Volume 2 | Issue 14 | November 17 , 2017
District News
Due to Thanksgiving Break, there will be no Connect next Friday, November 24.
Superintendent's Corner
Thank you to all the parents who attended our Parent Learning Academy and parent-teacher conferences this week. In addition, our building principals held their monthly parent chats over the past couple weeks. Parent involvement is one of the top factors in a successful education!

On Monday evening, the board engaged in discussion regarding our facilities needs and an April referendum. Please read the information below regarding further discussion, building tours, and how to sign up for email updates on the referendum.

Classroom visits this week included attending a presentation by WHS sophomores on reinventing school. Student perspective is critical, and I was very impressed with our students' ideas. I was also able to sit in on some of our kindergarten classes as they started their day by singing and practicing mindfulness. I came across a great video this week that I wanted to share with all of you. It discusses how Wisconsin public schools came to be and where we need to go. Check it out!

Please be sure to follow our social media for all the great news, including links to external news stories about Whitnall (three just this week!).

Tomorrow is the Edgerton Holiday Craft Fair, and I hope to see many of you there!

Feel free to contact me at [email protected] and follow me on Twitter !
Upcoming Board Meetings and Building Tours
The board meeting on November 27 will be held at HCE in the cafeteria. Following the board meeting, there will be a tour of the areas of HCE that are being considered in the referendum.

The board workshop meeting on December 11 will be held in the Community Board Room and will convene at 6:30 PM with a tour of the parts of WHS being considered in the referendum. Following the tour will be the remainder of the meeting.

Please visit the Referendum 2018 page on our website to follow our journey toward improving our facilities!
Whitnall Facilities and Referendum Email List

If you would like to be added to an email list that will receive updates related to our facilities planning and referendum, fill out this form !
School Board Academy

The Whitnall School Board will be holding its School Board Academy on Thursday, November 30 in the Whitnall School District Community Board Room, 5000 S. 116 th St., Greenfield at 6:30 PM. 

The purpose of the Academy is to afford residents in the school district the opportunity to gather information about Whitnall schools and the Whitnall school board. This information may be very helpful for a citizen who is considering running for a position on the school board. Participants will be presented with background information about the Whitnall School District on topics such as the structure of the Whitnall School District, major issues facing our schools, the budget process, and legislative requirements regarding schools. There will also be a discussion regarding the responsibilities of board members, the time commitment involved, the structure and decision-making process of a school board, and the State of Wisconsin’s open meetings law. 

This Academy is open to all citizens at no cost.  Please call Kathie Poss, Executive Assistant, at 525-8411 by November 28, 2017 to register .
Hales Corners Recreation Offerings
To view the Hales Corners Recreation Department's program calendar and current offerings (indoor basketball and youth counselor employment ), visit our website's Community Connections page!
  
Social Emotional Learning Corner
As the holidays quickly approach, many of us look forward to family gatherings and time away from work and school. For some, including kids, the holiday season can be stressful. Consider the following:


  • Discuss in advance who you will be seeing, where you might visit, and what the expectations will be
  • Provide ample down time
  • Explain child care arrangements in advance
  • Allow your child to express their feelings
  • Consider if family dynamic have changed since last year and how that might impact your child

If you anticipate the holidays are going to be stressful for your child, check out 15 Mindfulness and Relaxation Apps for Kids.
Gifted and Talented Parent Meeting
There will be a GT parent meeting on Wednesday, November 29th from 6:00-7:30 pm in the Community Board Room. Topics will include programming within WSD, as well as happenings outside the district. An email notice was sent to the group a couple of weeks ago. If you did not receive this email, please contact Rene Freyer to be added to the list: [email protected]
Parent Learning Academy
Thank you to all who attended the Parent Learning Academy on Personalizing Learning on Tuesday, November 14. Follow this link for answers to questions that were submitted via Google form: PLA: Personalizing Learning Q&A

Please join us in January for our discussion on Social Emotional Learning!

Whitnall High School
Thank You!
Thank you to all those who attended parent-teacher conferences and the November Muffins with Mom and Donuts with Dad!
Whitnall Middle School
Makerspace Donations
The middle school is looking for contributions to their Makerspace. In the spirit of kindness and goodwill, they are encouraging their students to create something to give to a loved one during the upcoming holidays. Currently, they are looking for the following items:

balsa wood
scrap wood for projects (various sizes)
tarp(s) (for painting)
craft paint
paint brushes (small and medium sized)
jewelry making items
beads
buttons
wire
metal
fabric for sewing
sewing needles
fleece
smooth, flat stones
tall white athletic socks -- new or used (used must be clean) :)
ribbon
containers that have small compartments to store beads and other small decorative items. If you have any bead storage boxes or fishing tackle boxes that you are no longer in need of, please donate! 

If you have anything to donate, please put it in the Makerspace bin at the school entrance.
Edgerton Elementary
PTO Fundraisers
The order forms for the Kringle and Marcus Theatres fundraisers are due back to school on Tuesday, November 28th. Checks should be made payable to the Edgerton PTO. Thanks for supporting Edgerton Elementary through the PTO!
Substitute School Counselor
Hello! I am Emily Watson and new to Edgerton Elementary this week. I am very excited to be here and will be working as the substitute School Counselor for Mrs. Larsen. My role as School Counselor is to support students through one-on-one, group, and classroom guidance. My intention is to empower students through personal responsibility, helping them focus on what they can control and being their best selves. Please feel free to email or call me with any student concerns, updates, or questions. I can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 414-525-8903 .
EES PTO Craft/Vendor Fair and Holiday Shop
The PTO will host its annual Craft/Vendor Fair and Holiday Shoppe tomorrow, Saturday November 18th from 9:00 am- 2:00 pm. In the lower gym, kids can shop for gifts in the Holiday Treasures Shoppe from 9-12. Upstairs, there will be crafters, vendors, and concessions. Santa will also be available for photos from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm. We hope you can stop by and enjoy some holiday fun!

Hales Corners Elementary
Spirit Wear Sales
HCE currently has two spirit wear sale opportunities. You can order Whitnall Falcon Socks for $10 a pair. Order forms are available at this LINK . We also have a variety of HCE and Falcon items available at this LINK . Both options are great for holiday gift ideas.