School District of New Berlin's "Expecting Excellence"

Student Shout Outs - Page 3

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Early Learning Program - Page 6

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Eisenhower’s 50th - Page 8

SKILLED STUDENTS, SKILLED TRADES

STORY PG. 2

Turn to pages 4-5 for information on the April 2 operational referendum.

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Thanks for reading this issue of Expecting Excellence!

Last spring, we introduced the first issue of Expecting Excellence, a district-wide, “mid-year” newsletter that gives the community a glimpse into the great things going on in our schools and provides relevant information about district happenings.

We lead off this issue with a great feature on New Berlin West senior Benicio Titra and the trades. Benicio is a prime example of how School District of New Berlin students can take advantage of the many opportunities afforded to them in our schools as they prepare for college, a career or life.

You’ll also find student and staff shout outs, a snapshot of highlights of individual accomplishments we’ve celebrated this school year. There’s also information about our Early Learning Program, the revived Education Foundation of New Berlin, and next year’s celebration of Eisenhower’s 50th anniversary!

And, of course, we’ve included information on the upcoming operational referendum on April 2. We want to thank all the residents who came to talk with us over the last couple of weeks, called us on the phone, or emailed their questions or concerns about the referendum. We hope we have shared enough information with you to help you make an informed choice April 2.

Sincerely,

Joe Garza Joe Garza, Superintendent Twitter: @garza_joe

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FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

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CREATING HIS OWN PATH Benicio Titra realizes he is not the typical high school student roaming the halls of New Berlin West.

And the West senior is good with that...

While many of his classmates are still eating breakfast or pulling into the parking lot in time for their first-hour class, Benicio, a plumbing youth apprentice with Dairyland Energy Solutions, is often already at a job site, or on his way to one.

He could be in downtown Milwaukee, out in Oconomowoc, or up in Cedarburg. He works on residential and commercial sites, sometimes even in area schools.

“Every project is different. It’s like a mind puzzle,” Benicio said. “It needs the right pitch. It needs to fit. It’s got to pass inspection. You learn a lot watching the journeyman. I work with Dan (Schultz) almost every single day. He’s got 40plus years of experience.”

Benicio returns to West every day for afternoon classes, and is taking an industrial math class at Waukesha County Technical College on Monday nights.

But it has been the mornings working and training on job sites that have been the most meaningful learning experiences he has had in his six years at West and that have put him on track to become a licensed journeyman.

“I have a head start after high school,” Benicio said. “I’ve learned so much already. I started when I was 16 and I already know (inspection) codes, how to cut pipe properly, really nice techniques and tricks.”

Benicio’s path to a plumbing career began his sophomore year. He was in teacher Jeff Martin’s Construction I class, when Martin informed the class about the Youth Apprenticeship program. Youth Apprenticeship, or YA, is a one- or twoyear elective program that combines academic and technical instruction with mentored, on-the-job learning and is part of a statewide school-to-work initiative.

Benicio, a former Poplar Creek Elementary student, put together a resume, interviewed and got hired for a paid youth apprenticeship with Dairyland Energy Solutions in Butler. He started working for Dairyland Energy Solutions fulltime the summer following his sophomore year and has been with them since.

“Before (taking) construction, it was just normal, full days of school, and I just couldn’t see myself being a college student going for a four-year degree,” Benicio

STUDENT

s t u O t u o h S said. “I thought, ‘Is there something else out there?’ I tried construction and I really liked it. I’m a hands-on person. I’m a visual learner. I talked to Mr. Martin (about YA), I saw an opportunity and I went for it.”

While Benicio’s high school experience might not be typical, it is not unique in the School District of New Berlin. This school year, there are 29 combined students at Eisenhower and West who are in the YA program, working in carpentry, certified nursing, coding and software, construction, distribution and logistics, health science, hospitality, information technology, finance, marketing, sales and transportation/auto.

But that is not all. The SDNB offers many of its own trade opportunities.

The SDNB now has three levels of construction courses and has seen enrollment in construction rise from 34 in 2012-13 to 114 this year.

Recently, Construction III students built a home in the Red Fox Crossing subdivision as part of a partnership with Tim O’Brien Homes.

Senior Julia Hintz became the Eisenhower girls basketball program’s all-time leading scorer in February.

Elmwood fourth-grader Ethan Liang went undefeated to claim first place in the open section – which included middle and high school students!

– at one of the largest schoolsponsored chess tournaments in the state at Elmwood earlier this month.

The SDNB also offers information technology helpdesk experience, manufacturing, computer science, graphic production and much more, and partners with local colleges and universities, like WCTC, to provide students with opportunities in welding, tool and die, automation systems and more.

