JANUARY 2015 Every Child…..Every Class…..Every Day A Message from the District Administrator INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Greengs from the Wisconsin Heights School District Message from the District Administrator 1 Weather Delays and Closings 1 Wisconsin Heights Showcase 2 WHPTO Update 6 Heights Library News 7 Guidance Department 8 Music Department 9 Black Earth Library 10 Food Service 10 January Lunch Menu 11 January Athle*c Events 12 This month’s newsle3er primary message is to reflect on what makes Wisconsin Heights a great place to live and learn. Our schools offer a personalized educa*on that many districts can only hope to provide. Next month’s issue will focus on the overall mission and vision of the District. We have a lot to be proud about and should celebrate. Happy Holidays! Reminder on Weather Delays and Closings If school is delayed or postponed, our goal is to make a decision by 5:30 a.m. In making the decision, the District Administrator drives the roads and consults with First Student, local snowplow drivers, and area District Administrators. We will broadcast the decision on local television or radio sta*ons. If the wind chill is sustained at -35 degrees Celsius, most school districts will close (local decision). Sincerely, Mark Elworthy Mark Elworthy District Administrator Page 2 WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS Wisconsin Heights Showcase—Wisconsin Heights Provides a Personalized Education for Its Students by John Donaldson It’s no secret the Wisconsin Heights School District has been experiencing financial duress due to declining enrollment for the past 16 years. What is a secret to many, however – especially folks who have not had personal experience with the district, or live elsewhere – is that Wisconsin Heights has managed in many ways to flourish despite the fiscal challenges resul*ng from a state funding system that punishes “land-rich” school districts with dwindling student popula*ons. Recently the district reached out to parents and staff and found that by and large, the collec*ve assessment of the state of elementary and secondary educa*on in the district is not only posi*ve, it is oGen posi*vely glowing. Wisconsin Heights is a small, rural school district surrounded by larger, more urban districts, but that doesn’t mean students here don’t enjoy much the same access to knowledge students in those more affluent districts are afforded. In fact, by virtue of Wisconsin Heights’ smallness, one could argue students here actually enjoy more accessibility. Its course offering, including a slate of courses that prepare students to be college and career ready, is compe**ve, and its technology is state-of-the-art. All of this has been achieved as the district has con*nually trimmed and streamlined. Kindergarteners learned about historical Thanksgiving events and enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast. Math class allowed Kindergartners to learn geometric shapes. “The beauty and advantage that everyone keeps Triangles, rectangles and squares...Oh my! speaking of in this district is the human contact, the small town family feel…But we also maintain rigorous and compe**ve academic challenges and a wellrounded, progressive approach to educa*ng our students,” said middle school/high school principal Asta Sepetys, a seven-year veteran of the district. “I compare it to my small car. Yes, it’s a small car, but it gets 40 miles to the gallon and has seven airbags. We’ve grown accustomed to what we are, but if you look at what that is, and you look at other small, rural schools, we are really quite progressive.” Second grade class displayed their balance and dexterity on the balance beams. “I love that I can send my kids to school every day knowing that the teachers and staff know my kids by name,” said a Mazomanie area mother with children enrolled at both the elementary and secondary levels. “I love that my kids are in an environment where they are given regular opportuni*es to learn, grow, explore and thrive in their own individual ways.” Popula*on-wise, Wisconsin Heights is one of the smallest districts in the Greater Madison area. Given its size, this has created fiscal issues because of the way the state’s educa*on funds have been distributed the past three decades. Ironically, that small student popula*on has also allowed Wisconsin Heights to be3er serve its students – like the old sitcom “Cheers,” Wisconsin Heights is a school district where everybody knows your name. Historically the district has had a commitment to small class sizes that result in more individual