The Weekly Update #4
May 1, 2024
Table of Contents
Responding to School Violence/Resource Reminder
District News
- Just Two Days Left to Submit Mini-Grant Applications
- Grad Grams Are Great Way to Support a Grad
- High Schools Rate Well on U.S. News and World Report
- Celebrate Screen Free Week
- Staff Appreciation Week is Coming Up
School Board News
- Work Session Focuses on Feedback and Survey
Student and Staff Achievements
- Upcoming Shows Feature Student Art and Award Winners
- High School Musicians Earn Exemplary Performance Recognition
- More Success for Mirasolas
Responding to School Violence/Resource Reminder
Today, law enforcement responded to an active shooter outside Mount Horeb Middle School. We wanted to take this opportunity to re-share resources related to school safety, mental health, and having conversations with your child(ren) regarding school violence.
Children might feel confused or worried when hearing about incidents of school violence; these are typical responses. We have resources available on our website to help talk with your child(ren) about violence. Our school counselors and psychologists can also serve as a resource to your child(ren) or families.
All West Bend School District building entrances are locked and during the school day visitors may enter at only one set of video-monitored and locked doors that lead to the school office or a door monitor. If there is a special event at a school where families and others are invited, assigned supervisors monitor entry. School safety information details can be found on our website.
The West Bend Police Department, Jackson Police Department, and Washington County Sheriff’s Office serve as strong partners regarding school safety. Reinforce with your child(ren) that they should immediately report anything they see or hear that scares them or makes them feel others could be in danger. And, they should talk to parents/guardians, school staff members, a law enforcement officer, or first responder as soon as they see or hear something. Remember what our West Bend Police Department recommends, “See something, say something.” Our district has four School Police Officers assigned to Badger and the high schools. Students at these schools can access the Officers every school day for reporting. For other schools, officers are available when contacted. In addition, both the West Bend Police Department and Jackson Police Department assign officers to routinely patrol schools without a full-time assigned School Police Officer and interact with students.
The school safety information page also contains additional tiplines:
Speak Up for Safety: West Bend School District students or their family members can use this service to report items of concern to the school district. You can email (speakup@wbsd-schools.org) or text/call (262-357-3530) and it will send an email to WBSD administrators for non life-threatening reports. If there is an emergency situation it will call local law enforcement or 911.
Speak Up, Speak Out: This service is another way to get important information directly to law enforcement. Use the Speak Up Speak Out app or call 800-MY-SUSO-1 (1-800-697-8761) to get a live dispatcher. (No text messages are accepted). Apple Store Google Play
In addition to these resources, both the West Bend Police Department and the Jackson Police Department strongly encourage citizens to contact their local law enforcement for any police services, and particularly any reports of violence or threats of violence in our schools.
District News
Just Two Days Left to Submit Mini-Grant Applications
The West Bend Public Schools Foundation is accepting mini-grant applications until May 3. The foundation invests in student learning and classroom achievement by providing additional funding in the arts, innovation, and fitness. They invite West Bend School District students, staff, and families to submit applications for mini grants to support projects. Complete this application.
Grad Grams Are Great Way to Support a Grad
Grad Grams are a FREE way to recognize and celebrate graduating seniors from East and West. Because the goal is to have at least one Grad Gram for each graduating senior, make sure you complete those grams by May 24. Complete this electronic form on the WBSD website or download a Grad Gram from the same webpage to handwrite a note (these can be turned in to any school).
High Schools Rate Well on U.S. News and World Report
The 2024 U.S. News and World Report ranking of high schools in Wisconsin put East High School at 36th and West High School at 50th of 569 high schools. The categories used by the U.S. News and World Report to rate schools include college readiness, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rate. The ranking of both schools improved greatly from 2023 with East moving up 70 spots and West moving up 26. You can find all the 2024 details online.
Celebrate Screen Free Week
The Washington Ozaukee County Mental Health Coalition has established some free events in Washington and Ozaukee counties for Screen Free Week, May 4-11. The activities provide families and individuals with opportunities to take a healthy break from their screens for the week. Families can attend events in either county.
School Board News
Work Session Focuses on Feedback and Survey
During a work session on April 30, the West Bend School Board reviewed details from the Community Conversations on Facilities that took place in April and an upcoming community survey.
On April 15, 16, and 25, approximately 150 people in total participated in a second round of community conversations to examine a Long-Range Facility Plan. The goal of a plan is to address aging buildings and grounds and declining enrollment through rightsizing or closing buildings, and to ultimately provide schools that are safe, secure, accessible, operationally efficient, and adaptable to meet evolving student needs. The community conversation events also covered the preliminary costs and estimated tax impacts for three different potential projects for additional feedback. The major components being evaluated for the first phase of a long-range plan include:
Closing Decorah Elementary, Fair Park Elementary, and Rolfs Education Center and converting Green Tree, McLane, and Silverbrook schools to serve as K-5 elementary schools. The Early Learning Program classrooms, previously located in Rolfs, would be relocated to McLane and Green Tree. Badger Middle School would then serve grades 6-8.
