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Huge congratulations to Brenda Wolf on her well-deserved recognition as a Hometown Hero by Modern
Huge congratulations to Brenda Wolf on her well-deserved recognition as a Hometown Hero by Modern Woodmen of America.
While so much of the magic in a school happens in the classroom, we all know that it’s the tireless "behind the scenes" work that truly keeps the wheels turning. Brenda, your dedication to going above and beyond ensures that the elementary school isn't just a building, but a smoothly running environment where students and staff can thrive. Thank you for your selflessness and for being the steady hand that makes such a profound difference in our school and community!
March Update from Mr. Gruen
Date: March 2026From:
Date: March 2026 From: Mark Gruen, Superintendent
Whew, it is hard to believe it, but we are into March, and it seems to be coming in like a lamb. I certainly hope this holds. I am sorry I have not gotten a message out in a while, but I want you to know that things are going great in the Johnson Creek School District. We celebrated day 100, held Literacy Night, Middle School Night, kicked off our annual Heart Challenge, and we are getting outside for some much-needed exercise and fresh air. I have the luxury of getting into all of our classrooms most weeks, and I can tell you it is impressive. I can also tell you that from here on out, it does not slow down. Actually, I may be ahead of myself in that the pace really picks up after spring break. Our break this year is from after a full day on March 27 - returning on Tuesday, April 7. I hope you can plan something fun and outside.
Our winter sports are wrapping up as I write this, but I am happy to say that both our girls' and boys' basketball teams won playoff games for the first time in a long time. Also, Luke Hartz qualified for the state individual wrestling tournament for the 2nd year in a row, and our female wrestlers both advanced to the sectional meet. I should also mention that our Bowling team made great strides in improvement and ended on a high note. Aside from sports, we have many, many activities culminating. The Trailways conference is second to none when it comes to giving students a chance to participate and compete. From Academic Bowl, to Honors Band and Choir, to FBLA, and many more. Take a minute to watch our Bluejay Updates to learn more about all the wonderful opportunities our students have.
Not to get too serious, but financially, we are doing fantastic as promised. For that, I say thank you, thank you, thank you! It is a tremendous stress off all of our backs to know that we are able to focus on our students and their success rather than begging for operating money. If you want to know more about our finances, please consider joining me for lunch sometime. I have reserved Wednesday, March 11, from 11:00 – 12:00. It is very simple - join me for lunch to discuss whatever topic you choose, such as budgeting, scheduling, staffing, or even politics. 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 you would like to meet, when you would like me to attend, and what to prepare for, and I will be there.
Enjoy the ups and downs of spring, and I will see you at school.
Uf, cuesta creerlo, pero ya estamos en marzo y parece que llega el clima leve. Espero que esto se mantenga. Lamento no haber enviado ningún mensaje por algún tiempo, pero quiero que sepan que todo va de maravilla en el Distrito Escolar de Johnson Creek. Celebramos el día 100, la Noche de Alfabetización, la Noche de la Escuela Media, lanzamos nuestro Reto Anual del Corazón y estamos saliendo a disfrutar del ejercicio y el aire fresco, que tanto necesitamos. Tengo el lujo de poder visitar todas nuestras aulas casi todas las semanas, y les aseguro que es impresionante. También les aseguro que, de ahora en adelante, el ritmo no baja. De hecho, puede que me esté adelantando, ya que el ritmo se acelera después de las vacaciones de primavera. Nuestro descanso de este año es después de un día completo el 27 de marzo y regresamos el martes 7 de abril. Espero que puedan planear algo divertido al aire libre.
Nuestros deportes de otoño están terminando mientras escribo esto, pero me alegra decir que nuestros equipos de baloncesto, tanto femenino como masculino, ganaron los playoffs por primera vez en mucho tiempo. Además, Luke Hartz se clasificó para el torneo estatal de lucha individual por segundo año consecutivo, y nuestras luchadoras avanzaron a la competencia seccional. También debo mencionar que nuestro equipo de bolos mejoró mucho y terminó con una nota alta. Además de los deportes, tenemos muchísimas actividades que culminan. La conferencia Trailways es insuperable cuando se trata de brindar a los estudiantes la oportunidad de participar y competir. Desde el Academic Bowl hasta la Banda y Coro de Honor, pasando por FBLA y muchos más. Tómense un minuto para ver nuestras Actualizaciones de Bluejay y descubran más sobre todas las maravillosas oportunidades que tienen nuestros estudiantes.
