Whitehall School District

We’re excited to introduce our new (and returning!) teachers! As we gear up for the 2025–26 school year, we’re welcoming incredible new staff to the Whitehall School District and today we’re also celebrating the return of a familiar face.
👋 Mara Gerndt, returning to our Elementary team as a 3rd grade teacher.
“What sold me on Whitehall was how much it feels like a family here! When I started teaching here in 2020, I got to see how much everyone cared for one another. Even though I’ve been gone for the past three years, it feels like I never left! I am so excited to be back!”
As we like to say, “Once a Norse, always a Norse.” We’re thrilled that Mrs. Gerndt moved back to the area and was able to join us again! Let’s give her a warm Norse welcome back!🧡🖤

We’re excited to introduce our new teachers!
As we gear up for the 2025–26 school year, we’re welcoming some incredible new faces to the Whitehall School District. Over the next few days, we’ll be spotlighting each of them so you can get to know who they are and why they chose Whitehall.

👋 Up first: Megan Bakalars, our new Elementary SPED teacher.
“I chose Whitehall because it's a close-knit, family-oriented community that truly prioritizes its students. The small-town atmosphere creates strong relationships, and I was drawn to how focused the district is on meeting each student’s individual needs.”
We’re thrilled to have Ms. Bakalars on board. Let’s welcome her to the Norse family!

Welcome to the 2025–2026 School Year! 🧡🖤

We hope you're enjoying the rest of summer! As the new school year approaches, we're excited to welcome our Norse back to Whitehall School District!

To help you get ready, we’ve put together all your Back-to-School info in one spot. From supply lists to open house dates, enrollment, transportation, food service, and more. ✅

📌 Important Dates:
📦 T-Shirt Delivery: Aug. 20 at 1:00 PM
🏫 Open House (All Schools): Aug. 27, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
🎓 Freshmen Orientation: Aug. 27 at 5:00 PM
👋 6th–8th Grade Orientation: Aug. 27 at 6:00 PM
🗓️ Transition Days: Aug. 28 & 29
📚 First Day of School: Sept. 2

Whether you're new or returning, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s make it a fantastic year together! 🧡🖤

📋 The 2025–2026 School Supply List is ready!
We’re excited to see all the back-to-school energy already! 😄
With all the deal days happening, we know many of you are ready to start shopping.

📄 https://shorturl.at/XCjGx

📌 Heads-up: 6th grade has its own list — different from 7th & 8th — even though they’re all part of Junior High. Double-check before you checkout!
Let the back-to-school prep begin! 🧡🖤

🎉 THAT’S A WRAP on Teacher Appreciation Week in Whitehall! Thanks to all the students, staff, and community members who played along — your notes, smiles, and stories made this week unforgettable! 🧡🖤 📣Didn’t see yours posted? Don’t worry — it was personally delivered to your educator today! To our amazing Whitehall educators: thank you for being the heart of our schools. Every day, you make a difference.

🛝 Addy and Mrs. Jahr were all smiles on the slide — and Addy had the sweetest words to share: You are one of the best teachers I've ever had you are so good at making class fun and exciting. I never know what's coming! Thanks for keepin it real! Love, Addy ☀️ Whether in the classroom or out on the playground, Mrs. Jahr brings the fun, the kindness, and the heart every day. 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating moments just like this — full of joy, connection, and a little playground magic!

💖 Ava and Emma shared this special message for their Grandma, Julie Johnson: “We love you, Grandma! We are lucky our grandma works at the school.” 👵💼 Having Grandma at school makes every day extra special. Thank you, Grandma Julie, for all the love you bring to Whitehall! 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating every educator and staff member who makes school feel like home.

🚀 Emma had this to say about Mrs. Matejka — and it’s out of this world! “I loved being in your classroom. The fun Star Wars things made me happy. And rocket math was such a good experience!” 🌟 Lightsabers, launch pads, and lots of learning — thank you, Mrs. Matejka, for creating a classroom full of joy, adventure, and growth! 💫 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating the teachers who make learning fun from galaxies near and far.

😎 Maeson and Levi sent a 2-for-1 shoutout to Mrs. Vold and Mrs. Gullicksrud — and their future is looking bright! “We appreciate you helping us learn, and teaching us things that will help us in future!” 🌟 With teachers like these, learning isn’t just for today — it’s for what’s next. Thanks for guiding our students with wisdom, care, and a little cool factor too! 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re loving every shoutout — especially the ones with shades!

