December 17th, 2007

LANCERS DELIVER…

We are in our final week before Winter Break. A few updates from school and then some well-deserved time off for staff and students at LHS.

On 12/14 we held our Community Giving Assembly. All students were excused from class at 9:48am to the Gymnasium. The bleachers were packed and full of school spirit.

• In October during Homecoming our students collected money for spirit links. This year it was decided that all proceeds would go to UW/American Family Children’s Hospital. Kylie Malik representing the Children’s Hospital was on hand to receive a check totaling over $1,200!!! This is the fifth consecutive year that La Follette High School has made a major donation to the UW/American Family Children’s Hospital. Ms. Malik tells me that no other group can boast La Follette’s streak of giving!

• Our SAAC (Student Athletic Advisory Council) has been collecting coins over the past few weeks to raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank. An ice-cream pail containing nearly $350 was presented to Mona Adams-Winston, an active member of the Holiday Food Drive for Second Harvest Food Bank.

• DECA has been raising money since the beginning of the school year during school and at athletic events. DECA was able to raise several hundred dollars with proceeds going to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

• HOSA holds a daily coffee/tea stand at school in the mornings. This long-running tradition has continually been successful in raising money and awareness toward fighting Breast Cancer.

• Finally, La Follette’s thriving Business and Marketing Department shared with our school the results from some of their many community partnerships. Martha Vukelich-Austin, president of the Foundation for Madison’s Public Schools was on hand to announce that the Business, Marketing and IT Department has raised over $10,000 dollars and therefore has established an endowment that will allow them to draw from throughout the future impacting many current and future La Follette students. A plaque was also presented to Eric Schwartz/SARA Investment for making a large donation to cap the establishment of the endowment fund. Big Brothers/Big Sisters were also presented a check from money raised by students from the Business, Marketing and IT Department.

The best part about this??? The overwhelming majority of the ideas, organization, and work were done by La Follette Students! In all, over $2,000 was raised and given back to our community. GREAT JOB!!!

I am also happy to announce that La Follette has assembled a quiz bowl team that recently competed in the State Quiz Bowl Championship. Drum roll please
Quizzers: Eleanor and Elizabeth Shoshany Anderson, Tia Thao, Shifa Thao, Jennifer Hull and Chris Picone La Follette WON THE 2007 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. Eleanor Shoshany Anderson was the top individual scorer as well. The Quiz Bowl team qualified for the National Championship in Chicago, held over the Memorial Day weekend. The quiz bowl team is advised by World Language Teacher and Department Chair, Mr. Michael Tollefson. If you would like to learn more about quiz bowl check out this link.
Congratulations Lancer Quizzers and best of luck in preparing for Nationals!!!

This was a very successful day for La Follette High School. We come together as an entire student body a few times each year. This is always a highlighted event in my book, and one that I missed before returning back this year. It is my mission to continue supporting ways to partner with community forming important relationships with individuals and groups. If you have thoughts and ideas on this matter please do not hesitate to contact me.

Finally, I wish all of you a wonderful winter break filled with family and friends. Let’s continue to work together in making 2008 a great year for La Follette High School!!!

Sincerely,

Mr. Joe Gothard, Principal
jgothard@madison.k12.wi.us