Health Note on Motivation

Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare’s Health Note on Motivation

As long as we allow short-term desires to win, it will be difficult to affect long-term behavioral change. However, there is a simple solution to this problem: If we can find short-term incentives that are consistent with our long-term objectives, it is much easier to make the right decisions in the moment. For example, we’re more likely to skip a cheeseburger and fries not when we consider the long-term risk of obesity or diabetes, but when we consider the short-term reality that devouring it will lead to a “high-fat hangover that ruins the rest of the day.”

All information attributed to the Mayo Clinic Health System-Franciscan Healthcare

Educator Effectiveness Update

This is excerpted from a legal informational update from Boardman & Clark which is the main law firm for the district.

2011 Wisconsin Act 166 was published in April 2012. This Act requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to develop an educator effectiveness evaluation system and an equivalency process aligned with this system for the evaluation of teachers and principals of public schools, including teachers and principals of independent charter schools. While school districts are not required to take any immediate action in response to the Act, it is important to be aware of the timelines and the requirements for the new educator effectiveness system. This FYI will briefly discuss the elements of the Act and then comment on recent developments by DPI in implementing the Act.

Overview of Act 166

The primary purpose of the educator effectiveness system is to support a system of continuous improvement of educator practice, from pre-service through inservice, which leads to improved student learning. This system aims to evaluate teachers and principals through a fair, valid and reliable process using multiple measures across two main areas: student outcomes and educator practice.

DPI is required to develop an educator effectiveness evaluation system wherein fifty percent of the total evaluation score assigned to a teacher or principal will be based on measures of student performance. These measures include performance on state assessments, district-wide assessments, student learning objectives, school-wide reading at the elementary and middle school levels, and graduation rates at the high school level. For a teacher, the remaining fifty percent of the total evaluation score will be based on the extent to which the teacher’s practice meets the core teaching standards adopted by the 2011 Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium. For a principal, the remaining fifty percent of the total evaluation score will be based on the extent to which the principal’s practice meets the 2008 Interstate School Leaders Licensure Consortium Educational Leadership Policy Standards. DPI is also required to promulgate (by administrative rule) an equivalency process for a school district or an independent charter school seeking to utilize an alternative process for the evaluation of teacher and principal practice. DPI has not promulgated an equivalency process at this time.

In addition, the Act provides that a teacher or principal evaluated under the educator effectiveness evaluation system or the equivalency process must be placed in one of three performance categories. These performance categories are: developing, effective, and exemplary. The developing rating describes professional practice and impact on student achievement that does not meet expectations and requires additional support and directed action. The effective rating describes solid, expected professional practice and impact on student achievement. Educators rated as effective will have areas of strength as well as areas for improvement that will be addressed through professional development. The exemplary rating describes outstanding professional practice and impact on student achievement. Educators rated as exemplary will continue to expand their expertise through professional development opportunities.

Five-Phase System

DPI established a five-phase system development process to satisfy its obligations under the Act. The first phase, Phase One, occurred from December 2010 through December 2011. During this phase, the Educator Effectiveness Design team provided recommendations for the framework of the system. Phase Two, which occurred from December 2011 through June 2012, focused on creating and developing the evaluation systems. Further, a data systems and management team identified technical requirements for supporting the needs of the system, developed capacity and resources, and provided systems view of resources and information.

Currently, DPI is in Phase Three for the development and implementation of the educator effectiveness system. Phase Three will occur from June 2012 until June 2013. During this time, DPI will be conducting a developmental pilot with school districts of varying sizes, regions, and communities throughout the state. Additionally, during this phase, feedback will be collected from the developmental pilot districts, and the system will be refined.

Phase Four of the process will take place from July 2013 until June 2014. During this phase, the educator effectiveness system will be implemented in an expanded pilot statewide, utilizing revisions of the system made as the result of the data and feedback from the developmental pilot. The final phase, Phase Five, will be statewide implementation July 2014 through June 2015. The value-added student outcome data will also be available at this time to allow for full implementation.

