Elementary Updates for K-5 Teachers

Elementary Content Areas K-5th:

Writing K-5th

As the 2022-2023 school year closes, we want to celebrate the success of the implementation of writing through the use of our Benchmark Writing resource. Our elementary theory of action was about explicit instruction and analyzing student writing. We have multiple pieces of evidence that we reached full implementation in these two areas, as seen by: teachers modeling their writing, writing partnerships with guided practice, teachers using explicit language in their minilessons and high levels of conversation and calibration in PLC’s and writing professional learning. Writing growth was celebrated through displays in classrooms, hallways and writing celebrations. The anecdotal stories shared this year from teachers, parents, principals and kids on the newfound joy is one of the most exciting outcomes!  

As we move into year two of implementation we will focus on conferring and the transfer of grammar and phonics into student writing. Thank you teachers for being learners, brave writers, and being vulnerable as we calibrate around grade level expectations. You will always be the most important part of a child’s education! 

Math K-5th

At the May School Board Meeting iReady Classroom Mathematics was approved as the new math curricular resource for K-5th grade mathematics. This program will replace all of our current math materials, and we will be following it exclusively. Please watch the video below for more information: 

https://www.loom.com/share/6f84c2dd58c14a6ca087c5a65fd62a82

Social Studies K-5th

The feedback teachers provided in the Social Studies survey guided the adjustments that will be made during curricular summer work days. Elementary Social Studies will reduce the number of days of instruction to be able to ensure that teachers have the time to do the quality inquiry with students that support students to meet the criteria of their inquiry project for each unit. Students will be evaluated using the targets that support the skills required to be able to complete the inquiry project (We hope that you see that direct alignment, but will create more PD to support your deepening skill). Also, additional materials have been purchased to support Social Studies Teaching including: compasses, maps, globes etc. These materials may be shared for check out, while others will arrive directly to your classroom. You will notice that AVID strategies will be embedded into your units of study to support increased student engagement in: academic discourse, reading, writing and collaborative inquiry. The feedback teachers provided in the Social Studies survey guided the adjustments. 

Elementary Assessment 4K-5th:

As previously shared in the April Assessment Update Link (click on link) elementary will be replacing MAP and PALS with FastBridge for literacy and iReady will replace MAP for math. This will be a reduction in assessment systems at the elementary level and give a better opportunity to understand how students perform across grade levels. 

For detailed information about the early reading assessments in English click

HERE, and for information about the Spanish assessments, click HERE. The Fastbridge assessment suite offers reading assessments beyond early reading readiness. Other reading assessments include aReading, CBMReading, AUTOreading, CBMcomp and COMPefficiency. 

At the Summer Institute you will attend professional learning for iReady & FastBridge. (Summer Institute Pathways)

Elementary Standards Based Grading 4K-5th:

Report Cards: 

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, 4K-5th grade will move to reporting student progress on the report card with Semester grading instead of Trimester. This will align with Secondary’s reporting practice of student grades using a Semester format. 

Report Card descriptors have been updated to focus on priority standards, while reducing the overall amount of standards on the report card. Click this LINK for a preview of the changes.

Parent Teacher Conferences will be held during the Fall and Spring. This will give opportunities for teachers and parents to connect on student progress in Fall and Spring. 

Elementary Summer Learning Opportunities:

We are excited that we were able to bring back early learning sessions for new curricular adoptions and other professional learning opportunities where teachers are able to earn a stipend for attending. Below are the list of opportunities that were offered:

iReady Mathematics: 

June 15th AM  (8:00 - 11:30) or PM (12:30 -  4:00) Implementing iReady Classroom 

Benchmark Writing: July 12 from 8:30-11:30 Writer's Workshop Implementation Year 2: Conferring and Transfer

AVMR:

July 17th - 20th from 8:00 - 3:30 AVMR Course 1

July 24th - 27th from 8:00 - 3:30  AVMR Course 2

AVID Path Trainings:

August 15th 8:00-4:00 pm Academic Literacy and Language. 

