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🗓 MARK YOUR CALENDAR: UPCOMING EVENTS 🗓 |
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March 1 - April 30 - ACCESS 2.0 for ELLs (SK-11)
March 12 - No classes (JK-12); WSD Staff COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
March 16 - High School Conferences
March 18 - Middle School Conferences
March 16 - 18 - ACT Testing with Writing
March 22 - 26 - Superintendent profile approved
March 22 - EFW Grants Awarded
March 22 - May 14 - Forward Exam (grades 3-8, 10)
March 22 - May 14 - DLM Testing (grades 3-11)
March 23 - ACT Makeup #1
March 23 - 25 - ACT Testing with Writing
March 26 - End of Third Quarter
March 26 - Superintendent Application Period Closed
March 29 - April 2 - Spring Break
April 5 - Preliminary Superintendent Candidate Packets Presented to Board (closed meeting)
April 5 - May 5 - ACT Aspire (grades 9-10)
April 10 - EFW Black + White Gala (virtual)
April 12 - School Board Meeting (7 pm)
April 13-15 - ACT Testing with Writing
April 14 - 15 - Preliminary Superintendent Candidate Interviews (closed meeting)
April 16 - No classes (JK-12); WSD Staff COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic
April 19, 21, 22 - Finalist Superintendent Candidate Interviews/Community Sessions
April 19 - May 13 - PALS Form B (grades 1-2)
April 20-22 - ACT Testing with Writing
April 26 - School Board Meeting (7 pm)
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📩 A LETTER FROM LEADERSHIP 📩 |
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Hello Wauwatosa Community,
While this is my first year as the Director of Student Services, my journey in the Wauwatosa School District began in 1984 at Eisenhower Elementary School. I still live in Wauwatosa with my wife, Jenni, and our daughter, Ava who is in first grade at Wauwatosa Montessori. The Wauwatosa community means so much to me because it is a place where others have been able to see the best in me - often before I was able to do so myself.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced to me that school is not just a place to learn academically. It has also made it obvious that while technology can amplify great teaching, it cannot replace it. I ultimately know that my responsibility as the Director of Student Services is to promote wellness for the whole child, and in each of my roles in the district, I have been inspired by our kids. Our students are resilient, genuinely empathetic and eager to make our community and the world a better place.
I want to ensure for all of our students that the Wauwatosa School District remains a place where opportunities are not predicated on zip code, and where our visions are produced through a steadfast commitment to equity. I am fortunate to play a part in cultivating the brilliant young minds in our community. Achieving this vision isn’t something that will occur due to a single lesson, unit or year. Instead it’s about each of us being a champion for all students and remaining committed to rebuilding and reimagining the school experience. I humbly ask that all of us - now and in the future - focus on the people around us and commit to kindness. Please support each other and find ways to keep each other healthy, safe, engaged and hopeful. I know that this year has been anything but easy but in the wise words of “America’s favorite neighbor,” Fred Rogers:
“There are three ways to ultimate success:
The first way is to be kind.
The second way is to be kind.
The third way is to be kind.”
Inspire kindness!
Mike Parulski
Wauwatosa School District
Director of Student Services
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📸 PHOTO(S) OF THE MONTH 📸 |
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Students at Lincoln Elementary set a goal to read 150,000 minutes in February. As a reward for reaching this goal, students got the opportunity to turn Principal Miner
into a cupcake!
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Montessori Principal Ashley Imperiale's dogs Rebel and Rose model products created by 7th and 8th grade students. See "Micro-Economy Run by Wauwatosa Montessori Students Helps Kids Learn Real-Life Skills and Lessons" below for more information. |
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Superintendent Search Continues |
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The search for our new superintendent is moving along on schedule as our consultants continue to meet with Wauwatosa staff, students and community members.
Thank you to all those who took the time to complete the survey and participate in a focus group. Your voices provide direction and emphasis to the selection process. There have been 11 focus groups completed with three scheduled for next week. The survey closed on March 10 with more than 780 responses. The information from the focus groups and surveys are compiled and refined into a New Superintendent Profile, a summary document that will help to guide the board in selecting our next leader.
Candidates continue to apply for consideration and our consultants use their networks to recruit highly-qualified individuals. We have received 14 applications and anticipate a total of 35 or more. Candidates are from across Wisconsin and from six other states. Wauwatosa’s positive reputation makes it a high-profile, desirable community for school district leadership. Applications close on Friday, March 26.
