Winter is just around the corner! As an employee, do you know what to do if school gets canceled or delayed? Please take the time to review the Emergency School Closure section of your Employee Handbook and login to Employee Access/Skyward Finance to ensure all of your contact information is up to date and accurate. The "all-call" system contacts employees based on the contact information listed in this profile. Please refer to the How-to Guide if you need help updating this information.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Snowy Weather is Here
FOR ALL STAFF
Winter is just around the corner! As an employee, do you know what to do if school gets canceled or delayed? Please take the time to review the Emergency School Closure section of your Employee Handbook and login to Employee Access/Skyward Finance to ensure all of your contact information is up to date and accurate. The "all-call" system contacts employees based on the contact information listed in this profile. Please refer to the How-to Guide if you need help updating this information.
Winter is just around the corner! As an employee, do you know what to do if school gets canceled or delayed? Please take the time to review the Emergency School Closure section of your Employee Handbook and login to Employee Access/Skyward Finance to ensure all of your contact information is up to date and accurate. The "all-call" system contacts employees based on the contact information listed in this profile. Please refer to the How-to Guide if you need help updating this information.
School Board Approves Budget, Tax Levy, Mill Rate
FOR ALL STAFF
At the West Bend School Board meeting on October 28, the board approved the 2019-2020 school district budget, which includes establishing the tax levy and mill rate.
There was a change in the initial budget presented in September. The total amount to be paid for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Voucher Program is double from the 2018-2019 school year. Therefore, the school board voted on October 28 to approve a change to decrease the amount of debt payoff in 2019-2020 to keep the mill rate the same as last year. Review the meeting recap and a press release on the approved budget.
At the West Bend School Board meeting on October 28, the board approved the 2019-2020 school district budget, which includes establishing the tax levy and mill rate.
There was a change in the initial budget presented in September. The total amount to be paid for the Wisconsin Parental Choice Voucher Program is double from the 2018-2019 school year. Therefore, the school board voted on October 28 to approve a change to decrease the amount of debt payoff in 2019-2020 to keep the mill rate the same as last year. Review the meeting recap and a press release on the approved budget.
Reminder: 2020 Benefits Open Enrollment Begins Soon
Over the past couple of weeks, HR has been holding building hours to complete benefits meetings with staff. We still have a couple sites to visit and an evening sign up on November 4. If you wish to meet in person to discuss your benefit options, please click here to SIGN-UP.
The 2020 Open Enrollment period is scheduled from Monday, November 11 - Friday, November 22, 2019. The process for completing open enrollment will not change from last year. Instructions for completing the online open enrollment process will be sent the week of November 4. Please watch for these details and your reminder postcard that is being sent via postal mail.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL staff who work 20 or more hours per week MUST go through the open enrollment process even if you do not currently have benefits or you do not wish to make changes to your current benefits. This is our record that you were offered the opportunity to enroll in/change your benefits during the open enrollment period.
The Mobile Mammogram is Back
FOR ALL STAFF
The Columbia St. Mary's Mobile Mammogram Service will be available to WBSD staff on the following dates:
If you participated in this service last year you may be told at the time of scheduling through Columbia St. Mary's that the dates are scheduled for one day earlier than they were last year and that you must check to ensure the mammogram will be covered by your insurance. This has been verified with your insurance plan and there will NOT be an issue for coverage if scheduled.
If you would like to schedule a mobile mammogram, please call the Columbia St. Mary's scheduling line at 4140326-1800.
These appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each year, this is a very well attended event and appointment spaces are limited.
If you have any questions, please call the WBSD Wellness Center at 262-306-5200. Thank you.
The Columbia St. Mary's Mobile Mammogram Service will be available to WBSD staff on the following dates:
- November 6, 2019 - ESC parking lot from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- November 12, 2019 - High schools parking lot near the athletics offices: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
If you participated in this service last year you may be told at the time of scheduling through Columbia St. Mary's that the dates are scheduled for one day earlier than they were last year and that you must check to ensure the mammogram will be covered by your insurance. This has been verified with your insurance plan and there will NOT be an issue for coverage if scheduled.If you would like to schedule a mobile mammogram, please call the Columbia St. Mary's scheduling line at 4140326-1800.
These appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each year, this is a very well attended event and appointment spaces are limited.
If you have any questions, please call the WBSD Wellness Center at 262-306-5200. Thank you.
Benefit Payroll Deductions
FOR STAFF WHO WORK 20 OR MORE HOURS PER WEEK
The HR/Business Office departments have been reviewing the process for benefit payroll deductions. As employees may have experienced, there are times throughout the year such as summer break or school recess periods when payroll has had to increase your benefit deductions to cover your monthly benefit costs. This is a very cumbersome process with room for error and also negatively impacts net pay during these time frames. To minimize this, the HR/Business Office will be annualizing deductions for specific employee groups who receive less than 24 paychecks each year.
This change will be implemented effective January 1, 2020. During the open enrollment window from November 11-22, employees who are impacted by this change will see their premiums annualized for calendar year 2020 when completing their enrollment.
Teachers who elect to be paid over 10 months or were hired after the school began will be on a 20 benefit deduction schedule. All support staff who work 10 months will have a 16 benefit deduction schedule. Your benefit deduction schedule is determined by your primary employee group. Employees who are paid on a 12-month basis will not be affected by this change.
Click here to view the benefit payroll deduction schedule for 2020. Again, this change only impacts when your benefit deductions take place. If you are an hourly employee, you will still be paid based on the payroll schedule for any hours worked.
Below is an example of how a health benefit deduction will be reflected in 2020. All other benefit deductions will be calculated using this same method.
The HR/Business Office departments have been reviewing the process for benefit payroll deductions. As employees may have experienced, there are times throughout the year such as summer break or school recess periods when payroll has had to increase your benefit deductions to cover your monthly benefit costs. This is a very cumbersome process with room for error and also negatively impacts net pay during these time frames. To minimize this, the HR/Business Office will be annualizing deductions for specific employee groups who receive less than 24 paychecks each year.
This change will be implemented effective January 1, 2020. During the open enrollment window from November 11-22, employees who are impacted by this change will see their premiums annualized for calendar year 2020 when completing their enrollment.
Teachers who elect to be paid over 10 months or were hired after the school began will be on a 20 benefit deduction schedule. All support staff who work 10 months will have a 16 benefit deduction schedule. Your benefit deduction schedule is determined by your primary employee group. Employees who are paid on a 12-month basis will not be affected by this change.
Click here to view the benefit payroll deduction schedule for 2020. Again, this change only impacts when your benefit deductions take place. If you are an hourly employee, you will still be paid based on the payroll schedule for any hours worked.
Below is an example of how a health benefit deduction will be reflected in 2020. All other benefit deductions will be calculated using this same method.
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Celebrate Your Efforts to Be Safe
FOR ALL STAFF
In most school districts, injury caused by student interactions is the number one cause of worker’s compensation claim expenses. That is NOT true in the WBSD. Thanks to de-escalation skills, high-quality training, and careful attention of our staff, we are the exception to this trend.
Thank you to everyone who plays a role in training staff in de-escalation techniques like NVCI and trauma-informed care. Thank you to all staff for your skillful ability to calm students and maintain the safest possible environment for students and staff. The level of sensitivity to challenging student situations is making a real difference in the overall safety of all colleagues.
In most school districts, injury caused by student interactions is the number one cause of worker’s compensation claim expenses. That is NOT true in the WBSD. Thanks to de-escalation skills, high-quality training, and careful attention of our staff, we are the exception to this trend.
Thank you to everyone who plays a role in training staff in de-escalation techniques like NVCI and trauma-informed care. Thank you to all staff for your skillful ability to calm students and maintain the safest possible environment for students and staff. The level of sensitivity to challenging student situations is making a real difference in the overall safety of all colleagues.
