2017 Stoughton Back to School

Stoughton

A special supplement to the Stoughton Courier Hub and Great Dane Shopping News July 20 and July 26, 2017

2017-18

Our community helps shape our future Greetings!

our school board and our strategic planners On behalf of all us here in the Stough- early in the 2017-18 ton Area School District, I hope you school year.

But based on some are all having a great summer! Here at SASD, we are busy preparing for a new of the feedback already school year. School does not start until received, it is clear early September, but the planning for the that our stakeholders 2017-18 school year has been underway wish us to build upon for some time. some of the themes One of the key projects for our district introduced in that conis updating our Strategic Plan. In April, ference: excellence, inapproximately 100 people attended our novation, engagement Strategic Planning Conference to chart and community. In this a path forward for our district. It was a tab, you will find an overview of the work great conference that touched on a lot we are doing in each of these areas. of areas, including our successes and We pride ourselves on excellence here challenges as a school system and as a at SASD, evident not only by our results community. in student achievement but also by our We have used the summer months to students’ success outside of the classanalyze the input collected during that room, in areas like leadership and public conference, and we anticipate that a re- service. vised Strategic Plan will be presented to We also pride ourselves on innova-

tion. One of our most exciting initiatives here at SASD is the innovation grant program that we started several years ago. Through this program, our staff can apply for an internal grant to try a new idea. The grants have already led to some exciting developments in the classroom, and I’m looking forward to what our staff will do next as we enter the fourth year of the program.

That commitment to innovation also leads to increased opportunities for our students, such as our growing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) offerings and the availability of electives and extracurricular activities.

Finally, we can continue to expand

opportunities for our students and continue to innovate because of the support of our community. Whether that support comes in the form of a referendum, volunteering at our schools, attending a Strategic Planning Conference or helping with our summer meals program, the help of our community is a vital asset for our schools as we move into the future.

Feel free to read through this tab to learn more about the great work being done by our students and staff. Visit our website, www.stoughton.k12.wi.us, or check us out on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube to hear more about our story and why our community is one of our most important partners in student learning. Thank you again for all that you do and have a wonderful summer!

Tim Onsager District Administrator Stoughton Area School District

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July 20 & 26, 2017

Stoughton Back to School

www.connectstoughton.com

Our Schools Kegonsa

1601 West South Street

1400 Vernon Street

Sandhill 1920 Lincoln Avenue

Main Number: 877-5100

Main Number: 877-5200

Main Number: 877-5400

Principal: Krista Huntley Rogers Phone: 877-5101 Krista.HuntleyRogers@Stoughton.K12.WI.US

Principal: Erin Conrad Phone: 877-5201 Erin.Conrad@Stoughton.K12.WI.US

Principal: Jeff Fimreite Phone: 877-5401 Jeff.Fimreite@Stoughton.K12.WI.US

Attendance: 877-5100, then press ‘1’

Attendance: 877-5200, then press ‘1’

Attendance: 877-5400, press ‘1’

River Bluff Middle School

Stoughton High School

235 North Forrest Street Main Office Number: 877-5500

600 Lincoln Avenue Main Office Number: 877-5600

Principal: Trish Gates Phone: 877-5501 Trish.Gates@Stoughton.K12.WI.US

Principal: Mike Kruse Phone: 877-5601 Mike.Kruse@Stoughton.K12.WI.US

Attendance: 877-5500, then press ‘1’

Attendance: 877-5600, then press ‘1’

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Fox Prairie

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July 20 & 26, 2017

Stoughton Back to School

Excellence ?

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DID YOU KNOW?

Stoughton students excel inside, outside classroom The Stoughton Area School District has students who excel both inside and outside of the classroom.

97%

Did you know?

• Our students exceed the state average in student achievement • All five of our schools either Meet or Exceed Expectations on the Wisconsin school report cards • Stoughton High School in 2016 was the statewide Spirit of Excellence Award winner, an honor that recognizes excellence in Leadership Development, Sportsmanship and Service to School and Community • Stoughton High School consistently posts a top-notch graduation rate, including a 97.4 percent four-year graduation rate (2015 cohort) • 15 of our seniors were Top Scholars in 2017, an honor for students who maintained a 4.0 grade point average through seven semesters

Yet our students are also achieving outside of the classroom.

Earlier this year, Ian Bormett (SHS Class of 2018), was named one of Stoughton’s Co-Citizens of the Year by the Stoughton Courier Hub for his work in designing and building a robotic arm for an 11-year-old boy.

