Superintendent Update
It's a Great Day in the School District of Beloit
September 26, 2021
Message from our Superintendent Dr. Dan Keyser
It’s hard to believe that Friday is the first of October, and that our students have been in school for a month. Our staff and schools continue to create learning environments where each and every student is acknowledged and part of a culture that cares deeply about them.
Over the next few weeks, our schools will host teacher/family conferences, I encourage you to attend and share in the progress your child/teen is making this school year.
Please check out our Student School Year Calendar for additional details.
This past week 8th graders at McNeel Intermediate designed, built, and put their popsicle stick catapults to the test in their science classes. This STEAM activity was a creative and interactive way to learn physics principles. #HomeOfTheLancers
Here’s to another week of learning and growth for each and every student!
Career Academies at Beloit Memorial High School
The School District of Beloit is proud to be the only District in Rock County offering a Career Academy program since the start of the 2018-2019 school year. This program is one of the many advantages of attending Beloit Memorial High School.
Career Academies offer a personalized small learning community involving a cohort of students and a team of teachers committed to each student’s success in school and life.
Our Academies provide real-world, relevant, engaging learning experiences with local businesses and professionals; it is all about linking schoolwork and the workplace. Academy classes include both core academic courses and a sequence of career-technical courses.
All Beloit Memorial High School students graduate with the advanced skills and education they need to be successful and productive in career, college and community.
Our Academies include the Freshman Academy that all students participate in their first year of high school. The Freshman Academy prepares students to select an Academy for their sophomore through senior year.
After freshman year, students have the choice of BACH (Business, Art, Communication, and Hospitality); HHES (Health, Human, and Educational Services); and PACMES (Public Safety, Automotive, Construction, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Science).
All students, regardless of their Academy selection, can participate in our Collegiate Academy with the benefit of graduating with a two-year degree and or with several professional certifications from Blackhawk Technical College at no cost to the student.
For More Information on our Academies and the Collegiate Academy, click here.
A Portrait of a Beloit Memorial High School Graduate
The process of creating and implementing a Portrait of a Graduate for Beloit Memorial High School was a community effort. We brought together students, families, staff, teachers, community advocates and leaders, business and civic leaders, non-profits, and school administrators to create a North Star for our students and our community. That North Star is our Portrait of a Graduate and will provide a strategic, engaging, and collaborative educational experience and learning environment for each and every student in our District.
It was months of work, including meetings that sought out input, ideas, thoughts, and visions; lots of opportunities for feedback through surveys and conversations; and finally, the selection of the design and words that best reflect our students and their future. Those words and attributes are Fearless Learner, Ambitious Innovator, Global Contributor, Resilient Leader, Critical Thinker, and Effective Communicator.
We will continue to keep you updated on the progress we are making to ensure our graduates are career, college, and community ready.
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.
Message from Our Executive Director of Teaching, Learning, and Equity - Theresa Morateck
It is our commitment to our students and our true collective efficacy that will carry us through!
It has been truly rewarding to visit our sites across the district and know that schools are up and running with rigorous teaching and learning opportunities. We have several new opportunities to look forward to in offerings for high-quality materials and instructional practices. Some of these opportunities include new K-5 literacy adoption, Amplify science, expanded career and technical education, updated tools for multi-levels of support, the GLOBE grant for environmental science, dual language immersion expansion, and the enhancement and continued momentum of our Beloit Memorial High School Academies.
With support from the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Equity, classrooms will continue to expand our hands-on and minds-on learning. We will have our students engaged in science inquiry-based lessons, STEM extensions, technical applications, pathways, world language, and arts education. We continue our commitment to expanding and sustaining programming that meets the needs and interests of each and every student.
We have so much to be proud of and to look forward to. We have dedicated staff across our District that has rolled up their sleeves and are ready to lean into learning this year. It is our commitment to our students and our true collective efficacy that will carry us through!
Message from Our Athletic and Activities Director - Joel Beard
Our athletic season is well underway, and we have many sporting events happening at Beloit Memorial High School.
These events are family-friendly and a great way to support our student athletes. We want everyone to have an enjoyable experience cheering on our Purple Knights.
Here are a couple of reminders when attending athletic events:
- Student tickets are $2.00, adult tickets are $5.00, and tickets for adults age 65+ are free
- Doors and gates open an hour before varsity games begin
- Backpacks will not be allowed in the gym or stadium for any game
- Beloit Memorial High School students must have zero tardies or unexcused absences for the week in order to attend an athletic event/game
- All high school students must show their school ID or Skyward account before entering the gym or stadium
- Only student-athletes will be allowed to stay in the school building after school to prepare for their games
Any students younger than high school age must:
- Have an adult buy a ticket for them
- Be accompanied into the game by the adult
- Adults accompanying the student will need to provide names and contact info at the gate
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
During Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to celebrate and honor our staff who are making a difference in the lives of our students and families.
Access our Facebook page to see our highlighted staff.
Get to Know Our Amazing Staff
Meet Rosamaría Laursen
Rosamaría has served our District in many capacities for ten years. She shared that she loves the people she gets to work with, “and I love how I get to influence the direction of literacy and language development in our school district and what that does for our students' outcomes.”
Overall Rosamaría is impressed with the ability of the students in our District, “I have worked in four school districts throughout my career, and in general, the students here are able to critically think and analyze in ways I hadn't seen in my previous districts. Also, their abilities to socialize with people who are very different from themselves is more apparent here.”
We appreciate you and the work you are doing in our District to make a difference.
Meet Rachelle Elliott
Rachelle is celebrating 20 years with our District. What Rachelle appreciates the most about working in our District, is the connections she gets to make in her role, “I love the staff, students, families, and community partners that I have collaborated with, and continue to do so, in Beloit. The passion and innovation in our community are inspiring and fills my soul.”
She also shared that she enjoys “the variety of ages of students I have worked with through the years. Elementary students are genuine, kind, and funny; you never know what they are going to say or do. Intermediate students are discovering who they are and how they fit into the world; it is fabulous when they start to discover their passions. High school students are adventuresome, resilient, and determined; they keep you on your toes.”
Early Dismissal - 1st and 3rd Wednesday
Early dismissal will occur on the first and third Wednesday of each month. Early dismissals are intentional to allow our teaching staff to plan for increased learning opportunities for our students and to develop individual learning goals for each and every student.
Our upcoming early dismissal Wednesdays are: October 6th, October 20th, November 3rd, and November 17th
Early Dismissal Times
- Elementary 1:30 pm
- Intermediate 2:15 pm
- BMHS 2:30 pm
- BLA 2:30 pm
Community Partnerships
The School District of Beloit is grateful and appreciative of our community partners and partnerships. Each month we recognize and honor amazing organizations, businesses, and individuals who extend outreach and support to our students, families, schools, and District.
Visit our Community Partnership webpage to learn more about our September honorees.
Community Hub
Beloit Youth Hockey Association
The Beloit Youth Hockey Association (BYHA) is a non-profit organization that is family-oriented. Every child who is a member can learn-to-skate.
BYHA's objective is to teach skating skills and the fundamentals of the game including team effort and good sportsmanship. Learn to Skate sessions are available for only $60 per session beginning on October 25.
For more information, visit the BYH website.
League of Women Voters
September 28 is National Voter Registration Day
Looking forward to seeing you on September 28th.
Rock County YWCA
The theme for this year's conference is, "Be The Bridge To Eliminate Racism: small steps create big changes."
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School District of Beloit
Email: superintendentnewsletter@sdb.k12.wi.us
Website: www.sdb.k12.wi.us
Location: 1500 4th Street, Beloit, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 361-4000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schooldistrictbeloit
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.