May 2024 Staff Newsletter

Must Know On The Go

On a time crunch? Check out this page for all your 'need to know' information this month. We invite you to read further when you are able to check out all of the awesome things happening within our District!

Key Dates

Last Day Of School

June 7, 2024

Pride Month | June 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024 Join us in celebrating next month!

District Office Summer Hours

June 14th – August 16th

7:30 am – 4:30 pm (M-Th)

August 19th - Ongoing

7:30 am - 4:30 pm (M - Th) 7:30 am - 4:00 pm (Friday)

Staff Stars

Recognizing Excellence in Education

Sonya Waldorf

We are excited to give a shout-out to School Nurse Sonya Waldorf! “She is always putting student needs and health first and truly cares for her coworkers and students of MCPASD,” said a colleague. Sonya’s dedication and passion shine through her work as she goes above and beyond to ensure all student needs are met at Pope Farm, Sunset Ridge, and West Middleton. We recognize and appreciate all of her hard work. Thank you, Sonya!

Wesley Dominguez Delgado

Shout out to Wesley Dominguez Delgado for his outstanding work at Kromrey Middle School as a SAFE team member! Wesley goes above and beyond to support our students and families who speak Spanish as their primary language. “He has a strong team-based approach and consistently reaches out to teachers and other staff members to share information or to collaborate around supporting our students and families. Wesley has been such a huge asset to our school and our community,” said a colleague. Thank you for all of your great work, Wesley. We appreciate you!

Staff Stars

Recognizing Excellence in Education

Tracy Loeffelholz

We are sharing a round of applause for Second-Grade Teacher Tracy Loeffelholz! She is a mentor for her students and a friend to her colleagues at Northside Elementary. A parent submission stated, “She has a patient and supportive approach. She assigns varieties of assignments that make my son think critically.” Thank you, Tracy, for your hard work and dedication!

Angie Bakula

Kudos to Sauk Trail Elementary Fourth-Grade Teacher Angie Bakula! She has mastered the balance between classroom management and maintaining a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Her devotion to her students and their success is evident in all of her great work. A colleague shared, “She makes her students feel appreciated by caring about their hobbies and interests and acknowledging all their strengths. She strives to make every student be all they can be.” Keep up the amazing work, Angie! We appreciate you!

Articles

Retirement Recognition Dinner

We extend our sincerest gratitude to our esteemed retirees of the 2023-2024 school year, whose dedication has been the cornerstone of our District's success. At the recent Retirement Recognition Dinner event, we had the privilege of celebrating the remarkable careers of these individuals and honoring their countless contributions to our District community Each retiree has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of students, colleagues, and families alike, embodying the true spirit of education with passion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment.

From classrooms to offices, hallways to athletic fields, their influence has been felt far and wide, shaping the live f tl i di id l d l i b hi d l th t ill b h i h d f t O Di

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Articles

Opportunity to Support Your Community | WayForward Resources

For over 40 years, WayForward Resources (formerly Middleton Outreach Ministry) has provided access to nutritious food for people in our community. Visits to the food pantry have nearly tripled over the last two years, and the food pantry is now distributing the equivalent of 100,000 meals each month For the first time in its history, WayForward can no longer meet the need with its current resources, and pantry guests are seeing increasingly empty shelves.

Here’s how you can help WayForward bridge the gap:

Make a financial donation to help WayForward purchase more food for the pantry.

Purchase food items from WayForward’s Amazon wish list to send to the pantry

Think about your connections Could your business, team, club, or church group do a food drive or invite one of our staff members to share information about the community food crisis?

Follow WayForward on social media, share their posts, and invite others to donate food or funds.

Please contact Leslie Huber, Strategic Engagement Director, at leslie@wayforwardresources.org if you have any questions

Celebrations

Rhonda Veroeven Named Finalist For National Award

Congratulations to Rhonda for being named a finalist for the esteemed 2024 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST)!

The national competition, overseen by the National Science Foundation on behalf of The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will culminate in the selection of one mathematics and one science teacher to receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, an opportunity for professional development, and a trip to Washington, D.C. for an exclusive awards ceremony. Congratulations to Rhonda on this well-deserved honor!

