“How can I start this off? There are so many things that I can say about Mrs. Canning and how she helped me grow as a student. When I first met her she was a very welcoming person to Asa. Those first time jitters, Mrs. Canning made it better. She would use humor, something I will always remember about her. Although her technology skills weren’t always at her best, she always had a positive attitude. Mrs. Canning is many wonderful things. She is kind, encouraging and lovable! Mrs. Canning has helped me was a student, just by following her lead. Even if she doesn’t understand somethings, or can’t get something to work, she always problem solves. I don’t think I have ever seen Mrs. Canning be negative about anything. She is always positive, and it really shows through to her students. Mrs Canning always has a positive attitude and is always shining bright! We will forever love Mrs.Canning and we hope to see her around during school!” - Fiona and Hadley
“The best part of subbing is the variety - everyday is different and interesting. After being in the one system for an extended time, I’ve enjoyed the rapport that I have developed with the staff and students. It really is a satisfying experience.” - Mrs. Canning
Catherine Canning has been subbing for the Pewaukee School District for nine years. Prior to subbing for us, she taught Reading, Language Arts, American History, Geography, and Ancient History at Holy Apostles. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Canning was an assistant basketball coach and served as secretary, then president of the Holy Apostles Athletic Association. (posted by Ms. KBD)
On Tuesday, October 25th, the Yearbook class attended a field trip at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee hosted by Josten's Yearbook Company. Students participated in various workshops including Yearbook Basics, Design Trends, Photography and Photo Selection, and much more. More than 12 different schools from Wisconsin also participated in the workshop. Overall students learned many new skills and generated great ideas to incorporate into our school's yearbook. (posted by Ms. Gruepink)
This school year we welcomed a new face to our ACMS office team. Ms. Anna Feller was hired this summer as the new attendance/student services secretary. Ms. Feller’s journey to this position is unique because she was also a student at Asa Clark.
Ms. Feller attended Asa Clark from 2003-2005 and graduated from Pewaukee High School in 2009. During her time at Asa Clark, her favorite teachers were Mrs. Mundt and Mr. Cattarozzle because they had a great attitudes in class, and made the learning environment enjoyable. One of her most memorable moments was when she was in band with Mr. Kuehl and participating in auditions. She beat out all of the other saxophone players for first chair and was really excited. She was also on the volleyball team during middle school.
Ms. Feller has enjoyed growing up and living in Pewaukee. When she saw that there was an opportunity to give back to the school she once attended, she knew she could not pass it up. She is also very excited to work within the middle school because it is a transitional time for students and she can relate to what they are going through based on her middle school years. Overall, Ms. Feller is looking forward to becoming a part of the Asa Clark / Pewaukee School District family, as well as watching each and every student grow and succeed. (posted by Mr. Pizzo)
The family of ACMS student, Gabriel F, and additional band members perform a free back to school concert at the Pewaukee Lake Pavilion on September 10th. Gabriel grabs the microphone and sings his first song for the crowd. Great classic rock hits were played. (posted by Ms. Greupink)
Allie is an 8th grader who is taking charge of her passion for singing. In addition to singing the National Anthem at a volleyball qualifier in Chicago this past spring, Allie had the opportunity to perform at a recent Pewaukee Pirate JV football game. She hopes to one day be a voice coach so that she can share her passion for music and inspire others to pursue their dreams. (posted by Ms. KBD)
I am strong. I am physically, mentally and emotionally strong. There are important things that comprehend with being strong. I am strong to know what is the right decision but I am also strong to deal with the consequences if I make the wrong decision. Being strong could bring out the happy side of you, the mad side of you and even the sad side of you. Strength has many different meanings and different people interpret strength in many different ways. Some people think it means how many sports you play and how much muscle you have, others think it means pain and how you deal with pain. For me, it’s the second one.
I am willing. Willing to take risks, willing to fail. Willing to take the longer path on the twistier road rather than the short, smooth ride. This is important because everybody makes mistakes and we should all learn from our mistakes that we may make down the twisty road. I can build by not only doing what is right, but also by failing.
