Another exciting stop on our journey was Holland! In this classroom, students listened to a story about Hollandโs St. Nicolas and Black Pete, learning about how Dutch children celebrate the season and the traditions that are important to them. ๐๐
The fun continued with a familiar holiday favorite, as students also enjoyed seeing the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who join in the festivities. Their visit brought smiles and laughter while tying together holiday traditions from around the world with stories students know and love.
This stop in Holland was a wonderful blend of cultural learning and holiday fun, making it a memorable part of our Christmas Around the World adventure! ๐โจ
On December 17th, our youngest students filled the middle school gym with music, smiles, and holiday spirit during the Kโ2nd Grade Christmas Concert. Families, staff, and friends gathered to celebrate the season as kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students proudly took the stage to share what they had been practicing for weeks.
The concert featured a delightful mix of festive songs, cheerful choreography, and heartfelt performances that showcased the hard work and enthusiasm of our students. From bright voices singing classic holiday tunes to adorable movements that brought smiles and laughter from the audience, each grade added its own special touch to the program. The excitement and confidence displayed by the students made it clear how much effort they put into preparing for this memorable event.
A special thank you goes to Ms. Houser, the studentsโ music teacher, whose dedication, creativity, and guidance helped bring the concert to life. We are also grateful to our teachers and staff for their support, as well as to our families for their continued encouragement. The Kโ2 Christmas Concert was a wonderful reminder of the joy, creativity, and strong sense of community that make this season so special. It was truly a heartwarming way to celebrate the holidays together.
The passport stamps made students feel like true world travelers and helped them track their journey as they learned about Christmas traditions from around the globe. This interactive element made Christmas Around the World even more memorable and meaningful for our kindergarten through second-grade students, turning learning into a festive adventure they wonโt soon forget! ๐โจ
The holiday fun continued as kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students rotated through Mrs. Olsenโs classroom during Christmas Around the World. In her rotation, students explored holiday traditions from another part of the world through engaging activities and festive learning.
Students enjoyed hands-on projects, meaningful discussions, and seasonal fun that helped bring global Christmas traditions to life. Laughter, creativity, and curiosity filled the room as students learned how celebrations can be both different and the same around the world.
Mrs. Olsenโs classroom was a joyful stop on our holiday journey, giving students a chance to learn, create, and celebrate together. It was a wonderful addition to a memorable Christmas Around the World experience for our youngest learners! ๐๐โจ
There was extra excitement in the halls when an announcement over the loudspeaker revealed the winner of the Sawbuck Store drawing! ๐ Sawyer Miloff from Mrs. Smithโs second-grade class was thrilled to learn that his name had been drawn as the lucky winner of an autographed baseball signed by former MLB player Lyle Overbay.
The special prize was earned through Sawyerโs hard work and positive choices, which allowed him to enter the Sawbuck Store drawing. When the announcement was made, smiles and cheers followed as classmates celebrated his big win.
Congratulations to Sawyer on this awesome prizeโand thank you to everyone who participates in the Sawbuck Store for helping make our school such a positive place to learn and grow! โพโจ
During our schoolโs Christmas Around the World classroom rotations, kindergarten, first grade, and second grade students packed their imaginary passports and โflewโ all the way to Poland! โ๏ธ๐ต๐ฑ In my rotation, students learned how children in Poland celebrate Christmas and discovered some fun traditions along the way.
Students created beautiful star ornaments, inspired by Polish Christmas customs, and enjoyed a tasty treat by sampling gingerbread men and chocolate shortbread star cookies. ๐ชโญ The room was filled with excitement as students learned about another culture through hands-on activities and yummy snacks.
It was a joyful experience that helped students see how Christmas is celebrated around the world while making special memories with friends. What a wonderful way to learn and celebrate the season! ๐โจ
Pajama Day Showdown: Part 2
The Final Trophy and the Legend Lives On
As Pajama Day rolled on, the chaos spread across the district.
Superintendent Brenda Padgett arrived dressed as an inflatable Gingerbread Man, instantly raising the stakes. It was festive, cheerful, and only slightly hazardous in doorways.
Maintenance Director Jared Stevens, the 80-year-old man who keeps this school running like a machine, remained unshaken. Spirit Week or not, the building stayed standing. A true Logger legend.
Jerry Carlson, our Food Service Director, smiled through it all like the hero he is, likely feeding half the building while imaginary competitions raged.
HR Director Alicia Clevenger stood ready. Over prepared as always. Lawsuits. Medical issues. Mental breakdowns. Pajama-related grievances. She was prepared for anything this nonsense could bring.
Meanwhile, the High School Office Staff, Sara and Samantha, wisely stayed out of it. Peace was their choice.
