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Following the announcement of Mark Gruen’s retirement, the Johnson Creek School District has
Following the announcement of Mark Gruen’s retirement, the Johnson Creek School District has opened the search for its next Superintendent. Mr. Gruen will be hosting a number of listening sessions to get community, parent, and staff input. The following dates are reserved.
Community Input sessions: - December 9, 11 AM – Lunch with the Super in the District Conference Room - December 9 @ 5 PM - Before the Wrestling Match in the Weis Center - Sunday, December 14 @ 4:30 PM - in the Weis Center - December 9, 3 PM – Staff Input Session in the Weis Center
If you cannot make one of these dates, feel free to give Mark a call or send an email to set up a time to talk or meet. Gruenm@johnsoncreekschools.org 920-699-6006
Date: December 2025 From: Mark Gruen, Superintendent We have so much to be thankful for here
Date: December 2025
From: Mark Gruen, Superintendent
We have so much to be thankful for here in the Johnson Creek School District and Community. I want to start by thanking our community for your constant support, our staff for their passionate commitment to our students, and our parents for always stepping up when called upon. I am very proud to be part of this progressive, hardworking, and student-centered team. As we begin winter sports and the winter concert season, I would like to extend an invitation to you to join us here at school. There are sporting events almost every night and we have the following winter concerts scheduled:
December 8 – 6:00 PM – K-2 Concert
December 8 – 6:45 PM – 3-4 Concert
December 11 – 7:00 PM – MS/HS Band concert
December 16 – 7:00 PM –MS/HS Choir concert
December 16 + 17 – Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors
December 18 – 6:00 PM – 4K Winter Program
If you have not heard about our school report card – we did fantastic. I refuse to get too high over the report card, as I also refuse to let a lower score define us. We are working hard and improving daily and we are very proud of what we do.
I also have some personal news in that I have announced my retirement effective June 30, 2026. I want to thank this awesome community for the unwavering support that I have felt. I appreciate the relationships I have formed here and will always cherish them. The students, parents, staff, and community members have ALL been wonderful to me. THANK YOU!
I would like to invite you to school to learn more about all that we have going on. I have reserved Tuesday, December 9, 11:00 – 12:00 for a “lunch with the superintendent.”
It is very simple – bring in your lunch to dine with me and discuss whatever topic you choose, such as budgeting, scheduling, staffing, or even the plan for my replacement. I would appreciate it if you called to let me know you were coming so we can plan for the appropriate space. I am also willing to come to you with information. Please give me a call and let me know where and when and I will try to make it work.
See you at school,
Mark Gruen
District Exceeds Expectations for 2nd Year in a Row
Johnson Creek School District Celebrates Another Year of Outstanding Growth The Johnson Creek School
Johnson Creek School District Celebrates Another Year of Outstanding Growth
The Johnson Creek School District is celebrating a milestone that reflects the hard work of our students, staff, and community. For the second year in a row, our district earned an “Exceeds Expectations” rating on Wisconsin’s state report card. This time with an even stronger showing. Our overall score rose by 4.5 points, placing Johnson Creek comfortably within the top 20% of school districts statewide.
This recognition doesn’t happen by chance. Year after year, our district has focused on long-term improvement; supporting teachers, refining curriculum, and making sure students have the tools they need to succeed. The latest report confirms that this steady, purposeful work is paying off.
District leaders noted that Johnson Creek continues to shine in several key areas, including middle-school math achievement and positive gains in student growth metrics. When compared locally, our district continues to stand out, ranking among the top schools in the Jefferson County area and placing second within the seventeen schools in the Trailways Conference that receive scores.
A District on the Rise
Superintendent Mark Gruen said the improved rating captures the spirit of the entire Johnson Creek community. “We’re thrilled to see our district take another step forward,” he shared. “Raising our score by 4.5 points and remaining in the ‘Exceeds Expectations’ category says so much about the dedication of our teachers, the work ethic of our students, and the support we receive from families. This is a community achievement.”
One of the strongest indicators in this year’s report card is the district’s continued success with student growth. Johnson Creek’s teacher value-added score remains among the best in Wisconsin, placing in the 90th percentile. For school leaders, that number reflects the everyday work happening in classrooms.
Dr. Neil O’Connell, Principal of Johnson Creek MS/HS, emphasized the impact of strong instructional practice. “When you look at where our students start and how far they advance, it’s clear our teachers are making a tremendous difference,” he said. “Their commitment shows up in the data, but more importantly, it shows up in the confidence and accomplishments of our students.”
Success Built by a Community
The district continues to credit families, volunteers, and local organizations for helping create an environment where students can thrive. Johnson Creek Elementary Principal Mel Enger noted that this partnership is one of the district’s greatest strengths.
“Our community shows up for kids,” Enger said. “Whether it’s encouraging literacy at home, supporting extracurriculars, or partnering with us on different programs, that shared investment has a real impact on student success.”