Items to Consider Now

At this time, districts should keep in mind that, prior to the 2014-2015 school year, they will be required to decide whether to adopt the educator effectiveness system developed by DPI or an equivalency process. However, the criteria and specifics regarding the equivalency process will be determined during the 2012-2013 school year. Districts that choose to develop their own rubrics for teacher and/or principal practice evaluations must apply to the state superintendent through an equivalency review process. Timelines and specifics regarding this equivalency review process are forthcoming. Districts will also want to keep in mind that administrators and teachers will need to be trained in the new evaluation system prior to the 2014‑2015 school year at which time the evaluation system must be implemented. This training may require extra inservice days and, as a result, additional costs. We will continue to monitor the progress by DPI in this area and provide any updates as appropriate.

24-hour information & referral and crisis line service

 

Great Rivers 2-1-1 is a free and confidential service which provides a central phone number and easy to remember access point for people to obtain complete and current information on over 4,200 community and human service programs.

Counties served by Great Rivers 2-1-1 in Wisconsin: Buffalo, Chippewa, Crawford, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Richland, Trempealeau and Vernon.

Counties served by Great Rivers 2-1-1 in Minnesota: Fillmore, Houston and Winona

Counties served by Great Rivers 2-1-1 in Iowa: Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek

Click here to read the Fall 2012 issue of Tracing Needs on 2-1-1 website.

Thank you to Gundersen Lutheran Health System and the United Way for providing this Great Rivers 2-1-1 service. 

Paychecks - summer or not

Note from Patti:

If anyone wants to change their number of paychecks from last year let me (Patti) know and I will send you a form to change. I will need the forms turned in by September 7th.

Cut the You-Tube Clutter with QT

By using quietube (QT), teachers can show you-tube snippets in class without all the distraction such as the comments (some of which may be inappropriate) and the ads. QT cuts all of the garbage off and only leaves the video screen.

Click here to see a very short video tutorial on quiet tube

It is really only about a 30 second process to get QT.

Click here to get QT

School Nutritional Services

In past years, PdC Public Schools have upgraded our school lunches drastically. Our Nutritional Services Staff have done a superb job of getting more healthy options for our students. For example we have full salad bars at both Bluff View and the High School. The following set of slides are from a January 2011 presentation to the School Board - some things are dated, but overall a nice view of our food services.



For this year there are now more stringent requirements on food quantities and food quality. The following USDA video release outlines some of the changes.

Full Pre-Service is underway

Introductory presentation is linked here.
Pre-Service 2012 Kickoff

Google Apps Training

A quick picture of the morning session of Goggle Training for staff.

WiscNet is the Internet vendor for PdC

WiscNet is very important to us as they provide a very good service to schools at a very low price. A local study a few years ago estimated that if they went away, our costs would skyrocket 2 or 3 times more. The following is an article from WASB on the subject.

Reorganization Addresses Legislative Concerns

The primary provider of Internet access for public schools—WiscNet—announced this week that its Board of Directors approved contracts for 17 new members, bringing the group’s membership to 496 cooperative members. The Directors also announced a reorganization plan for 2012-13 school year that attempts to address legislative concerns about WiscNet and its relationship with the University of Wisconsin.

In the 2011-13 biennial state budget, legislators and the Governor required several changes in the relationship between WiscNet and the UW. The budget’s stipulations include:
Prohibit the UW from participating in the three broadband grants and require that the funds be returned;
Prohibit the UW from providing telecommunication services, including Internet and broadband, to any other entity when such services are available from a private carrier;
Prohibit the UW from being a member, shareholder or partner in or with WiscNet;
Require the Legislative Audit Bureau to conduct a program and financial audit of the UW’s use of telecommunication services and its relationship with WiscNet.