Employee Compensation Update
FOR ALL STAFF
Please see the document at this link for an update on these topics
Please see the document at this link for an update on these topics
- Teacher compensation
- Support staff compensation
- CLS & system professional ladder
Pharmacy moving to Optum RX
FOR EMPLOYEES ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE
As stated in the last edition of the Highlighter, the district recently completed a review of pharmacy providers. Based on this review, the district will switch its pharmacy provider from Express Scripts to OptumRx effective January 1, 2020.
With the decision to switch pharmacy providers, the district will experience additional costs savings that can be passed onto employees through a lower-than-market-average insurance premium increase. For 2020, the district’s premiums will increase by 5-6%, while the market average is 8-10%. OptumRx is a provider under UMR, which means members will have a single point of contact for any medical or prescription drug questions.
What does this mean for you?
As stated in the last edition of the Highlighter, the district recently completed a review of pharmacy providers. Based on this review, the district will switch its pharmacy provider from Express Scripts to OptumRx effective January 1, 2020.
With the decision to switch pharmacy providers, the district will experience additional costs savings that can be passed onto employees through a lower-than-market-average insurance premium increase. For 2020, the district’s premiums will increase by 5-6%, while the market average is 8-10%. OptumRx is a provider under UMR, which means members will have a single point of contact for any medical or prescription drug questions.
What does this mean for you?
- The tiered system of employee drug costs ($10/$30/$45) will not change.
- Employees will have continued access to all of the same level of care and drug options:
- Any mailorder prescriptions that you have with Express Scripts at the end of 2019 will be transferred to OptumRx.
- You will still be able to fill any prescriptions you are currently prescribed under the current cost structure ($10/$30/$45).
- For prescriptions filled at a retail pharmacy, beginning 1/1/2020 you will need to provide the pharmacy your updated pharmacy insurance information that can be found on your 2020 health insurance ID card. Those ID cards will be sent after the open enrollment period ends. HR will send a notification to you when those cards are on the way. Make sure you have your address up to date in Skyward Finance as that is where the cards will be sent.
- For newly prescribed maintenance medications, members will be allowed to fill two prescriptions at a retail pharmacy. After those two fills, maintenance medications will be required to be filled through mail order.
Benefits Open Enrollment
FOR ALL STAFF THAT WORK 20 OR MORE HOURS PER WEEK
Please save the date for the 2020 Open Enrollment period scheduled from Monday, November 11 - Friday, November 22.
There a few benefit changes for 2020. Here is an overview of the changes occurring effective January 1, 2020:
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR YOUR ENROLLMENT:
PLEASE NOTE: ALL staff who work 20 or more hours per week MUST go through the open enrollment process, even if you do not currently have benefits or you do not wish to make changes to your current benefits. This is our record that you were offered the opportunity to enroll in/change your benefits during the open enrollment period.
Please save the date for the 2020 Open Enrollment period scheduled from Monday, November 11 - Friday, November 22.
There a few benefit changes for 2020. Here is an overview of the changes occurring effective January 1, 2020:
- Dental: Members will still be allowed to visit either a PPO or Premier Provider through Delta Dental. If you visit a PPO provider, you will not experience any changes to your current coverage. If you visit a Premier Provider, beginning in 2020 there will be a change to the deductible and annual maximum benefit.
- Individual Annual Maximum Benefit: $2,000 with PPO / $1,500 with Premier
- Individual Deductible: $0 with PPO / $25 with Premier
- Family Deductible: $0 with PPO / $75 with Premier
- District pharmacy provider will be changing from Express Scripts to OptumRx
- Due to low enrollment, Voya Whole Life will no longer be offered to employees. This was a voluntary benefit paid for entirely by the employee and had no employer contribution. Any employee currently enrolled will still keep his/her coverage and deductions will continue to be taken via payroll. Please note: If you are not currently enrolled in this benefit, this open enrollment window will be your last opportunity to elect the benefit. The district is continuing to provide term life insurance to employees as it has in the past.
