January 9, 2026

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• 5th Graders got to participate in a hands-on experiment simulating the fur trade in the early ages of our country.  There were some very active and strong negotiators in the room.  :-) Way to go Klair!

• 1st graders working on their work places and all on task.  The group I got to talk to were able to explain their game as well! I love watching their math brains grow! (You should be super proud of your students, Mary Jo!)

• Shout out to Mrs. Caine (Trisha) for modeling how to deal with unexpected issues and visitors!  It just happens sometimes that your links don't work right away, but her class saw her patiently work through it without getting angry or frustrated. She also got a chance to explain to Lydia that having me come into the room is really no big deal.  No need to ever be nervous about that.  I am working on getting to all of your rooms much more often. :-)

• It was great to see kids again and all of you this week. Thank you for the work you put in to review expectations and get kids back into the swing of learning.  We are almost halfway through the year. We don't want to waste any of the precious time we have with our students.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, January 12
• Morning Duty:
• Blacktop/Playground: Miller, Bingen, CaineB
• 3K/4K playground/Meet buses: Zastrow, Wagner
• Breakfast: Donovan, Vertz
• Lunch Duty:
• 12:00 - Ellefson
• 12:30 - Juech
• 1:00 - Schulte
• Afternoon Duty:
• Blacktop/Playground: Huso, Lucht
• Parking Lot: Huelsman
• Window is open for i-Ready and AimsWeb Plus

• Tuesday, January 13
• Milwaukee Bucks Day - Wear your Bucks gear!
• Jenny in meeting from 9-11am
• Social Media posts due to Jenny: Ellefson, Westphal
• Lunch Detentions for this week: Lucht, O'Toole
• Pop-Up PD: Canva - 3:20-3:45 in the IMC

• Wednesday, January 14
• Workout Wednesday
• Jenny in virtual meeting from 8-9am
• NHS Blood Drive 7:30am-2pm
• Staff Meeting in IMC (3:15-4pm)

• Thursday, January 15
• National Hat Day - Wear your favorite hat!

• Friday, January 16
• Pyramid Model meeting Cancelled and moved to Jan. 23 at 1pm

Nitty-Gritty

• Fire Inspector Visit
• This week the fire inspector came through the building. One of the things that was noted was regarding items hanging from the ceiling throughout the room.  When we do this, it introduces a more flammable item closer to the ceiling tiles, which then makes them more likely to burn more quickly.  Please significantly limit anything hanging from hooks throughout your classrooms.

• Alt Comp Checkmark - Update
• After much consideration and discussion, a change is being made for checkmarks for alt. comp relating to student teachers. Any teacher that takes on a student teacher or intern for 8 weeks can earn a checkmark.  If you were to have a student teacher for the entire semester, that is equal to 2 checkmarks.  This won't go back to previous years, nor will there be checkmarks for practicum students, but will be going forward for any student teacher placements for the length of 8 weeks. To clarify, if you have had a student teacher/intern for at least 8 weeks during the 2025-26 school year, this will earn you one checkmark for this year and will be added to the documents for upcoming years as well.

• 3K/4K Screening is coming up
• If you have any families or know of any residents that are interested in their child(ren) entering our 3K or 4K programs for next school year, please direct them to our website, or to Patti/me to get signed up for a time on our screening day on Monday, Feb 16, 2026.  This is only for students that are not currently attending Dodgeland.  (Our current 3K students do not have to come in for a screening time.) The link to sign up is below if you want to send it to anyone as well.  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F4FA5AB2DA6F49-61159800-3k4k
• You may notice that this is during our PD day next month.  This means we will have visitors in the building during our day.

• Winter Assessment Window
• i-Ready and AimsWeb winter assessments can be started for both math and reading. Please work together so that students have the accommodations they need to do their best work. The link to the AimsWeb document is HERE.  This will tell you what subtests are needed for each grade for both math and reading. If you have any questions, please let me know.

• Summer School!
• I'm getting ready to start planning for summer school.  The dates haven't been decided on yet and I'd like to think about adding some creative ways to provide additional learning for our students this summer.  Perhaps have one of our typical programs in June (ending on July 2) and then perhaps some specific week-long (or 2 week sessions) with a theme.  If you are interested in summer school for teaching/working, please fill in this google form.

