March 2016

Message from the Superintendent

What doesit mean to beengaged inexcellence?

To our studentsit means beingrecognized amongthe best in thenation as Presidential Scholars, as state place-winners in Swimming, learning fromaward-winning authors, and performingon the professional stage of the SharonLynne Wilson Center.

To our staff members, engagedin excellence represents service,commitment, and dedication whichoften leads to recognition by communityand state organizations.

To our school board it demandsleadership in governance and serviceto the community, most recentlydemonstrated through the creation ofthe Enrollment Balancing Task Force andcharge to address the surge in studentenrollments at two of our elementaryschools.

Thank you to all who engage inexcellence every day on behalf of ourstudents. It is truly what makes our schooldistrict and community great!

Middle Schoolers Get A Taste of the Spotlight Over 250 middle school students performed to packed houses as Elmbrook’s renowned fine

arts program showcased two musicals at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center this winter.Following months of rehearsals, Wisconsin Hills students performed Mulan Jr., while PilgrimPark’s students presentedBeauty and the Beast Jr.There are many middleschools who performannual musicals, but fewhave the opportunity toperform in front of 600people on a 2,000 squarefoot professional stage.

First-year Pilgrim Parkmusic teacher and Beautyand The Beast Jr. director,David Michels, said he wasin awe of the work ethicand the amount of growthdisplayed by our students.“Knowing they would be

performing at the Wilson Center elevated the intensity and commitment of the cast and crewduring rehearsals, and I was extremely proud of their performances.”

While for some students it was their first time performing in such a large production,others relied on their previous experience in elementary school. “By the time our studentsreach middle school,” said WHMS Principal Lisa Rettler, “they may have already performedthree or four music concerts and a musical at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center during theirElmbrook elementary experience.” Rettler continued, “We are proud of our students’ interestand passion in musical and theater performance in collaboration with our parents. Ourcommunity’s support for the arts is truly second to none.”

Inside this edition:• Middle Schoolers Get A Taste of the Spotlight• Board of Education Candidate Profiles• Board of Education Candidate Forum• Author Visits Inspire Students & Staff• Kindergarten and Preschool Enrollment• Tom Juran Named Teacher of the Year• Engaged in Excellence!

Mark Hansen, Superintendent

Above: WHMS Mulan Jr.At Left: PPMS Beauty and the Beast Jr.

GAry J. JOnES (InCuMBEnT) – AT-LArGE 14640 Mesa Court Brookfield, WI 53005 • jones_gary_john@hotmail.com

Question 1: There are many challenges and opportunities facing public education and I want to have a part in solving the challenges andgrowing the opportunities in the Elmbrook District. We are a very high achieving district and want to continue to move upward, but when youare as high as we are, additional growth is likely to be more difficult and expensive. I will work to balance improvements with prudent financialleadership.

Question 2: I have served two terms on the board and feel that I understand and appreciate the work and direction of the district. We have greatadministrators and I enjoy working with them and the entire staff at the CAO and in our ten schools. I feel that the experience that I have gainedover six years qualifies me to serve effectively for another term as board member. If I have a philosophy regarding serving on the board, it is theimportance of getting things right the first time, as much as possible, and therefore will always be trying to get the details correct.Family: Spouse: Joan Jones; Seven children, all graduated from the Elmbrook District. District Resident: 43 years Education: A.A.S. degree in Broadcast Electronics from MilwaukeeInstitute of Technology (Now M.A.T.C.) Profession: Retired as Manager of Engineering Operations from Milwaukee Public Television.

LIndA BOuChEr – AT-LArGE 2340 Kevenauer Drive, Brookfield, WI 53005 • peterpagonis@att.net

Question 1: I am committed to maintaining the recognition for one of the best educational communities in the state through commitment,teamwork and tenacity even in challenging circumstances. Collaborating with stakeholders in educational endeavors has been my lifelongcareer and passion. I have observed first-hand the needs of the Elmbrook School District and I will work hard to address all the concerns.

