LMC Changes Are Arriving At Sparta High

Changes are headed way to Sparta High School’s LMC. Under the new direction of Kristen Keller, the library is changing in positive ways for both students and staff.

Keller’s goal for the library this year is to make positive changes, making the library more open and inviting to the students, providing more and new resources for student and teachers alike. “I want to make the atmosphere more homely and inviting,” said Keller, “the library should be designed like a college library.”

Keller wants to expand the fiction section of the library, making the books more challenging to the reader; she also wants to update the resource section, and update the school website. Study hall teachers are also able to send as many students as they wish to the library now; enabling students to have the resources they need to complete their homework or projects. The library is also supplying students with craft supplies so they can work on their projects.

Keller has a lot of goals she wants to accomplish this year, including applying for technical grants, trying to get a smart board in the library, making the outside area accessible for studying or reading, Becoming more collaborative between students and teachers, for a more hands on experience. Keller also hopes to create a book club for students and adults. Keller wants the students to have the opportunity to enjoy themselves, while being in a productive academic environment.

Students enjoy the new changes, the open space and the TV is something they especially like. “I think the changes are awesome, and the small study area’s are a good idea too” said Ashlie Kasten, a former library worker from last year. Mia Thomas and Kristen Barclay, both seniors this year, agreed that having food in the library would be nice, but in the end they’re indifferent about it; they’re happy with the changes that have been made so far. Other students who were interviewed also pushed for new fiction books, and they are looking forward to being able to go outside to study instead of being stuck all the time inside of the school.

Principal Sam Russ approves of the changes in the library; he sees the changes as a positive thing, and is definitely willing to negotiate certain things out. He agreed that the outdoor study area would be a good idea, so long as supervision could be managed. When asked about full time position for Ms. Keller he replied, “We would need to exam the budgets restraints, but Ms. Keller is doing a wonderful job for us and we hope to have her services as long as possible.”

Keller has a lot of things she wants accomplish for this school year but unfortunately she may not be able to because she is only part time. If next year she is not able to get a full time position as LMC Director, then she will have to leave. She is currently splitting her time at between SHS and Cataract Elementary, for free, to help the LMC director there.

At the beginning of the school year the freshmen learned that they have closed campus. Sam Russ the high school principal says "closed campus would help reduce the tardiness of the students and he doesn't know if he is going to change it for next year or not."
However, some of the students aren't happy with this, Jamie Jensen stated he is not happy with closed campus. "It's ridiculous that the freshmen can't go off-campus. " " It is unfair that upperclassmen can go off campus for their lunch but the freshmen can't." Jamie would rather have a wide variety of food choices than what the school's lunch gives.
Another student is Eric Mcginnis. He also does not like the school food and would rather go out for lunch to eat something that he would like. "Closed campus is boring, and there is not a lot you can do."
Now Danica Schwartzel, a junior, says "it's unfair but, they don't have vehicles so they really don't need to leave." "It's not ok for them to get rides."

Sparta High Has a New Family Member

Sparta High has a new Family and Consumer Ed teacher. Matt Boberg joined the staff for his first year of teaching. He finished his college at University of Wisconsin-Stout after four years and also got his bachelor's degree at University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Boberg completed his student teaching by teaching at two different places in two different towns. He started at Sparta Meadowview Middle School, and while he was there he also did some coaching for Sparta High School. He was an assistant coach for the freshman football team. Then for high school student teaching he taught at Black River Falls. He was also a volunteer assistant for the varsity boys basketball team.

What Boberg dislikes so far this year, well he didn't really know of anything yet. But he then remembered he doesn't like how the students aren't able to cook. Without having full weeks or days of school it's hard for the students to do much in a foods class because you need a lot of time to be able to cook. Boberg likes to involve the students in the class so much because cooking is what they signed up for. Other than that it's only been two weeks of school and he said, "So far so good."

Right now at Sparta High, Boberg doesn't just teach, he's also into extra-curricular activities. He coaches something for each season starting out with football, he is the varsity assistant, then going on to basketball by being the Freshman Boys coach, and ending with track and being a varsity assistant. He also helps out in his department by being a co-advisor for FCCLA.

At first Boberg went to school wanting to be a physical education teacher, but there are too many physical education teachers and he knew he wouldn't get a job. So he talked to his old foods teacher Toby Oswald. Oswald told Boberg that Family and Consumer Ed was a fun job and not male dominated so there are more job opportunities. Boberg thought about it and moved to Family and Consumer Ed, not only because he thought it would be fun, but also because he likes to eat.

Where did Toby Oswald end up going this year? The reason why we have Boberg now is because he got a new job at Meadowview being a principal for discipline for the students at both Meadowview Intermediate and Middle. He is still in the school district. He hasn't left us completely.

One thing that Boberg would like to say to all of his students is "Do what you love and love what you do."