The School Board will begin reviewing candidates the week of April 5, with finalist interviews planned for the week of April 19. Typically, three finalists are selected to each spend a day in the district to meet with staff, students and community members, participate in an open community forum, and then finish the visit with a second School Board interview. The School Board anticipates an announcement of our new superintendent the week of May 3, 2021 with a July 1 start date.
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Join Us for the Wauwatosa Aquatic Center Virtual Grand Opening Event |
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Please join us on Monday, March 29 at 10:30 am for a virtual grand opening event as we officially open the Wauwatosa Aquatic Center at Wauwatosa East High School to students, staff and the community.
The event will be streamed live on Facebook and will feature speeches from School Board Member Mr. Shawn Rolland, Superintendent Dr. Phil Ertl and Wauwatosa East Principal Mr. Nick Hughes, as well as a ribbon cutting and ceremonial first dive and first lap in the new pools.
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Last Day of School Scheduled for Friday, June 11 |
The last day of school for seniors is Friday, June 4, 2021.
The last day of school for all other students is Friday, June 11, 2021 which is scheduled as a half-day of school. Please note the following arrival and dismissal times:
- High School: 8:00 - 11:30 am
- Middle School: 8:10 - 11:40 am
- Elementary + Montessori School: 8:20 - 11:50 am
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How does a habit form - and what power do you have to take control and modify your habits? Tosa Connected Coordinator Kenda Roman explores in a six-part series titled Breaking Up with Your Bad Habits and Starting New Ones.
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Meet Longfellow Middle School Educational Assistant,
Mr. Glen Harris
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Over the course of his 22 year career, Mr. Glen Harris has filled many roles. He started working at New Beginnings, a boys home that was located on the County grounds, in 1995. In 1998 he began a 19-year period of working two jobs - one at Plank Road School and another at a group home. But when Plank Road School closed, Harris was presented with an opportunity to serve as an Educational Assistant at Longfellow Middle School.
Harris' experience had prepared him for working with adolescents, and as he recalls the transition from Plank Road School to Longfellow, he fondly remembers that it was "a whole new world."
Today, in his role as an Educational Assistant, Harris has many responsibilities including serving as a mediator between teachers and students, supervising students while they take tests, building relationships with students and staff and monitoring the "hub," Longfellow's asynchronous cohort learning space. And while these may be his "official" duties, Harris contributes so much more to the culture and environment at Longfellow Middle School.
He serves as a friendly presence in the hallways during passing time, kindly reminding students to keep their masks up (a simple head tilt and finger on his nose serves as a reminder to students without putting them on the spot or embarrassing them). His office is a safe space for students to retreat if they need some time to themselves or a moment of silence (or a yummy snack that Harris is known to keep on his desk). And when he isn't in his office, you can find Mr. Harris walking the hallways chatting with colleagues and students, checking to ensure students have their agenda with them (he's a stickler for that!) and, of course, that students are following the rules and being respectful.
When asked how he maintains such a positive attitude each day, Harris' answer was simple: "It's not about me. These kids just need someone in their corner."
In his free time, Harris coaches 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls basketball at Longfellow. He is also a foster parent to a little boy that has lived with him since October 2020.
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March: Black History Month, Women's History Month and Reading Across America |
Feeling like an overstatement at this point, we fully know this past school year has been unlike any other. And in the midst of the unpredictability and persistent change, one constant has remained the same: the unyielding spirit and creativity of our kids. This month, our schools celebrated Black History Month in unique and decentralized ways. From information and education campaigns, to town-hall meetings in classrooms, to student-driven performances shared virtually, our kids demonstrated quite well that Black History is American History, and it is a history that should be studied every day, through a variety of mediums and literacies.
March is also Women’s History Month, with March 8th serving as International Women’s Day where we celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women around the world.
Serving as a bridge between Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Wauwatosa schools engaged in a robust and lively week of Reading Across America. During this week, our kids experienced guest speakers and readers who shared stories and read books that were either written by women of color or featured stories with characters who were women and girls of color. Additionally, some of our district leaders served as guest readers in many of our classrooms!
Literacy has always been a tool of liberation for women and people of color, and we know for certain that a strong literacy education and foundation is dependent on our learners seeing themselves in the books, stories, illustrations and learning experiences, which builds a greater sense of belonging and relevancy for each child’s identity development. Here in the Wauwatosa School District, we are committed to the literacy and identity development of each and every child!
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Tosa East Boys Basketball Team Wins WIAA Division 1 State Title |
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On Saturday, March 6, 2021, the Wauwatosa East Red Raiders Boys Varsity Basketball team defeated Kimberly at Menominee Nation Arena in Oshkosh to become the 2020-21 WIAA Division 1 State Champions.
