the triad: community newsletter of the mukwonago area ... · the triad ts february 201 taff...

Community Newsletter of the Mukwonago Area School District

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

Volume 4, No. 2 February 2018TheTRIAD St

uden

ts Staff

Community

Returning from winter break, there wasincreased excitement for the perform-

ing arts programs at Mukwonago High School (MHS). Band, choir, and orches-tra students entered new spacious and luminous classrooms with joy and awe reflecting the advanced performing arts curriculum MHS offers its students, an upgrade from the old cramped, gray classrooms. That’s only the first renova-tion to the fine arts program.

On Saturday and Sunday, April 7-8, MHS will hold a special two-day opening gala fundraiser event to promote fine arts and celebrate completion of the new 830-seat Greenwald Foundation Performing Arts Center (PAC). The Mukwonago Fine Arts Booster Club (MFAB) is coordinating the event, entitled “Advancing the Arts.”

“We want to bring the community,

staff, and students together to celebrate this amazing facility,” said Becky Roehl, MFAB vice president.

Saturday evening will be a formal, entertainment-packed celebration. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at 5:30 p.m., with a silent auction and raffle. Each of the departments – band, orches-tra, choir, and drama – will show-case their students beginning at 7 p.m. During the evening, all musi-cians will come together on stageto play, for the first time ever, aspecial MHS-commissioned piece composed and conducted by Dr.Nathan Daughtrey. To close, spe-cial guest The Wisconsin Singersfrom UW-Madison will presenttheir Broadway-caliber show.

(continued on page 6)

Greenwald Foundation Sponsors MHS PAC

At its November 13 meeting, the school board approved the Greenwald Foundation’s pledge to sponsor the new perform-ing arts center at Mukwonago High School. The Greenwald Foundation Performing Arts Center will serve as another example of the Mukwonago community’s commitment to help build better schools together for our students.

The Greenwald Foundation, led by longtime community members Darwin and Donna Greenwald, has provided tre-mendous support to the Mukwonago community over the years. Its philanthropic efforts have impacted various local institutions, including the ProHealth Care medical facil-ity, YMCA, and Linden Ridge. The Mukwonago Area School District (MASD) can now be added to that list, and the MASD community would like to thank the Greenwald family and Greenwald Foundation for their commitment to our students.

Donna and Darwin Greenwald

(continued on page 6)

Come to the Opening Gala at MHS’ New Performing Arts Center!

2 The TRIAD: Welcome to the Mukwonago School District

www.masd.k12.wi.us @masdschools facebook.com/masdschools #masdschools

WHAT’S INSIDE? • MASD’s Approach to Drug and Alcohol Education ��2

• Elementary Schools Give Back During the Holidays ��3

• New Student Help Desk at MHS: The S�H�I�E�L�D� ��4

• MHS Unveils Career Pathways, New Schedule ��4

• What Do Revenue Limits Mean for MASD? ��5

• Elementary Summer School’s New Programming ��6

• MASD Students Benefit from Local Partnerships ��7

• MHS Renovation Projects Take Shape ��7

MASD’s Proactive Approach to Drug and Alcohol Education

MASD is responding proactively to grow-ing trends in Waukesha County and

the region related to drug and alco-hol abuse inclusive of the heroin epidemic. Mukwonago staff and community members are engag-ing in a collaborative mission to educate our students, families, and community members regarding the dangers and impact of drug use.

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry:

• The average age of first-time alco-hol use is 11 for boys and 13 for girls.

• The average age of first-time marijuana use is 14.

• By the time they graduate from high school, 40% of teens have used marijuana.

Unfortunately, such experimenta-tion can often serve as a gateway to even more harmful substance abuse, evidenced by the fact that the rate of prescription painkiller overdoses has increased 260% among Wisconsin’s young people (ages 12-25).

In response to these trends, MASD recently partnered with Your Choice, an alcohol and drug preven-tion and support organization, to present the “Stairway to Heroin,” which provided facts, perspectives, and hope related to peo-ple affected by addiction. On May 1, Your Choice will present the “Wake Up Call Bedroom” to provide aware-ness, prevention education, resources, and support to the

Mukwonago community regarding alco-hol and drug use.

In addition to the partnership with Your Choice, MASD continues to

provide high-quality instruction related to alcohol and drug abuse through guidance curriculum, health curriculum, and direct instruction at Park View Middle School from the Addiction Resource Council (ARC). ARC’s

curriculum, “Resist the Influence,” is a research-based intervention

designed to reduce early first use while exploring social and peer influ-

ences youth will encounter as they transition to high school.

