🥚🎉 2026 Egg Drop Challenge Success! 🎉🥚

This year, our 6th grade students were invited to participate in the annual Egg Drop Challenge alongside the 7th and 8th graders—and they rose to the challenge in impressive fashion!

Students in Mrs. Richardson’s and Mr. Gerbracht’s Middle School Science classes, with assistance from Mrs. Walster, applied creativity, engineering, and scientific thinking to design devices that would protect their eggs from impact. Their hard work, problem-solving skills, and innovation were on full display throughout the competition.

🏆 1st Period Winners
🥇 Best Design: Scarlett C.

🎨 Creative Design:

• Avery P.

• Annabelle L.

• Kyanna K.

🏆 2nd Period Winners
🥇 Overall Best Survival Design:

• June B.

• Laura H.

• Paislee M.

🎨 Most Creative Design:

• Evie L. B.

• Aria J.

• Zane M.

🔬 Scientific Design:

• Shelby B.

• Paige B.

• Kennlie C.

Congratulations to all of our participants for accepting the challenge and demonstrating outstanding creativity, perseverance, and scientific thinking. Our 6th graders embraced the opportunity to compete alongside older students and showed that great ideas and determination can lead to outstanding results.

📸 Thank you to Mrs. Richardson for providing the information and photos, and to Mrs. Richardson, Mr. Gerbracht, and Mrs. Walster for helping make this hands-on STEM learning experience a success.

⭐ Special appearance by Mrs. Johnson, who helped make the event even more memorable!

#EggDropChallenge #STEMEducation #MiddleSchoolScience #FutureEngineers #StudentSuccess #OnalaskaPride 🥚🚀📚

https://youtube.com/shorts/Jlx_XGjGUDs?feature=share

Part 2: The Magic Makers (Elementary)
Now, if you really want to see magic, head over to the elementary building. This is where learning begins, where shoes are occasionally on the wrong feet, and where teachers somehow manage to tie 17 pairs of laces while teaching reading.
Mrs. Kaylie Card, Ms. Cara Costi in special education, Ms. Ashely Dickinson, Mrs. Beth Disney, and Ms. Kaitlyn Ferry are laying foundations that will last a lifetime.
Ms. Emma Finley and Mrs. Jenny Goettlman, who became a mom this year, are balancing life and teaching in ways that deserve both applause and probably a nap.
Mrs. Laura Houser, Mrs. Cadence Koenig, who got married this year, congratulations again, and Mrs. Rebecca Langehennig in Life Skills continue to create spaces where every student belongs and succeeds.
Mrs. Rachel Leavitt, pulling double duty as both special education teacher and director, because apparently one full-time job just was not enough.
Ms. Emily Marshall, Mrs. Lacey Miloff, Ms. Araminta Nelson in Life Skills, Mrs. Amber Oien, Mrs. Heather Olsen, and Mrs. Alana Olson continue to show what dedication looks like in real time.
Mr. Jesse Perkinson joined the dad club this year as well, proving once again that our staff is not just growing minds but also families.
Mrs. Amy Price, Mrs. Stephanie Rushton, Ms. Sara Sanders, Mrs. Jacalyn Smith, Mrs. Roxanne Smith, and Mrs. Krista Thomas round out a team that turns classrooms into communities.
And here is the thing.
Across all three buildings, these are not just teachers.
They are mentors. Cheerleaders. Problem-solvers. Role models. Occasionally magicians.
They are the reason students walk in unsure and walk out believing they can.
They are the reason our community has pride in our schools.
They are the reason we can say, without hesitation, that our district is stronger because of them.
So yes, this week is about appreciation.
But the truth is, the appreciation runs all year long.
We see you. We value you. And we are incredibly proud that you are ours.
Now please accept this heartfelt thank you… and maybe an extra cup of coffee. You have earned that too.
💜💛❤️

Teacher Appreciation Week Story

Part 1: The Legends Among Us (High School + Middle School)
Every year, about this time, we pause and say, “Hey, maybe we should acknowledge the people shaping the future of humanity.” Wild concept, I know.
And then we look around our district and realize… we are not just lucky. We are ridiculously lucky.
Let’s start at the high school, where wisdom, patience, caffeine, and the occasional deep sigh all live in perfect harmony.
First, Mr. Doug Abrahmson. Forty-one years. Forty. One. Years. At this point, he has probably taught the parents of the students he is currently teaching… and maybe even corrected their grammar along the way. Doug, your impact is immeasurable, and yes, you have absolutely earned the right to remind everyone how long you have been here.
Right alongside him, Mr. Wayne Nelson with 28 years. Wayne has seen trends come and go, educational fads rise and fall, and somehow students still ask, “Is this graded?” Your steady presence matters more than you probably know.
Then we have Mr. Jason Cole, Ms. Sydney Ferari-Zimmerman, known lovingly as Mz. Fzz, who managed to get married in a secret ceremony at Carlisle Park like some kind of educational ninja. We are still impressed. Also, slightly offended we were not invited, but we will recover. Mostly. 😉
Mr. Tyler Frazier joined the dad club this year while continuing his work in special education, which means he is basically a superhero running on limited sleep. Mrs. Samantha Preston also leveled up to twin mom status, which frankly deserves its own holiday.
Ms. Katie Harris, Mr. Kevin Hoffman, who keeps winning all the awards and grants, Mrs. Andy Johnson, Mr. Kalle Jorgenson, who somehow pulls double duty with the middle school, and Ms. Rachel Shepherd continue to show up every day making the impossible look routine.
Mr. Christopher VanClifford keeps things grounded, and Mr. Alex Frazier, no relation to Tyler, earns a very real and very deserved shoutout for stepping in as a long-term sub all year and officially joining the team next year. We saw you. We appreciate you. And yes, we are keeping you.
Now let’s head over to the middle school, where things are just slightly louder and questions get just a little more… creative.
Ms. Gretchen Brown continues her incredible work in special education, meeting students where they are and helping them go further than they thought possible.
Dr. Melissa Dunworth. That is right. Doctor. She earned her doctorate this year while, you know, casually doing her job. No big deal. Just redefining what overachieving looks like.
Mr. Johnathan Gerbracht, Mrs. Susan Gordan, Mrs. Carey Heuvel, and Mrs. Laura Morast, also known as Sweers’ mom, which may or may not come up at the most convenient times for students.
Mrs. Deb Richardson, quite possibly the happiest person alive, which frankly should be studied scientifically. Mr. Robert Southern, Mrs. Anne Stingley, and Ms. Bethany Sweers round out a team that proves middle school is not for the faint of heart… and yet they make it look like something special.
Because it is.
These educators are not just teaching content. They are building confidence, redirecting energy, celebrating growth, and occasionally explaining for the tenth time why we do not throw things across the room.
And somehow, students are thriving because of it.

Maple Bars for Guests like Moms

Maple Bars for Guests like Moms will be on Friday, May 8th.
You are invited to come and have breakfast with your child on this special morning.

Time: Breakfast anytime between 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.
School starts at 8:25 a.m.

Place: Onalaska Elementary Dining Hall
Please check in at the OEMS Office at 280 West 5th Street, 98570

Menu: Blueberry Parfait or Cereal, Maple Bar, Fruit, Milk, and Coffee

Price: Adults and Non-Students $3.50
Students are free

No need to RSVP. We look forward to seeing you.

Sincerely,
Mr. Markuson
OEMS Principal

Jerry Carlson
Food Service Director