By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner volunteer staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com January 31, 2021
Highlights of the January 25 regular meeting of the Whitewater Unified School District include the following.
Students returned to in-person instruction on January 18. Middle School and High School students not wishing to return to in-person classes are now offered the opportunity to be instructed virtually by WUSD teachers. District Administrator Caroline Pate-Hefty reported: 78% of elementary school students have returned to the classroom. 73% of middle school students have returned to the classroom, and an additional 19% are participating in the “in-house” virtual model. 69% of high school students are back to in-person instruction, plus 18% in the “in-house” virtual model. The Banner calculated that this equates to approximately 84% of the district students being instructed by WUSD teachers.
There were 45 contributions totalling $4975 to assist a district family whose home was destroyed by fire.
The board voted unanimously, with some reservation, to change the title for the chief executive officer of the district from District Administrator to District Superintendent. Research had indicated that the titles District Administrator and District Superintendent are used interchangably in the state, although the state licensure is for superintendent. Member Jim Stewart indicated that the title superintendent had been used in the district in the 1960’s. Caroline Pate-Hefty mused that this means that she is now the first female superintendent to serve WUSD.
Per the table below, district enrollment declined from 1808 to 1747 from September, 2020 to January, 2021, a net loss of 61 students. Almost all of the loss was at the middle and high school levels. Presumably the primary cause for the decline was students open enrolling to other districts that were offering in-person instruction during the first semester of the school year.
Per the table below, total enrollment in the district from September, 2019 to September, 2020 declined by 158 students. Combined with the loss of 61 students between September, 2020 and January, 2021, the decline of over 200 students apparently may result in a decline in State funding of over $1,000,000.
You can visit https://www.uww.edu/uc/things-to-do/robertas-art-gallery#warhawk-winter-photo-contest for information and a list of contest rules. Roberta’s Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the James R. Connor University Center (UC) at UW-Whitewater. The gallery hosts multiple exhibits and workshops each semester by collaborating with the artists–both locally and regionally. Many of our events will be held virtually this semester. For questions or further information, contact Roberta’s Art Gallery at (262) 472-3193 or ucart@uww.edu or visit https://www.uww.edu/uc/things-to-do/robertas-art-gallery.
Thank you for your interest in the UW-Whitewater Warhawk Winter Digital Photo Contest! Please note that by submitting photos you are consenting to possibly having these photos shared publicly and being associated with you for awarding purposes. We can’t wait to see the sights and scenes you’ve created and captured!
(University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Roberta’s Art Gallery submission) Photos by Kim Adams (they will not be included in the contest.)
City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m. Agendaincludes prohibiting smoking and vaping in city parks; authorizing electric scooter rentals in the city. Due to Coronavirus Concerns, this will be a VIRTUAL MEETING. (not in person). Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join via computer, smart phone or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://zoom.us/j/94624357273?pwd=R2hiRnlhaVluM2RneTZOdkNTSzFZUT09 Passcode: 473820 Or Telephone: Dial 1 929 205 6099 Webinar ID: 946 2435 7273 Passcode: 473820
City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 3:30 p.m. Agendaincludes landmark status for city water works Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/350629397 You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (224) 501-3412 Access Code: 350-629-397
Or Telephone: Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): US: +1 929 205 6099 Webinar ID: 946 2435 7273 Passcode: 473820
(UW-W press release, 01/29/2021)– Rebekah Schumacher, a native of Whitewater, WI, and graduate of Whitewater High School, will compete for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team during the 2021 season, which begins next week.
Schumacher, a senior at UW-Whitewater, is majoring in elementary education.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women’s basketball team, the defending Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, begins its eight-game regular season this Wednesday at UW-Stevens Point.
The Warhawks, who are set to embark on their shortest regular season slate in 50 years, claimed the regular season league title for the second time in three years in 2019-20. The team finished the campaign with a 23-4 record, including a 13-1 mark in regular season conference play, and reached the NCAA Tournament for the 12th time in the last 13 years.
Head coach Keri Carollo returns for her 19th season. Since taking the reins of the program prior to the 2002-03 season, Carollo has led the Warhawks to six WIAC regular season championships, two conference tournament titles and 12 trips to the NCAA Tournament, including Final Four appearances in 2008, 2013 and 2014.
Four seniors lead UW-Whitewater into this unconventional season.
Senior center Johanna Taylor (Wauwatosa, Wis./East) led the WIAC and ranked among the top 35 in the nation with 62 blocks in 2019-20, the fourth-most in one season in program history. She garnered first team all-conference and WIAC All-Defensive Team accolades, averaging 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting a league-best 54.7 percent from the floor.
Guard Emily Schumacher (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha South) returns to the floor after a season-ending injury limited her 2019-20 campaign to nine games. She was a first team All-WIAC selection in 2018-19, when she averaged 12.0 points per game and made 58 three-pointers, second-most in the league.
Guard Rebekah Schumacher (Whitewater, Wis./Whitewater) averaged 6.0 points and 3.4 rebounds in 27 games last season, including 17 as a starter. She ranked 11th in the WIAC with 15 blocked shots.
