May 20^th Edition

COVID and Education in WI: What Comes Next?

The Supreme Court’s ruling on Governor Evers Safer at Home Order did not impact the state’s order to keep school facilities closed until the end of the year (June 30). So, what’s next for schools?

Mental Health: In an effort to provide assistance and resources for educators supporting students’ mental health DPI conducted a series of Community of Practice meetings. In this article, the authors share a brief summary of the topics covered and resources discussed related to virtual counseling and supports, responding to crisis virtually, Self-care and Compassion Resilience for Educators and, dealing with grief and loss. Read More.

Summer School: The DPI has published Emergency Rule 2003, expanding the ability of public school districts to use online instruction for summer school and count instructional minutes for membership. The emergency rule went into effect on May 5, 2020 and is in place for the summer of 2020. It does not change the types of classes that can be offered through summer school, but rather allows districts to offer those classes in an online format for all grades K-12.

2020-21 School Year: The DPI is developing a Roadmap to guide school and district planning for next school year. The guide is expected to be published in the coming week. AWSA has convened a COVID Thought Leaders Team to provide input on the association’s state and federal advocacy, and, what information and resources will be most helpful to members.

Professional Learning: AWSA has and will continue to adjust our professional learning opportunities to fit members needs during this health emergency. Registration is open for AWSA academies which continue to receive rave reviews for providing the opportunity to develop high-leverage leadership practices in key areas of the work (coaching, equity, mental health, data, PLCs). And, administrators who complete an academy will continue to be reimbursed for 75% of the registration fee next year. This summary table is a helpful tool for leaders to select the right academy for your needs and school context.

Legal: In this article Attorneys Robert Burns and Abby Busler provide legal considerations for leaders related to special education and planning for 2020-21. Read More.

Promotion and Graduation Ceremonies: Members are planning virtual ceremonies as a first or
last option and AWSA has drafted this planning guide to inform the process.

AWSA Election Results


The following members have been elected to serve on the AWSA Board of Directors.

• Region 1 (co-director): Mike Roemer, Principal, Reagan High School, Milwaukee
• Region 2 (co-director): Jennifer Fanning, Principal, Kennedy Elementary School, Janesville
• Region 2 (co-director): Rainey Briggs, Director of Elementary Education, Middleton-Cross Plains
• Region 3: Carmen Burkum, Principal, Fennimore Elementary School, Fennimore
• Region 7: Cindy Olson, Principal, Washington Middle School, Green Bay
• Region 8: Adam DeWitt, Principal, Oconto Middle and High School, Oconto
• Region 10: Sue Kern, Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Chippewa Falls
• Region 11: Sara Eichten, Principal, Somerset Middle School, Somerset
• Region 12: Dave Scholz, Principal, Phillips Elementary School, Phillips

• Region 1 (co-director): Ellis Turrentine, Principal, Starbuck – an IB World School, Racine
• Region 4: Nicki Pope, Principal, Lemonweir Elementary School, Tomah
• Region 6: Deb Janke, Principal, Lomira High School, Lomira
• Region 9: Anita Mattek, Associate Principal, Antigo High School, Antigo
• President: Dan Carter, Principal, Heritage Elementary School, Waunakee
• Past-President: Trisha Detert, Principal, Washington Elementary School, Merrill

Jerry Pritzl appointed as AWSA’s President-Elect



At its April meeting, the AWSA Board of Directors unanimously appointed Jerry Pritzl, Principal at Poynette Middle School, to the office of president-elect. Jerry is currently serving on the board as director of region five and will begin his term as president-elect on July 1, 2020. He will then serve as president in 2021-22.