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What's New @ 542
September/October 2021
Walk to School Day
Fall Carnival
October 28, 2021
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Battle Lake School Cafeteria
- Preschool Through 6th Grade
- Welcome to Attend In Costume
- Tickets for Games and Activities - 25 Cents each. Tickets on Sale at the Door.
- Pizza, Chips, Carrots, Apples, and Milk on sale for $4.00.
Proceeds benefit BL Summer Rec Programs!
Teacher Spotlight with Mr. Ukkelberg
When asked how he got started in ag, he shared with us that when he was younger his family bought back his farm and he got to work with animals again. Growing up he had a lot of good role models and he, in return, wanted to be a role model for others who didn't have one...so became a teacher.
Every teacher has a favorite class and his is Ag Science 1 and 2 because they get to learn about and do so many different things! Mr. Ukkelberg approaches his teaching style as being more "hands-on learning" vs. traditional. When looking around his classroom, you see many different things: a bore head behind his desk, an egg incubator, a small kitchen, a shop, and a green house. When asked what has been most challenging about being a teacher, he stated that he was surprised of how many deadlines and how much grading there is to do.
When Mr. Ukkelberg is not at school, he is working with animals at his farm, hunting, and watching Netflix shows.
Please join us in welcoming Mr. Ukkelberg to Battle Lake School!
Congratulations Pete Amundson
In September, Pete Amundson, Head of Building Maintenance at Battle Lake School, earned his Facility Management certificate through the MASMS organization. MASMS stands for Minnesota Educational Facility Management Professionals and it is a member oriented, problem solving, professional growth association designed for educational facilities management professionals. MASMS has five Minnesota Chapters (Northern, Southern, Metro, West and Northwest) that allow members to conveniently participate in monthly association activities. Throughout the year there are numerous educational and networking opportunities as well.
The purpose of MASMS is to develop and maintain high standards in care, operation and development of buildings and grounds used by public and non-public educational facilities. MASMS provides a means where members meet for discussion and education. MASMS aids and cooperates with federal, state, and local educational agencies in promoting professional ideals and standards while engaging in other activities that promote the objectives of the association
Please join us in congratulating Pete on this great achievement!
High School Musical Comes to Battle Lake School!
Bus Safety
Battle Lake School provided Bus Safety training to students in grades K-12 in September.
Catching up with the Pep Band
We wanted to learn more about Pep Band, so we went straight to the source...Mrs. Orpen. Take a look at what she had to say!
How long does it take for you to get ready for a performance?
We have a very limited time to prepare for pep band performances since they usually start during the first or second week of the school year. For freshmen, there is a LOT of music to learn. The older students should know it fairly well from the previous years. Some songs have to wait until we have more chances to practice them.
What grade levels do you have in the pep band?
The Sr. High Band IS the Pep Band; so it's usually just grades 9-12. I have had some Jr. High students move up and play with the H.S. when they are hard workers and they know the music.
How do you choose your songs for each performance?
I choose music that the group for the event can handle. Since a lot of the band is also involved in sports, the instrumentation of the band changes quite a lot depending on the sport. I also like a lot of variety, so we have a long list of songs to choose from. Some schools play pretty much the same list at every game. Not us.
What gets your kids excited for each performance?
Knowing that our team is going to run out to our music is a motivator to do it right. They also have favorite songs, so I think that it pumps them up when they know their favorites are on the list.
OTC Football Undefeated!
Cross Country
The best placements of the meet came from the 8th grade group. Peter Newark and Talyn Setterholm, who set the tone early, placing 3rd and 8th! They were the top two class A runners in the field of 291, while leading the Junior High squad to an 8th place finish, and also the top Class A school. Norah Froslee in the girls 8th grade race, also made it into the top 10 with an 8th place finish.
Check out the next edition of the newsletter which will contain conference results!
Box Tops for Education
During the ups and downs of the past couple of school years, one thing is certain: teachers and students need more help than ever before. Box Tops for Education is a fast and easy way for you to support Battle Lake school.
The Box Tops program has been around for over 25 years, and it really can make a difference. In fact, Box Tops for Education has helped give almost one billion dollars to schools since 1996. In 2019, the program evolved to become digital, giving participants the ability to earn for any school across the country with just the touch of a button. And now, Box Tops is building on its longstanding commitment to education by giving participants
an easy way to help schools in need. The Box Tops app recently added functionality that allows you to search for schools that could use a little extra help, so you can help give students in low-income schools the opportunity to succeed.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: Buy participating products and use the Box Tops mobile app to scan
your store receipt. The app identifies eligible products and automatically adds Box Tops to your designated school's earnings online. Even if you’re shopping online or doing grocery pickup, you can still submit your digital or email receipt and earn Box Tops. Twice a year, Battle Lake school gets a check!
Learn more about how to submit digital receipts at:
See a list of participating products at:
Sports Corner
Upcoming Events
October 28
Fall Carnival
Battle Lake School Cafeteria
5:00 - 7:00 pm
October 28
Financial Aid Night
Battle Lake School Auditorium
6:00 - 7:30 pm
**Open for all juniors and seniors and their parents/guardians**
November 8
School Board Meeting
6:30 - 8:00 pm
November 10
Parent Teacher Conferences
4:00 - 8:00 pm
November 11
Parent Teacher Conferences
4:00 - 8:00 pm
November 12
No School for Students & Staff
November 25 - 26
No School for Students & Staff
Download the BL Schools' App Today!
Battle Lake School Contact Information
Website: www.battlelakeschool.k12.mn.us
Location: 402 Summit Street West, Battle Lake, MN, USA
Phone: 218-864-5215
Facebook: facebook.com/BLSchools
Twitter: @BLSchools