Through high-quality educational opportunities and a collaborative and

proactive recognition of the impact addiction can have on our commu-

nity, our youth will have the great-est opportunity for success in the future.

- Contributed by Tim Lemke,Director of Pupil Ser vices

District Contacts Related to Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse

• Nicole Linsmeier: 262-363-6300 x25407 or 262-363-6292 x27404• Megan Reif: 262-363-4401 x21326 • Eric Weier: 262-363-6300 x24203• Tim Lemke: 262-363-6300 x24200

Other building-based administrators and counseling staff are also available to help.

http://www.masd.k12.wi.us

http://www.facebook.com/masdschools

3The TRIAD: Welcome to the Mukwonago School District

linkedin.com/masdschools +MukwonagoSchools download via iTunes or Android app

Mukwonago Elementary Schools Give Back During the Holidays

While Mukwonago’s elementary schools are grateful beneficiaries of our community’s generosity, each one also places great focus on giving back as an act of service.

This year, students at Eagleville, Prairie View, and Rolling Hills raised money in their schools for Christmas Clearing Council (CCC) of Waukesha County, which promotes and coordinates giving to families in need during the Christmas season. Eagleville students donated over 140 toys and $200 to CCC, while students at Prairie View and Rolling Hills “adopted” over 40 children through CCC and provided presents for these families.

Section’s “Holiday Adopt-a-Family” took on a national feel as fami-lies provided presents for a Florida family displaced by Hurricane Irma. The school raised over $500 to purchase special gifts for the family’s four children.

“Giving back is an important part of our school’s culture,” said Section Principal Bob Slane. “We’re always looking for new ways to help students connect with their world through giving.”

Students at Big Bend and Clarendon made significant donations to local food pantries. At Big Bend, Ms. Czarapata’s and Ms. Glisch’s students created a holiday countdown calendar, where students collected specific items on each day. At Clarendon, first-grade children collected non-perishable goods, hats, gloves, and toys while learning about wants and needs and the impor-

tance of helping others in need.“We use giving as a learning experience for our students,” said Big Bend Principal Shawn Waller. Waller got into the act by

becoming a human sundae after students exceeded their Adopt-a-Family goal this year.

- Contributed by Ben Kossow,Coordinator of Student Assessment and Data

MASD’s elementary schools collected gifts and donations for people in need locally and across the nation during the holiday season.

https://www.linkedin.com/company/masdschools/



New Student Help Desk at MHS: The S.H.I.E.L.D.

The MASD IT Department and IT Academy are excited to announce implemen-

tation of a new student help desk at Mukwonago High School.

This new help desk will be staffed by IT Academy students, which will allow them to pair their classroom knowledge with real workplace experiences. MHS senior Danica Brezovar won the naming contest with her submission of “The S.H.I.E.L.D.” (Students Helping IT and Educational Leaders Desk). Currently there are four S.H.I.E.L.D. technicians, and with the revised 2018-’19 schedule, IT should con-tinue to accommodate three to five technicians. S.H.I.E.L.D. technicians will be the first face stu-dents see when entering the IT Department. The techs will be trained to resolve password-related issues as well

as troubleshoot TPP Chromebook problems.

Currently, The S.H.I.E.L.D. is staffed by students Alexander Blum, Alexander Jensen, Stephanie Tomasik, and Joshua Valin.

“The S.H.I.E.L.D will hopefully serve as an example for other departments to fol-low by finding creative ways to provide opportunities for students to explore their

academic interests while benefiting the school and district as a whole,” Blum said.

- Contributed by Alexander Blum, IT Academy Student; and Kelly Kovnesky, Super visor of Net work Operations

These students are IT Academy interns for IT Services. Left to right: Alexander Blum, Alexander Jensen, Stephanie Tomasik, Joshua Valin.

MHS Unveils Career Pathways, New ScheduleThe exterior renovation of Mukwonago High School (MHS)

belies a variety of other changes to ensure district grad-uates are college- and career-ready.

One exciting change is the development of career path-ways. A relatively new term in K-12 education, career path-ways are multi-year programs of academic and technical study that prepare students for a full range of options within various career areas. They provide a context for exploring career options and link student learning to the knowledge and skills needed for future education and employment.

Work to develop pathways began three years ago with establishment of the IT Academy, which is devoted to com-puter science. Like other pathways, students in the IT Academy can specialize in an area of interest, like programming or net-working. Students in the pathway have opportunities to earn college credit, obtain industry-recognized certificates, and engage in meaningful career exploration through an intern-ship, job shadow, or other career-based learning experience.

