The School District of Beloit received the Dorothy Height Award for Racial Justice in the Workplace Thursday from the YWCA of Rock County. Pictured are Emily Pelz, Executive Director of Student Services; Jamie Merath, Executive Director of Business Services; Angela Moore, Executive Director of YWCA Rock County; Dr. Tom Johnson, Superintendent; Jacqueline Jolly, Director of Teaching, Learning and Innovation; Deetra Sallis, Executive Director of Human Resources; and, Rosendo Amor, Assistant Principal, Beloit Memorial High School.

YWCA’s second annual Racial Justice Conference

The School District of Beloit has received the Dorothy Height Award for Racial Justice in the Workplace from YWCA of Rock County.

The award, presented Thursday at the YWCA’s second annual Racial Justice Conference, is named after Civil Rights leader Dorothy Height, for her commitment and leadership in workforce diversity.

“The School District of Beloit has given its attention to ensuring that diversity isn’t a moniker or a word on letterhead, but that it is defined by distinct action,” said Beloit Superintendent Dr. Thomas Johnson.

Johnson made staff diversity a districtwide goal wide after he was appointed to the district’s top job in February 2014. During the 2013-2014 school year minority hiring for all positions in the district was 14 percent. As of October 4, 2016 minority hiring in the School District of Beloit for this school year was at 35 percent.

“The bottom line is that we believe that our faculty and staff should be far more representative of our community and student population,” said Johnson. “We believe it is imperative for students from all backgrounds to see, know, and learn from individuals who share and reflect their diversity.”

The district’s human resources department recruits diverse talent from both within the U.S. and around the world.

Among its achievements, the YWCA cited the district’s “Grow Your Own,” an ongoing scholarship fundraiser which has collected $44,363 to support multicultural students pursuing education as a career.
 

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Rotary Club of Beloit
Student of the Week
September 2016

Emma’s Turn

That is according to Emma’s parents Melissa and Will Corum who say Emma’s Beloit education and school experiences, including the BMHS Theatre Department, are worth a standing ovation.

The same was true, she says, for Emma’s older sister, “Our oldest daughter, Megan ‘14, now a junior at Lawrence University in Appleton, was featured three years ago, so it is fun for Emma to have a turn.”

Tight-knight School Community

Beginning at the beginning of the family’s story here, Melissa says, “We moved to Beloit after college and purchased a house on the west side near Gaston School shortly before Emma was born. We still live in that same house, and are proud west-siders!

“The Beloit School District has been a great fit for Emma. She has been nurtured by a succession of teachers since Gaston elementary, many of whom still cheer on her successes, such as Sue Brunson and Dawn Harris. She started participating in theatre at a young age with KFAD (Kids Fun and Drama), and her middle school drama directors, Stephanie Hormig & Lori Gustafson, further encouraged and supported her passions. They both attend BMHS Theatre productions, which illustrates our tight-knit school community.”

Her School Family

“At BMHS,” Melissa continues, “Emma has had some truly amazing teachers, such as Gary Studemann, Deb Prowse, Sara Johnson and her mentor, Greg Wallendal (of the Theatre Department). Each of these remarkable educators has played a huge role in shaping her into an intelligent, caring, questioning adult who is driven to succeed. Her current favorite class is AP U.S. Government with James Hoey. She’s found the class especially valuable during this election season. AP Language was instrumental in helping her find her writing voice and giving her the skills to succeed in a college-level course.”

Turning to the stage, Melissa says, “Theatre has been a central part of Emma’s life since she was seven years old. She found her home in the award-winning BMHS Theatre Department and has been cast in each production since her freshman year. She’s been a gingerbread man, a grandma, a fairy and a monkey, to name a few. Last summer, she traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland with BMHS to perform in the Fringe Festival, the world’s largest arts festival.  Spending two weeks in Europe taught her independence and resilience — their luggage was lost for several days! — as well as opened her eyes to the world outside of the Midwest.  She’s also been able to grow in leadership positions within the theatre, such as organizing Drama Day for elementary school students or helping with the student-led hayride each year. In fact, her work with younger students through the theatre is what awakened her passion for teaching and she’s now considering double majoring in elementary education, along with theatre.

Beyond theatre, Melissa says, “Emma was also involved in the Music Department with Jacob Truby (who is no longer at BMHS). He had a tremendous impact on her and instilled a love for singing as well as promoted a strong family atmosphere in the department. She was lucky to travel to Washington, D.C. with the choir, along with visits to various colleges. Additionally, she has participated in The Increscent, Link Crew, National Honor Society and Student Senate.”

All told, Melissa adds, “As the college acceptance letters start to arrive, we have no doubt that Emma has been well-prepared for whatever comes next. She’s excelled in several AP classes and is a Beloit College Porter Scholar, so we know she has the skills to succeed in college level coursework. Thanks to BMHS’ great AP program, she will enter college with quite a few college credits, allowing her to pursue her passions sooner. Additionally, because of our wonderfully diverse community, she’s been taught how to relate to many different kinds of people with varied beliefs and ideas, and she’s learned how to advocate for herself to achieve her goals. Beloit will always be her home, but she’s ready to take her place on the world’s stage.”
 

The post Emma Corum (17′) | Our Students Our Stories appeared first on School District of Beloit News.

Date: Nov. 18, 2016
From: Brian Leaf, Public Information Officer, bleaf@sdb.k12.wi.us

Beloit, Wisconsin — The National Honor Society has 51 new members at Beloit Memorial High School. Students were inducted Wednesday, Nov. 16, during a ceremony at the school.

“We are proud of our student scholars,” said Supt. Thomas Johnson. “Their achievements in the classroom are the result of a school system where curious young minds are nurtured and shaped by attentive instructors. These students will someday lead and move our community. They are Thinking Beyond Tomorrow.”

The inductees are:

Cassy Anderson-Hamilton, Gabriela Arreguin, Marcela Arreguin, Jamal Barrett, Deenay Batchelor, Juliana Bennett, Morgan Bittner, Casper Clark, Shyann Clark, Eleanor Conover-Crockett, Jack Cronin, Chloe Day, Adela Diaz, Liliana Dominguez, Deo Edwards, Felix Estrella, Montana Fallin, Abby Garsow, Samatha Grahn, ReyAnn Harris, Mikayla Hoey, Kalison Hosey, Amber Jensen, Tyler Jensen, Elinor Kraemer, Rocio Lopez-Arteaga, Curtis Luther, Leslie Martinez, Smith Mayse, Kihya McDowell, Manuel Mejia-Carillo, Edgar Mellin, Marissa Miller, Thomas Oselio, Joel Palomares, Vania Perez, Laura Rapp, Alyciana Rivera, Maxwell Sage, Cassandra Sala, Clare Santas, Ryan Santas, Ivan Santiago-Cruz, Muskaan Sokhey, Adrian Sowicz, Zachary Strong, Nicholas Wadle, Joshua Wick, Elijah Williams, Devin Wolf, Carson Zane.
 

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Working For Change

A group of young boys and girls who are already striving to make a positive change in their environment. What you are visualizing occurred in October at Gaston Elementary School.

Called Socktober, the event saw Gaston students collect bundles of socks for a local family shelter. The event, originally identified from Kid President, a motivational childhood figure, was encouraged by Principal Brandye Hereford for the Gaston Student Council to take on. “We were inspired by our school principal”, said Gaston teacher and Student Council Advisor Betty Otter.