No quiero ponerme demasiado serio, pero financieramente, como prometimos, nos va de maravilla. Por eso, ¡muchísimas gracias! Nos quitamos un gran estrés de encima al saber que podemos centrarnos en nuestros estudiantes y su éxito en lugar de estar solicitando dinero para gastos operativos. Si quieren saber más sobre nuestras finanzas, consideren almorzar conmigo. He reservado el miércoles 11 de marzo, de 11:00 a 12:00. Es muy sencillo: almuercen conmigo para hablar sobre cualquier tema que elijan, como presupuestos, horarios, personal o incluso política. Les agradecería que me avisaran que vienen para que podamos planificar el espacio adecuado. También estoy dispuesto a acompañarlo con información. Por favor llámenme y díganme dónde les gustaría que nos reuniéramos, cuándo desean que asista y qué deben preparar. Estaré allí.
Disfruten de los altibajos de la primavera y nos vemos en la escuela.
4K Pre-Registration is now open! Children will be eligible for 4K in September 2026 if they
4K Pre-Registration is now open!
Children will be eligible for 4K in September 2026 if they are 4 years of age ON or BEFORE September 1, 2026. 4K meets Monday-Thursday and we have two sections available. Our AM section meets from 7:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. and our PM section meets from 11:45 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.
There will be a 4K Preview Day held on April 24, 2026. Families are invited to sign up for an open house to find out more information about Johnson Creek School District's 4K program, meet our 4K teachers, and see our classrooms! Sessions will be offered for both parents and students to attend from either 10:00 -11:00 am. OR 1:00- 2:00pm!
If you have concerns about your child's development and would like to have your child evaluated through the school system for special education services, please contact Katie Schwarzenbacher at schwarzenbacherk@johnsoncreekschools.org. Evaluations for students with developmental concerns are free and available for students ages 2.5 and up.
Please click on the link below to register your child in the Johnson Creek School District if you are new to the district. If your family has a student(s) already enrolled in the Johnson Creek School District, please login into your Skyward Family Access. Click the button on the top left side of the home page that says "New to JCSD Registration". Clicking this button will take you to the registration page to fill out for your new student!
Please note, families are asked to complete both registration AND sign up for preview day. These are two separate links and both need to be completed.
Los niños serán elegibles para 4K en septiembre de 2026 si tienen 4 años de edad EL 1 de septiembre de 2026 o ANTES. 4K se reúne de Lunes-Jueves y tenemos dos secciones disponibles. Nuestra sección de AM se reúne de 7:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. y la de la tarde se reúne de 11:45 a.m. - 2:50 p.m.
Habrá un día de vista previa de 4K el 24 de abril de 2026. Se invita a las familias a que se inscriban para acompañarnos en nuestra casa abierta y poder encontrar más información acerca del programa 4K del Distrito Escolar de Johnson Creek, conocer a nuestras maestras de 4K, y ver nuestros salones de clase. Las sesiones serán ofrecidas para que los padres y alumnos puedan asistir de 10:00 -11:00 am. O de 1:00- 2:00 pm.
Si tiene inquietudes sobre el desarrollo de su hijo y desea que sea evaluado a través del sistema escolar para recibir servicios de educación especial, por favor comuníquese con
Katie Schwarzenbacher a schwarzenbacherk@johnsoncreekschools.org. Las evaluaciones para estudiantes con dificultades de desarrollo son gratuitas y están disponibles para estudiantes de 2.5 años en adelante.