During the past few months, additional career pathways have taken shape. For example, the business education department has developed three pathways for exploring career areas like marketing and entrepreneurship, finance/accounting, and business management. In the district’s tech-nical education department, pathways for future engineers and in the trades prepare students for rewarding, well-com-pensated careers in areas experiencing a labor shortage.

In addition to the career pathways, all students will have more options beginning in fall 2018 when the building tran-sitions to a schedule that incorporates eight classes.

“The current seven-period day has limited our students’ choices each year of high school, especially during the fresh-man and sophomore year when more required classes are taken,” stated Principal Jim Darin.

The schedule – a rotating block – allows for longer, 70-min-ute class periods, so teachers can dive deeply into content and more effectively integrate hands-on learning opportu-nities. A new “flex time” will provide the chance for students to seek help from teachers and participate in school-wide lessons to develop their academic and career plan.

These changes are just part of the district’s continued look at programming to ensure all students are college- and career-ready as graduates of MHS!

- Contributed by Nick Reichhoff, Director of Student Learning

Local community donations for the technical education pathway include a one-year-old, top-level Snap-On wheel balancer from Lynch

Automotive Group and a pallet of tools from Empire Level.





What Do Revenue Limits Mean for MASD?

What are Revenue Limits?In 1993, the amount of revenue a school district could

work with was restricted by state revenue limit laws. The revenue limit represents the maximum amount of revenue a district can raise through state general aid and property tax. These two sources of revenue can comprise up to 90% of a district’s total revenue.

How Do Revenue Limits Work?The complete revenue limit formula is complex, but the

basic formula is much easier to understand. The basic for-mula is: (Number of Students) X (Per-Member Revenue Limit) = Total Revenue Limit.

Once calculated, the revenue limit caps both the size of a school district’s budget and the school board’s tax levy-ing authority.

Revenue Limits in the BeginningBeginning with the 1993-’94 school year, every school dis-

trict in the state started with a different per-member revenue limit. School districts that spent heavily prior to implemen-tation of the caps inflated their revenue limit, while school districts that were fiscally prudent locked themselves into a much lower rate.

At right is a graph of the 1993-’94 revenue limits for Waukesha County school districts. As the graph shows, MASD had the lowest per-mem-ber revenue limit in the county at that time.

Revenue Limits TodayOver time, state law allowed

per-member revenue limits to change. In some instances, increases occurred for inflationary purposes. In other instances, decreases occurred when state tax revenues shrunk.

Current legislation states that school districts must collect at least $9,100 per member. The current MASD revenue limit sits at $9,200 per member, the lowest in Waukesha County. Out of 424 school districts in Wisconsin, only 13 districts have a smaller revenue limit than MASD.

At right is a graph of the 2017-’18 per-member revenue limits for Waukesha County school districts. As has been the case for 25 years, MASD has the lowest per-member revenue limit in the county.

ConclusionRevenue limits have created an

uneven playing field. Some of our

neighboring school districts, despite having 200 fewer stu-dents than MASD, were given $9.6 million more in finan-cial resources to work with during the 2017-’18 school year. Thus, a $2,000 gap exists between neighboring districts’ per-member revenue limits.

Disparities with revenue caps have become much more relevant and damaging with the advent of school choice. Parents have choices for where to send their children to school, and neighboring districts with significantly more rev-enue can afford to offer more educational programs, pro-vide better facilities, and hire teachers and support staff at higher wages and better benefits.

It’s difficult for MASD to compete with surrounding dis-tricts in light of these disparities.

Furthermore, additional revenue could provide much-needed assistance for at-risk students. MASD desperately needs mental health professionals to help students who suf-fer from severe anxiety, drug abuse, and other social issues. Also, we need intervention staff and materials to support elementary and middle-school students who struggle in reading and math.

It can be said that today’s MASD students are being pun-ished because of our spending habits from a quarter-cen-tury ago. Is it time to provide relief to MASD students and make changes to the per-member revenue limit?

- Contributed by Tom Kar thausser,Director of Business Ser vices





Elementary Summer School Features Exciting New ProgrammingChanges are coming to Mukwonago’s ele-

mentary summer school program this June! Based on feedback, parents will see several exciting new components to the summer school slate when information is released in spring.

First, elective offerings will return for children currently in grades 2-5. These students will have the opportunity to attend classes with new and excit-ing content like science and technol-ogy, art, Spanish, and cooking, along with old favorites like Slice of Summer and Animal Adventures. In addition, classes supporting core curriculum like math and reading will also be offered to help children maintain their hard-earned progress from the school year. Students in younger grades will participate in more class-room-based learning built around literacy and math.

