Thursday, March 5, 2020
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Celebrate Our Staff!
March is National Music in Our Schools Month. This is a great opportunity to recognize and thank our team of incredible music educators in the WBSD. Our music programs provide a variety of experiences to students that is unmatched in most districts across the state. We have strong participation and success in our band, orchestra, and choir programs throughout the district.
Assembling such an outstanding and comprehensive music program is a testament to the hard work of our music teachers at every level. Our music teachers at the younger levels inspire our students to pursue music. Our upper age level music teachers help our students discover their musical passion, allowing them to grow as lovers of the arts and talented performers in our community. Thank you to all of our music educators!
Please join us in celebrating our colleagues for hitting milestones in their years of service to the district in March, including:
5 Years in the District
Assembling such an outstanding and comprehensive music program is a testament to the hard work of our music teachers at every level. Our music teachers at the younger levels inspire our students to pursue music. Our upper age level music teachers help our students discover their musical passion, allowing them to grow as lovers of the arts and talented performers in our community. Thank you to all of our music educators!
Please join us in celebrating our colleagues for hitting milestones in their years of service to the district in March, including:
5 Years in the District
- Amy Braeger - District Nurse
- Kim Tucholka - High School
- Bryce Young - Silverbrook
25 Years in the District
- Lori Spaeth - Decorah
We also have a number of recent new additions within the families of WBSD employees. You can check out some adorable photos of the babies welcomed into the world recently by staff at this link to the HR Intranet Celebrations Page.
2019-20 Spending Deadline ~ April 15
FOR ALL STAFF
As in previous years, the ordering deadline for the large majority of purchases will be Wednesday, April 15. This date was picked not just because of our ability to remember it for tax purposes, but also due to the amount of time it often takes for a purchase to be completed without getting too close to the end of the school year. Our auditors often question whether a purchase should come out of next year’s budget when it’s too close to the end of the year.
There are always exceptions to the rule and we are thankful for what you can all do to assist with this request. Please know that your building administrator may impose an earlier date and the business office respects and appreciates their guidance as there is purpose and meaning by their setting that alternate date.
As in previous years, the ordering deadline for the large majority of purchases will be Wednesday, April 15. This date was picked not just because of our ability to remember it for tax purposes, but also due to the amount of time it often takes for a purchase to be completed without getting too close to the end of the school year. Our auditors often question whether a purchase should come out of next year’s budget when it’s too close to the end of the year.
There are always exceptions to the rule and we are thankful for what you can all do to assist with this request. Please know that your building administrator may impose an earlier date and the business office respects and appreciates their guidance as there is purpose and meaning by their setting that alternate date.
External Sender - New Subject Line Tag
FOR ALL STAFF
As a district we continue to educate staff and make strides to keep all technology systems safe and secure.
One area that is always a concern is when staff click on a link in an email or download an attachment from a phishing email. These links and attachments can contain malware and ransomware that can cripple IT systems and lock you out of your data and other data/systems until a ransom is paid. To help staff identify any email that is not from an @wbsd-schools.org address, the Technology Department will be adding: [EXTERNAL SENDER] to all emails that are not from the @wbsd-schools.org domain beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Please be extra diligent in clicking on links and attachments from non @wbsd-schools.org emails. If you are not sure of the link or attachment please submit a technology help desk ticket and someone from the Technology Department will reach out.
As a district we continue to educate staff and make strides to keep all technology systems safe and secure.
One area that is always a concern is when staff click on a link in an email or download an attachment from a phishing email. These links and attachments can contain malware and ransomware that can cripple IT systems and lock you out of your data and other data/systems until a ransom is paid. To help staff identify any email that is not from an @wbsd-schools.org address, the Technology Department will be adding: [EXTERNAL SENDER] to all emails that are not from the @wbsd-schools.org domain beginning Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Please be extra diligent in clicking on links and attachments from non @wbsd-schools.org emails. If you are not sure of the link or attachment please submit a technology help desk ticket and someone from the Technology Department will reach out.
School Specialty Purchasing
FOR THOSE WHO PURCHASE MATERIALS
The Business Office was recently notified that the discount we receive from School Specialty was discontinued as of January 31, 2020. We’ve since met with our representative and have secured new and improved pricing that is now available.
Feel free to begin ordering again with School Specialty and its family of companies: Abilitations, Childcraft, Frey, Sax Art & Crafts, and Sportime. Please note, the discount pricing calculates once the item is placed in the cart. Also, now there is a $49 order minimum to qualify for free shipping. If you need something specific from School Specialty that is not on the listings, contact our rep for a quote and discounts on freight. In the following weeks, more information will be posted on the Vendor Supply List portion of the the Business Office Intranet web page.
