Back to School 2021

SUPERIOR STUDY SPOTS

get back into the academ ic g roove w ith these spots nea r U W EC, CV TC, a nd U W- Stout word s by saw yer hof f

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN:

school supply wastelands in Target and last-minute scrambles to the bookstore. It’s a stressful time, we know. We’re here to help ease your transition back into study groups and procrastination-induced all-nighters with the best study spots on these local campuses.

UW-EAU CLAIRE Centennial Third Floor: This quiet floor sits in one of the newest buildings on campus and has many tables and chairs with great views of the campus mall.

Schneider Hall Lounge: This lounge sits right at the entrance of Schneider and is a great place to relax or pop in some earbuds and get some studying done.

L.E. Phillips Hall Garden: Located on the first floor, you can become one with nature while doing some last-minute cramming in this unique and exciting place to study.

by the window on the first floor. You can look over the campus mall while you study or do some people-watching!

Campus Mall: While this one may be a gimme, it cannot be overlooked.

Stretch out on the grass or set up shop on one of the many stone slabs in between Davies and Schofield.

This is the perfect place for an outdoor fall or spring study session.

The Library: Another gimme, but come on. No one can beat the serene energy that radiates from this library.

The Goat Coffee Shop and Racy’s: If you’re more into a coffee shop vibe when you’re studying, try the short walk to these cozy shops and get a nice steaming cup of whatever your heart desires.

McIntyre Library: There are a plethora of great studying spots in this one building, but my favorite is snagging one of the big comfy chairs that sits

CVTC

Caribou Coffee: Without going into the whole Caribou vs. Starbucks debate, let’s just all agree that any coffee shop is a must during prime study season.

The Commons: Lots of places to study here, and some very sunny ones if you snag a window seat.

UW- STOUT Memorial Student Center: Not only can you dine and chill, there are plenty of places to hunker down and

stick your head in a book (or read it, totally up to you). Make sure to peek around for any hidden gems like under stairs.

The Porch in the Library: Go to the second floor and check out the enclosed porch. It’s great for when you want to study outside, but you don’t want to deal with Wisconsin’s fickle weather.

Glass Lounge in Jarvis: Also on the second floor, it is a great place to study while also enjoying the views of the campus.

Blind Munchies Cafe: A great cafe if you are a fan of coffee shop ambiance.

Menomonie Public Library: This library overlooks Lake Menomin and is a good place to get off campus without losing your steam to study.

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STAYING SAFE AT SCHOOL Here’s what you need to k now a bout loca l school a nd college COV I D -19 guidelines compi led by tom g i f fey SUBMITTED PHOTO

WE HOPE YOU’RE ALL RESTED AND READY FROM A RELAXING SUMMER, because the first day of school – whether that means kindergarten or college – is right around the corner.

The last school year was a maze of frequently changing pandemic guidelines, and the coming school year will likely be the same: While vaccination rates are rising and COVID-19 caseloads in the Chippewa Valley are far lower than they were at their peak, they are nonetheless on the rise as worries about the delta variant of the virus grow.

We’ve compiled the latest available COVID-related policies from local educational institutions, which were current when we went to press with this issue in early August. Please keep these guidelines in mind as you and those around you return to the classroom, but remember to stay flexible during what continues to be a fluid situation. The bottom line: Take care of yourselves – and each other – out there!

EAU CLAIRE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

L E A R N MOR E : www.ecasd.us/ District/COVID-19

M A S K S: “Masks will be optional for all students and staff. This could change if local, state, or federal mandates begin requiring masks in school buildings, or if we experience significant increases in positivity rates in our community or at specific schools or grade levels,” the district’s website says.

C L A S S E S: K-12 students will attend school in-person five days a week.

Pre-kindergarten students will attend school four days a week. Eau Claire Virtual School Students will attend online five days a week.

T R A N S P ORTAT ION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention requires face coverings for all public transportation. This requirement currently applies to all occupants of school bus and district transportation for students, including students traveling to and from school, on field trips, or on athletic buses.

QUA R A N T I N E : “Vaccinated students and staff will NOT need to

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quarantine if they have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 at school or during activities/athletics if they remain asymptomatic.”

