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At WEM we practice BUCS PRIDE.
We are a Respectful, Responsible learning community dedicated to a
Safe and Positive learning environment for all individuals.
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Happy holidays to you and yours! I wish peace, health, and joy to our Buccaneer community. May you be overwhelmed with things and people for which to be thankful.
This newsletter kicks off with the November school board meeting summary written by board chair, Gary Michael. Don't miss the piece on No Tummies Left Behind. You will also find some information about important dates, job openings, and more. Also, keep an eye out for Buccaneer Connection (hard copy newsletter sent twice per year) in your mailboxes in the coming weeks.
Do you have feedback or ideas for future e-newsletter content? I invite you to contact me. Please spread the word to others you think might like to be added by forwarding this email and/or directing them to the e-newsletter subscription sign-up page on WEM's website. Thank you.
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Margo Kulseth, MLIS
Communications Coordinator
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November School Board Meeting Summary
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Waterville-Elysian-Morristown School Board Regular Meeting
November 28, 2022, at 6:30 p.m.
Agenda (Additional links to documents below are found within the agenda.)
Call to Order - Gary Michael, Chairperson
I called the meeting to order, and we said the Pledge of Allegiance. All board members were present, including Jon Bakken, Travis Bowman, Gary Michael, June Rezac, Jay Schneider, Jeff Stangler, and Jon Velishek, along with Superintendent Jensen. No other administrative staff members were present.
Approval
The board approved the agenda and the meeting minutes from October 24, 2022. After some discussion, the board approved financial transactions for October 15 through November 28, 2022.
Visitor Comments
There were no visitor comments this month.
Consent Agenda
The board approved the consent agenda, which included the following new hires and coaches:
Hires:
- Lorina Stover - Paraprofessional, Step 2, $13.35/hour
- Debra Lamont - Paraprofessional, Step 6, $14.43/hour
2022-2023 Coaches:
- Tanya Jensen - Junior High Girls Basketball Coach, $2,336
- Kristalyn Morris - Junior High Girls Basketball Coach, $2,336
- Jennifer Craig - Junior High Boys Basketball Coach, $2,336
- McKenzie Kuball - Junior High Boys Basketball Coach, $2,336
Recognition
The board approved the following monetary donations:
- Waterville Lions Club donated $2,000 to the Elementary Eagle Bluff Field Trip and $5,000 to the WEM FFA
- Southwest/West Central Service Coop donated $500 to the Elementary PBIS and $500 to Jr. High PBIS
- No Tummies Left Behind donated $1,592 to WEM School District to battle hunger and food insecurity
- Lake Country Community Bank donated $25 to WEM FFA
I appreciate all donations, but please take special note of the $1,592 donation from No Tummies Left Behind! A young lady, age eleven, I think, by the name of Ella Bettner, asked to approach the lectern to present a donation to the WEM district. It is fairly uncommon for a child to present to the board of education; however, it was well received and, to be honest, the absolute highlight of any school board meeting I have attended this year. It unquestionably made my day (and, I dare say, all those in the room).
Ella proceeded to explain how she had been moved to do something about those less fortunate and unable to pay for school lunches. She began to raise funds to donate to her own school to help rectify this issue. I may get this wrong, but I believe she raised the necessary deficit for her own school of around $2,600. She didn’t stop there though. Ella began raising funds for other schools and donating the funds. She has helped the Medford School District ($2,633), the Faribault School District ($1,303), and now the WEM School District ($1,592). And I don’t think she is even close to being done.
Ella started a non-profit called No Tummies Left Behind to raise funds to eradicate negative school lunch balances in Southern Minnesota and assist the less fortunate to make sure every child gets a meal at school. It is children like this that give our world a brighter future.
Ella is eleven years old and would rather help the less fortunate than play video games or watch TikTok. The younger generations are not lost or lazy as some say. There are awesome kids around every corner that really do care about society and doing the right thing. Ella is just one example, and it was so awesome to see.
I encourage you to visit the Facebook page and, if you are moved by the story, consider a donation. Also, please see the story below.
Reports
The board read reports from Bobbie Jo Bastian, Elementary Principal / Jennifer Wilson, 7-12 Principal, and Jeff Boran, Community Education & Activities Director. There were no board member reports or board committee reports. Ryan Jensen, Superintendent provided a brief report to the board as well.
Information / Discussion
There were no items in this category.
Action
The board approved a resolution authorizing the conveyance of land from the district to the City of Elysian.
The board discussed a calendar revision due to the designation of January 2 as a holiday. The board passed a motion to create a non-student contact day for January 2 with teachers required to conduct a curriculum day. In addition, the teacher curriculum day of March 27 will now become a regular school day with students attending.
Personnel
There were no personnel items.
Adjournment
I adjourned the meeting at 7:25 p.m.
If you were unable to attend in person or via live stream, watch the meeting video.
Upcoming meeting dates
December 8, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Planning Meeting
December 19, 2022, 6:30 p.m. Regular Meeting
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Gary Michael, Chairperson
Note: WEM School Board meetings can be viewed live via Zoom video conferencing, and the recordings for past meetings are available on the website. The agendas and accompanying documents are also available online.
