Fall, 2020

Letter to the Community

The Blair-Taylor family has always been there to support our students’ and staff’s needs, and this year is no exception. Our Blair-Taylor staff thank you for the overwhelming support to help us to create a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone, and in turn, helping us get back in school.

As you know, we are in this together. Physical distancing, masks, washing our hands, and using hand sanitizer have become a part of our daily lives. Please continue to help us to reduce the spread of COVID-19, so that we can stay in school and continue to give our students as many positive extra-curricular and co-curricular opportunities as possible.

Referendum

Our school board takes our mission statement seriously: “To educate all learners to reach their potential as productive citizens.” In addition, our school board understands we are here to serve our Blair-Taylor community. During Fax: 608-989-2451 the 2019-2020 school year, the school board directed the administration to critically look at community needs and educational needs and opportunities. After months of discussion, listening to experts, and reviewing data, the school board approved a referendum question for the November 3, 2020, ballot. We have an incredible opportunity to enhance services and educational opportunities at our United Campus. The question on the ballot is, "Shall the School District of Blair-Taylor, Trempealeau and Jackson Counties, Wisconsin be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $4,145,000 for the public purpose of paying the cost of a school building and improvement project at the united campus consisting of: construction of additions for a district daycare center and classrooms; renovations, capital maintenance, building infrastructure, safety and site improvements; construction of a baseball field; and acquisition of furnishings, fixtures and equipment?"

Included in this newsletter are the fact sheets our referendum committee created. Thank you for taking the time to review the referendum fact sheets. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey S. Eide

Superintendent

From the Desk of the Students who have committed to learning in Middle-High School person need to be in person in order to be Principal… considered present. If a student who cannot attend in person due to an illness or other reason

called in by a parent chooses to attend remotely, “Life imposes things on he or she will still be considered absent but with a you that you can’t notation of attended remotely. A parent or control, but you still have guardian must call the school regarding a the choice of how you’re student’s absence in order for that absence to be going to live through excused. For consistency of learning and student this.” - Celine Dion planning, we need students to remain committed

to their plan of learning in person or learning “Doing the best at this moment puts you in the remotely. best place for the next moment.” - Oprah Winfrey

Attendance at Sporting Events and Concerts These two influential women summed up our A great deal of discussion took place around the experience with COVID-19 very well. We cannot option of having fall sports at this time or control everything that happens in our lives, but postponing them until the spring. Dairyland we can do the very best we can to help ensure Conference superintendents, principals, and the outcome we want to achieve. In the middle- athletic directors ultimately opted to have fall high school, we have adjusted the way we do sports in the fall—under several stipulations in business in just about every way: from the way order to mitigate the chance of spreading COVID- we walk in the halls—one way only—to the way 19. Each athlete is allowed to invite only four we eat lunch, and of course, the way we spectators per game, and each spectator must participate in classes—either in person or have a dated ticket to enter the event. Masks are remotely. Students and staff have worked required at all times for indoor sports. Social diligently to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and distancing is required for seating indoors. Masks social distance when possible. These things do are required outside as spectators enter and not feel natural, but it is what we must do to stay leave the stadium or other areas and any other in school. I am very proud of everyone who is times that social distancing is not possible. accomplishing these things and encourage those Players’ temperatures are checked prior to each who are still struggling to keep working at it. You event, and they are asked a series of questions to can do it! determine their health. Let’s do all we can to

follow these guidelines and keep these athletes in Attendance During a Pandemic the game!!! Attendance this year certainly looks different than it has in the past. We are engaging in a style of Parent/Teacher Conferences learning called “synchronous” learning, where all We have yet another challenge due to COVID-19, students, whether they are in the classroom or or as Mrs. Perry would say: “opportunity.” We not, attend their class at the same time. This value the opportunity to meet with our students’ allows everyone to participate in the class and parents and guardians to partner with them to ask questions right away if they have them. maximize their students’ opportunity for success. Attending class may include being physically The Department of Health Services recommends present in the classroom, or it may include that we minimize the number of people who attending remotely through a Google Meet. When gather in school, when possible; therefore, we will learning remotely, cameras need to be on, so that have parent/teacher conferences remotely the teacher can see that students are present, through a video conference. Stay tuned for more and they can respond to any questions students information. Conferences are scheduled for may have. October 7th.

