School District of New Berlin 'Expecting Excellence' 2020 Newsletter

Space, | Maker Fab Lab - Pg. 4 Learning | Early Program - Pg. 6

| Education Foundation - Pg. 7

BROAD CHOICES, BROAD OPPORTUNITIES

STORY PG. 2

Engineering Her Future When New Berlin Eisenhower senior Melisa Erman is breadboarding - stripping wires and creating complicated circuits by connecting them in the construction base, or breadboard, used in prototyping electronics - she feels like a kid in a sandbox. She could not be happier.

Fifty years ago, when Eisenhower opened in 1969, a bread board was what students in home economics class used while cutting their freshly baked loaves of bread.

To put it simply, over the last five decades, a lot has changed in education, at Eisenhower and in the School District of New Berlin. So much so, that today’s students would be unrecognizable 50 years ago.

Take Melisa, for example, the embodiment of the modern student. She is involved in countless clubs and activities. She has taken advantage of the many opportunities and courses made available to her. And she has accumulated enough college credits through Advanced Placement courses and Waukesha County Technical College’s Dual Enrollment Academy to walk onto a campus next fall ahead of the curve.

She plans to pursue a degree in electrical engineering, but is keeping the door ajar for a future in chemical engineering or mechatronics.

A few years ago, however, that wasn’t necessarily the case.

Melisa wanted to be a scientist, having fallen in love with science at an early age. That was before, as a freshman, she stumbled upon Introduction to Engineering Design, a Project Lead the Way class. She enjoyed learning how to use various design software, and the next year decided to take Digital Electronics.

She was hooked.

“I absolutely loved how hands-on it was - the trouble-shooting, the process of creating all these intricate circuits,” Melisa said.

The last two years, Melisa has enrolled in Engineering Design and Development, her favorite course. Both years, she and her classmates have been involved in an innovative partnership between local schools and colleges, the Milwaukee County Zoo and other entities. The STEM program is focused on improving and updating the zoo’s trains.

Last year’s project was to develop new designs for a replacement for the zoo’s 50-plus-year-old water tower. Over the summer, Melisa was one of

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With every activity, with every organization I’ve participated in, I’ve gained new perspectives from the people that we’ve helped or the people that I’ve worked with.

Being involved helps you learn not only about the people you’re around, but also yourself.

- Melisa Erman

Melisa is president of Eisenhower’s National Honor Society and a vice president of the Ike Care Club, a student volunteer group she helped found. She is also involved in: • Spanish National Honor Society • DECA • The Science Team

• Swimming • Student Union • Volunteering, Tutoring and Playing Piano

WHERE IS BENICIO NOW?

two Eisenhower representatives to attend a two-week program that taught students how to use Revit, the architectural design software used to create the new tower. And this year, Melisa and her Ike colleagues are back at it, now helping the zoo design a new coal-storage solution.

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

Last year, Expecting Excellence told the story of Benicio Titra, then a senior at New Berlin West, who was in his second year of his plumbing youth apprenticeship.

“We’re literally doing what engineers are doing in the workforce right now,” Melisa said. “The whole experience has been so rewarding.”

A lot has changed for Benicio since then.

He is now approaching his one-year work anniversary at Hartlaub Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric, right here in New Berlin. He finished his youth apprenticeship with the local company and, along with a colleague, he has been working mostly on residential projects such as installing water heaters.

But that’s not all. Since her sophomore year, Melisa has had an internship with Aurora Worldwide Development Corporation, a global technology research company. It’s a team internship with 8-10 like-minded students whose job is to read and curate articles about digitally disruptive technologies. She’s learning about Industry 4.0, the revolution of industrialized technology that is enhancing decades worth of technology with things such as automation, augmentation and innovation.

Sometime this month, he expects to be going out on service calls on his own.

Not bad for a young man who walked across the stage at graduation in the West fieldhouse just 9 months ago.

Eisenhower students like Melisa have benefited from a top-notch teaching staff that includes Devin McKinnon, a technology education teacher who was named Project Lead the Way’s National Teacher of the Year in 2019.

“I’ll be going out and taking care of issues for people on my own, helping them with the problems they are having in their homes,” Benicio said. “At age 19, that’s pretty cool.”

