VASD Newsletter

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Attendance matters for every student, every day, all school year. The Verona Area School District (VASD) is making a concerted effort to improve attendance because our data show that chronic absenteeism has increased in recent years. Attendance, well-being, school climate, and academic achievement are interconnected. As we strive for the best outcomes for each student, we know that their daily presence at school is an important factor in achieving success.

According to Attendance Works, data show that missing 10% of school, or more than two days a month, can significantly impact students' learning and ability to create and maintain positive relationships at school. Half of students who miss 2-4 days of school in September miss nearly a month of school over the course of a year. VASD's own student data show that chronic absenteeism is an issue in VASD. Not only is this detrimental to our students, it negatively impacts outcomes on state assessments such as the School and District Report Cards issued annually by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI).

One of the first steps to improving VASD's attendance rates is ensuring that families have information about how attendance is calculated, what is meant by "habitual truancy", and how families will receive information about their student's attendance. Please see the graphic below for all of his information. In addition, this information is always at your fingertips on the VASD Attendance Information website, or feel free to contact your child's school with any questions.

2023-24 Wisconsin assessment results are now available for the Forward, PreACT, and ACT. The Forward Exam is a computer administered assessment which is used to determine how well students are mastering the Wisconsin Academic Standards in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies. The Forward Exam includes multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and writing prompts. The PreACT is a summative assessment given to 9th and 10th grade students that is aligned to the ACT and the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards. The PreACT measures what students have learned in the areas of English, reading, mathematics, and science. The ACT is a curriculum and standards-based tool measuring what students have learned in high school to assist in determining academic readiness for college, the military, and careers.

The Wisconsin DPI made changes to how Forward results are reported this year. ELA and math academic standards, test designs, and scales were also revised. Every time there are revisions to academic standards (and therefore assessment designs), a corresponding performance standard-setting process is required to update cut scores, or the selected points on the score scale of a test that are used to signify if the score is sufficient for a defined purpose. The updated cut scores separate students into four performance levels (Developing, Approaching, Meeting, and Advanced). These changes mean that 2023-24 results are not easily compared to previous years' results. Instead, DPI is recommending that data users consider spring 2024 as the first year of a new data set when comparing student performance in the future.

VASD continues to outpace the state average on all of the 2023-24 Wisconsin assessments. Notably, nearly 10% more of VASD's students meet the English Language Arts grade level expectations on the Forward compared to their peers statewide and 9th graders, on average, scored 1.4 points higher than their Wisconsin peers on the PreACT. See the table below for more details.

Coming Next Month: State Report Card Results (released November 19, 2024), Literacy Update

“GoGuardian allows me to efficiently monitor my students' online learning and provide immediate, personalized feedback to support their mastery of the learning objectives.” says Caroline Hostetler, a Verona Area High School teacher using GoGuardian, VASD's new filtering and classroom management tool in her classroom. With the transition to GoGuardian for our filtering and classroom management, families now have the option to use the GoGuardian Parent App, which allows you to monitor your student's online activity and ensure their digital safety while they are using VASD devices at home.

To help families get started, we have created a Google Slides presentation covering the app's features. Additionally, click below for a video walkthrough led by VASD Technology Coach Melissa Ruder. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring a safe digital environment for our students.

Verona Area High School Graduation will take place on Sunday, June 8th, 2025. Save the date now to honor our next graduating class of Wildcats!

Thank you to the 328 respondents who shared their input regarding selecting a graduation date. Fifty-four percent (54%) of respondents were parents or guardians of seniors. Ninety-one percent (91%, or 297 respondents) were in favor of moving graduation from Saturday to Sunday.

As explained in the survey, a Saturday graduation on either of the first two Saturdays in June involves a strong conflict for VAHS student-athletes participating in State Track, Regional Soccer, State Tennis, State Lacrosse Semis, and Softball. Pushing graduation later into June would interfere with students’ employment schedules and family vacation schedules, and our host Epic has other obligations later in June. Having graduation on Sunday, June 8th, allows student-athletes and their families to participate in a culminating state event and reap the rewards and celebration of walking in their graduation along with their peers.