🎨🧡 Auden sent this bright and fun message to Ms. Hunter: “Ms. Hunter is a fun teacher because she does arts and crafts with us and gives us orange tickets!” 🖍️ Creativity, kindness, and orange tickets? Sounds like Ms. Hunter’s class is the place to be! Thank you for making learning fun every single day! 🍊🎟️ 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week — and we’re loving all the student messages rolling in!

🖐️ Jumping high fives and heartfelt thanks from Sophie to Mrs. Cantlon! “Thank you for always supporting me, for always being there for me, and for always pushing me to be the best version of myself that I can be. You make this school a better place for me :)” 💛 When teachers go all in — even for a flying high five — it shows just how much they care. Thank you, Mrs. Cantlon, for lifting spirits and setting the bar high (literally)! 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating the amazing educators who go above and beyond — one high five at a time.

👯‍♀️ A great classroom starts with a great team — and Mrs. Bork says it best about her fellow third grade teachers, Mrs. Ausderau and Mrs. Turk: “You’re more than just teammates, you're true friends. I look forward to coming to work because of you, and it means so much knowing I can always count on you. Thanks for being the best!” 💛 When teachers support each other like this, everyone wins — especially the students! 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating the powerful bonds that make our schools stronger.

💬 Kira shared this cute memory with Mrs. Bloom: “A favorite story I have with Mrs. Bloom is she would always tell us that she was shorter than her daughters. Thanks Mrs. Bloom for being my kindergarten teacher!!!” 🧡 Big heart, fun stories, and just a little shorter than her kids — Mrs. Bloom, you’ve always made kindergarten extra special! 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re loving all the sweet memories being shared!

😂 Bennett had us laughing with this shoutout to Mrs. Sygulla: “Mrs. Sygulla is the best teacher, tied with Mr. Eide.” 🎖️ It’s a tie for the top — and we love the honesty! Thanks, Bennett, for the smile, and thank you Mrs. Sygulla (and Mr. Eide!) for being awesome every day. 🧡 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week — and these student notes are the gift that keeps on giving!

🏀 James sent this note to Mrs. Franks — and it’s a slam dunk! “I have a lot of fun in your class and you’re really nice. Gym is my favorite class!” 💪 Thanks for bringing the energy and fun to PE, Mrs. Franks — your impact goes way beyond the court! 🧡 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re celebrating our amazing staff with messages like this all week long

🎶 Khloe gave a big shoutout to Mr. McConnell with this awesome note: “Thank you for always encouraging us to be better students and for always playing the best music during class!” 🎸 Rock on, Mr. McConnell — your classroom vibes are unmatched! 🤘🧡 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re delivering these sweet notes all week long.

🍭🍎 Brinley shared this adorable note with Mrs. Sumner — and we couldn’t love it more! “Mrs. Sumner's room is so fun because she challenges me and gives me treats when we work hard.” 💖 Save some of those treats for yourself today, Mrs. Sumner — you’ve earned them! 🍬🍪🍫 🎉 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re delivering these sweet notes all week long.

💬 Carson shared this note with Mr. Juresh — and it’s another reminder of just how much our teachers mean to their students! 🧡 “Thank you for everything you do for your students. It might not seem like much but a simple ‘good morning’ from you brightens my day. Your fun summer shirts always remind me we only have a few more days left. I am so very grateful to have you as one of my teachers.” 🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week, and we’re delivering these heartwarming notes all week long! Students, parents, and community members — there’s still time to share your message with a Whitehall teacher!

💬 Silas sent Mrs. Moats a heartfelt message — and we’re all feeling the love! 🧡 “Second grade has been really fun and I wish you could move up with me as my teacher!” It’s teacher appreciation week, and we’re inviting students, parents, and our community to help us celebrate!

🍯 NORSE HONEY is Here! 🍯 Whitehall High School’s Bio-Ecology class has completed this season’s honey harvest, and fresh bottles of NORSE HONEY are now available for purchase! 📍 Stop by the Whitehall High School main office to grab yours. ⚠️ Limited supply — first come, first served! 💲 $10 per 8 oz. bottle 💲 3 bottles for just $25 ✨ Taste the sweetness of spring — locally harvested and student-produced! 🐝