The objective was to collect socks of all sizes and varieties from classrooms that students donated on a daily basis. “People from every class helped,” said a Gaston student. Students also had a day dedicated to wearing playful socks on Crazy Sock Day. For every pair of socks brought in and by showing off their silly socks, each child received raffle tickets for a prize at the end of the month.
 

 

Doing Good & Crafting Leadership Skills

Otter explained that the teachers wanted to make this event exciting by giving away prizes and promoting donations. The children at Gaston Elementary raised three large pumpkin-decorated bags filled with socks to go to Hands of Faith that serves families in need. Third graders from the student council were chosen by teachers as official role models and collected socks from each grade. “Our teacher said we were doing good in class, so they picked us,” said one of the third grade boys nominated.

Otter emphasized that another important aspect of the event is that it gives students a chance to craft their leadership skills. She said she plans to continue Socktober next year and beyond with Gaston Elementary students making a positive difference, one sock at a time.
 

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Thank You

I would like to thank everyone for your support during another wonderful soccer season. The varsity team finished the season with an 18-5-1 record overall and a 6-2-1 record in the Big Eight Conference. The boys won the Pewaukee Invitational, finished runners-up in the prestigious Gateway Classic in St. Louis and won a WIAA regional championship. The team was able to knock off soccer giants Middleton and Madison West along the way. We are very proud of all the team accomplishments during the year.

We also had many individual accomplishments along the way! Most notably was the naming of Alberto Martinez to the WSCA Second Team All-State team yesterday. This is the highest placement of a player we have ever had on the all-state team for a Beloit Memorial Soccer player! Alberto also broke the school record for goals in a season with 36 this year! We are are extremely excited for Alberto and all the others who were able to earn individual honors this fall:

• Alberto Martinez – First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-State, Second Team Wisconsin State Journal All-Area Team.
• Andres Delatorre – Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention Wisconsin State Journal All-Area Team.
• Lorenzo Amador – Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention Wisconsin State Journal All-Area Team.
• Coco Castellanos – Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention Wisconsin State Journal All-Area Team.
• Tony Zepeda – Honorable Mention All-Conference

Have a great Tuesday,
Brian
 

The post Thank You For Your Support | Brian Denu, Boys Soccer Coach appeared first on School District of Beloit News.

Pic 1. Coach Vogel, Coach Waite, Heaven Wells, Coach Michels. Pic 2. Clare Santas, Heaven Wells.

By Julia Bosco — Increscent Writer

A Season of Bests

The Beloit Memorial girls swim team arrived at the 2016 WIAA sectional meet in record-breaking style. Seventeen of 18 races for the lady tide were lifetime best swims. In the 200m and 400m freestyle relays, Lady Tide swimmers recorded the second fastest times in school history. Katie Landon swam a new freshman school record in the 100m butterfly. Junior Heaven Wells earned a spot in her second straight WIAA state swim meet, this time in the 100m backstroke, setting a new school record of 59.02 seconds in the event.

Throughout her junior swim season, Wells has held the seventh spot in the state for high school girls swimming as well as breaking multiple school records. When asked about her accomplishments, Wells responded, “I just practice a lot. I spend like my whole life in the pool.” In addition, Wells is the first girls swimmer to recently qualify for the state meet two years in a row, qualifying last year in the 400m relay “It really means a lot to me [returning to state],” said Wells, “No one else has gone twice in a row in like twenty years or something, and it’s just really special to know that I did that.”

STUDENT Athletes

As well as dominating in the pool, the Beloit Memorial girls swim team is well known for their dominance in the classroom. When asked how she manages to balance school and swim, Wells replied, “I pretty much just try to get everything done as fast as possible.” Boys and girls varsity swim coach Richard Vogel explained that swimmers maintain good grades because for everyone in the program, “Success in the classroom is just as important if not more than success in the pool”. And clearly the girls have adopted this mantra, he said, as they have been nationally recognized in recent seasons for the their outstanding GPA.

Both swim teams, girls and boys, at Beloit Memorial are more of a family than just a team members agree. “I just love being with all the girls, the atmosphere is really great and we all just support each other,” said Wells. When asked how being a part of the swim program for so long has affected her personally, Wells replied, “I’ve really started to look up to my coaches, I always think of them when I make decisions because they’ve all really helped me grow as a swimmer and a person.”

After high school, Wells says she would love to swim for a university or even possibly for the United States Olympic team. Wells finished eights at state competition setting another school record in the 100-meter backstroke with a time of 57.57 Saturday November 12th at the University of Wisconsin Madison Natatorium. Her finish times earned her both honorable mention all-state honors and qualified for the Junior Olympics.
 

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4.0

Grade 7:
Mariana Guzman, Mia Harrell, Ellison Heyerdahl, Sara Loerke, Karla Martinez, Emily Murray, Raven Regenold

Grade 8:
Imdela Dominguez, Eric Funk, Kerilynn Guevara, Kimberly Guevara, Olivia Larson, Alexander Murry, Orion Regenold, Zoe Reynolds, Derek Strong, Donovan Vanbarriger

High Honor Roll (3.50 – 3.99)

Grade 6:
Jasmin Almanza, Abby Brandt, Celia Bruno, Alexandra Cabera, Anna Casique, Haley Castellanos, Brooke Davis, Jasmine Davison, Julius DeLacruz, Alivia Diaz, Joycie Diaz, Kamia Edmonds, Abbigail Geffers, Brianna Gempeler, Sebastian Grajeda, Jahir Guevara, Aaliyah Hatcher, Makenzie Haynes, Nolan Heyerdahl, Jayla House, Cavari Kramer, Wesley Kuhle, Noah Leisher, Aliyah Linton, Jena Loerke, Chrsitopher Ludlum, Riley Mabbitt, Emmanuel Martinez, Morgan McBride, Marian  Mercado-Ramirez, Hayden Murry, Sergio Pacheco-Matinez, Stacey Rodoriguez, Janicza Rosas-Nunez, Mariela Sandoval, Matitza Santiago-Martinez, Joslynn Simerson, Hayleigh Terrell, Carsan Truman, Ayden Tyler, Jamari Vance, Kylin Weber, Sage Williams, Jessica Zamuido

Grade 7:
Mariana Cardenas, Anthony Castellanos, Braden Chamberlin, Jaidyn Cox, Sophia Franzen, Talia Lozoya, Crystal Macho, Tatiana Mitchell, Melanie Nevarez, David Peck, Hailey Pomeroy, Cameron Thomas, Melanie Waelti, Aiyanna Yokley

Grade 8:
Maria Casique, Liliana Cummings, Brooklyn Davis, Jada Dock, Karlee Dunham, Jokob Gosa, Alexys Hall, Christian Harper-Ramirez, Paul Keintz, Selene Martinez, Karyme Montiel, Xavier Payton, Jaelyn Ryan, Jayson Terrell, Gabrielle Traver, Nance Villalba, Brandon Wescott

Honor Roll (3.00 – 3.49)