~Dana T. Eide, Middle-High School Principal

From the Desk of the Academics Elementary Blair-Taylor Elementary has conducted their first Principal… round of STAR progress monitoring. STAR measures our students in the areas of reading Dear Families, and math. It measures individual student

achievement and compares the results with a It’s been an excellent start to the 2020-21 school pool of over eleven million other students across year, especially given the current circumstances. the nation. It also measures the growth of our Our students came back to school with a different students over time compared to other students at set of expectations due to safety guidelines. To the same grade and achievement level. say that our students rose to the challenge of abiding by these new expectations would be an Similar to all school districts across the nation, the understatement. I have never been prouder of academic achievement of our students has our students at Blair-Taylor Elementary! All decreased due to COVID-19 and the inability to students are wearing masks when required and attend school during the spring of the 2019-20 choose to not let this impact their educational school year. In an effort to get our students back experience. Students understand the new ways to where they left off, we need support from each of providing lunch and the new expectations on and every family. the playground. Since the first day of school, our students have made us all proud! One of the easiest ways to build reading skills is

through practice. Please read to, or with, your I’m equally proud of our staff for rising to the child every night for at least 20 minutes. This challenge of teaching students face-to-face and simple daily habit will become a life skill and remotely. These new circumstances made an greatly benefit our students now and in the future. already challenging occupation even more difficult, yet equally rewarding. The entire staff The following are some tips from Mr. Nelson, our has exemplified a true learning community by not reading specialist, on how to motivate reluctant only supporting students, but also supporting readers: each other to better their practice, especially in regard to technology. I’ve said it before, and I’ll 1. Provide time for reading. say it again: our entire staff is amazing! 2. Read aloud to your child.

Lastly, thank you to all parents for your support. 3. Let your child self-select their It’s obvious that our parents communicated the books. new guidelines with our students prior to the first 4. Ask your child questions about day of school. Our students came to school the book that they are reading. ready to learn in a new way. The beginning of the school year would not have gone nearly as 5. Try an audio book. smoothly without the support from our parents. Reading is everywhere. If books don’t interest Thank you! your child, let them read magazines, graphic novels, informative websites, or instruction As we move forward, we will continue to be manuals for their favorite game systems. Be sure diligent regarding guidelines and the health and to check for appropriateness, but you can often safety of our students and staff. Our objective is turn kids on to reading by letting them read to keep students here face-to-face. With your nontraditional forms of literature. Create a continued support and diligence, we can make contract – 10 minutes “screen time” for 10 this happen together. minutes of “book time.”

Sincerely, Lynn Halverson Blair-Taylor Elementary Principal

Samantha Anderson is Emily Granlund is the new K-12 joining the Blair-Taylor staff special education as a paraprofessional. She paraprofessional at Blair-Taylor is originally from Blair, born School District. Primarily, she and raised, and is a 2007 can be found working with graduate from Blair-Taylor. MS/HS students in speech She currently lives in Blair therapy and supporting the and has been married to her school nurse. She graduated husband Andy for seven from UW - Stout in May, with a years. Together they have bachelor's degree in human two boys: Jack (11) and development and family studies. Adam (7). They love She is from Mineral Point, WI, and now lives in spending time outside on the water, working on Whitehall, as it’s her husband’s hometown. She is projects around their home, and spending time looking forward to this year and what Blair- Taylor with their beloved dog, Jemma. They are huge has to offer. sports fans and follow all Wisconsin sports! In her free time, Mrs. Anderson enjoys shopping, Kevin Jensen is excited to junk thrifting, and reading. She is also a huge be starting his teaching career movie fan! Prior to coming to Blair, she worked in at Blair-Taylor as the new the Melrose-Mindoro School District as an middle/high school physical elementary special education paraprofessional. education teacher. He is She is so excited to be a part of the Blair-Taylor originally from Chanhassen, family, working with students and helping to make MN, and he is currently in the a difference! process of moving to Holmen. He received two degrees from UW-Eau Claire—in kinesiology Rita Borreson has joined our food service staff. and physical education—and A bio and pic were not available at this time. worked as a personal trainer for two years. When he’s not in school, he enjoys lifting weights, hiking, Emily Becker is camping, photography, and spending time with his SUPER excited to wife and family. He is looking forward to a great year be back at Blair- at Blair-Taylor! Taylor School as a 4K teacher! She Sarah Kyes is filling a new has a master’s in position at the Blair-Taylor special education School District. She is the th and a bachelor’s in school counselor for 6th, 7 , early childhood and 8th grade students. Ms. Kyes grew up in Chippewa through adolescence. She has been teaching for Falls, WI, and completed her eight years. She has a husband, a four-year-old bachelor’s degree in teaching daughter, and a one-year-old son. They live in French at UW-Stevens Point. Ettrick. She loves spending time with family and After teaching French to middle friends! schoolers for a year in La Crosse and a year at DC Everest, she earned her degree in school counseling from UW-Stout. Ms. Kyes spends her free time traveling, watching shows, and cooking.

