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DSD e-NEWS
NEWS & EVENTS FROM DODGEVILLE SCHOOL DISTRICT
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Dodgeville Families
Welcome to 2024! The turn of the calendar is both a time for reflection and a time to look ahead to what the new year will bring.
Looking back to 2023, the DES addition provided a significant improvement in safety for students and staff with the completion of the two-stage entry into the building. The entryway, along with a new office, staff workroom, and a refresh of the cafeteria, gives the building a much more vibrant look and feel.
During the past 12 months, the staff did an excellent job implementing the new math and reading curriculum. Student progress in these two critical areas is being documented. We are confident that greater gains will be forthcoming. This progress, along with the focus on professional learning communities, whereby staff work together using data to best impact student learning, are important developments in reaching district goals.
2024 will bring challenges that we must confront. The reality of the “fiscal cliff” is impacting the finances of the district. Declining enrollment, the ending of pandemic relief funding, and inflationary costs across the board, will negatively impact the district finances this year. In December, the school board began contemplating next steps in addressing an anticipated 2 million dollar deficit. In the coming months, the topic of school finances will be a priority, as the board and administration determine the best course of action to address the fiscal reality confronting the district.
This year will also bring a change in district leadership. Mr. Bohnsack will be taking over as superintendent on July 1, bringing his own brand of high-energy optimism to the position. He and I have been working together since his hire last fall to ensure a smooth transition. His long-time connection to the district and dedication to the school-community will benefit all stakeholders.
As always, the students/families and staff that make up the DSD are the biggest reason for optimism in 2024. The Dodgeville community is as supportive of their schools as any district that I have been involved with in over three decades in education. I am confident that whatever the challenges, the school-community will continue to support the district like they have always done.
I wish all families a safe, healthy and happy 2024.
Paul Weber
District Administrator
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Mark Your Calendars for our January Events:
Monday, January 8th:
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No School, Staff Professional Development Day
Saturday, January 13th:
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Athletic Boosters Trivia Night, 7:00pm at Dodger Bowl Lanes
Monday, January 15th:
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Little Dodger Playdate, 8:00 - 9:30am at DES
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School Board Connect, 5:30 - 6:30pm in the DHS Library
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Monthly School Board Meeting, 6:30pm in DHS D4 & Zoom
Thursday, January 18:
- End of Term 2/1st Semester
Friday, January 19th:
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No School, End of Semester Teacher Work Day
Sunday, January 21st:
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Sewing Class, 12:00 - 4:00pm in DHS B5
Monday, January 22nd:
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Little Dodger Playdate, 8:00 - 9:30am at DES
Monday, January 29th:
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Little Dodger Playdate, 8:00 - 9:30am at DES
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DHS Art Club Community Paint Night, 6:00 - 8:30pm in DHS Art Room
Tuesday, January 30th:
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Basketball Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, 5:00 - 7:00pm in DHS Commons
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There will be no school for students on Monday, January 8th AND Friday, January 19th!
Our staff members will be participating in a full day of Professional Development activities.
Please mark your calendar for the remaining Professional Development days this school year: February 12, March 11, April 8, and May 13.
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Christmas came early to our Dodger families!
THANK YOU to everyone who made donations and purchased take-and-bake holiday cookies from our Food Service Department- together, we were able to raise over $4,100.00!!!
The funds will help families in our district with negative lunch accounts and will also go towards a scholarship to support students continuing their education in the culinary arts or a food service related field.
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DMS & DHS Winter Concerts | |
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Our talented middle and high school musicians filled our Auditorium with the sounds of the season in December!
If you couldn't make it or would like to watch it again, click the links to watch the concert videos:
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DHS Distinguished Alumni Ceremony | |
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In December, DHS honored their 2023 Distinguished Alumni inductee, Rick Thuli, DHS Class of 1970!
After earning a chiropractic degree, Rick, who is a designer at heart, engineered a portable chiropractic table. In 1986, he and his wife Lauren co-founded Thuli Tables, crafting world-class treatment tables for healthcare professionals. Thuli Tables are now used all over the world, including countless chiropractic clinics, professional sports teams, high-end spas, and even the Olympics!
During an all-school assembly, Rick shared memories from his time at DHS and tales of his adventures that have taken him across the globe. Rick encouraged our high schoolers to explore the world, live with no regrets, and to consider taking a gap year to explore their interests. Rick also emphasized the importance of doing what you love and radiated pride as he spoke about working daily with his family, a testament to the joy that comes from doing what you love alongside those you cherish.
Following the assembly, Rick and his family toured our school before proudly hanging his well-deserved plaque on our Distinguished Alumni Display, forever solidifying his legacy.
