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DISTRICT NEWS
for families
November 21, 2024
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DISTRICT MISSION: The mission of the Cedarburg School District is to provide an exemplary education that challenges students in a nurturing environment to develop into lifelong learners, to become responsible adults, and to achieve their goals and dreams. | |
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Dear CSD Parents and Families,
We are thrilled to share exciting news about the Cedarburg School District’s continued excellence! The recently released 2023-24 Wisconsin State District and School Report Cards have confirmed what we all know: CSD is home to an exceptional educational community. For the fourth consecutive year, each of the five schools, as well as the district as a whole, have been rated as “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” in the Wisconsin State rating system. This is no small accomplishment and reflects the dedication and effort of our students, staff, and families. Congratulations to all!
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On November 9, the Cedarburg Education Foundation (CEF) held its annual Bulldog Gala. Once again, it was an amazing event. This year’s theme, “A Night at the Masquerade,” featured incredible entertainment, including music from The Screamin’ Cucumbers and an engaging magician. Congratulations to Elizabeth Masslich, a mathematics teacher at Cedarburg High School, who was honored with the CEF "Innovator of the Year" Award in recognition of her continuous innovation in the classroom.
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Gala attendees also had the unique opportunity to experience a Virtual Reality session led by District Digital Learning and Innovation Coach Krista Penrod and Cedarburg High School World Language Teachers Chris Casey and Taylor Schroeder, who took us on a journey to Machu Picchu. The night was a huge success, and we are deeply grateful to all who attended and donated. A heartfelt thank you to the CEF Board members and student ambassadors for their tireless efforts in supporting the district’s goals.
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November is also a time to honor and remember our veterans. On November 11, we held our 4th annual Veterans Day Vehicle Procession, which was open to all veterans. This year, 109 vehicles participated! Led by a Cedarburg Police Department, the cars drove past Parkview, Cedarburg High School, First Immanuel Lutheran, Westlawn, and Thorson schools. Students at each school lined the sidewalks, waving and holding signs in appreciation. It was an inspiring sight for all!
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The Veterans Day event culminated in a special gathering at Webster, where veterans and their families enjoyed coffee, donuts, and a brief presentation. This was followed by a flag-raising ceremony led by members of the American Legion Peter Wollner Post 288. We salute all veterans for everything they've done to serve our country and could not be more proud of our students and their appreciation for our local Veterans!
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As these events illustrate, Cedarburg is truly a special place. The support and opportunities our community provides help shape our students into individuals who will continue to carry on the cherished traditions of Cedarburg. It is both a privilege and an honor to serve in the Cedarburg School District.
Wishing you a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday,
Dr. Jeridon Clark, Superintendent
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A Few Highlights ICYMI (in case you missed it)
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School Psychologist Week & American Education Week | |
The Cedarburg School District is proud to recognize the incredible dedication and hard work of our teachers and support staff, who play a vital role in shaping the future of our students. Last week, we celebrated National School Psychology Week, and we are grateful to have five talented psychologists across the district who provide essential support in our learning environments. Their expertise and commitment are invaluable in helping our students thrive.
This week, American Education Week serves as a reminder of the collective effort that contributes to our children’s success. From the unwavering dedication of our teachers and staff to the ongoing support of parents, families, and the broader community, we are all united in our mission to help every student reach their full potential. Thank you to everyone who plays a role in our students' success!
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Cedarburg Schools Raise Over $7,000 for Honor Flight | As part of a Service Learning Project for Veterans Day, Cedarburg’s three elementary schools, First Immanuel Lutheran and Cedarburg High School, joined forces to raise funds to send a veteran on an Honor Flight. Thanks to project organizers Colleen Huber, Megan Claypool, Caroline O'Leary, and the incredible generosity of our students, staff, and families, we collectively raised over $7,028! A special shout-out goes to the CHS Business Capstone students, who played a key role in the success of this project by raising an impressive $1,200. This amount was generously matched by a $1,200 donation from Newman Chevrolet. Chad Curran, representing Newman Chevrolet, shared that he had the honor of participating in an Honor Flight over twenty years ago. His experience truly highlighted the sacrifices veterans have made for all of us and underscored the importance of giving them the recognition they deserve. | |
Thanks to the overwhelming support of our school community, these donations will fund at least 13 veterans’ Honor Flights—an incredible gift that will allow these veterans to visit the memorials built in their honor. Thank you for your generosity in supporting this meaningful cause! | |
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Thorson & CHS Collaborative Project
This year, Cedarburg art educators Deb Mortl from Cedarburg High School and Claire Penkwitz from Thorson Elementary collaborated on an exciting new project called "Imaginary Animals." First graders at Thorson drew their own imaginary animals, and the Digital Photo students at Cedarburg High School transformed these drawings into photographs! What fun!
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CHS Best Buddies Program
"I like that you can be different and be who you are," said Linsey Roller to her CHS friend, Tess Latzl. Roller and Latzl are just two of the many members of Cedarburg High School's Best Buddies program. This year, the CHS Best Buddies program was honored with the "Outstanding Chapter" award and was proudly featured on CBS 58 News' "Natalie's Everyday Heroes" segment. Thank you to our club's awesome teacher advisors, Jenna Jagler and Kate Halliburton!
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Westlawn Read-A-Thon Celebration | |
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Westlawn students are growing as readers! Students recently participated in a Read-A-Thon fundraiser, where they set reading goals and received pledges based on the total number of minutes read. Not only did they meet their school-wide goal, but they also met their stretch goal! These collective efforts were rewarded by Mrs. Ramos and Mr. Schmidt being 'dunked' by Westlawn staff yesterday! Oh, they could not have picked a nicer weather day for this, as the water temperature was a "balmy" 58 degrees, and the air temperature was 48! Congratulations to the collective efforts of the students to set a goal, reach it, and surpass it!
