The Tri-County School District would like to thank the Hancock and Plainfield Community Banks for working with our local citizens to collect school supplies for students in need in our communities.  In addition to the generous school supplies donated, we also received a substantial number of milk caps and box tops that we use for funding numerous activities and programs throughout the year.  We would like to recognize Cindy Johnson for being an important liaison between the school and community on this project.  Additional supplies, milk caps, and box tops can continue to be dropped off at Hancock and Plainfield Community Banks throughout the year.  Thanks again to everyone who contributed to this project! 

2008-2009 School Year Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response  Notification

As a result of recent federal legislation (Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act – AHERA), each primary and secondary school in the nation is required to complete a stringent new inspection for asbestos and to develop a plan of management for all asbestos-containing building materials. Tri-County Area School District has a goal to be in full compliance with this law and is following the spirit, as well as, the letter of the law. As a matter of policy, the Tri-County Area School District shall continue to maintain a safe and healthful environment for our community’s youth and employees.

In keeping with this legislation, all buildings (including portables and support buildings) owned or leased by the school district were inspected by EPA accredited inspectors and samples were analyzed by an independent laboratory. Based on the inspection, the district prepared and the state approved a comprehensive management plan for handling the asbestos located within its buildings safely and responsibly.

Furthermore, the Tri-County Area School District has completed its AHERA 3-Year Re-inspection requirement each three years.

The six-month periodic surveillance inspections were done on schedule.

Federal law requires a periodic walk-through (called “surveillance”) every six months of each area containing asbestos. Also the law requires for all buildings to be re-inspected three years after a management plan is in effect.

Short-term workers (outside contractors – i.e., telephone repair workers, electricians and exterminators) must be provided information regarding the location of asbestos in which they may come into contact. All short-term workers shall contact the lead maintenance person before commencing work to be given this information.

The Tri-County Area School District has a list of the location(s), type(s) of asbestos-containing materials found in the school building and a description and time table for their proper management. A copy of the Asbestos Management Plan is available for review in the school office. Copies are available at 25¢ per page. Questions related to the plan should be directed to the district office, who will establish contact with our Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds and Designated Asbestos Coordinator, Wayne Tess.

  From Donna Marinack

The PTA had a very successful book fair during parent teacher conferences on March 5th. The book fair would not of been as successful with out the numerous volunteers. Thank you so much for all your help.

We promoted a screen free week. The PTA asked the students to go one week with out computers, TV, video games and wanted them to find some other type of entertainment. If they were successful their parents were to sign a form and then they would receive a $1.00 coupon from the school store. Congratulations to those who participated.

April 3 & 4 was the middle school play. The PTA sponsored an ice cream social on Friday night after the play. Thank you to all who helped.

The box top competition will end May 8th. I will collect all the box tops, then count them, and let you know which classrooms won. PLEASE send them in and keep collecting through the summer. We  will continue this program next year. Thank you!!

The PTA will meet two more times this school year.  Watch for dates and times.

Annual Notice Regarding Homeless Children

Homeless children and youth (twenty-one years of age and younger) are defined as:

 * Children and youth who lack a fixed, and adequate nighttime residence, and includes children and youth who are:

* Children and youth who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

* Children and youth who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.

* Migratory children who qualify as homeless because they are living in circumstances described above.

If you are personally aware of or are acquainted with any children who may qualify according to the above criteria, the Tri-County Schools provides the following assurance to parents of homeless children:

* There shall be immediate enrollment and school participation, even if educational and medical records and proof of residency are not available.

* All educational opportunities and related opportunities for homeless students (preschool to age 21), including unaccompanied youth, shall be the same as for the general student population.

* Enrollment and transportation rights, including transportation to the school of origin shall be possible. “School of origin” is defined as the school the child attended when permanently housed or when last enrolled.

* Written explanation of why a homeless child is placed other than in a school of origin or school requested by the parent, with the right to appeal within the local dispute resolution process.

