fall weather! During their visit, students participated in a fall scavenger hunt and a colorful fall walk. They searched for crunchy leaves, spotted acorns and pinecones, and noticed the many shades of red, orange, and yellow all around them.

Our young learners love visiting Crossroads — it’s the perfect place to experience the beauty of the changing seasons firsthand. Being outdoors gives them a chance to connect with nature, observe how plants and animals prepare for winter, and use their senses to explore the world around them. These experiences help build curiosity, observation skills, and a deeper appreciation for the environment.

Second Grade: Exploring Fairy Tales and Tall Tales

, 2ND GRADE TEACHER

BY ANNE HERRING

Second graders have been diving into a CKLA unit on Fairy Tales and Tall Tales, where imagination and storytelling come to life! Students had a blast learning about Paul Bunyan—they even made mini pancakes and used mini forks to pretend to be the giant himself eating flapjacks. To top it off, they sipped blue juice in honor of Paul’s loyal companion, Babe the Blue Ox.

Another highlight of the unit was The Emperor’s New Clothes. Students brought the story to life by acting it out, creating scenery for each setting and costumes for every character. These hands-on activities encouraged students to express them-

selves creatively and deepen their understanding of story elements like character, setting, and theme.

Creativity and imaginative play are vital for second graders—they help students build confidence, collaborate

with others, and make meaningful connections to the stories they read. Through exploring folk and tall tales, our young learners are discovering how imagination shapes storytelling across cultures and time.

STURGEON BAY HIGH SCHOOL CONTINUED

Beyond the Bell: Students Gaining Real-World Media Experience

BY ASHLY RUIZ, JOURNALISM STUDENT

Sturgeon Bay High School’s newest club, Beyond the Bell, creates weekly news videos that are shared each Friday to keep their classmates informed about school and community events. From scriptwriting and filming to editing and producing, students collaborate to create professional-quality broadcasts that mirror the fast-paced world of media and journalism.

The club was founded by social studies teacher Mr. Brock Blahnik, who wanted to find a creative way to strengthen Clipper culture. He explained, “In today’s day of age we have a lot of ability to digitally record our lives, so, I thought of working all these sporting events that we have video for all this stuff, why can’t we, instead of having normal announcement everyday, why can’t we one day where we can try to incorporate some of the video that now everyone has access to out there.” After discussing the idea with Principal Nerby, he received approval to launch a weekly news broadcast run

entirely by students.

In total, there are 48 students in the club, and each student has their own role in the club. Each production is a team effort: anchors deliver the stories, sports reporters interview athletes and coaches, writers craft scripts, photographers capture visuals, and editors pull it all together to create polished, engaging segments. Although there are various roles, the entire club works together to complete the 12-minute video each week.

Students gain valuable, real-world experience that mirrors professional careers. One club member, senior June Van Lieshout, said, “I am one of the two Clipper Culture anchors. With this, I interview students and teachers for a weekly competition called Full Sail Frenzy. From this experience, I have grown my public speaking skills and am more confident with what I say.” She added, “Without the skills that I have learned, it would be greatly difficult to grow in any career, whether

New Staff

Terri Larson Hello!

My name is Terri Larson, and I graduated from UW–Green Bay in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.

Throughout my teaching career, I have had the privilege of working in both public and parochial schools, in settings ranging from small rural communities to large inner-city schools—with student populations from 100 to 1,500. My experience has been focused entirely in Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade.

In 2021, my family and I moved to Dykesville, and I have been hoping to join Sawyer’s team ever since. I was thrilled when this opportunity arose! I’m especially excited to be part of a K–2 school, as I feel most at home in early elementary environments.

When I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy bonfires, board games, crafting, and golf. Most of all, I love spending time with my children and our many pets.

Kaitlyn Larson

I’m Kaitlyn Larson, and I’m so excited to be part of the Sawyer School community! I graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater with a degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education. I love helping students learn, grow, and discover what makes each of them special.

When I’m not at school, I love hanging out with my family and friends, traveling,arts and crafts, and spending time outdoors. Whether it’s exploring new places or just enjoying a nice day outside, I’m happiest when I’m surrounded by good company and fresh air.