August 16th  8:00-4:00 pm Elementary Foundations 

Summer Learning Opportunities in Math - AVMR and iReady

 While summer is a time to rest and relax, it is also a time to engage in some new learning. This summer, a few different opportunities are available for teachers to learn and grow in math. 

iReady Training

Be a part of this early adopter training to get the head start on looking at the new iReady program. You will receive a $125 stipend for attending.

Targeted Audience:

Elementary and Special Education Teachers at the elementary level teaching math

Date Offered:

• June 15th (AM or PM)

SIGN UP HERE

AVMR Training

Targeted Audience:

• Classroom Teachers who teach math 
  

• Special Education Teachers 

who teach/support math

• Math Interventionists

Dates Offered:

• AVMR 1 - July 17th-20th
• AVMR 2 - July 24th - 27th
• 8:00 am - 3:30 pm each day

SIGN UP HERE

SDW Seal of Biliteracy Awards

 

Between 2017 and 2023, through Covid-19, this year we are celebrating the graduation of sixty four students with the State of Wisconsin Seal of Biliteracy. 
With the addition of these graduates, the School District of Waukesha leadership and faculty can celebrate the achievement of over 300 Graduates who have earned the prestigious Seal of Biliteracy.

These students will leave our schools soon completely Bilingual and Biliterate, with an industry certification award which communicates to universities and employers the quality of multilingual and multi-cultural student they are interacting with.

Special thanks to our Dual Language and World Language Teachers K-12 for whom, without them, this work would be impossible! Gracías/Mercí and Thank you so much for bringing your passion for learning every day!!

Teacher Appreciation Week is upon us!

As we approach the official week of May 8-12 to celebrate all of our teachers, I wanted to kick off the weekend ahead to say how much I appreciate all of you!

Teaching is so demanding and complex and yet the feet of our children who walk into our classrooms every day make it so rewarding. If you are like me, you couldn't imagine doing anything else. Between the tears, the screams, the smiles, and the laughter, you impact the lives of our students, every, single, day.

Although you may not always get the praise that you deserve, I see how hard you work for students. I see how you commit to one another. I see how you extend and develop relationships with our parents. I see how you bring positive energy for kids, because they matter most.

Thank you for being here in Waukesha. Each of you are a champion! 

Life Lessons at 50

There are a lot of sounds around us each and every day, some that fill our buckets and some that deplete our buckets. I turn 50 on Thursday of this week, and I got a birthday message from my student teacher supervisor I had back in my UW-Whitewater days. This was 1996 (I know!) in Fort Atkinson at the Middle School. Mind you, I do not keep in touch with her at all but she emails me once a year and I got this note that I wanted to share with all of you.

Why?

I think it shows that we have so many opportunities each and every day to make an impact, to spread joy, and to pay it forward. 

Hey JL,

Tis joy I feel again to be wishing you a Happy Birthday. As you age, so do I. It is with great pleasure that I am still able to send a birthday greeting to you. As you begin a new birth year, may you continue to embrace your daily challenges with an open heart and mind. Work hard, play hard, take chances, love big, have faith, make a positive difference each day, listen to hear, and keep diving right in for those underdogs in our world. Keep smiling and thanks for all the memories I have of our adventures together. I am so proud of you. All the best to one of the best.

How can you pay it forward to someone this week? Be that person who can positively fill someone's bucket.

Carroll University Graduate Programs in Education Opportunities - Fall 2023

The School District of Waukesha has a partnership with Carroll University which allows our employees the opportunity to conveniently continue their education with multiple graduate degree options in education at a 15% discounted rate. Please see the flyer below with more information and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. Carroll will be hosting a Grad Education Open House on April 20th - if you're interested Save the Date!

