WHITEWATER, WI – August 19 — At its Monday, August 17 meeting, the School Board of the Whitewater Unified School District voted to approve the district’s Virtual Instruction Platform for the 2020-21 school year. This platform is for students who choose the fully virtual model instead of the small-group, face-to-face instructional model.
The approval assigned 3.5 teachers to our elementary virtual platform. Additionally, the School Board approved Edgenuity as the virtual online platform for grades 6-12. This approval makes no changes to the in-person, small group instruction model families have chosen.
“With the Board’s approval, we are very pleased to formalize our Virtual Instruction Platform for the upcoming school year,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, WUSD District Administrator. “This plan is the result of months of hard work and preparation by district staff. We are confident that we have created a plan that will continue to engage our students, even during those times when they are not physically in our classrooms.”
To start the school year: ● Students in 4K will learn in small-group, in-person classes on two half-days each week. ● Students in grades K-5 will take part in virtual learning with a rotating schedule of small-group in-person classes. (They will report in minimally weekly) ● Students in grades 6-12 will participate in an orientation-to-schools day, with virtual learning follow-up instruction. Families grades 6-12 who are selecting a virtual model for minimally a semester, will log into Edgenuity, which includes Wisconsin state-certified instructors and a self-paced curriculum. There are also multiple layers of support for students to assist them in their learning.
“Our teachers have been meeting, rewriting curriculum, creating their classroom platforms, and preparing for both in-person and virtual instruction,” said Dr. Pate-Hefty. “Whether our students are in our school buildings or engaging online, they will have access to a high-quality educational experience backed by the talented and hard-working teachers and staff of WUSD.”
WEBEX EVENT: Introduction to Gender Inclusive Language and Pronouns (with emphasis for healthcare professionals)
Friday, August 28th from 12-1 p.m. The landscape for creating a gender-inclusive environment is quickly changing as the words that young people specifically use to name and communicate their genders expands. In a 2017 poll conducted by GLAAD, for instance, 12% of millennials named their gender beyond the cisgender male-female binary. This 45-60 minute workshop will introduce participants to LGBTQ vocabulary and provide background information and platforms to practice using gender-inclusive pronouns.
Stephanie Selvick, PhD, works as the LGBT* Coordinator at UW-Whitewater where she also teaches “Introduction to LGBTQ Students” and “Queer Popular Culture.”
To join and view presentation, please click here. Event Number: 133 913 0581, Password: Pronoun1 If you cannot access the hyperlink, please email CEC@uww.edu for the link.
(Whitewater Unites Lives Submission) Pete Bolchen is a WUL Hometown Hero, and has been nominated “For volunteering at the Whitewater Community Food Pantry by picking up, delivering and unloading donations, and by fixing whatever is broken.”
Pete is pictured here with Janie Anderson, who nominated him. Pete says, “I am honored. I love working at the Food Pantry and helping out.”
WUL (Whitewater Unites Lives) is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity.
Anyone who would like to nominate a local hero of any age should send their nomination, with a short description, to whitewaterunites@gmail.com
By Lynn Binnie Whitewater Banner staff whitewaterbanner@gmail.com
At its meeting on August 17 the Whitewater Unified School District was given a recommendation by Kelly Seichter, Staff Development/Curriculum Coordinator, to adopt the Edgenuity online platform for those students in grades 6-12 who will be in the fully virtual track. Edgenuity is an Arizona based company that states the following on its website, “Since 1998, we have been bridging the gap between education and technology to help learners achieve success.” Dr. Seichter indicated that the district concluded that with their existing staff they would be unable to provide both in-person and virtual learning for the middle and high school students who plan to continue with virtual learning through the year. Consequently they looked at several companies that specialize in virtual learning, and they chose Edgenuity based on their rigor, their wide variety of electives, and recommendations from districts that have used the program. All the teachers are Wisconsin certified. They offer multiple layers of support, including tutors who are available six days a week, and generally respond to questions in a matter of minutes. There will also be “onsite mentors” in the district who will oversee the students’ progress. The cost of the program to the district will be $250 per student for each semester course. Given that it’s expected that approximately 10% of the students will be participating, the total cost is estimated at approximately $270,000. The plan was unanimously approved by the board. Some students will also be expected to continue with the JEDI program offered through CESA.
