MARK YOUR CALENDAR
February 10 - Elementary Conferences (4:30-8 pm)
February 14 - No classes JK-12; professional learning day
February 14 - School Board Meeting (7 pm)
February 15 - Elementary Conferences (4:30-8 pm)
February 15 - ESSER III Engagement Meeting at Wauwatosa East High School (6pm)
February 16 - Monday class schedule (elementary only)
February 18 - Winter Walk to School Day
February 19 - Community Closet Drop Off Event at Longfellow Middle School (9-11 am)
February 21 - ESSER III Engagement Meeting at Longfellow Middle School (6pm)
February 22 - Middle School Conferences (4:30-8 pm)
February 23 - ESSER III Engagement Meeting at Wauwatosa West High School (6pm)
February 24 - High School Conferences (4:30-8 pm)
February 24 - ESSER III Engagement Meeting at Whitman Middle School (6pm)
February 28 - School Board Meeting (7 pm)

March 1 - High School Conferences (4:30-8 pm)
March 3 - Middle School Conferences (4:30-8 pm)
March 7 - Trimester 2 ends
March 8-10 - ACT with Writing Testing Window
March 14 - School Board Meeting (7 pm)
March 15-17 - ACT with Writing Testing Window
March 21-25 - No classes; Spring Break
March 21-April 29 - Dynamic Learning Maps (DLM) and Forward Exam Testing Window
March 29-31 - ACT with Writing Makeup Testing Window
DID YOU KNOW...?
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of four (4) free at-home COVID-19 tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:

  • Limit of one order per residential address
  • One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
  • Orders will ship free

Fill in this form with your contact and shipping information to order your tests.

This initiative is not sponsored or managed by the Wauwatosa School District and is provided for informational purposes only. If you have questions, please visit www.covidtests.gov.
DEPARTMENT DISH
Business Services
This month, Payroll issued all employees their W-2 forms either via paper copy or electronically. The department has also finalized information for the1095-C forms that indicate health coverage. Employees will receive them either electronically or via paper (whichever they had elected for their W-2 form) on February 28. The district's worker's compensation recordkeeping report has been filed with OSHA along with information to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lease details are being finalized for the School Board agenda for Fruit of the Bloom's rental of the Fisher parking lot for their greenhouse flower sales with set up to begin mid-April.  

Buildings and Grounds continues to maintain the grounds throughout the winter months by clearing snow and keeping parking lots and walks as safe as possible. We are also working on doing some decluttering and reorganization of district storage spaces. Our maintenance crews continue to stay busy addressing any heating concerns and completing work requests that come through the system. Buildings and Grounds is also starting the process of creating a long range facilities plan.
Human Resources
The Human Resources Department is pleased to announce that it has increased colleague substitute rates by 25%, effective January 31, 2022. These new rates put the Wauwatosa School District at the top of lists in terms of competitive pay within surrounding districts. The new rates are $31.14 for colleague sub (loss of prep) and $25 colleague sub (combined classes). Additionally, the HR Department is beginning to work on the staffing process for the 2022-23 school year.
Teaching + Learning
In collaboration with a group of high school teachers, the Department of Teaching and Learning began engaging in the development of a postsecondary seminar course to be offered to students currently accessing the AVID elective at our high schools. Like the AVID elective, the seminar courses will assist students in the direct development of cognitive strategies such as problem formation, research skills, and communication, learning and study strategies, and transition knowledge such as resources on college campuses, financial aid, and assessing college choice/fit just to name a few objectives. The department is excited to continue building out these courses and to customize them for our students' needs and interests here in Wauwatosa.
Recreation
The Recreation Department is taking registrations for Winter/Spring activities. The Activity Guide contains many classic activities and new, exciting opportunities that the Recreation Department is excited to bring to the community. Visit www.tosarec.com for all things recreation from seasonal digital activity guide, online registration, maps, contact information, FAQs, and more.
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
The Lincoln Elementary School Student Leadership Club organized a toy drive for the Children’s Hospital Cardiac Care Unit! The effort was led by 2nd Grade Teacher Karen Fish, Speech and Language Pathologist Amanda Voigtlander, and Special Education Assistant Lisa Winn.
DISTRICT NEWS
The Tosa East Players Present The Addams Family
The Addamses have lived by their unique values for hundreds of years and Gomez and Morticia, the patriarch and matriarch of the clan, would be only too happy to continue living that way. Their dark, macabre, beloved daughter Wednesday, however, is now grown up and ready for a life of her own. She has fallen in love with a boy from a normal, respectable Ohio family — the most un-Addams sounding person one could be! And to make matters worse, she has invited his family to the Addams' home for dinner. In one fateful, hilarious night, secrets are disclosed, relationships are tested, and the Addams family must face up to the one horrible thing they’ve managed to avoid for generations: change.

