September 13, 2020
“ We will never forget those who lost their lives on 9/11/01 We send our peace, love and comfort to those who lost loved ones and friends on that day, and our gratitude for the many heroes that helped our country heal!"

Dear Southern Door Families and Staff:
On Friday, Southern Door remembered and honored those who lost their lives on 9/11/01, during the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D. C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We recognized this 19th anniversary with a moment of silence, followed by Taps played by Southern Door High School Junior, Shaun Tooley.

The one thing I clearly remember with 9/11 was that this was a time in our more recent history when the entire country came together and united in support of each other. This reminds me of how from last March until now through the start of our school, our students, staff, families, and community have come together to rise to the challenges presented by this pandemic. Each day brings its new challenges as we navigate these uncharted waters. We so appreciate all of your incredible support as a community.

Our students and staff have done a fantastic job of embracing our "new normal" and being role models for mask wearing, washing hands, maintaining physical distancing, and monitoring symptoms, but it takes an entire community effort in order to hold down the effects of this pandemic. We need everyone in Southern Door to practice these health and safety protocols. It is the only way we, as a community, will be able to keep our children in school and keep school activities going so they can have the same opportunities as other generations of students.

This week our virtual celebration on Saturday morning will highlight the wonderful new learning environments made possible by the community's investment in our school with the November 2018 referendum. It will be live-streamed for the public to view and will also air on Facebook and the District website. See the article below for more details!

Southern Door residents have a strong tradition of supporting our children's education, and helping our community to thrive. It is what makes us Eagle Proud and Eagle Strong! WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!

Yours in Education,
Patti
Patricia Vickman, Superintendent
IN THIS ISSUE
*Important Dates
*Virtual Building Dedication
*Virtual Dedication on Saturday
*SD Receives Federal Grant
*McGowan Message for Families
*Free Breakfast & Lunch
*New Welder for Museum Donation
*Childcare Presentation
ANNUAL MEETING & BUDGET HEARING
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 6:30PM IN THE AUDITORIUM
The District’s Annual Meeting & Budget Hearing will be Monday, September 21st at 6:30PM in the auditorium. Residents wishing to attend this meeting in person may do so by following the District’s face covering/masking and physical distancing requirements. The public will also be able to access and monitor this meeting by going to this link: Southern Door/Board of Education/Board Meeting Files and clicking the “Livestream of Meetings” button.
IMPORTANT DATES

National Arts in Education Week

National Hispanic Heritage Month

Wed Sept 16
--WISCONSIN BADGER SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY (red & white); Middle & High School fall sports pictures after school

Thurs Sept 17
--REMINDER TO REGISTER FOR FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MEALS FOR CHILDREN 18 YEARS OF AGE AND YOUNGER IN THE COMMUNITY not currently on site at Southern Door and FOR ALL SD REMOTE LEARNERS! Meal Orders for next week are due by 10AM Friday! Order online today for pick-up next Tuesday and Friday.
--6p No Small Matter Childcare Presentation (see info below)

Fri Sept 18
--PACKER SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY

Sat Sept 19 --9a Virtual Dedication Ceremony Livestreamed
SOUTHERN DOOR COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
CELEBRATES WITH VIRTUAL BUILDING DEDICATION
We invite all community members to watch the ceremony, which will be live-streamed on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 9:00 am. Viewers will have an opportunity to hear from District leaders and their construction partner, and watch a video that will showcase the new spaces.

On November 6, 2018, residents supported a $6,270,000 referendum to invest in the District facility with projects that included:
·      Construction of a new High School Office, creating a secure entrance to better control visitor access;
·      Renovation of the open-concept Elementary and Middle School classrooms to add walls and doors creating separation between classrooms;
·      High School cafeteria/commons renovation and expansion;
·      Middle and High School Technical Education enhancements;
·      Infrastructure and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades;
·      Site improvements including parking lot replacement, exterior lighting and playground resurfacing.
The District will release a video walk-through of the facilities after the dedication ceremony, which will be available on both the District website and on Facebook.