Por favor, haga clic en el enlace a continuación para registrar a su hijo en el Distrito Escolar Johnson Creek si es nuevo en el distrito. Si su familia ya tiene estudiantes inscritos en el Distrito Escolar de Johnson Creek, por favor inicie sesión en Skyward Family Access. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior izquierda de la página de inicio que dice "Nuevo en el registro de JCSD". ¡Al hacer clic en este botón, accederá a la página de registro para completar la solicitud para su nuevo estudiante!
Por favor, tenga en cuenta que las familias tienen que completar tanto el registro como la inscripción para el día de vista previa. Estos son dos enlaces separados y ambos deben completarse.
Huge congratulations to Evan Chowanec for being named a National Merit Scholarship Recipient and
Huge congratulations to Evan Chowanec for being named a National Merit Scholarship Recipient and earning the prestigious Certificate of Merit. This honor marks the culmination of one of the most competitive academic journeys in the country.
Evan’s path to this achievement is remarkable:
The Start: He began in a nationwide pool of 1.5 million students.
The Cut: Only the top 1% of those students qualified as Semifinalists.
The Win: Evan advanced to the final 0.5% of the original group to officially receive a scholarship.
This year was particularly selective, with fewer than 7,500 students reaching this milestone. Receiving a Certificate of Merit proves that Evan is truly among the best of the best in the nation.
Evan, your hard work, dedication, and brilliance have clearly paid off. We are incredibly proud of you and cannot wait to see what you accomplish next.
Familiar Face to lead Johnson Creek MS/HS
JOHNSON CREEK, WI — The Johnson Creek School District Board of Education is proud to announce
JOHNSON CREEK, WI — The Johnson Creek School District Board of Education is proud to announce that a mainstay of the Bluejay community, Brady Ramseier, has been appointed as the new Middle School/High School Principal.
While the title is new, Ramseier is a deeply established figure within the district. His promotion marks the next chapter in a career dedicated to Johnson Creek, where he has spent more than a decade building relationships with students, staff, and families.
Ramseier’s transition to the principal’s office follows four years of service as the District’s Athletic Director and Dean of Students. In those roles, he became a fixture at extracurricular events and a key leader in student advocacy and discipline.
Prior to his administrative work, Ramseier spent seven years in the classroom as a Science teacher at Johnson Creek MS/HS. His 11-year history in the building gives him a unique "boots-on-the-ground" perspective that the Board feels is vital for the school's continued growth.
"Brady isn’t just an administrator; he’s someone who has taught our students, coached our athletes, and mentored our staff," said Dr. O’Connell. "He knows where we’ve been and exactly where we need to go." Before joining the Bluejay family, Ramseier taught at the significantly larger Kettle Moraine School District. While that experience provided a strong professional foundation, he often reflects on the stark contrast between a large-scale system and the tight-knit community of Johnson Creek.
For Ramseier, the "small school" environment is a deliberate choice. He frequently cites the "family atmosphere" as his favorite aspect of the district—specifically the ability to truly know every student, teacher, and parent by name. "In a larger district, it’s easy to feel like a number, but here, everyone has a story," Ramseier said. "I’ve spent 11 years getting to know those stories, and I am incredibly honored to lead a building where the connections are so personal and the support is so genuine."
The family atmosphere Ramseier prizes at work is mirrored in his life at home. He and his wife, Lauren, are active members of the nearby Jefferson community where they are raising their three children: Cooper (5), Tiegan (3), and Mattie (1).
For Ramseier, the new role is more than just a promotion; it’s an opportunity to give back to a community that has become home.
"I am incredibly honored to serve the students, staff, and families of Johnson Creek in this new capacity," Ramseier said. "This is a special place with a tradition of excellence, and I look forward to working alongside our talented educators to ensure every student who walks through our doors is prepared for success."
Forensics Conference Champs
Lots of exciting things happened last night at Fall River as the High School Bluejays Forensics Team
Lots of exciting things happened last night at Fall River as the High School Bluejays Forensics Team competed in the Trailways South Conference Forensics Meet.
Students performed in various speech categories, earning scores and receiving valuable feedback from judges. They were awarded ribbons based on how many rounds in which they earned a qualifying score.
These are the students who earned ribbons and the categories they participated in.
