Parent Tiger Talk
July 2018
Happy July!
The start of the new school year is just around the corner. This is an exciting time for students, teachers, and parents. It is a time to truly appreciate the gift we receive as Americans through a strong public education system.
Throughout the spring and into the summer months, a team has been reviewing our district core strategies and developing a plan to meet the federal requirements our district has as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). As we grow to become a district truly embedded in the continuous quality improvement work, it is important for us to have a clear and concise path for our work.
Last week, a subgroup for the strategic planning team met to develop district Core Values and Beliefs & Guiding Principles (attached). Drafts of these documents were shared at the board meeting on July 16. The strategic planning team will be meeting again on August 7 and 9 from 4:00-5:30 in the RHS Community Room to finalize the Core Values and Beliefs & Guiding Principles documents and work on district goals for the year and a scorecard to measure progress on those goals.
Please let me know if you have any questions about this process or are interested in participating in these two upcoming meetings to set the direction for the upcoming school year.
Mary Whitrock
Superintendent
920-748-4600
July Board Brief
Attached is a summary of business conducted by the Board of Education at the July 16, 2018 meeting. Full agendas for all Board meetings are available on the District website under the Board tab.
Continuous Quality Improvement
Science, Engineering, and Leadership Camp
The third annual 2018 International Engineering, Science and Leadership Camp is scheduled for July 16-27. The district in collaboration with Ripon College is hosting a two-week residential engineering and leadership camp for interested students in grades 9-11. Twenty students and three teachers from China are participating in the camp alongside RHS students to explore many types of engineering fields to learn how they lead to exciting careers. Ripon students attending the day portion of the camp will earn .5 credit in science. Students wanting to experience life on a college campus may choose to live in a Ripon College student dorm during the week.
On the weekend, the Chinese students and their weekend host families will visit the Wisconsin Dells to take in the Tommy Bartlett Ski Sky and Stage Show. In the evenings on the weekdays, the Ripon and Chinese students will enjoy many area summer highlights such as a Timber Rattlers game, boat ride on Green Lake, the Fond du Lac County Fair, the National Guard Inflatable Exercise Course, the Green Lake Conference Center low ropes course, a bike tour to a cookout at Vines and Rushes, and accessing the Wilmore Center. The camp will close with a campfire on Ripon College grounds.
Facilities Update
The landscaping is now complete at the tennis courts. Trees and shrubs have been added to make the new tennis courts an inviting place for students and community members to brush up on their tennis and pickleball skills. In late July/early August, additional lights will be added and the playing surface gets its final coating to complete this project in time for the start of the school year. The finished project will be one that can be enjoyed by the community for years to come.
As students head back to school this September, middle school students will see a newly remodeled science room. The greenspace next to the middle school should be ready for students to play on. Barlow students will see a new fence added between the Barlow Park and playground along some updates to the playground equipment. Students across the district will see additional security measures thanks to the Wisconsin Safety Grant Initiative.
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
NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
The Ripon Area School District Board does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; national origin; age; sex (including transgender status, change of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity); pregnancy; creed or religion; genetic information; handicap or disability (in accordance with Policy 3123, AG 3123A, and AG 3123B); marital service; citizenship status; veteran status; military service (as defined in 111.32, Wis. Stats.); national origin; ancestry; arrest record; conviction record (in accordance with Policy 4121); use or non-use of lawful products off the District’s premises during non-working hours); declining to attend an employer-sponsored meeting or to participate in any communication with the employer about religious matters or political matters; or any other characteristic protected by law in its employment practices.
The district encourages informal resolution of complaints under this policy. If any person believes that the Ripon Area School District or any part of the school organization has failed to follow the law and rules of S.188.13 Wis. Stats., or in some way discriminates on the basis listed above, s/he may bring or send a complaint to the Administration Office at 1120 Metomen St, P.O. Box 991, Ripon, WI 54971.