WiRSA Conference 2024
Rural Schools and Communities
”Resilient Rural!”
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Registration / Sandstone Corridor
(3:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
Welcome Reception Sponsored By!
Sunday, October 27, 2024
Welcome Reception
(7:00 - 9:00 p.m.)
Wilderness Ballroom
Monday, October 28, 2024
Registration / Sandstone Corridor
(7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)
Breakfast Sponsored By!
Monday, October 28, 2024
Breakfast
(7:15 - 8:15 a.m.)
Wilderness Ballroom
8:15 a.m.
Monday, October 28, 2024
Kick-off welcome from State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly
Dr. Jill Underly was elected Wisconsin’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2021.
Dr. Underly has a deep background in public education, and has experience in all facets of public schools, including as a teacher, as a principal, as a district administrator, and serving students in higher education.
With more than twenty-five years of public education experience, Dr. Underly is committed to always doing what’s best for kids, and ensuring that every day and everywhere, every child has the opportunity for a first-class public education.
Jill Underly is also the parent of two children, both in high school, and she lives with her family on a small farm in southwestern Wisconsin.
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Monday, October 28, 2024
Keynote - Dr. Joe Sanfelippo
Dr. Joe Sanfelippo recently retired after spending the last 26 years in the building and the final 12 as the Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, WI. The Fall Creek School District was named an Innovative District by the International Center for Leadership in Education twice during that time. Joe holds a BA in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, an MS in Educational Psychology, an MS in Educational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Leadership, Learning, and Service. He was selected as 1 of 117 Future Ready Superintendents and 1 of 50 Superintendents as a Personalized Learning Leader by the US Department of Education. Education Dive named Joe their National Superintendent of the Year in 2019.
Visit with our supportive Vendors! - 9:30 - 9:50 a.m.
Special Session with Anne Chapman
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Special Session with Anne Chapman 〰️
Monday, October 28, 2024 - 9:50 - 10:35 a.m. (Sandstone Ballroom - 2, 3, 7, 8, 9)
Special Session with Anne Chapman, Research Director,
Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials (WASBO)
State of School Finance: 2024 Edition - Session Link
Join us for an engaging discussion of the key factors driving the current state of school finance in Wisconsin; what is behind the record number of referendums across the state; how the past state budget affects school districts; and what it all means for the next state budget in 2025-27.
Visit with our supportive Vendors! - 10:35 - 10:50 a.m.
Breaks Sponsored By!
Breakout Sessions 2024
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Breakout Sessions 2024 〰️
Monday, October 28, 2024
10:50 – 11:40 a.m. - Break-out Session 1 - (Tundra A, B, C, D, E & F)
Tundra A - Emerging Technologies and the Need for Structural Change in Public Education: The global reality of our future requires a significantly updated skill set and we need that to start in our rural schools.
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Tundra B - Translating ACT 20 into Practice…Together
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Tundra C - High-Quality Internships to Advance Rural School Staff Pipelines
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Tundra D - Cultivating Post-Secondary Mindset in Elementary Students: Partnering with Wisconsin College Savings Program.
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Tundra E - Comprehensive Approach to School Safety for ALL schools in Wisconsin
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Tundra F - Build Resilience with Youth Apprenticeship
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Sandstone Rm 6 - Addressing Youth Vaping and Best Practice Solutions
Lunch Sponsored By!