High School Principal and Transportation Director Mr. Pilloud was so busy handling two jobs at once that he has absolutely no idea any of this happened. And honestly, that is probably for the best.
And then there was me.
Tori.
District Office Secretary.
Sweet. Innocent. Quietly posting these stories to the website.
Or am I?
As the day wound down, emails continued to trickle in. Photos. Claims. Confidence. Pajamas everywhere.
It was early release for Winter Break. The building buzzed with excitement. Logger Pride filled the halls. The Logger Way was alive and well.
I sat there at the end of the day, waiting on baited breath. What would the outcome of Pajama Day be?
And then it happened.
Mr. Markuson.
Ms. Ranger.
And the EMS Office Staff.
They did what they have done all week.
They declared themselves the champions.
Once again.
With a giant Grand Champion trophy. Homemade, of course.
Competition where there never was one.
Judging that never happened.
Self-proclaimed champions standing proudly in their pajamas.
And somehow, it felt right.
Because at the end of the day, this week was about joy. About laughter. About community. About Logger Pride. About doing things The Logger Way.
It truly is a Great Day to Be a Logger.
And somewhere in the background, I swear I saw Logger Bob nodding in approval.
Happy Winter Break, Onalaska.
Pajama Day Showdown: Part 1
The Calm Before the Chaos
Friday, December 19th.
Day 5.
Pajama Day.
I arrived bright and early this Friday morning for an early meeting, fully convinced I would be the first one through the doors besides the maintenance crew. I had that quiet, peaceful, end-of-the-week confidence.
But nope.
Mrs. Leavitt was already here.
Rachel, do you ever go home?
And then there was Mr. Blue. Our Technology Director. I truly thought for sure I would beat him in this morning, but once again, he had already been here long before the rooster even considered crowing. Honestly, what would we do without Mr. Blue keeping our internet alive?
I fired up my laptop, started my coffee, and began my day. And that is when it happened.
Email after email after email.
All about the final Spirit Day of the week. Pajama Day.
Now, Pajama Day is usually the most relaxed and cozy day of Spirit Week. Soft clothes. Slippers. Calm vibes. An easy win for everyone.
Except this was not that kind of Pajama Day.
No sir.
This day was about redemption.
This day was about pride.
This day was about winning.
At exactly 9:00 a.m., an email came in from Mrs. Richardson. Yes, that Mrs. Richardson. The one who had been mysteriously MIA for at least two days of these very real, yet completely nonexistent, competitions.
She was back.
And she was not alone.
The 6th graders, who had been quietly showing Logger Pride all week, boldly declared themselves the winners of todayโs competition. At 9 a.m. no less. Early bird catches the worm, right?
The confidence was impressive.
Then came the twist.
In a move no one saw coming, the 8th grade entered the picture. Photos started rolling in. Pajamas. Props. Commitment. Pajama Day had officially escalated.
Word on the street is that the EMS Office Staff received an anonymous phone call of their own, tipping them off to what was happening on the middle school side of things. And just like that, the dynamic shifted.
Elementary Principal Mr. Markuson and Middle School Principal Ms. Ranger had been working together all week as a united front. But whispers began.
Had Ms. Ranger been quietly working toward her own unofficial championship?
Was a trophy being made behind the scenes for a competition that does not exist and never has?
Meanwhile, the EMS Office Staff reacted swiftly. In a dramatic and highly questionable move, the EMS Office was declared CLOSED to certain teachers. Gasp.
I personally told Mr. Markuson that if they wanted a clean sweep, they were going to have to step up their game.
Later that morning, I saw it happen.
Maximum dad-style pajamas. Confidence unlocked.
And with that, the stage was set.
What would happen next?
Who would declare victory?
Would there be peace, or one final scandal?
To be continuedโฆ
Christmas Character Day Catastrophe: EMS Office Declares Victory Again, Produces Yet Another Trophy, and the Madness Continues
Day 4 of Christmas Spirit Week, Thursday, December 18th, and just when the community thought things might calm down after the Crazy Sock, Hair, & Sweater Day Scandal of 2025โฆ the Elementary and Middle School office staff said, โAbsolutely not.โ
Welcome to Christmas Character Day, where holiday magic meets questionable decision-making and where the EMS office, led once again by the unstoppable duo Ms. Ranger and Mr. Markuson, has outdone themselvesโฆ again.
The Costumes: Terrific? Wellllllโฆ Yeah.
Before we dive into the scandal, it must be acknowledged that the costumes were, in fact, fantastic. Truly. Impressively coordinated, thoughtfully crafted, and bursting with enthusiasm.