Our Quiz Bowl program has now qualified for the national tournament for six consecutive years! Our Mock Trial team also qualified for the State Tournament this year, while our Forensics Team won 4 golds, 5 silvers and 2 bronze at State. Nineteen (19) of our 2017 graduates, meanwhile, will continue to be student-athletes at the collegiate level.

River Bluff students shone in the Noetic Learning Math Contest, a semiannual problem solving contest that is open to schools nationwide, and in a Spanish-speaking competition.

Our elementary school students again showed that even at a young age, they can be leaders Beat the rush and schedule a check-up today! and give back to their community.

Kegonsa Elementary School students and their families were recognized with the school’s “Golden Gilly and Above and Beyond” new award program.

Sandhill Elementary School’s Student Council raised $320 for the Stoughton Hospital Foundation during a parent teacher conference bake sale, while Fox Prairie students collected 800 items for the adno=529285-01 Stoughton Food Pantry as part of Kindness Week.

Great job students!

of our students graduate in four years

Sandhill Elementary School earned a five star rating in the 2015-16 Wisconsin School Report Cards. The rating means Sandhill “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” on the report card.

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July 20 & 26, 2017

Stoughton Back to School

www.connectstoughton.com

Innovation

Fox Prairie, Kegonsa innovation programs thrive Our district started an Innovation Grant program several years ago to afford our staff an opportunity to apply for an internal grant to try a new idea. We have awarded 19 grants over the last several years.

In the future, we will be investing funds to grow some of the 2016-17 Innovation Grant programs, including funds for the implementation and training of staff to expand the Kegonsa kindergarten’s play-based/inquiry-based learning system and the fifth grade student-centered learning program at Fox Prairie to other buildings. The funds will cover training costs and allow our staff to visit other schools.

This last school year, a

team of Fox Prairie fifth grade educators used their innovation grant to pilot personalized learning.

Their classrooms not only featured 21st century learning spaces but also student learner profiles and more student voice and choice in lesson plans.

At Kegonsa this year, kindergarten teachers received a grant for a play-based/inquiry-based learning approach to instruction to tap into the natural curiosity of young learners.

Now, our district will help Kegonsa begin the journey of making the entire school an inquiry-based learning school.

We Create Futures And have for over thirty years. Many of our dance, music and drama students have gone on to successful careers in the performing arts. The benefits acquired through this training carries into many other fields as well. A former SCPA dancer pictured to the left; recently signed a three year contract with Jennifer Lopez’s show in Las Vegas!

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Expanding Fab Lab highlights STEM growth For several years now, Fab Lab Stoughton has provided Stoughton High School students a cutting-edge learning opportunity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).

Those opportunities will soon expand to River Bluff Middle School thanks to grant support.

This last school year (2016-17), River Bluff was awarded a $25,000 grant from the State of Wisconsin to help expand the Fab Lab program into the middle school in the future.

Stoughton was one of 21 school districts to be awarded a state grant to establish or expand local fabrication laboratory (fab lab) facilities, according to the State of Wisconsin.

The grants were awarded through a program from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Stoughton High School has housed a Fab Lab for several years.

These new grant funds will be used to help purchase equipment and provide Fab Lab workspace at the middle school. River Bluff already offers a variety of STEM classes as either Exploratory or Elective courses, depending on the grade level, including Engineering Structures and Robotics.

Science, technology, engineering, art and math all come together in Fab Lab Stoughton. Built and equipped with the generous support of local businesses, industries, foundations and service organizations, the high school Fab Lab houses a three-dimensional (3D) printer, vinyl cutter, two Epilogue laser cutters/engravers, a milling machine and a computer-guided router.

Since 2012-13, the Stoughton Area School District has received approximately $393,000 in financial support from community partners and the State of Wisconsin to start and equip the lab for students and later to provide access to SASD families and community.

The Fab Lab is just one of many STEM courses available through Stoughton High School. Other courses include iSTEM, Biotechnology and Health Science classes such as Sports Medicine, Introduction to Health Careers and Emergency Medical Responder.

www.connectstoughton.com

July 20 & 26, 2017

Stoughton Back to School

Engagement

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Scholars. Writers. Musicians. Athletes.

Explorers. Travelers. Leaders.

And more.

Our schools are proud to offer a robust variety of opportunities to engage students inside and outside of the classroom.

Spain

SASD s l e v a r t

Germany

Germany

Washingt on

, D.C.