a3en*on. In recent years, the community has supported its school district several *mes by approving opera*ng referenda that have allowed Wisconsin Heights to con*nue offering high caliber educa*on. Another such referendum will likely be offered this spring, as the school board, administra*on and staff con*nue to look at ways to save money while working to improve its opera*on. FiGh grade students worked on a science experiment extrac*ng DNA in strawberries. This picture was taken in the MOO Room. FiGh grade students collaborate and show teamwork on an academic project. Another district parent added, “We’ve all heard the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ and the Wisconsin Heights School District is a perfect example of how this is true. We live in a small community where almost everyone knows one another. The teachers and administrators at Wisconsin Heights are our friends and in some cases, our rela*ves. The small class sizes allow everyone to get to know one another in a way that encourages collabora*on and accountability while the curriculum challenges the students to pay a3en*on and work hard.” An elementary parent wrote, “We appreciate the smaller class sizes and the care and a3en*on that comes with it. You truly feel like your child is not just a number, but someone whose educa*on and well-being is a concern of every staff member. Second graders take a brain break during reading class. Our children have had great teachers who have con*nuously inspired them to excel.” WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS Page 3 Page 4 WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS Wisconsin Heights Showcase—Wisconsin Heights Provides a Personalized Education for Its Students (continued) Yet another elementary parent said, “Several of my children are quiet, and were too shy to ask ques*ons when they weren’t sure about the subject ma3er. Because the classes were small, the teachers were able to take note that my children may not have been grasping the material and would work with them individually to make sure they understood.” This parent added, “My children have not experienced the taun*ng, bullying and peer pressure that many parents have to deal with in the larger schools. I think this is because the teachers can monitor what is going on and deal This DNA extrac*on exercise was done in collabora*on with Promega’s Technical Services Department in an effort to promote science educa*on. with the situa*ons quickly so they do not escalate out of control. I appreciate the hard work, compassion and dedica*on the teachers and staff of the Wisconsin Heights elementary schools exhibit.” Elementary principal Dale Green oversees the Black Earth (4K-2) and Mazomanie (3-5) buildings. Like Sepetys, he emphasizes how the district has taken what some consider a liability – being small – and made it into an asset. When he first started with the district nine years ago, the district had two K-5 programs, one in each village. One year into his career Fourth graders take in the World Dairy Expo in Madison. here, the school board, in part looking to decrease expenditures by being more efficient but also looking for a be3er way to educate kids, voted to try the current configura*on of Black Earth, grades 4K-2, and Mazomanie, grades 3-5. In Green’s view, this has been a successful experiment. “It really solidified our curriculum, and the expecta*ons that we have for students at each grade level. Having the teachers (at each grade level) together provides more opportunity for collabora*on, more consistency, and the obvious thing, just sharing resources.” Dave Purdy’s calculus class determines the height of the rocket with trigonometry (advanced math). WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS Page 5 The 2014 High School band winter concert, conducted by Aniela Haas, gets everyone in the holiday spirit. Building strength through adversity….both administrators also noted the district’s proximity to a wealth of resources in Madison gives it a dis*nct advantage over most of Wisconsin’s other rural districts. A major example is the Mazomanie Outreach Outpost (MOO), an arm of the University of Wisconsin’s Biotechnology Center that has actually taken up residence in the Mazomanie building. “That’s truly a hidden gem,” said Green. “Not only do we have an aGer-school science program, that group has come in and taught science classes. That is a unique opportunity that we have. At the core of it is our teachers’ willingness to take part.” In addi*on, Green noted that being a half hour away from the state’s capitol city allows