DASD Newsby 2015 Wisconsin Act 55 (the state budget bill – section 120.12(13) of the state statutes) to notify the parents/guardians of students enrolled in the school district of

DASD News . . . . 2015-16Engaging, challenging,

and inspiring all students to pursue their full potential.November 2015

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In this issue:•  Building design/construction update ...................................................1•  Board establishes tax levy ...................................................................1•  Design/construction schedule ..............................................................2•  Conceptual designs for EPES, WES, and DAHS STEM ....................3•  DASD Updates, In Brief - Academic standards, Snow Days 101 .......4•  Join DASD for an Hour of Code .........................................................4•  Needed: bus drivers and support staff substitutes ................................5•  Student Spotlight .................................................................................5•  There is still time to join the Community Choir ..................................6•  Host a student or teacher from China or Thailand ...............................7•  Holiday gift giving program helps families in need ............................7•  Student Spotlight .................................................................................7•  Upcoming events ............................................................................. 7-8

Design/Construction update

What am I missing?DeForest Police Department and DASD will host an Internet Safety Seminar for adults on Wednesday, December 16, 7-8:30 pm in the high school Performing Arts Center. More at dasdnews.org.

Photo source: http://www.mspyreview.net/mspy-cell-phone-spy-software-for-parents/

Board establishes tax levy

At the October 26th meeting, the Board of Education acted on final approval of the local tax levy.   After the annual meeting in July, three pieces of 

information were still needed before the final budget and tax levy could be approved: enrollment, state aid, and property values.   The Board of Education adopted a tax levy of 

$22,614,582 to support students and educators of DASD.  This tax levy results in a mil rate of $11.18, compared to $11.18 and $11.20 over the previous two years.  The equalized value of each municipality will determine the effect on an individual’s property taxes. The current budget approval reflects the following:•  no increase in the revenue calculation which is controlled by state legislation (previous year increased by $75 per pupil)

•  slight increase in state aid over the prior year ($308,945)

•  increase in property value (4.19%)Building budgets were increased to accommodate 

enrollment.  No changes were made to individual budget center allocations.  The budget continues to support the work of the Safety Committee and the Educator Effectiveness initiatives.More: www.deforest.k12.wi.us/district/boe-budget.cfm

Construction on three projects to begin in Spring

Planning and design for three major school projects continues, with construction to begin this spring.  Five construction projects were approved by 

DASD residents in the April 7 referendum election to increase capacity, improve learning spaces, improve safety and security, and address aging buildings and infrastructure.  Two projects were completed this past summer, with 

construction on the remaining three to begin this spring.  Stay tuned for dates of groundbreaking celebrations!See pages 2 and 3 for a summary of the five projects, the 

project timeline, and current design renderings for the high school STEM renovation, the new Eagle Point Elementary School, and the renovation and addition to Windsor Elementary School.

“Update” continued on page 2

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DAHSSTEM

WES

Design Bidding Construction

Complete Complete

Design/Construction Update

Schedule for three upcoming building projects

Design/Construction Update

Current design conceptsDistrict staff continue to meet with architects and construction managers to finalize designs for the three projects 

scheduled to begin this spring.  Below are design renderings to date.  These are also posted on the DASD website:  www.DASDconstruction.org.

EPES

• Movedofficetobettersupportasecuredentrance

• Createsaferseparationofbusandparenttraffic

• RemodeledspaceforSTEM(Science,Technology,Engineering&Math)andTechnicalEducation

Follow our progress!www.DASDconstruction.org

• Buildnewschoolonexistingsite

• Createsaferseparationofbusandparenttraffic

• Demolishexistingschoolaftercompletionofnew

• Buildmajoradditionsandremodelremainingportionsofschool

• Createsaferseparationofbusandparenttraffic

• Demolisholdestsectionsaftercompletionofadditions

Construction begins March 2016

Construction begins April 2016

Construction begins April 2016

Watchfordatesofgroundbreakingcelebrations!

