The Eagle Express
Week of: December 18, 2020
A Note:
Can you believe we have made it to winter break? We wish you and yours a wonderful, SAFE, two weeks off! As a reminder, the school/offices will be closed during winter break. If you need to reach us, please send an email.
2020 certainly has brought many challenges that none of us have ever experienced before. That being said, 2020 has also brought people together in ways we never thought possible. We feel so blessed to be here with all of you. We know 2021 will be amazing, and we can't wait to kick off the second half of the school year with you in January!
Welcoming 2021 with Open Arms,
Angela Patterson, Principal
Matt Stich, Associate Principal
At a Glance:
- Door Decorating Contest (Student Council)
- Coats at Recess
- ACP Night
- Spelling Bee
Out and About
5th Grade Writing Kick Off
5th & 6th Orchestra Fun
12 Days Before Winter Break
A message from Superintendent Garza
December 18, 2020
Good afternoon families and staff,
We made it to winter break! While at times it has not been easy, I cannot say enough how proud I am of our students, staff and families for the incredible amount of hard work and dedication that has gone into this school year thus far. Our collective efforts have allowed the School District of New Berlin to provide all students their choice of two robust educational models and a sense of normalcy during what has certainly been an abnormal time.
I thank each and every one of you for your efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, for your patience as we have worked through these new and challenging situations, and for your understanding as we navigate this pandemic together.
While vaccines are here for some and on the horizon for others, many unanswered questions still remain. How long will the pandemic last? When will it be OK to shed masks, shake hands or share meals? When will we be able to get back to “normal”?
As we search for those answers together, we continue to make pandemic-related adjustments and decisions as we move toward second semester. Some of them, and other information, are outlined below:
School Calendar Changes
In an effort to ease the transition into second semester for students and staff, there will be no school for students Thursday, Jan. 28, and Friday, Jan. 29. Staff will use the days to collaborate with peers and for professional learning, as well as to adjust for new students who have chosen to switch from the virtual to in-person educational model, or vice versa. Students will have no new learning on either day.
Masking Into Second Semester
As of today, the SDNB plans to continue to require masks for all students, staff and visitors in our buildings and on our school buses into second semester. This is the current recommendation from the Waukesha County Health Department and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and as such, we will continue following their guidance until further notice.
Reporting COVID-19 Over Break
Repeating a request from earlier this month, we again ask that families report any student and family cases of COVID-19 to your child(ren)’s respective school(s) during winter break so that our staff can continue to conduct contact tracing. Our goal is to maintain the most accurate district-specific data possible and we will be relying on families to provide the most up-to-date information when we return from the break.
Changes to Google Hangouts Availability
Due to increasing concerns over non-instructional use and the availability of alternate solutions (Gmail, Meet, Zoom, etc.), general student access to Google Hangouts will be removed at the end of the day today. Please note that this change will not affect some students in virtual-only classes at this time.
County’s Christmas letter
As was the case around Halloween and Thanksgiving, Waukesha County has an important message about holiday gatherings and how to celebrate safely this winter. You can read the entire letter HERE.
Thank you once again for your continued support of the SDNB.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,
Joe Garza, Superintendent
Student Council Updates
Thank you to everyone that participated in our Door Decorating contest! Our winners are:
- K5: Mrs. Schmalz
- 1st: Mrs. Destache
- 2nd: Mrs. Fergerson
- 3rd: Mrs. Barber
- 4th: Mrs. Olson
- 5th: Mrs. Kmichik
- 6th: Mrs. DeTroye & Mrs. Ziegler
And our overall building winner.....Congrats to Mrs. Barber's Virtual 3rd Grade Class!!
Be sure to check out the photos of each door in the attached slideshow! Thank you, again, to all that participated! We were so impressed with each and every entry!
Coat at Recess
We will also make sure we are evaluating situations closely. For example, if there is a hard basketball game being played, where kids are running and sweating, and it is 37 degrees and they are in a T-shirt, we will let them play. If they are walking around in short sleeves and it is 36 degrees outside, we will have a private conversation with them to learn more. Do they have gear inside? Bottom line, if you send it, they should be wearing it.
For snow play, students must have BOOTS and SNOWPANTS to play in the snowy field. If they do not have those items, they may stay on the blacktop and woodchipped areas.
Many families are also struggling during these difficult times. If your family is having a hard time purchasing warm winter gear, please reach out to Todd Hrenak, our school psychologist, who can learn more and guide you with assistance. He can be reached at todd.hrenak@nbexcellence.org If you are interested in DONATING items for this purpose, please also reach out to Mr. Hrenak, as well.
