Post on 22-Jul-2020
transcript
Principal
Mr. Matt Lesar
Lesarm@wawmsd.org
Assistant Principals
Ms. Connie Bergmann A-K
BergmannC@wawmsd.org
Mr. Arron Norris L-Z
NorrisA@wawmsd.org
Dean of Students
TBD A-Z
Counselors
Gail Reisenauer A-D
ReisG@wawmsd.org
Brandi Anthony E-J
AnthonyB@wawmsd.org
Maura K-N
EylM@wawmsd.org
Karin Houston O-Sh
HostonK@wawmsd.org
Nikki Levine Si-Z
Levin@wawmsd.org
Dear Nathan Hale High School Families:
We are off to a successful start to the 2017-18 school year! Instructional
programs, school activities, and clubs are in full swing, while fall athletics
are already coming to a close. The building has been filled with excitement
and energized by Homecoming Week during the first week of Octo-
ber. School spirit / participation in all the planned Homecoming activities
was outstanding, including a variety of dress up days around the Disney
theme, the annual girls powder puff touch football game, class competitions
at the pep assembly, float building for the parade, and the football game ver-
sus Marquette High. It all culminated with the Homecoming dance with
795 students in attendance. Please see the Homecoming photos later in this
newsletter. I thank everyone for a great start to the school year and look for-
ward to keeping this positive momentum going. As we have already passed
the midway point of the first quarter, I have a few important items to share
with you below.
Nathan Hale Gives Back Nathan Hale has been busy doing their part in giving back to those in need.
Nathan Hale declared the September 15th, Nathan Hale vs. Germantown
football game as the "Hurricane Relief Game" with all ticket sales and addi-
tional donations in the stands being donated to the Red Cross for
the hurricane relief efforts. We are proud to share that our school community
raised $3045 to support the victims of hurricanes Harvey and Irma doing our
part in “Walking the Husky Way”. Click here for access to the article in
the Community Now newspaper.
Then more recently, after Hurricane Maria and an 8.2 Earthquake, Puerto
Rico and Mexico have been in a state of emergency and in need our support
as well. Multicultural Club, Spanish National Honor Society, National Hon-
or Society, Rotary Interact, and HOSA hosted a school-wide collection drive
to support our neighbor countries in devastation, from October 11 - October
20. Donations were collected each morning before school with 8 carloads of
items collected for delivery.
And lastly, with October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Nathan
Hale has been taking $1donations during all lunches to support breast cancer
research and in return receive a pink ribbon pin for their generosity. The
month culminated with a “pink out” dress theme this past Thursday to show
our support (see photo page).
We are very proud of our students and families efforts to support those in
need. Your kindness and compassion is appreciated.
November-December 2017
Nathan Hale High School Recognized State & Nationally
As I have shared at past school events and reiterate here is that Nathan Hale has once again been recognized by a na-
tional publication for Advanced Placement course enrollment. For the twelfth consecutive year, Nathan Hale High
School has been recognized by the Washington Post on their “America’s Most Challenging High Schools” list. Our
2017 ranking is #18 in the state and #1342 nationally, up from the prior three years #20 in the state (2016), #23 in
2015, and #28 in 2014.
In addition to this, over the summer, Nathan Hale High School was recognized by the Wisconsin RtI Center / PBIS
Network and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for our efforts in expanding, refining, and sustaining a
multi-level system of support for improved student outcomes in the areas of behavior and reading. More specifically,
through our implementation and progress in reading programming and behavior interventions around the PBIS-“Husky
Way” initiatives of respectful, responsible, and safe behavior we received a “silver level” recognition for behavior sup-
ports and a “bronze level” recognition for reading supports. This is the third year in a row achieving these high level
recognitions at the state level.
This continued success and accomplishment is an effort by all and another representation of what outstanding students,
staff, and school community we have here at Nathan Hale. Next time you are in the Hale Commons, check out the ban-
ners on the wall showcasing these school achievements.