It was indicated that the parents of elementary school children will be able to change their students’ learning format (in-person vs. virtual) at the end of the initial four weeks, and also at quarters and semesters. Middle and high school students may change at quarters and semesters.
Business Manager Matthew Sylvester-Knudtson indicated that the costs associated with Edgenuity and other extraordinary expenses for the year would total approximately $525,000, most of which is expected to be made up by cuts to building maintenance budgets and leaving vacant positions unfilled. Ultimately he projected that the district would have a deficit of about $40,000, which would be covered by the small surplus from last year.
The board approved the one year leave of absences requested by three special education paraprofessionals at Washington School. Mr. Sylvester-Knudtson stated that discussions are ongoing with only a few certified staff members regarding possible leave requests. District administrator Caroline Pate-Hefty indicated that the administration is pleased that there have not been more requests, stating that they are hearing from teachers that the plan that was adopted “helped them all feel safe.”
Dr. Pate-Hefty indicated that the current blended COVID-19 positivity rate is 8.58%, still higher than the 8% threshhold recommended by the Jefferson County epidemiologist for in-person learning. Walworth County’s rate is 8.82%, Jefferson’s is 9.4%, and Rock’s, 4.12%.
The Board approved approximately $66,000 to provide necessary school supplies for all students, including those working virtually. Dr. Pate-Hefty indicated that it is the district’s policy to be equitable in providing these supplies to all students.
UW-W’s Children’s Center had announced on August 17 that a staff member had tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in temporary closure of the center. Pate-Hefty indicated that this affects 17 district students who participate in the Children’s Center program.
The League of Women Voters of the Whitewater Area invites all citizens, churches, municipalities, organizations, and businesses in Walworth and Jefferson counties to ring bells, blow whistles or honk horns at noon on Wednesday,August 26, 2020 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed the right to vote to all Americans, regardless of sex. The Wisconsin Governor’s 19th Amendment Centennial Committee, headed by First Lady Kathy Evers, is encouraging bell-ringing statewide just as was done in communities throughout Wisconsin in August of 1920 to celebrate women’s enfranchisement. The Wisconsin Historical Society, as an agency of the state, is taking the lead on this event and encouraging citizens to post their photos and videos on social media using the hashtags #WomensVote100, #WIVotesForWomen and #BIGHistoryIsHappening.
Although the 19th Amendment was a historic milestone in women’s equality worthy of great celebration, the League acknowledges that voting rights were not unconditionally extended to all women in 1920. Minority women excluded from the naturalization process were not citizens and could not vote in 1920 and women of color faced discrimination and racism at the polls until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages active and informed participation in government. Since its founding in 1920, the League has been vigilant and committed to ensuring that every eligible American citizen’s basic constitutional right to vote remains free of undue barriers and discrimination. Visit our website at https://my.lwv.org/wisconsin/whitewater-area and like us on Facebook!
(WHITEWATER – Whitewater Arts Alliance Press Release) – The third Savory Sounds concert for Thursday, Aug. 20 has been cancelled due to health and safety concerns for all. To see previous summer concerts, go to the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s website, www.whitewaterarts.org.
Fort Atkinson, WI – August 14, 2020 – Tyranena Brewing Company will be hosting a “Brews & Bingo” fundraiser to benefit the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.
The event will take place at Tyranena (1025 Owen Street, Lake Mills) from 6-8pm on Monday, August 24th. There will be $10 bingo cards (with the chance to win many prizes) a 50/50 raffle, and Tyranena will also be generously donating $1 for every pint served during the event. All proceeds will support the 2020 United Way campaign.
“We’re really excited to be hosting our third year of bingo during this great fundraising event with Tyranena. We’ve had such successful bingo nights the past two years, so we’re really hoping for strong, continued support this year,” state Megan Hartwick, United Way executive director. “The Tyranena brewery is such a staple in the Lake Mills community, so we’re looking forward to hosting a great event in their beautiful space, all in support of our local nonprofit partners and community programs.”