Congratulations, Rick Thuli! Thank you for inspiring our students and reminding us that success is not solely measured by academic achievements or athletic abilities, but by the pursuit of one's true passions.
Learn more about Rick Thuli and our other Distinguished Alumni on our website:
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Upcoming events you don't want to miss! | |
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3rd Annual Trivia Night
Mark your calendar and get ready to test your knowledge at the 3rd Annual Dodgeville Athletic Boosters Trivia Night on Saturday, January 13th at the Dodger Bowl beginning at 7:00 pm!
The cost is $60 for a team of 4. Thanks in advance for supporting our student-athletes and athletic programs!
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Adult Sewing Class
DHS Family & Consumer Science Teacher, Ms. James is offering FREE Sewing Classes to the community!
Sunday, January 21st from 12-4pm, Tuesday, February 6th from 4-6pm, and Sunday, February 25th from 12-4pm in DHS Room B5.
Equipment will be provided but participants will need to bring their own fabric, thread and notions.
Email Sarah James at sjames@draschools.org to sign up!
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Community Paint Night
Mark your calendars and make plans to join our DHS Art Club to create beautiful winter paintings on Monday, January 29th from 6:00-8:30 pm in the DHS Art Room!
The cost is $10 for supplies and snacks. To reserve your spot, contact Art Teacher Lisa Humke at lhumke@draschools.org or click the link below to sign up.
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Spaghetti Dinner
Our Boys and Girls Basketball Teams are hosting a Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on Tuesday, January 30th from 5:00 - 7:00pm!
Each meal is $12 and includes spaghetti, meat sauce, salad, and garlic bread.
All proceeds will go towards our Basketball Teams. Thank you supporting the Dodgeville Basketball Program!
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Winter Fitness Center Hours:
Our DHS Fitness Center & Indoor Walking Track are now open to the community:
- Monday - Friday 6:00 - 7:30am
- Wednesdays 6:00 - 8:00pm
- Sundays 6:00 - 8:00pm
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New Year, New Gear!
Start the new year in style with fresh Dodger gear! Our Business and Marketing students invite you to explore their online school store and check out the latest additions, including cozy new flannel items!
Shop online any time at: http://dodgerstore.square.site/
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Join the Conversation!
You’re invited to join us for School Board Connect on Monday, January 15 from 5:30 - 6:30pm in the DHS Library!
Two school board members will be available for an hour before the regular school board meeting to chat with you, answer your questions, and address your concerns. Your voice matters, and we're committed to making our community's concerns our top priority. Mark your calendars and be a part of the conversation!
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Stay up-to-date with all the great things happening in our schools by checking out the social media feed on our website! Here are a few highlights from the past month, click on the image to view the post. | |
Before Winter Break, our Dodgeville CO-OP Gymnastics JV Team set a new school record for all-time team high score with 112.75 and then raised the bar even higher at the next meet, scoring an impressive 114.65! | | |
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Our DHS Key Club takes the crown in this year's 'Deck the Toes' sock drive competition! Our high schoolers outsocked the middle school, collecting 1,090 pairs of socks, surpassing the DMS Builders Club’s impressive 730 pairs!
Together, the our students were able to donate nearly 2,000 pairs of socks to the Family Advocates of Iowa County!
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Our Early Learners and their family members spread holiday cheer as they went caroling through the halls of our elementary, middle, and high schools!
Afterwards, they gathered to create festive gingerbread houses and enjoy a holiday meal together.
Thank you to everyone who was able to join us for this very special day!
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Our 5th graders have officially started the DARE program with our Student Resource Officer, Joe Pepper!
The updated DARE curriculum goes beyond saying no to drugs, tobacco, and alcohol- it covers essential life skills like stress management, effective communication, self-advocacy, and also focuses on important topics such as bullying, signs of teen suicide, social media safety, and much more.
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Our talented High School Chamber Choir traveled to the elementary and middle schools, filling our schools with the magic of Christmas carols! | | |
Our FFA gifted beautiful poinsettias to our middle school and high school office staff as a token of appreciation for all their support. This year’s FFA Holiday Sale grossed just over $25,000! | |
We counted down to the New Year with our top ten Facebook posts of 2023 based on YOUR likes, comments, shares, and other analytics! | |
- Coming in at #10: Our Food Service Department’s Cookie Sale!
- Our #9 post of 2023: Celebrating our DHS Forensics Team who ALL earned medals at the State Forensics Contest!
- #8 on our countdown to 2024 is a four-way tie! Our posts celebrating our Boys Basketball back-to-back Conference Championship, our Lady Dodger Softball Team’s Conference Champs title, our Dodge-Point Girls Cross Country Team’s 3rd consecutive Conference Championship, our Boys Cross Country Team’s Conference Championship, our Boys Individual Conference Champion, Layne Aurit, and our Girls Volleyball back to back Conference Champs claim the #8 spot!
