Again welcome to the start of a new school year. A lot of changes have been occurring to adapt to the new operation of this school year. We applaud all students, families and teachers and staff for all the cooperation during this time. We know it hasn't necessarily been smooth every day. But know that we are working to improve constantly. Since this is new uncharted territory for most, we recognize that change is often times difficult. We also know that we will continue to move forward and along with that comes more comfort-ability and ease. We are moving in that direction.

Along with the other changes this year, we are shifting our format for Parent/Teacher Conferences to appointments with phone calls. Please read later in this newsletter for more information on how to set-up your appointments with teachers. There will be a two week window for these conferences. Allow for more flexibility for all schedules.

Our priority is the health and safety of all. We appreciate all the efforts that students, staff and families are doing to help our students stay in school. All of the work that everyone is doing has had a positive impact. Keep up the great work.

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The Week of October 26th-30th Will be Pre-ACT and Aspire Interim Testing.

The purpose of these tests is to provide some baseline data to help us analyze student growth. With the absence of Spring Testing data this will help us determine where our students are at, and how we can modify instruction to meet potential areas for growth. This also allows our Juniors an experience of taking a practice ACT which all Juniors take in the Spring. All students will test in the areas of Reading, English Language Arts, Math and Science.

Hybrid Students Grades 9-10 will be doing Interim Testing with ASPIRE during their four core class periods (English, Math, Science and Social Studies).

Hybrid 11th grade students will do the Pre-ACT test during periods 1,3 on their odd in person days. All Juniors will be testing during this time. So students who have release during those periods must report on their odd day for periods 1,3. The testing will take place in the commons.

Robust Virtual Students will be able to participate in these assessments as well.

Up to date grades are still being recorded in Skyward. Canvas grade book is currently not being used overall. Teachers may indicate in Canvas if an assignment has been collected, missing, or provide feedback. Overall grades will continue to be recorded in Skyward.

To access the most current information regarding return to school for the school district please follow the link below. Remember our plan is based on the phase Dodge County is currently in or any other mandated guidance.

Each year school building administrators are asked to develop a School Success Plan for the school year. This year our plan has identified three areas that we are looking to improve in. The three objectives are listed below. With that we also have provided some examples of things we will be doing differently to help us accomplish our objectives.

*Literacy SHIFT Institute for Middle and HS "Developing the Attributes of Powerful and Independent Learners" year long PD

This year Parent Teacher Conferences will be done virtually. There will be a window of dates and times available by teacher. Starting October 19th-November 3rd. The sign-up for conferences will be through Skyward. Information will be shared out when the time gets closer.

The USDA recently approved Free Breakfast and Lunch for all students 18 and under through the Month of December. High School students should have their Student ID with Bar Code to get meals. If they are without an ID card they can provide their Pin Number. Students without ID's should visit the Main Office to pick-up their ID or get an ID made.

Lifetouch will be doing student pictures this year. They have enhanced protocols to help ensure health and safety concerns are addressed. Please see below for scheduled dates for specific cohorts including Robust Virtual.

Please note that your student is not required to do this.

Also note there will be no make-up or retakes this year. It will be one opportunity for each cohort.

For the Green and Gold Cohort students we will be sending groups of students down every five minutes in alpha order during class periods. We will share the list with students and staff. If a student has release period during the time of their picture assigned time, the student can take their picture either at the start of the period or toward the end of the period which ever works best with their release period.

Each month staff can be awarded a Golden Beaver Medallion for going above and beyond the normal call of duty. This medallion is presented to them from another colleague. The recipient possesses the medallion for a month and then is tasked with passing it on to another staff member.

This school year the High School will continue to implement measures to protect students with severe life-threatening food allergies. Over the past several years the number of BDUSD students with severe allergic reactions to food has increased. In many cases the food does not need to be eaten by the student but simply the close proximity and smell can trigger an allergic reaction.

In order to prevent a life-threatening allergic reaction, the following measures are being implemented at the high school:

Students and staff are asked voluntarily not to bring any food item into the high school that contains nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, tree nuts (almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios), or nut products.

Any food items that contain nuts, peanuts, peanut butter, tree nuts (almonds, brazil nuts, cashews, chestnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios), or nut products should be opened and eaten in the common lunch area only ---not in classrooms, hallways, etc.

Students and staff who eat nut or peanut products are reminded to wash their hands after eating /touching such items as the protein residue that causes the allergic reaction can be transferred to objects and allergic individuals can inadvertently place it into their eyes/ mouth resulting in a life-threatening allergic reaction. Use of hand sanitizer does not work for food allergies.