Jessica Mikesell, who joins School District and St. Michael's Post Primary our team as a MS/HS School in Listowel, Ireland. He also coached paraprofessional, lives in volleyball at the Wausau School District and at St. Pigeon Falls. She graduated Michaels. He is currently living in Taylor. from UW - Stout with a Previously, he taught at the Bowler School District bachelor’s in vocational for 1.5 years (he started there mid-year, right after rehabilitation and a graduation). His family lives in Wittenberg, and concentration in independent his girlfriend, Nydehlia, lives in Black Creek. His living rehabilitation. Her hobbies include playing volleyball and basketball, husband, Tain, and seven children—Tiffany, Sonja, Zachary, Ezekiel, Theodore, hiking, horseback riding, going to concerts, and Alexa, and Ariella—make up her family. They also hanging out with friends. have two new additions to the family—kittens named Tank and Cleo. In her spare time, she enjoys time Reading Corner with family and friends, riding motorcycle, spending time around the fire, gardening, and traveling. Most of Blair-Taylor Families – all, she looks forward to this UNIQUE school year with Blair- Taylor schools and working with the students. Malcolm Gladwell, national bestselling author, wrote a book in 2011 called Outliers: The Story of April Rostvold: Success. He poses the question, “What makes adventurer, traveler, high achievers different?” Gladwell looks at a single mother of two, and number of very successful people from across the an all-around great and globe. Gladwell reasons that two of the most energetic person. April is important factors that impact achievement are ecstatic about joining the hard work and opportunity. One might say, Blair-Taylor team as a “Really? Isn’t there more to success?” paraprofessional. Before joining Blair-Taylor, she I believe a growth mindset is also important. previously worked in the Look around you. There are numerous growth medical field as a health aide and direct care opportunities to take advantage of amid worker for hospitals and group residential seemingly unsettled times. We need to be willing facilities. April has lived in Tennessee, Minnesota, and open to these opportunities and then work and Florida, but Wisconsin is her home. When hard to accomplish the goal. she isn’t working and doing her best to bring smiles to the people around her, she is spending A goal for all our students here at Blair-Taylor is time with her two beautiful and energetic to be great. Greatness takes practice and hard daughters—Khloe and Aislinn. April’s interest in work. It also no doubt requires some reading. traveling and experiencing new environments Reading to find out the latest tips and trends. definitely has been passed on to her girls, as they Reading to discover what made others successful all have a thirst to explore. Her self-motivation and how we can learn from them. motto is: “There’s no time like the present. It’s there—so let’s go.” There is a monthly reading challenge across the elementary grades. These challenges are posted Travis Sprague is the agriculture education online. In addition, a paper copy will be given to teacher/FFA advisor and JV volleyball coach at each student at the beginning of the month. B-T. He is from Wittenberg, WI, graduating from Thanks in advance for embracing these Bowler High School in 2013. From there, he challenges. headed off to the University of Wisconsin - River Falls and graduated in the fall of 2018 with a Mr. Nelson Bachelor's of Science in agriculture education. He Title 1 completed his student teaching at the Wausau

Meals Menus: October, 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

27 28 29 30 1 2 Cereal Bar Breakfast Pizza Sunflower seeds Orange

Craisins Juice Juice Milk Milk Breaded porkchop Mac & Cheese Deli roaster Pretzel potatoes Peas California blend Strawberry cup Fruit Cocktail Milk Milk

4 5 6 7 8 9 Waffles Cereal Cinnamon Rolls Omelet Muffin Menu items may Dried Cherries Banana Pear Craisins Orange change without Juice Juice Juice Juice Juice notice. Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk Hot Dog Chicken Alfredo Taco Burrito Chicken Nuggets Meatloaf Bun Breadstick Lettuce Smiley fries Au Gratin Sweet Potato Fries Green Beans Corn Fresh veggies Potatoes Baked Beans Craisins Fiesta beans Ranch Dinner Roll Applesauce Milk Apple slices Pears Peas

Milk Milk Milk Peaches Milk

11 12 13 14 15 16 Banana Bread Pancakes Mini Donuts Frudels Frittata A variety of milk Blueberries Banana Raisins Apple slices Orange served daily Juice Juice Juice Juice Juice Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk Turkey Gravy Pizza Spaghetti Hotdish Chicken Tenders Pulled pork Mashed Potatoes Lettuce salad Breadstick Potato wedges Bun Corn Pineapple Carrots Green beans Coleslaw Dinner roll Sidekick Pears Peaches Baked beans Fruit Cocktail Milk Milk Milk Mandarin oranges