What makes me most excited to be at Sawyer School is the warm, welcoming community and the opportunity to work with such amazing students and staff. I can’t wait for all the fun, learning, and memories we’ll make together this year!

Therapy Dogs Bring Joy to Young Readers

BY KARLIE MARTENS, SAWYER SEL COACH

Sawyer School is lucky to have several therapy dog teams who visit our students and share their love of reading! Recently, Penny and Gumdrop made special visits to each 4K and Kindergarten classroom to introduce themselves and get ready to join students during their reading special.

Therapy dogs play a wonderful role in helping young readers build confidence and develop a love for books. Reading to a calm, nonjudgmental listener—like Gumdrop— helps students feel more relaxed and focused. This supportive environment encourages them to take risks, improve their fluency, and truly enjoy the reading experience.

We’re so excited to welcome these furry friends into our school community and can’t wait to see the smiles (and tail wags!) they bring to each reading session.

Spooky Fun

BY MIRANDA LARKIN, 4K-5TH GRADE STEAM

Sawyer School got spooky this Halloween! On the afternoon of October 31st, our 4K–2nd grade students gathered in the gym for a festive Halloween parade. Each grade level took a lap around the gym, proudly showing off their creative and colorful costumes to classmates and staff.

it be in health care, public policy, research, or really any field imaginable.”

Another member, freshman Elliessa Andropolis, also appreciates how the club connects to her future goals. “Since my ultimate career goal is to be an author, writing scripts for Beyond the Bell has helped me learn different writing skills that could be useful in that field.” Through hands-on experiences like these, students build essential skills in leadership, networking, writing, and technology. Every member is learning something new that not only prepares them for the future but also helps make each video better than the last.

Whether covering school events, spotlighting student achievements, investigating community news, or delivering weekly updates, Beyond the Bell gives students a voice and a platform to inform and inspire their peers, all while gaining job-like experience before graduation.

To wrap up the event, a group of brave teachers joined in the fun—racing around the gym in hilarious inflatable costumes! Laughter and cheers filled the room as students rooted for their favorite costumed racer to cross the finish line first.

It was a joyful way to celebrate Halloween, build school spirit, and create lasting core memories for our youngest Clippers. What a fun and festive way to end the day!

TJ WALKER MIDDLE SCHOOL

National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award

The National Council for Geographic Education (NCGE) is a non-profit organization created in 1915 with a goal of enhancing the quality of geography teaching and learning across the country. NCGE provides mentorship, professional development, and resources for K-12 geography educators, college professors, and university

In August, Superintendent Tjernagel and Principal Smullen were notified that TJ Walker Middle School teacher Stephen Jacobson was selected as the 2025 National Council for Geographic Education K-12 Distinguished Teacher of the Year.

NCGE President Celeste Reynolds said this about Stephen:

“It is my honor to congratulate Stephen Jacobson on receiving the K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award. Geography’s vitality depends on a strong community of advocates who advance this endangered subject through classrooms, communities, school districts, social media, and the halls of state capi-

MS Report Card

TJ Walker Middle School scored their highest report card score since the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI). began using the annual accountability scores, ratings and a 5 star rating system (as of the 2025-2026 report cards).

The school’s accountability score improved by 3.7 points to 96.7 over the 204-25 school year. The DPI assigns these accountability scores to each school based on numerous factors, including achievement and growth, particularly among underserved student groups.

The category of “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” has not changed with the new accountability score, but the increase has shifted Sturgeon Bay Middle from having the seventh highest middle school report cards, to one of the highest-scoring middle schools in the state.

“Every staff member that has worked with these students and those who have the opportunity down the road, are fortunate to have the opportunity to teach the best students in the state,” said Mark

tals. Stephen exemplifies the very best of these ideals.

The K-12 Distinguished Teaching Award honors excellence in teaching geography at the primary and secondary levels. While it recognizes past accomplishments, it also underscores the ongoing potential of this educator to shape the future of geography in both K–12 and higher education. Stephen’s excellence in geography teaching at the primary and secondary levels and his dedication and contributions to the field of geography education are truly inspiring, and we are delighted to recognize his achievements.”

