School District of the Menomonie Area

Student Services News

To help students succeed, Student Services/Special Education continues to provide the professional development that teachers, paraeducators, and pupil services staff need to stay current on eligibility criteria, state and federal mandates, best practices in meeting diverse needs of students, crisis management plans and processes, differentiated curriculum, assessment strategies, etc. These professional development opportunities are presented in conjunction with efforts of nearby school districts in a collaborative, cooperative manner. By supporting the professional development needs of the adults who work with our students, the teachers demonstrate lifelong learning practices to students as well as are able to teach more effectively the students they work with.

Through a comprehensive PreK-12 curriculum during the regular school year and an innovative 8-week summer school program, the School District of the Menomonie Area provides year-round opportunities for students to continue their learning and have additional learning experiences.

Caring Individuals
The Student Services and Special Education teams continue to provide students with diverse needs the opportunity to attend their home school whenever possible through the expansion of service delivery models. In addition, each building has a Student Assistance Team that focuses on the strengths of students and provides ongoing support to succeed in school. Our focus is to continue the development of programs that meet the needs of students in all buildings, including the Lucas Alternative School.

Professional development opportunities on health realization training are being provided.
The district has secured a large community-wide grant to help build social structures and training sessions that meet the needs of at risk students and the needs of students in general.

Lastly, we are very excited to be developing a partnership with UW Stout to design and implement a one of a kind program for transition students - those leaving high school with learning needs that require additional help to succeed at a post secondary institution. This program provides for transition support allowing students to participate fully in academic programming and receive housing and living support that is necessary to succeed in everyday life. A grant application has been submitted and we are awaiting Charter School status to continue and implement this program in Fall, 2004.

Citizenship
Through a comprehensive community service/service learning program in our district, students of all abilities are participating in projects and activities that support their learning needs. Professional development opportunities are provided for staff allowing them to write units of instruction that incorporate community service/service learning criteria and activities. Continuous partnerships are developed between student services team members (guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists), special education teachers and paraprofessionals, and all teachers to work with children and provide them with community connections opportunities throughout their instructional time at Menomonie School District.

Other
Menomonie School District consistently has a higher attendance rate than the state average. The attendance rate average of our elementary schools is 96.51%; our middle school is 94.69%; and our high school is 96.73% for a district average (including Lucas Alternative School at 76.25%) of 95.88%. The statewide average is 94.35%.

Consistently our students score at or above the statewide average of 22.1 composite ACT score. Our 2003 composite ACT score was 22.3. Of the students who participate in the Advanced Placement Tests, 78% of them passed the exams as compared to 68% statewide.
This above statewide average also holds true for our graduation rate - 96% compared to 91.83% as a statewide average.
We are obviously proud of our students for their successes. Together, the members of the Menomonie Community - citizens, parents/guardians, businesses, cultural organizations, public and private educational institutions - all are committed to the excellence we hold as a guide to our work in helping to contribute to a "community of lifelong learners".

Student Services Director, Lynne Maslowski