February 2021 School District Newsletter

Students Return to School for Phase 2 & 3: Distance Learning

On Monday, February 1, 2021, families who selected to send their children to school for two days per week were able to do so bringing the start of a return to school. “We have been planning for this since March of 2020,” said Superintendent, Marty Lexmond. “It’s been a lot of collaboration, problem-solving, and making sure things were in place. We are very thankful to our families and staff for their flexibility, cooperation, and positivity.”

“It’s been a bit emotional too,” adds Director of Leadership and Learning, Deidre Roemer. “We missed our students and we know they missed each other. We got lots of feedback from our teachers about happy homecomings and special moments. One in particular, involved two of our students at Wilson Elementary School HERE.”

Students in Phase 2 & 3 are part of Distance Learning which has been designed to support social distancing and safety. Groups of students attend school two days a week; assigned to Team Monday-Tuesday or Team Thursday-Friday based on last names. Read more...

Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.

Known as the “Father of Black History,” Carter G. Woodson founded Negro History Week -- the precursor to Black History Month.

We invite you to celebrate the rich contributions that African Americans have made to our country’s history. Read more...

FACT TEAM Meeting

On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the District’s Facilities Advisory Committee Team (FACT) held their first meeting in what will be a six-month long planning process to understand the current condition of all District buildings. Read more...

On Tuesday, February 2, 2021, the District’s Facilities Advisory Committee Team (FACT) held their second meeting. Topics covered included an overview of school finance, enrollment analysis/projections, the capital improvement plan/budget, and video tours of the intermediate school and high schools. The most important discussion was regarding the kind of learning environments our students and community deserve. Read more...

4-Year-Old Kindergarten Resident Enrollment

Beginning March 1, 2021, families with children who will be four-years-old on or before September 1, 2021 are encouraged to enroll in 4-Year-Old Kindergarten (4K).

According to Director of Leadership and Learning, Deidre Roemer, “4K is the place where children start their education journey. Our primary focus is on the social and emotional growth of each learner and our curricular areas include development in language arts, mathematics, fine motor skills, large motor skills and work habits. Each area will be addressed through daily learning experiences which integrate science, social studies, art, music and health activities.” Read more...

Career and Technical Education Month

This month, State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor recognizes the importance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in our schools with a special proclamation from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

“Career and technical education provides students opportunities to gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for lifelong success, and produces a workforce ready for our state’s businesses and industries,” said State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor.

According to CTE Coordinator, Steve Carr, even in the midst of the pandemic, CTE teachers have been working hard to overcome obstacles and serve students in the best ways possible. Read more...

PTA Council to Hold Online Auction

When the PTA Council had to cancel the annual PTA Founders Carnival due to the pandemic, members quickly turned to an online auction to raise funds for the scholarships given to graduating seniors each year.

The auction begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 19, 2021 and runs through Sunday, February 21, 2021.

It features Gift baskets donated by schools and items from local businesses. The fundraiser is designed to support the PTA Scholarships given to graduating seniors each year. Read more...

Top Six Advance to Regional Spelling Bee

Over the past several weeks, each elementary and intermediate school conducted spelling bees to determine who will compete at the District’s Annual Spelling Bee later this month.

“We hosted twenty finalists at our District spelling bee. It was a great opportunity for students to showcase their spelling skills, represent their school, and participate in a district-wide event,” said Spelling Bee Coordinator, Caroline Aiello.

The top six spellers from the District Spelling Bee will advance to the regional bee which will take place on the Scripps online platform. Read more...

West Allis Central High School’s Cecelia Santiago Named Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition Winner for a Fourth Time

On Saturday, January 30, 2021 Cecelia Santiago, an 11th grade Orchestra student at West Allis Central High School, was named a winner in the MYSO Senior Symphony’s Concerto Competition.

This year, Santiago played the violin and performed the first movement of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, whose 250th birthday is being celebrated by musicians around the world this year. In 2018, she was the winner on violin for MYSO Philharmonia and also received the Metropolitan Honorable Mention on viola. In 2017, Santiago won the Sinfonia Concerto Competition playing viola and in 2016, she won playing violin in the String Orchestra Concerto Competition. Read more...

