School District of Baraboo

"Nothing that's worth Anything is easy." - Barack Obama #AlwaysOnwardBSD #MotivatioanlMonday

Are you looking to build a new home in Baraboo? The BHS Building Trades Class would love to help you build a place to call home! Unfortunately, their project did not work out this year and the class is in need of a project for School Year 2023-24. Please contact Mr. Mark Weiss, Tech Ed Teacher, at mweiss@barabooschools.net or (608) 355-3940 Ext. 2227. Just look at the amazing craftsmanship and talent of our Building Trades students and staff! #AlwaysOnwardBSD

To help reduce the anxiety that can often be experienced with attending the first day of school, the first day of school for the 2023-2024 School Year will be different for 6th-12th-grade students than in past years. Baraboo High School • 9th-grade students and new 10th-12th-grade students to BHS report Friday, September 1, 2023. More information will be sent by Baraboo High School. • Returning 10th-12th grade students report Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and do not need to attend Friday, September 1, 2023. Jack Young Middle School • 6th-grade students and new 7th and 8th-grade students to JYMS report Friday, September 1, 2023. Further details will be shared by Jack Young Middle School. • Returning 7th and 8th-grade students report Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and do not need to attend Friday, September 1, 2023. #AlwaysOnwardBSD All Elementary Buildings All kindergarten-5th grade students report Friday, September 1, 2023, for their first day of school. Baraboo Early Learning Cooperative 4K and Early Childhood Program All 4K and Early Childhood students report on Thursday, September 7, 2023, for their first day of school.

This week BSD welcomed new educators to Baraboo and held a new educator orientation, often called Camp Thunderbird. The schedule for the week was packed with a variety of activities and training. Some of the highlights included a welcome breakfast and a tour of our district and the greater Baraboo community to see all that it has to offer. BSD is committed to supporting our new educators and building a culture of belonging which is why five days are dedicated to team building, training, and learning as the District focuses work on building the Beloved Community. The support new educators receive will be ongoing, embedded in daily practice, based on best practices, and will provide them with ample opportunities for experimentation and reflection. Read more stories like this one in today's Thunderbird Thursday! Link: https://conta.cc/3P6SC5H #AlwaysOnward

This week BSD welcomed new educators to Baraboo and held a new educator orientation, often called Camp Thunderbird. The schedule for the week was packed with a variety of activities and training. Some of the highlights included a welcome breakfast and a tour of our district and the greater Baraboo community to see all that it has to offer. BSD is committed to supporting our new educators and building a culture of belonging which is why five days are dedicated to team building, training, and learning as the District focuses work on building the Beloved Community. The support new educators receive will be ongoing, embedded in daily practice, based on best practices, and will provide them with ample opportunities for experimentation and reflection. Read the complete story in today's Thunderbird Thursday! Link: https://conta.cc/3P6SC5H #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Earlier this month Summer BSD Kid Stop students and staff had a field trip to Bello's Circus Extreme. They even got to take part in some of the show! #AlwaysOnwardBSD