Monday, October 28, 2024
Lunch / Awards
(11:50 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)
Wilderness Ballroom
LUNCH & WiRSA RECOGNITION AWARDS
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LUNCH & WiRSA RECOGNITION AWARDS 〰️
11:50 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
2024-2025 WiRSA Rural Schools Awards
CESA Employee of the Year
The WiRSA Board of Directors established this award to recognize a CESA employee who has made significant contributions to his/her rural school district.Support Staff Person of the Year
The WiRSA Board of Directors established this award to recognize a support staff person who has made significant contributions to his/her rural school district.Teacher of the Year
The WiRSA Board of Directors established this award to recognize a teacher who has made significant contributions to his/her school districtPrincipal of the Year
The WiRSA Board of Directors established this award to recognize a school principal who has made significant contributions to his/her rural school district.Administrator of the Year
The WiRSA Board of Directors established this award to recognize a school administrator/principal/director who has made significant contributions to his/her rural school district.School Board of Education Member(s) of the Year
The WiRSA Board of Directors established this award to recognize a school board of education member who has made significant contributions to his/her rural school district.Advocacy Award
The WiRSA Board of Directors established this award to recognize an individual educator, legislator, business/industry leader, or community leader in Wisconsin who has devoted significant time and contributed substantial effort to strengthen and preserve rural schools in Wisconsin.Community Partner of the Year
The WiRSA Board of Directors established this award to recognize a community member who has made significant contributions to his/her rural school district.
Special Session with Chris Saldana
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Special Session with Chris Saldana 〰️
Monday, October 28, 2024 - 1:10 - 1:45 p.m. (Sandstone Ballroom - 2, 3, 7, 8, 9)
Special Session with Chris Saldana, Assistant Professor
of K-12 Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
Funding Adaquacy
Chris will further enlighten us as he elaborates on the topic of Funding Adequacy based on Wisconsin’s standards, aiming to increase your understanding of funding needs in our state.
Breakout Sessions 2024
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Breakout Sessions 2024 〰️
Monday, October 28, 2024
1:55 – 2:45 p.m. - Break-out Session 2 - (Tundra A, B, C, D, E & F)
Tundra A - Best Practices for Supporting Rural ELs (and their teachers!)
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Tundra B - Role of Universities in the Rural Educator Ecosystem
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Tundra C - Authentic Confidence - Personal & Professional Development for Staff - RISE Leadership/Colby School District
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Tundra D - Navigating DPI Licensing: Educator Licensing and Licensing Support for Wisconsin Schools. How Educator Preparation Programs are Making a Difference!
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Tundra E - Ransomware Attacks Do Occur: What You Should Do Before, and if, It Happens
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Tundra F - An Introduction and Plan to Implement AI into Rural Schools and/or Districts
Visit with our supportive Vendors! - 2:45 - 3:05 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 2024
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Breakout Sessions 2024 〰️
Monday, October 28, 2024
3:05 – 3:55 p.m. - Break-out Session 3 - (Tundra A, B, C, D, E & F)
Tundra A - Creative Restructuring Student Services in a Rural Environment
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Tundra B - Solar for Schools Makes Cents
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Tundra C - Collaborations That Lead to Real Outcomes For Families
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Tundra D - Empowering Students For Their Future Success through Strategic Planning - Chequamegon School District
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Tundra E - Cybersecurity Preparedness: Is Your Rural District Ready?
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Tundra F - Harnessing AI in the Classroom
Visit our supportive Exhibits! - 3:55 - 4:15 p.m.
Breakout Sessions 2024
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Breakout Sessions 2024 〰️
Monday, October 28, 2024
4:15 – 5:05 p.m. - Break-out Session 4 (Tundra A, B, C, D, E & F)
Tundra A - Preparing for Tomorrow’s Workforce, Today
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Tundra B - Educators Rising…and Beyond!
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Tundra C - “Communication is the Key – Growing Your Own In-House Communication Professionals to Support and Spread Your District’s Message and Story”
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Tundra D - "EPCOT" – A School & Community Partnership Owning the Responsibility for School Safety Security, and Response.
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Tundra E - Unlocking Student Engagement through Universal Design for Learning Implementation Trials
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Tundra F - Migrant Education Program - ESSA Title I-C free supplemental summer program for migratory students in Wisconsin - Statewide
Visit with our supportive Vendors! - 5:05 - 5:30 p.m.
Reception / Silent and Live Auction
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Reception / Silent and Live Auction 〰️
Monday, October 28, 2024
5:30 p.m. - Reception / Silent & Live Auction
Join us as we connect and collaborate on what we learned.
We will have a silent auction and a live auction. 100% of the funds recieved go directly to our WiRSA scholarship program - Sponsored By:
