by rsullivan | Jul 31, 2017 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
Milwaukee Public Schools: Milwaukee Public Schools has honored 167 students who completed graduation requirements during summer school and earned the right to wear a cap and gown. This year, MPS put a concentrated effort into summer high school, seeing it as a critical opportunity to ensure students have every chance to graduate and move on to college and career. A summer graduation ceremony recognizing their accomplishments was held July 28 at South Division High School.
This summer, MPS doubled the number of schools offering the summer high school program and included Madison, Obama, Pulaski, Riverside, South Division and Transition High Schools. Intensive outreach to students attracted those who could directly benefit from accelerated or recovery options. Offerings were increased and led to large enrollment and student success.
Students wore their school colors and accepted their diplomas from their own school principals at the large ceremony that was attended by family and friends.
MPS is proud to present these students with diplomas and send them on their personal journeys ready for college and career.
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by rsullivan | Jul 17, 2017 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
Wisconsin Public Radio: The Milwaukee Public School District is expanding its free driver’s education program to 1,400 students this upcoming school year. All students age 15 ½ to 17 ½ are eligible to participate in the program.
Annie Kubes, coordinator of citywide programs with the district, said today’s students need a valid driver’s license in order to find jobs.
“Seventy-five percent of the job openings in Milwaukee County in 2012 were in the suburbs,” she said. “Most were beyond the bus line so they weren’t necessarily accessible so having a driver’s license is really key in terms of accessing employment.”
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by | Feb 17, 2017 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
A video featuring innovative programs at Escuela Vieau School in Milwaukee, Burlington High School and Edgerton Community Elementary School was shown to a group of about 60 legislators and their staff members during an “Education Academy,” hosted by the Wisconsin Association of School Boards, the Wisconsin School Administrators Alliance, Southeastern Wisconsin Schools Alliance and the Wisconsin Rural Schools Alliance.
https://vimeo.com/204409792#embed
by rsullivan | Feb 3, 2017 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
News Watch 12: Sparks flew in front of Valencia Carthen’s eyes, sparking inspiration to take back home.
“The first thing you learn as a brand new teacher is steal, steal, steal the best ideas,” Carthen said.
The Milwaukee Washington High School principal was getting ready to unpack her school district’s first fab lab equipment Friday. Thursday, she and 12 other Milwaukee Public Schools members checked out several Northwoods labs with 3D printers, laser engravers, and routers.
“I had a small idea, which I thought was a big idea, but just going on this tour… The sky’s the limit for these kids,” Carthen said.
The tour through Northland Pines, Three Lakes, and Florence happened after a conversation between State Representative Mary Felzkowski (R-Irma) and MPS Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver. The two agreed small and big districts need to work together.
“A lot of times people think the rural schools just won’t have access to different resources, but they’ve shown us what they can do with what they have,” Dr. Driver said. “So, now my folks are going back and we’re all thinking like, OK, we can do this.”
State Representatives Rob Swearingen (R-Rhinelander), Jeff Mursau (R-Crivitz), and Felzkowski made a point of visiting Three Lakes. In 2014, it became the first K-12 district in the state to get a fab lab.
“This is where future education is heading,” Three Lakes senior Jack Connelly said.
Connelly and his team showed off their creation to lawmakers and school representatives. They also explained their goal of forming a business.
“I have no doubt in my mind that any student is capable of replicating what we’ve done here,” Connelly said. “The reason I know that is because I didn’t think I could do this six months ago.”
Since Three Lakes’ successful launch two and a half years ago, about 150 school districts statewide have built or signed on to build fab labs.
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