ML Information

Our ML students have had a busy and impressive week! Most students have finished the ACCESS testing, and my plan is to have everyone done by the end of next week.) Fingers Crossed because I know exams and other testing begin soon.)

They’ve poured so much effort into finishing their ACCESS testing before the end-of-semester rush, and their commitment to doing their best is truly inspiring.

To see these students in action is to see incredible mental agility. Answering these questions requires deep focus and sophisticated thinking, made even more impressive by the fact that they are balancing two different languages. I am so grateful to work with such a dedicated team—thank you for everything you do to support our students’ growth daily.

Tip of the Week:

Celebrate Progress. 

Acknowledge and celebrate every small step of progress, from a single new word learned to a successfully completed sentence. This builds confidence and motivation.

Don’t forget you can find even more resources here: Dodgeland Teacher Resources. You can also feel free to email me or schedule an appointment! 😀

TechKnow Tip

As of yesterday, your laptop has been updated to macOS Tahoe 26. Today, take a moment today to ensure you are regularly saving your digital files to OneDrive or Google Drive. Storing your files in the cloud ensures they are backed up and accessible even if your computer experiences issues. Please make this a regular practice to avoid potential data loss.Your files can then be accessible on all your school devices!
Currently, your laptop can be updated to macOS Tahoe 26.2. This update includes critical patches for device security.

You can update by:
Settings -> General -> Software Update -> macOS Tahoe 26.2
This update may take about 30-40 minutes, with your device needing to be at 50% charge or plugged in. If you need assistance with saving your files or updating, reach out to Brad, Sam, or Christina for assistance.

Friday Funny

I really do not like to cook, but I can cook.  If you ever have a chance to meet my mother, she will contend that her daughter was taught to cook and gets very offended when my children complain about how their mom doesn't cook/doesn't know how to cook.  

However, I was lucky and had a husband who LOVED to cook and was good at it.  So I didn't have to.  And then, well, you know what happened with that.  But then my son took over the cooking and once again I was off the hook.  But now, he's gone too (moved out, not gone...sheesh, words matter!) and so the three Huelsman's are left to duke it out over who is going to do this now.  I submit this clip to you all about a poor soul that also probably would love to have family members do the cooking.  I have seen this clip multiple times, and every time I can barely breathe from laughing so hard.  I don't know what gets me more, the one guy's body language, the questions ("Is it edible?"), the statements ("It burns!") or the poor cook's exclamation, "Something is terribly wrong!"  Enjoy this and keep in mind I have limited times that I personally contribute to goodie tables for this very reason! Ella/Lexi are MUCH better than I am at this whole cooking/baking thing.

January 4, 20206

 Wow, this winter break seems to have gone by quickly!!!  I hope you all had a wonderful break with lots of time to relax and take time for yourself!  This is a short blog for this upcoming weeks.  See you all soon!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Friday, January 2
• Happy Birthday Trisha P!

• Monday, January 5
• Happy Birthday Carrie Houk and Sarah Patton!
• New Support staff Duties for January
• Breakfast (7:45-7:55am) - Vicky, Brenna
• PM Parent Pickup (3:05-3:15pm) - Brittany, Maddy
• Morning Duty
• Blacktop/Playground: Caine-Arnes, O'Toole, Schulte
• Breakfast: Chambers, Fortmann
• 4K/5K playground: Schuett, Braunschweig (meet buses)
• Lunch Duty
• 12:00 - Wagner
• 12:30 - Westphal
• 1:00 - CaineT
• Lunch Detentions this week: (Wed or Thurs)
• Braunschweig, CaineB, Fortmann
• PM Duty
• Blacktop/Playground: Juech, Klink
• Parking Lot: Betsy

• Tuesday, January 6
• Jenny in meeting from 9-10:30
• Para Meeting for staff in sp. ed rooms from 5K-5th gr.  (All EC/3K/4K paras, watch for an email for a separate meeting time.)
• Social Media posts due to Jenny: O'Toole

• Wednesday, January 7
• Happy Birthday Klair!
• Workout Wednesday
• Jenny in meeting from 8:30-10:30
• Jenny leaving for a dr appt at 11:15, return around 12:30

• Thursday, January 8
• Happy Birthday Samantha K!
• Jenny at Cesa until 1pm

• Friday, January 9

Nitty-Gritty

• Breakfast Duty
• If you have breakfast duty, students can be dismissed to go outside if they finish eating before 7:42am.  If it is after that time, please keep them in the commons until 7:45 when they can go to their classrooms.  If it is indoor bus duty in the morning, please direct them to the appropriate place if it is before 7:42am.