The budget requires the UW to dissolve its involvement in WiscNet by July 1, 2013.A statement released this week by WiscNet said, “WiscNet is currently undergoing changes that will not only move WiscNet forward, but also continue supporting WiscNet’s record-breaking growth. These changes include positioning WiscNet to serve UW as a possible customer, rather than a member, and separating WiscNet’s fiscal, accounting, human resources and procurement functions from the UW. As a result of being freed from institutional bureaucracies, WiscNet will experience new entrepreneurial flexibilities that benefit the WiscNet community,” said Ross Wilson, Chairman of the WiscNet Board of Directors, who is also the Technology Director for CESA 10 in Chippewa Falls.

Soccer Game recap

By Coach Rohde 

Prairie du Chein High School Men's Soccer Team kicked off their SWC schedule with a home game against conference power house Platteville. This was the first game on the new soccer field at Bluff View and the Blackhawks christened the new pitch with a exciting victory over the Hillman. The Hawks attacked early with their signature speed and agility. One minute and twenty one seconds into the game Cole Pattison delivered a long send to Andrew Kordus down the left side. The Platteville defender closed on Kordus who drove a cross to Danny Adamany alone on the right side. A quick fake right drew the Platteville Keeper off and Adamany drove the ball into the left corners. For the next 78 minutes both teams drove hard, but met strong defensive walls. Prairie's offense had a dozen good shots denied, while Grant Sklenar, the PDC Goalie had 17 saves. Prairie's defenders, Austin Roach, James Schultz, Mike Steiner and Brett Trautsch aided by Mids Niki Adamany and Nate Stram shut down the Platteville attack and held on for the shutout, 1-0. 

Google Training

For those staff who are interested in the Google training, the following is advance message from the trainers:

My name is Nick Bakke and I will be working with Caleb Hundt on training your staff Monday. I would like to say we are very excited to come in and develop a working relationship with you and your staff. I attached a tentative schedule for you to pass out to your staff, but as you mentioned in a previous email it will change depending on the level of experience your staff has using Google Apps for Education. We included additional sessions about advanced and innovative ways to include technology as well. If we can't get to these then we can certainly pass on the majority of the resources to you for dispersal.

Current Staff (8:00 - 11:30)
8:00 - 8:10 - Introductions, Chrome, & Google experience form
8:10 - 8:50 - Gmail - Basic concepts, customizing Gmail, Google Chat, creating and editing folders, labels, contacts, groups etc.
8:50 - 8:55 - Break/work time
8:55 - 9:30 - Calender - Basic concepts, adding calenders, events, syncing, calender preferences, etc.
9:30 - 9:35 - Break/work time
9:35 - 10:15 - Drive - Basic concepts, creating and editing docs, presentations, forms, spreadsheets; sharing and privacy, developing folders, search options etc.
10:15 - 10:20 - Break/work time
10:20 - 11:20 - Sites - Basic concepts, creating, editing, embedding, researching gadgets, publishing, etc.
11:20 - 11:30 - Questions/Wrap-up/Tech additional - Google Advanced Search, Web 2.0, I-Pads, etc.
- Exit survey

New Staff (11:30 - 3:00)
11:30 - 11:40 - Introductions, Chrome, & Google experience form
11:40 - 12:20 - Gmail - Basic concepts, customizing Gmail, Google Chat, creating and editing folders, labels, contacts, groups etc.
12:20 - 12:25 - Break/work time
12:25 - 1:00 - Calender - Basic concepts, adding calenders, events, syncing, calender preferences, etc.
1:00 - 1:05 - Break/work time
1:05 - 1:45 - Drive - Basic concepts, creating and editing docs, presentations, forms, spreadsheets; sharing and privacy, developing folders, search options etc.
1:45 - 1:50 - Break/work time
1:50 - 2:50 - Sites - Basic concepts, creating, editing, embedding, researching gadgets, publishing, etc.
2:50 - Questions/Wrap-up/Tech additional - Google Advanced Search, Web 2.0, I-Pads, etc.
- Exit survey

Please take a look and provide any changes or alterations you would like to see or have. I wanted to list some of the features we will be addressing in each session. We can make each session as basic or advanced as the teachers want. The one difficulty is having such a mixture of expertise in a single room, therefore what we have found to be successful is starting off with the basic functions and then work into the more advanced settings and applications as the session progresses.

