April 2021 School District Newsletter

Improving Outcomes:

Align, Empower, Persist.

Over the past five years, the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District has laid the foundational building blocks that support improving student outcomes with consistent leadership, aligned action, and systemic persistence.

“Our District moved from three failing schools and one high performing school to no failing schools and eight high performing schools. We’ve increased student opportunities for transcripted credits and Youth Apprenticeships,” explains Director of Leadership and Learning, Deidre Roemer. “In addition, our ACT results are the highest they’ve been in five years and our data demonstrates that there is an increase in the number of learners who report having a trusted adult at school.” Read more...

Music Education Program Receives National Recognition

Our music program has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. This is the seventh time that our music program has received national recognition from the NAMM Foundation.

This honor recognizes that our District demonstrates a deep commitment to music education. “It’s something we have proudly earned for seven years. While COVID made for an interesting school year in the music education world, the quality and dedication has not changed." Read more...

Madison Elementary Celebrates “Absolutely Incredible Kid Day”

On March, 18, 2021, Madison Elementary School celebrated Absolutely Incredible Kid Day®. It is a national holiday celebrated every third Thursday in March. Every year, millions of people write/tell a young person in their life why they matter and what makes them amazing. We founded this holiday in 1997 to encourage and inspire young people nationwide.

As part of the celebration, every student made a poster about themselves. They were hung around the school along with large banners. Staff members wrote a special note to a student so that every student had a special note to take home telling them how incredible they are.

District to Offer Virtual Learning Option for 2021-2022

Information Night & Interest Survey Available

In response to the needs of our diverse learning community, we are proud to announce the launch of a 4K-12th grade Deeper Learning Virtual Academy in our West Allis-West Milwaukee School District for the 2021-2022 school year.

Over the past year, we recognized that many students thrive in a virtual learning environment. As we work to return to school in-person, we feel it is important to provide these learners with an option that best fits their learning style. Read more...

High School Dance Teams Qualify for State!

On Saturday, March 20, 2021, the dance teams from Nathan Hale and West Allis Central qualified for state making it the first time in history both teams qualified in the same year.

“Our dance teams put a lot of hard work into their routines. Dance and Cheer are sports that require a lot of time and dedication. The work often starts in the summer and carries through the year,” explains West Allis Central Athletic Director, Justin Marien.

The state dance team competition is virtual this year with the teams’ already having submitted their routines. The awards presentation and announcement is scheduled for April 25, 2021. Read more...

Shared Journeys Teams with West Allis Central High School to Make Front Porch Deliveries

Since March 17, 2020, the staff at Shared Journeys has completed weekly home front porch deliveries to students in need of food, diapers, wipes, baby items and personal hygiene products.

When West Allis Central High School’s Interact Club heard about the weekly deliveries that were being done by Shared Journeys, they decided to host a community drive to collect diapers, wipes, household items, food, and other products that the teen parents may need. This community drive was held on February 17, 2021. Read more...

Four Amazing Women Spotlighted During Women’s History Month

According to Director of Leadership and Learning, Deidre Roemer, there is no shortage of amazing women that are part of our West Allis-West Milwaukee School District. “This year, we wanted to really celebrate Women’s History Month by interviewing four women that have and continue to make a unique difference in our District.” The women spotlighted this year were:

Zeina Dopierala - Central High School Math Teacher
Brittney Durham - School Psychologist
Beth Koehler - Director of Communication and Community Relations
Sabley Sabin - Lead School Psychologist

Watch videos HERE.

Hoover Elementary Students Learn Life Lessons Baking Bread

In an effort to build community and learn about foods from different cultures and regions, Team Imagine students at Hoover Elementary have been busy baking bread.

“Bread says a lot about a culture and the people that live in that area,” explains teacher Ms. Helena Taylor. “It is also a unique way for students to collaborate in a highly engaging activity.”

The project started as a way to foster classroom community together during distance learning. At that time, students were baking at home on ZOOM and in class. Read more...

HOPE Week a Big Success at Dottke Project-Based Learning High School

HOPE Squad is entering its second year in the district and at Dottke Project-Based High School. HOPE squad is a peer-to-peer suicide intervention program where nominated students are trained on how to recognize signs of depression and suicidal ideation in others in order to refer students to adults for help.

