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BASD News & Information

December 16, 2024

BASD News &Information December 16, 2024
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Families,


As we approach the holiday season, we would like to take a moment to address two important topics that affect both the safety and well-being of our students.


First, we would like to remind all families of the district’s new procedures regarding personal technology devices, particularly cell phones. As part of our efforts to promote focus and engagement in the classroom, students are prohibited from using their cell phones in any learning spaces, including classrooms, study halls, bathrooms, and locker rooms. This policy helps ensure that students are actively participating in their education and maintaining a respectful and productive learning environment.


With the holiday season approaching, many students may receive new personal devices as gifts. We want to emphasize the importance of shared responsibility when it comes to managing these devices. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in helping students understand the appropriate use of technology, as well as the responsibilities that come with owning and carrying a cell phone or personal device. We encourage you to have open conversations with your child about responsible use, respectful boundaries, and the impact of technology on their well-being and education.


In light of the tragic school shooting that occurred today in Madison, Wisconsin, our hearts go out to the victims, their families, and the entire school community affected by this devastating event. As a district, the safety and security of our students is our top priority. Please know that we take every measure to ensure a safe learning environment, and we remain vigilant in our efforts to prevent such incidents from occurring here. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragedy, and we join in extending our deepest condolences.


As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding our policies or the safety of your child, please do not hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe and ensuring their success.


Warm regards,


Dr. Jill Oelslager, Superintendent

Community Connection Series - January 22nd @ 7 AM & 7 PM Community Connection Series - January 22nd @ 7 AM & 7 PM

Highlights within our BHS Extra Curricular Activities Highlights within our BHS Extra Curricular Activities

One Act - The Lost Boy has swept all state awards! One Act - The Lost Boy has swept all state awards!

  • Critics Choice
  • Outstanding Ensemble Acting
  • Outstanding Technical Theatre

  • Outstanding Directing

  • Individual Acting: Julian Ivkovich as "James M. Barrie," Tucker LaRose as "Old Crow/Captain Roger," Miles Alm as "Tinker Bell/Mary Barrie"

Southern Lakes Conference Southern Lakes Conference

Kudos to all of our fall student athletes who were recognized within the Southern Lakes Conference!

Health Department Health Department

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  • The health department has successfully completed several important educational initiatives this semester. A total of 720 students in grades 5K through 3rd underwent hearing screenings, ensuring early identification of any hearing issues. In addition, 9th grade students received informative sexual and reproductive health talks as part of their first-semester physical education curriculum. These sessions were designed to provide foundational knowledge and promote healthy decision-making. Furthermore, puberty talks were delivered to 5th-grade students at both Cooper and Karcher schools, helping them navigate this important developmental stage with understanding and confidence. Our Medical Emergency Response Teams (MERT) have also completed their first meetings of the year at each building. Every team member was provided a Stop the Bleed (STB) kit, and the department has begun training any staff who have not been previously trained in STB techniques to ensure preparedness in case of emergencies.

Teaching & Learning Teaching & Learning

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  • 12 teachers, admins, and coaches from Elkhorn Area School District visited Waller Elementary to observe how WE are using Bridges math effectively in 3rd and 4th grade classrooms! They observed math lessons and number corner in four teachers' classrooms where they got to see great math discourse, workplaces, use of manipulatives, and the use of math strategies to build number sense. This was a great day for collaboration and learning with a neighboring district!
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BHS

  • Students in Mrs. Glisch's Computers for Professionals course are actively working to achieve their Microsoft Office Specialist certification. These ambitious individuals are gearing up to take 5 certification exams, positioning themselves for success in the competitive job market.

  • Our Freshman Seminar students had an amazing opportunity to explore the Transportation and Supply Chain pathway at the Gateway Technical College Horizon Center. Students not only learned about this promising career path but also engaged in meaningful discussions with industry partners. They even received valuable hands-on experience by test-driving power equipment!

  • Three incredibly talented BHS students have graciously donated their artwork to this year's Gather + Give annual fundraiser on Friday, November 15th at Veterans Terrace. The theme this year is "What does hope look like to you?" – a powerful question, and these students have captured its essence beautifully through their art. As many of you know, 10% of the event proceeds, along with any recurring Give + Gather donations throughout the year, will go directly toward funding BASD scholarships.

  • We are thrilled to announce that our high school blood drive was a HUGE success! Thanks to the generosity and support of students and staff, we collected 87 units of blood — potentially saving the lives of up to 261 people!

  • On Tuesday, November 19th, 20 student-athletes from Burlington High School attended a leadership conference hosted at Veterans Terrace. The conference centered on sportsmanship, leadership, and creating a positive school culture through athletics. 160 athletes, coaches, and athletic directors from the Southern Lakes Conference were in attendance.

