FOR STAFF WHO USE THE WELLNESS CENTER CLINIC
Earlier this month the Wellness Center’s physician assistant, Bekki Scheel, delivered a baby boy! While Bekki is enjoying time with her new baby, we have secured a temporary fill-in provider to cover during her leave. Shelley Butler is now working in the WBSD Wellness Center every Monday-Thursday. Click here to read Shelley’s full bio. Renee Wenzlaff, who has worked as a fill-in provider with the district previously, will cover the clinic hours on Fridays from 7-10 a.m.
Friday, September 20, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
HR Building Hours
FOR ALL STAFF
The HR department will once again hold building hours in the 2019-2020 school year. HR will be visiting a school each Tuesday morning beginning September 24. Click here to see when HR will be visiting your location. Any staff member is welcome to drop in during building hours and have any HR-related questions answered. Our goal is to provide you with easy access to the information you need.
For future reference, the building hour schedule can be found on the HR Intranet page, under the “Contact HR” section.
The HR department will once again hold building hours in the 2019-2020 school year. HR will be visiting a school each Tuesday morning beginning September 24. Click here to see when HR will be visiting your location. Any staff member is welcome to drop in during building hours and have any HR-related questions answered. Our goal is to provide you with easy access to the information you need.
For future reference, the building hour schedule can be found on the HR Intranet page, under the “Contact HR” section.
Literacy Model Initial Survey for Grades K-8
FOR K-8 EDUCATORS
K-8 teaching staff, please take 10-15 minutes to complete the ESAIL assessment, linked HERE, by Friday, October 4. The information that is collected will support our work as a system to be more responsive to the needs of all while working to develop continuity.The Environmental Scale For Assessing Implementation Levels or ESAIL is a survey that is embedded into the PCL implementation process . The ESAIL provides information about our system's literacy environment, as well as specific literacy behaviors and evidence-based practices.
The ESAIL is aligned to the 10 Key Features of the PCL Model:
- Framework for Literacy
- Model Classrooms
- Coaching & Mentoring
- Technology
- Literacy Plan
- Professional Learning Communities
- System Interventions
- High Standards
- Spotlighting
- Comprehensive Assessment Model
We greatly appreciate your time and reflection in completing this survey. We will be able to look at the results by grade level and by building, which will aid us in providing differentiated professional development opportunities.
WBSD Multi-Tier System of Support
FOR ALL EDUCATORS
During the 2018-2019 school year, a district team consisting of teachers, interventionists, school psychologists, coaches, coordinators, and administrators worked together to develop consistent definitions, procedures, resources, and practices centered around how we support students. The result of that work is the West Bend Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Guidebook.
These resources will always be available on the Curriculum & Instruction page on the Intranet.
You are welcome to print the document. Please do not make an electronic copy of the document.
During the 2018-2019 school year, a district team consisting of teachers, interventionists, school psychologists, coaches, coordinators, and administrators worked together to develop consistent definitions, procedures, resources, and practices centered around how we support students. The result of that work is the West Bend Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Guidebook.
These resources will always be available on the Curriculum & Instruction page on the Intranet.
You are welcome to print the document. Please do not make an electronic copy of the document.
Pupil Services-Special Education Staff News
FOR ALL PUPIL SERVICES-SPECIAL EDUCATION STAFF
Check the news report for pupil services-special education staff.
Check the news report for pupil services-special education staff.
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
My Learning Plan for Support Staff
FOR ALL SUPPORT STAFF
The district is no longer using Halogen, the program that housed all support staff evaluations and handbook sign-off documentation. Instead, all support staff will begin using My Learning Plan, the same platform used for teaching staff. Many support staff members have existing accounts and previous experience using My Learning Plan for accessing training sessions for professional growth hours.
Support staff who have never been in My Learning Plan will soon receive an email from Frontline (the company that owns My Learning Plan) telling them how to set up their account. Please follow the directions to do so if you receive that email.
You can find the Frontline/My Learning Plan login page in the "District Links" section of the "Staff Resources" page on the Intranet. If you know that you already have a My Learning Plan account but cannot remember your username, please contact Lauren Swenson (extension 51511) or Nicole Gruenewald (extension 51547) in the HR office. If you have forgotten your password, there is a "forgot password" link on the login page.