In fact, 11 percent of all 2018 SDNB graduates held an industry credential in a specific career pathway. And 37 percent of all 2018 graduates had 40 hours or more of career-based learning experiences under their belt, up from 17 percent just three years earlier.

“We are incredibly proud of the breadth of talent and skills the students in our District demonstrate,” Superintendent Joe Garza said. “We are likewise proud of the breadth of opportunities we provide our students in order for them to learn and grow, whether it is in a traditional classroom setting or at a worksite with one of our incredible community partners, or finding some other way for them to show what they know.”

The West cheer team turned in its seasonbest score at the right time, winning the Wisconsin Association of Cheer/ Pom Coaches Super Small Division state championship in La Crosse earlier this month.

West eighth-grader John Thomas is one of approximately 100 students to qualify for the 2019 National Geographic GeoBee Wisconsin State Competition to be held in Madison on March 29.

Unlike some students who are not quite sure what to do after high school, Benicio was certain early on that a traditional four-year college was not for him. He concedes that had he not taken advantage of the SDNB’s Youth Apprenticeship program, he likely would have gotten into the trades -eventually. But thanks to the SDNB’s course offerings and opportunities that encourage college and career readiness, he feels he’s got a jump start on life after high school.

“You should have a plan after you graduate,” Benicio said. “There have been teachers, counselors and administrators at West that, once we all realized (plumbing) is what I want to do, they all put my best interests in mind and have been working with me to make it happen.”

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School District of New Berlin

OPERATIONAL REFERENDUM

WHAT IS ON THE APRIL 2 BALLOT?

The School District of New Berlin’s Board of Education has proposed a non-recurring operating referendum of $5.0 million for each of the next 5 years.

WHAT WILL THE REFERENDUM PAY FOR?

WHY PROPOSE AN OPERATING REFERENDUM NOW?

The additional taxpayer funds would allow the SDNB to:

The District’s revenues, which are controlled by state revenue limits, are not keeping pace with expenditures. The District, committed to balancing the budget, has erased deficits up to $1.9 million each of the last 7 years.

The deficits are largely the result of declining student enrollment and debt payments within the operating budget to pay for the construction of Ronald Reagan Elementary and renovations at New Berlin West, both done without a referendum.

Unlike past years, the District believes projected deficits for 2019-20 and beyond are at levels that cannot be absorbed within current revenue limits.

Because of the deficits, the District cannot set aside all the necessary funds for deferred maintenance and other long-range plans. The District believes that if left unaddressed, the deficits could adversely affect the community’s high expectations for our schools.

E rase structural deficits by paying down debt within the operating budget.

Be proactive in terms of

funding long-range plans, which include facilities and equipment replacement, safety, technology infrastructure and support, and curriculum and instructional resources.

Pay employees fair and

WHAT HAVE WE DONE?

In the last seven years, to erase deficits ranging from $850,000 to $1.9 million, the District has made cuts and adjustments, including, but not limited to: R equiring employees to pay more toward their retirement plans F reezing long-range plans C hanging health insurance plans

competitive wages in order to attract and retain highquality staff.

R efinancing debt S elling properties, including Glen Park Elementary P roviding wage increases lower than cost-of-living increases

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit www.nbexcellence.org/district/referendum-2019.cfm 4

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OPERATIONAL REFERENDUM

School District of New Berlin

WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED IMPACT TO TAXPAYERS? If approved by voters, the estimated tax impact for the $5 million revenue cap increase on a $250,000 home over the next five years is as follows: YEAR

ANNUAL INCREASE

MONTHLY INCREASE

2019-20

$97.50

$8.13

2020-21

$30.00

$2.50

2021-22

(-$5.00, or no impact)

No impact

2022-23

(-$75.00, or no impact)

No impact

2023-24

(-$145.00, or no impact)

No impact

HISTORICAL & PROJECTED TAX RATE

Note: The estimated tax impact assumes an increase in property values of 2-3% per year, additional state funding, increased labor costs of 2.5-3%, transportation cost increases and a modest increase in other costs. The impact assumes that, after the first two years, the increase in property value will outpace the increase in property taxes and that new property values will be sufficient to absorb tax increases. This is consistent with what happened during the last 10 years.

