Today's video talks about how we can be creative and asks students to describe what they need to be creative as well.

Today's video uses the metaphor of stormy weather to describe the spike in COVID cases we are seeing and how we need to prepare.  Note that this video was shown to grades 6-8, while a video without the figures and pointed commentary was shown to grades 4-5 as they are not having the same issues.

Today's video uses the story of a basketball game to illustrate how important it is to work hard now to prepare for the future.

Today's message explains the Gallup Student Poll that all students in grades 5-8 will take this week.

Today we look at the weirdness of the English language by looking at homophones

Today's video shares a StoryCorp animation of how the astronaut Ron McNair leaned into his vision to overcome racial and opportunity barriers.

After a discussion of how what it takes for trees to show their colors in the fall, we look at what it takes for us to show our differences and be comfortable showing our colors

Today's video looks at Berlin's Festival of Lights and encourages us to imagine what the future could look like

Today we see how seventh grade Math students play Integer Football and then review new recess options we are making available for students.

In honor of homecoming I talk about what I love about living and learning in Nekoosa.

Today I talk about the importance of building a positive culture where people support each other using the example of triatheletes.  

Today I return to Petenwell Bluff to talk about how important it is to challenge yourself in order to grow.

Today we look at what role Native American codetalkers played in winning World War II, with a particular emphasis on the contributions of the Ho-Chunk tribe.

Today we look at two different styles of a capella singers.

Today I talk about how change is beautiful for both nature and people.

Today we review how to run our first virtual fire drill of the year.

Today we look at how masks, social distancing and washing hands help protect us in the same way the sunscreen and seatbelts do.

Today we read a blog entry from Hyperbole and a Half on the mythical creature known as the alot.

Today's video shows an episode from Oregon Public Television on how sand labyrinths on the Oregon coast can help people find balance.

Today's video talks about how to manage your assignments in order to make it possible to pass your classes.

Today's video reviews the AMS/CWSA cell phone policy.  This video is for grades 6-8.

Today's video reviews an update we made to our recess routines to allow students to socialize safely.

Today's video introduces a new type of juggling.

Today's video talks about setting boundaries when somebody else does something you're not comfortable with.

Here is a video tour of what class now looks like at AMS and CWSA this year with the many changes we have had to make due to COVID.

Today's video shows the importance of dealing with stress and anger by breathing as a way to calm down.

Today's video features a Wisconsin Public Television profile of how making birchbark canoes is a key part of passing on Ojibwe traditions.

In honor of September 11, today's video features a StoryCorps profile of a New York family that lost two sons to the Twin Towers bombings.

Today's video reflect's on my mother's wedding to recognize that creativity comes from identifying what we need vs. what is nice to have.

Today's video reviews some newly updated routines to make the school run more smoothly.

Today's video takes you along for a canoe ride on the Wisconsin River and talks about how we all have different strengths.

Today's video returns to Petenwell Bluff and discusses the need to find your own trail rather than just going along with the crowd.

Today's video introduces new recess routines for grades 6-8.

Today's video explores Petenwell Bluff and compares the blocked views from the top to what we are dealing with this year.

Overview of new school routines for grades 6-8

Overview of new school routines for grades 4-5

Today's message underscores how much parents value their children.

Today's message attempts to find ways to support our students in making sense of the turmoil in America right now and working to make AMS a safe place for everybody.

Today's video was made by Anna Peterson and Autumn Brostowitz to celebrate our eighth grade class.

Today's video offers a short virtual tour of Würzburg, Germany.

Today's video clears my inbox of various video clips I had assembled for end of the day thoughts we never got to.

Today's video tells the story of Manami Ito and challenges students to overcome their own barriers in going after their dreams.

Today's message gives an overview of the feedback reports we will be sending to parents and students at the end of the fourth quarter in lieu of report cards.

Learning about what it takes to be a winner from the Glorious Twins.

Discussing the value of fusion as illustrated by an Australian musician.

Introducing Strava art, a way to creatively draw while running and re-channel frustration imposed by the lockdown.

Students and staff show off their pets in today's video.

Today's message outlines the details of the upcoming Eighth Grade promotion ceremony we will hold on June 2nd.

A discussion about working together, as illustrated by the band Opal Ocean

Today's message announces next week's spirit week days and show students how to get ready

Today's message features a couple recreating scenes from a number of movies

Today's message asks students to help us plan next week's spirit week.

This morning's message shows AMS and CWSA students how to sign up for an option class on video editing.

A discussion of how success looks different than we think it might.

Getting to know the Rubab, a traditional Pakistani instrument.

The story of how a family amuses themselves by turning their sidewalk into a silly walk zone.

A message about empowering parents to find the balance they need during this COVID-19 crisis.

Mr. Glenzer introduces students to Band class and provides a slide show of activities.

We review the history of Cinco de Mayo and look at a modern update for the COVID era.

Mr. Seipel, our Choir director, shares what makes choir meaningful to him and his students.

Introducing the Theremin, a unique musical instrument.