  • 10 talented BHS band and orchestra students joined 170 students from across southeastern Wisconsin at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee High School Honors Band and Strings Festival on November 15th and 16th. After just a few hours of rehearsals, these students took the stage and performed in front of a SOLD-OUT, standing-room-only audience. Their dedication and hard work paid off as they represented the BHS music department with pride!

  • On November 15th, our Earth Science class teamed up with Ardagh and PLTW for an engaging lesson on recycling. Students put their critical thinking to the test, evaluating the recyclability of various items and learning the impact their choices have on our planet.


Burlington Alternative School (FRC, Project WIN, PAC House)

  • Fox River Consortium (FRC) - Project Based Learning at FRC
    • The month of November brought the graduate total at FRC up to 6! We had 3 new graduates this month! Students continue to work hard and engage with their PBLs. They are starting to see their hard work pay off!
  • Project WIN (What I Need)
    • Project WIN had a celebration for one of their elementary students, who celebrated her last day in Project WIN! She successfully transitioned to Waller Elementary School. Way to go! Teachers and students noted that while they will miss her, they are all so, so proud of the amazing person she is, and are all so thrilled with the progress that she made!


Cooper Montessori / WisCo (Wisconsin Connect Charter School)

  • Sergeant Wasilevich made a surprise visit to Cooper to greet our students before they started their day. He received lots of hugs and high fives from them, and he told them they made his day! We have invited him back to speak to our upper elementary students about a career in law enforcement and how he uses his skills to solve crimes.
  • Students in Upper Elementary were trained to collect and observe evidence in order to solve a mystery. This is part of a unit based on the book Mr. Limoncello’s Library.


Karcher Middle School

  • 44 students have been awarded Karcher Way Certificates for the 1st Trimester! These students have demonstrated exceptional behavior, kindness, and dedication to following our Karcher Way!


Waller Elementary School

  • Waller Elementary School had the honor of hosting local veterans to celebrate Veterans Day. Mrs. Schue did a fantastic job putting together a heartwarming program with songs and a guest speaker to celebrate the day. One of the highlights of the program was sharing pictures of veterans from the Waller family (family members of students and staff who have served or are currently serving in our military). We encourage our students to think about what it means to be a true hero—someone who puts others first and works to make the world a better place.
  • Our used Book Sale was a huge success! All the students walked away with some great books at a very cheap price! Big thanks to the Ambassadors for laying all the books out and then picking up hundreds and hundreds of books in a short amount of time!


Winkler Elementary School

  • Throughout the month of November Winkler School recognized family and friends who have served in the military. Students and staff shared pictures of those who served to create our Wall of Heroes. We want to thank all Veterans for their service and those you continue to serve!
  • This past month the Winkler PTO ran a Kringle fundraiser. Our wonderful Winkler families sold close to 1,800 kringles. Thank you to our amazing PTO and volunteers who came in to help sort five pallets of orders. We want to thank all the families who participated in the fundraiser and made it a huge success! What an amazing supportive community!
  • This past week, Winkler students learned to program robots with Mrs. Nie, the Elementary School Librarian. STEAM activities like these provide students with learning opportunities that balance education and play. They naturally encourage young minds to ask questions, try new things, engage with their peers, and explore the world around them!

December 9th: Board Meeting Information Below December 9th: Board Meeting Information Below

The following are donations to BASD in the last month: The following are donations to BASD in the last month:

BHS

  • 2 Ritter 104 Exam Tables with a total value of $3,000 - Anatomy Program - Rosalind Franklin University / Chicago School of Medicine
  • $250 - FBLA - Miller Motor Sales
  • $250 - Koral Klub - Anonymous Donation
  • $350 - WBSD - Burlington Auto Clinic Inc.
  • $500 - WBSD - Miller Motor Sales
  • $500 - Wrestling - 414 Auto Tuning & Detail LLC
  • $2,000 - Wrestling - Burlington Wrestling Club
  • $100 - Wrestling - Scungilli's LLC


District

  • $669.96 - Grant to Jeanne Ritchie's Music Program at Cooper & Dyer - Music Matters' Fall Grant Cycle 2024
  • $731.69 - Grant to Jeanne Emily Barczak's Music Program at Waller/Winkler - Music Matters' Fall Grant Cycle 2024
  • 378 Books - Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism (BCDR)


Karcher

  • $500 - Karcher Kupboard - Burlington Coalition for Dismantling Racism (BCDR)
  • $500 - Karcher Kupboard - Casey's in Burlington
  • Food and clothing with an estimated value of $500 - Karcher Kupboard - Our Savior Lutheran Church
  • Clothing and hygiene items with an estimated value of $500 - Karcher Kupboard - Women For Tomorrow


