The Madison Metropolitan School District has announced that it will pay for caps, gowns, tassels and sashes for all graduating seniors in the Class of 2021.
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Kari Mueller published Helping Women and Youth to Create a Secure Financial Future in Alumni Stories 2021-04-23 11:29:55 -0500
Helping Women and Youth Create a Secure Financial Future
La Follette High School class of 1985 alumna Kim Sponem is CEO/President of one of Wisconsin’s largest credit unions, Summit Credit Union. Under her leadership since 2002 (then named CUNA Credit Union) it has grown from $200 million to $4.5 billion in assets; its branch network has expanded from four locations to 46 across South Central and South Eastern Wisconsin, including four in Madison high schools. Summit has become a leader in financial education, the number one mortgage lender in southern Wisconsin and the number one Small Business Administration loan provider by number of loans amongst credit unions in Wisconsin. At the time of becoming CEO nineteen years ago, Kim was named one of the youngest in the country to run a large credit union.
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Kari Mueller published MMSD Seeking Input on 9.5 Million Grant Use in News 2021-04-21 09:43:46 -0500
MMSD Seeking Input on $9.5 Million Grant Use
What would you do if you had 1 year and $9.5 million to change the game for MMSD?That is the question that MMSD is posing to the community.
The district has been given the opportunity of a lifetime to unite, redefine and rebuild our Madison public schools as we navigate through multiple pandemics. An $18.9 million Esser II Grant has been awarded to MMSD, $9.5 million of the grant has been earmarked for what MMSD is calling the BIG IDEA Campaign.
As such, the district is seeking input from staff, students, families, alumni and the Madison community on BIG IDEAS that will enable MMSD to come back better and thriving as a united community.
What ideas do you have that...
- leverage student leadership
- support collaboration with and between students, families and different community organizations
- provide for experiences that bring students outside of the traditional 4 classroom walls
- create experiences that bring our community into our schools and classrooms
This is your opportunity to have your BIG, bold, fresh IDEA heard! Submissions are due April 24th!
Learn more about the timeline and submission requirements at madison.k12.wi.us/big-idea.
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Kari Mueller published Teacher Appreciation Week is Coming Soon: Here's How You Can Show Your Gratitude in News 2021-04-15 07:37:46 -0500
Teacher Appreciation Week is Coming Soon: Here's How You Can Show Your Gratitude
As alumni, the farther removed we get from our high school days the more we can look back and fully realize the kind of impact our teachers had on us. We’re really grateful to have some fantastic, caring teachers at Madison's Public Schools.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year has been unusually challenging for everyone: kids, parents, school staff and teachers alike. With Teacher Appreciation Week coming up the week of May 3-7, we thought it would be a good idea to share some ways you might show your gratitude during that week. This is a great chance for you to reconnect with some of your favorite teachers from your high school days and show them how much their work is appreciated, especially during such a difficult and emotionally draining school year.
Here are a few ideas for you to consider:
- Send an email: This is probably the easiest, fastest way for you to show your appreciation. Teacher emails are listed publicly on the district’s website, so it’s easy for you to find the teacher you want to connect with and send them a quick email sharing your gratitude.
- Write a thank-you note: You can thank a teacher either for the impact they had on your life, or for the work they’re doing with your children or with the current generation of students in general. You can mail the note to the school; this is a great, personal way to show your appreciation and is certain to make their day.
- Find ways to give back: Beyond just sharing your gratitude in words, you can find ways to show your appreciation for teachers and your district in your actions. Find ways to give back, whether it’s donating to educational initiatives or teacher fundraisers, volunteering at school events (when they’re being held in person again) or advocating for teachers in your everyday life.
- Organize a class gift: If you’d like to show your appreciation on a larger scale, perhaps you can work with other members of your graduating class to organize a class gift either for a particular teacher or to all the teachers at your alma mater in general to show your appreciation. Have other alumni contribute to a fund you can then use to purchase trinkets of your appreciation for teachers at school.
We hope you find some small way to show the appreciation for the teachers in your life all year round, but especially in a few weeks during Teacher Appreciation Week!
