News

(UW-Whitewater College of Arts and Communication, Department of Art and Design submission) The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is pleased to recognize an outstanding alumnus from the Department of Art and Design as the recipient of the 2020 Beginning Educator Award through the Wisconsin Art Educators Association. This award was presented to alumnus Brad Miller, who teaches at Mount Horeb Middle School, for his exemplary skills in the classroom. The Wisconsin Art Educators Association’s mission is to develop a professional community with a passion for inspiring creativity, innovation, advocacy and excellence in art education.

Miller wanted to pursue teaching art since his senior year in high school. “I vividly remember talking with my high school ceramics teacher during class one day and he asked me what I was going to do after high school. I said there was a good chance I would be a teacher like him. We talked a lot about that over the rest of my senior year, about other options, or other careers, but it always came back to teaching.  He is someone that I still look up to today, and I luckily have had many chances to work with him personally making art. He gave me many chances to expand my knowledge, and I hope to do the same to my students one day.”

An artist himself, Miller has a studio in Stoughton, Wisconsin where he creates what he deems as “functional art” (bowls, vases, etc.) with clay. “I think that saying you are an artist is a really important part of the art teaching world.  If I were to tell my students that I was just their teacher, and not an artist myself, I think it wouldn’t show them what opportunities are out there for artists.”

“My favorite artists are my students. Some will say that’s cheesy, and I’m okay with that. Every day that I get to see something that a student creates out of their own imagination gives me so much love for the world. It is hard to find many artists today that are excited to try things even if they may fail, but my students always are willing to share their own ideas even if they are unsure of what the outcome may be.”

Miller’s experience at UW-Whitewater was anything but ordinary. “Coming into UW-Whitewater, knowing that I wanted to teach, I knew that I needed to learn not only what my professors were teaching, but how they were teaching.  From my English, to Astronomy, to Art, I made sure to look at how they were sharing the information just as much as what information they shared.  I have been able to choose for myself, and my students what methods are going to work in that time to teach what needs to be taught. My experience at UW-Whitewater was one I will always remember, and apart from my classes there is one thing that stood out: the people. I have always been grateful for the people I met along the way at UW-Whitewater. They all taught me that there are people from all over the country who have different backgrounds that we may know nothing about, and sometimes all we need to do is listen to them. If I were to talk to someone who is thinking about coming to UW-Whitewater for Art Education or any other field I would have to say: There are many opportunities to pursue in today’s world, yet there are not many that give you a feeling of community with every group you choose to be a part of. UW-Whitewater served that need for community from the Professors to my social group; they pushed me and kept me on track throughout my education.”

(New Beginnings APFV submission) New Beginnings APFV is excited to announce that after nearly two years of work, the organization has acquired a new permanent address thanks to a property donation from Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Dr. Edward Kapustka, and the Grout Family Trust on behalf of Dr. David Grout (deceased). The property is located at 20 North Church Street and is the former location of an Aurora medical office.

The new property will provide much-needed relief to New Beginnings APFV counselors, staff, and emergency support personnel as well as their administration offices. New Beginnings APFV provides free and confidential support and advocacy to individuals impacted by domestic and sexual violence in Walworth and Jefferson counties. Services include crisis intervention, legal advocacy, safety planning, individual counseling, housing advocacy, children’s services, medical advocacy, support groups, and information and referral to other relevant community resources.

“This donation will dramatically improve the level of care we can provide,” said New Beginnings APFV Executive Director Suzi Schoenhoft.

“We will have better privacy for counseling, better access to emergency services, and an improved capacity to serve,” Janis Scharnott, president of the New Beginnings Board of Directors stated, adding, “It has been a long process to get here, but after 42 years, we are so thankful to have a permanent home. The fact that it was made possible by such a generous donation from Aurora Lakeland Medical Center, Dr. Kapustka, and the Grout Family Trust makes it that much sweeter. People have been so positive about the move, including the Elkhorn Police Department, Walworth County Sheriff, and the 800+ people living in Walworth County that voiced their support on our behalf when we needed it. We are fortunate to be in Elkhorn and grateful for the time, donations, and kind words. This move is a victory for us all, for our community.”

