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(UW-W Announcement, Oct. 30)

Dear Campus Community,

In our continuing effort to keep our campuses safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, adjustments have been made to our spring semester calendar. The decision was made in consultation with our governance leaders, area health department experts, community members and UW-System.

The spring semester will begin as planned on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. Spring Break, however, will be held April 19-23, 2021. We will return to campus for about two weeks to complete classes, final exams and commencement. If conditions change, we will move to remote instruction for the completion of the semester. That decision will be made during the spring semester early enough to prepare for instruction, and for campus departure plans for students who will not be returning after Spring Break.

If the decision is to go remote after Spring Break, residence halls and dining services will remain open for students who prefer to remain on campus. Our costs remain the same – and in some cases have increased due to the pandemic – therefore we do not anticipate any refunds should we pivot delivery of courses to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff, and communities.

We believe this decision is the best way to provide students, faculty and staff with a break during the spring semester, while also considering the concerns related to having students leave our campuses and return to our communities.

UW-Whitewater is committed to the safety of our campuses and our communities, and we also understand that a break is a necessary part of helping to support the mental health of our students and others.

Sincerely,
Dr. Dwight C. Watson
Chancellor

Banner note: Spring break was previously scheduled for the week of March 22.

(Walworth County Sheriff’s Office press release) The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office has launched a new, innovative program to enhance communication between first responders and individuals with special needs such as autism, schizophrenia, dementia, hearing/vision impairments, or any disability that affects their communication. This is a part of our effort to ensure the safety of all Walworth County residents when they have interactions with law enforcement, fire, and EMS.

The Autism and Special Needs Registry is designed to assist police and fire departments during encounters with members of the community who have disabilities such as, but not limited to, dementia, Autism, Schizophrenia, or any other mental/developmental disorders.  The goal of this program is to give emergency personnel quick access to critical information about a registered individual with special needs in an emergency situation.  Walworth County will take all possible measure to assure this information is relayed to the proper personnel; however, completion of this form does not guarantee that this information will be readily accessible and shared with responding personnel.   

Residents of Walworth County that have friends or families with autism or other special
needs may go the Sheriff’s Office website www.co.walworth.wi.us/886/Autism-and-SpecialNeeds-Registry to electronically complete the form and submit it online. By clicking on the
link, an individual is able to provide addresses, emergency contact info and
other information for individuals with special needs. Information provided may include the
primary diagnosis/disability, certain conditions or behaviors the person has, as well as
suggestions on how to approach or communicate with that person. Photos of the individual
can also be downloaded through this form. This information will be entered into the
Records Management System through the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office
Communications Center, making it available to all Walworth County law enforcement and
first responders. Those first responders will be able to access this vital information in the
event of any emergency or call for service at the individual’s home. This will benefit
families and officers by reducing the possibility of misunderstandings or unnecessary stress
for children and adults with disabilities when they come in contact with first responders.

Participating in this registry is strictly voluntary. All questions in the form are confidential
and will only be used to improve the interaction between the listed person and public safety
first responders. You must live in Walworth County to participate in this program. (Banner note: we have attempted to confirm that those City of Whitewater residents who are in Jefferson County may also complete the form and have the information forwarded to the Whitewater Police Department. We have not been able to obtain a definite answer. Deputy Nelson indicates that he will be checking with Jefferson County to see if they have an interest in offering the service. Meanwhile, if this applies to your situation, you may wish to reach out to Deputy Nelson; alternatively you may fill out the form and later confirm with the Whitewater Police Department at 473-0555 that they have received the information.)

If you have any questions contact Deputy Dan Nelson at 262-903-9253 or via email at
dnelson@co.walworth.wi.us.

(UW-W Men’s Rugby Club email) The UW-Whitewater Men’s Rugby club is going to be hosting an ongoing offer to provide a Fall yard cleanup service during the next couple of weeks. This service can include raking leaves and sticks, bagging them for city collection, and driveway snow removal. This service will be provided free of charge, and any donations offered will be used to benefit the future endeavors of their rugby club. To schedule a cleanup, contact Club President Nic Kimble (email: kimblenb03@uww.edu Phone Number: 608-572-9808) with available days/times. For reference, city waste collection occurs from Nov. 9th – Nov. 13th and Nov. 16th to Nov. 20th; however, the club can take your waste to be disposed of if your appointment occurs on a Saturday morning/early afternoon or a Wednesday afternoon/evening, as those times correlate to the city compost site openings. Players helping will wear masks and can remain as contact-less as requested.