SASD students expand horizons through travels and speaking activities and projects.

Over the summer, a separate group of River Bluff students visited Washington, D.C. to visit historical sites and learn more about U.S. history.

Stops included Ford’s Theater, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Newseum, the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, the U.S. Capitol Building and more.

Finally, a group Stoughton High School students who have been studying German participated in the German American Partnership Program (GAPP), a student exchange program, for several weeks this summer. These students first traveled to and toured Munich, then spent time with host families in Greven before ending the trip in Berlin.

Later this school year, the host German students from Greven will visit Stoughton and live here for several weeks!

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Extracurricular /co-curricular activities at SHS

Electives for eighth-graders at River Bluff

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17

Advanced Placement (AP) classes available

Electives for seventhgraders

9

6

Classes through Madison College

Electives for sixth-graders

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Varsity athletic offerings at SHS

Extracurricular/ co-curricular options at middle school

Visit www.stoughton.k12.wi.us to learn more.

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Stoughton students have been busy this year learning from their travels to different parts of the United States and the world.

Over spring break, 23 Stoughton High School students who have been studying Spanish took a trip to Spain along with three chaperones. The students were able to discover El Prado in Madrid, marvel at La Alhambra in Granada and explore the Costa del Sol. They also tried authentic foods, spoke with locals and put to use the language skills they had been practicing in class.

Later that spring, a group of 25 River Bluff Middle School students studying German spent a weekend in Bemidhi, Minn., for a foreign language immersion program through Concordia Language Village. The students stayed in German-style lodgings, ate German food and engaged in German cultural

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Spain

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Stoughton Back to School

July 20 & 26, 2017

www.connectstoughton.com

Community

Community partnerships flourish at SASD Partnerships are one of the pillars of our district’s Strategic Plan, and the 2016-17 school year showed why partnerships are one of our school district’s most important assets.

At the time of our strategic planning conference in April, we had 572 current and active volunteers listed in our district.

They included volunteers like “Grandpa Don” Mix, a 92-year-old Stoughton resident who visited Fox Prairie Elementary School almost twice a week this last school year to read to different classes, and the kids loved him!

That list also included the Kegonsa Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students), a group of fathers, uncles, grandfathers and others who volunteered to spend time in Kegonsa Elementary

School classrooms and be male role models and mentors for our students.

Residents of Milestone Senior Living, meanwhile, built relationships with students in neighboring Sandhill Elementary School. Milestone residents read to students

both at their facility and at Sandhill and hosted student art exhibits, providing opportunities for intergenerational conversations and learning.

To improve energy savings and learning environments, Fox Prairie worked with Stoughton Utilities to

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install tunable lighting in some of its interior classrooms. Tunable lighting is LED lighting that can change color and intensity. This lighting has been installed in some schools throughout the world and studies have shown that it can help people sleep

better at night and reduce the effects of seasonal affective disorder.

The support we receive from our community -- our local businesses, foundations, churches, Working for Kids groups and many, many more -- has helped our district expand our

Fab Lab, increase our technology, promote literacy and support the needs of our students.

We want to thank our community for your support!

64th Honors Night sets new district record The 2016-17 school year marked the 64th annual Honors program, where graduating seniors receive college scholarships thanks to generous financial support from our community.

Since 1999 alone, more than $3.3 million in scholarships have been provided to Stoughton High School seniors.

This last year set a record both in terms of the amount of scholarships awarded -$238,450 -- and in terms of the number of students who received scholarships (118).

We want to thank our community for their support of our seniors!

Stoughton High School Honors Program Scholarships Total Year Recipients

Amount Awarded

2010 2011 2012

$174,300 $182,850 $187,980

2013

99 88 97 95

2014 2015 2016 2017

97 111 108 118

$206,550 $211,850 $207,550 $238,450

$193,050

www.connectstoughton.com

July 20 & 26, 2017

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Stoughton Back to School

Notices

Public Release: National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Special Milk Program

Stoughton Area School District nondiscrimination statement

This is the public release that we will send to: The Courier Hub; Stoughton Food Pantry; Dane county Human Services, Stoughton; Stoughton Library. The Courier Hub published on July 20, 2017. The others were sent on July 20, 2017.

RELEASE STATEMENT The Stoughton Area School District today announced its policy for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch Program. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

The following household size and income criteria will be used for determining eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free and reduced price meals or free milk if a split-session student does not have access to the school lunch or breakfast service.