The Business Office was recently notified that the discount we receive from School Specialty was discontinued as of January 31, 2020. We’ve since met with our representative and have secured new and improved pricing that is now available.
Feel free to begin ordering again with School Specialty and its family of companies: Abilitations, Childcraft, Frey, Sax Art & Crafts, and Sportime. Please note, the discount pricing calculates once the item is placed in the cart. Also, now there is a $49 order minimum to qualify for free shipping. If you need something specific from School Specialty that is not on the listings, contact our rep for a quote and discounts on freight. In the following weeks, more information will be posted on the Vendor Supply List portion of the the Business Office Intranet web page.
CogAT Assessment: Parent Communication
FOR 2nd and 5th Grade Teachers, Special Education, and Gifted and Talented Teachers
Thank you to the teams that administered the CogAT assessment last month. As a next step, parent letters are being prepared and will be sent home with the parent report from the district office next week. To view the parent letters, click HERE.
A Coronavirus Preparedness Message
FOR ALL STAFF
You may have seen in your email a letter that Superintendent Don Kirkegaard and Director of Pupil Services Sharon Kailas sent to all families and staff addressing the district's awareness of the seriousness of the potential spread of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). If not, please review the letter.
A point to remember for all staff in contact with students is to remind them to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly. In addition, all year long viruses are present, so please encourage students and staff who are exhibiting signs of illness to stay home. Finally, ask students and staff to use tissues, or the inside of their arm, when coughing or sneezing. Thanks for your assistance.
You may have seen in your email a letter that Superintendent Don Kirkegaard and Director of Pupil Services Sharon Kailas sent to all families and staff addressing the district's awareness of the seriousness of the potential spread of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). If not, please review the letter.
A point to remember for all staff in contact with students is to remind them to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly. In addition, all year long viruses are present, so please encourage students and staff who are exhibiting signs of illness to stay home. Finally, ask students and staff to use tissues, or the inside of their arm, when coughing or sneezing. Thanks for your assistance.
Continue to Walk Like a Penguin In March!
FOR ALL STAFF
March is the worst month for weather-related slips and falls. It is due to the warm sun melting the snow and the colder nights refreezing the liquid into "ice rinks."
Please be mindful of this and continue to wear appropriate shoes when coming and going from your building. If you do notice an area that has become slippery, please report it to your building custodian so it can be addressed in a timely fashion. Thanks for staying safe and injury-free!
March is the worst month for weather-related slips and falls. It is due to the warm sun melting the snow and the colder nights refreezing the liquid into "ice rinks."
Please be mindful of this and continue to wear appropriate shoes when coming and going from your building. If you do notice an area that has become slippery, please report it to your building custodian so it can be addressed in a timely fashion. Thanks for staying safe and injury-free!
Wellness Survey Results
FOR ALL STAFF
More than 375 staff members completed the Wellness Survey in January. The information gathered from that survey will help the district design its benefit and wellness offerings to best meet the needs of the staff. The responses to some of the key questions asked on the survey can be seen at this link. Thank you to everyone who participated!
More than 375 staff members completed the Wellness Survey in January. The information gathered from that survey will help the district design its benefit and wellness offerings to best meet the needs of the staff. The responses to some of the key questions asked on the survey can be seen at this link. Thank you to everyone who participated!
HRA Follow Up Visits
FOR ANYONE ON THE DISTRICT'S HEALTH INSURANCE
As a reminder, with the reduction in HRA follow up visits, for those individuals who need to complete two visits the first visit must be completed by March 31, 2020.
If you do not remember how many visits you need to complete, you can contact the clinic at 262-306-5200 to find out your visit requirement and make an HRA follow up visit appointment if necessary.
As a reminder, with the reduction in HRA follow up visits, for those individuals who need to complete two visits the first visit must be completed by March 31, 2020.If you do not remember how many visits you need to complete, you can contact the clinic at 262-306-5200 to find out your visit requirement and make an HRA follow up visit appointment if necessary.
DPI Teacher License Renewal
FOR ANYONE WITH A DPI TEACHING LICENSE
Educators who have a lifetime license and have not completed a background check with DPI before January 1, 2016 will be required to complete a background check with DPI before June 30, 2020.
Follow the Application Directions for Background Check to Maintain Lifetime License to submit your background check. If you are not sure if you are due for a background check you can look your license up using the My ELO license look-up. Under your entity ID it will tell you the last time a background check was submitted. Reminder a background check is due every five years.
If you are a current provisional license holder who would like to move your license to lifetime, you need to have six semesters of teaching before you can convert your license. If the second semester of the 2019-2020 school year is your sixth semester, the district cannot verify successful experience until April 2020 on the PI-1613 Employment Verification Form. Follow the Application Directions for Lifetime Licenses to submit your information to DPI.
