District Source
V 3.04 | October 15, 2019
School Board Highlights
The Stevens Point Area Public School District held its regular October meeting on Monday, October 14, 2019.
Community Partnership and Recognition
Jefferson Elementary student Haylee Cisewski presented the Mandana Bliss Award to Ms. Karen Salienko. Salienko is a kindergarten teacher and has been with the District since 2013.
Washington Elementary student Khadeejaat Odogba presented the Mandana Bliss Award to Ms. Dana Nelson. Nelson is a fifth-grade teacher and has been with the District since 2008.
Consent Agenda
Consent agenda items were approved including the minutes of the August 12, 2019, School Board Meeting, approval of the schedule of monthly bills and personnel recommendations.
Human Resources
The board approved revisions to the Emergency School Closing Employee Handbook Policy 4.05. A review of the policy stemmed from the board’s approval to utilize e-learning days when school is canceled for inclement weather or other emergencies.
The board approved partnering with WEA Trust to provide health insurance and wellness programming to District staff effective January 1, 2020. After detailed review, staff recommended that WEA Trust become the provider following a bid process where WEA Trust offered the most cost-efficient health insurance and wellness programming to District employees without major changes to plan design, as well as excellent service and additional resources. WEA Trust presented a circle of care that is intended to target employee engagement, integrate pharmacy and health care and develop innovative partnerships. WEA Trust has both a state-wide and national network that allows employees to remain in-network, regardless of their location. WEA Trust also offers an out-of-network benefit.
The change to WEA Trust will result in an approximate 5.28% reduction in cost, or $545,513.99 this fiscal year.
Educational Services
The board approved the adoption of Wellness Policy 8510.
Student Services
The board was informed of new memorandums of understanding for mental health services in schools with Children’s Hospital in Wisconsin, New Directions Counseling, Focusing on Success, Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital, Advocate Psychotherapy Services. There is no cost to the District for implementation/continuation of this program.
General
The committee meeting schedule was adjusted by the board to:
Educational Services Committee - 6:00 p.m.
Business Services/Human Resources Committee - 7:00 p.m.
The board will hold the annual Budget Hearing, followed by a Special Board Meeting on October 28, 2019.
The next regular meeting of the school board will be Monday, November 11, 2019, at 6:30 p.m.
SPASH HoCo 2019
From the "Frontline"
Be more productive at work by taking breaks. Here’s your motivation if you are inclined to skip them: a neurologic discovery called “voluntary” and “involuntary” attention. Each type of attention engages different uses of your brain. When you focus on work, whether it is a computer or a car engine, you are purposeful, intense, and focused; this is voluntary attention. In contrast, involuntary attention occurs when you walk down a sidewalk; you are not focused, but you are “attending” to the environment as it appears—butterflies, clouds, traffic, trees, flowers, wind, sunshine, sounds, and sensations. This process of allowing your brain to engage the world this way (being “pulled” along rather than “pushed”) is what relieves your stress and refreshes you neurologically. The payoff is improved memory and attention back at work.
Frontline content is provided by the Ascension Employee Assistance Program and is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the counsel or advice of a qualified health or legal professional.
Knights of Columbus Donate to Special Education Programs
Knights of Columbus Council 1170 of Stevens Point recently distributed slightly more than $4,000 in total to special education programs at four area schools: Stevens Point Area High School, Pacelli Catholic Schools, P..J Jacobs Junior High, and Ben Franklin Junior High. The money comes from an annual donation campaign conducted in the community around Springtime. The program is known as the Campaign for People with Intellectual Disabilities. Perhaps you have seen the KCs collecting donations at area stores and churches and offering Tootsie Rolls as a thank you. Please know that we have no official tie to Tootsie Roll or their manufacturer. So, it is a big thank you to friends and neighbors who support this program and it is through your contributions that we are able to help children in our community with intellectual disabilities.
Andrea Marty commented on behalf of the Stevens Point Area Senior High Special Education Department, “We are very thankful for the work of the Knights of Columbus in our community and their generous donation to our programs. Among other things, the funds are planned to be used to provide opportunities for students to attend conferences and events, fidgets for students to use in classes, and flexible seating options. Thank you for supporting us and our students! “ Similar sentiments are echoed by all recipients. These funds allow special education programs to buy educational materials that their normal budgets would not permit.
Over the past five years, the Stevens Point KC Council 1170 has distributed over $20,000 to area schools. The program originally began in 1970 with three Brother Knights from a Council in the Chicago area. Now many states and provinces in Canada participate in the program. Some of the money raised goes to supporting the Special Olympics.
Students Share Letters with Veterans
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Contact Us
Email: info@pointschools.net
Website: www.pointschools.net
Location: 1900 Polk Street, Stevens Point, WI, USA
Phone: 715-343-6629
Facebook: facebook.com/pointschools
Twitter: @pointschools