Guard Adriana Wood (Racine, Wis./Horlick) is also coming off an injury-shortened season, appearing in 13 games in 2019-20. She was named to the WIAC All-Sportsmanship Team.
Juniors Veronica Kieres (Chicago, Ill./Resurrection), Courtney Oomens (Lake Geneva, Wis./Badger) and Yssa Sto. Domingo (Streamwood, Ill./St. Edward) return after playing key roles in last year’s rotation.
Kieres, who started all 27 games, averaged 7.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per outing and tallied 36 steals. Sto. Domingo earned WIAC All-Defensive Team honors, leading the team with 43 steals and finishing with 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds per game.
Oomens bolstered a deep frontcourt with 5.5 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest to go along with 15 blocks.
Sophomore forwards Aleah Grundahl (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) and Abby Belschner (Grafton, Wis./Cedarburg) enjoyed strong rookie campaigns in 2019-20.
Grundahl was named WIAC Newcomer of the Year and honorable mention All-WIAC, finishing the year with 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. She shot 48.8 percent from the floor and ranked second in the conference with 66 offensive rebounds (2.44 per game).
Belschner appeared in 26 games off the bench and shot 50.5 percent on her way to 4.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game with 26 blocks.
Guards Lunden Alexander (Dolton, Ill./Thornwood) and Kailey Ketz (Clayton, Wis./Clayton) and forwards Abi Baumgartner (Mokena, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) and Erika Simmons (Blair, Wis./Melrose-Mindoro) round out the sophomore class. All four appeared in at least nine games a year ago.
Newcomers to the program include freshmen Erin Adams (Darien, Ill./Hinsdale South), Lydia Coatney (Sabula, Iowa/Eastland), Avery King (Lincolnshire, Ill./Stevenson), Kendall Roquet (Middleton, Wis./Middleton), Maggie Trautsch (Sun Prairie, Wis./DeForest) and Savannah Youngstrom (South St. Paul, Minn./South St. Paul).
The Warhawks’ schedule includes games played on Wednesday and Friday nights in February against consecutive WIAC opponents – UW-Stevens Point (Feb. 3/5), UW-Oshkosh (Feb. 10/12), UW-Platteville (Feb. 17/19) and UW-Stout (Feb. 24/26). UW-W will play at home on the 5th, 10th, 19th and 26th, and will be on the road for games on the 3rd, 12th, 17th and 24th.
Fans will not be permitted to attend games in person due to campus event protocols. All home games will air live on UWW-TV, which is available on channel 100.1 on campus, channel 989 for Spectrum customers in the area and online. All road games will also be streamed online, and links to the broadcasts will be posted on the UW-Whitewater women’s basketball schedule page when available.
The WIAC Championship is slated for the week of March 1. All eight conference teams will qualify for the tournament, which will determine the league’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.
For more than 150 years, UW-Whitewater has provided students with the education and training to begin their careers with a solid foundation behind them. The UW-Whitewater is committed to the development of the individual, the growth of personal and professional integrity and respect for diversity and global perspectives. These are met by providing academic and co-curricular programs that emphasize the pursuit of knowledge and understanding and a commitment to service within a safe and secure environment.
NEWARK, DE (01/25/2021)– Sophie Olson of Whitewater has been named to the University of Delaware Dean’s List for the Fall 2020 semester.
To meet eligibility requirements for the Dean’s List, a student must be enrolled full-time and earn a GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale) for the semester.
It’s time again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society! This week’s photo features another wintery Whitewater scene from the past. Affectionately dubbed “Old Main,” this building stood as the flagship building for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus since the college’s founding in 1868, undergoing many expansions and renovations over the years.
As the result of a fire in February 1970, only the East Wing of Old Main still stands today and is now known as Hyer Hall. This image was probably taken in the 1950s or 1960s. Join us next week for more from the Whitewater Historical Society collections!
(3679P, Whitewater Historical Society) The Whitewater Historical Society collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Whitewater and the surrounding area. Be sure to join us next week for more from the Society’s collections. Please “like” us on Facebook, and check out our website at whitewaterhistoricalsociety.org!
By Laura Masbruch Whitewater High School Robotics Advisor, Banner Volunteer lmasbruch@wwusd.org
Every dean’s list is about excellence, and the FIRST Robotics Dean’s List is no exception. The mentors working with each FIRST Robotics team may nominate up to two students in their sophomore or junior year to compete for this prestigious award named for FIRST Founder Dean Kamen. While the Dean’s List award is partially academic, the award in essence demonstrates how the applicant developed in the robotics community and their accomplishments within it. Nominated students are screened prior to a regional event using a mentor written essay. Once at a regional event, the students go through an interview process to see if they will make the FIRST Robotics Dean’s List. In 2021, candidates will participate in a virtual interview with two judges.
