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
The first grade classrooms came together for a celebration that was as sweet as pumpkin pie! All three first grade classes gathered in one room to share a very special Friendsgiving meal โ a full spread of delicious foods and desserts lovingly prepared by families and staff.
Laughter and smiles filled the room as students sat side by side, sharing turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a variety of treats that could rival any Thanksgiving table. Tiny voices chimed with excitement, and the joy of togetherness could be felt in every corner.
This Friendsgiving was more than just a meal โ it was a beautiful reminder of what the holiday season is all about: friendship, kindness, and gratitude. Watching the students share food, pass plates, and giggle with their classmates was truly heartwarming.
As the children enjoyed every bite, their teachers couldnโt help but smile, knowing that these moments of community and connection are what make school days so special.
From full plates to full hearts, our first graders made this Friendsgiving one to remember!
Thank you Mrs. Rushton, Mrs. Price, and Mr. Perkinson for making this special meal happen.
https://youtu.be/5t2ayujeKIM
Pictured (from left to right)
Back row: Coach Rachel Cooley, Chloe Lines, Claire Kinsman, Loretta Cooley, Brinley Nakano, Rylee Aiken, Coach Alicia Nakano
Front row: Jordy McNurlin, Allie Brager, Jo Kinsman, Abby Kinsman, Reign Cartwright
Submitted by Kristine Brager
Today was an exciting day at Onalaska Elementary as we celebrated first-grader Harper, the winner of this yearโs Dog Days of Summer contest! Harper completed all four weeks of her summer school homeworkโand turned everything in on timeโearning her a spot in the final drawing and ultimately taking home the top prize.
Peak, the generous sponsor behind the Dog Days of Summer program and our brand-new book vending machine, joined us for a special unveiling of the machine this morning. Representatives from Peak, along with their beloved mascot, Dollar Dog, helped reveal the new vending machine and congratulate Harper on her hard work.
As the contest winner, Harper was awarded the very first token to use in the vending machine. With her classmates, Peak reps, school administrators, two of our school board members, Superintendent Padgett, and her proud parents cheering her on, Harper used her token to select the very first book from the machine!
Peak also took time to interview Superintendent Padgett and hosted a fun photo shoot with Mrs. Padgett, Harper, and our board members to capture the excitement of the moment. In addition to her special token, Harper received a prize from the school for her dedication and efforts during summer learning.
We are so proud of Harper and grateful to Peak for their continued support of our students and literacy programs. What an amazing way to kick off a year full of reading and learning! ๐โจ
๐ Onalaskaโs Annual Food Drive Results Are In! ๐
Last week we wrapped up our annual districtwide food drive, and weโre thrilled to share the results! Together, our Ony students and staff collected an incredible 2,225 food items to support our community! ๐ฅซ๐๐
๐ Elementary took the win with a whopping 1,649 items collected โ amazing job! Their reward? A well-deserved pizza party, served by our Middle School friends, who brought in the fewest items this year (better luck next time, MS! ๐๐).
All donated food went to the Onalaska Backpack Program and the Salkum Food Bank, both of which directly support Onalaska families in need. ๐
๐ A huge shoutout to Mrs. Stingleyโs Leadership class for organizing, collecting, counting, and delivering all the donations. You truly embodied the Ony spirit of giving back!
