As WCRIS continues to advocate for private K-12 schools in Wisconsin amid the spread of COVID-19, we want to assure you that WCRIS remains operational. In line with recommendations from the CDC, our team will begin working remotely tomorrow, March 19. Due to the nature of working remotely, some communications and other services may be [...]
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Current Events
A library of WCRIS weekly E-letters that keeps you updated on issues of concern to private schools
Schools to Remain Closed Indefinitely
March 17, 2020
Governor Tony Evers has asked the Department of Health Services (DHS) to ban all gatherings of 10 or more people and has ordered that all schools in Wisconsin remain closed for the length of the public health crisis. This new order replaces the April 6, 2020 end date for K-12 school closures. Starting at 5 [...]
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WCRIS Attends White House Conference Call
March 16, 2020
WCRIS was one of 900 organizations from around the nation that was invited to attend a White House conference call on COVID-19 for faith leaders Thursday afternoon. The conference included a briefing from Dr. Deborah Birx, a lead physician on the President’s task force addressing the pandemic, and representatives from Vice President Mike Pence’s office [...]
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Principal Questions on Virtual Instruction and COVID-19
March 13, 2020
State law allows public schools to create virtual learning days. This would allow them to not have to make-up snow days. Has the law been changed to include private schools? The reason for asking is that we are concerned about COVID-19 and the potential closing of schools if an outbreak occurs. Can we plan to [...]
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Dr. Desautels’ Promised Resources
March 13, 2020
The WCRIS Leadership Conference was a big hit last Friday, thanks to the awesome content of keynote presenter Dr. Lori Desautels, who enlightened nearly 150 administrators on how to create a trauma-sensitive school environment, and the brain research behind those tactics. At the request of many principals, WCRIS is looking at bringing Dr. Desautels, or [...]
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Upcoming Busing Deadlines and Reminders
February 20, 2020
The Wisconsin State Constitution guarantees private school students have a right to transportation to and from school. There are some deadlines that schools must meet to ensure their school is able to receive public transportation from the school district. By April 1st of each year, schools must submit a map of the private school’s proposed [...]
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Free Teacher Art Lesson Book
February 20, 2020
The Milwaukee Art Museum is releasing free copies of an art integration book to the first 400 teachers to order online. The Look, Write, See: Activities for Teacher, Writing, and Looking at Art is a teacher tested book designed to help teachers create engaging lessons around art. The book will offer writing challenges to students [...]
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Time Is Running out on Conference Savings
February 13, 2020
Group registration savings for the 2020 WCRIS Leadership Conference on March 6 ends on February 21. After February 21, you will no longer be able to use the group rate of $175 for a group of 3 or more. Any group after Feb. 21 will have to pay $195 per person, regardless of group size. [...]
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Help Students & Families Get Affordable Internet
February 13, 2020
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Public Service Commission have teamed up to help students get affordable broadband access. Families can locate internet discounts through the easy to use Internet Discount Finder created by state government. When the WCRIS Board of Directors met with DPI Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor last Fall, they discussed [...]
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New Law Eases Teacher Prep Program Rules
February 13, 2020
Gov. Evers signed Senate Bill 230 into law. The Bill, sponsored by Sen. Kooyenga (R-New Berlin) gives the Superintendent of Public Instruction more flexibility to approve teacher preparatory programs. You can read the full law here:2020 Act 84.
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