University of Wisconsin -Whitewater Onsite Master's Degree Opportunity - Fall 2023

The School District of Waukesha has a partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater which allows our employees the opportunity to conveniently earn a Master of Science in Education on site at a discounted rate. I am thrilled to announce that we are opening enrollment for our third SDW Cohort! The goal is for a minimum of 15 students to enroll to run the cohort. Please see the flyer below with more information and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. An information session will be held on May 9th at 4:15 - if you're interested Save the Date!

What a way to kick off March Madness!

 
Ted Lasso Season 3 came back this week! Kyle LeMieux, our West Associate Principal/Athletic Director hosted the 11th annual West Leadership Conference with over 250 student-athletes participating in the conference named Starts with You, Ends with Us.

When I think about habits and behaviors that champions do differently I think about humility, others over self, consistency, and positive relationships, just to name a few. I hired Kyle back in 2011 as a Northstar and he has just thrived for us in his administrative role at West where hundreds of athletes year after year benefit from his servant leadership!

Like Ted Lasso, and like Kyle, I challenge all of us to lead with contagious affection and positive optimism. Starts with you, ends with us. Go 'Sha!

The Secret to Giving Great Feedback Shouldn't Be A Secret

 

We had CESA 1 come in today to work with our Administrators on providing actionable feedback for educator growth. We practiced growth-focused conversations as well as using critical-attribute informed feedback. One of the videos shared with us was from a Ted-Talk and includes a 4 part formula that I believe is so beneficial for all of us.

(1) The Micro-Yes

(2) Data Point

(3) Show Impact

(4) End on a Question

Remember, clear is kind! Whether it be in our professional work setting or with your family members and friends, this 4 part formula should welcome feedback as the gift it is truly meant to be!

Summer School Teachers Needed!!!

Are you looking to make some extra cash this summer? If so, then look no further! The School District of Waukesha is now hiring summer school teachers K-12. Summer school runs June 19th-July 14th, with no school on July 3rd and 4th. Competitive pay as compared to our surrounding school districts. If you are interested and would like more information please contact our summer school principals directly all listed below. 

Elementary Summer School Sites & Principal

• Hadfield: Elizabeth Gould egould@waukesha.k12.wi.us
• Hawthorne - Omar Masis omasis@waukesha.k12.wi.us
• Heyer - Mary Garcia-Velez mgarcia-ve@waukesha.k12.wi.us
• Summit View - Garret Sheskey gsheskey@waukesha.k12.wi.us

Secondary Summer School Sites & Principal

• Butler Middle School - Hadassa Robinson yrobinson@waukesha.k12.wi.us
• Waukesha North High School - Christina Ali & Brian Schlei cali@waukesha.k12.wi.us or bschlei@waukesha.k12.wi.us

Literacy Leadership

As we know, there is no more important goal, than making sure all students in the School District of Waukesha are proficient readers! We are excited to be partnering with the CESA 6 Literacy Center on our journey to create and implement strategic plans and decision making designed to build knowledge and systems that bolster the science and balance of early literacy instruction in our schools. This two year partnership will engage us in continuous literacy learning, help us to develop an initial district literacy implementation plan, not just in the early grades but as an entire 4K-12 system.

Waukesha teams will be joining the Early Literacy Academy that they offer as well as their Leading Literacy for Impact to improve literacy instruction and student achievement K-12. One of the academies begins in August so once I have our team membership solidified, I will let you know who that will be and I will make sure to continue to bring you updates along the way. Should you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me directly. 

March Madness is here! Enjoy the weekend ahead!

Highs and Lows of Life

Sunday, I said goodbye to my 10 year old yellow lab Miele, who crossed the Rainbow Bridge all too soon. My heart was ripped to pieces and I still don't know how to handle that pain of losing another pet. Those of you that are animal lovers can certainly relate to their unconditional love! I went to my "go to" coping mechanism, the work I am able to do in Waukesha. 