• Personnel Updates
• Starting on Monday, Jan 5, there are some changes in staff assignments that we want all staff to be aware of.  Samantha K. will be joining the 2nd/3rd grade special education team at 8am and Chrissy Manthey will be moving to work with the 3K program in the mornings and then move to 5K/1st grade from 11:30-3:05pm.  There will be some changes in recess, lunch, etc. coverages, but just wanted you all to be aware of this.

• Semester 1 is ending on January 21!
• It will be here very soon, so please look ahead to plan for completing first semester report cards.  They will be due to Patti on January 26 at 8am.

ML Information

Providing leveled texts—offering a variety of texts on the same topic at different reading levels—is a critical instructional practice for K–12 teachers, especially when working with Multilingual Learners (MLs). Watch this video to find out why!

Don’t forget you can find even more resources here: Dodgeland Teacher Resources. You can also feel free to email me or schedule an appointment! 

Recess Information

Just a quick reminder about these details that were changed in December!

Bus Duty

4k/5k - stay the course :)

1st-5th - please have the students just keep their backpack/stuff with them. Since they will just be sitting to watch a show, they can keep their things in their laps.

3rd-5th - there are too many kids in room 137 so Mrs. Huso's kids, please to go 102, Mrs. Juech's kids, please stay in room 137. Please also have the kids just keep their stuff in their laps.

Teachers, please clarify/let your students know where they should go for bus duty. *Students that need breakfast should still report to the commons like always.*

Room 109 - 4k and 5k

Room 102 - 1st, 2nd, and Huso

Room 137, Juech, 4th, and 5th

Indoor Recess

MS/HS gym space is not always available so we need to make a change to location when the multipurpose room is unavailable for lunch recess.

Everyday day except Tuesdays

5k - room 137 (PLTW lab) with cart activities

1st - room 102 (Den)

Tuesdays only

2nd grade - room 102 (Den) 

3rd grade - room 137 (PLTW lab)

All other grades/times will still have the choice between 102 and the multipurpose room.

Friday Funny!

Just some laughs for you!  See you all soon!

December 12, 2025

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• I am sorry I missed the winter concerts this week, but I did hear that our students did a great job and that the turn out of families was great!  Congratulations Carrie and everyone that helped organize this event!

• A couple of third grade students were showing me their practice with math facts and number sense. The ST Math problem one of them had really had her thinking and as she was explaining to me what to do, she realized she made a mistake.  The best part, Ms. Juech, picked up and said, "Finish it out and then you can keep trying."  This normalizes making mistakes (which we all make!) and she didn't seem to get flustered at all.  I can tell this is not the first time that Ms. Juech has supported a  student learning from a mistake. Way to go Jahra!  (Did I mention she did this with no voice as well??  :-))

• Our 4K team gave their students an exciting adventure this week searching the school for the runaway gingerbread man.  The stories that they were telling others about how hard they were looking, and what he left behind for them, etc was adorable.  Thank you for the extra work you put in to give them this experience.

• Shout out to all that decorated their doors for the contest.  It looks very festive and inviting around here! I know this is extra work, but it is noticed, appreciated and our students do enjoy it immensely. Thank you for the organization and hard work to build community and have fun together at the same time!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Saturday, December 13
• Happy Birthday Taylor Swift!  :-)

• Monday, December 15
• Merry Monday
• 2nd Grade Field trip to Milwaukee Museum
• Morning Duty:
• Blacktop/Playground: Neis, Westphal, Stampfl
• 3K/4K playground: Mook, Ellefson
• Breakfast: Houk, Tietz
• Lunch Duty:
• 12:00 - Schuett
• 12:30 - Miller
• 1:00 - Klink
• Afternoon Duty:
• Blacktop/Playground: CaineT, Betsy
• Circle Drive: Duhr/Huelsman
• Lunch Detentions this week: Donovan, Huso, Bingen
• Happy Holidays from the Huelsman's - Stop in the lounge today to get a treat/snack after 9am. We are all so proud to be your colleagues. Hope this provides some energy to get you all through the week! :-). (2nd grade team going on the field trip, I will save you some.  You might be the bravest of us all!)
• Jenny in mtg from 12-1pm
• School Board Meeting @ 6:30pm

