The School District of Baraboo Board of Education has begun engaging stakeholders in the long-term facilities planning process by re-forming an Elementary Facilities Advisory Committee (EFAC). The EFAC, an ad-hoc committee established by the Board of Education, is charged with providing input and feedback to the Board on the District’s elementary facilities. The committee is expected to work through December 2023, reviewing data and providing feedback to the Board on potential facilities options.

During its first meeting on August 7th, the EFAC was presented with information regarding the state of the District's elementary facilities. The School District of Baraboo faces capital maintenance costs estimated at over $27 million at the elementary level. More than $11 million of these capital maintenance costs are associated with near-term projects. Capital maintenance includes basic infrastructure and building operating systems including mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

“We are doing the very best with the resources we have,” said Superintendent Dr. Rainey Briggs following the meeting. “However, as the EFAC has learned, our District simply does not have the year-to-year capital maintenance budget needed to address many of these very costly repairs. The cost of a boiler replacement or major electrical upgrade would have a negative impact on our instructional program, a tradeoff we’re unwilling to accept. We’re therefore in the difficult position of having to defer replacement of these aging systems year after year.”

EFAC members also heard that many of the spaces within the existing elementary schools present significant challenges to staff and students alike. For example, three elementary schools have combined gym / cafeterias, presenting significant scheduling difficulties. In addition, instructional delivery is focused increasingly on small group collaboration, one-on-one instruction, and creative problem solving skills. However, the elementary schools lack many of the physical spaces that best support this type of student engagement.  

“The District looks forward to continuing our conversation with the EFAC and providing its feedback to the Board,” said Dr. Briggs. “The EFAC represents a great cross-section of the broader Baraboo community. We’re confident its members will inform our facilities planning through their collective expertise, commitment to the community and belief in our students.”

More on the EFAC meeting can be found here.

Seed K12 Retreat

This week members of the BSD Administrative Team, Administrative Assistants, SAFE's, and Instructional Coaches took part in The Ho-Chunk Nation SEED Project Retreat. SEED stands for "Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity" and the group partners with communities, organizations, and schools to train leaders to facilitate their peers in conversational communities to drive personal, organizational, and societal change toward social justice. 

SEED seminars which are grounded in personal reflection and testimony, listening to others' voices, and learning together in the context of intersecting identities and systemic analysis so participants work in large and small groups, as well as independently. “It has been wonderful to take part in SEED training,” said Pat Doty, Director of Student Services. “The small and large group discussions have helped us connect as a team and listen better to all voices.” 

Click here to learn more about SEED.

6th Grade Orientation Final Reminder

Get Ready, 5th graders!  It’s almost time for 6th Grade Orientation!

The staff and students of Jack Young Middle School invite you to our 13th annual Sixth Grade Orientation with our 8th-grade WEB Leaders

8:00 AM -11:30 AM

Thursday, August 17, 2023

JYMS Main Gymnasium/Commons Area

The purpose of this orientation is to make the transition from elementary school to middle school a positive one. Eighth graders will be serving as WEB leaders and mentors to the sixth graders. Large and small group activities are designed to address students’ needs and concerns in an enjoyable manner.  Wear comfortable clothes and don’t bring all your “stuff”...travel light!

If you have any questions, please contact the WEB Coordinator:

Ms. Teresa Kamps tkamps@barabooschools.net. 

Please RSVP for this event using the link below. This form is to get an idea for attendance and to organize any transportation needs. If you are unable to complete the form, your student can still attend the event.

Link: https://bit.ly/43z5ndd

8th-grade WEB Leaders! Remember you have training on August 15th and 16th from 8:00 AM- 11:00 AM

JYMS Band Camp Next Week

Reminder! JYMS band camp will be held August 14th-18th at Jack Young Middle School. The schedule can be found here. If you have questions please don't hesitate to reach out to Mr. Bauer at brbauer@barabooschools.net.  

4K Registration Reminder

The first day of 4K is less than one month away! Do you have your student registered for the 2023-24 school year? 

The Baraboo Early Learning Cooperative, more commonly known as BELC, is a 4-year-old Kindergarten program offered by BSD in partnership with various community childcare providers. Learn more and register your student today!

Link:https://www.baraboo.k12.wi.us/o/belc

Registration Update

Last week more than 225 students were registered for the 202-24 school year at in-person registration last Tuesday held at Baraboo High School from 11 am-6 pm. 

Parents and guardians can log into the Parent Portal to complete the registration process for their student(s) for the 2023-24 school year. Click on “More” on the left and then “Online Registration” to get started. If you need help remembering your login information or assistance creating an account please contact the District Registrar at 608-355-3955 or email registrar@barabooschools.net. 

4K Baraboo Early Learning Cooperative (BELC) families please be sure to complete the 4K registration form. 

Before you begin, please gather the following information on hand to help make your registration process quick and easy:

Household information - address and phone numbers

Parent/Guardian information - work and cell phone number, email addresses

Student information - demographic and health/medication information

Emergency contact - phone numbers 

Know someone new to the community? Please encourage them to visit the District’s website to learn more about registering new students. Link: https://bit.ly/3Os6h4B.  

We look forward to seeing your student(s) next school year!

First Day of School Details

• To help reduce the anxiety that can often be experienced with attending the first day of school, the first day of school for the 2023-2024 School Year will be different for 6th-12th-grade students than in past years. 

Baraboo High School

• 9th-grade students and new 10th-12th-grade students to BHS report Friday, September 1, 2023. More information will be sent by Baraboo High School. 
• Returning 10th-12th grade students report Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and do not need to attend Friday, September 1, 2023. 
• Principal Considine will host a Meet & Greet Tuesday, August 1, 2023, from 5-7 pm at BHS which will include brief building tours. (Previously announced as 6-8p)

Jack Young Middle School

• 6th-grade students and new 7th and 8th-grade students to JYMS report Friday, September 1, 2023. Further details will be shared by Jack Young Middle School. 
• Returning 7th and 8th-grade students report Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and do not need to attend Friday, September 1, 2023. 
• 6th-grade orientation will take place Thursday, August 17, 2023, from 8-11:30 am at JYMS. Additional details and RSVP notes are available in the Thunderbird Thursday and on the JYMS calendar. 

All Elementary Buildings

• All kindergarten-5th grade students report Friday, September 1, 2023, for their first day of school.

Baraboo Early Learning Cooperative 4K and Early Childhood Program 

• All 4K and Early Childhood students report on Thursday, September 7, 2023, for their first day of school.

Additional Reminders

• Homecoming is early compared to recent years and will take place the week of September 11, 2023. Please join us! Click here for a schedule of events. 
• BSD Code of Conduct. The goal of the School District of Baraboo Code of Conduct is to provide students and adults a framework for navigating personal, social, or cultural conflicts. Please take time to review the BSD Code of Conduct as a family (PPP of CoC)
• BSD Code of Conduct (English)
• BSD Code of Conduct (Español)

School Handbooks. These documents have a bunch of helpful information as you and your students prepare for the school year, including school supply lists. They are helpful to reference throughout the school year too.