Dr. Ackley’s Message . . .
FAILED 2023 REFERENDUM – THE IMPACT
Because the operational referendum failed, the district will not receive the 1.1 million dollars that it needed to maintain educational programming and to sustain operational costs for the 2023-24 school year.
The North Lake School Board continues to solve the district’s annual operating deficit by making thoughtful decisions that are least disruptive to our GREAT K-8.
The North Lake School Board is committed to maintaining a happy, healthy two section school. This research based model is best for your children’s educational success. Open enrollment students continue to support this commitment and have allowed the school to successfully operate two classes per grade level.
The regular open enrollment window has closed but families can apply again beginning July 1st on the Department of Public Instruction website.
North Lake School is a destination district. Twenty brand new open enrollment students are expected for the 2023-2024 school year. There are still open seats and we hope to add at least 20 more open enrollment students in 4K through 8th. Share the good news and spread the word!
Open enrollment is a huge revenue generator for North Lake School.
Staffing reductions must occur for the upcoming school year due to the failed referendum.
Please visit the school website for up-to-date referenda information.
Additional Budget Changes
- Eliminate two interventionist teaching positions
- Accept the Gifted & Talented Coordinator resignation
- Accept two classroom teacher resignations
- Reduce the Speech/Language Pathologist position to part-time
- Redesign the office/custodial staffing
- Change staff benefits in Employee Handbook
- Increase student registration and activity fees
- Private pay and transportation for advanced classes at Arrowhead
- Fill classroom teaching positions internally
- Fill Special Education Director position internally
- Fill Gifted & Talented Coordinator position internally
I encourage parents to advocate for our GREAT K-8. There are some informative videos on the website about school funding reform. Click on the new Referenda button for all the latest information.
Please ask questions on behalf of your children. I am always available to take your call, answer your text, or meet in person.
TOGETHER WE “CAN-NED”
Times are tough and families in the North Lake School community need your help.
A. The North Lake School District’s Funds for Families needs monetary donations now. Your cash or check to North Lake School (write F4F on the memo line) will pay for hot lunches for students whose families have a financial need. $30.00 a week pays for two students to eat hot lunch from our farm kitchen.
B. The North Lake Food Pantry shelves are bare. North Lake School will host a Top 5 Food Drive next week (May 8-12). Please help supply the pantry’s Top 5:
1. Canned soup (Progresso preferred)
2. Canned fruit
3. Canned vegetables (tomatoes preferred)
4. Cake mixes
5. Syrup
500 or more items wins a spirit day (theme selected by students).
GOODBYE, MS. PEGGY SCHULDENBERG
Ms. Schuldenberg has worked wonders in the health room for three years and it is hard to say goodbye. Her last day will be May 12th. Mrs. Becky Dorow and Mrs. Gina Haase are going to share the health room duties for the remaining 18 days of school.
Ms. Schuldenberg is making a career move and will work with commercial flooring in the construction business. Goodbye Band-Aids and ice packs, Hello hard hats and hammers.
TEACHER REQUESTS
There is only one way to make a teacher request for the upcoming school year. You need to put your request in writing (e-mail is fine) to me. I am happy to honor requests whenever possible but it is important that the requests are received in a timely manner. Requests must be made by Friday, May 12th. It is very difficult to accommodate requests during the summer or at the start of the school year for many reasons.
May Dates to Remember
8
7th Grade to Camp Whitcomb 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Culver’s Night 5:00-8:00 p.m. Hartland Location
9
AMSAC 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Tournament at Arrowhead
10
AMSAC 6th Grade Girls Volleyball Tournament at Arrowhead
All Comers Track Meet at Arrowhead: Field Events 5:00 p.m., Running Events 6:00 p.m.
11
4th Grade To Old World Wisconsin 8:40 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
AMSAC 8th Girls Volleyball Tournament at Arrowhead
12
“A” Friday
14
Mother’s Day Dockhounds Game 1:35 p.m.
17
Hawaiian Day
Arrowhead Grade School Track Meet
School Board Meeting 5:30 p.m. Conference Room
18
Staff Meeting 2:45 p.m. (No after-school learning lab)
19
“B” Friday
1st Grade to Milwaukee County Zoo 8:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
23
Red Cross Blood Drive 2:00-6:00 p.m. Multi-Purpose Room
25
8th Grade to WCTC & Wagner Park 8:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
26
“A” Friday
29
No School – Memorial Day
Next Wave: May 26th
UPPER SCHOOL REMINDER:
No Cell Phones During
School Hours
Counseling Corner
Hello North Lake families!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so I thought I’d highlight some of the ways that I work with your children to help them have strategies to manage their big feelings and mental health.
- Zones of Regulation curriculum: identifying emotions
- Cool down tools: learning and practice strategies to regulate emotions
- Regular feelings checks: showing students that it is good and healthy to talk about feelings!
- Mental health/mental illness education
We were fortunate to have NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) come and speak with our 8th graders this week. There was discussion about stigma, where to get help, how to help a friend, and what adults are safe adults to talk to.
If you have any questions about any specific lessons or topics, please let me know!
Next Spirit Day: 5/17 – Hawaiian Day
App Spotlight:
I’m not spotlighting one specific app here. Instead, I wanted to make a reminder about checking what’s going on in your child’s virtual world every once in a while! Whether this is through a random phone check, parent monitoring apps, or conversations with your child, this is really important! I compare it to learning to drive a car – they need some guidance and direction before they are left to use it totally on their own!
As always, please let me know if there are any ways that I can support your child!
Take care-
Jill Lesch
lesjil@northlakeschool.org