• Tuesday, December 16
• Happy Birthday Rick Anthes!
• Feeling Frosty? - Wear as much white as you can!
• Jenny in meeting from 9-10:30am
• Social Media posts due to Jenny: Donovan, Stampfl, Schuett
• Staff Holiday get together at the Harvest Place after school

• Wednesday, December 17
• Holiday Character Day - Dress as a character from a holiday book, movie, etc.
• Jenny in meeting from 8:30-10:30am & 1:30-2:30pm

• Thursday, December 18
• Polar Express Day - Wear your comfiest PJ's to school
• 5th gr. Field Trip to Clearview from 1:20-3pm

• Friday, December 19
• Festive Friday - Wear your most festive attire and accessories
• Citizenship grades due to PowerSchool for December
• Santa and Mrs. Claus are visiting in the morning around 7:55am to each classroom.

• Saturday, December 20 - Monday, January 4
• Enjoy your Winter Break with the people and activities that fill you with joy and happiness!

Nitty-Gritty

• Sub Plan Organization
• When you leave sub plans in the drive, please title the plan with the date of your absence. We are getting feedback from many subs that they are struggling to find the right plans when they arrive. By organizing the plans this way, it allows the sub to have more time to read them thoroughly, think through what they are doing, and ultimately have an even more successful day in your absence. Thank you in advance for helping out!

• Week before Break Behaviors
• The holiday season is an exciting and joyful time for many in our school community—students, families, and staff alike! We also recognize that this season can bring additional stress for some. Concerns like financial worries, feelings of loneliness or grief, or past trauma can surface, leading to more frequent emotional dysregulation or atypical behaviors from some students as winter break approaches.

• To provide the best support during this time, please prioritize consistency in your routines and expectations next week. Please share any student concerns with the PPS team and families as soon as possible. Your clear communication is key to providing timely support.

                    Following Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs)

• During our November PD days, many specific student concerns were addressed, and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) were developed. These plans contain a specific sequence of responses designed to support the student and de-escalate the situation effectively.

  • Please ensure you follow these plans precisely. Adhering to the established sequence allows us to accurately assess the plan's effectiveness and make necessary, data-driven adjustments.

  Supporting Colleagues During Crises

  We know that managing dysregulation is stressful and exhausting work. Our shared goal in these moments is to keep the child (and peers/staff) safe, de-escalate the situation quickly, and move to a more private location.

  If you encounter an adult actively engaging with or supervising a student in the hallway during a behavioral situation:

  • Do not intervene directly with the student. Your well-intentioned interaction has the potential to inadvertently interfere with the established plan, escalate the behavior, or prolong the dysregulation.

  • The best way to support your colleague is to ask, "Do you need any help?"

  • To maintain focus on the de-escalation process, you may need to mindfully adjust your route or use an alternative exit to avoid the immediate area.

  Fostering a Supportive Team Environment

  We are all striving to do what is best for our students and each other. We are a team with a shared goal.

  • Let’s commit to asking questions about situations, responses, or outcomes rather than making critical or judgmental remarks.

  • Positive, supportive dialogue is essential for a strong team. Criticism often lacks full context and can undermine morale. If you are feeling frustrated, stressed, confused, or upset, please reach out to me or another administrator. I would much rather have a conversation to clarify the situation and offer support than have you feel overwhelmed or defeated.

  Thank you all for the countless ways you support our elementary community. The strong relationships we build—with each other and with our students—are the true foundation for learning and growth.

• Indoor Bus duty/recess changes
• Please make sure that you know what the routines and procedures are for indoor recess and bus duties.  Teresa made a few tweaks to the process to help facilitate it successfully. If you have any questions, please let me know. (If you need to reread her updates, she email it on Fri, Dec 5 and it was also in the announcements this week.)

