Must Know On The Go
In a time crunch? Check out this page for your February quick hits. Come back to read more when you have time to explore everything happening in our District!
Share Your Feedback
Please share your feedback on our monthly staff newsletter in this three-question survey
Key Dates
Upcoming Professional Development Days
March 10
Spring Break
March 24 - March 28
Heads Up
Family Engagement Survey | March 3 - March 28
Staff Engagement Survey | March 31 - April 21
MCPASD District Update: Quarter 3 Leadership Video
In the latest quarterly leadership video, Superintendent Dr Dana Monogue and Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing share important updates as MCPASD moves through the third quarter of the school year. Watch to learn more about hiring and leadership changes, academic and community engagement, Wellness Clinic milestones, budget and handbook updates, and sustainability and infrastructure improvements.
Staff Shoutouts
Amy Poole
Families in Transition Coordinator
We’re recognizing Amy Poole, our incredible Families in Transition Coordinator, for the exceptional work she does every single day. Amy is the heart and soul behind our District’s support for 71 families in need, often going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure they have the resources they require. As our Homeless Liaison, Amy ensures we meet the important responsibilities outlined in the McKinney-Vento Act, helping families navigate challenges and access crucial services. Whether it’s working long hours in freezing weather or making sure every child has gifts during the holidays, Amy never hesitates to give her all to those in need Her selflessness and dedication are truly inspiring, and we are beyond grateful for the incredible impact she makes on our community. Amy, thank you for your tireless work, your heart, and your commitment to our families. Your efforts do not go unnoticed. You are making a difference, and we are so lucky to have you in our District!
Marina Probasco
Administrative Assistant, Middleton High School
Marina Probasco is the Administrative Assistant for the Capella Student Service Center at Middleton High School She always greets everyone with a smile and makes them feel welcomed. She supports students and families, especially those who need help with translation/interpretation in Spanish. She's always willing to help our Spanish-speaking families during our Family Engagement Conferences by providing guidance and interpretation Thank you, Marina, for all that you do for our families!
Give a shoutout!
Complete the shoutout Google form to give a colleague kudos for their great work and passion for our students and staff The form will remain open all school year, so keep the shoutouts coming!
Newsletter Shout Out Form
Staff Shoutouts
Recognizing School Counselors
School Counselor Week 2025 was Feb. 3-7, and we were thrilled to honor our amazing team of counselors in MCPASD! Our counselors' dedication, compassion, and expertise help create a positive and supportive environment in our schools We're grateful for their efforts to ensure that every student feels seen, heard, and supported. Please join us in thanking our counselors!
Back row (L-R): Abbie Hannam, LaRon Ragsdale, Jessica Pelligreno, Joe Bins, Kasey McKinney, Karmyn Debilzen, Marcy Smith, Kim Gauen, Tim Ashe, John Altenhofen, Joel Phillips, Mike Kusch.
Front row (L-R): Sara Reeves-Metz, Kerry Burke, Taylor Klinzing, Alex Theiler, Jenny VonBergen, Jessica Gomez, Abby Helminick, Gust Athanas, Lindsey Hellenbrand, Kari Brezenski Not pictured: Sara Stoll
Staff Shoutouts
Wisconsin School Bus Driver Appreciation Week
Our District could not run smoothly without the hard work of our 50 wonderful bus drivers!
Every day, our drivers:
Log 4,216 miles on 247 routes
Transport 4,000 students in the morning
Transport 4,400 students each afternoon
We’re grateful to our bus drivers for their support of our students and schools!
Articles
MCPASD District Update: Quarter 3 Leadership Video
Superintendent Dr Dana Monogue and Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing share important updates as MCPASD moves through the third quarter of the school year in their latest quarterly video message.
Tune in to hear more on:
Hiring & Leadership Changes:
Active searches for new principals at Clark Street and Middleton High School, as well as an Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning.
The Deputy Superintendent position will not be filled after Dr. Cyra’s retirement.
A new Summer School & Community Outreach Coordinator will help expand summer programming and offer mini-courses to engage the wider community.
Academic & Community Engagement:
The Portrait of a Graduate initiative, led by students, educators, and community members, is shaping the District’s future goals, branding, and mission
Elementary staff continue implementing new reading curriculum and providing individualized support for students who need it.
Wellness Clinic Milestones:
Celebrating one year at its permanent location at West Middleton Elementary!
Over 3,200 appointments served and $735,000 in health insurance cost savings for staff.
Preventive health screenings, coaching, and wellness initiatives are making a major impact
Budget & Handbook Updates:
Budget planning for the 2025-26 school year is underway, with staffing needs and enrollment projections in focus.
