January 2015
Issue 7

District Administrator's Message
 
Last Friday night my husband and I enjoyed a gift of tickets to the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I will admit that once we arrived at the Resch Center I really

wasn't giving my obligation to write a column much thought, yet as I sat through selection after selection I began to appreciate subtle and not so subtle behind-the-scenes things that supported the main performance. I thought about the engineers and craftsmen who designed and synchronized effects and the guys who made sure performers were safe as they ran up and down aisles. It was all so amazing. During multiple curtain calls, it occurred to me that none of the people I had been thinking about were brought on stage to take bows.  

 

Likewise in our schools, our teachers are on center stage doing a phenomenal job, well-deserving of every bit of credit we can give them and more. Having been a teacher myself, I know that teachers everywhere appreciate the support they receive from those working backstage to create a safe, healthy, and   

productive teaching and learning environment.

 

These folks include clerical and non-teaching staff who make sure the operations at each school run smoothly. They tend to student health needs, provide nutritious meals that support learning, catalog reading resources in our libraries, monitor energy efficiency, handle payroll and accounts payable, ensure that buses run on time, and keep our schools and classrooms clean and safe. They maintain our facilities and keep advancing technology to the cutting edge and beyond. They assist in the care of our special needs students at all ends of the spectrum. They serve as recess supervisors, volunteers, ticket takers, hall monitors, and provide support wherever needed so that our students have the highest quality educational experience possible. My hope is that these examples get you thinking about someone you know who makes a positive 'behind the scenes' difference for staff and students. If so, join me at the start of this new year in acknowledging and thanking them for the important work they do. 

 

As when attending a top-notch performance, we need to look backstage to see what supports the great presentation that we see onstage and in the classroom. When we do, we'll find many of the very best people doing their very best for our kids. We are extremely fortunate to have them here; setting the stage for great teaching and learning. Happy New Year!

 

Go Bulldogs!

 

Kathy Gwidt  

Kathleen Gwidt, Ph.D. 
District Administrator
[email protected] 
Thank You!

School Board Recognition Month:   This is a time to show our appreciation and begin to better understand how local boards work together to prepare today's students to be tomorrow's leaders.  A huge thank you to all who serve in this capacity from the School District of New London's Board of Education to our Charter School Boards and Advisory Councils.  Your dedication and 

advocacy for continuous improvement provides a vital service for our schools and community.  

 

Dates to Note
Show Choir Performance:
Please note this date/time change.  Join us Saturday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the HS Auditorium for this performance.

IS/MS Spelling Bee:  High School auditorium at 6:00 p.m. on January 15.

Child Development Days:  
1:00- 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16.  

RISE TOGETHER:
  6:00-8:00 p.m. at the High School auditorium on January 22. Join us in an effort to better understand the issues of substance abuse and movement for support in our community.

No School for Students:  Friday, January 23.

Bulldogs of Character in the Community:  Tuesday, January 27 at 5:00 at the High School.

Cold Weather Days
Winter in Wisconsin
We have been monitoring temperatures since yesterday and decided that classes would resume as scheduled today for several reasons.  Temperatures never reached a sustained low of 35 below and buses started without issue.  Student safety is our key concern.  Since today was one of those 'border-line' days...we didn't want students being dropped off or walking to buildings that were closed.  Buildings were open for children dropped off prior to the regular start time, and there have been no issues with any of our buildings' heating systems.
 
If there had been a delay or school closing you would have received a phone call, text, and/or email message from our emergency notification system as long as you are registered in the system.  If you do not receive notification from this system; please contact the District Office (920-982-8530).  You would also have seen the delay or closing posted on media sites, Facebook, and our District website. 

You can choose to keep your child home from school in the event we run school on a day that you feel is unsafe for your child to attend.  If you do, we ask that you call your school's absence phone line and let them know your child will not be in school because of inclement weather. 
 
Please don't hesitate to call (920-982-8530) or email ([email protected]) if you have any questions or would like to talk in greater detail. 
                         
