News & Events

Editor’s note: The below press release was received from UW-Whitewater.

Responding to an ongoing need for early childhood education advocacy to meet critical workforce needs, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater created an online degree designed for professionals and recent college graduates who aspire to advance their careers through a focus on policy studies.

A lack of availability and access to early childhood education and care in the United States has been long seen as a crisis with serious impacts on families, business productivity, and tax revenue. A study by ReadyNation found that the nation’s infant-toddler childcare crisis now costs $122 billion in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue every year. In Wisconsin, where many rural communities lack care, a report prepared for the Wisconsin Economic Development Institute found that “Wisconsin businesses and employers perceive that a lack of affordable childcare in the state is negatively impacting the state economy and their businesses. Approximately 4 out of 5 Wisconsin employers say the state economy is impacted by parents’ access to affordable, high-quality childcare.”

UW-Whitewater launched the Master of Science in Education in Early Childhood Education Policy in 2022 to give professionals the tools needed to address early childhood education system solutions, preparing them to work with schools, non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, advocacy groups, and institutes of higher education. The program includes 30 credits of instruction and an internship.

In December 2023, its first-ever graduates earned their diplomas.

Dana Schmock, a workforce engagement specialist at the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, was one of the eight students who formed the first cohort to earn the degree, which is the only such program in the state of Wisconsin and one of the few programs in the nation.

“I signed up for this master’s degree because early childhood is the most integral part of a person’s life,” said Schmock. “After being in the field for my entire professional career thus far, I realized the lack of equity and quantity in quality early childhood education and care experiences. By addressing the current problems and challenges, I am able to use policy to positively impact the field.”

Shasta Westaby, the owner and lead teacher of Just Playing Child Care family child care in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, also earned her degree. Westaby said already she knew she was making a lasting impact on children and families in her role as a childcare provider.

“(But) I wanted to go bigger and have a lasting impact on the field of early childhood education,” said Westaby. “This program puts me in a position to be a better advocate with an understanding of policies, research, and how to go from an idea to proposing bills and policies to decision-makers.”

Luis Godinez, who works in educational support for Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Child Development Program, signed up for the program to become an advocate for early childhood education policy in his community and to engage and network in nonprofit operations.

“I was able to expand my network for nonprofit and community engagement goals, gaining valuable insights and potential partnership with other like-minded students,” said Godinez. “I aim to apply my knowledge by creating connections between the needs of families and other early childhood educators, advocating for necessary policies.”

UW-Whitewater Professor Lucinda Heimer, who serves as director of the master’s degree program, reflected on her students, who work in family childcare, school districts, state agencies and nonprofits.

“Some of them will continue in their positions, some may change their career dramatically, made possible by some of the experiences they had,” said Heimer. “This program is special because it provides space to build community and depth and understanding so students can impact the system. It brings together people who have been working in silos.”

She added, “Through the program, the practitioners begin to see themselves as leaders. They see how their stories and advocacy impact policy to support the field, children, and families to address access and equitable solutions in the early years.“

Heimer pointed to the structure of the program, which is completely online to accommodate working professionals and can be completed in as few as 15 months.

“The pandemic really opened up awareness about how coursework like this could be accomplished online,” said Heimer. “At the same time, our students craved synchronous meetings and interaction. So even if those meetings are online, they show up. The accessibility piece is huge — we have one student in Nigeria and one in Louisiana.”

When asked to reflect on her experience in the program, Westaby, the Rice Lake family childcare owner, spoke to the impact she expects it to have.

“The reach of this degree is going to be powerful,” Westaby said. “The work we did in this program is going to change this field and give unmeasurable volume to the voices of the early childhood professionals who obtain this degree. You have given us the tools and knowledge to change this field for children, families and educators.”

Cara Craig, a home visitor with Head Start/Early Head Start in Chicago, agreed.

“(This program) was exactly what I was hoping for — rigorous, supportive, interactive, empowering, and creating connections!”

After completing the program in December, Craig said, “I am carrying knowledge, power, voice, inspiration, and purpose into my life”.

For more information on the Master of Science in Education in Early Childcare Education Policy program, contact Lucy Heimer at 262-472-5802 or heimerl@uww.edu.

First English Lutheran Church at 401 W Main Street has the following events, open to the public, during Holy Week:

 – Monday, March 25th 9:00 a.m. until Wednesday, March 28th at 9:00 p.m., the church will be open for a self-guided tour of the Stations of the Cross.  Enter off the parking lot, at the rear of the church and continue forward to the sanctuary for further instruction. Anytime, day or night, you are welcome to come, pray or meditate, and walk the Stations of the Cross with art and recommended scripture readings and prayers.

 – Thursday, March 29th at 7 p.m., all are welcome to our Maundy Thursday evening service.

 – Friday, March 30th at Noon, the Whitewater Ministerial Association’s Ecumenical Good Friday service begins at First United Methodist Church, 145 S Prairie Street, and continues to the Congregational Church at 12:45, First English Lutheran Church at 1:30, and concludes at 2:00 p.m.