This year, due to COVID-19 guidance from the WIAA Medical Committee, the tournament series had both the semi-final and final games played on the same day. Earlier on Saturday, the Red Raiders defeated River Falls in a tightly-contested battle before Tosa East took over, winning 56-48.
In the final game against Kimberly, the Red Raiders came back from a tie-game to clinch the win with a 62-44 victory. The team was led by Alex Singleton with 20 points; Jay Hinson, Jr. had 11 and Leon Bond scored 10.
Members of the Red Raiders boys varsity basketball team include Marsean Billips, Nixon Blackman, Aidan Blackmon, Leon Bond, CJ Carey, JJ Farmer, Owen Gendrich, Jay Hinson Jr, Amarie Lucas, Marcus Mbow (captain), Zaire Motley, Brian Parzych (captain), Alex Singleton, Lamar Smith, Parker Thompson, Donovan Washington and David Wilson. The team is coached by Tim Arndorfer, Pat Krygiel and Brice Powell, managers Charlie Szohr and Joey Hensler.
Members of the all-tournament team named by WisSports.net are Brian Parzych and Jay Hinson, Jr. Honorable mentions went to Leon Bond, Marcus Mbow and Alex Singleton. Brian Parzych was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
This win marks the third state championship for Wauwatosa East, following title wins in 2008 and 1991. Before the district split, Wauwatosa also won a state title in 1948.
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Tosa East Students Receive Herb Kohl Scholarships |
Two Wauwatosa East High School students have received scholarships from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.
Ava Beisenstein (pictured, left), a senior at East, has received a $10,000 Student Excellence Scholarship. The award goes to students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, citizenship and school and community involvement. After graduation, Beisenstein plans to attend college and study environmental science and journalism.
Additionally, Arnold Ramos (pictured, right) received a $10,000 Student Initiative Scholarship. He was chosen by his school for the award due to his high level of motivation to achieve and strong promise for succeeding in higher education and beyond.
These scholarships can cover a wide range of college expenses, including tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, technology and equipment. This is the 31st year of the Herb Kohl Scholarship program, which has provided more than $25 million to Wisconsin students, teachers, principals and schools since its launch in 1990. To learn more, visit www.kohleducation.org.
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Instructional Coach Receives Doctorate in Leadership Ministry |
We are #TosaProud to announce that Wendy Kay Domena, one of our District instructional coaches at Eisenhower and Madison Elementary Schools, received her doctorate in leadership ministry from Christian Leadership University last month. With this accomplishment, the Wauwatosa School District now employs a total of seven (7) individuals with doctorate degrees. |
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Tosa West Educator Named Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship State Finalist |
Wauwatosa West High School Theatre Director Adam Steffan was named as a State Finalist for the Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship Award. Mr. Steffan has served as the Wauwatosa West High School Theatre Director for nine years. In his time in the Wauwatosa School District, Steffan has directed performances including A Chorus Line, The Wizard of Oz, Chicago, Mama Mia, Disney's The Little Mermaid and Into the Woods. |
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Wauwatosa East High School Students Take Home 28 Scholastic Art + Writing Awards |
Wauwatosa East High School students brought home a total of 28 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards from this year's competition, including one National Scholastic American Visions Award nomination, one Gold Key, 12 Silver Keys and 14 Honorable Mentions.
Alexandra Lewis-Penland's piece titled Their Eyes Were Watching God (pictured right) won the Gold Key Award and received a nomination for the National Scholastic American Visions award. As a Gold Key Winner, Lewis-Penland will advance to the next round of competition in New York.
Honorable Mentions and Silver Keys have been recognized as having some of the best art works in the state. Silver Key award winners include:
Alexandra Heller, Sculpture
Lillian Kessler, Photography
Sophia Kratochvil, Herb Block Editorial Cartoon
Grace Ryun, Design
Owen Spahr, Photography
Carter Stefanich, Digital Art
Madison Sveum, Photography
Madison Sveum, Mixed Media
Madison Sveum, Art Portfolio
Abigail Volland, Photography
Addison Wallenkamp, Painting
Mason Wood, Mixed Media
And the following individuals received honorable mention awards:
Grace Biebel, Portfolio
Colleen Hackett, Comic Art
Colleen Hackett, Illustration (Tea for Three)
Colleen Hackett, Illustration (Comfort Food)
Lucy Hildebrand, Mixed Media
Lucy Koch, Mixed Media
Kylie Peterson, Digital Imagery
Delaney Regan, Design
Grace Ryun, Design
Sophia Sauseda, Illustration
Owen Spahr, Photography (Weeping Door)
Owen Spahr, Photography (Unaccompanied by the Pool)
Owen Spahr, Photography (Midnight Rambler)
Abigail Volland, Photography
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Longfellow Middle School Student Earns Silver Key Award |
Eighth grade Longfellow student Lily Ruggini has been awarded a Silver Key Award for her mixed media piece titled Stitches of Me. The Award is presented by the Alliance for Young Artists + Writers as part of its Scholastic Art + Writing Awards.