“With its long history of serving the communities throughout Walworth County, Aurora Lakeland Medical Center is pleased and proud to donate our former clinic to New Beginnings,” said Bob Miller, president, Aurora Lakeland Medical Center. “For several decades, Advocate Aurora Health has been committed to serving individuals whose lives have been affected by violence. Community safety and violence prevention continues to be a top priority within our community health strategy. We hope this gift to New Beginnings will serve as a beacon of hope to survivors and their families and ensure vital services are available in Walworth County for many years to come.” Miller continued: “As a community health organization, Aurora Lakeland Medical Center is woven into the lives of residents and neighbors. Like New Beginnings, we seek to improve the quality of life of all who live in the area. We can’t think of a better use of our former clinic than in serving this shared purpose.”

The office and counseling staff plans to move into their new Church Street location in Spring 2021.

The mission of New Beginnings APFV is to provide supportive services and advocacy for adult and child victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, and human trafficking. We also educate the community about these critical issues. We offer free support and advocacy to individuals and families in Walworth and Jefferson Counties. Our goal is to open Walworth County’s first short-term emergency shelter. To learn more about New Beginnings APFV or to donate, please visit www.newbeginningswalworth.com.

Aurora Lakeland Medical Center has been serving the Walworth County community since 1917. Located in the county seat of Elkhorn, the 64-bed hospital is home to more than 400 providers offering 44 medical specialties including cardiology, orthopedics and urology. For Women’s Health, ALMC operates the first and longest running baby-friendly facility in Wisconsin, with private labor, delivery and recovery suites. The hospital’s outstanding Emergency Department is a Level III Trauma Center, stroke-certified and chest pain accredited, with Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) who provide care and follow-up referrals for survivors of sexual violence, as well as community education. ALMC has been nationally recognized for affirming and compassionate care to help all people live well.

Advocate Aurora Health is one of the 10 largest not-for-profit, integrated health systems in the United States and a leading employer in the Midwest with more than 70,000 employees, including more than 22,000 nurses and the region’s largest employed medical staff and home health organization. A national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care, the system serves nearly 3 million patients annually in Illinois and Wisconsin across more than 500 sites of care. Advocate Aurora is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies and is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology and pediatrics. The organization contributed $2.1 billion in charitable care and services to its communities in 2018. We help people live well.

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

A Whitewater entrepreneur has been named to a national magazine’s 2021 list of outstanding young business leaders for his efforts at developing and marketing of energy storage systems. Dustin Herte, 29, CEO of Blue Line Battery Inc., has been announced as one of the 2021 “30 under 30” by Forbes Magazine.

Blue Line Battery designs and manufactures industrial lithium-ion batteries for powering industry. The company reports its vision as producing “efficient lithium-ion battery technology accessible to all of the motive power industry, through intuitive engineering and better financing”. The company currently has 63 industrial customers operating 263 industrial batteries designed and produced by Blue Line. They report more than $1 million in annual revenue according to Forbes.

The company operates out of the Whitewater University Technology Park Innovation Center and has hired multiple UW-Whitewater graduates and interns over the years.

”We are very excited for Dustin and the whole Blue Line team to have achieved such a significant distinction in entrepreneurship and we are equally excited that the company has chosen the Whitewater University Innovation Center to continue the research and development of Blue Line Products”, said Innovation Center Executive Director Mark Johnson.

The Whitewater University Innovation Center’s stated mission is to create and foster durable businesses and jobs through a close alignment of UW-Whitewater’s research and educational competencies and the resources of the City of Whitewater. It provides workspace, coaching, and programming to assist startup companies. Over 25 companies collaborate to encourage entrepreneurship and increase local business opportunities according to the center’s website. The City of Whitewater, the Whitewater Community Development Authority, and the UW-Whitewater partnered and founded the Whitewater University Technology Park and Innovation Center in 2011.

Forbes Magazine annually produces a list of “30 under 30” entrepreneurs in various categories. Herte was included in the “Energy Sector” grouping. The magazine states that “a group of reporters, editors and expert judges consider a variety of factors like: funding, revenue, social impact, inventiveness and potential” when choosing annual “30 under 30” honorees. Forbes says the “30 under 30” goal is to look for the best and boldest young leaders, creators, and thinkers to join what the magazine reports as “Our Dynamic Under 30 Community.” 

