This week, the Department of Public Instruction released the school district report cards for the 2016-17 school year. Across the state, over 80% of schools made the grade, while 108 school “failed to meet expectations”. 
 
Racine Unified School District made dramatic improvement, with an increase of 11 points over last year. This result means the immediate threat of a breakup and state takeover that was debated this summer has been lifted. While I am encouraged that the district is heading in the right direction, it’s important that progress continues. I wouldn’t accept 60% from my own children when they were in school, and parents and taxpayers shouldn’t accept 60% from their school district.
 
You can check your school’s report card by visiting this website: Click.

Donate new or gently used winter gear

 

For the seventh year, “The Big Bundle Up” campaign is collecting new or gently used gloves, hats, scarves, coats, and other warm winter gear for those in need. Since 2011, Wisconsin residents, travelers, and businesses contributed more than 103,400 winter items, which have been donated to charities across the state.

Travel Wisconsin Welcome Centers, tourist information centers, businesses and offices across the state are serving as drop off sites today through January 2, 2018. A complete list of locations is available online here.

 

On Monday, November 20th Representative Samantha Kerkman and I visited the 4th Grade Class at Riverview School in Silver Lake.  Great bunch of kids!

 

On Friday, November 17th I had the opportunity to tour the SC Johnson iMET Center in Sturtevant.  During the tour, we visited the Introduction to Engineering & Design and AutoCAD classes.  We also toured the REAL School.  It was an awesome experience.