| DeForest Area School District |
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Jack Langdon, a 2013 graduate of DAHS, was recognized as one of the top student composers in the state of Wisconsin. Langdon was named "Best Instrumental Solo" in the Wisconsin School Music Association's (WSMA) Student Composition Project High School Division. Read more, p. 2
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| For friends of the DeForest Area School District | June 2013 |
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Welcome to the 2013-14 school year!
It's hard to believe but it's that time of the year again - the beginning of a new school year. We look forward to working with you this year. With your enthusiasm and support, we will continue "to provide an excellent education by engaging, challenging, and inspiring all students to pursue their full potential." (DASD mission statement).
Please contact me if you ever have any questions or comments.
Debbie Brewster, School/Community Relations Coordinator
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New safety procedures and protocols
Now that classes are in session, students, staff and families will notice a few changes that have been made to enhance safety and security in our schools. These enhancements come after a year-long review of our school safety and emergency preparedness practices by the DASD School Safety Steering Committee (see list of committee members on DASD Safety website). The committee, which includes staff, administrators, parents, and law enforcement officials, made several recommendations for enhancing our facilities and updating procedures to ensure our schools are well prepared in the event of an emergency. Included hee are three of the changes you will notice immediately this fall.
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DASD Updates In Brief
Trimesters at elementary level
DASD elementary schools have moved to trimester grading for students in grades K-4. In the past, students received quarterly progress reports/grades, or four times during the school year. Beginning this year, students will earn "grades" three times a year.
PALS for 4K, K, 1st graders
As required by Wisconsin Act 166, an early literacy screener will be administered this year to all 4-year-old kindergarten (4K), kindergarten (5K), and first grade students. This assessment provides administrators, teachers, and parents with valuable information necessary to improve the reading skills of students. Results are used to identify reading problems early on and to inform instruction. The data from the screener is not part of state testing or the new accountability system.
STAR replaces MAPS
One assessment tool that will help see if students are making progress with their individual achievement goals is a program called Renaissance Learning, aka "STAR"- STAR Reading, STAR Math, and STAR Early Literacy.
Changes in report cards coming this year
Students and parents/guardians of our high school and elementary schools will notice a change in how student achievement ("grades") are communicated on report cards.
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Welcome new DASD staff!
New Teachers
There are 18 new teachers coming into the classrooms of the DeForest Area School District for this academic year. Sixteen of those new employees are, front row, left to right, Robin Edmiston (Music Teacher at YES and MES), Amie Brickl (Reading Specialist at DAHS), Jennifer Collins (Biology Job Share at DAHS), Allison Lavold (Kindergarten Teacher at WES), Jamey Stanosz (Library Media Specialist for all four elementary schools), Allie Bradish (Fourth Grade Teacher at EPES), Casey Moon (Early Childhood at Holum Education Center) and Therese Radoszewski (Special Ed Teacher for DAMS), Derek Behnke (Alternative Education Teacher at DAHS), Michael Bjork (Music Teacher at EPES), Maggie Condon (Choral Music at DAHS), Erin Lopez (Special Ed/CD at WES), Corinne Truxal (School Counselor at DAMS), Kevin Krivacek (Psychologist at DAMS), Anne Malig (Reading Specialist for YES), and Lauryn Durtschi-Jones (Art Teacher at DAMS. Not pictured is Jenny Belken (Special Ed/CC Program at DAHS) and Amy Williams (First/Second Grade at EPES).
New Support Staff
There are 13 new support staff members:
Educational Assistants:
Jill Costello (WES), Judy VanVoorhis (MES), Melissa Hughes (YES),
Bonnie Walther (DAHS), Kerry Westra (DAMS), Leah Krantz (DAMS).
Recess/Lunch Monitors:
Kristin Romeo (EPES), Terisha Drinka (WES), Sara Gryske (MES),
Rebecca Schreiber (YES), Bev Koltes (WES).