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Kari Mueller published Actively Participating in the Fight Against COVID-19 in Alumni Stories 2021-04-07 11:03:27 -0500
Actively Participating in the Fight Against COVID-19
Memorial High class of 2015 alumnus Alex Peterson-Weber is actively participating in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. A current student at the UW-Madison School of Pharmacy, Alex and his colleagues have been enlisted by the Wisconsin COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force to help provide immunizations in the surrounding community at pharmacies requesting assistance.
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Kari Mueller published Authoring Historical Fiction Set in Madison in Alumni Stories 2021-04-02 12:21:17 -0500
Authoring Historical Fiction Set in Madison
After a career as Executive Vice President of an international engine company, author (and Central High class of 1964 alumnus) Kenneth Linde's writing career began as nothing more than memories of events and circumstances, feelings and beliefs, surrounding a near-death experience and his fight against cancer, where the thoughts and emotions fostered a passion that saw him on a prolific trail of publishing seven books in less than four years.
Under the “Waldwick” moniker, Linde’s books are historical fiction set in Madison and Southern Wisconsin, where he takes actual events from 1826 to today and adds fictional characters and how they were affected by the events that happened.
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Kari Mueller published Helping Rowing Teams Become More Diverse & Competitive in Alumni Stories 2021-03-31 10:35:34 -0500
Helping Rowing Teams Become More Diverse & Competitive
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West High class of 2016 alumnus Sam Wheeler is not only a Software Engineer for the UW-Madison Athletic Department, but also the Operations Coordinator for STEM to Stern, an organization dedicated to helping rowing teams become more diverse and competitive. STEM to Stern started in Milwaukee, WI at the Milwaukee Rowing Club in 2017 as a way to eliminate the barriers of participation and increase representation on the team and is now working with clubs across the country to help them develop their own programs. Their goal is to create twenty-five programs across the United States by 2021 and Sam’s role focuses heavily on helping these prospective clubs get their programs off the ground.
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Kari Mueller published Captial High Alum Receives Youth Community Volunteer Award in News 2021-03-17 16:11:53 -0500
Captial High Alum Receives Youth Community Volunteer Award
Please join us in congratulating Capital High class of 2020 alumnus Jaleah Hunt on her United Way of Dane County's 2020 Youth Community Volunteer Award! Jaleah is receiving the Goodman Gemstone Youth Award for her work with F.O.S.T.E.R. of Dane County, a group aiming to help marginalized families in the area receive the assistance they need. As an award winner, Jaleah will be given a scholarship to continue to pursue her education.
Through activities like packing and delivering Thanksgiving meals and helping children get what they need to go back to school, Jaleah said she has learned a lot through her volunteer work with F.O.S.T.E.R.
"It's important for me to give back because I know that if I was in need or something, I would want somebody to do the same for me. It's just the right thing to do. You know, it just it makes my heart warm."
Click on the image below to check out her story thanks to WKOW 27:
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Kari Mueller published Alum/Alumni/Alumnus: What’s the Difference? in News 2021-02-26 11:55:25 -0600
Alum/Alumni/Alumnus: What’s the Difference?
Any time you receive messages from your alma mater or an alumni network, you might happen across different forms of the word “alumnus.” For example: “alumni,” “alum,” “alumnae,” or “alumna.”
Each of these forms of the word is used to describe a graduate or group of graduates. But what’s the difference between them, and when is the proper time to use each one? And why might you see different forms of the word in a single message from your alma mater?
Here’s a quick and helpful overview for you to reference.
Alumni
The word “alumni” is probably the most frequently used word to describe graduates. It is a plural noun, referring to a collection of graduates. You might say, for example, “John and Jane are alumni of George Washington High School.”
Alumnus
The word “alumnus” refers to a single male graduate of an institution. A group of male graduates would be referred to as “alumni.” You might say, “Joe is an alumnus of the University of Michigan.”
Alumna
Just as “alumnus” is used to refer to an individual male graduate, the word “alumna” is used to refer to an individual female graduate. You might say, “Katie is an alumna of Springfield High School.”