Tosa West Theatre Presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast
Tosa West Theatre proudly invites you to Be Our Guest at this spring's enchanting musical, DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Experience this tale as old as time as the cast, crew and pit bring this spectacular musical to life. This show is going to be un-BELLE-ievable! Don't believe me? Ask the dishes!

Superintendent to Host ESSER III Engagement Sessions
Superintendent Dr. Demond Means invites all members of our educational community to join him at an upcoming ESSER III Engagement Meeting. Share your opinions, provide feedback and discuss your perspective for how the Wauwatosa School District should allocate more than $3M in funds. 

Tuesday, February 15 at 6 p.m.
Wauwatosa East High School Theater

Monday, February 21 at 6 p.m.
Longfellow Middle School Library

LOCATION CHANGED: Wednesday, February 23 at 6 pm
Wauwatosa West High School Steiner Center  
 
LOCATION CHANGED: Thursday, February 24 at 6 pm
Whitman Middle School Library

Registration is not required for these meetings. However, any individuals who plan to attend are encouraged to complete this ESSER III Meeting Interest Form to help the district plan for seating arrangements and refreshments.  
District Hosts COVID-19 Testing Site at Administration Building
The Wauwatosa School District has partnered with Summit Labs to offer COVID-19 testing services to all district stakeholders, including staff, students and individuals who live with a staff member or current student. 

The testing site is located on the east side of the lower level parking lot at the Fisher Administration Building (12121 W. North Avenue). 

Testing hours are Monday - Friday, 7 am to 2 pm and 4 to 6 pm. Testing will be unavailable between 2 and 4 pm to ensure traffic does not interfere with drop off procedures at Wauwatosa Montessori School. 

We are not taking appointments and all individuals will be tested in the order of their arrival.

Please read this important information regarding the testing process
Once on site, you must take a number to identify your place in line and scan a QR code to complete the online registration. All individuals will wait in their vehicle until their number is shown on the board. When your number is shown, you may enter the testing trailer. 

If you would like to expedite the process, you may pre-register before you arrive on site by visiting http://register.covidconnect.wi.gov. Please note that if you choose to pre-register you must still take a number and wait in your vehicle until your number is shown. 

If you are unable to select a location when you pre-register, please close out the page or tab in your internet browser. Your information will be saved in the COVID Connect system. 

If you do not receive an email after registration, please proceed with the process outlined above and Summit staff will locate your information in their database. 

Testing services via Summit Labs are available for individuals age 1 and older. If you are in need of testing for an infant, you can visit Summit’s website to find a location that provides testing to children under 1 year of age. We have also been informed that Country Inn and Suites located at 1250 S. Moorland Road, Brookfield also conducts testing for infants. There is a separate entrance for COVID-19 testing on the south side of the building. These testing locations are not endorsed or sponsored by the Wauwatosa School District. 
Tosa EFW Reschedules Annual Gala
After much consideration and in the interest of protecting the health and safety of community members, the Education Foundation of Wauwatosa has decided to reschedule its annual Black & White Gala to Saturday, May 7, 2022. 

