| DeForest Area School District |
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DeForest and Waunakee student councils came together to help raise money for Juvenile Diabetes during Pack the Gym Night on January 6 |
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| For friends of the DeForest Area School District | January 2012 |
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Greetings!
Below is the third edition of DASD News for the 2011-12 school year. There are a few celebrations and recognitions to read about, and a full list of events coming up, including FBLA's annual "MOO-ving for a Cure" and College Goal Wisconsin. Plus, take advantage of a month-long celebration of books and reading -- DeForest Reads 'Til Pigs Fly!
We are still in need of volunteers for College Goal Wisconsin on February 19.
This event in held throughout Wisconsin for families to get free, professional help in completing the FASFA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). DeForest is one of three sites in Dane County. All families looking for college financial assistance need to complete this form. Volunteers are needed to help with registration, as well as to provide help with the FAFSA - 1:15-4:00 pm. If interested, please contact me at 842-6581 or dbrewster@deforestschools.org. More information about College Goal Wisconsin is available at http://www.collegegoalwi.org/.
Debbie Brewster
School/Community Relations Coordinator
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News from your school board
Over $260,000 savings to debt levy
 In December the board approved refinancing of general
obligation refunding bonds, with a total savings to debt levy of $262,057 over the next five years. This is a direct benefit to local taxpayers in the District. Diane Pertzborn, Director of Business & Auxiliary Services, reported to the board that Standard & Poors affirmed the District's AA+ credit rating. DASD is one of only a dozen districts in the state with that high of a rating.
The board recently approved the sale of 1.69 acres of school land needed by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for the development of a north-south artery between DeForest and Windsor (Hwy. 51 project) for an offer to purchase of $86,200. The land is part of the District's 80 acre Zingg property in Windsor.
The past few months board members have been getting update reports and discussing several instructional initiatives, such as professional learning communities, elementary time study, pupil nondiscrimination self evaluation, and the high school facility project. Read more
Page 2: Spring school board election candidates.
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Wireless access in schools
 Over the summer and into the fall, DASD staff completed the first phase of wireless access in our school buildings. The addition of wireless to our buildings is great news for students and staff, but it's also great news for our community. When you visit our buildings (with the exception of Morrisonville Elementary School), you're welcome to use our DeForest-Guest network on your device. You'll find good access to wireless in all of our areas where community might gather: libraries, gyms, and cafeterias.
Sitting at a game and need to check email? Use our wireless network. Waiting for your student in the cafeteria? Use our wireless network. Since this network is used by students and adults, it is filtered, meaning that you may encounter some blocked sites. Read more
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DASD people in the news  Library Media Specialist Stephanie Unertl was selected by the Educational Communications Board (ECB) to assist in their revitalization of their 4th grade Wisconsin study units. In the past, these units included Cultural Horizons. Stephanie will serve on the statewide committee and offer her expertise in library media, information literacy, and technology integration. The ECB's recent work has included Climate Wisconsin, Global Wisconsin, Wisconsin RtI Stories, and Into the Book. 
The Department of Public Instruction recently
released a preliminary report by the Wisconsin
Educator Effectiveness Design Team that outlines plans for a new educator evaluation system. Last December State Superintendent Tony Evers appointed the design team, as well as a work group, made up of leaders from a broad range of education stakeholders. The groups were given the task of developing the framework and timeline for a model evaluation system for Wisconsin. DASD Superintendent Jon Bales was chosen to represent superintendents across the state in the design team work.
 In the next step in the Wisconsin Educator Effectivess process, state superintendent Tony Evers is convening state coordinating committees, representing diverse stakeholders who will develop the operational details of the evaluation models for teachers and principals. These work teams will then oversee the initial implementation phases of the models beginning with pilots in 2012-13. Additional work teams will focus on developing appropriate student learning objectives for students in nontested grades and subjects, as well as preparing a uniform student information system across the state. Windsor Elementary School principal Roy Bernards has been asked to serve on the teacher practice work team. This committee will work through 2014-15 when the evaluation system will be implemented statewide.