Red Ribbon Earners (2 of 3 qualifying rounds) Mason Baneck (Impromptu) Lauren Nadboralski (Public Address) Sophia Lawrence, Allison Jose-Martinez, Analise Spangler (Play Acting) Evan Chowanec (Prose)
Blue Ribbon Earners (3 of 3 qualifying rounds) Hailey Penna (Special Occasion) Ryder Kerttula (Poetry) Brooke Wilke (Poetry)
In addition, both Hailey Penna and Ryder Kertulla received first place medals for highest overall scores across all three rounds in their respective categories!!
And finally, one more exciting announcement. Your Bluejays are the Trailways South Conference Champions for 2026!! These amazing students are some of Johnson Creek's best and brightest, always striving to improve themselves in a myriad of ways! They deserve our recognition and praise for their achievement last night, so please join us in congratulating them!
2nd Quarter Honor Roll
The Johnson Creek School District announces its honor roll for the 2nd Quarter of the 2025-26 school
The Johnson Creek School District announces its honor roll for the 2nd 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, Taylor Buglass, Jalen Carlson, Evan Chowanec, Brady Fincutter, Colton Granzow, Luke Hartz*, Alyssa Hucke, Ryder Kerttula, Wyatt Kwarciany*, Hunter Lamp*, Evan Malueg*, Gabriella Marose*, Madilynn Marose, Zoe Moser*, Alexandra Perez Flores, Charlize Sanchez, Aiden Smith, Maverick Weissmann*, Jason Wildes*, Logan Zerbe
Juniors Austin Bartelt, Marlie Benz, Kaitlin Butler, Annie Chau, Makayla Flynn, Kace Freimund, Mckinsey Goers, Rowan Hackbarth*, Jonathan Kamuchey, Kash Lang, Sophia Le*, Evelyn Lira Esteves*, Nolan Murray, 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, Lydia Wetzel*, Adam Whitehouse, Cambrya Wollet
Sophomores Caroline Armstrong, Connor Bennett*, Kira Boehm, Ethan Broich*, Libby Burbach*, Maxwell Chowanec*, Lia Constable, Kiara Dach, Gabriela Dos Santos, Olivia Frey, Michael Heinrich, Allison Jose-Martinez, Daphne Moser, Hazel Moulding, Brendan Ritter, Kayla Rockhill, Moritz Ruppert, Josie Salmieri, Kennirch Siewert*, Paige Swanson, Wyattt Wagner, Karli Weller*, Sariah Witterholt
Freshmen Lucas Dricken, Jayden Gehrke, Pornthira Kaewprasert, Zoie Kerr, Sophia Klapka, Harper Long, Cayden Murfield, Samuel Ward
Girls Who Code
Over the past 9 weeks, our Girls Who Code students explored computer science and AI while building
Over the past 9 weeks, our Girls Who Code students explored computer science and AI while building confidence, friendships, and problem-solving skills in a fun, safe, and supportive environment.
Our time together wasn’t just about screens—most activities were unplugged, filled with reading, meaningful discussions, and hands-on team-building exercises. These experiences helped our girls think critically, collaborate, and see themselves as capable, confident creators in tech.
Ms. Childs and Mrs. Toebe are so proud of the curiosity, courage, and community these girls built together!
Johnson Creek High School has been named to the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll
Johnson Creek High School has been named to the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll –
Johnson Creek High School has been named to the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll – Silver Status for the 2024–2025 school year! 🏅
This national recognition honors schools that are expanding access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses while supporting students on their path to college success. AP School Honor Roll schools demonstrate a strong commitment to helping students enroll in AP courses, take AP exams, and build the skills and confidence needed for college-level work.
Earning Silver Status reflects the collective effort of our students, teachers, counselors, administrators, and families who believe in providing rigorous academic opportunities for all learners. Research shows that students who take AP courses are more likely to attend college, persist, and graduate on time, and we’re proud to foster that college-going culture here at Johnson Creek.
Congratulations to our entire Bluejay community on this outstanding achievement! 💙🎓
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.”
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.
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!