School Goals for 2017-18
Focus-College and Career Readiness
Each summer, we review our prior year's state “School Report Card” and then develop a plan for the upcoming school
year as part of the school/district continuous improvement model. With a District 5-year Strategic Plan Goal that 80%
of our students will achieve college and career readiness in math and reading by 2021, this school year we will continue
our focus on the College and Career Readiness Skills and the Proficiency Standards that will help prepare our students
for the rapidly changing global world before them. To promote a positive impact on these performance priority areas,
balanced literacy instruction around strong close reading skills, along with math problem solving will be an emphasis
in our daily instruction.
In addition, with the ACT results being a significant part of the accountability system, and as it is now the state’s col-
lege and career readiness assessment for all 11th grade students, this will be an academic focus throughout the school
year as well. Teachers conducted ACT pre-assessments during the first month of school in each content area, gaining
essential information regarding students’ skill level around the ACT readiness standards. After an analysis of the re-
sults, throughout the school year, teachers will now be conducting ACT skill development at all grade levels within
their daily content instruction in the identified deficit areas. Then, from time to time, your students will be taking mini-
ACT assessments to monitor their progress and growth.
Ultimately, goal attainment will be measured at the 9th and 10th grade level through MAPs (measures of Academic Pro-
gress) testing in May, while the 11th grade measure of College and Career Readiness will be the official state-wide
ACT test given to all juniors February 27th and 28th this school year. In addition, as part of ACT preparation, we will
once again be having a “practice ACT test day” during the school day for all junior students on Thursday, November
9th (more info to come in a separate communication). Research shows that students who take the ACT a second time
go up in score 57% of the time, just due to practice, exposure, and comfort with the test and timed test environment.
We are attempting to give every one of our juniors the opportunity to get their first attempt and practice out of the way,
so their official attempt in February is the second time they have experienced it, giving them a competitive edge to per-
form well. With a focused effort in these areas by all staff, we are sure to make a positive academic impact in all
grades 9-12.
Academic & Career Planning (ACP) Day
Nathan Hale High School will be hosting our Fifth Annual Academic and Career Planning Day for all students the
morning of Tuesday, December 12th. With an entire school and district focus on college and career readiness for all
students, we have developed a morning of programming promoting this initiative for each grade level.
Freshmen and Sophomore students will attend three career presentations from professionals in the areas they have se-
lected. The goal of this Career Fair is for our underclassmen students to learn more about careers of interest, ultimately
leading to future high school planning and post-high school goal setting. The Juniors and Seniors will then be attend-
ing three out of four sessions on the following topics: Financial Planning, Job and Career Skills Essentials, Alumni
Panel and a College and Career Expo, all relevant topics to them in their stage of the academic and career planning pro-
cess. It should be an informative and fun event for all! More information to follow in coming weeks.
Focus-Service to our Stakeholders and Community
As part of our District 5-year Strategic Plan, service to our stakeholders and community is a priority as well. In addi-
tion to an achievement data review for our college and career readiness goal, during the summer we had the opportunity
to analyze our specific data around the Parent Satisfaction Survey distributed to all parents district-wide last May. This
survey was an opportunity to assess the level of satisfaction parents have with their student’s school. The survey was
seventeen questions in length and parents respond on a 1 to 5 scale from strongly disagree to strongly agree, which re-
sulted in a 3.67 average response leaning toward agree overall. It is our goal over time to raise that to an agree (4.0)
overall. From our survey review, I am proud to share that two strength areas were that “parents feel that their child’s
learning is a high priority” at Hale, as well as that ‘their family is treated with respect”. While two areas of identified
improvement for this school year (both school and district lows), which came back with an average of 3 (neutral) are:
“I receive positive phone calls, notes, or e-mails about my child from school” and “I regularly receive feedback from
school staff on how well my child is learning”. Between input from parents at a recent PTSA meeting and discussion
among our entire staff, we have developed some strategies for improvement in these areas, so you can expect both in-
creased communication and more detailed communication to support your student’s success. Please contact me direct-
ly if you have any ideas to support these improvement areas or attend my first of four parent connect meetings on No-
vember 10th (see below).
