August 2016
Issue 2

District Administrator's Message 
 
In light of recent tragedies throughout our nation, we are reminded that safety and security can never be taken for granted. Providing a safe school environment is on the forefront of all that we do, but we don't do it alone. We are grateful to the New London Police Department and Waupaca County Emergency Services for tirelessly supporting efforts to ensure student safety. We collectively prioritize the well-being of our children above anything else.

Emergency plans, crisis teams, and school safety drills are just some of the priorities that have long been established so everyone knows their role in the response to an emergency situation. A critical component to school safety is the uniform response to an incident, so we use a Standard Response Protocol which is applied to severe weather events, fire, intruders, or any other threat to student safety. Plans are reviewed, revised, and maintained in collaboration with local government and community partners. The Standard Response Protocol also acknowledges that some school incidents involve a response from law enforcement. The importance of positive partnerships between law enforcement officials, our community, and schools cannot be overstated. 

It was documented that in the 2015-16 school year, the New London Police Department proactively connected with School District of New London students and staff members 337 times. Officers routinely walked through schools, ate lunch, attended events and activities, and also provided presentations for classes. They have been doing this for the past several years, and we have really seen a positive difference...not only in the way students address our officers, but in the way our community views these interactions. When these visits first began, it was common for community members to call and let us know they were concerned that there were 'cops in our schools'. Indeed there were, but these visits were purposely and proactively planned.

It all began a few years ago when Police Chief Jeff Schlueter approached us with the idea to increase opportunities for students to interact with police officers in a positive way. He explained that some children feared authorities because of unfortunate circumstances outside of school. The incidents he spoke of were well outside of the control of a child. The goal was to provide New London students with as many positive experiences with police officers as possible, so they would be more apt to respect, trust, and count on authorities to help them.  

Over the years relationships have strengthened and students look to all adults in their schools to provide guidance as needed. The initial idea has become an embedded practice, and its impact has strengthened school-community relationships as well as reinforced expectations of an orderly, purposeful environment that is conducive to teaching and learning.
 
Our children are our most important resource. We look forward to even more visits by New London Police Department officers in the upcoming school year, and we will welcome officers from the Waupaca County Sherriff's Department who have indicated that they will be joining in this effort. We are thankful for community partnerships such as these that ensure our children attend nurturing schools that provide them with the services and supports that they need to thrive. Go Bulldogs!
 
Sincerely,

Kathy Gwidt

Kathleen Gwidt, Ph.D. 
District Administrator   

Many Thanks!
Thank you to everyone who is helping to prepare for the 2016-17 school year.  We are ready and eager to welcome students on September 1.
 
Dates to Note
Summer Show  Choir Concert: Thursday, August 4

Board of Education Meeting: Monday, August 8

Parent and Student Activities / Athletics Info Meeting: Monday, August 8

Grades 5-7 Band Camp: Monday, August 8-Friday, August 12

Registration Grades 5-12: Thursday, August 11, and Tuesday, August 16

New Teacher Inservice: Wednesday, August 17

5th Grade Transition Camp: Thursday, August 18

High School Marching Band Camp: Monday, August 22-Friday, August 26

Staff Development Days:
Tuesday, August 23, Wednesday, August 24, Thursday, August 25, Tuesday, August 30

Open House(s): Tuesday, August 30

Trial Bus Run(s):  Wednesday, August 31

First Day of School for K-9th Grade Students: Thursday, September 1

First Day of School for 10th-12th Grade Students: Friday, September 2

Labor Day Holiday:
Monday, September 5

First Day of School for 4K Students: Tuesday, September 6




Pack It Up For Kids
Thank You!
A huge thank you goes out to our very generous community for collecting school supplies that will help many students start the school year with the tools that they need. Businesses, churches, civic organizations, and individual community members joined in assisting the New London Rotary Club in their annual school supply donation drive.  

 
Field Trip Friday
Summer School Field Trips
Students have been enjoying "Field Trip Fridays" which is a new element added to this year's summer school program. Students visit Mosquito Hill and learn new things each week about nature and animals. Thank you, Mosquito Hill, for working with the district to offer this fantastic learning opportunity for our students!
 
Wisconsin Statewide Mathematics Initiative
School District of New London Proudly Hosts WSMI
There are many team members who have been busy completing coursework and participating in a variety of staff development opportunities. Here you see New London teachers who participated in the Wisconsin Statewide Mathematics Initiative (WSMI) held in New London. 


Meals for Students
Summer Breakfast and Lunch Program 
Our district is fortunate to participate in the summer breakfast and lunch program. Breakfast and lunch are served to summer school students and is available at no charge to any child in New London this summer through the federal school lunch program and the US Department of Agriculture. Children ages birth through 18 are welcome to eat breakfast (7:45-8:30 a.m.) and/or lunch (11:30 a.m.-noon) at Lincoln Elementary School. This program is currently serving around 140 children for breakfast and as many as 190 for lunch. This program will run through the end of Summer School on August 5. We are pleased to be able to offer this program. 
 

A Taste of College Life
Student Opportunities 
New London High School students enjoyed their time on the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh campus as they participated in the 2016 Rural Wisconsin Pre-College Camp.  

 

Thank You to the New London Lions Club
Kids From Wisconsin
Thank you, New London Lions Club, for sponsoring Kids From Wisconsin again this year! The Club provided complimentary tickets to Summer School Show Choir participants and helped to organize an Outreach Opportunity for New London students.  We are grateful for this community partnership! Mark your calendars for next year's performance which is already scheduled for July 27, 2017.

  
The School District of New London Transportation Department will conduct trial bus runs on Wednesday, August 31. This will give parents and students an approximate time for pick-up on the first day of school, Thursday, September 1.

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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.
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