The district is no longer using Halogen, the program that housed all support staff evaluations and handbook sign-off documentation. Instead, all support staff will begin using My Learning Plan, the same platform used for teaching staff. Many support staff members have existing accounts and previous experience using My Learning Plan for accessing training sessions for professional growth hours.
Support staff who have never been in My Learning Plan will soon receive an email from Frontline (the company that owns My Learning Plan) telling them how to set up their account. Please follow the directions to do so if you receive that email.
You can find the Frontline/My Learning Plan login page in the "District Links" section of the "Staff Resources" page on the Intranet. If you know that you already have a My Learning Plan account but cannot remember your username, please contact Lauren Swenson (extension 51511) or Nicole Gruenewald (extension 51547) in the HR office. If you have forgotten your password, there is a "forgot password" link on the login page.
Welcome Zach Daniels as East High School A.P.
FOR ALL STAFF
Please join us in welcoming Zach Daniels to East High School as an assistant principal. Zach is filling the position that was vacated by Jennifer Johannsen just before the start of the school year.
Zach has previously served the district at Badger Middle School as the student services coordinator (formerly called the dean of students) for three years. Prior to that, Zach taught English at Silverbrook and Badger for four years. Zach's passion for helping students and instructional leadership will make him a valuable asset to the staff and students at East High School.
Please join us in welcoming Zach Daniels to East High School as an assistant principal. Zach is filling the position that was vacated by Jennifer Johannsen just before the start of the school year.
Zach has previously served the district at Badger Middle School as the student services coordinator (formerly called the dean of students) for three years. Prior to that, Zach taught English at Silverbrook and Badger for four years. Zach's passion for helping students and instructional leadership will make him a valuable asset to the staff and students at East High School.
Updated District Phone Directory Available
FOR ALL STAFF
The Quick Guide District Phone Directory has been updated on the HR intranet for the 2019-2020 school year. The quick guide is located under the Employee Guides section of the HR intranet page.
The full All-Staff Directory has also been updated for the 2019-2020 school year. You can find the updated version on the homepage of the HR intranet.
The Quick Guide District Phone Directory has been updated on the HR intranet for the 2019-2020 school year. The quick guide is located under the Employee Guides section of the HR intranet page.
The full All-Staff Directory has also been updated for the 2019-2020 school year. You can find the updated version on the homepage of the HR intranet.
SLO & PPG Support
FOR ALL TEACHERS & EDUCATIONAL SPECIALISTS
Our goal is to help members of the teaching staff with the Educator Effectiveness process so that our staff can set and reach impactful goals and successfully complete the requirements of DPI's evaluation system through the My Learning Plan platform. We have created a goal-setting guidebook at this link for all teachers and educational specialists.
The guidebook provides tips, how-to's, templates, and other guidance for staff as they complete the goal-setting activities in My Learning Plan. Some sections of the guidebook provide quick "rules of thumb" for educators who are already very comfortable with the SLO and PPG process. The guidebook also includes detailed explanations and examples to help educators who are less comfortable with the process. The guidebook is very thorough so educators can find the answers they need-when they need them.
There is drop-in SLO support for teachers in their first and second year in the district on October 9 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the ESC board room.
Our goal is to help members of the teaching staff with the Educator Effectiveness process so that our staff can set and reach impactful goals and successfully complete the requirements of DPI's evaluation system through the My Learning Plan platform. We have created a goal-setting guidebook at this link for all teachers and educational specialists.
The guidebook provides tips, how-to's, templates, and other guidance for staff as they complete the goal-setting activities in My Learning Plan. Some sections of the guidebook provide quick "rules of thumb" for educators who are already very comfortable with the SLO and PPG process. The guidebook also includes detailed explanations and examples to help educators who are less comfortable with the process. The guidebook is very thorough so educators can find the answers they need-when they need them.
There is drop-in SLO support for teachers in their first and second year in the district on October 9 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the ESC board room.
STAR and eduCLIMBER Updates
FOR STAR USERS
With the STAR platform upgrade, the C&I department has created a new STAR Cheat Sheet to support you with the new platform look. Click HERE or use the Quick Links on the left of this blog.
Thank you for contacting us with questions about the new platform. As many of you have experienced, we are typically able to resolve issues that are within our control the same day. Please know that we are working with STAR on a daily basis to find solutions or answers to assist us in moving forward with the new STAR Platform.