And yes, eyewitness accounts confirm that Mr. Markuson showed up as Olaf, snowman optimism and all, which means he is now officially a walking spoiler alert for the inevitable chaos that follows him everywhere he goes. Ms. Ranger and the EMS crew were right beside him, fully committed to the Christmas Character theme with enough energy and sparkle to power the districtโs Christmas lights.
Did they put effort into every day of Spirit Week?
Sure.
Did they bring enthusiasm?
Absolutely.
Did they embody school pride, cheer, and THE LOGGER WAY?
โฆOK, fine. You have a point.
But Hereโs the Problemโฆ
Once again, the EMS office has declared themselves the winners of a competition that:
Did not exist
Was not announced
Had no rules
Had no judging panel
Had no participating opponents
Had no reason to exist in the first place
And somehow they managed to produce ANOTHER homemade trophy. This is becoming a pattern. A concerning one. A glitter-filled, glue-gun-fueled pattern of self-celebration that no one can seem to stop.
At this point, even the district laminator might file a complaint from overuse.
The Community Reaction
All I can do is shake my head.
When will this madness end?
And yetโฆ
And yetโฆ
As the story continues unfolding, something unexpected is happening. A shift. A ripple in the holiday-tinsel-covered universe.
Readers across the community are starting to whisper:
โWellโฆ good for them, honestly.โ
โI mean, those costumes were adorable.โ
โMaybe they should win.โ
โThey made the trophy with love!โ
โThat Olaf suit mustโve been hot. Give the man an award.โ
Is thisโฆ support?
Are the principals and the EMS office crew becoming the underdog heroes of Spirit Week?
The same group who rigged every competition that didnโt exist?
The same group who out-crafted, out-planned, and out-trophied everyone?
Somehow, incredibly, unbelievablyโฆ people are starting to cheer for them.
But Make No Mistake
At their core, these stories remain what they were always meant to be:
Competitions that never existed
Judging that never happened
Champions who crowned themselves
And trophies created in-house with gusto
The EMS Office:
Self-Proclaimed, Back-to-Back, Multi-Day, Multi-Event, Totally Imaginary CHAMPIONS.
And Nowโฆ The Cliffhanger
There is one day left in Spirit Week.
Day 5: Pajama Day.
A simple day. A cozy day.
A day that should be calm, quiet, and drama-free.
But we said that about Day 1.
And Day 2.
And Day 3.
And now Day 4.
So the real question becomes:
Will Pajama Day finally bring peace?
Or will Ms. Ranger, Mr. Markuson, and their unstoppable EMS office crew unleash one final trophy-fueled finale to end all finales?
Stay tuned.
The pajamas may be softโฆ
But the competition is about to get fierce.
Even if it isnโt real.
The Great Crazy Socks, Hair, & Sweater Day Scandal of 2025: EMS Strikes Again Under the Fearless Leadership of Ms. Ranger and Mr. Markuson
Wednesday, December 17th, will forever be remembered as the day the Onalaska School District woke up, chose chaos, and then doubled down.
The day began with a 2-hour late start thanks to a windstorm the night before. Power was out in many parts of the county. Roads were covered in debris. The entire district was operating at about half speed, fueled by caffeine and determination.
But did that stop the Elementary and Middle School office staff?
It did not.
While most of us were still finding our keys, the EMS office, led by their fearless leaders Ms. Ranger and Mr. Markuson, was already hard at work preparing for the next chapter in their legacy of questionable victories.
The Scandal Unfolds
Despite the chaos of the morning, the EMS crew managed to dominate, or possibly rig, the completely nonexistent competition for Crazy Socks, Hair, & Sweater Day.
Not only did they win a contest no one entered, for a contest no one judged, in a competition no one knew existed, they also brought home the trophy. The trophy they made. Again.
This marks the 3rd homemade trophy awarded to the EMS office for a contest that does not exist. At this point, their trophy shelf is beginning to tell its own outrageous story.
A Suspicious Phone Call
The situation became even more questionable after an anonymous tip was phoned in yesterday afternoon. The caller claimed that the EMS office was actively recruiting students for their team. Not subtle recruiting. Not casual recruiting. Real recruitment efforts, possibly involving charm, bribery, or the silent intimidation abilities that only office staff possess.
Coincidentally, or not, no student photos were submitted for official comparison. Not one. The timing of the tip is interesting. The lack of student submissions is even more interesting. The EMS victory is the most interesting of all.
We are not officially accusing anyone, but the anonymous caller seemed quite convinced that something unusual was happening behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, the Students Showed Up in Full Force
Even without entering this alleged competition, students embraced the spirit of Crazy Socks, Hair, & Sweater Day with enthusiasm and creativity. Highlights included:
Hair styled to hold a full plate of hot chocolate and a donut
Cupcake hair complete with sprinkles
Hair so tall it might qualify as a minor engineering project
Socks bold enough to be museum-worthy
Sweaters that made an unforgettable impression
Had the contest been real, these students would have been unbeatable.
