Move More!

Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare’s Health Note:

Sit still. Stop fidgeting. Quiet. These may be words we hear every day. Although there is a time to be still, what we often need to do is to move more! We need to move the stress out of our body. We need to move to clear our minds, relieve tension and sleep more soundly. We need to move to stay flexible, focused and fit. Our bodies were made to move. Movement is what helps us to be present in the moment. Sometimes movement can be quiet and subtle, like deep breathing and exercises to calm the mind. Other times movement can be more obvious, like walking, biking or lifting weights. Whatever form of movement you enjoy, do it often. The more you move, the more you will benefit and the easier it will be to sit still when you have to.

Carissa Wiersma
Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare
mayoclinichealthsystem.org

PdC High School Actors & 4th Grade Classes Team Up With Sculpture Park

The Sculpture Park is where fine art brings history to life near the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. Life-sized bronze figures from the pages of history and prehistory gather together near the central fire circle, as if meeting for a present day rendezvous. Already installed are: Chief Blackhawk, Dr. Beaumont and son Israel, Victorian Lady, The Voyageur, and Emma Big Bear. As guests visit and revisit, they will learn of the stories and lives of the men and women who shaped the Upper Mississippi River Valley on the land now called Prairie du Chien.

Each year, 4th graders at Bluffview Elementary participate in a unit on Prairie du Chien history. They are also required to do a report on historical figures as part of their 4th grade curriculum. Their studies and research culminates with a May field trip to tour the Villa Louis mansion and grounds. Thanks to several industrious teachers, the field trip this year will be expanded to include a tour of the Mississippi River Sculpture Park. Cindy Hertrampf, a retired teacher from the area (who also serves on the Sculpture Park event committee) and teacher Mary Gasser (along with her other three 4th grade team teachers) collaborated and created an opportunity for all 4th grade students to engage in an interactive educational experience that will not only increase their knowledge base, but also help each one learn more information for his/her required class report. Each 4th grader will be required to choose (as a topic for his/her report) a historical figure from the Sculpture Park’s current and upcoming future statues that are either there now or are planned for installation in the time to come.  

Teaming up with the event committee is Luana Stiemke (PdC Parks and Recreation drama teacher,) who has tirelessly put together a team of students and other local talent to “act-out” vignettes written by the committee that tie in historical facts about the statues themselves. Costumed local high school students and area actors will bring these current and future statues “to life” by telling stories about each one’s historical impact on southwest Wisconsin and northeast Iowa. These “live statues” will do this by telling tales about the discovery and development of this critical rendezvous area we all know as St. Feriole Island in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.

 

This is the first event of its kind in this area…and it is also being tied-in as a fundraiser to “bring to life” Marianne Labuche (pronounced “La-BOOSH”), Wisconsin’s first doctor. Labuche was a local healer known as “Aunt Mary Ann” by her faithful followers in the early 1800s. Labuche’s living statue will be roaming around during the event telling tales about her life and work. Visitors' generous donations will be gladly accepted to help give Marianne Labuche's bronze life-sized statue a permanent home in the park.

 

The event is FREE and open to all families and the general public on both sides of the mighty Mississippi. “Twilight of the Living Statues” will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mississippi River Sculpture Park across the street from the Villa Louis mansion. Bluffview 4th grade children are strongly encouraged and are invited to bring their families along down to the Sculpture Park to learn additional information for their upcoming reports. In addition, they are able to participate in the “living history” as well as receive a token for attending. On the Monday after the event, those students with tokens earned from their participation in this event will be invited to fill out a three-question survey reflecting on their experiences at the Mississippi River Sculpture Park event. Some of those wonderful 4th grade “insights” from the upcoming surveys are planning to be published in an upcoming Courier Press issue. This way, we can all enjoy and all learn from our local 4th grade reporters. 

Visitors are invited to bring their own snacks or beverages so they can picnic in the Sculpture Park while listening to live music and enjoying the vignettes. A fire will be constantly burning in the central ‘Fire Circle,’ which is outlined with bronze symbols of the ancient peoples who occupied this rendezvous area over the past 10,000 years. In addition to costumed actors, board members and volunteers will be dressed in historic-style clothing as well. Visitors are encouraged to get into the “spirit” and come dressed as their favorite historical figure or persona if they wish. 