$12.00 $10.00

$11.42 $11.35 $11.22 $11.16

$10.83

$10.21 $10.60

$9.62

$10.33

$8.00

Illustrating a decline in the levy rate (due in part to increasing property values) and the impact of a referendum:

$10.19 $9.38

$9.91 $9.27

$9.63 $9.00

$8.75

$6.00 $4.00

WITH Referendum

$2.00

WITHOUT Referendum

0 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19

2019-20

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

WHAT IF THE REFERENDUM DOES NOT PASS? The following will likely occur if the operational referendum does not pass: M aintenance and long-range planning will continue to be deferred.

R etaining and attracting high-quality staff by paying competitive wages will become even more difficult.

F unding of planned technology, equipment and safety upgrades, as well as curriculum and instruction resources, will be put on, or remain on, hold.

R eductions through consolidation of schools will continue to be considered.

A dditional staff reductions, causing increased class sizes and elimination of programs and services, will be considered.

HOW CAN I LEARN MORE? EMAIL: referendum2019@nbexcellence.org CALL: Superintendent Garza | (262) 789-6221

VISIT: www.nbexcellence.org/district.referendum-2019.cfm

VOTE APRIL 2 School District of New Berlin

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STAFF

s t u O t u o Sh Throughout the school year, a handful of staff members have been recognized for their hard work.

Eisenhower’s Devin McKinnon was recognized by Project Lead The Way (PLTW) as the Robert and Patricia Kern PLTW National Teacher of the Year, which is the highest recognition for PLTW educators. McKinnon received her award in front of nearly 1,000 attendees, including teachers from across the United States, at PLTW’s national conference in Indianapolis in February.

The award is based on merit and is a reflection of McKinnon’s strong alignment to PLTW’s mission; exceptional commitment to students; school leadership; and meaningful involvement in PLTW curriculum, assessment, and professional development.

McKinnon is a PLTW Gateway Master Teacher known for her commitment that all students should have access to high-quality career learning opportunities. From teaching students how to code to empowering them to clearly communicate their experiences, McKinnon helps her students persist through failure.

Poplar Creek school psychologist Jenna Hietpas was named the National Alliance on Mental Illness Mental Health Professional of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding achievement serving others whose lives have been impacted by mental illness. This achievement embodies recovery in words and actions, demonstrates commitment to students, and reflects the skills to work with diverse cultures.

Dana McLaren, a technology education teacher at both Eisenhower and West earned a Wisconsin Technology Education Association Award of Excellence. The award is given annually to recognize individual technology educators who are dedicated to providing quality programs in technology education to students at the local level.

GIVE YOUR CHILD A JUMPSTART Enroll in the Early Learning Program Today!

Enrollment is filling up fast for the SDNB’s Early Learning Program for the 2019-20 school year.

The community-based program is led by qualified staff who provide age-appropriate programming in reading, writing, math and science, as well as focus on social and emotional development in an effort to prepare students for kindergarten and beyond.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS • For tuition-based students; students identified, through district screening, as needing kindergarten readiness skills; and students eligible for special education services.

• H alf-day sessions in mornings (3-year-olds) and afternoons (3-year-olds and 4-year-olds, separately)

• Maximum 10:1 student/teacher ratio.

• H eld at Ronald Reagan Elementary, 4225 S. Calhoun Road.

Any child who is 3 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2019, can enroll in the 3-year-old program for the 2019-20 school year.

Any child who is 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2019, can enroll in the 4-year-old program. Tuition is $3,000 for 3-yearolds (4 days a week) and $3,700 for 4-year-olds (5 days a week). Priority will be given to district residents, but nonresidents may apply.

More information, including before- and after-session care options and registration forms, can be found at www.nbexcellence.org/prospective/early-learning-program.cfm.

ATTENTION 2019-2020 KINDERGARTEN FAMILIES! Kindergarten Orientation Nights at our elementary schools are in May, but now is the best time to enroll your child.

REGISTER TODAY AT www.nbexcellence.org/prospective/how-to-enroll.cfm.

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Supporting

Above-and-Beyond

Programming throughout New Berlin public schools

Did you know that education foundations play a vital role in supporting all students and teachers within a school district? Education foundations are one of the fastest-growing growing philanthropic sectors as the need for public-private partnerships to support public schooling continues to grow.

While inequities can arise in a school district with individual school and group fundraising efforts, an education foundation helps provide equity.

The Education Foundation of New Berlin (EFNB) is a conduit through which the community of New Berlin can invest in our local public schools. The EFNB acts as a responsible steward of private donations and supports the excellence in education that New Berlin is known for. We are pleased to offer support for all schools and every student throughout the School District of New Berlin.

The EFNB is six months in and our first community event was a fundraising success! Thanks to all who participated in the Community Wellness Expo sponsored by Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin in January. We had more than 30 vendors talking about the unique services they offer in New Berlin, leaders in mental health hosting free informational sessions, and we raised $10,000 for the EFNB!

