News & Events

Editor’s note: The following press release was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

Recently released data from the Whitewater Unified School District’s implementation of literacy instruction practices aligned with the Science of Reading (SOR) in its elementary schools is showing exciting results. 

The data comes from the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills assessment (DIBELS), a measure of children’s foundational skills including fluency and comprehension in their journey through literacy. The assessments were given to WUSD elementary students in September 2023, as part of the shift to the SOR-aligned instructional model. To monitor students’ progress and the impact of the new SOR-aligned approach, students were again assessed in January 2024, four months after the change in instruction. 

January data indicates that, district-wide, the number of students grades K-5 testing above the grade level benchmark increased by nearly 33% from fall to winter. The number of students who initially tested below the grade level benchmark decreased by nearly 17%. “We are encouraged and thrilled for our students, as they all deserve to be reading on target; they are working tremendously hard!” reported Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent. 

“Our teachers, Literacy Coaches, and our Elementary Principals: Mr. Adam Bretl, Mr. Brad Gefvert, and Mr. Tom Grosinske have dedicated themselves to achieve desired results. We are so thankful and proud! It is incredibly validating to see it all working,” said Pate-Hefty. “Additionally, our teachers are part of the Professional Learning Community that is giving feedback about the new curriculum adoption, led by our Director of Teaching and Learning, Ms. Terilyn Robles. We want to honor the significant contributions they are putting into this literacy movement.” 

In the fall of 2023, elementary schools in WUSD transitioned to aligning literacy instruction with SOR, a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research focused on reading and writing. SOR uses key components of instruction that prove to be effective and is gaining traction in literacy instruction across the nation. More information regarding WUSD’s literacy programming and alignment with the Science of Reading can be found at https://www.wwusd.org/page/science-of-reading.

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The following students from the area have been named to the University of Wisconsin-Stout Dean’s List for the fall 2023 semester.

The award is presented to students who have a grade point average of 3.5 or above. 

UW-Stout, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, has 49 undergraduate majors and 23 graduate programs, including one doctoral degree. UW-Stout, established in 1891, prides itself on the success of its students in the workplace, with an employment rate above 99.4% for recent graduates. The university was awarded the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2001.

UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.

Whitewater, WI

 Zsuzana Gyenes, BS Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management
 Cassandra Hoxie, BS Computer and Electrical Engineering
 Bennett Miles, BS Computer and Electrical Engineering

On Wednesday, January 3rd, 2024, at approximately 2:42 a.m., Whitewater Police received a report of an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Kwik Trip Gas Station, located at 305 Elkhorn Road, in the City of Whitewater. The suspect reportedly attempted to purchase an item inside the store, but his debit/credit card was declined after multiple attempts. When employees wouldn’t allow the suspect to leave without paying for the product, the suspect reached into his waistband, brandished what was believed to be a firearm, and made threatening statements to the staff that he was going to “start spraying.” Employees told the suspect to simply take the item and leave, fearing what the suspect might do. The suspect then left Kwik Trip without further incident.

At the same time the armed robbery was being investigated by officers, the Whitewater Communications Center received a separate phone call of an incident involving a male who had been drinking alcohol, was being disorderly towards the caller, and was in possession of a gun. This location was located in close proximity to the eastside Kwik Trip gas station. Officers responded to this secondary location and recognized that the suspect involved in this second call was the same person from the Kwik Trip armed robbery due to viewing video surveillance moments prior. During this second incident, a handgun was recovered at the scene and the suspect was taken into custody.

The suspect, Noel J. Gonzalez (25-year-old male) [107 N East St,] was confined in the Walworth County Jail on multiple criminal charges. The Walworth County District Attorney has formally charged Noel Gonzalez with the following charges: Armed Robbery (Wis. Stat. 943.32(2)), Carrying a Concealed Weapon (Wis.Stat. 941.23(2)), and Disorderly Conduct – Domestic Abuse (Wis. Stat. 947.01(1) with modifier 973.055(1)).

The Whitewater Police Department would like to thank the University of Wisconsin Whitewater Police Department, which assisted in the efforts to take the suspect into custody without incident. It is noted that this case has not been concluded. Unless a judgment of conviction is entered, the defendant is presumed innocent of all charges.

Editor’s note: The above press release was issued by the City of Whitewater Police Department on January 19.

It’s time once again for #FlashbackFriday with the Whitewater Historical Society.

This week’s image is the opposite view of last week’s. It was taken at the corner of First and Center Streets in front of the large Bower’s New Metropolitan Block. It shows three buildings on Main Street, two of which are not extant. The two-story building to the right of the three-story building and the three-story building were torn down for the Schultz Brothers “dime” store, now the Main Street Shoppes. The three-story building was reportedly the first brick building constructed in the downtown in the early 1850s. The two-story building was constructed in 1912 and replaced an old hotel. It was the home of McAlister’s Department Store. The building to the left of the three-story building is still standing. It was built in 1872 for Joseph Haubert’s Harness shop and now houses Fanatico’s restaurant.

Join us next week for another winter scene in downtown Whitewater.

(3723P, Whitewater Historical Society)

So You Think You Can Talk

With a goal of increasing comfort, understanding, and connection within our community, First English Lutheran Church invites everyone to come to an introduction of: So You Think You Can Talk.

Based, in part, on David’s Brooks’s How to Know a Person, Dr. Barb Penington, Professor Emeritus of Family Communications, will introduce us to what we hope can become an ongoing conversation about developing our ability to hear and talk to each other in productive ways.

Whether it’s a matter of faithfully living out a calling to love and serve our neighbors or the challenge of living in community with the many complex views and beliefs held by others, this event is for you.

Sunday, January 28th, 10:45 a.m. (approximately 1 hour)
First English Lutheran Church, 401 W Main St., Whitewater
Fellowship Hall, downstairs
Light refreshments provided, free event

Editor’s note: The above announcement was provided by First English Lutheran Church.

Students who have met all graduation requirements by the end of the first semester of their senior year are permitted to graduate in January. The final step for these students is to present their Graduation Portfolio.

On Thursday, January 18, ten seniors presented portfolios and are now ready to take the next step on their life paths, whether it be to pursue a career, join the service, or start post-secondary education.

Congratulations to these students as they leave WHS; we wish you all the best. January grads participate in the commencement ceremony in May. 

Article Submitted by Kate McNulty
Whitewater High School
kmcnulty@wwusd.org

Per Lee Hollingshead, the annual lot owners and directors meetings of the Cemetery Association of Whitewater will be held in the rec. room of Blackhawk Manor, 1155 Blackhawk Ln., Whitewater on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

The National Weather Service Milwaukee/Sullivan Weather Forecast Office has issued a Wind Chill Advisory that is in effect from 3 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. Wind chills in our area are anticipated to be as low as approximately -20 degrees F. There is the possibility of another wind chill advisory on Saturday night.