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WiRSA Update - May 22, 2024
Announcments
Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
This is a very exciting time, and WiRSA would like to congratulate the graduating class of 2024! Your hard work and the support from your school staff, administration, and community will catapult you into the next chapter of your lives.
“I've learned it's important not to limit yourself. You can do whatever you really love to do, no matter what it is.” Ryan Gosling
Highlights / Opportunity
Congratulations to all the WiRSA Senior Scholarship Recipients!
Senior “Teacher” Scholarship Recipients (Click on Picture)
Se
Senior Scholarship Recipients (Click on Picture)
Highlighting the WiRSA Principal of the Year
Nomination!
The Board of Directors established this award to recognize a principal who has made significant contributions to his/her rural school district.
To be nominated, you must be a principal at any level in a WiRSA member school district.
This award is for a principal in a WiRSA member school district who has demonstrated contributions in one or more of the following areas:
Positive impact on students and student achievement.
Demonstrated leadership in the school district and the community.
Innovative and creative instructional practice that impacts all students.
Collaborative efforts with fellow educators, parents, families, and the community.
Award winners will be selected by the WiRSA Board of Directors Executive Committee. The deadline is September 1, 2024
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Nominations for our WiRSA rural school awards!
This is a great opportunity to recognize the outstanding staff, community members, and organizations that do so much to support our schools.
Website Link
WiRSA Conference Registration 2024
Rural Schools and Communities! Resilient Rural!
Monday, October 28 & Tuesday, October 29, 2024 - Welcome Reception - October 27, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.
Click Here for -
Information and Registration
(Click Here to Register)
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WiRSA Conference Breakout Proposals, Vendor & Sponsor Information, & Live Auction Donation Link
WiRSA Conference - Call for Proposals
WiRSA Conference - Vendor Registration and Information
WiRSA Conference - Silent & Live Auction Donations (Google Form Donation Link)
We will once again have a silent and live auction to support our WiRSA high school senior students and student-teacher scholarships. Responses can be adjusted if needed. Keep your URL link saved after you submit an auction item.
Highlights / Opportunity
Every year between Memorial Day and Labor Day, teen driver-related vehicle collisions and fatalities sky rocket, making this time period known as the 100 Deadliest Days. This summer Children’s Wisconsin and WisDOT is supported by the Wisconsin School Safety Coordinators Association (WSSCA) and other mission-aligned organizations to run the Safe Roads Challenge. Our goal is to turn this summer into the 100 Safest Days for teen drivers! We are asking for your support by sharing this lifesaving campaign with teen drivers and their families throughout the state of Wisconsin.
Children’s Wisconsin is inviting you to attend a live webinar on May 22nd at 4:00 pm CST to learn more information from Bill Bland, the founder of the Safe Roads Challenge. If you would be interested in joining or would like to learn more please RSVP by clicking on this link. The webinar will be recorded for those that cannot attend, but we would love to see you there and have you join us in helping save lives on the roads of Wisconsin this summer!
Watch this 100 Safest Days Video for a high level overview of the mission and this innovative initiative that will run across North America this summer.
Ashley Tracy, CHES
Program Manager, Safety Center
Children’s Wisconsin
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The Biden-Harris Administration invites nominations from the public for Rural Innovators who are making a positive impact in their rural communities.
CLICK HERE FOR THE DETAILS
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U.S. Department of Education
Rural-Specific webinar opportunity
This webinar is in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, happening next Tuesday, May 28th from 3:00-4:00 PM EST. Cohosted by the U.S. Department of Education and the American School Counselor Association, we’ll be joined by three School Counselors of the Year, all from rural communities, to talk about the state of rural student mental health, and the critical role of counselors in supporting rural learners.
Click here to register:
Rural Student Mental Health: Perspectives from School Counselors, May 28, 2024 03:00 PM-4:00 EST
Julia Cunningham
Director, Rural Engagement
Office of Communications and Outreach
U.S. Department of Education
DPI - News
2023-24 Enacted Legislation Affecting Schools
Legislative Update
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Legislative Maps - 2024 & 2022 (Interactive)
You can find your legislator and their contact information by CLICKING THIS LINK and entering your address.
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PETRYK WON’T SEEK RE-ELECTION
Rep. Warren Petryk (AD-93) announced he will not seek re-election for the 2025-26 term.
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News Articles
USA FACTS (Website)
Which states pay teachers the most and least?
In the 2021–22 school year, the average salary for a K-12 teacher was $66,397. But after adjusting for differences in the cost of living across the country, patterns emerge about where teachers are more highly compensated.
WISCONSIN POLICY FORUM
Wisconsin Public Radio
WISCONSIN EXAMINER
“During a heated floor session Tuesday, the Wisconsin Senate voted to override nine vetoes issued by Gov. Tony Evers, including a divisive bill directing how funding to combat PFAS “forever chemicals” can be spent. Baylor Spears reports from the Capitol.
In the end it was for nought: the Assembly Republicans let the scheduled session pass without taking up bills.”
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY /WSCCA
OFFICE OF SCHOOL SAFETY SAFETY RESOURCES TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES VIRTUAL LEARNING
From WSSCA’s Update
WSSCA's New Executive Director
Dr. Andrew Jones
Dr. Andrew Jones has been in public education for the past 39 years. Last year he retired from the Oshkosh Area School District as the Assistant Superintendent of Schools. There he oversaw the principals of the district and also worked collaboratively with the school safety team entitled EPCOT (Emergency Preparedness Collaborative Operation Team). In the fall of 2023 he came out of retirement and is currently serving as the Principal of Washington Middle School in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Andrew received his Doctorate and Masters degree from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee and earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from U.W.-Whitewater. He has been a High School Principal in Oshkosh, Middle School Principal in New London, Middle School Assistant Principal in Cedarburg and a Band Director in West Bend.
Andrew was nominated for the Thomas Scullen Leadership Award in the Fox Valley and was awarded the West Bend Police Citizen Award. He also graduated from the Leadership programs of both Oshkosh and West Bend.
He is a professional musician in his spare time and enjoys boating, racket sports and spending time with his grandchildren.
Welcome, Andrew! He will officially begin his role as Executive Director on July 1.
Update From NREA (National Rural Education Association) From the NREA Weekly Update
“A Can’t Miss Education Conference.” “Best Education Conferences to Attend.”
The National Forum to Advance Rural Education is one of the country’s leading rural education conferences. The event is designed to create an environment for collaboration and innovation with a diverse community that includes national experts, K–12 and higher education practitioners, leading researchers, policymakers, and philanthropic leaders from around the country.
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The Rural Voice:
Understanding New Teacher Expectations in Rural America from Retention to Practice
We interviewed Dr. Casey Jakubowski about teacher retention, policy, and practice. Dr. Jakubowski shared that Appalachia extends into New York State, and we reflected on how New York has large rural communities. Much of Dr. Jakubowski's work has focused on these communities and beyond (including West Virginia).
Update From CEF (Center for Education Funding)
Policy Intelligence and Education News
U.S. Department of Education News
Unlocking Career Success - Website
Blurring the lines between high school, college, and career
The Keys of Unlocking Career Success
Dual Enrollment, Work-based Learning, Workforce Credentials, and Career Advising and Navigation, are system-wide strategies and opportunity multipliers that all stakeholders must collaborate around and invest in to expand pathways to student success.
Thank You!
WiRSA 2023
Conference Sponsors