Stephen has taught in Sturgeon Bay since 2019. In addition to his work in the classroom, Stephen is a high school assistant football coach, the co-head high school wrestling coach, and the 6-12 esports advisor. Stephen will receive his award on Friday, October 17, at the NCGE Annual Conference in Omaha, Nebraska.

Smullen, Sturgeon Bay middle school principal.

Smullen highlighted the school’s growth scores as particularly impressive – 100 overall, 100 for both English language arts and 100 for mathematics.

A score of 100 means a school has the highest possible score for growth in that category.

“Every staff member from K-12 has the opportunity to make a positive influence that helps grow our student’s skills. Over time, that growth, achievement, and encouragement helps over time, ” Smullen said.

A number of factors contributed to Sturgeon Bay’s consistently high scores, Smullen explained, including high expectations, collective teacher efficacy, and responding to students’ needs with intervention support for those students who need extra help.

Teachers have worked assessing formative assessments, collaborating with their peers, and updating their curricu-

lum along the way. This allows teachers to work together supporting students where they are at and working to grow their abilities. This growth benefits all students.

“Our growth and achievement is a credit to our students’ dedication and our parent support,” Smullen said.

“Our students are very hard-working and very responsive,” he said. “It starts there.”

While the DPI report card is a helpful indicator of progress, Smullen explained that the school does not focus solely on test scores. Our focus is on growing great kids, kids who want to learn, explore and be the best versions of themselves. Our teachers use instructional practices that factor into high level learning and updating these practices along the way.. The Sturgeon Bay Middle School staff will continue working towards growing students’ skills and focusing on high achievement to get the best results for our students,” he said.

Sturgeon Bay K-12 STEM Excellence Initiative

The Sturgeon Bay S.T.E.M. Excellence Initiative expands K-12 technology and engineering opportunities through four innovative programs. These programs build students’ critical skills, prepare them for 21st-century careers, prioritize inclusive programming, and community partnerships. The initiative is posted on Donor’s Choose website. Interested donors can contribute to the project. As of October 20th, each dollar is matched one for one. Note: Donors’ Choose has selected five projects to review and this is one of those five. If selected, the Sturgeon Bay School District will be awarded $100,000. Girls Who Code Chapter (Elementary School): A club introducing female students to computer science, web development, and programming through real-world projects and mentorship from women in technology, building confidence in fields where women remain underrepresented.

STEM Cours-

es (Middle School):

Students in grades 6 -8 can select STEM 1 and STEM 2 as enrichment classes. STEM 1 focuses on solving everyday problems using science, technology, engineering, and math while emphasizing creativity, collaboration, and iteration. STEM 2 builds on the foundational work of STEM 1 through weekly engineering challenges and handson projects reflecting Sturgeon Bay’s local industries.

Sturgeon Bay Volume 2 Issue 1

The Clipper Connection is brought to you by the Sturgeon Bay Schools Newsletter Committee: Allison Haus, Rachel Maurer, Jenna Auguston, Mandy Schoeneman, Kasee Jandrin, Miranda Eytcheson, Stephen Jacobson, Katy Devillers, Katie Smullen, Mark Smullen, Keith Nerby, Jen PayeWeber, Lindsay Ferry, Ann DeMeuse, Dan Tjernagel

Contributors: MIRANDA LARKIN, ASHLY RUIZ, ANNA HAGMAN, JENNY RABAS, EMILY TONNON, CHRISTEL RUDDY, JON DUPUIS

SBHS STUDENTS AVA ESTES AND KADENCE PATZA, PATRICK SULLIVAN, ERIK TAUSCHEK, MADDIE WOLDT, TERRI LARSON, KARLIE MARTENS, ANNE HERRING, TAMMY KROLL, ASHLY RUIZ

Middle School Athletics Update

MS Cross Country had a fantastic season coached by Jennifer Lasee. This is the first time Sturgeon Bay Middle School has had a complete Boys’ and Girls teams. The Boys’ team won three meets (Algoma Invite, Southern Door Invite, and Pioneer Invitational) The Boys’team earned 2nd in conference losing by 5 points to Peshtigo. Andrew Daost was our top runner. Jonathan Sigl was the first 6th grade finisher in all the meets.

