From the Principal
We are off to a fantastic start to the 2009-2010 school year. The Freedom High School and Community finds many ways to share what we have with the less fortunate. Blood drives, Project Saving Grace, Ronald McDonald House donations, and Bike-A-Thon are some of the projects undertaken by our students, staff, and community.
Progress reports were mailed on October 5th and we are quickly heading to the end of the first quarter. Hopefully, you have all received your passwords to access on-line grading reports. If you do not have internet access, you can come to the Guidance Office and access a report using your password. Another option is your student going to the Guidance Office, printing off a report, and bringing it home to you. If you need your password you can contact the high school office.
The flu season is here. We remain diligent in disinfecting the classrooms as best as possible and continue to encourage students to wash their hands often in order to prevent the further spread of H1N1 as well as seasonal flu. We remind you to monitor your child and keep them home if they have a fever or present flu-like symptoms, they need to be fever free for 24 hours.
Homecoming went extremely well and I am very proud of our students, especially our Seniors. The Seniors displayed maturity and positive leadership as we departed from more traditional Homecoming activities and moved toward activities more welcomed by our community.
The Freedom High School thanks you for your continued support of your child’s education. Have a happy and safe holiday season, as well as a successful deer hunt for all of our hunters.
Mr. Erickson
Principal
END OF FIRST QUARTER
November 6th
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES:
November 10th & 12th
4:00pm-7:15pm
NO SCHOOL
November 13th
EARLY DISMISSAL
November 25th – 12:30pm
THANKSGIVING BREAK
November 26th & 27th
WINTER BREAK
December 24th –January 3rd
SEMESTER ENDS
January 22nd
Just A Reminder…….
If your child has an appointment during the school day, upon returning to school they must have a note from the doctor, dentist, orthodontist, or the office they have visited to be excused for that appointment.
Social Networking
Nearly 80% of teenagers belong to a social networking web site. To help your child make their on-line presence safe and smart, following a few simple tips may help. Have your teen invent a clever screen name that reflects their personality and creativeness while still protecting their identity. Make sure that “friends” that have access to on-line information are people that he/she knows and trusts. Make your child aware that colleges and employers are checking online profiles to find out more about prospective students and employees. Suggest that your child show him/herself in a positive light when on a social networking site. Stay clear of posting too much “personal” information and remember, despite the security of private sites, the internet is still a public place.
Source: High School Years, November 2008
STUDENTS ATTENDING FVTC
in the Fall of 2010
You can take the ACCUPLACER placement test here at FHS. You must apply to FVTC prior to taking the test.
On the notification letter from the college that your application had been received, there will be a student number. You will need that number to take the test. After you have received that number, you can see Mrs. Mueller in room 219 to make an appointment to take the test.
The test consists of 4 subtests, reading comprehension, sentence skills, basic arithmetic and algebra. There are a variety of websites that offer free sample tests. You can go directly to FVTC home page -http://www.foxvalley.tec.wi.us/public/ then do a
search for “Accuplacer Sample Tests”. It is highly recommended that you complete a sample tests prior to actually taking the test.
Feel free to contact Mrs Mueller at FHS or
AP Scholars
Through 37 different college-level courses and exams, the College Board ’s Advanced Placement Program (AP) provides motivated and academically prepared students with the opportunity to take rigorous college-level courses while still in high school, and to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP Exams. AP is accepted by more than 3,600 colleges and universities worldwide for college credit and/or advanced placement. About 18% of the 1.6 million students worldwide who took AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to also earn an AP Scholar Award.
Tyler Ebben, Joshua Gerritts, Caitlyn Hummel, Eric Schuh and Ashley Verhasselt qualified for the AP Scholar Award by completing three or more AP Examinations, with grades of 3 or higher.
Heather Ohde, Joshua Thiede and Erik VanEperen qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor Award by earning an average grade of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken and grades of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.
AGENDAS still available for sale
A limited number of 2009-2010 academic agendas are still available from the Student Council and can be purchased for $5.00 in the FHS Guidance Office.
Crystal Ball
In conjunction with the winter-related activities the Crystal Ball dance will take place on Saturday, January 31 from 7:00 – 11:00 pm in the FHS green gym. The Winterfest activities associated with the Crystal Ball are a way of honoring students involved at FHS and also a way to benefit a chosen charity. The court is made up of representatives of teams and clubs with King and Queen chosen by a combination of their groups participation and funds raised for the charity. This year’s charity chosen by the FHS Student Council will be officially named in December, but will somehow be related to cancer as FHS has many students and staff affected, presently including a senior and sophomore.