There will be a number of great prizes available for bingo winners, including Weber grilling tools, Green Bay Packer apparel, a yeti can coozie, gift certificates and much more. There will also be a Fitbit Charge 3 given away to the winner of a final blackout round at the end of the night.
“Last year we introduced a blackout game to end the night in which the winner received great Brewer tickets,” Hartwick added. “Unfortunately that cannot be our prize again this year, but we received a great Fitbit donation and will use that for our final game. Should there be more than one winner, they will rock/paper/scissors until we have one winner. That was quite a fun way to end bingo last year, so we’re looking forward to it again for this year.”
Guests will also be expected to abide by all COVID-related guidelines in place at Tyranena, including limiting table seating to six people or less, not moving tables, using hand sanitizer when ordering outside, and wearing a mask when order and visiting the bingo table.
“Our fundraisers are very important to the overall success of our campaign, and this event has been an exciting kick-off fundraiser for the past two years,” Hartwick states. “But obviously the health and safety of our communities is top priority. After reviewing details with the Stacey Schraufnagel, Front Operations Manager at Tyranena, we felt very comfortable with the steps they had taken and feel confident we can still hold this event safely. We hope lots of folks will join us.”
More information can be found via the Facebook invite for “Brews & Bingo!” and anyone with any questions can contact Hartwick (920.563.8880) or Stacey Schraufnagel of Tyranena (920.648.8699) directly.
The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties’ mission is to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities. We do that by providing support to community programs, projects and local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need. This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need. Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.
For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.uwjnwc.com or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.” For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com.
(From a press release) Walworth County Historical Society (WCHS) is reaching out to the elementary school students and teachers of Walworth County who may not be able to visit the Webster House Museum or the Blooming Prairie One-Room School at the fairgrounds on their usual field trips this school year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The project consists of two elements.
WCHS has initiated a “newsletter” for kids called “The Legacy for Kids.” This newsletter will be published in four initial issues over the upcoming school year and cover much of the history of Walworth County in a style and format suitable for third and fourth grade students. Each issue will cover important eras in the history of the county. Issue Number One deals with early history, Native Americans, the geography of Walworth County and more. Issues two, three and four will deal with different eras of county history. Each newsletter will include important articles and photographs of the history of the county for a given era. All four issues will be available on the society’s website at www.walcohistory.org for all to view at any time as the school year goes on.
The second part of the outreach project involves membership in the newly created “WCHS History Club for Kids”. Kids are invited to join the club free of charge and will be sent a membership kit which includes a Brief HistoryHHHiH of Walworth County Booklet, a membership card and a membership certificate. Future history booklets will follow over the upcoming year. Students who sign up during this calendar year will become Charter Members of the Club. Membership is free and only requires that a student email the Walworth County Historical Society with his/her name and address at walcohistory@tds.net or send his/her name and address requesting membership to the Walworth County Historical Society, P.O. Box 273, Elkhorn, WI 53121.
MADISON, Wis., Aug. 6 —The University of Wisconsin System will employ a robust COVID-19 testing regimen during the fall 2020 semester, thanks to an allocation of approximately $32 million from the office of Gov. Tony Evers. The funding, originally delivered from the federal CARES Act, includes nearly $18 million for testing more than 350,000 students and $6 million for personal protective equipment associated with testing.
“Funding from the governor’s office and the federal government will help us provide the kind of testing we need at our universities when students return this fall,” said UW System President Tommy Thompson. “Students and families can be confident in this testing program.”
The testing program is another step being taken by the UW System to mitigate risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UW System Board of Regents has previously required that students, faculty, and staff will be required to wear facemasks in classrooms, residence halls, and other buildings.
The funding announced today enables the UW System to implement strong testing measures.
Excluding UW-Madison, it will allow for:
Testing of up to 34,000 students who show COVID-19 symptoms, similar to tests now being administered in medical and community settings. Approximately 28,000 tests will be distributed to universities and about 6,000 will be held in reserve by the UW System for future allocation.