Question 2: My top priority is ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed. I have been a long time sub in East, Central, Fairview Southand taught as a daily substitute in almost every school in the district. I have observed school climate and culture first hand. Being a specialeducation teacher, I have met with many parents and administrators with IEP’s and I hear the needs of all aspects of the school environmentand would like to collaborate with fellow board members and the community to address the best possible solution for every students’ issuesand district concerns.Family: Spouse: Peter Pagonis, aka “Chef Pierre” District Resident: 25 years Education: Master of Science in Education from University of Wisconsin Whitewater, Bachelor of Sciencein Education from University of Wisconsin Whitewater, Post Master courses from University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Awards & Recognition: Golden Key International Honour Society(Academics, Leadership, Service), Certificate of honor in a Performance Assessment/Assessment Literacy course. Profession: Special Education Teacher (K-12) in multiple districts inWisconsin.

GLEn r. ALLGAIEr (InCuMBEnT) – ArEA II 2455 Buckingham Place, Brookfield, WI 53045 • moroni4u@yahoo.com

Question 1: I feel deeply committed to the public education system. The Elmbrook School District has provided five of our children with richexperiences in academics, athletics and the arts. We are making good progress in the district and I want to contribute to further strengtheningthe ‘Elmbrook experience.’ I feel that my business skills can help us effectively manage the significant pressures on the district budget.

Question 2: My nine years of experience on the school board help in understanding the issues facing administrators and teachers. My years as asenior manager in a Fortune 500 company provide insights regarding fiscal responsibility and team building. I am an advocate of: student learn-ing as top priority, fiscal responsibility, data-based decision-making, and community engagement. I was instrumental in the formation of a HighSchool Facilities Team that consisted of key leaders of opposing viewpoints and resulted in a successful referendum that upgraded our two highschools. I was actively involved in the development of a five-year financial plan and believe we need to be more pro-active in applying technologyfor distance learning. I strongly believe in transparency and community engagement in our decision-making processes.Family: Spouse: Cindy Allgaier; Nine adult children (5 district graduates) District Resident: 28 years Education: B.S., Electrical Engineering, Princeton University (1965); Ph. D., Elec-trical Engineering, University of Arizona (1971) Profession: Retired–Executive Director, Research and Development, Eaton Corporation

Board of Education Candidate ProfilesThree candidates are running for two seats on the School District of Elmbrook Board of Education. Two candidates are running for the

At-Large seat. One candidate is running unopposed for the Area II seat. Each Board member represents the entire school district; thereforeresidents should select one candidate for each seat. The general election is Tuesday, April 5, 2016.Each candidate was asked to provide responses to the following two questions:

Question 1: Why have you chosen to seek election to the Elmbrook Board of Education?Question 2: What personal philosophies and experience do you have that will help you best represent the Elmbrook electorate?

✔ Board of Education Candidate ForumTuesday, March 22, 6 p.m.Elmbrook Schools Central Administrative Office13780 Hope Street, Brookfield • Board Room

Sponsored by the Elmbrook Parent Network andLeadership Council (EPNLC)

✔ View Candidate Forum and Board of Education Meetings OnlineVisit http://elmbrookschools.pegcentral.com

✔ Vote April 5, 2016

Author Visits Inspire Studentsand Staff

Several Elmbrook Schools have hosted acclaimed authors this year,reinforcing the District’s focus on literacy while inspiring the next genera-tion of writers with their publishing journeys. Gordon Korman, author of 85different children’s and young-adult books including Swindle, spoke to 700students at Burleigh Elementary in February. Principal Christian Pleisternoted, “Gordon’s central message that everyone has something special tooffer in their writing is important for our students to hear and understand.”

Also in February, Gavriel Savit, author of Anna and the Swallow Man, metwith a Brookfield Central creative writing class and shared his approach towriting and the importance of choosing the right profession.

Wisconsin Hillswelcomed two authorsthis past fall; youngadult author JoelleCharbonneau and 2013Newbery Medal winnerKatherine Applegate.Charbonneau discussedher new thriller NEED,which recently

announced a movieadaptation, to 300engaged eighth gradestudents. Applegatespoke to 5th and 6thgraders from across theDistrict, challengingstudents to find some-thing you love and topersevere through life’schallenges. Her 2013Newbery winner, The One and Only Ivan has sold over 35 million copies.Said Kay Benning, District Library Coordinator, “We are so fortunate to haveaccess to award-winning authors. Their stories and backgrounds highlightthe effort and grit necessary to succeed in the process of writing, somethingour students experience every day in the classroom.”

