All Things SLI

We are into the swing of our routines here at SLI. Some of our classes began our the fall MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) district testing this week. The rest of our classes will finish next week. We use MAP testing to determine if students have gaps in their learning and in need of intervention. We also use MAP testing to help our educators determine trends in learning that we need to focus our efforts such as a particular skill or strand of ELA or math. We will test again in January to measure student progress of the first semester. Thanks for supporting your child's education by encouraging him/her to do their best on this assessment. Silver Lake is committed to improving student learning.

All my best,

Jill Marr

SLI Principal

This is a friendly reminder that families may not drop off or pick up in the staff parking lot. With buses and staff leaving it is a safety concern for students to be walking through the lot. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

• New students or students who were absent during the original picture day/s should come to the camera on Retake Day.
• Students who would like a retake must bring their original portrait packet to the camera and return it to the photographer.

When families register their child for a club or sport, part of the registration process is for both parent/guardian and student electronically sign the Random Drug Testing Policy consent form. Here are links to the policy and frequently asked questions. Thank you for supporting a safer learning environment within our schools and establishing a stronger culture of drug disapproval within the school community.

Random Drug Testing Policy

Frequently Asked Questions

Veridian Homes, a Wisconsin based home builder, is constructing move-in ready homes in the neighborhood across the parkway from Silver Lake Intermediate School. When they heard the school, built in 2008, was in need of an upgrade to their audio visual equipment currently being used in their gymnasium, they stepped in to help.

‘After fifteen years, our sound and speaker system was desperately in need of being updated. From all-school assemblies, to various musical and theatrical performances, the sound quality wasn’t what it should be due to the aging system. Through a fundraising effort with Silver Lake students, their families and our generous neighbors at Veridian Homes, we were able to secure funding to begin the first phase of the system upgrade, which is scheduled to be installed in early October’ said Jill Marr, Principal.

According to Jenn Koehler, Marketing Communication Specialist for Veridian Homes, ‘The Veridian Homes Foundation, founded in 2004, allows us to strengthen not only the neighborhoods we build, but also the community we live in. We are proud of the award-winning homes we build that are good for the environment and for families.’

Veridian Homes is currently building 303 homes within the Oconomowoc School District. In honor of Silver Lake Intermediate’s 15th Anniversary, the PTO has set a fundraising goal of $15,000 to enhance various activities for the students and to raise money for phase two of the sound system upgrade. For more

information and to donate to the PTO, visit https://oconomowoc.revtrak.net/pto-all.../sli-pto/sli-pto-fundraisers.

Pictured: Colleen Moran, SLI PTO President, Jill Marr SLI Principal, Matt Cudney, Veridian Homes

In an effort to keep cell phones and air pods in school lockers to avoid the distraction from learning, it is important that students lock their lockers. We want those items as well as all student personal belongings to be protected from theft as much as we possibly can, so it is imperative that students actually lock their lockers. We are making a diligent effort to make school announcements reminding students to lock their lockers, locking lockers who locks are not closed, removing unauthorized locks, and asking families to purchase locks for those students who do not have one of their locker.

Per our SLI student handbook, A student assumes all responsibility for the contents of his/her locker. Never leave a locker unlocked, reveal the combination, or share the locker with another student. Students must use the locker assigned to them and the lock purchased at registration. Unauthorized locks will be removed. No locks will be permitted on unassigned or unused lockers.

Locks can be purchased through the SLI office for $7.

We appreciate your support in helping make our students feel safe at school by reminding them to properly use their school lock.

7th grade ELA students in Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Schmitz, Mrs. E, and Mrs. Pethan's classes worked as teams to put together a 24-piece puzzle. The "leader" of the group had the hard task of putting together this puzzle while blindfolded and taking directions from their team. This activity relied heavily on patience, communication, and creativity from our 7th graders!

8th grade team building activity: building a tower with a 3-4 person team and no hands.

6th graders defining what collaborative teams mean.

Students in running club celebrate after a great work out. The runners set goals, cheered for one another, and enjoyed time outside! Way to SOAR! #sliconnectexploresoar

Students in Mrs. Michor's and Mrs. Gresser's Class have been working hard studying landforms on Earth (canyons, volcanoes, etc) and comparing them with landforms on Mars. The goal is to determine if a picture of a specific landform on Mars (taken by Perseverance Rover) was created by water or lava. The activity shown in the pictures are students organizing their evidence to determine which evidence is the best to use to support their claims.

Mrs. Michor and Mrs. Gresser took their science classes outside this week to test how water flow changes the shape of sand overtime. Students are modeling the work that planetary geologists do to study landforms on other planets such as Mars.

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.

As families start to plan for the upcoming school year, we wanted to share our new OASD attendance guidelines and process for absences. As you can see, when possible it will be very important for parents/guardians to get medical documentation when/if a child is absent for illnesses or other medical reasons.

OASD Attendance Guidelines and Absence Progression

Having trouble getting back into the school routine?

Here are some helpful tips as you and your family plan for back to school! We want students to be on time and present every day possible. It really matters!

» Set a regular bedtime and morning routine.

» Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.

» Find out what day school starts and make sure your child has the required shots.

» Introduce your child to her teachers and classmates before school starts to help him/her transition. Open house is a great opportunity to do that!

» Don’t let your child stay home unless he/she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.

» If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.

» Develop some backup plans for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, a neighbor or another parent.

» Avoid medical appointments and extended trips when school is in session.

We can all prevent suicide. Understanding the issues concerning suicide and mental health is an important way to take part in suicide prevention, help others in crisis, and change the conversation around suicide.

Find resources at

https://988lifeline.org/how-we-can-all-prevent-suicide/

Ask - Research shows people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Findings suggest acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.

Be There - Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgement.

Keep Them Safe - A number of studies have indicated that when lethal means are made less available or less deadly, suicide rates by that method decline, and frequently suicide rates overall decline.

Help Them Stay Connected - Studies indicate that helping someone at risk create a network of resources and individuals for support and safety can help take positive action and reduce feelings of hopelessness.

Follow Up - Studies have also shown that brief, low cost intervention and supportive, ongoing contact may be an important part of suicide prevention, especially for individuals after they have been discharged from hospitals or care services.

Learn More about How and Why the 5 Steps Can Help by visiting: https://www.bethe1to.com/bethe1to-steps-evidence/

Call or text 988. Last year, 988 was activated as a new three-digit dialing code. When someone dials 988, they will be connected to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This confidential support line is available 24 hours a day to provide free help to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress. Learn more about 988 at: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

Here is the family technology presentation in case you missed it or were unable to attend during our Open House. If you want to know how to connect to your child's Canvas courses, utilize GoGuardian Parent App, or know about technology your child is using at school, check out our the presentation.

Emily Cornell, is SLI's technology coach. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to her cornelle@oasd.org.

Tech Presentation

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!