Staff handbooks are under review, with updates expected later this year.
Sustainability & Infrastructure Improvements:
Solar panels will be installed at five District schools, moving MCPASD 19% closer to 100% renewable energy by 2035
The District’s first electric school bus will arrive this spring, supported by a new charging station Energy efficiency upgrades across buildings will reduce costs and improve sustainability
Articles
Positive Feedback on MCPASD’s Updated Cell Phone Policy, One Semester In
The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District updated its cell phone policy for secondary schools at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year One semester in, feedback from Middleton High School students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive
“Staff have been very supportive of the plan,” said Dean of Students Erik Johnson “I’m hearing that staff have been able to cover more content and reduce the amount of time needed for review because students are better able to focus in class.”
Johnson said the implementation went smoothly, especially considering the different stakeholders involved in the rollout. He said a strong partnership with Qualtrics helped the District build a solid program for tracking students’ cell phone use
Visit the District website to read the full article and watch their interview on
Articles
Update: Portrait of a Graduate
A large group of students, parents, community leaders, and educators has been meeting since November to develop an updated Portrait of a Graduate system for implementation in our schools next year. This engaged group of people is almost finished and will share formal presentations on their work to the Board of Education in March
Our Portrait of a Graduate work will inspire refreshed mission and vision statements, a new approach to District goal setting, and a leveling up of our website and branding materials. Watch for more details in March.
Update: Elementary School Logo Facelifts
Earlier this month, the Public Relations Team worked with all seven of MCPASD elementary schools to get feedback from staff and families on each school’s logo.
Elementary schools shared a survey with staff and family, asking what they like – and don’t like – about the current logo
The goal is to update all elementary schools’ logos to create high-resolution versions that can be used for school merchandise, banners, and other materials, while ensuring any changes stay true to its original identity.
The Communications team is creating two versions of each logo for each school. Later this year, students at each school will vote for their new logo
The logo facelifts are the next phase of the District’s branding refresh, following the launch of the Branding and Logos website. Refreshing District communication materials – with an emphasis on enrollment marketing and talent attraction – is one of the priorities in the District’s Strategy Map.
Honoring Black History Month Articles
February has been full of Black History Month events and activities across our schools! Check out the District website for each school’s highlights
Also, follow the District on Facebook and Instagram to see Middleton High School student leaders from the Black Student Union share their perspectives on what the organization means to them.
Finally, watch for the February episode of Monthly Update With Monogue, which drops on Feb 25, to hear Dr Monogue talking with Black Student Union leaders from Middleton High School
Northside Elementary’s Black History Month exhibits
Student mural at Kromrey Middle School
Invest in Your Future: New Scholarship Opportunity for MCPASD Employees
The Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District is proud to announce an exciting new partnership with Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT), offering our full-time employees access to exclusive scholarships and educational benefits.
This initiative supports MCPASD’s commitment to lifelong learning and professional development Whether you’re looking to advance in your current role, gain new skills, or pursue a degree, TAMUT’s partnership program provides a pathway to success.
What’s in It for You?
Through this partnership, full-time MCPASD employees receive:
33% Tuition Discount: Apply this significant savings to undergraduate, graduate, certificate, or microcredential programs
First Class Free: Start your journey with TAMUT at no cost thanks to the First Flight Scholarship
No Application Fee: Apply today without paying an application fee
Flexible Options, Wherever You Are
We understand that TAMUT is located in Texas, and our employees are here in Wisconsin That’s why we’re excited to share that TAMUT offers fully online programs that allow you to earn your degree or credential from anywhere. For those interested in hybrid or in-person learning, TAMUT also provides flexible course formats on their Texarkana campus.
Why Choose TAMUT?
TAMUT’s programs are tailored for working professionals, offering the convenience and flexibility you need to balance your studies with your career and personal life With small class sizes and supportive faculty, TAMUT ensures a personalized learning experience whether you’re in-person or online
How to Get Started
It’s easy to take advantage of this opportunity:
New Students: Visit www.tamut.edu to apply. Be sure to designate your employment with MCPASD in the application to qualify for the scholarship.
Current TAMUT Students: If you’re already enrolled, simply complete the University Partnership ScholarshipApplication to activate your scholarship benefits.
Don’t Wait Start This Spring
TAMUT offers multiple start dates throughout the year, including 8-week courses starting in March. There’s no better time to invest in your future.
For detailed information about this partnership, visit TAMUT’s University Partnerships page.
