Schools

The U.S. Congress could learn a thing or two from MHS students.

MHS students passed 10 of 15 bills that they voted upon during two legislative sessions held in December. The bills were part of the new semester-long U.S. Government and Politics class.  

The course was developed by a team of social studies teachers as part of the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District curriculum renewal process and has been three years in the making.  

“I was very pleased with the job the students did,’’ said David Piovanetti, one of the class instructors. “They took their roles as lawmakers seriously and acted professionally.’’

For three months, students studied the legislative process, researched issues and drafted their own bills. On Nov. 15, more than 300 students participated in the inaugural Hearing Day. The session simulated the U.S. legislative committee hearing process, Piovanetti said.

When authorities began tracking a Mexican national suspected of killing 19-year-old Antonio Perez, they didn’t know the fugitive’s whereabouts.

In fact, they weren’t even sure if the suspect, a Middleton High School student, was a teenager or a man in his early 20s. The person they sought also went by three names: Ivan Mateo-Lozenzo, Alberto Ramirez and Arain Gutierrez.

The two-and-a-half year investigation that followed culminated December 28 in the arrest of the individual now known as Arain Gutierrez. He was captured in Cancun, Mexico.

His real age is yet to be verified, according to authorities.

Gutierrez was awaiting extradition as of this newspaper’s press time, but the incident long ago prompted local school officials to reexamine how they verify the identities of their pupils. (A law enforcement agent familiar with the case said extradition of Gutierrez could take as long as a year.)

Several MHS biology students found out what it's like to work in the field last month.

Jeff Erickson and Dan Drangstveit took 18 students to the Sandhill Wildlife Center on Dec. 13 and 14 to work with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources biologist Dick Thiel and a University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate student.

The students explored research techniques used to study timberwolves, porcupines, and bison, Erickson said. They also studied the natural history of these animals. 

Five people have filed to run for three seats on the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District Board of Education.

Nomination papers and the Declaration of Candidacy had to be filed by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 2.

In Area I, incumbent Jim Greer, 5228 Scenic Ridge Trail, Middleton, will run against David Dahmen, 5621 Dahmen Dr., Waunakee.

In Area III, incumbent and BOE vice president Diane Hornung will run against Fred Zietz, 7734 Welcome Dr., Verona. In Area IV, incumbent and BOE president Ellen Lindgren will run unopposed.

Each year, three seats on the nine-member BOE are up for election. Citizens residing in the areas are eligible to run. The terms are for three years. The spring election will be held on April 2.

During a visit to West Middleton Elementary School last week, Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch encouraged schools across Wisconsin to sign up for the STEP program and help ensure their students are prepared to respond to various emergencies and disasters, from tornadoes to floods to blizzards.

STEP (Student Tools for Emergency Planning) is a turn-key classroom curriculum for teachers to prepare 5th graders for various emergencies and disasters.

The program also shows students how to put together an emergency kit and develop an emergency plan with their families.

“When disaster strikes, it’s important that Wisconsin communities know how to respond and act quickly,” Kleefisch said. “The STEP program not only teaches students how to prepare for emergencies, but it also encourages them to share that information with their families. I encourage interested schools throughout the state to sign up for this program and help prepare their students for emergencies.”