Milk Milk

18 19 20 21 22 23 No School Mini Bagels Cinnamon Rolls Waffles Blueberry Loaf

All grains are WG & Banana Pear Craisins Orange WGR Juice Juice Juice Juice Milk Milk Milk Milk Uncrustable Quesadilla Ravioli Chicken Patty Cheese stick Corn Garlic Toast Bun Macaroni salad Peaches Green Beans Potato wedges Baby Carrots Milk Pineapple Peas

Apple Milk Pears

Milk Milk

25 26 27 28 29 30 Cereal Bar Frudels Breakfast Cereal Pancakes This institution is Sunflower seeds Banana Sandwich Apple slices Craisins an equal Dried Cherries Juice Raisins Juice Juice opportunity Juice Milk Juice Milk Milk provider. Milk Orange chicken Milk Cheeseburger Ham & Cheese Calzone Brown Rice Pizza Dippers Mac Sandwich Marinara Broccoli Marinara Bread slice Sunchips Corn Fruit Cocktail California blend Peas Baby Carrots Pineapple Milk Pears Peaches Strawberry Cup

Milk Milk Milk Milk

Meals Menus: November, 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

1 2 3 4 5 6

Cereal Bar Breakfast Pizza Cinnamon Rolls Cereal Waffles Sunflower seeds Banana Pear Craisins Orange Raisins Juice Juice Juice Juice Juice Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk Pizza Nacho Bake Chicken Nuggets Taco Burrito Rib Sandwich Corn Tortilla Chips Potato Wedges Fiesta Beans Tater tots Peaches Salsa Peas Lettuce Salad Cauliflower Sidekick Corn Mandarin Oranges Pineapple Fruit Cocktail Milk Pears Milk Milk

Milk Milk

8 9 10 11 12 13 Menu items may Omelet Muffin Mini Donuts Frudels Pancakes change without Blueberries Banana Raisins Apple slices Orange notice. Juice Juice Juice Juice Juice

Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk Mac & Cheese Hamburger Salisbury Steak Chicken Fries Pizza Dippers Pretzel Bun Mashed potatoes Smiley Fries Marinara Green Beans Sweet Potato Fries Corn Peas Broccoli Pears Carrots Dinner roll Peaches Applesauce Milk Fruit Cocktail Craisins Milk Milk

Milk Milk

15 16 17 18 19 20 A variety of milk Banana Bread Frittata Cinnamon Rolls Pop tart Mini Bagels served daily Raisins Banana Pear Craisins Orange

Juice Juice Juice Juice Juice Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk Ravioli Tater tot Hotdish Quesadilla Turkey Gravy Calzone Garlic Bread Bread slice Salsa/Sour cream Mashed potatoes Marinara Carrots Peas Green Beans Corn Broccoli Pears Mandarin Oranges Peaches Stuffing Strawberry Cup Milk Milk Milk Cranberries Milk

Milk

22 23 24 25 26 27 All grains are WG In-service No School No School Thanksgiving No School

& WGR

29 30 1 2 3 4 This institution is Cereal an equal Blueberries opportunity Juice provider. Milk

Uncrustable Cheese stick Sunchips Baked beans Peaches Milk

Meals Menus: December, 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

29 30 1 2 3 4 Waffles Cinnamon Rolls Breakfast Pizza Muffin Banana Craisins Apple slices Cheese stick Juice Juice Juice Orange Milk Milk Milk Juice Pizza Chili / Saltines Milk Scalloped Carrots Cheese stick Chicken Patty Potatoes & Ham Fruit Cocktail Peas Bun Bread slice Sidekick Breadstick Tri-Taters Corn Milk Applesauce Broccoli

Pears Milk w/Cheese

Milk Apple slices

Milk

6 7 8 9 10 11 Menu items may Frudel Pancakes Cinnamon Rolls Breakfast Cereal change without Blueberries Banana Pear Sandwich Orange notice. Juice Juice Juice Craisins Juice

Milk Milk Milk Juice Milk Philly Beef Orange Chicken Cheeseburger Milk Uncrustable Hoagie Bun Brown Rice Mac Pulled Pork Cheese stick Sweet Potato Peas Green Beans Sandwich Macaroni Salad wedges Mandarin Oranges WG Animal Baked Beans Baby Carrots Cauliflower Milk Crackers Coleslaw Cheez-its

Peaches Pineapple Fruit Cocktail Pears Milk Milk Milk Milk

13 14 15 16 17 18 A variety of milk Cereal Bar Omelet Cinnamon Rolls Muffin Pop tart served daily Sunflower seeds Banana Pear Cheese stick Orange

Juice Juice Juice Craisins Juice Milk Milk Milk Juice Milk Nacho Bake Breaded Pork Cheesy Potato Milk Chicken Tortilla chips Patty soup Calzone Tenders Salsa Deli Roasters Chicken Nuggets Marinara Tater tots Corn California Blend WG Saltines Green Beans Broccoli Strawberry Cup Peaches Peas Pineapple w/Cheese Milk Milk Applesauce Milk Pears

Milk Milk

20 21 22 23 24 25 All grains are WG Cereal Mini Bagel No School Christmas Eve Christmas Day

or WGR Blueberries Banana

Juice Juice Milk Milk Pizza Meatballs Lettuce salad Mashed potatoes Apple slices Gravy Sidekick Corn Milk Dinner roll

Peaches Milk

27 28 29 30 31 1 This institution is No School No School No School New Years Eve

an equal opportunity provider.