MS Girls Cross Country also did quite well. The team finished third at the Pioneer Invitational. This season’s top runners were Abigail Matson and Penny Kiedrowski. Both girls placed in the top 10 at the conference meet: Abigail Matson 6th and Penny Kiedrowski 7th. As a team, the Clippers finished 5th at the conference meet.

MS Football had a younger squad on the gridiron. Thirteen 6th grade students participated and made quite an impact. Parker Salo excelled as a running back and defensive back. Takoda LeMieux steadied both

Clipper Clays Makes Updates to Sporting Course

Clipper Clays updated their sporting clays course that they can practice. This new course provides a modern, updated course that students can practice for competitions and hold competitions. Currently, the closest sporting clays course is in Reedsville which is one hour and 15 minutes away.

The $132,000 in donations includes a $75,000 grant, $15,000 grant from Midway USA Foundation to improve the lighting due to rising electrical costs (lighting), and an additional anonymous $50,000 donation sparked the project. Mr. Propsom,Clipper Clays head coach and 8th grade Science teacher, led the process.

“Our community is extremely generous when it comes to youth athletics and outdoor activities. This particular project is one of a kind in our area and it allows our team to train at a higher level and host additional youth programs,” Propsom said.

The Clipper Clay coaching staff consists of twelve coaches. The coaches toured other Wisconsin courses and met with Mayville Engineerings’ designers and engineers. They toured the site, made recommendations, and developed plans.

Students pay a $15 membership fee to the Door County Rod and Gun Club. The membership entails full access to practice, use of the facilities (archery, indoor archery, and outdoor clay ranges).

In 2025-2026, the Clipper Clays’ roster is composed of 60 male and female middle and high school students. This is the Clipper Clays’ 9th season as a team. Over the last five years, the team consists of 60 members and earns numerous team and individual awards.

The Door County Gun Club is hosting the Door County annual April trap event. May 2026, Sporting Clays Scholastic Clays Target Program’s first ever event is being held at the Door County Rod and Gun Club. Next spring, the Clipper Clays are hosting a grand opening for the brand new course to thank all sponsors who made this a success.

TJ Walker Middle School Joins Wisconsin’s Growing E-Sports Scene

The popularity of E-sports continues to surge across Wisconsin, as competitive gaming becomes one of the fastest-growing extracurricular activities in schools. Students are not only learning teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking through gaming, but they’re also connecting with peers who share their passion for technology and competition. With colleges now offering scholarships and career pathways in gaming, coding, and digital media, E-sports has become a meaningful way for students to blend fun with future-ready skills.

TJ Walker Middle School has proudly joined Wisconsin’s Regional Division League, marking its first official season of E-sports competition. This fall, the team is ranked #1 and in the state Rocket League playoffs and play for the State Championship Thursday, November 13 at 5:30 PM in the Sturgeon Bay High School gymnasium. Families are encouraged to attend the event.

The school’s team, composed of students from grades six through eight, compete against other middle schools across the state and are ranked #1 in their division.

Coach Jacobson views the program as an exciting opportunity to engage students in a positive digital community while promoting sportsmanship, critical thinking, and school pride.

the offensive and defensive lines. Many 7th & 8th graders played both sides of the ball. Gunnar played quarterback and was an offensive threat running and throwing the ball. Graham Labott was a dominant force playing linebacker for the Clippers. The 25 member team is young but showed flashes of brilliance as they went 2-4 on the season.

The 8th Grade MS Volleyball Peninsula Conference championships was held Saturday, October 15th. Sturgeon Bay defeated Sevastopol for the tournament championship. 8th grade student Adelyn Schmidt said, “We had several close sets and had to work hard and stay positive as a team all the time.” Maureen DePrey shared, “ this championship was special because this is our third consec-

utive conference championship and we were proud to win it this year.”

Pictured bottom row left to right: Laiya LeMieux, Adelyn Schmidt, Zofia Michalski, Porsche Hanley, Maureen Deprey, Keegan Hoernke.

Top row left to right: Avery Freimuth, Zayda Patza, Nora Whitley, Coach Casey Harrington, Sawyer Hanson, Avery Hanson