January 17, 2002
A day in the seventh grade
by Laurel Menne
My day in the middle school started as an opportunity to see the building as the students see it and to watch the teachers as they cope with the limitations of crowding and outdated classrooms.
It ended up being much more.
Principal Pat Hall had a full day planned for me when I arrived in the morning, promptly at 8 a.m.
The first thing I learned is that bells never ring to signal the end of classes. Because the school is so crowded, the grades are excused at slightly different times to avoid crowding in the halls. I was scheduled to attend part of eight classes and eat lunch with the seventh grade. I also took two tests, had two eighth grade boys walk me to class and spent a lot of time trying to figure out why there are handicapped accessible toilets on a floor that is not handicapped accessible.
My first class was sixth grade science with Karen Tiffany. I took a test that involved finding density of objects.
The room didn't have water, so it was measured from a soda bottle into a beaker and a dish pan was used as the sink. I sat in the back of the room and wondered how I would be able to get out of the room if the building had a fire. I think I aced my test.
From Science I found my way to the Home Ec room. It was the last day of the semester, so I talked to students as they cleaned their kitchen areas. That room has some of the first portable sewing machines invented. In a time when most sewing machines are computer literate, the room only has two machines that can do a zigzag stitch.
Next I went to the wood shop to watch the eighth grade class finish some of their projects. The dust collection system is non-existent and it got pretty thick in there as students sanded projects. My asthma kicked in and I needed a cup of coffee. Despite the few tools and the outdated equipment, the quality of the students' work was impressive. They made everything from shelves to entertainment centers.
A tour of the girls' locker room brought back nightmares of my own years in high school and may add some new ones. The room is crowded and falling apart. Because of the condition of the showers, and few sinks, the students usually choose to just change their clothes after gym, rather than shower.
My seventh grade choir class was taught on the stage of the gym. Even though the teacher put me between two of her stronger singers, I found it hard to concentrate and sing. The gym was being used. The door to the band room was open and those noises were audible down the hall. Mary Gualdoni, who teaches choir, has to move her keyboard and music from a small office down the hall to the stage every day. She told me that when it is raining they have to cancel class because the noise on the roof drowns them out.
I needed caffeine. Then I went to band class and I needed aspirin.
I found Craig Lubich's sixth grade math class so interesting that I was late for art. He was teaching the basics of geometry and I wished he had been my teacher. Again, I sat in a chair in the back of the room, in the path to everywhere.
In art I sat in the teacher's chair because there wasn't an extra inch for me to stand. There aren't any display areas for student work, so the students were working on pieces that would hang in the cafeteria. As a former art teacher, I know the importance of displaying both student work and the work of the masters. It was impossible in that room.
Lunch with the seventh grade class was so crowded that I wondered who would see the art when it was hung.
I chose the corn dog. I figured that skinny food would be easier to eat in crowded conditions.
After lunch I attended Don Hover's eighth grade science class. The room could have been in the set of a "Ronald Regan on Campus" movie. The students made balloon rockets and had varying successes at getting them to follow strings laced across the room. I could never have escaped from that room. I ws trapped.
In Carol Zinter's Language Arts class I missed a word on the spelling test and saw students who have to read in class because there aren't enough books for every student to have a copy. I wondered about the kids who need help with reading comprehension and would benefit from their parent's help.
What did I learn?
I learned that a school can function with floors peeling up, ceilings laced with wires and rooms crowded with students and supplies. I saw how dangerous an old building could potentially be to young people. I saw room after room with audio visual equipment stacked in front of the bulletin boards because there was simply no other place to put it.
I learned that I never want to take another spelling test without our proofreader at my side.
I also saw teachers with a strong commitment to education.
That is what it takes to teach in those conditions...near sainthood!