Safety is our number one priority. We recognize that kids have different internal thermometers. We will do our best to keep kids safe at all times.
Recess Zones Update
- Students must stay an arm's length apart from their peers.
- Students must wear a mask at all times, UNLESS they are in our designated mask free zones.
- Students must sanitize their hands before exiting for recess and upon returning to the classroom.
- No tag or touch football games
- Socially distant kickball lines
- Gaga Ball pit limited to 20 students
This decision was made in consultation with our district nurse. Other elementary schools in our district that have smaller playgrounds have not done zones all year. We have looked at their data, and it has been positive. Our district nurse also felt very comfortable with this change.
Mr. Stich and I have spoken with our recess supervisors about this change, as well as contact tracing things to make note of. We also spoke to each class this week about these rules, and we had reminder discussions about the expectations.
Academic & Career Family Night
Our annual Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Family Night will be held virtually this year via pre-recorded grade-level presentations and course summaries, which will allow students and their families to access the information at a time that works best for them. Information applicable for current 6th graders (rising 7th graders) will be made available on Wed. Jan 20.
The event is designed to inform parents about the learning opportunities available to their students, the resources available to help support them through the Academic and Career Planning process, and how to register for courses for the 2021-22 school year. Grade-level presentations and course summaries will be shared via links included in a School Messenger e-mail which will be sent out to families on January 20th. Additional information will be shared after the holiday break.
4th-6th Grade Spelling Bee Information
This year, the Scripps National Spelling Bee has developed an online testing platform that will allow schools to host the school and district spelling bees. Students will be able to participate from wherever they are learning.
In place of our traditional spelling bees, we will hold our school and district spelling bee competitions through online spelling and vocabulary tests.
If you are interested, more information and directions can be found below.
4th-9th Grade Girls Volleyball
Teams have one weeknight practice per week and rotate between practices and games on
Saturdays. Weeknight practice will be available Monday through Thursday from 7:00-9:00 PM.
Practice/game times vary on Saturday afternoons. The season includes five cross-over matches
and a league final tournament. All athletes receive a team jersey.
Masks are Mandatory
FROM THE RE-ENTRY HANDBOOK
Teaching, Re-teaching, & Reinforcing
The first weeks of school will include a heavy emphasis on providing clear expectations, support, and instruction to students regarding required face coverings. This will include the information regarding consequences of repeated refusal to wear a face covering. There will be some leniency during the first weeks of school, which may include things such as reminders to wear masks, teaching students how to properly wear masks, reinforcing the mask mandate, and helping students follow this new procedure and requirement for all students and staff. However, all incidents of refusal will be logged in Infinite Campus. Blatant refusal to comply with the district and state’s mask-mandate during the first weeks of school and when instruction resumes 5 days per week, starting Sept. 21, will result in the disciplinary action, as follows:
First Refusal
Teacher redirection
Parent contact
Infinite Campus documentation
Second Refusal
Infinite Campus documentation
The student will be referred to administration and suspended out-of-school for the remainder of the school day.
A reminder of the consequences for further violations will be provided to the parent and student along with the written notice of suspension per BOE POLICY 5131.2 CONDUCT - CAUSES AND PROCEDURES FOR DISCIPLINARY ACTION linked here
Third Refusal
Infinite Campus documentation
The student will be referred to the administration.
An out-of-school suspension will be issued and the student will be auto-enrolled in virtual learning for the remainder of the first semester.
The student will be suspended for no more than 5 days until the enrollment in virtual learning and the student’s course schedule is finalized. A written notice of suspension will be provided with a resolution detail of "enrollment in virtual learning."
**If the student has an individualized education plan (IEP) or Section 504 plan, face-covering accommodations should be discussed with the case manager. In the event a disciplinary response is necessary, the administration will follow all federal and state guidelines for discipline, which will include working with the IEP/504 team and potentially proceeding with a manifestation determination process.**
What are the student face covering expectations on the bus? What if a child at the bus stop is not wearing a mask?
No students will be left curbside if they refuse to wear a mask while getting on a bus or while on the bus. If a student doesn’t have a mask, they’ll be offered one by the driver. If they refuse it or refuse to wear it, they will be directed to sit in the front seat and the driver will contact the building administrator as soon as possible.
The first mask offense on a bus will result in a warning and a referral. A second mask offense results in another referral AND a bus suspension for 5 instructional days. A third mask offense after suspension will result in a bus suspension for the remainder of the semester.