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February is CTE Month
Exciting career and technical education programs benefit students, communities
Wisconsin schools are using February's observance of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in Wisconsin to highlight the wide range of exciting opportunities available to youth in the state who wish to explore their career options, and the benefit of those programs to Wisconsin industry and communities. See more photos and read about DASD on page 4.
Digital Learning Day is February 1
 February 1st is Digital Learning Day all over the United States. Wisconsin will celebrate by releasing its plan for digital learning, but districts all over are celebrating by highlighting accomplishments and sharing successes. Digital learning includes all sorts of activities . . . mobile learning, creating movies, taking online classes, and more. No matter what the digital learning activity, the goal is to improve the learning of every student.
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Anonymous website for middle school students to report bullying
 The DeForest Area School District strives to provide
a safe, secure and respectful learning environment for all members of the school community in school buildings, on school grounds, and school buses and at school-sponsored activities. Bullying has a harmful social, physical, psychological and academic impact on bullies, victims and bystanders. The school district consistently and vigorously addresses bullying to maintain the mission and vision of the school district.
All school employees and school officials who observe or become aware of acts of bullying are required to report these acts. Any other person, including a student who is either a victim of the bullying or is aware of the bullying, or any other concerned individual, is encouraged to report the conduct to the principal or designee. In an effort to provide students a safe way to report bullying and safety concerns, middle school staff have made a new website available to students. Sprigeo is an Internet site specifically set up for DeForest Area Middle School that offers an an anonymous way to file a report. After the online form is filled out, Sprigeo sends an email directly to the DAMS principals and counselors with all of the details from the bully report. Students don't need to say who they are on the form. |
American Legion Auxiliary sponsors essay contest
The American Legion Auxiliary is once again sponsoring their annual "Americanism Essay Contest" for students in grades 3-12. Each year members of the local Olson Grinde Post #348 choose four local winners from those submitted, and send them on to the state level, with another chance to win at the national competition. The topic this year is "How Can I Show My Patriotism in My Community?" Participants may download an entry form from www.deforest.k12.wi.us >> Today' News. Or click HERE for entry form. Entries are due March 1, 2011 and can be submitted directly to Kathy Disch, 613 DeForest Street, DeForest, WI 53532. There are five age categories of entries, each with requirements for the number of words allowed in the essay. In addition to recognition at the local, state and national levels, cash awards are also given.
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District, Police Department recognize adult crossing guards
 
In honor of Wisconsin's annual Adult School Crossing Guard Recognition, Superintendent Jon Bales, DeForest Police Chief Bob Henze, and Lieutenant Dan Furseth visited with Bette McMillin, Nora Geach, and Suzanne Wentland.
Bales, Henze, and Furseth thanked them for their service to the school district and community.
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School News
Check out photos and information in this issue
of DASD News
Middle school students make quilts for older adults
WES students "stomp out" bullying
YES students perform at Winterfest
MES Pinwheels for Peace
EPES students make ornaments for WI capitol tree
 Stay connected with DASD
Snow Days 101
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Events Calendar
Throughout February
DeForest Reads'Til Pigs Fly!
A month-long celebration of books and reading
February 9 & 10
DAHS Winter One-Act Performances
DAHS PAC, 7:00 pm
February 11
FFA Family Fun Night
Arlington, 5:30 pm
February 17
"MOO-ving for a Cure"
DAHS Gym, 5:30-8:30 pm
February 19
College Goal Wisconsin
DeForest Area High School, 2:00 pm
February 24 & 27
No School
February 28
Community Blood Drive at DAHS
March 23
Wisconsin Singers
Performing Arts Center, 7:00 pm
March 30
Early Dismissal, end of 3rd quarter
April 2-6
No School - Spring Break
Check out these
DASD website links:
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| Thank you! |
Click here to download a PDF version of this DASD News issue (and previously versions). |
| Contact Information |
Please contact me if you have any questions or if I can assist you in any way . . .
Debbie Brewster, School/Community Relations Coordinator
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