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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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How is your summer going? Hot enough for ya? Construction workers are taking advantage of the mostly empty buildings to continue their work on the projects and improvements to our school facilities, all of which will now have air conditioning! The old boilers, which were there since the Waterville building was first constructed, have been removed to make room for the installation of new, higher-efficiency units. There is a photo on the WEM Facebook page and also in the Buccaneer Connection.
This e-newsletter contains a summary of the June school board meeting from Chairperson, Gary Michael. There is information about some new community education classes that were recently added, the upcoming August school board special election, important dates, job openings, and more.
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, and Happy Independence Day!
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Margo Kulseth, MLIS
Communications Coordinator
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June School Board Meeting
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On Monday, June 28, 2021, the WEM school board met virtually for our regular monthly meeting. We approved an adjusted agenda to address only those agenda items needed in an effort to shorten the meeting.
There were no visitor comments.
We heard a presentation from Margaret Jewison regarding our 10 Year Long Term Facilities Maintenance Plan, and it was approved.
We heard a presentation, again from Margaret, and approved the preliminary 2021-22 budget.
We then had a brief discussion regarding a year-long (2021-22) Leave of Absence request from Sheryl Reed. No action was taken to approve the request.
The Board then approved the following Special Election Activities:
- Resolution Appointing Election Judges for the August 10, 2021 School District Special Election
- Approve Designating the District Office as Location of Absentee Voting
- Approve Resolution Establishing and Naming the Le Sueur County Election Administrator and the Auditor-Treasurer's Office as the Official Absentee Ballot Board for the August 10, 2021 School District Election
On a side note, I am eagerly looking forward to the completion of this election and welcoming to the Board a new member. I understand we have three community members running for the position, and I wish them all luck. When the Board is whole again, we will immediately begin the process of our superintendent search for the 2022 school year and beyond. This is important work that will hopefully guide the direction of the district for many years to come.
In personnel issues, we approved the following new hires:
- Alyssa Schmidtke, Elementary Teacher - MS10/Step 9, $49,857
- Britta Robran, Reading Interventionist - BS10/Step 4, $35,817
- Robert Ross, Physical Education/Health/DAPE Teacher - BS/Step 11, $45,306
- Cora Engesether, Elementary Teacher - BS/Step 2, $33,744
Welcome to our district, teachers!
The following Summer School staff were approved:
TEACHERS:
- Kaitlin Vetsch, Kindergarten - $33.43/Hour
- Julie Hayford, Grade 1 - $33.43/Hour
- Susan Krienke, Grade 2 - $33.43/Hour
- Michele Sutcliffe, Grade 3 - $33.43/Hour
- Patty Whitehurst, Grade 4 - $33.43/Hour
- Kelsey Schiefelbein, Grades 5/6/7 - $33.43/Hour
- Susan Michael, Special Education - $33.43/Hour
- Sheryl Reed, Early Childhood Special Education - $33.43/Hour
- Joan Steinhaus, School Nurse - $33.43/Hour
- Bobbie Bastian, Administrator - $52.67/Hour
PARAPROFESSIONALS:
- Amy Petry - $17.46/hour
- Kortney McKenna - $13.22/hour
- Lois Masberg - $17.46/hour
- Pam Heinz - $13.22/hour
BUS DRIVERS:
- Roger Lamont - $27.63/hour
- Heather Suemnick - $27.63/hour
- Jim Hanks - $27.63/hour
The last item on the agenda was to approve Non-Renewal of Jeanne Anderson a Probationary School Nurse. The meeting was adjourned.
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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.
Upcoming Meetings:
July 8, 2021, 6:00 p.m. Work Session (Tentative)
July 26, 2021, 6:00 p.m. Regular Meeting
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Congratulations to WEM Teachers of the Year, Janet Jones, Sandy Mielke, and Ashley Landru! Photo courtesy of Patty Whitehurst.
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The WEM marching band is making appearances this summer. They are shown below at the Hay Daze parade in Janesville on Fathers' Day, Sunday, June 20, 2021.
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Hot off the press: Summer 2021 Buccaneer Connection. If you haven't already received it, keep an eye on your mailbox in the next few days or enjoy the newsletter online. This edition is 8 pages full of great information. Contents include columns from each of the school administrators, and articles about the exemplar award received by our district, graduation, the night of excellence awards, teachers of the year, retirements, school board special election, and Toryn Richards' state pole vault championship. Also, there are a lot of photos! You might see your favorite Buccaneers!
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Emergency Broadband Benefit
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The Federal Communications Commission has launched a temporary program to help families and households struggling to afford Internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit provides a discount of up to $50 per month toward broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
You can learn more about the benefit, including eligibility and enrollment information, by visiting www.fcc.gov/broadbandbenefit, or by calling 833-511-0311.
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School Board Special Election
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The WEM School board will hold a special election on August 10, 2021. The following
three people have filed to be on this ballot.
• Jon Bakken
• Matthew Klicker
• David Schuster
Watch for details to come.
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Quilting Classes
Choose from these 3 new quilting classes brought to you by WEM Community Education, or pick all three. Supplies are available for rent or sale. Color options, prices, and other details are provided in the registration forms. Contact class instructor, Lisa Nagel with questions: 507-420-3178.
Self-Binding Baby Blanket
Tuesday, July 27, 2021
6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
WEM High School Room TBD
Deadline to register is Friday, July 23, 2021.
Quilt as You Go
Fridays, September 15 and 22, 2021
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
WEM High School Room TBD
Deadline to register is Friday, September 8, 2021.
Beginning Quilting
Mondays, November 15, 22, and 29, 2021
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
WEM High School Room TBD
Deadline to register is Wednesday, November 10, 2021
DNR Firearms Safety Certification
DNR Firearms Safety Certification via the Official MN Hunter Safety Course 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.
Drivers' Education
2021 Drivers' Ed classroom sessions have been scheduled for October 25, 26, 28, November 1, 4, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16 in the Morristown Building from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Details and registration are found on the Drivers' Education page of our website.
School Age Child Care (SACC)
Kindergarten Connection
Kindergarten Connection classes will be held from September 2021 through May 2022. This is for children who will be entering kindergarten in the fall of 2022, and as space allows, 2023. Pricing and additional information are available in the 2021-2022 Kindergarten Connection Registration Form. Bussing to and from daycare is available. The first tuition payment is due at the parent meeting in August. Educational benefits are available for those who qualify.
Summer Swimming Lessons
Swimming lessons are available for students Monday, July 12 through Friday, July 23 at 12:00 p.m. in Le Center. The cost is $55. Some levels have closed to registration. Contact Jeff Boran for openings.
Sports Health Screenings
Mayo Clinic Health System is offering sports screenings for athletes entering grades 7–12 in the 2021–2022 school year to fulfill Minnesota State High School League sports requirements. Appointments are available in Waseca on Thursday, July 22, 2021. Please call for an appointment. The clinics in New Prague and Mankato are also taking appointments. See the flyer for more information. The cost is $20.
The 2021 Sports Physical Form is available online. Typically, students starting grades 7 and 9 need these screenings. They are good for 3 years.
Thursday, July 22, 2021
5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Mayo Health Clinic
501 North State Street
Waseca, MN 56093
507-835-1210
Fall Sports
Fall sports registration will open in early July.
More Information
To stay up-to-date on WEM activities, consult the Community Education page and Athletics page on our website. Also, keep an eye on the news section at the top of the WEM website, and follow us on social media.
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Mr. Zicafoose's summer 2021 Drivers' Education students.
Photo courtesy of Keith Zicafoose.
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August 10 School Board Special Election
August 26 New Teacher Workshop
August 30-September 2 Teacher Workday (No School)
September 1 Grades 9-12 Orientation/Open House
September 2 Grades 5-8 Open House
September 6 Labor Day (No School)
September 7 Grades 5-12 First Day of Classes
September 7 Grades K-4 Entrance Conferences
September 8 Grades K-4 First Day of School
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WEM has job openings, including the following:
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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