Happy November! Can you believe we have already hit the month of November? We have had some wonderful weeks of learning and growing, and we are very much looking forward to what is to come. As a reminder, our Thanksgiving Holiday begins Wednesday, November 27. School Resumes Monday, December 2,

For your information, here are some of our happenings this month:

• Veterans Day Assembly is November 11 at 10:15am in the Varsity Gym.
• There is no school on November 18.
• Thanksgiving break runs from November 27 - November 29.
• Winter break runs from December 23 - January 3. School resumes on Monday, January 6.
  

Finally, as a quick reminder, on days when the temperature becomes a factor in deciding if we come inside or go outside in the morning and during the recesses, there is a temperature guideline. To be on the safe side, please have your child dress for colder weather. This would include coats, snow pants, outdoor boots, hats, and gloves or mittens.

Please continue reading this virtual newsletter for District-wide information and be sure to reach out to us if you have any questions. We all want to work together to support you and your student(s).

Warm regards,

Liz Calnin

Having access to the portal allows parents to keep all important school information up to date. Please check your information and make any necessary changes. If you need any assistance, please contact Mr. Bill Moyers or Ms. Liz Smith at 297-7617.

Winter weather can change quickly in Wisconsin. When winter weather strikes, we have three options for adjusting our days. Because we are approaching winter weather, I would like to take a moment to review our inclement weather options. As a school district, we determine whether or not our schools will be in session, and our number one priority is the well-being of our students. It is ultimately up to the family as a decision-maker to determine whether or not their child(ren) attend(s) school during winter weather events. If schools are open and you feel it is best for your child to stay home, please call the Attendance Secretary, Ms. Tammy Kohnke, to provide an absence notification.

When winter weather is forecasted, we monitor forecast models frequently. A team gets up and begins testing conditions at or around 4:00am to allow us time to check roads throughout our district so that we can announce any cancellations by 6:00am.

Cancellation -- If we cancel, we will make every effort to make this decision by 6:00am. This means all schools, after-school programs, and public use of buildings are canceled for the day. The school district buildings are considered “closed.”

Two Hour Delay -- If we delay, we will, again, try to make this decision by 6:00am. The school day starts two hours later than normally scheduled.

• Buses run two hours behind their normal schedule.

• No breakfast is served.

• School lunch will be served at or near the normally scheduled time.

• After school programs and public use of buildings may still occur.

If a Two Hour Delay becomes a Cancellation, this decision will be made typically before 8:00am.

Early Release -- If we release early, we will try to make this decision by 10:00am.

• Lunch is at or near the normally scheduled time.

• After school programming and public use of buildings is canceled.

We plan to communicate any weather-related decisions to you in the following ways:

• Local TV and radio

• District website, district social media (Facebook, Instagram)

• District alert notifications: Email, phone call and text message

Weather cancellations are tough decisions because we realize that last-minute changes in the school schedule create inconveniences for families. We will take great care in each situation to use the information available to us to make the very best decision we can. We understand that families rely on schools to meet a variety of needs. That said, we will stay open whenever we are able to safely transport the children using our busing system, but if you feel the weather creates an unsafe situation for your child, please also know that we respect your discretion in making the decision you feel is best for your child(ren).

Fall is here and winter is just around the corner. At MSD, we always try to get the kids outside as much as we can. With that in mind, we ask that you help you child come to school prepared to be outside everyday. Coats, hats, and gloves can help to make a cold day outside a fun recess for all.

November - 18 - No School

November 27 - 29 - Thanksgiving Holiday, No School

December 9 - No School

November: November 11

December: December 9

The program will start promptly at 10:15am in the Varsity Gymnasium on Monday, November 11. Please join us!

Any parents/relatives of MSD students who wish to chaperone field trips, attend class parties or volunteer on site must complete and pass a background check. For more information, please call the District office at 297-7617.

Please visit www.montelloschools.org or more information or contact Bernie VanRossum, Montello Athletic Director, bvanrossum@montelloschools.org or 608-297-7617.

The start dates for MSD winter sports are as follows:

• Girls Basketball - November 11
• Boys Basketball - November 18

Student athletes participating in sports MUST complete an alternate year form or physical form BEFORE beginning practice sessions. Athletic fees need to be paid at the school office before the first contest, and the grades 6-12 sports participation fee is $25/sport ($50/student max or $125/family max).

Season athletic passes for students & adults may be purchased at the High School office. Investing in a pass is both convenient and economical for those sports fans who regularly attend high school games. Passes are only valid for the name listed on the pass. For more information, contact Bernie VanRossum, ext. 281

Our breakfast and lunch menus are posted to our website, school newsletters and Facebook. You can also request a hard copy to be sent home.

Juniors should be thinking about exploring their college options this year. This is a great time to begin narrowing your college choices to keep your applications in check. One way to gather great information is by attending a Wisconsin Education Fair. There are both in-person and virtual events that will allow students and parents to connect with college admission representatives to get some of those college questions answered. Visit the WEF website wefs.org for more information and to register for an event.

Remember that the required ACT Test is fast approaching. All Juniors will be taking the ACT in March. All Juniors should have taken a practice ACT test in September (and again this winter) and have those results that they can use to set individual goals for improvement.

Children with suspected disabilities can be referred for a comprehensive evaluation by contacting the school psychologist, Ms. Mikayla Mlsna. For more information, please contact your child's building principal and/or school psychologist by calling 608-297-7617. Additional written information is available upon request.

MSD has cameras inside and outside of our schools. So, most of the time, if we get a report about something taking place, we are able to use the camera video recordings to get to the bottom of things. The cameras inside the building are located in halls and common areas like the cafeterias and gyms. We encourage students and parents to report anything that might be concerning. We do take anonymous reports as well, so if you don't feel comfortable leaving your name, that is fine. We always investigate tips and reports that come to us.

If you or a family member are looking for help with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can help you quickly find treatment options matched to your needs regardless of the circumstance. Care Solace is a complementary and confidential service provided to students, staff, and their families by Montello School District. Care Solace's team is available 24/7/365 and can support you in your language. If you would like to use Care Solace to help you find a provider:

• Call 1 888-515-0595 available 24/7/365
• Visit www.caresolace.com/montello and either search on your own OR click “Book Appointment” for assistance by video chat, email, or phone.

Website: www.montelloschools.org
Location: 222 Forest Lane, Montello, WI, USA
Phone: 608-297-7617