Another significant change is bus transportation to the

Clarendon Avenue summer school site from district elementary schools. For a fee to cover costs, stu-

dents currently in 4K through 5th grade attending the full summer school day can take advantage

of “hub stops” at Big Bend, Eagleville, Prairie View, Rolling Hills, and Section schools

to transport their children to and from Clarendon.

Due to popular demand, families can register students entering kindergarten in

fall for a Ready for Kindergarten class. While this course was offered in the past based on teacher recommendation, all Mukwonago families will now have the opportunity to participate this summer.

Look for more information about the district’s summer school offerings later this spring, including the ever-popular Eagleville Exploring the Environment and

courses for Park View Middle School and Mukwonago High School students. - Contributed by Ben Kossow,

Coordinator of Student Assessment and Data

MHS Opening Gala ... continued from page 1

Tickets for this formal portion of the weekend gala cost $50, with pro-ceeds going to MFAB to help pur-chase additional items for district fine arts programs.

“The Advancing the Arts Gala will be a history-making event for Mukwonago. For the first time, our community will have a true perform-ing arts center where we can cele-brate art, music, drama, and dance together under one roof,” said Emma Angoli, MHS band director.

Julie Hanisch, MHS English/drama teacher and

manager of the new perform-ing arts cen-ter, reflected, “ E v e r y o n e

h e r e i s s oincredibly grate-

ful for the community support, and we have no doubt the lively, joyful performances audiences will see at

the gala will not fail to please and inspire.”

On Sunday, the festivities continue with a shift from formal to relaxed. Families, staff, students, and commu-nity members are invited to take tours of the new classrooms and select stage spaces while listening to music performed by MHS students. Plus, music and drama students will hold entertaining workshops to encour-age others to pursue an interest in performing arts.

Community members shouldvisit the MHS website for informa-tion about purchasing tickets for the opening gala.

- Contributed by Hannah Fil ippo, MHS Senior

Greenwald Foundation ... continued from page 1

Sponsorship Opportunities

The three pillars of MASD are stu-dents, staff, and community. We under-stand the importance of all three pillars and are cognizant of the need to form partnerships with others in our commu-nity. To that end, the MASD is interested in working with individuals and busi-nesses through various forms of spon-sorships within our buildings and other facilities.

These sponsorship opportunities can be a way for businesses to gain expo-sure in the community, for individuals to dedicate a facility that holds special value for them, or for an organization to assist the district with achieving its academic goals.

There are many varied and valu-able opportunities on our website. Visit http://www.masd.k12.wi.us/ district/masdsponsorship.cfm for more information.



http://www.masd.k12.wi.us/district/masdsponsorship.cfm

http://www.masd.k12.wi.us/district/masdsponsorship.cfm



MASD Students Benefit from Local Partnerships

It is an exciting time for students in the MASD, as local industry and business leaders are more eager than

ever to form impactful partnerships. Over 50 upperclassmen at Mukwonago High School

(MHS) are taking the skills they learn in class directly to the local workforce through the Youth Apprenticeship (YA) program, Cooperative Education program (Co-Op), or Capstone Internship. YA, for example, is a statewide program in which students can gain valu-

able work experience while at MHS and simultaneously earn indus-

try certifications and get a head start on their

career. The YA program places students at local companies such

as Lynch Automotive, Ins tr um e nt D esign

Corporation, and Fickau Inc., as well as service-oriented busi-

nesses like LindenGrove Communities, ProHealth Care, Kids Connection Child Care Center, and others in Waukesha County.

Students enrolled in the IT Academy at MHS com-plete an internship their senior year and can earn up to five industry certifications before gradua-tion. Currently, IT Academy students are completing internships at local businesses including GS Global Resources, Mukwonago Library, and Citizens Bank.

MHS senior and IT Academy student Sam Grochowski is an IT intern at Citizens Bank, where he works on basic troubleshooting, writes standard operating procedures, and presents new software initiatives to employees from all 12 Citizens Bank branches.

“The experience in a professional work environ-ment at 17 years old has been very rewarding. I feel my career has been accelerated,” Grochowski said.

With MASD’s implementation of Wisconsin’s state-wide Academic and Career Plan (ACP) process for students in grades 6-12, the district is committed to giving all students the opportunity to explore careers and make informed decisions before they graduate. A result of this initiative is the “Career Cafe” at Park View Middle School, where once a month, beginning in January, students can hear about multiple profes-sions. Students bring their lunch and engage a wide range of professionals across a variety of career genres, as organized by the school counselors.