the district, with generous help from the Wisconsin Heights Parent-Teacher Organiza*on (WHPTO), to take annual field trips to the capitol building, the World Dairy Expo, the UW-Biocore program and more. The district also has a strong rela*onship with the Aldo Leopold Nature Center, which is headquartered in Monona and has a satellite campus on Sutcliffe Road in the Town of Black Earth. Elementary students regularly visit both campuses. Wisconsin Heights students, at all levels, oGen venture away from the school buildings into a school district that is in many ways a natural laboratory. For decades, for instance, science students have been keeping tabs on the Black Earth Creek, measuring dissolved oxygen and checking for cri3ers that serve as indicators of stream wellbeing. Sepetys says the “extras” offered at the middle and high school oGen exceed those offered by larger, more affluent school districts. She lives outside the district, and while her daughter went to Madison West, she has open enrolled her son at Wisconsin Heights. LeG: The small animal care class conducts physical exams on a li3er of puppies. Page 6 WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS “He went to Washington, Kentucky, New Orleans in the spring, and he plans to go to Yosemite next spring,” she explained. “That’s amazing…he’s a sophomore. Our Spanish kids are going to Spain. Talk about worldly and cultural experiences: My daughter took one trip to Chicago.” Sepetys came to Wisconsin Heights from the McFarland School District, where she was an assistant principal and one of a dozen or so administrators. She says she has enjoyed working in this smaller-scale environment. “You’re a li3le bit more barebones here,” she explained, “but what that has created is this higher apprecia*on. Even though everyone has their opinions on how things should be run, but even if I disagree with you, we’re all in the same boat, we all love our kids and we’re going to do the best thing to hold hands and give our kids the best educa*on. Every district has its posi*ves, but that’s one of the things I no*ce: there’s a glue here, a unifying glue that a larger district doesn’t always have.” John Donaldson recently rered as the Editor of the News Sickle Arrow aer over 40 years of employment. John is a long-me resident of the Wisconsin Heights School District. WHPTO Update Heather Schomber Happy New Year from WHPTO! As the new year begins, we find ourselves rejuvenated and looking forward to what 2015 has to offer. If you are looking for ways to be more involved in your child’s elementary school experience, we encourage you to become involved with PTO. Did you know that we collect Box Tops for Educa*on and use that money to help fund ac*vi*es and field trips for our students? Did you know that with our fundraising money we completely absorb the cost of field trips so all students are able to a3end? Did you know that we collect and send in Campbell’s Soup Labels (Labels for Educa*on) and use this money to replenish our recess cart equipment and even add to our playground ac*vi*es? Has anyone men*oned that we offer each teacher $150, to spend on classroom supplies, annually? All of these opportuni*es are available through your support of our fundraisers and a3ending various ac*vi*es (Halloween Bash, Mazomanie Fun Night, Party in the Park, bake sales, etc.). Let us take a moment to thank YOU for your con*nued support! Without you, none of this would be possible. Take a moment to check us out. Our next mee*ng will be January 8, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. in the Black Earth Elementary School LMC. We would love to see you there! WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS Page 7 Heights Library News Dianne Roelke, High School Library Assistant Winter Reading Pictured right: McKenzie Hacker and Josie McKenzie read by the “fire” in the High School LMC. (Josie’s reading To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han, and McKenzie’s pick is Maximum Ride by James Pa3erson.) Reading plays an important role in our everyday life because reading is applied to almost everything we do each day. As readers we become more knowledgeable about the things around us and what’s happening in our environment. As parents you are your child's first and most important teacher. The U.S. Department of Educa*on reports that the more reading materials there are in the home, the higher students are in reading proficiency. Do you have books, magazines, and newspapers in your home? Do your children use the library oGen? Libraries have the most books and best books in the