October 2026 NHS Activities Round-up

Band & Choir

The band and choir finished out the month of October with several performances.  On Monday, October 26, they each performed on the NHS Fall Concert.  On Tuesday, November 3, members of the band performed on the NWMA HS All-Conference Band Concert while members of the choir performed on the NWMA HS All-Conference Choir Concert on November 5.  All three performances can be watched on the district YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@schooldistrictofmaple

Drama

The drama team received valuable and constructive feedback from their district competition and have advanced to sectionals. They have been fine-tuning their characterizations, costumes, and articulation for sectional competition, held at the Pablo Center in Eau Claire on October 28th. The cast and crew will put on their show for the public as part of The Night of One Acts, held at the high school on Thursday, November 19.  

FCA

The NHS Huddle of FCA meets every Friday at 7:35 a.m. in Room 3058.   Sophie Navarro, Jael Lintula, Ailie Clemmer, AJ Ketola, and Caleb Wright are leading the Huddle.  We are presently using DBS during our time together.  Super great method to learn!  There is a new regional director for all the Huddles north of Highway 8, so we are hoping to meet him this fall.  We are hosting the Field of Faith event on Oct. 28.  Local college athletes and high school athletes will share, and we are inviting Hayward, Solon Springs, Drummond, Ashland, Duluth East, Denfeld, Rice Lake, and Superior.    There might be other schools in attendance as well!  It will be at the football field OR in the upper gym IF the weather is not great.  The event will be from 7-9 pm.  All are welcome to FCA!  

Students Over Substance (SOS)

The SOS  group is excited about our new name and we hope it feels more inclusive!  WE are thrilled to continue our partnership with Douglas County Drug Prevention Coalition and the American Lung Association.  We are equally happy to welcome Kerri Green to our team.  Many of you remember her from her NES days as a 4K educator!  Our SOS “board” has been formed and our leaders are Izzy Opsahl, Addyson Gergen, Charlie Chambers and Monica Woodhull.  We are so excited to have such great students involved!  Last Tuesday, our Leadership Team brought their energy to NMS for a Red Ribbon Week activity during all 3 lunches.  125 NMS students signed a pledge to be drug/substance free!  There were fun prizes and great conversations were had with NMS students.  We also hosted a Substance Free movie night last Tuesday in the NHS auditorium.  Lots of Halloween Fun!  We have two groups headed to the Village of Poplar and the Maple Town Hall for Trunk or Treat events on Sat., Oct. 31.  There is also a group going to the Rise and Thrive Conference with Mrs. Kaufman.  Several of our leaders will be presenting during that event.  Great job SOS!  And, we partnered with the NHS Student Council for Halloween Dress-up week activities!  

Student Council

The Student Council planned a fun Halloween week for students and staff.  There were dress-up days (that included a collaboration with SOS for Red Ribbon Week), a door decorating contest, and an assembly on Friday.  Students competed in a TP Mummy Contest (Mr. Helbach was so cool he had to wear shades �), a Dance Contest to Ghostbusters, and a Costume Contest where a handful of students went home with cash prizes!!!  It was a Spooktacular way to end the month!  

Yearbook

Yearbooks can be purchased by going to the Jostens website and clicking on “Buy a yearbook.”  Enter Northwestern High School in Maple, WI, as the school.  

The current price is $80.  We have sold many of the pre-ordered yearbooks, and 75 are still available.  Please order as soon as possible. Some students couldn’t get yearbooks at the end of the year because we ran out of supply.

ALSO, seniors should have turned in their grad photos, baby pictures, and quotes to Mrs. Thompson by Friday, October 30.  If any seniors haven’t done that yet, they will receive an email detailing missing items.  Please check with your senior to see if he/she is missing anything.
 

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
School District of Maple

Room #2270, District Conference Room - Northwestern High School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbOqJAKAvak
Monday, November 9, 2026 – 5:00 p.m.

This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District’s business and is not to be considered a meeting of the public.  There may be a time for public comment during the meeting as indicated in the agenda.