Grade 6:
Ivette Abarca, Nicholas Anderson-Carratt, Hailee Bragg, Harmonee Brooks, Clara DeLacruz, Ashley Flores-Cervantes, Lourdes Flores-Tello, Kevin Foulker, Kody Foulker, Jordan Gosa, Alexander Gotwals, Caydance Hoppe, Anna Luna, Bryce Lynch, Noah McKillips, Danielle Miller, Stephen Miller, Brandon Mongeon, Connor Murray, Joshua Perez-Olarte, Alexa Rebolledo-Valdez, Aiden Stocks, Arianna Sykes, Arnaejah Tate, Kendale Thomas, Evan Webster, Latrai Yancy

Grade 7:
Bianca Aca-Garcia, Mirela Aceves, Caitlyn Blofeld, Tania Bolanos-Cervantes, Jaymion Copper, Ebert Davison, Trinity Dubois, Eduardo Duran, Melanie Escobar, Noe Garcia-Cervnates, Jaci Goodwin, Jaheim Harrell, Kelsea Markin, Sha’Dymond Marshall, Alyssa Merritt, Koda Meuret, Miryea Mireles-Uceda, Madison Morgan, Geraldine Nunez, Alondra Ramirez, Karen Ramos, Fernanda Rebolledo, Caleb Ribarich, Magdelena Rosas, Caitlyn Smith, Kylon Souter, Gabriel Soza, E’Myah Steel, Ismael Torres, Nayeli Vasquez, Marsiah Yardley

Grade 8:
Gwen Anderson-Carratt, Jasmin Bolanos-Cervantes, Tanner Brown, Tyler Brown, Angelina Elmer, Melissa Elvira, Allison Frerichs, Sonia Galvez, Amira Gibson, Alexis Gosa, Adrian Grajeda, Corey Hollis, Cora King, Deja Knights, Cesar Lopez, Angel Mack, Alejandra Martinez, Alexander Misner, Omar Munoz, Kimberly Nunez, Jarred Pflueger, Treasure Robison, Michael Soza-Avila, Brittany Tello

The post Cunningham Intermediate School | 1st Term Honor Roll appeared first on School District of Beloit News.

National LifeChanger of the Year Nominations

David Wilson, a community learning center coordinator for the school district of Beloit, as well as cross-categorical teacher Gina Curtis from Robinson Elementary School, have been nominated for the 2016-17 national LifeChanger of the Year Award.

Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, the national LifeChanger of the Year program recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 public and private school educators and employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

David Wilson

Wilson was nominated by a colleague, Jennifer Paepke. A lifelong Beloit resident, he has filled his career with doing what is best for his town's students and families, from working for the Stateline Boys and Girls Clubs to volunteering in several community organizations and events. This fall, he joined the district as a coordinator for the 21 st Century Community Learning Centers grant, where he has been an influential force in networking with community agencies and their work to become critical partners with the school district.

“It is critical for our district’s decisions to have representation reflective of the local community,” said Paepke. “Mr. Wilson has helped maintain these partnerships to accomplish this goal by working with local organizations such as Community Action of Rock County, the Beloit Police Department and Rock County Head Start.”

“Over the past few years, Mr. Wilson has also volunteered in multiple schools in the district as a mentor to at-risk youth,” said Paepke. “He partners with school staff to work with students and families and help them realize their value and potential. It is impossible to visit any school or community event without seeing both students and parents who excitedly say, ‘Mr. David!’ He is a LifeChanger for our district’s youth, every single day.”
David Wilson’s Life Changer Profile Page

Gina Curtis

Curtis was nominated by Robinson Elementary principal, Sam Carter. She is well-respected among her colleagues and the Beloit community, and was praised by Carter for building strong relationships with her students.

“Ms. Curtis works with students that have the most critical needs, but they all know how much she cares,” said Carter. “Students throughout our building know her from her warm smile and ability to connect with them beyond the surface. Ms. Curtis is a positive force and works tirelessly to help students, both during the school day and in the after school program.”
Gina Curtis’ Life Changer Profile Page

Each school year, the LifeChanger of the Year program receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For 2016-2017, there will be a total of 15 individual LifeChanger of the Year awards. In addition, a 16 th prize, the “National Spirit Award,” is given to the school and nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. Each winner will receive a cash award that is split between the individual winner and their school. The national Grand Prize award is $10,000. Winners are announced via surprise award ceremonies held at their schools. The top five winners will also be honored at a national awards ceremony in Naples, Florida. Winners will be announced in Spring 2017.

Selection Process

Winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals.
Nominees must be school district employees. Award winners are selected based on the following criteria:

• A proven ability to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students
• An ability to positively add to the development of the school's atmosphere
• Is involved in leadership activities at the school and/or community level
• A demonstrative record of excellent performance at the professional level
• A commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere
• Adherence to high moral and ethical standards

To view Mr. Wilson and Ms. Curtis’ LifeChanger of the Year nominee profiles, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit Support Your LifeChanger

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By Avery Lewis — Increscent Writer

New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival Invitation

The Beloit Memorial Jazz Orchestra (BMJO) has hit yet another high note with its recent invitation to perform at The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. On the calendar for April 28 to May 7 and commonly referred to as Jazz Fest, this celebrated event in was started in 1970 by Duke Ellington, among others.

For five years in a row, the BMJO has been accepted into the prestigious Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition and Festival in New York City, and the orchestra is looking to go back this spring. On the same scale, the BMJO has played numerous festivals and competitions across the country as well as being invited to perform at a celebrity wedding in Napa Valley, California last fall.

The outstanding reputation of the BMJO seems to be spreading across the country and the connections made from these opportunities keep producing even more incredible experiences for this program, said BMJO Director Chris Behrens, adding that Jazz Fest is “…a ten-day cultural fest in which thousands of musicians, cooks and craftspeople welcome 400,000 visitors each year.”

Only High School to receive Invitation

Among musicians and bands performing in the past at what has become one of the largest jazz festivals in the world: Aretha Franklin, Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Santana, Sarah Vaughan, Paul Simon, B.B. King, Dave Matthews Band, Patti LaBelle, Tito Puente, Al Green, Bonnie Raitt, James Brown, Celia Cruz, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Nelson, The Temptations, Van Morrison, LL Cool J, Abbey Lincoln, Erykah Badu, Dave Brubeck.

Jazz Fest fits a range of different types of music and culture into its activities, encompassing all the different types of music associated with New Orleans and Louisiana, Behrens stressed. “Some of last year’s headliners included: Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Van Morrison, Pearl Jam, Flo Rida, Paul Simon, Snoop Dog and Stevie Wonder.”

Behrens explained that the BMJO was recommended to the selection committee by Victor Goines, a member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and a clinician and mentor who works with our band every year in preparation for Essentially Ellington.

What’s even more impressive is that Beloit Memorial is the only high school invited to perform at Jazz Fest this year, Behrens said.

“The committee was specifically looking for a non-local high school jazz band to showcase at their event,” said Behrens. “Our invitation is a result of our program becoming more nationally known – through such events as the Essentially Ellington competition finals and the wedding performance in 2015.”

Along with Behrens, BMJO musicians recognize the important opportunity Jazz Fest presents, offering the perfect place to showcase its skill and to experience a wide range of music and culture. This opportunity results from the incredible amount of work the musicians and director put in over the year.

Student Reflections on Opportunity

Senior Nora Lewis, an alto saxophone player is looking forward to the festival. She said, “Since I’ve already been to New Orleans, I’ve experienced the culture there, but not at one of their jazz festivals. Performing at the heritage festival is going to put a lot of positive pressure on the band and give us a new experience in New Orleans. It is a huge honor that we are recommended.”

