Thank you to those who have testified at a Joint Finance Committee (JFC) budget hearing! There’s one session remaining on April 26 at Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua. If you missed the hearing in your area, you can still show your support for WCRIS’ Private School Health and Safety grant proposal by submitting your comments virtually. Use [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
Budget Sessions Begin This Month
April 05, 2023
Today marked the first Joint Finance Committee (JFC) budget hearing at the Waukesha County Expo Center. There are three sessions left around the state: April 11: UW-Eau Claire Davies Student Center, Eau Claire; April 12: Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells; April 26: Lakeland Union High School, Minocqua. WCRIS urges you to attend the hearing in your area to support our proposed Private [...]
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Media Relations 101
April 05, 2023
WCRIS schools have recently received an influx of media inquiries as K-12 education is a headlining topic this legislative session. Some of these questions have challenged our schools’ beliefs and values. In response, WCRIS created a one-page “Media Relations 101” guide to help members confidently navigate media inquiries. You can find it in our website’s Membership [...]
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Artificial Intelligence: How Do Schools Respond?
April 05, 2023
A new artificial intelligence (AI) bot, ChatGPT, generates shockingly-accurate and convincingly-human answers to any question, presenting major implications for student cheating. The ChatGPT website and others like it are free and easily accessible, and most plagiarism-detection softwares can’t reliably flag AI text. To help you navigate the unfamiliar territory of AI, WCRIS staff attended a recent [...]
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School Safety: What Your School Can Do Now
March 30, 2023
This week’s heartbreaking incident in Nashville is a reminder that school safety should always be top-of-mind. The swift response of the school and law enforcement ended the tragedy before more lives were lost, which underscores the importance of seemingly simple measures such as practicing your school safety plan, installing solid-core doors and maintaining a strong relationship with [...]
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Attendance Areas Due in Three Days
March 30, 2023
Schools’ proposed attendance areas are due to the affected school boards by this Saturday, April 1. Missing the deadline could result in students not being transported by the district to your school in the 2023-24 school year. Find more information here. Contact WCRIS with questions.
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Get Out and Vote!
March 30, 2023
The Wisconsin Supreme Court and local elections are this Tuesday, April 4. WCRIS urges you to show up to the polls to vote for Wisconsin’s next elected officials. Preview your ballot and find your polling place here.
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Pandemic Ending, Possible EANS Implications
March 30, 2023
The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration will end May 11, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The official ending of the pandemic could have impacts on what is considered an “allowable use” for the Emergency Assistance for Nonpublic Schools (EANS) programs. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has released guidance indicating that [...]
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Opioid Prevention Grant Opportunity
March 30, 2023
One-time funding is available from the DPI for schools to implement or support opioid prevention programs in the 2023-24 school year. Schools could be awarded up to $15,000 depending on enrollment. All private schools are encouraged to apply, regardless of participation in the Parental Choice Programs. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on May 5. Find [...]
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Lunch & Learn Webinar: Explaining the ESSA
March 23, 2023
Looking for help in accessing useful programs under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)? On March 29 at 1:30 p.m., join Abigail Pavela, WCRIS Project Manager and federally-required Wisconsin ESSA Ombudsman, to learn about private and public school responsibilities, what to expect in consultation meetings and common misconceptions about ESSA Title services. Come with questions. See you [...]
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