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SPAPSD Families:
This communication is to provide further information about E-Learning Days should we experience additional closures this school year due to inclement weather. As communicated earlier, in an effort to prevent additional calendar revisions, any school closures between now and the end of the 2022-23 school year will be Synchronous E-Learning days across all PK-12 levels.
The expectations for these days include a synchronous (learning that occurs together, or at the same time) component that is different from the planned E-Learning Days that are used for professional development (February 17, April 6, May 12).
Synchronous E-Learning Day Protocols
PK/4K
Expectations for these students will be shared in a separate communication from PK staff.
Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade
Students will engage in up to 90 minutes of engagement. K-2 Teachers will send home packets with students the day prior to a school closure for inclement weather. Recognizing we will not always have the ability to predict a school closure due to inclement weather, we request your understanding if instructional packets are sent home as a precautionary measure and the forecast shifts and no longer warrants a school closure. If this occurs, simply plan to return unfinished instructional materials with your child/children the following day.
Students will engage in up to 60 minutes of an independent academic activity and 15-20 minutes of an independent MAPELS (Music, Art, Physical Education, Library) activity.
3-6th Grade
Students will engage in up to 2.5 hours of engagement
7-12th Grade
If your student needs tech support they can call 715.345.5511 or enter a support ticket here.
Thank you in advance for your flexibility and understanding.
We are proud to join our community in congratulating SPASH Senior, Owen Kirsteatter, as he has made history by becoming the first Youth Apprentice in the state to sign on with the Carpenter's Union and be dually enrolled as both a Registered Apprentice and Youth Apprentice with Boldt Construction Company. This is a significant accomplishment and a testament to Owen's hard work and dedication to his craft.
Owen's decision to pursue a career in the construction industry is not only a personal victory but also serves as an inspiration for other young people who may be considering a career in the trades. The Carpenter's Union and Boldt Construction Company have recognized his potential and are providing him with the opportunity to gain valuable skills and experience while he completes his education.
Owen's achievement is a testament to the importance of providing students with access to career and technical education (CTE) programs, which can help them explore their interests and develop the skills they need to succeed in the workforce. The Youth Apprenticeship program, supported by employers such as Boldt Construction Company, is an excellent example of how CTE programs can provide students with valuable opportunities and help them achieve their goals.
This is a proud moment for Career and Technical Education, the Kirsteatter family and all of us in the Stevens Point School District community. Congratulations, Owen!
HOSA Club Members (from left, Hannah Clark, Cassie Damask, Sylvia Tepp, and Mya Cullen are coordinating an event on Friday, January 20 during the varsity boys basketball game at SPASH to raise awareness about the dangers of alcoholism.
The Stevens Point Area Senior High chapter of HOSA, an organization for future health professionals, is committed to raising awareness about the dangers of alcoholism in our community. As part of this effort, group leaders, Mya Cullen, Sylvia Tepp, Hannah Clark, and Cassie Damask, are coordinating an event on Friday, January 20th during/after the varsity boys basketball game at SPASH.
The event will feature information and resources about the dangers of misusing alcohol, as well as activities and games to promote education and awareness. Attendees will also have the opportunity to make donations to the local Salvation Army Substance Abuse Prevention Program.
"We believe that it is important for our community to be informed about the risks associated with alcohol use," said Cassie Damask, member of the SPASH HOSA chapter. "We hope that this event will not only raise awareness, but also encourage healthy habits and support those who may be struggling with substance abuse."
The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend. Proceeds will be donated to the Salvation Army Substance Abuse Prevention Program to support the organization's efforts to prevent and treat substance abuse in the community.
For more information about the event or HOSA, please contact Brett Lesniak, HOSA Advisor at 715-345-5400 or blesniak@pointschools.net.
On Thursday, January 5, Governor Tony Evers and Lieutenant Governor Sara Rodriguez paid a visit to Stevens Point Area Senior High (SPASH) to learn more about the school's Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Youth Apprenticeship programs.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor were given a tour of the CTE facilities and had the opportunity to speak with students who are participating in the programs. They were impressed by the hands-on learning experiences that the students were receiving and the opportunity to explore different career paths while still in high school.
"CTE and Youth Apprenticeship programs are an important way for young people to gain valuable skills and experience that will help them succeed in the workforce," said Governor Evers. "I was thrilled to see firsthand the amazing work that is happening at SPASH and the positive impact these programs are having on the lives of the students."
The CTE programs at SPASH offer a variety of courses in fields such as engineering, manufacturing, welding, construction, agriculture, computer programming, and more, allowing students to gain knowledge and skills that are in high demand in the local job market. The Youth Apprenticeship program, which is a partnership between SPASH and local businesses, gives students the opportunity to earn college credits and gain real-world experience while still in high school.
Overall, the visit was a great success and highlighted the importance of CTE and Youth Apprenticeship programs in preparing students for success in the workforce.
