The U.S. Department of Education has released Providing Equitable Services to Students and Teachers in Non-Public Schools under the CARES Act Programs. The document provides information about equitable services for students and teachers in non-public schools under the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act authorized funding for [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
Soon to Come ESSER Funds
April 24, 2020
While we wait for guidance from the state and feds on all that COVID-19 special relief money you’ve been hearing about, there are things you can do to prepare for getting your portion. Here are the important highlights to get you started (see in-depth details by WCRIS here). The Federal CARES Act that was passed [...]
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Virtual Meetings Under Attack: Rise in “Zoom Hacking”
April 23, 2020
The increased use of online learning and meetings has prompted a rise in concerns about cyber security, but there are concrete things school leaders can do to protect their students and staff. Some recent incidents hit close to home. Earlier this month, a Milwaukee Election Commission Zoom conference call was taken over by nefarious users, [...]
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Gov. Unveils Plan to Get State Back To Work
April 21, 2020
Includes Goal for Returning Students to School Gov. Tony Evers unveiled a three-phase plan Monday (4/20) to get Wisconsin back to work, which mirrors guidelines by the White House. The “Badger Bounce Back” plan was issued as Executive order #31 by the Governor’s Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm. But while the plan includes returning children [...]
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Helping School Counselors Navigate New College Issues Confronting Students
April 21, 2020
The already complicated college process just became more challenging for school counselors and students in the wake of COVID-19. Campus visits are canceled, ACT test dates are postponed and more changes every day. How does a student conduct a search and choose a college in this new environment? WCRIS is partnering with College Inside Track [...]
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Gov. Closes Schools for the Remainder of This School Year
April 16, 2020
On April 16, the Governor issued Executive Order #28, which extends the Safer-at-Home order to May 26. The Safer-at-Home Order closes school buildings for in-person student instructional purposes through the end of the 2019-2020 school year, which ends on June 30. The order does not change a school’s final attendance day for students. The order [...]
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Governor Signs COVID-19 Relief Bill
April 16, 2020
Addresses Problems for Schools Gov. Tony Evers signed 2020 Act 185 Wednesday (4/15) just after it passed in a special session of the Legislature, delivering much-needed relief from problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The DPI is uncertain whether the provisions of the bill allow Choice schools additional flexibility in accounting for federal Paycheck Protection [...]
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State Superintendent Applauds Private Schools
April 16, 2020
DPI Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor thanked private K-12 schools for their efforts during school closures triggered by the pandemic. In a special letter to private school administrators just before Easter, she offered agency resources as a support as schools work to continue their educational missions. See the letter here.
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DPI Clarifies Hours of Instruction Requirement for Private Schools
April 02, 2020
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) confirmed in a call Thursday that a waiver of the annual 875 hours of instruction is not needed for private K-12 schools. The pronouncement came after two weeks of negotiations and discussion with WCRIS and other stakeholders. Agency representatives said that since private schools have already reported their annual [...]
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Gov Order: Stay at Home Until April 24
March 24, 2020
Gov. Tony Evers issued an Executive Order Tuesday instituting a “Safe at Home” policy for the State of Wisconsin. The Order takes effect at 8 am Wednesday, March 25 and will remain in effect until 8 am Friday, April 24, or until a superseding order is issued. “Protecting the health and safety of Wisconsinites across [...]
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