Youth Mental Health Resource Fair on November 13, 2024

  • 2 day pass with gear certificate for 2 participants with an estimated value of $100 - Adventure Rock
  • Certificate for one sessions of classes - ATA Martial Arts
  • $150 in gift cards - Berkot's Super Foods
  • 1 pass for free admission for one adult and one child and a coupon for a complementary bag of gems with an estimated value of $47.19 - Cave of the Mounds
  • 2 admission tickets valued at $34 - Milwaukee County Zoo
  • 1 gift certificate for 4 admissions valued at $36 - Racine County Zoo

Items for Discussion / Information at School Board Meeting Items for Discussion / Information at School Board Meeting

Dyer Elementary School Improvement Plan Dyer Elementary School Improvement Plan

Dyer Principal, Derek Straight, and Dyer staff shared their school improvement plan with the school board. Mr. Straight shared how well things are going this school year with the transition of BASD having all Early Childhood and 4K (minus Montessori 4K) housed at Dyer Elementary school due to the changes to our grade configuration for the start of the 2024-2025 school year. Thank you to the Dyer Team and Derek Straight (building principal) for sharing all the amazing things happening at Dyer!

Business Services: 2023-2024 Final Audit Report Business Services: 2023-2024 Final Audit Report

Ruth Schenning, Executive Director of Business Services, presented the final audit report for the 2023-2024 school year to the school board. All public school districts are required by Wisconsin Statute 120.14 to have an annual audit of their financial records performed by a licensed accounting firm. Additionally, this final audit has to be shared with the school board annually.


As part of this annual audit, various federal and state grant programs are tested for compliance with state and federal regulations. BASD currently contracts with Wipfli LLP out of Madison WI to conduct this work. The final audit report for the year ending June 30, 2024, is what Ruth will be presenting to the school board. A separate audit report was also prepared for our charter school, Wisconsin Connect. Both reports present a clean, or unqualified, opinion by Wipfli LLP that the financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects.

District Report Card District Report Card

I, Jill Oelslager, shared the following presentation with the school board in relation to the district report card and building report cards. Take a look at the slides as there is comparable district data shown and BASD is sitting well amongst district that are like us when it comes to our overall district report card score.


Check out the SLIDES to see some of the great data and work of our amazing BASD team!!!


Kudos to ALL staff across the district as we have seen some great improvements across the board!

2023-2024 Annual Bullying Report (Policy 5517.01) 2023-2024 Annual Bullying Report (Policy 5517.01)

It is required to share information with the school board in relation to bullying on an annual basis. Therefore, we shared the bullying information with the school board for the 2023-2024 school year and I (Jill Oelslager) also talked through the difference between bullying and harassment and shared the data for both categories. Though only bullying information is required to share with the school board we believe it is important for the board to also be aware of harassment data/information as well.


During the 2023-2024 school year there were a total of 16 bullying cases noted in Skyward and 46 harassment incidences.


Bullying: A form of behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort.


Harassment: Unwelcome conduct that is based on a person's protected class.

School Safety Update School Safety Update

Chris Weins, Director of Pupil Services, talked with the school board to share that the Burlington Police Department and BASD have been working together to ensure that we focus on all aspects of safety for our students and staff across the system. One item Chris Weins shared is that we plan on partnering with the Burlington Police Department to provide them with access to our cameras IF and ONLY when there is a serious crisis or emergency where access to the cameras would assist with the safety and security of our students and staff.


After the Safety team discussed this request we determined that the purpose and rationale of the request supported our mission of keeping our staff and students safe during school and activities. Technical specifics of how our BASD system can be accessed by an outside organization will be overseen by Dave Wagner (Director of Technology). The district and Burlington Police Department will enter into an agreement as to when and why cameras will be accessed.


Just for some further information - building camera systems are maintained through the school district and access to the cameras and feed is secure and only granted to a few staff members throughout the district. This list is reviewed regularly to gauge appropriateness of access as we take this access very seriously.


The school board was in favor of the partnership between BASD and the Burlington Police Department.

Purchase of Vehicles Using the Transition Readiness Grant Purchase of Vehicles Using the Transition Readiness Grant

The Burlington Area School District’s Transition Program was awarded a $47,220 grant through the 2024-2025 Transition Readiness Grant. Michelle LeBas-Bowen, Transition Coordinator, and Chris Weins wrote the grant to focus on professional development for our special education staff, curriculum for students participating in our functional life skills program, and transportation needs at the PAC House.


We utilized data collected through Student and Staff Studer surveys, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, and needs assessments completed through the transition program to inform our grant purpose and focus.