Meals Menus: January, 2021 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri

27 28 29 30 31 1 No School

3 4 5 6 7 8

Cereal Omelet Mini Donuts Pancakes Muffin Craisins Banana Craisins Craisins Cheese stick Juice Juice Juice Juice Orange Milk Milk Milk Milk Juice Pizza Chicken Nuggets Nacho Bake Mac & Cheese Milk Lettuce Potato Wedges Tortilla chips Pretzel BBQ Rib Peaches Peas Salsa Green Beans Sandwich Sidekick Mandarin Oranges Corn Pineapple Tater tots Milk Milk Pears Milk Cauliflower

milk Fruit Cocktail

Milk

10 11 12 13 14 15 Menu items may Pop tart Waffles Cinnamon Rolls Frittata Mini Bagel change without Blueberries Banana Pear Apple slices Orange notice Juice Juice Juice Juice Juice Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk Pizza Dippers Chicken Fries Salisbury Steak Meatball sub Marinara Hamburger Smiley Fries Mashed Potatoes Marinara Broccoli Bun Peas Gravy Corn Deli roasters Applesauce French Fries Strawberry Cup Dinner roll Cauliflower Milk Carrots Milk Craisins Pears

Fruit Cocktail Milk Milk

Milk

17 18 19 20 21 22 A variety of milk No School Yogurt Cinnamon Roll Pancake on a stick Mini Bagel served daily Cheese stick Pear Craisins Orange Hot ham & Cheese Bun Orange Juice Juice Juice Sunchips Juice Milk Milk Milk Broccoli w/ Milk Quesadilla Popcorn Chicken Mini Corn Dogs Cheese Chili / Saltines Salsa/Sr Cream Mashed potatoes Sweet Potato Pineapple Breadsticks Green Beans Corn Fries Milk Cheese stick Peaches Fruit Cocktail California Blend

Peas Milk Milk Pears

Applesauce Milk

Milk

24 25 26 27 28 29 All grains are WG Cereal Bar Pancakes Cinnamon Roll Frudel Banana Bread or WGR Cheese stick Banana Pear Apple slices Orange Raisins Juice Juice Juice Juice Juice Milk Milk Milk Milk Milk Chicken Patty Calzone Meatloaf Ravioli Pizza Bun Marinara Dinner roll Breadstick Peas Tri-Taters Green Beans Au Gratin potatoes Lettuce Mandarin Oranges Broccoli w/ cheese Pineapple Carrots Pears Sidekick Apple slices Milk Peaches Milk

Milk Milk Milk

31 1 2 3 4 5 This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Upcoming Events ~ Oct. 1, 2020 – Nov. 30, 2020

