Volume 2 | Issue 27 | March 2 , 2018
District News
Superintendent's Corner
This week entailed many different activities within our schools and within the community for me. Community events included a meeting with area districts and building trade associations to provide summer learning opportunities for our students, a fundraiser for the Friends of the Hales Corners Library, and a meeting with the Greenfield Police Department focused on safety and security. School events included student focus groups to solicit questions and feedback on WHS changes and ideas and conversations with WHS students as they plan how they can have a voice in the national awareness of school safety and mass violence. (More information will be shared on this as details are finalized.)

One of the school events that started my week was being invited to the Edgerton Elementary first grade classrooms to speak about leadership and my role as a superintendent. Beyond the "What does a superintendent do?" and "How old are you?" questions was the very last question asked of me: "What inspired you to be a superintendent?" And, while I shared my response with the first graders, I wished I could have given them all the reasons, the reasons before I become a superintendent and the ones I have every day. The inspiration I see in the hallways, the playground, the athletic fields, the community. The conversations and the moments without words. And, especially, the first graders who asked me "What inspired you to be a superintendent."  

Good luck to our WHS cheer team at state this weekend! And good luck to our WHS DECA team as they head to state!

Feel free to contact me at lolson@whitnall.com and follow me on Twitter !
Referendum Email List
If you would like to be added to an email list that receives updates related to our facilities planning and referendum, fill out this form !
Community Wellness and Substance Abuse Prevention Event
The Hales Corners Health Department is working with the Greendale Health Department on a combined community effort, Community Alliance: Awareness and Prevention of Substance Misuse , to provide education/promote awareness of substance abuse issues and prevention strategies in both communities. The first educational event organized by Community Alliance is on March 28, 2018 at Greendale High School. It’s entitled “Community Wellness and Substance Abuse Prevention.” The flyer is attached.
Board Brief | February 26
Board briefs are simple summaries of our board meetings. Without having to labor through or wait for the comprehensive board minutes, you can access what changes the board approved at each of their meetings! The latest board brief (for the February 26 meeting) has been posted. Check it out on the right sidebar of our Agendas & Minutes page.
Hales Corners Recreation Summer Program
Check out the summer program for the Village of Hales Corners Recreation Department!
Safety Tips
As school safety has moved to the forefront of our concerns and conversations, we have decided to introduce this recurring Connect item that offers safety tips for parents each week. These tips are courtesy of the Greenfield Police Department.

  • Discuss the school's discipline policy with your child. Show your support for the rules and help your child understand the reasons for them.
  • Involve your child in setting rules for appropriate behavior at home.
  • Talk with your child about the violence he or she sees on television, in video games, and possibly in the neighborhood. Help your child understand the consequences of violence.
2018-19 School Calendar and Transition Day
The 2018-19 school calendar was approved by the board in December and has been available on our website.  Click here to view the calendar. Since we are unable to start school prior to September 1 (which falls on a Saturday), our first day of school for all students is on Tuesday, September 4.

We recognize the need for a day for those students transitioning to a new building to alleviate any anxiety they may have and allow the opportunity for them to acclimate to a new building, staff, and routine. The calendar has Wednesday, August 29 as a transition day  for K4, K5, grade 6, and grade 9 students. The transition day will be a full day for students in these grades and will be run through summer school as we cannot count it as a school day prior to September 1. Transportation and lunch will be provided for K5, grade 6, and grade 9 students. While it is not required for students, we are strongly encouraging students in these grades to attend. More information and registration will be available in the next couple weeks.
Whitnall High School
Junior Testing
On Tuesday, juniors took the ACT. On Wednesday, they took the Work Keys Assessment. Great job!
Whitnall Middle School
Important Upcoming Dates
Coffee and Conversation | March 5 | 12-1 PM
Pop in Conversation | March 5 | 6-7 PM
PTO Meeting in WMS Cafeteria | March 7 | 6:30 PM
Parent Teacher Conferences | March 13 | 3:30-6 PM
Edgerton Elementary
Dismissal Reminders
As you know, dismissal is a busy time of day at Edgerton. We’d like to thank you for following our procedures, which have been implemented to keep students safe and the process running smoothly. If you pick up your child in the car pick up line after school, please follow the traffic signs. There is no left turn from Edgerton Ave. into the parking lot from 3:15 - 3:45 PM. Also, please be careful not to block the mailboxes on the south side of Edgerton Ave. so that the postal service can deliver the mail. Students picked up in the car line should be able to enter the passenger side of their vehicle unassisted. If your child requires assistance, it would be helpful if you park your vehicle and meet your child on the playground. Thanks for helping to keep everyone safe!
Book Swap
Edgerton Elementary will be hosting a book swap in June. If you have any gently used children’s books your family is no longer reading, please consider donating them to the book swap. With enough donations, every child at EES will take home new and exciting books for their summer reading! Donations may be dropped off at the Edgerton office during regular school hours.
Family Movie Night
Bring your blankets, wear your pajamas, and settle in for Edgerton PTO’s movie night on Friday, March 9. Disney’s Coco will be the featured movie. Doors will open at 6:15 PM, and the movie will begin at 6:45 PM. Look for more information coming home in your child’s take home folder.
Box Top Prize Drawing
The next scheduled box top prize drawing is Friday, March 9. Keep clipping and sending those box tops to school!
PTO Meeting
Please join us for the next PTO meeting on Thursday, March 8 at 7 PM in the Edgerton library.
Hales Corners Elementary
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences
Our spring parent-teacher conferences are teacher or parent requested. It is important to return the conference planning sheet. After the planning sheet is returned, teachers will be sending out their Sign Up Genius. This should arrive next week.
Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration
Feel free to join the Dr. Seuss birthday celebration at the Hales Corners Library tonight at 6:30 PM. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library and the Whitnall School District.
Read Across America Spirit Week
Our Read Across America Spirit Week was not only fun, but provided time to reinforce the joy of reading. What good books have you read lately?
Recess Gear
As March weather can be ever changing, please remember that we will send students outside for recess in the gear that they came with at the start of the day. If the temperature rises above 50 degrees, we will permit them to take off layers so that they don’t overheat while playing.
Whitnall Youth Baseball & Fastpitch
Whitnall Youth Baseball & Fastpitch is hosting additional registration dates. Follow this LINK for information.