STAR assessment information is loaded into eduCLIMBER on a nightly basis. Any new results can be seen by 10:00 a.m. the next day. You can view this information on the My Class tab and use the filters to select the STAR Assessment. Remember 1382, eduCLIMBER is here for you!
Thank you for contacting us with questions about the new platform. As many of you have experienced, we are typically able to resolve issues that are within our control the same day. Please know that we are working with STAR on a daily basis to find solutions or answers to assist us in moving forward with the new STAR Platform.
STAR assessment information is loaded into eduCLIMBER on a nightly basis. Any new results can be seen by 10:00 a.m. the next day. You can view this information on the My Class tab and use the filters to select the STAR Assessment. Remember 1382, eduCLIMBER is here for you!
Friday, September 6, 2019
West Bend Students Invited to Participate in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Contest
FOR ALL EDUCATORS
For the first time, the Brewers Community Foundation, Inc. and Marcus Performing Arts Center have expanded the opportunity for children from communities outside Milwaukee to participate in the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr writing contest. Students of West Bend and Wauwatosa have been invited to submit their 2D artwork, writing, or speech centered on the theme “Your Life has Significance.” The submission deadline is October 17 and winners will be recognized during a ceremony on January 19, 2020.
For the first time, the Brewers Community Foundation, Inc. and Marcus Performing Arts Center have expanded the opportunity for children from communities outside Milwaukee to participate in the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr writing contest. Students of West Bend and Wauwatosa have been invited to submit their 2D artwork, writing, or speech centered on the theme “Your Life has Significance.” The submission deadline is October 17 and winners will be recognized during a ceremony on January 19, 2020.
Entries will be collected at the district office and a group of local judges will be formed to select the top three in each age group and category to move forward in the competition. Detailed information on the age groups, criteria, and process will follow in a future edition of The Highlighter and the information will be distributed in parent communication.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Expanded Wellness Center Access
FOR STAFF WHO WORK AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK
Starting later this fall, the Wellness Center (clinic) will be available to any staff member who works at least 20 hours per week (excluding coaches, lifeguards, and limited-term employees). This means that employees in this category can utilize the clinic even if they are not on the district's health insurance plan. However, only the employee will be able to utilize the clinic. The clinic will not be available for their family members to use.
Only employees on the district's health insurance plan will be able to receive medications directly from the clinic. However, employees not on the district's plan will still be able to have prescriptions written for them and sent out to an area pharmacy of the employee's choice. Those employees and their personal medical insurance plans will be responsible for the cost of those prescriptions. We will notify staff when this expanded access to the clinic goes into effect later this fall.
There will also be no charge for these employees to use the clinic.
Starting later this fall, the Wellness Center (clinic) will be available to any staff member who works at least 20 hours per week (excluding coaches, lifeguards, and limited-term employees). This means that employees in this category can utilize the clinic even if they are not on the district's health insurance plan. However, only the employee will be able to utilize the clinic. The clinic will not be available for their family members to use.
Only employees on the district's health insurance plan will be able to receive medications directly from the clinic. However, employees not on the district's plan will still be able to have prescriptions written for them and sent out to an area pharmacy of the employee's choice. Those employees and their personal medical insurance plans will be responsible for the cost of those prescriptions. We will notify staff when this expanded access to the clinic goes into effect later this fall.
There will also be no charge for these employees to use the clinic.
Professional Growth Hours for Aides
FOR ALL AIDES
Aides that work 20 hours or more per week will no longer be required to complete six hours of professional growth, but will still have the opportunity to be paid for up to six hours of professional growth throughout the fiscal year. Human Resources will track the completion of hours using sign-in sheets from classes listed in the My Learning Plan catalog.
Requirements for hours:
Verification of Hours:
Payment of Hours:
Aides that work 20 hours or more per week will no longer be required to complete six hours of professional growth, but will still have the opportunity to be paid for up to six hours of professional growth throughout the fiscal year. Human Resources will track the completion of hours using sign-in sheets from classes listed in the My Learning Plan catalog.
Requirements for hours:
- Professional growth should focus on improvement of job performance and competencies by enriching the skills and abilities of an employee’s job responsibilities.
