VASD Newsletter
September 2023
Greetings from Dr. Clardy
Saludos de parte del Dr. Clardy
November 2024 / Noviembre 2024
Nota: Puede acceder a este Boletín Informativo en diferentes idiomas haciendo clic en el botón "Translate"
The Verona Area School District (VASD) was recently named the 14th "Best School District in Wisconsin" for 2025. With 421 public school districts in Wisconsin, a ranking of 14th puts VASD in the top 3% in all of Wisconsin.
VASD has been on a steady rise among Wisconsin’s school districts, moving from 47th in 2022 to 24th in 2023 to 21st in 2024, and now proudly standing at 14th. This achievement reflects the dedication of our students, the excellence of our educators, and the support of our engaged families and community. We are all committed to building great schools and a great community, and we demonstrate our commitment through our daily actions. In our schools, students encourage and support one another, educators bring their expertise and joy to the classroom, and families and community members actively participate – attending events, serving on advisory councils, voting to support referendums, and touring our schools, among many other contributions.
Niche also released separate rankings at the county level. Within Dane County, VASD was in the top 5 in the following categories: "Most Diverse School District", "Best Places to Teach", "District with the Best Teachers", and "Best District for Athletes".
The rankings were released by Niche, a company that provides educational institution information, rankings, and reviews. Ratings are based on federal data, state data, and user-generated reviews.
Winter Weather Decision Making, School Closures, and Delays
Toma de Decisiones en Clima Invernal, Cierres Escolares y Retrasos
As winter approaches, we want to share the VASD's procedures for weather-related school delays or closures. Our top priority is the safety of students, staff, and the community, which guides our weather-related decisions. We aim to make these decisions and begin communication by 5:45 AM.
Snow Events Starting at 4:00 AM, a VASD team, including a representative from the bus company, begins assessing road conditions across the district. We stay in contact with the National Weather Service and a local meteorologist to get real-time updates on current and forecasted weather. Additionally, superintendents from nearby districts discuss weather conditions and factors influencing their decisions, such as bus route terrain. VASD also considers if neighboring districts are closed, as many of our staff members live outside the district and may need to stay home with their children. Inclement weather can also reduce the availability of substitute teachers.
Cold Weather For extreme cold, we monitor temperature forecasts closely. Based on recently updated National Weather Service guidelines, VASD will close schools if an extreme cold warning (-30℉ sustained) is issued. If such a warning is expected to end mid-morning, we may consider a delayed start. School will continue as usual during a cold weather advisory.
Closure and Delay Options
Our 2024-25 calendar includes two built-in days for weather-related closures or closures due to other disruptions.
If severe weather is expected only in the early morning, a delayed start may be an option.
If closures exceed two days:
Grades 6-12 will switch to virtual learning to meet the instructional minutes required by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Grades K-5 and Pre-K will not have school. Staff will be informed of professional responsibilities to complete.
Notification for Families If school is delayed or closed due to weather, notifications will be sent via email and text message to the contact information on file in PowerSchool. Information will also be posted on the VASD website, shared on social media, and broadcast on local TV. Note that phone calls will not be made. Please ensure your contact information is up to date by contacting your child’s school office if there have been any changes.
If school remains open but you believe it is safer for your child to stay home, you have the option to keep them home. Please notify your child’s school office if they will not be attending.
Thank you for helping us prioritize the safety of our students, staff, and families.
Literacy Update
Actualizacione de alfabetización
The implementation of our new Language Arts curriculum materials is off to a strong start, with both teachers and students embracing robust learning experiences. One of the benefits of our new curriculum is that all students K-5 are learning about the same theme while focusing on grade-level standards and learning experiences. Unit One’s focus was Geography. In middle school, students focused on writing personal narratives after exploring the importance of milestones growing up. All curriculum resources are available in English and Spanish.
Student Experiences
Students throughout VASD have been extremely excited over the past two weeks as they have engaged in Project-Based Inquiry, a teaching method that involves students working together to investigate and solve real-world problems over an extended period of time. Kindergarten students learned about museums and wrote about what type of museum they would like to tour. Some classes showed off their writing by making an Art Museum and a Dinosaur Museum and inviting guests. Second graders wrote persuasive paragraphs about a favorite place in their community. Some classes visited the Madison Children’s Museum and used their experiences as data in their writing. Third grade students investigated ways to make a local park or playground safer. They researched safety issues and wrote opinion letters to community decision makers. Some classes invited a city planner to answer their questions, then wrote letters to Superintendent Dr. Clardy about suggested playground additions.
Student Impact
Student Engagement: Students have responded enthusiastically to the diverse range of texts, which include various genres, lengths, and character perspectives. The curriculum's interactive features, such as the read-aloud option for all stories, have supported different learning styles.