And the Staff?
Some of the staff showed up looking like the week had personally challenged them to a duel. But after everything that happened since Monday, who wouldnโt look a little crazy?
The Results (As Declared by EMS)
In a stunning turn of events that shocked absolutely no one, the EMS crew proudly declared themselves the winners once again. Under the leadership of Ms. Ranger and Mr. Markuson, they accepted their handcrafted trophy with confidence and zero hesitation.
This brings their total to three trophies for contests that remain entirely imaginary. Impressive, in its own way.
The Legacy Continuesโฆ For Now
There are still two more spirit days left, and at this point absolutely anything is possible. This staff has already proven that they cannot be trusted around crafts, competitions, or glitter without creating another scandal. And speaking of scandal, eyewitness reports have already confirmed that Mr. Markuson has been spotted preparing his Olaf costume for Christmas Character Day on Thursday, December 18th. If that is the starting point, what on earth will the ending look like?
Will there be more trophies mysteriously appearing on the EMS shelf?
Will the EMS office continue their undefeated streak in contests that do not exist?
Will the students finally revolt and demand oversight, accountability, or at least a real judging panel?
Only time will tell, and with this crew, the story is far from over.
Today was a very special day for our second graders as their books officially arrived! To celebrate, students and teachers gathered for a Second Grade Publishing Party, marking the exciting completion of weeks of hard work, creativity, and dedication.
Each second-grade class explored the same overall theme, but every group brought its own unique ideas and imagination to life. Students wrote, illustrated, and designed their very own books, showcasing their growth as young authors and artists.
With the arrival of the printed copies, our students can now proudly say that they are published authors and illustrators! Their joy and excitement as they held their books for the first time made this celebration truly unforgettable.
๐โจ We could not be prouder of them!
Their published books will serve as cherished keepsakes and a reminder of what they can accomplish through creativity and perseverance.
Just when the school community thought the EMS office had peaked during Color Wars, Tuesday, December 16th arrivedโฆ and with it, Christmas in Hawaii Day; a spirit day so vibrant, so festive, and so thoroughly embraced that the hallways felt one ukulele strum away from turning into a full luau.
Naturally, this level of excitement could only mean one thing:
The self-proclaimed winners were back.
๐ The Trophy Nobody Asked Forโฆ But Everyone Now Knows About
The EMS office staff, never ones to shy away from high-level arts and competitive mischief, unveiled a brand-new handmade trophy: crafted with such dedication, flair, and questionable amounts of rhinestone adhesive that it glimmered with the confidence of a thousand Christmas in Hawaii Days or something like that.
And who proudly hoisted this masterpiece above their heads?
None other than the dynamic principal duo: Mr. Markuson and Ms. Ranger.
With leis around their necks and victory in their eyes, they paraded through the building like two holiday cruise directors who had absolutely assigned themselves the title of Christmas in Hawaii Day Champions. Was this an actual competition?
No.
Did that stop them?
Absolutely not.
The proclamation of victory echoed through the halls long before anyone had even realized there was something to win.
๐ธ Sixth Grade: Bringing the Aloha
While the principals were basking in the glow of their unofficial triumph, Mrs. Richardson was busy capturing the real magic happening in the Middle School. Her photos perfectly bottled the spirit of โHawaiian Christmasโโsmiles, color, joy, and enough festive tropical energy to make Santa consider switching from a sleigh to a surfboard.
The students showed up in full forceโdecked out in holiday leis, floral prints, Santa hats, and enough cheer to light up the entire island of Oสปahu. Their enthusiasm radiated through every picture, proving once again that when EMS students show up, they show UP.
๐ด A School-Wide Aloha Celebration
And the rest of OSD? They didnโt hold back either.
Teachers, students, staffโeveryone leaned into the theme with the same enthusiastic unity we saw during Color Wars. The building buzzed with holiday warmth, laughter, and more Hawaiian shirts than any December day in the PNW should reasonably contain.
Never mind that it wasnโt a competition.
Never mind that no judges were appointed.
Never mind that there were no rules, no scoring system, and absolutely no reason for a trophyโฆ
The EMS office, backed by their handcrafted symbol of triumph, made sure the day ended with a dramatic flair worthy of the EMS legend they are steadily building.
Once again, Christmas in Hawaii Day became the perfect blend of fun, chaos, and school-wide joyโjust another unforgettable chapter in the ongoing saga of Onalaska spirit. Go Loggers!
Thanks, Backroads Coffee, for letting our students deck the cups (not just the halls)!
~Ms. Peters