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Webster Celebrates Generation G Week
This week, students at Webster celebrated Generation G Week, a meaningful initiative created by Gigi’s Playhouse, Down Syndrome Achievement Center. The Generation G movement encourages individuals to make a conscious decision to be generous, kind, and accepting of all people, regardless of their abilities. Throughout the week, students participated in a variety of activities to embrace the values of Generation G. They dressed up for themed days and donated to Mel's Charities. Students also completed tasks aimed at spreading kindness, such as performing thoughtful acts to brighten someone’s day. On Wednesday, during lunch, students took the Generation G Pledge by drawing a G inside a heart on their hands and capturing the moment with friends through photos. It was inspiring for students and reminded us all of the importance of acceptance in our community.
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Parkview "Medieval Festival"
Fourth-grade students at Parkview celebrated the end of Unit 2 with a lively Middle Ages Festival, immersing themselves in the rich tapestry of history. Students engaged in splendid activities like crafting stained glass windows, testing their engineering skills with a catapult steam activity, and designing personal coats of arms to showcase their noble lineage. The day culminated in a thrilling jousting tournament, where valiant knights competed in a spirited display of chivalry.
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Making Connections Between Art & Music
At the end of October, our 5th-grade students embarked on an exciting Music and Art Combined Field Trip, offering them a unique opportunity to experience and explore the connections between music and visual art. This year, all of our 5th graders attended a performance by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in Milwaukee, where they had the chance to listen to a world-class orchestra. In addition, students from each elementary school visited one of Milwaukee’s iconic cultural institutions: Parkview & Thorson students explored the Milwaukee Art Museum, and Westlawn students visited the Lynden Sculpture Garden in River Hills, experiencing the beauty and creativity of outdoor sculptures.
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This memorable day allowed our 5th graders to connect art and music in meaningful ways, sparking creativity and reflection. It was a fantastic experience, and we are grateful to the teachers and staff who helped make this field trip possible. | |
Together We Achieve: A Celebration of School, Staff & Students | |
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CSD Ranks 2nd in the State
We are thrilled to share that the Cedarburg School District has been ranked 2nd in the state out of 367 K-12 public school districts in Wisconsin, according to the recent release of the 2023-24 District and School Report Cards. For the fourth consecutive time, the district, along with each of our five schools, earned the prestigious rating of "Significantly Exceeds Expectations"!
Here’s a breakdown of how our schools performed:
- Webster Middle School ranked #2 in the state out of 258 6-8 middle schools
- Parkview Elementary ranked #3, Westlawn Elementary ranked #5 and Thorson Elementary ranked #13 out of 433 Wisconsin PK-5 elementary schools
- Cedarburg High School ranked #7 out of 434 Wisconsin 9-12 high schools
To learn more about each school’s individual performance, be sure to check out the State Report Card Update, which was presented at the November 20 School Board meeting.
We are incredibly proud of our students' achievements and are grateful for the support of our dedicated educators, staff, and families. This recognition reflects the ongoing commitment to excellence across the entire Cedarburg School District.
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Cedarburg Among the Best Elementary & Middle Schools in WI
In addition, we are excited to share that Cedarburg has been recognized in the 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings as one of the top-ranked elementary and middle schools in Wisconsin! These prestigious rankings reflect the outstanding efforts of our students, educators, and school community.
Out of 1,002 elementary schools in Wisconsin, Parkview ranked #4, Westlawn #18, and Thorson #30. Webster Middle School ranked #12 out of 545 middle schools in Wisconsin. These remarkable rankings are a direct result of the dedication, hard work, and commitment of our students, staff, and families. Congratulations to all of our students, educators, and families for helping us achieve these outstanding results!
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CHS Student Athletic Recognition Awards
At the November 20 School Board meeting, Jon Hannam, CHS Athletic Director, had the honor of highlighting and presenting the fall CHS Student Athletic Recognition Awards. These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of our student-athletes, recognizing their dedication, hard work, and excellence both on and off the field. We are incredibly proud of our athletes' accomplishments and grateful for the support from our coaches, families, and the Cedarburg community. These awards serve as a reminder of the strong spirit of teamwork, discipline, and perseverance that our students exemplify.
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Cedarburg High School Drama | |
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Last weekend, the CHS Drama Department presented "Almost, Maine," a play about love and longing, friendship and isolation, melancholy and hope. The setting was a cold, clear, moonless night in the middle of winter in the mythical town of Almost, Maine. As the northern lights hovered in the star-filled sky above, the residents found themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and often hilarious ways. What an incredible performance by all!
Photo Credit: Deni Storm Photography
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Cedarburg Public Library Events | |
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Genre Reading Challenge Grades 3-8 Now through April 2024
Youth Fiber Arts Club Tuesdays from 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Kid Librarian Ages 7-12+
Check out all of CPL's fall events at https://cedarburglibrary.org/events/.
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Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings | |
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All meetings at 6:30 PM in the CHS IMC unless otherwise noted.
12/4 Curriculum Committee
12/11 B&G Committee
12/18 School Board Mtg
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No School | Thanksgiving Break
Nov 27 - 29
No School | Winter Break
Dec 23 - Jan 3
Classes Resume
Jan 6
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Cedarburg School District
W68 N611 Evergreen Blvd.
Cedarburg, WI 53012
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