Tom Ganser writes, “On the morning of Monday, October 26 I got the attached photos of a little bush of cimicifuga showing off its long candlelike spites of airy white flowers while at the same time dealing with our first snowfall.
Happily  —  nothing to do with Covid-19 or the elections ….”

Our thanks to Tom Ganser for submitting these beautiful pictures.

— Our Readers Share: We hope that you might have something that you’d be willing to share.  Anything that’s been created by someone else should, of course, be credited, and you should ask their permission if you’re able. We cannot post copyrighted material without permission. We can’t guarantee that we’ll have space for all submissions, and contributions will be subject to editorial board approval. The one definite exclusion is anything politically oriented. We will assume that you’re willing for us to include your name as the submitter unless you indicate that you prefer to remain anonymous. Send to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com or click on “submit a story” near the top right of our homepage.  Thanks for thinking about this!

Virtual activities for kids!

(UW-W press release) Parents are invited to sign up their children to try something new with us this fall. The Try It! program is offered virtually for 1st through 6th-grade students in the Whitewater community. This free program will be offered Mondays, Nov. 9-Nov. 30, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Activities including juggling, origami, charades, yoga, dance, and more! This after-school enrichment program is offered by the UW-Whitewater School Psychology Program in collaboration with the College of Education and Professional Studies. Participants are asked to register by Nov. 2. Any questions please contact us at spp@uww.edu or 262-472-5413

(Whitewater Kiwanis submission) The Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club has officially inducted a new member, the Whitewater Middle School Builders Club, into its family.  On October 14, the Whitewater Middle School Builders Club received its official charter with 47 student members (including some who are now in high school). 

Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club President Jean Bromley said, “I am very proud to be personally involved in the Middle School Kiwanis Builders Club’s charter event.  These students are excited to be a part of the larger community and are looking forward to making a difference.”

Kiwanis Member and Whitewater Middle School Associate Principal Ben Holzem said, “Builders Club provides our students with the opportunity of getting out into our community and serving others. We are finding that it promotes leadership and good citizenship among our students. From that perspective this program is absolutely invaluable. It also provides our community with the opportunity of witnessing the efforts of the great students we have at Whitewater Middle School. We are genuinely proud of them and their efforts.”

On November 6 the students plan on doing yard work throughout the community.  Their stops include several residences along with the Whitewater Islamic Center, the Congregational Church and other locations throughout Whitewater. 

The Builder’s Club is also selling Poinsettias for Kiwanis this year along with all of the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club family of clubs, including Circle K and Key Club.

Last year the students participated in the Rake & Run, the Spaghetti Dinner and the Public Share Library they built for the Jefferson County Humane Society.  They are planning on working with these community partners again in the future.  They are always looking for suggestions for new ideas to serve the community. Please send any suggestions to Kiwanian Ben Holzem (Associate Principal) at: Bholzem@wwusd.org

Whitewater Kiwanis has other partners in town, including the Whitewater High School Key Club and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Circle K.

The Kiwanis Whitewater Breakfast Club is made up of dedicated volunteers who help both the Whitewater community and the world, all with 100 percent of funds going directly to projects and zero to administrative costs. Over the past 22 years, sales from the poinsettia plants have raised $150,000 for programs in the community. Last year, the club distributed more than $20,000, with donations to the Whitewater Unified School District, including shoes for students and scholarships; in addition the club donated to the Whitewater Food Pantry, Bethel House and the Methodist Church that served free meals during COVID.  Kiwanis helped to build and maintain the Flowing Well Shelter, the shelters at Starin Park and Treyton’s Field of Dreams, the WHS football field lights and press box, as well as adopting a highway to clean up.  In addition, the group donates to the Whitewater Youth Soccer Club, the Friends of the Whitewater Aquatic Center Family Partnership Fund and more. More information can be found on the Whitewater Kiwanis Breakfast Club Facebook page.

