WASHINGTON-CALDWELL SCHOOL DISTRICT

“Future Focus”

“Future Focus” is a periodic update as to the progress our school district is making concerning student achievement, curriculum, and facilities.  It is intended to engage the community we serve in a dialogue to look for ways to improve.

“Future Focus” is intended to be two-way communication.  Input, dialogue, and decision-making are essential in discovering ways to improve.  However, I realize whether it is reading this information on our website, or reading our weekly Parent Update sent home each week with our students for parents, or reading my monthly column published by the Waterford Post; these are all one-way communications.  There are other opportunities to share your ideas for example at the monthly school board meetings (held the third Monday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m. in our school library), or by attending any number of activities and events held at school. 

We want your input!  We need your ideas!  Please share them so our school district can become an even better one for our young people.  Thank you!

Sincerely,

Mark Pienkos, Ed.D.

Superintendent/Principal

262-662-3466, ext. 166

mpienkos@washcald.com

Student Achievement:

• September 26, 2008 – Faculty/Staff Afternoon In-Service focusing on Knowledge and Concepts Examinations.  Besides information on these important assessments, teachers reviewed previous test results in preparation to the administration of the WKCE tests in November.
• November, 2008 – WKCE tests administered.  Results expected in April/May.
• September, 2008 – “Star Gazing” recognition program implemented.  The focus of the program is to “catch students doing the right thing.”  Students receive certificate to take home, as well as a copy posted in multi-purpose room.
• September, 2008 – Bulldog Awards program implemented at monthly school board meetings recognizing students, staff, and community members for going above and beyond expectations.
• November, 2008 – Waterford Kiwanis Club partners with Washington-Caldwell to present honor roll certificates to students in grades 6,7 & 8, as well as B.U.G. (Bringing Up Grades) and Terrific Kids Program to students in Kindergarten through grade 5.  
• January, 2009 – Talented & Gifted Program established. 
• February, 2009 – Washington-Caldwell joins Whitewater Talented & Gifted Network.
• March, 2009 – Washington-Caldwell granted permission to establish a National Junior Honor Society.  Our chapter is one of only 63 middle schools in the state with a NJHS chapter out of a total of 336.  There are nearly 7,000 NJHS chapters nationwide.
• April, 2009 – School Board establishes “School-Wide Goals” for 2009-2010 school year.
• September, 2009 – Washington-Caldwell partners with Waterford Kiwanis Club to establish student recognition programs for students in Kindergarten – Grade 2 (Terrific Kids Program) and Grades 3-5 (Bringing Up Grades/B.U.G. Program).
• April, 2010 – School Board reviews 2009-2010 goals and establishes “School-Wide Goals” for 2010-2011 school year.
• September, 2010 – Washington-Caldwell continues its partnership with Waterford Kiwanis Club in establishing a K-Kids Chapter.  K-Kids is a leadership opportunity for students in Grades 1-5.
• March, 2011 – Ms. Kelli Vogt, Media Technology/Alternative Education specialist, recognized as “Teacher of the Year” by the Herb Kohl Foundation. 
• April, 2011 – School Board reviews 2010-2011 goals and establishes “School-Wide Goals” for 2011-2012 school year.  Added to these goals is a technology initiative.
• August, 2011 – Ms. Jill Saltzmann, Special Education Teacher/Athletic Director, appointed by School Board as school’s first Dean of Students.
• Washington-Caldwell selected to present an informational session at the Wisconsin Association of School Boards annual convention to be held in Milwaukee January 8-20, 2012.  Session entitled: “The Little School District That Could . . . and Does!”  The focus of the session will be on how Washington-Caldwell builds student achievement through partnering with local service organizations and agencies.  

Curriculum:

• September – May – Ongoing articulation meetings with Waterford Area Schools.
• September, 2008 – School board requests a curriculum inventory to take place.
• October, 2008 – Teachers surveyed regarding curriculums being taught.
• November, 2008 – Teachers meet at afternoon in-service to review progress being made.
• February, 2009 – Team of teachers meet with CESA 2 curriculum consultant to discuss curriculum process.
• February, 2009 – Teachers attend Waterford Area inservice day.
• September, 2009 – Teachers begin curriculum review.
• New report card format established incorporating traditional grades with state standards.
• February, 2010 – Teachers attend Waterford Area inservice day.
• September, 2010 – Teachers continue curriculum review with expected completion June, 2011.
• January, 2011 – Teachers begin process of establishing a consistent writing process across the curriculum.
• February, 2011 – Teachers attend Waterford Area inservice day.
• August, 2011 – Written and revised K-12 curriculums are published and posted on website.  This two-year process met one of the school-wide goals established by the School Board.
• September, 2011 – 6 Traits Writing model adopted by teaching staff to provide consistency in student writing.
• November, 2011 – Parent pamphlets created for distribution at fall Parent-Teacher Conferences to be held in November.

Facilities:

• September 2, 2008 – First Day of the 2008-09 school year.  Dr. Pienkos’ first day at Washington-Caldwell.
• Mid-September, 2008 – Pienkos becomes familiar with Highway 164 road project and its impact on school safety, as well as distractions to educational program.
• October, 2008 – Letter sent to the Department of Transportation requesting speed study on 164, as well as reduction of speed in front of school (request denied).
• November, 2008 – Traci Gengler, D.O.T. Highway 164 Project Manager, appears at School Board Meeting to explain road project and impact on our school.
• November, 2008 – Pienkos requests permission from school board to investigate ways to alleviate safety concerns, eliminate traffic distractions, (noise), ADA issues, and inefficient boilers.  Architect Bill Henry from Kehoe-Henry & Associates (Elkhorn) was asked to provide facility concepts.
• January, 2009 – School Board discusses possible monetary settlement offered by D.O.T.  School district legal counsel requested to negotiate with D.O.T.
• February, 2009 – Architect Henry presents initial building concepts to those present at the monthly committee meetings.  These were preliminary ideas that the School Board will discuss at its regularly scheduled meeting on February 16. Community input is welcomed.
• March, 2009 - After discussions with the D.O.T., Highway 164 will jog slightly to the west of school avoiding the need for any building alterations.
• Summer, 2009 – New gym floor installed.  The old tile floor was in disrepair and in some places unsafe.  The new synthetic floor was chosen after several on-site visits to various schools, including Waterford Graded.  Besides the new floor, the gym was painted, ceiling cleaned, and bleacher work completed.
• Late fall, 2009 – Minor roof repair done due to water leakage.
• Summer, 2010 – Two classrooms at the west end of the school were freshly painted.
• 2010 Annual Meeting – $25,000 Sinking Fund established by the School District.  Electors present heard a report and recommendation by Superintendent Pienkos as to the need to begin building a fund to deal with necessary future building repairs.  The plan is to continue to request electors at future Annual Meetings of the School District to designate funds towards this Sinking Fund.
• Investigating the possibility of replacing one of two school boilers due to constant repair, parts replacement, and energy inefficiencies.
• Summer, 2011 – Girls & Boys bathrooms renovated near 2^nd Grade classroom.  Exterior painting of old one-room Washington School competed.  Exterior painting of doors completed.  New double-pane, energy efficient exterior windows installed in Kindergarten hallway.  New interior windows installed in reading room.  Following state and federal guidelines, water fountain re-installed in multi-purpose room (cafeteria).
• 2011 Annual Meeting – $25,000 added to existing Sinking Fund.
• September, 2011 – Investigation begins to determine costs/timeline associated with parking lot and playground resurfacing.
• September, 2011 – culvert repair in parking lot completed.  

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