Newsletter of the Mukwonago Area School DistrictTheTRIAD

Students, Staff, Community... Building Better Schools Together!

Volume 2, No. 2 Feb. 2016

Stud

ents Staff

Community

QUESTION 1: Initial resolution authorizing general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $49,500,000.

QUESTION 2: Resolution authorizing the school district budget to exceed revenue limit by $350,000 for twenty years for non-recurring purposes.

On the Ballot:

INSIDE: To assist area residents in learning about the needs, proposed solutions, and costs associated with the referendum to renovate Mukwonago High School, the school district is offering a wide variety of informational resources. | see page 2

PUBLIC INVITED TO TOUR Mukwonago High School: Taxpayers are invited to meet inside the MHS front visitors’ entrance on February 29th, March 8th, or March 15th to take a 10 AM or 6:30 PM tour. | no registration necessary

District Offers Taxpayers Ways to Learn about MHS Renovation

WHAT’S INSIDE? • Referendum Resources ��������������������������2

• Rolling Hills’ SCRIBE Success ����������������2

• Park View’s Program Review ����������������2

• Clarendon’s Cougar Choir ���������������������3

• “Kids Only” Newspaper at Section ������3

• Community Connections �������������������4-5

• Eagleville Adds 5K, STEM Focus�����������6

• New K-6 Science Lessons ���������������������6

• Prairie View Student Heroes �����������������7

• Kudos Corner �������������������������������������������7

• Big Bend Teacher Fosters Youth ����������7

• Alumni Spotlight ��������������������������������������8 APRIL 5, 2016R e f e r e n d u m V o t e

The TRIAD: Welcome to the Mukwonago School District

Did You Know? If the referendum passes, MASD will still have second lowest cost-per-pupil in Waukesha Co.

- Contributed by Gina NeistTeacher, Roll ing Hills Elementar y

Rolling Hills and Linden Ridge are celebrating the tenth year of their reading and writing collaboration known as Shared Composition and Reading: an Intergenerational Bookmaking Experience (SCRIBE). The school district’s motto, “Staff, Students, Community; Building Better Schools Together,” mirrors this partnership between fourth graders and seniors living at “The Ridge.”

The mission of SCRIBE is to foster relationships between children and seniors through literature and the writing process. Originally a research project funded in large part by the Mukwonago Education Foundation, it has become a treasured memory for former fourth grade students of Mrs. Gina Neist, the program’s coordinator.

MHS graduate Nick Shortreed said, “A buzz fills the room at Linden Ridge because a special fourth grade class is coming to visit. I have not forgotten the times spent there conversing with seniors, mak-ing crafts, and writing together.”

The students visit their senior friends once a month for a read-ing/writing workshop. Mrs. Neist reads a book to the entire group, and the children eagerly rush to their special friends. The partici-pants read their essays from the previous month and participate in a project related to the theme of the book. Warm intergenerational relationships develop naturally, based on their shared experiences. After serving their seniors home-baked goodies provided by par-ents, the teacher wraps up the meeting by explaining the new writ-ing assignment, and the students hug their friends goodbye with the promise to return soon to share another essay!

Special thanks are offered to Lisa Deppe, the graphic artist who has designed the covers of the anthologies, Leanne Hengel, the director of activities at Linden Ridge, and all the former and cur-rent parents who assist by chaperoning, typing, and baking treats! The students and seniors appreciate all contributions!

Ways to Learn More about the Referendum

Park View Middle School has been conducting a comprehensive program review with three goals driving their efforts. First, staff aim to identify similarities, differences, and trends in reading and math achievement. Secondly, the school will review services, programs, and elective opportunities in comparison to area and other high performing Wisconsin middle schools. Finally, teachers and admin-strators wish to review the scheduling structure and organization of the middle school day.

This past summer, thirteen staff members collected and cate-gorized information from other districts relative to literacy, math, and RtI programming. A committee then spent the fall months ana-lyzing the information. The committee’s findings addressed areas such as daily literacy time, reading and math curriculum and ped-agogy, teacher professional development, exploratory/elective

course offerings, personalized learning, the House system and its role in the elementary-to-secondary transition, the academic cal-endar, the daily schedule, and more. All middle school teachers participated in small group meetings in December to review and discuss the findings.

