Pioneer Press

Volume 3, Issue 1 Pioneer Press

November 4, 2020

Learning in the Great Outdoors Q & A Section

By: Abby Rock & Everett Luedtke Q: Can you take your family to the
EcoLab?
You may have heard of the Sevastopol EcoLab, or the Pioneer A: Yes, you can go and bring anyone
Ecological Reserve, but what is it? The EcoLab is a public nature you please to the EcoLab. It is a public
preserve owned by Sevastopol School. A lot of elementary classes reserve.
are taking weekly trips there, doing separate projects for restoring Q: Can you hunt at the EcoLab?
the EcoLab. Fifth grade has been working on plant identification, A: NO, you can not go hunting at the
and will eventually do brochures on the native plants in the area as EcoLab. This would be unsafe because
well as brochures for invasive species. The second grade has been there may be people walking on the
working on putting together a halloween event (find pictures from trails.
this fun event on pages 8 and 9), and they want to do more events Q: Are there any campsites at the
like this throughout the year. The EcoLab has, and will continue EcoLab?
to have, many impacts on our daily life at school. A: There are no campsites at EcoLab,
Sevastopol EcoLab has a very rich history. Sevastopol had help but you can still visit at night to go
from Carl Scholz when they purchased the EcoLab. Carl was the stargazing. There is no observatory, but
one to locate the EcoLab, and he wanted to make it a healthy and you can bring your own small telescope.
fun site. Mr. Madden, a retired fourth grade teacher, used to take Q: What is the main attraction at the
his students to the EcoLab. There, the students learned about EcoLab?
survival skills. Eventually, the EcoLab was somewhat forgotten. A: Many students are interested in the
Recently, Mrs. Tanck, our former second grade teacher and now bridge and island. The island does not
the athletic director, helped restore it. Now, the EcoLab has trails, have a name, but it is in the middle of
visitors, and even a bridge! the pond.
Many grades in Sevastopol have been taking weekly trips to the Q: Are there any fish at the EcoLab
EcoLab. The reason why is because it is an easy, educational thing pond?
to do, and you can be socially distant! There are more benefits to A: The fish will come up the streams in
being outside. Such as, experiencing nature that can be studied for the spring. As for the pond, there are
science or biology, and you could learn more about the natural some bullheads and panfish living
world. It is also good for the kids to get out of the classroom and there.
breathe some fresh air.

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Gaga. . . What?!?

By: Tyce Olson

What’s the new craze that almost all students are
obsessed with during recess? Well, it is Gaga Ball. Gaga
Ball is a game where two or more people join in a
hexagon outside. You can find them at parks and
playgrounds all over. During the game, individuals hit a
ball at each other trying to tag the players with a ball
until one person is out.
To start the game, players go by the edges of the pit.
Next one person throws the ball in the pit. Players then
watch the ball bounce three times and on each bounce
they chant, “ga, ga, ball.” The game finally begins. The
ball has to stay in the pit, and if the ball hits you from
your waist up, you are still safe. If it hits you on your
feet and legs you are out. Be the last one standing and
you win!
The gaga ball pit was installed by Mr. Skiba and Mr.
Schauske. They decided that Sevastopol needed a gaga
ball pit, because Mr. Shauske saw one in a Green Bay
park and said to Mr. Skiba, “The kids at Sevastopol
would love one of these. I would even build it.” Mr. Skiba
went on to say, “Thanks to the PTO and Raibrook
foundation, we were able to purchase the materials to
build it. Mr. Schauske and I built it in August. He mostly
brought me water and handed me tools, but he even
helped a little, too.”
Gaga ball was such a success! Since kids really liked it
they decided to build a second one. If you haven’t
already, get in the PIT!

2

Fall Sports

By: Tryston Torstenson

Were you disappointed when spring sports were canceled? Well, lucky for us, Mighty Pioneer sports for
the fall were a go. We were lucky to even be playing fall sports. Who knew we would have to play with a
mask on? There were many challenges that Covid 19 brought to this year's season. One of the biggest
problems was everybody’s uncertainty, such as, not knowing who would be at practice or games because
of quarantine.
For football, one problem was the kids who played football had to have a mouthguard under their mask,
so when they were done, their mask was covered in sweat. Gross! A typical football practice consisted of
three things: mental preparation, proper technique, and physical endurance. The goals for this football
season were to have every kid grow as an athlete and enjoy the season. In my opinion, all of these things
happened.
Softball also was different, because it was being played in fall when it was usually in the spring. A
typical softball practice consisted of batting practice, base running, and infield and outfield practice.
The softball goals for the season were to try new positions and see what players’ strengths were. Also, to
allow girls who may never have played, a chance to see what it was all about.
Even though the seasons were not typical at least we got to play.