SPASH Partners with Mid-State to Remove Barriers to Higher Education
Students, teachers and administrators were all smiles at the 2022 Admit Day hosted by Mid-State Technical College. Ninety-five students were admitted to Mid-State through the 60 Forward initiative, an effort by Wisconsin Technical Colleges, the UW System, and the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to increase postsecondary attainment by 60% before 2027. The program removes all admissions barriers for 2023 Transition to Success seniors resulting in increased earning potential and economic mobility for students’ futures.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with Mid-State Technical College to advance postsecondary access for students," said Jon Vollendorf, SPASH Principal. "This partnership is a great opportunity and aligns with our commitment to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed. We are grateful for the support of Mid-State and look forward to working together to help our students achieve their full potential."
"At Mid-State, we believe that every student should have the opportunity to pursue higher education, and this partnership allows us to remove barriers and provide support to students who may otherwise face challenges in achieving their academic and career goals," said Jackie Esselman, dean of Recruitment & Admissions at Mid-State Technical College. "We are excited to work with SPASH to advance the 60 Forward initiative and help students achieve their full potential."
Putting Collaboration to the Test:
Student-Designed Mini Golf Course Connects Learning at SPASH
SPASH Career and Technical Education students at Stevens Point Area Senior High have been working on an ambitious project: designing and building an indoor mini golf course as a multidisciplinary project to connect collaborative learning for students and teachers.
The project was led primarily by Geometry in Construction students, with guidance from faculty and support from the school and the greater community. They worked closely with their classmates and teachers from a variety of subject areas, including geometry, construction, auto awareness, computer graphics, food science, residential skills, video productions, welding, and intro to CAD. See the full list of learning targets for the project here.
The finished product was a stunning display of creativity and teamwork. The mini golf course featured nine holes, each with a unique theme and set of challenges around the ‘SPASH Holiday Open’ theme.
Despite the course opening being delayed by inclement weather days ahead of Winter Break, the project was a resounding success, both as a learning opportunity and as a fun activity for the whole school community. Students and teachers alike enjoyed testing their skills on the mini golf course, and the project sparked important conversations about teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.
Overall, the student-designed and built indoor mini golf course is a fantastic example of the power of collaborative learning bringing together students and teachers from diverse subject areas while challenging them to think creatively and work together to achieve a common goal.
The Stevens Point Area Public School District is launching a donation program to raise funds for unpaid meal balances for students and families. The District has seen the number of families who qualify for free and reduced lunch rise to 38% while also seeing unpaid meal balances rise to $13,000.
"Ensuring that all students have access to nutritious meals is a critical part of supporting their overall well-being and ability to learn," said Cory Hirsbrunner, superintendent. "We are grateful for any support that our community can provide to help us cover these unpaid meal balances and ensure that no student goes hungry."
Individuals or organizations can support the "Money for Meals" campaign by making a donation through the District's website or by scanning the QR code provided. To make a donation, visit www.PointSchools.net.
For more information about the "Money for Meals" campaign or to learn about other ways to get involved, please contact Dr. Thomas Owens at (715) 345-5432 or Dr. Michael Kurtz at (715) 345-5428.
National FFA Convention attendee Clare Viau wins National award from the National FFA Organization. Clare took first place in the division 5 “Plant systems” category this was Clare’s fourth year as a national finalist in the agriscience fair project in plant systems.
The purpose of the research was to understand how the growth and edible mass of kale, green bean, and radishes will compare when grown in soil representing a plant growth environment on a space station. Three different species were tested in two different soil types. The soils were Greens Grade Calcined Clay and traditional potting soil. All six plants were grown in the same lighting and temperature conditions. The results of the study showed that the radish plant grown in calcined clay produced the greatest amount of edible mass. Both radish plants had a relatively high percentage of the plant that was edible. The kale plant grown in calcined clay had a very high edible percentage of the plant at 90.9%. The green bean plants had low edible percentages and low values of total edible mass.
Based on the information gathered in this experiment, both kale and radish plants have potential to be grown in space for their nutritional value and yield per plant. Green bean growth could be modified to make it more efficient. Advancements in space food growth improves farming and food production on Earth as well. Vertical farming benefits consumers and the climate. Studying unique soils, like calcined clay, benefits regions on Earth with infertile land by discovering new horticultural methods. Overall, the information gained from this experiment benefits space exploration, the ever-innovating agriculture industry, and individual citizens of Earth.
Clare starts with an experiment and collects data over a period of time. A report is then written and submitted to the Wisconsin State FFA where she was judged on the report and went through an interview process. State winners are announced during the State convention held in Madison every June. After the state convention the winners receive their scores along with comments from those comments corrections can be made to the report and virtual interviews are then held. The national FFA organization then announces the top 10 national finalists and each finalist designs a display for their project to be on display during the National Convention.
