School District Newsletter
School is in Session for ALL Students on February 19, 2019

In response to the number of weather-related school closings this winter, the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District has announced that school will be in session for all students on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

“Previously, February 19th was a scheduled professional development day. Although we feel staff development is a critical part of our teacher development and support, we wanted to respect the scheduled vacation days (e.g., spring break, day after Easter) and the plans staff and parents may already have in place for those days,” explained Superintendent Dr. Marty Lexmond.

Parents should plan on having their children attend school on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 . All buses, meal programs, before and after school care programs will be running per usual that day.
Pershing Elementary Participates in the Great Kindness Challenge

Over the past several years, Pershing Elementary School has participated in a special week-long challenge centered on kindness. “I help coordinate the Great Kindness Challenge with staff,” explains Student Services Counselor, Brooke Smith. “It’s a fun way to help students focus on what they can do to be friendly and considerate of others.”

The Great Kindness Challenge is a proactive and positive bullying prevention initiative that is designed to improve school climate and increase student engagement.

“There are over 50 acts of kindness that we promote,” says Smith. “Students accept the challenge to show the world KINDNESS MATTERS!

At the end of the week, the West Milwaukee Intermediate School Choir visited Pershing Elementary School to perform, "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars. Watch   here !

“Now, we’re a Kindness certified School for 2019!” said Principal Steve Harris. Read more...
High School Students in Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2 Use ALEKS to Gain Skill in Math

This year high school students in Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra 2 classes have been using a new tool in their classes: A ssessment and L e arning in K nowledge S paces (ALEKS). The online math platform was chosen to better customize learning with the specific needs of each student. It was adopted by the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District in the spring of last year. 

According to Director of Leadership and Learning, Deidre Roemer, “We strongly believe that the ability to solve complex math problems using high level thinking skills translates to higher ACT scores, better performance in math subsequent classes, and increased readiness for college or a career.”

With ALEKS, students are on a math continuum based on what they’ve learned and what they’re ready to learn. Now, teachers (and students) don’t have to wait for everyone to be on the “same page.” Students can work at their own pace to demonstrate mastery of material.

“We realize there are challenges when new materials and tools are introduced in the classroom. ALEKS is not designed to replace the teacher. Read more...
Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate 6th Graders Work to Better the Lives of Others

As part of a Deeper Learning Project, teachers Julia Bratel and Nicole Harmeyer posed a serious question to 6th grade students. “We asked them what they would do to better the lives of children locally and globally,” explains Bratel. “It starts as a broad topic but students are then able to come up with a plan and research something they are passionate about.”  

“I had a group of boys who were interested in studying gun and gang violence with youth,” said Bratel. “After working on the topic, students asked if they could school write letters and cards for various police departments in the area. They wanted to thank officers for their service and send condolences to those that lost comrades.”

In Harmeyer’s class, students raised money in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help grant the wish of a young girl from West Allis named Tegan. Students collaborated on a plan to make "Wish Week" (February 11-15) something every student could enjoy. Read more...
Spelling Bee Finalists

The WAWM School District Spelling Bee was held on Thursday, February 14, 2019. Congratulations to the top six spellers who will be moving on to compete in the CESA 1 Regional Spelling Bee on Wednesday, February 20, 2019.

  1. Andersen Skeels, Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate
  2. Sienna Peters, Wilson Elementary
  3. Georgia Proeber, Walker Elementary
  4. Ethan Ward, Lane Intermediate
  5. Preston Plier, Hoover Elementary
  6. Anvesha Deo, Irving Elementary
2019 Job Olympics 

Students from West Allis Central High School and West Allis Nathan Hale High School participated in the 2019 Job Olympics sponsored by LEAPP.

The event was held at Arrowhead. Everyone competed in two events along side students from 12 other school districts.

Their events included cashiering, self advocacy, laundry, busing tables, salad prep, data entry, and many more. Each school district hosted their own event. Judges for the events were from area school districts, volunteers, and community agencies including DVR, Life Navigators, Easter Seals and more.
No School for Students
Monday, February 18, 2019 - Professional Development Day

School in session for ALL students!
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Franklin Elementary School Textbook Found in South African School

When West Allis resident, Heather Plough, took a job with the Peace Corp, she never thought she’d find a piece of home in South Africa. Plough, who is currently teaching at an elementary school in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, was surprised to see a textbook she was using was from Franklin Elementary School.

“Eleven years ago, we were contacted by a Rotary Club in Madison to be part of Books for the World. This outreach program has been a great fit for our District. When our curriculum cycle leaves us with books that are no longer pertinent to state standards, we are able to send them to parts of the world for other students to use,’ explains Margaret Vranes.