Jazz Fest offers the perfect place for the Jazz Orchestra to showcase its skill and to experience a wide range of music and culture. This opportunity results from the incredible amount of work the musicians and director put in over the year.

Senior Niall Gillen, who plays tenor saxophone for BMJO, offered, “It is the first time the jazz band will play at this festival, which shows that all the hard work put into the program over the years has come to a tangible result.”

The BMJO is not taking the Jazz Fest lightly and expects to be able to showcase its music at an elite level when members arrive to New Orleans in April, according to Behrens. This program seems to have established itself as a top jazz band in the country and the hard work has paid off once again, he said.

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Pictured: Nicole, Carson Jon and Tyler.

Rotary Club of Beloit
Student of the Week
October 2016

A Purple Knight, Just Like His Folks

Having Tyler Curtis-Dupuis also at BMHS and seeing the accomplishments he has achieved makes for two proud parents. It means more to them to see their son at BMHS since they were also BMHS students. Tyler’s father Jon Dupuis taught and was a coach for a while at the high school.  Having Tyler also at BMHS and seeing the accomplishments he has achieved makes for two proud parents.  It means more to them to see their son at BMHS since they were also BMHS students.

Having more options at BMHS is another reason Tyler attend this school verses a smaller district.  He’s maintained a GPA of 4.0 along with a High Honor Roll student for four years and other great awards he has received.  As a Senior, he is a Beloit College Porter Scholar. This is paid by BMHS and he attends classes at the college.  By meeting and talking to the college students it helped him to know what he wanted to do.  Tyler is looking to major in Bio-Chemistry and pursue further studies in Pre-Med.  He has gone above and beyond of what we had hoped for.

Leadership & Character Development

As a Sophomore Tyler was chosen to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp, (RYLA), at Wisconsin Dells.  The program’s focus is on building future leaders, personal development, and team-building.  Tyler’s experience was life changing for him.  It revealed a sense of helping others and not just locally or in his community but in the world.  It greatly impacted his view of those in the world and amazed of how one as himself would be able to help in other people’s lives.  If he could he would have stayed longer at the camp, it was that meaningful for him.

One of the most amazing things we’ve seen in Tyler is the fact that he wants to go to a diverse school and the thought that he’s put into this at his age is something to be proud of.  One of the questions that he asked most frequently during the college tours was about their diversity; how many people do you have from different backgrounds, different languages and so forth.  When the subject on racism is brought up in the news, Tyler does not pay attention.  Diversity is very important to him, for Tyler this is the norm.  It shouldn’t be about kids being talked about, but being accepted.

Extracurricular Activities

Sports is a big thing in the family, Tyler was lead tackler of the whole state of Wisconsin.  When his father was a football coach at BMHS, Tyler had his own sideline coach, up until his Freshman year.  After that year, Tyler was left without his sideline coach as his father was employed elsewhere.  The challenges of dealing with students and/or their comments and questions was tough.  As challenging as this was for Tyler he understood the ups and downs and the disappointments in life.  But if you keep moving through it you can come out of it.  Challenges are just that, challenges, they keep you moving.

A very important task that Tyler does as a volunteer with the Vets roll is to set up flags along Riverside.  He met a veteran who was at Pearl Harbor, these opportunities come once in a lifetime.  Seeing the controversy at events he thought about the veterans and people overseas, and suggested to his football coach and the Parker Coach from Janesville the following:  To show unity in the players they would form a U on the football field during the National Anthem.  It was featured in the Beloit newspaper and the Madison, WI station came and interviewed the students.

Speaking Parent-to-Parent

When Tyler transitioned from Turner district, he was enrolled at Aldrich.  There he met Ms. Dray, his math teacher.  Here is where math sparked an interest in Tyler, and thanks to his teacher Ms. Dray he has continued to enjoy math.  Another teacher is his wrestling coach, Mr. Jacobson who has been a support and made it possible for volunteering at different events.

From a parent’s point of view, keep aiming higher, apply at the big schools.  You’re very smart and very good at what you do.  I wish I had realized the things that you’re seeing and doing today back in the day.  Continue pushing them, a nudge here or there, you never know where that spark of interest will come from.  We all need a little push to make and own that one decision, once they try it they’ll love it.  Don’t give up on them.  Remember their siblings are always looking up at their big brothers.  They too want to feel part of the team.
 

The post Tyler Curtis-Dupuis (17′) | Our Students Our Stories appeared first on School District of Beloit News.

Honor Roll (3.5 or Above)

The post Beloit Learning Academy | 1st Term Honor Roll appeared first on School District of Beloit News.

Mark Preuschl

4.0

Grade 9:
Tanisha Adams, Carlos Alcala-Rosales, Maximus Balliett, Marx Bauer Jr, Kristina Calhoun, Teagan Coffey, John Dimassis, Meghan Drucker, Kirstin Foulker, Zavier Franks, Arabel Gibson, Esbeidy Guevara, Janyiia Harris, Elena James, Emily Johns, Leilani Jurado, Gabrielle Klatt, Benjamin Leisher, CJ Light, Audrey Mcmanigle, Miranda Mechanic, Isabella Moore, Fatima Morales, Maria Moreno, James Morris, Veronica Munoz, Caleb Otto, Saul Parente, Diya Patel, Ivan Perez, Garret Perkins, Amanda Quinonez, Alexander Rohde, Sergio Ruvalcaba, Nathan Sowicz, Jalen Stocks, Lisette Villalba, Garrison Voigt, Jacey Walker, Matthew Wick, Hanna Wolf, Dillon Woodruff

Grade 10:
Sandra Aldama, Amaya Avila, Carly Behrens, Alexus Bell, August Braatz, Brisa Casique, Tony Cerros, Jessica Chavez, Alejandra Esquivel, Ana Feliz, Treyton Freeman, Dulce Garcia, Katherine Gianvecchio, Rees Graves, Kalei Hanna, Gloria Heiss, Stephanie Hernandez-Barrales, Lakya Jackson, Jorge Jurado-Garcia, Brett Kiger, Connor Lamaster, Benjamin Levy, Carlos Lopez, Dennis Luis-Aragon, Summer Marcum, Brayden Mcneil, Baylor Moore, Eiley Murphy, Cynthia Ochoa, Corbin Ovist, Claire Parsons, Deep Patel, Nishani Patel, Noah Poepping, Gabrielle Potter, Kathleen Roettger, Maura Ruiz, Elizabeth Sage, Rene Sandoval, Cullen Schooff, Hannah Sireci, Arianna Smith, Karen Soto, Samuel Stadelman, Harley Stevens, Alyssa Stout-O’Leary, Kalyn Vences, Amber Wald, Morgan Weathers, Ian Williams, Hannah Wilson

Grade 11:
Hailey Abbott, Cassy Anderson-Hamilton, Gabriela Arreguin, Marcela Arreguin, Catrina Askew, Morgan Bittner, Madeline Cawkins, Casper Clark, Shyann Clark, Reese Collins, Eleanor Conover-Crockett, Evelyn Cortes, Jack Cronin, Chloe Day, Irvin De La Torre, Adela Diaz, Liliana Dominguez, Felix Estrella, Arianna Fobes, Meauntay Foy, Abby Garsow, Samantha Grahn, Reyann Harris, Mikayla Hoey, Melissa Jenkins, Amber Jensen, Alexandra Lavariega, Paola Martinez, Smith Mayse, Edgar Mellin, Evelyn Mendoza, Mya Montalvo, Courtney Naranjo, Kaleil Payne, Trent Porter, Laura Rapp, Elton Rodriguez, Janelle Ryan, Jordan Ryan, Maxwell Sage, Clare Santas, Ryan Santas, Ivan Santiago-Cruz, Zackary Strong, Paul Vanbarriger, Uyen Vo, Nicholas Wadle, Heaven Wells, Isaac Wieland, Elijah Williams, Devin Wolf, Carson Zane

