NMS  Tiger Tales

OCTOBER 2021

RESPECT. RESPONSIBILITY. READY. BE KIND.

Growth. Achievement. Accountability.

Tiger STRONG. Tiger PROUD.

Our NMS Mission

Northwestern Middle School is an organization that exists to serve the developmental needs of early adolescents. Our mission is to promote success for all students through a solid academic, exploratory and extra-curricular program that encourages the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and creative growth of our students in a safe environment while empowering them to become socially responsible citizens and lifelong learners.

October Events at NMS

1 School Custodian Appreciation Day - Thank you to the AMAZING team at NMS!

6 NMS Parent Teacher Conferences Night, 4:00-7:30 p.m. ● Via phone, via email, via Google Meets, or in person ● Teachers will send out info. ● Thank you to our NMS Parents Group for providing dinner for our staff!

11 School Board Meeting, 5:00 p.m., NHS Auditorium

12 NMS Picture Retakes 

In this issue: NMS Robotics Team Sign Ups, On Site COVID Testing at NMS, NMS Policies and Reminders and Much More!  Click here to read the entire newsletter (pdf). 

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

School District of Maple
Northwestern High School Auditorium
Monday, October 11, 2021 – 5:00 p.m.

https://youtu.be/mDtL7_0YRyM

This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District’s business and is not to be considered a public community meeting. There is a time for public comment during the meeting as indicated in the agenda.

AGENDA

1. Call to order, roll call, and Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Report on how the public was notified.
3. Approval of the October 11, 2021 agenda, open and executive sessions.
4. Consent Agenda:
   1. September 13, 2021 regular board meeting minutes.
   2. Treasurer’s Report.
   3. Payment of Invoices.
   4. Resignation(s)/Employment
5. Public Hearing - Constituent Input on ESSER III Funding of Approximately $1,148,894
6. Approval Items:
   1. Parent Request for Inter-District Transfer to Northwestern Elementary School.
   2. Start College Now/Early College Credit Program for Spring 2022.
   3. Emergency Building Plans 2021-22
   4. 2020-21 Budget Revisions.
   5. 2021-22 Tax Levy and Budget.
   6. “Continuity of Education Plan”
      1. Change title from “Continuity of Education Plan to “Continuity of Services Plan”
      2. Revisions to the Continuity of Services - Isolation Plan for clarification on those who use “home-testing” or those who are fully immunized.
   7. Active COVID-19 Threshold for District Schools
7. Administrative report:
   1. Communications
   2. Short-Term Borrowing Report on Bids
   3. Pupil Count (September 17, 2021) and Open Enrollment Report
   4. District Maintenance Update
   5. Donation(s)
   6. WASB correspondence and legislative report
   7. CESA #12 report
   8. Student, Staff, Community Recognition:
   9. Reports from Northwestern High School, Northwestern High School Athletics and Activities, Northwestern Middle School, Northwestern Elementary/Iron River Elementary Schools, Director of Special Education, District Counselors and Student Board Representatives.
8. Comments from the audience.
9. Adjournment.

COVID Testing Site at NMS Expands Hours!

The COVID-19 testing site at NMS has expanded the hours until 4:00 PM each day.

This COVID-19 testing site is not open to the general public, it is for Maple School District students and their families, and Maple School District employees ONLY.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

School District of Maple
Northwestern High School Auditorium
Monday, September 13, 2021 – 5:00 p.m.

https://youtu.be/G8uuHn8GwPI

A G E N D A

This meeting is a meeting of the Board of Education in public for the purpose of conducting the School District’s business and is not to be considered a public hearing. There may be a time for public comment during the meeting as indicated in the agenda.

1. Call to order, roll call, and Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Report on how the public was notified.
3. Approval of the September 13, 2021 agenda.
4. Consent Agenda:
   1. August 9, 2021 regular board meeting minutes.
   2. Treasurer’s Report.
   3. Payment of Invoices.
   4. Resignation(s)/Employment.
5. Approval Items:
   1. A Request to Allow the Superior School District to Cross School District Boundaries to Provide Transportation to an Open Enrolled Student.
   2. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE AND ESTABLISHING PARAMETERS FOR A TEMPORARY BORROWING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $3,000,000 PURSUANT TO SECTION 67.12(8)(a)1, WIS. STATS.
6. Board member request to repeal the August 9, 2021 Board of Education decision for making facemasks/coverings optional for students and staff in grades PreK through 12. The Board member’s amended recommendation would be for students and staff in grades PreK through Grade 6 are required to wear face masks/covering.
   1. A public comment period will be held at this time to listen to community members who would like to address the Board on the use of face masks/covering for grades PreK-6. Ground rules will be determined, comments should be focused on the agenda item being considered by the Board and will be restricted to no more than three minutes in length per community member. The comment portion of this agenda item will conclude after one hour.
   2. A vote by the Board of Education will be taken once the public comment portion has concluded.
7. Administrative Report:
   1. Communications Received
   2. Budget Hearing/Annual Meeting - Monday, September 27, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
   3. WASB Fall Region 1 Meeting and Election, Wednesday, September 29, 2021
   4. Maintenance Update
   5. Donations
   6. WASB Correspondence and Legislative Update
   7. CESA #12
   8. Northwestern High School and Northwestern High School Athletics and Activities, Northwestern Middle School, Northwestern Elementary School/Iron River Elementary School, Special Education and Student Representative Reports.
   9. Community, Student and Staff Recognition:
8. Comments from the audience
9. Consideration to move to an executive session necessary for those items exempted under open sessions according to Wisconsin State Statutes §19.85(1)(f). Included under this item is a request for early entrance to 4-year-old-kindergarten. Reconvene to open session for possible action on early entrance request for 4-year-old kindergarten.
10. Approval of a Request for Early Entrance to 4K at Northwestern Elementary School.
11. Adjournment.