AGENDA

1. Call to order, roll call, and Pledge of Allegiance
2. Report on how the public was notified
3. Approval of the November 9, 2026 Agenda
4. Consent Agenda:   a.  October 12, 2026 regular school board meeting minutes b.  Treasurer’s Report c.  Payment of Invoices d.  Resignation(s)/Employment/Retirement(s)
5. ACT and Wisconsin Forward Exam Results
6. Policy Updates - First Read
   1. 35.2 Update
      1. 2461 Recording of IEP Meetings
      2. 2510 - Adoption of Textbooks
      3. 2521 - Selection of Instructional Materials and Equipment
      4. 5511 - Dress and Appearance
      5. 7440.02 - Smart Sensor and Monitoring Technology
      6. 8325 - Receipt of Legal Documents by District Employees
      7. 8500 - Food Services
      8. 8500.01 - Policy and Process for Receiving and Processing Complaints Alleging Civil  Rights Discrimination (Including Wisconsin Protected Classes) in the U.S. Department of  Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs - NEW
      9. 8531 - Free and Reduced-Price Meals
      10. 8600 - Transportation - NEW
   2. 35.2 Technical Corrections
      1. 2131.01 - Reading Instructional Goals, Assessment and Interventions
      2. 5330 - Administration of Medication/Emergency Care
      3. 5451.01 - Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarship
      4. 6610 - Nondistrict-Supported Student Activity Accounts
      5. 7440.01 - Video Surveillance and Electronic Monitoring
      6. 8462.01 - Threats of Violence
   3. Special Update - Nondiscrimination
      1. 1422 - Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Harassment
      2.  3122 - Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Harassment
      3.  4122 - Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity and Anti-Harassment
      4. 1422.02 - Nondiscrimination Based on Genetic Information of the Employee
      5. 3122.02 - Nondiscrimination Based on Genetic Information of the Employee
      6. 4122.02 - Nondiscrimination Based on Genetic Information of the Employee
      7. 1662 - Anti-Harassment
      8. 3362 - Anti-Harassment
      9. 4362 - Anti-Harassment
      10. 2260 - Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity
      11. 2260.01 - Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Discrimination Based on Disability
      12. 266 - Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities
      13. 2411 - School Counseling and Academic and Career Planning
      14. 2414 - Human Growth and Development
      15. 5516 - Student Hazing
      16. 5517 - Student Anti-Harassment
      17. 5517.01 - Bullying
      18. 5730 - Equal Access for Nondistrict-Sponsored Student Clubs and Activities
      19. 8913 - Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment
7. Approval Items:
   1. A request from Mrs. Erika Kaufman along with two middle school and two high school students to attend the “End the Trend” youth leadership conference in Wausau, WI, November 30 - December 1, 2026.
   2. A request from Mrs. Jenny Reijo and DECA students to attend the DECA Sports   Management Event, December 17-19, 2026.
   3. Requests for overnight trips from Alexis Landherr, Director of Athletic and Activities for:
      1. Boys Varsity & JV Basketball to attend the Holiday Tournament at Aquinas High School in La Crosse, WI on December 29-30, 2026.
      2. Wrestling Team to travel to Wisconsin Dells, WI December 11-12, 2026.
      3. Wrestling Team to attend the Northern Badger Tournament at River Falls, WI December 28-30, 2026.
      4. Junior and Senior members of the Dance Team to attend the Dance Leadership Conference in Wisconsin Dells, November 14-15, 2026.
      5. Dance Team to attend the Regional Competition at DC Everest High School January 22-23, 2027.
8. Administrative reports:
   1. Communications Received
   2. School Board Election Notice and Schedule  
   3. Final Aid Certification and Tax Levy for 2026-27
   4. Maintenance Update
   5. Referendum Update
   6. Donation(s)
   7. WASB correspondence and legislative report
   8. WASB Annual Convention, January 20-22, 2027
   9. CESA #12 Report
   10. Reports from District Administrator, Northwestern Elementary/Iron River Elementary Schools, Northwestern Middle School, Northwestern High School, Director of Special Education, and  Student Board Representatives
   11. Student, staff, and community recognition
9. Comments from the audience
10. Adjournment 

No School on Friday, November 6, 2026

On Friday, November 6th, the Northwestern High School football team will be playing Freedom High School in a Level 3 playoff game in Freedom, Wisconsin.  An exciting chance for the Tigers to continue in the playoffs!

While this is a great opportunity, the distance of this trip is posing some very real logistical issues.  Freedom is about a 5.5 hour drive from Maple.  We have 25% of our district staff who are coaches, parents of players and connected to the program in one way, shape or form.

After evaluating several options, trying to have school in any capacity would result in a significant strain throughout the district and will impact the ability to run the district in a safe and functional manner.

Therefore, we will not have school on Friday, November 6th.  There will also be no Tiger's Den on Friday, November 6th.

February 15, 2027, which was originally a day off for professional development will be a regularly scheduled school day.  This means there is not a loss of instructional time.  It is being shifted to a different date.

