April 10, 2006	Volume 5, Number 12

On the Road

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster keynoted the opening session of the Charter Schools Conference in Appleton on April 3. “We are here to promote the importance of charter schools and to build the capacity of the Wisconsin PK-12 public education system,” said Burmaster. “We are committed to a quality education for all Wisconsin students. Here, from across our state, are educators and leaders from elementary, secondary and post-secondary education, parents, and students—united by our belief in an innovative and creative approach to public education for our young people.” The theme of the conference was Growth and Sustainability through Collaboration and Partnerships. (see separate story in this issue).

That afternoon, the state superintendent joined representatives of the Children's Trust Fund, the Child Abuse Prevention Fund of Children's Hospital and Health System, and Secretary Roberta Gassman of the Department of Workforce Development at the COA Youth and Family Center in Milwaukee to announce the Strengthening Families mini-grants. Thirty-three Wisconsin child care agencies were awarded grants to improve their programs. The grants were awarded during The Week of the Young Child, April 2-8. April is also National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

COA Youth & Family Centers was founded in 1906 as the Children's Outing Association, a fresh air camp for needy immigrant children of Milwaukee. Today, the agency provides camping and year-around programs including early education, after school and summer activities, adult education, and family and parenting programs. COA Youth and Family Centers is also celebrating their Centennial this year.

On April 4, Burmaster welcomed members of her High School Task Force to a meeting at Monona Terrace in Madison. The task force is completing work on their preliminary recommendations. “Your willingness to serve on the High School Task Force and deliver your recommendations will help ensure that our high schools are the very best that they can be, and promote academic success for all students so they are prepared for higher education, work, and future citizenship,” Burmaster told the group.

The state superintendent attended a meeting of the Milwaukee Partnership Academy (MPA) Executive Board on April 5. The mission of the MPA is to ensure that every child in the Milwaukee Public Schools is performing at or above grade level in reading, writing, and mathematics, through shared responsibility for student success. Academy members discussed results of a Public Policy Forum Survey of MPA Executive Partners.

Later that day, Burmaster visited Hartford Avenue University School for Urban Exploration in Milwaukee, and Sheboygan North High School in Sheboygan.

Hartford Avenue School, located on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, joined the Student Achievement Guarantee in Education (SAGE) program in the 2000-01 school year. The school utilizes university faculty, students, and other resources in educating its students and offers an after-school enrichment program in conjunction with the UWM Children’s Center. The school reported scoring 90 percent proficient and advanced on the WRCT at third grade. Emphasis is on college preparation, enrichment, and the development of a sense of social justice.

At Sheboygan North, the state superintendent visited with French teacher Linda Burroughs, who participated in the recent statewide French teachers meeting. Sheboygan North will be visited by French Recteur Jean-Paul de Gaudemar of l’Academie Aix-Marseille during an upcoming trip to Wisconsin. Burmaster also visited with Yer Vang, who teaches grade 9-12 English Language Learners at North. Vang was a participant in the 2005 Fulbright Hays International Seminar to Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

That evening, Burmaster welcomed about 600 Green Bay area Chamber of Commerce members, CEO's, businesspeople, superintendents, principals, and teachers to the Golden Apple Awards ceremony. The Golden Apple Awards recognize excellence in contributions to education in the Green Bay community. This year more than 2,200 people nominated an educator for one of the seven awards.

The annual awards program is a celebration of education in the Green Bay area. The program recognizes outstanding private and public school educators, and was televised live. It is also a fundraiser for Partners in Education.

On April 6-7, Burmaster, a member of the UW Board of Regents and chair of their Education Committee, participated in the monthly board meeting in Green Bay.

On April 8, the state superintendent congratulated Kohl teacher fellows, scholarship winners, and their families at a Herb Kohl Educational Foundation luncheon and reception in Portage. The event honored 2006 recipients of Kohl Foundation awards and featured formal presentations of Kohl Fellowship awards to teachers and their schools, and Kohl Excellence and Initiative scholarships to area graduating high school seniors.

Last updated on 4/10/2006