Fall Updates and Future Plans: Embracing Our Collective Impact
Staff,
I want to thank all of you for a great start to the 2024-2025 school year! As I have made my way into all of our buildings it was remarkable to see our students having such a positive start to the year with an amazing and supportive staff! The start of the school year can definitely conjure up nerves in all of us whether it be anxious excitement or uncertainty, but it is comforting to know we can lean into our teammates for encouragement and help when it is needed. We all play a part in making our Focus Plan Goals of being โAn Exceptional Place to Learn and Workโ come alive every day.
Embracing the Fall Season and Our Collective Impact
As we dive deeper into the fall, I am reminded of how we have some great seasonal changes here in Wisconsin that are reflected in our landscape. With the changes in the seasons, we have new opportunities to have different experiences with our weather, just like we also have different opportunities every day as we all engage in work as a system to benefit our students. I want to continue to challenge you to think about your โStarting 5โ and who is in that team of yours and also that you are most likely in someone elseโs โStarting 5.โ You have the chance to have a positive impact on someone elseโs day each day in the months ahead and it is important that we make the most of every experience with those around us, whether it is working directly with students or staff. Everyone has the ability to โEmpower todayโ as we help others to โEnvision tomorrowโ in building the collective capacity of all of our learners and leaders.
Join Us for the December 4th Continuing the Conversation Event
As we head into November and live out one of our Focus Plan Goalโs of being โAn Exceptional Place to Engage,โ there will also be opportunities for our school community to engage in our Continuing the Conversation event on December 4th in the Cumberland Great Room from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. In the community conversation there will be an opportunity to hear about the major themes from last Novemberโs Community Conversation, the current state and next step related to those themes, and the chance to provide feedback on the progress. Please be sure to consider joining our community in this conversation to benefit all of our students in the years ahead! CLICK HERE to RSVP today!
Get Involved in Facilities Long-Range Planning
As we head into the months of January and beyond, we will be spending time developing our engagement efforts for our Facilities Long-Range Planning. There will be opportunities for students, staff, and community members to join in the efforts of our Facilities Advisory Committee, Focus Groups, and Community Presentations. If you are interested in being considered to be a part of our Facilities Advisory Committee, you can CLICK HERE to complete an application.
A Strong Partnership for Educational Excellence
Thank you for working in โpartnership with families and communityโ as we focus on creating an environment that is โstudent centered with a tradition of educational excellence.โ Our collective team is stronger than ever as we work to meet the needs of all students in our work together.
Your Partner in Education,
Jamie
A Friendly Reminder:
In consideration of the upcoming election in November, please take time to thoroughly review School Board Policy 522.5: Staff Involvement in Political Activities, which discusses the rights, privileges, and restrictions of employees within the scope of their employment with the District. The rights, privileges, and restrictions cited in School Board Policy 522.5 are supported by Wisconsin Statutes 6.76 (Time Off for Voting), 11.1207 (Political Solicitations by Public Officials and Employees Restricted), 12.07 (Election Restrictions on Employers), and 19.59 (Code of Ethics for Local Government Officials, Employees, and Candidates).
Should you have any questions, please contact your Building Principal.
The Whitefish Bay School District is engaging in a Long-Range Facilities Planning project. We are seeking community members to serve on the Facilities Advisory Committee to help guide us through this process. Members of the committee will attend bi-monthly meetings between January and August 2025. Please click the link provided to apply. If you have additional questions, please contact Dr. Jamie Foeckler, Superintendent, at jamie.foeckler@wfbschools.com or 414-963-3921.
Click here to learn more or apply for the Committee.
Upcoming Board Meetings:
- October 9
- October 23
All board meetings take place at 7:00 pm in the High School LMC, unless noted otherwise.
Annual Meeting Board Takeaways
September 18 Board Meeting Takeaways
๐ Cumberland: John Levek and Amy Reetz
๐ Richards: Marna Addison, Karen Eyers, Alanna Koritzinsky, and Tracey Mike
Let's hear it for Marna, Karen, Alanna, and Tracey! Their dedication to teaching this summer truly shines! The commitment, planning, and passion they brought to summer school and ESY made a real difference in boosting student confidence and skills. Their efforts will undoubtedly pay dividends as our students head into this new year. Thank you!
๐ Middle School: Jess Leahy and Bizzy Schultz
๐ High School: Katie Kuchenreuther
Katie Kuchenreuther works behind the scenes all summer to finalize student schedules in advance of student schedule release, working hard to be sure classes are as balanced as possible for all teachers. This year, Katie also took the lead on a new initiative, Direct Admit Wisconsin. By collaborating with a team across the District as well as the team through DPI, Katie supported 96 students to receive college acceptance offers in mid-July. This new effort opens access to students and reduces some of the anxiety and challenge of the college admissions process. Way to go Katie!
๐ Activities: Maya Grueneberg
Congratulations, Maya! You've had an incredible start as the new Administrative Assistant in the Activities & Athletics office. Your dedication to game day preparation, transportation logistics, and referee acquisition has been invaluable. Your positive energy and enthusiasm have already had a significant impact on our school community. We're so grateful for your contributions. Keep up the fantastic work!
๐ Rec Department: Hannah Chin, Michelle Mangan, and Jenni DeRose
๐ District Office: Michelle Mangan
Michelle has demonstrated outstanding leadership, organization, and initiative, as she developed and refined multiple processes and procedures for new and existing employees, including:
Implementing Vector training modules for all new and existing staff members;
Developing onboarding and offboarding procedures for volunteers, coaches, advisors, and other seasonal staff members;
Reorganizing performance evaluations for all instructional employees;
Redesigning the District's Human Resources website;
And so much more!
Michelle is adaptable, creative, and optimistic. She is a team player in every sense of the word, and always puts the District and its employees first. Thank you for everything you do, Michelle!