- All professional growth hours in My Learning Plan must be approved by site principals and HR through My Learning Plan (MLP).
- A max of six hours will be paid during a single fiscal year (July 1 - June 30).
- Hours must be earned outside of the employee’s scheduled hours.
- Hours completed outside of the MyLearningPlan Catalog must be submitted via email to HR.
- Hours required for the employee's position do not count towards these six hours (i.e. non-violent crisis intervention for special ed aides, True Time training, or medication training). Those required hours are still paid to the employee but do not use up any of the six available hours for professional growth.
Verification of Hours:
- Hours will be verified using attendance sheets for in District courses.
- For other approved hours, documentation of completion should be given to HR. Documentation can include completion certificates, transcripts, grade reports, instructor letters, etc.
- Human Resources will make the final decision on the satisfaction of the hours and any additional required paperwork to substantiate hours.
Payment of Hours:
- Hours will be paid at an individual employee’s regular rate for the primary job.
- Hours earned will be paid out quarterly
Approved Hours Earned
|
Paid
|
July - September
|
October
|
October - December
|
January
|
January - March
|
April
|
April - June
|
July
|
New Timekeeping System
FOR ALL STAFF
Thank you all for your patience and cooperation as we start the school year with True Time, our new timekeeping system. Time sheets must be submitted weekly by 5:00 p.m. on Monday for the week prior. Time sheets must be submitted by all support staff employees and any teachers who are submitting for extra hours worked that week (i.e. in-house subbing). Supervisors have until Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. every week to approve time sheets. The payroll schedule was sent in an email and is linked for your convenience.
2019-20 Payroll Schedule
Thank you all for your patience and cooperation as we start the school year with True Time, our new timekeeping system. Time sheets must be submitted weekly by 5:00 p.m. on Monday for the week prior. Time sheets must be submitted by all support staff employees and any teachers who are submitting for extra hours worked that week (i.e. in-house subbing). Supervisors have until Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. every week to approve time sheets. The payroll schedule was sent in an email and is linked for your convenience.
2019-20 Payroll Schedule
Ready for the Renaissance STAR upgrade?
FOR STAR USERS
View the video below (see #4 on the playlist) to hear more about the STAR password changes, how to get the student passwords and more! Building Principals will be assigning courses today and tomorrow and will follow up with next steps as you plan and prepare for the Fall assessment.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
Recognize Our Great Staff!
FOR ALL STAFF
- Welcome new teachers and support staff! We have some new team members in the West Bend School District who are ready to contribute their talents to making a difference for our students. We have 18 teachers new to WBSD and while some still have the perspective of recent college graduates joining our team, others have come from out of state, some are rejoining the profession after a hiatus, and others are coming directly from another district. We are also very fortunate to add several great people to the staff in non-teaching positions. You can check out who our new employees are at this link. Please join me in welcoming them to the West Bend team!
- September 8-14 is National Arts in Education Week. This is an opportunity to celebrate the many music, art, theater, dance, media, literature, design and visual arts teachers in the WBSD. The work they do to nurture creativity and innovative thinking makes a life-long impact on our students! Thank you to our Teachers of the Arts!
- Tuesday, September 17 is I.T. Professionals Day. Where would we be without the geniuses of our Technology Department? Whether they are technicians visiting your schools regularly or network administrators and systems managers working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly, our I.T. professionals work wonders to give our students and staff access to incredible technology tools. Thank you!
Human Resources Update
FOR ALL STAFF
Superintendent Don Kirkegaard and HR Director Lenny Hanson visited each school last week to share some updates prior to the start of the school year. In case you missed that, these are three important pieces of information that were shared:
Superintendent Don Kirkegaard and HR Director Lenny Hanson visited each school last week to share some updates prior to the start of the school year. In case you missed that, these are three important pieces of information that were shared:
- Starting this year, the first personal day used by employees will not require the employee to pay for the cost of a substitute. If an employee takes a second personal day during the year, then the sub pay cost will be collected as in the past.
- We want to avoid causing an inconvenience for staff going on vacations in June. Last year, the large number of snow days forced us to extend the teacher work calendar an extra day in June. This conflicted with some staff member vacations that had already been booked. This year, the last staff workday is June 8. Therefore, we ask that employees not plan to take vacation on June 9 or 10 in case we have a similar situation. Thank you!
