October 30th, 2024
A Message from the Principals
Dear SFHS Falcon Families,
A Great Start to the Year!
We’re thrilled with how the school year has kicked off! Our students have been excelling academically, athletically, and in extracurricular activities. Homecoming was a huge success, and the students demonstrated exceptional composure during our recent ALICE drill. We’re eagerly anticipating the upcoming musical, concerts, and winter sports season.
Checking In on Quarter 1
As we near the end of the 1st quarter, we encourage you to take a moment to review your child’s progress. Please remember that final grades and credits are recorded only at the end of each semester. Current grades provide a snapshot of their work thus far.
If you have any questions about your child’s academic performance, please don’t hesitate to:
- Ask your child about assignments and upcoming deadlines.
- Check Infinite Campus or Canvas for detailed information.
- Contact your child’s teacher to discuss any concerns.
Honoring Our Veterans
We invite you and the community to join us in honoring our veterans at our Veteran’s Day Program on Monday, November 11th at 9:25 AM in the High School Auditorium.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and our school.
Go Falcons!
Mike Nikson, SFHS Principal
Brian Berlin, SFHS Associate Principal / Athletic Director
SDSF News
Interested in what’s happening at the other schools? Take a look at the Elementary and Middle School newsletters:
Elementary School Communicator
And, check out these other ways to keep connected!
Mark Your Calendars
Tuesday, November 5th: National Election Day
Monday, November 11th: Veterans Day Program (9:25 AM in HS Auditorium)
Thursday, November 14th / Friday, November 15th / Saturday, November 16th: Musical – Mamma Mia (See Below for Details)
Friday, November 15th: No School for Students (Professional Development for Staff)
Monday, November 25th: Financial Aid Information Night (6 PM in HS Auditorium)
Wednesday, November 27th – Friday, November 29th: No School (Thanksgiving Break)
Academic and Career Planning (ACP) Spotlight – OCTOBER:
What were students working on for their ACP in October?
- All students either created or updated their Activity Resume. The Activity Resume is a log of extra-curricular activities, service activities, leadership, and work history for a student throughout high school. Ask to see your child’s Activity Resume.
- Students also completed the District SEL Survey.
- Juniors are preparing for their 11th Grade TEAM Talk with their School Counselor. TEAM Talks are individual planning conferences to help your child examine progress in High School and plan for the future.
REMINDER: November 5th is Election Day
Dear Families,
Next week our community will vote on two referendum questions for the School District of Sheboygan Falls. I wanted to take a moment to remind our families and community about our school facility needs and why the Board of Education has decided to propose these two questions as potential solutions.
Question #1 asks voters to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $78.3 million. These funds would go toward Elementary and High School improvement projects, including:
- Addition of a Community Fitness Center
- Addition of a 4-year-old kindergarten and childcare space at the Elementary school
- Addition of an expanded career and technical education wing at the high school
- Replacement of basic building systems
- Safety and security upgrades
- Upgrades to educational spaces
- Improvements to building finishes
- Furniture, fixtures, and equipment
If this first question is approved by voters, the estimated annual tax impact would be $1.33 per $1,000 of equalized property value.
Question #2 asks voters to approve general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $21.5 million. These funds would go toward recreation and athletic improvement projects, including:
- New auxiliary gymnasium ($14.9 million)
- Improvements to outdoor athletic facilities ($6.6 million)
If this second question is approved by voters, it would have an estimated annual tax impact of 90 cents per $1,000 of equalized property value.
The approval of both questions would result in a property tax impact of $2.23 per every $1,000 of equalized property value in our community. A home valued at $300,000 would see a property tax impact of $669 per year (or $55.75 per month), starting in the 2024-25 school year.
For more information about the District’s facility needs and the proposed solution on the ballot November 5, please visit www.sheboyganfalls.k12.wi.us/o/sfsd/page/referendum.
Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on election day. Eligible voters may register at the polls if they have not yet done so. Polling place and voting information is available at https://myvote.wi.gov.
If you have any final questions ahead of election day, please do not hesitate to contact me. Once again, thank you for your engagement on these important issues as we plan for the future of the School District of Sheboygan.
Sincerely,
Zach Pethan, Superintendent
Board of Education Updates
The School District of Sheboygan Falls will hold its next monthly regular board meeting on Monday, November 18th at 6:00 pm. Please join us! You can find more information about upcoming meetings, your Board Members and more HERE.
Can’t make It? You can view the Board Agendas and Minutes at BoardDocs.com HERE.
Safety Update
All students participated in an ALICE Drill on October 17th.
SFHS Life Lately
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Pertussis, also called whooping cough, a serious illness, caused by bacteria that attaches to the lining of the lungs. It can infect people at any age, but it is most serious in infants and young children.
Pertussis is known for uncontrollable, violent coughing that often makes it hard to breathe. After coughing, someone with pertussis may need to take deep breaths that result in a “whooping” sound.
Whooping cough can cause pneumonia, which is an infection in the lungs. Half of all babies with whooping cough need care in a hospital.
- As of October 25th, 2024, Wisconsin had 1,289 confirmed cases.
- Sixty counties have had at least one case since January 1, 2024.
- While cases range in age from 1 month to 82 years, just under half (46%) of the cases are individuals aged 11–18 years.
- Fifty-nine infants have been identified with pertussis and nine have been hospitalized.
- No deaths have been reported.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against whooping cough. Here are some other tips on how to protect your family from whooping cough:
- Keep babies and other people at high risk for complications from pertussis away from infected people.
- If you or a member of your household are diagnosed with pertussis, your doctor or local health department may recommend preventive antibiotics for other members of the household. This will help prevent the disease from spreading.
- Practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of all respiratory illnesses, including pertussis. To practice good hygiene you should:
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Put your used tissue in the waste basket right away.
- Cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow, not your hands, if you don’t have a tissue.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Use an alcohol-based hand rub if soap and water are not available.
District and Related Employment Opportunities
Looking for part-time work? Full-time work? Flexibility?
The District and Related Organizations have some great opportunities!
SCHOOL DISTRICT OPPORTUNITIES: Opportunities within the School District can be found using the below links. Note that if you are looking for flexibility, we are actively seeking Substitute Teacher positions which can be found under the Certified Positions.
Certified Positions – https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicCertified/3472
Assistants / Aides – https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicSupport/3472
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SHEBOYGAN COUNTY: Afterschool program fees are waived for children of parents who work at the Boys & Girls Club! If you are interested in part-time work, your child can be enrolled in the afterschool program for FREE while you work for the Club. Learn more about available opportunities or apply at www.ThePositivePlace.com/careers.