I am lost. Although we must take the longer road at times, sometimes that road is a couple miles too long. We get lost along the path, most of us don’t find our way back. When we get lost, the only thing we can do to be found, is fix ourselves. Fix the problems, fix the pain. Fix the tough times we have brewing inside us, fix what we didn’t know were problems.
I am caring. Deep down I care about what people say to me and I care about how I react to them. I care about people and most of the time the “people” is only me. I care about myself. I care about what I look like, I care about what I wear to school everyday and how I do my hair and how I do my makeup because I care about what people say behind my back that I don’t know about. People say “You can’t let those words tear you down.” But what they should be saying is, “I know how you feel.” Everyone goes through this and everyone cares about what other people say about them. The only thing is, the people talking about others just don’t CARE.
I am emotional.I cry, I laugh, I fall but I also get back up. I find the hope within myself and I pick myself back up when I fall. Times get tough, I know, but there is always, no matter what, still that spark in you to start your fire back up, even when the wood is wet.
I am determined. I find the path of life and I take it. Sometimes the path isn’t always lying in front of you, but takes you on a different journey to find it. That’s where determination comes into play. Most do not succeed when finding the path of life, but I work hard to get there. I fall, I lose, I get lost but I find my way back through determination. With determination comes struggle, comes heartbreak for various reasons and most importantly comes the path and finding the path makes all the struggle and heartbreak worth it.
I am knowing.I know what is right and what is wrong. I know that ‘doing something just because your friend does it’ is most of the time wrong. I know I am loud, I know I get excited too easily. But, I also know that sometimes the only path of life is going to be long and twisty and I know that life will never be perfect. I know I am not perfect, but I also know that I am strong, willing, lost, caring, emotional, determined and knowing. These things that I know that I am make me who I am and I am okay with not being a perfect child living in a perfect world. I know.
Video and reflection by Emily K (submitted by Ms. Pinzl)
You may have seen Rithwik Mathur in the halls of Asa Clark. You probably recognize his friendly smile, and if you have class with Rithwik, you know that he is a very bright, helpful student. What you may not know is that he is a chess savant!
Rithwik only began playing chess about two years ago. When he lived in India, his mom encouraged him to check out some chess lessons that were being given nearby. He took his mom’s advice, and he was intrigued by the game. He obviously picked up on the strategies and nuances of the game very quickly, so he began competing and found two coaches to help him improve. The more success he has had, the more dedicated he has become. On average, Rithwik spends five to six hours per day practicing and studying chess. When asked about the benefits of spending so much time on learning such a complex game, Rithwik cites improved mental capabilities. “When there is a critical position on the board, I need to be very precise. I think it has helped me with my mental math, and it’s just a good mental exercise. It can actually be really relaxing for me.”
As the Wisconsin K-8 champion, Rithwik will be participating in the 2016 Barber Tournament of Champions this summer in Indianapolis. With a successful summer, he will be even closer to his next goal of clinching the National Master Title, and could even participate in the World Youth Chess Championship in Russia. (submitted by Ms. KBD and Mrs. Giese)
Marima N. talked to the social studies class on her past and her home country in honor of her “Gotcha Day”.
"May 5th is the day my family celebrates when I arrived in America and joined the Nangle family. I was born in Harper, Africa. There was a twelve-year civil war around the place I was born. It was a Civil War between Native Africans (like myself) and those who were brought to Africa from slavery in other countries. This Civil War set many places in the west part of Africa back 100 years in the time of only twelve years! When I was two years old, the war finally ended. When I was five, I was flown out of my home in a United Nation helicopter all the way to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. Monrovia looked horrible when I was staying there because it was a big target for the war during that time. I just really love being able to share a little about my past and country." (posted by Mrs. Giese)
It is clear to anyone watching television, reading the newspaper, or checking their social media that our nation is gearing up for a presidential election. On November 8th of this year, adults across the country will take part in one of the most important and fundamental processes of our democratic system.