BSD is excited to announce that our district is participating in a Free Breakfast and Lunch program for the 2023-2024 school year through the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP allows economically challenged schools and districts to serve breakfast and lunch at no cost to all enrolled students without collecting Free and Reduced Meal applications. Schools and districts that take part in this program are reimbursed for the food services costs using a formula based on the percentage of students categorically eligible for free meals based on their participation in other programs such as FoodShare, also known nationally as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. All students enrolled at the following school(s) may participate in the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program at no charge: Al Behrman Elementary Household applications are required to receive free or reduced-price meals at the following site(s): Baraboo High School, East Elementary, Gordon L. Willson Elementary, Jack Young Middle School, North Freedom Elementary, and West Kindergarten Center. Visit the Parent Portal to complete a Free and Reduced Meal application. Link: https://baraboowi.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/baraboo.jsp #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Back to School Reminders! Please visit our website for more details! (www.baraboo.k12.wi.us) First Day of School To help reduce the anxiety that can often be experienced with attending the first day of school in a new building, the first day of school for the 2023-2024 School Year will be different for 6th-12th-grade students than in past years. This year will look as follows: • 9th-grade students and new 10th-12th-grade students to BHS report Friday, September 1, 2023. More information will be sent by Baraboo High School. • Returning 10th-12th grade students report Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and do not need to attend Friday, September 1, 2023. • 6th-grade students and new 7th and 8th-grade students to JYMS report Friday, September 1, 2023. Further details will be shared by Jack Young Middle School. • Returning 7th and 8th-grade students report Tuesday, September 5, 2023, and do not need to attend Friday, September 1, 2023. • All kindergarten-5th grade students report Friday, September 1, 2023, for their first day of school. • All 4K and Early Childhood students report on Thursday, September 7, 2023, for their first day of school. Open House Details Open Houses will be held Wednesday, August 30, 2023. • Elementary School Open Houses - 4:00-6:00 pm • Jack Young Middle School Open House - 4:30-6:30 pm • Baraboo High School Open House - 5:30-7:30 pm #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Earlier this week the School District of Baraboo held its first Data Summit for the year at Baraboo High School. Data-informed decision-making plays a critical role in the development and implementation of multi-leveled systems of support (MLSS) and the Continuous School Improvement Teams (CSIT) to ensure collaborative structures are in place to support collective responsibility in supporting students, who are at the center of all we do. #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Each summer the BSD building and maintenance and summer custodial crews kick things into high gear by deep cleaning all of our district buildings. We would like to give all crew members a huge shoutout and thank YOU for all the work they have been and will continue to do to keep our schools clean and safe. In addition to the cleaning, they have been moving classrooms and completing various other summer projects such as working on modifying the JYMS front office to better support students and families, as well as maintenance on the Indoor Pool. #AlwaysOnwardBSD

This morning nearly 160 incoming 6th-grade students took part in their JYMS orientation! The purpose of this orientation is to make the transition from elementary school to middle school a positive one for all students and to help familiarize them with the building. The event is led by English Language Arts Teacher Ms. Teresa Kamps and 36 WEB leaders. Ms. Kamps said, “Many teachers and staff volunteers help with the planning and delivery of this day, and I am so appreciative of all that they do to make it a success!” Eighth graders students serve as WEB (Where everyone belongs) leaders and mentors to the 6th graders. The students took part in large and small group activities that were designed to address students’ needs and concerns in an enjoyable manner. Activities included name games, tips for success at JYMS, and get-to-know-you opportunities. During this time the sixth graders made new friends and connections from across the Baraboo School District. Way to go 6th graders and WEB leaders! We can’t wait to see you this school year at JYMS! #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Get Ready, 5th graders! It’s almost time for 6th Grade Orientation! The staff and students of Jack Young Middle School invite you to our 13th annual Sixth Grade Orientation with our 8th-grade WEB Leaders 8:00 AM -11:30 AM Thursday, August 17, 2023 JYMS Main Gymnasium/Commons Area The purpose of this orientation is to make the transition from elementary school to middle school a positive one. Eighth graders will be serving as WEB leaders and mentors to the sixth graders. Large and small group activities are designed to address students’ needs and concerns in an enjoyable manner. Wear comfortable clothes and don’t bring all your “stuff”...travel light! If you have any questions, please contact the WEB Coordinator: Ms. Teresa Kamps tkamps@barabooschools.net Please RSVP for this event using the link below. This form is to get an idea for attendance and to organize any transportation needs. If you are unable to complete the form, your student can still attend the event. Link: https://bit.ly/43z5ndd 8th-grade WEB Leaders! Remember you have training on August 15th and 16th from 8:00 AM- 11:00 AM

This week members of the BSD Administrative Team, Administrative Assistants, SAFE's, and Instructional Coaches took part in The Ho-Chunk Nation SEED Project Retreat. SEED stands for "Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity" and the group partners with communities, organizations, and schools to train leaders to facilitate their peers in conversational communities to drive personal, organizational, and societal change toward social justice. SEED seminars which are grounded in personal reflection and testimony, listening to others' voices, and learning together in the context of intersecting identities and systemic analysis so participants work in large and small groups, as well as independently. “It has been wonderful to take part in SEED training,” said Pat Doty, Director of Student Services. “The small and large group discussions have helped us connect as a team and listen better to all voices.” #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Connect with your student's teachers at Open House on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. - Elementary Schools - 4:00-6:00 pm - Jack Young Middle School - 4:30-6:30 pm - Baraboo High School - 5:30-7:30 pm Visit our website to learn more about the start of the 2023-24 School Year! https://www.baraboo.k12.wi.us/ #AlwaysOnwardBSD