“I have felt so supported by teachers at Eisenhower, especially Ms. McKinnon,” Melisa said. “The environment she has created in her engineering classes mimics what life as an engineer would be like. I’ve always had the support to try whatever my mind is thinking, to explore these new ideas that I’m not even sure are possible.”

Benicio is currently in a 5-year licensed apprenticeship program (his two years of his youth apprenticeship in high school will count toward his current program).

He works full-time with the exception of attending classes at Waukesha County Technical College one day every other week. His schooling is paid for through the apprenticeship program.

And to think, had it not been for the SDNB’s broad range of course offerings and opportunities, Melisa might not have taken a single engineering course.

“Our students choose very different paths after high school, and it is our goal to have them ready for whatever path they choose,” Superintendent Joe Garza said. “Melisa is a terrific example of a student who knew fairly early on that she wanted to go to college and get a degree. Other students want to go into the trades, or the military, or directly to the workforce. Our job is to prepare all of them.”

He’s happy with his career choice and happy he got a head start while in high school.

ELEMENTARY BUILDING BLOCKS

“Everyone at West really worked with me and they did a lot to make me successful,” Benicio said.

Melisa Erman believes the foundation built in elementary school helped prepare her for the rigors at Eisenhower.

She attended Elmwood Elementary, and said the teachers there recognized students’ potential and encouraged them to be their best selves.

D id y ou kn ow ?

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“Melisa was, and I’m sure still is, the kind of student teachers treasure,” said Laurie Karolek, a teacher at Elmwood. “Her enthusiasm for learning was always evident. I remember her curiosity and perseverance, as well as her smiling face.”

of 2019 SDNB graduates had 40-plus hours of career-based learning experiences, up from 17 percent in 2015.

Melisa said Mrs. Karolek, her second-grade teacher, was the first to empower her as a passionate student and had a great influence on her education.

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“I remember always being excited for science classes and just being at school,” Melisa said. “Mrs. Karolek recognized that, she acknowledged it and she’d do things to enhance my school experience.”

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of 2019 SDNB graduates earned industry credentials while in high school

Maker Space & Fab Lab Over the years, the School District of New Berlin, as part of its strategic plan, has put an emphasis on its “maker culture”, and, in turn, the installation of maker spaces in our schools and a fab lab at West.

Last year, a good chunk of elementary school fundraising efforts went toward outfitting maker spaces. Likewise, the Education Foundation of New Berlin has been hard at work raising funds to cover the costs of the fab lab at West, with the hopes of one day being able to do the same at Eisenhower.

But what is a maker space? And what the heck is a fab lab?

In short, they are specific school spaces that are open to all students and allow them to collaboratively evaluate ideas; identify unique problems and potential solutions; create, build and test prototypes using a variety of industry-grade resources; and share and present products to their classmates and teachers.

The maker spaces have become a reality thanks to the hard work of many.

At Poplar Creek, for example:

What can be accomplished in a maker space or fab lab is limitless. For example, Poplar Creek sixth graders sat down in the school’s maker space and asked each other, “How do we utilize energy sources so we can offset the amount of fossil fuels we consume for electricity?”

• W est art students designed and painted the main wall;

• a team of teachers organize materials and resources;

“From sketching to prototype testing to reflection, students are empathizing with, and creating solutions for, authentic, real-world problems in these spaces,” Poplar Creek principal Matt Stempniewski said.

• families have donated supplies;

• d igital coaches support the professional learning required to use the space wisely;

• c lassroom teachers work to connect a designthinking experience to their instruction.

The spaces are learning environments that typical classrooms do not accommodate for and provide opportunities to develop unique technological and design skills that go beyond traditional learning methods. And they help

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STUDENT

Shout Outs

Over winter break, Tilly Gillard, Eisenhower’s homecoming queen last fall, was invited to be a part of the Liberty Bowl parade Dec. 30, and the halftime performance of the game Dec. 31.

prepare students for college and career readiness as dictated by labor market demands.

As for resources, the elementary and secondary maker spaces are equipped with many of the same items, things like cardboard, wood scraps, hot glue guns and pipe cleaners. West’s fab lab is equipped with a laser engraver, CNC machines such as a router and milling machine, 3D printers and more.