Grade 12:
Hanna Aasmundtveit, Natasha Bakri, Jamal Barrett, Addison Brickson, Lasse Buchholz, Gia Caldwell, Haley Coffey, Emma Corum, Aminah Crawford, Bailey Cronin, Daniel Culver, Tyler Curtis-Dupuis, Arizona Cuttill, Travis Dao, Noah Davis, Nolan Day, Tim Ericson, Samantha Everson, Ardita Fadilovski, Montana Fallin, Michaela Fraley-Markley, Andrew Freitag, Niall Gillen, Mitchell Goecks, Georgia Grubb, Hannah Gurholt, Ayumi Hara, Gabrielle Heiss, Wilhelmina Karlzon, Alexandra Kozikowska-Boyd, Alexa Larson, Avery Lewis, Nora Lewis, Noeli Lopez, Rocio Lopez-Arteaga, Calli Losey, Steven Makinen, Cameron Malizio, Arianna Marcore, Sydnee Marshall, Estefania Martinez, Hilda Medina, Jordan Mickey, Abby Miller, Courtney Orr, Marissa Otto, Citlalic Pena-Llanez, Danielle Peterson, Jackson Prowse, Amber Rollette, Tyler Schildt, Anaka Scoville, Shayla Smith, Breanna Sorensen, Lindsey Soria, Mckenzie Sutherland, Brianne Swanson, Tanadon Thienrattanakorn, Sydney Turner, Matthew Vieth, Chassidy Walworth, Charles West, Joshua Wick, Cody Wilson

High Honor Roll (3.50 – 3.99)

Grade 9:
Alexis Aquino, Gabriela Barraza, Claire Boggs, Courtney Cain, Yocelyn Camacho, Marisol Caro, Stefany Carrasco, Julissa Castaneda, Lisette Castellanos, Abigail Champeny-Johns, Madeline Champeny-Johns, Kobe Chandler, Justine Christenson-Ranum, Israel Davis, Olivia Delgado, Samantha Duran, Kasandra Duran-Vazquez, Victor Estrella, Monica Fernandez, Lindsey Gama, Azeez Ganiyu, Olivia Garcia, Rosemary Garcia, Sergio Guzman-Mireles, Hunter Hackett, Aneshuwa Hall, Caroleena Hallock, Jerricka Harrell-Golden, Jameson Hosey, Katana Jones, Paige Kerwin, Bernard Klespis-Wick, Joshua Kodl, Matthew Locke, Emily Lucian, Oscar Mar-Garcia, Kayla Martin, Parress Mason, Mario Mendoza, Octavio Mendoza, Jasmin Montes, Rocio Morales, Arianna Owens, Faviola Pena, Aaron Perales, Aurora Perez, Rachel Polston, Miracle Pritchard, Jamiyah Reggs, Ad’Idaz Renteria, Jonathan Romero, Jabiya Rucker, Jennifer Salazar, Caroline Santas, Nettie Schoville, Morgan Schultz, Emily Severiano, Gionna Sherrod, Antoinesha Smith, Joanna Soto, Devin Stavn, Nicholas Taylor, Daisha Thomas, Amaya Torres, Lyndsey Turner, Alexis Valadez, Jillian Valk, Jade Vangeisen, Edith Vargas-Andrade, Michael Wales, Mia Ward, Tionda Yarbrough, Shalynn Young, Irvin Zagal

Grade 10:
Maria Aceves, Jennifer Aldama, Nayely Arreola, Rebekah Atwell, Fernando Badillo, Amya Bessel, Corey Bown, Jacob Briggs, Tatiana Carbajal, Malkom Castellanos, Landrie Crum, Agustin Delgado, Jaden Dixon, Karina Dominguez-Martinez, Gavin Fischer, Rodrigo Flores, Mayra Garcia, Deericka Jones, Olivia Jordan, Kelsey Kamholz, Evan Langone, Lukas Laun-Smith, Keyera Mceachin, Gabriel Mckearn, Makaylynn Meiers, Maximiliano Mejia-Carrillo, Estefany Mireles, Forest Morrison, Aamiyah Murphy, Jesenia Najera, Grace Nenneman, Joseph Ogden, Marco Olivera, Joseph Olson, Elizabeth Patch, Jakob Patch, Qwantrel Price, Leniyah Pulliam, Travis Quade, On’Nesty Quince, Santos Ramos, Deanna Renteria, Tatiana Rodriguez, Morgan Roe, Evan Rusmisel, Scott Schneider, Sarah Schultz, Stephanie Severiano, Ashley Shay, Nathan Sill, Angelique Spencer, Stormy Staskal, Brandon Terwilliger, Ashley Torres-Aguilar, Jasiel Vallejo, Lavanity Vasquez, Wyatt Walker, Rheanna Weaver, Nathalia Zamora

Grade 11:
Miguel Aviles, Justine Ballew, Juliana Bennett, Sean Bickel, Maegen Burki, Kaleb Cliffe, Alissa Crawford, Leeland Crum, Montserrat Cruz-Gonzalez, Yancarlo Davila, Joy Diaz, Jonathan Donovan, Tyrin Edwards, Allyson Fullington, Savanna Garner, Gabriel Garza, Rachael Goff, Christopher Goodwin Jr, Justin Hall, Daniel Harp, Vashawn Harshman, Hunter Hirst, Hannah Hopkins, Kalison Hosey, Mackenzie Jensen, Ka’Lea Keeney-Laidig, Tara Kimbrell, William Klobucar, Elinor Kraemer, Abigail Kramer, Macy Kuhle, Gretchen Lankford, Matthew Lindley Jr, Camaron Markham, Marissa Miller, Mayte Mondragon, Kassumy Montiel-Reyes, Christian Navarro, Thomas Oselio, Joel Palomares, Vania Perez, Makenzie Phelps, Austin Polzin, Jesus Ramos, Maricela Ramos, Tayana Roman, Matthew Rufer, Aeneas Sala, Cassandra Sala, Caroline Sandoval, Taylor Schumitsch, Katherine Seefeldt, Muskaan Sokhey, Lizbeth Solorzano, Adrian Sowicz, Nicole Sprayberry, Beau Thompson, Rosita Voss, Micheala Ward, C Natalie West, Angel Zuniga

Grade 12:
Margarita Aceves-King, Samaiya Akbar, Tatum Andrews, Karen Ayala, Gustavo Badillo, Deenay Batchelor, Ricardo Bautista, Shania Berg, Julia Bosco, Gabriella Buck, Ricky Cano, Daniela Casique, Austin Chadwick, Tyreese Crosby, Marlen Cuellar-Espana, Da’Jhair Dawson, Keynen Eason, Michael Echeverria, Deo Edwards, Mariah Edwards, Matthew Elliott, Rodrigo Espino, Guadalupe Esquivel, Arrow Floyd, Thomas Frisch, Baltazar Giles, Sage Green, Nataysia Griffin, Ryan Hallock, Tristen Heller, Armando Hernandez, Taijah Holloway, Mahaylia Hyde, Tyler Jensen, Yolonda Johnson, Tekira Jones, Roxanne Joos, Thomas Kelly, Eva Laun-Smith, Sabrina Lucian, Manuel Mejia-Carrillo, Alexis Mireles, Austin Morgan, Jamie Nash, Genevieve Nenneman, Hunter Otto, Jequan Pegeese, Mitchel Pham, Race Pomeroy, Lesly Ramirez, Alyciana Rivera, Jose Rivera, Micah Robinson, Fatima Rodriguez, Juan Rodriguez, Lidia Rodriguez, Jonathan Ryan, Litzi Sanchez-Luengas, Sethe Schober, Tyler Schultz, Cheyenne Stavn, Zachary Streeter, Jacob Tison, Ciria Velazquez, Lesley Villafan, Lorinda Volzer, Dylan Walls, Inecyia White, Brooklyn Wicks, Jessica Williams, Alyssa Wilson

Honor Roll (3.00 – 3.49)

Grade 9:
Anabel Aburto, Trystyn Aimer, Denise Amezquita, Addilysa Atwell, Axel Basilio, Katelynn Beckius, Jaqueline Bolanos, Stephanie Burns-Williams, Cristina Casique, Jacob Christensen, Jennifer Cruz, Daisy Cuellar, Hunter Dailey, Destiny Daye, Brian De La Torre, Osmar Delgado, Dora Diaz, Chad Dixon, Torrien Freeman, Carlos Garcia-Cortez, Fa’Niya Garrett, Matthew Gibson, Nyjel Gumise, Mireya Guzman, Matthew Hall, Abdelmoti Hamed, Steffan Hatch, Randall Hatcher, Keeosha Hatchett, Tashanti Henderson, Adam Hobson, Zaydia Hughes-Taylor, Ne’Khi Jackson, Jesus Jurado-Garcia, Luke Kasbohm, Katelyn Landon, Megan Larsen, Jameria Logan, Itzel Martinez, Nico Martinez, Victor Munoz, Garrett Ostenson, Logain Palazzolo, Jordan Pann-Bauman, Luis Perez, Ashley Peterson, Christopher Peterson, De’Janae Polk, Ruben Prado, Nau Ramos-Torres, Nicole Reyes, R’Reonna Rucker, Jayden Schober, Quinton Scoville, Kaylee Sloniker, Madison Stavn, Ji’Mya Sullivan-Owens, Jonathan Tello, Samantha Vargas, Jarin Warner, Iliyah White, Raven Wilks, Jasmin Zamudio, Jazmin Zuniga

Grade 10:
Jhalen Banks, Yesenia Barrales, Nireon Benard, Amber Bennett, Brianna Boss, Ariana Brown, Nohelia Calvas-Santana, Fayth Campbell, Rocio Castaneda, Paijah Collins, Emma Conradson, Ana Corona, Mazi Dabson, Adalberto Delgado, Janet Dominguez, Christian Engel, Janesha Flemerston, Saul Flores, Tre’Roryon Floyd, Te’Jon Freeman, Mackenzie Frisbee, Baylie Hall, Sejah Hamed, Devin Henry, Gracie Henthorn, Elise Hernandez, Londun Howard, Elizabeth Kelly, Terey Kilgore Jr, Hermelinda Lavariega-Aquino, Kaitlyn Liggett, Ja’Naejah Logan, Selena Lucero, Devon Mcintyre, Victor Munoz, Daniel Ngo, Emmanuel Noriega, Tierra Owens, Garrett Petersen, Alyjiah Phiffer, Isaic Pulliam, Gannon Rand, Abigail Ribarich, Heaven Rufus, Nolan Shepherd, Charlyrae Stumlin, Austin Taylor, Krystal Tello, Rebekah Tropp, Victoria Vanderpal, Selena Whitby-Castro, Kaleigh Yardley

Grade 11:
Angel Almanza, Noah Avery, Daphanie Ayaquica, Alexis Beard, Caryn Bird, Aaliyah Brown, Ariana Bruno, Shelby Burki, Ansley Burnett, Benjamin Carlos, Jordan Carlson, Jorge Castellanos, Alejandra Cervantes, Martha Cervantes, Juan Chavez Jr, Zachary Christensen, Braedon Churches, Annalee Corona, Michael Cromwell, Jessica Cruz, Damontrion Curb, Lemetrius Curb, Tyler Davis, Giovani De La Torre, Misael Dominguez, Jenny Dominguez-Bolanos, C’Zaria Drumgole, Jessica Escobedo, Trayvon Fair, Quinn Galvin, Jaqueline Gonzalez, Torrance Gooden-Wo’Se, Myasia Harris, Ashley Hassenfelt, Britney Heath, Miranda Hernandez, Carizma Hodges, Jennifer Holguin, Madison Hudson, Carl Hulon, Riley Jensen, Alexis Johnson, Levi Johnson, Kai Kitto, Morgan Kuykendall, Adilene Leon, Madeline Luepnitz, Curtis Luther, Olivia Makinen, Alissa Maxted, Samone Mcglothian, Daniel Mckearn, Miranda Mehring, Heatherly Miles, Chase Miller, Anabelle Morgan, Hailey Palazzolo, Paige Payton, Lindsey Peake, Kassandra Powers, Keilah Purifoy, Karen Quinonez, Kyle Raisbeck, Karolina Richins, Cristian Romero-Arroyo, Maleny Salazar, Ramiro Salazar, James Santas, Omar Saucedo, Donald Siam, George Theisen, Veronica Vera, Mariah Wallis, Aniah Williams, Malik Young, Antonio Zepeda

Grade 12:
Tariq Amin, Kristopher Anderson, Tyler Barrett, Amy Bermudez, Miguel-Angel Betancourt, Graham Boudreaux, David Brown, Reegan Brown, Mickyla Burrows, Alize Camble, Josiah Cannon, Micheal Chisholm, Skylar Coleman, Josue Cortez, Momeka Crawford, Desiray Creighton, Denilson Cruz-Gonzalez, Ashley Dejaynes, Reign Elmer, David Esquivel, Bryanth Farr, Shane Flaningam, Isabelle Foat, Hans Friedl, Anette Garcia-Guillen, Jose Giles, Ninfa Giles-Gonzalez, Judith Gonzalez, Noah Halferty, Shaniya Harrell, Caitlin Heerey, Sarah Hemerley, Adoria Holmes, Matthew Jacobs, Taylor Jentz, Reyna Jimenez, Antonio Johnson, Dominic Johnson, Joshua Lankford, Luis Lavariega-Aquino, Benjaman Lawver, Leslie Martinez, Axel Maya, Kihya Mcdowell, Mitchell Mcdowell, Adonis Mendez, Sarahi Noriega, Jennifer Pacheco, Joanina Pete, Lakeisha Phiffer, Nathan Polglaze, Monica Prins, Sandra Quintero, Timothy Rasmussen, Dy’Mond Rey, Alberto Robles, Yoko Rodriguez, Carter Roe, Abbigail Rogers, Brandon Sachs, Summer Schober, Gavin Schober-Benti, Nickolas Sly, Alysson Sole, Kailey Sweeney, Geteaka Turner, Talladega Wagner, Isaiah Wisdom, Brady Wright

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Adaptability For Student Needs

The concept of the one-room school house conjures memories of rural settings and wet mittens drying by the wood-burning stove. It is a Norman Rockwell moment that the parents of middle-aged Americans have described many times during “back in my day” conversations.