The magazine is well known for its lists and rankings, including of the richest Americans (the Forbes 400), of the America’s Wealthiest Celebrities, of the world’s top companies (the Forbes Global 2000), Forbes list of The World’s Most Powerful People, and The World’s Billionaires.

(UWW-Community Optimist Club press release)

Two agencies that assist Whitewater residents who have special needs were grateful to
receive items collected on behalf of the UWW-Community Optimist Club. Whitewater clients
are able to benefit from VIP (Very Important People) Services that provides for persons with
disabilities while New Beginnings offers comprehensive, compassionate support and services
to people affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking.

Cindy Simonsen, Executive Director for VIP Services and Linda Cheney, Director for New
Beginnings, APFV, stopped in Whitewater last week to receive some of the items collected
from the Whitewater community meant to keep people warm and cared for this winter.

The UWW-Community Optimist Club’s Mitten Tree project has been ongoing for 26 years and
works with area sites to collect mittens, gloves, hats, scarves, and other items for those in
need over the winter months. In light of the changes needed during the COVID pandemic,
First Citizens State Bank, Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) and First English Lutheran
Church will be collection places this year but in a much more limited fashion. First Citizens
State Bank will be taking collections from their employees and First English Lutheran Church
will only collect from their church members indirectly. The Whitewater branch of Fort
Community Credit Union’s lobby is open, and they will serve as a collection site for the public.
Persons willing to donate items may also contact project co-chairs, Rick and Jeanine Fassl.
Donations will be accepted now through, Friday, December 18th by 4 p.m.

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

A local charitable organization is looking for volunteers with remodeling experience to assist a local single mother who was reportedly abandoned by a contractor hired to refurbish a house trailer.

The mother of three purchased a trailer at a local trailer park. It needed a full renovation inside.  She hired someone to do the work and paid them but indicated that the worker took off after the initial demolition. This left the family with a gutted trailer, no money left to fix it, and no place to live.

Bethel House, a local charitable organization, was able to find the family a temporary place to live and is asking for volunteers to assist the family. Bethel House Executive Director Kristy Weinberg can be reached at (262) 473-2715 or via email at kristy.bethelhouse@gmail.com.

In addition to basic carpentry Weinberg reports that the furnace needs some repair and there appear to be some electrical problems. The trailer has just bare metal siding as the walls. “I’m wondering if we can find some volunteers who have remodeling/construction skills to help,” said Weinberg. “With this community (Whitewater area), I’m sure we can find help,” she added.

Bethel House is a non-profit ecumenical project helping families facing homelessness in Whitewater and is supported by numerous local churches and individuals.  Bethel House provides transitional housing and case management to families in need in addition to other basic support activities.

This communication was sent to WHS Families on December 7.

Dear WHS Families, 

The District adopted a plan requiring a school to shift to virtual instruction for three days after three positive COVID-19 cases are confirmed within a seven-day period.  Unfortunately, we have confirmed three cases at Whitewater High School and the building will be closed for in-person attendance Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  The building will be deep cleaned on Thursday. In-person instruction for identified students will resume on Friday. There will be no disruption in virtual instruction. 

Contact Tracing:

Upon receiving the notification and confirmation, the school conducted initial contact tracing and has contacted any students or staff who were directly impacted by close contact via phone. If you did not receive a call, you were not a close contact. 

Online Meals:

The deadline to order online meals for Tuesday will be extended to 8:00pm tonight.  Families are able to order meals by following this link:  https://sites.google.com/wwusd.org/wusd-covid-19/food-service. Meals ordered for pick up at WHS Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday will be available for pick up outside of WHS.

Online Instructional Schedule:

On Tuesday, December 8th students should log into their Google Classroom.  Assignments will be posted and class meetings will begin at 8:00 a.m. – 2:15p.m. Please see schedule below:

Tuesday, December 8 -Thursday, December 10

8:00-8:30, Period 1

8:45-9:15, Period 2

9:30-10:00, Period 3

10:15-10:45, Period 5

11:00-11:30, Period 6

11:30-12:00, Lunch

12:15-12:45, Period 7

1:00-1:30, Period 8

1:45-2:15, Period 9

2:15-3:15, Office Hours and Asynchronous Work

These virtual meetings are important for students so please make every effort to help your child connect with their teachers during the scheduled times.

