NEW GLARUS — Teachers, staff, and administrators from the New Glarus School District started the 2025-2026 school year with four days of in-service and professional development, setting the stage for a strong start to the 2025-26 school year.
The week began Monday morning with an all-staff breakfast and welcome session in the Middle School Multi-Purpose Room. Presentations included new staff introductions, recognition of years of service milestones, a presentation by School Board President Bill Oemichen, and a State of District presentation by Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Thayer. The morning meeting provided an opportunity for staff to connect, celebrate recent accomplishments, and set priorities for the 2025-2026 school year.
Across the four days, staff engaged in a wide variety of meetings designed to support student growth and strengthen instructional practices. Highlights included:
● Collaborative team meetings throughout the week.
● 4k-12 curriculum team meeting for strong curriculum alignment throughout the District.
● Literacy-focused trainings.
● Technology training on District systems.
Staff also worked collaboratively to review district data, align goals, and plan instruction. The focus connected directly to the district’s 2025-26 priorities:
● Increasing the percent of students who are college, career, and life-ready by developing the whole learner.
● Recruiting and retaining high-quality staff while supporting continuous professional growth.
● Providing facilities that foster academic and emotional growth.
● Ensuring equity so all students have access to high-quality educational experiences.
Wednesday evening brought excitement as families joined for Meet Your Teacher (Elementary), Meet and Greet (Middle School), and Freshman & New Student Orientation (High School), officially welcoming students to the 2025-2026 school year.
“Beginning of the year training is an important time for our district,” said Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Thayer. “It allows us to align on our goals, grow as professionals, and ensure that every student in New Glarus has the tools and opportunities to succeed.”