- The increase in 2020 monthly premiums was communicated in the August HR update document. Click here to view the 2020 premiums.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR YOUR ENROLLMENT:
- Click here to review the WBSD Benefit Guide for an overview of benefit offerings available
- Consider which benefits will best meet your needs
- Watch for website information and online enrollment instructions coming soon to your email and U.S. Mail
PLEASE NOTE: ALL staff who work 20 or more hours per week MUST go through the open enrollment process, even if you do not currently have benefits or you do not wish to make changes to your current benefits. This is our record that you were offered the opportunity to enroll in/change your benefits during the open enrollment period.
Powerful Practice - Feedback as a Learning Strategy
FOR ALL TEACHERS
A focus has been placed on high impact strategies as part of the District Continuous Improvement Plan. These strategies are considered powerful practices in education because of the impact on student outcomes, which is due to the cognition involved in the process of learning. Jane E. Pollack (2012) states, “Feedback can be the hinge factor for improving student learning.” For this to be so, feedback must be viewed as a tool for instruction—not simply as an assessment. And feedback to students should come from the teacher, peers, and from the students themselves. Small changes to how we provide feedback can result in greater engagement in the learning process and improved outcomes. For the first small step, consider feedback as a GPS.
Meaningful Conversations about STAR Results
FOR STAR USERS
The STAR assessment is a valid and reliable assessment that provides screening and growth information when determining how to meet the needs of all students. One of our goals with implementation was to ensure the staff feels comfortable to engage in meaningful conversations about the information provided. Now that STAR scores have been announced and posted in Family Access, we want teachers to feel prepared to have meaningful conversations. Parent-Teacher conferences are also scheduled and the information below may be helpful.
In conversations with other educators, individuals or teams might focus on grouping students will similar skills to effectively meet the students’ needs. In doing so with student scale scores, it is recommended that the range of the scale scores is not larger than 100. Narrowing the range of scale scores for a small group of students will help ensure the targeted skills identified are truly aligned to the students' needs.
In conversations with parents, educators might start the conversation with how the student performed based on the national percentiles. In talking about percentiles, it would be ideal to share with the parents/guardians how the child’s performance compares to our district benchmarks. It is important to use triangulated student information, so sharing additional work samples and observations would be helpful.
The STAR assessment is a valid and reliable assessment that provides screening and growth information when determining how to meet the needs of all students. One of our goals with implementation was to ensure the staff feels comfortable to engage in meaningful conversations about the information provided. Now that STAR scores have been announced and posted in Family Access, we want teachers to feel prepared to have meaningful conversations. Parent-Teacher conferences are also scheduled and the information below may be helpful.
In conversations with other educators, individuals or teams might focus on grouping students will similar skills to effectively meet the students’ needs. In doing so with student scale scores, it is recommended that the range of the scale scores is not larger than 100. Narrowing the range of scale scores for a small group of students will help ensure the targeted skills identified are truly aligned to the students' needs.
In conversations with parents, educators might start the conversation with how the student performed based on the national percentiles. In talking about percentiles, it would be ideal to share with the parents/guardians how the child’s performance compares to our district benchmarks. It is important to use triangulated student information, so sharing additional work samples and observations would be helpful.
Passwords, Passwords, and Changing Passwords
FOR All STAFF
As you know, computer passwords are one of the first defenses in the effort to keep data safe. A strong password and frequently changing that password is a best practice. Beginning next month, the Technology Department will require that users change their passwords regularly. Remember that your computer/network login password syncs with your Google password. More information on the process and password requirements will be shared in the next edition of the Highlighter.
Technology Department staff members are often asked where a user should store their passwords. Obviously, passwords should not be stored on Post-It notes, Word documents, or Google documents. Consider using LastPass, which is a secure and encrypted online system to store your district usernames and passwords. If you set up a LastPass account, please make sure it is set up with your school district email account.
