Superintendent Update
It's a Great Day in the School District of Beloit
October 24, 2021
Message from our Superintendent Dr. Dan Keyser
With Term 1 ending on Friday, October 29, this is a good time to connect and check-in with your child’s or teen’s teacher on their progress. There will also be no school on this day, as our staff will be participating in professional development and finalizing grades and report cards.
Since my last newsletter, it’s been a busy time for our District. We celebrated homecoming at Beloit Memorial High School and our football win over Madison La Follette 24 to 21; commemorated the 30 Year Anniversary of Even Start Family Literacy; announced the four Beloit Memorial High School students who were selected for apprenticeships at Frito Lay; honored our Board of Education during Wisconsin Board Appreciation Week; and received a lot of positive media coverage.
For all the news that is happening in our District, please visit our NEWS TAB on our website, especially the School District of Beloit Highlights.
Face Covering and COVID-19 Update
Please ensure that your student comes to school with a face covering every day. Remember to pack an additional one in their backpack in case they lose or misplace their face covering.
Continue to encourage your student to follow the safety protocols we have in place; physical distancing when possible, wearing a face covering properly, hand washing, utilizing hand sanitizer, and staying home when sick.
School Newsletters
Each week our schools send out an electronic newsletter with lots of great information and updates. These weekly newsletters are sent out through email and/or text. They are also available on each school website under the tab "Our School". If you are not receiving your school's newsletter, please reach out to your school secretary to update your Skyward contact information!
We have linked each school's newsletter for your reference:
Converse, Gaston, Hackett, Merrill, Robinson, Todd
Frito Lay Apprenticeship Signing Ceremony🎉
Congratulations to Beloit Memorial High School students, Manuel Aviles-Vargas, Maranda Mendiola, Hugo Rodriguez, and Ian Skilling for being hired as Youth Apprentices at Frito Lay!
These four outstanding students were selected from a competitive pool of students from several area districts. They will be joining BMHS senior Merrill Reed who is in year two of a Maintenance Apprenticeship.
Our BMHS students are Career, College and Community Ready! #BeloitProud
Even Start Family Literacy Celebration 🥳
The Even Start program is possible thanks to our amazing collaboration with Blackhawk Technical College.
Keep yourself motivated with some good music this week! Click on the image below
In The News 📰 📻 📺
We appreciate the reporting by state and national news media who continue to share the good things happening in our District.
Thank you to Wisconsin Public Radio for their article highlighting Hackett Elementary School.
Thank you to the industry trade journals: Manufacturing Net, EIN Presswire, and Modern Machine Shop for their articles on BMHS's Mavens of Manufacturing Event.
Thank you to Milwaukee TV station, TMJ4 for their comprehensive news coverage of our Dual Language Immersion Program.
Message from Our Executive Director of Business, Finance & HR - Jo Ann Armstrong
The global health pandemic has demonstrated the need for schools to be flexible and nimble in how instruction and academic support are provided to students. The School District of Beloit was ahead of many districts in regard to our technology because since 2013 SDB has supported a 1:1 Apple MacBook/iPad initiative district-wide for staff and students. However, after a technology refresh in 2015, the district experienced difficulty with aging equipment and its ability to keep up with distance learning.
SDB was able to capitalize on federal dollars associated with the CARES programming (ESSER funds) to invest in updating and refreshing its student and staff technological devices. With the federal one-time funds, the District was able to purchase new staff Apple MacBooks, Chromebooks for all students 4K-12, teachers, and paraprofessionals, PC laptops for office support staff, and simulcasting equipment to allow for interactive classroom experiences during distance learning.
Additionally, with the purchase of the new equipment, the District wanted to ensure that students were able to take their technology devices home with them at the end of the day. By having their device with them, it allows the students and families opportunities to continue learning through the use of technology outside of school. Knowing that taking devices home daily increases the possibility of damage or loss of components, the district purchased insurance for every device. The insurance will assist in cases of accidental damage that may occur to the devices. The insurance is fully funded by the District through the use of the ESSER funds. Taking the burden off our families and students.
The District has also invested in mobile hotspot technology for families experiencing hardships obtaining internet access and outdoor WiFi access at all school building locations. To date, the district has spent approximately $3.2 million dollars in ESSER funding on technology for our staff and students. This direct investment provides so many opportunities to our students, staff, and families that without the funding would not have been possible. If you are in need of assistance with district technology or access, please contact your building administrative team.
Get to Know Our Amazing Staff 🌟
Each Newsletter I will highlight a few of our amazing staff members. This week, meet Ms. Brandye Hereford and Ms. Ursula Etheridge.
Meet Ms. Brandye Hereford
With 20 years of experience in the School District of Beloit, Ms. Brandye Hereford is a celebrated and appreciated educator, mentor, and leader.
Ms. Hereford shared that what she most loves about working in the District, “is that I was born and raised here. I love the connection to the community from previous relationships and years working in the District.” Her favorite thing about her Merrill students is that “they are creative and they work hard to exhibit excellence." Ms. Hereford always strives to "work with families and community partners to provide an environment where each and every students can learn and grow."
Meet Ms. Ursula Etheridge
Ms. Ursula Etheridge is the new Assistant Principal at Merrill Elementary School. Ms. Etheridge has 25 year of experience with our District and is appreciated and respected for her ability to connect with students, families, and colleagues with a positive attitude and kindness.
She shared that she is “honored to serve as the Assistant Principal of Merrill. It is truly a privilege to be a part of a community where parents, teachers, and students care for each other and strive to build positive relationships that support academic and social growth.” Ms. Etheridge’s favorite part about the students at Merrill is “their energy and excitement during recess and assemblies, their enthusiasm for reading, their smiles just because, and their greetings and waves as they walk past me in the hallways.”
We post a new blog every Wednesday on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
Mrs. Gisela Delgado
Mrs. Delgado, second grade teacher at Hackett Elementary School, shares her thoughts on her first two years of teaching while in a pandemic.
Mr. Joe Vrydaghs
Early Dismissal - 1st and 3rd Wednesday ⏱
Early dismissal will occur on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Our upcoming early dismissal Wednesdays are: November 3rd, November 17th, December 1st, and December 15th
Early Dismissal Times
- Elementary 1:30 pm
- Intermediate 2:15 pm
- BMHS 2:30 pm
- BLA 2:30 pm
Todos Unidos: FAFSA Workshop 📝
Community Hub
Access our Community Hub webpage to learn more about all the family-friendly and educational events and opportunities in our community.
Free COVID-19 on-site testing at SDB
We provide On-Site Covid Testing Monday through Friday.
We are collaborating with the Wisconsin Department of Health Service, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and Summit Clinical Labs to provide this testing.
On behalf of the Board of Education and the School District of Beloit we stand against all forms of systemic and institutional racism. Now more than ever it is necessary for our community’s institutions and organizations to commit to be anti-racist. We are proud of the diversity within the School District of Beloit and we acknowledge the challenges and adversity that so many of our families of color are facing. We are always committed to supporting our students, families, and staff. We are here for you and we are stronger together. #BeloitProud
Mission: Committed to excellence and strengthened and enriched by diversity, we prepare each student to compete, contribute, and thrive as an admirable person in a rapidly changing world by engaging students in a wide variety of high quality, relevant programs in partnership with families, schools, and the stateline community.
Vision: Preparing and inspiring each student to succeed in life and contribute to an ever-changing world.
(608) 361-4000