The Panther Press
Published for the students of Farnsworth Middle School
November 2016
New Faces at Farnsworth
The 2016-17 school year is off to a great start. We are lucky to have 10 new staff members join our team.
What did you do before you came to Farnsworth?
Mrs. Hinojosa: I did a little bit of everything while in college: sales, retail, therapy, caregiving, etc.
Mr. Harder: I ran my own business called A&H Install. I did a lot of work in grocery stores and area businesses ranging from decor to office furniture installations.
Mrs. Roeck - Simons: I was a junior high math teacher at a catholic school for 4 years
Ms. Orth: I graduated UW-Green Bay with a bachelor's in Psychology and Human Development and then became a behavioral therapist in Green Bay, using ABA therapy with 2-6 year old autistic children.
Mrs. Gustafson: Before coming to Farnsworth, I worked with students at other schools in our district, including Urban, Horace Mann, and Central High.
Mrs. Steffen: I have been a substitute Educational Assistant since 10/08/08. I have also been a nanny, worked in daycare and sell Tastefully Simple.
Ms. Hentges: Before coming to Farnsworth, I was going to college at UW-Stevens Point.
Ms. Kroener: Before I came to Farnsworth, I was substitute teaching in the SASD and other surrounding school districts.
Ms. Wise: I was the 8th grade EA before I got this teaching job. I also work at the Sports Core in the Take 5 Cafe making smoothies.
Mr. Frame: My last job I worked was in the maintenance department at Johnsonville. My job was to fix the machines that chop, grind, stuff, smoke and package the products. I learned a lot and was always on emergency work due to production constantly moving.
Why did you want to become a teacher or educational assistant?
Mrs. Hinojosa: When I started college I wanted to be a lawyer for Child Protective Services. At the end of my freshman year, I began to do in-home therapy for children with autism. I realized I loved working directly with kids and changed my major to Special Education the following semester.
Mr. Harder: I wanted to become a teacher so I could work with students and pass on the knowledge that I have learned throughout the years.
Mrs. Roeck - Simons: I have always wanted to be a teacher, for as long as I can remember. I LOVE watching the light bulb click! I love helping people, especially middle school students.
Ms. Orth: I became an EA because I love working, conversing, and making a difference with kids.
Mrs. Gustafson: I wanted to become an EA because I enjoy working with young people and also like to learn new things. Working in a school is the perfect place for those things!
Mrs. Steffen: I wanted to become a EA Because I really enjoy working with children that need help and I like to see them grow into wonderful adults.
Ms. Hentges: I wanted to become a teacher because I love school and I want to inspire others to like it as much I do.
Ms. Kroener: I wanted to become a teacher because when I started working with children 18 years ago, I knew I had abilities with teaching and relating to kids.
Ms. Wise: I wanted to become a teacher because of the 4th grade teacher that I had. She was the best teacher I have ever had and she inspired me to want to be a teacher. I love working with kids and helping them learn and grow.
Mr. Frame: I love working with students (even if they find me annoying). I am always working on improving myself, my talents and my skills. My goal is to have students excited about learning anything that makes the world better.
What do you enjoy doing outside of school?
Mrs. Hinojosa: Outside of school, I keep busy! I have a fun summer/weekend job at the Wade House driving the horse wagons. I love to read and do crafting projects. I also bow hunt and ride my two horses (Titan and Snickers).
Mr. Harder: I enjoy going for hikes, listening to music, working around our house, and hanging out with my family and friends.
Mrs. Roeck - Simons: I enjoy spending time with my husband and our puppy. I am very family oriented, as an only child I became very close with my parents and grandmothers. I love to spend time with friends over dinner and game night, or a bonfire.
Ms. Orth: I love taking adventures to Door County, spending time with my family and friends, and watching Packer games!
Mrs. Gustafson: Outside of school I enjoy walking, biking, yoga, Pokemon Go, and spending time with my family.
Mrs. Steffen: I really enjoy spending time with my family & friends. We love camping. I also love to scrapbook when I have time.
Ms. Hentges: When I'm not in school, I enjoy binge watching The Big Bang Theory while snacking until my heart's content.