This little book traveled a long way to Africa. "It’s amazing to see that we’re making a difference in the lives of learners across the world!” says Vranes. Read more...
Polar Vortex Snow Day Challenges

Sit home? Watch television? No way! When the polar vortex struck in January, students participated in a number of snow day challenges.

At Franklin Elementary, Irving Elementary, and Wilson Elementary, the Snow Day Challenge was for students to make a fort in the living room and take a selfie while reading a book. The classes that sent in the most photos, received treats!

Students at Jefferson Elementary, were asked take a photo while reading to a stuffed animal, sibling, pet, or parent. The class with the most photos was served hot cocoa upon their return to school.

At General Mitchell Elementary, students were asked to do a “frozen” science experiment or spend time reading in a fort of blankets, cushions, and pillows. Teachers also challenged students to a Family Dance Off to burn off extra energy! Participants entered in a drawing for the chance to win a class prize.
Register for Four-Year-Old Kindergarten

Is your child going to be four-years-old
by September 1, 2019?
Enroll in our 4K program for the upcoming school year! All students will have a seat at their neighborhood school.

4K Parent Information Night
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 
Horace Mann Elementary School
6213 West Lapham Street, West Allis

Enroll Today!
Students in grades 4K-12, follow the same process for enrollment. Please click here for instructions on enrolling your child.
West Allis Wave Boys Divers End First Season with a Splash

Sebastian Wichgers and Tristan Sawyer ended their very first season with the West Allis Wave Boys Dive Team with ribbons, trophies, and accolades. Wichgers placed 1st and is the Woodland Conference Champion with a personal best score of 367 points. Sawyer placed 3rd with his personal best score of 263. 

“They joined the team this year and worked hard,” said Dive Coach, Sandy Sikich, “It was great to see them accomplish so much.”

Wichgers placed 3rd at Sectionals and has qualified to compete at the WIAA 2019 State Boys Swimming & Diving Championships at the UW Natatorium in Madison, WI.

“These athletes are both juniors so I am already excited to see what they will do next year,” adds Sikich.
Frank Lloyd Wright Students Help Create Activities for School that Serves Autistic Children

On January 25, 2019, the students of 8th grade teacher, Christine Morrissey presented projects to the Superintendent, members of the Board of Education as well as their friends and family. The projects and plans were constructed to help enhance the GEM Center in Parker Co., which is a non-profit, year-round K-8 school that serves children who are high functioning with Autism and those with co-occurring social-emotional and behavioral challenges.  

Upon discussion with her friend and founder of the GEM Center, Morrissey saw an opportunity for collaboration around a Deeper Learning Project. The GEM Center was a barn that was renovated into classrooms by Morrissey’s friend in response to the mistreatment of her daughter and other students who are high functioning with Autism.

The District is focusing on engaging students in real-life problems. Wanting them to develop skills that involve research, collaboration, and communication. Morrissey presented the project to the FLW students who were asked to help create the best possible learning environment they could imagine for the GEM students.  Read more...
Irving Elementary School
Runs Pennies for Patients Fundraiser

On February 1, 2019, the Irving Student Council concluded their Pennies for Patients campaign. Student Council supervisors, Megan Peaslee and Christina Martello, and student council members worked with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to implement an all-school deeper learning project aligned to the character trait; kindness.

Students completed mini STEM projects and presented their new learning at the all-school community meeting. They created a spirit week to promote awareness for the Pennies for Patients project and made kindness hearts to promote how they were kind to others. The hearts were displayed in the gym for the Irving community to see during the month of January.

“Our students set a lofty goal of raising $2,000 for Pennies for Patients,” said Peaslee. “They worked hard and far surpassed it raising $3,559.66!”
Attend Intermediate School Preview Night

Date: Tuesday, February 26, 2019
 
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
 
The Preview Night will include information about intermediate school programming and extra-curricular activities.There will also be an opportunity to meet staff and tour the building!

Use Skyward to Determine Your Intermediate School Placement
  • Go to > Skyward.
  • At the Main Menu > Click on > Schedule.
  • At the top right of the page, YOUR INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL NAME will be listed next to Available Courses for 2019-2020.

Nathan Hale High School Booster Club
Inducts Athletes into Hall of Fame

On Friday, February 8, 2019, alumni, friends and family gathered as the Nathan Hale High School Booster Club held their second annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.