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Prescott wrestlers edge Somerset in 33-29 victory
by Jeff Poliak
The Cardinal wrestlers moved their conference dual meet record to 2-1 with a hard-fought 33-29 victory last Tuesday night in their home gym
The meet again started at 103 lb., which found Cardinal freshman Brady Behrendt earning another forfeit. Sophomore Ty Reis (112) set the tone for his teammates by winning by fall at 2:53 to give the grapplers a 12-0 lead.
At 119, Jake Boles won a close match by a 3-2 score, moving the team score to 15-0. Senior standout Willy Host (125) made quick work of his opponent by pinning him in just :55. Nick Swanson (130) kept the winning streak going by decisioning Andy Nash 6-3. Kurt Van Horn lost a major decision to one of Somerset's best wrestlers 13-5. At 140, Ryan Kareisch lost 4-0. Nick Schommer then lost 15-43to make the team score 24-11.
After building a 4-1 lead, Josh Beeler (152) got caught and lost by fall at 5:49. Senior Nate Green (160) took matters into his own hands and brought the crowd to their feet by winning by a pin at 5:59, giving the Cards a 30-17 lead. Ben Fremstad (171) calculated that he needed to win to preserve the victory. He succeeded and kept everyone on their feet with a takedown with :30 remaining to edge his opponent 7-5, which gave PHS a lead of 33-17.
Adding in the two Cardinal forfeits at 189 and 275, Prescott narrowly defeated Somerset by a final score of 33-29.
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Girls basketball team stays perfect at home
by Jason Strangis
Prescott's four-game winning streak was snapped after losing to Spring Valley Jan. 8. But the Lady Cards quickly started a new three-game winning streak - with all three victories taking place during a big home stretch.
The Cardinals improved to 9-4 overall (7-3 in conference play). Boyceville leads the league at 9-0, with Mondovi second at 8-1.
If the Cards hadn't tripped up at Spring Valley, the winning streak would be at eight games and counting. But Spring Valley came away with a 55-44 victory, adding to the road woes for Prescott this season.
"We played with very little energy and purpose," commented Prescott head coach Tim Cerni. "We had opportunities but we made a lot of mistakes."
Prescott's leading scorer, Shannon Huppert, got into foul trouble which limited her playing time. She fouled out in the fourth quarter, but still managed to score 19 points on the evening.
Huppert really shined in the next game against Elk Mound Jan. 11. The All-Conference guard put on a show for the Prescott fans, scoring a school record 32 points - including five three-pointers - in leading the Lady Cards to a 68-49 victory.
After being held scoreless in a first quarter which saw Elk Mound hold a slim 13-11 lead, Huppert went on a tear, pumping in 11 points in the second quarter to put the Cards on top 24-20 at half.
The Mounders stayed tough in the third quarter and trailed by only three points heading into the final period of play. But the Cardinals went on a 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter which put them in command. Prescott scored a whopping 27 points in the fourth quarter, its best single quarter output in the past four years, according to Cerni.
Junior forward Liz Poliak added 11 points for Prescott. Junior pointguard Bre Syverson played a strong floor game and scored eight points. Freshman Sam Gora also had a solid game and finished with seven points.
"I thought the whole game we had energy, and that's important because we came off a pretty poor loss to Spring Valley," said Cerni. "It was a great win. It was nice for the home crowd to see that kind of offense."
The Lady Cards continued their strong play the next night in an easy 52-25 win over Pepin. This one was over pretty quickly as the Cards flew out to a 19-3 lead after the opening quarter. Prescott led 29-11 at the half, and the Cards kept building their lead from there.
Prescott made good use of its size advantage with many inside baskets. The Cards had a balanced offensive attack with Huppert again leading the way with 18 points. Syverson scored 13 points, Gora hit the seven mark again, and Callie Kistler added six.
The Lady Cards wrapped up their homestand with a hard-fought 52-40 win over Baldwin-Woodville Jan. 14.
Huppert was hot again in the opening quarter, scoring 11 points with three steals as the Cards got out to a 19-11 lead.