Park View will continue to share findings with all stakeholders including parents, district leadership, the Mukwonago Area School District Learning Committee, and the full school board. Any rec-ommended changes will be brought to the school board for adop-tion. Curriculum planning, professional development, and schedule structure development will continue through the summer of 2017, and full implementation will occur in the 2017-2018 school year.

Park View Moving Forward with Program Review

- Contributed by Mark Doome Principal, Park View Middle School

Local Seniors Form Bonds with Rolling Hills Writers

WEBSITE: Visit www.masd.k12.wi.us > District menu > Referendum Planning link.

PRINTED RESOURCES: The Triad is mailed to all district residents. The previous two Triad issues contained detailed referendum articles. Additionally, a four-page informational brochure was mailed to all district homes at the end of January. Referendum information will continue to appear in local newspapers. Copies of all printed materials are available via the district website or upon request.

OPEN HOUSES / SCHOOL EVENTS: The public is invited to tour Mukwonago High School at 10 AM or 6:30 PM on 2/29, 3/8, and 3/15. Flyers and poster boards will also be displayed at parent/teacher conferences and other school events through April 5th.

SOCIAL MEDIA: Follow us online for key referendum updates! Facebook: facebook.com/masdschools; Twitter: @masdschools; Instagram: #masdschools; Google+: +MukwonagoSchools

STREAMED BOARD MEETINGS: As of December 2015, all school board meetings are streamed on the web. Live and archived recordings are available on the district’s YouTube channel: http://tinyurl.com/masdyoutube.

LIVE PRESENTATIONS: District administrators continue to present to civic group meetings including Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, and area Village/Town boards.

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The TRIAD: Welcome to the Mukwonago School District

Did You Know? 76% of community survey takers advised the school board to pursue a referendum.

Cheering for Clarendon’s Cougar Choir

Section’s Elementary’s “Kids Only” Newspaper Inspires Students and Volunteers

- Contributed by Rober t SlanePrincipal, Section Elementar y School

“It’s just absolutely amazing!” said Clarendon Avenue Elementary sixth grader Jacob Kulovany with a smile. The “amazing” in this case is the opportunity to perform with the Clarendon Cougar Choir.

Started three years ago by general music teacher Caryn Ruesch and about twenty students, the Cougar Choir has grown steadily and now features over fifty Clarendon Avenue Elementary fifth and sixth grade students. Students give up their lunch and recess once per week to practice and rehearse a repertoire of songs outside the regular general music curriculum.

“I want a place where kids who really love singing can have an outlet,” said Ruesch. The choir focuses on the techniques of singing that cannot always be addressed during a regular class, giving students an extra opportunity to learn and enjoy music. Ruesch gives

up her lunch period once a week to lead the choir, which has per-formed at winter concerts, band and orchestra concerts, and occa-sionally at assemblies.

Beyond the music, children receive an opportunity to connect with a passion.

“We have something in common we can talk about,” said sixth grader Layla Nowak. “In choir, everyone loves music, so it’s really fun. We get to do our own concerts doing music we know.” Some of that music includes songs like “Roar” by Katy Perry with the words changed to reflect Clarendon’s Cougar Character and “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors.

Now that the group is established, the sky is the limit.Jacob said, “I would love to do a play with a lot of singing and

dancing. It’s everything I love to do!”Added Layla, “Maybe we could sing something really big in front

of tons of people!” - Contributed by Ben KossowPrincipal, Clarendon Elementar y School

The “Kids Only Newspaper” at Section Elementary turned six-teen years old this year! The long-honored tradition began in November 2000 as an after school club for students interested in writing. Sixteen years later, the commitment is still strong with a staff of eighteen students who converge on the Section com-puter lab for an hour twice each month to create the publication.

This club provides an opportunity for students to research topics, write, and publish a newspaper with information appro-priate for and of interest to elementary-age students at Section Elementary. With approximately seven issues printed each year, the recognizable tan periodical finds its way into the hands of 475 students and their family members.