Events are subject to change. Please check the calendar on the district website for the most up-to-date information: https://www.btsd.k12.wi.us/district/Calendar.cfm Thurs., Oct. 1 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings Mon., Oct. 26 5:00 PM: JV FB @ CFC 4:30 PM: CC @ CFC 5:30 PM: School Board Meeting 4:30 PM: MS VB Home vs WHTL 6:00 PM: HS VB Home vs Lincoln 5:00 PM: MS FB Home vs WHTL Tues., Oct. 27 6:00 PM: HS VB Home vs 6:00 PM: HS VB Home vs WHTL Immanuel Fri., Oct. 2 7:00 PM: HS FB @ Whitehall Wed., Oct. 28 Early Out Wednesday Mon., Oct. 5 4:30 PM: MS VB Home vs Lincoln National FFA Convention, 10/28- 5:00 PM: JV FB @ Whitehall 10/31 Tues., Oct. 6 4:30 PM: MS VB Home vs Augusta Thurs., Oct. 29 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings 5:00 PM: MS FB @ Indee 6:00 PM: HS VB @ Lincoln 6:15 PM: Swim @ YMCA North Fri., Oct. 30 10:25 AM: MS Monthly Recog. (Onalaska) 7:00 PM: HS FB Home vs E-S Wed., Oct. 7 MS/HS P-T Conferences Sat., Oct. 31 CC State (WI Rapids) Early Out Wednesday Mon., Nov. 2 Online Book Fair (Nov. 2- 15) Thurs., Oct. 8 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings 5:00 PM: JV FB Home vs Eleva- 4:30 PM: CC @ Eleva Strum Strum 5:30 PM: Swim @ Wis. Rapids Tues., Nov. 3 6:00 PM: HS VB @ Gilmanton 6:00 PM: HS VB @ Augusta Wed., Nov. 4 Early Out Wednesday Fri., Oct. 9 7:00 PM: HS FB Home vs Viroqua Thurs., Nov. 5 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings (Parents Night) 6:00 PM: HS VB @ Gilmanton Mon., Oct. 12 4:30 PM: CC @ Mel-Min (Conf.) Elem. P-T Conferences 5:00 PM: JV FB Home vs Augusta Fri., Nov. 6 7:00 PM: HS FB @ Indee Tues., Oct. 13 4:45 PM: MS VB @ CFC 4:45pm Tues., Nov. 10 Elem. P-T Conferences 5:00 PM: MS FB @ Pepin/Alma Wed., Nov. 11 Early Out Wednesday 6:00 PM: HS VB @ Pepin/Alma Thurs., Nov. 12 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings (Alma) Wed., Oct. 14 Early Out Wednesday Sat., Nov. 14 Holiday Blitz Thurs., Oct. 15 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings Sun., Nov. 15 Online Book Fair Ends 4:30 PM: MS VB @ Alma/Pepin Mon., Nov. 16 5:30 PM: School Board Meeting 6:00 PM: HS VB Home vs Pepin/Alma Tues., Nov. 17 6:30 PM: HS Pops Concert Fri., Oct. 16 5:00 PM: Swim @ YMCA North Wed., Nov. 18 Early Out Wednesday (Onalaska) Thurs., Nov. 19 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings 7:00 PM: HS FB @ Pepin/Alma Mon., Oct. 19 No School Fri., Nov. 20 Last Day of 1st Trimester Teacher In-Service Mon., Nov. 23 No School 5:00 PM: JV FB @ Pepin/Alma Teacher In-Service Tues., Oct. 20 6:00 PM: HS VB @ CFC Tues., Nov. 24 No School Wed., Oct. 21 Early Out Wednesday Wed., Nov. 25 No School Thurs., Oct. 22 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings Thurs., Nov. 26 No School - Thanksgiving 6:00 PM: HS VB Home vs CFC Fri. Nov. 27 No School Fri., Oct. 23 7:00 PM: HS FB @ CFC Please continue to check the district calendar Sat., Oct. 24 CC Sectional @ Westby on the website for changes. Thank you! ~ Upcoming Events ~ Fall Sports Dec. 1, 2020 – Jan. 31, 2021 Information

There are some new Events are subject to change. guidelines for spectators Please check the calendar on the district for our Wildcat fall sports. website for the most up-to-date information: https://www.btsd.k12.wi.us/district/Calendar.cfm There will be no admission at the door.

Wed., Dec. 2 Early Out Wednesday Each athlete will be issued four tickets to their Thurs., Dec. 3 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings specific level of sporting event. That athlete can Wed., Dec. 9 Early Out Wednesday give those tickets to whoever they wish, but if you Thurs., Dec. 10 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings do not have a ticket, you will not be allowed into Wed., Dec. 16 Early Out Wednesday the venue for that event. 6:00 PM: Handbell Christmas Concert You will show that filled-out ticket at the door and Thurs., Dec. 17 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings deposit it in the container placed there. Fri., Dec. 18 10:25 AM: MS Monthly Recog. Mon., Dec. 21 5:30 PM: School Board Meeting The venue will be cleared after each specific level Wed., Dec. 23 No School of event. For example, when the JV volleyball game ends, the gym will be cleared and then Thurs., Dec. 24 No School those holding varsity volleyball tickets will be Fri., Dec. 25 No School allowed into the gym. Each sport and each level Mon., Dec. 28 No School of play will have their own ticket for that event. Tues., Dec. 29 No School Wed., Dec. 30 No School Social distancing will be required at each event. Thurs., Dec. 31 No School Anyone entering the venues for sporting events Fri., Jan. 1 No School must be wearing a mask and masks must be Wed., Jan. 6 Early Out Wednesday worn during the event. Thurs., Jan. 7 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings Wed., Jan. 13 Early Out Wednesday No concessions will be available at events. MS/HS P-T Conferences Thurs., Jan. 14 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings Thank you for helping us provide the opportunity Fri., Jan. 15 End of Semester (Elem.) for our Wildcats to participate in sports during Mon., Jan. 18 No School these times. Teacher In-Service 5:30 PM: School Board Meeting Sincerely, Wed., Jan. 20 Early Out Wednesday Thurs., Jan. 21 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings Randy Storlie Wed., Jan. 27 Early Out Wednesday Blair-Taylor Schools Thurs., Jan. 28 7:45 AM: Student Org. Meetings Athletic Director Fri., Jan. 29 10:25 AM: MS Monthly Recog.

