🦖🔎 More 2nd grade dino discoveries!
Our 2nd graders in Mrs. Smith’s and Mrs. Gerbracht’s classes had a blast finishing their “Big Dig” lesson. Each student uncovered their own dinosaur and proudly shared their fact card—making science come to life in a big way!
Scroll through this second round of photos to see more of their incredible simulated dig.
📸 Here’s Part 2 of our dino dig adventure—great job, 2nd graders, you may have some future scientists in the making!
Our 2nd graders in Mrs. Smith’s and Mrs. Gerbracht’s classes had a blast finishing their “Big Dig” lesson. Each student uncovered their own dinosaur and proudly shared their fact card—making science come to life in a big way!
Scroll through this second round of photos to see more of their incredible simulated dig.
📸 Here’s Part 2 of our dino dig adventure—great job, 2nd graders, you may have some future scientists in the making!
🦕✨ Our 2nd graders became paleontologists for the day!
Mrs. Smith’s and Mrs. Gerbracht’s 2nd grade classes wrapped up their skills “Big Dig” lesson on paleontology with a hands-on simulated dinosaur dig. Students carefully uncovered their own dinosaurs, just like real scientists, and got to take home a fact card about their discovery.
This exciting activity sparked curiosity, teamwork, and a love for learning—plus, a whole lot of smiles!
📸 Check out Part 1 of our young dino diggers in action!
Mrs. Smith’s and Mrs. Gerbracht’s 2nd grade classes wrapped up their skills “Big Dig” lesson on paleontology with a hands-on simulated dinosaur dig. Students carefully uncovered their own dinosaurs, just like real scientists, and got to take home a fact card about their discovery.
This exciting activity sparked curiosity, teamwork, and a love for learning—plus, a whole lot of smiles!
📸 Check out Part 1 of our young dino diggers in action!
September 16, 2025
Dear Onalaska Families,
At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, our district enacted a modified lockdown at the high school out of an abundance of caution.
A member of our maintenance team observed an individual on district property who did not have permission or a clear purpose to be there. The employee immediately notified our School Safety Officer (SSO)Wetzel, who responded to the scene and attempted to contact the individual. When the individual refused to comply and continued walking on school property, the high school was placed into a modified lockdown as a precautionary measure, and a call was placed to 911 reporting a disorderly subject trespassing.
During this time, the individual escalated in behavior and became aggressive toward another member of our maintenance team. SSO Wetzel maintained control of the situation until Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived. The individual was soon located and taken into custody.
I am extremely proud of our administrators and staff who followed all safety protocols to keep students secure. Special recognition goes to SSO Wetzel for his steady leadership in maintaining safety, as well as to our maintenance team for serving as the eyes and ears around our schools and acting quickly to notify our safety officer.
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Thank you for your continued support and trust as we work each day to keep our schools safe.
Sincerely,
Brenda Padgett
Superintendent
Dear Onalaska Families,
At approximately 1:30 p.m. today, our district enacted a modified lockdown at the high school out of an abundance of caution.
A member of our maintenance team observed an individual on district property who did not have permission or a clear purpose to be there. The employee immediately notified our School Safety Officer (SSO)Wetzel, who responded to the scene and attempted to contact the individual. When the individual refused to comply and continued walking on school property, the high school was placed into a modified lockdown as a precautionary measure, and a call was placed to 911 reporting a disorderly subject trespassing.
During this time, the individual escalated in behavior and became aggressive toward another member of our maintenance team. SSO Wetzel maintained control of the situation until Lewis County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived. The individual was soon located and taken into custody.
I am extremely proud of our administrators and staff who followed all safety protocols to keep students secure. Special recognition goes to SSO Wetzel for his steady leadership in maintaining safety, as well as to our maintenance team for serving as the eyes and ears around our schools and acting quickly to notify our safety officer.
The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Thank you for your continued support and trust as we work each day to keep our schools safe.
