May 18th Newsletter

We have a lot to celebrate this week. Our performing and creative arts programs for students are opening up doors and creating opportunities for them to shine regionally and nationally. I thank our performing and creative art educators for nurturing and mentoring our student’s talents and giving them a platform to express themselves creatively.

Our Aldrich-Fruzen Concert Band, Concert Orchestra, and Jazz Ensemble competed at Music In The Parks at Six Flags Great America. Under the talented leadership of Mr. Wilfong and Mr. Chapman, the Jazz Ensemble earned first place with a rating of Superior and a score of 96, earning the highest score of any group in the competition; the Concert Orchestra earned a rating of Excellent, earning first place in their class, and first place overall in the Middle School/Jr. High School Division; and the Concert Band earned a rating of excellent. Jareth Martinez-Garcia received the Outstanding Jazz Soloist Award.

Our Beloit Memorial High School Jazz Band, with the leadership of Mr. Behrens returned home with top honors at Essentially Ellington. Senior Kai Wong earned the prestigious Ella Fitzgerald Award for top soloist of the Festival, Outstanding Piano Award, and honorable mention for tenor saxophone. Outstanding Pep Section went to Sarah Ramsden (clarinet), Annette Cortez (tenor saxophone), Abigail Grenawalt (trumpet), and Kylie White (trombone). Sarah also earned Outstanding Baritone Sax. Tony Severson earned Outstanding Bass. Jonathan Garrett earned Outstanding Drums. Honorable mentions also went to Miles Wisdom on the piano and Annette on the tenor saxophone.

Sophomores Jakendra Gammage and Charlotte Watkins recently received regional Scholastic Writing Awards. Jakendra received two honorable mentions for Dear Humanity and Love or War, and Charlotte received a Silver Key for Movement.

Senior Madyson Miller received the NASCO Award for her artwork titled Pumpkin at the Wisconsin Art Education Association State Show.

Seniors Janicza Rosas Nunez and Jackelyn Montano received several awards at the Scholastic Show at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Janicza received a Silver Key and three honorable mentions for her six art entries, and Jackelyn received an honorable mention.

Senior Celia Bruno received several state-wide and regional awards, including Best of Show for her drawing Mother at the Rockford Art Museum regional high school show, the Blick Award for her drawing Sisters at Restaurant at the Wisconsin Art Education Association State Show, and honorable mention for her drawing Father at the Scholastic Show at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Our Beloit Memorial High School Theater received an invitation to perform at the Edinburgh Scotland Fringe Festival in August 2024. The Fringe Festival includes more than 3000 different performance groups performing at the festival in over 300 venues

The artwork of our elementary students is featured and on display at the Beloit Public Library through the end of May.

In service,

Dr. Willie E. Garrison II

Superintendent, School District of Beloit

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and we want to celebrate by honoring staff in our district who are role models and are making a positive difference. Check out our Facebook page to learn more about Amanda Sellen, Samuel Karns, and Alka Sharma.

Lots of good news to share this week, including teacher recognition nominations that were shared during Teacher Appreciation Week. Families and students nominated 67 deserving educations, read their nominations here.

You can also access our SDB News, SDB Highlights, SDB Videos, and our SDB Podcast to stay up-to-date on #GoodThingsHappening in the School District of Beloit.

We understand that your address, phone number, and/or email address may have changed since the beginning of the school year. Please take a moment to sign in to your Skyward account to confirm and update this information. If you need assistance accessing your Skyward account, please call you child(ren)'s school and speak with the school secretary.

Online and in-person registration is open for our Summer School program.

Students in 4k-8th grade will attend Fruzen Intermediate and will have two, three-week sessions:

Session 1: June 20 to July 7 (no summer school July 3rd and 4th)
Session 2: July 11 to July 28 (no summer school on July 10th)

Students in 9th-12th grade will attend Aldrich Intermediate and will have a six-week session:
June 20 to July 28 (no classes on July 3rd, 4th, and 10th)

The Course Selection Guide is available, access it here.

Summer School Transportation

The deadline for a transportation request was May 16th. If you did not register your child(ren) for summer school by this date, please call Jenny Miller at (608) 361-4007 or email her at jmiller@sdb.k12.wi.us to arrange for transportation.

In-Person Registration

If you need assistance to register your student, you can visit our Central Enrollment office at the Kolak Education Center (1500 Fourth St.). You can access our Summer School website for more details or access our Summer School Guide below.

Memorial Day

May 29th - No school

Last Day of School

June 7 - Last day of school for high school seniors.

June 8 – Last day of school for 4K-11 grade students.

Graduation

Graduation is Saturday, June 10th at 10:00 am at Beloit Memorial High School - Jacobson Field.

2023-2024 School Year Calendar

Click on the button below to access our bilingual calendar. The English version is on page one and the Spanish version is on page two.

Back by popular demand! Every Sunday during May and June, we spotlight and recognize our class of 2023 graduates. Learn about their favorite teachers, clubs, activities, sports, and future plans by accessing our Facebook Page or our Stay Connected webpage.

Our district has many events and camps happening this summer. Click on the images below for more details.

At the School District of Beloit, we enjoy sharing events, achievements, and recognitions highlighting our students, staff, and community partners. We provide transparent and up-to-date information and communication through our social media platforms, our SDB App, website, weekly school newsletters, and my weekly newsletter. We appreciate the positive engagement by everyone who follows us on on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and stays connected with us by downloading our SDB App or accessing our News Tab.

We believe in respectful, truthful, and encouraging messaging and communication. We will continue to communicate in that manner with our students, staff, families, and community.