Pioneer Press

Volume 3, Issue 3 Pioneer Press

March 18, 2021

New School Update

By: Abby Rock

We have seen the outside progress of the new school, but what has changed inside? All the elementary
students have been lucky enough to get a tour of the inside by Mr. Luedtke. We could learn more about
our new school and see how the school is looking so far!
Many changes have happened since the last article. As you may have seen, windows have been installed
on all outside walls. Inside, heating has been put in, and painting has been completed. Workers were
hired to paint, and most of them will worked for six weeks! The walls being painted are cinder block,
which is a concrete block that you will see on most of the walls in the school. The blocks in this school
were 55 years old! The cinder blocks that will be in the new school are brand new.
There are many new features that will help learning in the new classrooms. In my last article, I told
you that there will be water fountains and sinks in the elementary classrooms, but did you know that
there will be a blue accent wall in each classroom? The blue wall is meant to represent Lake Michigan.
Each grade level also will have a study room, shared between the classes.
On the second floor, second and third grade will share bathrooms as well as cubby pods, while fourth
and fifth grade will share. Some students are disappointed that there won’t be lockers! The classrooms
for each grade will be right next to each other, and because of this, there will be garage doors
connecting the rooms. This was done so that the teachers can team teach. Each grade will have a
storage room, to store extra supplies such as books, pens, and other curriculum activities. Most storage
rooms are connected to the classrooms.
Many changes have already happened, with more to come! Where will you be next year?

1

Swimming

By: Willa Sydner

Splish, splash... can you hear that, fifth grade is swimming again! Since 1990, every fifth grade
student at Sevastopol has been swimming at the YMCA as part of gym class.
Mr. Madden started the swimming program in 1984. He started it for fourth graders. He ran it
until 1990, when Mr. Frank took over. That is when it moved to fifth grade.
Swimming is important for many reasons. One reason is that we all live by a huge body of
water, so we should know how to swim. This helps students be ready in case of a dangerous
situation.
It is not just fun to swim, swimming also provides health benefits which can help to keep
children healthy and happy at the same time. It keeps your heart and lungs healthy, improves
strength and flexibility, and increases stamina.
This year, 5th grade might be able to go on the obstacle course (an inflatable course that sits on
top of the water in the deep pool) on the last day, as a fun activity to celebrate swimming being
done. “It will be so fun for all of 5th grade,'' says Mrs Weisner. Overall, swimming is great for
fifth graders, it is something we should keep doing!

What’s With MAP Testing ?

By: Selma Burtnett

Many people around the country take the MAP test, but Interview with Mr. Hilts 2
do they know what it really is? Grades 4K-5th take the
MAP test three times a year; winter, fall, and spring. The Q: Is the MAP test similar to the state test?
test is computerised so that teachers and parents can see A: In that both are tests, yes. The map test is
the test scores. Each time, the kids have two test sessions, given more regularly though so it does a better job
reading and math. When the students do MAP testing of showing progress. The state test is more of a
they are showing the teachers what they know about one-time picture.
math or reading. It also helps teachers know where
students are academically so they can help the kids. Q: Do other schools do the testing?
MAP testing is similar to another test called the Forward A: Other schools in the state and around the
Wisconsin State test. The state test is taken at the end of country do this testing. Some schools use other
the year in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade, but MAP testing is tests to get similar information about their
taken more often than the state test. students.
MAP testing is nothing more than a test that shows
teachers where you are academically, so there is nothing
to study for or get stressed about. If you have any
questions about MAP testing ask your teacher.

GeoBee

By: Brooklyn Ayer & Ben Olsen

What is the largest state in terms of land mass? If you thought Alaska, then you 3rd-grade:
might be a GeoBee whiz! Also, if you don't know what the GeoBee is, then keep ● Ella Grooters
reading to find out. ● Jackson Toivonen
The GeoBee is similar to the Spelling Bee, but it is about Geography. The GeoBee ● Jaya Lama
is where students from 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade all answer geography questions ● Michal
about the United States. There are questions about location, physical features, Dereszkiewicz
fun facts, historical landmarks, and National Parks.
Did you know that in the classroom round of the GeoBee there were tiebreakers in 4th-grade:
fourth and fifth grade? In 4th grade there were three people who tied, so Mrs. ● Stevie Schleicher
Ayer had to make another special tiebreaker round for the three winners in 4th ● Maura Marggraf
grade. Then, there were two winners in 4th grade and Mrs. Ayer had to make ● Brooklyn Ayer
ANOTHER special tiebreaker round! That’s crazy! ● Jameson Malcore
After all of the extra tiebreaker rounds, we had classroom winners in 3rd, 4th, and
5th grade (See Chart). 5th-grade:
Lastly, are you wondering when the school-wide GeoBee was? Well, it was on ● Abby Rock
Thursday, February 11th (for “A” group) and Friday, February 12th (for “B” ● Amelia Withers
group). The winners of the school-wide GeoBee were, drumroll please……………. ● Everett Luedtke
● Graham Killenberg
1st place: Abby Rock
2nd place: Amelia Withers
3rd place: Michal Dereszkiewicz

