All Things SLI

Oh my! This week is one for the record book in my 30 year career. We should know better than to trust Mother Nature in Wisconsin in January. She is unpredictable!

If families want to share pictures of their snow day(s) or winter fun/memories with SLI, please send them to marrj@oasd.org, and I will post them to our social media accounts. Please include the student's name and grade. It is great to see students enjoying the outside or time with family and friends. In the past, we have received a slew of fantastic pictures, and we chose random entries for prizes. Please send pictures by 1/22/24.

There is NO SCHOOL this coming Monday, January 15 and next Monday, January 22. They are teacher professional development and work days. Staff will be engaged in professional development, reviewing data, and preparing the first semester report cards. The end of the first semester is Jan. 19. For students in grades 7 and 8, please check Skyward for missing work and contact the teacher with any questions prior to the Jan. 19. First semester with report cards posted to Skyward Family Access on January 26.

Please be on the look out for important information regarding signing up for next year's Explore classes toward the end of this coming week. We start the process early to ensure we have staffing and scheduling to support classes as best we can!

With the frigid cold weather temperatures approaching, students will most likely be in for recess, but they there are still those transition times getting in and out of your car or the bus ride. Dress warm!

Enjoy the long weekend.

Jill Marr, SLI Principal

Jan. 15 & Jan. 22 - No School/ Professional Development & Work Days

Jan. 19 - End of First Semester

Jan. 18 - Feb. 5 - SLI Course Selection Window Skyward Family Access

Jan. 23 - Incoming 5th grade Parent Night 5:30pm-6:30pm

Jan. 26 - First Semester Report Cards Posted to Skyward Family Access

Students at SLI Connect, Explore and SOAR. They do this by coming to school each day with a fully charged Chromebook. Please help your child establish a Chromebook charging nightly routine. The SLI staff appreciate the efforts so students can be successful.

Please consider supporting the SLI PTO Un-Fundraiser for this school year. We are aiming for a $15,000 goal to continue supporting our building technology needs. We have already had some donations! Here is the link:

https://oconomowoc.revtrak.net/r2#/v/sli-pto-un-fundraiser-2023

Unfundraiser Alert: Veridian Homes Foundation donated $5,000 toward our Unfundraiser efforts! Thank you to them. Last spring, they awarded $2,000. We are so appreciative of Veridian Homes and thank you to Colleen Moran, SLI PTO President, for seeking out this donation for our school.

8th grade student tech leaders are already hard at work planning for the slideshow and video for the 8th grade promotion ceremony in June. 8th grade families, look for an email soon requesting photos of your student! #sliconnectexploresoar

Mr. Thielke, one of our band teachers receives the Chain of Awesomeness from Caden S. who in turn gives the Chain of Awesomeness to Maya N. Maya is a great band student and a thoughtful human being. She consistently goes above and beyond, whether it's designing a program cover, learning a second instrument for jazz band, or helping set up for musical events. She is a fantastic role model for her peers as she is often the first musician practicing at the beginning of rehearsal. Mr. Thielke considers himself lucky to have had Maya as a student four years at SLI!

Mr. Jefferies, one of our band teachers receives the Chain of Awesomeness from Charlotte T. who in turn gives the Chain of Awesomeness to Addy E. Addy is an amazing student and an even better person. She is the ultimate role model in our classroom and for others at SLI. She challenges herself daily to do her best and puts forth her best effort in all that she does. She is always prepared and ready to learn with a smile on her face. Addy's positive attitude and effort never take a day off. Congrats!

Mrs. Bencivenga, one of our district nurses and helps out in our health room receives the Chain of Awesomeness from Addison E. who in turn gives the Chain of Awesomeness to Kate H. Kate is an incredible young lady. She is a caring, kind and compassionate classmate and goes above and beyond to make everyone feel included. She is a hard worker, has a positive attitude and truly makes a difference at SLI.

Cold and flu season is upon us and general illness, Influenza, RSV, and COVID-19 continue to be reported as widespread across the United States. While we know that illnesses are common at this time of year, I am reaching out to remind everyone of our health practices at school and our illness guidelines to keep our students, staff, and schools as healthy as possible during this time of year.

Health Practices at School:

• Our school will continue to be cleaned and sanitized daily and nightly, with high-touch surfaces receiving additional cleaning throughout the day.
• Staff will continue to encourage good hand hygiene routines throughout the day.
• Students who are feeling unwell will be given a pass to go to the health room for evaluation and parents will be contacted when a child needs to be sent home.

Illness Guideline Reminders:

• We strongly encourage you to monitor your child’s health continually. It is important to be mindful of any illness symptoms that your child may have BEFORE sending them to school.
• Please keep your child home from school if they are ill.
• If your child is staying home due to illness, please contact our attendance line to report the absence and illness symptoms. 262-560-4302
• If your child experiences fever, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea as their only symptoms, they may return to school 24-hours after the symptom has resolved.
• If your child experiences multiple symptoms or symptoms that could indicate COVID-19, please refer to our OASD Illness Guidelines. OASD Illness Guidelines

Thank you for your partnership to keep our school healthy.

Parents of students 16 and younger seeking a work permit, will now log on to the Department of Workforce Developments page and use their permit application tool. Here is the link: Work Permit.

This new system will allow you to apply for a permit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from any computer, tablet or smartphone. You will make your payment through the system as well. The department will mail a paper copy of the permit directly to your child's employer.

Want to see pictures of students and events happening during the school day?

Want reminders of upcoming events?

Follow SLI on Social Media! We welcome new followers.

Parents United is a non-profit consortium of 27 southeastern Wisconsin special education departments that have united to provide an educational community service. Listed below are some upcoming presentations for any parent that is interested in attending.

Go Riteway is looking to hire Oconomowoc bus drivers! We appreciate our bus drivers for safely transporting our students around our district for the school day and also driving students to athletic, academic and numerous other events. They truly keep our district running! Click here to apply: https://bit.ly/3KxDdYS

Our school needs more short-term substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and custodians - can you help?

As a short-term sub, you have the flexibility to choose which school you would like to work at, and what schedule works best for you. Use this online form for a fast and easy application process if you’re interested in joining the OASD as a short-term substitute.

Long-term substitute teacher, paraprofessional, and custodian positions are also available at all of our OASD schools. You can apply online through WECAN for a long-term position by creating an account, then searching for Oconomowoc Area School District in the support staff section.

Please consider working for the OASD and making a positive impact on our school and students!