REVISED | January 2023 Staff Newsletter

What's the buzz

A Message from Superintendent, Dr. Dana Monogue

Greetings MCPASD Staff!

I hope 2023 is off to a positive start you! This upcoming stretch in the school-year calendar is so importan because it offers uninterrupted time with your students. It's also a challe as spring break seems so far away.

I want to thank for our studen another each a witnessed abso students becau and belief in th more sun in th some snow for winter.

With fondness, Dr. Dana E. Monogue, Superintendent

Open Interview Event Was A Great Sucess!

Thank you to everyone who helped spread the word, coordinate, and execute the 2023 Open Interview Event at the District Services Center on January 11!

The event hosted over 22 attendees, which even led to a few on-the-spot interviews for various roles. District leaders look forward to hosting other similar events in the future.

As a reminder, you can still participate in our employee referral program! Learn more about how you can earn $500-$1,000 per referral here

The

Begins

First "My School Story" Campaign With The 4K/Early Childhood Center

Over time, the Communications department is working with each of our schools to help them build “their school story.”

Throughout this process, the team works alongside each school to highlight programs and school culture, as well as update the school website, create social media posts, articles, and promotional videos.

The team recently celebrated their first completed "My School Story" campaign with the 4K/Early Childhood Center! Check out their website to learn more!

District Communication Team

The

A Staff Members Quick Thinking Saves The Day

While supervising kindergarten lunch at Sunset Ridge Elementary, Para Educator Bill Karls noticed a student choking and immediately rushed to his aide. After a pat on the back didn't work, he used the Heimlich Maneuver, and the food became dislodged The student was ok, thanks to Bill's quick actions!

"It's moments like this that remind me of our most solemn responsibilities, including keeping kids safe and the importance of training and active supervision," said Principal Brett Wilfred.

Bill wishes to encourage staff to attend regular American Red Cross Training sessions for first aid, CPR and to donate blood

The Health Services Team is currently polling staff to gauge interest in hosting a CPR course at the District for staff. If you are interested in learning more, please complete this survey.

A sincere thank you to Bill for his brave action!

Per request, please do not share this story on social media or any media outlets. Thank you!

Quick Tips For Productivity

With the holidays now past but the yucky winter weather still upon us, it can sometimes be hard to stay motivated during the long stretch between winter and spring break. Here are a few creative productivity tips that can help you slow down and organize.

The 15-5-30 Rule | Great For Checking Emails And Breaking Up Big Projects

Did you know the average adult only maintains focus for about 15-20 minutes? A great brain hack is setting a timer first for 15 minutes before starting your task. Once you start, you cannot move over to another task during that time unless it's absolutely necessary Once the timer is up you take a 2-5 minute break to check your phone, take a restroom break ,etc Then go back and set now a 30-minute timer for slightly bigger task The same rules apply. Then after your break, reward yourself with now a 15 minute timer again and repeat the process. (Pro tip: If you don't like timers, create a playlist that is about 15 minutes long instead)

Give yourself a gold star | Great For A Boost Of Positivity

It sounds silly, but sometimes it helps to go back to the basics. Go out and buy yourself some awesome stickers. Use those to mark when you are done with a task or put one on your calendar when you complete a big project. Save some for when something good happens that day too! A little dopamine boost goes a long way!

Urgent Need (Due in 24 hours) Stop Pushing It Off...

Prepare speech for meeting Create an outline for event Review budget for the semester

Quick Fixes Side Quests

Breaking Down The To Do List | Good For The Broad View

Grab a notebook and divide it into four sections (See graphic, left) Then start dividing out your tasks by categories

1.) Urgent Need: Self-explanatory

2.)Stop Pushing It off: Things that can wait, but you need to address soon

3

) Quick Fixes: Quick need to do's like submitting your timesheet or returning a phone call

4.) Side Quests: These are projects that you keep meaning to do but haven't had the time.

From there, color code in green, yellow, or red to help remind you what you should do first in each box

Celebrations

Director of System Improvement Hosts Diversity And Inclusivity Workshop at DeForest School District

Director of System Improvement, Percy Brown is making strides to bring awareness to local school districts about diversity and inclusivity in our schools He recently hosted a workshop for the DeForest School Board where they discussed how their backgrounds may be different but they share silimar values. The goal of the workshop was to bring awareness to the challenges students face and how we can support them to become their best selves. Read the full news article here.