See you Monday!!!

First Soccer game on new field

The PdC Soccer Team broke in their new field on the Bluff View grounds with a nice 1-0 conference win over Platteville tonight. It was nice to see the program get off to a good start by defending their new home turf.

The field is still a work in progress as it will take another year or two to get everything to where we want it to be. However, it is nice to see soccer on a home field that gives some permanence.

Postsecondary Transition Plan (PTP) Implementation Update

DPI release on Indicator 13

The web-based PTP application is on schedule for release in September. Implementation by LEAs will take place in three phases, tentatively scheduled for September, October, and November. A list of tentative implementation dates for each LEA is available on the Indicator 13 web page at http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/spp-transition.html. LEAs should not use the PTP prior to receiving notice from the Special Education Team.

A demonstration web site has been established to allow LEA leadership, staff, parents and students to become familiar with the features available in the PTP. The demonstration site does not use actual student data, and a user name and password is not required for access. Links to the demonstration site and training module are available on the Indicator 13 web page.

If you have any questions regarding the PTP please contact Paul Sherman, at (608) 267-9157 or paul.sherman@dpi.wi.gov, or Wendi Dawson, at (608) 266-1146 orwendi.dawson@dpi.wi.gov.

Estimated Valuation

A preliminary valuation report has been released by the state. These are only estimates; we get the final figures October 15 upon which the School Board sets the final levy. 

Mike Clark, from Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, has used the state figures to provide an estimated valuation for our District based on the municipal numbers- see link below. Again, it is only an estimate but it gives us an idea for levy planning. 

Statewide there have been drops in most districts. In our area the biggest drop is within the PdC City limits with a drop estimated between five and six percent. For the school, this is a hugely significant loss in tax base and this is on top of losses in previous years. We do not know how much of the loss is allocated within the TIF district, but the estimates are that most of the loss may be outside of the TID. The school district receives no tax revenue from the TIF areas as that money flows to the PdC City to be used for economic development and job creation.

The bright spot is the Village of Eastman where there was a 1.9% growth in valuation!

These losses will hurt, but we will make it work. The overall economy seems to be showing signs that it is improving. So, we can be optimistic and hope that the dropping valuation cycle is done and that this is the floor.

Click here to see estimate document

Employee Information for Direct Deposit

The PdC Public School District requires direct deposit routing for pay "checks". In addition, employees can route dollars from their checks to up to three additional vendors/accounts.

This is arising now as employees might want to choose to pay their union dues through this process. Just a bit of commentary on union dues. The District has no part or process in advising any employee on union membership. We take a neutral position. In fact, if an employee is harassed in any way to join a union, or to not join a union, they should report that situation to an administrator. 

Under the current state laws, union membership is an individual decision. Under a current court ruling, the district is to allow deductions for union dues if desired by employees. If my interpretation of the current law situation is incorrect, or if the law changes, the District reserves all rights to make changes to conform with the law. We do desire to stay out of jail!

Some points on direct deposits are as follows.

1. The District does not control what routing actions are taken, this is totally the responsibility of the individual employee.

2. The individual Employee shall determine that the amount of salary reduction specified. The Employee agrees that he/she is solely responsible for any and all taxes, interest, penalties, fines or forfeitures, which may be imposed on the Employee.

3. The Employer shall not make any representations to the Employee regarding the advisability or appropriateness of the direct deposit form information or salary reduction agreement; participation in the program; or the specific vendor selected by the Employee. If such representations are made, the Employee shall disregard such representations and the Employee shall not rely upon such representations.