This is not ideal ideal to have to travel nearly 6 hours to play.  I acknowledge this and under stand the frustration of not having school.  Who we play and how the playoffs are structured at the state level is out of our control.

We do our best, always, to evaluate what the reality is and create a plan to move forward - keeping in mind safety, functionality and staffing.

We are proud of all of our programs in the School District of Maple.  We appreciate the community support and enthusiasm for our programs.

CURRICULUM COMMITTEE MEETING
School District of Maple

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 @ 4:00 pm
District Office Conference Room

Agenda

1. Call to order and roll call
2. Report on public notification
3. Review of curriculum
   1. Recommendation of committee
4. Adjournment

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
School District of Maple

District Conference Room #2270 at Northwestern High School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaElSXYSznk
Monday, October 12, 2026 – 5:00 p.m.

This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District’s business and is not to be considered a meeting of the public. There may be a time for public comment during the meeting as indicated in the agenda.

AGENDA

1. Call to order, roll call, and Pledge of Allegiance
2. Report on how the public was notified
3. Approval of the October 12, 2026 Agenda
4. Consent Agenda:
   1. September 14, 2026 meeting minutes
   2. Treasurer’s Report
   3. Payment of Invoices
   4. Resignation(s)/Employment/Retirement(s)
5. Approval Items:
   1. A request from Mr. Nyhus for him and FFA students to attend the following conferences:
      1. FFA National Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 20-24, 2026
      2. The FFA Connect & I Am conference in Green Bay, WI Nov. 12-13, 2026
      3. Halftime Leadership Conference in Stevens Point, WI January 15-16, 2027
   2. Start College Now/Early College Credit Program for Spring 2027
   3. 2025-26 Budget Revisions and Audit Report
   4. 2026-27 Tax Levy and Budget
   5. Vendor Selection for the District-Wide Security Camera and Electronic Door Access System Upgrades
6. Administrative report:
   1. Communications
   2. Pupil Count (September 18, 2026) and Open Enrollment Report
   3. Maintenance Update
   4. Referendum Update
   5. Donation(s)
   6. WASB correspondence and legislative report
   7. CESA #12 report
   8. Student, Staff, Community Recognition
   9. Reports from District Administrator, Northwestern Elementary/Iron River Elementary Schools, Northwestern Middle School, Northwestern High School, Director of Special Education, and Student Board Representatives
7. Comments from the audience
8. Adjournment

NHS Activities Monthly Round-up: September 2026

Band

Members of the band have had a busy start of the year.  On September 11, they supported the football team with their first pep band performance of the year.  On Friday, September 25, they performed three patriotic songs at their homecoming performance.  On Sunday, October 4, they performed in the 64th annual Bayfield Apple Festival Parade.  On Monday, October 26, they will join with the choir in presenting the NHS Fall Concert.  This concert will be held at 7:30 PM in the Patricia Luostari Theatre for the Performing Arts and will be broadcast on the district YouTube Channel.

Choir

Concert Choir began the year with preparations for the Fall concert at 7:30 pm on October 27th, which will feature songs on the theme of water and a patriotic song to celebrate the United States of America’s 250th anniversary. Our small ensembles are beginning to meet and get ready for the upcoming Winter Choir concert at 7:30 pm on December 14th, which will feature Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Vocal Jazz, Wolf Pack, and Satis Stella. The Vocal Jazz group will also be performing at the Java Jive Winter Jazz Concert at 7:30 pm on December 7th.

Drama

The drama season has begun and cast and crew alike are hard at work. Northwestern will be hosting the district one Wisconsin Interscholastic Speech and Dramatic Arts Association one-act play competition in mid-October. Cast and crew are taking on Greek mythology for this year's play. Their public performance is at The Night of One Acts on November 19. 

FCA

The NHS Huddle of FCA meets every Friday morning at 7:35 a.m. in Room 3058.   Sophie Navarro, Jael Lintula, Ailie Clemmer, AJ Ketola and Caleb Wright are leading the Huddle.  We are presently using DBS during our time together.  Super great method to learn!  There is a new regional director for all the Huddles north of Highway 8 so we are hoping to meet him this fall.  We are hosting the Field of Faith event on Oct. 28.  Local college athletes and high school athletes will share and we are inviting Hayward, Solon Springs, and Drummond.  There might be other schools in attendance as well!  It will be at the football field OR in the upper gym IF the weather is not great.  Stay tuned for the time! All are welcome to FCA!  