Learn more here.

Clark Street Community School Principal Jill Gurtner Earns Her PhD.

We are incredibly proud to share that Jill Gurtner successfully defended her dissertation, "High Schools as Empowering Environments: Perspectives of Youth," and graduated with a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis.

Congratulations, Dr Jill Gurtner, on your outstanding accomplishment!

Glacier Creek Heroes: Staff Members Excel in Crisis Response

In a critical moment, Glacier Creek staff members, Paraeducator Dave Mackler and bus driver Martel Phyfiher, demonstrated utmost professionalism and speed when a student urgently needed medical assistance. We commend both Mackler and Phyfiher for their exemplary management and heroic efforts during this challenging incident.

Celebrations

Team Work Spotlight | Middleton High School SAFE Team

Our SAFE team members always find great new ways to stay engaged with our students and families! Below are some awesome activities and events hosted by Aisha Myers and Laura Taveras-Genao at Middleton High School. Click here to view their full list of 2023-2024 events.

Rotary Ethics Symposium-2/9/24: The Symposium is designed to engage students in discussions about ethical issues that occur in everyday life. High school juniors examine the importance of ethics and take part in decisionmaking exercises designed to prompt debate and introspection Students examine how to recognize ethical issues and identify ethical standards by following the R-O-T-A-R-Y six-step framework for ethical decision-making.

Black History Month Luncheon-2/27/24: MHS SAFE Luncheon to celebrate and build Community with our MCPASD Family, it's time to make connections and unite as a whole.

Human Rights Week-2/8/24: Presentations that speak about the implementation of solutions to human rights issues that intersect with the focus on MHS clubs/organizations

Spring Break BSU & LSU Annual College Tour Trip: The Annual trip is an effort supported by the district to expose students to post-secondary options and cultural enrichment. The expectation is to provide this extended learning experience with the hope of building community within our high school, develop leadership, individual motivation and inspiration to be the best student that they can be in high school, matriculate to a college/university, or create a solid professional educational plan upon graduating from Middleton High School

Celebrations To theteam!

Welcome To MCPASD | Asher Torbeck

We are excited to welcome Asher to the MCPASD team as our new Safety and Security Coordinator! With extensive experience in both law enforcement and the military, he is equipped with the knowledge to support the safety of our students and staff. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and attending sporting events for his children.

Learn more about Asher here!

Welcome To West Middleton Elementary | Mandy Harvey

We are proud to introduce Mandy Harvey as the new principal of West Middleton Elementary School! With over two decades of educational experience and specialized degrees in social work and educational leadership, Principal Harvey brings invaluable expertise to enrich the school's vibrant atmosphere She also has close ties to the District as a parent and former employee!

Learn more about Mandy here!

Celebrations

Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Month

Our District is proud to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month! We honor the rich diversity and cultural heritage of these communities. This month, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering inclusivity, understanding, and appreciation for the experiences and perspectives of our Asian American and Pacific Islander students, families, and staff members. Let us take this opportunity to learn, celebrate, and uplift the voices and achievements of Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals, both within our District and beyond Together, we continue to build a community where everyone feels valued and empowered

Additional Celebrations In The Month of May

National Mental Health Month

National School Principals Day

School Lunch Hero Day

National Teacher Appreciation Week

National School Nurses Day

National School Communications Day

National Speech Pathologist Day

Pride Month | Staff & Club Highlights

As Pride Month approaches in June, our District proudly celebrates and honors the LGBTQ+ community This month-long celebration is an opportunity to recognize the contributions, resilience, and diversity of LGBTQ+ individuals within our schools and beyond. As part of our commitment to inclusivity and support, we will highlight staff members who identify as LGBTQ+ or an ally, sharing their stories and achievements. Additionally, we will spotlight various school organizations that actively support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, fostering a welcoming and affirming environment for all Join us in celebrating Pride Month as we continue to champion equality and acceptance within our District!

Andy Melotte and

Description of club:

Megan

Due Highlighting GLAM at Glacier Creek Middle School

A group where students/staff of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies meet to discuss various topics about the community as well as have a safe place to have fun and be their authentic selves.