4. The Employee agrees that the Employer shall have the authority not to implement or to discontinue the salary reduction amount(s) if the Employer determines that the Employee’s salary reduction amount(s) will exceed the maximum salary or if the Employee fails to comply with any policies of related the Prairie du Chien Area Public School District.

5. This Agreement is legally binding and irrevocable with respect to all amounts earned by the Employee while this Agreement is in effect and the Employee remains employed by the Employer. 

6. The Employee agrees that this Agreement supersedes all others and remains in effect for the first two regular payroll checks per month until he/she revokes the Agreement, submits a new Agreement, or terminates employment. Revocation of this Agreement shall be effective as of the first day of the pay period immediately following the date the Employer receives written notice of revocation.

7. Changes received before the 10th day of a given month, will be effective for the following month’s­­­­­­­­­­­­ payroll. However, in general practice, a two week notice is sufficient.

8. No changes may be made to any direct deposits from June 1 through September 1. This is due to the fact that July and August summer checks are all recorded in the prior fiscal year and are booked in June.

9. By entering into a direct deposit agreement, the Employee acknowledges that he/she has read and understood the agreements and voluntarily agrees to all conditions.

10. Click here to view the Direct Deposit form. Work with Patti on questions. 

Volleyball

Another volleyball season is underway. Thursday August 30 is the first home volleyball game. Come out and support the PdC Girls. Visit the PdC School website to enter the master activities calendar.

Equivalency Teaching License

From The Wheeler Report; through SAA

Today the Department of Public Instruction announced a new teacher licensing based on experience. The Licensed Based on Equivalency (LBE) allows individuals with a minimum of three years of experience teaching and a performance-based assessment to become eligible to receive a teacher license.

Link to release.

Link to website.

ETF in PdC

The Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) is conducting “Group Appointment” retirement seminars in Prairie du Chien and Fennimore on Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012. A morning seminar is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Prairie du Chien City Hall; an afternoon seminar is scheduled from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM at Southwest Tech in Fennimore. Registration is required, and can be done by calling 1-877-533-5020. Directions and room number are provided when one registers for a seminar.

To attend a retirement session, a Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) member is required to have their retirement packet in hand upon arrival to the session. It is certainly NOT too late for a member interested in attending to request a packet. One can do so by calling the ETF call center at 1-877-533-5020. (IMPORTANT: Getting a retirement packet from ETF does NOT obligate one to retire. The member simply as their application and packet in case they do decide to retire sometime over the coming year.)

Any WRS member who is within one year of reaching their minimum retirement age (age 55 for non-protective job categories, age 50 for protective categories) or older is welcome to contact our Department to order a retirement packet. Requesting a packet can be done while registering for the retirement seminar.

The Wisconsin Department of Employee Trust Funds has tailored Group Appointment retirement seminars for members planning (or considering) retirement over the next several years. Topics covered include the WRS retirement pension, health insurance, life insurance, return-to-work rules, etc. The Group Appointment seminars offer a WRS member the opportunity to ask questions of knowledgeable, experienced ETF staff.

To see a listing of upcoming ETF retirement presentations and group appointment sessions in South Central and Southwest Wisconsin, you can use this link:http://etf.wi.gov/members/southwest.htm

You can also receive automatic e-mail updates of upcoming retirement presentations and group appointment sessions by registering at this link:

https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WIDETF/subscriber/new?topic_id=WIDETF_24

Roy Donald Raush
Department of Employee Trust Funds
Madison, Wisconsin
(608) 261-0146
roy.raush@etf.state.wi.us

High School Office Air Handler Project

The work continues on the piping, vents, and controls at the office level. The insulators will be in the HS office on Wednesday 8/15/12. The plan is for our janitorial crew to move in Thursday at 7:00 AM to clean any residues, and then the staff will be allowed back into the work-space .

The demo of the old air handler is done. The old AC unit will not be removed off the roof until they bring in the crane to lift the new AC unit and the new air handler equipment.