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MAPLE
Maple, WI

NOTICE

BUDGET HEARING AND ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING

YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT A HEARING ON THE BUDGET WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE ROOM #2270 LOCATED AT NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL, ENTRANCE “E” AT 4751 SOUTH COUNTY ROAD F, MAPLE, WI, ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 AT 7:00 P.M. A DETAILED COPY OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET IS AVAILABLE IN THE DISTRICT OFFICE AT NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL, MAPLE, WISCONSIN. SUMMARIES OF THE BUDGET HAVE BEEN MAILED TO DISTRICT RESIDENTS AND ARE POSTED THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT. NOTICE IS ALSO HEREBY GIVEN TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MAPLE THAT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SAID DISTRICT WILL BE HELD IN THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE ROOM, #2270 AT NORTHWESTERN HIGH SCHOOL IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE BUDGET HEARING HELD AT 7:00 P.M.

GAIL M. SAARI, CLERK

ANNUAL MEETING

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MAPLE
September 27, 2021 – 7:00 p.m.

https://youtu.be/hTWPzTvzfyk

AGENDA

1. Call to order, explanation of the purpose and ground rules of the meeting.
2. Report on how the public was notified.
3. Election of chairperson.
4. 2021 Annual Meeting minutes (enclosed for information only).
5. Treasurer’s Report.
6. Audit Report.
7. Budget review and adoption of the tax levy to include the recommendations for the 2021 school tax levy required for the 2021-22 budget of $21,351,396 for the General and Debt Service Funds and Capital Expansion Fund.
   1. RESOLVED, that the School District of Maple, Maple, Wisconsin levy a 2021 tax against the 2021 equalized value in an estimated amount of $5,020,480 for the purpose of operation, maintenance, transportation and capital outlay.
   2. RESOLVED, that a total of $3,661,033 be levied against the 2021 equalized value of the property of the school district for the retirement of debt previously authorized by the electors for the payment of principal and interest on such debt.
   3. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a total of $40,000 be levied against the 2021 equalized value for the purpose of pre-financing the cost of future building and site replacement in the Fund 41 Capital Expansion Fund.
      1. A total of all levies represented in 1, 2 and 3 will amount to $8,721,513, which will be levied against the 2021 equalized value. The 2021 mill rate will be determined after the equalized value is received from the Department of Revenue.
      2. §120.12(3)(a) and (c) Wisconsin Statutes requires that the school board on or before November 1st, determines the amount necessary to be raised to operate and maintain the schools of the school district if the annual meeting has not voted a tax sufficient for such purposes for the ensuing school term. On or before November 5th, the school district clerk shall certify the appropriate amount so determined to each appropriate municipal clerk who shall assess the amount certified and enter it on the tax rolls as other school district taxes are assessed and entered.
      3. If on or before November 1st the school board determines that the annual meeting has voted a tax greater than that needed to operate the schools of the school district for the ensuing school year, the school board may lower the tax voted by the annual meeting. 
      4. On or before November 10th, the school district clerk shall certify the appropriate amount so determined to each appropriate municipal clerk who shall assess the amount certified and enter it on the tax rolls in lieu of the amount previously reported. The school board must lower the tax to bring it into compliance with the revenue limits, if it determines that the annual meeting has voted a tax, which violates those limits.
8. Report on the Annual Revenue Limit Exemption for Energy Conservation per Section 121.91(4)(o)(3) of the Wisconsin Statutes.
9. Resolution for Fund 41 authorizing the district to continue a Capital Expansion Fund for pre-financing the cost of future building and site replacement as needed.
10. School board member salaries and reimbursement.
11. Authorization for the School Board to Schedule the next Budget Hearing and Annual Meeting after May 15 and before November 1, 2022.
12. Other items.
    1.  
    2.  
    3.  
13. Motion to adjourn.