UW-EAU CLAIRE M A S K S: “Face coverings are expected indoors for employees, students, and guests, regardless of vaccination status, at UWEC beginning Monday, Aug. 9,” the UW EC website states. “This is in response to the CDC recommendations with regards to the growing case activity in our area.”

C L A S S E S: UWEC plans to offer classes primarily in-person during the 2021-22 school year. And effective Aug. 1, campus facilities returned to normal capacity without physical distancing.

VAC C I NAT ION: Vaccination is not required for students or staff.

However, unvaccinated students living in campus housing will be required to take weekly antigen tests, which are not required for those who are vaccinated. UWEC and the UWEC Foundation have pledged $140,000

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for prizes and scholarships to encourage vaccination. In addition, once the university reaches a 70% vaccination rate, vaccinated students will be eligible for scholarships via the UW System’s “70 for 70” campaign. Find out abou UWEC’s Vax Game giveaway at www.uwec.edu/coronavirus-updates/ vax-game-2021.

L E A R N MOR E : www.uwec.edu/ coronavirus-updates/

aged. UW-Stout recently announced a vaccine incentive program for students, which will involve daily prize drawings as well as scholarship drawings. “Once 70% of the Stout student body has uploaded their vaccine information, UW System will award several scholarships at $7,000 each.

UW-Stout will match the number of $7,000 scholarships awarded by UW System.”

UW-STOUT

L E A R N MOR E : www.uwstout.edu/ covid-19-coronavirus-planningand-preparedness

M A S K S: “In response to Dunn County and surrounding communities reaching high or substantial COVID-19 transmission status, face coverings are expected indoors for employees, students, and guests, regardless of vaccination status at UW-Stout,” the university’s website states.

C L A S S E S: UW-Stout plans on having in-person classes and activities this fall. “Capacity limits are not changing, events will still take place, and classes will remain as currently scheduled (including location and delivery method),” the website says.

VAC C I NAT ION: Vaccination is not mandatory, but it is encour-

CHIPPEWA VALLEY TECHICAL COLLEGE M A S K S: Wearing masks will be voluntary on CVTC campuses.

C L A S S E S: “We are anxious to return to a new normal this summer and prepare for the return of students in August,” the CVTC website states.

VAC C I NAT ION: The college does not require students, faculty, or staff to get vaccinated.

L E A R N MOR E : www.cvtc.edu/ about-cvtc/consumer-disclosures/ health-advisory-updates

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FROM IMMIGRANT TO PRESIDENT new CV TC leader’s ch i ld hood shaped how she fosters cu ltu re of lea r ning

WHEN SUNEM BEATON-GARCIA TOOK OVER AS PRESIDENT OF CHIPPEWA VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE ON JULY 1, she broke the mold, the glass ceiling, and new ground as she walked through the door.

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word s by a lys sa va n duyse / ch ippewa va l ley tech n ica l col lege

It’s not difficult to see that the 46-year-old Latina woman with a doctorate in education is different from her predecessors.

As much as Beaton-Garcia’s background may set her apart from those who led before her, her passion for lifelong learning, community collaboration, and helping people achieve their educational goals is on par with the foundation former presidents have set.

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“I am representative of our students,” she said.

“I’m proud to look different, but this role is based on hard work, dedication, and track record. It has no bearing on what we look like or where we come from. This institution has been at the forefront of that change.”

PRESIDENTIAL JOURNEY Beaton-Garcia knows struggle. Her past gives her a perspective that she believes helps her guide students and meet them where they are to foster lifelong learning.

At the age of 5, Beaton-Garcia’s parents were forced to leave their homeland of Cuba during the Mariel Boatlift – a mass emigration of Cubans to the United States in 1980. Her dad was a political prisoner asked to leave.

“We came at night in our pajamas. We didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to anyone,” she said. “We were in a new country. It was what was meant for us in our journey.”

After a harrowing boat trip, they found themselves in south Florida, recognized for its significant Latino population. Still, Beaton-Garcia’s mother knew staying in that area would not do them any favors.

“She realized people weren’t learning the language,” Beaton-Garcia said of her then 25-year-old mother. “She wanted us to learn the language and acclimate to American society, so we moved to central Florida. It was a pretty gutsy move on my parents’ part.”

Gutsy and difficult. Beaton-Garcia remembers the struggle.

She was a number – a statistic. She couldn’t speak the language. That start alone could have set the tone for the rest of her life. But determination stepped in. Her grit shined.