Other than the date, all other details of the event will remain the same. Tickets will go on sale in March. 

Celebrating Black History Month
We are honored to celebrate Black History Month with our community here in the Wauwatosa School District.

Originally founded by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month started with one week in February in 1926 and later became a full month in the 1970s. It was made official by President Ford in 1976.

This month gives us additional opportunities to learn about the history and contributions of African Americans. Dr. Woodson selected February because it includes the birthdays of Abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. 

Tosa East Players to Host Youth Clinic on April 9
The Tosa East Players are hosting a Youth Clinic for elementary and middle school students on Saturday, April 9, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The clinic will give students in grades K-8 an opportunity to work on singing, acting, and dancing through the music of “The Addams Family,” Tosa East’s spring production.

The cost of the clinic is $40 and includes a T-shirt, commemorative script, and a complimentary ticket to the performance.

Longfellow Math Teacher Receives Meemic Foundation Award
Longfellow Middle School Math Teacher Melissa Jaques has received a $1,000 award from the Meemic Foundation! The funds were made available through the foundation’s 100,000th Club Member Sweepstakes.

Ms. Jaques will be able to use the money for programs and opportunities for her students. 
LAUNCH Seeking Judges for Entrepreneurship Challenge
The LAUNCH Global Business Strand is looking for judges to evaluate student pitches for its winter Entrepreneurship Challenge! 

As a judge, you will provide feedback on each student’s idea and presentation, and then rank the projects based on the idea you think is most likely to succeed. The contest will take place Friday, February 11, at the LAUNCH facility located within Concurrency.  

Below is the schedule of events:
  • 9:45 a.m. — Judges arrive and receive instructions
  • 10 - 11 a.m. — First Round of Competition (need 5 judges minimum)
  • 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. — Lunch Provide by LAUNCH
  • 12 - 1 p.m. — Round 2 of Competition (need 6 judges minimum)
  • 1:15 - 2 p.m. — Final Round (need 3 judges minimum)

To volunteer as a judge, contact Mr. Robert Hall at hallr@elmbrookschools.org.
Tosa Together to Hold Annual Black History Month Celebration
Join Tosa Together for its local, annual celebration of Black History Month! The focus this year is Black Health & Wellness, and the program will feature local health professionals. There will be activities for all ages, including music and trivia! 

PTA Council's Community Closet to Collect Items for Students, Families in Need

The Wauwatosa School District’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Council will open the district’s first-ever community closet this winter! It will provide students and families in need with clothing, toiletries, and other critical items. 

Community members can donate items at the launch event on February 19, 2022 from 9 - 11 am or drop items at bins located inside Wauwatosa elementary, middle, and high schools. Clothing items of greatest need for adults and children (all sizes) include new or like-new winter coats and spring jackets, snow pants/bibs, snow boots and rain boots (size 11c - 11 adult) gloves, mittens and hats. Laundry detergent, shampoo, conditioner and body wash is also requested. 

Community members in need should speak with their school guidance counselor, who will anonymously request specific items from the closet on behalf of the family or student. Efforts will be made to fulfill requests as quickly as possible, pending the availability of the requested items. 

Additional questions about the Community Closet can be directed to Adrienne Burgoyne or Amber Stroud at tosacommunitycloset@gmail.com.

WSD Hosts Child Development Screening Event March 3
The next Child Development Screening event will take place Thursday, March 3 at the Fisher Building! Families are invited to take part from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The free screening helps families assess their children’s communication, gross and fine motor skills, social-emotional development, and pre-academic skills. Families will receive a summary of results and recommendations through the mail.

After the screening, families can confirm their child is securing important foundational skills for future learning, identify a need for further assessment, and/or receive information about child development to promote early learning. They can also access information about community resources.

For more information or to schedule a screening, call 414-773-1080.
#TOSAPROUD
Wauwatosa West Dance Team Named State Champions
The Wauwatosa West Dance team attended the Wisconsin state dance competition in La Crosse on Saturday, February 5, 2022. After a stunning performance, the team earned the state title in Division 2 Hip Hop.