Be on the lookout for more information about the MCPASD Education Foundation Inspiration Grants! These funds help provide our educators with the tools they need to implement new projects, initiatives, studies etc. that benefit our students and schools. Check out a few of our winners from last year below!

6th-grade students perform plays based on Greek Mythology.

2023 MCPASD Education Foundation Inspiration Grant application coming soon!

Carol DeYoung from Kromrey Middle School received a $1,000 donation for her "Greek Play Unit," where

Justin Zander from Middleton High School received a $2,500 donation to fund a sustainable lumber supply for his students wood working projects.

Celebrations

Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing Is Selected As School Business Manager of the Year At Recent Conference

Congratulations to Assistant Superintendent of Operations Jerrud Rossing! He recently attended a joint conference between the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO), Wisconsin Association of School Boards (WASB), and the Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators (WASDA), where he was recognized as the School Business Manager of The Year by WASBO The award represents the winners' outstanding ability to implement innovative projects within their district, improve systems and processes, forge creative partnerships, and improve student learning.

Congratulations once again, Jerrud!

Orchestra Teacher, Kristen Flak-Solom's Article Featured In The January 2023 Edition Of The Wisconsin School Music Magazine

Congratulations to Orchestra Teacher Kristen Flak-Solom! She recently wrote an outstanding article about how to find joy in teaching through self-care that was published in the WSM as part of the Wisconsin School Music Association and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association. Read her full article here!

Celebrations

You Deserve a Shout!

Shout out to Deb Dagitz! | Pope Farm Elementary

Deb does so much to support our school! She greets students who walk to school each morning She welcomes everyone, at any time, into the library Deb is eager to gather books for teachers that complement current literacy units. She provides students an opportunity to transfer the skills they are experiencing in the classroom by incorporating similar learning targets into her lessons. Deb is constantly on the hunt for new books that are culturally responsive and engaging to our learners. She also brings book fairs to our school and organizes volunteers to run it Thanks for all you do for Pope Farm, Deb!

Shout out to Elaine Hoffer! | District Services Center

Elaine is a former member of the MCPASD team and has kindly decided to take time away from retirement to help out as a substitute! She has helped out across many buildings including the DSC and Transporation office. She deserves a shout out for her great attitude and willingness to jump in where needed Thank you Elaine!

Does someone you know deserve a shout-out? Tell us more about it in our online form here! Or you can find the form under the communications tab in the staff portal.

Partner Accountability Wellness Program starts in January!

A well-being accountability program in which employees are partnered with another employee to make healthy changes to their lives. Partners will choose a new goal each month and develop a plan to reach that goal with resources and support from the district wellness program. At the end of each month, teams will submit their progress on their goal in order to receive entries in the end-of-the-year raffle drawing as an incentive to work hard all month. They will be able to choose which prizes to put their "tickets" or entries into each month

At the end of the year, one winner will be drawn for each prize. To learn more, click here. To sign up, click here.

Reminder: Yoga Offerings At MCPASD

Gentle flow yoga is continuing to be offered at MHS and Park in Cross Plains! MHS classes will continue on Wednesdays from 3:15-4pm and 4:15-5pm. Classes at Park are on Thursdays from 3:15-4pm and 4:15-5pm in the Park Elementary cafeteria. Yoga practice is for all levels. To learn more, sign up, or give input for future offerings, please click here Details for the classes will be emailed to those who sign up.

Barb's Corner

January 1st, I made a resolution to focus on my health and well-being through eating healthy (Whole30) and consistent hot yoga. I purposely did not quantify “consistent” because resolutions imply perfection and I want to strive for being ok with imperfection going into 2023. I do not know about you, but I am hard on myself enough and I want to set myself up for success.

I am now more than halfway through January and I have stayed close to eating healthy with Whole30 and in the line of imperfection, may have had a sprinkle of parmesan or have used real mayo. I have done hot yoga at least 5 days a week Previously, I would have been rigid and done hot yoga even in the middle of the night, just to meet that resolution I am striving to be ok with being imperfect

Certified Retirement deadline

The deadline to notify the District with your intent to retire is February 1, 2023. Please email me with that notification. (Support staff can notify their intent to retire at anytime and can notify Employee Services with that notification )

Successful Open Interviews!