Ms. Kroener: I enjoy growing food in my garden, spending time with friends and family, being outside and staying active, and trying new things.
Ms. Wise: I love to workout, hang out with my friends and family, go shopping, go out to dinner and just watching TV or movies. I love spending time with my little sister from Big Brother Big Sisters and traveling as much as I can.
Mr. Frame: I like to do survival stuff(shows like: dual survivor, survivor man, fat guys in the woods-Creek Stewart) / kayaking,and hiking.
Are there any “fun facts” you want the students and staff at Farnsworth to know about you?
Mrs. Hinojosa: My name will be changing to Mrs. Vinney on August 5th next year, the same date as Ms. Lewitzke!
Mr. Harder: My wife and I just had a baby boy on 9/29/16.
Mrs. Roeck - Simons: My high school had more students than my hometown had people. I have gone skydiving twice. I have been selling Thirty-One for 3 years
Ms. Orth: I have 9 siblings, 15 nieces and nephews with 2 more on the way. I have a pet dwarf hamster named Phyllis, a bunny named Sunny-B, along with two cats and a turtle!
Mrs. Gustafson: I volunteer with the Humane Society, and really enjoy helping animals. I have four cats and hundreds of pictures of them that I love to show off!
Mrs. Steffen: I use to be a cook at Whistling Straits golf course I also have worked at all of the Kohler restaurants and golf courses. I also went to Farnsworth middle school.
Ms. Hentges: I'm TERRIFIED of giraffes and was a dance teacher as one of my jobs in college
Ms. Kroener: I used to speed skate in middle school, I am ambidextrous, and I have traveled to several European countries.
Ms. Wise: I've lost 135 pounds over the last five years. I'm going back to school to get my master's degree.
Mr. Frame: I can break bricks, rip phone books in half, and break baseball bats. (youtube search RYI celebration. Mr. Frame has a blue Mohawk).
Movie Review
Based on the best-selling teens’ book, Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children is a great movie for teens and adults. After a family tragedy, Jake sets off to an island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. Just like the book, this movie will interest teens and adults. This movie is a fun twist on the best-selling teens’ book.
McTeacher Night Huge Success!
Panther Problems
By: Panther Press Staff
I am being bullied online. What should I do?
First, block them immediately if you can, if not ignore it. If that doesn’t work, print it out to save the evidence. Then show the “evidence” to a trusted adult. Some effects cyberbullying can have are bad grades, skipping school and low self esteem. So remember, solve your problems right away.
I got an F in math and I am trying hard to raise my grade, but I never have time for studying or homework. What should I do?
Well, the after school center is open till 4:00 and some teachers are willing to help you at lunch. Also, it may help to make a list of why you think your grades are dropping. You have to try as hard as you can to have time for studying and homework.
Do you have a question you would like answered in the next issue of The Panther Press? Drop it off in the office or email Mrs. Wetzel. You will remain anonymous!
Halloween Fun!
Librarian's Corner: Why are there Legos in the Library?
Submitted by: Ms. Staron
If you’ve visited the Farnsworth library recently, you’ve probably noticed the table full of Legos, K’nex, and other building materials. This is our Maker Table, and it is the first part of our new makerspace.
A makerspace is a place that provides tools and materials that people can use to build, tinker, and create. Libraries have always been places to explore ideas by reading and thinking; now you can explore ideas by designing and making things, too!
The second, bigger part of our makerspace will be opening soon in the old computer lab next to the library. While our current Maker Table offers activities you can jump right into, the Maker Lab will let you work on things that take more time or instruction. In the Maker Lab, you’ll be able to try projects like chainmail, paracord bracelets, origami, robotics, electricity kits, embroidery, and programming a music box.
The Maker Table is available after school or if your teacher lets you use the special Makerspace pass. The Maker Lab will be starting up second quarter. Hope to see you there!
Perfect Attendance Breakfast
In the Know with the Farnsworth SRO
by: Officer Hang Lor
It’s been over a month since school started and everyone should have a pretty good idea of how things work in their new grade levels. I know that especially for 6th graders, the transition from elementary to middle school can be a big adjustment. Even though it’s early in the year, I’ve seen a lot of good things from our Farnsworth Students- keep it up!
