October 2022 Staff Newsletter

What's the buzz at MCPASD

2022 S

A Message from Superintendent, Dr. Dana Monogue

Dear Staff:

I hope this finds you well and that you are enjoying the fall season!

Everyone is working so hard on behalf of our students, their families, and our community Thank you for everything you do each and every day for us!

I want to give special recognition to a few groups of people because I know staffing shortages have hit them particularly hard, yet they continue to show up every day and do more with less

First, I want to recognize our special education teachers and paraprofessionals What you do to support our kids with the biggest needs is absolutely inspiring I know that every day brings new and unique challenges due to staffing shortages, and the way you work together to meet the needs of students is miraculous and sincerely appreciated

Next, I want to recognize our facilities, maintenance, and custodial staff Despite significant staffing shortages, you have continued to provide high quality services in all of our facilities We see how hard you are working, and we cannot thank you enough

Our food service professionals are also incredible Our kids would never know the staffing shortages you are dealing with because you continue to welcome them daily for breakfast and lunch with a smile and caring touch Thank you!

Lastly, I want to thank and recognize our transportation department, from those who work in the front office AND drive buses every day, including our daily drivers and our substitute drivers Staffing shortages have been particularly challenging in your department, and we appreciate your daily flexibility and creativity

To everyone on staff, know how much you are valued and appreciate

Remember to vote on November 8! :)

With fondness, Dana

MCPASD and Opening Events

The 2018 Referendum Capital Projects Are Complete!

Two of our MCPASD campuses celebrated their "grand opening" early this school year! The brand new learning spaces have opened up space for learning and success for our students!

Early Learning Center & Cardinal Academy Grand Opening

The EL/CA grand opening marked the first of our two grand opening events! Guests enjoyed a brief presentation from District leaders immediately followed by self guided tours of the two building sections. To make the event even more special, students from both the 4k program and the Cardinal Academy assisted with the formal ribbon cutting! Learn more about the event here

MCPASD High School

Campus Grand Opening

October 6th

The MCPASD Campus Grand Opening marked the completion of a two part project and the union of Clark Street Community School and Middleton High School all under one roof! During the ribbon cutting ceremony, guests heard from District leaders and student speakers. Following the event, the community could explore the campus and view student demonstrations showcasing multiple classes and student organizations. Learn more here.

September

2022 Referendum Information

What to know before heading to the polls

Since the School Board voted to place a $24.9 million, non recurring, operational referendum question on the November 8th ballot, Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue has held more than 30 referendum presentations with community organizations, PTO groups, and at our community conversation sessions.

If you are interested in learning more about the District's decision to pursue an operational referendum, we invite you to attend one of our remaining community conversation sessions:

October 25 | 6 7 pm | Virtual Meeting

November 3 | 6 7 pm | MCPASD District Office | 7106 South Ave, Middleton, WI 53562

During these conversations, led by Superintendent Dr. Dana Monogue, the community will receive more information about why an operational referendum is needed, what's behind the District's financial challenges, and how the District has saved more than $6 million over the past two years. Residents will also have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback

If you are interested in attending either session, you may sign up here | https://bit.ly/3CQtp9L If you are unable to attend but still interested in learning more we have several resources available: View a recording of a community conversation session from earlier this school year | https://bit.ly/3ErEwXQ

Visit our operational referendum webpage | https://bit.ly/3RJo0p8

View voter information and resources here | https://www mcpasd k12 wi us/page/voter information

2022 Referendum Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If the referendum is approved, will it be used for the new MCPASD stadium improvement project?

No, the referendum funds will not go toward this project. The District has agreed to put forward $2 million toward the project using one time monies generated from the sale of lots near Pope Farm Elementary School Approximately 75% of the $2 million will be used to make the restrooms at Breitenbach Stadium ADA compliant. The other $11 million is being funded through private donations, including one single donor who has pledged $6.7 million to the project. To learn more about the project, watch this short video or visit our website.

