District Source
January 2023 | SPAPSD Staff Update
In This Newsletter
- School Board Meeting Highlights
- SPASH Students Impress Governor Evers on CTE Tour
- Ms. Stahl Receives State-Wide Recognition
- Admit Day Celebrates Student Possibilities
- #PointProud Around the District
- How Families' Economic Status Affects Equity in Schools
- Books From the Heart Seeks Donations during 25th Year
- District Art Show - January 26
- Video-Recording Policy Reminders
- Putting Collaboration to the Test
- McDill's 5th and 6th Grade Celebrate Apple Day
- We're Hiring - Get a $100 Referral Bonus
- EAP Frontline | January Newsletter
New Yearâs Resolution Tip: Better Planning
- Read the Mirror - SPASH's Student Newspaper
đ School Board Meeting Highlight
The Stevens Point Area Public School District School Board held its Regular School Board Meeting on Monday, January 9, 2023.
Minutes from the December 12, 2022, Regular Meeting, schedule of monthly bills, and employment recommendations were approved as presented.
Business Services
The 2021-22 Annual Financial Audit Report was presented and approved by the School Board.
Educational Services
Revisions to the 2022-23 school year calendar to address the inclement weather day closures in December were presented and approved. The last day of school for students will be June 6, 2023. June 7 and 8, 2023 will be teacher professional development days. Moving forward all inclement weather closures will be E-Learning Days.
An overview of District and School Accountability Report Card was presented.
Student Services
The board took action to approve open enrollment space determinations for the upcoming 2023-24 school year approving unlimited general education 4K seats and unlimited general education non-resident seats available under open enrollment as well as 5 multi-categorical (all disability areas) for early childhood programming; 0 multi-categorical (all disability areas) for grade K-6 in-person; 0 multi-categorical (all disability areas) for PoDS; and 3 multi-categorical (all disability areas) for Project Search.
General
The Board reviewed their positions on each recommended resolution to provide the Board's delegate direction ahead of the WASB Delegate Meeting.
The Board selected a self-evaluation tool to be used for the 22-23 school year.
The Educational Services Committee is held the 1st Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. with the Business Services/HR Committee to follow at 7:00 p.m.
The next regular meeting of the School Board will take place on February 13, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
đž SPASH Students Impress Governor Evers
On Thursday, January 5, Governor Tony Evers and Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez paid a visit to Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) to learn more about the school's Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Youth Apprenticeship programs. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor were given a tour of the CTE facilities and had the opportunity to speak with students who are participating in the programs. They were impressed by the hands-on learning experiences that the students were receiving and the opportunity to explore different career paths while still in high school.
"CTE and Youth Apprenticeship programs are an important way for young people to gain valuable skills and experience that will help them succeed in the workforce," said Governor Evers. "I was thrilled to see firsthand the amazing work that is happening at SPASH and the positive impact these programs are having on the lives of the students."
The CTE programs at SPASH offer a variety of courses in fields such as engineering, manufacturing, welding, construction, agriculture, computer programming, and more, allowing students to gain knowledge and skills that are in high demand in the local job market. The Youth Apprenticeship program, which is a partnership between SPASH and local businesses, gives students the opportunity to earn college credits and gain real-world experience while still in high school.
Overall, the visit was a great success and highlighted the importance of CTE and Youth Apprenticeship programs in preparing students for success in the workforce.
Read at www.PointSchools.net
See more photos at facebook.com/PointSchools
Congratulations to Gigi Stahl, EDI Program Specialist, on being named among Wisconsin's 'Most Influential Black Leaders' by Madison365. This accomplishment is a testament to Miss Gigi's hard work and dedication to students and our community.
đ Admit Day Celebrates Student Possibilities
Students, teachers and administrators were all smiles at the 2022 Admit Day hosted by Mid-State Technical College. Ninety-five students were admitted to Mid-State through the 60 Forward initiative, an effort by Wisconsin Technical Colleges, the UW System, and the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to increase postsecondary attainment by 60% before 2027. The program removes all admissions barriers for 2023 Transition to Success seniors resulting in increased earning potential and economic mobility for studentsâ futures.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Mid-State Technical College to advance postsecondary access for students," said Jon Vollendorf, SPASH Principal. "This partnership is a great opportunity and aligns with our commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. We are grateful for the support of Mid-State and look forward to working together to help our students achieve their full potential."