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact Whitewater High School at (262) 472-8100.

Best, 

Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty

District Administrator

By Al Stanek
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Two of seven Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) Board positions will be filled by voters in April with the deadline of January 5 for citizens to indicate an interest in serving. Current School Board member Kelly Davis, holder of one of the two positions, has indicated that she will not be seeking reelection. The holder of the other position, Tom Ganser, told the Banner that he plans to run again.

Any person who is a United States citizen and a qualified elector of the Whitewater Unified School District is legally qualified to become a member of the School Board according the news release by WUSD. The release states that School Board candidates should have “… a genuine interest in and devotion to public education, a willingness to give time and effort to the position, a capacity to understand people” as well as “the ability to work cooperatively with others.”

Board members are elected for three-year terms, and may be paid $15 per meeting, although many decline to accept the payment. In addition to regular meetings on the fourth Monday of each month, members are also appointed to serve on committees. In December’s meeting there is planned to be discussion about the “quantity of school board meetings,” an item that was deferred from the November agenda. Reportedly in the past the board sometimes met twice monthly.

There are no signature circulation requirements for interested parties unlike Whitewater Common Council and other elected positions. Filing documents may be obtained at the office of the School Board Secretary at the WUSD Central Office, 419 South Elizabeth Street, Whitewater.

WUSD provides an orientation session for Board candidates in January to help candidates become acquainted with the election process and Board members’ duties and responsibilities. The District Administrator has also developed, in consultation with the Board, a candidate orientation program to be presented by District staff and one of the current Board members.

Information and assistance in filing the required application documents is available from School Board Secretary Jaclyn Tueting at (262) 472-8702. Her email address is jtueting@wwusd.org.

The WUSD School Board is the body’s policy-making authority and is responsible for the District’s annual budget. The WUSD news release points out that the board “…is responsible to the public for the success of all education services offered by the District. This success is dependent on many individuals, but also upon each Board member’s understanding of the workings of the District-wide operations and each member’s ability to participate meaningfully in the decision-making process that governs the District.”

WUSD provides instruction at Whitewater High School, Whitewater Middle School and Lakeview, Lincoln, and Washington Elementary Schools. The District covers portions of a wide-ranging geographic area that includes parts of three different counties. Any citizen who resides in the District is eligible to serve on the WUSD Board.

(A Young Auditorium submission)

Meeting the Challenges of Whitewater — One Donation at a Time

(Whitewater Community Foundation press release) The Whitewater Community Foundation (WCF) invites you to join us by investing in Whitewater. Our mission “to enhance the quality of life in the Whitewater area through educational, cultural, charitable or benevolent expenditures” depends on the generosity of people like you.   

A gift from you by December 31^st, 2020 can provide necessary funding for scholarships and for Community Action Grants given twice a year. Your donation to WCF supports programs such as the Cravath Lake Amphitheater, the Whitewater Dog Park, inclusive play equipment at Starin Park, and so much more to improve the community we live in. 

Given the challenges of 2020, the WCF gathered donations for organizations heavily impacted by COVID-19 to ensure they could continue to aid members of our community. Through the generous giving of the community, the WCF was able to disburse over $20,000 from the COVID-19 Community Recovery Fund to assist organizations in their efforts to assist those affected by the pandemic.

To do your part in helping our community, donate by simply sending a check made payable to Whitewater Community Foundation at P.O. Box 428, Whitewater, WI 53190, or donate online at www.whitewatercommunityfoundation.org by clicking the “Donate” button. You may donate to our General Fund or, if you prefer, you may choose a designation for your gift by selecting a specific focus area you are passionate about. For tax purposes, the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Under the CARES act, individuals taking the standard deduction may be able to reduce their adjusted gross income up to $300* for donations made in 2020. Please check with your tax advisor for more information.

The Foundation asks permission to announce your generous donation in future annual reports.  If you prefer to remain anonymous, please state your preference with the donation.  For more information, contact info@whitewatercommunityfoundation.org. Thank you for considering the Foundation as a part of your charitable giving for 2020.  

*Banner note: Some sources are stating that a couple filing jointly may be able to claim up to $600 in donations; however, the IRS in its draft instructions for the Form 1040 is indicating that the limit is still $300.