While you may not be old enough to vote in that election, you can have a say in another election that may have a more immediate impact on your day-to-day school life. On Friday, May 6th, Asa Clark will be holding their officer elections, both for next year’s 8th graders on the Asa Clark Student Council, as well as for next year’s freshmen class officers on the PHS Student Senate.
Each candidate has been asked to respond to a few questions as part of the application process. We have linked each candidate’s response here. We hope that you take the time to read through these to get a better idea of who these candidates are. What motivates them? What previous experiences do they have that have prepared them to lead? What is their leadership philosophy?
It is our hope that when you vote on May 6th, you are voting for someone you think will make a positive impact on our school - someone you truly believe in! (posted by Mr. & Mrs. Giese)
Self expression is defined as the expression of one's feelings, thoughts, or ideas, especially in writing, art, music, or dance. The Asa Clark student body is a diverse group of students that expresses themselves in a variety of ways. For many students the way you dress can be a form of self expression. Whether it is a new colorful jacket, or a new pair of leggings, your fashion choices say a lot about who you are as a person. If you have walked the halls of Asa, you have more than likely had the privilege of seeing Peyton and his awesome array of t-shirts. Here are just a few that are part of his vast collection. (Posted by Mr. Pizzo)
Introducing our 7th and 8th grade volleyball coaches:
Scott Roehl, Mark Baker, and Karen Mendez
A. Which coach taught and coached volleyball in Lisbon, Portugal and had the girls participate in a big tournament in Madrid, Spain?
B. Which coach does a “50 States Challenge” in the summer to see if he can find a license plate from each state and actually found all 50 states plus the District of Columbia last summer? Additionally, this coach was a nationals participant in powerlifting for two years in high school.
C. Which coach once jumped off a 35’ cliff and landed in a lake and took a luge ride down an Olympic course? Also, this coach played on the state championship volleyball team as a senior in high school.
The first 7th grader and first 8th grader to email Ms. KBD the correct answers will win a pair of pirate socks! (Posted by Ms. KBD)
Ever driven 150 miles per hour? If you're Grant, your answer is Yes! Grant started racing Go Karts at the age of five and is now racing Stock Cars against much older drivers. Next week Grant will participate in seven races in Florida. On the half mile track, he hopes to finish with a time under 18 seconds. Consider visiting Slinger in April thru September to cheer Grant on as he pursues his passion of becoming a professional race car driver. (Posted by Mrs. Giese and Ms. KBD)
“I started in Pewaukee after graduating from U W Whitewater in 1957. I taught 8th grade. The high school and middle school were in the same building so I was given a chance to coach high school football and basketball. I went to grad school and got my degree in counseling. I became the middle school guidance counselor in 1969 when the new high school was built. Because of the split into two buildings I had to give up coaching high school. I then became the middle school AD. I started to do scoring and timing for high school basketball games in 1960 and continued at the new high school. Started to do timing for high school football in 1969 when the new school was built with a football field with bleachers and a scoreboard. Before that games were played at the Village park where spectators walked the sideline to watch games and refs kept time on the field with a stop watch. The first few years at high school had to keep score from a card table on the sideline because there was no press box. The middle school and high school merged into the same building again in 1984 and I continued scoring. I retired from my counseling job In 1994 but have kept on timing. The high school track was built in 1970 and I started to help timing for those events. I have always loved playing and attending sporting events. I can remember as a pre teen making a score sheet for Marquette & Wisconsin basketball so that I could score those games as I listened to them on the radio (no tv in those days) and then comparing my scoring with the newspaper report the next day. I've had grandchildren at Pewaukee since I retired so I got to know kids from their classes that kept me interested in Pewaukee games. Having been an AD for many years I knew how difficult it was to get helpers for games so I have kept myself available. I really enjoy seeing kids in middle school and again in high school as they perform at that level. I also get a kick out of seeing children of former students follow their parents footsteps. I just think sports participation is such a rewarding school experience and enhances the whole educational process.” - Posted by Mrs. KBD