Ruggini's state-level Silver Key award means her work is recognized as some of the best artwork among middle school students in Wisconsin. Stitches of Me is currently on display at mam.org through March 21, 2021.
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German Students Excel on National German Exam |
The National German Exam is administered each year to over 26,500 high school students of German. The Exam, now in its 61st year, provides individual diagnostic feedback, rewards students through an extensive regional and national prize program, and creates a sense of accomplishment. Exam results provide teachers a means of comparing students in all regions of the country, as well as programmatic data provided to help inform curricular decisions.
The following students performed at the 90 percentile or above and will receive gold certificates of recognition. Due to Covid 19, no Study Trips to Germany are being awarded this year. If eligible these students can instead apply for scholarships to attend Summer Immersion Programs at Concordia Language Villages in Minnesota.
Wauwatosa West
Steven Awve, Eleanor Hannan (Level 3)
Wauwatosa East
John Dewey, Alissa Novalija, (Level 2)
Lauren Cortright, Nadia Eull, Audrey Georg, Lydia Otto (Level 4)
Students performing between the 70th and 89th percentile will receive bronze and silver certificates of recognition. Students at or above the 85th percentile may be recognized by the DSSV (Deutscher Sprach und Schulverein), a local organization, which supports the study of German and excellence in student performance.
Wauwatosa West
Molly Frost, Lilly Kiracofe (Level 2)
Carina Pelzek, Richard Huynh, Logan Espinosa (Level 3)
Margaret Fassbender, Meghan Grimes, Ella Stockbauer (Level 4)
Wauwatosa East
Anneke Shiller, Maddie Stencel (Level 2)
Jack Zautner, Chloe Lewis, Athena Anderson, Annabel Biasi, (Level 3)
Chloe Anderson (Level 4)
German Teachers Karin Awve (Wauwatosa West) and Eva Tuinstra (Wauwatosa East), along with the rest of the Wauwatosa School District, are so proud of these students’ accomplishments on this very challenging national exam!
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Micro-Economy Run by Wauwatosa Montessori Students Helps Kids Learn Real-Life Skills and Lessons |
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One component of Montessori Middle School (also known as AP, which stands for Adolescent Program) is a micro-economy. Run by 7th and 8th grade students, the micro-economy helps students learn how to generate business proposals and ideas, create schedules, manage finances, work on teams, project manage and be responsible for all aspects of the business.
The goal of the micro-economy - which the students named AP, Inc. - is not profit, but rather to support student learning of all these real life skills and lessons in a low-stakes environment, while still having the accountability of producing a product for a consumer. This year, AP, Inc. responded to the growing number of people who welcomed pets into their home during the pandemic with a pet product line. Students designed and created products including dog and cat treats, toys and pet bandanas!
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All-City Read Winners Include Ten Tosa Students |
The winners of Tosa’s All-City Read Essay Contest have been announced and we are #TosaProud of our students who have received recognition.
Grades 3-5
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1st Place: Emerson Brown; McKinley Elementary
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2nd Place: Luca Cooper; Roosevelt Elementary
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Honorable Mention: Judah Smothers; Washington Elementary
Grades 6-8
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1st Place: Peter Litzau (Longfellow/STEM)
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2nd Place: Charlotte Desjarlais (Longfellow)
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Honorable Mention: Manita Mahapatra (Longfellow)
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Honorable Mention: Clare Kasdorf (Longfellow/STEM)
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Honorable Mention: Camila Cavazos (Longfellow)
High School
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1st Place: Adriana Xiong (Tosa East)
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2nd Place: Hamze Boulaleh (Tosa East)
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📰 EXTRA! EXTRA! WSD IN THE NEWS 📰 |
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*indicates subscription required
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Each month, we post updates on active construction projects related to the 2018 facilities referendum and capital improvements. Find the most recent updates below. |
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Wauwatosa School District | 12121 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI 53226
Ph: (414) 773-1000 | www.wauwatosaschools.org
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