District E-Newsletter        February 2018

Greetings, Wauwatosa School District Families!

I hope this finds you well.

It has been a busy time in the District as we recently marked the 100th day of school this year! We've celebrated a number of successes already from student academic achievements to student-athletic excellence, to achievements and recognition of Wauwatosa staff members on a national level.

Each of these examples are invigorating, inspiring, and are a reminder of our end goal; to provide an outstanding education that equips and inspires students to conquer their challenges now and in their future.

We achieve this with top teaching talent and our partnership with parents to continue at home, the progress we make during the day.

So, as we work our way through these next few months before Spring Break, may we all be focused, encouraged, and committed to the work we are doing and finish this year strong. I'm proud to be in partnership with each of you.

Sincerely, 

Phil Ertl
Superintendent
Wauwatosa School District Events
* Join us and schools across the country for Winter Walk to School Day on February 23rd! It's a great time to remind your friends and neighbors of the importance of having safe routes to school and a time to engage your child about healthy, active living!
Your Educational Community News
Board approves Extended Time Schedule for middle schools
During its January 22, 2018 meeting, the Wauwatosa School Board approved a proposal for an Extended Time Schedule (ETS) for Longfellow and Whitman Middle Schools beginning next school year.

ETS is a continued movement in education to focus on depth in student’s learning. With this change, one hour previously dedicated to Reading is being reassigned to - and divided among - the four core subjects of science, social studies, math, and English. Reading literacy skills will be woven into each of these four core areas. Each of these core areas will be extended by approximately 13 minutes. This will not affect other elective courses, such as world languages and music.

Apprenticeship opportunity for students interested in manufacturing careers
Do you have a child interested in exploring 21 st  Century career opportunities in manufacturing? The GPS Education Program may be a great fit.

The community-based non-profit organization offers the only Department of Workforce Development Youth Apprenticeship in the state. It’s a way for juniors and seniors to continue their high school education while apprenticing in chosen local manufacturing fields with companies such as Bradley Corporation and Generac Power Systems. Registration for next year is currently taking place. Learn more by visiting the GPS WEBSITE  or contacting your child’s school counselor.
Reduced Speed Ahead
With schools that are embedded in neighborhoods, it is important that we, as a District community, be good neighbors.

As a friendly reminder, please remember to:
  • Slow your speed in school zones.

  • Be respectful to fellow drivers around our schools.

  • Please do not block people's driveways.

We understand drop-off and pick-up time can be congested at some of our locations, but it's important that we be respectful neighbors to the homes and residents around our schools. Thank you for your help with this.
STEM & Montessori application period now open
The application period for Wauwatosa STEM School, Underwood STEM program, Middle School STEM, and Montessori School is now open.

Enrollment is through lottery only. Enrollment applications for all four will be accepted through February 23, 2018.  All applications MUST be submitted to the school or the Student Services Department in the District Office – 12121 W. North Ave. -- by 4:00 p.m. on February 23.

Applications and additional info can be found via the link below. Please note, when you click on the application link, the document automatically downloads on a desktop. On a mobile view, it opens a new window.

Stay Connected: Facebook changes the way you receive our District news
Facebook has made some significant changes that impact the stories, photos, and videos that are showing up in your newsfeed.

This means you may be missing important news updates or celebrations from the District. Here are three simple steps you can take to make sure you stay informed:

  1. Go to our District page on Facebook; Wauwatosa School District. To do this, type in Wauwatosa School District in the search bar within Facebook.
  2. Once you're on our page, look for the “Following” tab under the cover image and click on the small arrow next to it.
  3. Select "See First". On the desktop it looks like this:
On your MOBILE , it will look similar to this. Click the "Following" arrow and then select "See First", as pictured below.
Editor's note: Viewing the entire newsletter
Make sure you are not missing part of our newsletter! Sometimes email providers may "clip" the newsletter which means you miss important stories.

If it looks like the newsletter abruptly ends, look for this message at the bottom and click the "View Entire Message" link to show the remainder of the newsletter.
Around the District
West High School students to compete in Future Business Leaders of America 2018 State Leadership Conference
Congratulations to the following Wauwatosa West High School students on qualifying for state competition during the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) High School Regional Leadership Conference on Saturday, February 3, 2018:

  • Ngaru and Aral Nen and Ben Reynolds -- 1st in Digital Video
  • Amish Verma -- 2nd in Computer Problem Solving
  • Jason Flynn -- 2nd in Business Law
  • Noah Grover -- 3rd in Organizational Leadership
  • Chris Paasch -- 3rd in Computer Applications

West’s team finished 13th overall out of 24 teams. They are coached by Mr. Nicholas Heiting . The finish is the team’s most successful in at least 5 years. #tosaproud

The 2018 State Leadership Conference (SLC) will be held for the high school membership at the La Crosse Center in La Crosse on April 9-10, 2018.
West's Trojan Dance Team takes state title in Hip Hop at 2018 Wisconsin State Dance Awards
Wauwatosa West High School’s Trojan Dance Team are state champions! The co-ed team took home the state title in Division 1 Hip Hop of the 2018 Wisconsin State Dance Awards on February 3, 2018 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Additionally, West’s team finished with the highest overall score among all competing teams! Way to represent! #tosaproud

Celebrating Black History Month
Wauwatosa East High School’s Black Student Union hosted a Black History Month assembly on Wednesday, February 7th for the entire student body. Sophomore Balie Williams opened the program with Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson. Lucky Diop was a special guest and performed two pieces on the bass drum. Mr. Diop was accompanied by drummers he teaches at Townsend Street School. Some of the ladies from BSU joined them on stage for their second number called Zamina Mina, which means Peace, Love, Joy, and Unity. The ladies performed an African dance, which Mr. Diop taught them. Mr. Balcerak closed out the assembly with an inspirational original poem.  Check out the District's Facebook page to see a video from the event!

Wauwatosa alumni perform at Super Bowl
Four Wauwatosa East High School alumni performed at the Super Bowl pre-game and halftime shows on February 4th!

Riley Rakowiecki  (Class of '17) and Brady Stratton (Class of '15) performed as a member of the UW Eau-Claire Blugold Marching Band during Pre-game festivities for the Super Bowl. 

Mairyn Schoshinski  (Class of '17) and  Nola McDonald  (Class of '14) performed as members of the University of Minnesota Marching Band with Justin Timberlake during his halftime show.
The Trendiest Tosa Tidbits
Wauwatosa Teachers Recognized with National Certification in 2017
Four Wauwatosa School District educators are among the 170 statewide who either earned or renewed their national certification in 2017 through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction made the announcement Wednesday, January 10.


Wauwatosa Staff member appointed to committee of a national board
Congratulations to Kelly Norton , an occupational therapist in the District, on her appointment to the Competency Tool Development Committee (CTDC) in a volunteer position with National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT). Kelly has been with the District since 2009. Her appointment is for a term of one year. The National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy, Inc. is a national not-for-profit organization that provides certification for occupational therapy professionals. #tosaproud
Wauwatosa teachers contribute to article published by National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Jefferson Elementary teacher Nadine Whalen and Underwood & Wilson Elementary instructional coach Liza Weber are published authors in the February edition of Teaching Children Mathematics , a publication of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Whalen and Weber contributed to the article "Empowering Teachers Through Problem-Solving". We're proud to have staff contributing to a national conversation in their field of expertise!

Read Article (You'll need to click "download PDF on the site).
Your Educational Community
12121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226 |  (414) 773-1000
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