                    Thank you for your support and understanding!
Community Presentation: RISE TOGETHER
Addressing the Issue of Substance Abuse  

On January 22, 2015, our community has the distinct pleasure of welcoming RISE TOGETHER

to the School District of New London. We invite you to join the fight against substance abuse in our community. We have two scheduled presentations for students during the day as well as an evening session from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the New London High School Auditorium. Presentations are made possible by a community commitment from the New London Police Department, Waupaca County Health and Human Services, and the School District of New London.  Presentations are FREE to all attendees. 

  

Please join us for this community presentation from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the New London High School auditorium on January 22, 2015 to better understand this issue and movement for support in our community. 

 
Senior Tax Exchange Program  
Thank you for the tremendous support you provide!
Senior Tax Exchange Program (STEP) coordinator, Randy Marsh, provides a mid-year check for STEP workers.  It was a time to celebrate the successes of supporting New London staff and students.  This group took time to thank High School student, Noah Wetzel, for providing technology seminars for interested senior citizens.  For additional information on STEP contact Randy Marsh at [email protected].   
Child Development Days
Free Preschool Screening for New London Children

Children between the ages of 2 - 4 � and those who have not previously participated are encouraged to take part in this preschool screening experience on January 16 between the hours of 1:00 and 6:00 p.m. 

 

The purpose of Child Development Days is as follows:

1. Assess children's developmental progress.

2. Provide parents with awareness of available child care, community services, and medical/health resources.

3. Provide parents with awareness of child growth and development issues.

 

Please contact Linda at (920) 982-8447 to set up a time for your child's screening. 

Teams Recognized for Academic Achievement
Student athletes recognized for top GPA's in the region!
Congratulations to the Girls' Volleyball team and Boys' Soccer team for being recognized by the Post Crescent for having the highest grade point average in the area in their respective sport. Girls' Volleyball team members held a collective GPA of 3.87 while members of the Boys' Soccer team posted a collective GPA of 3.55.  We couldn't be more proud of these students for their efforts in and out of the classroom.

                      Thank you to these hard working student athletes! 
Miss Wisconsin Visits Elementary Schools
Platform: Impact of Substance Abuse
Elementary students look forward to Miss Wisconsin's annual visit, generously sponsored by our local Lions Club.  Miss Wisconsin, Raeanna Johnson, provided an Assembly for each elementary school.  She shared her personal platform "Tyler's Legacy: The Impact of Substance Abuse on the Family" as well as a message of goal setting and perseverance having competed for Miss Wisconsin three times prior to being crowned.
 
Thank you to our local Lions Club for providing this opportunity!
Scholarships Available
Thank you to all who make these opportunities possible!
 
The Wolf River Theatrical Troupe will offer a $1,000 scholarship again this year.  It is given with funds raised through Scripts, Stage, and the Escapades summer musical program.
Check in with the High School counselors for additional details on this,
and many other scholarship opportunities.

New London Students Connect Globally
Hour of Code
Students in Mrs. Becky Marquardt's computer classes participated in the Hour of Code in recognition of Computer Science Education Week.  They completed various computer programming activities such as building computer programs, games and apps; and earned certificates upon successful completion.  The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in over 180 countries.

Calendar Revisions
Please take note of these date changes     
We don't like to make changes to dates that have already been published on our District calendar, but there are times that necessitate such revision.  Please mark your calendars to reflect the following revisions:
-The Show Choir performance scheduled for Sunday, January 11 has been changed to Saturday, January 10, at 7:30 p.m. in the High School Auditorium. 
-Winter Academic, Athletic, and Activities Awards will take place on Wednesday, March 11.  -Prom 2015:  The date will change from April 25 to April 18. 
 
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Pupil Nondiscrimination Statement
It is the policy of the School District of New London that no person may be denied admission to any public school or be denied participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be discriminated against in any curricular, extracurricular, pupil services, recreational or other program or activity because of the person's sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, color, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability.