Welcome to the Nov. 2016 Staff Connect Newsletter
If the photos do not appear, please click the "display images" link at the top of this email.
Boosting Student Employability Skills 
Do you remember the email Marie Collins, Badger High School's Community Education and Career Tech Ed Director, sent last month as a follow-up from the National Career Pathways Conference she attended in Indianapolis?
The subject is worth repeating and exploring.

Student Soft Skills Need Work!
The takeaway from the conference was that employers are more than satisfied with the career and technical skills of recent grads, but they are shocked by their lack of work ethic and things that many of us would consider basic courtesies, like calling in if you're sick; showing up on time; working well with others; and being respectful towards your boss. 

Nothing can replace real-life work experience, but as a study of recent hires and employers show, fewer and fewer students hold jobs, and many have never even had chores to do at home. As such, employers are increasingly looking to schools to help bridge the gap between "hard skills" (i.e. job skills) and "soft skills" (i.e. life skills).

So how can Lake Geneva Schools help? 
Our strategic plan objective of "Developing the Whole Learner," and our dedication to  enhancing curriculum offerings and providing balanced growth opportunities for all students will certainly help. And we can all continue to look for ways to embed employability skills into our everyday lessons, at every age and in every content area.

Resources...
The following links are designed to help educators incorporate soft skills into lesson plans. They provide examples of skills needed, offer lesson plans ideas to complement existing curriculum, and provide materials to make for "game" type role play.
District Success Stories
Strategic Plan In Action:  Developing The Whole Learner
Badger Students Value Up
Badger High School is launching a new student-driving culture change initiative called Value Up. The program kicked off on Oct. 13at school-wide assembly that featured national motivational speaker and culture change specialist Mike Donahue. RLearn more.ad the full story.

Hit the Success Button & Share Your Stories!  
Find more great success stories
on the homepage of LakeGenevaSchools.com.  
 
for effective story and photo sharing.

Save The Date & Spread The Word!

Community Veteran’s Day Celebrations Planned For Nov. 11 at LGMS, Eastview & Star Center. 

Get details here.
  Badger High School Performing Arts presents 
"Once Upon a Mattress"

November 10, 11 & 12 - 7:00 p.m.
Nov. 12 matinee at 1:30 p.m.

Tickets Price:  $10 for adults, $7 for children/senior citizens. Badger students receive 1 free ticket with their ID. Tickets may be purchased online or in the Badger High School main office.

Ticket Link & Performance Details:


Bucky's Scholarship Gala Is Nov. 18
Don't Miss This Elegant & Entertaining Evening. 100% of proceeds go to students for scholarships. Tickets are still available online & in the Badger main office.


4-8th Grade Orchestra Concert - Nov. 29, 6:00PM
Mark your calendars & join the elementary and middle school orchestra students for an uplifting night of music. Location: LGMS Gym
Two Great Badger Events on Dec. 3...

DECA Vendor Fair - 9:00AM - 3:00PM
Get a head start on your holiday shopping & support DECA! Learn more.

AND...

Music Department's Pancake Breakfast With               Santa - 8:00-11:00AM  Learn more
Fall & Holiday School Fundraisers
Curriculum & Instruction Tidbits

Check out Dr. Jan Eckola's latest TIDBIT on  Growth Mindset.   
Tech Tips You Can Use
Dan Schmidt, Director of Technology, will regularly serve up tasty tech tips that relate to technology integration in the classroom. Contact Dan with questions at  dan.schmidt@badger.k12.wi.us. Bon appétit! 

This Month’s Featured Buffet Items…
District Scrapbook
Cen-Den FINS Lend A Helping Hand
This afterschool student leadership group learned how rewarding it is to help others while working together to rake a school neighbor's yard. 
New Instruments At Star
Jenny Jones’ music students at Star Center are enjoying new xylophones thanks to a grant received from Herb Kohl Philanthropies.

LGMS Students Go Above & Beyond
LGMS celebrated the accomplishments and good character of  60+ outstanding students during their 1st quarter Above and Beyond celebration on Oct. 21. Read more.

Firefighter Reading Program Sparks Excitement at Cen-Den
The Lake Geneva Fire Department volunteers to read to Cen-Den 4K-3rd grader every other week. Learn more about this awesome reading partnership.
Follow all of our schools on Facebook and Twitter for more news and successes.
Have A Great Week!
Find archives of our LG-Staff Connect Newsletter on LakeGenevaSchools.com