End of the Month Updates

Our district is contemplating a calendar revision for the 2015-2016.  The major changes include WEEKLY early release days for professional development.  Information on the proposed calendar changes is available on our website at http://www.stfrancisschools.org/schools/deercreek/ on the right hand side of the homepage underneath the parent survey information.  Please review the information and look for more information to follow in the February newsletter.

Thursday Addition

There is no school tomorrow, Friday, January 23rd so here is the early edition of the Principal's Blog.

Thanks to all the parents who came out for the PTO meeting last night at Willow Glen.  We had an outstanding turnout!  Thanks to our PTO for dedicating funding to several very important initiatives at Willow Glen and Deer Creek including PBIS, Lego Club, Document Camera for WG teachers, and Rocket supplies for implementing Physical Science Properties in the DC Science classes!

The next Board of Education Meeting is Monday, January 26th at the High School beginning at 6 pm.

Semester 2 begins Monday at Deer Creek.  Report cards will be completed by teachers and ready for delivery home during the first week of February.

We are in the midst of the Winter MAP testing window.  The window closes February 6th and student scores will be sent home once the data is tabulated.

Enjoy the extended weekend!!

REMINDERS

Semester 1 comes to an end next Thursday with no student attendance on Friday, January 23rd.  As we move forward into semester 2 I'd like to share a few reminders.

• We are in the heart of the cold weather season so its very important that our students have warm clothing including jackets, coats, hats, and boots.  Recess will take place outdoors as long as the temperature is at or above 10 degrees Fahrenheit (windchill factor is calculated in the temperature).
• School starts at 7:50 am.  Staff are on duty beginning at 7:40 am.  During cold weather, students are brought inside before school, however, staff must be on duty to supervise students.
• Visitors to school must enter through the main office, sign in, and receive a visitor's pass.  We welcome our families to visit us at school, however, to ensure safety and security for all we must follow our visitor's protocol.  
• Student Dress:  Please remember that hats in school, pajamas (tops or bottoms), slippers,  or shirts with any message disruptive to learning are not allowed per the student handbook.  
• Electronics:  Cell phones, tablets, Ipods, and other electronic devices are not allowed in the classroom.  Students will be asked to put them away in their locker.  For repeat offenses, students will be ask to turn the device over to their teacher or remand it to the office until the end of the school day.  Parents may be asked to come to the DC office to collect devices.

Newsletter and Parent Surveys

Next Wednesday in the take homes, parents will receive the Newsletter for the month of January as well as a hard copy of the student survey available online.  We are closer to our completion goal but still need 30 more parents to complete our survey.  PLEASE help us out with your valuable feedback by completing the survey and returning it with your student.

School Closing Information

The following information is an abbreviated version of the school closing information found on our district website:

SCHOOL CLOSING INFORMATION

The winter season is upon us. Our District staff understands that our decision to open or close schools in bad weather has a big effect on families. We also understand that our students are better served – both academically and socially by being in school. But, as always, our top priority is the safety of our students.

HOW DO WE MAKE OUR DECISION?

Please understand that we make the decision to open or close the schools in bad weather based on a careful analysis of all relevant factors, such as:

1. Information on road conditions from transportation staff. We must give careful consideration to the most dangerous roads in the City of St. Francis and the Milwaukee County. Also, we must consider that some high school students drive to school.

2. Amount of snow and ice accumulated.

3. Whether precipitation is continuing.

4. Building conditions (such as, whether we have electricity and heat).

5. Parking lot conditions.

6. Temperature and wind chill. Please remember that many students walk to school and some non-resident students must wait outside for the bus.

7. Weather predictions. We prefer not making our decision based on weather predictions, which are not always accurate.  However, sometimes this is unavoidable.

8. What other school districts are doing. We also share information with other local districts and check whether they are opening or closing.

HOW IS THE PUBLIC NOTIFIED?

For up-to-date information on school closings, tune to Channel 4 (TMJ4), Fox 6 (WITI), Channel 12 (WISN) and Channel 58 (CBS) or radio – WTMJ 620, 94.5 WKTI, 1130 WISN AM, FM106 WMIL, V100 WKKV FM, AM 920 WOKY, and 95.7 FM WRIT. You can also check our District web site www.stfrancisschools.org for information. Do not call the school unless it is an emergency.