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The new president of Chippewa Valley Technical College, Sunem Beaton-Garcia, left, makes it a point to step out of her office to talk with students about their education path. “I can’t lead from behind my desk. I need to hear what they’re saying, what they’re thinking,” she said.

“I remember not knowing the language. Fire drills were scary. I just came from a Communist country, and these are scary sounds,” she said.

“My kindergarten teacher didn’t understand my language, but she understood me. She understood I belonged.”

Experiences like that gave her a unique perspective on the need for academic support. She said not all students are coming from the same place emotionally, economically, and educationally for a variety of reasons.

“I understand that where you come from, where you were born, or the ZIP Code you live in is not indicative of your success,” she said. “We all have unlimited potential, but it looks different from person to person. We have to have a more personalized view to help students get there. That’s equity work.”

Her own educational journey, she would say, is typical of what many people experience. She wasn’t a 4.0 student. She didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up. She didn’t know what her path would be, and as a result, she spent unnecessary money and time without direction until she sought out career services at a two-year community college.

“You can’t be a nurse if you pass out when you see blood,” she said with a laugh. “I had to change my path.”

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

It wasn’t until a school advisor turned her down the road of education that her passion was ignited.

Then came a bright spot. Beaton-Garcia remembers her kindergarten teacher doing small things that made a big difference.

“I offer my story to students to understand we want them to explore in a structured way and graduate on time,” she said. “Sometimes students think

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things were so easy for others. I want them to know I see you. I get you. I’ve been there.”

PATH TO THE CHIPPEWA VALLEY Beaton-Garcia’s career includes 12 years of instructional and administrative experience in higher education. Her accomplishments are impressive and include a culture of collaboration, transformational academic programs, and innovation in student support, community engagement, and stewardship.

Most recently, she served as north campus president and vice provost for academic services at Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She was hired in May as CVTC’s 11th president, replacing Bruce Barker, who retired July 1 after leading the college for 13 years.

As much as Beaton-Garcia taps into her past experiences to meet students where they are, she also looks to the future. She will continue to grow programs and certifications, and foster relationships with businesses throughout western Wisconsin to help strengthen our communities.

“When they’re successful, we’re successful,” she said. “We’re all part of the same community. We’re providing the training. We’re benefitting each other. We’re just a different part of the equation.”

And for students questioning their path, her message is powerful.

“I am you. If I can be here, so can you,” BeatonGarcia said. “The same girl that came in a boat is here doing this. You have to put in the work, but we are here. We will help you do what you need to do to get there.”

Q t t S

MASCOT SMACKDOWN! T hey’re both blue, made of foa m, a nd boost school spi r it. But wh ich university mascot is the baddest of a ll?

NAME: Blu (although known in a prior incarnation as “Chip E. Wa”).

ALMA MATER: UW-Eau Claire.

OFFICIAL DEBUT: 2013.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Wingless blue and gold man-bird.

REMINDS US OF: One-quarter pre-Columbian bird god, three-quarters Muppet.

ORIGIN STORY: Discovered roosting in Council Oak when university was founded.

OFFICIAL STATUS: Student body mascot managed by the UWEC Student Senate. The university itself has no official mascot, just a disembodied nickname, the Blugolds.

NAME: Blaze.

ALMA MATER: UW-Stout.

DEBUT: 2011.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Broad-grinned blue demon with sweatpants.

REMINDS US OF: Crownless version of old Burger King mascot, but less creepy.

ORIGIN STORY: Arose from the blue flames of a welding torch in a manufacturing tech class.

OFFICIAL STATUS: The real deal. UW-Stout’s teams have long had the “Blue Devil” nickname, but the first official mascot was created just a few years ago.

MOST IMPRESSIVE FEAT: His (or her?) mere existence. UWEC has a long and convoluted history of not having a mascot.

MOST IMPRESSIVE FEAT: Defeating other Chippewa Valley mascots in an 2014 dance-off at the National Night Out on Crime in Eau Claire. (Seriously, Blaze can break it down.)

PROS: Swift, birdlike movements; opposable thumbs.

PROS: Rumored satanic powers; blindingly white teeth distract opponents.

CONS: Foam beak largely useless for combat or consuming birdseed.

