November 2023 Staff Newsletter

MCPASD

A Message from Superintendent, Dr. Dana Monogue

November is a month to reflect on who and what we are grateful for In my recent visits to schools, I have witnessed staff providing extra care and support to students who are struggling, colleagues providing encouragement and help to colleagues who need it, and many people looking out for and taking care of others.

Thank you for all of your efforts to make the lives of others a little brighter and a little lighter. I hope your Thanksgiving break is spent with those you love, doing the things you love.

With gratitude,

Dr. Dana E. Monogue, Superintendent

#WeBelieve

@DrMonogue www.mcpasd.k12.wi.us

Must Know On The Go

On a time crunch? Check out this page for all your 'need to know' information this month. We invite you to read further when you are able to check out all of the awesome things happening within our District!

Key Dates

District Calendar Options Survey

Due November 22nd

Learn more on page 7.

Name Change Requests For Google Account

The Technology Services Department is now accepting requests to change a user's preferred name and how it's displayed on specific technology-related systems. Learn more on page 7.

2024 Healthcare Flexible Spending Account Limits Increase

For those who are FSA eligible, The IRS has announced annual benefit plan limits for 2024 in Revenue Procedure 2023-34. This includes limits to healthcare flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for 2024. Learn more on page 8.

District Approves Addition of "Language Support Specialist" Position to Meet Growing Needs of Multilingual Families and Students

Learn more on page 10.

Cardinal Academy Opens An In-House Coffee Shop

There is a brand-new coffee shop in town, and it is right here at MCPASD! Students at Cardinal Academy just opened their new ‘made to order’ coffee shop located at the window between the CA and the Early Learning Center. Staff are welcome to enjoy their yummy cups of coffee off their custom menu featured below.

They are only a few weeks into their new business but are already off to a great start! They hope to receive grant funds this school year to help expand the business by adding aprons, name tags, and even a delivery service!

Check it out on Fridays from 8:45am-9 am! Coffee is free, but donations are accepted.

Check out their logo created by Cardinal Academy Student Lillian!

High School Black Student Union and Latino Student Union Host Inspiring Friendsgiving Celebration

In a heartwarming display of unity and cultural appreciation, the Black Student Union and Latino Student Union at our high school organized a powerful Friendsgiving celebration The event kicked off with a moving land acknowledgment, setting a reflective tone for the event.

We applaud Laura, Aisha, Antonio, and the entire student leadership team for their exceptional efforts in bringing this meaningful event to fruition. Their dedication represents why we are educators - to empower, nurture, and celebrate our diverse student body.

Let us take a moment to reflect on the impact we have on our student's lives. Every day, we have the opportunity to inspire and guide them towards a brighter future.

Spotlight on the Assistant Child Care Teacher Course at Middleton High School

In the bustling halls of Middleton High School, a program has been making a significant impact on the lives of students for over three decades The Assistant Child Care Teacher Course, presently under the guidance of Emma Dittmer, holds a rich history that deserves to be put in the spotlight.

The program ' s roots can be traced back to 1990, when students at Middleton High School took the initiative to establish an onsite preschool program. This unique endeavor provided high school students with valuable hands-on experience while catering to the educational needs of the local community This onsite preschool was a hallmark of the school for nearly three decades until it underwent a change in 1994.

To commemorate the program ' s long-standing legacy, we are delighted to share a cherished photograph of Emma Dittmer and her cousin attending the preschool in 1994. The nostalgia captured in the image reflects the pr passed through its doors

Read 7698

Consider Donating To The MCPASD Education Foundation

The MCPASD Education Foundation is proud to provide many opportunities and support within our district, including raising $65,000 last year for the caring closets. In this season of gratitude, consider giving back to our school community by sharing a donation to the foundation

Learn more about the programs and initiatives they provide and how you can donate here.

Celebrations

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

November is designated as National Native American Heritage Month, providing an opportunity to honor the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and significant contributions of Indigenous people in our nation. It's also a time to acknowledge the challenges and hardships they've faced throughout history and continue to face today.

