Thanksgiving Update

Thanksgiving Update
Posted on 11/26/2014

Dear Menomonie Area Families, Staff, and Community Members,

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone in the School District of the Menomonie Area! 

In addition to wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, I would also like to share two pieces of information with you:

School CalendarOn Monday night, the school board voted to approve Calendar Option #2, which reduces spring break and shortens the school year in 2015-2016.  In a summary of the survey results, there were more respondents that would have preferred to keep the week-long spring break, but there were many that also liked the idea of getting done with school earlier.  Perhaps the greatest challenge for setting the 2015-2016 school calendar was that the newly state-mandated ACT test has a required testing date that falls over UW-Stout's spring break.  There were many comments on the survey from those who wanted a week-long spring break, but needed to have it aligned with Stout.  The intention is to work with Stout so we could possibly consider a calendar for 2016-2017 that has a week-long spring break that is aligned with organizations.  The graduation date for 2016 will be considered at a future meeting.

Continuing the "Great Conversation"- Thank you to everyone who participated in the town hall meetings this fall, and for providing the valuable information that was used for updating the District's strategic plan.  A summary report was presented to the school board on Monday night.  We will continue to engage our staff and community to help ensure that the vision for our progressive school district remains aligned with the expectations of our many stakeholders that include parents, students, staff, community members and taxpayers. 

We have much to be thankful for here in Menomonie including the continued success of our students and the continued support from our stakeholders toward a shared mission of preparing ALL students to become lifelong learners, caring individuals, and responsible citizens.

Have a wonderful break!

 
Joe Zydowsky
 
District Administrator
School District of the Menomonie Area
215 Pine Avenue NE
Menomonie, WI 54727
 
"The School District of the Menomonie Area, by embracing the unique needs and using the strengths of our diverse community, is dedicated to preparing ALL students to become lifelong learners, caring individuals, and responsible citizens."