Recreation and Community Services Earns Third Silver Star Award

We are pleased to announce that our Recreation and Community Services Department was awarded the Wisconsin Park and Recreation Association’s 2020 Silver Star Award in Youth Programming for the Operation Recreation Mobile Recreation Play program.

“Special recognition goes to our program manager, Amanda Schwichtenberg for her leadership and initiative with the Operation Recreation program. We would also like to thank and recognize our amazing Operation Recreation crew: Becca Bojarski, Casey Farner, Lauren Francis, Jake Krueger, Britney Matev, Gabrielle Strasser and Kelsey Urbaniak,” said Director of Recreation and Community Services, Shelly Strasser. Read more...

City of West Allis Health Department Works Diligently to Manage COVID Cases

During this unprecedented time, our District has leaned on the expertise of the West Allis Health Department. Our District Nursing staff has worked closely with our Health Department managing cases of COVID-19. In an interview with Public Health Nurse, Melissa Thomas, we learn just how nurses are working together to manage COVID cases. Read more...

Schools Receive Donation of Bi-Lingual Books

A donation of bi-lingual books are being sent to the school, written in both Spanish and English, was made to West Milwaukee Intermediate and Longfellow Elementary to honor the legacy of Maria Monreal-Cameron.

Monreal-Cameron was the longtime president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin and worked tirelessly to support the Hispanic community in Milwaukee. She was forever committed to bringing up the next generation of future leaders. She passed away in January 2021 at the age of 75.

According to Principal Connie Bergmann, “We are so grateful for the books and to be able to have some of our ELL students be able to read in their native language. It is a page-turning learning experience for our students.”

Choose Dottke Project Based Learning High School!

Dottke Project-Based Learning High School Now Accepting Applications for Fall 2021

The new Dottke Project-Based Learning High School l is now open to every 9th-12th grader that wants to experience school in a different way. The perfect Dottke student is one that is looking for something different in their education.

“A Dottke student is passionate and opinionated in ways that differ from a traditional student. They want to be heard, but many times haven’t found the voice to do so. They are unique and talented in ways that are not always explored in a larger high school,” said Principal Greg Goelz. “If you believe your student is a good fit for Dottke, go to dottke.com or call us at (414) 604-4210.”

Click to learn more: Dottke Project-Based Learning High School

Lane Intermediate School’s Gavriilia Fyrogeni Earns Honors at Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition

As part of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competitions held on January 30, 2021, Lane Intermediate School’s string bassist, Gavriilia Fyrogeni, received Honorable Mention in MYSO Sinfonia Concerto Competition. She was one of sixteen students to compete in this particular competition where two musicians were named winners, two were runners up and two received honorable mention.

A leader in the Eighth Grade orchestra at Lane Intermediate School, Fyrogeni has performed with Lane Pops Strings and WAWM Shining Strings. “Gavriilia is a determined, hard working student who knows how to set high goals for herself and creates her own path to achievement,” says Lane Orchestra Director, Mary Pat Michels. Read more...

Preschool Program Centers on Love for Learning!

West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation and Community Services Department Preschool Program is designed to help young learners begin their educational journey with a love of learning.

“Our three and four-year olds really enjoy their time with us,” explains Preschool teacher, Mrs. Rymer. “They demonstrate their desire to learn and grow each day!”

During this challenging time, our littlest students also have their safety practices down. “We are all very adept at handwashing and social distancing. And we always wear our face masks,” explains Preschool teacher, Mrs. Francis.

Using both small and large group instruction along with one-on-one academic instruction, Mrs. Rymer and Mrs. Francis follow weekly themes to engage our littlest of learners. They develop a love of school through play-based learning centers for reading, math, science, dramatic play and creative art.

“A favorite is definitely gym class where children dance and play to music,” adds Francis. “It’s so exciting to see them active and in love with learning.”

For registration information, visit our website.

District Recognitions

Each month, District Recognitions are read at our Board of Education Meetings. We are proud and thankful for the many contributions made by the members of our learning community. Together or apart, we are united in our dedication to education!

Please join us as in celebrating all of the following schools and individuals we recognize during the month of December.