The District Dispatch

Employee Newsletter | January 2024

WATERLOO SCHOOLS: THE DISTRICT DISPATCH

Inside the Classroom
Stories & News
2024 Wellness Program
Important Dates
Important Links

Excitement is in the air! Hear firsthand from staff and community members why they're thrilled about the prospect of a new high school. The time for unity and shared enthusiasm has arrived!

BEST BUDDIES

Best Buddies Program flourishes at East High: Boosting Inclusivity at East High, our extended core program is fostering community and inclusion through Best Buddies. Recognizing limited socialization for some students, we aim to bridge the gap by providing 'typical' high school experiences.

CENTRAL MIDDLE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE

Welcome back, Central students and staff! Winter break was filled with anticipation, and the big reveal didn't disappoint! The newly renovated building sparked endless smiles as students explored their revamped surroundings.

Get ready for a firsthand look at the transformation during our Open House on Thursday, January 11, from 5:30 to 7 pm.

CHECK OUT SOME FUN FIRST DAY PHOTOS HERE

CLASSROOM SPOTLIGHT

Experience the heart of our district's classrooms in action with these super short video reels, providing a glimpse into the vibrant learning environments that shape our students' futures. We are coming to your building soon!

IB Theatre

IB Science

IB Visual Arts

BE BOLD AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to our November and December BE BOLD Award honorees. You can view the winners here!

Nominations needed for Be Bold Awards!

Have a deserving co-worker in mind? Of course you do! Nominations are simple. Use the form to nominate someone today!

BE BOLD NOMINATION FORM

ROSS BAUER RECEIVES THE PATRIOTIC EMPLOYER AWARD FROM ESGR

Congratulations to Central Middle School Principal Ross Bauer for receiving the Patriotic Employer Award from ESGR!

This prestigious award recognizes his outstanding support for guard and reserve members. Mr. Bauer was nominated by SFC Alek Davis, a WCSD employee who is currently serving in the Army Reserves.

Special thanks to Don Shroyer (volunteer for the Iowa Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve) for presenting the award!

HONORING ENDYA CLARYCE JOHNSON

The Waterloo School Board proudly announced the new Irving Elementary playground will be named the Endya Claryce Johnson Memorial Playground in honor of our former school board member. A heartfelt tribute to an extraordinary legacy.

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

Superintendent Jared Smith, Stacie Mills, VP Lyle Schmitt, President Astor Williams, Janelle Ewing, outgoing President Sue Flynn, Jesse Knight, new members Jonathan Cox, Krystal Matlock and Board Secretary Pam Arndorfer.

THRIVE TOGETHER WITH WATERLOO WELLNESS!

Create healthy habits and earn rewards.

Welcome to the Waterloo Wellness Program, your health and well-being program at Waterloo Community School District. We’ve partnered with HealthPartners to bring you well-being resources to help you reach your health goals. Plus, you can keep your preferred deductible for participating. It’s a win-win!

How it works

When you participate in the Waterloo Wellness Program, you’ll get access to resources and well-being activities to help you thrive through healthy living. In addition to the benefits that come with positive lifestyle changes.

Complete these steps by September 30, 2024 to collect 200 points and you’ll earn preferred deductible reward:

Take your health assessment (100 points)
Complete recommended activities (100 points)

Ready to get started? Take your health assessment.

If you need to set up an account, use “waterloo” in the Company name field. You can also download the HealthPartners mobile app to easily access your health assessment and track your activity progress.

Questions?

If you have any questions about our wellness program, contact Beauty Fitts at fittsb@waterlooschools.org. For help signing on, call HealthPartners at 800-311-1052 or email HealthPartners.

You are receiving this on behalf of The Waterloo Wellness Program. We have partnered with HealthPartners to offer this health and well-being program to all WCSD employees.

CENTRAL OPEN HOUSE: Thurs. Jan 11, 5:30-7 PM
CALENDAR FOCUS GROUP: Complete survey by Fri. Jan 12. The first meeting is Mon. Jan 22.
NO SCHOOL: Jan 12-15
ADDED EARLY DISMISSALS: Fri. January 19; Fri. March 1; Fri. April 19; Fri. May 17
COMMUNITY TOWN HALL MEETINGS: Sat. Jan 20; Thurs. Jan 25; Sat. Jan 27; Thurs. Feb 1
PRE-K REGISTRATION: Opens Mon. Feb 5

CALENDAR FOCUS GROUP

Waterloo staff, we want to hear from you! Let your voice be heard by joining the 24-25 School Year Calendar Focus Group! We are gathering information on the school calendar in regards to the work/school day calendar and student contact hours (must have 1080 hours/year).

We are planning to meet virtually on Monday, January 22nd at 4:00pm; there is a tentative follow up on Thursday, January 25th if needed.

All staff except administrators will be compensated for their attendance at a rate of $10/hour.

If you are interested in serving on the 24-25 Calendar Focus Group, please complete the short survey HERE. Please sign up no later than Friday, January 12th.

PAYROLL TAX WITHHOLDINGS FOR 2024

Each January the federal and state governments change the payroll tax withholding formulas. When these changes are made it can significantly adjust the amount of taxes withheld from your payroll. We suggest you review the first payroll payment you receive in January, look at the amounts withheld for Federal and State taxes, and compare those withholdings with your last payroll payment in December to help determine if you need to adjust your withholdings. Your payroll payment information can be found in the Employee Portal.

If you want changes made for your January payroll, we will need your new W-4 forms by January 8. If you send in new W-4 forms by February 7, the changes will go into effect for your February payroll. [See original email sent to "All Staff" on January 2]

2024 Federal Form W-4

2024 Iowa Form W-4

Please send completed forms or questions to Kristi Troupe, payroll coordinator, at troupek@waterlooschools.org.