CONS: Freakishly oversized head causes neck pain.

QUOTE: “There’s some controversy with alumni that want to keep (the mascot) the Blugold spirit, but I think in today’s day and age it is important to be able to point to something and say, ‘That’s what I am,’ ” Erica Rasmussen, Student Senate Public Relations Commission (The Spectator, Nov. 6, 2013).

QUOTE: “Blaze is appropriate. We want our Blue Devil athletic teams to be hot in their sports, so Blaze will fit right in,” then-Chancellor Charles Sorensen, when Blaze’s name was officially revealed (athletics.uwstout.edu, Feb. 13, 2012).

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EMINENT ALUMNI Think all the talented, successful people in the world get educated at Harvard or Yale? Think again!

The Valley’s two state universities have produced some pretty top -notch alumni – and Kato Kaelin, too*. word s by tom g i f fey

UW-EAU CLAIRE

UW-STOUT

JOH N M E NA R D

JOH N P E T E R SON

RETAILER AND BILLIONAIRE

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST

No, for the last time, the super-enthusiastic white-haired guy in the old Menards TV spots wasn’t John Menard (it was an actor named Ray Szmanda). The real John Menard keeps a much lower profile, even though his name is on about 300 giant home improvement stores across the Midwest where you can, as the jingle says, save big money. Menard was still a student at UWEC back in 1958 when he started putting up pole buildings to pay for college. Over the years, that building business led to a cash-and-carry lumber company, manufacturing plants, the namesake hardware chain, and a NASCAR racing team (son Paul is a driver). Along the way, Menard amassed a fortune estimated at $14.2 billion, making him America’s 47th richest person. Now that’s a successful alumnus!

When UW-Stout created its Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978, Barron County native John Peterson was one of the first people inducted into it. And for good reason: The 1971 graduate is a two-time Olympic medalist as a middleweight freestyle wrestler. He won a silver in 1972 in Munich and brought home the gold in 1976 from Montreal. His mat exploits weren’t limited to the Olympics, either: He was a two-time World Cup gold medalist and a three-time AAU champ as well. (Fun fact: His younger brother, Ben, who attended Iowa State, also won Olympic gold and silver as a wrestler.) Peterson went on to become a wrestling coach and an active member of Athletes in Action, a Christian sports ministry.

V E R A C. BU S H F I E L D T. K E I T H GL E N NA N

U.S. SENATOR

NASA ADMINISTRATOR Glennan was the man who helped NASA earn its wings. As the space agency’s very first administrator (1958-61), Glennan oversaw the consolidation of various space and rocketry projects under the NASA umbrella. A native of North Dakota, Glennan attended UW-Eau Claire (OK, so he’s not technically an alum) and graduated with an engineering degree from Yale. Before NASA, he did everything from work as studio manager for Paramount Pictures to directing the Navy’s Underwater Sound Lab during World War II. His stint as NASA chief ended just a few months before Alan Shepard became the first American in space.

Born Vera Cahalan in South Dakota in 1889, she graduated with a degree in domestic science from what was then known as the Stout State Institute in 1912.

That same year she married Harlan Bushfield, who went on to become governor of South Dakota and was elected to the U.S. Senate as a Republican in 1942. When the senator died in office in 1948, his wife – who had also been his most trusted political adviser – was appointed to finish the rest of his term. Although she served just a few months, Vera Bushfield was nonetheless only the sixth woman ever to be a U.S. senator.

C I N DY PAW L C Y N CHEF, RESTAURATEUR

A N N DE V ROY JOURNALIST Devroy was respected – and feared – by politicians and fellow journalists alike during her career tenaciously covering the White House for USA Today and The Washington Post in the 1980s and ’90s. A 1970 UWEC graduate, Devroy was lauded in 1997 as “the most dogged, determined, complete reporter any of us ever saw” by legendary Post columnist David Broder after her untimely death from cancer. An annual scholarship and forum were created in her memory at UWEC.

K AT O K A E L I N

This Minneapolis native earned a degree from UW-Stout’s highly regarded hospitality and tourism program in 1977. While in school, she worked part-time at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Menomonie. After graduation, she relocated to California, where she became a famed chef and restauranteur in San Francisco and the Napa Valley. She currently owns two wine-country establishments, Mustards Grill and Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen. Pawlcyn is the author of several cookbooks, and in 2002 won a James Beard Award – basically a culinary Oscar – for one of them. An early proponent of the farm-to-table movement, she grows some of her own organic produce.

