Rocket Roundup

All employees must complete a link in Skyward for their 2025 insurance benefits. Beginning Monday, November 4, employees may log into Skyward and click the 2025 Open Enrollment icon (shown on the right). The deadline to complete the open enrollment is Friday, November 15.

Because we are changing carriers and new options are being presented, this is a mandatory function for all eligible employees. Each employee working a 0.75 FTE assignment or greater is required to log on to Skyward in order to complete this form, even if you plan to waive health or dental insurance coverage.

The District offered a meeting last night for all employees in regards to health insurance offerings for the upcoming year. Click here for a recording of the meeting. If you have questions, please contact Mike Cyrus or Rebecca Frakes in the HR office.

At the moment, the District has still not finalized the “free” coverage for health insurance participants, though we are just waiting to renew the deal with our current insurer, UHC for these extra benefits. Our goal is to have the same suite of products in place by January 1, 2025. The target is for all employees who participate in the District’s health insurance program to have three additional policies provided to them and their dependents at no cost, which ideally will come from a branch of UHC as they do now. The coverages should include: critical illness (a $2,000 benefit); accident and hospital indemnity. Each of these coverages will provide a cash payment to participants to help insulate them from unanticipated medical expenses.

You may want to be sure that your current physician or provider is in the Network Health network. See this document for an alphabetical listing of all physicians and hospitals that are considered “in” network.

November marks National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to support the estimated 4.2 million youth experiencing homelessness in the United States each year. These young individuals face unique barriers to education, stability, and emotional well-being, often lacking safe housing, consistent access to schooling, and essential resources. As educators, understanding the challenges faced by homeless youth is key to providing the support they need to succeed academically and emotionally.

In this presentation, you’ll find essential resources, actionable strategies, and information on how schools and educators can advocate effectively for homeless youth, ensuring that each student receives the support and understanding they deserve. Let’s work together to make a difference.

Flu shots will be offered at sites throughout the District on a variety of dates over the next several weeks. Individuals on District insurance may receive the shots free of charge with proof of insurance. Those not on District insurance can request their insurance carrier be billed when scheduling. Signup links are currently in the document attached to the clinic dates. Please note, the links to sign up don't go live until 10 days before the clinic date, so there is a note attached when registration for each event opens.

A complete schedule of flu shot clinics with sign up links and other details is available by clicking here.

When you sign into Skyward, you will have the option to choose how you receive your W-2, electronically or a paper copy. On your dashboard there will be a tile called “W2 Mailing Opt Out Form”. If you want to consent to an electronic copy, you will uncheck the box and submit your option.

Benefits of Receiving Form W-2 Electronically:

* Notifications: You will receive an email notification when your W-2 is available. This is usually 7-14 days prior to them being available for pick up or put in the mail for delivery.

* Immediate Access: You can receive your W-2 much faster than the traditional mailing process, which may be delayed due to postal services.

* Ability to Access Anywhere: You can access your W-2 from any device with internet access, making it easy to retrieve your tax information while traveling or away from home.

* Reduced Risk of Loss or Theft: Electronic W-2s eliminate the risk of documents getting lost in the mail or stolen from your mailbox, which can compromise your personal information.

* Ability to Access Anywhere: You can access your W-2 from any device with internet access, making it easy to retrieve your tax information while traveling or away from home.

* Environmentally Friendly: Choosing an electronic format reduces paper waste, making it a more sustainable option. You do not need to print the form on a special type of paper.

Taxpayers need to know their correct filing status and be familiar with each option. The IRS Interactive Tax Assistant can help them determine their filing status. A taxpayer's filing status typically depends on whether they are single or married on Dec. 31, which determines their filing status for that entire year. More than one filing status may apply in certain situations. If this is the case, taxpayers can usually choose the filing status that allows them to owe the least amount of tax.

When preparing and filing a tax return, the filing status affects:

* If the taxpayer is required to file a federal tax return

* If they should file a return to receive a refund

* Their standard deduction amount

* If they can claim certain credits

* The amount of tax they should pay

Here are the three filing statuses:

* Single or Married filing separately. Normally, this status is for taxpayers who are unmarried, divorced or legally separated under a divorce or separate maintenance decree governed by state law. Married couples can choose to file separate tax returns. When doing so, it may result in less tax owed than filing a joint tax return.

* Married filing jointly or Qualifying surving spouse. If a taxpayer is married, they can file a joint tax return with their spouse. When a spouse passes away, the widowed spouse can usually file a joint return for that year. This status may apply to a taxpayer if their spouse died during one of the previous two years. Other conditions also apply.

* Head of household. Unmarried taxpayers may be able to file using this status, but special rules apply. For example, the taxpayer must have paid more than half the cost of keeping up a home for themselves and a qualifying person living in the home for half the year.

The 2024 Helping Hands Art and Craft Fair will be held on Saturday, November 2 in its traditional location at the Ron Einerson Fieldhouse at Neenah Middle School from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The event features over 100 vendors of handmade items as well as food, a raffle and a used book sale. Music will be provided by the high school Touch of Class orchestra. Admission is $2 per person. All funds go directly to NJSD families in need as well as a yearly scholarship.

The Educational Foundation of Neenah (EFN) is now accepting grant requests for new and innovative programming for NJSD classrooms. Grant requests should use the EFN Grant Request Form and may be sent directly to Dan Goggin at gogginlaw@msn.com by November 29.

The Neenah United Educational Association will host a social for all certified and non-certified new hires as well as anyone else interested in learning more about the association and its membership. The event is set for Monday, November 4 (after the PLD) from 4:15-5:30 p.m. at Willie Beamon's. A presentation begins at 4:40 p.m. Light beverages will be served and all attendees receive one free beverage ticket. Please RSVP by clicking here.

The NJSD social committee is hosting a social gathering for all district staff and a guest on Saturday, November 9 from 5-8 p.m. at the Fox Club at the Timber Rattlers Stadium. There is no agenda as this is simply a time to gather, mingle, and enjoy each other's company. Free hors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. RSVP here for data purposes.

Additionally, mark your calendars for the district golf outing on May 3, 2025. More info to come.

Thursday, October 31
Boys Soccer - WIAA Sectional Semifinal at Brookfield East, 7 p.m.

Friday, November 1
Girls Diving - Home, FVA Meet, 6 p.m. (NMS Pool)
Football - WIAA Level 2 Playoff at Kimberly, 7 p.m.

Saturday, November 2
Girls Swimming - Home, FVA Meet, 10:30 a.m. (NMS Pool)

Cross Country - WIAA State Meet, Girls 1:20 p.m., Boys 3:10 p.m. (at Ridges G.C., Wisconsin Rapids)

Boys Soccer - WIAA Sectional Final vs. Arrowhead or Sheboygan North, 1 p.m. (at Oshkosh North)