In the 2021 season, Ferradermis is proud to nominate sophomore Anderson Waelchli and junior Elijah Grall as our Dean’s List semi-finalists. Finalists will be selected from each region as defined by FIRST: 4 from the state of Wisconsin, and then 10 winners will be selected from the pool of finalists from all regions.
Anderson Waelchli
Elijah Grall
Anderson joined the team as a freshman on the day before the 2020 season kick-off and quickly became an integral part of the business team and also helped prototype and build the robot in the shop. He worked to help develop the Chairman’s Award presentation, preparing to put his drama talents to work for the judges prior to the suspension of the 2020 season by FIRST in March. As a sophomore, he is successfully leading this now fully virtual subteam of Ferradermis, now renamed the Administrative Team. Anderson has led the fundraising campaign for the 2021 season and is heavily involved in the development of the team’s project for the Innovation Challenge. He also completed one of the Rube Goldberg segments of the team’s winning entry for the Milwaukee Tool Hit the Nail on the Head competition and is the driving force behind the team’s newsletters, which are sent to sponsors of the team. Anderson’s enthusiastically energetic personality shines during each of his entertaining Google Meets for the Administrative Team, and motivates the members of his virtual team to get creative and do their very best for the team as a whole.
Elijah got his first taste of FIRST Robotics driving the robot in middle school while at the Makerspace in Ferradermis’ rookie year, and he was hooked. He has been an extremely involved member of the Mechanical Team since his freshman year, doing much of the CAD for portions of the 2020 and 2021 robot, taking on the role of Junior CAD Captain in his sophomore year, and CAD Captain in his junior year. Elijah served as part of the drive team during off-season competitions in the summer and fall of 2019 and was the back-up driver for the 2020 season. Throughout all of this, he has exuded a level head and deliberate effort to do his job well. In the spring of 2020, Elijah helped demonstrate our robot and gave driving experience to the young participants attending the State LEGO League Competition. Elijah is a deep thinker who stays quiet during design discussions until he has fully processed his ideas, and then eloquently shares his thoughts. He has a profound knowledge of everything mechanical and is always happy to help newer members learn the ropes. At regional competitions, you will find Elijah spending endless hours in the team’s pit, keeping the robot performing at peak levels.
Congratulations to Anderson and Elijah on their Dean’s List nominations! Ferradermis is proud to have you represent us!
(UW-W press release) – The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s online degree programs stand among the best in the state and nation, according to the 2021 ranking of Best Online Programs from U.S. News & World Report.
The UW-Whitewater Online MBA was ranked No. 1 in Wisconsin among single-institution programs, 17th among Best Online Programs for Veterans, and 26th in the nation overall. Additionally, the university was ranked 68th for Best Online Master’s in Business Programs – Excluding MBA.
U.S. News rankings are highly regarded as a benchmark of excellence in online education, measuring student engagement and success, faculty credentials, university services and technology, reputation within the academic community and admissions criteria, among other factors.
“We are pleased to be once again named among the best online programs in the U.S.,” said John Chenoweth, dean of the College of Business and Economics. “It reflects our efforts to deliver a world-class education to distance learners while remaining one of the best values in the region.”
Master’s programs offered through UW-Whitewater Online give working professionals the flexibility and convenience needed to fit graduate education into their lives. The online MBA is a 36-credit program with more than 12 emphases and 50 electives to choose from. Specialized business programs, such as the Master of Science in Finance, or new master of science programs in Business Analytics and Cybersecurity, are ideal for professionals looking to change careers, update their resume or position themselves for advancement in their fields.
In addition to rankings from respected sources like U.S. News, accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business assures students and employers of the quality of the university’s business degree programs.
“The College of Business and Economics has been continuously accredited by AACSB since 1974,” said Chenoweth. “This is the highest standard business schools can achieve, and it verifies that our programs successfully pass rigorous review.”
Schools included in the veterans ranking are evaluated on making distance education affordable and accessible to veterans and active-duty service members. With a dedicated veterans benefits coordinator managing veterans services, UW-Whitewater has an outstanding reputation for assisting with military education benefits. Tuition is usually covered 100 percent, and both application fee and GMAT/GRE waivers are available to qualifying applicants.
Having first established the fully online MBA in 1998, the university is also well versed in serving distance learners. UW-Whitewater has developed a wide range of student support services to bolster student success. Flexibility is another essential requirement for most master’s students today.
“The majority of our master’s students work full time, so they balance their studies with career, family and other responsibilities,” said Paul Ambrose, associate dean of the College of Business and Economics. “Because we don’t use a cohort model, students have the freedom to adjust their course load as needed every semester, or even to pause their studies and re-enter the program when ready.”
According to an article in The Gazette on January 24, Casual Joe’s owner, Mike Hudec, indicated, “he’s within a few weeks of launching a new Casual Joe’s location in a former optometry office at 30 S. Main Street in Janesville, a space he’s rehabbing to include a kitchen, a lunch counter, and dine-in seating….. The Whitewater resident sees the new Janesville location as a test patch in his effort to transform Casual Joe’s into a small regional chain of barbecue restaurants.”