world--all for free. Take some *me in January to curl up with a good book. Family reading is fun and one way of having bonding *me with your family. Cuddle up with a good book, and you'll model how reading is a fun way to pass the *me. Happy New Year and happy reading! The Bale of the Books Is On We’re gearing up for another exci*ng Ba3le of the Books compe**on this year. Fourteen teams at Mazomanie Elementary and 11 Middle School teams have signed up for the challenge. Team members will divide the task of reading 20 books from now *ll the school-wide compe**ons planned for February 4, 2015. The team from each school that answers the most ques*ons about the books correctly will proceed to the online state-wide compe**on sponsored by the Wisconsin Educa*onal Media and Technology Associa*on during the last week of February. One of the Mazomanie teams: The Book Masters Page 8 WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS From the Guidance Department... Kurt Wong, High School Counselor **Course selecon sheets will be passed out on January 5 and will be due on January 8** College Financial Aid Night for Juniors & Seniors DON’T MISS, SAVE THE DATE ** COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID ** DON’T MISS, SAVE THE DATE Parents of juniors and seniors please set aside the evening of Wednesday, January 7, when Jennifer Young, Financial Aid Advisor from Edgewood College, will be making a presenta*on and answering ques*ons regarding post-secondary financial aid. Remember, financial aid is not just for four-year colleges, it is available for two-year programs and tech schools as well. Please come armed with any ques*ons you may have - this is a great opportunity to have them answered by an expert! When: Time: Locaon: January 7, 2015 6:30 p.m. Step Room Scholarship Opportunies Please check the binder in the guidance office for scholarship opportuni*es and applica*on deadlines. Currently we have perhaps a dozen random scholarships in the binder. The vast majority of local scholarships however won’t be available to apply for un*l later in February. College Goal Sunday (financial aid help coming in February) • Get free, on-site professional assistance filling out the FAFSA (Free Applica*on for Federal Student Aid) • Talk to financial aid professionals about financial aid resources and how to apply • Get informa*on regarding state-wide student services, admission requirements, and more! h3p://www.collegegoalwi.org/ MADISON - Two Locaons Edgewood College - Wednesday, February 25, 6:00 p.m. 1000 Edgewood College Ave Main Entrance Madison, WI 53711 UW-Baraboo - Saturday, February 28, 2:00 p.m. 1006 Connie Rd Baraboo, WI 53913 Assistance available at all sites: • Adult/Non-Tradi*onal Student Concerns • FAFSA on the Web • Grants/Scholarships • Loans/Borrowing • One-on-One Assistance • Transfer and Con*nuing Educa*on Students IMPORTANT ACT Informaon ***Due to new state requirements, the ACT with wri*ng exam will be given to all juniors in the state of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Heights will be giving the exam on Tuesday, March 3. There will be no cost for the exam. The results of this test may also be used for college applica*ons. However students may s*ll sign up for other ACT tests being offered if they want to try to improve their scores. NEW – FREE ACT and SAT test prepara*on materials are now available on-line to our students through this website h3p://knowhow2gowisconsin.org/. Students should contact Mr. Wong if they have any ques*ons. Online ACT applica*ons can be done at www.actstudent.org. Test dates and deadlines can also be found there. Notes from the Music Department Gina Ademino This month we would like to highlight what makes the music program unique for a school district our size. ♦ Mazomanie Elementary School music students worked with “Opera for the Young” last fall. Students in fourth and fiGh grade can par*cipate in choir. Band starts in the fiGh grade. ♦ We have a lessons program for vocal and instrumental music students. A lessons program is vital to the success of any music program. ♦ Our summer band program includes beginning band lessons, middle/high school marching band, and color guard. ♦ Jazz Band is offered at both the middle and high school level. ♦ The High School music program has students involved in conference and state honors bands and choirs. High School band members (a.k.a. “Bandguards”) play in the concert band, pep band, marching band and various ensembles for the WSMA Solo & Ensemble Fes*val. They have members advance to the state level each year. Bands and choirs par*cipate in the