Food Service Assistant: Rebecca Curtis (YES)
Bilingual Educational Assistant: Meg Hesness (DAMS)
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Sign up for text messaging
If you've had a student absent from DAHS or a low lunch balance last spring, you  may have had a phone call from our new SchoolMessenger service. This new service offers us additional options for communicating with our families. This service is not intended to replace our existing means of communication-rather it will enhance them.
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Morning & afternoon safety important
DeForest Police Chief Robert Henze, recently wrote an article for the "Community Voices" segment of the DeForest Times-Tribune (published August 26, 2013), where he asked residents for their help in keeping children safe as they walk and bike to school. He asks "pedestrians, bicyclists and operators of motor vehicles to understand and comply with the laws governing crossings, school speed zones and yielding the right of way."
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Thank you to DASD families and community members for their generous donations of school supplies this fall. In addition to individuals, we would like to recognize Vogel Bros Construction and DMB Community Bank for their support in helping to ensure students have the supplies they need to be successful in school.
Annual Lend-a-Hand program begins 
Each year DMB Community Bank sponsors the Lend a Hand program for students in our district. This program helps students get the supplies they need to succeed in school.
During the month of September school staff identify items needed by students. Then in October DMB Community Bank displays a "handprint" for each request in their Main Bank lobby at 321 N. Main Street in DeForest. Community members purchase the items and drop them off at any of the bank branches. The items are then delivered to the school.
We appreciate DMB Community Bank's generosity and effort in helping our students. Questions about the program may be directed to Rhonda Gilbertson at DMB Community Bank at 846-3711 or Debbie Brewster at the school district at 842-6581.
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New playground equipment and Smart boards for Windsor Elemtary School
 
Windsor Elementary School's Parent-Teacher Club recently donated funds for new playground equipment and six SMART boards at the school.
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Show your Norski Pride at stadium
Show your Norski Pri de with a personalized engraved paver for you, your family, business or organization at DMB Stadium!
8x8, 8x16, and 16x16
To be placed in the "D" in the Central Plaza
As part of the DASD school-community partnership campaign to  continue raising funds for enhancement of the high school stadium renovation, local businesses and organizations, as well as individuals and families, may consider one of the various sponsorship or donation opportunities.
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Staff busy all summer long
Staff continue to collaborate and learn through a variety of ways during the school year and summer. Strong professional development opportunities ensure that staff are fully prepared to meet the ever challenging landscape of modern education. This summer staff were involved in many learning activities such as:
- Norski Camp - In June, 144 teachers, support staff and administrators participated in one or more of 53 in-house professional development sessions focused on Response to Intervention, Balanced Literacy, PBIS, and Grading/Assessment
- Viterbo University Courses - Over 65 teachers completed graduate-level courses taught on the DASD campus in Collaboration and Common Assessment, Community Building, Digging into Differentiation, Project Based Learning, Understanding, Supporting, and Teaching Executive Functioning Skills of Students
- Workshops and Conferences - Staff members attended the Disciplinary Literacy Institute, Early Literacy Institute, Google Summit, Jump Start to Literacy, and Lucy Calkins Summer Institute.
- Training - 14 teachers completed an 8 hour training in Youth Mental Health First Aid, and front office staff attended a presentation on security procedures and protocols.
In addition, hats off to our custodial and building/grounds staff, who did a great job getting our facilities ready for the first day of school and the numerous staff who prepared for our first successful district-wide registration.
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(page 6)
Upcoming events in the Madison area p. 7
Yahara Riverfest
Saturday, September 14
12-8 pm
Conservancy Commons Park
Family Fun Night
Monday, September 16
5-7 pm
Firemans Park
Community
Trick or Treat
Wednesday, October 23
DAHS
September 23
Early Dismissal (2 hours)
October 21
Blood Drive at DAHS
sponsored by National Honor Society
October 24
Early Dismissal (2 hours)
October 25
No School
November 3
Daylight Saving Time Ends
November 11
No School for students
Parent-Teacher Conferences,
12:30-7:30 pm
November 8
Veteran's Day Celebration at DAHS -- community invited!
November 7-9
High School Fall Play
More at:
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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