Why is it important to students?

We think students find it important to have a space where they can talk and ask questions. Where they see representation either in the room with them or through the different media we bring to the club It is a place they feel comfortable and safe sharing a part of them that they might not be able to anywhere else

Why were you drawn to support this club?

Andy: These clubs were really important to me growing up since they were one of the few spaces I felt safe in the world. When I came into education, I wanted to provide that same place for students now

Megan: I grew up without knowing there were safe places for me to be me. I kept those parts of me hidden while in school, and it is incredible to see that we have such a welcoming environment for the kids I teach to be themselves I also love being an openly queer educator and showing students that there are ways for us to overcome challenges.

What is your club doing to support students throughout the year and during PRIDE month?

We are going to find ways to show our students that we have a growing GLAM club and we want to have even more new members next year!

What is a highlight from this school year?

Having our full GLAM group together and learning Queer facts while playing LGBTQIA+ Jeopardy.

What are your hopes for your club?

We hope to get more students involved in GLAM to create a stronger community for our students where they know they have someone looking out for them.

Irene Ann Resenly and Joe Bins Highlighting GLAM at Kromrey Middle School

Description of club:

GLAM (Gender, Love and More) is a club dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming space for all students at Kromrey. Any 6th-8th grader interested in supporting our LGBTQ+ Community can join.

Why is it important to students?

GLAM provides a safe space for students to celebrate their authentic selves In GLAM students take on leadership roles and work to create a safe learning space for all identities, especially our LGBTQ+ population. GLAM gives our students a place to be heard, accepted, and celebrated.

Why were you drawn to support this club?

Middle school can be difficult for any student but can be an especially difficult place to navigate for some of our marginalized students Having a safe space rooted in joy that validates our students is paramount to ensuring that they have a positive school experience.

What is your club doing to support students throughout the year and during PRIDE month?

GLAM meets weekly throughout the year. We support students by giving them a place to speak their truth, collaborate on ways to make our school more inclusive, and find ways to celebrate throughout the school year

What is a highlight from this school year?

This year, we received a donation from the Ed Foundation to take our students on a field trip On the field trip we highlighted various community resources that are available to LGBTQ+ individuals. Students were able to visit the UW Madison, eat lunch at an LGBTQ+ inclusive restaurant, and receive a tour/purchase a book from an LGBTQ+ owned bookstore.

What are your hopes for your club?

We want to continue to provide year-round opportunities for our LGBTQ+ students and their allies to make a positive impact in the Kromrey community. Additionally, we want to continue to grow our partnership with our MHS counterparts.

Cy Weaver Highlighting SAGE (Sexuality and Gender Equality) at Middleton High School

Description of club:

We aim to raise awareness about homophobia and educate both faculty and students on the importance of creating a harassment-free environment for everyone SAGE also serves as a support group for LGBTQ+ students and their allies.

Our mission is to foster a safe, welcoming, and inclusive school environment for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Why is it important to students?

SAGE provides a safe and supportive space where students can be themselves without fear of judgment or discrimination. Our club helps raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues, promotes understanding and acceptance among the student body, and works to create a more inclusive and harassment-free school environment. SAGE works to shift our school culture to one that is more accepting of all students, with the goal of creating a community of belonging.

Why were you drawn to support this club?

I didn't have such a phenomenal resource when I was in high school, and I know it would have made a huge difference in my life. The first time I walked into a high school a few years ago and saw a GSA sticker that read "safe space " on a classroom door, I nearly cried. The idea that members of the LGBTQ community didn’t have to hide filled me with relief and joy in equal measure. Our students deserve to feel safe and valued every day, and supporting this club is a way to help ensure that happens

What is your club doing to support students throughout the year and during PRIDE month?

Every month is PRIDE month to me. I know there are special events in June, but in high school the first week of June is the last week of school AND finals week. So, this year I know some of our students are excited about Middleton Pride (YAY!) and we will certainly have a presence there

What is a highlight from this school year?

A highlight of this school year has been witnessing the relationships that have formed among our members. They tease, support, and make each other laugh. In just the last few weeks, we ' ve welcomed new students, both queer and allies We strive to foster a culture of belonging, and it's absolutely beautiful to see it come to life.