Edward Conlon III
Commended Student
2010 National Merit Scholarship Program
Eddie Conlon, son of Edward and Jeanne Conlon, has been named a Commended Student in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program. Commended students represent some of the most academically talented students in our country. About 34,000 students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Commended students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2010 competition by taking the 2008 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT).
ACT Information
Registration for the ACT testing should be done online by the students. The Freedom High School code is 500-985. The recommendation for juniors planning on attending a four-year university is to register for the April national test date and request the Freedom High School site. Registration can be done at any time at Know that you can request scores sent free-of-charge to four colleges; plan on making these choices when registering.
Information on all testing, practice tests and ACT PREP classes offered by Xavier and Appleton North can be picked up in the guidance office or information can be accessed at A meeting for all college-bound juniors will be held on Thursday, December 17. A parent/student meeting will be held on Monday, March 15.
Seniors who need official ACT scores to a college can have this done by going online to
MIX IT UP
Become part of the national movement again this year. Take the challenge! Meet a new friend on “Mix It Up at Lunch Day!” It’s easy. Change seats in the cafeteria and connect with someone new.
Experience Mix It Up at Lunch Day on Tuesday, November 10th. Millions of students across the country are accepting the challenge, swapping seats in their cafeterias, stepping outside of their comfort zones and connecting with new people.
PROJECT SAVING GRACE
Update
Project Saving Grace is a nonprofit organization that donates to the Fox Valley Emergency Shelter.
A team of students make a up to a 4-year commitment to meet early in the mornings at least once a month to plan beneficial and usually fun activities to collect items and secure financial donations to benefit the homeless. The 2009-2010 team members are seniors: Samantha Hofacker, Caitlyn Hummel, Matt VanWychen and Adam Verhasselt, juniors: Kristen Verbeten, Logan Jadin and Tyler Clearwater, sophomores: Samantha Svaboda, Neal Schlavensky and Alisa Fox and freshmen: Paul Hagglund and Shelby VanRossum.
Sock It to Bare Feet Fridays was the successful September project. Students and staff either brought in a pair of new socks or contributed $1. Each week participants names were entered in a drawing to receive a specialty beverage and candy from Coffee & Chocolate in Kimberly delivered during their first hour class. Nick Schlavensky, Stacy Hofacker, Allie Gonnering & Danielle Koepke names were selected.
Did you know that Samantha Hofacker has the least attractive feet in the senior class? Jessica Kiecker was a close second. Since feet were the chosen recipient for September a group of 17 seniors offered to have one of their feet photographed and entered in a $.25/vote, 3-day contest for choosing the ugliest foot. The Freedom Running Club donated a $50 gift certificate to the Fox Valley Running Club for the winner. Thanks also to the other participants: Adam Verhasselt, Matt VanWychen, Meghan Commins, Drew Leeman, Kevin Brey, Danielle Koepke, mike Olson, Amanda Vonckx, Jenni Carlson, Gen Barton, Phil Sanks, Tom Schumacher, Luke Vosters, Jamie Schuh, and Sarah Lamers.
Brush It for Brownies & Pizza for Paste Fridays is the October project. Toothbrushes and toothpaste or $1 donation are collected in the lobby before school. Those who participate are in a weekly drawing for 2 pizzas from Godfathers and a pan of brownies (provided by a PSG team member) to be served on Tuesdays during lunch.
The much anticipated Turkey Teacher contest is making a return in November. Paper feathers can be purchased for addition (3 for a $1) or removal (2 for a $1). Rivalry and fun are encouraged.
e-Transcripts
Before the end of the first semester students or parents can order transcripts anytime of the day or night. e-Transcript creates a secure, paperless environment for the request and delivery of student’s official transcripts to all accredited colleges nationwide as well as the military, scholarship funds, NCAA Clearinghouse and 3rd party destinations such as insurance companies or employers. Students register and create an account with Docufide, allowing for online request processing. The entire procedure will be explained to seniors once FHS has completed the installation and training for the system. More information will be forthcoming.
