School Matters 8/26/2024

2024

• Denise Weyenberg, Director of Continuous Improvement, presented an update on the Systems Strategy used throughout the District for continuous improvement. She explained the goal of cultural transformation, to an environment where students are more active participants in how they learn. She reviewed the cycle of student and teacher behaviors that drive successful outcomes. Improving outcomes in student learning is accomplished by studying the data and building on the strategies that are working. This system continues to expand via coaching support provided by Instructional Directors, Principals, and outside resources. Her slide presentation can be found in the meeting agenda in Boarddocs.
• Weyenberg also gave an update on the ATODA (Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Abuse) prevention programs. The 2023-24 focus was to increase student participation, and to increase parent awareness. Both schools' prevention programs (Promise Makers at KHS and ROCKS at J.R. Gerritts) saw an increase in participation. A student survey also indicated that drug and alcohol usage was also down year over year. Work will continue to increase family awareness, student participation, and programming, among other things in the upcoming years. See the complete presentation online in Boarddocs.
• Tim Fosshage, Director of Pupil Services, shared the Seclusion & Restraint data from the 2023-24 school year as required. He indicated that KASD now has four certified non-violent crisis intervention trainers on staff, and as of August 2024, 256 staff members from various school buildings had received training in nonviolent crisis intervention. Fosshage shared with the Board that there were 36 incidents of seclusion and 22 incidents of restraint that occurred during the 2023-24 school year, which is a downward trend. Fosshage outlined the processes used to notify parents, document the incidents as well as the steps that are taken to help prevent future incidents.
  
• The Board approved the second reading of updates to policy 5517 - Student Anti-Harassment.
• The Board approved a contract for Kristen Heaver, 4-Year-Old Kindergarten Teacher at the 4K Center for Literacy, effective August 27, 2024.
• The Board also approved the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Bob Mayfield. Superintendent Mayfield will retire as of July 1, 2025, after serving the Kimberly Area School District for over 32 years.

More information about this meeting, including agendas, approved minutes and policy changes can be found on Boarddocs. For more information about upcoming board meetings, go to the District website.

Upcoming Board Meetings:

September 9, 2024

September 23, 2024 (Annual Meeting)

October 14, 2024

October 28, 2024

It’s hard to believe that all staff reported back to their schools on August 27th! The day started with a Welcome Back event at Kimberly High School. It kicked off with a wellness walk followed by a delicious breakfast. There was an all-staff session where Board of Education President Mary Pribbenow, Superintendent Dr. Bob Mayfield, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Holly Prast shared the District’s vision and goals for the upcoming school year. Staff then reported to their schools to start preparing for the arrival of their students on September 3, 2024.

Last spring Kimberly High School's Culinary Team had the honor of competing in the ProStart Culinary State Competition. Students Liam Sullivan, Riley Schmidt, Kania Mader, Chase Vandenberg, and Ayden Everard earned 4th place out of 14 teams from all over Wisconsin. This is the highest Kimberly has ever placed in the three years they have been competing. Culinary teacher and advisor Olivia Koepke was also recently recognized by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association as a 2024 Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch.

Each team had an hour to prepare, cook, and complete a three-course meal that demonstrates a variety of skills. The skills demonstrated are in culinary techniques, difficulty of recipe, taste, knife skills, creativity, professionalism, and overall sanitation. Industry recognized chefs from all over the state help make this opportunity possible by assessing the skills of each team member as well as the dishes they prepare. It's an exciting opportunity for students to grow and learn as team members and individuals, network with industry professionals and companies, strengthen employability skills, and share their culinary passion with other students.

Congratulations to the following KHS Seniors, Liam Sullivan, Riley Schmidt, and Kania Mader on completing Kimberly's Culinary Program. Liam will study at the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Riley will continue his culinary education at Fox Valley Technical College, and Kania will relocate to Peru to enhance her Spanish before pursuing a double major in nursing and Spanish.

Kimberly Area School District
425 S. Washington St
Combined Locks, WI 54113
Phone: (920) 788-7900
Robert S. Mayfield, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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