Students write about school news and events; review books, movies, and games; create puzzles; dis-cuss travel and holi-day plans; and author non-f iction prose. Word searches, puz-zles, and games such as “Mystery Teacher” are also popular features. Students work solo or in teams to create arti-cles of interest to all.

Parent volunteers give of their time each year to lead the “Kids Only Newspaper Club.” They help students brainstorm ideas, assist with proofing, and coordinate the layout and production of the newspaper. Parent coordinator Angela Risser mused about the buzz of activity in the room as students conduct interviews, snap pictures, and click away at computer keys to produce stories. “It’s exciting to watch the process for these kids to develop their sto-ries. The atmosphere is fun and creative!”

Surviving the test of time, Section’s “Kids Only Newspaper” stands as a testament to the dedication and writing skills of the school’s young learners throughout the years.

3

4 The TRIAD: Welcome to the Mukwonago School District

Each year, Big Bend Elementary hosts an Expanding Horizons Workshop in which community members give pre-sentations explain-ing their careers and businesses to elementary students.

For those in the

community who have

been, or are currently

affected by cancer, MHS

“Sting Cancer” club mem-

bers participate in a variety of

activites designed to take some

of the emotional and physical

“sting” out of being a

cancer patient.

RHES second and fifth grade groups made

placemats at Thanksgiving to thank the Lioness associations in the surrounding areas.

In Spring, this same group makes encouraging posters for the Mukwonago Athletic Club riders who partici-

pate in a six-hour spin ride for children

with Juvenile Diabetes.

Annua l l y, MHS junior and senior students gain internships at local businesses in the fields of auto-mot ive repair, we ld ing , and machine tool.

Each December, MASD student choirs sing at Linden Ridge and at the Midnight Magic celebration for the public’s enjoy-

ment.

The Archery Club has received

donations for archery equipment from the Big Bend Lions Club and

Bubbs Barbeque in Big Bend.

Every fall, a variety of

MASD school groups

collects food for the

Mukwonago Food

Pantry.

E v e r y holiday season, various school groups help ring the bells for the local

Salvation Army. E v e r y

year, many groups from MASD schools work with the Waukesha Christmas Clearing Council to col-lect toys, purchase gift certificates, fundraise via

movie ticket sales, set up a toy shop, or buy presents for

children. Every

o t h e r y e a r , Ea g l e v i l l e students host a supply drive to help out the

Wildlife in Need Center.

Each year, special edu-

cation students in the MHS Key

Club make cards for soldiers and help volunteer at Life Connections.

The MHS Inter-national Club annually

works withAFS to spon-sor international students to to come to MHS and to

help MHS students go to school interna-

tionally.

Every winter, the Mukwonago

boys basketball and Junior Indians programs

raise over $10,000 to donate to Make-a-Wish Wisconsin. These funds help fulfill the dreams of a Wisconsin child afflicted with a life-threatening medical condition.

Since the 1999-2000

school year, MHS has partnered with the

Mukwonago Rotary Club, the Mukwonago Education

Foundation, and local businesses to build houses. This partnership helps equip students with indus-try-based knowledge and skills for a smooth transition from high school into adult apprentice-

ships, technical colleges, or four-year colleges.

Every August ,

m i d d l e school VEX

Robotics has businesses donate to, sponsor, and help with tourna-ments.

District PTO, PTG, and PTAG parent groups

support events at all MASD schools.

Mukwonago

school clubs and

teams enjoyed another

fantastic year partnering

with the community.

Enjoy these

Uplifting

Connections!

Did You Know? Nearly 95% of MHS graduates pursue two- or four-year college or technical school degrees.

5The TRIAD: Welcome to the Mukwonago School District

A variety of

MASD school groups

receives addresses of

local families’ veterans

and active military mem-

bers to send thank you’s

for their service. Since the 1999-2000

school year, MHS has partnered with the

Mukwonago Rotary Club, the Mukwonago Education

Foundation, and local businesses to build houses. This partnership helps equip students with indus-try-based knowledge and skills for a smooth transition from high school into adult apprentice-

ships, technical colleges, or four-year colleges.