HOPE Week took place on March 22-26 and included multiple events at Dottke. “In addition to being an invaluable resource for students, advisors Kellen Lynch and MaryPat O’Hara have worked to weave the school’s project-based initiative into the group’s activities,” said Principal Greg Goelz. Read more...

"State of the Schools" Presentation

In March, we held three “State of the Schools” presentations on Zoom. These presentations featured district leaders, students, teachers and school administrators.

“We’ve been providing our community with three opportunities to come together and hear about how we are progressing as a District,” explained Lexmond. “This year, we used Zoom to hold our meetings. The method may have changed but the purpose remained the same -- we want people to know about the good things happening in our District and how we are moving forward.” Read more...

FACT TEAM Meeting

Our District held its fourth FACT TEAM meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. Over 45 representatives composed of parents, staff and community members were present on ZOOM. The meeting, which was led by Bray Architects, CG Schmidt, and District leaders, began with a review of master plan framework parameters. From there, the Director of Leadership and Learning, Deidre Romer and Superintendent, Dr. Marty Lexmond presented information about Deeper Learning initiatives and long-term goals for school spaces. After that, Bray Architects provided examples of school facilities that have been constructed to meet the needs of various grade configurations. FACT Team members moved into groups to discuss grade configuration considerations in relation to the following... Read more...

Student Composers Honored by Wisconsin School Music Association

Each year, the Wisconsin School Music Association (WSMA) Student Composition Project encourages and recognizes the efforts of Wisconsin’s student composers. The project provides student composers in grades 4-12 with the opportunity to receive feedback regarding the positive qualities of their pieces as well as provide ways to improve as a composer in the future.

According to Orchestra teacher and District Music Lead, Mary Pat Michels, three students from our District were among the winners recognized in this year’s competition. All three students are from Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate School which is a WSMA accredited school. They chose to put their composing and arranging skills to work in orchestra class during virtual learning this fall. Read more...

Resident Enrollment Underway for the 2021-2022 School Year

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). “We are also open for any family that is new to our community and needs to enroll their children in school. Currently, we have in-person and virtual learning options available,” explains Manager of School Services, Aaron Norris.

Enrollment information can be found on our website HERE.

PTA Reflections Contest Winners

Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. This 50+ year-old program helps them explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning that will help them become more successful in school and in life.

The theme for the 2020-2021 program year was “I Matter Because.... “. There were two contest winners this year from WAWM, Elena May, grade 7 from Lane Intermediate School and Anna Gregory, grade 6 from Frank Lloyd Wright Intermediate School. Read more...

Nathan Hale High School Names Head Girls Track Coach

The West Allis Nathan Hale Athletic Department is pleased to announce Mr. John Dewitt as the Nathan Hale High School Head Girls Track Coach. “Coach Dewitt has recently served as the Boys Head Track Coach and will manage both programs for the 2021 season,” explains Athletic Director, Greg Lucas.

"I'm very excited to be a larger part of the girl's program this year. With the leadership that exists on the girl's team and the high quality coaches we have on our staff, I believe that we will see excellent focus on simply getting better everyday. That focus, paired with selflessness and positivity, should lead to some really cool outcomes,” said Coach Dewitt. Read more...

Teachers to Offer Summer Music Lessons

Each summer our Music Department offers private music lessons for current students as well as those registered for performance music classes in the upcoming school year. Summer lessons are a great way for students to develop their skills and prepare for the coming school year.

Those who are currently renting instruments school for band and orchestra will be able to use their school instruments for summer lessons. All lesson environments will follow our current school district guidelines regarding PPE and social distancing. Face Masks are required for all participants. Read more...

Recreation and Community Services Department Brings Easter Egg Hunt Home

Due to COVID-19, the West Allis-West Milwaukee Recreation & Community Services Department developed a creative new program for Easter in lieu of a traditional Egg Hunt. “We worked to bring the Easter Bunny to our families so they could have their very own Easter Egg Hunt in their front yards,” said Program Manager, Amanda Schwichtenberg.

During the week of March 29, 2021, the “Easter Bunny” visited families that had registered to have their house “egged.” “Families registered for a treat-filled eggs package. They also had the choice of which night we would come to hide the eggs. The next morning the family had their very own Easter Egg Hunt!” explained Schwichtenberg. Read more...

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.