What are your hopes for your club?

I hope our club will welcome Clark Street students into our ranks next year and that we can serve as a bridge between the two schools. I also hope students realize and act on their potential for leadership and mentorship through our middle school mentorship program I look forward to our growth and the addition of more allies to our community

Ari Aranda Rodríguez | Staff Spotlight | Mx Trans Wisconsin USA 2024

The Trans USA National Pageantry System strives to celebrate and promote the development of transgender, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming leaders as visible advocates and role models for trans youth and the community at large; and to promote productive discussions at multiple and often intersecting levels.

I am the first ever Mx Trans WI USA. As part of my role, I will be working with nonprofit, community organizations to create programming that brings visibility to, and advocates for the trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming individuals that live in our communities. I am competing in this pageant system because I want to celebrate my experience as a transgender, fem-presenting, non-binary person of color and share my story in order to bring awareness and hopefully inspire others along the way.

Reminders

Technology Reminders

Removal of the “H Drive”

On June 21st at 12:00 pm, Technology Services will decommission the 'H Drive.’ If you store data on the H Drive on your computer, you will need to transfer any important documents or information off of the drive before June 21st Any information left on the H Drive will be inaccessible after June 21st

Leaving the District? File Transfer Instructions

If you are moving on from the MCPASD after this school year and would like to back up some of your Google Drive documents, please see more information below. Please save your files by June 28, 2024.

You Are NOT permitted to download:

Documents with personally identifiable information (PII) for staff or students

Student Records

Personnel or financial documents

IEP/504 documents

Meeting Agendas

Copyrighted materials related to District purchased resources

You ARE permitted to download: Lesson Plans Presentations

Worksheets

Materials related to teaching which are not copyrighted

Here are some instructions on how to back up your files to take with you.

Reminders

Summer Hours At The District Services Center

Between June 14 - August 16, 2024, the District Services Center will be closed to the public on Fridays. Staff will be in the building intermittently. Please review the schedule below:

DSC Office Hours:

June 14th – August 16th

7:30 am – 4:30 pm (M-Th)

August 19th - Ongoing

7:30 am - 4:30 pm (M - Th)

7:30 am - 4:00 pm (Fridays)

Transportation Department Reminders

Transportation Needs Surveys

For your reference, three surveys will be sent to families this summer to request transportation next year. The first message will be sent the week of May 20th. Families can start checking Campus Portal for assignments in midAugust. Adds/changes may be made to them until the day before school starts.

Field Trips (See Staff Portal | Transportation)

A "Driver Authorization Packet" must be completed every fiscal year at least 10 weekdays prior to the first time driving any vehicle used to transport students or staff for a district-sponsored event.

Students must be loaded in time for drivers to complete every trip by the Return Time approved. Please be mindful of our driver’s time and obligations

Please remember to follow the Field Trip Request Instructions.

Quick Reminder

Fall Sports physicals can now be scheduled.

MCPASD Employee Health Clinic | Options For Scheduling An Appointment

Call 608-829-9009

Visit the SSM Health webpage

You can also schedule a visit through your My Chart app after your first visit to the clinic

For more information, please visit the MCPASD Wellness webpage.

Employee Benefits

Major Life Changes

We're nearing the end of the school year and many of us are looking forward to the summer. Whether your plans include relaxation or adventure or both, we hope that you have a wonderful break If your summer plans include a major life event that affects your benefits, we will need to be informed

A Qualifying Life Event (QLE), like getting married or having a baby, can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll in or make changes to your insurance outside the annual Open Enrollment period. Special enrollment periods are 30 days. If you miss the 30-day window, your next opportunity to make changes is at open enrollment (January 1 effective date) For more information: MCPASD Employee Benefits: Life-Changing Events

Moving? Please update your address in Skyward so we have your current contact information.

Do you have a fabulous vacation planned? Check out Dean Health Plan: Traveling Out of Area information so you know what to do in case you need health care

Remember that we are here year-round to answer your benefit questions. Please reach out to benefitmailbox@mcpasd.k12.wi.us if you have any questions.