Every year I get questions from students about the law and whether something is legal or not. Here are a few of the questions I’ve been asked over the years:
Q. Can I carry a knife or pepper spray (or any weapon) to school for self defense?
A. No, having any type of weapon on school property is illegal (except for police officers on-duty). This includes knives, BB guns, nunchucks, etc.
Q. I heard that if someone hits me first, I can hit them back because it’s self defense. Is this true?
A. No, just because someone pushes or hits you, there’s no law that says you automatically get to push or hit them back.
Q. Is it true that I don’t have to give my phone to my teachers because it’s my property? I read this on the internet. Thanks.
A. Not true. Your school’s policy says cell phones and other personal electronics can be confiscated and turned over to a parent if it’s causing a distraction or disruption.
My general advice is if you have to stop and ask yourself if you’ll get in trouble for doing something, don’t do it. I’m sure there are many other questions out there. If you have a specific question, feel free to ask me or Officer Vanderwyst the next time you see us. You can even send us an email- just look us up.
Student Council News
Student Council plans Activity Nights and does fundraisers for different organizations. General board meetings are open to everyone, and they are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month.
November 22nd: General Board Meeting
December 13th: General Board MeetingJanuary : Activity Night
Photos below from Activity Night on November 4th.
International Club
by: Abby Wetzel
Get Involved!
by: Ainsley Schwalbe
Have nothing to do after school? Then come to one of Farnsworth’s after-school activities! In the months of November, December, and January, the following activities are available:
Going on Now:
After school center- all year, every day except Wednesday
Art Club- supervised by Mrs. Brown - Tuesday
Math Olympiad- supervised by Mr. Kooistra - Monday
Horticulture Club- supervised by Mr. Kainz
Jazz Band- supervised by Ms. Conger - Thursday
International Club- supervised by Mrs. Henschel - Monday
Panther Press - supervised by Mrs. Wetzel
Student Council - supervised by Mr. Kulow
Yearbook- supervised by Mrs. Rogler
F.I.S.H.- Friends In School Hanging - supervised by Ms. Sprinkman
November:
Archery- from 11/7-12/9- supervised by Mr. Kloes and Mr. Meyer
December:
Hockey- From 12/12- 1/13 - supervised by Mr. Kloes and Mr. Meyer
January:
Volleyball- from 1/16-2/10 - supervised by Mrs. Rogler and Mrs. Hranicka
Forensics- supervised by Mrs. Towne
Weird Facts
by: Blake Eder
1. Russia has a larger surface that Pluto.
2. Nintendo was originally a trading card company.
3. There are more stars in space than grains of sand on every beach in the world.
4. For every human on earth there are 1.6 million ants.
5. The total weight of all those ants, however, it is about the same as all the humans.
6. On Jupiter it rains diamonds.
7. Your chances of being killed by a vending machine are twice as much as getting bitten by a shark.
8. Scotland’s national animal is the Unicorn.
9. There are more fake flamingos than real ones.
10. There is enough water in Lake Superior to cover North and South America in one foot of liquid.
Facts taken from: http://www.lifebuzz.com/crazy-facts/
PBIS Reward
Leslie Altmeyer, Shaina Thaves, Ainsely Schwalbe, Blake Eder, Abby Wetzel, and Ivy Kohn
Like us on Facebook
Upcoming Activities and Events
November 18 - Parent/Teacher conferences - 7:30 -11:30 am & 12:30 - 2:30 pm
November 23 - Early release at 1:00 pm
December 8 - Orchestra/Chorus concert at 7pm
December 13 - Band concert at 7 pm
December 23 - Early release at 1:00 pm
January 13 - Activity Night - 6- 8 pm
January 16 - No school
January 19 - End of 2nd quarter
January 20 - Teacher records day - no school for students
The Staff:
Leslie Altamirano, Blake Eder, Ivy Kohn, Ainsely Schwalbe, Shaina Thaves, and Abby Wetzel
Advisor: Jill Wetzel
The Panther Press is published by the students of Farnsworth Middle School for its
students, their families, staff, and the community.