An additional 317,000 tests for students living in residence halls, given every two weeks with a rapid turnaround of results, and for close contacts of symptomatic students.
Optional flu testing.
Up to 52 staff located at the universities to assist with testing.
UW-Madison has already announced a testing plan, with $8 million allocated by the governor’s office. The plan announced today applies to the other 12 UW System universities.
Under the plan, testing would be conducted by university student health services offices and local health partners. Those local partners continue to be identified.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, said this week that universities can welcome students back on campus so long as sufficient safety protocols and testing are in place.
“We have been following the guidance offered by my friend Dr. Fauci and other experts and believe we are on track for on-campus instruction,” Thompson said. “Our mask-wearing requirement will help prevent the spread of the virus while our testing program will help identify cases and help contain them.”
Thompson said universities are also working closely with their local public health departments to monitor trends in their communities and to discuss contact tracing. And he said the UW System continues to develop a case dashboard for public reporting of cases within the System.
Amazing arts opportunities available for in-home viewing – In-person events postponed until 2021
Per a press release issued by Young Auditorium Director Shannon Dozoryst – Young Auditorium has been closely monitoring guidelines from the CDC, state, and university in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and while the difficult decision has been made to temporarily postpone live, in-person events, the area’s premiere theatre arts facility has put together an impressive fall season of digital theatre offerings. With live interactive concerts, premium Broadway content, and FREE weekly performances, Young Auditorium is committed to providing a wide array of virtual entertainment options to help serve the campus and community in the coming months.
The safety of our staff, volunteers, and patrons is of paramount importance at Young Auditorium, and it is a driving factor in our decision to move towards a digital fall schedule. While nothing can replace the experience of being in the theatre for a live performance, it is my sincere hope that these premium virtual offerings will keep our patrons and community members engaged in the arts until is once again safe to reopen our doors.
With a wide variety of entertainment offerings available, arts lovers will have no shortage of opportunities to view amazing concerts, theatrical presentations, and interactive performances.
YOUNG AUDITORIUM PRESENTS: While they will not be appearing live on the Young Auditorium stage, many of the artists originally scheduled for fall 2020 performances have been working diligently to offer digital viewing options our patrons can experience from the comfort of their own homes.
Virtual tickets for Young Auditorium Presents events are available for sale starting Thursday, August 20th. For the safety of all involved, we advise customers to purchase online by following the appropriate links at youngauditorium.com. Limited box office hours will be available for phone orders. (Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. / 262-472-2222).
Piano Fondue – Live Streaming Interactive Performance | Friday, September 25 | 7:00 p.m. Join us for an evening of laughter and great music as PIANO FONDUE kicks off the Young Auditorium season with a high-energy, rock-and-roll dueling pianos show!
David Stokes – The Unhuggables: Live Streaming Performance | Saturday, October 17 | 3:00 p.m. Join award-winning educator and conservationist David Stokes as he combines humor, music and sign language to teach kids about some of nature’s most “unhuggable” yet fascinating creatures.
Edgar Alan Poe’s Tales of Terror – Live Streaming Interactive Performance | Wednesday, October 21 | 7:00 p.m. Actor Joshua Kane presents a one-man interactive performance of Poe’s Tell-Tale Heart, Cask of Amontillado, The Raven and more! Audience members help shape the evening’s eerie events in this one-of-a-kind LIVE presentation.
Satellite Sounds at Fort Atkinson Club Cristina Ballatori Trio Mixed Ensemble: Video Performance | Sunday, October 25 | 4:00 p.m. Young Auditorium has partnered with The Fort Atkinson Club to bring you chamber music throughout the season! Normally presented as live, in-person concerts at the Fort Atkinson Club, these free, non-ticketed events can be found by accessing the Young Auditorium YouTube and/or Facebook page.
Momenta Dance: Video Performance | Wednesday, November 18, 2020 | 7:00 p.m. With a mission including dancers and choreographers with disabilities, MOMENTA Dance Company is currently one of the only dance companies in the region that regularly includes physically integrated works in its programming. Don’t miss this unique, eye-opening performance.
