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DISTRICT NEWS
for families
October 19, 2023
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DISTRICT MISSION: The mission of the Cedarburg School District is to provide an exemplary education that challenges students in a nurturing environment to develop into lifelong learners, to become responsible adults, and to achieve their goals and dreams. |
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Dear CSD Parents and Families,
WOW! That is the first word that comes to mind as I sit down to write my letter. For two reasons, this word pops into my head: 1) I can’t believe it is already the end of October - it feels like we just welcomed everyone back to school, and 2) I continue to be incredibly impressed with the strong academic work by our students and staff!
The Wisconsin Department of Instruction (DPI) released the Spring 2023 Wisconsin Student Assessment System results earlier this month. And, to no surprise… the students in the Cedarburg School District continued to achieve at high levels. This past spring, 74.4% of our students scored proficient or advanced on the ELA portion of the Forward Exam and 78.2% scored proficient or advanced on the mathematics portion of the Forward Exam. These results are outstanding and among the highest in the state and the highest for CSD since the Forward Exam launched in 2015! As a community, we should all be proud of the exceptional work done by our students and teachers. I am genuinely humbled to have the opportunity to work in this district.
What is even more impressive to me is that our educators are not satisfied merely to be one of the top districts in the state. As I have participated in several building-level meetings over the last couple of weeks, each of those conversations has focused on how we can continue to help EACH of our students grow. CSD educators take to heart our mission “...to provide an exemplary education that challenges students in a nurturing environment to develop into lifelong learners, to become responsible adults, and to achieve their goals and dreams.” They know our students can achieve their goals and dreams when they have a strong academic foundation.
So, THANK YOU to the parents, families, and school community for your continued support of our students and this exceptional school district. And, if you have the opportunity, please thank your students’ educators for their dedication to each student in the Cedarburg School District.
Wishing you a fantastic fall,
Dr. Jeridon Clark, Superintendent
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A Few Highlights ICYMI (in case you missed it)
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Learning About Fire Safety From CFD |
Parkview and Thorson 4K students and Westlawn 4K & 5K students were so excited to have firefighters as their special guests from the Cedarburg Fire Department visit their schools last week! They had a chance to check out all of their gear and firefighting tools and hear why fire safety is so important. Our students had a blast, learned many fire safety tips, and loved Firefighters Jason and Blake!
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National Poetry Day at Webster
On October 5th, to celebrate National Poetry Day, Webster 7th graders had the fantastic opportunity to celebrate the power and pleasure of word writing outdoors. They spent time in the Webster School Forest observing nature from different perspectives and using their senses to create haiku, diamante, cinquain, windspark, and fluxus poems. Afterward, in the outdoor classroom, students shared their favorite poems. It was fun to hear students perform their poetry out loud. As students finish their first unit, "Conflicts and Clashes," they will put on their author's caps, write their own narrative story, and study other authors' techniques. It's time to apply what they have learned about story elements to their own writing!
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Thorson "Green Day", Parkview "Stewardship Day" and Westlawn "MulchFest" |
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Our elementary students had a great time this week outside in our school forests! Each school organized a fall clean-up and mulching event one day this week. Thank you to the Green Squads and our students for their hard work! |
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Our schools are fortunate to have these wonderful outdoor spaces and the students really enjoy helping to beautify our trails and outdoor learning centers. Great Job! |
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CHS Commercial Art Contest |
Every year, CHS puts on a poster-making contest to allow students to have their artwork featured and used as advertising for the drama department. Students from the CHS Commercial Art class are working on designing the posters for each production. This year, the Fall Play is "The Odyssey," and the Spring Musical is "HONK! A Musical Tale of The Ugly Duckling"! Winning designs will be selected soon. Be sure to check out "The Odyssey," running November 9-12 at the CPAC. |
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State Marching Band Competition
The CHS Band took part in the state marching band competition last Saturday. They placed 5th in their division and 22nd overall! Congratulations Bulldogs!
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National Merit Qualifiers
Cedarburg High School’s Grace Gventer, Anica Tipkemper-Wolfe, Mary Stroebel, and Abigail Chen have been selected from a pool of approximately 1.3 million high school students who applied for the 2024 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Congratulations to Grace and Anica for qualifying as National Merit Semifinalists and Mary and Abigail for being designated National Merit Commended Students. As semifinalists, Anica and Grace can apply to become a Finalist. Congratulations to all four on this impressive honor, and we hope recognitions like this help broaden their educational opportunities and continue their pursuit of academic success.
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Riteway Bus Transportation Update |
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The Cedarburg School District continues to have ongoing discussions with Riteway regarding their level of service for bus transportation and the concerning number of route cancellations that have already occurred this year. Families and students deserve to have reliable, safe, and timely bus transportation to and from school, and currently, Riteway is not meeting those expectations.
