Monthly Archives: January 2019

Shelter designed and built by students dedicated at Kimberly park

Stand Up for Public Ed,

Visitors to Sunset Park in Kimberly will have a new place to gather. A rebuilt Shelter Number One was dedicated Thursday, and students from Kimberly High School were the ones who did the work.

“It’s kind of an iconic spot in Kimberly. With the scenic outlook and the proximity to the river. So, to have this structure here for the community to use, is an honor,” said Holly Femal, Village of Kimberly Community Enrichment Director.

Femal says the Village of Kimberly bought the materials, and students from the high school’s building construction class spent several months building a brand new shelter at Sunset Park. The students worked alongside local construction professionals, like concrete workers, and welders, in order to learn from the experts in the field. That includes the architects too.

Senior Mackenzie Beck designed the shelter, with some guidance from a local company. “It was overwhelming at first. But it ended up being really cool and exciting,” Beck said.

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Portage students organize to provide beds for kids

Stand Up for Public Ed, ,

Not long after seven Portage High School students learned that children in their community were sleeping on the floor, they decided to do something about it.

Last summer junior Hannah Ness volunteered to build beds for the Portage chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Ness first heard about the charitable group from her friend, Tori Scheibach, whose father, Brian Scheibach, helped launch the nonprofit in May.

“It was both surprising and saddening,” Ness said of her initial thoughts about the need for the group. She had no idea the invitation to build for the organization from Tori Scheibach — a 2017 Portage High School graduate — would lead to her participation in several builds and deliveries and, ultimately, to her organizing an event to raise money for the program.

To raise money for the group, Ness and the seven-member officer team of Portage Future Business Leaders of America launched Winter Family Fun Day, which is from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Portage High School.

Their event is designed for children in preschool through fifth grade who will participate in a dance party, cookie decorating, crafts and games. Participants are encouraged to donate $2 or a children’s book or stuffed animal.

“We as a community should be so proud to know we are not only raising smart and high achieving kids, but even more importantly we are raising kids that see more value in giving back and helping others,” Scheibach said of contributions from local students.

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Another NSPRA SuccesStory — Racine Unified School District

Stand Up for Public Ed

Congratulations to Racine Unified School District for being awarded the NSPRA’s Gold Medallion Award in recognition of outstanding educational public relations programs.

Closing a school building or changing attendance zones can bring out fierce opposition in a school community. In 2017-18, Racine Unified School District proposed both and then some as part of a major middle school transformation set for 2018-19. Through research-informed communication strategies and tactics, the “My School. My Choice.” campaign successfully turned potential opponents into leaders and supporters of RUSD’s new concept for its boundary and choice middle schools.

RUSD’s journey of transformation was prompted by challenges such as declining enrollment, inefficient use of facilities and negative perceptions of its middle schools. The district conducted research to determine what its families wanted — more choices and opportunities, safe and engaging learning environments, challenging curriculum to prepare students for college or careers — and what its middle schools needed to meet those desires.

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