Parent-Connect Meeting with the Principal
Four times throughout the school year, meetings with the principal called “Parent Connect” will be held with interested
parents to learn more about Nathan Hale and to discuss any issues or concerns that you may have. These will be open
agenda sessions to provide another opportunity for communication between parents and Nathan Hale High School,
strengthening our home/school partnership. Examples of the topics brought up for discussion are parent-teacher con-
ference format, open house, technology policy, dress code policy, class scheduling, state testing, parent portal access,
and much more. Please join me for some coffee, sweets, and conversation in the office Conference Room on:
Friday, November 10th
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Have a great fall season.
Partners in Education,
Matthew M. Lesar
Principal
PBIS at Nathan Hale
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is the
way we teach, model, practice and acknowledge positive stu-
dent behavior. It is also the way we encourage a positive cul-
ture and climate within Hale. Students are taught to "Walk to
Husky Way" in all areas of our building by being "Respectful,
Responsible and Safe." This year teachers are acknowledg-
ing students for "Walking the Husky Way" using any or all of
the following: Husky Bucks, Bark Cards, Positive Behavior
Referrals, and positive phone calls or emails home.
Husky Bucks can be used in the school store to purchase some "Husky Swag" or to
enter our monthly raffles. Bark Cards are postcards sent home by your student's
teachers to acknowledge them for their hard work and positive behavior. Positive
Behavior Referrals are for students going above and beyond the "Husky Way." Stu-
dents who receive a Positive Behavior Referral will have their parents called by a
member of the Administration Team, as well as be in the running to be Student of
the Month! Please continue to encourage your students to "Walk the Husky Way!"
So far this year PBIS has acknowledged students "Walking the Husky Way" by raf-
fling of "Husky Swag," homecoming tickets and varsity home game tickets. Please
continue to remind your students to be on the lookout for other cool raffle opportunities!
Start saving $$$ for the next Study/Travel trip to a Spanish-
speaking country. Our trip to Guatemala and Belize was filled with so
much adventure that we cannot wait for the next one. We are in the pro-
cess of finalizing our destination and will soon be taking our plans to the
School Board for approv-
al. Our West Allis students had
so many exciting opportunities this past summer: living with Guate-
malans, studying at an intensive language school, hiking up to a vol-
cano where we roasted marshmallows in 3 yr. old hot lava, seeing
and hearing an active volcano erupt, touring the Mayan Ruins of
Tikal, Zip-lining at a coffee plantation, cliff-jumping in a river, canoe-
ing through a cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites, flying in a
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Nathan Hale Students & Staff Wore Pink on
Thursday, October 26, 2017
To Raise Breast Cancer Awareness
Hale Pink Out
PTSA We welcome you to join us on the third Wednesday of the month, in the Teachers Lounge (Rm 166) at 6:30 p.m.
Sep. 20 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
Oct. 18 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
Nov. 4 - PTSA Craft Fair, 9 am - 3 pm
Nov. 15 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
Jan. 17 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
Feb. 21 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
Mar. 21 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
Apr. 18 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
May 16 - PTSA Meeting, 6:30 pm
PTSA website...www.haleptsa.org
You can find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HalePTSA.
Reminder: Beginning this year parent/students
must be a member all four years to qualify for
senior PTSA scholarships (This year 2017 sen-
iors are exempt from the four year policy)
Click Here for the Hale Website The Nathan Hale Staff Directory
Hale School Information
Hale Activities
Hale Daily Class Schedule
Hale Athletics
Hale News Hale Student Support Services
Hale Calendar of Events
Booster Club
What does the Nathan Hale Athletic Booster Club do?
The Nathan Hale Athletic Booster Club exists to promote and support all athletic organizations (including cheerleading and Poms) and athletic events at West Allis Nathan Hale High School. We seek to promote school spirit by encouraging habits of friendship, sportsmanship and coopera-tion between students, parents, staff and friends of West Allis Nathan Hale High School.
