Schools

Thu
23
Jul
admin's picture

City Council Reconsiders Then Tables SRO Agreement with School District

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Common Council tabled an agreement with the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) to provide police officers at Middleton High School (MHS) and Kromrey Middle School after voting to reconsider it. The agreement for the SRO (Student Resource Officer) program has come under scrutiny since its approval by the school board at the June 22 by community members, students, parents and alumni who are calling for suspending the program while it is reviewed. 

During the council meeting two members from the School Community Partnership committee presented a plan to suspend and review the program. School district administrators and Middleton police presented on the history of the program, its benefits and a review plan to be completed by January.

Tue
21
Jul
admin's picture

School Board Approves Virtual Return to School, Modified SRO Agreement

MIDDLETON–The Middleton-Cross Plains School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a plan to begin the year with a strictly virtual instructional model and pivot to full-time in-person instruction or a hybrid model later in the year based on local health data.

Superintendent Dana Monogue acknowledged the plan will please some families and disappoint others, but said the health and safety of students and staff is the district’s highest priority. 

“Schools have been placed in the middle of an impossible decisions, one where we must weigh the health and safety of our students and staff against concerns regarding the academic, social and emotional well-being of our students,” Monogue said.  

Monogue said under the current rate of COVID-19 infections locally staff or students would inevitably contract the virus. 

Tue
21
Jul
admin's picture

School Board Approves Virtual Return to School, Modified SRO Agreement

MIDDLETON–The Middleton-Cross Plains School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a plan to begin the year with a strictly virtual instructional model and pivot to full-time in-person instruction or a hybrid model later in the year based on local health data.

Superintendent Dana Monogue acknowledged the plan will please some families and disappoint others, but said the health and safety of students and staff is the district’s highest priority. 

“Schools have been placed in the middle of an impossible decisions, one where we must weigh the health and safety of our students and staff against concerns regarding the academic, social and emotional well-being of our students,” Monogue said.  

Monogue said under the current rate of COVID-19 infections locally staff or students would inevitably contract the virus. 

Fri
17
Jul
admin's picture

School Board Reviews Fall Instruction Options

MIDDLETON–The Middleton Cross Plains School District (MCPASD) Board of Education reviewed and discussed the options district administration is considering for instruction in the fall. The options include a full return to in-person instruction, fully virtual and various hybrid models. The board meets on July 20 for a decision. Any plan approved by the board will need to meet the requirements and guidelines established by Public Health Madison Dane County (PHMDC) which have been delayed in light of emerging data on COVID-19 infection rates locally.

Superintendent Dana Monogue said the administration will have a final recommendation for the board and expect a vote at the July 20 meeting to give district staff as much time as possible to plan for fall.

Sat
11
Jul
admin's picture

Drive-up Graduation Planned

MIDDLETON–Since canceling the traditional graduation slated for June, the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) is now planning to hold a Drive-Up Graduation Ceremony at Middleton High School (MHS) July 25.

The district is still working out details out for the event, but officials are hoping it will include:

• Assigned times based on last names of students to keep traffic from backing up. This iwould be similar to the cap and gown distribution in late May.

• Graduates having their name introduced as they enter the loop adjacent to Bristol Street.

• MHS principal Peg Shoemaker, CSCS principal Jill Gurtner and Superintendent Dana Monogue would be on hand to congratulate graduates and their families as they get their diploma.

• A digital sign courtesy of the City of Middleton to congratulate graduates.

Thu
09
Jul
admin's picture

Students to Run STEM Camp

MIDDLETON–Kids teaching kids! While many parents worry about online learning, these teens are embracing it. When Middleton High School students belonging to Wisconsin's BadgerBOTS robotics team learned that they would not have in-person summer classes, they decided to create their own two-week, online lessons in Photoshop, Java programming, and CAD for kids aged 13-18. Without a pipeline of kids learning STEM skills, FRC Team 1306 worried they wouldn’t have enough students interested in robotics to continue in competitions.

Course DescriptionsNo prior knowledge or experience required

CAD and 3D Printing 101, July 20-July 31:

Fri
26
Jun
admin's picture

School Board Reviews Graduation and Fall Planning

MIDDLETON–The Middleton-Cross Plains School District Board of Education discussed the plans for students graduating and returning to school in the fall amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The final decision for graduation is expected on July 13 while the fall plan is to be determined on July 20.

While the final plan must be approved by Dane County and the health department, the district is planning for an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 at Breitenbach Stadium on July 25 at 7 p.m., or the same time the following day in case of rain.

Depending on the guidance from the county or the health department the district will hold either a full in-person ceremony with 500 plus graduates and up 2,600 attendees, split the ceremony into smaller groups and limit attendees, or have a drive by ceremony with accommodations made for those without vehicles. The event will be live-streamed and hosted on the district’s Youtube channel for those who cannot attend.

Thu
18
Jun
admin's picture

MCPASD Gives Graduation Update

MIDDLETON–Middleton Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) officials still hope to hold an in-person graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 at Breitenbach Stadium on July 25 at 7 p.m. involving all 500-plus graduates, Director of Communications Perry Hibner said.

If there is inclement weather, the ceremony would be held on Sunday, July 26 at 7 p.m.

The capacity at the stadium is just under 2,600 so if a full in-person ceremony is held, Clark Street School (CSCS) and Middleton High School (MHS) will be providing a limited number of tickets to each graduate. The district plans to stream the event live for anyone who can’t attend, Hibner said, adding the video will also be available on the District's YouTube Channel after the ceremony.

In the event the Forward Dane plan doesn’t allow for a full in-person ceremony by late July, the district is planning a smaller in-person event along with a virtual ceremony, Hibner said.

Fri
12
Jun
admin's picture

Board Discusses Fall Plan to Reopen Schools

MIDDLETON–The Middleton-Cross Plains School Board discussed the plan for students returning to school in fall. Depending on health data and Dane County guidance the district may continue virtual learning, return to in-person or implement a hybrid model. The board is expected to make a final decision at its July 20 meeting.

The district is considering multiple options for students returning to school in the fall. 

Board member Minza Karim asked about the possibility of continuing virtual learning for families that prefer it or rotating students between in-person and virtual learning. 

Monogue said those are both hybrid options that are being considered. 

Karim offers that another possibility is to return in-person in the fall and move to virtual learning after Thanksgiving break.

Monogue said that was not being considered now but depending on the possibility of a second-wave outbreak that may be something the district has to consider.

Fri
28
Feb
MTT News's picture

MHS Staffer Who Segregated Students During STAR Test Resigns

MIDDLETON–A Middleton High School (MHS) staff member accused of segregating students of color during STAR testing in October resigned Monday at the Middleton Cross Plains Area School District (MCPASD) board meeting. The staff member was placed on paid leave at the time of the incident, and will remain on paid leave until June 30.

A letter signed by MCPASD Director of Communications Perry Hibner was sent to parents in the district on Feb. 25, and informed them of the resignation.

“We have closely reviewed our protocols since the incident occurred. Going forward, a team of staff members, including administrators, will be involved in making decisions about how we administer the assessment for students. We can say with 100-percent certainty going forward that students will not be grouped by race, gender, or socio-economic status to take the STAR or any grade-level or schoolwide assessment,” Hibner wrote. 

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Schools