Recently, Elmwood fourth graders hosted a “maker showcase” where they took what they learned about natural disasters, identified a living thing that needed help, and worked to design a product or service that could solve a problem. Students produced a wide range of prototypes and received feedback on The Education Foundation their ideas from peers and of New Berlin continues families.

“Our maker space has been a tremendous addition for our students,” Elmwood principal Katy Williams said. “Our new space encourages creativity, collaboration and communication as students work through the design-thinking process.”

to raise funds to support the fab lab at West and is seeking investments from individuals, organizations and corporations to provide this state-of-the-art technology to students for years to come. Consider donating online at www.efnb.org or contact Amanda Ferguson at amanda@efnb.org to learn about sponsorship opportunities.

At West, a high percentage of the students who use the fab lab are doing so for their technology and art classes, where as in the maker space, students in English, art, science and technology have all been using the space this year.

“In the past, students or staff might have had ideas they wanted to explore, but we didn’t always have the space to bring those ideas to fruition,” West principal Michael Fesenmaier said. “Now we do. We’ve given students and teachers the resources and the environment to learn and work through a creative, relevant, problem-solving process.”

West seventh-grader Vivian Dinh was crowned the district’s spelling bee champion. She was joined by five other spellers at the regional bee in February: Ricky Sidlo (5th grade, Ronald Reagan); Sean Eurick (6th, Ronald Reagan); Zayed Obeidat (5th, Orchard Lane); Logan DuLac (6th, Poplar Creek); and Renee Sandoval (8th, West).

Elmwood fourth-grader Dino Ahmetovic advocated for and started the Elmwood Book Club this school year. The goal of the club is for all fourth-graders of all reading levels to have an environment where club members can learn to love books and develop critical reading skills.

Eisenhower’s Alaina Keller and the school’s National Honor Society raised $10,000 through raffles and donations for a New Berlin family with a 4-year-old boy with Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Donations from Poplar Creek families allowed the school’s Girls On The Run team to create 15 tie blankets and 54 pet toys for the Humane Animal Welfare Society of Waukesha County.

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GET THE LATEST SDNB NEWS - SIGN UP FOR ‘THE EDGE’ Are you enjoying catching up on the latest School District of New Berlin news in this issue of Expecting Excellence, but don’t want to wait until next spring’s issue, or for the district’s Annual Report in the fall to get your next updates?

Then sign up today for the SDNB’s e-newsletter.

The EDGEucation Digest, or what we like to call, The Edge, is emailed monthly (during the school year) and is filled with info on special events, school updates, School Board news and so much more.

JOIN THE SDNB NOW Enroll in the Early Learning Program Today!

Enrollment is open and filling up fast for the SDNB’s Early Learning Program for the 2020-21 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.

Signing up is easy. Simply email feedback@nbexcellence.org and let us know that you want access to The Edge so that you can stay on top of SDNB happenings.

• H alf-day sessions in mornings (3-year-olds) and afternoons (3-year-olds and 4-year-olds), (Note: Before- and after-session care options are available.)

• M aximum 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, 2020, can enroll in the 3-year-old program for the 2020-21 school year.

Any child who is 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, 2020, 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).

A 10% discount is available for families who register for the 4-year-old afternoon session. Priority will be given to district residents, but non-residents may apply.

LONGTIME COACH HONORED WITH COURT-NAMING On Jan. 17, at halftime of the Eisenhower-West boys basketball game, the court in the West fieldhouse was named after longtime coach Jeff Lewiston. “Lewie”, a Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Famer, spent 20 years as a coach and teacher at West and led the Vikings to an undefeated (26-0) state championship season in 2000.

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 2020-21 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 6

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THE EFNB IS FINALIZING ITS EDUCATOR GRANT PROGRAM

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FIRST FUNDRAISING EVENT A SUCCESS The Education Foundation of New Berlin’s first fundraising event was a huge success!