"At Mid-State, we believe that every student should have the opportunity to pursue higher education, and this partnership allows us to remove barriers and provide support to students who may otherwise face challenges in achieving their academic and career goals," said Jackie Esselman, dean of Recruitment & Admissions at Mid-State Technical College. "We are excited to work with SPASH to advance the 60 Forward initiative and help students achieve their full potential."
đ #PointProud Around the District
đŚ Jefferson Eagle students and staff enjoyed dress up days heading into Winter Break.
đś Willow, the SPPD Therapy Dog, had her first day of school at Ben Franklin.
âď¸ These Madison students used reading skills to find hidden candy canes in the winter wonderland!
đ SPASH FCCLA students held a free formal boutique Jan 6 - 8
đ Hot chocolate on a cold day at SPASH makes reading more enjoyable.
đ Congratulations to SPASH senior Emma Jossie on surpassing 1,000 points as a Panther!!
đ How Families' Economic Status Affects Equity in Schools
In this Educational Leadership article, author/consultant Paul Gorski (Equity Literacy Institute and EdChange) says there are four ways schools may exacerbate the disadvantages of students from low-income families, denying them equitable access to a first-rate education:
⢠Treating disadvantaged students as deficient â Students donât control their familiesâ access to health care, housing, transportation, nutrition, tutoring, and more. But thereâs a tendency for educators to fall into what Gorski calls a deficit ideology, attributing poor performance in school to deficiencies in group cultures â If only these kids cared more about their education. If only they had better role models at home. Well-intentioned educators may try to âfixâ kids and families (parenting classes, workshops on âgritâ), rather than recognizing strengths and making sure all students have access to high-quality teaching, curriculum, and other school experiences.
⢠Treating kids equally but inequitably â Disadvantaged students are more likely to be working and caring for younger siblings or elderly family members outside school hours. âA student responsible enough to take on these duties does not need lessons on responsibility,â says Gorski, âand neither do parents who miss family-engagement opportunities to work a second or third job.â There are ways for schools to tweak homework policies to provide equitable access to curriculum experiences. Schools should also reconsider charging high-school students with cars a $100 parking fee, requiring a doctorâs note for an absence, and holding detentions and extracurricular activities after school. Gorski believes important academic and extracurricular activities should, as much as possible, take place during the school day.
⢠Humiliating students through everyday practices â A school might have taken the wise step of waiving fees for meals, field trips, and other activities, but if the burden is on students to continuously remind educators theyâre eligible, that can be embarrassing and lead students to stop asking and miss out on important experiences. Gorski has seen situations where students are told they wonât be allowed to participate in graduation if they donât pay their library fines. Classroom show-and-tells, dress-up activities, and book fairs can also spotlight economic inequities.
⢠Pricing students out of learning â Gorski interviewed a high-school student whose school had a senior trip to Costa Rica that cost $1,800. âThose trips arenât for us,â said the student. Questioned about this, the schoolâs principal acknowledged the problem but said it would be unfair to deny other students this opportunity because some couldnât afford it. Gorski said this was âa perfect inequity, expanding access for those who have the most access while deepening disparities for people already contending with economic barriers.â He suggests taking inventory of costs to families in each of these categories and figuring out ways to level the playing field for all students:
- Basic materials parents need to pay for so their children can participate in school â for example immunizations, book and technology fees, school supplies;
- Things parents arenât required to pay for but can expand childrenâs learning opportunities â for example band equipment, a laptop to take home, costs of a dual enrollment program;
- Items and experiences that can improve studentsâ social experiences and connectedness â for example, school hoodies, yearbooks, dances.
âStop Punishing Poverty in Schoolsâ by Paul Gorski in Educational Leadership, December 2022/January 2023 (Vol. 80, #4, pp. 22-28)
From the Marshall Memo 965, December 12, 2022.
