VIEWPOINT
By Elise Marlett, Editor in Chief
I do not envy those in power in this school district whose choices have the potential to drastically alter the lives of my friends, family and teachers. Continue reading
The Suns Have a New Logo
By Kayla Lemens, Current Staff
After years of confusion as to which logo is truly the West Bend East High School logo, an official logo has been launched. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Former Students Ask District to Act Against Racial Injustice
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
To leaders and members of the West Bend community:
This is a list of initiatives we would like to see implemented in the West Bend School District.
Right now, the whole world is finally listening to the call for action against racial injustice. We want meaningful change to create a community that works for ALL people. We know that the West Bend School District did not adequately prepare us for an increasingly diverse and inclusive society. We also know that the demographics of West Bend are changing. If we are truly preparing all students for excellence, we must also educate students to become culturally competent and aware of their roles and platforms to dismantle white supremacy in our national culture. Continue reading
Filed under Viewpoint
The Marvelous Mr. Mindel
East social studies instructor named Rolfs Teacher of the Year
By Darick Fait, Current Staff
For the third time this year, Scott Mindel has proven to his fellow staff and students that he is a top-level educator, this time through a districtwide award. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Award-Winning Reporters Say Goodbye
Three seniors reflect on their time writing for the West Bend Current
Samantha Dietel
For how long have you been a member of the Current and what prompted you to join?
I joined the Current about halfway through my sophomore year. I was looking to get more involved at school, so it seemed fitting to step outside of my comfort zone while also utilizing my love for writing! It certainly helped that Mr. Beltmann, the Current’s adviser, was my teacher that year for Honors English II. Joining the Current was easily the best decision that I have ever made. By now, it feels like it has become a part of my identity. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Welcome, Editor!
Elise Marlett, East junior, will serve as the West Bend Current’s Editor in Chief for the 2020-21 school year. She replaces graduating senior Samantha Dietel. Congrats, Elise!
Filed under School News and Features
Tooting Our Own Horn: NEWSPA Awards 2020
Local student journalists earn 24 awards
Ten West Bend students have been recognized in a statewide contest for high school journalists. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
The Music You Speak
VIEWPOINT
The music you speak with every breath
Every gasp of air a dying wish
Words you think but rhymes you say
Every letter used for a phrase Continue reading
A Beautiful Deed in the Neighborhood
By Elise Marlett, Current Staff
As of Tuesday, Diane Malicki has sewn an estimated 75 face masks for her neighbors in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Continue reading
Filed under Community
Banovich Joins Elite State Honors Band
By Caitlin Marsch, Current Staff
After a safer-at-home audition, West Bend West High School junior Brionna Banovich has been selected as one of the top eight student bassoonists in the state of Wisconsin. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Decision 2020: Board Candidates on Another Referendum
What are your thoughts about asking voters to consider another referendum?
Tonnie Schmidt (incumbent)
The West Bend School District is very conservative. It is one of the reasons I choose to live here. I appreciate the need to be responsible with our spending and ensuring that responsibility is one of the reasons I sought to run for school board three years ago and it is still a reason why I chose to run for another term. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2020: Board Candidates on Why They Want to Serve
What is your motivation for wanting to serve on the school board?
Tonnie Schmidt (incumbent)
The gratitude I feel for the education I received as a child and young adult as well as the ability to serve the community that has welcomed the success of my business, Delta Defense, is what motivates me to serve on the school board. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2020: Board Candidates on How to Improve the District
What areas of the district do you seek to change or improve?
Tonnie Schmidt (incumbent)
In the immediate future, I would like to be directly responsible for hiring a new superintendent to replace resigning Don Kirkegaard.
I also would like to ensure that our facilities are in good shape going forward while not disregarding the declining birthrate and its effect on enrollment in the future. I have a commitment to neighborhood schools as is feasible, including incorporating central administration into existing vacant space in them as an alternative to closing multiple elementary schools. I believe in the priceless power of families to support one another in neighborhood elementary schools over a large centralized structure where children can feel lost and overwhelmed. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Decision 2020: Board Candidates on Their Experience with the District
What has been your experience with the West Bend School District?
Tonnie Schmidt (incumbent)
As a school board, we removed an inexperienced and toxic superintendent and conducted a thorough search for a new superintendent, which included input from the community, resulting in hiring a nationally recognized superintendent who has brought stability to our district. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
New York’s Coronavirus Outbreak ‘Feels Like a Nightmare’
West Bend graduate is a public health scientist in New York City
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
The City That Never Sleeps now resembles a ghost town.
That’s what Kacie Seil, a former West Bender now living in New York City, says about how the COVID-19 outbreak has affected her current home.
Seil, an epidemiologist who attended Yale University after graduating from West Bend East High School in 2006, serves as a research scientist for data integrity at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. As a resident and analyst, Seil has seen the impact of the coronavirus pandemic up close. Continue reading
Filed under Community
West Bend Teachers Miss Their Students
VIDEO
Teachers at Decorah Elementary School organized a car parade today to connect with their students. Students haven’t seen their teachers since schools were closed March 13 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The parade started on Vine Street and traveled through several neighborhoods. Staff members from Silverbrook Intermediate School will parade Monday starting at 5 p.m. Distance learning starts Tuesday.
