July 2021 HHASD Newsletter
Inspire. Persevere. Grow.
Student Happenings
Graduation
Summer School
Construction Updates
Classroom remodel at FLES
Classroom remodel at FLES
Stay tuned to see the complete renovation next month!
RMS Front Entry
June Board Meeting Summary
National School District Vaping Litigation - Atty. Lori Lubinsky, who has served the district in other capacities, provided an overview on student vaping and the Frantz Law firms' offering of a no-cost option for the district to join a class-action lawsuit against the Juul electronic cigarette company. Lubinsky stated that 450 schools have joined the lawsuit.
FLES Goal Team End of Year Report - Ms. Shattuck provided a report to the board on Friess Lake Elementary’s goal areas and on how the goals align with district goals. Shattuck elaborated on each goal section and discussed aspects such as; learning and academics, safe and orderly schools, engagement and communication, the leadership team, key performance indicators, RtI essential standards, reading achievement, and literacy strategies. She cited the next steps of going back to basics with readers and writers workshop, employing a layered approach, the use of Motivational Mondays, focusing on one core value each month, BoQ assessment, TFI shifting, and tying in positive rewards.
RMS Goal Team End of Year Report - Ms. Mallow, Ms. Quill, and Ms. D’Alessio represented the leadership team that worked on the goals and the end-of-year report. Ms. Quill touched upon the learning and academic goals, key performance indicators, statistics, and the advanced classes in math. Dr. Villalobos explained the high school offerings. Ms. Quill described strategies used for goal achievement, AVMR intervention, grammar resources, the next steps of strengthening and training staff, implementing writing, community service opportunities, community engagement, staff engagement, and student data. Ms. Mallow described the Orange Frog training, the HHOPS Staff Appreciation Week, and stated that staff is excited about next year. Ms. D’Alessio reviewed safe and orderly schools and the EduClimber training. Ms. Quill also commented that a schoolwide read aloud would occur.
Raider Ready Overview - Ms. Mallow shared a flyer that detailed activities planned for 4th grader students transitioning to 5th grade. Ms. Mallow stated that Ms. Quill would be present, students will be given T-shirts, a building tour, an assignment notebook, Chromebooks, a library tour, and a locker assignment. Students will learn about PBIS, class dojo, walk through their schedule, and participate in a teambuilding activity on August 17th from 8-11 am.
Liability Insurance Renewals - Ms. Howe noted that at the last board meeting she went through the M3 liability coverage lines. She provided the quote for all of the liability lines. She stated that while some of the lines went up and some went down, the annual premium cost came in almost completely flat compared to the prior year. She also noted the reduction of our mod rate (impacts insurance and is connected to worker's compensation).
Trash and Recycling Quotes - Ms. Howe was seeking vendor quotes for this service. The quote submission deadline is July 1st.
WASB - State Budget Priorities - Ms. Howe reported on the state biennial budget, that the state budget is a 2- year budget vs. a school district budget which is formed 1 year at a time. She stated that there was a concern in May about the state budget being significantly different from the Governor’s proposal and not meeting the school districts’ funding needs. She cited the budget aspects of per pupil revenue limit, declining enrollment factors, hold harmless exemptions, legislative discussions, the Joint Finance Committee’s proposals, and ESSER grant funding. Dr. Villalobos stated that based on the information Ms. Howe has shared, she will be going to Oshkosh to talk with legislators.
EyeMed Vision Quote - Ms. Howe received seven quotes, reviewed the aspects of those quotes, and is recommending EyeMed. The EyeMed quote has a 4-year rate lock. There are four different rate plans; the district needs a minimum amount of 10 employees to sign up for this. The district could support 50% of the premium with the employee covering the other 50%. Howe is looking for September 1st implementation and hopes to email and mail out information on this to employees over the summer.
Pandemic Update - Several parents as well as a resident attended the meeting to speak about the pandemic, face coverings, and parental involvement. Dr. Villalobos reported that the burden levels have fallen again, the area is at the moderate range, and the range is the best it has been all year. She stated that the Hartford Area burden rate has fallen too, which is great news. She shared that a survey was given out about the end of the school year and the wearing of face coverings. Villalobos cited the survey’s responses of 73% affirming the continued use of face coverings and that 27% felt this should be optional. She reviewed CDC guidelines, the vaccine guidelines, looked at the levels, and is recommending that when the Board takes action later in the meeting, that Face Coverings be recommended, not required, for summer school, and that facility use requests be reopened. Dr. Villalobos shared that a committee will meet in July about opening school for next year. She also shared that she and the school nurse are investigating the potential for onsite screening, and that Ms. Shattuck and she interviewed virtual learning vendors. She commented on the number of students that attended in-person schooling, attended virtual schooling, and voiced her appreciation and pride in the teaching staff in their use of multiple teaching methods for this school year.
2021-22 School Meal Program Options - Dr. Villalobos recommended the continuation of the school meal program option.
Elevating Success Educator Effectiveness for Learning-Centered Improvements - Dr. Villalobos reported that this summer she, Ms. Quill, Ms. Shattuck, and four teachers signed up for this training certification and recertification. The seminar is very timely and should offer the teachers better feedback.
High Performance Board Training - Ted Neitzke, CESA 6 CEO - Dr. Villalobos introduced Mr. Neitzke, who was present to talk about highly effective school boards and how they can work together as a team. He stated that part of the board’s duty is to help create conditions so every student is ready for high school. Neitzke asked members to write down questions for him to address. Questions that arose were regarding: closed session information, the preparation and research for board member decisions, engaging more parental/community participation in meetings, the focus of a high-performing school board, interest in serving as a board member, making a difference, and board member professional development.
Mr. Neitzke explained the difference between a high and low-functioning board. He noted that members functioning at a high-level focus on results, provide vision, self-evaluate for improvement, focus on goals, provide leadership, and support leadership. He cited the three exceptions when members would step in and get involved in the middle-level functions; breach of ethics, breach in policy, or when the law is broken.
ACTIONS TAKEN:
Approval of the Liability Insurance Renewal
Approve of the EyeMed Vision Quote
Approve of the Contingency Fee Agreement with the Frantz Law Group
Approve of Revised Mitigation Measures for Summer School & Summer 2021
Approve of the 2021-22 School Meal Program Options
Additional information will follow later this summer after the CDC releases its return to school planning guide. All parents and team members who indicated an interest in serving on the Return to School Committee received an email this week and will receive follow-up information in the near future.
Paraprofessionals Needed
The Holy Hill Area School District is currently seeking a few individuals to support our special education students at Richfield Middle School at the onset of the 2021-2022 school year. These positions are part time. If you are interested please contact Cyndi Tomich, Director of Pupil Services or Rachel Quill, Principal at RMS at 262-628-1032. You can also apply online through WECAN at wecan.education.wisc.edu
FLES: https://www.hhasd.org/schools/friesslake/about/principalmessagefl.cfm
RMS: https://www.hhasd.org/schools/richfield/about/principal-message.cfm