Celebrations
Soly Rodríguez Parrilla and Ari Aranda Rodríguez Earn Department of Public Instruction Certification to Assist Multilingual Families
Soly Rodríguez Parrilla
We are proud to celebrate Solange (Soly) Rodríguez Parrilla, our Multilingual Support Specialist (District Interpreter and Translator), and Ari Aranda Rodríguez, our Secondary Level Language Specialist, for earning certificates from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for the Supporting Families of Special Education Students – Training for Home Language Interpreters.
This specialized training equips them with the knowledge and skills to better assist multilingual families in navigating the complexities of special education services Their certification ensures that families receive accurate, culturally responsive, and linguistically appropriate information, fostering stronger partnerships between schools and parents.
Their dedication to professional growth reflects our District’s ongoing commitment to equity and accessibility, ensuring that every family – regardless of language background – has the support they need to advocate for their children’s education Congratulations to Soly and Ari on this important milestone!
Introducing our New Public Relations Specialist
Welcome our new Public Relations Specialist, Jenna Skarlupka, to the Information & ublic Relations team! Originally from Freeport, Illinois, Jenna has a passion for orytelling and video editing She honed her skills through Mass Communication udies at Highland Community College and Broadcasting & Journalism studies at estern Illinois University, with a minor in Advertising & PR. After graduating in 021, Jenna worked as a morning newscast producer at WTVO/WQRF in Rockford, . She is excited to join our team, eager to leverage her video production, graphic esign, and writing skills.
Reminders
Employee Handbook Committee Meetings
The employee handbook committees will meet February-April. Committee members are linked here.
The Certified Committee meets Thursday, Feb. 27; Monday, March 10; and Thursday, March 20. The Support Staff Committee meets Wednesday, March 12; Tuesday, April 15; and Tuesday, April 29.
Employee Health Clinic Special Event: Personal Health Day
The MCPASD Employee Health Clinic will be hosting Personal Health Days for those with District insurance on May 12 and 19, 2025 This event supports health specific to male, female, transgender, nonbinary and intersex patients While diagnosing pelvic disorders can be complex, our providers take the time to listen to patients and complete a thorough examination. It’s important to us that we understand your physical, emotional and mental health needs. To learn more, call the clinic to view the flyer.
Free Health Coaching is Now Available
The MCPASD Employee Health Clinic has launched its “By Your Side in 2025” Health Coaching program for anyone eligible to use the clinic. Here’s a video to help you learn more. Call the clinic to schedule your health coaching appointment today at 608-829-9009.
Looking to save more money this year? Use the MCPASD Employee Health Clinic!
SAVE THE DATE: Amazing Race
Just a reminder that the Amazing Race will be after school on May 15. More details will be coming out in April, but until then, save the date!
March Wellness Challenge
Now’s the time to sign up for the March Wellness Challenge: 5 - 4 - Me! This is a self-care challenge in which you’ll work to find small opportunities to take a short break to encourage restoration To sign up for the March challenge (and more throughout the year), click here
More Money Savings Tips
Did you know that the cost of prescriptions can vary widely from pharmacy to pharmacy? You can do a quick search to find the location with the lowest price using these instructions.
Employee Benefits
Employee Benefits
Do you have a question about your district benefits?
Have you visited our Middleton-Cross Plains Employee Benefits Page?
Here you can find a vast array of information, including rates, forms, videos, links, and education on all the benefits our District offers including insurance, retirement, Worker’s Compensation, FMLA, Employee Assistance Program, ADA, even Perks and Free Services and more.
You can also access our 2025 Employee Benefits Guide here.
Are you new to the District and/or don’t know who to talk to about benefits?
You can contact us by emailing our benefitsmailbox@mcpasd.k12.wi.us or below are your benefits contacts. Either one can help you, but generally Chris Acker will be the primary contact person for Teachers and Supervisors, and Navid Kempka will be the primary contact person for Support Staff. We are happy to talk through emails, phone calls, meetings in person or even Zoom!
We are here to help you!
Chris Acker
Benefits Specialist
Phone: 608-829-9027
Fax: 608-836-3571
cacker1@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Navid Kempka
Bilingual Benefits Specialist
Phone: 608-829-9044
Fax: 608-836-3571
nkempka@mcpasd.k12.wi.us
Employee Personnel
Skyward Tips/Tricks of the Month: ACCOUNT INACTIVATED
Employee Services receives automatic notifications of staff who have inactivated their Skyward account due to failed attempts to log into Skyward. We reset these user accounts, and in doing so we receive a list of who had to be reactivated. If you were on this list, you will then receive an email from Employee Services titled “Skyward SSO - Activate Account.” This email contains valuable information because we are telling you of an easier way to access Skyward, which is:
In the upper-left corner of your bookmark bar you will see a folder titled MCPASD:
Click on that folder and then click Skyward SSO.
