Superintendent Update
January 9, 2021
January 9, 2022
Message from our Superintendent Dr. Dan Keyser
I want to thank you and share that I appreciated your understanding and compassion regarding Monday's cancellation of school due to Durham's bus driver shortage. A district provides transportation to ensure reasonable access to education for all of our students. This pandemic continues to challenge us, our partners, and our collaborators. We met with Durham, and they shared that they have contingency plans in place should they happen to be in a similar situation again. In all our decision-making, we put the needs of our students first and foremost.
We had several positive stories to share this past week, including Mr. Tony Capozziello, Business, Personal Finance, & Entrepreneurship Teacher at Beloit Memorial High School, being selected by the Governor's Council on Financial Literacy and Capability to receive the Governor's Financial Literacy Award for 2021. This award honors and acknowledges his significant work and contributions in financial literacy, capability, and inclusion. We also received two grants, one of which will enhance our safety and security at Beloit Memorial High School and the other enhances the learning opportunities for McNeel intermediate students.
If you have an opportunity to share the good news happening in our District, I encourage you to do so. Together we can make a difference in what is shared in our community. Since the start of this school year, we have focused on inviting, supportive, and safe learning environments, engaging curriculum with high expectations, and a student-centered emphasis on social and emotional well-being. Take a moment and check out these videos that highlight these stories and more.
Fred VanVleet Middle School Christmas Classic
Congratulations to our student-athletes who participated in the Fred VanVleet Middle School Christmas Classic. We love to see our students excel on and off the court. Such a thrilling victory for the 8th grade team!
Update from our Director of School Health, Michelle Babilius
We continue to update our COVID-19 Dashboard daily. This dashboard is accessible on the homepage of our District's and every school's website.
The CDC continuously updates their guidelines and recommendations. We will always follow the most up-to-date guidelines and share them out through our website and District communication. Please continue to reach out to your school health office, if your child is sick or is exposed to someone suspected or confirmed with COVID-19. The health office is here to be a resource to you and your family.
We offer free COVID-19 testing Monday through Friday at several of our schools. Here is a complete list of the school locations, dates, and times.
Let's Talk Winter Weather
Winter weather is upon us, and that takes a little planning.
What to Wear to School: Our elementary and intermediate students should come to school with winter coats, hats, scarfs, mittens/gloves, and boots. All elementary and intermediate students will have recess as long as the temperature is 10° or above. If the temperature drops below 10° all students will have indoor recess.
If your student is in need of winter gear, please reach out to your school's student services team.
School Closings: While we will make every effort to keep our schools open throughout the school year, situations such as severe weather may make it necessary to close schools for the overall safety of our students and staff. If weather conditions require that we close our schools, you will receive notification via voice, text, and email. Please ensure that your contact information is updated and accurate in Skyward. In addition to voice, text, and email, we will send a push notification to our SDB App, update the phone lines at each school, post on Facebook, and alert local media stations.
In The News
We appreciate the media coverage of all the good things happening in our District.
Please check out our News Tab to read the most recent interviews that took place this week highlighting our Rotary Students of the Week, BMHS Career Academies, Beloit students participating in the Fred VanVleet Middle School Christmas Classic, and several grants our District received.
Student Devices
Community Hub
Our community partners share flyers about their programming, events, and other activities that are family-friendly, educational, and fun. This month we are sharing information from the City of Beloit Winterfest, Stateline Family YMCA programming, and Rock County YWCA Women of Distinction Nomination Form.
We post these flyers on our Community Hub page and share them out with our families through our school newsletters. Take a moment and access this page today.
On behalf of the Board of Education and the School District of Beloit we stand against all forms of systematic 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
At the School District of Beloit, we believe in Diversity (honoring our human differences); Equity (removing barriers and providing support for individuals to achieve their greatest potential); and Inclusion (ensuring each and every one belongs).
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