MONROE - Parkside Elementary School teachers and staff are planning a community celebration Tuesday, Oct. 2 after being honored as a Wisconsin School of Recognition by the state's Department of Public Instruction.
Parkside School Principal Todd Paradis, first-grade teacher Jacqueline Schutz and reading teacher Glenda McKeon will make the trek to the state capitol in Madison to receive the award that day. A celebration is scheduled at Parkside School from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2.
"It's a team award," Paradis said. "There are a lot of people who worked to help our students achieve. "It's a great way to honor all the staff, students and families who help our students achieve. It's very satisfying. It's a great thing to start the school year."
As one of 132 schools to receive the award, Parkside will receive a $1,000 grant and a plaque. Teachers from a Wisconsin School of Recognition can also apply for professional development grants.
Paradis said the school hasn't determined exactly how it will use the $1,000 grant, but it will be spent on books, technology or learning resources for students.
The school will share its success with the community with a short recognition ceremony and party.
"It will be a celebration with food and music," Paradis said. "We want everyone to celebrate the great honor and enjoy it."
To be eligible for the Wisconsin School of Recognition award, schools must receive Title I funding, have at least an average student achievement on the WKCE test and be in the top quartile of the percent of students on free and reduced lunch. The schools receiving the honor have some of the highest poverty rates in the state based on free and reduced lunches. Schools are also required to meet adequate yearly progress for two straight years.
"These schools are being recognized for their work to break the link between poverty and low academic achievement through rigorous programming and attention to student needs," State Superintendent Tony Evers said in a news release. "Their efforts align with our Agenda 2017: Improve the graduation rates, reduce dropout rates and close college and career readiness gaps."
Parkside School Principal Todd Paradis, first-grade teacher Jacqueline Schutz and reading teacher Glenda McKeon will make the trek to the state capitol in Madison to receive the award that day. A celebration is scheduled at Parkside School from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2.
"It's a team award," Paradis said. "There are a lot of people who worked to help our students achieve. "It's a great way to honor all the staff, students and families who help our students achieve. It's very satisfying. It's a great thing to start the school year."
As one of 132 schools to receive the award, Parkside will receive a $1,000 grant and a plaque. Teachers from a Wisconsin School of Recognition can also apply for professional development grants.
Paradis said the school hasn't determined exactly how it will use the $1,000 grant, but it will be spent on books, technology or learning resources for students.
The school will share its success with the community with a short recognition ceremony and party.
"It will be a celebration with food and music," Paradis said. "We want everyone to celebrate the great honor and enjoy it."
To be eligible for the Wisconsin School of Recognition award, schools must receive Title I funding, have at least an average student achievement on the WKCE test and be in the top quartile of the percent of students on free and reduced lunch. The schools receiving the honor have some of the highest poverty rates in the state based on free and reduced lunches. Schools are also required to meet adequate yearly progress for two straight years.
"These schools are being recognized for their work to break the link between poverty and low academic achievement through rigorous programming and attention to student needs," State Superintendent Tony Evers said in a news release. "Their efforts align with our Agenda 2017: Improve the graduation rates, reduce dropout rates and close college and career readiness gaps."