Parent Tiger Talk
January 23, 2018
Greetings!
Last week, I had the opportunity to hear three very different keynote speakers at the Joint Education Conference in Milwaukee.
- Ravi Hutheesing, a cultural diplomat, made the case that millennials, who are the largest generation and soon to be the most economically influential, must not be ignored.
- Bill Daggett, shared an enlightening, entertaining, and motivating message helping listeners look at education differently by challenging their assumptions about the purposes, benefits, and effectiveness of American schools.
- Alton Fitzgerald White, having grown up in the housing projects in Cincinnati, conquered his greatest fear — standing on stage, to star in six smash Broadway hits, including his record-breaking 4,300 performances as King Mufasa in Disney’s Lion King. Alton found a way to bring his best to each and every show using what he calls “the power of redefining service.”
The message of all three echoed the work educators do each day to recognize the changing times and respond to the needs of students. All three spoke of the importance of educators as the profession that makes all others possible.
Staff have been meeting with their building principals to share ideas to help us reduce our $700,000 budget deficit for next year. I will also be meeting with staff over the next four weeks to hear any thoughts or ideas they may have to help reduce our budget deficit while working to maintain the quality of our programming. The Board is looking to find ways to increase revenue and has been supportive of ideas such as fundraising, bringing in tuition paying international students and starting a virtual charter school. Thank you for your continued support.
Your Superintendent,
Mary
District Searching for Business Manager
Today the district is announcing the resignation of J.J. Gutman, Business Manager effective June 30, 2018 to pursue a career closer to his home in the Fox Valley. J.J. has been with the district since July 2014. A timeline has been established to search for the next business manager. The goal is to have the next business manager selected by early March. This will provide time for J.J. to work with the new person to ensure a smooth transition. Please see the attached press release for more details.
Is Your Contact Information up to Date?
We are reaching out to all Ripon Area School District parents and/or guardians to ask for your assistance in reviewing your contact information in Infinite Campus associated with your child(ren).
Infinite Campus Messenger is the main source of communication with parents and/or guardians to share information from individual schools and district-wide alerts. We are making every effort to have your most up-to-date information and that your personal settings are accurate to receive messages. Through this system, we are able to reach families quickly via their email address and their parent portal account in Infinite Campus. Utilizing an email address is the best method to receive messages. Occasionally an attachment will be included with a message. Again email is the best option to retrieve messages with attachments. Parent Portal in Infinite Campus does not support attachments.
Please review the attached direction sheet to update the information in your parent portal. This might be handy for parents to keep on hand as a resource. We truly appreciate your help in assuring that we have your most recent contact information. If you need assistance or have questions please contact Britnie Meyer at (920) 748-4600 or meyerb@ripon.k12.wi.us.
January Board Brief
The Board Brief for the January 15 School Board meeting is attached. Action items included:
- Gratefully acknowledged contributions from the following: Sweatpants from the Ripon Education Club; $791 from First Congregational Church to the RHS STAAND (Students Taking Action Against Negative Decisions) group.
- Approved the 2018 IRS mileage reimbursement rate change
- Approved an increase for Accumulated Sick Leave Payout Rate
- Approved the Available Open Enrollment Seats for 2018-19
- Approved a teaching position for one section of a 4K-6 virtual program for the 2018-19 school year provided approximately 25 students in the Ripon attendance area enrolled.
- Approved RHS Teacher Overload Pay
Other items discussed included the Food Service Audit and information regarding an RHS Swimming Club
Welcome Officer Henning
We welcome Officer Bret Henning as our new School Resource Officer. Officer Henning was introduced to the Board of Education at their January 15th meeting by Ripon Police Chief Bill Wallner.
Officer Henning is an 18 year veteran of the department having served as a training officer, and Sergeant in the past. He will be training with Officer Lindsey Michels until the end of the month when he will take over the SRO position. Please join us in welcoming Officer Henning to our RASD family.
HAVE YOU THANKED A CROSSING GUARD?
This morning we hosted a hot Appreciation Breakfast for our Crossing Guards in recognition of their service to our students. Every day they are often the first person to greet students on their way to school, and the last to see them safely on their way home. This week is Adult Crossing Guard Recognition Week for the state of Wisconsin. Please take time to offer your thanks to our fantastic group of crossing guards!
Combating Cold & Flu Season
The season of sicknesses has come! There are multiple steps that you and your children should take to keep your family healthy.
- Hand washing with soap and water before eating, after coughing, blowing your nose, or near ill people is important (if possible, try to stay away from people that are sick).
- Cough and sneeze into a tissue and dispose of it immediately
- Keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Get plenty of rest and drink plenty of water
According to Wisconsin Department of Health Services, children should be kept home if the illness:
- Prevents the child from participating comfortably in activities
- Results in staff providing care to the child that might compromise health and safety of other children
- Is possible to spread to others
In addition, we recommend that your child remains at home anytime they experience vomiting or diarrhea, and fever 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. Thank you for helping to keep our students healthy!
Upcoming Events
January 23: Positive Parenting Strategies 6:00-7:30 pm
February 1: Quest Showcase Night 6:00-7:30 pm
February 3: Father/Daughter Dance
February 8: Catalyst Project Showcase Night 3:30-7:30 pm
February 8: Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 8: RHS Musical Performance 7:00-9:00 pm
February 9: No School
February 9: RHS Musical Performance 7:00-9:00 pm
February 10: RHS Musical Performance 2:00-4:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm
February 12: No School
February 16: Kindergarten Screening
February 19: Board of Education Meeting
February 21: EL Family Night 5:15-6:30 pm at BP/J
February 22: Journey Gallery Walk
Ripon Area School District
RASD Mission Statement
Inspiring learners, engaging community, enriching the world
Email: meyerb@ripon.k12.wi.us
Website: http://ripon.k12.wi.us
Location: 1120 Metomen Street, Ripon
Phone: (920) 748-4600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ripon-Area-School-District-162750647426/
Twitter: @riponschools