Sauk Prairie School District congratulates students on Read-A-Thon

Grand Avenue fourth graders were recognized at the Jan 13 Sauk Prairie School Board Meeting for completing a Read-A-Thon prior to winter break. From this Read-A-Thon, they were able to make a contribution to the Sauk Prairie Area Food Pantry. Dan Halling, a high school Social Studies teacher, was also recognized at the meeting as a PBS Extraordinary Educator.  Ted Harter, Middle School Principal, gave an update on the middle school and some initiatives they have begun and goals they have for the year. Harter, with the help of other staff members, discussed four major goals for the year; RISE Time, PBIS Videos, Restorative Consequences and Providing Pathways.  RISE Time is done on Tuesday mornings where the students meet in small groups to cover a specific topic. The focus of RISE Time is on Social-Emotional learning. RISE stands for Be Respectful, Be Inclusive, Be supportive and Be empathetic.  PBIS Videos are being created by staff and students to teach different skills in terms of the middle school’s core values. The videos will be used to teach the core values in a way that school sees as powerful by using peers to teach those lessons. An example video can be viewed on  Restorative Consequences are being utilized to help students learn from their mistakes. By supporting reflection on how behavior will impact themselves and the school community students can learn to correct their own behaviors.  Providing Pathways is a three-tiered initiative. Tier one is for all students and promotes positive behavior. Level two is where behavior interventions begin with steps involving meeting with the Problem-Solving team and a parent meeting. Level three is an intensive intervention area in which a safety plan, if needed, is implemented and a functional behavioral checklist is utilized.  Superintendent Jeff Wright gave a referendum update. Wright read the potential statement that would be used on the ballot should the school board vote in favor. Wright also discussed all the different options for the school board on the referendum. These options ranged from doing nothing and having no referendum, to doing parts of the referendum and lead up to doing all the parts of the referendum that have been discussed. The school board will be making a final vote on January 20 as to if the referendum will be on the April ballot or if they will hold off until a later time.  The school board also accepted and recognized $32568.41 in donations and grants from community groups and donors. This is a large amount for the school district and is appreciated to help the students and staff of the district.