3

Writing Across the Elementary

Genre: Informational
Purpose: To teach readers about a chosen topic
Audience: Teachers and Classmates
The writing process has many steps to it! Including: brainstorming, using graphic
organizers, rough drafting, editing, revising, and finally, a final draft.

2nd grader 2nd grader
Nicole’s Colt’s
informational informational
writing. writing.

4

3rd grader Rori’s informational writing, “All 3rd grader Maggie’s informational writing,
About Pandas” “Kiwis: The Bird and the Fruit”

An example of 4th-grade writing
process. They started with a topic and
came up with categories (later to become
paragraphs). They then researched their
categories and used the research to write
paragraphs.

An example of the 5th-grade writing 5
process. Started with brainstorming and
outlining, moved into rough drafting
with peer editing and revising. Ending in
a finished piece of informational writing.

Squeaky Clean Year

By: Kaile VanDenBogart & Mackenzie Delfosse

Have you ever noticed how much more cleaning is happening at school? Lots Q: “What has
of extra cleaning is being done. The janitors, the teachers, and all other staff maintenance been
have been hard at work cleaning. Some extra cleaning that they have been focusing on cleaning
doing is anytime something has been used, like computers, books, etc. they the most ?
clean it! When cleaning after school, face shields are used. Not only that but A: “. . .each janitor
gloves are being worn along with masks under shields for protection. All of has their own job to
these things are being worn when people are using sprays to clean and focus on, for example
disinfect. After the teachers are done cleaning, they need to record their my job is to clean all
cleaning. This means writing down the time, and what they cleaned or of the bathrooms.”
disinfected. Even bus drivers are cleaning! After school when the bus drivers
are back from their routes they start to disinfect. Q: “What has been
We spoke with janitor, Kim Bengul, and asked some questions about the the hardest to clean ”
extra cleaning that is done every day. Check out our interview in the Q & A A : Everything was
sidebar. pretty easy since the
Overall due to COVID- 19, there are a lot of cleaning jobs going on around jobs have been spread
the world. I hope you know how important it is to clean this year! out.

Social Distancing Q:“what do you not
look forward to
By: Mackenzie Delfosse & Kaile VanDenBogart cleaning?''
A: the clogged toilets

Q “How long does it
take you to clean?”
A: 6 hours per day!

As you may know, this year has been very different with 6
everything going on in the world. There has been a lot of social
distancing, staying at home, and wearing masks happening at
school over the past few months. There were some changes to
make the school safer, one of the main ones is wearing a mask.
This can be hard sometimes, like in phy ed or when you have to

walk up all those stairs! Even though it’s hard, as Pioneers we still keep our masks on and rise to the
challenge. The school is being so safe that they gave every student and staff two masks for the school
year! The masks are black and gray, with the school's logo in red. Having the school masks keeps us
safe while also supporting our school.
Another one of the changes in school this year is social distancing. To help at school, all of the teachers
are taping two yard sticks together to social distance you and your classmates for safety reasons. In
some classrooms, if the desk that you sit at is not six feet from another person, then the teacher has an
(x) on the desk, made by tape, meaning you can’t sit there! It does not mean that you can't grab your
stuff out of your desk, just that you can’t sit at that desk for safety. These are some of the main
changes to the school year that are helping to keep us safe!

Remote Learners Cafeteria

By: Judah Ortmayer & Autumn Sargent By: Alexis Staats

Have you heard of laptops replacing students? Have you ever wondered how the school would
Well, this year some classes have students joining socially distance students in the cafeteria
virtually. These remote learners are students that during Covid-19? The cafeteria has space for
are at home while participating with their each student in a different way. The seats are
classmates in school. They join a platform called now six feet apart and diangle.
Google Meet. Remote learners listen and According to Mr. Andrews, they have changed
participate with the teacher and other students the table layout so students are socially
through their device. They do all the same work distanced from classmates, so it is safer in the
as the other students at school. Remote learners cafeteria. Also, we do not use trays anymore,
have to turn in their school work by taking a but containers instead. Cafeteria workers do this
picture on a phone or device that they have, and because “…there is less chance for Covid-19 to
then send it to their teacher. They can also turn spread to a different student when meals are
it in through Google Classroom. pre-portioned and "contained" under a lid.”
Sometimes it can be hard being a remote learner. These rules were enforced by DPI (Department
It can be hard when the internet is bad, or when of public instruction) and the USDA (United
they can’t hear the teacher. Mr. Luedtke, our State Department of Agriculture ). Other than
Superintendent, thinks that virtual learning is these two new rules, the rules have not changed
not as good as in-person learning. Mr. Luedtke from last year. Mr. Andrews himself says,
also thinks that bad internet is a big problem, “There hasn't really been much of a change
because many of our students live in the country since last year, except that we are using
where the internet isn’t as strong. Students facemasks and wearing gloves more often. We
cannot learn as much remotely as a student in are spending more time cleaning after every
the classroom. Teachers feel it can be challenging grade.”
to comment and help students as quickly This means that, in the cafeteria you are
virtually. Learners can seem quiet even though socially distanced from other students while
they might have an answer or question. They also following all the same rules as last year.
seem like they are not talking at all because they
are encouraged to be muted, otherwise there is
too much background noise. Most teachers agree
with Mr. Ludtke that virtual learning is not as
good as in-person learning.
Even though students, staff, and administration
have mixed feelings about remote learning,
families are doing what they think is best. Do
you think that this is the way of the future?