On Saturday, Feb. 15, the Foundation hosted a sold-out celebration that looked back over 50 years of athletics at New Berlin Eisenhower and honored the first inductees into the newly established Eisenhower Hall of Fame. Congratulations to Pam (Washburn) Bartnik, Mike Hart, the late Jeff Setz, Mike Wilson and the 1995 state championship football team on their inductions.

The event was held at Whirlyball in Brookfield, where more than 220 people enjoyed food, drinks, raffles, silent auctions and some friendly competition in bowling and Whirlyball.

Together with presenting sponsors KPH Construction & Environmental and Ascension Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Hospital of Wisconsin, the event raised more than $25,000 for the Education Foundation of New Berlin!

A huge thank you to everyone who helped plan, donated, and attended this event!

The EFNB is already starting to plan its fundraising event for next year.

Keep an eye on www.efnb.org and social media for announcements.

The Education Foundation will administer dollars to help support the needs of the School District of New Berlin. Through the generosity of our donors, the EFNB is able to assist teachers, staff and administrators in helping to make their ideas a reality.

The EFNB is pleased to be able to award funding via a competitive grant process for educational initiatives which best prepare students for a successful future, and looks forward to hearing all the wonderful and innovative ideas from teachers and administrators.

If you would like to donate and help support teacher grants visit www.efnb.org/donate.

GET INVOLVED The Education Foundation is always looking for individuals to join in supporting the School District of New Berlin! You do not need to have students in the schools to get involved in your community. The EFNB looking for committee members and board members. If you have a few hours a month to dedicate to the Education Foundation email amanda@efnb.org.

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

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Thanks for reading this issue of Expecting Excellence!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Visit the calendar at www.nbexcellence.org or call 262-789-6200 for more info. ★ M arch 9 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Orchard Lane (includes school tour)

This is the third year that we’ve published our “midyear” newsletter. This issue, like previous ones, is filled with relevant and timely news about the School District of New Berlin. We have updates on our Early Learning Program - which is now accepting registrations for its third year! - and the Education Foundation of New Berlin’s first fundraising event.

★ M arch 12 - Parent University Lecture, Strategies for Managing Children and Adolescents with Anxiety, 6 p.m. at Elmwood

But beyond that, this issue is centered on our students. We are in the “education business”, and our chief objective is to educate and prepare all students.

In this “business”, students not only are our most important customers, but they are also our most valuable products. What we do in our classrooms and in our schools now helps shape our students for the rest of their lives.

★ M arch 23 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., West

That’s why I love the story about senior Melisa Erman, a student who is well on her way to realizing her potential.

And our feature on maker spaces and our fab lab is an example of how this district refuses to let conventional be commonplace. As education evolves, the SDNB continues to evolve as well.

★ M ay 1-3 - Eisenhower High School musical, Hands on a Hardbody, various times

We hope you enjoy this issue!

★ M ay 14 - Ronald Reagan band/orchestra/choir concert, 6:30 p.m.

★ M arch 13-15 - West Theatre Arts Program presents Snow White, various times ★ M arch 16 - Eisenhower Middle/High School choir concert, 7:30 p.m. ★ M arch 20 - Professional Learning Day, no school for students ★ M arch 21 - Discover New Berlin & Kids Fest, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at West ★ M arch 27-29 - West Theatre Arts Program presents Steel Magnolias, various times ★ A pril 2 - West High School Pops Concert, 7 p.m. ★ April 7 - Spring Election ★ April 10-19 - Spring Break - no school ★ A pril 27 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Ronald Reagan (includes school tour)

★ May 5 - Elmwood band/orchestra/choir concert, 6:30 p.m. ★ M ay 7 - Orchard Lane band/orchestra/choir concert, 6:30 p.m. ★ May 11 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Poplar Creek (includes school tour) ★ M ay 13 - Poplar Creek band/orchestra/choir concert, 6:30 p.m. ★ M ay 26 - School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., West

Sincerely,

Joe Garza Joe Garza, Superintendent Twitter: @garza_joe

★ J une 6 - Eisenhower and West graduations ★ J une 8 - 6th Grade Completion Ceremonies; School Board Meeting, 7 p.m., West ★ J une 9 - Last Day of School

Dates and times subject to change. Please check with your respective school for up-to-date information.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to be good stewards of taxpayer funds, a cost-effective 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.