In conclusion, the GeoBee helps your brain grow and it doesn’t mean you have to
win. It is just a fun exercise for your brain.

Spelling Bee

By: Viviene Tanck

Would you be able to spell the word chrysanthemum? If you can, you may 3
be a Spelling Bee champion!
In the classroom Spelling Bees, there are 1 to 25 rounds to find one winner.
The classroom bee is in front of the class. Once there is a winner, they have
a chance to go to the school wide Spelling Bee. The 1st place winner from
each classroom has the offer to go the school-wide Spelling Bee.
The reason for a classroom Spelling Bee is to allow students to show off
their spelling skills with less stress. The classrooms are allowed one winner.
If there are two remaining students, the two remaining students will spell
against each other in a competition to see who is the best. The classroom
rounds took place December 2020.
The official school wide Spelling Bee took place on Thursday, January 21st.
The winners of the Spelling Bee were: Aaron Thomas, Caralee Fellner, and
Paxton Linnan. Congrats to the Spelling Bee winners of 2021!!
Thanks to Mr. Skiba, Mr. Schauske, and Ms. Jenquin for hosting the
events.

Different Schedule
By: Autumn Sargent and Naomy Sanchez

This year of school has come with new challenges. For
one, this year Sevastopol School had a different
schedule, which had students coming to school on
different days. Students were split up into two groups;
Group A and Group B. Group A came on Mondays,
Thursdays, and every other Wednesday, while Group B
came on Tuesdays, Fridays, and every other
Wednesday. Some people think that having only ninety
days (our regular school year is 180 days, going every
day) is better than having one-hundred eighty days, like
during a normal school year. There are some Pros and
Cons to having the A/B schedule due to Covid-19.

Pros Cons

* There are not as many cases of Covid in the * When there's no school students can't see their
school because students are six feet apart, which friends.
couldn’t be done with all the kids here. * Students don't get as many days to learn as
* Students get an extra day to work on their they would if they were in school.
homework in between the days that they go to * It's also hard for teachers to teach when we
school. have A/B days because there are different
* Students can do their work independently. students every other day.

There are many pros and cons to having an A/B schedule, but we personally did not like the A/B
schedule, because students don’t get to see all of their friends. Plus, for teachers it is tougher because
the two groups might be working on different assignments from day to day.
A/B days were very important for this year, as you can see from the pros and cons chart. The A/B
schedule was different and hard, but it did its job to help keep us safe during the pandemic. We are
happy though that we are back 100% at school.

4

A Brand New School Year

By: Sophia Franda and John Tong

This year has been hard, stressful, crazy, and not much fun! With
masks, COVID, the A/B schedule, having virtual learners, social
distancing. . . this year has been a lot different than past years.
Good news is, next year should be different. Mr. Hilts is optimistic
that we will return to a normal school year in the fall. If he’s right,
it would likely mean that we would be back to normal.
Next year, we hopefully won’t need masks, which we’re excited
about. This means we won’t get as hot in physical education (or
Phy. Ed), it’ll be easier to breathe, and without the masks our ears
will get a break!
Also, all the kids get to come back to school full time. That means
no more A/B schedule. We can see our friends and we don’t have to
worry about doing virtual at home.
We are all excited because field trips will be back. Field trips are
really fun, because you don’t have to be at school and doing school
work. Field trips are back!
Are you excited about next school year? We are so excited because
we get less time at home and more time with friends.

Coronavirus Update (COVID-19)

By: Kaile VanDenBogart and Kaedance Krueger

The latest update on Covid-19 in Door County can be found on the website listed below. Door
County now has two vaccines ready for health care workers, with school staff soon to be
added to the list.
Here at Sevastopol, we have no active cases, which has allowed us to return to 100%
attendance! The school will keep you posted on any updates about cases.