• BuildadditionandremodelspaceforSTEM,TechnicalEducationandAgri-Science

• Servenewprogramming,suchas:engineering,aquaponics,architecturaldesign,andcomputerscience

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Below are updates on district initiatives that are contributing to the continuous improvement of instructional programs and services that will benefit students, families, employees and community.

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DASD UpdatesIn Brief

Snow Days 101

Visit the DASD website to 

learn about how decisions are made to close or delay school and how they are communicated.www.deforestschools.org > District > School Closings/Bus Delays

Student academic standards posted on DASD website

School boards are now required by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55 (the state budget bill – section 120.12(13) of the state statutes) to notify the parents/guardians of students enrolled in the school district of the student academic standards that will be in effect for the school year. Also, the school board must annually include an item on the agenda of the first school board meeting of the school year that clearly identifies the student academic standards adopted by the board that will be in effect for the school year. As allowed by the statute, 

these standards are posted on our school district’s website.  Parents/Guardians may find these standards at www.deforest.k12.wi.us/district/curriculum.

Anybody can learn!Start with an Hour of Codehttp://code.org© Code.org. Code.org®, the CODE logo and Hour of Code™ are trademarks of Code.org

— Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook

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Girls and boys need the opportunity to learn computer science. By building technology, you make our world smaller, and our future brighter.

Join DASD for an Hour of CodeA global movement with more than 100 million learners in 180 countries.

We live in a world surrounded by technology. And we know that whatever field our students choose to go into as adults, their ability to succeed will increasingly hinge on understanding how technology works.DASD is continually improving 

programs and courses to help students learn more about computer science, as well as improve problem solving and creativity skills. This is done through a number of ways, including integrating technology as a tool for learning in any subject, and implementing our new STEM (science, technology, engineering, & math) curriculum.  Our entire school district will again 

be joining in on the largest learning event in history: The Hour of Code, during Computer Science Education Week (Dec. 7-13). More than 100 million students worldwide have already tried an Hour of Code.DASD is eager to teach these 

foundational 21st century skills. To continue bringing programming activities to your students, we want to make our Hour of Code event huge. 

We encourage you to volunteer in your child’s school during our Hour of Code activities, share our Hour of Code news on social media channels, and consider hosting additional Hour of Code events in the community.See http://hourofcode.com/us for 

details, and help spread the word.

What is the Hour of Code?A one-hour activity. Students of 

all ages can choose from a variety of self-guided tutorials, for kindergarten and up. Tutorials work on any modern browser, tablet, smartphone, or even with no computer at all.Code.org’s own tutorials feature 

Disney’s Frozen, Scrat from Ice Age, Angry Birds, and Plants vs. Zombies.New tutorials are coming to kick off 

the 2015 Hour of Code!

As December 7 approaches, watch for more information on our website, in newsletters, and on social media!

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Needed: bus drivers and support staff substitutes

The DeForest Area School District is currently hiring individuals to fill support staff substitute positions.Support staff substitutes are people who will fill in for an absent 

paraprofessional employee, providng support for students and teachers in both the general education and/or special program classrooms. If you are looking for a flexible job that works around 

your schedule, please apply online through the WECAN website using WECAN ID: 24855.  A link can be found on the DASD website, under Employment (www.deforest.k12.wi.us/district/dasd-hr-employment.cfm).The hourly rate of pay for sub support staff is $12.25 

per hour.

DASD is hiring! Substitute support staff positions available in schools

Kobussen is hiring!

Student Spotlight

This year, elementary school children are participating in a program with the Madison Symphony Orchestra called “Up Close and Musical.” Members of the orchestra will be visiting schools throughout the school year to work with students on music they are playing.  They will also be performing a mini-concert on each visit.

On Thursday, October 15th, students and staff at Morrisonville Elementary School surprised their teacher, Gina Buettner, with a “walk” and donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Buettner was diagnosed and treated last year for lymphoma.Mary Schultz, of Century21 Real 

Estate, then matched the school’s donation.  Mary has worked with Gina Buettner’s class for several years as a business partner through the district’s Adopt-a-Class Program.