Via Children

are the Hope, Inc., RHES sixth

graders cre-ate art messages

to send to global peers, spreading the

message of being good stewards of the earth with the common interest of

helping endangered cranes.

This year, MASDFCCLA youth

helped out at Depot Days with food and chil-dren’s craft activi-

ties to raise money for displaced families

in Waukesha County.

PKAT-TV at Pra i r ie View broad-casts short v i d e o s o f e v e r y d a y heroes in the community.

Every year, MHS DECA students partic-

ipate in the Mukwonago Jack-O-Lantern Jaunt and partner with MDA and the Becky Werner Meningitis Foundation.

This past year, the MHS Health Occupations

Student Association team helped fundraise for the Wisconsin Special Olympics

and Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

Every year, Mukwonago Dentistry funds a field trip for a number of district kindergar-ten classes to show them

more about the dental experience.

School ar t programs

annually display stu-dent work and donate their own collaborative pieces of art to be auc-tioned for the Education Foundation. They also display student ar t at Brooklife Church and donate art to the Chamber of Commerce’s M i d n i g h t M a g i c Festival. Also, students create pottery for the Linden Ridge resi-dents during the holidays.

The MHS Varsity Dance Team cheers on the walkers and run-ners for both the Field

Park Survivor Lap at the American Cancer Society

Relay for Life and for the Mukwonago

Village Run.

... and SO

many more!

High school Co-op and IT Academy’s busi-

ness and community part-ners are the foundation of these programs, includ-ing the creation of intern-ships and jobs for students, providing job shadow and field trip experiences, mentoring, guest speak-ers, and guidance.

This past fall, the MHS History Club held a flag display fundraiser to raise money for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.

Mukwonago

school clubs and

teams enjoyed another

fantastic year partnering

with the community.

Enjoy these

Uplifting

Connections!

Did You Know? MHS was built in 1972 to serve approximately 900 students. Today, it has 1,600 students!

- Contributed by Mar y Koski, Ed.D.Director of Student Learning

New Elementary Science Lessons Promote Active Investigation

Elementary students are using a new science program, Full Option Science System (FOSS), for the first time this school year. In this program, students learn about earth, life, and physical science through active investigation, reading, vocabu-lary study, recording their findings, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. They extend their learning through outdoor studies, the use of technology, and engi-neering challenges.

For example, third grade students study physical science by investigating forces, interactions, and patterns through the use of magnets, axles, and rotating tops. In a recent lesson on magnets, one of Mrs. Krista Christiansen’s students at Rolling Hills Elementary demonstrated his understanding by saying, “My magnet has the ability

to pick things up even when gravity is pulling it down.” In addition to the great learning, third grade students seem to enjoy the program as well. One girl said, “Science has always been my favorite, but today was the best day ever!”

Sixth grade students study nutrient systems, transport systems, and sensory systems in both plants and animals. During one recent class, students pumped water through a circulatory system built out of clear squeezable containers, plas-tic tubing, and one-way valves to gain an understanding of how blood circulates through the heart, lungs, and body.

Students in Mrs. Pat Falk’s class at Rolling Hills proudly stated, “Our teacher didn’t give us directions about how to build the heart model right away. She let us try to build it first because she knows we are problem-solvers. After a little while, she gave us drawing of the heart and directions so we could check ours to make sure we were building it right.” Another student said, “Science this year makes a lot more sense. If I don’t get it by seeing a visual, I get a chance to do an experi-ment and then I understand it.”

Building understanding through active investigation, reading, and writing is an important foundation to students’ learning in science. The new FOSS science pro-gram is helping Mukwonago students build that foundation.

The TRIAD: Welcome to the Mukwonago School District6

Eagleville Charter Renewed; 5K and STEM Focus Added On January 25, 2016, the MASD School Board renewed the char-

ter for Eagleville Elementary. Eagleville’s new programming will include five-year-old kindergarten and a growing focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) curriculum.