City continues work on potential Bike Path

On Wednesday the PdC City held a meeting on the newest proposal of a multipurpose walk bike path route. This current route is considerably shorter than previous versions due to funds available.

The School District supports the Safe Routes to School concept. However, the routes, siting, maintenance, and funding of these projects is totally a municipality issue.

The proposed path route can been seen on the map linked below. It starts at the PdC Public High School along Dousman south to Wells, and then east on Wells to the Bluff View Public School drive, and then south across along the east edge of what is referred to as the drainage swell to Campion, and then west on Campion ending at Marquette Road.

The PdC City will maintain the whole corridor of the safe routes bike path which is required to be a 10 foot wide path. It was stated that PdC City will mow the area including the mowing of the drainage swell and ditch. In addition, the City will plow the whole bike route as a normal route; all snow will be plowed to street and removed from there. Regulations require handicap warning fields at each intersection.

The PdC City plans to let bids next April or May, with construction during the summer of 2013.

Click here to view map

WIAA 2012-13 BOARD OF CONTROL RELEASE

STEVENS POINT, Wis. – Terry Reynolds, district administrator at Pittsville, presided over the first meeting of the 2012-13 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control today.

Pam Foegen, supervisor of special education in the La Crosse School District and Ted Knutson, principal at Aquinas were introduced as new Board members. Foegen will serve as the gender at-large representative and Knutson fills the at-large nonpublic school position.

The Board also conducted its 2012-13 officer elections. Dean Sanders, the district administrator at Lake Mills, was elected president-elect; and Mike Beighley, the district administrator at Whitehall, will serve as treasurer.

The Board ratified the contract with the PMI Entertainment Group and the Resch Center in Green Bay to host the 2013 and 14 State Girls Basketball Tournaments as announced last April. The tournament is scheduled for March 14-16 in 2013 and March 20-22 in 2014.

The Board approved a ticket price increase for the State Boys and Girls Soccer Tournaments at newly renovated Uihlein Soccer Park to take effect next spring with the girls tournament. Admission price will be raised from $7 to $8 per session, which is the first ticket increase in soccer since 2003-04.

The Spring Sports Spectacular reviewing the 2012 spring and summer sports State Tournaments is scheduled to be broadcast at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1 on WAOW-TV (Wausau), WXOW-TV (La Crosse), WQOW-TV (Eau Claire), WKOW-TV (Madison), WYOW-TV (Eagle River) and WACY-TV (Appleton/Green Bay). The program is scheduled to air Saturday, Sept. 1 on KBJR-TV (Duluth/Superior) at 3 p.m., and at 1 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 2 on WMLW-TV (Milwaukee).

The Board also approved new appointments to the 2012-13 Coaches Advisory Committees and a modification to the swimming and diving State Meet school reimbursement policy. In addition, the Board received updates from the liaisons from the Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association and discussed this fall’s Area Meeting topics, as well as an initial discussion of the 2012-13 operational budget.

The membership of the WIAA oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 508 senior high schools and 72 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. It will sponsor 25 championship tournament series in 2012-13. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.

Finger prick health assessment

Check the information in your paychecks on the Health Risk Assessment during Pre-Service

The finger prick health assessment will be scheduled in 10 minute rotations throughout the pre-service mornings 8/29, 8/30, 8/31. Those employees with insurance will be assigned a time.

This is a full blood work covering the tests as outlined in the document linked below. This document was also in your initial WPS packet. People being tested will need to fast beyond 8:00 pm as this is a good blood work analysis including blood sugar levels.

The test and followup forms take very little time and the payoff is huge as the full HRA is released when completed, the district cost of the insurance is partially determined on what percentage of people get the testing done, and most importantly it may help someone.

Click here to see health assessment documents:

None of this information will be shared with the district at an individual level. The composite results may be used to tailor future programming to benefit the group, but individual results are held as confidential medical information by WPS.

