Rocket Roundup
April 26, 2023
Annual Staff Survey Coming from School Perceptions
All NJSD staff members will receive an email on Thursday, April 27 from "School Perceptions" for our 2022-23 NJSD staff survey. All employees are urged to complete the short survey by May 18. The email contained a unique code for each individual employee to complete the survey. The survey is being conducted by a third party in order to ensure anonymity.
Employee/Team of the Year Nominations Close Sunday
All-Staff Meeting Recording and Presentation Available
The Employee Policy Manual will be reviewed by the Board of Education at its May 2 meeting. A link to the proposed changes, including new wage/salary ranges and pay grade classifications may be viewed by clicking here. Please contact Dr. Mike Cyrus in the Human Resources office with any questions.
NJSD Retirement Celebration is May 3
Congratulations to 26 individuals who will retire from the Neenah Joint School District following the 2022-23 school year. These individuals will be honored at a retirement celebration on Wednesday, May 3 at 3:45 p.m. at Bridgewood Conference Center. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us to celebrate 654 years of NJSD experience!
Those retiring are: Matt Anderson, Roxann Barrow, Roxanne Breden, Debbie Dreher, Jill Dujardin, Maripat Franke, Jean Gloudemans, Robin Grable, Jane Hart-Stingle, Rachel Hintz, Joline Hjerstedt, Laura Hultman, Tom Hultman, Cathy Johnson, Cory Lardinois, Joe Lewis, Lori Marsden, Susan Michlig, Andra Mory, Mike O’Neill, Patricia Payne, Amy Sachs, Richard Thill, Melodie Vanderkolk, Mark VanDuser and David Westfahl.
Summer Curriculum Writing Proposals Being Accepted
Curriculum writing proposals are being accepted until Monday, May 8. Projects that will be considered must support District initiatives and impact instruction across the District. Please submit your projects using the curriculum writing project form by clicking here.
PaperCut Server Will be Down Friday Afternoon
Employee Personal Leave Update
Below are some reminders about District policies in regard to employee personal leave as we approach the end of the school year:
There is a limit of 15 people who need a substitute that may exercise personal leave on the same day. Days that are now closed for the use of personal time are: Friday, April 28; Friday, May 5; Monday, May 8; Friday, May 12; Monday, May 15; and Friday, May 19.
Days that are close to the cap are: Monday, May 8 and Thursday, May 11.
Fridays and Mondays are generally challenging days for absences and finding substitute teachers. On all the dates above, it will be more difficult than normal to ensure that classrooms are staffed. Buildings may need to alter teachers' schedules or cancel certain classes in order to accommodate for labor shortages. Please be patient for the next few weeks!
Remember that there are cash incentives available for perfect attendance and not using personal leave!
Non-Certified Job Vacancies for 2023-24 - Updated!
Non-certified job vacancies due to retirements, resignations or changed assignments are in the link below. If you are interested in making a change for next year (or sooner), please complete the form and press "submit," so that we can note your interest. Be sure to indicate the specific job that interests you by checking the box next to each listing. Shortly after this internal posting goes live, the vacancies will be posted on WECAN.
Some things you should take into consideration if you are seeking a transfer:
1. You will only be considered for a transfer for the amount of time a job remains listed on our form, usually just a week.
2. You need to inform your current principal/supervisor that you are considering a transfer.
3. You will only be considered for transfer two times for a given school year.
4. Employees with an in-progress improvement plan on file are not eligible for transfer.
The District appreciates your service!
Click here to view current vacancies. If you have questions, please contact the HR Office.
Certified Job Vacancies for 2023-24 - Updated!
Certified job vacancies due to retirements, resignations or changed assignments are in the link below. If you are interested in making a change for next year, please complete the form and press "submit," so that we can note your interest. Be sure to indicate the job that interests you. Shortly after this internal posting goes live, the vacancies will be posted on WECAN.
Some things you should take into consideration if you are seeking a transfer:
1. You will only be considered for a transfer for the amount of time a job remains listed on our form, usually just over a week.
2. You need to inform your current principal that you are considering a transfer.
3. You will only be considered for transfer two times for a given school year.
4. Teachers with an in-progress improvement plan on file are not eligible for transfer.
Thank you for all you do!
Click here to view current job vacancies. If you have any questions, please contact the HR office.
Non-Certified Staff Evaluations Due by April 30
Evaluation forms are now available in FileMaker Pro for non-certified staff. Staff members must add a reflection of their performance in the employee comments section by April 30.
• To access your Non-Certified Staff Annual Performance Evaluation, either add the SSAPE to your ClassLink dashboard by clicking plus sign in the upper left, or start at this web site: https://webd.neenah.k12.wi.us/fmi/webd#
• Click on the "SSAPE" icon and authenticate with your district username (not email) and password.
• Click on the bottom row with the Evaluation Period of 2022-2023:
• If you run into any issues, please submit a help desk ticket for assistance.
Cultural Celebrations for May
Click here for the infographic
Music Department Receives National Honor
Congratulations to the NJSD music department on being recognized as one of the 2023 Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. Now in its 24th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students.
A total of 830 school districts nationwide were honored, including 29 in Wisconsin. Districts were selected based on their funding for music education, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs.
Spring Comedy Set for This Weekend
Neenah High School will host five shows of its spring comedy, “Bad Auditions by Bad Actors” over four days from April 27-30 in Pickard Auditorium.