Located in Eagle near the corner of Highways E and LO, Eagleville Elementary is adjacent to Jericho Creek and the Mukwonago School District School Forest and is within walking distance to Eagle Springs Lake. Starting in Fall 2016, new STEM activities will join current enhancements such as multi-grade level classes, Spanish Language lessons, and conservation.

“In addition to a new STEM focus, we are excited to begin offer-ing 5K as an option for parents,” stated Principal Ron Schlicht. “Families can now enroll all of their elementary children at Eagleville if they wish, rather than having to drive to multiple schools.”

Eagleville prides itself on being a small, family-oriented, stu-dent-centered school. The quaint, country-charm atmosphere dis-tinguishes Eagleville from some other schools in that every teacher knows every student in the building. Inside the multi-grade level classrooms, children learn to encourage their peers and get along with others while striving to recognize and utilize their own tal-ents. Parents of Eagleville alumni often describe the school’s fam-ily-like environment as beneficial to their children’s educational and social-emotional growth.

Eagleville students easily develop pride in the school’s 166-year history and are taught to respect their community to make a dif-ference on a local and global level. Students and families also pro-mote compassion for others as demonstrated through toy drives, food drives, clothing drives, donations to Eagleville’s sister school in Pueblo Modelo, Guatemala, and environmental clean-up days.

All district and non-district residents are encouraged to visit and apply for enrollment or request to be placed on the waiting list.

- Contributed by Ron SchlichtPrincipal, Eaglevil le Elementar y Char ter School

Did You Know? The eleven municipalities that comprise MASD cover ninety square miles.

7The TRIAD: Welcome to the Mukwonago School District

- Contributed by Shawn Waller Principal, Big Bend Elementar y

- Contributed by Tracy StockwellPrincipal, Prairie View Elementar y

Prairie View StudentsHonor Heroes

Kudos cornerIt’s a “super” year at

Prairie View Elementary! Students and staff have taken the school theme of superheroes to heart and are incorporating it throughout their day. The school’s building leader-ship team started by orga-nizing its school climate initiative around a “super-power” (character trait) a month. PKAT-TV broad-casts feature commercials highlighting the super-power, and the Pawsitively Prairie View team of stu-dents instructs the school on how to employ the superpower in daily life.

In addition to the trait-a-month superpowers, stu-dents are also producing segments for PKAT-TV titled, “Everyday Superheroes.” A team of fifth graders intro-duces the school to ordinary people doing extraordi-nary deeds. The first segment featured Clarendon Avenue student Kaden Stark and his efforts to help the Make-a-Wish Foundation grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Future segments will include individuals throughout the Mukwonago area who are making a difference in our community.

Families have also partnered with the school in this super study. An August email proclaimed, “We would like to begin the year honoring some special everyday superheroes, the men and women who serve our coun-try. We are asking for your help in sending photos of civil servants - firefighters, police officers, and military personnel - who have dedicated their lives to our safety, our democracy, and our freedom.” Families submit-ted over seventy “Heroes without Capes” honoring all branches of service.

All-school events have been tailored to fit the theme as well. Future activities will carry out the theme, including the school’s One School-One Book program that is currently taking place. The Prairie View super students are in action!

The Mukwonago Chamber of Commerce honored Prairie View Principal Tracy Stockwell with the Special Executive Director Award.The award is given to an individual who has devoted time, energy, and support to the Chamber in an outstanding capacity in the past year. Mrs. Stockwell (pictured right) was recognized for building District-Chamber connections as the official Representative for the Mukwonago Area School District, and for spending many hours on

the Chamber’s Midnight Magic Committee. She helped the Midnight Magic Marketplace succeed and encouraged Mukwonago schools’ participation in the Midnight Magic Poster and Parade of Sleds contests.

Chamber Director April Reszka thanked Mrs. Stockwell, stating, “She has spent countless hours gen-erously giving her time and talent for the betterment of our community.”

Big Bend Teacher Fosters Success, HopeBetsy Dukatz, BBES sixth

grade teacher, was recog-nized in Washington D.C. by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Adoption Excellence Award. The award recognizes out-standing accomplishments in achieving permanency for America’s children waiting in foster care.