• Looking Ahead - Report Cards
• Final grades and report cards will be due to Patti by Monday, Jan. 26.  I know this is a month away yet, but wanted this to be on your radar as it will come up fast when we return from break. If you need support with this process, please let a team member, mentor or myself know.  Remember comments should be created within the PowerSchool framework. Brad had increased the allowed number of credits a couple years back, so there will be enough room for you.

• Mid-Year Assessments
• When we return from Winter Break, the mid-year window opens for our district assessments.  This includes i-Ready and AimsWeb.  (4K - you are not required to test in the winter for Act 20, but if you want me to check in on any kids, let me know.). Please plan ahead for students that have accommodation needs.

• Staff Wellness - Step Challenge
• After we return from winter break, Nurse Katie will be leading a Staff Wellness Step Challenge. ALL staff are welcome to participate. Detailed information will be provided to those who choose to sign up, but here are the basics you need to know:
• The challenge will run January 4 - 31
• Interested staff will be randomly assigned to teams of 3-5 people
• Interested participants will need to pay a $5 buy in
• Participants will log their steps in a shared spreadsheet
• The winning team each week will receive a prize (gift cards or cash)
• The winning teach each week will be redistributed with members of the 2 lowest step getting teams that week to increase the chance of having a different team win each week
• Weeks will run from Sunday at 12AM until the following Saturday at 11:59PM
• Here is the link to sign up. Sign up ends Monday, 12/15 at 4pm.

• MacOS Tahoe Update
• If you haven't already, please make sure to update your laptop to the latest software which is MacOS Tahoe 26.1.  This must be done by Wed, Jan. 7 or it will be pushed out and may affect your teaching or work.  The process will take between 30-45 min. to complete. The path to find it is:  Settings>General>Software Update>Update
• If you want to learn more about the features that are included with the update, the link is HERE.

ML Information

“All the best laid plans…”

ACCESS testing is going very well, and the students are really putting in their all. However, my plans have had to change a bit from what I sent out to everyone. I am discovering that the amount of time it takes a student to do the Speaking test is MUCH longer than expected. Sorry about this. I will send out new information for you all as soon as possible, and thank you again for your flexibility.

Tip of the Week: Value Home Language (click for my first AI Podcast!) Encourage students to use their home language to brainstorm ideas or discuss concepts with a bilingual peer. This helps them process information.

Don’t forget you can find even more resources here: Dodgeland Teacher Resources. You can also feel free to email me or schedule an appointment! 😀

TechKnow Tip

Check out this video of a new Gemini tool called Nano Banana and how it can translate text within images!

Here is the prompt that Mr. Rankin created and the one I demoed in the video:

• You are a hyper-realistic image localizer and restoration expert.
• Create a translated version of the uploaded image where the text appears in LANGUAGE HERE. The final result must look exactly as if the original photo or artwork was captured in a reality where that language was native to the scene.
• Strict Global Image Integrity requires pixel-perfect preservation. Do not alter, reimagine, or style-transfer any non-text elements. The lighting, shadows, colors, subjects, background details, and noise/grain of the original image must remain 100% identical to the source.
• Seamless integration is essential. The new text must not sit on top of the image. It must appear embedded within the environment, affected by the scene's specific lighting conditions, depth of field, and atmosphere.
• Engage in Dynamic Multi-Style Text Adaptation using complex typography mapping. Identify every distinct text element separately. If the image contains a mix of printed fonts, neon signs, scribbled notes, and engraved headers, handle each one individually.
• Use style mimicry for every text instance, replicating the exact font weight, kerning, and decorative elements like gradients, outlines, or 3D extrusion of the original.
• Apply organic imperfections. If text is handwritten, replicate the stroke speed, pressure variation, and ink flow of the original writer. If the text is weathered, such as being faded, peeling, scratched, or written on a textured surface like concrete or wood, apply those exact physical textures to the translation.
• Adhere to specific Output Specifications. Upscale the final output to the highest resolution possible. Ensure the quality of the upscaling process sharpens the text without smoothing out the natural grain or texture of the photograph.

Friday Funny

This is the message I got on my group text with my sisters.  My niece, CeCe, is in half day 4K this year.  I'll let you decide what you think happened in school this week.  :-)

December 5, 2025

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• It's looking festive around here!  I can't wait to see all of the door decorations and some of our students are VERY secretive about their plans.  The suspense is killing me!