Alumnae
The word “alumnae” is used to refer to a group of female graduates. Compare this to “alumni,” which is used for groups of male graduates, or groups comprising both male and female graduates. You might say, “Ashley, Susan, and Lindsay are alumnae of the University of Tennessee.”
Alum
The word “alum” is meant to be a more informal reference to an individual male or female graduate. This is a helpful word to use in informal communications when you might frequently forget the above rules! In addition, you can also use the plural “alums” to informally refer to a group of any male, female or mixed graduates. Again, this word is only meant for casual conversation and communications. Grammar and etiquette experts suggest using the above proper Latin words in professional or formal settings, such as in invitations, at graduation ceremonies, on resumes and at awards banquets.
Regardless of what you call the group, the most important thing is that we are all proud alumni of Madison public schools! But we hope you find this a helpful language guide any time you see these words moving forward.
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Making a Mark in Congress
The Freshman class of Democratic U.S. representatives that took office at the beginning of 2019 had a whole lot of star power, including household names like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. Also among the group was Memorial High class of 1998 alumnus Jason Crow. He has played an unexpectedly important role in Washington during his first two years in office.
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Kari Mueller published MMSD Creates Graduation Fund to Cover Costs of Caps & Gowns in News 2021-02-03 13:09:00 -0600
MMSD Creates Graduation Fund to Cover Costs of Caps & Gowns
The district has not yet decided whether it will have its high school graduation ceremonies in person or online, but said it wanted to lessen the financial burden on families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an email to parents, Mike Hernandez and Marvin Pryor, co-chiefs of secondary schools for the Madison Metropolitan School District, commented:
"We know that this pandemic has created significant financial hardships for some of our students and their families."
Want to contribute to the fund to help pay for the graduation supplies? Complete this form >>
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Kari Mueller published Serving His Hometown as Deputy Mayor in Alumni Stories 2021-01-27 14:56:37 -0600
Serving His Hometown as Deputy Mayor
West High class of 2011 alumnus Reuben Sanon joined Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway's office as deputy mayor in November 2020. He was selected for the position by Mayor Rhodes-Conway as a result of his "enthusiasm, background, experiences and love of Madison."
As deputy mayor, Sanon represents and assists the Mayor with planning, communication and outreach. His main focus is on connecting marginalized communities in Madison to resources and giving people the power to shape their communities and thrive.
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Kari Mueller published New DNC Executive Director is a La Follette Grad in News 2021-01-27 11:46:03 -0600
New DNC Executive Director is a La Follette Grad
(A version of this article was first published by the Wisconsin State Journal)
La Follette High School class of 2005 alumnus Sam Cornale has been named the next executive director of the Democratic National Committee. He will help guide the Democratic Party through the 2022 midterm elections.
Cornale was “a critical part of our success these past four years," the DNC tweeted last week. "We’re proud that he will be working with (DNC Chair Jaime Harrison) to build on the progress made and continue winning seats up and down the ballot."
Cornale previously helped manage the DNC during the 2018 and 2020 elections. He also oversaw Tom Perez's 2017 campaign to chair the DNC and worked for Perez when Perez served as Labor Secretary under President Barack Obama.
Cornale, a born-and-raised Madisonian, attended Kennedy Elementary School, graduated from La Follette High School and received his bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since 2017 he has taught a course each spring semester for the university's Wisconsin in Washington, D.C., internship program, where students take classes and intern in the nation's capital. This spring, even though the program is online because of COVID-19, Cornale is teaching a class called "Presidential campaigns and governance."
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Kari Mueller published Loved Algebra or Geometry? Consider Tutoring a Student! in News 2021-01-22 12:38:42 -0600
Loved Algebra or Geometry? Become a Tutor!
Memorial High School is seeking tutors in Algebra 1 or Geometry. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Achievement Connections Tutor Coordinator, Aya Seidemann, at [email protected].
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Kari Mueller published Resolve to Stay Connected to Your Alma Mater This Year in News 2021-01-06 14:44:39 -0600
Resolve to Stay Connected to Your Alma Mater
If you’re like most people, you were probably more than ready to close the door on 2020. It was a tough year for so many people, one that will be forever defined by the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect it had on just about every area of our lives.
