DECEMBER 2023

We're nearing the end of 2023 and as we reflect on our year, we have so many great memories to look back on. We hope you have had a great 2023 and ring in the new year feeling refreshed as you return to your classrooms and buildings after break.

We welcome your feedback, questions and ideas for this newsletter in order for it to meet your needs. If there's anything specific you'd like to see covered in these newsletters please let us know! We invite you to reach out to us at [email protected].

OFFICE HOURS:

7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

CONTACT:

Main Office: (608) 221-7660

District Website

Calendars

Staff Resources

UPCOMING EVENTS:

December 25-January 1 - No school (Winter Break)
January 2 - Classes resume
January 8 - No school for 4K only
January 10 - School Board meeting

IN THIS ISSUE:

School Board Meeting Updates
Summer School Dates
2024-25 staff & student approved calendars
School Feature
and more!

Updates from the School Board Meeting

Click the thumbnail above to watch the December 13th Board meeting. Find the meeting agenda on our website.

Board Reports

The School Board heard the student report from their student representative, MGHS senior Krishna Elwell. There were also updates from the Personnel Committee from its chair Eric Hartz (including an update on EA and SEA wages); from the Teaching Learning and Equity Committee from its chair Elizabeth Cook; from the Policy Committee from its chair Susan Manning and on the Monona Grove Education Foundation from the School Board representative to that group, Susan Manning.

Administrative Reports

The School Board heard the MG21 annual report co-presented by Rebecca Fox Blair, Executive Director & Teacher at MG21 and MG21's Governance Board president Tom Stolper; from Jim Blodgett on School Safety and Security; and the Superintendent's report from Dan Olson.

If you'd like to hear more about these reports, we invite you to watch the last night's Board meeting (linked above).

Other Action Taken

Capital Maintenance: Representatives from McKinstry presented a sustainability vision to the Board at November's Board meeting, demonstrating the opportunities that each school has to create more sustainable buildings and the economic value it would provide. At last night's meeting, the Board took action to approve solar and lighting energy efficiency projects. The proposed ground solar array will make GRS a near net-zero (with a 97% energy offset) building!

2024-25 School Calendar: The School Board approved the 2024-25 school calendar, now available as a staff calendar on the Staff Resources webpage and as a family calendar on the Calendars webpage. Families will receive the calendar in the January school newsletters.

2024 Summer School: The School Board approved the 2024 summer school dates to be: June 17-July 12, 2024 with no school on July 4 or July 5.

Middle School Course Proposal: The School Board approved six middle school course proposals (four new and two revised courses). New courses: Child Development: Babysitting, Computer Science Explorations (Computer Science Pathway), Business Practice (Business Education Pathway), and Magic of Electrons (PLTW Gateway Course). Revised courses: Beginning Culinary (Culinary Pathway and Textiles/Design Pathway) and Grade 6 Computers.

Open Enrollment: The School Board amended the Open Enrollment policy. This policy gives preference to siblings who are open enrolled into Monona Grove schools, but no longer guarantees acceptance. The policy committee and administration recommended the amendment.

Additional items

Update from Dan: ICYMI, please take a moment to read this important update from Superintendent Olson.

4K-2 Grade Configuration Update

A tentative staff & boundary milestone timeline has been created for the Taylor Prairie and Cottage Grove School 4K-2 grade configuration project. View the milestone timeline on our website (under the Resources sidebar section).

School Feature: Monona Grove High School

A play on words from the game Where's Waldo.

The Where's Wunsch program was initiated this year at MGHS to build rapport with students outside of the "normal school day." Luke Wunsch, School Resource Officer and Monona PD Officer, is investing additional time outside his normal working hours to see students showcasing their skills and talents at extra-curricular events. If a student finds Luke at an event and they have a conversation together the student receives a "Where's Wunsch Ticket" which enters them into a monthly drawing to earn a prize. So far, prizes have included candy bars, a Chipotle lunch item and even using the SRO parking spot for a week.

The conversations with students grants both parties an opportunity to learn more about each other and allows Luke to build relationships with more students - an integral piece to the success of the SRO program!

Thank you for your content submissions!

In the month of November we had 16 staff reach out with content for social media - thank you! Many times the content that building staff share get the most engagement on social media - take a look at our top-performing post below, submitted by our staff!

Have content to share? There are two ways to help us celebrate:

Send photos to [email protected] of the fun things happening in your classroom.
Invite Katy Byrnes Kaiser or Emily Hayhurst to your building or classroom. We'll do our best to visit and capture the moments for you!

We are bringing back the social media incentive program this year! If you send us content or an invitation you'll be entered into a bi-weekly drawing to win a gift card!

5301 Monona Drive, Monona, WI 53716 Phone: (608) 221-7660 Fax: (608) 221-7688