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Ella Bettner started a non-profit called “No Tummies Left Behind” to raise funds to eradicate negative school lunch balances in Southern Minnesota and assist the less fortunate to make sure every child gets a meal at school. At the November board meeting for WEM, Ella presented a check for $1,592.
According to their Facebook page, "No Tummies Left Behind was created by Ella, age 10 at the time, from Faribault, MN. Ella makes handmade, stackable, and customizable bracelets with all proceeds supporting local school district’s kids who have negative lunch balances or cannot afford lunch." They partner with businesses for a variety of fundraising opportunities. Ella also accepts monetary donations or supplies. Contact Ella and follow her Facebook page for more information.
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Gary Michael, WEM school board chairperson; Ella Bettner, No Tummies Left Behind; Ryan Jensen, WEM Superintendent
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Families,
At the most recent School Board meeting on Monday, November 28, 2022, the Board amended the current school district calendar. Due to the observance of the New Year’s Day holiday being Monday, January 2nd, we are not allowed to hold school for students. To adjust for the loss of this school day, the Board changed Monday, March 27, 2023, from a non-student contact day to a student contact day.
Students are not having school on Monday, January 2, 2023, but will be having school on Monday, March 27, 2023. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this change. If you have any questions, please contact the district office at (507) 362-4432. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ryan Jensen
Superintendent
Waterville-Elysian-Morristown Schools #2143
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Community Education / Activities
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Wednesday Night Fitness and Pickleball
Wednesday night fitness and pickleball will be at Morristown school in the gymnasium, stage, and hallways as follows:
5:30-6:00 Fitness focus/pickleball warm-up if the gym is available
6:00-7:00 Pickleball games for $2/person
WEM Physical Education Teacher, Mrs. Pam Heinz will lead a dedicated fitness workout from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. tailored to the majority opinion. Cardio, step, low-impact, toning, yoga, and stations with weight training are all options. If the gym is available, people can warm up for pickleball games.
Pickleball games will be from 6:00-7:00 p.m. per night for $2. Sign in and pay when you arrive. Bring your own competition, or Mrs. Heinz will set up brackets. Singles or doubles are welcome. Four courts are available. Equipment is on hand, or bring your own!
Also during this time, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., hall walking in Morristown on your own is open for free. Just register when you arrive.
This will be held on Wednesdays, December 7, 14, 21, and 28. We will reassess in January based on attendance and demand to continue!
Hall Walking
School hallway walking is open to the public during the winter at WEM. Hallway walking is:
- in the Waterville building only (with the exception of Wednesday nights in Morristown as per above)
- on school days only from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. and again from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- intended for individuals or small groups (2 or 3)
Walkers should use entrance #4 (Waterville Elementary building off Paquin Street). Walkers must wear a visitor sticker with their name and the date. Stickers are located in the upper vestibule of the Elementary entrance on a table on the left. Direct any questions to the Community Education Office at 507-362-4403.
Youth Snowmobile Training
Field training and online instruction refresher classes will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (3 separate classes). Registration is required. To register, contact Megan Lamont, 507-330-0690 by no later than December 3, 2022. In the event that capacity is reached, preference will be given to Waterville-Elysian-Morristown School District students who will be turning 12 by April 1, 2023. Once the student is registered, an email will be sent with the site, specific time, and other directions for students for December 10.
Hunter Safety
DNR Firearms Safety Certification is required of anyone born after December 31, 1979 to purchase a hunting license in Minnesota and to participate in the High School Clay Target League. Students must complete the online course and register for the field day. Students must also attend in-person field days. From time to time, the Waterville area has field days, which we will try to advertise; however, sites may also be found on the MN DNR site.
S.A.C.C.
School Age Child Care (S.A.C.C.) offers before- and after-school childcare on regularly scheduled school days with a limited number of spaces still available. Online registrations are open for childcare on select non-school days and scheduled early dismissal days. Please visit the SACC page for details. Contact Ms. Jennifer with questions.
Public Library
More Information
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Dec. 5, 7:00 - Grades 6-12 band concert
Dec. 8, 6:30 - School board planning meeting
Dec. 12, 7:00 - Grades 5-12 choir concert
Dec. 19, 6:30 - School board regular meeting
Dec. 23 – Early release, noon dismissal
Dec. 24 – Jan. 2 – No school, holiday break
Jan. 3 – School resumes THIS IS A CHANGE!
For more details and more dates to remember, check the following:
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- Paraprofessionals Grades 5-12 (3)
- Food Service Positions (3)
- School Age Childcare (SACC) help - Part Time
- School Bus Route Driver
- Elementary K-4 Paraprofessionals
- Director of Food Services
- Early Childhood Special Education Teacher 1.0 FTE
- Substitute Teachers
- Custodian Substitute
Applications are available on the website or by calling the district office at 507-362-4432.
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WEM SD #2143
500 East Paquin Street
Waterville, MN 56096
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