District Office Newsletter
New Year Edition
Dear Shorewood Staff, Families & Community,
We are in our final days before Winter Break for students and families, and the last weeks of 2023. For some of you, air travel or long car rides lie ahead, or you will welcome families and friends into your own homes. Others will work long shifts in our hospitals and clinics, and many of you will continue to go about the business of keeping the services and facilities of this community moving along. As our staff take their hard-earned and much-deserved winter break, I’m also thinking of everyone who must work even longer hours over the next two weeks. I hope every one of you can find time to create and receive moments of joy, and also re-dedicate awareness and commitment to wellness.
The holiday season can be joyous, but it can also be a difficult time for many who have lost loved ones, have strained family relationships, and those who are struggling with their mental health. One of the best things we can do is to check in with family members and friends, ask them how they’re doing, and what they are thinking. And when that is not enough, access Lifeline 988 via phone call, text, or chat 988, where trained counselors are there to listen and connect people to resources.
2023 will be marked as another year in history that tested our humanity. Finding what connects us as individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs seems more important than ever. Each of us can choose to be present with compassion and understanding every day, and I am extremely grateful to work in a community that strives to exemplify these attributes. During this holiday season, my hope is that the bonds that hold us together allow us to spread messages of peace and compassion, each in our own way. One thing is clear - when we stand together against antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism and any form of hate and bigotry, we make this a better world for everyone and show our children that we care about their future.
In closing, I want to thank our staff for supporting our students and families, our students for their hard work and diligence to learn, and you for your partnership throughout the year. I wish you a safe holiday season and a great start to 2024!
Sincerely,
Laurie
2024-2025 Instructional Calendar is Here
Visit Our New Website
In case you missed it, we gave our website a little refresh! The goal of the redesign was to make the website easier to read, navigate and interact with. While the look and feel of the website is different, we are working hard to update the content and links throughout the pages! Head on over to www.shorewoodschools.org and take a look!
Inclement Weather Closing Procedures
When determining whether a school closure is necessary, the Shorewood School District monitors the estimated snow accumulation and the timing of the storm through the National Weather Service. If the District is considering closing school due to bitter cold and wind chill, it will do so if the National Weather Service changes a wind chill advisory to a wind chill warning (at -35 degrees).
In the event that the inclement weather occurs outside of school hours, the North Shore school superintendents conduct an early morning conference call (typically conducted between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.) to compare information and to determine the impact on the snowfall in each local community.
In the event that the inclement weather occurs during school hours, North Shore school superintendents conduct an immediate conference call to compare information and determine the impact of the snowfall in each local community. When possible, the decision to close school will be made by 5:30 a.m. and to dismiss early by 11:30 a.m.
Ultimately, the decision to close the schools or to dismiss students early in the event of existing or predicted hazardous weather is determined by the Shorewood District Administrative team. When school is closed or dismissed early due to weather, school district-sponsored activities, athletics, and Shorewood Recreation Department activities are also cancelled.*
*If school is in session all day and inclement weather is forecasted for the afternoon and/or evening, the Recreation Department and the District Administration team will make decisions on the cancellation of after school/evening activities by approximately 2 p.m.
SIS Students Win Annual Bill of Rights Contest
Three of our SIS students won the fourth annual student contest and event focusing on the Bill of Rights. Students in grades 5-12 were encouraged to submit essays and art projects proposing a new amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. There were nearly 600 entries at the deadline and the judges narrowed it down to 32 finalists. Congratulations to Oliver Blackwell and Charlotte Frank for earning a first place win for their essay and art submission, and to Sophia Eckman for placing second for her art submission. You can read more about the contest and see all of the finalists' work by visiting the story on our webpage.
SIS Students Win Annual Bill of Rights Contest Hosted By The Federal Courts
Students Attend United Justice Coalition Summit
Four Youth Rising Up club members attended the United Justice Coalition Summit hosted by Roc Nation in New York City. The trip was designed to allow Shorewood High School students to engage with a diverse group of panelists and learn from others in similar situations as themselves from across the country.
At the summit, students had the chance to view an art gallery from imprisoned youth and adults. The gallery was setup as a means for the artist to leverage their experiences and a chance to tell their stories. They also had the opportunity to walk around and interact with over 100 national and local organizations that tackle issues, such as voter registration, gun violence, and incarcerated education. Students even participated in a game hosted by one of the organizations, where they were tested on their social justice knowledge against students from a local NYC high school.
The students and staff (chaperones, Associate Principal Amanda Jamerson and Nelson Brown) are very thankful to Equity Director, Shari Tucker, for coming across this opportunity and to the District for continuing to support the commitment to equity.
Atwater Art Club Makes Scarves for Local Charities
Lake Bluff Displays Culture Area Murals at Shorewood Public Library
Fifth and Sixth graders in the MAC 3 classroom, researched Culture Regions across North America to create their murals. The students created a list of questions they felt they needed to research in order to write an informational essay individually, and collaboratively create a mural. The murals are on display at the Shorewood Public Library until January 5, 2024. So head on over there during the break to take a look at what the students have created!
Join Us on Social!
Attending a sporting event or after school activity? We want to see your photos! There is a lot that happens in the SSD community, and we enjoy using photos of our students in newsletters and communication. You can email your photos to mcampbell@shorewood.k12.wi.us
FOLLOW US!
Scroll with us on Instagram!
Like us on Facebook!