To find out the daily 5
update on Covid
Cases in Door
County and
Wisconsin, check out
this website:
https://www.co.door.
wi.gov/909/Situation-
Update-March-8-202
1

Weather Predictions

By: Abby Rock

Winter has been very slow to start this year. But what does that mean for the end of the season? Will winter
last longer? Will it be the same? All these questions can’t be answered until winter is actually over. But some
teachers have made predictions.

Here are some responses from an anonymous questionnaire:
Q: Do you wish that winter will end early? Why or why not?
A: Yes and no. I would be ok if winter was done by the end of February/ middle of March, if
we got to have snow first.
A: YES! I want summer and warm weather to last as long as possible!
A: No, I like to play in the snow, so I'm hoping for a few months of snow!
A: Yes, who doesn’t love summer!

Two out of four responding teachers predicted that there would be more snow later on in winter. Another
teacher guessed that winter would end early, and the last expected no more snow, but cold weather longer. I
think that there will be a longer winter with one major snowstorm at the end, in April.

According to krcgtv.com,“Temperatures will
be slightly below average this year due to
more cold air outbreaks. And with
temperatures being colder, that means when
storms pass through, we have a good chance
for snow. But with frequent temperature
swings timing the cold air with storms could
be tough.” This tells us that the weather
co0uld bring one more storm with cold
temperatures. (This prediction was made on
November 30, 2020.)

Nobody will know what the future holds for
weather, but we can make predictions for
the weather. What do you think will
happen?

6

New Year’s Resolution

By: Brieah Newton

Did you know that people keep New Year’s Resolutions for only a little bit of time! Only less than ten
percent keep one for more than a few months. About fifty percent of adults make a resolution every
year. Let’s see how many people in this school kept their resolution.
Some members of our staff and students made a resolution.
Only ten people said that they had a resolution, out of
the 24 members that answered the survey. Some had made
one but they only kept it for a little while.
Some of the resolutions that our school came up with
sounded like what you would expect; keeping a good diet,
going outside more, trying my best on homework, and
being a good friend.
Some resolutions are not what was expected;
going on sled rides and playing the ukulele.
For me, I did not make a resolution. Usually, I never make a resolution for New Year’s Eve. But, at least
I celebrated it. 2021 is on!!! I hope you keep your New Year’s Resolutions (or at least tried).

Mr. Schauske Update

By: Vivienne Tanck

Did you know that Mr. Schauske had heart surgery in
December? He needed heart surgery to repair his
ascending aorta and his aortic valve. He now has a
mechanical valve that ticks like a clock.
Prior to the surgery, he said “I was a bit scared and
nervous.” Mr. Schauske was out of school for several
weeks to recover from the surgery. And while he was
gone, Ms. Seifert filled in for him.
According to Mr. Schauske, “The surgery went well,”
and he is really happy about it. The 4th-grade
classrooms have welcomed him back, and if you see
him in the hallway, be sure to say hi to him, and
welcome back!

7

Writing in 2nd-Grade

In 2nd-grade, we are learning how to write opinion papers. We are choosing a topic that we feel passionate about
and learning how to support our opinions with reasons to persuade our readers.
The writing process has many steps to it! Check out the writing process we used on our opinion pieces below.

An example of an introduction paragraph by
Asher Dadan, peer-edited by Caroline Luedtke.

An example of a body paragraph by
Bella Ramirez.

2nd grade free write opinion piece.
Bella Ramirez, Sophie Sawyer and Emma Swain

An example of a peer-edited opinion writing piece by
Lauren Tanck, edited by Jason Schneider

9

Writing in 3rd-Grade

In 3rd-grade we have been working on opinion writing through persuasive speeches.
In our persuasive speeches, we chose a problem that we think needs to be fixed. As writers, we have to think
about who our audience would be for our speech; who would we be talking to? We also have to include strong
reasons why our problem needs to be fixed, as well as how to solve the problem.

10

Writing in 4th-Grade

In 4th- grade we have been working on narrative writing through the fanfiction genre.
Fanfiction uses the ideas from a story that has already been written and that we are familiar with. From that
story, each 4th-grader chose to either write a prequel, a sequel, an added scene, or rewrite a part of the story
from a new perspective (Point of View).

This method of planning shows the
time blocking method that can be
used to start an early version of our
story. Students sequence larger scenes
from a story they are planning.

Another method of planning a fanfiction is
using a double timeline. The top timeline
places events from the soon-to-be-written
story, while the bottom timeline includes
character’s feelings and thoughts during
those events.

Finally, students
write their stories
using their time
blocking and
timelines.
Here is a student’s
story in the editing
process. Students
will continue to
peer-edit, and
finally, edit with the
teacher.