(Fort Healthcare news release) – For over 35 holiday seasons, the response from individuals, organizations, clubs and businesses has made the Fort HealthCare Partners Love Lights Tree project a successful annual event, exemplifying the spirit of giving.

The Love Light Tree was started in 1985. It is heart-felt way to acknowledge loved ones who are still living or those that have passed away. By charging a small fee of $2.00 per light, the Love Light Tree has been raising money to purchase new equipment, education, and services for Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson.

A Love Light is a perfect gift, giving you the opportunity to tell someone that they are special while still helping others in your community as well. A donation of $2.00 or more will add a light to one of the trees on the Fort Memorial Hospital grounds during the holiday season, either as a gift to honor someone (colored light), or as a memorial (white light) for someone you care for. Special pledge cards are available upon request so you may notify a person (or a family) that you have purchased a light in their honor. A donation of $25.00 or more will designate you as a Love Light Tree sponsor.

If mailing in a donation, order forms and instructions are available for download on the campaign’s website. Online donations are also encouraged, and those can also be made at FortHealthCare.com/Lovelights. A $5.00 minimum is required for online donations, which is automatically for two names. For online purchases, Honor Cards can be emailed to families to show you’ve made a gift in their honor. To ensure you are properly recognized in this year’s sponsor and donor listings that are published in late December, Fort HealthCare Partners must receive your donation by December 14th.

Kari Behling, Fort HealthCare Volunteer Services Manager states, “As we near the end of 2020, we can’t help but reflect on the many different challenges that our world, our country, and our local community have faced. Even in the midst of challenging times, there have been countless stories of positivity that have emerged. And during the approaching season of thanks and giving, we celebrate those happy stories, as they remind us of how good it feels serve others each and every day.”

Funds raised during the 2020 Love Lights campaign will be used to help subsidize the cost of the CareLine service for those who cannot afford it. CareLine is a medical personal emergency response system allowing subscribers to get emergency help 24/7 at the press of a button. The system gives peace of mind to both the subscriber and their family. Additionally, funds will be used to support several healthcare scholarships for students and healthcare professionals in the area.

Behling notes, “We would like to raise funds for our CareLine Program, because there are people in our community who have chronic health conditions who cannot afford this life saving equipment and service. This money will allow the Partners CareLine Program to provide FREE or reduced rates for qualifying clients to receive the service.  CareLine allows individuals to remain in their homes and avoid losing their independence.”

Behling adds, “Continuing to provide these two important services to members of our community is critical for maintaining our commitment to bettering the lives of our friends and neighbors. To keep these commitments a reality for the families that depend on them, we need your help. Your contribution to these very worthwhile projects will be greatly appreciated by not only the Partners, but also by the many local people who will benefit.”

Love Lights Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Love Lights tree lighting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 1st at 6:30 p.m. on the Sherman Avenue lawn in front of Fort Memorial Hospital in Fort Atkinson. Due to social distancing measures that must remain in place, attendance to visitors is limited to those that can watch the ceremony from their cars, listen to it live on WFAW-AM radio, or watch it via Facebook LIVE from any location.

Reflecting on 35 Years of Generosity and Caring

The Partners have sponsored a Scholarship program every year since 1953. Each year in the 1950s through the 1970s, two or three $500 scholarships were awarded to students going into the nursing field. Today, Partners gives $10,000 in scholarship awards to students who are pursuing or advancing their career in most any health care field.

With the ever-growing concern for older people living alone, the Partners started another service to help. In 1984, the CareLine Medical Alarm Service was started (formerly called LifeLine). At the one-year anniversary of this program, they had 23 subscribers using the service. Over the years, the equipment has gotten smaller, and now provides advanced technology such as GPS and fall detection. The program has also gotten bigger, now serving approximately 250 people that have the CareLine system.

As members of the Fort HealthCare Partners organization, Fort Memorial Hospital volunteers are an invaluable resource to the community and a vital part of any healthcare organization. Several important roles fulfilled by volunteers add a tremendous amount of value to Fort HealthCare’s services and directly influence positive patient and guest experiences. Call 920-568-5276 or toll free at 1-800-421-4677 ext. 5276, or visit FortHealthCare.com/Volunteer to learn more. More information and donations for Love Lights can be viewed at www.FortHealthCare.com/LoveLIghts.