JOE VAV R A

B-LIST CELEBRITY

BASEBALL COACH/PLAYER

Before he was launched to fame as a witness in O.J. Simpson’s murder trial, Kaelin was just a guy from suburban Milwaukee with a funny nickname (he’s really Brian Kaelin) who passed through UW-Eau Claire in 1977. As People magazine put it, the young Kato harbored “dreams of becoming another Johnny Carson” and hosted shows on the in-dorm cable channel, TV10, before leaving for Hollywood. There, he waited tables, appeared in a few grade-Z films, and ended up living in a guesthouse on Simpson’s estate. His surfer-dude persona made him an instant, quirky celebrity during the “Trial of the Century,” a status he’s parlayed into decades of reality TV shows and pop-culture cameos.

Vavra, a Chippewa Falls native and 1985 UW-Stout alumnus, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1982 and played five seasons of minor league ball as an infielder. His true calling, however, was as a coach and manager, and in the 1980s and ’90s he led various teams in the Dodgers minor league system. After a brief stint as UW-Stout baseball coach, he was hired by the Minnesota Twins organization where he spent 16 seasons, including serving as hitting coach, third-base coach, and bench coach. He rounded out his career with three seasons with the Detroit Tigers, including the COVID-complicated 2020 campaign.

*OK, so Kato didn’t graduate, but it’s still pretty interesting that he went to Eau Claire.

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REACHING FOR EQUITY Eau Cla i re Pu blic Schools Foundation’s new g ra nt prog ra m focuses on d iversity, inclusion word s by volu me one sta f f

STUDENTS AND STAFF IN THE EAU CLAIRE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL GET AN OPPORTUNITY to engage

Equity Statement, and it is our hope that these grants will give educators the opportunity to bring unique projects highlighting EDI into the classrooms where funding previously posed as a barrier,” said MaiVue Xiong, executive director of the Pablo Foundation. “We are extremely excited to see the impact these projects will have on students and the community and encourage educators to be creative in utilizing the funds available for this grant.”

in projects that promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) through a special new grant program announced recently by the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation.

With support from Pablo Foundation, the Eau Claire Public Schools Foundation is making nearly $50,000 available for value-added grants to support new EDI initiatives in the schools. The program is in response to community and nationwide concern for racial injustice and systemic racism, particularly in schools. Grant applications will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis; the new cycle is in addition to ECPSF’s annual classroom grant cycle. Grants can support a wide array of EDI programming for schools in the district, including diverse visiting authors and artists, social justice classroom books, innovative racial studies field trips, staff professional development, and more.

In March, ECASD’s board of education adopted

an Equity Statement addressing its commitment to dismantle systemic barriers in the schools. The new grant cycle is in conjunction and support of the district’s priorities and initiatives.

“The Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Fund is a direct reflection of Pablo Foundation’s initiative to foster equity and inclusion through its support of education. We are excited about the ECASD’s

ECASD’s Equitable Multi-Level System of Supports Administrator, Heather Grant, also shared enthusiasm for the new program. “We are so thrilled that the Pablo Foundation and ECPSF have partnered to support our efforts to create a more equitable school experience for our students,” Grant said. “Having funding specifically designated to support EDI projects in the district will benefit all of our students!”

To learn more and donate, visit the ECPSF website at ecpsfound.org and search for the keyword “equity.”

You can also contact Executive Director Sarah French at (715) 852-3015 or sarahfrench@ecpsfound.org.

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GEAR UP FOR SCHOOL WITH THESE EVENTS orga nizations of fer tips, resou rces on nav igating tra nsition back to school word s by volu me one sta f f

FEELING THE JITTERS WHEN IT COMES TO THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR? Who isn’t?! Between the COVID-19 Delta variant and a completely unprecedented return to in-person schooling, this year is sure to be a doozy. Luckily, a few area organizations are offering back-toschool resources and tips to keeping your sanity in the second weirdest year ever. Check out these three local events to help you and your family prepare for this fall.

