August 2021 HHASD Newsletter
Inspire. Persevere. Grow.
Welcome to the month of August
Back to School Online Registration - Everyone must complete this
Online Registration will be available on Monday. Parents will need to log into Skyward Family Access, link on the top menu bar of hhasd.org, and choose 21-22 Online Registration from the left side menu or click on the highlighted message at the top of the message wall indicating that Online Registration is now open.
Registration should be completed by the first day of school. We will have chrome books set up at Orientation at each school for families who still need to complete the process or don’t have access to a device at home.
Student Happenings
Raider Ready - August 17th
Fasten Your Seatbelts!
Picture Day: September 3rd
Below are the links that parents can use to order their childs' pictures and pre-pay online for them. This option is the best as it alleviates having more physical contact and lets parents order directly from their homes.
Alternately, you can print the attached pdf form and send it with payment when your child has their picture taken. (Copies of the order form will be available with the photographers also.)
FLES Online Ordering Link - Network Photography
RMS Online Ordering Link - Network Photography
Immunization Reminders
Construction Updates
July Board Meeting Summary
The following items were approved during the July Board meeting:
- Hiring Cayla Pazen as the RMS Band, Orchestra and General Music Teacher
- Hiring Cassaundra Eggold as the RMS 5-6 Special Education Teacher
- Hiring Anne Zabel as the FLES Music Teacher
- Hiring Christina Byerly as the 4th grade teacher at FLES
- UW-M Superintendent Practicum Student, Jason Dropik
- Resignation of Ms. Holly Bauer
- Wisconsin Academic Standards for use in HHASD
- NEOLA Annual Notices Update
- Increase to district cyber insurance, retroactive to July 1, 2021
Approve of the 2021/22 Student/Parent Handbook
Approve of the Board Calendar for 2021/22
Approve of the Co-Curricular Handbook
Approve of the 2021/22 Employee Handbook
REPORTS
Administrator -
UW-W Field Experiences Agreement - The district will continue the relationship with UW Whitewater which gives the district a choice whether placement of student teachers occurs.
RMS Schedule Update - Quill stated the district will not be changing the proposed schedule. However, Quill and Shattuck reviewed the FLES and RMS schedule to determine when music lessons could be offered by the new music staff. Quill reported that 5th grade would be offered lessons during resource time, 6th grade will be offered lessons during lunch and recess time, and 7th and 8th-grade lessons will be offered during resource time. Quill commented that this scheduling was done in an effort to eliminate after-school lessons and to have music staff possibly switch schools in the morning and afternoon in order to offer lessons.
St. Augustine School, et. al. v. Superintendent Taylor, et. al. - Howe stated that on July 2nd the district received information from the attorney regarding the lawsuit with St. Augustine School and the transportation issue. Howe provided a brief history on the state statute for private school student transportation within a public school district’s enrollment area. Howe also provided a summary of the lawsuit. Howe stated the court’s determination is that it is in agreement with the district’s position overall and the district did not violate anyone’s rights. Howe noted that the case is still ongoing and the district has legal representation coverage through its liability insurance.
Smart Thinking Foundation Grant - Villalobos stated that in June she applied for three grants through CESA 6 in Tomich’s, Shattuck’s and Quill’s names. They were awarded a $500 grant for co-teaching and differentiation; Tomich is taking the lead on the co-teaching grant received from CESA 6.
Correspondence re: WI State Law and Instruction on Cultural Diversity - Last week Villalobos received a letter from the ACLU concerning what school districts are required to teach. Villalobos stated that the district is following the state statutes and read the statute for all present.
Facilities/Construction Update - Villalobos remarked that during this time of year school districts work diligently to get building repairs and cleaning done on schedule. Due to the pandemic there are district items that are backordered, vendors are booked out, but our projects are still being finished and progress is being made at both school buildings.
Wisconsin Public Schools: 7th Best in Nation! - Villalobos also shared the news article received today about Wisconsin Public Schools being rated 7th best in the nation. Villalobos cited the article’s rating scores in different determination categories.