As a result, the District has sent a breach of contract letter to Riteway to highlight the areas of concern and sections in the agreement where the District believes their company is falling short. This letter has led to an update from Riteway regarding the current bus driver shortage situation and has initiated discussions with upper-level management about solutions to the service issues that the District has been experiencing. At our upcoming Board meeting on October 25th, the Cedarburg School Board will discuss school bus transportation in closed session, the future plan for services, and negotiation strategies since this is the last year of the contract between Riteway and the Cedarburg School District.
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A friendly reminder to our community that dogs are not permitted on school property. As outlined in Board Policy 8390 and with the exception of service animals, dogs are not allowed on school district grounds, playgrounds, or sports fields at any time throughout the calendar year. This is for the health and safety of our students and staff members. We appreciate your support.
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Sponsored and run by CHS students enrolled in Child Development classes is the "Playschool Program". As part of the curriculum, this program allows students to plan, observe, and work with young children. It will run from December 4-21 (14 classes) from 8:15 - 9:30 AM. If you're interested, you can read more about it here.
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CHS Bulldog Cafe Grand Opening |
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Last month, Cedarburg High School students and staff celebrated the grand opening of the Bulldog Café, a student-led community dining experience located in CHS. In collaboration with Aramark Food Services, the Café will feature coffee, blended beverages, freshly baked pastries, and snacks. CHS students designed the Bulldog Café name and logo and students will also assist with managing and working in the Café. Currently, it is open from 7-8 a.m. to start. Participants in CSD’s student-to-adult transition R.E.A.C.H. program will soon be working at the Bulldog Café as part of their program’s curriculum, learning workplace skills and receiving job coaching. The September Grand Opening was featured on TMJ4 News.
CHS principal Casey Bowe says, "I want to express my gratitude to students Regan Wagner, Olivia Kersnak, and Nora Zimbelman for their unwavering commitment and vision and Brooklynn Stalter for her design of the Bulldog Cafe logo!”
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Check Out Upcoming Events at the CPAC |
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The Cedarburg Performing Arts Center's mission is to develop creative, critical thinkers, performance artists, and storytellers who transform and inspire the greater community. The CPAC hosts community events, summer kids camp, master classes and workshops, school district plays/musicals from the theater departments, and Visiting Artist Series events. For more information, check out the newly expanded CPAC webpage and follow them on Facebook.
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Come join Aramark at the Cedarburg School District! Aramark is seeking full-time and part-time food service workers—no nights, weekends or holidays. Learn more.
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Vaping Among Youth: Myths vs. Facts
Thursday, November 16, 6:00-7:30 pm
This workshop will discuss the importance of monitoring adolescents’ and young adults’ substance use by highlighting E-cigarette use concerns, warning signs, protective factors, and suggestions for caregivers of adolescents and teens. Facilitated by John Fischer, LPC, a Rogers Behavioral Health Therapist. Free limited childcare is available (advanced registration required). For more info or to register for any of our workshops, visit their website.
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Friendship Circle of Wisconsin, in partnership with REDgen, is hosting One Thing I Wish You Knew. Four teens will share vulnerabilities and experiences with mental health and the challenges they face. The event includes a resource fair, a dessert buffet, and keynote speakers. Click here to register!
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Cedarburg Public Library Events |
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All events are in the Community Rm; no registration is required unless specified. |
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Literacy Alcove, all month long. Emerging readers can work on literacy skills with short games and activities.
Tinker Lab in the Library, Nov: Crime Scene Forensics – STEAM activities, interactive displays, science equipment. Ages 6-11.
Lego Club (all ages), Sat, Nov 11, 10-11 am.
Just Dance! Mon, Nov 13 & 27, 3-5 pm – Play Just Dance on the Nintendo Switch with neon lights and glow sticks. Ages 8+.
Nintendo Switch Drop-in, Tues in Nov, 3-5 pm – Play multiplayer Switch games or drop by for card games and puzzles. Ages 8+.
Anime Club, Sat, Nov 18, 11 am-2 pm – Watch a sampling of popular anime series on Crunchyroll. Ages 6-12.
Fantasy Map Making Workshop, Thurs, Nov 30, 6:30-7:30 pm – Learn to draw fantasy maps and build worlds. All materials provided.
Genre Reading Challenge Grades 3-8 through to Apr 2024. Visit the library to pick up a simple paper tracker to log your titles by reading genre. Participants will have a book dedicated to them at CPL and receive a small prize.
Winter Reading Program at the Library starts on Dec 4! Learn More
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Upcoming School Board & Committee Meetings |
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All meetings at 6:30 PM in the CHS IMC unless otherwise noted.
10/23 Budget Hearing
10/25 School Board Mtg
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No School | PD Day
Oct 20
1st Qtr Ends
Nov 2
No School | PD/Records Day
Nov 3
No School | Holiday Break
Nov 22-24
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Cedarburg School District
W68 N611 Evergreen Blvd.
Cedarburg, WI 53012
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