11

Writing in 5th-Grade

5th-Grade has been working on narrative writing through two different genres.
Our first writing piece was a TWISTED memoir. We took a memory from our life, thought of it from a memoir
perspective, and then TWISTED it into fantasy style writing.
For our second narrative piece, we wrote historical fictions. This included A LOT of research into a historical
event of our choosing. We then had to put ourselves into that historical event and write our own version of the
event, being sure to include both real and made-up elements.

HISTORICAL
FICTION

12

MEMOIR WITH A TWIST

13

Groundhogs Day St. Patrick's Day

By: Tyce Olson By: Aliayah Estevez and Abigail Schmelzer
This comic describes what Groundhogs Day is like:
When you think of Saint Patrick's day what do
Groundhogs day was created by Clymer Freas. you think of ? Green, parades, clovers,
Would you like to learn about the origin of Ireland... All these represent St. Patrick’s Day
Groundhogs Day? Of course you do! So let's get traditions.
on with the show! The parades on Saints Patrick’s Day represent
It all started a very long time ago on February 2, the death of Saint Patrick, who was a popular
1887. A man named Clymer Freas looked at a saint in Ireland. About 150 million people
groundhog named Phil. He observed if Phil celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. In the United
would see his shadow. Phil continued to see his States, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was in
shadow each year. But, one year he didn't see his New York City in 1766. During some St.
shadow and it happened to be on the first day of Patrick’s Day parades they throw candy to the
spring. So Clymer Freas declared February 2 as kids.
Groundhogs Day. Saint Patrick's day is a very popular tradition
The legend says that when a groundhog sees his in Ireland. On Saint Patrick's, a lot of people
shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. If wear the color green. The green on Saint
he doesn’t see his shadow, it will be an early Patrick’s Day represents the Catholics of
spring. Ireland.
Every February 2nd, Phil the Groundhog comes The reason we wear and decorate things with
out of his hole in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. the color green is so we don't get pinched by a
Phil’s shadow is checked and it is announced if leprechaun and turn invisible.
there is going to be six weeks of snow or not. The four leaf clover is another symbol, that
2021's Phil saw his shadow. means good luck. If you find one then you will
be lucky.
St. Patrick’s Day is a fun day filled with
parades, decorating things green, and learning
history about St. Patrick. Like the popular
saying, “May the dreams you hold dearest be
those which come true and the kindness you
spread keep returning to you.”

14

Valentine’s Day

By: Mckenzie Delfosse

Many people think that by now they know who Cupid is,
but do they really know? Let's find out. Valentine’s Day
has a long history that has changed over the years. There
are also many traditions that people follow to celebrate
Valentine’s Day. Let’s learn a little Cupid history.
Here is a fact that blew my mind: guess when Valentine's
Day started... It started 1,525 years ago! This means that
the first Valentine’s Day was in the year 496.
A big part of Valentine's Day is Cupid, who was a
Roman God. A lot of people know Cupid as the cherub
that shoots arrows at people to make them fall in love.
The real Cupid did not shoot arrows at people. Rather, he
was the son of Venus, the goddess of love, who fell in love
with another Goddess.
Another part of Valentine’s Day is the gifts. A common
gift that people give to each other is love letters or cards.
The most common flowers to give to each other are roses.
CNN reports that about 51% of people buy red roses for
Valentine's Day. They buy these because of their beauty,
passion, and romance. Also, they have a heavenly aroma.
What is the most popular chocolate you might ask? The
most popular chocolate is heart shaped candy boxes. I bet
some of our teachers have received a box of these.
I hope that everybody had a great Valentine’s Day!

15

Spring Crafts By: Mckenzie Delfosse

Egg Carton Ladybug Art Project Fork Flowers

Materials: Directions: Materials: Directions:
● Empty egg carton 1. Cut apart an empty egg 1. With a paint brush, paint
● Red and black carton. Use one section per ● white paper the stems and leaves with green
tempera paint ladybug. (These are my favorite ● craft paint paint. You can also paint a
(acrylic works too) crafting scissors for adults. ● a paint vase for your bouquet of
● Red construction They’re perfect for cutting apart flowers, if you like!
paper tough egg cartons, but they’re brush 2. Squeeze different colors of
● Scissors definitely too sharp for young ● paper plate craft paint onto a paper plate,
● Glue children.) or whatever you are using.
● Black marker or 2. Paint your egg carton section or 3. Dip your fork into the
crayon red. Paint the front of the egg something colored paint and stamp away!
● Googly Eyes carton section black for a face. to squeeze Wipe your fork clean when
Let dry. the paint switching colours.
3. Cut out a red circle from the onto 4.Try experimenting with other
construction paper. I used a ● small and things as stamps and see what
circle hole punch like this one, large fork kind of flowers they make. A
but you could also just trace a spoon would be a great stamp
circle and cut it out with for the center of a flower, and
scissors. your fingertips would make
4. Cut the paper circle in half to wonderful petals! Try different
make two wings. things, explore different colors,
5. Draw black circles onto each and have fun painting flowers.
wing.