Application forms are being sent to all homes with a notice to parents or guardians. To apply for free or reduced price meals or free milk, households must fill out the application and return it to the school (unless notified at the start of the school year that children are eligible through direct certification). Additional copies are available at the office in each school. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by agency or other program officials. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.

To obtain free or reduced price meals or free milk for children in a household where one or more household members receive FoodShare, FDPIR, or Wisconsin Works (W-2) cash benefits, list the FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 case number, list the names of all school children, sign the application, and return it to the school office.

For the school officials to determine eligibility for free or reduced price meals or free milk of households not receiving FoodShare, FDPIR or W-2 cash benefits, the household must provide the following information requested on the application: names of all household members, total number of household members, and the adult signing the application form must also list the last four digits of his or her Social Security Number or mark the box to the right of “Check if no SSN”. Also, the income received by each household member must be provided by amount and source (wages, welfare, child support, etc.).

Under the provisions of the free and reduced price meal and free milk policy Michelle Madden, Manager for Taher Food Service, will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he/she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis.

If the parent/guardian wishes to make a formal appeal, he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to: Erica J. Pickett, Director of Business Services, 320 North Street, Stoughton, WI 53589.

If a hearing is needed to appeal the decision, the policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.

If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the family should contact the school. Such changes may make the household eligible for reduced price meals or free meals or free milk if the household income falls at or below the levels shown above, and they may reapply at that time.

Children formally placed in foster care are also eligible for free meal benefits. Foster children may be certified as eligible without a household application. Households with foster children and non-foster children may choose to include the foster child as a household member, as well as any personal income available to the foster child, on the same application that includes their non-foster children.

The information provided by the household on the application is confidential. Public Law 103-448 limits the release of student free and reduced price school meal eligibility status to persons directly connected with the administration and enforcement of federal or state educational programs. Consent of the parent/guardian is needed for other purposes such as waiver of text book fees.

Non-discrimination Statement: In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2)

fax: (202) 690-7442; or

(3)

email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Any questions regarding the application should be directed to the determining official.

It is the policy of the Stoughton Area School District that no person may be denied admission to any public school in this Distr ict or be denied participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, extra-curricular, pupil services, recreational, or other program or activity because of the person’s sex, race, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or lear ning disabilit y as required by Wis. Stat. § 118.13.

The District also prohibits discrimination on any basis prohibited by applicable state or federal law, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (sex), Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (race and national or igin), and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (handicap). In addition, the Distr ict prohibits discrimination on the basis of transgender status including gender expression, gender identity and gender nonconformity.

All vocational education p ro g r a m s fo l l o w t h e D i s t r i c t ’s p o l i c i e s o f nondiscrimination. In addition, arrangements will be made to ensure that the lack of English

language skills is not a barrier to admission or participation.

The District encourages infor mal resolution of complaints under this policy. A formal complaint resolution procedure is also available to address allegations of violations of the policy in the Stoughton Area School Distr ict.

The informal and formal complaint procedures are outlined in Series 600 of the Board Policies.

Any questions concerning Wis. Stat. § 118.13, Title IX, or Title VI of the Education Amendments of 19 7 2 , w h i c h p ro h i b i t discrimination, should be directed to: Director of Human Resources Stoughton Area School District Stoughton, WI 53589 (608) 877-5021 Inquir ies related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of handicap, should be directed to: Director of Student Services Stoughton Area School District Stoughton, WI 53589 (608) 877-5041

For more Notices, visit the Stoughton Area School District website at www.stoughton.k12.wi.us

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July 20 & 26, 2017

Stoughton Back to School

www.connectstoughton.com

Why we are a District of Choice Big enough to meet the needs of all students.

Small enough to personalize learning.

INNOVATION

EXCELLENCE Our students exceed the state average in student achievement, and all of our schools either Meet or Exceed Expectations on the school report cards.

COMMUNITY

Our innovation program is growing and has already supported the creation of 21st century learning spaces, play-based ENGAGEMENT learning and personalized instruction.

Stoughton High School offers more than 20 college level classes, and River Bluff Middle School offers multiple electives.

In the 2016-17 school year, our community donated a record $238,000 in college scholarships for our graduating seniors.

People You Know & Trust - We Are Your Neighbors

Reminder: Key Dates Central Registration August 17 and 22 Stoughton High School

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First Day of School September 5

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Middleton ~ Waunakee ~ Sun Prairie

Annual Meeting October 23 Administration Building