“We appreciate the support of our taxpayers, and are excited to provide everyone in our community with this virtual opportunity to see the facility updates and the renovated learning environments, which have been made possible by the community’s investment in our schools.” said Patti Vickman, Superintendent.
Southern Door Receives $156,853 COPS Safety Grant
The Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) announced on Thursday, September 10, 2020 that Southern Door County School District was fully funded for its grant application for enhanced safety measures and safety equipment. The District was one of 160 schools nationwide and 6 schools in the state to receive this competitive funding through the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP).

Grant funds will be used to purchase classroom evacuation and lock-down to-go kits; additional video surveillance cameras on buses, facility door alarms, facility mapping software, a digital intercom system, and advanced safety training for District staff and its school resource officer. The District’s EPCOT (Emergency Planning Collaborative Operations Team) which consists of District staff and community representatives from the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, B.U.G. and Southern Door Fire Departments, Emergency Responders, and Door County Medical Center helped to identify the safety needs to be addressed. 
“A Lifetime of Success" - Mike McGowan for Families on Social and Emotional Learning
If children are going to learn to become self aware and manage their own feelings and behavior, they need to learn and master a set of skills. Social and Emotional Learning helps students recognize and manage emotions, demonstrate care for others, form healthy relationships all while making responsible decisions. Mike discusses why children need to learn these skills and why the Door County schools are focusing on social emotional learning this year. After all, we just want our children to be happy and successful. Click on this link to see this great video, sponsored by the United Way of Door County.
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH PROGRAMS NOW FOR ALL CHILDREN AGES 18 AND YOUNGER IN COMMUNITY
We are pleased to announce that the USDA is extending the free meals for kids program now through December 31, 2020, or until federal funds are no longer available to support the program. All students attending Southern Door (whether on-site or as a remote learner) will not be charged for breakfast or lunch meals from September 1 through December 31, 2020, or until we are notified by the USDA that they are discontinuing the program. Please go to this link for more details on how to access the program if you are a community resident with children not enrolled at Southern Door. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our food service office at (920) 825-7333 ext. 4501 or foodservice@sdsd.k12.wi.us.
NEW HIGH SCHOOL WELDER FOR MUSEUM DONATION
The Southern Door High School Tech Ed. Metals Shop was given in trade a brand new Millermatic 255 mig welder from Miller Electric Welding. Miller Welding was in need of samples of their older welders for their new museum and found out that Southern Door had a 1980's vintage Millermatic 200 welder still in use. Advanced Metals class students Kalissa Ambrosius and Isaac Parks recently set up up a new welder donated by Miller Electric Welding, Appleton, WI. 

Mr. LeBrun, SD metals shop instructor stated that the Miller 200 was one of the most reliable pieces of equipment ever in the shop, needing little care or maintenance for over 35 years. Literally hundreds of students got their first mig welding experience with that welder. While he was sad to see it go, Mr. LeBrun is looking forward to the students learning with the new technology welder. It’s also pretty special to get the recognition of Southern Door having a small part in Miller Electric’s new welding museum. 
CHILDCARE PRESENTATION
No Small Matter is a groundbreaking documentary that examines who provides child care across the country, how they do it, and the tangible and intangible costs on families, child care providers, businesses, and communities. United Way of Door County is excited to bring this film to our community.

Virtual showings will be held Thursday, September 17th, 6:00-8:00pm, and Tuesday, September 22nd, 6:00-8:00pm. The events are free, but you must register beforehand in order to receive an online link for an event. Please use the links provided below to register.
September 17th link or September 22nd link

Each showing will be followed by a panel discussion among local experts including child care educators and administrators, school district administrators, county health and human services staff, and business community leaders.  This is your chance to be part of a national movement that highlights the importance of early childhood education in Door County. We hope you are able to join us. Door County United Way!