Stay tuned to our Graduation/Class of 2025 web page for more information.

Nominations for Wisconsin teachers can now be submitted here for the 2025 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship awards. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship recognizes teachers who have demonstrated a superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, have motivated others, and have provided meritorious service both in and outside the classroom. These awards include a $6,000 grant for the educator and a $6,000 grant for their school! Deadline 11/12.

It only takes a few minutes, just click here to nominate a teacher today!

Join Dr. Clardy as he shares updates and interviews guests from around the district. In the Loop with the Sup will be posted about every two weeks on Wednesdays. Listen here!

Episode 5: Dr. Clardy talks with VASD’s Special Programs Coordinator Lindsay Simonson and student Brandy Torres-Viveros about Advancement via Individual Determination (AVID). AVID fosters a safe and open culture, high expectations for teachers and students, and collaboration in all classrooms. AVID provides classroom activities and teaching practices and promotes academic behaviors that can be incorporated into any classroom to improve engagement and success for all students.

Coming Soon!

Episode 6: Dr. Clardy talks with visiting Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement participants Maja Videnovikj and Marcela Molnarova. Maja is from the Republic of North Macedonia, and Marcela is from the Czech Republic. While the Fulbright scholars are in Wisconsin, they split their time either attending classes and participating in other activities on UW-Madison's campus or they will be at Verona Area High School or Monona Grove High School observing different teachers and classes to learn more about education in the United States.

Savanna Oaks Middle School had a special visitor when former Savanna Oaks student and current UW football student-athlete Haakon Anderson stopped by to thank social studies educator Mr. Weibel for his role in Haakon's life during middle school. For Haakon, Mr. Weibel taught social studies in an engaging way and encouraged all students to be caring and active in the community. He was always there for Haakon, both in and out of the classroom. Haakon and the College Football Playoff Foundation awarded Mr. Weibel during the Extra Yard for Teachers Week with a surprise ceremony and $1,000. Congratulations, Mr. Weibel!

Glacier Edge Elementary was chosen by random draw to host our dairy day promotion. Get ready, Glacier Edge, for a moo-velous Dairy Day on November 5th, featuring a special visit from a real cow from Virhada Holsteins! Students will have the chance to learn about the importance of dairy in our diets, and how the milk from this cow is transformed into the yogurt featured in our lunch rooms.

Featured Dairy Day Breakfast Menu:

• Yogurt Parfaits: Enjoy our delicious yogurt parfaits made with local yogurt, layered with fresh fruits and granola—a perfect treat to fuel your day!

Sweet potatoes are not just delicious; they are also packed with nutrients. High in fiber, vitamins A and C, and antioxidants, sweet potatoes are a fantastic addition to your child's diet this fall. We will be featuring a special recipe this month with sweet potatoes!

As we honor the spirit and history of Native American communities in November, we will embrace the lessons and traditions they share, particularly those surrounding the cultivation and significance of wild rice. It's a beautiful reminder of the interconnection between food, culture, and community.

Spotlight: Wild Rice – A Cultural Treasure

One of the most significant traditional foods among many Native American tribes is wild rice, known as "manoomin" in Ojibwe. This grain not only serves as a staple food but also holds deep cultural and spiritual significance.

Cultural Significance: Wild rice harvesting is a time-honored practice that involves community gathering, sharing knowledge, and celebrating the land. It is often harvested in a traditional manner, where individuals use canoes to gently knock the grains into their vessels.

Nutritional Value: Wild rice is rich in nutrients, offering a healthy alternative to more commonly consumed grains. It is high in antioxidants, fiber, and essential minerals, making it a valuable part of a balanced diet.

We will be doing a taste test of a new chicken patty product at Savanna Oaks as well as a new dried cherry product at Stoner Prairie.