• A Message From Superintendent Hirsbrunner
• Addressing Bullying in the Digital Age
• From the Photo Gallery: Gov. Evers Visit to Ben Franklin, First Day of School & Orientation Day
• Get Ready: SPASH Homecoming 2024

• Steering Our Schools: Recapping the Board's Work
• Cubs Club
• The Importance of School Attendance
• Upcoming Events and Community Information
• 2024-25 School Year Calendar

SPAPSD Families,

I am pleased to share that we’ve had a wonderful start to the school year! Students and staff are settling into their routines, and the energy in our schools has been incredibly positive. It’s clear that everyone is glad to be back, and we are already seeing great things happening in classrooms across the district.

As we look ahead, we’re especially excited for next week’s Homecoming festivities at SPASH. This is always a special time for our entire community to come together and celebrate our school spirit. We hope to see many of you at the events as we show support for our SPASH Panthers!

Thank you for your continued engagement in our schools and for fostering an environment that prioritizes teaching and learning. Together, we are making a difference for every student, every day.

Sincerely,

On September 18, we kicked off our Parent Engagement Forum series with an important presentation, “Navigating the Digital Playground,” aimed at helping families better understand the online world our students navigate. This session focused on the ‘digital playground’ of social media and the growing challenges of bullying in the digital age. We explored why this issue is critical, shared what our schools are doing to address bullying, and provided parents with resources to support safe online behavior at home.

We are grateful for the participation of our families, as well as the valuable insights provided by district staff and community members, including Jeff Mlsna, Director of Secondary Education, Brian Casey, Director of Technology, and our school resource officers. Parents left with resources, including guides on popular social media platforms and parental controls, as well as the opportunity to submit feedback on future topics.

Couldn't make it? We've got resources for you:

• Navigating the Digital Playground - Presentation
• Parents' Ultimate Guide to Snapchat

• Parents' Ultimate Guide to Instagram

• Parents' Ultimate Guide to TikTok

• Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls

• How to Report Abuse on Instagram / Snapchat / Facebook / TikTok
  
  

If you couldn’t attend, don’t worry—this was just the first in a series of four presentations. Our next forum is scheduled for October 16 at the SPASH Library from 6-7 PM with a presentation on online safety by the Stevens Point Area Police Department. While these are meant for families with students in grades 5-12, we encourage all families to attend and continue the conversation on how we can work together to keep our students safe in the digital world.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and shared your perspectives. We look forward to seeing you at future events as we work together to create a safe and supportive environment for all students.

As we approach Homecoming week, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our families and community members for the incredible Panther pride you show year after year. Your support helps make Homecoming a special time for our students, staff, and the entire community.

From the themed Dress-Up Days to the excitement of the Mr. SPASH Contest, and of course, the much-anticipated Homecoming Parade and Pep Fest, the spirit of SPASH is alive and well. We are especially grateful for your involvement in making these events a success—whether it’s cheering from the stands, helping with preparations, or simply showing up to share in the fun.

We look forward to celebrating the Panther tradition with all of you. Thank you for your support in making SPASH a place where school spirit thrives. Together, we’re creating memories that will last a lifetime, and we couldn’t do it without our incredible community!

The Stevens Point Area Public School District School Board held its Regular Board Meeting on Monday, September 9, 2024.

Mandana Bliss Award

This month the board honored Brooke Ananaidis, SPASH Food Service Supervisor, and Roy Knapp, Plover-Whiting Head Custodian, with the Mandana Bliss Award.

Consent Agenda

Minutes from the regular August School Board Meeting, the schedule of monthly bills and employment recommendations were approved as presented.

Educational Services

The board received the 2024 Summer School Report for information only.

Student Services

The board received the Annual Seclusion and Restraint Report for information only.

General

An update on the Budget and Program Evaluation process was provided for information only.

The next regular meeting of the School Board will take place on October 14, 6:00 p.m. On October 28th the board will hold a Budget Hearing, 5:30 p.m., and Special Board Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

The Educational Services and Business Services/HR Committees will meet the first Monday of the month at 5:30 and 5:30 p.m. respectively.

The entirety of the meeting can be viewed online.

We are excited to introduce the Cubs Club Early Registration Program, designed to connect with our youngest future students and their families. Aimed at children from birth to four years old, the Cubs Club focuses on laying the foundation for a successful transition into school by offering tailored resources, support, and engagement opportunities.

We understand that the early years are crucial in a child’s development, and we want to ensure that every child in our community gets off to a strong start. The Cubs Club is our way of reaching out to families early, providing them with personalized resources that align with the developmental needs of young children. By joining the Cubs Club, families will stay informed about important school district events, early childhood screenings, and other opportunities that support a smooth transition into their educational journey.

“We are delighted to introduce the Cubs Club to our community,” said Cory Hirsbrunner, Superintendent of SPAPSD. “This program represents our commitment to every student, starting from the very beginning of their educational experience. By engaging families early, we can build strong, positive relationships that will support our students throughout their time with us.”

As a member of the Cubs Club, families will receive access to valuable child development resources, ensuring that they have the tools and information needed to support their child’s early growth. Additionally, the program is designed to foster a sense of belonging and trust, making sure that every child feels welcomed and prepared as they step into our schools.

Enrollment in the Cubs Club is easy and open to all families with children from birth to four years old.

We believe that school attendance is crucial to the success of all students. Ensuring that students attend school regularly is a responsibility shared by students, parents, schools, and our entire community. We are committed to partnering with and communicating with families to support consistent student attendance.

Attending school all day, every day, has a significant impact on a student’s academic success, starting as early as preschool and continuing through high school. Even as students grow older and become more independent, families play a key role in ensuring that students get to school safely every day and understand the importance of regular attendance for success in school and in life.

Did you know…

• Students who are chronically absent in preschool through 1st grade are much less likely to read at grade level by the end of 3rd grade.
• By 6th grade, chronic absence is a proven early warning sign for students at risk of dropping out of school.
• By 9th grade, good attendance can predict graduation rates even better than 8th-grade test scores.

Absences can add up quickly. A student is considered chronically absent if they miss just two days of school each month. The academic impact of missing this much school is significant, and it doesn’t matter whether the absences are excused or unexcused—both can affect a student’s learning.

We understand that there are times when absences are unavoidable due to illness or family emergencies. However, we encourage you to prioritize your child's attendance and work with us to minimize any disruptions to their education. In an effort to ensure consistency across all elementary sites in the Stevens Point Area Public School District, please be aware of the following expectations regarding how attendance is documented for all K-6 students:

• Any absence that extends beyond thirty minutes at the beginning or the end of the day will be counted as a half day absence. Any time less than thirty minutes will be documented as tardy.

• If your child/children are absent for more than five days, you will be notified with an auto-generated letter from their school.

• A similar letter will follow if absences exceed ten days. At this point you may be asked to provide a physician’s note for all future absences.
  
  

If your child is experiencing challenges that affect their attendance, please reach out to our school staff. We are here to support you and provide resources to help ensure your child can attend school regularly.

Thank you for your commitment to your child's education and for partnering with us to ensure their academic success. Together, we can make a positive impact on their future.

Yog xav tau kev pab txhais cov lus no, thov hu rau Mai Kou Yang ntawm 715-343-7139 los 715-340-0656 lossis sau email rau: mayang@pointschools.net

Si necesita ayuda traduciendo información que se encuentra en el correo electrónico, por favor, contacte a Jami McGriff al correo jmcgriff@pointschools.net o llame al 715-498-1976.