Should Sunday, May 5th prove to be too rainy for this outdoor event, the rain date will be Saturday, May 11th (the day before Mother’s Day). For more information, contact Sculpture Park board president Rogeta Halvorson at RAHalvorson@alpinecom.net or 563-880-9190.

Thanks to Kristine Rutherford for her dedicated service to PdC Public Schools

Today is officially the last day for Kristine as a School Board member as new Board Members are sworn in on the 22nd. I want to thank Kristine for her years of service as a School Board member. Kristine has always been a passionate supporter of services to the children of the community.

Individual WPS sessions for employees:

Sue Roseliep from WPS Health Insurance will be in the district and will be available for employees to ask general questions on Friday, May 10th. If you have personal questions for Sue, you can set up an appointment through Patti for after school. See the schedule below:

 

FRIDAY , MAY 10, 2013

• High School - Conference Room - 10:00 am to 11:30 am
• Bluff View - (Room 209) - 12:11 pm to 1:41 pm
• B A Kennedy - Kndg Work Room - 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm
• Back to the High School - Conference Room - 3:45 pm until 5:00 pm - for 15 min private appointments - contact Patti to reserve a time ( call/ or email her)

PDC Public High School Artwork on display today

Art Department release:

Six PDC High School students donated their artwork to PDRI down town Revitalization. The artwork will be displayed today, April 19th at 5:30pm at City Hall. Please stop by and place a vote for your favorite piece of art. The original art will be auction and proceeds will benefit the PDRI. Students involved in this community project include Nat Soikam, Melissa Tippery, Alec Rutherford, Jared Mikkelson, Dylan Fisher, and Devan Marx.

The following are the pictures of the art, but they do not do justice to the pieces. Please see them in person to fully appreciate what these students have created, and if desired you can bid to buy one of the beautiful original pictures.

 

 

PdC Prom April 20th - this Saturday

Prom 2013 will be at The Barn Restaurant. The dance begins at 8 p.m. and ends at midnight. Grand March will be at 10 p.m. The cost for a couple is $20 and for a single is $13. Parents and other spectators are welcome at the Grand March. The cost for admission to the Grand March is $2.00. Please park in the north lot of The Barn and use the north entrance closest to the campground.

 Knutson Photography will be present to take group and individual photos. Please contact them directly for prices. Knutson’s will accept cash or checks; pictures must be paid for in advance.

Out-of-town dates must have blue pass from the high school office to attend the dance. All school rules apply.

Mayo Clinic Health Note on Eating Healthy, Saving Money and Supporting Local Economies

One of the best ways to eat healthy, save money, support local economies, and help decrease your carbon footprint is by becoming a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) member. CSA's are local farms that sell shares to community members and in return, members receive shares in the farm's harvests throughout the growing season. Depending on the CSA, some offer fresh eggs, poultry, beef, and baked goods. The produce is delivered on a weekly basis at various locations for shareholders to pick up. The costs of shares vary (typically $300 to $600) depending on the quantity of produce you would like and the number of boxes you receive. Don't let the cost discourage you. CSA's save you money, time, and your health. Now is the time to sign up for summer and fall shares. Visit www.localharvest.org to find a CSA near you.

From:
Carissa Wiersma
Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare
mayoclinichealthsystem.org

K-3 Literacy Online Conference

The DPI is presenting an online conference designed for Wisconsin’s “early literacy leaders,” particularly reading specialists and principals who serve students, grades K-3.

The online “Literacy (Un)Conference” will take place April 15 and 16, with prerecorded video sessions (similar to webinars) posted in the morning for flexible viewing throughout the day. Each day also has a corresponding opportunity to “chat” online with presenters—experts and Wisconsin educators—during evening hours.

The corresponding live chat for the April 15 sessions about “Standards-Based Instruction and Assessment” will be held that night at 7:00 p.m.

The live chat for the April 16 sessions about “Planning for Professional Learning and Collaboration” will be held about a week later, on April 25 at 7:00 p.m.

State Superintendent Tony Evers will address the conference via video. Governor Walker may also contribute a video message.

More information can be found on Read Wisconsin. When available, a link to the Literacy (Un)Conference website will also be posted there.