Lomira Students Explore Local Businesses During Summer School Class

The School District of Lomira has started a new summer school class for middle school-age students to show them various career, recreational, and community service opportunities available in our local area, led by teachers Jennifer Priesgen and Nancy Jordan.
“Nancy helped teach a similar class in another district and had the idea to bring something like this to Lomira as a way to connect this age group to our community by providing a fun course option for summer school,” said Jennifer Priesgen. “I reached out to various businesses and community organizations, and everyone who agreed to give us a tour treated us like VIPs.”
The students have visited a wide range of area businesses during their two-hour (8 a.m.-10 a.m.), four-week class, as well as local area parks for walks, geocaches, and testing out their fishing skills at the Rock River, Theresa Marsh, and Sterr Park.
“I have been very impressed by the ‘behind-the-scenes’ experiences everyone has provided these students with. The kids are asking questions everywhere we go, and our tour guides have expressed that many of the questions are as good or better than the ones they get from adults,” said Priesgen.

June 12 - The School District of Lomira gave a behind-the-scenes tour of the school building, allowing the students to see how their school functions on a daily basis.
“We love being able to integrate our amazing community into our teaching and learning at the school, with the Lomira School District being a very tightly-knit community,” said Elementary Assistant Principal Eric Schalk. “The career and community exploration class offers... learning to appreciate and experience opportunities, jobs, and services right here in our backyard.”
June 13 - Hope Health and Rehab in Lomira allowed students to learn about the different aspects of the health care offered at the assisted living and nursing home.
June 17 - At Country Blossoms Organics LLC in Lomira, the students got to take a walking tour of the family vegetable farm. Students further educated themselves by planting take-home bean and sunflower seeds to help them understand the importance of local food sources in the area.
June 18 - At Confections for Any Occasion in Theresa, students gained more knowledge about making chocolates and how owner Joel Bernhard got into the candy business.
June 19 - At the Lomira Municipal Building, students had the opportunity to learn more about the role and importance of local government.
“We had the honor of meeting the career and community explorations summer school class with Mrs. Priesgen and Mrs. Jordan. They brought their class to the municipal building for a tour and then a mock board meeting with the class serving as trustees, getting sworn in, and then discussing and voting on various topics,” said Village of Lomira Administrator Jenna Rhein. “We were impressed by students’ engagement, respectful discussion, and decision-making skills.”
June 23 - At Blue Door and Drexel in Campbellsport, students got more information about the local food and lumber/building companies, which involved the students getting a treat from Blue Door and a gift bag of Drexel swag, which included a nice winter hat.
June 24 - At Dutch Touch Greenhouse in Theresa, students visited to get more information about plants, landscaping, and running a greenhouse. The students received a plant to take home as a memory of their visit.
June 26 - Quad Graphics in Lomira taught the students about the many careers involved in running their facility and showed them the process of how printed materials get produced and shipped out all over the world, right from the Lomira facility.
June 27 - At Second Look Holsteins in Eden, students got a detailed look at what it takes to run a 1,200-milking cow dairy farm.
June 30 - At the Solomon Juneau Home in Theresa, students got a presentation from Rob Bowe about the history of Theresa.
July 1 - At Silver Leaf School in Lomira, students listened to the history of Lomira from former librarian and Lomira historian Jane Kietzer.
July 2 - At Jake’s Village Bowl in Brownsville, students gained an understanding of what it takes to run a bowling alley in a small town.
“I think this experience changed some of our kids in the sense that it has opened their eyes to the idea that we have a lot of options for careers and recreation right here in our area,” said Priesgen. “We have so much to offer right here in our area with many incredible products and services, and I hope that the students share some of their experiences with others and become ambassadors for our community.”