Sincerely,
Brenda Padgett
Superintendent
New Play Shed Brings Year-Round Fun! Our 3rd–5th grade playground has a brand-new upgrade—and the students are already loving it! The new grant funded play shed is officially up and ready for action, providing a covered space where students can enjoy the big toy underneath, rain or shine (or even snow!). Not only does it make recess more fun, but it also gives students a safe and dry spot to line up by classroom when the bell rings. The fun doesn’t stop there—a brand-new climbing structure will soon be joining the playground shenanigans, giving our students even more ways to stay active and play together. While the shed is already safe and sound for daily use, a few more improvements are on the horizon, thanks to funds pledged to the project. Be on the lookout for these upgrades starting next spring. What an exciting addition to our campus—we can’t wait to see all the smiles and adventures this new space will bring!
Welcome Classes of 2038 & 2039!
The first day of school was a little foggy outside, but the smiles of our newest Loggers lit up the morning! Our kindergarten and transitional kindergarten students—the Classes of 2038 and 2039—were warmly welcomed by Superintendent Brenda Padgett, Elementary Principal Larry Markuson, and Athletic Director Mazen Saade. Kindergarten teachers Mrs. Olsen, Mrs. Oien, and Mrs. Koenig were all smiles as they greeted students and families in the drop-off line and waved to those arriving by bus.
Adding to the excitement, our high school football team jumped in to help, eagerly directing traffic through the busy drop-off line, while the Onalaska PTO cheered on our littlest learners as they took their first big steps into school.
It was a fun, joy-filled morning that set the tone for a fantastic year ahead—welcome to Onalaska, Classes of 2038 and 2039!
The first day of school was a little foggy outside, but the smiles of our newest Loggers lit up the morning! Our kindergarten and transitional kindergarten students—the Classes of 2038 and 2039—were warmly welcomed by Superintendent Brenda Padgett, Elementary Principal Larry Markuson, and Athletic Director Mazen Saade. Kindergarten teachers Mrs. Olsen, Mrs. Oien, and Mrs. Koenig were all smiles as they greeted students and families in the drop-off line and waved to those arriving by bus.
Adding to the excitement, our high school football team jumped in to help, eagerly directing traffic through the busy drop-off line, while the Onalaska PTO cheered on our littlest learners as they took their first big steps into school.
It was a fun, joy-filled morning that set the tone for a fantastic year ahead—welcome to Onalaska, Classes of 2038 and 2039!
📸✨ Say Cheese, Onalaska! ✨📸
Picture Day for Preschool–8th Grade is coming up on Tuesday, September 30th!
Get those bright smiles ready—this is your chance to capture the memories of the 2025 school year!
👉 Friendly reminder: Preschool kicks off September 22nd, so our littlest Loggers will be ready for the camera too. 💜💛
Picture Day for Preschool–8th Grade is coming up on Tuesday, September 30th!
Get those bright smiles ready—this is your chance to capture the memories of the 2025 school year!
👉 Friendly reminder: Preschool kicks off September 22nd, so our littlest Loggers will be ready for the camera too. 💜💛
Here are a few pictures from Mrs. Smith’s second grade class on the first day of school, along with some of the fun we had and a few surprises!
We had the special opportunity to meet K9 Clover and even take a class picture with her!
In class, we read First Day Jitters and shared a fun “Jitter Juice” surprise to help ease those first-day butterflies. Our recipe was one part green Hawaiian Punch, one part Sprite, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a sprinkle of rainbow sprinkles—it was a big hit!
We had the special opportunity to meet K9 Clover and even take a class picture with her!
In class, we read First Day Jitters and shared a fun “Jitter Juice” surprise to help ease those first-day butterflies. Our recipe was one part green Hawaiian Punch, one part Sprite, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a sprinkle of rainbow sprinkles—it was a big hit!
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🌟 Become a Youth Mentor with the O.W.L. Mentoring Program! 🌟
Do you have a heart for helping others? We're searching for passionate, caring adults to join our O.W.L. Mentoring Program and make a lasting impact on the next generation.
✨ Why Mentor?
Youth mentoring leads to powerful results:
✅ Better academic performance
✅ Higher college enrollment rates
✅ Improved self-esteem & confidence
✅ Healthier choices & reduced substance misuse
✅ Brighter outlook on life and school
💬 As a mentor, you’ll be a role model and trusted guide—providing encouragement, support, and consistency. No special experience required! Just bring your compassion and commitment—we’ll provide all the training and support you need.
