VASD Newsletter

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As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, on behalf of the Verona Area School District, I extend heartfelt congratulations to every graduate and their family. As you launch into what lies ahead, carry forward the strengths that have supported you academically, socially, and emotionally throughout your time in our schools. We are proud of all that you’ve accomplished, Class of 2025. We wish you continued success and fulfillment in the journey ahead.

Verona Area High School seniors and their families will soon be celebrated at graduation. The class flower is the orchid, signifying love and strength. The class song is "You're Gonna Go Far" by Noah Kahan. The class quote is "The only impossible journey is the one you never begin," by Tony Robbins. Graduation will feature two student speakers, recognition of a Distinguished Guest, the awarding of diplomas, and plenty of photo opportunities.

When and Where is Graduation?

Back in October, we shared why attendance matters—and throughout this school year, the Verona Area School District (VASD) has made a focused effort to improve it. Our data showed that chronic absenteeism had been increasing in recent years, so we took action.

One of our first steps was to ensure families had clear, accessible information about how attendance is calculated, what “habitual truancy” means, and how you’ll be notified if your student’s attendance becomes a concern. You can always find this information on the VASD Attendance Information website, or reach out directly to your child’s school with any questions. In addition to these efforts, our VASD Social Workers continue to communicate with families and work closely with them to address barriers to improving attendance.

Using the data we gathered regularly throughout the year, our staff worked closely with students and families to support our districtwide belief: Be Here, Be Great—Every Wildcat Counts! One excellent example of this work is happening at Country View Elementary School. At the end of the 2023 school year, a small group of students had missed an average of 45% of school days. To address this, the school counselor and social worker implemented the Check and Connect program, meeting with these students every morning for the first 42 days of the 2024–25 school year to help them develop the skills needed to be successful at school. As a result, those students increased their attendance by an average of 21%.

To help track progress and stay transparent, we’ve shared attendance data weekly across the district, with a goal of reaching 90% average daily attendance. The graphic below shows attendance from May 5–9 and the year-to-date average. We’re proud to share that all schools have met or exceeded the 90% goal, with many far surpassing it.

This success is a true team effort—thank you to our students, families, and staff for the continued support, consistency, and partnership. Let’s keep it going straight through June 10 and into 2025-26!

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program helps families buy food while school is out during the summer and nutritious school meals are not available. Through Summer EBT, families can get one payment per summer for each eligible child in their household. For the 2024-25 school year, Summer EBT benefits will be sent to families with eligible children starting in May 2025.

If your child receives free or reduced-price meals at our schools, they automatically qualify for Summer EBT for Summer 2025. If you move or need to change your contact information before benefits start to be issued in May 2025, use the Department of Health Services’ Benefit Management Tool at summerebt.wi.gov/s/SummerBenefitInfo to update your information to ensure payment is properly processed.

If your child does not receive free or reduced-price meals, there are actions you can take to see if they qualify before Summer EBT benefits are sent out for Summer 2025.

• You can apply for free or reduced-price meals at the school your child is attending. If they are approved any time during the 2024-25 school year, they will automatically qualify for Summer EBT.
• You can apply to participate in another qualifying state benefit program. Your child will automatically qualify for Summer EBT if your household participates in FoodShare, W-2 Cash Benefits, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) benefits, or participates in certain income-based Medicaid programs. If you apply and are approved for one of these programs before the end of Summer 2025, then your child will be eligible for Summer EBT for 2025. To learn more about applying for any of these state benefits, call 211, visit access.wi.gov, or contact your local or tribal agency. Visit dhs.wi.gov/forwardhealth/imagency/index.htm to find the agency that will help you apply or enroll for programs (based on where you live).
• You can apply directly for Summer EBT. You can apply on https://wisconsin.summerebtapp.com for Summer EBT. When applying for Summer EBT for your child(ren), you will need to show that your household meets the income requirements for the program. The Summer EBT webpage at dhs.wi.gov/sebt has more information on what these income requirements are.

Note: This information is for children who attend the school(s) in the Verona Area School District. If you have another child who attends a different school, the process to qualify for Summer EBT may be different, and you may receive a different letter explaining how they would qualify. You can visit dhs.wi.gov/sebt to learn more.

Receiving Summer EBT does not affect whether your child can receive other benefits, such as meals offered through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or Seamless Summer Option (SSO). To learn more about SFSP or SSO meal sites near you, visit https://dpi.wi.gov/community-nutrition/sfsp/find-summer-meals-site or call 211. You can also text SFSP to 914-342-7744. Receiving Summer EBT does not affect your child’s or family’s immigration status.

If you have other questions about the Summer EBT program, please visit the Summer EBT webpage at dhs.wi.gov/sebt. You can also email your questions to dhssebtsupport@wi.gov.

2024-25 Reminders

• June 10th is the last day of school. Elementary schools (except for Core Knowledge) dismiss at 11:30 AM, middle schools and Core Knowledge K-8 dismiss at 12:35 PM, the high school dismisses at 12:55 PM.
• There is no Late Start Monday on Monday June 9th, 2025.

Looking Ahead

• Watch for a Back to School Newsletter in July.
• 2025-26 Back to School Pages will be available on each school's website under the "Families" tab by the end of the school year.

Join Dr. Clardy as he shares updates and interviews guests from around the district. In the Loop with the Sup will be posted about every two weeks on Wednesdays. Listen here!

Now Live

Reminder: Accessing Food During Summer

VASD will not be offering meals over summer break other than breakfast during Summer School. Please see the flyer below with information on how to access free meals near you.