BUDGET HEARING

SCHOOL DISTRICT OF MAPLE
September 27, 2021 -- 7:00 P.M.

A G E N D A

1. Call to order, explanation of the purpose and ground rules of the meeting – Nancy Lind, Board of Education President.
2. Report on how the public was notified.
3. Presentation of the proposed budget for the 2021-22 school year.
4. Discussion and questions concerning the budget.
5. Motion to adjourn the budget hearing.

AD HOC COMMITTEE – Town of Maple and Village of Poplar Roads

Where a Majority of the Board May Attend
Thursday, September 9, 2021, 9:00 a.m.
District Office Conference Room

AGENDA

1. Call to order and roll call.
2. The notice of the meeting was posted on District webpage, published as a legal ad in the Superior Telegram and posted throughout the District according to school board policy.
3. Village of Poplar – Randy Jones
4. Continue discussion and recommendations on use of school buses on Town of Maple and Village of Poplar roads.
5. Adjournment

Be Prepared! See Us At Our Annual Summer School Open House

We are encouraging parents/guardians of our students to attend our Annual Summer School/Open House on Monday, August 30 and Tuesday, August 31 at all four district schools.

• SCHOOL PICTURES WILL BE TAKEN – GRADES 4K THROUGH 11
• DISTRIBUTION OF CHROMEBOOKS FOR GRADES 6-12
• LEARN ABOUT THE CURRICULUM.
• RECEIVE LOCKS AND LOCKER ASSIGNMENTS
• BUILDING TOURS
• REVIEW HANDBOOKS
• BRING IN SCHOOL SUPPLIES

Summer School/Open House Hours are from 8:00-3:00 with a break from 12:00-12:45 for lunch.

Welcome Back From Dr. Croney!

The vision “Leader and Learners, Today and Tomorrow” sets our tone for the 2021-22 school year. We strived last year in all efforts to keep students in school, have all sports teams participate and still excelled for the most possible days. This year we are returning face-to-face, five days a week in grades Kindergarten through 12. At the writing of this newsletter, all sports seasons are starting on time.

Our emphasis this school year will be on assisting your student with any growth needed due to potential learning loss from last year. We will analyze student’s achievement scores, make adjustments and re-teach where necessary. Specific plans will be implemented to address any learning gaps from the 2021-20 school year.

The expectation, with Board affirmation on August 9th, is that face masks will be optional in grades 4K through12. However, face masks are again required on our school buses and vans due to an order from the U.S. Department of Education. We are following safety protocols including extra hand washing, disinfecting and social distancing where possible.

While online learning is available, our first priority is to have face-to-face learning, five days a week for grades Kindergarten through 12. Second, all of the class sizes are smaller at the elementary level to allow a better student-to-teacher ratio to allow for more individual attention to students’ needs. Third, we are moving to a “Reading Coach” model to assist all of our elementary teachers to address the need for student reading growth in grades 4K through 5. We are staffed with a Reading Specialist, a full-time reading teacher and now have three paraprofessional support staff to specifically assist with students who are not currently reading at their grade level.

The August staff development days will be fully utilized as our curriculum continues to be reviewed and updated. All elementary teachers will be receiving training on “Guided Reading and Daily 5 Reading Strategies.” We are also providing training for all new teachers in grades Kindergarten through 5 in our “Math Expressions” program and beginning in 2021-22 new social studies textbooks have been purchased for all grades Kindergarten through 12. Training for those materials will also be provided during the August staff development days.

The District is following through on our commitment to address mental health needs for our students. We are in the process of hiring a full-time guidance counselor to serve the elementary schools and middle school students. A Transitions Coordinator has been added to the staff at Northwestern High School who comes to the District with a strong background and experience as a social worker. Support and assistance will be provided to students (and parents/guardians) as they transition from mental health care and enter back into our schools as well as helping to navigate the paperwork to obtain mental health assistance from other providers if needed. This will allow any student that seeks help for, or has been identified with, anxiety,  depression or any other
mental health need to focus on their education in order to succeed and ultimately graduate.

We are very excited to roll out a one-to-one computing device program to all students in the fall of 2021. Each student will have access to a Chromebook (or Lenovo Duet tablet for Kindergarten and 1st grade) on a daily basis which will allow continued use of Google Classroom and other digital resources.

Last year we adopted three focus words to help get us through the pandemic: “nimble,” “flexible” and “gracious.” This year, our focus words are: “growth,” “achievement” and “accountability.” These words will apply to all learning and extra-curricular activities. Students will be required to show up, do their part, participate and turn in assignments. The days of repeated forgiveness for late assignments are over. As educators, we are striving for the best student achievement possible. In order to have that happen, we need the continued support of parents and guardians to say to your student, “Put the focus on school.”

Working Together for Achievement,

Dr. Sara L. Croney