Terrance Slack, District Administrator

May 2023

Dear Caregivers & Parents,

May is upon us and all but for a couple days in June, this is the last month of the school year.  As a reminder, the last day of classes for students will be Friday, June 2, 2023, an early release day.  The last month of the school year always seem to be the busiest month with so many culminating end-of-year activities.  For the members of the Class of 2023, the district and Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation co-host a senior scholarship program scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in the grand commons of Wisconsin Dells High School.  We appreciate not only the foundation’s continued generous investment in the youth of this community but many non-profit groups and families who have and continue to bestow scholarships to the members of each graduating class of WDHS.  Thank you for your continued support of our graduating seniors.  Next year we can look forward to hosting the scholarship program in the forthcoming Nelson Family Performing Arts Center (PAC).  Later in this newsletter I have included a monthly update on the progress of this facility.  

As a reminder, commencement for the class of 2023 will take place on Friday, May 26, 2023 with the ceremony starting at 5:30 p.m.  The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the WDHS outdoor athletic facility.  In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the WDHS gymnasium.  The members of the class of 2023 have endured many challenges and transitions during their four-year career at WDHS.  They are to be commended for not only their achievements and success but their ability to persevere through an ever-changing world.  Best wishes to each and every graduate of the class of 2023!  

During the month of May, student learning will continue to be our highest priority.  This has been the case throughout the school year and our principals and teachers are excited about the learning that has taken place, including the progress that has been demonstrated with students taking on-going progress monitoring going into their state required assessments.  At WDHS, we can briefly share the results from state mandated ACT exam required of all juniors have come back and there has been a nice uptick in the results.  Later this summer we will be able to report out in greater detail to the public, but for now it’s gratifying to know so many juniors topped their pre-ACT scores when it mattered most.  Well done WDHS students and staff!

On Monday, May 8^th the board will review bids for a few updates at Spring Hill Elementary (SHES) specifically for the cafeteria area.  Bids to change out the suspended ceiling, replace light fixtures with a more efficient LED lighting system and a fresh coat of paint top the list for a summer project this summer.  SHES is now over thirty years old and it’s time to reinvest in this building to continue to ensure it remains clean, healthy, and safe to coincide with our district strategic objective contained within our strategic plan. 

Summer school 2023 is scheduled to take place beginning July 10, 2023. This summer’s format continues to be a Monday through Thursday morning format with the final class scheduled to take place on Thursday, August 3, 2023.  Please check our district website or reach out to your child’s school to get more information on attending summer school.  Please take note that by ending on the aforementioned date, this will give your child about a month before the start of the 2023-24 school year and is a great way to get your children excited about the upcoming school year! 

Please allow me to close out this newsletter by saying thank you for the opportunity to serve the children of our community.  For they are our highest priority and it is our privilege to do so!

Respectfully submitted,

Terrance R. Slack

Terrance Slack

Free breakfast every school day for students

As you know, the Wisconsin Dells Education Foundation is generously supplying free breakfast to ALL students in the SDWD this year, regardless of income/F&R status. This is a great opportunity, and we want more students to take advantage of the generosity of the WDEF. A nutritious school breakfast can fuel your student for success. Children who eat breakfast are more likely to...

• Reach higher levels of achievement in reading and math
• Score higher on standardized tests
• Have better concentration and memory
• Be more alert and maintain a healthy weight

Every school in our district offers breakfast in the morning, and our Food Service Department takes pride in offering a variety of delicious and nutritious options.

School supplies provided for elementary students

All elementary students, 4K-5th grade, will be given brand new school supplies on their first day of school this year. We are pleased to announce that we are partnering with Happy Kids Network once again to lessen the burden of the start of school for families. Students will only need to bring their own gym shoes and a backpack.

Happy Kids Network is a local non-profit organization that supports the children and families of the School District of Wisconsin Dells. 

Monetary donations to Happy Kids Network are always welcome. They may be dropped off at any school office or mailed to Happy Kids Network, PO Box 781, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.

Click here for the middle school supply list.

WDHS students will receive their lists on the first day of school according to their class schedules.

Online enrollment for all new students now open!

We invite all district families with new students to enroll now for the 2022-23 school year. Online enrollment is open. Click HERE for more information.

FAMILIES WITH NEW 4K STUDENTS OR 5 YEAR OLDS WHO HAVE NEVER ATTENDED SCHOOL:

If you have a child who will be 4 by September 1, 2022, or a child who will be 5 by September 1, 2022 and did not attend 4K, this message is for you. You are encouraged to enroll your child now for the start of school in the fall. Space is limited, and availability is first come, first served. Click HERE for more information.