School District NewsWest Allis-West Milwaukee School District March 2016

WAWM SD PHOTOS

Dear West Allis-West Milwaukee School Community,

Over the past few months, we have been involved with several significant projects (e.g., fiscal analysis, neighborhood school initiative, and district reorganization) that lay a foundation for West Allis-West Milwaukee School District as we move forward.

In March we will embark on a Strategic Planning Process designed to engagestakeholders in defining the measureable outcomes and strategies forachieving our district vision: “The West Allis-West Milwaukee School District,in partnership with family and community, will foster personal excellence andlife-long learning for all students.”

A variety of focus group sessions will be held in March for staff, students, parents, and community leaders interested in providing input for the strategic plan. A parent satisfaction and employee satisfaction survey will also be distributed in March. Finally, a steering committee will be formed to collect input, assemble data, and create and present the strategic plan.

More information about the strategic planning process is available on the district website.

I look forward to working with all stakeholders to create a strategic plan thatbest serves the children of the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District.

Dr. Marty Lexmond

Read Across America Day at Parkway

Egg Drop Experiment at Lane

Celebrating the 100th Day of School atLongfellow

wawm.k12.wi.us

Important DatesCentral High School Play- March 4, 5, 11, 12

Youth Art Month Reception- March 6

NO SCHOOL- March 14

WAWM Community Presentation: Stairway to Heroin- March 15

District Solo & Ensemble- March 19

NO SCHOOL: Spring Break- March 24 - April 1

West Allis Central High School is hosting and sponsoring Stairway to Heroin on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 in cooperation with the WAWM Heroin/Opiate Task Force. The event is open to the public and is a “must- see” for every parent, educator, and community member. Click here for more information.

Please register for this FREE event here to be eligible for door prizes!

WAWM Community Presentation: Stairway to Heroin

Internet Safety

PTA Founders Day CarnivalYouth Art MonthDuring the Month of March our School District recognizesYouth Art Month along with thousands of other schoolsacross the country. On Sunday, March 6, 2016 from 1:00p.m. to 4:00 p.m. we will host our annual Youth Art MonthReception at the District Administration Building. There willbe artwork displayed on all floors of the building, musicalperformances, and activities. Families, staff, and theWAWM community are invited to celebrate student art andmusic in our schools.

Technology can be an extremely useful tool for both children and parents when it comes to education. But for all thepositives of technology there are also negatives which can not only be a distraction to children but also be downrightdangerous. At a recent presentation on internet safety hosted by West Milwaukee Intermediate School, parents, staff, andcommunity members were educated about the dangers of the internet and informed with steps to take in order to maketheir children less susceptible to these dangers.

The number one job of a parent is to protect their children and keep them safe at all costs. Part of this is being vigilant and involved. It is also about having a grasp on what devices children are using (tablets, smart phones, computers, video gaming counsels like Xbox, etc.) and checking them on a regular basis to ensure there are no potentially harmful aps or programs installed. Eric Szatkowski, a retired agent with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, provided important eye opening information and tips about keeping our children safe. Agent Szatkowski explained how there are certain aps called “decoy aps” which appear to be something as harmless as a calculator or a camera but in reality are aps that can be used to access harmful sites or store harmful content like pornography. He also urged parents to set parental controls on devices. Click here for more tips and resources to keep children safe on the internet.

The WIAA Board of Control will have their final meeting in Stevens Point on the southeastern Wisconsin High School Athletic Conference Realignment on April 19, 2016. On Tuesday, March 1, 2016 a letter of protest that was sent from the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District to the WIAA regarding the High School Athletic Conference Realignment Plan known as the Hauser Plan. Click here to read the letter of protest.

WIAA Athletic Conference Realignment Update

The annual WAWM PTA Founders Day Carnival was held on Sunday, February 14, 2016 in the Fieldhouse at Central High School. The PTA Carnival continues to be a nice, well attended mid-winter activity for families in the WAWM School

District. We would like to thank all of the volunteers for theirwork and dedication to the PTA and school communities.

Spotlight on Recreation and Community Services DepartmentEarly Childhood Programs

WAWM Schools had a successful winter athletics season. Congratulations to the following athletes on theiraccomplishments: Caleb Emert-McKeown (Central) and Alex Sorce (Nathan Hale) qualified for the WIAA Boys Swimming& Diving State Tournament. Kelsey Nizsche (Nathan Hale) and Dale Stirmel (Nathan Hale) qualified for the Wisconsin HighSchool Bowling Club State Tournament. Quentin Brown (Central), Tyus White (Central), Peyton Mocco (Nathan Hale),Mauricio Cardoso (Central) and Oliver Arena (Nathan Hale) qualified for the WIAA State Wrestling Tournament. JackRindal (Central) and Aaron Wojtysiak (Nathan Hale) qualified and competed in the WIAA Boys State Cross Country meetlast fall.

#WAWMproud

Did you know that young children retain what they learn far better when they are engaged in hands on activities? Research has shown that children also learn more by doing than hearing or seeing. Our recreational based early childhood programs provide endless opportunities for children to learn by doing. We encourage you to check out and register for these upcoming parent and child classes as well as classes that provide young children the experience of participating on their own to build school readiness skills. These programs and many more are held at Parkway Center, 2930 S. Root River Parkway. For additional program information or to register, please call us at (414) 604-4900 or visit us online atwww.wawmrec.com. Child Participation Only (Ages 2 ½ - 4 years)

Big Moves for Little Bodies April 5– May 10 10:15-11:00amPrincess Playtime April 6–May 11 10:30am-11:30amSuper Hero Kids April 6–May 11 9:00am-10:00am

Parent Child Classes (Ages 1 ½ - 3 years)Totworks April 4–May 9 9:00am-10:00amMusic Makers April 14–May12 10:45-11:15am or 6:15-6:45pmBig Moves for Little Bodies April 5 – May 10 9:00am-9:45am