💡 Be the person you needed when you were younger.
Your time and heart can truly change a life.
👉 Ready to get started? Visit the O.W.L page
and fill out a volunteer form today!
🌟 Become a Youth Mentor with the O.W.L. Mentoring Program! 🌟
Do you have a heart for helping others? We're searching for passionate, caring adults to join our O.W.L. Mentoring Program and make a lasting impact on the next generation.
✨ Why Mentor?
Youth mentoring leads to powerful results:
✅ Better academic performance
✅ Higher college enrollment rates
✅ Improved self-esteem & confidence
✅ Healthier choices & reduced substance misuse
✅ Brighter outlook on life and school
💬 As a mentor, you’ll be a role model and trusted guide—providing encouragement, support, and consistency. No special experience required! Just bring your compassion and commitment—we’ll provide all the training and support you need.
💡 Be the person you needed when you were younger.
Your time and heart can truly change a life.
👉 Ready to get started? Visit the O.W.L page
and fill out a volunteer form today!
🚐 Transportation Update 🚌
We are excited to share some great news! Thanks to the incredible support from our community, we received so many applications for van drivers that we are no longer in need of additional regular drivers.
✨ Thank you to everyone who stepped up to help our students get to and from school safely! Your response truly shows the strength of our community.
That said, we are still in need of:
Substitute Van Drivers
Bus Drivers
Substitute Monitors
The best way to become a full-time driver or monitor is to start as a substitute. Many of our current staff began as subs, and it’s a great way to get your foot in the door while supporting our students.
👉 https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/2048
We are excited to share some great news! Thanks to the incredible support from our community, we received so many applications for van drivers that we are no longer in need of additional regular drivers.
✨ Thank you to everyone who stepped up to help our students get to and from school safely! Your response truly shows the strength of our community.
That said, we are still in need of:
Substitute Van Drivers
Bus Drivers
Substitute Monitors
The best way to become a full-time driver or monitor is to start as a substitute. Many of our current staff began as subs, and it’s a great way to get your foot in the door while supporting our students.
👉 https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/2048
🚐 No CDL? No Problem!
Onalaska School District is hiring Van Drivers for the new school year!
✔ Flexible hours
✔ Extra income
✔ Make a difference for kids in our community
Start date: Aug 27th
👉 Apply today: https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/2048
Onalaska School District is hiring Van Drivers for the new school year!
✔ Flexible hours
✔ Extra income
✔ Make a difference for kids in our community
Start date: Aug 27th
👉 Apply today: https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/2048
Attention Parents & Guardians
As we get ready for the new school year, we need your help in making sure everything is up-to-date in Skyward!
✅ Child Income Survey – Please log in and complete this form for Free/Reduced Meals. This is also where you’ll need to check the ASB and Athletic Fees boxes if your Middle or High School student is playing a sport. These boxes are important for determining waivers for the school year. Even if you’ve already filled it out, please go back and double-check that those boxes are marked.
✅ Update Your Information – While you’re there, review and update addresses, phone numbers, and emails for both you and your student.
✅ Stay Informed – Watch your Skyward account for upcoming paperwork and important dates throughout the year.
✅ Volunteer Forms – Take a moment on our school website to submit a volunteer form. These expire every year on June 30, so now is the perfect time to get yours completed for the 2025-26 school year!
Thank you for helping us start the school year smoothly!
As we get ready for the new school year, we need your help in making sure everything is up-to-date in Skyward!
✅ Child Income Survey – Please log in and complete this form for Free/Reduced Meals. This is also where you’ll need to check the ASB and Athletic Fees boxes if your Middle or High School student is playing a sport. These boxes are important for determining waivers for the school year. Even if you’ve already filled it out, please go back and double-check that those boxes are marked.
✅ Update Your Information – While you’re there, review and update addresses, phone numbers, and emails for both you and your student.
✅ Stay Informed – Watch your Skyward account for upcoming paperwork and important dates throughout the year.