“Nathan Hale High School has a rich history of athletic excellence. We wanted to establish a historic record of that success so it would be preserved for future generations,” explains event coordinator and Master of Ceremonies, Ron Kurtz, “The Hall of Fame honors former student-athletes, coaches, teams and other individuals or entities that have made a significant positive impact on Hale athletics.” 

This year’s honorees were:
  • Robin Alt (Page): Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer and Track
  • Sam Antcliffe: Football, Basketball and Baseball
  • Leighton Betz: Cross Country and Track & Field Coach
  • Jim Fleming: Cross Country and Track
  • Pat Levenhagen: Football, Golf and Basketball

News & Notes - February


Each month, “News and Notes” recognizes the many contributions and achievements of staff, students, and members of our school community. The West Allis-West Milwaukee School District is the 12th largest district in the state of Wisconsin. Over 8,250 students attend our schools and over 1,000 employees work here.
WAWM High School Theater Presents
Cinderella

March 7-9, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
March 10, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Nathan Hale High School
11601 W. Lincoln Ave.
Auditorium

Tickets:
Adult $12
Senior/Student $10
Child (10 and Under) $8
West Allis Health Department Presents
Parenting the Love and Logic Way

Parenting the Love and Logic Way® is a six week highly regarded national parenting program that uses discussion and videos. Parents learn to share control, give kids choices, and communicate to reduce
arguing and power struggles. This program works for parents of toddlers to teens.

Six Week Training - Wednesdays
March 13, 2019-April 17, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 7:45 p.m.
West Allis Library
7421 W. National Avenue
Centers for Disease Control
Ask. Promote. Reduce.

Tobacco product use among US youth is increasing. More than 1 in 4 high school students and about 1 in 14 middle school students in 2018 had used a tobacco product in the past 30 days. Read more...

Key points:
  • There were 1.5 million more current youth e-cigarette users in 2018 than 2017.
  • 4.9 million youth were current tobacco product users in 2018.
  • Use of any tobacco product grew by 38.3% among high school students (2017-2018).
FREE DENTAL CARE

During the school year, FREE dental services will be available to students in the WAWM School District.

DentaMed Healthcare will provide dental screenings and restorative dental care to any student, regardless of whether the student is uninsured or insured by another organization. Using a state-of-the-art mobile dental unit, Dentamed Healthcare will provide:

  • Dental Screening
  • Dental Cleaning
  • Dental Restoration

Learn more about how to sign up here .
Access Skyward to Monitor
Your Child’s Progress!

Skyward  is the tool that helps parents view student schedules, attendance, and grade reports while logged in on any personal device! We ask that parents access Skyward to track their child’s progress in school (we only print paper records upon request).

Skyward enables parents to make fee payments and manage lunch money accounts. It also allows for increased communication with teachers. It is very important that parents maintain accurate telephone numbers and email addresses on Skyward.

Click here  for Skyward Directions.
Enrollment and Address Changes
Has your address changed? Visit our Enrollment Center !
West Allis-West Milwaukee School District Administration Building
1205 South 70th Street -  5th Floor
Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Proof of Residency is required.  Click here  for more information.

Questions? Contact the Enrollment Center
via email  enrollment@wawmsd.org  or telephone (414) 604-3014.

NUEVOS CAMBIOS DE INSCRIPCIÓN Y DIRECCIÓN
Centro de Inscripción Edificio de Administración del Distrito Escolar West Allis-West Milwaukee
1205 Sur en la calle 70th  - 5to Piso
De Lunes a Viernes: de 7:30 a.m. a 4:30 p.m.

Visite nuestro sitio web:   www.wawm.k12.wi.us
¿Preguntas? Póngase en contacto con West Allis-West Milwaukee Enrollment Center por correo electrónico enrollment@wawmsd.org o por teléfono (414) 604-3014.
Snowball Dinner Dance Planned For February 15, 2019
For over 15 years, the Recreation and Community Services Department has partnered with Special Education teachers in the District partner to hold a Snowball Dinner Dance in February.

“This is a special semi-formal dance for all high school students in special education, all participants in the Community Based Transition Program and any former graduates and friends,” explains Director of Recreation and Community Services, Shelly Strasser. “The dance is fully funded by donations from individuals, PTA groups, and various other organizations. The dinner dance is free for participants.”

This year, our dinner dance is being held on Friday February 15, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Nathan Hale High School.

“Last year there were over 50 attendees and we hope to have even more this year,” says Community Based Transition Program coordinator, Jackie Jacoby. “The Snowball Dinner and Dance is truly a highlight of the year for a lot of our current and former students. We look forward to seeing lots of smiling faces year after year!”