Building a new K-8 school in Jackson on district-owned land on Jackson Drive, adjacent to the community center.
Renovating limited areas at East/West High School, Green Tree, and McLane to create secure main office entries and provide additional layers of security throughout the schools. Also at Green Tree and McLane, renovations to create a larger nurse’s office, and to add bathrooms to accommodate early learning.
Addressing priority capital maintenance throughout all buildings that would remain open.
During the work session, the board reviewed key feedback themes gathered from the attendees of the April community conversations, which include:
Overall understanding and support for creating a Long-Range Facility Plan that includes rightsizing (closing buildings) and an appreciation for the data-driven approach to the plan.
General support for rebuilding Jackson with additional questions regarding the K-8 structure.
General support for changing grade levels at Silverbrook and Badger to reduce transition issues with additional questions regarding programming opportunities.
Natural concerns and questions associated with the future of closed buildings, loss of neighborhood schools, future attendance boundaries.
Some “sticker shock” at the potential cost ranges and concern about the community’s willingness to support a future referendum after past attempts.
Request for continued communication and transparency around potential projects, costs, and survey results.
The board also discussed a developing community survey that will be sent to all district residents and staff in mid-May. The survey is being conducted by an independent, third-party survey firm. It is intended to inform residents regarding the facility needs, costs, and preliminary solutions being considered while gathering additional input to further inform the West Bend School Board on next steps towards a potential facilities referendum in November 2024.
To watch a video of the meeting, go to the website.
Student and Staff Achievements
Upcoming Shows Feature Student Art and Award Winners
West Bend School District student artwork will be on display in the following upcoming shows:
April 27 - July 21 Museum of Wisconsin Art Teen Show, This Little Light of Mine. West Bend is represented by seniors Jenna Collins (East) and Grace Melstrand (West), there were 33 regional high schools represented. Grace won an award for her artwork, “Antlers.”
May 4 - 31 West Bend School District Art Show at The Hub in West Bend. Join us for a celebration event on Thursday, May 9 at 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. at The Hub.
May 20 - 31 AP Art & Design Art Show in the West Bend High Schools Silver Lining Gallery. The show celebration is Thursday, May 23 at 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the gallery.
High School Musicians Earn Exemplary Performance Recognition
At the Wisconsin School Music Association's State Solo & Ensemble Festival, the most ever West Bend High Schools students earned Exemplary Performance Recognition. This special recognition expands beyond the regular recognition for outstanding performers at the festival. The state festival adjudicators select the most exceptional performances at each of the festival campuses.
Congratulations to these exemplary performers:
Percussion ensemble
Lucy Merrill, flute solo
Norah Petersen and Alyvia Anderson, flute duet
Ethan Buss, Conner Trahan, Aidan Quiroz, Damien Pawlowski - low brass quartet
Nathan Riess, parade drum solo
Grace Last, french horn solo
Owen Damkot, marimba solo
Lilly Beane, clarinet solo
Mixed contemporary a cappella
Sal Martinez, tenor solo
String choir
Rebecca Brojanac, violin solo
Gregory Farmer, viola solo
More Success for Mirasolas
West Bend West senior Connor Mirasola won the 92 kg championship at the U20 Nationals Men’s Freestyle portion of the U.S. Open Championships last weekend. The win gives him an automatic berth to the U20 World Team Trials in Geneva, Ohio in early June.
Cole Mirasola, wrestling at 97 kg, finished second to the U20 Pan American champ and 2023 U20 World bronze medalist. He also qualifies for the World Team Trials. Both were wrestling for the Askren Wrestling Academy.
Community Connections
Community Bulletin Board
There are various events and activities available on the WBSD’s Community Bulletin Board!
Athletics
Spring Mini Soccer - FC Wisconsin
Fall Mini Soccer - FC Wisconsin
West Boys Basketball Summer Clinics
West Girls Volleyball Camps
West Bend Track Camp
East Girls Volleyball Camps
Discounted Swim Lessons for WBSD 2nd Graders
Learn to Skate with KMFSC
Learn Hockey Skills
East Girls Basketball Summer Camps
East Basketball Sweat Equity Basketball Skills Clinics
Other
Suicide Prevention/Mental Health Awareness Event
YMCA Splash Bash
YMCA Summer Program Registration
Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf Fundraiser
Big Brothers Big Sisters Putt Putt Palooza Event
MOWA Family Fun Events
MOWA Summer Youth Workshops
Kettle Moraine Symphony Concert
Tower Heritage Center Teen Leaders Program
Joining Girl Scouts Information
Lead Poisoning Information from Health Dept.
Help Others Get Connected
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