Q: Governor Evers has announced a considerable increase in public school funding. With that in mind, do we need an operational referendum?

It is important to note that the school funding increase mentioned by the governor would be part of the biennial budget he will submit to the legislature. There is no promise that such an increase will be part of the final budget signed into law, especially since several legislative leaders have indicated that they do not support it.

As district leaders plan for the future, they must do so based on current realities While any increase in school funding and revenue limit authority would be welcomed, the need for our District to have more revenue limit authority now and in the foreseeable future is clear despite efforts to keep costs low. The fact is that district leaders see a need for an operational referendum.

Q: What happens if the referendum doesn't pass?

The District will have to look at all programs and services, along with staff, for areas to reduce. Class sizes, staff wage and benefit packages, facility maintenance, and transportation walk zones may be impacted All employee groups and all areas of the budget would be reviewed

2022 Referendum Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Has the District looked at ways to decrease its operating costs?

Yes, the District has found $6 4 million in savings by reducing programs, software restructures, right sizing classrooms and support staff while maintaining current class size guidelines, benefits package restructures, and decreasing building and department budgets over the past two years.

The District saved more than $2 million during the 2021 22 school year and has saved more than $4 million for the current 2022 23 school year Even if voters approve the operational referendum, the District annually will continue to look at ways to save using the same measures mentioned above.

MCPASD Earns Top Scores in Dane County for Wisconsin Forward Exam and State Mandated ACT

The Middleton Cross Plains School District is celebrating impressive state assessment test scores, which the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction recently released Our district was among the highest scoring districts in Dane County, which includes overall scores in 3rd, 4th, 8th, and 10th grade English Language Arts and Math, along with the highest ACT scores.

Some of the testing areas we want to highlight include:

English/language arts: MCPASD had the highest percentage of advanced/proficient students in grades 3, 7, and 8.

Mathematics: MCPASD had the highest percentage of advanced/proficient students in 3rd grade. Second in 8th grade.

Science: MCPASD had the second highest percentage of advanced/proficient students in 4th and 8th grade. Social studies: MCPASD had the highest percentage of advanced/proficient students in 8th grade. Second highest percentage in 4th grade.

ACT: MCPASD had the highest percentage of advanced/proficient students in English/language arts and science The second highest percentage in mathematics

Congratulations to both our students and staff for all their hard work! State testing is just one of the many ways we are able to showcase our students' level of understanding and academic success!

YouDeservea Shout!

Shout out to Amanda Struckmeyer

Amanda is an Elementary Library Media Specialist at West Middleton Elementary Thanks to her thoughtful application to the 'Busload of Books' tour, West Middleton Elementary was selected as the only school in Wisconsin to receive a visit from author Matthew Swanson and illustrator Robbi Behr! The visit included a workshop for all students and a free book for students and staff! Thank you, Amanda, for going above and beyond by coordinating a fantastic event!

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.

Education Foundation Benefit Event

November 10, 2022 | 6pm 9pm

COUNTRY CLUB

3606 BLACKHAWK DRIVE, MADISON, WI, 53705

Are you looking for a new opportunity to benefit our schools? Join us at the upcoming Education Foundation event titled 'Bloom.' Guests will enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and both live and silent auctions. All proceeds will benefit the caring closets at all of our schools

Additional Information:

Tickets: $50 Sign up here

To volunteer, please contact: akiggens leifheit@mcpasd.k12.wi.us To donate an auction item or sponsor the event, please contact: ekjungb@me.com

MCPASD Apparel

Show your District pride by sporting some of our new MCPASD apparel! We have made ordering easy Orders and payments will all be processed online this year Simply follow this link to our online store Please refer to the sizing chart, as some clothes tend to run small.

Reminder:

Claim your $150 in Living Healthy Rewards By December 31st

$50 just for completing a colonoscopy or mammogram (if applicable based on gender/age)! Dean Health Plan members can earn up to $150 in rewards by completing a few simple steps Members are eligible for up to $150 every calendar year. To learn more, click this link for an informational form from Dean.

