During the November 3 Board of Education meeting, a few students from across the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District shared their experiences from the 2025 Summer Session. Each student represented a few different programs and spoke about how summer learning helped them grow, build confidence, and connect with others. While there wasn’t time to highlight every program, others such as Band, MHS Credit Recovery, Pre-AP, and the after-care programs were also part of the Summer Academy experience.
Summer Academy (Grades 1–8)
Astrea Natachu, a middle school student, talked about her favorite part of Summer Academy. She enjoyed choosing her own classes and said the experience helped her feel like she belonged. She also discovered a new hobby, crochet, that she plans to continue.
Lee Ziegler, a rising second grader, said his favorite parts of Summer Academy were math and recess. His enthusiasm showed how much young learners can enjoy learning and playing during the summer.
ESL Connections and Community Initial Credit
Valerie Rodriguez Velasquez and Isabella Garcia Triana spoke about the Connections and Community course, which helps students build English skills while preparing for future careers.
Valerie said she liked learning how to complete job applications and write a resume. She believes these skills will help her when she applies for future jobs. Isabella shared that she enjoyed mentoring at Kromrey Middle School and visiting Madison College. She said the program overall helped her improve her English and feel more confident about her future.
Their teacher, Alex Franzen, created the class to combine academics, career readiness, and community involvement. She also received a recent staff shout-out for her leadership and creativity in developing the course.
Bridge to Success
Four students shared their experiences in the Bridge to Success program. Mallak Gadelhak, Victoria Genao, Nancy Thiam, and Elizabeth Braxton explained how the program helped them prepare for high school and feel part of the Middleton High School community.
Mallak said she wanted to help students of color find a place where they could belong and build confidence. Victoria said visiting Madison College gave her a new view of college life and inspired her to think about her future goals.
Nancy said the program helped her feel more confident and excited to join school clubs, sports, and volunteer opportunities. Elizabeth said learning about different college programs helped her imagine new possibilities for herself.
The program is supported by the MHS Student and Family Engagement (SAFE) team, the Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN), and District staff such as LaRon Ragsdale.
Strength and Conditioning
Nora Pitt, a junior at Middleton High School, spoke about the Strength and Conditioning program. She said she enjoyed training with instructors who helped her improve physically and mentally. Nora shared that the program gave her a positive space to connect with friends and strengthen her mind and body.
She thanked coaches Mr. Graf, Mr. Admans, and Mr. Rogeberg for creating an environment where students feel supported and valued. This was the first summer that Strength and Conditioning was included in the Summer School program. The course was led by longtime coach Brad Rogeberg, who is retiring this year. His leadership and positive influence were appreciated by both students and staff.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Dr. Jan Chynoweth and the Summer Session leadership team shared that planning for the 2026 Summer Session has already begun. The District plans to expand programs, increase participation, and continue offering fun and engaging learning opportunities for students of all ages.
The Board of Education thanked the students, staff, and community partners who made the 2025 Summer Session such a success. A special thank you to the district departments, faculty, staff, administrators, and parents who help create an incredible experience for our young scholars each summer.