There will be a snack and juice for you when you are done with the finger prick testing as you will be fasting and will not get to eat breakfast.

Any other questions - call Patti.

FBA and BIP Presentation

DPI release: An interactive presentation designed to improve practice in using functional behavioral assessments (FBA), behavior intervention plans (BIP), and Individualized Education Programs to address behavioral needs of students with disabilities is now available on our website at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/sped/sbfba.html.

High School; new air handler for the offices

The last 1960's era air handler in the high school is being replaced. Along with that, the office areas will need to get duct-work changes and VAV boxes installed. Therefore, the High School offices will be relocated starting Monday 8-13-12 until the completion on or before Friday 8-17-12. The school will be open as normal during this time, but there will be some distributions as the workers go about their business.

Wonders Reading Pilot

The PdC Public First Grade Team will have the opportunity to pilot the brand new (not even fully printed yet) Mc Graw Hill Wonders reading series. This will be copyrighted 2014, and our feedback will shape a final product.

This came about as the result of the district reading meeting that we had this summer. Click here to read more on that meeting

After that meeting, Principal Laura Stuckey went to work to find options as the First Grade Team felt that their current materials are not rigorous enough for the expectations that we need to have for our students. Our Kindergarten Team is doing a fantastic job with their reading instruction, and our students are coming to grade one with better reading fluency than ever before. We want to continue and build upon that foundation and as a result, Mrs. Stuckey began researching pilots.

Mrs. Stuckey states "I commend them for being open to a more rigorous curriculum for students. This is truly a reflection of the great work that they do, and the high expectations that they hold for themselves and their students. I am proud of their leadership. What an exciting year we're about to embark on! Can't wait."

Click here to see promotional information from Graw-Hill Education and view the embedded video below to see the new brand-identity for their new reading program, titled McGraw-Hill Reading "Wonders".

McGraw-Hill Reading "Wonders" from Nathan Love on Vimeo.

Conference alignment update ...

The update on this is that there still is no update. We are in a very uncomfortable situation and growing even more anxious, as we are starting the 2012-2013 school year with things being very cloudy as to what conference affiliation we are going to have starting the fall of 2013. Football is especially worrisome as we still have holes in our fall 2013 schedule. Basically, nothing has changed since my last blog in June on the subject:

Drew Johnson Blog: Conference Realignment is Possible for PdC

Jennifer Gallagher, Andy Banasik, and I plan to attend a meeting with the Activities Directors from the MVC conference on 9.13.2012. This is intended to keep those lines of communication open as that is one of the possible conference alignment options for us. WIAA has been made aware of this meeting with the MVC. Everyone needs to be aware of all potential possibilities. We are getting to a point where something has to happen; in the activities scheduling world, a year is a very short window. We are open to anyone coming forward with any new options, as the current open doors are very few to almost being non-existent. 

Football season begins

Practice started today for the 2012 football season. Actually, yesterday was the start with Equipment Handout and Concussion impact testing. At PdC we give out concussion information to all students in a all sports each year, and we baseline test all athletes every-other-year.

Below are a couple of random pictures of football practice:

School start is coming soon...

The first day of registration was today. Don't worry if you missed it, as we have the second day coming up on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at Noon to 7:00 PM @ Bluff View Intermediate School. If you have any questions, call Bridget at (608) 326-371.

These are just some random shots of registration.

Soccer start on new fields

The 2012 season of boys' soccer is underway as practice began today. The boys are on the new facility at Bluff View. There is a multipurpose practice field and a "game" field. The pictures below are of the first use of the practice field.

Chinese Teachers first day at PdC Public School

Our Chinese Guest Teachers are here. For their last names, I have tried to do a phonetic translation in the brackets below.

The first thing they will be doing is to get a feel for an "American" classroom, so they will be shadowing teachers for the last session of summer school plus they will be included in various training opportunities. For example, tomorrow the guest teachers will be in SmartBoard training.

