Wisconsin Education NewsApril 24, 2026A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Encourage Your Administrative Assistant to Attend this Year's Conference Registration is open for the 2026 School Administrative Assistants Conference July 22-23, 2026, at the Madison Marriott West. See the program here. JWMS ribbon-cutting highlights a day to cherish for SDR With the afternoon’s grand unveiling of improvements at James Williams Middle School (JWMS) dovetailing with a school board meeting at which grateful high schoolers shared profound experiences from recent school trips abroad, Monday, April 20, was a day tough to top for the School District of Rhinelander (SDR). SFSD and National Exchange Bank Reach Naming Rights Agreement The Sheboygan Falls School District has received a $300,000 donation from the National Exchange Bank Foundation. The donation marks a new partnership between the school district and and the foundation, who will receive naming rights for the Sheboygan Falls High School Football field. Which Fond du Lac and Dodge County schools earned DPI recognition? FOND DU LAC – Several schools in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties have been recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction through its Wisconsin Schools of Recognition program. DPI said the awards “celebrate exceptional efforts of educators, students, families and school staff in ensuring educational success for all students, especially among those facing economic challenges.” The agency recognized 95 schools for the 2024-25 school year. DPI names four Sheboygan Area School District schools High Impact SHEBOYGAN – Four Sheboygan Area School District elementary schools have been named High Impact Schools by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Grant, Jackson, James Madison and Wilson schools were included on the list for 2024-25, according to a community announcement. They are among 95 Wisconsin Schools of Recognition statewide and 71 named High Impact Schools. Another closing La Crosse school granted landmark designation, as district objects Emerson Elementary School was declared a local historic landmark at a meeting Thursday, over objections from the La Crosse School District. By a vote of 5-2, the La Crosse Heritage Preservation Commission approved landmark status for Emerson, which dates back to 1940, when it was a school for polio patients. 'It gets my sadness away': Kenosha students are fighting for a therapy dog at their school KENOSHA — Students at Roosevelt Elementary in Kenosha spent an entire quarter researching the benefits of therapy dogs in schools — and Thursday they made their case directly to Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Weiss, hoping to get the approval needed to bring one to their school. Fifth graders and pre-K students gave a full presentation to Dr. Weiss at the school, outlining the emotional, behavioral, and academic benefits a therapy dog could bring to their community. MPS staff protest budget cuts, layoffs and delayed raises More than 200 Milwaukee Public Schools staff and others protested against the district's budgeting process April 23, calling on officials to reverse upcoming layoffs and implement inflationary wage increases for employees. The protest, held outside of the district's central office, comes as MPS faces a $46 million budget gap. To close the deficit, Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced a plan this March to cut more than 260 jobs next school year, including 59 assistant principals. Crandon referendum passes by 19 votes, saving further staffing and class cuts CRANDON, Wis. (WJFW) — Although it was a tough ask, the School District of Crandon secured more than $1 million per year for the next three years, helping school leaders avoid making even bigger cuts. Earlier this April, District Administrator, Jason Bertand, sat on the edge of his seat as Forest County residents voted on a $1.25 million referendum. Raymond School District adopts new math curriculum for grades K-8 Raymond School District has approved new mathematics curriculum for every grade level, replacing programs used across the district for years with two new platforms selected after a months-long teacher-led review process. The votes were unanimous Monday to adopt Bridges in Mathematics for kindergarten through fifth grade and Math & YOU for grades six through eight. Eighth graders take part in annual career fair Close to 1,200 eighth grade students from Shawano, Waupaca, Oconto and Outagamie counties recently had a special opportunity to delve into the world of work at the annual Eighth Grade Career Exploration career fair. The event, held April 21 at Clintonville High School, brought together 52 businesses and organizations from various sectors, offering students a firsthand look at potential career paths. School District of Lodi students plant over 1,400 trees during Earth Week LODI, Wis. (WKOW)— Lodi high school seniors sang "let it grow, let it grow," to their freshly planted trees in the Lodi School Forest. The forest is one of 255 registered school forests in Wisconsin and was granted to the town and village of Lodi 90 years ago. In 1957, 25 Lodi students planted a variety of trees in the forest. La Crosse school district introduces ukulele program for early learning and development LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- The school district of La Crosse is bringing music, movement, and joy into early learning, one ukulele at a time. At Tuesday's "Music with Minis" development experience, school district 4K preschool teachers learned basic ukulele skills to pass onto students. Educators say music supports motor skills and social-emotional growth, making it the perfect conduit for learning communication. Verona school board approves multiple monitoring reports The Verona Area School District (VASD) Board of Education approved five monitoring reports during a meeting on Monday, April 20. VASD Director of Multilingual Programming Rosamaria Laursen was joined by Verona Area High School (VAHS) senior Silas Milhans to discuss the world languages monitoring report. This policy looks at how students are expanding their multilingual skills to think critically and engage with diverse cultures. Local farm donates land to New Holstein School District for soccer field Meyer Dairy and Grain Farms has donated four acres of land to the New Holstein School District for the construction of a new soccer field at the High School. The donation was announced at Monday evening’s meeting of the New Holstein Board of Education, which unanimously accepted the gift. District Administrator Dan Nett said, “By far one of the largest donations I’ve seen here in 11 years as superintendent. This is one of the kindest things I’ve seen.” Mock Crash Shows Waupun Students the Real Cost of One Bad Decision (WAUPUN) A staged crash at Waupun Area Junior/Senior High School showed students how a single decision behind the wheel can have serious consequences. Students watched as first responders acted out the aftermath of a two-vehicle crash caused by an impaired driver. One student victim was declared dead at the scene. Another had life-threatening injuries and was flown out by helicopter. Others were hurt, including one trapped in a vehicle as crews worked to free them. Bay View High School students to manage MPS' first student-run food truck MILWAUKEE — Bay View High School students Thursday unveiled Milwaukee Public Schools' first student-run food truck. Culinary arts students collaborated to create 414 ATE. The national program Intuit for Education donated a truck and supplies for the project. Bonduel Police Department unveils squad car designed by local students BONDUEL, Wis. (WFRV) – Officers in Bonduel say they are proud to unveil a newly designed squad car made possible through a collaboration with local students and community partners. New Assistant Principal Looks to Make a Difference in Horicon Schools (HORICON) Andrew Selgrad says what excites him most about his new role in Horicon isn’t the title — it’s the chance to reach more students. “Being able to work with teachers, with students, athletes, to have an impact on so many people within a district is a unique opportunity,” Selgrad said. “I’m really excited about that.” Selgrad is stepping in as the middle and high school assistant principal, a role he says gives him a wider lens to support students both inside and outside the classroom.
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