FYI…Upcoming dates to note
ACT dates:
Test Deadline postmark
December 12, 2009* November 6, 2009
February 6, 2010 January 5, 2010
April 10, 2010** March 5, 2010
This is the only date given at FHS.
June 12, 2010 May 7, 2011
Registration for 2010-2011 school year:
Monday, January 18 grade 10 English classes
Tuesday, January 19 grades 9 & 11 English classes
Wednesday, January 20 grade 8 orientation, afternoon
in lecture hall
Tuesday, January 26 all schedules due in guidance office
Thursday, January 28 grades 9, 10, 11 enter schedules in HS computer lab
LOOKING FOR THE LOST LOGO
Looking For The Lost Logo
In 1999 the Freedom Area School District lost the right to use the leprechaun logo licensed by the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Since that time various symbols have been used by our teams and extra curricular groups. We need to have a single logo which will symbolize the Freedom Irish. We will be accepting artwork from any student or group of students who attend Freedom High School or Freedom Middle School for consideration of the official logo. All entries must be turned in to the high school office or middle school office by Friday, November 6, 2009. The logos that have been used in the past will also be considered for the official FASD logo.
The following rules apply to this search:
•All entries must be received by 3:07 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2009.
•Any FHS or FMS student or group of students may enter as often as they wish.
•All logos must fit into the box on this entry form.
•Forest green, gold, black or white are the only colors permitted.
•The only eligible wording (if used) is Freedom and/or Irish.
•No previously copyrighted material may be used.
•The decision of the Freedom Logo Advisory Board is final.
I, certify that I am the creator of the material that is being submitted. I understand that any material submitted becomes the sole personal property of the Freedom Area School District and that I have given up all rights to this material. I agree that the Freedom Area School District may edit, modify, reproduce, distribute, or publish this material for any purpose and in any form or on any media.
•Rules are subject to change without notice and at any time.
Students attending Freedom High School or Freedom Middle School may pick up an official entry form in their school office.
WKCE Reminder
As noted on the FASD calendar, sophomores will be testing on Wednesday, October 28 and Wednesday, November 4. Only sophomores will be present on the 28th and a modified schedule will be used on Nov. 4 sophomores report for a full day while freshman, sophomores and seniors day begins at 10:51 am. Kudos to all the sophomore parents who paid attention to the calendar and planned accordingly. Many junior and senior parents use this opportunity along with the fall break to visit options for post secondary education. This is a great idea just make sure that you have contacted the colleges ahead of time for appointments and/or reservations.
Hofacker and Grode win $1000 at the JA Business Competition.
On October 13, students from throughout the Fox Valley competed for thousands of dollars worth of scholarships and awards at the Junior Achievement Business Challenge held in Appleton. Teams consisted of two students paired with a local businessperson. Teams were to plan and execute each aspect of a fictional company’s strategy including price, production, marketing, capital investment, and research and development.
Fourteen teams of two represented Freedom High School. The team of Samantha Hofacker and Tara Grode are the 2009 competition’s champions. Each of these students were recognized and awarded a $1000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice. The team of Tommy Schumacher and Jared Reimer finished in third place. Other teams competing from Freedom High School were: Drew Lehman and Chris VanDyke, Emily Wichman and Rachel Wildenberg, Sarah Lamers and Jamie Schuh, Stephanie Smudde and Nick Schlavenski, Katie Bowers and Haley Randerson, Natalee Peterson and Steph Casper, Luke Albers and John Christian, Heather VanDynHoven and Mackenzie Springstroh, Stephanie Heegeman and Samantha Julius, Patrick VanCamp and Jamie Romenesko, Leah Gonnering and Brittni VandeWettering, Adam Verhasselt and Luke Vosters. Over 70 teams competed from Fox Valley area high schools.
Congratulations to all of you!
Irish Wrestling Ready to Roll
The Irish Wrestling team will soon be preparing to defend their Conference Championship yet again. The Irish Wrestlers have won or shared the Conference Title 9 of the last 10 years. This year the team will be led by a strong group of seniors including State qualifier Tom Schumacher and returning Conference Champion Luke Vosters. Jared Reimer (conference runner-up) Tom Russell (4th) Tom Verbust (5th) and Mike Olson round out the senior class. Also returning is Devin Bera who was a State qualifier as a freshman last year and the Irish also have 5 other varsity starters returning. The Eastern Valley looks to be a strong conference again this year with Freedom, Clintonville, and Waupaca looking to be the top 3 according to conference coaches.