The EFNB is starting a grant program to help fund aboveand-beyond programs throughout the school district. Our educators and students have creative and innovative ideas and we look forward to learning more about them. Together, we can make their ideas a reality and become a partner in their continuing successes.

Education foundations can only be successful with the support of their communities. Want to get involved? There are several ways you can help! First, we are in the planning stages of a yearly fundraising event and we need community feedback. Visit our short survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/VKGYMQJ and let us know your ideas. And, while you are online, make sure to visit www.efnb.org and sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date on everything we are working on.

Want to do more? We are forming committees to help with everything from fundraising, to event planning, to formalizing our grant program. If you can donate your time and energy we’d love to hear from you. Send an email to amanda@efnb.org. You don’t need to be a parent of a student in the district, just someone who is passionate about seeing New Berlin public schools continue to succeed!

Amanda Ferguson | amanda@efnb.org Executive Director of the Education Foundation of New Berlin

ATTENTION ALUMNI: New Berlin Nation is the district’s digital community and alumni database - for both Eisenhower and West. Sign-up - for free! - to stay connected to your classmates. You will receive monthly emails with information on class reunions, profiles of alumni and news on district initiatives and events. There is also the ability for members to add their names to the online directory, designed to enable New Berlin Nation members to more easily connect with one another.

And New Berlin Nation is not just for alumni. It is for District supporters, friends and local business owners, too. And it’s the best way to get information about district events, Ike’s 50th anniversary, and more.

VISIT and sign up today! newberlinnation.nationbuilder.com School District of New Berlin

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New Berlin Public Schools 4333 S. Sunnyslope Road New Berlin, WI 53151 (262) 789-6200

LIKE. FOLLOW. STAY INFORMED! facebook.com/nbexcellence/ twitter.com/SDNBSchools linkedin.com/company/school-district-of-new-berlin

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR COMMUNITY EVENTS Visit the calendar at www.nbexcellence.org or call 262-789-6200 for more info. ★ M arch 22-24 - West school play, Winnie the Pooh, various times ★ M arch 23 - A Drop that Contained the Sea (Eisenhower band, choir and orchestra), 1:30 p.m. & 4 p.m. ★ March 25 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., West ★ April 2 - Election Day

Eisenhower is Turning 50!

★ April 8 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., West ★ April 15 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., West

Did you know that New Berlin Eisenhower will be celebrating its 50th anniversary during the 2019-20 school year? That’s right! Eisenhower, one of the most storied and successful schools in Wisconsin is turning 50, and we need your help to celebrate.

★ April 16 - Eisenhower High School orchestra concert, 7:30 p.m.

Our planning is in its early stages, and we’re looking for volunteers, alumni, party planners, idea generators and much more.

★ May 10-11 - Eisenhower school play, Second Class, various times

Please contact us at ike50th@nbexcellence.org if you: •W ant to get involved in planning 50th anniversary events; •W ant to share ideas about how we should be celebrating Eisenhower’s 50th; •W ant to stay in touch so you hear about special events as we announce them.

Visit www.nbexcellence.org/schools/eisenhower/about/ eisenhowers-50th-anniversary.cfm for more details.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to be good stewards of taxpayer funds, a costeffective bulk mailing service was used for this publication. However, there are limitations and the service cannot precisely match the School District of New Berlin’s boundaries without adding significant cost. If you do not live within the District and received this publication due to this limitation, we ask for your understanding.

★ April 19-28 - Spring Break ★ May 7 - Ronald Reagan band/orchestra/choir concert, 6:30 p.m. ★ May 9 - Ronald Reagan Red Cross blood drive; Elmwood spring band/orchestra/choir concert, 6:30 p.m. ★ May 13 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., West ★ May 14 - Orchard Lane band/orchestra/choir concert, 6:30 p.m. at WestPAC ★ May 15 - Poplar Creek band/orchestra concert, 6:30 p.m. ★ May 16 - West band spring concert, 7 p.m. ★ May 21 - West choir concert, 6:30 p.m.; Eisenhower choir concert, 7:30 p.m. ★ May 22 - Eisenhower Middle School band concert, 7:30 p.m. ★ May 23 - Eisenhower High School band concert, 7:30 p.m. ★ May 27 - Memorial Day ★ May 28 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m. ★ June 6 - 6th Grade Completion Ceremonies ★ June 8 - Eisenhower and West graduations Dates and times subject to change. Please check with your respective school for up-to-date information.