BSD has begun engaging stakeholders in the long-term facilities planning process by re-forming an Elementary Facilities Advisory Committee (EFAC). The committee is expected to work through December 2023, reviewing data and providing feedback to the Board on potential facilities options. During its first meeting on August 7th, the EFAC was presented with information regarding the state of the District's elementary facilities. BSD faces capital maintenance costs estimated at over $27 million at the elementary level. More than $11 million of these capital maintenance costs are associated with near-term projects. Capital maintenance includes basic infrastructure and building operating systems including mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Read the complete article in today’s Thunderbird Thursday! Link: https://conta.cc/44afRQt #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Baraboo High School recently hosted a memorable Meet & Greet event, where students, parents, and guardians had the opportunity to meet Principal Considine and tour the building. The event was marked by warmth and enthusiasm as Principal Considine engaged with the school community, sharing details about the upcoming school year. Principal Considine said, “It was great to hear from both students and parents that they are excited for September 1st and the opportunity for our new students and freshmen to get acclimated to the building before the rest of the student population attends on September 5th.” #AlwaysOnwardBSD

The first day of 4K is one month from today! Do you have your student registered for the 2023-24 school year? The Baraboo Early Learning Cooperative, more commonly known as BELC, is a 4-year-old Kindergarten program offered by BSD in partnership with various community childcare providers. Learn more and register your student today! Link:https://www.baraboo.k12.wi.us/o/belc #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Top Ten Post 1! Congratulations to Mr. Damion Beth Baraboo High School Math Teacher who has been named a 2023 Herb Kohl Teacher Fellow! There is a saying that math is a journey, not a destination, and for BHS Math Teacher Mr. Damion Beth it has been an exhilarating 23 years of helping guide students to be positive members of society. Mr. Beth considered himself more of a traditionalist when he first started his career. However, when a colleague introduced him to the concept and philosophy of standards-based grading, it planted a seed that changed how he approached his students, lessons, and grading practices. Mr. Beth said, “I believe students grow most from experience, discussing, and getting feedback about the material presented rather than constant grading.” Because of this, in recent years Mr. Beth has been spending less time grading lessons and more time giving authentic feedback. “I want my classroom to be a place where students feel safe and want to come and enjoy learning. I want students to be able to experience mathematics, run into a problem that puzzles them, and wonder what the solution to the problem is.” Raising achievement for all of his students is and has always been a top priority of Mr. Beth. After teaching for 15 years in the Baraboo School District Mr. Beth took on an instructional coaching role in the distinct. While the position gave Mr. Beth the opportunity to work with teachers across the learning community, he missed the daily interaction with students, and seeing the joy they experience when students accomplish something they thought was impossible. The Kohl Teacher Fellowship program recognizes and supports teaching excellence and innovation in the state of Wisconsin. Their goal is to support Wisconsin teachers in the pursuit of their unrealized goals for their classrooms or professional development. The 100 Herb Kohl Fellowship recipients and the 100 Wisconsin schools of those teachers will each receive a $6,000 grant. Congratulations Mr. Beth we are thrilled and honored to have you as a Thunderbird! #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Top Ten Post 2! BSD is thrilled to announce that GLW is a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School! GLW is 1 of 297 schools nationwide and 1 of 8 in Wisconsin to be selected as a 2022 National Blue Ribbon School. GLW will be formally recognized with the other 297 NBRS 2022 schools at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC on November 3 and 4, 2022. Click the link below to read the complete media release. https://bit.ly/3BMExnt #AlwaysOnwardBSD

Top Ten Post 3! Check this out! 🔟 Thunderbird educators were nominated for NBC15 Madison's Crystal Apple Awards. Thank you for your tremendous work of engaging, challenging, and inspiring every student, every day in every way! 📒📚📝 More than 700 nominations for over 400 educators from school districts across South Central Wisconsin were submitted this year. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated! #AlwaysOnwardBSD