Since the grant was awarded we have been working closely with Waterford, also grant recipients, to collaborate around the allocation of funds specific to transportation. A large focus of the grant was to increase the BASD’s ability to transport students from our 18-21 year old program in transportation that matched the need at the PAC House. We have successfully found two minivans through Miller Motors, a BASD collaborator, that will fit our budget of $60,000. $30,000 of grant funds from each district will be used to purchase the vehicles. BASD will remain the fiscal agent for the vehicles moving forward and will provide the maintenance through our BHS autos program.


We are thankful for the partnership with Miller Motors and their assistance with meeting the districts needs and helping us find 2024 models that are going to be fantastic for the program!


  • The school board approved the purchase of two minivans through the use of grant dollars for the PAC House.

Approval of the 2025-206 School Calendar Approval of the 2025-206 School Calendar

The school board approved the school calendar for the 2025-2026 school year.


Please note, the start and end times are not listed at this time. We need to talk with Thomas Bus first and ensure we are all on the same page with the start/end times before we inform people of the times. However, it is fair to assume the start and end times will be fairly similar to what we are doing now.


2025-2026 School Calendar for Families


  • The board approved the 2025-2026 school district calendars as presented.

Advanced Placement Language and Composition Course Proposal Advanced Placement Language and Composition Course Proposal

BHS currently has a course titled Honors British Literature where students are able to get gain a laude point, however, the course does not provide them with any potential credits towards college. Therefore, the team decided to switch from Honors British Literature to Advanced Placement Language and Composition. This allows students to not only gain a laude point but also earn the chance to gain college credit as well with this opportunity of an AP English course during their junior year.


Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition course proposal


  • The board approved the change from Honors British Literature to Advanced Placement Language and Composition for the start of the 2025-2026 school year at Burlington High School.

Operational Referendum Resolutions Operational Referendum Resolutions

There were two items on the board agenda in relation to the operational referendum.


The first item for the board to act on was the resolution authorizing the school district budget to exceed the revenue limit by $4,600,00 per year for three years for non-recurring purposes. As a reminder, why boards have to vote on this is due to the set revenue limit determined by the state of Wisconsin. You cannot go over that revenue limit unless you utilize a referendum. School boards then need to vote to approve and allow a school district to go over the revenue limit.


  • During the roll call vote all 7 school board members approved the resolution to authorize the school district budget to exceed the revenue limit by $4,600,00 per year for three years for non-recurring purposes.


The second item for the board to act on was the resolution providing for a referendum election and approve the language of the question that will show up on the ballot come April 1, 2025.


  • During the roll call vote all 7 school board members approved the resolution providing for a referendum election on the question of the approval of a resolution authorizing the school district budget to exceed revenue limit by $4,600,000 per year for three years for non-recurring purposes.


Please note, more information about the referendum will be shared with the community as we move past the holidays and head into January/February.

Board Committee Updates Board Committee Updates

Committee updates since last board meetings.


  • Finance Committee - Peter Turke, Chair
    • Met on November 18th
    • Discussed private school vouchers. Peter Turke plans on sharing his notes with the rest of the school board at the January board meeting.
  • Personnel Committee - Noah Strohm, Chair
    • Met on December 4th to approve the appointment as well as the resignations, retirements and terminations since the last School Board meeting.
  • Board Governance & Communications Committee - Marlo Brown, Chair
    • Met on December 5th to discuss overall district communications with a focus on the development of "The Focus" that will be going out to the community prior to the holiday break.
    • Additionally, discussed the need and importance of scheduling a few board workshops for referendum planning in January/February with the full school board.

Upcoming Board committee meetings, workshops, and/or board meetings Upcoming Board committee meetings, workshops, and/or board meetings

  • Teaching & Learning Committee meeting - Wednesday, December 11th @ 12:20 pm
  • Policy Committee meeting - Wednesday, December 11th @ 5:30 pm
  • Finance Committee meeting - Monday, January 6th @ 5:00 pm
  • Personnel Committee meeting - Wed, January 8th @ 1:00 pm - CLOSED SESSION (Virtual)
  • School Board meeting - Monday, January 13th @ 6:30 pm
  • Buildings & Grounds Committee meeting - Thursday, January 16th @ 6:00 pm

Thank you for all of your continued support and collaboration throughout the first portion of the school year. We have been so proud of the work all of our students and staff have engaged in so far this school year and are excited to continue learning and growing as we head into 2025!


Have a safe, healthy, and enjoyable holiday.


BASD Proud,


Dr. Jill Oelslager, Superintendent

Taylor Wishau, Board President

Marlo Brown, Vice President

Paul Kobernick, Clerk

Peter Turke, Treasurer

Rosanne Hahn, Board Member

Noah Strohm, Board Member

Aubrey Thompson, Board Member

Prior BASD News & Information Prior BASD News & Information

  • November 11, 2024
  • October 2024
  • September 2024
  • August 2024
  • July 2024
  • June 2024
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