L to r: Prior to book signing Superintendent Mark Hansen,Author Katherine Applegate, WHMS Principal Lisa Rettler,and District Library Coordinator Kay Benning gather in theWHMS Library.

Brookfield Central’s Tom Jurannamed Teacher of the year

Brookfield Central tech-nology teacher, Tom Juranwas recently named Teacherof the Year at the WisconsinTechnology & EngineeringAssociation’s (WTEA) annualconference on February 25.Mr. Juran has taught graphicdesign and computer tech-nology courses at Centralfor 21 years, inspired by hisstudents and what they are able to accomplish. “I am honored by therecognition, which is a result of the success generated by my students.”

Above: Author Gordon Korman addresses students and staff fromacross the District at Burleigh Elementary.

L to r: WTEA President Jesse Domer and Teacher of theYear recipient Tom Juran

Preschool Accepting ApplicationsOnline applications for enrollment into the 2016-17 Elmbrook

Schools’ Preschool program are now being accepted. Studentsmust be four years old on or before September 1, 2016. Pleasevisit www.elmbrookschools.org/preschool for details.

Kindergarten Enrollment In Progress!If you have a child who will be five years old on or

before September 1, 2016 and would like information regarding Kindergarten enrollment, please visitwww.elmbrookschools.org/kgenroll.

Brookfield Central’s Ronn Blaha received the 2016 Brookfield JayceesOutstanding Educator award in February for his continued dedication toeducation and betterment of his students. Blaha serves as advisor toCentral’s Key Club, which was the largest in the state with 369 membersand the most active in the world, volunteering over 9,000 hours in2014-15. As a two-time award winner, Blaha humbly acknowledgedhis students and their tremendous commitment to service and theElmbrook community stating, “I have the best job in the world.”

L to r: BCHS Principal Brett Gruetzmacher, Outstanding Educator Ronn Blaha, BCHS Key ClubCo-Presidents Rachel Baker and Abby Ng.

ronn Blaha named BrookfieldJaycees Outstanding Educator

Three Elmbrook Students named as Candidates in the Presidential Scholars Program

Engaged in Excellence!

Andrew CaoBrookfield Central H.S.

Aileen HermanBrookfield Central H.S.

Sean WeiBrookfield East H.S.

Congratulations to three members of the Class of 2016 who have been namedto a group of 4,000 candidates nationwide in the Presidential Scholars Program.These high school seniors are selected on the basis of superior academic andartistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement incommunity and school activities.

Brookfield East Cheerleading State Champs!Brookfield East

Cheerleaders werenamed StateChampions in theSuper Small Varsitycategory at theCheerleading StateChampionship inMadison in February.Their squad rose tothe top of nineDivision 1 Teams,recognizing theirprecision techniqueand athleticism. TheBEHS squad is coachedby Amy Fischer.Congratulations forbeing recognized asthe best in the State!

Mark Hansen, Ph.D.SuperintendentKathryn WilsonBoard PresidentChris ThompsonEditorJill KoktaDesignwww.elmbrookschools.org

13780 Hope StreetP.O. Box 1830Brookfield, WI 53008-1830(262) 781-3030

Brookfield Barracudas Take 3rd at State!Brookfield Barracudas, a co-op team comprised of athletes from

both Central and East, finished third in the WIAA Boys Swimming andDiving State Championships at the UW Natatorium in Madison.BEHS senior Connor Rumpit earned the title of State Champion inthe 500 freestyle with a time of 4:34.26. The team is coached byBill Twitchell. Congratulations!

L to r: Ben Attenberger (BE), Sam Kult (BC), Ben Everson BC), *Connor Rumpit (BE), Ryan Linnihan (BC), Emer Ramirez (BC), Joe Decker (BE), *Tomer Korabelnikov (BE)*Designates Captains

Seated L to r: Elli Ashcroft, Jamie Keith, Abigail MacVane, *Madi McDonald, Jenessa MaagerStanding L to r: Mia Bergstrom, *Sierra Fischer, Bella Zarenana, Megan Fleming, Allie Keith, Claire Lukas*Designates Captains

rESIdEnTIAL CuSTOMEr