News

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

At its August 19 meeting the Parks & Recreation Board heard a report from Program Coordinator Michelle Dujardin about the department’s plans to support parents in the midst of the evolving school year formats.

Daycare will be offered from 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Downtown Armory for children K-5th grade. Participants may arrive and leave at any time during those hours. There’s a maximum of ten students and a minimum of four. The cost is $30/day per child, which includes two snacks; however, parents will provide a bag lunch. Ten work stations have been set up for the children’s school work, for which there will be two one-and-a-half hour periods set aside daily. The staff is prepared to assist the students with their digital learning; in fact, several of the staff attended training on the Seesaw online format. Work will be saved in draft form, so that parents will be able to review it before it is submitted to the teachers. As of the meeting, there is a waiting list, with no one on it, for the first two weeks of school.

After School: Will be available for children K-5th grade from 3-6 p.m. at each school on the day when a child has in-person learning. There’s a maximum of ten students and a minimum of four. The cost is $10/day.

For further information call the department at 262-473-0520.

In other business:

• Director Eric Boettcher reported that the siphons on Trippe Lake are beginning to drop the lake depth. There are three 12″ siphons, approximately 100′ long, which operate on gravity.
• Completion of the Cravath Lakefront Park Amphitheater is on schedule, with the grand opening scheduled for mid-September.
• Seniors in the Park will sponsor a car show on August 26.
• After clarification of the Governor’s facial covering order by the City Attorney, masks will be required in all areas of the Aquatic and Fitness Center with the exception of those who are swimming.
• Soccer begins next week.
• Average checkins at the Aquatic and Fitness Center in July were 89 per day compared with 149 in 2019. Only members are allowed to use the facility at this time. Use of the lap pool is by reservation, and it is functioning at 66% of capacity.
• There was discussion regarding whether there would be community trick-or-treating, with a variety of opinions expressed but no decision.

Posted below is the information about the children’s program that was included in the Parks & Recreation Board agenda packet.

Whitewater After School Program Reopening Plan
This is a working document and dependent on the current climate and status of Covid‐ 19. In
addition, we will take into consideration any direction given to us from City, County and State
guidelines that will be available at time of opening. Again, this is a working document and is
subject to change as we gather more information.

After school families were surveyed to help best determine family needs and program structure.
The survey was sent to 2019-2020 registered after school families, this totaled 109 users.
Families were given two weeks to respond to the survey, 44 response were received. ( Survey
Attached).
In response to the survey, the following programs have been created and currently open for
registration:

 Start date for full day program located at the Downtown Armory is
scheduled for Tuesday, Sept 1st through Friday, September 25th with a timeframe of
7:30am- 5:30pm. This program will take a maximum of 10 participants and a minimum
of 4 participants. This program has a structured schedule that allows two different time
blocks for connection to virtual learning with the help from Parks and Recreation Staff.

 Start date for partial day program located at each Elementary School is scheduled for
Tuesday, Sept 1st through Friday, Sept 25th with a timeframe of 3:00pm -6:00pm. This
program will take a maximum of 10 participants and a minimum of 4 participants.

Safety measure are highly important to us.
High touch surfaces will be wiped down every two hours, masks will be required, and,
when people enter hand sanitizer or hand washing will also be required.
Staff will meet requirements set by the city (mask, temp, reporting, etc)
In the event of a COVID-19 situation, the department will follow the Jefferson County Health
Department and current CDC Guidelines.

By Lisa Dawsey Smith
Whitewater Banner staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

At its August 18 virtual meeting the Common Council adopted a substantially revised Equal Opportunities Commission ordinance. Such an ordinance has existed for over a decade; however, the commission established under that ordinance was only to be constituted in case a complaint of discrimination was filed. No such complaint has been filed in anyone’s memory, so far as is known. The newly constituted commission will be a standing commission, with City Manager Cameron Clapper indicating that he anticipates that it will be a proactive body. The goal will be to help to ensure that Whitewater is a welcoming, affirming and inclusive community, and to contribute to the elimination of racism and other forms of discrimination. A first priority will be a review of city services; in particular, those of the Police Department. The commission will be composed of one or two councilmembers and five to six citizens who may live and/or work in the city or live in the school district. Applications to serve on the commission will soon be solicited.

Also approved at the meeting was an authorization to sell city-owned property via auction, namely, Swenson bottom salter for single axle patrol; brand new / never used track snow blower; job truck #417 (old fire truck) and two Crown Victoria automobiles.

The meeting was held on the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment to the Constitution,which gave women the right to vote. City Manager Cameron Clapper read a proclamation recognizing the anniversary, noting that Wisconsin was the first state, by a margin of minutes, to ratify the amendment.

A New Banner Service – Garage Sale Ads

As a result of a reader’s comment that it’s hard to find garage sales in Whitewater now that we no longer have a weekly shopper, the Banner staff has agreed to begin a “consolidated” garage sale posting that will be published each Thursday morning for the upcoming weekend’s sales. This announcement will only be for garage sales (a sale of miscellaneous household goods, often held in the garage or front yard of someone’s house) in the city and school district boundaries. We will not be accepting, for example, ads for cars or other items that are not part of a scheduled garage sale. There will be a limit of three times per year for a particular property. Although we may eventually make a small charge for this service, initially it will be complimentary.

Those wishing to place a notice must send the information to whitewaterbanner@gmail.com by Wednesday at 6 p.m. You may include a brief description of the items that are for sale, the hours and days of the sale, and of course your address.

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.”

When questions arise you can submit them to our FAQ survey and we’ll answer them promptly:
https://sites.google.com/wwusd.org/wusd-covid-19/communications-presentations/frequently-asked-questions
Banner note: That link will take readers to a page where a number of questions have already been answered. At the top of the page there is also a link through which additional questions may be sumitted.

The first day of school is Tuesday, September 1. To view the District’s Virtual Instruction Platform for the
2020-21 school year, visit https://sites.google.com/wwusd.org/wusd-covid-19/instructional-plans.

(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.

(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 24^th. 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.

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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.