Kewaskum District News
January 13, 2023
Message from the District Administrator
Happy New Year!
Although it will probably take me a couple of months before I stop writing 2022 on my checks, I am quite excited about 2023 and all the new possibilities that I know it will bring.
One of the exciting parts of this time of year is that we start planning for next year, including the new students we are so excited to welcome into the Kewaskum School District in our 4K and 5K kindergarten classes.
Early education can be a critical step in preparing children for success. According to this article by the NEA (2021), “Children in early childhood education programs are:
Less likely to repeat a grade
Less likely to be identified as having special needs
More prepared academically for later grades
More likely to graduate from high school
Higher earners in the workforce.”
Having been in our 4K and 5K classrooms, I can tell you from experience that they are fantastic learning environments filled with hands-on activities, positive social interactions, and caring adults.
If you have or know someone who before September 1, 2023:
has a child turning 4 or
has a child turning 5 who is not currently a part of the KSD 4K program,
registration is open right now. You can enroll your child from your couch by going to https://www.kewaskumschools.org/enroll. Scroll down a bit on the page to find the 2023-24 Elementary Enrollment form (or click on the link here). Also, you can read more about how to prepare your 4 year-old with our 4K Checklist and learn more about our 4K program with our 4K Brochure.
Dr. Mark Bazata
Superintendent
Kewaskum School District
4K Meet and Greet
No appointments necessary! Contact the KES Building Secretary at 262-626-3101 with any questions.
Events
01/13 - Cabaret: The Dark Side of Broadway
01/17 - Farmington Family Fun Night
01/19 - KMS and KHS Parent/Teacher Conferences
01/19 - Counseling Corner - Understanding Youth Anxiety
01/20 - Professional Development Day - No School
01/28 - Missoula Children's Theatre's "the Jungle Book"
01/28 - Ice Bears Hockey Military Appreciation Night
FEBRUARY
02/08 - 4K Meet and Greet
02/09 - School Board Regular Meeting
Cabaret: The Dark Side of Broadway
Counseling Corner
Our next Counseling Corner, facilitated by Leah Keval, LCSW, from the Professional Services Group, will take place on Thursday, January 19 from 6:00-7:00 pm - Understanding Youth Anxiety. Click here for the zoom link.
Military Appreciation Game
Cheer on KHS students that compete for the West Bend Ice Bears and support a great event. A silent auction will be held during the games with all proceeds being donated to military charities.
Stay Connected!
If you have not done so already, update your KSD mobile app for current news, events, notifications, as well as links to eFunds, Skyward Family Access and much more.
Don't have the app? You can download it for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
To receive important KSD notifications in the app:
Jobs!
View the Employment/Careers page on our website for more information.
Come join our team and apply today!
Inclement Weather
Ensure you stay connected by logging into your Skyward Family Access Account and updating your contact information.
Board Business
Each month this section will include information on topics discussed at the regular school board meeting. These updates come from unapproved minutes of the meeting.
Recognition
Through generous donations from KSD staff and families, over 60 elementary students and 11 middle school families received gifts from the giving trees. A number of local businesses also contributed including BP, Piggly Wiggly and Dairy Queen.
Rachael Holmes was recognized for her contribution to area concerts and festivals through her compositions. Ms. Holmes has been commissioned by several Regional Honors Bands in Wisconsin to compose and conduct her piece at their honors concerts, and recently had a piece selected to be on the WSMA Solo and Ensemble Festival list. She also has a new arrangement for high school band which is being performed by Slinger High School at the Wisconsin Concert Band Association Convention on January 20th.
Mr. Ramthun was recognized for his attendance at the legislative breakfast by CESA 6.
Reports
Dr. Bazata reported on the Spring Election timeline, candidate profiles, 4K-5K Enrollment, and the upcoming board tours.
Ms. Thoreson provided an update on the year to date financials and stated that there were no concerns at this time.
Updates were provided on the Policy, Finance, and Buildings and Grounds Committees as well as the Ad Hoc Committee "Community Facility Usage".
KHS Junior Ms. Liddicoat presented her student representative report to the Board and highlighted the upcoming Winter Sadies Dance as well as the ways in which students gave back to their community and student parking and traffic flow in the Middle School parking lot.
The Tech Ed Department presented their report on courses offered and career connections, including the school to work and youth apprenticeship programs.
The recent security assessment was reviewed.
Items for Discussion and/or Action
The Board approved payroll and account payable, the 23/24 open enrollment seats, the number of students eligible for the Wisconsin Academic and Technical Excellence Higher Education Scholarships, the district insurance broker and an overnight/out of state field trip for the KHS Chess Club. 19 WASB resolutions were presented and discussed.
Purchases over $7,500 for Discussion and/or Action
The Board approved the purchase of a 2023 Ford F550 truck.
Policies
Revised policy 2522 - Library Media was approved for production.
COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD
Local organizations share events, registrations, and information with families around the district. As information is received the Community Bulletin Board is updated. This month you will find information from:
- At the Movies - 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 3:00 p.m. KHS Theatre
- Albrecht Free Clinic
- Children's Mental Health Walk In Clinic
- Girls Scouts of America - Kindergarten Girls become a Daisy Girl Scout at KES/FES
- HUHS Aviation Club - Airplane build
- Kewaskum Community Food Pantry - Tuesday & Thursday 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
- Kewaskum Public Library; Child Programs, Teen Programs
- King's Kids registration
- Missoula Children's Theatre - The Jungle Book
- Peace Pantry (located in the parking lot of Peace UCC Kewaskum)
- Riveredge Nature Center - Winter Hike Kewaskum Jan 29
- Salem UCC Clothes Closet
- The Threshold
- United Way of Washington County - Mental Health Resource Center
- Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center
- West Bend Little League
- West Bend Winter Warm Up - Jan 21-22
Mission of the District
Vision
The vision of the Kewaskum School District is to be an exceptional place to learn and work where students and staff are equipped with the academic, social-emotional, and work skills to meet the challenges of their diverse futures and reach their full potential.
Mission
The mission of the Kewaskum School District is to maximize its resources and assets to provide responsive instruction, foster strong relationships, engage the community, and model high expectations.
Values
The values of the Kewaskum School District are:
- Inclusivity - meeting the diverse needs of all students
- Unity - working together for a common goal
- Integrity - acting with honesty and accountability
- Transparency - communicating clearly and accurately
- Innovation - utilizing resources creatively to move forward
- Excellence - holding ourselves and others to high standards