From left to right in the picture below:

Mrs. Liu (Leeu) will be shadowing Mr. Riter for this summer school session
Mrs. Zhang (Jong) will be shadowing Mrs. Peterson
Mrs. Tang (Tahn) will be shadowing Mrs. White

Street Closure near PdC Public Schools

NOTICE:

The City of Prairie du Chien Public Works Department has contracted with Farhner Asphalt Sealers of Waunakee, WI to seal coat several Streets in the community.

The streets that will be done are:

South Beaumont Road from Iowa Street south to Parrish Street, South Dousman from East Crawford Street south to East Wells Street and East Wells from South 10th Street to Marquette Road.

This work will commence on either August 22nd or 23rd; (contractor’s schedule and weather dependent). The above listed streets will be closed to vehicular traffic and parking during the seal coating process, and will not be re-opened for up to 8 hours after the application for sufficient “cure time”.

City staff recognizes the inconveniences that will be created by this project and we appreciate the cooperation and understanding of affected residents and businesses.

Questions may be directed to city hall at 608-326-6406

Thank you!
City of Prairie du Chien Public Works Department

Staff Photos

All PdC Public School Staff should plan to get pictures taken between 11:00 am and 12:00 noon on registration days (prior to the start of registration for the public) either Monday August 6 or Tuesday August 14 at the Bluff View Gymnasium.

B & C Photography will be set up for this staff only session so you can get in/out quickly.

Color Copy Costs now under control

We have basically cut off almost all color copying in the PdC Public School District. We still allow access to color for a small handful of necessary applications, with administrative approval, such as art projects or special education teaching materials. However, almost all other color copies have been eliminated as we strongly encourage the use of digital communication formats. All other normal printed material uses black/white which is exponentially cheaper. There must be an academic achievement reasoning for the use of color copies. Making something "pretty" is not a reason to use color.

This change is under the umbrella of both being good stewards of public dollars and encouraging the use of modern educational resource delivery systems. We continue to support and expect the usage of the Internet for educational communication and resources; in the digital world, creativity can be more unencumbered.


As you can see in the graph below, outlining the quarterly costs, the trajectory of the climbing costs was almost to $30,000 per year of color copy costs; and with no signs of leveling beyond that. With the implemented changes, we have cut that cost to less than $3,000 per year.

Coluber constrictor constrictor

On 8.2.2012 we took an excursion to Gettysburg National Military Park and we had to wait for this guy, pictured below, to cross the road. I am not in any way an expert on snakes, but based on a quick search at this site PAHERP – short for the Pennsylvania Herpetological Education and Resource Project , this looked like a Northern Racer: Coluber constrictor constrictor. This snake was over 4 feet long.

We continue to look at CNG for our school bus fleet

Bayfield County recently added a compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station (compresses utility- sourced natural gas). The county has 5 CNG vehicles. CNG is 50¢/gallon, GGE (gas gallon equivalent). The taxes on diesel and gas at 30¢/gallon, but only 25¢ on CNG. Bayfield county has overall costs of equivalents of 75¢/gallon.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program

Confirmation is in from DPI that both BAK and Bluff View Elementary will again be funded for the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Officially the program will start the first week in October. A thank you goes out to Donna for applying and coordinating this nice project for the children of PdC Public Schools

Click the picture below to see a federal fact sheet on the program

On-line registration is open

Everyone is strongly recommended to do the online pre-registration steps prior to coming to registration. If you do not have online access at home, you can come to any of our school offices during summer hours (call to confirm times), or to the Prairie du Chien Public Library (call to confirm times). If you don’t pre-register before coming to registration, your registration process time will be considerably increased.

On-line registration will remain available until August 14th at 7:00pm.

Access to on-line registration is available on the Prairie du Chien School District webpage: www.pdc.k12.wi.us.

Click here for the full letter and detailed instructions