Flower Basket Directions: Bees

FLOWER: Materials 1.Paint a paper plate bright yellow. ● Paper Plate
1.Cut out flower and leaf designs from colored ● paper 2.Once the paper plate is dry... cut ● Yellow Paint
paper. *Hint*You can usually find flower patterns plates out 4 or 5 notches along each side of ● Black Yarn
on the Internet. ● colored the plate. ● Black Pipe
2.Bend petals up slightly to give them some paper 3. Line the notches up in pairs for
depth. ● pipe the bee’s stripes. Cleaner
3.Assemble flowers by layering smaller pieces cleaners 4.To make the bee’s stripes ● Large
over larger ones. ● Scissors weave/wrap the black yarn around
4.Use a small dot of glue in the center of each ● Glue the bee using the cut out notches. Googly Eyes
piece to secure. Note: To make easier, tape yarn ● White Card
5.Cut out flower and leaf designs from colored down on back. ● Marker Pen
paper. *Hint*You can usually find flower patterns 5.Once finished with black and ● Scissors
on the Internet. yellow stripes, tape the end of the ● Sticky Tape
5.Bend petals up slightly to give them some yarn onto the back of the paper ● Glue
depth. plate.
6.Assemble flowers by layering smaller pieces 6.This bee craft has adorable 16
over larger ones. handprint wings, so draw around
7.Use a small dot of glue in the center of each your hands and cut out.
piece to secure. 7.Tape the handprint wings onto
Basket: the back of the bee.
1.Make a basket by cutting a paper plate in half. 8. Make bees antennae out of black
2.Glue half of the plate to a full paper plate, pipe cleaner bent in a V shape, or
right sides together, to form a pocket. (Refer to cut out black V’s from paper.
photo) 9.Stick the bee’s antennae onto the
3.Glue pipe cleaner flowers to the inside of the back of the plate and glue on some
pocket. large googly eyes to the front
4.Randomly glue on leaves. 10.Finally, use the marker pen to
5.Punch a hole in the top of the basket and tie a draw a cute smile!
string or piece of yarn through it for hanging.

PREGOS

By: Kaile VanDenBorgart and Tyce Olsen

Did you know about the pregos in
school... and no we are not talking
about the spaghetti sauce. We are
talking about all of the teachers that
are pregnant in Sevastopol
Elementary. Check out our chart to
find out the baby information!

Information/ Teacher Mrs. Ayer Mrs. Neuman Mrs. Horvat
names

Due Date: July 4 July 19 July 3
Baby Name Ideas: Secrets
Julian, Leo, Eddie, Dolly, Celine, Reba,
Preston, Fritz Willy, Hank, Garth

Siblings: Brooklyn Louie & Teddy Finn
Gender: Boy! Surprise? Girl!

Wow, that was some crazy information on the pregos and we hope they will enjoy their sauce (babies)!
Don’t worry students, you won't be needing any “subs with the sauce” this year because all of the
teachers' due dates are after school is done for the year! Next year it will be different, while there will
be substitute teachers, you don’t have to worry because our teachers work with them to make sure
we’re still learning.

17

Meet Our Newspaper Staff

Thank you to all of our hard-working 4th- and 5th-grade newspaper writers!
Your dedication to your articles is evident in the finished pieces in this issue! We are so proud of all the
research, interviews, rough drafting, and editing that you have done to produce such a fantastic
newspaper to share with all of the elementary students!
Thank you!

- Mrs. Ayer & Mrs. Thomas

Back row: Selma Burtnett, Tyce Olsen, Mackenzie Delfosse, Kaedance Krueger, Alexis Staats, Autumn Sargent,
Kaile VanDenBogart, Vivienne Tanck
Middle Row: Aaliyah Estevez, Abby Rock, John Tong, Ben Olson, Sophia Franda
Front Row: Willa Snyder, Brooklyn Ayer, Naomy Sanchez, Breiah Newton