The Blackhawks kept coming back and pulled to within four points in the second quarter. But two big three-pointers by Syverson and guard Julie Sobolewski helped put the Cards on top 31-24 at half.
The Cardinals started pulling away in the third quarter. Center Abby Johnson gave Prescott a spark by hitting a three-pointer to put her team ahead 38-26. The Lady Cards maintained their cushion the rest of the way and were never seriously threatened.
After a strong start, Huppert got in foul trouble in the second half and had to be taken out of the game. But by that time the Cards had a substantial lead. Huppert finished with 19 points. During the three-game home stretch, she scored 69 points - a 23 p.p.g average.
For the season, Huppert is averaging about 17 p.p.g. and is leading the league in scoring. Perhaps most impressive is her long-range shooting, where she was hitting over 50% of her three-point attempts entering the game against Baldwin last Monday.
Kistler finished with 10 points against Baldwin, while Syverson added nine (about her average this season). Johnson contributed seven points - including the big three-pointer in the second half.
It was Prescott's seventh straight triumph at home this season. But for all their success playing in their own gym, the Cards have struggled on the road with a 2-4 record.
Still, Cerni is satisfied his team is 9-4 on the season. He was especially relieved to come out of the three-game home stretch with a perfect 3-0 mark.
"In a normal schedule you play two games a week," he noted. "We played three games in four days. That's asking an awful lot. That's why I thought our bench did real well. Overall, I was pleased."
Prescott's tenacious defense once again was a key to victory.
"I thought we played good defense," said Cerni. "That was a hard game. Baldwin kept hustling and we had to earn the win."
While Boyceville is in the driver's seat in the race to win the league title, Cerni is hoping his team can keep winning and earn a high seed for the playoffs. The Lady Cards will next travel to Glenwood City Jan. 17. Prescott won't return home again for two weeks, when they clash with league leader Boyceville Jan. 31.
Elk Mound 13 7 18 11 49
Prescott 11 13 17 27 68
Prescott scorers: Huppert 32, Poliak 11, Syverson 8, Gora 7, Kistler 6, Johnson 4
Plum City 3 8 9 5 25
Prescott 19 10 16 17 52
Prescott scorers: Huppert 18, Syverson 13, Gora 7, Kistler 6, Johnson 4, Anderson 2, Butler 2
Baldwin 11 13 6 10 40
Prescott 19 12 13 8 52
Prescott scorers: Huppert 19, Kistler 10, Syverson 9, Johnson 7, Sobolewski
3, Butler 2, Gora 2
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School Lunch Menu
Prescott Public Schools
January 21 - 25
MONDAY: Chili/cheese, corn bread, green beans.
TUESDAY: Meatball sub/bun, pretzels, peas, brownie; *Bologna sandwich.
WEDNESDAY: Soft shell taco, lettuce/tomato/onion, corn, sour cream.
THURSDAY: Chicken pattie/bun, tater tots, winter veggie with cheese.
FRIDAY: PB&J sandwich, chicken noodle soup, carrot
stix, granola bar.
Bread, butter, fruit cup, and 1/2 pint of milk are offered with each meal.
Pizza and chef salad are offered daily at the High School. Chef salad is offered each day at the Middle School.
*Alternate choice.
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Athlete of the Week
Brady Behrendt and Willy Holst are this week's athletes of the week.
Both wrestlers placed second at the 38-team Northern Badger tournament over the holidays and continue to be the leaders in team points earned.
Coach Poliak said both athletes lead by example on the mat and are getting ready for the upcoming tournament.
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Student of the Week
Junior Liz Poliak is this week's student of the week.
Daughter of Jeffrey and Danielle Poliak, she was nominated by band director, Mr. Canfield.
An honor roll student, Liz participates in EXCEL, student council, music, forensics and jazz band.
Her interests and hobbies include running, sports, playing the trumpet and taking pictures.
She participates in volleyball, basketball and softball.
She plans to attend the University of California, Los Angeles to pursue a career in physical therapy.
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