Scholastic Book Fair

Online Only

Nov. 2 – Nov. 15

Special Education Services Mental Health Resources

The Blair-Taylor School District Department of Did you know that more than Special Education provides educational support to 20% of children and students with special needs. Programs for all disability adolescents struggle with their areas are available to students in the district. General mental health? information may be obtained by calling 608-989-2525, ext 216. School-based programs offer the promise of improving access to diagnosis and Support is provided to students with disabilities treatment for the mental health struggles many through an Individual Education Plan (IEP), with children and adolescents face. support in the following areas: What can the school do for you and your • Autism children? • Speech & Language Impairment • Emotional/Behavioral Disability Did you know that we have a mental health • Specific Learning Disability professional that comes to our school once a • Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy week to conduct counseling sessions on-site right • Psychological Services here at school? The school works in collaboration • School Health Services with Peace of Mind Counseling, LLC out of La • Specially Designed Physical Education Crosse to bring services right to our area that will • Cognitive Disability work with your insurance.

• Homebound Instruction This year, Katie Belitz, Mental Health Coordinator • Pre-School Screening (also School Psychologist and Special Education • Early Childhood Special Education Director) will work with teachers and students to • CESA Contracted Services for Low Incidence continue to raise awareness for mental health, • Vision & Hearing Impairment trauma-informed practices, and suicide prevention. Not only will training continue Students with disabilities who do not qualify for throughout the year, but the school will also be special education may be eligible to receive services conducting a social-emotional screener to identify through a 504-accommodation plan. any students who may be identified at-risk or in need of any additional support to help them be Referrals successful in school. Children with suspected disabilities can be referred for an evaluation by contacting the school psychologist. To reach Katie Belitz with any questions or concerns you may have, please call her at 608- Our district offers Student Assistance Team (SAT) 989-2525, ext. 216, or email her at intervention to assist students experiencing difficulties [email protected]. in school. This team not only provides guidance to staff in terms of meeting student academic and/or emotional needs but also helps decide if a student should be referred for a special education evaluation.

Please contact your child's building principal and/or school psychologist for more information.

Additional written information and resources will be provided upon request by calling 608-989-2525, ext. 216.

NOTICE OF ELECTION NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD SCHOOL DISTRICT OF BLAIR-TAYLOR ELECTION NOVEMBER 3, 2020 (S.120.06(6)(b), Wis. Stats.)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that at an election to be held in the School District of Blair-Taylor on Tuesday, November 3, 2020, the following NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to qualified electors question will be submitted to a vote of the people: of the Blair-Taylor School District that a School Board election will be held on Tuesday, April 6, "Shall the School District of Blair-Taylor, 2021, to elect school board members to the seats Trempealeau and Jackson Counties, Wisconsin currently held by Troy Tenneson and Perry Kujak be authorized to issue pursuant to Chapter 67 of as District 1 Directors and Michele Steien as the Wisconsin Statutes, general obligation bonds District 2 Director, whose 3-year terms expire in in an amount not to exceed $4,145,000 for the April 2021. The incumbents are eligible for re- public purpose of paying the cost of a school election. building and improvement project at the united campus consisting of: construction of additions NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that any qualified for a district daycare center and classrooms; elector desiring to be a candidate for this position renovations, capital maintenance, building on the school board shall file a Declaration of infrastructure, safety and site improvements; Candidacy at the Blair-Taylor School District construction of a baseball field; and acquisition of Office, N31024 Elland Road, Blair, WI, not earlier furnishings, fixtures and equipment?" than Tuesday, December 1, 2020, and not later than Tuesday, January 5, 2021, between the A copy of the entire text of the resolution directing hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday thru submission of the question set forth above to the Friday. The forms may be delivered or mailed to electorate and information concerning District the address noted above prior to 4:00 p.m. on boundaries can be obtained from the District Tuesday, January 5, 2021. District boundary Clerk at the School District offices located at information is available in the district office. N31024 Elland Road, Blair, Wisconsin. NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN that if a primary is Acceptable photo ID will be required to vote at necessary, the primary will be held on Tuesday, this election. If you do not have a photo ID you February 16, 2021. may obtain a free ID for voting from the Division of Motor Vehicles. Dated this 21st day of September, 2020.