đ Books From the Heart Seeks Donations During 25th Year
đ You're Invited!! January 26 | 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
â Video-Recording Policy Reminders
In the interest of ensuring an environment of safety and open dialogue, please be reminded of specific policy and handbook language:
This information can be found in Board Policy 7530.02 - Staff and School Officials Use of Personal Communication Devices
Employees shall not electronically record by audio, video, or other means, any image or conversations at meetings unless each and every person present has been notified and consents to being electronically recorded. Employees shall not electronically record telephone conversations unless all persons participating in the telephone conversation have consented to be electronically recorded. Unauthorized recording of others disrupts District workplaces, impairs employee relationships and cooperation and is injurious to employee morale.
Employees are subject to all applicable policies and guidelines pertaining to protection of the security, integrity and availability of the data stored on a PCD, regardless of whether they are Board-owned and assigned to a specific employee or personally-owned by the employee. Please reference policy School Board policy 7530.02 Use of a PCD in any manner contrary to District, local, State, or Federal laws may result in disciplinary action up to and including unpaid suspension and/or termination.
âł Putting Collaboration to the Test
SPASH Career and Technical Education students at Stevens Point Area Senior High have been working on an ambitious project: designing and building an indoor mini golf course as a multidisciplinary project to connect collaborative learning for students and teachers. The project was led primarily by Geometry in Construction students, with guidance from faculty and support from the school and the greater community. They worked closely with their classmates and teachers from a variety of subject areas, including geometry, construction, auto awareness, computer graphics, food science, residential skills, video productions, welding, and intro to CAD. See the full list of learning targets for the project here.
The finished product was a stunning display of creativity and teamwork. The mini golf course featured nine holes, each with a unique theme and set of challenges around the âSPASH Holiday Openâ theme.
Despite the course opening being delayed by inclement weather days ahead of Winter Break, the project was a resounding success, both as a learning opportunity and as a fun activity for the whole school community. Students and teachers alike enjoyed testing their skills on the mini golf course, and the project sparked important conversations about teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.
Overall, the student-designed and built indoor mini golf course is a fantastic example of the power of collaborative learning bringing together students and teachers from diverse subject areas while challenging them to think creatively and work together to achieve a common goal.
đ¸ We're Hiring - Get a $100 Referral Bonus
We're looking for great team members and you can help us find them. Earn a $100 referral bonus after your referral is hired by the District and has worked for 90 days.
How the Program Will Work:
1. The referred candidate applies online on WECAN (HR or Transportation personnel can assist an applicant with this)
2. The first question on WECAN is "How did you learn about this job?"
3. The referred candidate must put the name of the employee who referred them (one employee name only)
4. If the referred candidate is hired, the employee making the referral will receive a $100 bonus in their check after the referred candidate completes 90 days of service.
See a list of current certified and classified openings.
đ New Yearâs Resolution Tip: Better Planning
Are you a serial defaulter on your New Yearâs resolutions? An estimated 80% of people give up by February. Donât be a statistic. Try better planning. One well-touted approach is to set S.M.A.R.T. goals. S.M.A.R.T. stands for making your goal specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. If your resolution is to reduce your pre-diabetic fasting glucose A1C score of 6.1, make it specific. For example, shoot for 5.7. Talk with your doctor. Is it achievable? Check. Is it realistic? Check. Measurable? Check. Now, choose the time period for achievement. Three months? Check. Now build your strategy and tactics. They might include exercise, diet, and better sleep. Measure your progress. A third of North Americans are diabetic, so this might be a good goal for you if you donât already have one. Get checked! This article is shared from the EAP Frontline Employee Newsletter, see more here.
Check out SPASH's student newspaper, The Mirror. This month features poetry from SPASH students. You will be impressed!
Contact Us
Email: info@pointschools.net
Website: www.pointschools.net
Location: 1900 Polk Street, Stevens Point, WI, USA
Phone: 715-345-5456
Facebook: facebook.com/pointschools
Twitter: @pointschools