Academic Growth: While the curriculum presents rigorous challenges, we're already seeing students rise to meet these expectations. They are developing stronger skills in:
Using textual evidence to support their ideas
Understanding and applying figurative language
Making meaningful connections within texts
Using academic vocabulary with confidence
Collaborative Learning: The curriculum provides numerous opportunities for peer collaboration and discussion, helping students develop both their communication and critical thinking skills.
Prioritizing Early Literacy
As part of our focus on early literacy and recent Act 20 state legislation, all K-3 students have been engaging in screeners this fall to assess their foundational skills as readers. When needed, teachers are partnering with families to provide additional support to students in the form of reading plans to build these critical skills to ensure they are on track to be strong readers. To learn more about our early literacy screening and support please visit our Early Literacy website.
Looking Forward
As we continue with the new Language Arts curriculum implementation, we are encouraged by how students are adapting to the increased rigor and engaging with the material. We appreciate the support from educators and families as we work to provide students with a rich and challenging Language Arts experience.
To find out more about our curriculum, review the VASD K-8 Language Arts Curriculum Sequence.
2025-26 Family and Student Calendar
Calendario estudiantil y familiar del año escolar 2025-26
The 2025-26 Family and Student Calendar is now available. It is posted on the VASD website and can be downloaded here. Please note that the Professional Development Day has been moved to February 2, 2026. Thank you to the staff and families who participated in our calendar development input survey last year. The results of the survey informed VASD's 2024-25 and 2025-26 calendars.
What's Up on In the Loop with the Sup
Qué hay de nuevo en el podcast "In the Loop with the Sup"
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!
On the latest episode, Dr. Clardy talked with Verona Area High School Principal Brian Cox and Badger Ridge Middle School Principal Larry Love about cell phone protocols at VASD’s middle schools and high school, how they were designed, and how they are functioning to support the best outcomes for students and staff.
Episode 6: Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement
Episode 7: Cell Phone Protocols at Middle Schools and High School
Our Award Winning Educators
Nuestros Educadores Galardonados
Congratulations to Ashley Otten, who was named the New Marketing Teacher of the Year at the Wisconsin Marketing Education Association's annual BEcoME IT Professional Development Conference!
Congratulations to Pete Grender, who has been recognized with the Mike Roshar WASBO Shining Star Award, for the vital and timely information regarding school levy tax credits he provided to school officials last year.
Actualizaciones de Tecnología
Technology Update
As we approach our first longer break of the school year, we want to encourage all families to continue fostering responsible device use to ensure a smooth transition back to school. Here are a few important reminders to help maintain this responsibility:
Fully Charged Devices
Please ensure that all student devices are returned to school fully charged. This preparation helps students start the new week without delays and ensures they can engage in their learning activities right away when school starts.
Centralized Device Storage at Night
To promote healthy habits and minimize distractions, we ask that students keep their devices in a designated central location at home during nighttime hours. This practice not only supports better sleep routines but also encourages face-to-face interactions with family members.
Remember that you can take advantage of GoGuardian Parent while students are at home. This tool allows you to monitor and manage your child's online activity, helping to ensure their safety and maintain their focus on their studies. If you haven't already set up GoGuardian Parent, please watch this GoGuardian Parent Setup video for more information and assistance.
Food & Nutrition Corner
Rincón de Alimentación y Nutrición
The Food Service Department is excited to share delicious updates and exciting programming! The team has been working hard to provide a variety of healthy and tasty options that fuel students’ learning and growth.
New Ramen Recipe Alert 🍜
Our culinary team has crafted a flavorful and nutritious dish featuring whole grain ramen noodles, a savory broth, and an assortment of toppings. Students will be able to customize their bowls with protein and vegetables.
Rainbow Carrots Are Here
In December we will add a colorful twist to our vegetable offerings with rainbow carrots. These vibrant carrots—complete with purple, orange, and yellow hues—are not only visually appealing but also rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Students will find them on the line being served raw or steamed to perfection. Encourage your students to try these flavorful, nutritious veggies!
Smoothie Test Pilot for Breakfast 🍓
We will be testing smoothies for breakfast on Tuesday, December 3rd at Sugar Creek! We will be trying out a new delicious and nutritious Berry Patch Smoothie recipe. Our goal is to provide a quick, healthy breakfast choice that fuels our students for a successful day. We will gather feedback from students to help determine if smoothies will become a regular part of our breakfast offerings.
Kohlrabi Taste Test Results
Recently, we held a taste test for kohlrabi. Many students enjoyed this unique veggie, which is known for its mild taste and crunchy texture. We served this cabbage-like vegetable as raw kohlrabi sticks with ranch. A big thank you to all the students who participated and offered their feedback!
Thank you for supporting VASD's school food service program. We are committed to providing delicious and nutritious meals that or students will love.