* Meaningful opportunities for parents to participate in the education of their children. These shall include: special notices of events, parent-teacher conferences, newsletters, and access to student records.

 Please contact Anthony Marinack, homeless liaison for the Tri-County Area School District for additional information about homeless issues. Mr. Marinack can be reached at (715) 335-6366 Extension 27.

GREAT NEWS!  GREAT NEWS!!!

             Last spring the Tri-County School District was awarded a state funded grant for an After School Program.  This program will be for grades 5-12.  There will be a healthy snack provided, and then homework help will be available along with a place to complete assignments.  In addition, a variety of activities will be available for the students to participate in after homework time.  The activities will be varied so they will appeal to many interest levels.  Our hope is that these experiences will be fun and things that the students will want to be part of.  PLUS, there will be a bus available to take students to Hancock to a drop point so those parents won’t have to make a trip to Plainfield to pick them up.  Hopefully, this will be a convenience for families and allow more students to stay.  This bus will also transport sports players after practice.  It will leave at 5:40 Mon.-Thurs. and at 5:10 on Fridays.  The best part about this program? ---The After School is open to all students in these grades!

 *If your student needs help in completing an assignment, tutors will be available.

*If your student needs a place to stay while waiting for a sports bus to leave for an away game, here is a place for him/her to be.

*If your student has an interest in doing activities with other friends from school, this is the place to be!

So, to recap what this new program is about---

 The After School will begin September 14.  It will run Monday through Thursday from 3:00-5:30 and Fridays until 5:00.

A snack will be provided in the cafeteria until 3:20.  Students will then gather materials from their lockers and report to the designated rooms to start work at 3:30.

The middle school group will report to Mrs. Fletcher’s All Star room. The high school group will meet in Mr. Biggs’ room.  Each room will have books from the classrooms and other resources and supplies available.  There will be two adults available every night to supervise and tutor.

At 4:30, an activity will be offered for the students to take part in.  Some of the activities may be led by adults in the community, teachers or students in our school, as well as organizations in the area.  A variety of ideas are being planned — a cooking night, time in the physical fitness room, and bicycling with a picnic.

A shuttle bus will be available to take After School students and athletic players to Hancock.  The bus will leave at 5:40 on all nights except Fridays when it will leave at 5:10.  All other students need to be picked up by 5:45. 

Family nights are also being planned.  These would include a meal then a time to be shared with students and their families.  Some activities offered may be bingo, a craft night or time in the computer lab to just name a few ideas.

 Remember, this is open to all students and their families!

 Information will be coming home but should you have any questions, please feel free to call Mrs. Fletcher at 335-6366 ext. 5210.

Close up views of Cafeteria Mural now available

A new mural was created and installed in the High School Cafeteria over the summer of 2008. We now are able to put the mural online to zoom in and view the individual pictures that make up the large mural.  Please click on the picture below to view the website of the designer, zoom in and navigate on the mural..

Truancy

Attention Parents!!

Wisconsin State Compulsory Attendance Law allows students to miss any part of or up to 10 school days per school calendar year.  Our school district is obligated to and firmly believes in enforcing this law!  Numerous studies show that children who attend school on a regular basis perform much better academically and socially than children who continually miss school.  If your child misses more then 10 days of school, truancy letters will be sent to the home, and the school may require the parent to provide a doctor’s excuse for the absences.  Older students may receive fines for truancy, and younger students’ parents may receive fines or be ordered to proceed through the court system.  Please help us make your child’s academic experience here at Tri-County successful!!

Summer School Was a Big Success!

By:  Mrs. Jepson,

EC-6 Principal

The 2009 summer school program was very successful again this year.  The teachers provided our children with an excellent reading and math curriculum for the entire 4 week summer school session.  We also had a healthy lunch and breakfast served to our students everyday!  (A Special Thank You to Mrs. Meyer and Mrs. Smith in the kitchen!)   

We hope to continue our summer classes again next summer and that our enrollment continues to grow!