WE CARE EAU CLAIRE Monday, Aug. 16 from 4:30-7:30pm at Phoenix Park In need of school supplies for the fall? Have no fear! We Care Eau Claire, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing school supplies to local students in need, will be offering a drive to fill up a backpack with all the required school supplies for Eau Claire Area School

District Students in need. Feed My People Food Bank will also hand out groceries to families. In need of new clothes for school? No sweat!

Goodwill will offer $10 coupons for clothing and supplies from their

stores. Additional education services and community organizations will be present to help families make the transition back to school. Learn more about the event online at wecareeauclaire.com.

BACK TO SCHOOL KICK-OFF AT CHIPPEWA VALLEY MUSEUM Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 3pm at the Chippewa Valley Museum The Chippewa Valley Museum is a year-round resource for learning and growing, but this school year, they want to make sure parents feel ready and prepared for a completely unprecedented school year. Join the Chippewa Valley Museum as they detail the 2021-22 school year, introduce the new Book of the Year and essay contest, unveil resources, and discuss everything you need to know about heading back to school.

Teachers, learn more about field trip and group tour opportunities. Check out cvmuseum.com.

BACK TO SCHOOL BASH AT THE HIGH ROLLER SKATING CENTER Sunday, Aug. 22, 4:30-7:30pm, 3120 Melby St., Eau Claire Head on over to High Roller for one last hurrah before heading back to school. The first 100 guests to purchase tickets will receive a coupon for free entry with rentals, valid from Aug. 27 through Oct. 3. For $15, enjoy entry, skate or rollerblade rentals, playground entry for those ages 3 to 10, 12-ounce soda or lemonade, and a mini popcorn. Check out more details at their Facebook page.

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HEAR IT HERE FIRST Eau Claire school d istrict ’s Fam i lies F irst Podcast aims to inform pa rents, com munity word s by tom g i f fey

PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS NOW HAVE A NEW WAY TO HEAR about

“WE ALWAYS NEED TO COMMUNICATE IN OTHERS WAYS TO OUR FAMILIES.”

what’s going on in the Eau Claire Area School District.

The district launched its Families First Podcast earlier this summer.

The podcast was created to provide useful information in a new and easily accessible format, said Dani Claesges, who among other things serves as the district’s homeless program coordinator.

In addition to emails, letters, and online notifications, “We always need to communicate in others ways to our families,” Claesges said. The first episode of the podcast, which came out in June, discussed summer activities offered by the school district. Episode two, which is planned

- DA N I CL A E S GE S , E AU CL A I R E A R E A S CHOOL DI ST R ICT

for mid-August, will cover back-toschool related topics. Future episodes, which are slated to be posted monthly, may cover topics such as services for students with special needs, academic resources in the district, mental health, parent-teacher conferences, and more.

Claesges said the idea for the podcast grew out of a conversation she had with coworker Blia Schwan, the school district’s liaison with the Hmong community. As Schwan noted, Hmong culture places an emphasis on oral communication,

which means written materials (whether they are emails to parents or fliers that come home in students’ backpacks) don’t always meet Hmong families’ needs.

A podcast, however, can reach these and many other kinds of families – not to mention community members – who are interested in what’s happening in Eau Claire’s schools.

Claesges assembled a multilingual group of colleagues, brainstormed relevant podcast topics, and prepared a script. Why a script and not an off-the-cuff conversation? While

the Families First Podcast is conversational, it’s also recorded in three languages, which means a script was needed to ensure the different editions of the podcast covered the same topics.

“We felt like that was the right way to go to make sure that nothing was lost,” Claesges said.

The English-language version of the podcast was recorded by Claesges herself alongside Erin Anderson, partnership coordinator at Putnam Heights Elementary and American Indian education coordinator. Meanwhile, Schwan and Khoua Vang, principal of Locust Lane Elementary, host the Hmong language version of the podcast, while Kresly Rodriguez Martinez and Lizzie Castro, both bilingual education assistants, provided their talents to the podcast’s Spanish edition.

Claesges said the team is aiming for programs that are relatively short (20 minutes at a maximum) and down-to-earth.

“We know this is not going to be the be-all and end-all, but it shows the district is trying to diversity how we get information out to our families,” she said.

The Families First Podcast can be found in English, Hmong, and Spanish at www.ecasd.us/District/ About/Family-Community-Podcast. In the future, it will be available through a variety of podcasting platforms for download to your digital device.

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