This week celebrated the return of
students to the School District of the Menomonie Area for the 2015-2016
school year. Over the next nine months, SDMA teachers and staff will
work toward the district’s shared mission of helping children in our
community prepare to be lifelong learners, caring individuals, and
responsible citizens. Over the next 36 weeks, our students will be
expected to demonstrate achievement in reading, math, and other academic
areas, while further broadening themselves with experiences in the fine
arts, career and technical education, athletics, and many other clubs
and co-curricular activities.
With only 176 student days scheduled
for the 2015-2016 school year, it is very important that good attendance
is promoted by both parents and the school district. Certainly, we do
not want students to report to school if they are ill, but missing
school can result in a significant loss of learning opportunities. Some
suggest that having regular routines at home, eating a well- balanced
diet, getting plenty of exercise and rest, and frequently washing hands
can keep children healthier and better prepared to learn. If an absence
is needed, it is important to let the school office know in a timely
manner, and to follow up with any make-up work or assignments as
needed.
In addition to celebrating the start
of another school year, the SDMA will also be celebrating the completion
of the construction projects and facility renovations associated with
the 2013 referendum. At 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, all school
stakeholders and district residents are invited to attend a Grand
Opening event scheduled to be held at Menomonie High School. After a
brief dedication ceremony, the building will be open for tours, while
refreshments and school meal samples will be provided by the school
district’s food and nutrition program. Since significant renovations
were also completed at Downsville and River Heights elementary schools
last summer, those facilities will also be open for the public from
4:00-5:30 p.m. on that date.
Not only is the school district
excited to show off our newly updated facilities, but, more importantly,
we want to extend a sincere THANK YOU
to all of our electors and taxpayers who were instrumental in providing
the children in our community with such a wonderful and safe school
environment. There is no doubt that students in Menomonie have been
provided an environment capable of preparing them for their futures in
higher education and the workplace.
The completion of the facility
projects in the SDMA is part of a larger vision that was developed
during a collaborative strategic planning process that greatly involved
the school district community. “The Great Conversation”, which included
17 different listening sessions with over 500 members of the community,
led to the adoption of a new district strategic plan in the fall of
2012. Many of the identified goals have already been accomplished, but
work toward the strategic plan continues. Task teams regularly monitor
progress in each of the six areas of the plan, and an annual review of
the strategic plan is conducted each November.
The six strategic areas identified by our community and school district stakeholders during “The Great Conversation” include:
- Learning Experience: An emphasis on strengthening curriculum, instruction, assessment, and accountability systems in the district.
- Technology: An emphasis on the integration of technology.
- Facilities: An emphasis on developing a vision and plan for the future of our facilities.
- Personnel: An emphasis on providing highly effective staff.
- Resources: An emphasis on maximizing available resources.
- Community Engagement: An emphasis on enhancing and expanding partnerships and public relations.
What are the next steps for continuing “The Great Conversation”? We need your help!
Facilitators for each of the six
strategic areas will schedule town hall-style meetings to further
discuss the goals and actions related to that part of the strategic
plan. The main focus of these meetings will include sharing what has
already been accomplished and prioritizing updated short-term and
long-term goals. After considering stakeholder input, a modified action
plan will be developed for the school board to review.
The schedule for the town hall meetings related to the various strategic areas will be as follows:
Technology: September 22- 4:30 pm Facilities: September 23- 5:30 pm, MHS Library
Learning Experience: October 1- 4:00 pm Community Engagement: October 8- 5:30 pm
Personnel: October 12- 5:00 pm Resources: October 14- 5:00 pm
*All meetings are scheduled to be held at the Administrative Service Center unless otherwise noted.
In addition to attendance by the
designated task teams, all parents, community members, and other school
district stakeholders are welcomed and encouraged to attend the town
hall meetings. A summative report will be presented to the school board
at a meeting scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 23, 2015.
Should anyone wish to provide additional input, or if you are unable to
attend the scheduled meetings, please feel free to send your comments to
my attention at the Administrative Service Center located at 215 Pine
Avenue NE in Menomonie.