The Wisconsin State Fair continues this weekend in West Allis. If you don’t plan on making that trip, there is always the Downtown Beloit Street Dance, Blues on the Chippewa in Durand, Johnsonville Brat Days in Sheboygan, Cherryfest in Jacksonport, the Mile of Music Festival in Appleton, National Mustard Days in Middleton, and of course, The US Open Chainsaw Sculpture Championship in Eau Claire.
If you are bored this weekend… it’s on you.
To the news:
Some teachers in Wisconsin (deservedly) take the summer off. Some get together and discuss how to spend more of your money on everything but actual education.
Wisconsin public school teachers discuss racial justice, equity agenda – The Center Square
(The Center Square) – The Wisconsin Public Education Network wrapped up its 10th Annual Summer Summit on Wednesday, entitled “Protecting and Defending the Public Schools Our Kids Deserve – Taking a Stand for Educational Equity and Racial Justice” which featured virtual comments from U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
The agenda for this year’s summit covered how to “learn, plan, and strategize around the themes of racial justice, educational equity, and unfair impacts of disinvestment and privatization on students attending Wisconsin public schools.”
Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Joe Gothard called for collective action to come together in “new, louder, and more focused ways.”
“Imagine what it would look like if we really win for our students,” Gothard said. “What would student learning look like if we could fully support teachers by providing high quality teaching environments? What would public education look like if barriers were removed, so we could address inequities that have been persistent for far too long in all of our communities?”
Speaker Nichelle Nichols from the National Equity Project tied the strengthening of public schools to the health of democracy.
“Our public schools are for our young people to get their first exposure, their first experience in understanding and experiencing democracy,” she said. “We are at a critical crossroads in our country. Our public schools in many ways–even if it doesn’t say public schools are on the ballot–we’re on that ballot. We’re on the ballot for this democracy. We’re on the ballot for ensuring our community stays strong.”
Superintendent of Public Instruction Jill Underly said the lack of public school funding makes it more challenging for public educators to address the needs of students.
“We’re going to continue to advocate for more resources. We must have more general support for schools. The best way to make that investment–in my view and having heard from many of you – is a significant increase in special education reimbursement,” she said. “Under current constraints, we simply don’t have the funding or the resources to support all of our students.”
Underly listed a lack of school social workers and psychologists, and goals like “fostering cultures of belonging” and increasing trauma sensitivity in every school.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin also spoke about the importance of federal funding for public education via video.
“Public schools are crucial in making education accessible and inclusive for all students, regardless of their background, zip code, or socioeconomic status. With the help of our public schools, Wisconsin children can cultivate creative thinking, make lifelong connections, and build the foundation of fulfilling lives. Wisconsin’s children deserve safe, equitable, and engaging public schools,” Baldwin said. “As some of my colleagues in Congress continue to push for cuts to public education, I want all of you to know that I am committed to stopping these attacks at every turn. Investments in public schools are investments in our youth and our future.”
Other summit sessions scheduled for the day included “Calling it In: What’s at the root of systemic racism and funding inadequacy, and what can we do about it?” and “We Believe in Wisconsin: Using Messaging Rooted in Hope,” which discussed using the “Race Class Narrative” in educational messaging.
The Race Class Narrative includes instructions on how to word conversations about topics on race, such as “nam[ing] racial scapegoating or deliberate division as a tool villains use to profit, harming us all.”
Summit leaders also gave a talk entitled “Lies, Damned Lies, and School Vouchers,” which warned about the growing popularity of charter schools and “the false promises underwriting the voucher movement…seeking to defund public education.”
Since COVID-19, school choice has become a growing political issue but does not rank as one of the top three issues for Wisconsin voters according to polls.
UW-Milwaukee Police Chief David Salazar is resigning and he’s not doing so quietly.
UW-Milwaukee police chief resigns through explosive letter critical of employer – JSOnline
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee police chief resigned Thursday in an explosive letter that lobbed multiple criticisms at his former employer.
UW-Milwaukee placed Chief David Salazar on administrative leave in late April for reasons that are still unclear. In his resignation letter, the former chief accused UWM of failing to address antisemitism on campus, conducting a biased investigation against him and failing to investigate others in the department he led.
In what is starting to become commonplace as more companies are consolidating their workforces, a large Wisconsin company is telling its employees that “work from home” just isn’t cutting it.
Kohl’s bringing employees back to office in October, as remote work remains popular – WPR
In October, corporate employees at Kohl’s Corp. will be required to return to the office for at least four days a week.
It’s the latest high-profile Wisconsin company to announce measures to bring employees back to the office after the pandemic expanded remote work options for many office workers. The move comes as work from home options remain popular nationally.
Kohl’s says the new policy will only affect employees who live within 30 miles of the company’s headquarters in Menomonee Falls. Those employees will be required to be at the facility Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays.
Mental health IS an issue in Wisconsin. However, this is NOT.
Election anxiety leading to increased 988 calls – WAOW
WAUSAU, Wis. (WAOW) — Election season is underway and it is leading to an increase in calls to the 988 line from voters dealing with election anxiety.
“In July we did see an increase in people who were reaching out about current events geopolitical issues elections things of that nature,” Shelly Missall, 988 Outreach Coordinator, Family Services in Green Bay said.
In less than three weeks the country has seen several historic events unfold. An assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, and current President Joe Biden dropping out of the race for the White House, all while waiting for the Democratic Party to officially nominate a new candidate.
Get out there and enjoy an election-anxiety-free weekend. We’re back on Monday.