Questions? Contact Lauren Swenson at lswenson@wbsd-schools.org or extension 51511.
Educators who have a lifetime license and have not completed a background check with DPI before January 1, 2016 will be required to complete a background check with DPI before June 30, 2020.
Follow the Application Directions for Background Check to Maintain Lifetime License to submit your background check. If you are not sure if you are due for a background check you can look your license up using the My ELO license look-up. Under your entity ID it will tell you the last time a background check was submitted. Reminder a background check is due every five years. If you are a current provisional license holder who would like to move your license to lifetime, you need to have six semesters of teaching before you can convert your license. If the second semester of the 2019-2020 school year is your sixth semester, the district cannot verify successful experience until April 2020 on the PI-1613 Employment Verification Form. Follow the Application Directions for Lifetime Licenses to submit your information to DPI.
Questions? Contact Lauren Swenson at lswenson@wbsd-schools.org or extension 51511.
Health & Dental Insurance Resources
FOR ANYONE ON DISTRICT HEALTH OR DENTAL INSURANCE
Our goal is to provide our employees with as much information about their health care options as possible so that each can make the best decision for their family. We also work to ensure that people have a variety of options for meeting all health care needs.
Remember that the district clinic located in the ESC is free for all employees who work at least 20 hours per week and anyone on the district's health insurance plan, including covered spouses and children. You can call the clinic to schedule an appointment at 262-306-5200.
You also have a number of other options for addressing your healthcare needs. UMR, our insurance provider, put together this flyer which lays out the variety of options and the estimated costs associated with each.
Check out this flyer to learn some easy ways you can find a health care provider and the financial benefits you experience by using in-network providers.
Remember that the district clinic located in the ESC is free for all employees who work at least 20 hours per week and anyone on the district's health insurance plan, including covered spouses and children. You can call the clinic to schedule an appointment at 262-306-5200.You also have a number of other options for addressing your healthcare needs. UMR, our insurance provider, put together this flyer which lays out the variety of options and the estimated costs associated with each.
Check out this flyer to learn some easy ways you can find a health care provider and the financial benefits you experience by using in-network providers.
Watch this 6-minute informational video to better understand your health insurance plan and learn how to find a covered provider
Watch this 4-minute informational video to better understand your dental insurance plan and learn how to find a covered provider
Upcoming WRS Presentation
FOR ALL STAFF WHO CONTRIBUTE TO WRS PENSION
How much do you know about your WRS benefit? On April 20, 2020 from 4-5 p.m., WEA will present “Understanding WRS.”
Please click here to view more information on this free financial seminar. If you are interested in attending, please click this link to sign up.
How much do you know about your WRS benefit? On April 20, 2020 from 4-5 p.m., WEA will present “Understanding WRS.”Please click here to view more information on this free financial seminar. If you are interested in attending, please click this link to sign up.
HR Updates and Info
FOR ALL STAFF
- Retirement Reminder - Any employees eligible for the district's early retirement program have until March 13 to submit their retirement application to the Human Resources Department.
- FSA Reimbursement - As a reminder, those with a flexible spending account--medical and/or dependent care--have until March 31, 2020 to send in their claims to Diversified Benefits Services to be reimbursed for any services completed in the 2019 calendar year. Please visit the HRA & Flexible Spending page on the Intranet to review the different ways to file a claim.
- HR Staffing - FYI: The HR team is temporarily short staffed. Nicole Gruenewald is on maternity leave. Katie Gourdine has left the district for a position at another company. In the meantime, you can contact these individuals with HR related questions:
- Lauren Swenson, ext. 51511, teacher issues, support staff issues, and licensing
- Rachel DeStefano, ext. 51513, benefits, worker's compensation, FMLA, and leave
Award Nomination Deadline Approaching
FOR ALL STAFF
This Friday, March 6 is the deadline to submit nominations for the Rolfs Education Foundation Award and for the Support Staff Member of the Year Award.
This Friday, March 6 is the deadline to submit nominations for the Rolfs Education Foundation Award and for the Support Staff Member of the Year Award.
- Click here for details on nominating a teacher for the Rolfs Award
- Click here for details on nominating someone for the Support Staff Award
WBSD Family Newsletter Available
FOR ALL STAFF
The February 26 issue of the West Bend School District Update (family newsletter) is available on the website.
The February 26 issue of the West Bend School District Update (family newsletter) is available on the website.
Job Openings in the District
FOR ALL STAFF
These are some of the open positions found on WECAN within the district:
These are some of the open positions found on WECAN within the district:
- Central Office Clerical: Administrative Assistant with HR Responsibilities
- STEM teacher at Badger
- 2nd shift custodian positions
- School Nutrition at Fair Park & High School
- Superintendent
- And others
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