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October 30th, 2024

A Message from the Principals

Newsletter

Hello Families,

As the 1st quarter is quickly coming to an end, we would like to remind families to stay connected! Let's work together in monitoring the academic and social progress that is being made by your children.  Thank you to the families that were able to stop by earlier this month during Parent Teacher Conferences.  If you were not able to attend, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have.  

A focus this year is creating family connections. If you haven’t been contacted yet by a staff member, you will be soon. We are working on connecting with ALL of our families during the 1st quarter.  Our goal is to learn more about strengths and strategies from a family's point of view to aid in most effectively teaching and learning to continue growth throughout the school year.  

Thank you for your support and partnership. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Ryan Zak, SFMS Principal

Lindsey Schreurs, SFMS Associate Principal

SDSF News

Interested in what's happening at the other schools? Take a look at the Elementary and High School newsletters:

Elementary School Communicator

High School Falconer

And, check out these other ways to keep connected!

Keep Connected

Mark Your Calendars

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, November 5th: National Election Day

Friday, November 15th: No School for Students (Professional Development for Staff)

Wednesday, November 27th - Friday, November 29th: No School (Thanksgiving Break)

REMINDER: November 5th is Election Day!

Referendum

Dear Families,

Next week our community will vote on two referendum questions for the School District of Sheboygan Falls. I wanted to take a moment to remind our families and community about our school facility needs and why the Board of Education has decided to propose these two questions as potential solutions.

Question #1 asks voters to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $78.3 million. These funds would go toward Elementary and High School improvement projects, including:

  • Addition of a Community Fitness Center

  • Addition of a 4-year-old kindergarten and childcare space at the Elementary school

  • Addition of an expanded career and technical education wing at the high school

  • Replacement of basic building systems

  • Safety and security upgrades

  • Upgrades to educational spaces

  • Improvements to building finishes

  • Furniture, fixtures, and equipment

If this first question is approved by voters, the estimated annual tax impact would be $1.33 per $1,000 of equalized property value.

Question #2 asks voters to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $21.5 million. These funds would go toward recreation and athletic improvement projects, including:

  • New auxiliary gymnasium ($14.9 million)

  • Improvements to outdoor athletic facilities ($6.6 million) 

If this second question is approved by voters, it would have an estimated annual tax impact of 90 cents per $1,000 of equalized property value.

The approval of both questions would result in a property tax impact of $2.23 per every $1,000 of equalized property value in our community. A home valued at $300,000 would see a property tax impact of $669 per year (or $55.75 per month), starting in the 2024-25 school year.

For more information about the District’s facility needs and the proposed solution on the ballot November 5, please visit www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us/o/sfsd/page/referendum. 

Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on election day. Eligible voters may register at the polls if they have not yet done so. Polling place and voting information is available at https://myvote.wi.gov. 

If you have any final questions ahead of election day, please do not hesitate to contact me. Once again, thank you for your engagement on these important issues as we plan for the future of the School District of Sheboygan. 

Sincerely,

Zach Pethan, Superintendent

Board of Education Updates

The School District of Sheboygan Falls will hold its next monthly regular board meeting on Monday, November 18th at 6:00 pm. Please join us! You can find more information about upcoming meetings, your Board Members and more HERE.

Can't make It? You can view the Board Agendas and Minutes at BoardDocs.com HERE.

Safety Update

During the month of October, the Middle School students and staff worked through our fall ALICE drill.  The staff and students spent time going over the learning portion of the different components of the drill followed by a specific scenario for students and staff to respond to accordingly.  

Counselor's Corner

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Explore the School Counseling Newsletter to learn more about what is happening within Counseling at the Middle School! 

SFMS Life Lately

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Nurses Note

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Whooping Cough

Pertussis, also called whooping cough, a serious illness, caused by bacteria that attaches to the lining of the lungs. It can infect people at any age, but it is most serious in infants and young children.

Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing that often makes it hard to breathe. After coughing, someone with pertussis may need to take deep breaths that result in a “whooping” sound.

Whooping cough can cause pneumonia, which is an infection in the lungs. Half of all babies with whooping cough need care in a hospital. 

  • As of October 25th, 2024, Wisconsin had 1,289 confirmed cases.

  • Sixty counties have had at least one case since January 1, 2024.

  • While cases range in age from 1 month to 82 years, just under half (46%) of the cases are individuals aged 11–18 years.

  • Fifty-nine infants have been identified with pertussis and nine have been hospitalized.

  • No deaths have been reported. 

Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against whooping cough. Here are some other tips on how to protect your family from whooping cough:

  • Keep babies and other people at high risk for complications from pertussis away from infected people.

  • If you or a member of your household are diagnosed with pertussis, your doctor or local health department may recommend preventive antibiotics for other members of the household. This will help prevent the disease from spreading.

  • Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including pertussis. To practice good hygiene you should:

    • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

    • Put your used tissue in the waste basket right away.

    • Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands, if you don’t have a tissue.

    • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

    • Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.

Deanna Timler, RN, BSN

District and Related Employment Opportunities

Looking for part-time work? Full-time work? Flexibility?

The District and Related Organizations have some great opportunities!

SCHOOL DISTRICT OPPORTUNITIES: Opportunities within the School District can be found using the below links. Note that if you are looking for flexibility, we are actively seeking Substitute Teacher positions which can be found under the Certified Positions.

Certified Positions - https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicCertified/3472

Assistants / Aides - https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicSupport/3472

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY: Afterschool program fees are waived for children of parents who work at the Boys & Girls Club! If you are interested in part-time work, your child can be enrolled in the afterschool program for FREE while you work for the Club. Learn more about available opportunities or apply at www.ThePositivePlace.com/careers.

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