Important Policy Review
FOR ALL STAFF
On Thursday, August 29, the principals shared a brief presentation focused on some key policies and practices for our staff to be aware of. If you were not in attendance for that presentation, please view it at this link and see your building administrator for any clarifications.
There are some additional important policies to be aware of. Please read the document at this link for a brief summary of key takeaways regarding each topic. The specific policies they relate to are linked in the document if you would like greater detail. The policies covered include:
On Thursday, August 29, the principals shared a brief presentation focused on some key policies and practices for our staff to be aware of. If you were not in attendance for that presentation, please view it at this link and see your building administrator for any clarifications.
There are some additional important policies to be aware of. Please read the document at this link for a brief summary of key takeaways regarding each topic. The specific policies they relate to are linked in the document if you would like greater detail. The policies covered include:
- Equality of Educational Opportunity
- Services for English Learners
- Gift & Talented Support
- Instruction of Students with Disabilities & Section 504 Plans
- Social Networking
- Social Media Handbook
- Fundraising
- Media Guidelines
- Overtime Approval
- Code of Ethics & Collaborating as Professionals
- Open Records Law
Grading and Reporting Dates for 2019-20
FOR TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, AND BUILDING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS
To provide the opportunity for quality grading and student learning reporting to families, the WBSD has identified the end of each school term and the date on which report card grades are due and the date they will be posted. Follow this chart and add these important dates to your calendar so that you are prepared to provide the information necessary.
WBSD Student Performance Reporting Dates
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Term
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Term Ends
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1 Week After - Grades Due
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Report cards will be sent home / posted in Skyward
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Q1
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Mon, Nov 4
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Mon, Nov 11
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Tues, Nov 12
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T1
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Tue, Nov 26
|
Tue, Dec 3
|
Wed, Dec 4
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Q2 / S1
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Thu, Jan 16
|
Thu, Jan 23
|
Fri, Jan 24
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T2
|
Fri, Feb 28
|
Fri, Mar 6
|
Mon, Mar 9
|
Q3
|
Wed, Mar 25
|
Wed, Apr 1
|
Thurs, April 2
|
Q4 / S2 / T3
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Thu, Jun 4
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Fri, June 5, 2019
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Mon, June 8
|
School Board to Review Two New High School Courses for 2020-2021
FOR EDUCATORS
Members of the district science team have discussed on several occasions the need for additional offerings in science at the high school level. Specifically, team members proposed the need for a physical science class. This summer, a group of high school science teachers came together to develop and propose a course to be offered to future students. The design includes a course overview, unit plans, and a syllabus, which the school board will review on September 9, 2019. If approved in October, this course will be added to the course planning guide for 2020-21.
West Bend is fortunate to provide its students with many wonderful music opportunities. In fact, did you know that the UW-Madison Marching Band currently includes five former WBHS band members?
Excellence in performance allows students to participate in the rigorous Wind Ensemble. While this is the equivalent of an honors band class, we had not offered it as a class in the past. On September 9, 2019, the school board will hear a proposal to offer Wind Ensemble as an honors music class. Through reflection and hard work, our teachers have created the course and unit overviews that allow this process to move forward. It is wonderful that our teachers have worked to create this opportunity for our students. If approved by the school board at the October meeting, this course will be available in the 2020-21 school year.
Members of the district science team have discussed on several occasions the need for additional offerings in science at the high school level. Specifically, team members proposed the need for a physical science class. This summer, a group of high school science teachers came together to develop and propose a course to be offered to future students. The design includes a course overview, unit plans, and a syllabus, which the school board will review on September 9, 2019. If approved in October, this course will be added to the course planning guide for 2020-21.
West Bend is fortunate to provide its students with many wonderful music opportunities. In fact, did you know that the UW-Madison Marching Band currently includes five former WBHS band members?
Excellence in performance allows students to participate in the rigorous Wind Ensemble. While this is the equivalent of an honors band class, we had not offered it as a class in the past. On September 9, 2019, the school board will hear a proposal to offer Wind Ensemble as an honors music class. Through reflection and hard work, our teachers have created the course and unit overviews that allow this process to move forward. It is wonderful that our teachers have worked to create this opportunity for our students. If approved by the school board at the October meeting, this course will be available in the 2020-21 school year.
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