Today's message features two daughters interviewing their father about his life.

This video looks at the college mascot championship and asks students to not give up on things too early.

This video shares a saxophone battle and asks students to consider what helps them to push themselves.

This video covers how to make sure that Google Classroom registers that assignments have been turned in.

I review how next week's item pickup will take place

Introducing Sechseläuten, a Swiss spring tradition that happens this time every year

Showing students ways to creatively stay busy through recreating works of art

As we work to improve online schooling, we are asking students for feedback on the feedback they are receiving

An overview of tools to keep track of assignments in Google classroom.

Processing the news that schools are shut down for the year and identifying ways in which our students are stepping up to be great.

Addressing the question "Why do I have to do schoolwork if it's not graded?"  by discussion why it's important to do more than the bare minimum.

I share a piece of street music in which the musicians play multiple instruments.  This leads to discussion of how we have to play multiple instruments ourselves during this time and the respect that brings.

Looking at how various buildings have been repurposed after a renovation, with reflections on how we are renovating our learning methods as part of the COVID-19 quarantine.

This message features how an artists watches his daughter grow up, including reflections on how much teachers and parents care about students and who we see them as

A pop quiz on theme songs played by Boomwhackers

Tips on how to be more effective with Google Classroom, including how to post pictures and videos

A discussion in perspective based on a recent airplane ride.

We miss our students! Here's a few notes to let them know we're thinking about them.

This video details the grading and class time expectation changes we are making in order to support families during the COVID-19 school closure.

I share pictures of seeing a rainbow from a plane and talk about how a different perspective helps us appreciate things differently--especially during this time of our school closure.

Here I show a number of ads from all over the world that show people how to be safe during the time of the coronavirus.

While in Salt Lake City, I show my route to high school and talk about how we need to take it slow at the beginning of our time with distance learning 

While in Salt Lake City, I show and talk about how school was like for me when I was in grades 4-8.

This video shows students tips on how to navigate Google Classroom and how to get in touch with their teacher.

This morning message welcomes students to our distance learning environment, shows them how to get started learning with Google Classroom, and describes ways in which distance learning is different than face-to-face learning.

This video talks of how we are preparing to use distance learning to teach school in the event that school is cancelled due to the Coronavirus

Today's video reviews the Kids Guide to the Coronavirus and talks about health tips

This video asks students to take a short survey about the amount of internet access they have at home in order to refine our planning for potential scenarios with the Coronavirus

A review of what skills are needed to get all of your assignments in

Introducing Holi, the Indian festival of spring and color

This video shows the details of how seventh and eighth graders can qualify for a party before Spring Break by getting all of their assignments in

Additional group games to play during advisory or recess

Featuring a uniquely skilled beatboxer from France

A message and challenge to let your joy show

A quick tour of the Alexander House Art Show

A video in which I act out a "Math Lib" in order to prove that math is cool.

A discussion of what it means to be a true friend.

Today's video features a springtime fire tradition from the middle of Germany.

How to play the games Infectious and Pacman Tag during advisory or recess.

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We can find what we're looking for, both when looking at clouds in the sky as well as when we see someone else's behavior.

Today's message profiles John Urschel who models success in both the football field as well as the classroom.

Today's morning message spotlights Jeffrey Veregge--a native artist--and shares how he learned to tell his own stories

Today's message spotlights Wendell Scott, the first African-American admitted to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Today's message introduces the game of Mountains and Valleys which can be used during recess or break to provide variety during the cold winter months.

Today's message encourages people to share their favorite quotes with each other.

This is a review of our cell phone policy.  Here we share out the same video we showed at the beginning of the year.

Today's message focuses on the need to use time in middle school to develop skills before the pressure of grades in high school hits.

Today's message is my thoughts on the passing of Kobe Bryant.

Today's message talks about dealing with cabin fever in the winter, and introduces the game Switch.

Today's message puts the spotlight on Dabney Montgomery, a member of the Tuskagee Airmen and a bodyguard for Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today's message is from Kid President and his letter to the future.

In today's message I share some thoughts I had while snowblowing about how our brains grow through struggle.

Today's message honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a visit to his home.

Today's message shares a blog post about the elusive Alot.

Today's message asks students to think about what their favorite piece of advice has been.

Today's message comes from various fifth graders as they share how they deal with drama in school.

Today's message focuses on the skills necessary to manage school assignments.

Today's message spotlights various fourth graders as they share what coping strategies they use when things get hard.

Today's message shows a way to get down the road with style on a Friday.

Today's message shares what an act of kindness can make on somebody else.

Today's message focuses on how the work you do in middle school--both positively and negatively-- lays the groundwork for how you succeed in high school.

In today's message you will hear a number of fourth graders share their New Year's resolutions.

Today's message shares Kevin's story to illustrate how important it is to keep learning every day.

In this message I encourage students to refocus on their vision of who they want to be in order to make this year more meaningful.

In this message, I take people to Olbrich Gardens in Madison, WI to talk about the value of recharging.