2017-2018 Booster Club Meeting dates for the upcoming school year (all 6:00 pm start in
teachers lounge Rm. 166 next to cafeteria)
Oct. 4@ 7pm Jan. 3 April 11 Nov. 1 Feb. 7 May 2 Dec. 6 Mar. 7 June 6
Skyward Family Access Goes Live Skyward Family Access Goes Live starting Friday Night 10/27/17 (it is similar to Parent Portal on Infinite Campus) is now available to parents with students in the WAWM School District! It enables you to:
make payments, update telephone numbers and email addresses, view student schedules and attend-ance and check on students grades while logged in on any personal device!
This important tool will help you monitor your child's pro-gress in school and allow for increased communication with teachers. Please, be sure to review/or revise your home, cell and work telephone numbers and maintain an accurate email address for communication.
Parents, watch your mail for your sign on and pass-word and follow the step by step instructions.
Hmmmm, Where can we find spirt wear?? Let us help you with that!
The Official West Allis Nathan Hale High School Apparel and Merchandise Store for Husky Fans, Parents and Alumni
Click here for Spirt Wear!
On the Nathan Hale Website under Athletics
Friends Of Music (FOM)
Friends of Music is a parent group organized to support and enhance the music programs at Hale.
Provide both hands-on and financial support to the Band, Chorus, and Orchestra.
Volunteer as ushers, providing refreshments, and decorating the stage at concerts.
Run concessions at the annual Solo/Ensemble Contest in March.
Organize fundraisers for students to help defray the costs of class trips.
Each year they award scholarships to underclassmen and a sizable amount as scholarships to the top
three seniors of each program at the annual banquet in June. This can only be accomplished with parent
support! We need your ideas, your willingness to help at an event, and financial
support by becoming a Friends of Music patron. Watch the website for specific
meeting dates and places.
CLICK HERE TO BECOME A MEMBER
Husky Happenings
Career Center
If your son/daughter is interested in learning more about the following Colleges/Universities, have
them come to the Career Center and sign-up to attend. They will be able to speak to a college
representative and get information about majors/tuition/requirements/how to apply/student life on
campus and get answers to any questions they may still have.
Posted outside on the bulletin board of the Career Center, a current list and dates of upcoming
College/Universities visits (updated as new visit dates are scheduled).
Sign-up sheets are located in the Career Center, have them check it out!
The following schools are currently scheduled
Lewis University Tuesday, Oct. 31 @ 10:04
Alverno College Thursday, Nov. 2 @ 9:10
Upper Iowa University Thursday, Nov. 2 @ 10:04
Carthage College Friday, Oct. 20 @ 2:00
Hamline University Tuesday, Oct. 24 @ 10:00
UW-Waukesha Tuesday, Nov. 21 @ 9:10
Parents, have you heard about the Hale Student Services Facebook page? Check out and "Like" our page and follow to get updates on information about college, financial aid, re-sources and different events going on at Hale!
https://www.facebook.com/NHSStudentServices/
Sewing after school Started on Monday October 9. Mrs Davel invites students interested in Learning more about sewing and textile arts to "Open Lab" on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:00 -4:30 Bring a project in sewing, knitting crochet or weaving. See Ms Davel in room 171 for more information
Nathan Hale
Spirit and Snack Shoppe
Is open 7:05-7:40 each morning except
Thursdays, as well as open during any
parent functions such as conferences.
Husky Temporary Hale Pride Tattoos For 1 husky buck!!!
Parents of seniors!
Want a special way to recognize your child? A
memory they can keep forever and forever? A
chance to show how far they've come? Think about
purchasing a senior ad! Ads starts as low as $35,
and can be purchased
at: yearbookforever.com (where you can still buy a
yearbook before we run out!). If you have questions
or need help designing your senior ad,
mail yearbookhale@gmail.com.
Reminder: Senior photos (and quotes) also need to be emailed
Toyearookhale@gmail.com by DECEMBER 1st! No late entries accepted!
Nathen Hale Home-
coming Week!
Last Pep Paddle for Seniors
Not sure about an event or day off?.....
Check out the Nathan Hale Calendar!
& for updates
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