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Schools honor veteransStudents and staff honored veterans with a variety of Veterans Day celebrations.  Here are some highlights from just a few . . .

This year’s guest speaker at the high school celebration was Second Lieutenant, Joshua B. Johnson. Johnson served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is currently working with the 115th Fighter Wing Wisconsin Air National Guard.

Vietman Veteran Charles Hoffman, was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his service to our country by his granddaughter Evie Lawton and Windsor Elementary School’s Assistant Principal Kelley Novak.

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Buettner visited with students at Morrisonville Elementary School on November 11.

Student Spotlight

Courage is knowing what not to fear.

~ Plato

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DAHS families: Host a student or teacher from China or Thailand

Annual community holiday gift giving program helps families

Thank you to the many businesses, individuals or groups who adopted one or 

more families for the 2015 Holiday Gift Giving Program.  The program is organized by the DeForest Area Clergy Association, in conjunction with the DeForest Area Needs Network, Joining Forces for Families (JFF), and DeForest Area School District to help deliver holiday cheer for children from low-income families in the DeForest Area School District.  The group helps identify needy families with children in the school district who are then matched with sponsors who purchase the family gifts. 

Those interested in providing gifts for children, ages birth to 18 may still do.  Drop off unwrapped toys, books, games, etc. at St. Olaf’s Parish Center, Thursday, December 17 between noon and 5:00 pm.The group is also looking for 

volunteers to help with gift distribution, which will be held on Friday, December 18, from 1:00 to 7:00 pm at St. Olaf’s Parish Center (west entrance off of Cleveland Street).  Contact: Bob Blankenhagen 846-

9306.

How do we pursue ways to incorporate aspects of global education into our school in 

order to enrich our students’ lives?February 5-11, DeForest Area 

School District will be hosting 6-8 students and teachers from our sister school in Shijiazhuang, China.

April 16-May 4, we will be hosting 5-7 students and their teacher from Thailand as part of the Thai Sunrise Program sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.While learning about America and 

its people and educational system, our Chinese and Thai guests will also find significant ways to teach our school community about their own nation, culture and people. It is incredibly touching and effective when students teach other students!This partnership will directly benefit 

our students, by:•  increasing students’ ability to communicate with others globally,

•  developing students’ understanding of citizenship,

•  preparing students for future careers that quite likely will have global features,

•  providing students with real and quality cultural experiences, and

•  creating in students a sense of understanding and respect across the boundaries of language, nationhood, religion, social status, etc.Further, this partnership will help to 

develop in our students a much stronger understanding and appreciation of issues around diversity. Families interested in hosting a 

student or teacher should complete an application.The application for the Thai 

program can be found on the district website (District – Global Education Opportunities), at the high school main office, and through Dr. Sue Borden, District Administrator (842-6577).  The application for the Chinese 

program will be available soon.It is a Norski Nation experience that 

will change their lives and ours!

High school sophomore, Alaina Houghton-Chamberlain, played taps during the high school Veterans Day celebration.

Become a host family!

Upcoming events in the Madison area

Weekly DreamBank eventswww.dreamfearlessly.com/dreambank/events

Morning Play DatesThanksgiving Cards and CraftsWinter Charm BraceletsHoliday Open HousesDesign & Decorate your Dream MugMusic LabCookie ExtravaganzaWinter Break Dreams RetreatsPicture Frame DecoratingBricks 4 Kidzand more!

Singers from the DeForest area of all ages and backgrounds are invited to join together with students from the DAHS Choral Department and make some truly beautiful music. This year, the group will be 

performing Aaron Copland’s The Promise of Living from The Tender Land. The piece will finish out the DAHS Winter Choir Concert on Thursday, December 10th. Listen to the piece and get 

more information HERE.  The first rehearsal is scheduled for Thursday, November 19 at 7 pm.

