The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) issued this letter, on May 11, updating schools about vaccines, testing, quarantining and other efforts aimed at returning “to normal” for Fall. Although there is no mandate for what DHS recommends, the letter says, “even after teachers and staff are vaccinated, schools will need to continue to follow [...]
Read More ›
The Latest
Your source for timely and relevant K-12 school updates
WCRIS Testimony Protects SNSP Access
May 05, 2021
In response to WCRIS concerns outlined in testimony to the Assembly Education Committee recently, the DPI has agreed to adjust proposed administrative rules on certain learning disabilities so that they don’t block student access to the Special Needs Scholarship Program (SNSP). WCRIS Executive Director Sharon Schmeling told the committee on April 22, that while WCRIS [...]
Read More ›
WCRIS Schools Testify on Transportation Bill
May 05, 2021
WCRIS schools also provided testimony on April 22 in support of AB 160 and legislators appeared riled by what they heard, turning the simple bill into a two-hour discussion with WCRIS schools looking like champions. Agitated legislators from both parties questioned MPS on why it did not provide transportation to private school students during the [...]
Read More ›
May 15 Busing Deadline
May 05, 2021
Annually, by May 15, each private school must notify each school board in its attendance area of the name, grade level, and address of each private school student eligible to receive transportation benefits from the district, and who is planning on attending the private school for the ensuing school year. A public school board can [...]
Read More ›
WCRIS Transportation Webinar
May 05, 2021
WCRIS hosted a busing webinar on Monday, May 3, in anticipation of the annual May 15 busing deadline (see story below). WCRIS expects public districts to be more rigorous about enforcing the deadline than in years past. The webinar covered the May 15 busing deadline, pandemic-related busing questions, and what to expect next year, and [...]
Read More ›
Action Alert: Help Fix the EANS Morass
April 28, 2021
You know the struggles with keeping students safe and the unexpected costs that COVID has created, alongside the federal EANS funds dangling like a carrot before a starved rabbit. That’s why WCRIS is appealing to the state legislature for help in addressing this morass. Please e-mail your school’s COVID story to the Legislature’s Joint Finance [...]
Read More ›
EANS: DPI OK’s Labor & Service on Windows
April 22, 2021
Thanks to the advocacy of WCRIS, the DPI announced recently that EANS funds can cover labor to install windows or improve ventilation systems. This provides much-needed flexibility to schools left frustrated on how to use the EANS funds to help their students be healthy in actual classrooms and school buildings. Along with this exciting news, [...]
Read More ›
May 15 Busing Deadline
April 22, 2021
Annually, by May 15, each private school must notify each school board in its attendance area of the name, grade level, and address of each private school student eligible to receive transportation benefits from the district, and who is planning on attending the private school for the ensuing school year. A public school board can [...]
Read More ›
WCRIS Busing Webinar
April 22, 2021
WCRIS will be hosting a busing webinar on Monday May 3 at 1 pm. This webinar will cover the annual May 15 busing deadline, pandemic-related busing questions, and what to expect next year and other important transportation-related information. Attorneys from the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty will be on hand to field questions. You [...]
Read More ›
State Grants for Mental Health Programs
April 22, 2021
The state announced it will award $50 million in “Beyond the Classroom” grants to “support learning opportunities and mental health programs “ for Wisconsin school-aged kids. The grants will be funding up to $500,000 per non-profit organization. They will serve school-age kids both virtually and in-person outside of school and during the summer. Eligible activities [...]
Read More ›