✅ Volunteer Forms – Take a moment on our school website to submit a volunteer form. These expire every year on June 30, so now is the perfect time to get yours completed for the 2025-26 school year!
Thank you for helping us start the school year smoothly!
Attention: Vandalism in Preschool Parking Lot
Over the past few days, including the weekend, individuals have been doing donuts in the back preschool parking lot. This area was recently repaired, with significant time, effort, and resources spent to fix potholes and provide our bus drivers with a smooth and safe surface for student transportation.
Unfortunately, the recent damage now requires our maintenance staff to revisit and repair the area again—diverting time and resources away from other important work.
While we understand that some may see this as harmless fun, this type of behavior is unacceptable on school property. We have video evidence and have identified those involved. We are asking that you please contact the school directly so we can address this internally.
If no one comes forward, this matter will be turned over to the sheriff’s office for further action.
We appreciate the community’s continued support in helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment for our students and staff. Voicemail is ok or send an email to Jared Stevens at jstevens@onysd.wednet.edu
Over the past few days, including the weekend, individuals have been doing donuts in the back preschool parking lot. This area was recently repaired, with significant time, effort, and resources spent to fix potholes and provide our bus drivers with a smooth and safe surface for student transportation.
Unfortunately, the recent damage now requires our maintenance staff to revisit and repair the area again—diverting time and resources away from other important work.
While we understand that some may see this as harmless fun, this type of behavior is unacceptable on school property. We have video evidence and have identified those involved. We are asking that you please contact the school directly so we can address this internally.
If no one comes forward, this matter will be turned over to the sheriff’s office for further action.
We appreciate the community’s continued support in helping us maintain a safe and respectful environment for our students and staff. Voicemail is ok or send an email to Jared Stevens at jstevens@onysd.wednet.edu
K-5 Families!
Introducing Dog Days of Summer – a special summer learning program presented in partnership with Twin Star Credit Union! This program is designed to make learning fun and keep students engaged throughout the summer months.
📬 To participate, simply fill out a short form with your student’s name and mailing address using the link below:
👉 https://forms.gle/i9pdWG8ERQJKtqUJA
Your child will then receive all the materials and be included in the surprises we have planned! After the initial packet is received and completed, simply bring it in for a fun surprise or tasty treat and pick up a new packet for the next week!
A big thanks to Twin Star Credit Union for supporting this initiative and helping us encourage a love of learning all year long. Let’s make this summer fun, educational, and full of growth!
Check out this event from the Onalaska Fire Department!
With curious eyes and skipping feet,
The second graders took to the street—
To Mill Pond's trails where wonders hide,
They followed the breeze and nature's guide!
Led by Mrs. Smith, with joy in the air,
They found adventure everywhere!
📣 Countdown to Summer! ☀️
🎒 Friday, June 13 – Early Release Day
🎉 Monday, June 16 – Early Release AND the Last Day of School!
Let’s finish strong, Loggers! 💜💛
🎩✨ History Came to Life! ✨🎩
Our 5th Grade Wax Museum was a huge hit! Students stepped into the shoes of famous figures from history, bringing the past to life with impressive costumes, props, and speeches. From presidents to pioneers, inventors to icons—this annual tradition continues to inspire curiosity, confidence, and creativity. Amazing job, 5th graders!
Sweet Traditions! 🥧
Our 4th grade students and their families gathered for the annual Pioneer Week Pie Social—a cherished tradition filled with homemade pies, smiles, and community spirit. A delicious way to celebrate the past together!
Thursday will be the annual Wax Museum
🎪☀️ Field Day = Fun Day! 🎉💜💛
Mrs. Smith’s 2nd graders—and their TK, Kindergarten, and 1st grade friends—soaked up the sunshine and smiles at today’s Field Day! From putt-putt golf to bubbles, giant Jenga to carnival games (and yes, even cornhole!), it was a day full of laughter, teamwork, and unforgettable moments.
Check out the photos to see our littlest Loggers in action! 💪🌈🎯
🎪 More Field Day Magic! ✨
TK through 2nd grade had a blast playing games, making memories, and soaking up that sunshine. Check out all the cuteness and chaos! 🌞🎯🎉