The great news as we kick off 2021 is that there is now a vaccine, and a light at the end of the tunnel. But throughout most of the year, it will still be important for people to follow pandemic restrictions, meaning all of us will still need to be proactive about staying connected.
At the Madison Public Schools Friends and Alumni Network, we are as committed as we’ve ever been to helping alumni stay connected to their alma mater, even when we can’t physically gather. If you’re looking for an idea for a New Year’s resolution, consider making it a goal to stay actively involved with and connected to your alma mater through our organization this year!
Here are some ways you can accomplish this resolution:
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JOIN - If you haven’t already, take a few minutes to join the Madison Public Schools Friends & Alumni Network - it's free! It is also the easiest way for you to stay updated about everything happening in Madison's public schools and the Foundation.
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ATTEND VIRTUAL EVENTS - Any time the opportunity arises, attend virtual events! These could include virtual alumni networking events, virtual class reunions, virtual fundraisers, etc. It’s still going to be a little while before it’s safe to have in-person events and activities, so this is a great way to stay connected to fellow alumni. Join the network to stay in the know!
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DONATE - School may be virtual, but there are still so many ways for our organization to support everything that’s happening in Madison schools. Your dollars can make a big difference!
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VOLUNTEER - Volunteer opportunities are not as numerous during the pandemic, but they still pop up here and there. Sign-up to be a volunteer and we will reach out as opportunities arise.
- READ - Be sure to regularly check out the Foundation's and the district's websites and social media platforms for information about school events and to stay up to date about the latest news affecting the district. Staying informed is a great way to stay connected, and makes it easier for you to find opportunities to get involved.
We hope 2021 holds great things in store for you and your family. Happy New Year!
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JOIN - If you haven’t already, take a few minutes to join the Madison Public Schools Friends & Alumni Network - it's free! It is also the easiest way for you to stay updated about everything happening in Madison's public schools and the Foundation.
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Kari Mueller published Inspiring Others Through Her Story in Alumni Stories 2020-12-23 10:08:50 -0600
Inspiring Others Through Her Story
East High class of 2006 alumna Nikyra McCann has a story of inspiration. At the age 20 she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. However, instead of letting her mental illness define her or stop her in life, she has decided to use her story to help and inspire others.
In addition to starting her own business, Still Standing Enerprises, Nikyra has come to be known as an inspriational speaker all over the world. She has shared her story in the newspaper, on NBC 15 News, and also on Good Morning America. She also speaks to thousands on Facebook with Set Apart & Chosen and I Discover Stars.
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Kari Mueller published Trailblazing for Women in the Financial Planning Industry in Alumni Stories 2020-12-17 15:11:34 -0600
A Trailblazer for Women in the Financial Planning Industry
Madison Central High School class of 1966 alumna Betty Harris Custer is proud to come from a long line of Madison public school alumni. Both her mother and father attended Madison High, as did their siblings. Her father, Bob "Boomer" Harris taught and coached in MMSD for over four decades and is something of a local legend. “Even to this day,” Betty comments, “when I provide people with my last name I often get asked if I’m of THE Harris family – the one related to Boomer.”
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How Alumni Can Make an Impact This Season
The holidays are upon us, and in this season of giving we invite you to consider a donation to the school district that helped shape you. Wondering where your money would go? Here are just a few of the ways in which your donation could help make an impact:
Provide opportunities for new studentsDonating to your alma mater helps to fund opportunities for students of today and tomorrow. Depending on the way in which you give, the money could help to fund scholarships, new course offerings, educational initiatives, capital projects and extracurricular activities. You might also choose to fund purchases of classroom items and supplies, which many teachers often have to buy with their own money.
Give back in a meaningful way
Think about the experiences you had in high school that were meaningful and impactful for you. You can focus your donations on a specific area as a way of giving back. If you were involved in band, for example, you might give a donation specifically meant for the band program. You might decide to fund a specific scholarship that has meaning to you. Not only will this ensure future students are able to get the same opportunities you had, but it also attaches some extra meaning to the gift that can make it feel even more personal.