7

Homecoming...

8

and Halloween Fun!

9

Same Places . . . New Faces

By: Judah Ortmayer

Meet: Have you seen any new faces around the school this year? You may
Mrs. Angelo have recognized two of them, but there is one new face. If you want

to learn more about them, keep on reading!

Ms. Angelo is the new music teacher. She grew up in a
small town called Phillips, WI, but now she calls Green
Bay home. She learned to teach music at The University
of Wisconsin Green Bay. Before she came to Sevastopol,
one of the jobs she had was a camp counselor. She really
loves to work with and teach kids. She says she wants to
be, “A light in their life.”

Meet:
Ms. Bortle

Ms. Bortle is a new face to second grade, but not to the
school. She grew up in Ames, Iowa. Prior to being a
teacher she worked as an event planner at the
Horseshoe Bay Golf Club. Ms. Bortle has done a lot at
Sevastopol school such as; substitute teacher and
special education aid. She decided to go back to school
to learn to be a teacher, because she loves to work with
kids.

Meet: Mrs. Wiesner isn't a new face, but she has a new position at
Mrs. Wiesner Sevastopol. She loves sports and being active so she thought
that being a Phy Ed teacher was a good fit. She went to college
at UW-LaCrosse because they are well known for their Physical 10
Education program. Before this year, her position was the
Middle school health teacher, middle school and elementary
Phy Ed teacher, as well as the Athletic Director. Now she
teaches elementary phy ed. Mr. Luedtke switched Mrs. Wiesner
and Mr. Frank, because he thinks there needs to be more
supervision in the boys’ locker room in middle school and high
school. Mrs. Wiesner brings a lot of fun energy to the
elementary.

Now you know more about Ms. Angelo, Ms. Bortle, and
Mrs. Wiesner. If you see them around, say “Hi!”

Coming Soon . . . New Spaces

By: Autumn Sargent & Abby Rock

Almost everyone knows we are getting an extension for our school, but do you know what is inside?
The new school has many perks to learning as well as getting around easier at school. To learn more,
read on!
Many teachers think that construction for a new school is necessary. The construction for the new
school started in March, and is planned to end in September 2021. We are getting a new school so it
can better meet learning needs, and so students have better spaces to learn. The old building is not up
to date.
The new school has some very different features on the interior and exterior. In the new school, every
room will have at least two large windows, a water fountain, a sink to wash hands, and AIR
CONDITIONING! Also, there will be two art rooms, a K-12 office, a woods lab, a metal lab, and a
greenhouse. Instead of lockers, all the elementary students will have cubbies. All of these new features
will help students’ learning.
Our superintendent, Mr. Luedtke, has some favorite parts of the extension. His new favorites include
his new office and Mrs. Saunders ELL classroom. He likes the ELL classroom because it overlooks the
lobby from the mezzanine, or “great hall.” He also likes how the building flows, and that every
classroom will be closer to where the students need to go, like the library, other classes, and some of
the specials.
Many parts of the new school are totally different from the old school. Some new features for the new
school include a mezzanine overlooking the lobby, at the main entrance to the school. Also, the halls
will be wider, and instead of having all the students in the elementary squished together to get into
their cubbies, their cubby will be in an inlet off the hall. Outside, there is a small water-filled pond
visible from the playground. This pond will not have fish, and the students will not have access to the
pond, but it will be nice to look at.
As you can see, there will be many new luxuries included in the new school and our students and staff11
members are excited to move in!

Meet Our Newspaper Staff

Alexis: I have SIX siblings! Tryston: My favorite sport Mackenzie: This is my
is baseball. second year at Sevastopol.

Judah: I LOVE to go Kaile: My favorite thing to Tyce: My favorite animal is
fishing! do is going camping with the penguin and my favorite

my family. color is turquoise.

Abby: I think that writing Everett: I like fish keeping! Autumn: One of my sisters
is the best subject taught at live in Georgia.
Sevastopol. And Geometry!