Being a foster parent has positively influenced Mrs. Dukatz’s work with students and families. A parent of one of her special needs stu-dents said, “Of all the amazing qualities Mrs. Dukatz has, such as her compassion, humor, and kindness, her ability to remain positive and energetic amazes me the most.”

“I want my families to know how much I love their kids and that I understand that each child and family has unique situations,” said Dukatz. “You can cram a square peg into a round hole, but at the end of the year all you have done is wreck the peg. I now approach par-ents with three questions: ‘What worked? What didn’t work? What do you need from me this year?’”

Of the effect fostering has on her teaching, Dukatz said, “Being a parent of children with special needs, I understand when you are so close to the situation, you miss seeing things. That’s where an under-standing, unconventional teacher can come alongside of you, and together we can work on solutions.”

- Contributed by Shawn McNult y Superintendent

Did You Know? The WI Department of Public Instruction ranks MASD as “Exceeds Expectations.”

8 The TRIAD: Welcome to the Mukwonago School District

8

Have a story idea for THE TRIAD? Please let us know!

Email info@masd.k12.wi.us

385 County Road NN EastMukwonago, WI 53149www.masd.k12.wi.us Time Warner Channels 13 / 15.13Superintendent: Shawn McNultyBoard President: Mary D’Amour

Mukwonago Area School District

Postal Customer

Alumni Spotlight

Bret AchtenhagenClass of 1983

President Bret Achtenhagen’s Seasonal Services

Favorite Teacher(s):Keith Hensler

Memorable MASD Class(es):It was in drafting and woodworking that I discovered that I enjoyed designing and building things. Football revealed to me the benefits of hard work, integrity, leadership, and determina-tion. I learned a beautiful lesson: Many people working towards a common goal can accomplish great things.

Advice to current students: The world is desperate for inspirational, effective leaders. You’ll cross paths with many poor leaders, even more average leaders, and only a few great leaders. Emulate the great ones and aspire to be a truly effective leader!

Paul CervenanskyClass of 2004Project Manager

Clair Global Broadcast Division

Favorite Teacher(s): Julie Miller, Ted Mainella, Mike Schaefer

Memorable MASD Class(es):My time spent in Mass Media / AV relates directly to what I do on a daily basis technically, and it prepared me to be orga-nized, to communicate clearly, and to always have a plan. My time in all of the technical education classes prepared me for a hands-on job in a skilled trade.

Advice to current students: Stay focused and continue to chisel away at goals, but don’t forget to slow down once in awhile, look around, and enjoy life!

Pam KainzClass of 1988

Ph.D. NeurobiologyUW-LaCrosse/Medical College of Wisconsin

Former Research Associate, Harvard University

Favorite Teacher: Lee Bromberger

Memorable MASD Class(es):Playing sports is how I learned how to connect with people. Secondly, I’m grateful for all the science laboratories, computer classes, and industrial art classes. The hands-on experience I gained in those classes was very stimulating to me and helped shape my love of learning and collaborating.

Advice to current students: Learn how to work hard, but don’t forget to be yourself and have fun!

Scan the QR Code or go online to visit http://goo.gl/forms/9z76MbLdQ1You could win two tickets to a district sporting event or fine arts performance of your choice!

Thoughts about THE TRIAD?

REGISTERED NURSES! MASD is seeking part-time school nursing assistance. Candidates must hold current licensure as a registered nurse in WI. Associate degree with course(s) in public or community health nursing required; completion of BSN preferred. Contact Laura Heidelmaier, District Nurse at 262-363-6292, x27515 or email heidela@masd.k12.wi.us.

We are proud to recognize our alumni! Please send candidate nominations to info@masd.k12.wi.us.

Comments/Questions:(262) 363-6300 orinfo@masd.k12.wi.us

Edited by:Julie Hanisch Nick ReichhoffLee Bromberger

Printer: United Press & Graphics, Har tland, WI

Open Enrollment available now through April 29th!