The United States is home to over 9 million Native Americans and Native Alaskans, representing more than 500 federally recognized tribes, each with its own unique and distinct culture. From art and literature to cuisine and music, there is a wealth of Indigenous heritage to explore and appreciate In the state of Wisconsin, 11 federally recognized tribes contribute to the tapestry of Native American heritage

Did you know that Middleton High School was built on the ancestral lands of the Ho-Chunk people? It is our duty as a district to honor the Ho-Chunk community and recognize their ties to the land we stand upon You can learn more about the formal MHS land acknowledgment by reviewing the photo to the right or viewing the plaque at the MHS building.

This month, let's take the time to educate ourselves, grow in understanding, and show respect for the first inhabitants of our nation

You Deserve a Shout!

Shout Out To Our Building Custodians

Today, we share a heartfelt thank you to our building custodians for all the invisible work they do to keep our buildings safe and well-maintained We also thank the following custodial members who went above and beyond by helping prep all of our school buildings for the Circlescape 360-degree tours over fall break We thank them for donating additional work time to make our schools look amazing and keep the filming process running smoothly. We are excited to honor all of our custodians for their amazing work at the upcoming School Board meeting on December 18th!

Celebrations

Music Educators Give Back By Serving At The State Music Conference

Our Music Educators deserve a special shout-out for their hard work at the recent Wisconsin Music Educators' Association conference late last month! Several teachers contributed and served in leadership roles at the conference. Together, they provided professional development sessions that enhanced the teaching quality of their peers.

This year's theme for the conference was "Music OF All, and Music FOR All," with a focus on inclusivity

Anne Vanderbloemen, Kristen Flak-Solom, Nancy Kurr, Steve Kurr, Julia Tibbetts, Darlayne Coughlin, and Kimberly Reynolds were among our distinguished music educators who participated in the conference. Their dedication, expertise, and passion for music education shone brightly throughout the event.

Read the full article on our website | https://www mcpasd k12 wi us/article/1346456

Reminders

Thanksgiving Break

As a quick reminder, all school buildings will be closed from November 23-24. We hope you wonderful holiday weekend spent with the people who mean the most to you.

2024-2025 & 2025-2026 District Calendar Options Survey | Due November 22

We are currently in the process of developing the 2024-25 and 2025-26 district calendars. As always, we highly value staff input in the process. We invite you to please complete the survey below to help us complete the final calendar based on the most popular option.

Click here to view a video to help walk you through the options Click here to complete the survey

How To Submit A Preferred Name Change In Google

The Technology Services Department is now accepting requests to change a user ' s preferred name and how it's displayed on specific technology-related systems These systems include:

- Google (gmail, google drive, etc.)

- Listed name on phones/caller ID

- Displayed name on your school or work location's website

Please note: The Google name change does NOT include your actual email address Your email address will stay the same Your username will also not be changed in other systems (Skyward, Infinite Campus), for example.

To change your preferred name in the systems listed above - Please send a help desk ticket with your request. It should include your preferred name - spelled how you prefer - and any other information you think may be applicable

Reminders

Don’t Get Caught Phishing

Potential scam emails can be tricky to identify, but being on guard is important. If you receive an email you think may be fake, you NO LONGER need to submit a helpdesk ticket. You can simply report the email by clicking the three dots icon next to the email and selecting “phishing.”

2024 Healthcare Flexible Spending Account Limits Increase

For those who are FSA eligible, the IRS has announced annual benefit plan limits for 2024 in Revenue Procedure 2023-34. This includes limits to healthcare flexible spending accounts (FSAs) for 2024.

Annual maximum Healthcare FSA limits are increasing for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2024.

Maximum Annual Plan Contribution: $3,200 per employee, per employer, per plan year

Dependent care FSA limits are not changing.

Maximum Annual Plan Contribution: $5,000

What This Means for You:

If you would like to change your annual election for 2024, submit a completed EBC FSA Enrollment Form to the benefits department before November 30, 2023.

Please review the updated 2024 FSA plan summary: My Company Plan.

If you have any questions, please contact: cacker1@mcpasd k12 wi us

Hello!