As you know, computer passwords are one of the first defenses in the effort to keep data safe. A strong password and frequently changing that password is a best practice. Beginning next month, the Technology Department will require that users change their passwords regularly. Remember that your computer/network login password syncs with your Google password. More information on the process and password requirements will be shared in the next edition of the Highlighter.
Technology Department staff members are often asked where a user should store their passwords. Obviously, passwords should not be stored on Post-It notes, Word documents, or Google documents. Consider using LastPass, which is a secure and encrypted online system to store your district usernames and passwords. If you set up a LastPass account, please make sure it is set up with your school district email account.
Skyward Down for Maintenance
FOR All STAFF
On Friday, October 18, the Technology Department will install Skyward's October software release for both Skyward Finance and Skyward Student on the database servers. The updates will begin with Skyward Finance at 2:30 p.m. followed by Skyward Student. Please log out of the Skyward Finance database prior to 2:30 p.m. and the Skyward Student database by 3:30 pm. Users will be able to login to both databases by approximately 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Click here for the programming notes from Skyward. An email will be sent once the installation has been completed and the databases are once again accessible.
Celebrating Our Staff's Committment to WBSD
FOR ALL STAFF
Please celebrate your colleagues for milestones in their years of service in the district:
Celebrating 5 Years in October
Please celebrate your colleagues for milestones in their years of service in the district:
Celebrating 5 Years in October
- Laura Burch - East & West High Schools
- Jennifer Thompson - Silverbrook
Celebrating 10 Years in October
- Katrina Austinson - Green Tree
Celebrating 20 Years in October
- Donna Brooks - Jackson
- John Kall - McLane
- Jill Whitlock - McLane
- Julie Balistrieri - Rolf's
Celebrating 25 Years in October
- Colleen Daley - ESC
- Wendy Kannenberg - Silverbrook
Scheduling Wellness Center Appointments is Easier than Ever!
FOR ALL EMPLOYEES THAT USE THE WELLNESS CENTER
The new Wellness Year has begun and there are far fewer HRA visits required of employees this year as part of the Health Insurance plan. This means there are more open appointment slots for staff to get in to see a provider for unexpected illnesses.
Also, did you know you can schedule clinic visits over the phone or online? Sign up for the Healthstat Patient Portal to gain access to your Healthstat records, appointment scheduling and more! Check out the information at this link to get onto the Patient Portal.
The new Wellness Year has begun and there are far fewer HRA visits required of employees this year as part of the Health Insurance plan. This means there are more open appointment slots for staff to get in to see a provider for unexpected illnesses.
Also, did you know you can schedule clinic visits over the phone or online? Sign up for the Healthstat Patient Portal to gain access to your Healthstat records, appointment scheduling and more! Check out the information at this link to get onto the Patient Portal.
Friday, October 11, 2019
October 18th, Professional Day
FOR ALL EDUCATORS
Please use the 2019-20 Professional Development document for additional information!
On behalf of the Teaching and Learning team, we are excited to learn alongside you and have done our best to provide the conditions in which we can all learn.
“I NEVER TEACH MY PUPILS. I ONLY ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEY CAN LEARN.”—ALBERT EINSTEIN
Please use the 2019-20 Professional Development document for additional information!
On behalf of the Teaching and Learning team, we are excited to learn alongside you and have done our best to provide the conditions in which we can all learn.
“I NEVER TEACH MY PUPILS. I ONLY ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS IN WHICH THEY CAN LEARN.”—ALBERT EINSTEIN
Celebrate Our Staff!
FOR ALL STAFF
We would like to give a 
for their creative approach to Family Night! Each house provided a welcoming environment for families to engage in a variety of activities focused on gaining more information about life at Silverbrook.
In a school system, one of our biggest partners are the parents of the students we serve. During August and September, staff across the district took time to build relationships with families to better serve our students. Thank you all for going the extra mile to meet the needs of our students.
for their creative approach to Family Night! Each house provided a welcoming environment for families to engage in a variety of activities focused on gaining more information about life at Silverbrook.
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