Richmond Podcast

In the February 2018 episode Jeff Weiss, district administrator, and Gena Santharam, principal and director of Pupil Services talk with Personalized Learning Coach and Gifted & Talented Coordinator Donna Held, as well as students Alex Cluka and Autumn Treml. The students share their experiences with the Future City Competition and Fluid Power Challenge. Jeff and Gena also discuss school safety, report cards, the boys’ basketball schedule and the upcoming board of education election. Trimester Grading Reminders Trimester 2 report cards to be released the second week of March 2018. Will include assessments for all Trimester 1 electives. Trimester 2 runs through 03.09.18. Trimester 3 report cards will include assessments from Trimester 2 electives. School Safety Richmond School’s Crisis Plan Developed and reviewed annually by Waukesha County Police Department Includes daily safety checks, including ensuring all doors to school are locked and secured. State statutes require schools to participate in lockdown drills at least twice a year. All Richmond School staff are instructed under ALICE training by WCPD: ALICE is an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate. ALICE is a set of general recommendations, meeting the needs of each building and is not a complete procedure. Belief around ALICE is that information is key to making informed decisions, and teachers are allowed to make the best choice given a particular situation. (Example: ability to lockdown in classroom OR evacuate). Board of Education Elections 2 seats up for election in April 2018. Parent-Teacher Organization hosting candidate forum on 03.05.18 in LMC. Opportunity for families to hear candidate’s views Q&A Portion Please watch the Richmond School newsletter for updates Boys Basketball Regular season began 01.25.18 and runs through the end of February Games occur after school at 4:30pm, 5:30pm and 6:30pm Extension Opportunities Available for highly-able or gifted students Address academic and social needs that go beyond classroom learning Offered during Charge Up time Future City Competition First-year participant Challenges middle school students to build cities of the future This year’s theme: “The Age-Friendly City.” Students offer innovative solutions focused on the needs of senior citizens and the aging population. Virtual city built first using SimCity software, accompanied by essay on zoning, clean energy resources used, etc. Scale model then built using recycled materials and a moving hyperloop. Fluid Power Challenge Second year participant Our all girls’ team took 2nd place last year. Sponsored by National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) and hosted by Price Engineering in Hartland Richmond School awarded $500 National Fluid Power grant for second year in a row, which assists with payment for kits, materials and transportation to Fluid Power Challenge events. Students begin the year learning about fluid power, are broken into teams and set up prototype machines On 03.02.18, six Richmond teams will visit Waukesha County Technical College, where a specific challenge will be presented at that time, along with tools and directions. Students have five weeks to build their machines Final products will be presented 04.13.18.  jweiss@richmond.k12.wi.us www.richmond.k12.wi.us 262.538.1360

In the December 2017 episode Jeff Weiss, District Administrator, and Gena Santharam, Principal and Director of Pupil Services talk with students Jessie Jandora and Ella Beaumier about PBIS. Jeff and Gena also discuss the recently released School Report Card and upcoming events. PBIS Student-led leadership organization Meets once a week over recess Communicates positive behavior, community service, and student input Recent projects: Red Ribbon Week Spread the Word to End the Word Kind Deeds Richmond Hat & Mitten Tree Place donations under tree in cafeteria Outside donations can be brought to school office This year’s donation collection will benefit Mitchell Elementary School in Racine Current & Upcoming Events Teddy Bear Drive Teddy Bear or monetary donations can be brought to the school and/or to the Holiday Concerts Donations will be presented to the Children’s Hospital on 12.22.17 Richmond Hat & Mitten Tree Holiday Concerts 19.17 – 6th-8th grade students 22.17 – 3rd-4th grade students Richmond’s 175th Anniversary Celebration School Report Card Richmond received a 5-Star Rating, the highest standard rating The second year in a row to earn the 5-Star Rating Rating is based on four areas: Student achievement Student growth Closing the gaps On track and post-secondary readiness jweiss@richmond.k12.wi.us www.richmond.k12.wi.us 262.538.1360

In the November 2017 episode Jeff Weiss, District Administrator, and Gena Santharam, Principal and Director of Pupil Services talk with Abby Sinitz and Rea Ellen Eberle about Student Council. Jeff and Gena also discuss recent and upcoming events. They also share details about Personalized Learning. Student Council • Student-led organization that supports school, community, and global service projects • “One of the most important things you can do in your life is to serve others.” • Meet every two weeks • Officers introduced • Recent projects: o Book Fair o Crafts o Rocktober Project o Teacher snacks and dinners during Parent/Teacher Conferences Recent + Upcoming Events • Fun Run (October 31, 2017) • Book Fair (October 9-13, 2017) • Wellness Challenge (happening now) • Board of Education Meeting (November 13, 2017) Personalized Learning • Initiative rolling out across grade levels • Teachers and students work together to define skill level and to develop a plan to achieve goals • Kindergarten in exploration phase • 1st & 5th beginning research and study phase jweiss@richmond.k12.wi.us www.richmond.k12.wi.us 262.538.1360  

In today’s episode Jeff Weiss, district administrator, and Gena Santharam, principal, and director of pupil services at Richmond School talk about various school committees, athletics and clubs, the upcoming 175th anniversary celebration, and more. Committees Parent Advisory 7 parent volunteers Opens two-way communication between parents and Richmond’s Leadership Team Richmond’s 175th Anniversary Celebration Committee Celebration planned for 5.31.18 Theme: Time Flies Leadership Team 4 teacher volunteers + 2 alternates Committees: Construction, Policy, Finance, Facilities Budget Adjustment Meeting Will be held 10.23.17 at 6pm Preliminary budget established earlier this year will be confirmed Parent/Teacher Conferences 10.11.17 3:40 – 7:30pm 10.12.17 1:00 – 7:30pm Athletics & Clubs New Spanish Club Sign up in the Main Office Meets once a week on Tuesdays Girls’ Basketball  Began on 9.30.17  Tournaments: Grade 5: December 4-9 at Merton Grade 6: December 4-9 at North Lake Grade 7: December 11-16 at Swallow Grade 8: December 11-16 at Freeze Lake WISN Channel 12 Visit Teacher of the Month Award: Celeste DuFrane Shout-outs to Sussex jweiss@richmond.k12.wi.uswww.richmond.k12.wi.us

Welcome to the first Richmond School podcast. This episode features some of the new and exciting happenings surrounding our school that took place over summer break. In today’s show Jeff Weiss, District Administrator, and Gena Santharam, Principal and Director of Pupil Services talk about some big achievements, school improvements, new faces around the school, and newly implemented initiatives that will further student education and growth. Achievements Richmond’s 175th birthday Tier 1 Bronze Level Award Title One Award Improvements Parking lot Technology New Faces 23 new families enrolled Eight new staff faces in both teaching and behind-the-scenes roles Initiatives Personalized Learning + Academic Career Planning Mental Health Committee Science Program jweiss@richmond.k12.wi.us www.richmond.k12.wi.us