- The announcement of DHS's Class of 2023’s Top 10 students was our 7th most popular Facebook post of 2023!
- Coming in at #6 on our countdown to 2023: Our DHS Dean of Students & Activities Director, Joey Martin, was named District 5 Athletic Director of the Year & recognized as a finalist for the prestigious title of Wisconsin State High School Athletic Director of the Year!
- We’re continuing to countdown our top 10 Facebook posts of the year. The post announcing Mr. Ryan Bohnsack as Dodgeville School District’s next District Administrator takes the #5 spot!
- Our #4 most popular post of 2023: When freshman wrestler Brielle Walmer etched her name in Dodgeville High School history with the FIRST-EVER pin recorded by a girl!
- Coming in at #3 on our countdown to 2024: Two words: Regional. Champions.
- Landing as #2 on our list of the Top 10 Facebook posts of the year: When our community rallied together and raised over $1,200 in a Miracle Minute for Billy Spease, a freshman at DHS who was injured in a dirt bike accident.
- With a reach of over 30,000 people- Our most popular Facebook post of 2023: THREE Wrestling State Champions!
Thank you for being part of our social media community this past year. We look forward to sharing more of the great things happening in our schools in 2024!
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NAEP TESTING:
The 4th grade students at Dodgeville Elementary School have been selected to participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. The results are released as The Nation’s Report Card, which provides information about student achievement to educators, parents/guardians, policymakers, and the public.
On Wednesday, January 31, a team of educators from NAEP will be on campus working with our students and staff. Parents will receive a letter announcing this on Friday, January 5. Not all 4th grade students will participate in the assessment. You’ll receive a letter on Friday, January 5 if your student is selected.
If you have a student in 4th grade and have questions about this assessment, please contact Jacquelyn Goetzke, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at jgoetzke@draschools.org or (608) 935-3307, extension 5020.
READING, MATH, AND SAEBRs:
All students in grades K-10th grade will participate in local benchmarking assessments for Reading and Math. These assessments give staff a broad view of how students are achieving and growing in these two core areas. The analysis of this data allows teams and teachers to support students in classes
Additionally, the Dodgeville School District is committed to supporting every student's academic growth as well as their social, emotional, and behavioral growth. Part of our desired state for Dodgeville students is for them to be able to regulate their emotions, develop positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. As part of this process all teachers of students in K-12th grade will be completing a screener in the fall, winter, and spring called the SAEBRs or Social, Academic, Emotional, Behaviors Risk Screener. The screener will ask teachers a total of 19 questions about each student. This data will be gathered, and building leadership teams and teacher teams will review the data to develop instructional next steps to support all students in specific grades, buildings, and within our entire district. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to the following individuals:
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Elementary School
School Psychologist,
Abbey Rosenkrans
Principal, Heather Zizis
608-935-3307, option 2
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Middle School
School Psychologist,
Megan Meyer
Principal, Toby Tripalin
608-935-3307, option 3
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High School
School Psychologist,
Megan Meyer
Principal Ryan Bohnsack
608-935-3307, option 4
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Dear Families, Wis. Admin. Code § PI 9.06 requires school boards to evaluate the status of nondiscrimination and equality of educational opportunity in the school district at least once every five years and report the results to the Department of Public Instruction.
To meet the five-year evaluation and reporting requirements, the Dodgeville School District must evaluate the status of nondiscrimination and equality of educational opportunity in the following eight areas:
- School board policies and administrative procedures.
- Enrollment trends in classes and programs.
- Methods, practices, curriculum and materials used in instruction, counseling, and pupil assessment and testing.
- Trends and patterns of disciplinary actions, including suspensions, expulsions, and handling of pupil harassment.
- Participation trends and patterns and school district support of athletic, extracurricular and recreational activities.
- Trends and patterns in awarding scholarships and other forms of recognition and achievement provided or administered by the district.
- School district efforts to achieve equality of educational opportunity and nondiscrimination.
- School district technology, including electronic communications by school district staff.
During the district self-evaluation, the district will provide an opportunity for participation by students, teachers, administrators, parents/guardians and residents of the school district. In addition, the district must prepare a written report of the evaluation which shall be available for examination by residents of the school district.
The written report will be available in late February. Watch for opportunities to participate in this self-evaluation. These meetings will take place in March.
Questions or comments regarding this self-evaluation can be directed to Jacquelyn Goetzke, Director of Curriculum and Instruction at jgoetzke@draschools.org.
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Dodgeville School District
916 W. Chapel St.
Dodgeville, WI 53533
Phone: (608) 935-3307
E-mail: krunde@draschools.org
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