*Important Dates – Thursday, November 5th 6:30pm –
Parent Meeting at Colonial House
*Monday, November 16th – First Day of Practice
**For more information on the wrestling program, coaching staff, roster, schedule, and order forms for Wrestling Apparel go to www.FREEDOMIRISHWRESTLING.COM
BLOOD DRIVE
On October 8th Freedom High school hosted a blood drive for The Community Blood Center. The annual fall blood drive was very successful with a total of 94 donors. In the eyes of the Community Blood Center, this drive assisted them in saving 282 lives! We would like to thank all the students, staff and community members who contributed to the blood drive through donations of blood, gift certificates and food.
We would like to thank Subway, DJ’s Video and Tanning, Sweet Tooth and Grill for the donation of gift certificates and Field of Scenes, Freedom Foods and Rico’s for their generous donations of food. All of these donations are greatly appreciated and definitely contributed to the success of our blood drive.
The drive was organized by the Introduction to Health Careers class. Students in the class are; Angie Ambrosius, Leah Gonnering, Chelsea Swinkles, Concha Valdovinos, Carissa VanAsten and Brittni VandeWettering. The donor recruiter from the blood center had wonderful things to say about these students! She was extremely impressed with their enthusiasm, leadership and organizational skills.
DRIVERS EDUCATION
If you will be 15 by Dec 1st you are eligible to take Drivers Ed at Freedom High School. You must register in the guidance office by Nov 12th. The cost for the classroom and behind-the-wheel is $270.
H1N1 Vaccination Is Coming To School
Like all other schools in the state, Freedom Area School District is experiencing the flu. We have had an absenteeism rate of 8% to 12% across the district, which is pretty normal for the flu season. We are working closely with the Outagamie County Health Department who is monitoring our absentee rate. The Public Health Officer does have the authority to close our schools if our rate of student and/or staff illness is high. If that would happen, all school activities would be canceled including athletic competitions.
The H1N1 vaccine is coming soon and the Outagamie County Health Department will be offering this FREE vaccine through school-based clinics. Specific dates have not yet been confirmed, but they will be offering daytime, evening and weekend clinics. The vaccine is voluntary and a consent form will be required. Middle School and High School students will be vaccinated during the school day. Elementary students will be vaccinated in the evening and on the weekend. You will receive more information as well as the consent form when clinic details are firm.
Please continue to remind your child to wash their hands often, cover their mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing and please do not send your child to school if they are sick.
Hand Sanitizer
Hand Sanitizer will be available in the cafeteria for the students and staff to use prior to lunch. This product is not required to be used and does not replace effective hand washing. Please discuss this option with your students.
Irish Clothing
Items are available at any time of the year through the District Website. If you go to the District Site, () click on the School Store site at the left side of the front page, and browse the site for fun items that are for the entire family. It is a convenient way to shop on line for all your Irish needs. All orders are ordered with your charge card, and will be delivered to school for your pick-up. If you have any questions to sizes just contact Linda Schrage at . Allow 2 weeks for delivery. If there is an item you would like to see us carry, we would love to hear from you.
We do not carry individual sport clothing. You will need to talk to the head coach of a sport for those items. All items will be switched over to our “new” school logo as soon as it has been selected. Look for new and exciting things just before the holidays. Items can be embroidered, screen printed or lazar printed. Remember the school store is open daily from 7:40 until 8 am. We have a full line of notebooks, pencils, markers, sketchbooks and more. We also have last year’s T-shirts and sweatshirts at cost prices.
Sweatshirts - $20.00
T-shirts - $8.00
Lanyards - $3.00
Clothing items for sale on-line @
Sports Polo’s for Men and Women
Sweatshirts
T-shirts
Camo T-shirts
Sleeveless T’s
Long and short sleeved compression shirts
Fleece Jackets and Vests
Peached Wind shirts
Flexi fit Baseball Caps
Knit Beanies
Men’s Mesh Shorts
Men and Women’s Fleece Pants
Sport Duffel Bags
Nylon Cinch Bags
Thank you for your support,
Freedom Cheer and Stunt Team
Your Spirit Shoppe Headquarters