MASD is always looking to establish additional busi-ness partnerships and welcomes contacts to create new opportunities for students.

- Contributed by Dustin Lehman, Coordinator of College and Career Readiness

MHS Renovation Projects Take Shape

Mukwonago High School’s referendum construction is taking major steps forward.

New main offices along the front of the building – includ-ing a secure main entrance – were finished at the end of 2017. Relocating the main office improves safety and staff efficiency, and consolidates space for attendance, the principal, associ-ate principals, and police liaison officer. The previous main office now hosts the Counseling and Career Guidance Center.

Just inside the new main entrance, finishing touches are underway for the 830-seat Greenwald Foundation Performing Arts Center (PAC). This facility will be a premier fine arts performing space for the community as well as the district’s music and drama programs. New music classrooms were built just to the east of the PAC, with the first classes held when school resumed in January.

Besides the PAC, other major projects are quickly nearing completion. In May 2018, the west gym will be complete, and progress is on track to meet the final construction milestone in August 2018, which includes renovation of the career/tech-nical education area and reconstruction of the cafeteria. The cafeteria renovation is a key component of this project, as it will allow MHS to vastly improve student scheduling. By moving from five lunch periods to three, students will enjoy greater class options.

Meanwhile, 25 renovated classrooms are already in use after their completion in October 2017. The newly reno-vated library and engineering lab have been serving stu-dents since the beginning of the school year. These new spaces include flexible furniture and cutting-edge technol-ogy, which enhance student learning.

“It is really neat to see how much the students and teach-ers are utilizing the modern learning tools that were designed into the project,” said Curt Wiebelhaus, MASD project director.

Providing project updates and student impacts to the Mukwonago community, which generously supported this referendum, remains a priority. Check out a virtual tour cre-ated to highlight the modern learning tools designed into this project at www.masd.k12.wi.us/district/masdreferendum.cfm.

- Contributed by Cur t Wiebelhaus,MASD Project Director

One of the renovated areas in the MHS library.



http://www.masd.k12.wi.us/district/masdreferendum.cfm

LocalPostal Customer

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

Email [email protected]

385 East Veterans WayMukwonago, WI 53149www.masd.k12.wi.us Superintendent: Shawn McNultyBoard President: Mary D’Amour

Mukwonago Area School District

Editing/Design Julie LeBlanc Nick Reichhoff Ben Kossow Lee Bromberger

Comments/Questions?(262) 363-6300

[email protected]

Printer: United Press & Graphics, Har tland, WI

Thoughts about THE TRIAD?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.

Alumni Spotlight We are proud to recognize our alumni! Please send candidate nominations to [email protected].

Rosanne McGuireClass of 1976

Director of Member Recruitment Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast

Board member Mukwonago Education Foundation

Favorite Teacher(s):Anson Heagle, Dick Brien, Kathy Chapman

Memorable MASD Moments: Miss Arpke created an English class for me. I could choose from lists she provided of various types of literature, read them, and then we sat and discussed them in her office. What a great experience for a girl who loved to read, talk, and wanted to be a librarian. I never did become a librarian, but I visit the Mukwonago library several times a month — and love my book club!

Advice to current students: Coming from a mom of four MHS graduates — just do your homework. Just turn it in.

Mike HansenClass of 1992

Master Auto Technician and OwnerHansen Auto, North Prairie, Wis.

Favorite Teacher(s): Jim Nelson, Rudy Will

Memorable MASD Moments: My most memo-rable class would have to be auto class with Mr. Nelson. Being able to learn about something that I was interested in made school as a whole more rewarding. It was just the beginning of learning a skilled trade that would later in life bring me to where I am today.

Advice to current students: High school will be challenging yet rewarding. Always be true to yourself and follow your own path in life.

Matt GluszczClass of 1996

Chief Operations Officer (COO) IDC Precision

Favorite Teacher(s): Chuck Harder, Mary Kleist

Memorable MASD Moments: The mechanical and electrical trades classes really sparked my interest in design and manufacturing, helped me find my passion in engi-neering, and led me on my current career path, which allows me to work with engineers at companies like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The tech co-op program allowed me to get real-world job experience.

Advice to current students: Stay positive, stay moti-vated, try new adventures. So many kids just turn to four-year college because they feel it’s what they should do. There is nothing wrong with trade/tech schools, but do something! Remember … education doesn’t stop at graduation, so keep an open mind and open ears to learn something new every day.

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the triad: community newsletter of the mukwonago area ... · the triad ts february 201 taff...

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