This will take you directly to your Skyward dashboard without having to sign on again. (SSO = single-sign on from when you signed in to your computer) You will never have to sign in to Skyward again! AND, if you use Infinite Campus and/or Frontline, this folder also has single-signons for those systems too!
Teaching and Learning
Student Services
Partnering for Student Health & Learning
The MCPASD Health Services Team is dedicated to providing quality care for students and staff, ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment. We work closely with school staff to manage illnesses, injuries, and proactive health measures, with the goal of keeping students in the classroom whenever possible.
With winter illnesses in full swing, our health offices remain busier than ever – handling nearly 4,200 student visits in January alone. To help us provide timely and effective care, we ask for your support in the following ways:
Communicate student health concerns promptly to ensure appropriate care and follow-up
Reinforce health staff guidance, such as:
Ice packs are provided for recent injuries (within 24-48 hours) or visible swelling, not for general soreness or older injuries.
Monitor frequent health office visits and collaborate with health staff to determine whether a visit is necessary or if the student should remain in class.
Notify the health office (via radio, chat, or phone) when sending a student, whenever possible.
Your support helps ensure students receive the care they need while maximizing their learning time
Thank you for your partnership!
Chris Mand Director of Student Services
Teaching and Learning
Special Education and Multilingual Services
Special education diagnosticians, special education coordinators, speech pathologists, school psychologists, and bilingual resource teachers engaged in the first of two professional learning sessions on “Best Practices in Multilingual Evaluations” with educational consultant Courtney Seidel.
Staff members learned about important considerations for collaborative teams who are sorting through how to determine whether students may have language differences versus disorders. We look forward to ongoing learning to support our staff and systems-level work in March!
Mandi Sersch-Morstad Director of Multilingual Services
Cindy Malcheski Director of Special Education
Data and Assessment
Happy February! We're getting ready to administer the Student Engagement Survey, Forward Exam, and ACT soon. Your help with this is really important as we work together to support our students. Check out the details and resources below:
Student Engagement Survey: Students in grades 1-12 will take the student engagement survey from February 17 to March 14 Your help in administering this survey is greatly appreciated, as the data collected is crucial for school improvement planning. Please follow the instructions from your building principal for how and when the survey is to be administered.
Andrew Close Data & Assessment Coordinator
Forward Exam: The Forward Exam testing window for grades 3-8 and 10 (Social Studies only) is from March 17 to April 25. Practice tests are available online and in PDF format (see instructions here).
ACT: High school juniors will take the ACT on March 11. ACT subject practice resources are available and can be used in your classrooms for warm-ups or supplemental practice (link).
Data Walls: Data walls in NextPath are a valuable tool for visualizing student performance
Build Your Own: Go to "View Data," select Add -> Data Wall, filter by your class ("Who?"), and add the desired assessments
Premade: Go to "View Data," select the premade Reading or Math data wall, and adjust filters as needed
Additional Support: The assessment hub offers resources for navigating programs like NextPath. For additional help, submit a ticket through Incident IQ.
I appreciate your partnership in ensuring accurate and effective assessment administration. Thank you for your dedication to our students
Elementary & Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Dr. Jan Chynoweth
Director of Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Dr. MaryBeth
Paulisse Director of Elementary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
We hope you are getting in the groove of semester two!
We appreciate the dedicated work of our K-3 teachers, reading specialists, instructional coaches, and support services staff on the creation of Act 20 Reading Plans. Your commitment to championing the reading screening and diagnostic process, including the development of high-quality reading plans, is invaluable. We share the goal of ensuring all students in Middleton-Cross Plains achieve reading proficiency through targeted intervention and support
To further support our K-8 literacy and math progress, we encourage teachers to review the Winter STAR assessment data in NextPath during upcoming PLC meetings. NextPath offers a variety of helpful data visualizations, including comparison, longitudinal, and quadrant charts, which can provide valuable insights into student progress.
Recognizing that NextPath is new this year, we want to ensure everyone feels comfortable navigating the platform. A brief tutorial covering various aspects of NextPath is available on the Assessment Hub. Please do not hesitate to utilize this resource.
We are excited to continue visiting classrooms throughout the District. At our elementary and middleschool level, we are focusing on K-8 literacy implementation At the high-school level, classroom visits focus on Developmental Designs implementation and curricular renewal content areas
Thank you for all you do to create positive and engaging learning environments everyday!
Best Regards,
MaryBeth and Jan