Coach of the Year, Red Ribbon Week, Surveys and more!

Dear KASD Friends and Family,

Can you believe that we're nearly to the end of the first quarter of the school year? I hope that your family has settled into the routine and that, as you reflect on the past six weeks, you can find both a strong start and a base from which to decide how you are going to continue to improve.

During the first few weeks of school, we focus a lot of energy on building trust and positive relationships. The coming months are going to be filled with continuous learning and improvement, special events, field trips, holidays and the usual craziness that this time of the year provides.  I challenge you, however, for the next month, to take five to ten minutes each week to step back from the daily grind of work, homework, activities, and the business of life ... and simply reflect on the week past. Give thanks where it is due, remember those things for which you are grateful, and set goals for the week ahead - one or two ways that you can do better than you did the week before. A simple, quiet reflection can serve as a great step toward continuous improvement, at a district level, a school level, and especially, a personal level.

Enjoy the Galloping Ghost Stories,

Mark P. Duerwaechter, Superintendent

SEEKING INPUT - DVC WANTS TO KNOW! 

In some of our recent Galloping Ghost Story e-newsletters, we've talked about the District Vision Committee (DVC), a group created to engage our school community in a continuous improvement process and examine the current reality of our District's culture, fiscal sustainability and student achievement, and how they relate to our vision for the District. As we continue through our four steps - Education, Vision, Explore and Action - we'd like you to keep in mind that very soon in our process, we will be soliciting help from you ... our community members! It's input from all of you, through this upcoming survey, that keeps our work moving forward on a path of success. Thank you, in advance, for your understanding, input and willingness to be a part of this process.
RED RIBBON WEEK

Next week, October 24-26, Kaukauna Area School District will participate in  Red Ribbon Week , a time dedicated to celebrating and committing to a healthy and drug-free lifestyle.

Within classrooms, teachers will emphasize with students the importance and benefits of living a drug-free life, and district schools will participate dress-up days to raise awareness for the cause:

Monday, October 24
Red, White and Blue ... "I elect to be drug-free!"

Tuesday, October 25
Active-Wear ... "Stay active and be drug-free!"

Wednesday, October 26
Red Day ... "Unite against drugs" 

As part of Red Ribbon Week, elementary students have also been invited to participate in a place mat design activity. Students have the option of creating a place mat promoting a healthy and drug-free life that will be distributed on KHS lunch tables throughout the week. As part of the activity, two students at each school will also have their photo and their place mat design promoted on the District website. 
COMING SOON ... WINTER. 

We live in Wisconsin. That means that, much to our dismay, severe weather is just around the corner. 


But what can you do to stay informed about District delays and cancellations? We'll make it easy ... just check out the Severe Weather Procedures page on the KASD website. You'll find everything you need to know to stay informed, from our school-wide messaging system to the district website to social media and local television and radio stations. 
A WELL-DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS!

Coach Jeff Matczak, who was recently recognized by the Board of Education for his 25 years of service to the Kaukauna Area School District, has distinguished himself as Wrestling Coach of the Year, awarded by the National Federation of High School Associations. Read more about this award here. Congratulations, Coach Matczak!

STAY CONNECTED:

or vist us online at www.kaukauna.k12.wi.us