Shows will be held on April 27-29 at 7 p.m. each night. There will also be 2 p.m. performances on April 29 and 30. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. NJSD staff members receive a free ticket by showing their staff ID badge at the door.
Check Your Go365 Profile Information
Healthy You Update
**Go365 Previous/Current Challenges:
- Staff that participated in the March Nutrition Bingo - you should be seeing your points soon if you haven't already... Our NJSD participants were uploaded!
- This is the last week of the April Step Challenge - So far, there have been over 33 MILLION steps logged by NJSD staff members. Well done!! Points were added - check for those!
**April Theme: Physical Activity:
- This is the final week of our Physical Activity theme. We are ready and waiting for warmer weather to be outside more. In the mean time, you may still need your jacket, hat, and gloves ;)
- Did you know there are many activities available in the Fox Cities? See the link for more info!
**At Home Physical Activity - Home Workouts:
- Would you rather workout at home instead of going to a gym?
- Too chilly to want to be outside yet? Use the link to see several different at-home workout options - videos included to help learn how!
**Go365 May Challenges:
- Did you know Go365 has challenges besides the ones we sponsor as a district?
- Use the link to see the choices for step challenges in May! They include Step with your Pet, Mother's Day Momentum, Move for Mental Health, and a Memorial Day Honoring our Heroes challenge.
Take care of you!
Complete April Go365 Bingo Forms by April 30
If you completed the physical activity bingo for the month of April, please complete the form linked below no later than April 30. Spouses and adult dependents are also eligible. Please use your legal name associated with Go365 to ensure points are credited. Click here and complete by April 30 for your Go365 points
Inaugural Students With Disabilities Event Set for May 10
The event starts at 9 a.m. in Pickard for a kick off and then proceeds to the football field from 9:30-11:30 a.m. for games and activities. The group will then have lunch and a short closing ceremony. Students will be bussed from their home school to NHS. Some high school student volunteers will be running the games and activities while being student champions alongside their peers.
TEC Rummage Sale Taking Place April 26-28
The TEC rummage sale is here! If you enjoy rummaging, please come check out what we have to offer after school. We will be open to 4:30 today, tomorrow and Friday. In addition to a wide variety of items being sold, there will also be individual baked goods for sale. Proceeds will go to the NJSD Transition Education program (TEC House) that teaches students with disabilities daily living skills, employment skills, and other independence skills in the home and community. All items left after the sale will be donated. Click here for a flyer to share with others in the community.
Pro Wrestling Event Set for May 12
The Ron Einerson Fieldhouse will host a night of pro wrestling on Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m. The night, called "Rocket Way Blastoff - The Final Countdown" has been organized by Neenah High School students and will feature local wrestlers from ACW Wisconsin, including some NHS alumni and NJSD staff members.
Former WWE wrestler Hornswaggle will be part of the event and will also speak to NHS students during the day. The night features a meet and greet with the participants before and after the show.
Admission is $5 with limited ring-side seating for $25. Tickets are available in advance at NHS Door 3 or at the door the night of the event. All proceeds benefit the over 50 NHS clubs and activities. Thank you to the community sponsors who have made financial and in-kind donations for the event!
Substitute Teachers Appreciation Week is Next Week
Fox Cities Marathon Challenge Price Increases Monday
NJSD employees are eligible for discounts to run or walk any of the September 16 or 17 Fox Cities Marathon events. Employees may participate in the 5k, 10k, half marathon, or full marathon. Be sure to select Neenah Joint School District from the drop down menu under the Business Challenge when registering. NJSD won the Business Challenge in 2021 and finished third in 2022! The prices increase on Monday, May 1 and there is also now a discount code for relay teams.
Use the following codes at checkout to receive your discount (codes expire June 30):
NJSD5K ($5 off)
NJSD10K ($10 off)
NJSDFULL ($20 off)
NJSDHALF ($15 off)
NJSDRELAY ($20 off)
This Week in NJSD Activities
Wednesday, April 26
Softball Home vs. Oshkosh North, 4:30 p.m.
Baseball Home vs. Oshkosh North, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 27
Boys Golf Home vs. Fond du Lac, 2:30 p.m.
Softball Home vs. Appleton West, 4:30 p.m.
Spring Play, "Bad Auditions by Bad Actors," 7 p.m. (Pickard Auditorium)
Middle School Orchestra Concert, 7 p.m. (Shattuck O.J. Gym)
Boys Lacrosse Home vs. De Pere, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 28
Boys and Girls Track, Home Neenah Invite, 4 p.m.
Softball Home vs. Hortonville, 4:30 p.m.
Spring Play, "Bad Auditions by Bad Actors," 7 p.m. (Pickard Auditorium)
Saturday, April 29
Boys Tennis, Neenah Quad, 8:30 a.m.
Spring Play, "Bad Auditions by Bad Actors," 2 and 7 p.m. (Pickard Auditorium)
Sunday, April 30
Spring Play, "Bad Auditions by Bad Actors," 2 p.m. (Pickard Auditorium)
Monday, May 1
Boys Golf, Home vs. Appleton East, 2:30 p.m.
Alliance Spring Concert, 6 p.m. (Roosevelt/Alliance Gym)
Tuesday, May 2
Boys Tennis Home vs. Oshkosh North, 4 p.m.
Baseball Home vs. Appleton West, 4:30 p.m.
Softball Home vs. Oshkosh West, 4:30 p.m.
Lakeview Instrumental Concert, 6 p.m. (Lakeview Gym)
Boys Lacrosse Home vs. Bay Port, 7:30 p.m.