• 2nd graders were working on stretching out sounds to make words with blends and short vowels and adding in some phonemic awareness skills as well as science of reading skills in phonics!  Way to go!

• A teacher shared with me some good news she received about a student who has moved away. The connections we make with families stay with them forever and they remember how we supported them and even if they need to move from here, they are changed and benefit from our work and can take those skills and feelings wherever they go.  Never underestimate your influence!

• Shout out to Teresa who has been running from place to place all week, including pivoting with indoor recess and bus duty. Thank you for your hard work Teresa!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Saturday, December 6
• Happy Birthday Natalie!

• Monday, December 8
• Packer Day! Wear your Packer attire.
• Morning Duty:
• Blacktop/Playground: Zastrow, CaineB, Miller
• 4K/5K Playground: Wagner (meet buses), Donovan
• Breakfast: Vertz, Bingen
• Lunch Duty:
• 12:00 - Stampfl
• 12:30 - Vertz
• 1:00 - Tietz
• Afternoon Duty:
• Blacktop/Playground: Huso, Lucht
• Circle Drive: Rollins (anyone available to help out on Tues/Wed?)
• Concert Rehearsal for entering and exiting stage and getting on risers (see below for schedule)
• Jenny in meeting from 1-2pm
• Pop-Up PD 3:20-3:45pm in IMC on Swank Streaming
• Special Board Meeting @ 6pm in the IMC

• Tuesday, December 9
• Jenny will be at a conference for Tues-Wed
• Concert Rehearsal with sound check on stage (see below)
• 4K- Schuett's class on a walking field trip to Piggly Wiggly 8-9am
• Winter Concert for grades 5K-2 @ 6:30

• Wednesday, December 10
• Jenny will be at a conference for Tues-Wed
• 4K - Wagner's class on a walking field trip to Piggly Wiggly 10:30-11:30am
• Staff Meeting CANCELED! Watch for a video to watch instead.
• Winter Concert for grades 3-5 @ 6:30pm

• Thursday, December 11
• Happy Birthday Broedy!

• Friday, December 12
• Purple Pride Friday!
• Miss Ashley's last day here with Reading Corps.  :-(

Nitty-Gritty

• Dodgeland Exchange
• Below is a graphic that I'd like you to add to any newsletters and/or event programs that you create for your classroom or events.  The purpose of this site is to help give our community a quick place to go for quick and most recent information about our district.  

• Concert Rehearsal Schedules
• Our 5K-5th grade students will be performing next week for their Winter Concert.  To help them prepare, they will have two rehearsals on Monday and Tuesday morning. The first day they will meet in the choir room to line up and will be practicing entering and exiting the stage only.  On Tuesday morning, they will be rehearsing their part of the concert including practicing their songs with the sound check. The times are the same for both days. 
• It will probably affect other specials. 
• @Courtney & Rob - Please check to see how it affects your classes. You will need to help Carrie with supervision/behavior during rehearsals if this coincides with your schedule. 
• @HR teachers/Sp. Ed teachers - Please check in with Carrie if you have questions about the plan for the concert if you have prep during these rehearsals. 
• See below for the schedule:
• 8am - 5th grade 
• 8:30am - 4th grade 
• 9:30am - 5K
• 10:30am - 1st gr
• 11am - 3rd gr
• 11:30am - 2nd gr
• 4K - your music class will remain the same on Monday.
• Digital Citizenship
• As we talked in the Tuesday PD meeting, the new lessons from Common Sense Media are out and as Christina explained, they are shorter, well-written and have changed for many of our grades. If you have already taught the lessons with the lessons that were out at the beginning of the year, no worries.  If you haven't taught them yet, I would consider the new ones, but please decide this as a grade level.
• Second, please be aware that Christina will be contacting you in the coming weeks to join a grade level planning meeting to talk about how she can continue to support your students and you with integrating technology and digital literacy and well-being. 
• The next step in this process will be in planning on Feb 16 PD for next school year.  Please make sure that you have looked through the lessons before then so that this process will be easier and quicker for your level. If you have questions, please let me know!

• Newsletter articles
• If you have any newsletter articles or photos, etc that you would like in the January newsletter, please get them to Patti by Monday, December 15.  Our goal is to have this out before we go on Winter break.