Insights from Soly: Multilingual Support

I'm Solange 'Soly' Rodriguez, your multilingual support specialist. Welcome to my new section in the newsletter, where I'll be sharing all things related to translation and interpretation. Thank you for filling out our Multilingual Translation/Interpretation request form We are collecting so much important data!

As we navigate through this fast-paced year, I can't help but feel proud of the successful completion of all parent-teacher conferences and the unwavering support we ' ve provided to our multilingual families. Connecting families with their student's education is incredibly important, and I couldn't be prouder of our dedicated team of interpreters who have gone above and beyond to ensure this vital connection stays strong

In this space, I invite you to join me in reflecting on our accomplishments, exploring translation and interpretation topics, and celebrating the outstanding work interpreters/translators do.

Best regards, Soly

Spanish Version of 2023-25 Employee Handbook Now Available

We are thrilled to announce that the Spanish version of the 20232025 Employee Handbook has been successfully completed.

The completion of the Spanish version of the Employee Handbook is a significant milestone that reinforces our commitment to effective communication and inclusivity within the workplace. We believe that providing our Spanish-speaking employees access to this important resource will greatly enhance their understanding of our policies and procedures

You can find a copy of the MCPASD employee handbook in English and Spanish on our website under Employee Services.

Insights from Soly: Multilingual Support

District Approves Addition of "Language Support Specialist" Position to Meet Growing Needs of Multilingual Families and Students

We are excited to announce that the district has taken proactive steps to address the increasing needs of our multilingual families and students. In response, the decision has been made to create a second Interpreter/Translator position, titled "Language Support Specialist " This role will primarily focus on supporting the secondary level, which includes our two middle schools and two high schools

While the Language Support Specialist works closely with me to address the needs of the secondary level, I will continue to provide my expertise and support to district projects, translating all IEPs, and supporting our elementary schools. It is my priority to ensure that all levels of education receive the assistance they require. I am grateful for the collaborative effort by my supervisor, Shannon Valladolid, in making this important addition possible

Recognizing the crucial role of effective communication and support, this new role will bring about necessary changes to better meet the needs of our multilingual families and students. Funding for this position will come from various avenues, including resource reallocation from KMS, eliminating outsourced Spanish translation and interpreting services, and the operating budget

If you are interested in learning more about the Language Support Specialist position or would like to apply, please visit the WECAN job board.

Together, we are committed to ensuring that our diverse community receives the support and resources necessary for success

Barb's Corner

A Note From Barb

Meet our Personnel Specialists Team

Personnel Specialists support the entire employee life cycle, including hiring, onboarding, ongoing employment support, and separation processes.

Diane Austin-Personnel and Data Analyst Specialist

Diane has called MCPASD her home for many years. She started here as a ParaEducator at Park Elementary She is passionate about advocacy for students with disabilities and fostering an engaging and safe working environment where employees thrive. She and her husband are long-time residents of Cross Plains, have two beautiful grandchildren, and recently competed in and finished the Twin Cities Medtronic 10-mile race (even though it was canceled due to heat, she ran it anyway and received a medal).

Ciji Colegial-Personnel Specialist

Ciji has been with the district for 1 ½ years. She has an educational background and experience as an Early Childhood Teacher in the community. She is passionate about advocating for staff, families, and children, as well as cultivating trusting relationships. She has two beautiful children, and her family spends time playing and watching soccer and volleyball and spending time outdoors

Barb's Corner

Candace Montag-Personnel Specialist

Candace has been with the team for a year. She has educational support experience and administrative assistant experience at Glacier Creek Middle School and Sunset Ridge Elementary School, as well as in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Anchorage, Alaska; Seoul, Korea; and Mons, Belgium She is passionate about being a productive member of her community and serving those who work and live within the MCPASD. She and her husband, along with their three children, reside in Cross Plains. After moving for 20+ years due to military responsibilities, Candace and her family look forward to making Cross Plains their forever home.