One might think this method of education to be crude when compared to modern teaching systems. But the centuries-old practice is still, at least in part, alive and well in many school districts across the country, including the School District of Beloit, WI.

The SDB has, for decades, (according to Beloit School District Assistant Superintendent Anthony Bonds), employed a concept that, in at least one way, mirrors the one-room curriculum of the past:

It’s not a widespread practice. But it is happening in Beloit. And it is called “looping.”

Leveraging Relationships

Gretchen McKay, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette journalist, writes:

While it’s far from the norm in most American schools, looping is hardly a new concept. Until 1848, when Quincy Grammar School in Boston opened, classrooms were not graded in the United States, according to Irv Richardson, associate executive director of staff development for educators in New Hampshire. It was only after education reformer and legislator Horace Mann visited European schools in 1843 and brought their methods back to American classrooms that today’s rigidly organized school system emerged. Looping started to fall out of favor in the late ’30s and ’40s, when reformers made the push toward age-specific, time-bound classes, said education consultant Jim Grant, co-founder of the National Alliance of Multiage Educators.”People were looking for something new,” he said. “They weren’t valuing the concept of the relationship factor.”

The relationship factor is one of the components in a pro/con analysis of looping by educator/writer Jennifer Rita Nichols. She states:

In many schools, looping has been integrated as a regular procedure. It has become normal for students to spend more than one year with the same teachers. Of course, as with any methods or practices, there are pros and cons that need to be considered when deciding if looping can enhance learning at your school and if it could be something you wish to implement.

According to Nichols, the pros of looping include:

• Improves relationships with students
• Improves relationships with parents/families
• Improves understanding of student needs
• Promotes teacher innovation
• Benefits classroom management

And the cons include:

• Teachers may become too comfortable
• Students may adapt less easily to change
• Negative relationships may persist
• Teachers might get less exposure to different teaching methods
• Teachers might be less comfortable and skilled at all levels

An Option If Conditions Are Right

So, in what ways is the SDB employing the looping model? School District of Beloit Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning and Innovation, Anthony Bonds, says that looping has been going on for decades in the Beloit area and that it is currently a working part of the local curriculum. Bonds relates that the decision to loop depends upon the “building, the principal and the teacher.” He explains that in most cases the teacher asks to engage in looping and the principal decides if the conditions are right for a looping program. He indicated that there are at least three district schools that have a looping program in progress: Gaston, Todd and Fruzen.

SDB Director of Teaching and Learning, Angie Montpass, offers that looping is especially effective in terms of smooth transitions and a real benefit for poverty students who often struggle with change. She points out that the district administration leaves nearly all decisions regarding looping programs to the teachers and principals. She adds that teachers who decide to try looping will, likely, be dealing with a much larger work load.

Bonds and Montpass both seem to feel that these programs are valuable and that the school district will continue fostering the concept in Beloit.

It’s not exactly Laura Ingalls Wilder’s little schoolhouse on the prairie. But the looping tradition in Beloit does help to engender an approach to education that views relationships, understanding and special attention to be worthy parts of the district’s learning landscape. And one might find it edifying to see that some of the methods of the past continue to enhance the present.
 

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This Weekend!

Rehearsal Pic

An Emerging Tradition

The Beloit Memorial High School Performing Arts Department invite the community to a holiday concert experience. Now in its fifth year and based on continued enthusiasm for this annual event you don’t want to miss this combined performance.

Come get in the holiday spirit by listening to songs performed by our top Choir Ensembles, Chamber Orchestra, and Jazz Band I, as well as enjoy scenes of the holiday times from our Theatre Department.

Rehearsal Pic

Memorial’s Miracle

The name of the Beloit Memorial production is inspired by the 1947 movie Miracle on 34th Street that revolves around the famous holiday parade sponsored by Macy’s department store headquartered on 34th Street in New York City.

Memorial’s Miracle is a collaborative production featuring top performers from the choir, orchestra, band and theatre programs. Also participating are student artists. It is something of a variety show featuring sounds of the winter season with bold lighting, song selections, a theatre element and opportunities for soloists and small group ensembles.

Rehearsal Pic

Building A Holiday Season Tradition

The purpose of the concert is to provide Beloit with a school concert production that people will look forward to every year, something that BMHS graduates who are off at school come back for every December. Now in its forth year Miracle continues as a budding tradition here at the high school growing in numbers on the stage and in the audience every year.

Rehearsal Pic

Miracle on 4th Street Poster

Antuan McClinton, a 2014 BMHS graduate designed and illustrated the poster. It has become the image of Miracle on 4th Street. We use this poster to advertise the show every year.

Like the tradition of the show, everyone involved hopes this illustration becomes something of a keepsake for the Beloit community, a image students may remember seeing as young children and grow up associating with the high school’s musical celebration of holiday magic.

2016 Performance Rehearsal Pics

[See image gallery at beloitschools.org]

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Fundraisers from Converse Elementary hold a symbolic check showing how much they raised for the ALS Association of Wisconsin. Pictured are Kindergarteners Isaac Bender, Josanabelle Guerrero and Amelia Hernandez; third graders Jair Avilia and Cashiya Johnson; (back row) Principal Vicky Hamilton, PTO President Rebecca Shellenberger and art Teacher Michelle Grahnke.

Raising Awareness for Kids

The drive was a chance for Kris Grahnke, 30, to discuss the debilitating disease he was diagnosed with in 2014 with students, and for students to learn a lesson about giving, said Michelle Grahnke, Converse art teacher. Kris is her husband.

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Madison Jazz Socity Awarded Grants

In November, the Madison Jazz Society awarded grants totaling $5,150 from its School Grant Fund to music programs in thirteen Wisconsin schools. The grants are funding jazz centered programs designed to help students learn about and perform jazz.

In announcing the awards, MJS President Linda Marty Schmitz stated, “We are very proud that the money awarded this year and since the program began in 1989 brings the total amount of scholarships and grants awarded by our all-volunteer group to over $113,000. We are pleased that these grants will assist students from all over Wisconsin now and in years to come. We are thrilled to see that many schools throughout the state are working to provide opportunities for their students to learn about America’s original art form – jazz.”

Beloit Memorial High School (Chris Behrens, director) was awarded $475 to underwrite the Jeff Hamilton Clinical Master Class/Performance.