Persons with questions regarding the referendum election should contact Jeffrey S. Eide, District David Thompson, Clerk Administrator. Blair-Taylor School District

Done in the School District of Blair-Taylor on September 30, 2020 David Thompson District Clerk

School Board Members Avenues for Staying Connected President Troy Tenneson District Website N25277 US Hwy 53 The district website contains a Ettrick, WI 54627 wealth of information, including Home: 608-525-5672 meals menus and calendar events. Note: the middle/high Cell: 507-459-3451 school announcements are posted on the website—a great e-mail: [email protected] resource for staying in the loop!

http://www.btsd.k12.wi.us/ Vice-President

Perry Kujak Facebook W14419 Hillcrest Rd. We use our district Facebook page to share pictures and Blair, WI 54616 information about events, as well as to convey information Home: 608-989-2510 about upcoming opportunities. Just search for “Blair- Cell: 608-797-6160 Taylor School District” on Facebook and like or follow the e-mail: [email protected] page.

Clerk Twitter David Thompson Many of the same posts from our Facebook page also N25955 Joe Coulee Road appear on our Twitter feed. Please note: longer posts may Blair, WI 54616 not appear on our Twitter feed. Search for “Blair-Taylor Cell: 608-792-3165 Schools” on Twitter and follow us! e-mail: [email protected]

Cable Television Station Treasurer Another avenue of communication is our cable television Sarah Staff station. This allows us to broadcast “digital signage” W16133 Big Slough Road (scrolling announcements) and other programming on Hixton, WI 54635 televisions throughout the school. Also, residents who have Home: 715-984-2309 TCC for cable television are able to view our channel at e-mail: [email protected] home on either channel 8-81 or 18-81, depending on

whether they have a cable box or not. Directors

Dr. Blaine Koxlien Wildcat TV P.O. Box 67 Occasionally, we live stream events, such as sports games Blair, WI 54616 or concerts, on Wildcat TV, an internet portal that is Work: 608-989-2528 accessible through our district website. Even if you miss e-mail: [email protected] the live stream, most videos are archived and available to

view later. Note: Some programs, such as plays and Michelle Steien concerts, contain copyrighted material, and we are W15771 Jackson Road prohibited from storing archived videos on our website for Taylor, WI 54659 you to view. When possible, we also air these live-streamed Cell: 715-299-8025 events on our cable television station. e-mail: [email protected] https://bit.ly/2qfOu6T

Jeff Stalheim District Newsletter 310 Highland Ave. The district newsletter is published four times a year. Taylor, WI 54659 Electronic versions of the newsletter are also available on Home: 715-662-4201 our district website. https://bit.ly/2HhvxbV e-mail: [email protected]

These are just some of the communication methods used,

but don’t overlook the student folders (lower elementary),

Skyward (7-12), letters, phone calls, and emails as SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS ARE RD additional avenues for staying connected! HELD AT 5:30 THE 3 MONDAY OF EACH MONTH. ~Kimberly Joten, K-12 Library Media Specialist

SCHOOL DELAYS & CLOSINGS

Student safety is the primary consideration in making a decision Listed below are names of the media stations that will be carrying relating to school delays or school closings. Normally, one of our emergency school closings. three decisions is made. The first may be a late start. In this case, a two-hour school delay is our standard procedure. On these ‘late WWIS 99.7 FM BRF start’ days there will be no morning Early Childhood, 4-year old WHTL 102.3 FM Whitehall kindergarten or Head Start programs. The second decision we WKBT CH 8 La Crosse may make is to close school for the day. The third decision is an WEAU CH 13 Eau Claire early release from school, normally at 1:00 p.m. WXOW CH 19 La Crescent

WQOW CH 18 Eau Claire We realize that parents have to make childcare arrangements for FOX 24/48 La Crosse/Eau Claire the day. Therefore, we will try to make school delay or closing WAXX 104.5 FM Eau Claire decisions by 8:00 p.m. the night before, if possible. In the event WAYY 11.50 AM Eau Claire that’s not possible, we will strive to make a decision by 6:00 a.m. WECL 92.9 FM Eau Claire

WEAQ 790 AM Eau Claire If a decision is made to close school for the day or to close school WBIZ 100.7 FM Eau Claire early due to inclement weather, all after school practices and all WKTY 580 AM La Crosse evening activities and/or events will be cancelled. WIZM 14.10 FM La Crosse

Z93 93.3 FM La Crosse SCHOOL MESSENGER WTRV 95.7 FM La Crosse A communication system (phone and/or email) used to deliver information to parents and/or guardians as soon as possible.

School District of Blair-Taylor

N31024 Elland Road P.O. Box 107 Blair, WI 54616

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