Read the newest Bluejay Update here: https://app.smore.com/n/d0r7f-special-holiday-season-edition
Read the newest Bluejay Update here: https://app.smore.com/n/d0r7f-special-holiday-season-edition
1st Quarter Honor Roll
The Johnson Creek School District announces its honor roll for the 1st Quarter of the 2025-26 school
The Johnson Creek School District announces its honor roll for the 1st Quarter of the 2025-26 school year. Honor Roll is 3.00-3.49 and High Honor Roll is 3.5-4.00. Those students with (*) after their name indicates they achieved a 4.00 grade point average for this quarter.
HIGH HONOR ROLL
Seniors
Madeline Bennett*, Cole Boehm, Kaylie Brady, Taylor Buglass, Jalen Carlson, Julius Cheaney, Evan Chowanec*, Brady Fincutter*, Colton Granzow, Francisco Gutierrez, Luke Hartz*, Alyssa Hucke, Ryder Kerttula, Wyatt Kwarciany*, Hunter Lamp, Evan Malueg, Gabriella Marose*, Madilynn Marose, Zoe Moser, Ciena Ritter, Maverick Weissmann, Madison Wiedenhoeft, Jason Wildes*, Logan Zerbe*
Juniors
Kaitlin Butler, Annie Chau, Brooklyn Dittmann-Granzow, Makayla Flynn, Rowan Hackbarth, Jonathan Kamuchey, Sophia Le*, Evelyn Lira Esteves, Carlos Martinez, Cael Murfield, Lauren Nadboralski*, Kevin Orona Amaya*, Anna Page, Hailey Penna*, Margaret Rouhoff, Greta Sixel, Violet Sweger, Duncan Thomas, Addison Vaughn*, Benjamin Wagner*, Hayden Wagner, Stuart Wenzel, Joshua West, Lydia Wetzel*, Adam Whitehouse, Cambrya Wollet
Sophomores
Caroline Armstrong*, Keira Bakken, Connor Bennett, Kira Boehm, Ethan Broich, Libby Burbach, Maxwell Chowanec*, Ada Clouse, Lia Constable, Kiara Dach, Gabriela Dos Santos, Olivia Frey*, Michael Heinrich, Allison Jose-Martinez, Daphne Moser, Hazel Moulding*, Lizet Peralta, Corinne Posey, Brendan Ritter, Kayla Rockhill, Moritz Ruppert, Landyn Sabol, Briza Saldana*, Josie Salmieri, Imogen Scheiber, Kennirch Siewert*, Analise Spangler, Paige Swanson, Wyattt Wagner, Sylas Weisnicht, Karli Weller, Sariah Witterholt
Tori Buglass, Brayden Deubel, Bella Estrada, Avril Gutierrez-Flores, Tyler Holland, Vera Johnson, Elizabeth Lapp, Sophie Morris, Justin Reichert, Rodolfo Villarreal
Freshmen
Lucas Dricken, Oscar Garcia Uresti, Christopher Hernandez Cordova, Brooklyn Hoth, Pornthira Kaewprasert, Hickory Klemolin, Elliot Loesing, Isis Medina Marcial, Cayden Murfield, Hailey Oremusz, Bella Rodriguez, Andres Valbuena Quivera, Samuel Ward
Bluejay Update - Foreign Exchange
Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Bluejay Update! Join host Mr. Gruen as he sits
Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Bluejay Update! Join host Mr. Gruen as he sits down with our amazing exchange students Gabriela (from Brazil) and Moritz (from Germany) and dives into their unforgettable experiences studying abroad.
National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
Congratulations to our newest members of the Johnson Creek National Honor Society! 🎉 Please join us
Congratulations to our newest members of the Johnson Creek National Honor Society! 🎉
Please join us in celebrating: ⭐ Madeleine Lira Esteves ⭐ Charlize Sanchez ⭐ Violet Sweger ⭐ Cambrya Wollet
These students have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. We’re so proud of their hard work and dedication
Congratulations Evan Chowanec!
🎉 Congratulations to Evan Chowanec! 🎉 We are proud to announce that Johnson Creek High
🎉 Congratulations to Evan Chowanec! 🎉
We are proud to announce that Johnson Creek High School Senior Evan Chowanec has been named a Semifinalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program!
This honor is reserved for fewer than 1% of U.S. high school seniors. Over 1.3 million students entered the program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT, and only about 16,000 earned Semifinalist status.
Semifinalists now have the opportunity to compete for nearly $26 million in scholarships next spring. To advance to Finalist, Evan must submit a detailed scholarship application, provide a stellar academic record, write an essay, and confirm his scores with the SAT or ACT.
About 95% of Semifinalists become Finalists, and roughly half of Finalists will be awarded National Merit Scholarships, earning the prestigious Merit Scholar® title.
Jersey Mike's Sub Winners for August
Jersey Mike’s Subs in Johnson Creek has teamed up with Johnson Creek Schools to treat one
Jersey Mike’s Subs in Johnson Creek has teamed up with Johnson Creek Schools to treat one lucky student and one lucky staff member to a free sub each month. The rule is simple: you must be present to win!
This month’s winners were Ms. Braunschweig and Paige Wittchow. General Manager Cory Kaschub joined us today to surprise them right in class with their prizes!
A big thank you to Jersey Mike’s for supporting our school and community. We appreciate your partnership!