This week was jam packed with so many positive spotlights I truly don't know where to start first. On Tuesday at our Teaching and Learning Board meeting, we highlighted a few things that I want to mention. First, the progress at Hadfield. I know it sometimes feels like it is happening at an inchworm pace, but with the Math pilot in particular we are seeing student achievement data at levels we have never seen before. We are seeing student's excited about being proud writers, all the while our Hedgehog staff continues to bring their patience and excellence to the work that is in front of us and I appreciate all that you are doing!

We also had some of our Music teachers on hand to highlight program enrollment and performance participation. Please check out the landing page of our website to see all the wonderful opportunities we have in the coming months all across our district. Just wonderful!

North was also on hand to highlight some of the ways in which they are securing accountability around our Key Performance Indicator: 80% of students earning a GPA of 2.8 or higher. We know this is a Redefining Ready indicator of not just college success but career and community success as well. North staff are working intentionally and collaboratively to reach their school goals and currently have 73% of their students achieving at this level.

Thursday, as I left West HS with our snow wonderland, I was feeling so thankful to our Math teachers who are in year one and year two of our new Agile Minds Integrated Math curriculum. Staff at West opened their doors to observers not just from Waukesha but from about 10 other districts who came in to observe the teaching and learning happening in these high school math classrooms that is transforming our student’s efficacy and their overall levels of success as mathematicians.

The week started out with the lowest of lows in life and yet I was able to witness so many phenomenal educators this week doing amazing things for our students in the 'Sha. May each day bring you more highs than lows.

Radio Silence

I am going to age myself with this reference right out of the gates, but remember those mixed cassette tapes you made for your first crush as well as your first break up? Well, I feel like this blog could be a mixed tape with maybe my first selection being, Come Back Song by Darius Rucker or maybe Just Give Me a Reason by Pink to read this Connect!

This week I received the gift of feedback and was questioned about why the communication out of Lindholm has seen Better Days by Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake. I am also encouraged about our new opportunity to move to Blair so that maybe we can retire that noun of Lindholm! 

I am a listener, a servant leader who takes action, and a mixed cassette tape queen, so I commit to getting back to this Leadership and Learning Blog and more importantly to letting each of you out there reading this know that I appreciate all of your hard work on behalf of our students in the Sha!

This week I met with Dr. Piascek to finalize our Teaching and Learning Board agenda for Feb. 7. We are loaded with many agenda items including spotlighting the great work happening in 9-12 with Study Sync, our new ELA curricular resource, our K-12 Music programs, and Hadfield Elementary with their Achievement Gap Reduction progress and their Math Bridges pilot. I also look forward to having our board take action on the last round of Learning Recovery money from the ESSER funding. I am thankful that our board has approved well over the required 20% to spend in this area! I am also looking for them to approve Policy 9130.01 which will help us clarify expectations around complaints concerning educational materials and library materials.

This is mid-year review time for all of us and I have enjoyed meeting with several Principals this week to reflect on their own SLO and PPG processes and school and student impact. I was able to visit Hawthorne, Hadfield and SummitView this week and my school visits are always the BEST part of my week!

Thank you for the feedback around The Sound of Silence. I think Simon Garfunkel summed up the song's meaning in 1966 in referencing the inability of people to communicate with each other. 

Hello darkness my old friend, I've come to talk to you again......

Winter Institute 2023

The School District of Waukesha strives to provide all professional staff with meaningful, engaging, and purposeful professional development opportunities that align with our district goals and priorities. This year’s Winter Institute is scheduled for Monday, January 16, 2023, and will be hosted at multiple school sites across the district. With the continued onboarding of new curriculum and resources K-12; this year’s Winter Institute will focus on content area/role-specific professional learning, curriculum development, and intentional instructional planning across our system. Therefore, we opted not to use Sched as we’ve done in the past and share the information via our Winter Institute 2023 website. The Winter Institute website is linked here. For more information on your department’s professional development plan for Winter Institute please refer to the Teacher Pathway link on the website and select the appropriate pathway that best fits your position. If you have any questions please contact the district administrator, coach or coordinator that oversees your department. Have a great day of learning, growing, and building a better SDW for 2023!