Free Physical Well-Being Opportunities

Yoga:

Practices for all levels will continue at MHS on Wednesdays from 3:15 4pm and 4:15 5pm until winter break 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. Please keep an eye on your email for a Cross Plains yoga class, as we continue to try to get one going

Open Swim:

The Bob Joers Aquatic Center is free for employee use during open swim times.

Free Fitness Center Access:

We have three fitness centers in the district (MHS, GCMS and KMS). Employees and their partners/spouses are welcome to use the fitness centers after they have taken the training in Public School Works (required once per year). To learn more and find all necessary forms, please visit our website.

Barb's Corner

What is invisible work?

This term was shared with me recently, and since then I have been diving into articles about “invisible work” and the toll it takes on us as humans.

Invisible work has been defined as ”to do lists, hours worked, projects completed, and other quantifiable methods ” There is a lot of work you do every day that is invisible That invisible work is a “mental load,” and when it’s left hidden underneath your “official” work, it makes you far less productive. I recognize the invisible work you are doing and hope you can find a way and time to tend to your needs so that you can best carry the invisible and official workloads.

What can you do to help alleviate the stress and load for you and your team members?

'Schedule send' your emails. Sending emails outside of business hours implies that you are seeking a response While the email may take the task off your list, your email did impact the person receiving the email

Debrief meetings and collaboration time. Are there better ways for us to work smarter together?

Prioritize your work. Is this something for right now or can it wait? What do you need to do to be ready for tomorrow?

Be gentle with yourself and have reasonable expectations for YOU!

At the beginning of your day, start with a positive intention and end with gratitude

Thank you

Thank you to our hourly staff for your diligence in submitting your weekly timesheets! We recognize the improvements in this area and we want to thank you for helping us in getting you paid accurately.

New Hire Survey

Toward the end of the month, Barb will be sending all new hires a short survey asking for your feedback and input on processes starting from your interview all the way to your first day on the job. We want to improve and your feedback is vital.

Texting or Social Media Communication with Students We want to protect you!

Please only use district email or district methods to communicate with students and parents. Using your personal cell phone numbers or personal social media makes you vulnerable to miscommunication Linked here is our district policy. I bring your attention to sections E and F of that policy.

Employee Personnel

Are your federal and state payroll tax withholdings the right amount? W-4 (federal tax form) or WT-4 (state tax form)

Last month, we showed you how to make sure your gross pay check was correct. Now that you have that established it is time to verify that your withholdings, specifically your federal and state income tax withholdings, are correct. The key to paying the right amount of tax is to update your W 4 and WT 4 regularly, or at minimum when you have a major personal life change. Some of these major personal life changes that affect your taxes are: Marriage, divorce, having a child/adoption, buying a home, a change in pay, etc

To complete a new W 4 or new WT 4, simply search for the forms on Google. By doing so ensures you are accessing the most current version of each form. You can either print it, manually complete it, send interoffice mail to Payroll at the DSC or you can send it via email to payrollmailbox@mcpasd.k12.wi.us.

Quick Tip!

Is Skyward operating slow or slower than it used to?

Resolution: Clean up your dashboard by removing widgets you do not use, such as ‘Notifications’ (The busier your dashboard, the slower Skyward will be.)

How to: On your dashboard, look at the widget box titled ‘Jump to Other Dashboards ’ In the bottom right corner of that box, click ‘Select Widgets ’ To uncheck these widgets that you no longer want, click those that have a check, and the check will be removed Click <Save>, and when returned to your dashboard, you will notice those widget boxes will be gone We are hoping you will notice an increase in Skyward speed/performance

*My Print Queue is not a necessary widget. Instead of this widget, simply click on the printer icon found on any Skyward screen, and it will take you to your print queue.

Skyward