By Travis Anderson | Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton Superintendent
The second quarter at Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School District and Brookwood Junior and Senior High School was filled with meaningful learning experiences, student accomplishments, and exciting milestones across all grade levels.
One of the quarter’s proudest moments was celebrating Loralee Arbanas, Brookwood High School English teacher, who was recognized as a WKBT Top Notch Teacher. This honor reflects her dedication to students and the positive impact she continues to make in the classroom and beyond.
Another major highlight was the opening of the new fieldhouse, which provides students and the community with an outstanding new space for athletics, activities, and events. The facility marks an exciting step forward for the district.
Elementary students wrapped up the quarter with NED (No-Excuses, Do-Your-Best) assemblies, reinforcing positive character traits and encouraging students to finish the quarter strong.
Middle school students enjoyed several enriching experiences. On Wednesday, Dec. 17, eighth graders attended Career Day at Western Technical College, where they listened to three career speakers of their choice and explored a variety of career pathways. Eighth graders also completed their creative stop-motion movie projects, culminating in a fun “Oscars” celebration. In November, Yoselin Gonzalez, Fernanda Garcia Barr, and Betsy Aguilar were recognized as artists of the month for their outstanding work as well.
The D.A.R.E. program was brought back to the N-O-W Elementary School, and that programs began for fifth-grade students this quarter. Deputy Dan from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office visits every Friday afternoon to teach students strategies for handling peer pressure and navigating social situations. Deputy Dan also joins students for lunch and recess on Mondays, helping build positive relationships between students and law enforcement.
Academic learning came alive in Ms. Quella’s English class, where students completed a unit on the Great Chicago Fire using Lauren Tarshis’ novel “I Survived” as the foundation. The unit included hands-on activities and real-world connections, including photos and stories from Ms. Quella’s visit to the Chicago Fire Academy and the historic Palmer House Hotel. What an experience!
Thanks to the generosity of the Falcon Foundation PTA, third-grade students attended a trip to “The Nutcracker” ballet, an experience that left students excited and inspired.
Service learning was also a major focus this quarter. Mr. Shankle’s seventh and eighth grade science students, through Heifer International, raised funds to donate one heifer, three water buffaloes, four sheep, three goats, three pigs, one hive of bees, and one flock of chickens to families in need around the world — an incredible demonstration of global citizenship.
In the arts, Brookwood High School band students Mason Rex and Cooper Powell achieved a tremendous honor by being selected to perform in the WCBA High School All-State Band on Jan. 16–17. Selection is based on outstanding accomplishments and director recommendations, with final choices made by a statewide board. The ensemble, made up of top students from across Wisconsin, rehearsed for over 12 hours under a distinguished guest conductor and performed at the Wisconsin Concert Band Association convention at UW–Eau Claire. This honor is second only to the WSMA All-State Band. Way to go Mason, Cooper, and the entire Brookwood band!
Athletics has had several memorable moments recently, and one in particular occurred when senior guard Ruby Muehlenkamp became the fifth Brookwood basketball player in school history to reach the 1,000-point milestone. Congratulations, Ruby!
The second quarter showcased the dedication, creativity, and excellence of Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton students and staff. From academics, athletics, the arts, to service and community partnerships, Brookwood students continue to provide meaningful opportunities that help students grow and succeed. As always, we encourage everyone to attend events at Brookwood or follow our district’s growth and success on the district’s social media pages. We appreciate your continued support! Go Falcons!