Senior Savannah Williams was also named to the All-State Dance Team after competing a solo routine that she choreographed.

The team will be traveling to Orlando, Florida in March to compete in the Contest of Champions Nationals Competition at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Congratulations on this exciting accomplishment!
Wauwatosa Students Earn Awards in Scholastic Art & Writing Competition
Dozens of students from both Wauwatosa East and West high schools were recognized with honors in the 2022 Wisconsin Scholastic Art and Writing competition. The annual competition recognizes exceptional student artists statewide and features three levels of awards: Gold Key, Silver Key, and honorable mention. 

All Gold and Silver Key winners will be on display at the Milwaukee Art Museum from February 5 through March 20, 2022. 

Wauwatosa West Junior Earns Perfect Score on ACT

Congratulations to Eleanor Hannan, who achieved a composite score of 36 on the ACT! A junior at Wauwatosa West, Eleanor is one of just a small percentage of students nationwide to earn a top score. 

ACT test scores are accepted by all major U.S. colleges. Exceptional scores of 36 provide colleges with evidence of student readiness for the academic rigors that lie ahead.

Congratulations, Eleanor!
Wauwatosa East Athlete Nominated for Milwaukee High School Sports Award
Wauwatosa East High School's Max Tome has been nominated for the Milwaukee High School Sports Award in volleyball! He will attend the awards show this spring, where the winner will be announced.

The show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards. Congratulations to Max!

Wauwatosa West Alum at MSOE Excels in Poster Competition
Muskan Kanungo, a 2018 Wauwatosa West graduate, recently tied for first place at the annual American Chemical Society Milwaukee Chapter poster competition!

Kanungo attends the Milwaukee School of Engineering, majoring in biomolecular engineering. Her research, titled "Development of Gelatin-Coated Microspheres for Novel Bioink Design,” was part of the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.
Students Across the District Expand Coding Skills
It’s never too early to learn how to code! Students at Wilson Elementary School in Ms. Kotlarek’s junior kindergarten class learned some basic coding using Botley the Robot. 

Teachers can check out resources like Botley from our elementary libraries and use them in the classroom.
In January, our high school students supported middle schoolers during a coding activity! It was a great opportunity for our older students to work with those a few years younger to introduce them to a key skill. 

Coding allows people to communicate with computers and create websites, apps, and more. It's an important skill to have when it comes to 21st century jobs and opportunities.
IN THE COMMUNITY
'All City Read' Helps Engage Kids, Adults in Love of Learning
Each year, Tosa’s All-City Read chooses a book for adults and books for younger readers, and then hosts events in February and early March for the entire community. This year’s books are: 

Adults
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

For Middle Readers
The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty (ages 8-12)
View from Pagoda Hill by Michaela MacColl (ages 9-12)
Unfriended by Rachel Vail (ages 10- 14)

Picture Books
Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers (ages 3-7) 
The Visitor by Antje Damm (ages 3-6)
My Story Friend by Kalli Dakos (ages 4-8)

Check out the All-City Read events based on the themes in the books by visiting www.tosasallcityread.com. If you have any questions about events, email info@tosasallcityread.com
Children's Theatre to Perform 'The Crying Princess & the Golden Goose'
Catch the upcoming Children’s Theatre of Wauwatosa’s performance of “The Crying Princess and the Golden Goose!”

The show runs from February 26 through March 16, with matinee and evening performances available. 

Dates and times are:

  • February 26 at 2 p.m.
  • March 5 at 2 p.m.
  • March 15 at 7 p.m.
  • March 16 at 7 p.m.

All shows will take place at Longfellow Middle School’s Lois Weber Theater (7600 W. North Avenue).

For updates on this and other shows, visit www.TosaRec.com.
IN THE NEWS
STAY CONNECTED
Wauwatosa School District | 12121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226 
Ph: (414) 773-1000 | www.wauwatosaschools.org