April District Newsletter

Dear Parents -

Right now there is a critical conversation playing out at our State Capitol regarding funding for public schools in the state budget over the next two years.

The Wauwatosa School District and Wauwatosa School Board have voiced support of Governor Walker's provisions for public schools in the biennial budget, which would provide an additional $649 million for public schools. It would mean an additional $200 per student for the 2017-18 school year, and an additional $204 per student the year after. 

That would equate to roughly $1.2 million in additional state resources for our students; your children. However, the provisions are in jeopardy due to a divide among lawmakers as they work through the budget process.

This provision in the governor's budget is critical for our schools, right here in Wauwatosa.

A cost of living increase for our teachers and an increase in health insurance costs will consume more than $1.2 million just this next year. We also face increased costs for utilities and transportation for some of our student population.

We need to think about the future. We believe it is important to equip our students and teachers with the tools necessary to prepare our students for a future filled with opportunities and success.

How will we maintain our smaller class sizes and integration of technology, such as smart boards in the classrooms and chrome books for our students in elementary school and beyond, if we're forced to short term borrow, down the road,  just to cover the bare necessities? 

I urge you to voice your support of the additional state funding for public schools - for Wauwatosa's public schools - by calling your state legislators and asking them to support the governor's proposed provisions for our schools in the 2017-2019 state budget. 

Sincerely, 

Phil Ertl

Superintendent



Your Educational Community News
Elementary Math Review Committee makes recommendations to the school board

The Elementary Math Review Committee presented its recommendation for new math resources to the Wauwatosa School Board on Monday, March 27th. 

View Math Review Story


Parents show strong interest in additional STEM program
The district had a successful application process for USTEM, the new STEM program at Underwood Elementary School beginning this fall.

For the first year, there will be three multi-grade sections of USTEM: K-1,
2-3, and 4-5.

With the strong interest in the program, the intent is to expand the amount of sections offered, should that interest level remain for the following year.  

This is an additional opportunity made available in the district thanks to parent response and interest when surveyed, and another example of the opportunities and choice the Wauwatosa School District offers in educating your child. Whether you choose a traditional or non traditional route, we are committed to excellence and continuous improvement in student learning!

Summer School offers revamped reading courses and additional STEM classes

Are you looking for some learning opportunities for your student this summer? Whether it's a subject your student may need a little extra work on, or an area of study they'd like to explore, Wauwatosa Summer School has some really great classes!

Read Summer School Story



Parent meeting to provide more detail about JK wrap-around and before and after-school care

Right At School, the district's new partner and provider for JK wrap-around, and before and after-school care, will host a parent forum on Thursday, April 6, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at McKinley Elementary School.

Read More


Registration information for high demand classes through the Recreation Department 

Registration for high demand classes begins Saturday, April 29th at www.tosarec.com. 

8:00 a.m. -  Children's Swin & Preschool Swim Classes

9:30 a.m. - Babysitting Instruction, Children's Cooking, Wee Chefs & Wee Explorers, Day Trips, Day Camp, Sewing Camps for Kids, Might Mites Soccer

Additional Recreation Department activities can be found in the "Community Flyers" link later in the newsletter.

Save the Date
Wauwatosa Public Library Elementary Art Show
Tuesday, April 4
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
7635 W North Ave.
Safe Routes to School Meeting
Wednesday, April 5
District Administration Office
Conference  Rm A
12121 W. North Ave.

School Board Meeting
Monday, April 10 
District Administration Office Conference Rm C
12121 W. North Ave.

R.A.C.E. Meeting
Tuesday, April 25
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Whitman Middle School

The Trendiest Tosa Tidbits
East senior wins top national art award

Wauwatosa East High School student Sam Zanowski won the highest honor - a Gold Medal Art Portfolio - in the 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards! The honor comes with a $10,000 scholarship and a trip to Carnegie Hall. Read about three other national awards earned, by clicking below. 

Read National Scholastic Arts Story
Tosa teacher awarded 2017 Kohl Teacher Fellowship
Lincoln Elementary School teacher Amy Witteman has been awarded the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Teacher Fellowship! Amy teaches third grade and has been at the school for 28 years. She is one of 100 teachers from across the state to receive the fellowship, along with its $3,000 award. 

Tosa students perform for state lawmakers

The East Concert Orchestra recently performed at the State Capitol as a part of Music In Our Schools Month. The group of 50 ninth and 10th graders played a noon concert on the second floor of the Capitol Rotunda. The group was one of 12 ensembles from around the state chosen to perform.

West's mock trial team competes at state

Wauwatosa West's mock trial team recently competed at the state competition for only the second time in school history. In the competition, students act as attorneys, presenting both prosecution and defense sides of a criminal case prepared by members of the State Bar Public Education Committee.

Read State Competition Story

Washington Elementary student wins Future Chef competition

Washington Elementary student Sophia Kirklewski won this year's district Future Chef competition through our food services provider, Sodexo. Her winning recipe was Potato Breakfast Burgers. Sophia's winning recipe will now be submitted to the regional judging panel for review.

Read Future Chef Story

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Community Opportunities
Are you looking for something fun to do with your family, a new sport for your child to try out, or various other activities that could benefit your student?

Save the link below and check it weekly!

Community flyers are shared as a means to connect you to opportunities that may be of interest. While some events are affiliated with the school district, many are from community organizations.

Click on the flyers above to view.

Your Educational Community
12121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226(414) 773-1000