Updated Sept. 22, 2020: Per Gov. Tony Evers’ new Emergency Order, all students in all grades (ELP-12) are required to wear masks while in our buildings and on our buses (with the exception of during lunch and other designated “mask breaks”) through at least Nov. 21. We recognize some students will not be able to wear a mask / face covering all day and we will evaluate this on a case-by-case basis. If a child has a medical reason to be exempt from wearing a mask, they must provide a note from their physician to a building administrator indicating the reason for the exemption. The SDNB will address any issues related to students intentionally refusing to follow these safety procedures. The CDC and Waukesha County have shared reasoning why masks / coverings should be worn to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
Will staff be required to wear a mask / face covering at school? What about visitors?
All staff will be required to wear masks / face coverings or work behind a plexiglass partition while in our buildings. At this point, families are not allowed in the building, unless it is an emergency. All visitors will be required to wear masks / face coverings while in our buildings.
How is a face covering defined in the Governor’s order?
A face covering is defined as a piece of cloth or other material that is worn to cover the nose and mouth completely. Face coverings include, but are not limited to, bandanas, cloth face masks, a disposable or paper mask, a neck gaiter or a religious face covering. The order states face coverings do not include face shields, mesh masks, masks with holes or openings or masks with vents.
The SDNB suggests all students have a minimum of two face coverings / masks among their school supplies, provided they satisfy the above-definition. The district may be able to provide masks / face coverings to students whose families are unable to provide / purchase them or to students who forget or lose them. The SDNB reserves the right to require students to wear a District-provided face covering if the District determines that a student's face covering does not satisfy the above-definition.
For our younger students, we encourage families to have their child(ren) practice wearing and getting used to masks / face covering prior to the start of the school year. You can make it fun or a game. Perhaps they could pick out their masks or try different ones on to see how they feel and what they prefer.
Please reach out if you have additional questions regarding face coverings.
We're Still Hiring!
- 1 Student Learning Assistant (5.45 hrs per day)
- 1 Building substitute (full year, full time position)
If you know of anyone that might be interested in these positions, please have them reach out to Mr. Stich at matthew.stich@nbexcellence.org
Save the Dates
RR Home & School Association
About Us:
The Home and School Association (HSA) at Ronald Reagan is a collection of Moms, Dads, Grandparents, Teachers and Staff Members working together to make our school a better place. Our mission is to build a strong community at the school and to support students and teachers in their academic efforts. Our HSA funds, organizes and hosts many of the programs and functions held for Ronald Reagan Elementary students. Our general monthly meetings are open to all wishing to attend and membership is free. All Reagan families are HSA members.
Ways To Connect:
Webpage - www.ronaldreaganhsa.weebly.com
Facebook - Ronald Reagan Elementary - Home and School Association (link to join)
Email - rrehsaexec@gmail.com
HSA Executive Board 2020-2021
President: Angela Kloskey - atkloskey@yahoo.com
Vice President: Mari Patterson - mari_p81@ymail.com
Treasurer: Tom Kloskey - tom.kloskey@fisglobal.com
Secretary: Julia Arnold - julia.arnold10@gmail.com
Latest HSA Updates:
Next Dining For Dollars
WHEN: January 13th; 5-8PM
WHERE: 17685 W. Bluemound Rd.
Use the attached flyer to give back to Reagan! Can't wait to see you there!
New Family Breakfast:
HSA would love to get creative this year and still host the new family breakfast (or lunch). We will need creative ways to gather and need a volunteer to plan this event. If you are interested in being the new family breakfast committee chair, please contact Mari Patterson (mari_p81@ymail.com).
We can't host these amazing events without wonderful volunteers to help.
Upcoming HSA Meetings
The HSA holds general meetings once per month. This is a great way to vote on ways to spend the HSA funds, learn about the budget and how the money is spent, help plan events, hear from the administration and see what is happening in your school. Meetings will be held virtually through Microsoft Teams until further notice. Meeting invites will be included in the Eagle Express and on the HSA Facebook page.
Upcoming Meeting Dates:
January 27, 2021
March 31, 2021
May 26, 2020
Food for Thought
Some of the staff and I came together to make a humorous video to wrap up 2020! We give you "In the year 2020, my students said to me...." We all could write a BOOK about the funny and amazing things we have gone through this year...both in and out of school. We hope this little video card brings you a good laugh! Have a SAFE, relaxing break, and we can't wait to see you all in 2021!
About Ronald Reagan
Website: https://www.nbexcellence.org/schools/rr/
Location: 4225 South Calhoun Road, New Berlin, WI, USA
Phone: 262-789-6550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ronald-Reagan-Elementary-267815246680257
Twitter: @ReaganSDNB