There is still time to join the Community Choir!

Join the 2nd Annual Community Choir! !What is Community Choir? CC is a chance for singers from the DeForest area of all ages and backgrounds to join together with students from the DAHS Choral Department and make some truly beautiful music. This year, we will be performing Aaron Copland’s The Promise of Living from The Tender Land. !

!Rehearsals: Thursday, November 19th, 2015Tuesday, December 1st, 2015Friday, December 4th, 2015All regular rehearsals: 7:00-8:00 pm!Dress Rehearsal: Wednesday, December 9th, 20156:30-7:30 pm!Performance: Thursday, December 10th, 20157:00 pm!

!For more information or to sign up go to: https://sites.google.com/a/deforestschools.org/dahs-choral-dept/community-choir!Or Contact: Maggie [email protected]!!

The DeForest Area High School Community Choir sings The Promise of Living by Aaron Copland

Great Apple Crunch Day celebrationAll schools celebrated the Great 

Lakes Great Apple Crunch Day on October 22. Students and staff were excited to crunch into their McIntosh apples from Lapacek’s Orchard to celebrate National Food Day and our district’s collaboration with the farm to school program.

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Don’t miss these events!

More at:www.deforestschools.org

Events Calendar

WinterfestDecember 5www.deforestarea.com

Constitution Speech ContestWednesday, December 26:00 pm - DAHS Little TheaterEight high school students have selected a Bill of Rights Amendment and will present an original 10-12 

memorized oral presentation describing, explaining and defending the Framers’ original intent, meaning and understanding of the Amendment to a panel of judges.  Sponsored by DeForest and Windsor Now (DAWN).  Cash awards to winning students.

Upcoming events in the Madison area

November 30  End of 1st Trimester for elementary schoolsNovember 25-27  No School (Thanksgiving)December 3  DAHS Winter Band Concert, 7:00 pmDecember 7  Two-Hour Early Release for StudentsDecember 8  DAMS 7th Grade Winter Band/Choir Concert, 7:00 pmDecember 10  DAHS Winter Choral Concert, 7:00 pmDecember 14  DAHS Show Choir, 7:00 pmDecember 15  DAMS 8th Grade Winter Choir Concert, 7:00 pmDecember 21  DAMS 6th Grade Winter Band/Choir Concert, 7:00 pmDecember 23 -   No School (Winter Break)January 1

Wednesday, December 16, 20157:00—8:30 pmDeForest Area High SchoolPerforming Arts CenterFind out how to connect with your kids in the digital world they live in . . . Learn about:• The apps/websites teens are using• Ways your kids can hide what they are doing online

• Safety measures you and your family can put into place 

Presenter:  School Resource Officer Brian Johnson

Drawing Fast and Slow: The Compbook Art of Lynda BarryNovember 17 – January 1Madison Children’s Museummadisonchildrensmuseum.org/exhibits/new-exhibits 

Earth Partnership for Families: “Gobble, Gobble … Wild Turkeys!”November 22UW-Madison Arboretumarboretum.wisc.edu/visit/events

Meriter Family Night Out – Dance PartyNovember 24Meriter DeForest-Windsor Clinicwww.meriter.com/classes/category

Downtown Holiday Open HouseNovember 27 – 28State Street & Capitol Squarewww.visitdowntownmadison.com/events/index.php 

Saturday Science Discovery. Wheels, Wings and Rudders: The Science of TransportationDecember 5Discovery Buildingdiscovery.wisc.edu/SaturdayScience 

Olbrich’s Holiday Express: Flower and Model Train ShowDecember 5 – 31http://www.olbrich.org/events/holidayexpress.cfm 

The Nutcracker December 12, 19, 20, 24, 26 & 27Overture Center for the Artswww.madisonballet.org/nutcracker

Kids’ Art AdventureDecember 13Madison Museum of Contemporary Arthttp://www.mmoca.org/programs-events/calendar