ML Information

It’s been such a busy week for our ML students as they kick off their ACCESS testing! At our last meeting, Jenny Huelsman shared a great perspective: our ML students are the only population required to tackle these extra assessments on top of everything else.

I know you are already their biggest cheerleaders, but let's give them a little extra high-five or word of encouragement this week. Thanks for the reminder, Jenny!

(Just a nudge to check your inbox for the emails I sent earlier with all the specific dates, times, and assessment types. Let me know if you need me to resend anything!)

TIP OF THE WEEK: Incorporate Technology.

Here are high-impact tips and tricks to help you incorporate technology for language support in your K-12 classroom. These strategies are designed to be low-prep and high-reward for both you and your students.

A "Golden Rule" for Translation

"Translate for clarity, not for cheating."

Remind students that translation apps are tools to help them learn, not to do the work for them. Encourage them to try reading the English sentence first, then use the tool to check their understanding.

1. The "Magic Wand" Tools: Translation Apps

Best for: Quick communication, parent messaging, and "in-the-moment" clarity.

• Google Translate (The Camera Trick):

• The Hack: Don’t just type! Use the camera feature in the Google Translate app. Point your phone or tablet at a worksheet, textbook page, or classroom poster, and it will overlay the translation in real-time.

• Classroom Use: Great for newcomers who need to understand directions on a handout immediately.

• Microsoft Translator (The Conversation Feature): My personal favorite. I call it “The Green App”

• The Hack: Use the "Conversation" mode for parent-teacher conferences or group work. It creates a shared room where you speak English, and the parent/student sees the text in their language on their device (and vice versa).

• Classroom Use: Project the code on the board during a lecture. Students can follow along in their own language on their iPads.

---

2. The "Vocabulary Boosters": Online Dictionaries & Visuals

Best for: Building independence and deepening understanding.

• Collins COBUILD Dictionary (The Context King):

• Why it helps: Unlike standard dictionaries, this one defines words using full sentences (e.g., "If you are happy, you are feeling good.").

• Teacher Tip: Bookmark this on class devices. It’s often easier for students to grasp than abstract definitions.

• Visual Dictionary Online (The Picture Method):

• The Hack: For concrete nouns (science equipment, animals, food), skip the text definition. Use Google Images or The Noun Project (great for simple icons).

• Classroom Use: Have students create a "Digital Word Wall." They find an image of a vocabulary word, paste it into a slide, and label it in English and their home language.

• Rewordify (The Text Simplifier):

• The Trick: Paste a complex paragraph (like a history source or news article) into Rewordify.com. It instantly simplifies the difficult vocabulary and highlights the changes.

Classroom Use: Give the simplified version to ELLs (English Language Learners) first to build confidence, then introduce the original text.

TechKnow Tip

As a reminder, if we get any new students into our building, there is a procedure set up for the student to get their school issued iPad. The plan is located on the Staff Resource site: https://sites.google.com/dodgeland.k12.wi.us/dsd-staff-resources/technology/student-device-setup?authuser=0 Please see this document if you need reminders on what things to help our new students learn when they start in your room. The iPad will not be issued until their 2nd day in attendance.

If a student has lost their ipad and has truly spent time looking for it, the tech department should be contacted. However, we have some students that are using the tech department and the lost mode signal as a way to avoid trying to locate the iPad or truly using their best effort to find it on their own. This adds more work, time from learning and disruptions to multiple people in the system. The first time the device needs to be put into lost mode, the sound will not go off, but we will be able to determine an approximate location for them to look.

Please notify me if a student says they have lost an iPad in their home and have not returned it by day 2. I will reach out to parents regarding this as this may result in a replacement cost for the parents. Let me know if you have any questions regarding any of these things.

IMC News!

Friday Funny

It's that time of year!  The 2025 Spotify Wrapped video/data is out!  No surprise, but my top artist was again Taylor Swift coming in at 2507 minutes!  However, the song I listened to most was from Journey.  But I'm feeling good that my listening age is 40.  I'll take that no problem!  I am sharing my top artists/songs here because it is pretty eclectic and funny to me that I listen to that many minutes of TSwift and have only 1 song in the top five. Plus, the song titles may be sending a message that I'm unaware of... Hmmmm.  I'd love to hear about any of your wrapped videos!