Employee Trust Fund (ETF)

The Employee Trust Fund (ETF) provides many learning opportunities to Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) participants. If you are interested in learning more about your WRS retirement benefits, please review the links below:

ETF: In Person Group Retirement Appointments

ETF: Member Education

Employee Personnel

DPI License Renewals:

If you have a Lifetime License, you will need to submit a request for a background check at least once every 5 years via the online educator licensing portal (ELO). The deadline to submit a request is June 30 of your fifth year ***Please be sure to check that DPI has an email on file that you actively check so you are receiving the reminders they sent out

Specifically: If you last completed a background check in 2019, you will need to do this background check process now. Failure to do so will result in your lifetime license expiring on 6/30/2024.

You can go to the ELO website and check out the related tips, videos, and technical assistance at Apply for an Educator License. If additional assistance is needed, please contact the ELO Help Desk and explain the issue you are having. DPI will respond to inquiries and requests for assistance in the order they are received and try to do so within three business days.

If you are experiencing any difficulty when logging into ELO, please use the ELO Log-in Resource Guide to troubleshoot your problems

Employee Personnel

Changing your Salary Payment Election From 20 Pays To 24 Pays, Or ViceVersa, For The 24-25 School Year

Employees classified as “10 Month Employees” whose pay is annualized have the option to have their total annual earnings divided into either 20 or 24 payroll payments per year Definitions

10-Month Employees: Employees who work up to 237 days per year

20 payroll payments: 20 payrolls from Sept.15th through June 30th

24 payroll payments: 24 payrolls from Sept.15th through August 31st This pay frequency option is elected when hired and will be in place for the duration of your employment with our district UNLESS you notify us in writing of your intent to change the frequency

If you want to change your pay frequency from 20 to 24 or vice versa, please send an email request to employeeservicesmailbox@mcpasd.k12.wi.us. You will then receive a form to complete this change for the 2024-2025 school year.

Only complete this form if you want to change your pay election from 20 to 24 or vice-versa If you are satisfied with your pay election, please do not complete this form

Deadline: The form must be completed & returned to Employee Services no later than August 15, 2024 to be effective for the 2024-2025 school year. This election cannot be changed mid-year.

TouchingBaseWith TeachingandLearning

Thank You To Our Teachers

Thank you to all our teachers, support staff, instructional coaches, and administrators for your continued engagement with all of the work of curriculum renewal, assessments, and instruction this year Here are two highlights More to come next month

Literacy/Biliteracy Curriculum Renewal

After a comprehensive year-long process that included deep learning about science-based reading, the establishment of an equitable framework for literacy/biliteracy, rubric development, data analysis, site visits, lesson trials, and a thorough review of materials, our Literacy/Biliteracy Renewal Committee reached consensus on the adoption of Savvas myView (K-5) and Savvas myPerspectives (6-8) as our new district core curriculum for literacy and biliteracy. The adoption and implementation of Savvas will allow the district to meet Act 20 requirements

With this phase of the work complete, we will now pivot our focus on to the implementation and professional learning phase. We want to express our deepest appreciation and gratitude to the Literacy/Biliteracy Renewal Committee members, who committed to 16 evening meetings to learn, discuss, and engage in deep conversations about science-based reading and participated in a collaborative decision-making process in selecting materials We are grateful for their time, expertise, and passion for student learning and success The diversity of backgrounds (schools, levels, and roles) on the committee enriched the experience for all participants and allowed for the surfacing of multiple perspectives.

TouchingBaseWith TeachingandLearning

World Languages Curriculum Renewal

Our World Language Core Team met five times this year to start the foundational work for the full renewal process For more information on the curriculum renewal process, please click here for a link to the World Language page in the Staff Portal

Here's a quick update on the work we have engaged in and some ideas moving forward into the summer: Common Ground reading as core text

Paul Sandrock PD in February

SWOT Analysis opportunity (see link above for breakdown in agenda)

Vision Statement (May 2024)

Vision Development (see below)

The MCPASD World Languages Department is committed to educating our students to be global citizens who demonstrate intercultural competence, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills to meet the challenges of an increasingly interconnected world