Employee Listening Sessions

Thank you to employees who have participated in the employee listening sessions. We continue to receive feedback regarding the District’s health insurance changes, compensation, work environments, and professional development. Upcoming sessions are as follows:

SUNSET RIDGE ELEMENTARY

Monday, November 20th, 3pm-4:30pm

SAUK TRAIL ELEMENTARY

Wednesday, December 6th, 3pm-4:30pm

Barb's Corner

Certified Compensation Committee

The certified compensation committee has reviewed area district compensation structures and will be meeting this month to review a draft compensation structure Again, meetings are open to the public and will take place at the District Services Center.

Employee Handbook-Appendix C-Student Services and Special Education Update

New update-This handbook workgroup will now begin meeting in January, and more information will be coming out soon. The district will be looking for staff in the areas of Special Education and Student Services to serve on this workgroup. The workgroup will be led by Special Education/Student Services and Employee Services.

Introducing our MCPASD Health Clinic Providers

We’re so excited to announce Jen Lange, APNP, and Olivia Brittan, RN, as our MCPASD Employee Health Clinic staff members! Read more about each of them below. Check out the newest clinic flyer here.

I am very proud and grateful to have worked in nursing taking care of patients all of my adult life I worked for many years in Chicago as an RN as I finished my Master's at UIC As an NP, I have worked in primary care, urgent care, and occupational medicine. I am finishing my Doctorate in Nursing Practice in May of 2024. Through all of my experiences, I have pursued my clinical interests applicable to our family practice setting, including preventive medicine and wellness. Most of all, I strive to keep our employees and their families well and help you achieve your healthiest self

I look forward to working with you on your health goals, and understanding how you define health and feel your best. For enjoyment, I love hiking, kayaking, and being outdoors with my family My family consists of my husband Ryan and our two daughters, Magnolia (7) and Frankie (4) Thank you for letting me be involved in your health, and I look forward to meeting you very soon! -Jen, APNP

My name is Olivia Brittan, and I am excited to announce that I will be your Wellness Clinic Registered Nurse! I have worked in healthcare as a Certified Nursing Assistant over the last four years and have been with the SSM Health at Work – Sun Prairie for the past year. I recently graduated from UW-Oshkosh with my Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

I currently live in Whitewater, WI, but will be moving back to Edgerton, WI, in the future. In my free time, I like to go to UW-Whitewater football games to watch my boyfriend play I also enjoy fishing with my dad and spending time with my friends

I am looking forward to working with the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, and excited to meet all of you!

Sincerely, Olivia

Indoor Building Walking Routes

Are you looking to get some steps in but want to stay warm? Take a look at our MCPASD Walking Routes folder. Each school has maps with approximate lengths of paths to help you know how far you ’ ve gone.

31 Days of Mindfulness starts in December!

Take a look at our upcoming monthly wellness challenges and sign up! Signing up will result in you receiving the challenge. We encourage you to do the parts of the challenge that fit for you and leave the rest.

Yoga & Fitness Offerings for MCPASD Employees, retirees and spouses/partners

Friday Yoga Flow on Fridays from 6 - 6:45am at GCMS (1st Friday of the month)/MHS (2nd4th Fridays)

Thursday Yoga from 3:15 -4pm at Park Elementary

Thursday Yoga from 4:15 - 5pm at Park Elementary.

Wednesday Yoga from 3:15 - 4pm at MHS.

Wednesday Yoga from 4:15 - 5pm at MHS.

Tuesday/Thursday Beachbody on Demand Group Fitness from 4-4:30 or 4:45 (depending on class) at GCMS beginning November 28, 2023

Tuesday Cardio Yoga from 4 - 4:45pm at KMS will begin January 9, 2024

For the exact location of classes and details, please be sure you sign up.

Dean Health Plan:

Get your $150 in Living Healthy Rewards before 12/31/23 For details and a video guide, take a look at our wellness website.

November Wellness Care Package

November is National Diabetes Month a time to bring awareness and education to the chronic condition that affects 37.3 million Americans and is the eighth leading cause of death. Learn more about the different types of diabetes; signs, symptoms, and risk factors; and the role of carbohydrates in November’s Preventive Health Toolkit.

Made From Scratch: Rethink your Holiday Meals and Hunter's Edition

Employee Benefits

Open Enrollment for 2024 is in the books

Thank you for your cooperation in completing this important annual task We would appreciate your feedback on this year ’ s process: 2024 Open Enrollment Survey

Please remember that insurance plan years restart on January 1.