The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra – Miracle on Swing Street: A Holiday Soiree: Video Performance | Sunday, December 13 | 2:00 p.m. The fiery hot, soulful Southern big band sounds of The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra are back, and this time, the 18-piece big band outfit is bringing a sleigh full of holiday classics! Free access to the Fabulous Equinox Orchestra performance! No purchase necessary. Young Auditorium will provide performance links via Facebook, email, and our website prior to the show date.
YOUNG AUDITORIUM AND BICOASTAL PRODUCTIONS PRESENT: Y.A. FANCLUB FRIDAYS – Free e-Concerts Every Friday There’s no replacing the live, in-person concert experience…but Young Auditorium and Bicoastal Productions are teaming up to bring you the next best thing. Presenting Y.A. FANCLUB FRIDAYS, an eight-week concert series where you gain FREE access to amazing digital concerts from some of the most electrifying touring acts on the circuit.
The HIT MEN 10/2/2020 Naturally7 10/9/2020 Lee Rocker of The Stray Cats 10/16/2020 The Greatest Piano Men 10/23/2020 Go Now! Tribute to The Moody Blues 10/30/2020 One Night in Memphis: Tribute 11/6/2020 The Red Hot Chilli Pipers 11/13/2020 Sinatra Forever 11/20/2020
Young Auditorium will provide links to the shows via Facebook, direct email, and our website (youngauditorium.com) on the show dates listed above. Young Auditorium members will automatically receive advance, on-demand links as part of Member Mondays.
YOUNG AUDITORIUM and HEARTLAND PRODUCTIONS PRESENT: To help provide even more high-quality digital content, Young Auditorium has partnered with Heartland Productions to offer you LIVE musical performances at the push of a button. Inspiring audiences through entertainment, education, and community outreach, Heartland Productions creates moving ensemble performances with top-notch vocal talent. For a per household, per show fee of $20, you’ll receive digital access to a live production of one of Heartland’s most celebrated shows.
An Evening with Cole Porter (Ensemble Tribute Performance) Thursday, August 20, 2020 | 7:00 p.m. | Live Streaming Performance
Broadway and Beyond with J. Mark McVey Sunday, September 20, 2020 | 4:00 p.m. | Live Streaming Performance Purchase virtual tickets for either Heartland Productions performance TODAY at HeartlandProductions.org/Tickets. Proceeds from each purchase directly benefit Young Auditorium.
BROADWAYHD – EXCLUSIVE SUBSCRIPTION OFFER Make a donation to Young Auditorium and receive a free 3-month subscription to BroadwayHD! The BroadwayHD subscription service makes Broadway shows available to everyone, extending the reach of live theater. High definition (HD) cameras capture the excitement of a Broadway performance in front of an audience and deliver the best angles, video quality, and audio quality right to your living room. If you’ve seen the Disney+ version of HAMILTON, you’ll know exactly the type of quality to expect. BroadwayHD offers hundreds of Broadway-related programs including musicals (like Kinky Boots), concert events (like Les Misérables in Concert) and plays (like Driving Miss Daisy), and new content is added regularly. In addition, their offerings include Broadway classics, Cirque du Soleil, ballet performances, BBC’s Proms concerts, Disney’s Broadway Hits – Live in Concert, Riverdance, Live from Lincoln Center, and more. To take advantage of the BroadwayHD offer, simply visit our Young Auditorium – BroadwayHD webpage starting Thursday, August 20th. Have your credit card ready, make arrangements for a donation of $20 or more, and submit! Those who donate will receive a redemption code for a special 3-month subscription…only available through this special offer.
PLEASE NOTE: Several of the season’s free performances will be presented exclusively via Young Auditorium’s YouTube and Facebook pages. Subscribing to and following Young Auditorium now ensures your access this exclusive performance content!
For complete event listings, performance descriptions, and instructions for purchasing and/or accessing digital content, please visit youngauditorium.com.