WSMA Large Group Fes*vals each spring. ♦ Both the middle and high school music groups travel. This year high school music students will visit Memphis/New Orleans over spring break. ♦ The overwhelming support we receive from our Music Boosters group and the Black Earth/Mazomanie community through fund raisers and dona*ons. Thank you! ♦ The Fine Arts opportuni*es in school include Forensics, Drama, Art and Music. The Drama program offers a play and a musical. The musical creates *es within the community as many community members are involved in the produc*on from sets, to costumes, to the pit orchestra. Upcoming Events: *January 5: Music Boosters Mee*ng at 6:30 p.m. Band Ensemble Room *January 6: Next trip payment due ($280) *January 10: Musical Audi*ons at 9:00 a.m. in the Band Room *Pep band dates: January 6, 16 (Pep Band Night for Gr. 7-12 Band members) and 27. Looking to donate? ♦ Drop off your old ink jet cartridges (no toner tubes), cell phones and small electronics in the main office (MS/HS), or drop boxes at both elementary schools for the Music Boosters. ♦ We will also take that used band instrument, acous*c guitar, keyboard and music stand off your hands and put it into the hands of a music student. ♦ Consider dona*ng your *me and talent as an accompanist for band and choir students for Solo & Ensemble. Contact Gina Ademino, Middle School Director, 767-2586 x3402. Noteworthy Quote: (in the spirit of “Wisconsin Heights”) “A human being is not a3aining his full heights un*l he is educated.” ~Horace Mann WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS Page 9 Page 10 WISCONSIN HEIGHTS NEWS Black Earth Library Kristan Rogers, Youth Services Early Release Wednesdays at the Black Earth Library Wednesday, January 14, at 2 p.m. Join us at the library on your aGernoon off of school for Wii Games, MinecraG & Playing with iPads! Snacks and drinks will be provided, but children should have lunch before a3ending. All ages are welcome. Spa Day at the Black Earth Library Friday, January 23, at 2 p.m. Treat yourself to a “day at the spa” in the library. Make lip gloss, bath salts, sugar hand scrubs, and jewelry using nail polish. Plus enjoy snacking on mini sandwiches and fruity teas. Prepare to be pampered! Best for students in 4th - 8th grade, but all ages are welcome. Food Service Amanda Griep Here we are in December already, can you believe we are almost half way through the school year? Time sure does go quickly. January menus will soon be available on our website for you to view over your winter break. Food of the Month • Fruit of the Month - Clemen*nes • Vegetable of the Month –Brussel sprouts • Herb of the Month -Rosemary Look for these “foods of the month” incorporated in our menus. January also has some new recipes we haven’t tried yet, so that’s exci*ng! Middle and High school—Chef Josh will be visi*ng once again and cooking up something fantas*c as always!!! Look for posted flyers around the school. Reminders……Please put the payor name AND students name on your checks when deposi*ng lunch money. Free and Reduced applica*ons are always available at the district office or high school office. You can request that one be mailed to you as well. I am always here to answer ques*ons or take any sugges*ons you may have. I hope you all enjoy your winter break and have a wonderful holiday season making memories that are unforge3able! Happy Holidays from your Foodservice Department and Taher Management, Inc. Page 11 U.S. POSTAGE PAID NON-PROFIT PERMIT #15 BLACK EARTH, WI 53515 WISCONSIN HEIGHTS SCHOOL DISTRICT 10173 US Highway 14 Mazomanie, WI 53560 Phone: (608) 767-2595 Fax: (608) 767-3579 Email: [email protected] Wisconsin Heights Community Member Black Earth 53515—PO Box “Every Child...Every Class...Every Day” JANUARY ATHLETIC EVENTS (AS OF 12/19/14) Girls’ Basketball Boys’ Basketball 6--JV/V --JV/V vs. Waterloo 6:00/7:30 p.m. 5—9/JV/V vs. Wautoma 6:00/7:30 p.m. 9—JV/V @ Belleville 6:00/7:30 p.m. 8—9/JV/V vs. Marshall 6:00/7:30 p.m. 15— 15—JV/V vs. Marshall 6:00/7:30 p.m. 13—9/JV/V @ New Glarus 6:00/7:30 p.m. 16—JV/V @ Wautoma 6:00/7:30 p.m. 16— 16—9/JV/V vs. Waterloo 6:00/7:30 p.m. 20—JV/V @ Cambridge 6:00/7:30 p.m. 20-- 9/JV/V @ Dodgeville 6:00/7:30 p.m. 23— 23—JV/V vs. New Glarus 6:00/7:30 p.m. 22—9/JV/V @ Belleville 6:00/7:30 p.m. 27—9 @ Middleton 6:00 p.m. 7/8 Girls Basketball 15—7/8 @ Poynette 4:15 p.m. 22—7/8 @ Baraboo 4:15 p.m. 26— 26—7/8 vs. Sauk Prairie Middle 4:15 p.m. V = Varsity JV = Junior Varsity 7/8/9 = Indicates Grade MS = Middle School BOLD indicates a game played at home
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