 – Sunday, March 31st come celebrate Easter with us.  Breakfast is available from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and is free, worship services will be at 7:30 a.m. for our contemporary guitar service and the usual 9:30 am for the traditional service with choir and brass.

Editor’s note: The following press release was received from the Whitewater Fire & EMS Department.

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

The Banner does not take a position on political candidates or issues. The following information is provided since it appears that a number of citizens are puzzled by the “Vote No” signs that have appeared on some lawns. We would have also featured a “Vote Yes” sign in this article if we had seen one, but thus far, we have not. If a reader sees a “Yes” sign, please email the address to the Banner at whitewaterbanner@gmail.com.

Neither the city nor the school district is conducting a referendum on the April 2 election. Rather, there are two state constitutional amendments proposed on the ballot. According to the Movement Advancement Project, 19 states allow for citizens to propose such an amendment by initiative. Wisconsin does not have such a provision; instead, a constitutional amendment may only be considered when it has been passed by a majority of the members of both houses of the legislature in consecutive two-year sessions. The governor plays no role. After approval in the legislature, the voters must approve a referendum by a majority vote.

Question 1 reads as follows: “Use of private funds in election administration. Shall section 7 (1) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that private donations and grants may not be applied for, accepted, expended, or used in connection with the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum?”

Explanation of the Proposed Constitutional Amendment (provided by the Legislative Reference Bureau): This constitutional amendment provides that no state agency or officer or employee in state government and no political subdivision of the state or officer or employee of a political subdivision may apply for, accept, expend, or use any moneys or equipment in connection with the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum if the moneys or equipment are donated or granted by an individual or nongovernmental entity.

A “yes” vote – supports the changes to the constitution. A “no” vote – opposes the changes to the constitution.

This proposed amendment received the following support in the legislature. In 2022: Passed in the Senate by a vote of 21-11, and in the House with a vote of 58-32. In 2023: Passed in the Senate 21-10, and in the House, 60-35. The vote to place Question 1 on the ballot was along party lines with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed.

Question 2 reads as follows:  “Election officials. Shall section 7 (2) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that only election officials designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections, and referendums?”

Explanation of the Proposed Constitutional Amendment (provided by the Legislative Reference Bureau): The constitutional amendment prohibits any individual other than an election official designated by law from performing any task in the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum.

A “yes” vote – supports the changes to the constitution. A “no” vote – opposes the changes to the constitution.

This proposed constitutional amendment received the following support in the legislature: In 2022: Passed in the Senate by a vote of 21-11, and in the House with a vote of 58-32. In 2023: Passed in the Senate 21-10, and in the House, 60-35. The vote to place Question 2 on the ballot was along party lines with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed.

Further information regarding the amendments may be found by entering your address at vote411.org. Under the section “about this measure,” click on “more information,” which includes arguments for/against each proposal, as well as individuals/organizations that support/oppose each amendment. That site will also show the candidates for the various races on your ballot, including their responses (if any) to several questions.

Editor’s Note: The following was provided by Whitewater Pride.

The Spring session of preschool story time begins at the Irvin L. Young Memorial Library on Wednesday, March 27 and will continue each Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. through May 15.  The story time is best for ages 2-6 but all ages are welcome. Children will enjoy books, songs, rhymes, and movement just right for preschool learning. Everyone is welcome to attend this fun, free story time. Registration is not required.

In addition to the library’s regular story time, a monthly program in Spanish will also be offered. The first session is Tuesday, April 9 at 11:00 a.m. Families are invited to attend for books and songs in Spanish. There will also be an activity and snack.

Además de la hora habitual de cuentos de la biblioteca, también se ofrecerá un programa mensual en español. La primera sesión es el martes 9 de abril a las 11:00 a. m. Se invita a las familias a asistir para recibir libros y canciones en español. También habrá actividad y merienda.

The Irvin L. Young Memorial Library is located at 431 W. Center Street in Whitewater. Contact Sarah French with questions at sfrench@whitewater-wi.gov or 262-458-2782. For a full listing of the library’s events, visit whitewaterlibrary.org.

City of Whitewater Urban Forestry Commission – Monday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda includes tree sale.
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83123853629?pwd=b0RqSkVxQjJzZWVnWkhBTFJ3ckdsUT09
Meeting ID: 831 2385 3629
Passcode: 901402
Dial 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 831 2385 3629
Passcode: 901402

City of Whitewater Finance Committee Meeting – Tuesday @ 5:00 p.m.
Agenda
Cravath Lakefront room 2nd floor 312 West Whitewater St
*In Person and Virtual
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join our webinar via computer, smart phone, or telephone.
Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88352007447?pwd=eFL0iVqA4GfRBBujeNP6TcLyxq2T1b.1
Meeting ID: 883 5200 7447
Passcode: 897711
Or dial 1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 883 5200 7447
Passcode: 897711

Steve Watson wrote on March 11, “Our local eagle paused for awhile this morning in Hillside Cemetery. Wind rustling its feathers. Sun rise on its face. I never tire of spotting our very own eagle pair.”

Our thanks to Steve Watson for sharing his recent spotting.

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