Other grants were awarded to Belleville High School (Stephanie Meier, Director) — $350 to purchase jazz charts for their annual “Jazz In the Park” program; DeForest Area High School (Brandon Bautz, director) – $475 to underwrite student participation in the UW-Stevens Point Jazz Festival; Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau High School (Brenda Gauchel, director) – $375 to underwrite the costs of the second annual Red Hawk Jazz Festival that the G-E-T Jazz Band will sponsor for smaller schools in their area; Jefferson Middle School (Rob Cunningham, director) –

Add 1 – Madison Jazz Society Grant Awards
$200 to purchase charts for the school’s jazz library; Jefferson High School (Kathy Tuinstra-Schereck, director) – $500 to purchase vocal jazz charts; Juda Schools (Greg Smith, director) – $500 to help purchase a mixing console to replace one that is broken; Menomonie High School (Jacob Karkula, director) – $475 to underwrite cost of clinicians and guest artists for a jazz clinic for the jazz band students; Middleton: Sauk Trail Elementary School (John Becker, director) – $250 to underwrite the “Making Jazz Music Child’s Play” program; Oshkosh Merrill Middle School (Charles Bauer, director) – $125 to purchase charts for jazz ensemble library; Oshkosh: Webster Stanley Middle School (Brad Curran, director) – $475 to underwrite “Jazz-O-Rama” during Jazz Appreciation Month; Sun Prairie: Prairie View Middle School (Ann Sederquist, director) – $450 to underwrite a drum/rhythm section instructor and Wisconsin Dells High School (Matthew Roble, director) – $450 to help refurbish jazz band instruments.

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STEM Skills Development

As schools look for ways to improve STEM skills among students, educator Shawn Petitt has turned math into a competitive contest where sixth grade students can become a MATH MASTER. In the process, they’re jumping months ahead of grade level curriculum through self-guided learning, much of which is done after school.

“If we get through all seven levels we get to have a Tilley’s Pizza lunch,” said Brandon Mongeon.

“If we win we get to sit in these chairs during class,” said Cavari Kramer

“We enjoy math. We think it’s fun,” said Brianna Gempeler.

“Most of the tasks won’t be taught in class until late this spring, yet I find students in competition and teaching themselves in order to meet the rigorous requirements of the game,” said Pettit, who created Mastery Math Club for students.

High achievers can win personal pizza lunch with the teacher, seating privileges an engraved medal and the title of MATH MASTER for their achievements.

Students must complete seven levels of math curriculum to reach Master status. A sticker chart outside of Pettit’s classroom shows progress that club members make.

“It kind of makes you proud when you walk by and see how many stickers you have,” said Sebastian Grajeda.

Mr. Pettit says that all students do regular math curriculum. But the competition challenges students to achieve, which someday they may realize is a reward in itself.

“Regardless if they make it to Master or not, it will make them better students,” Pettit said.
 

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YWCA Racial Justice and UAW Diversity Awards

The YWCA Racial Justice Award and UAW Diversity Award will be presented at the Diversity Action Team of Rock County’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration. The event is Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, at Blackhawk Technical College from 3 to 6 p.m. The event honors Dr. King and features student performances and artwork, ethnic food samples, awards and cultural sharing.

The commemoration program and award presentation will be 3 to 4:30 p.m.; ethnic food tasting and socializing will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m.

Nominations for:

The YWCA Racial Justice Award
Individuals, clubs and groups promoting civil rights and peace are eligible for the award.  
Nominations will be taken until Dec. 20, 2016,

YWCA
1735 S. Washington St.
Janesville

 
The UAW Diversity Award
Open to youths and adults who work to improve race relations; participate in community, school and church activities; demonstrate knowledge of community resources; and focus on multicultural or diversity activities.
Nominations will be taken until Jan. 2, 2017,

UAW Local 95
1795 Lafayette St.
Janesville, WI 53546
fax: 608-752-2531
email: jojolatino@aol.com

Advance the Dream in 2017

The “Advance the Dream in 2017” celebration and will feature remarks by Anthony Bonds, emcee and assistant superintendent at the School District of Beloit. Rick Daniels, dean of students at Rock Valley College, is the keynote. Kaleb Pullam of Beloit College will recite Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Janesville Craig High School students Lexi Ganong and Jessica Minter will sing two selections, and the Cunningham Treble Choir from the School District of Beloit will also perform.
 

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National LifeChanger of the Year Nominations

David Wilson, a community learning center coordinator for the School District of Beloit, and cross-categorical teacher Gina Curtis from Robinson Elementary School, have been nominated for 2016-17 LifeChanger of the Year awards.

The national award is sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation.  It recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 public and private school educators and employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

David Wilson

Wilson was nominated by colleague Jennifer Paepke. A lifelong Beloit resident, he has filled his career with doing what is best for his town’s students and families, from working fpr the Stateline Boys and Girls Clubs to volunteering in several community organizations and events. This fall, he joined the district as a coordinator for the 21 st Century Community Learning Centers grant, where he has been an influential force in networking with community agencies and their work to become critical partners with the school district.

“It is critical for our district’s decisions to have representation reflective of the local community,” said Paepke. “Mr. Wilson has helped maintain these partnerships to accomplish this goal by working with local organizations such as Community Action of Rock County, the Beloit Police Department and Rock County Head Start.”

“Over the past few years, Mr. Wilson has also volunteered in multiple schools in the district as a mentor to at-risk youth,” said Paepke. “He partners with school staff to work with students and families and help them realize their value and potential. It is impossible to visit any school or community event without seeing both students and parents who excitedly say, ‘Mr. David!’ He is a LifeChanger for our district’s youth, every single day.”
David Wilson’s Life Changer Profile Page

Gina Curtis

Curtis was nominated by Robinson Elementary principal, Sam Carter. She is well-respected among her colleagues and the Beloit community, and was praised by Carter for building strong relationships with her students.

“Ms. Curtis works with students that have the most critical needs, but they all know how much she cares,” said Carter. “Students throughout our building know her from her warm smile and ability to connect with them beyond the surface. Ms. Curtis is a positive force and works tirelessly to help students, both during the school day and in the after school program.”
Gina Curtis’ Life Changer Profile Page

Each school year, the LifeChanger of the Year program receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For 2016-2017, there will be a total of 15 individual LifeChanger of the Year awards. In addition, a 16th prize, the “National Spirit Award,” is given to the school and nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. Each winner will receive a cash award that is split between the individual winner and their school. The national Grand Prize award is $10,000. Winners are announced via surprise award ceremonies held at their schools. The top five winners will also be honored at a national awards ceremony in Naples, Florida. Winners will be announced in Spring 2017.

Selection Process

Winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals.
Nominees must be school district employees. Award winners are selected based on the following criteria:

• A proven ability to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students
• An ability to positively add to the development of the school’s atmosphere
• Is involved in leadership activities at the school and/or community level
• A demonstrative record of excellent performance at the professional level
• A commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere
• Adherence to high moral and ethical standards

To view Mr. Wilson and Ms. Curtis’ LifeChanger of the Year nominee profiles, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit Support Your LifeChanger

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The winners are:

Elementary Schools

Intermediate Schools

Beloit Memorial High School

• Converse Elementary: Adrianne Sanderson; Leah Cohen, runner-up
• Merrill Elementary: Asharia Koch
• Aldrich Intermediate: Braelyn Mayfield
• Cunningham Intermediate: Zoe Reynolds; Mariana Guzman, runner-up
• McNeel Intermediate: Madyson Miller, Llani Froeber runner-up
• Beloit Memorial High School: Kalyn Vences ; Sydnee Marshall, runner-up; Shaniya Harrell, 2nd runner-up

Criteria

Participants wrote about how injustices of the past and present affect today’s society, and were asked to address one thing they’d do to make a positive change within the Beloit community or in our world. And in the spirit of Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, students wrote about their dream of what a better world for all people would look like.

Winners will be recognized with an engraved plaque during at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast on Monday, Jan. 16, at the Eclipse Center.
 

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