DISCUSSION
Debrief the High Performing Board Training from June 21, 2021 - Bunton reiterated the board training held during the last meeting and asked for board comments on the training. Bunton remarked that this training was a nice reminder of board responsibilities and the overview of CESA 6 services provided. The district benefits from CESA 6’s support and the high-level and low-level board oversight really resonated with her. Villalobos reviewed a survey on Board operations for the board to complete prior to August 9th. Villalobos will disaggregate the results and assist the board in conducting a gap analysis.
Continuous Improvement Action Plan Overview of Recommended Updates - Villalobos provided a synopsis of the continuous improvement plan that was created since the district was consolidated. The plan is a living plan that has updates made on a yearly basis. Villalobos reviewed the plan’s four pillars: Learning & Academics, Operations & Finance, Engagement & Communication, Safe & Orderly Schools and the current and proposed improvements.
2021/22 Parent/Student Handbook - Shattuck and Quill updated this handbook. Villalobos remarked that NEOLA writes the district policies and that attorneys have vetted the policies’ language prior to this point. Shattuck and Quill compared last year’s handbook to this new version to make sure everything in the old handbook is included in the new handbook. Shattuck and Quill cited certain notable revisions and additions to the handbook, such as illness guidelines, dress and grooming, conferences, option for virtual conferences, prescribed medications and unprescribed medications, code of conduct, tardy language, passes, charts for co-curriculars, courses, dress code, and bus transportation.
2021/22 Employee Handbook - Villalobos compared the NEOLA updates to the current handbook and cited the changes that should be made to the handbook. Villalobos touched upon proposed language updates, such as: pandemic related items, policy attachments, communication, change of command, staff ethics, unauthorized work stoppage, crowdfunding, fraud, vision information, virtual learning, tobacco use, child abuse policies, threats of violence, drug-free workplaces, no CBD allowed onsite, employee expression, and terminology for the Leave of Absence policy.
Co-Curricular Handbook -Villalobos reported that Kastner and Shelsta updated the handbook which included several new co-curricular clubs. A survey was sent to staff to gauge interest in advising a club or becoming a coach for the school year.
Fund 46 transfer - Howe informed members that the district has a Fund 46 long-term capital trust fund created to set aside money for those capital improvements. Howe noted that for the first five years of the fund’s creation the district can not expend any funds from the trust. Howe also noted that the board determines on a yearly basis, in June or July, how much fund balance will be allocated to this. Howe warned that the district does not want to earmark all the fund balance money for Fund 46 and recommended $200,000.00 be deposited. Any remaining fund balance will be put to an assigned fund balance for salary and benefit enhancements. Howe stated the money needs to be transferred prior to July 30th.
2020/21 Budget Adjustments - Howe informed all that she usually performs budget adjustments around this time for any decisions the board made throughout the year. Howe stated that districts do not have to do this and recommended no budget adjustments be made this year due to the pandemic. By not making the budget adjustments, the district retains the history of the significant financial events related to the pandemic that shaped this year’s revenues and expenses.
Seclusion & Restraint Report -Tomich stated that this report to the board is done annually as per Act118 and board policy. Tomich provided an explanation as to what qualifies as seclusion and restraint. Tomich remarked that staff are trained on proper seclusion and restraint techniques. Bunton asked if the incidents were much higher than normal. Tomich explained that the district did have some new students transfer into the district this past school year. For some students coming off the pandemic paired with being in a new district may have caused an increase in the use of seclusion and restraint.
Discuss the Board Calendar - Villalobos included the recommended meeting calendar in the board packet. Villalobos questioned the board on the meetings for the month of July and October. Board members agreed on the 2 meetings per month, to have one board meeting in July on the 25th, and to hold a meeting on October 20th in preparation for the annual meeting.
Paraprofessionals Needed
The Holy Hill Area School District is currently seeking a few individuals to support our special education students at Richfield Middle School at the onset of the 2021-2022 school year. These positions are part time. If you are interested please contact Cyndi Tomich, Director of Pupil Services or Rachel Quill, Principal at RMS at 262-628-1032. You can also apply online through WECAN at wecan.education.wisc.edu
FLES: https://www.hhasd.org/schools/friesslake/about/principalmessagefl.cfm
RMS: https://www.hhasd.org/schools/richfield/about/principal-message.cfm