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Former Exchange Student Reports from Italy
Andrea Sargentoni says he “underestimated” the virus at first
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
Italian student Andrea Sargentoni, like many people around the world, underestimated the severity and swift spread of the coronavirus.
Sargentoni was working through his fifth and final year of high school in Ancona, Italy, when his country’s first cases of COVID-19 were reported in late January and early February. The number of coronavirus cases and deaths rapidly escalated to the point that Sargentoni, who spent last year studying at West Bend West High School, now lives under a national lockdown. Continue reading
Filed under Community
‘Everyone Was Freaking Out’: Sisters with Local Ties Return from Europe
Twins were in Spain when President Trump announced new travel restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
Last week, two West Bend graduates were uncertain that they would be able to return home to the United States. Continue reading
Filed under Community
Time-Honored Senior Traditions Are Now In Quarantine
VIEWPOINT
By Caitlin Marsch, Current Staff
I never thought that my senior year at the West Bend High Schools would be abruptly altered by a deadly virus. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features, Viewpoint
Italy Trip Postponed Until Next Year
Students understand, but still feel disappointed
By Elise Marlett, Current Staff
Global illness concern has forced the West Bend High Schools band to reconsider their own safety.
Even before today’s announcement that the West Bend School District will close for the next four weeks due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the WBHS band had postponed their spring break tour of Italy. Since the trip will now take place during the spring break of 2021, current seniors will not be able to attend and are being issued full refunds. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Meet West Point Cadet James Miller
West senior heads to U.S. military academy in June
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
James Miller’s childhood dream of attending West Point is at long last becoming a reality. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Take My Temperature, Baby, One More Time
Lead actor in musical was sick during performance week
By Elena Chamberlain, Current Staff
For his first lead role in a high school musical, West Bend West ninth grader Keegan Kainz sacrificed seven pounds. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment
Two Helping Hands and a Microphone
By Annika Olson, Current Staff
The West Bend Student Council has asked DJay Mando to put a new spin on Charity Week. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Innovative Dance Company Headlines Black History Month Event
Celebrate with food and entertainment
By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff
For the third annual Black History Month Celebration, the West Bend High Schools are welcoming the Water Street Dancers. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
The Current View: Standards-Based Grading
What are your thoughts about standards-based grading, the alternative to traditional letter grades that has been used this year in some high school classrooms?
“I like it because it’s in favor of the students.”
Mara Perkins, West senior
Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features, Viewpoint
Navigating a New Path
For students of the closed Pathways Charter School, the transition to WBHS has been an adjustment
By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff
In Jack Elliot’s first week transitioning to West Bend East High School, he had to drop two classes—his first time ever doing so. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Introducing the All-District Strings Festival
By Elise Marlett, Current Staff
The orchestra program is putting on their largest performance in history. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment, School News and Features
Movie Review: I Lost My Body
By Brandon Labecki, Current Staff
Among this year’s Oscar nominees is a gripping animated film from France that depicts the extreme aspects of the trials of life. Continue reading
Filed under Entertainment
A Little Friendly Competition
Drum major Larscheidt challenges Tillman for first chair
By Megan Landvatter, Current Staff
Leah Duckert-Kroll, in her 17 years working with the West Bend High Schools Band program, cannot remember having two drum majors who play the same instrument. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Mindel Named Wisconsin’s Teacher of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars
School board will recognize East teacher who won a state award for his many activities on behalf of local veterans
By Darick Fait, Current Staff
Honoring veterans is one of the things that Scott Mindel has chosen to spend much of his time doing. It was just a matter of time before he received the recognition he deserves. Continue reading
Filed under Community, School News and Features
Students Aren’t Mellow About Xello
Rollout of new career planning vehicle hasn’t been smooth
By Rachel Gergetz, Current Staff
The very tool meant to help students is causing them confusion. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
It’s Garbage Time
Students can help custodians by properly using the trash and recycling bins
By Elise Marlett and Noelle Mentch, Current Staff
Custodians at the West Bend High Schools may be working harder to protect the environment than students realize. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
Missing Pathways: One Student Reflects on Closed School and Moving to WBHS
VIEWPOINT
By Stephanie Snyder, Current Staff
Fitting in at a new school can be frightening.
Pathways Charter School was closed by the West Bend School District in June, which means this fall Pathways students like me moved to East and West High Schools fulltime. The transition hasn’t always been easy. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features, Viewpoint
Playing for Laughs
By Annika Olson, Current Staff
Leah Duckert-Kroll has put together an unusual twist for the upcoming West Bend High Schools band concert next week. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
‘I Felt Very Scared’: Exchange Students Bewildered by School Violence
By Samantha Dietel, Editor in Chief
For local foreign exchange students, this month’s school shooter threats were a culture shock. Continue reading
Filed under School News and Features
