The DPI has been investigating reports from several schools that have received unsolicited shipments of adult and/or child cloth face masks. Some shipments have reportedly included KN95 or KN90 respirators. It appears they are being sent by the Wisconsin Emergency Management Center using the same list of schools from which they distributed other face coverings [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
612 Results found for category: Miscellaneous
EANS Funds Roll-out Begins
February 11, 2021
Gov. Evers applied to the U.S. Department of Education for Wisconsin’s $77.4 million in Emergency Aid to Nonpublic Schools (EANS) on Monday 2/8 and the Department of Public Instruction estimates it will have an application available for our schools via an electronic portal around March 12. Once a Governor applies, federal law requires the money [...]
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March 10 WCRIS Leadership Meeting
February 11, 2021
While in-person events are not possible, WCRIS still wants to bring its Principals together and inform you about the state’s current legislative session, COVID-19, and the future of education. That’s why WCRIS is hosting its first-ever virtual Leadership Meeting on March 10, from 9 am to 11 am. It’s free but attendance is limited. So [...]
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Vaccines for Private School Staff
February 11, 2021
WCRIS met this week with the Department of Health Services (DHS) to review the state’s plan for vaccines for K-12 private school staff, who are eligible for vaccines March 1. Officials said the barrier to widespread vaccines is that the state is not getting a sufficient supply from the federal government. Wisconsin is getting 70,000 [...]
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EANS or PPP? What’s Better?
February 04, 2021
Question: Is there an easy formula to know which is more advantageous for my school — the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or federal Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS) funds? Answer: WCRIS is working with DPI to determine how to apportion and disburse the state’s allotment of $77.4 million in EANS funds, according to requirements [...]
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DPI Superintendent Primary Race Feb. 16
February 04, 2021
Question: With seven candidates in the February 16 primary election for DPI Superintendent, it’s not going to take a lot of votes for two people to rise to the top as finalists. Which candidate is most friendly to religious and independent schools? Answer: Yes, the primary race for DPI Superintendent is a very crowded field. [...]
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PPP and Choice Programs: WCRIS Seeks Rule Change
February 04, 2021
WCRIS petitioned the DPI this week to pass a rule change exempting federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan funds from being counted in choice program payments. A DPI proposed Administrative Rule (SS 007-21) would address the accounting glitch for the 2020-2021 school year, as it was addressed by a separate waiver in the 2019-2020 school [...]
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Update: Federal EANS Money
January 28, 2021
The Governor has yet to apply to the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) to receive funds under the Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools program (EANS). WCRIS has sent a letter to the Governor requesting him to file for the funds. EANS is a program exclusively for the benefit of private schools and their students, teachers, [...]
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Latest News on Status of 2021 Academic Testing
January 28, 2021
In early January, Deputy State Superintendent Mike Thompson announced that “requirements for the 2020-21 administration of statewide assessments remain unchanged under state and federal law. All districts and schools should begin planning for in-person testing now; this includes schools whose current instruction is hybrid, in-person, or 100% virtual. If schools are not open for in-person [...]
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School Closures; Vaccines
January 28, 2021
It’s up to local officials to open public school districts for in-person instruction, explained Ryan Nilsestuen, chief legal counsel to the governor, to the State Disaster Medical Advisory Committee (SDMAC) at its meeting on January 21. The SDMAC committee is a standing group of 12 members who advise the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) [...]
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