Students Over Substance (SOS)

The SOS  group is excited about our new name and we hope it feels more inclusive!  WE are thrilled to continue our partnership with Douglas County Drug Prevention Coalition and the American Lung Association.  We are equally happy to welcome Kerri Green to our team.  Many of you remember her from her NES days as a 4K educator!  Our SOS “board” has been formed and our leaders are Izzy Opsahl, Addyson Gergen, Charlie Chambers and Monica Woodhull.  We are so excited to have such great students involved!  Our current projects include a Youth Voices initiative through DCPC and the American Lung Association and a potential Halloween movie night. Happy Fall! 

Student Council

The Student Council planned the 2026 Homecoming Tailgate and it was a huge success!  Hundreds of students, staff, alumni, and other community members came to the high school to enjoy food trucks, a car & truck show, cornhole, ladderball, spikeball, music, face painting, and fun.  It was a great way to spend a Friday night before the big football game against Barron.  Go Tigers!

Yearbook

Yearbooks can be purchased by going to the Jostens website and clicking on “Buy a yearbook.”  Enter Northwestern High School in Maple, WI as the school.  

The current price is $80.  We have sold half of the pre-ordered yearbooks, so please order as soon as possible. Some students were unable to purchase yearbooks at the end of the year because our stock ran out.
 

BUILDINGS/GROUNDS/TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 @ 5:00 pm
District Office Conference Room

AGENDA

1. Call to order and roll call
2. Report on public notification
3. Status update of support vehicles
4. Review camera system and door access vendors
5. Adjournment 

SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE NOTICE & AGENDA

BOARD OF EDUCATION
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MAPLE
Committee of the Whole Notice
Maple, WI 54854

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

The Board of Education of the School District of Maple will be meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026 at Northwestern High School, 4751 South County Road F, Maple, WI 54854 at 4:00 p.m.  The purpose is to discuss co-curricular opportunities and options for students.

A quorum of the Board of Education will attend.

STEVEN P. PROBST, CLERK
DATED: September 9, 2026

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING
School District of Maple
Northwestern High School, District Conference Room, #2270
Monday, September 14, 2026 – 4:00 p.m.

This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District’s business and is not to be considered a meeting of the public.

A G E N D A

1. Call to order, roll call, and Pledge of Allegiance
2. Report on how the public was notified
3. Discussion a. Co-curricular opportunities and options for students
4. Adjournment 

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
School District of Maple

Northwestern High School, District Conference Room, #2270
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5n22TnmKPw
Monday, September 14, 2026 – 5:00 p.m.

This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District’s business and is not to be considered a meeting of the public.  There may be a time for public comment during the meeting as indicated in the agenda.

A G E N D A

1. Call to order, roll call, and Pledge of Allegiance
2. Report on how the public was notified  
3. Approval of the September 14, 2026 agenda open
4. Consent Agenda:
   1. Minutes from the August 10, 2026 regular board meeting
   2. Treasurer’s Report
   3. Payment of Invoices
   4. Resignation(s)/Employment/Retirement(s)
5. Approval Items:
   1. Inter-district transfers
   2. Authorization of the issuance and establishing parameters for a temporary borrowing in an amount not to exceed $2,000,000 pursuant to Section 67.12(8)(a)1, Wis. Stats.
6. Administrative Report:
   1. Projected state revenues for the 2026-2027 school year
   2. Communications Received
   3. Budget Hearing/Annual Meeting - September 28, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
   4. WASB Region 1 Meeting - October 6, 2026 in Hayward e. Maintenance Update
   5. Referendum Projects Update
   6. WASB Correspondence and Legislative Update
   7. CESA #12 Report
   8. Donation(s)
   9. Reports from Northwestern Elementary and Iron River Elementary Schools, Northwestern Middle School, Northwestern High School and Athletic and Activities Director, Director of Special Education and student representatives
   10. Student, Staff and Community Recognition
7. Comments from the audience
8. Adjournment 

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MAPLE
2026 NOTICE OF BUDGET HEARING AND ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING

You are hereby notified that a hearing on the budget will be conducted in the District Conference Room #2270 located at Northwestern High School, Entrance “E” at 4751 South County Road F, Maple, WI, on September 28, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. A detailed copy of the proposed budget is available in the District Office at Northwestern High School, Maple, Wisconsin. Summaries of the budget have been mailed to district residents and are posted throughout the district.

Notice is also hereby given to the qualified electors of the School District of Maple that the Annual Meeting of said District will be held in the District Conference Room, #2270 at Northwestern High School immediately following the Budget Hearing
held at 7:00 P.M.

Steven P. Probst, Clerk