Support alumni opportunities
Donating to the Madison Public Schools Friends & Alumni Network will help to fund ongoing opportunities for alumni to stay connected with their schools, creating a stronger relationship between the district and those who have passed through it. These funds could be used for alumni events, newsletters and fundraisers to support certain initiatives at the schools.
Sustain everyday operations
There are a lot of day-to-day expenses in schools that do not get a whole lot of public attention, but need to be covered all the same. Given how many schools tend to have very tight operating budgets, any general donations you make could help provide schools with breathing room to keep things running smoothly.
We hope you will consider making a donation this holiday season to support your alma mater, and current and future generations of students!
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Kari Mueller published Counseling a Wide Range of Fortune 500 Companies in Crisis Management in Alumni Stories 2020-11-25 12:00:16 -0600
Counseling a Wide Range of Fortune 500 Companies
La Follette High School (LHS) class of 2005 alumna Anne Marie (Annie) Malecha is the Executive Vice President and Partner of a Washington, DC-based Management Consulting Firm, called Dezenhall Resources, that focuses on Crisis Management, Public Affairs and Litigation Communication. Anne Marie directs the firm’s client services and public affairs strategy and specializes in crisis communications, advocacy strategy and reputation management. She’s counseled a wide range of Fortune 500 companies, trade associations and national non-profit organizations in the U.S. and internationally in the defense, food and agriculture, consumer product, legal, healthcare, biotechnology, energy, financial services, technology, education and retail sectors. She also leads Dezenhall’s executive media training team.
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Please Support the MMSD Virtual Career Fair!
Every December, MMSD hosts a career fair for students, but given the unique circumstances presented by the current pandemic, this year's event will look a little different. As alumni and supporters of Madison Public Schools, the district is asking for your help as they organize for the next best thing - a virtual career fair.
How You Can Help
Please add a brief video about your career to the MMSD Virtual Career Fair Flipgrid. These videos will help students explore various career paths as they consider what is next for them after high school graduation. You may use the listed questions below to assist in submitting a complete response:- Your name and job title
- Brief description of your job/career
- Required education, skills, certification, ect... for your job/career
- Helpful high school classes/ experiences specific to your career
- Current job outlook within your career (likelihood of finding an opening)
- Any other fun facts or info on career you would like to share!that includes a brief description of your job or career, the required education or skills required to embark on a similar career path, helpful classes and experiences specific to your career, and more.
The videos will be viewed by students, in a lesson format, starting in mid-December. The goal is to have a diverse set of career options for our students to explore in hopes that they will find a career they have never heard of, or learn more about one they are already interested in. When you submit your video there is an opportunity to include your email address if you’re willing to have individual career discussions with students and classrooms.
SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO NOW >>
Thank you - we are so grateful for your help!
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Kari Mueller published Madison Voted YES to Invest in Our Public Schools! in News 2020-11-05 12:02:22 -0600
Madison Voted YES to Invest in Our Public Schools!
Madison voters have offered a resounding “yes” to two requests from the Madison Metropolitan School District. The requests were separated into two parts – a $33 million operating referendum and a $317 million facilities referendum. The $317 million will be used to renovate the district’s four main high schools and add a new elementary school.
After the results came in, Superintendent Carlton Jenkins said he was thrilled with the outcome, commenting:
This is a very important moment for Madison, for MMSD and for all our children, all of our families, and we can’t thank you enough. We’re really humbled by the fact that you’re showing this level of support and we’re going to do everything in our power to be good stewards as we have been in the past of the dollars given.
The Yes2Invest Co-Chairs also offered the following sentiments of gratitude:We're incredibly grateful to the people of Madison for voting YES to invest in our public schools, students, and staff. Because of you, more sustainable and equitable schools are in sight. The work does not end here. We encourage everyone who cares about the future of our community to get involved with our local schools through the Foundation for Madison's Public Schools and, alongside our new Superintendent Dr. Carlton Jenkins, help us continue to shape a Madison that uplifts all its residents.District leaders have said major construction projects would not start until the summer of 2022. The district will spend a year planning and getting community input. The next two and a half to three years, up to the summer of 2024, would be when the majority of construction would take place. Exciting things are on the horizon for our city and our schools!