We held open interviews on January 11th and we had 22 candidates attend and were given the opportunity to interview for the following vacant positions: Custodian, Nutrition Services staff, Paraeducator, Bilingual Resource Teacher, Health Assistant, Bus Driver, and Talent Specialist Thank you to Assistant Superintendent Jerrud Rossing, Director Shannon Valladolid and the Communications Team, the Employee Services team, Jose Velarde Aguilar, Principals Dom Ricks, Ken Metz, Lisa Rust, and Supervisors Mike Hamstra, Todd Duquette, Janelle Piddington, and Amy Jungbluth for attending!

We were thrilled to hear that several candidates were able to move forward in the pre-employment process

Given the success of the first open interviews, we will be hosting another Open Inteviews opportunity in the future.

Handbook Update

Certified handbook committee members

Teachers and certified staff will meet on Feb 8th, 15th, and 22nd, and March 1st, 8th, and 15th. Meetings will start promptly at 4:15pm at District Services Center (DSC) in conference room 1.

Support staff handbook committee members

Support staff will be meeting on Jan 25th and Feb 1st and 7th. Meetings will start promptly at 4:15pm at DSC in Conference Room 1.

The Board of Education (BOE) learning session on employee handbooks will be held on Monday, Jan 30th at 6pm. Attorney Julka from Boardman & Clark will present the legal requirements for employee handbooks The learning session will be at DSC in conference room 1

I have gathered feedback from staff through the handbook feedback survey sent in December; HR, Senior Leaders, and BOE listening sessions, and teacher roundtables

The final draft handbook must be given to the BOE for approval in April 2023

Retirement

Information Employee Benefits

The benefits team held two virtual meetings to discuss Teacher Retirement Information on January 17, 2023.

Please see the recording from the morning meeting:

Teacher Retirement Information 1.17.2023 and a list of questions and answers from the afternoon session: Afternoon Q & A

If you are considering retirement and would like more information, please review our presentations and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions.

Teachers Retirement Information

Support Staff Retirement Information

These presentations can also be found on the MCPASD Benefits Webpage on the Post RetirementMidAmerica page.

Employee Personnel

Big Life Changes | Do you need to change your federal and/or state tax withholdings?

If you had any recent major life changes, such as marriage, divorce, babies, or children who are no longer considered dependents due to their age, you may want to consider submitting a new W4 Federal withholding and a new WT4 State of WI withholding.

How To

In Skyward, go to Employee Information > Personal Information > Payroll > W4 Information Review your status, and if you need to make changes, complete a new W4 and/or WT4 and send the form to Payroll - DSC. How do you obtain a new W4 or WT4 form? Use Google to search, and then print.

For assistance, please send and email to employeeservicesmailbox@mcpasd.k12.wi.us

WRS Contribution rate increase (Wisconsin Retirement System)

When reviewing your pay stub (in Skyward Employee Access), you will notice the contribution to your retirement fund, as well as the district’s contribution, has increased from 6.5% in 2022 to 6.8% in 2023. This is for both the employee and the employer contribution (both are 6.8%), meaning a total per-check contribution to your WRS retirement fund has increased from 13% to 13.6%..

Skyward Tip Of The Month | Online Form Message Reminder

When you sign into Skyward are you receiving a message that there is an online form waiting for you to review? If so, this means we have sent you a request for information (ex: asking you to update your emergency contact information), or we ’ ve sent you something to review (such as a contract or letter of assignment regarding your salary/hourly rate). It is easy to click on ‘complete later’, but know that you are ignoring important information. Next time you access Skyward, please take a minute to complete the online form message(s). Thank you!

Employee Personnel

Frontline / TOC

The District utilizes a single sign-on feature so that when you enter your time off request in Skyward, you can go directly into Frontline/TOC to request a sub.

Please use this pathway to request a sub. If you are having trouble and need to request a sub quickly, please call Frontline/TOC directly at 1 800 713 4439 (leave a message if you call outside of business hours.)

CalendarOfObservances

How to save the dates to your google calendar

In an effort to ensure events/meetings/ test dates etc., are not scheduled on public holidays or religious observances, the following list of important dates can now be synced to your google calendar by following these steps:

1.) Follow this link

2.) Click "add on the pop-up shown to the right

3.) Your calendar is now synced

4.) If the calendar does not immediately appear on the left hand side of your screen with your other calendars, close the calendar tab and re-open.