What does this mean for you?

Health insurance deductibles will start over The copay increases to $40 for non-preventive office visits, specialty doctor visits, and urgent care visits. Annual dental benefits are capped at $1,000 per person. If you haven’t utilized all your 2023 individual maximum, it might be a good idea to schedule services before December 31, 2023. If you haven’t redeemed your vision benefits in 2023, you should purchase your new glasses or contacts. Please remember that vision is an annual, single-use allowance that resets on the date of purchase

Do you have an FSA?

If you elected an HDHP during open enrollment, you need your healthcare FSA balance to be $0 on December 31, 2023 or you won’t be able to make or receive contributions into your HSA until April 2024. All other healthcare FSA participants have until March 15, 2024, to spend their funds and March 31, 2024, to submit claims.

Standard Health FSA Eligible Expenses

Dependent care FSA participants have until March 31, 2024 to submit their claims for reimbursement.

Employee Personnel

Skyward Tip/Tricks: How To Correct A Time Off Request

Problem:

You’ve submitted a time off request for a day that you no longer need to take off, and it has already been approved.

Solution:

We can’t delete it, so you need to reverse it

How:

Submit another time off request using the exact same data as the original BUT enter a negative sign in front of the hours

Example: The original request was 7hrs, so this second request will be -7. Once approved, the two will ‘net’ to 0 hours.

Licensing Essentials

The Department of Public Instruction’s Licensing, Educator Advancement, and Development (LEAD) Team publishes information bulletins. These bulletins are meant to provide complete answers to commonly requested information regarding licensing and educator preparation.

DPI Bulletins

In this month of November, I want to take time to show my appreciation to all our staff out in the schools and in the DSC for all the great work you do all year long. In November, there are many celebrations: Dia de los Muertos, First Nations/Native American Heritage Month, National Veterans and Military Families Month, Veterans’ Day, Diwali, Transgender Awareness Week/Transgender Day of Remembrance, Guru Nanak

As we live and hold community with people of different racial/ethnic gender identities, as well as linguistic and religious backgrounds, let us learn from one another. This month, we continue our work with our Literacy/Biliteracy Curricular Renewal Committee, our Multi-layered Systems of Support, and our innovation work at the high school. Wishing you and your families peace.

TouchingBaseWith TeachingandLearning MessageFromSilvia

Elementary, Secondary, Multilingual, Special Education Round Up

We have completed a “soft launch” of our Multi-Layered Systems of Support In early December, your building leaders, Student Services Staff, Interventionists, Coordinators, and others will share the framework, which is also located on our staff hub.

Our MLSS framework has been retooled to align resources and initiatives and provide a comprehensive approach emphasizing whole-child support through high-quality grade-level instruction, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative planning.

Our district's MLSS update focuses on consistent universal instruction, ensuring access to grade-level teaching, and providing strategic layers of support for all students to achieve and surpass grade-level benchmarks.

Student Services

TouchingBaseWith TeachingandLearning

November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, which was first declared in 2007. Since then, November has served as a dedicated time to acknowledge and address the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness.

During the recently concluded 2022-2023 school year, MCPASD identified 105 students who were experiencing homelessness. Shockingly, the state of Wisconsin identified a staggering 18,455 students facing similar circumstances during the same time period.

It’s crucial to recognize the Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program, authorized under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This program defines homeless children and youth as individuals lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence This includes those sharing housing due to loss, economic hardship, or similar reasons; living in temporary accommodations like motels, hotels, or camping grounds; residing in emergency or transitional shelters; having a primary nighttime residence not designated for regular sleeping; living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, and more.

MCPASD is committed to aligning with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) in its mission to ensure educational equity and success for students experiencing homelessness. Our dedicated staff play a crucial role in identifying and supporting students in need. If you suspect a student may be experiencing homelessness, please contact Amy Poole, Families in Transition Coordinator, at 608.291.7319 (talk or text) or apoole@mcpasd k12 wi us, or reach out to your building social worker Additionally, for additional information and training resources, please visit the WI DPI EHCY website