July 11, 2020
" We're all in this together. We make each other strong!
Being there for each other, is where we all belong! "


Dear Southern Door Community,
I hope your 4th of July holiday was a nice break from your usual routines, and that you are finding time to enjoy some of your favorite summer activities, while keeping healthy and safe.

On a recent survey sent to families, ninety-two (92%) indicated that they want their children back in school with face-to-face instruction, five days a week. We believe that a quality, future ready education of our students is best accomplished that way as well. We also know that during this pandemic, we need to offer remote learning for those students who have a health condition or an immediate family member with a health condition, or any family who is not comfortable returning their child(ren) on site at this time.

We continue our regular meetings with other local schools, the hospital, the health department, members of our athletic conference, and state agencies. As we have seen in the county, state, and nation, the pandemic continues to change on a daily basis. Our planning will blend common sense and reasonable strategies to minimize health and safety risks for our students and staff but we also know that there may be some COVID-19 recommendations that we are not able to meet due to other restraints and realities.

We will continue to communicate more details as the summer goes on. Just as our school community demonstrated this spring, the successful reopening of school is going to take the efforts of everyone – students, staff, families, and community. We know that if we all work together, our partnership will create a reopening that is Eagle Strong and Eagle Proud!

Have a great week!
Patti
Patricia Vickman, Superintendent
IN THIS ISSUE
*A Great Story
*District Receives Federal Grant
*Childcare Listening Sessions
*Belgian Days Drive-In Event This Weekend
*Summer Food Program
*Student-Athlete Sport Physicals
(◔◡◔) ♥ A GREAT STORY OF HOPE, PERSEVERANCE, AND SUPPORT ♥
In January of 2019, Southern Door student, Griffin Slezewski was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He spent the next 6 months, mostly in the hospital undergoing treatment and earned “Bravery Beads” every step of the way. A bead was “earned” for every blood draw, chemo treatment, injection, infusion, dressing change, test, scan, and much more. He even earned a foot bead for each mile he walked in the halls of the hospital. The beads are strung in order to tell the story of his journey. He is a true WARRIOR!🦅
Griffin Slezewski | Southern Door Class of 2021
Photos courtesy of Charlotte Ray Photography
District Receives USDA
Farm to School Grant

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced in a recent press release that Southern Door County School District was awarded a $50,000 Farm to School Planning Grant. Hundreds of applicants across the country competed for a limited amount of funding.

The Southern Door County School District's Farm to School Planning Project will focus on the creation of a district-and-community-specific Farm to School Action Plan. The project will have a dual purpose:
1) to identify and develop standards-based, hands-on, relevant and exciting agricultural education “signature projects” for each grade level’s curriculum 4K-12 and a host of complimentary grade-level appropriate nutrition education activities; and,
2) to significantly increase consumption of local agricultural products in the Southern Door County schools by developing locally-focused procurement, delivery, and processing strategies.

The grant planning committee consisted of community representatives: Moriah Brey, Rich Olson, and Toni Sorenson, and school district staff: Jessica Meacham, John Swanson, and Patti Vickman. 
CHILDCARE LISTENING SESSIONS - WHAT ARE YOUR NEEDS?
The Wisconsin Department of Children & Families wants to hear from you about our community's child care needs and challenges! Please take advantage of this opportunity to share your stories and thoughts on how we can move forward.The listening sessions are starting and will be conducted online.  

Sign up to be part of the upcoming Listening Sessions! (Space is limited.) 
Who do they want to hear from? Parents, family members, child care providers, businesses, and community members. That means they want to hear from you!

The Northeastern Virtual Listening Session will take place Thurs, July 16th, 2:30-4:00pm and Mon, July 27th, 9:00-10:30am.  (You can participate online or by phone.)
Registration instructions are found at this link.  Please register for only one session as space is limited.