Community Connections News Letters

Community Connections

Community Connections Printable PDF for April 2026

A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

I am writing to share some exciting news and to express my sincere thanks for your continued partnership. I am thrilled to report that our collective efforts are yielding tangible results. Most notably, we are seeing an increase in academic performance and attendance across the district. Our latest data shows upward trends in core proficiencies, proving that our rigorous curriculum and targeted interventions are working. These rising scores are a direct reflection of our staff and students’ hard work.

The data confirms what we already knew: when this community rallies behind its schools, our students soar. Thank you for being an essential part of our success story.

Our mission is guided by four key priorities, and this newsletter provides a brief update on each: Student Academic Excellence, Staff Excellence, Operational Excellence, and Family Community Collaboration. I hope you learn something new about our District and all that it has to offer.

With sincere appreciation, Mark Holzman, Superintendent

Student Excellence

CHECKING IN ON OUR DATA

We are now using a new tool to compare our district’s data with other Wisconsin districts that have similar demographics, allowing for more meaningful, apples-to-apples comparisons. Developed by the Wisconsin Policy Forum (WPF), this resource provides a comprehensive look at how the district is performing.

The interactive tool includes seven sections covering student demographics, teacher demographics, teacher turnover, district finances, student participation, the Forward Exam, and the ACT.

To explore the data, visit the website, hover over About Us and select Data: How We Compare. This tool helps empower our community to better understand the district’s successes and challenges through a more informed lens.

Celebrating Academic Achievement!

Our academic results are on the rise! In just one year, our State Report Card standing INCREASED BY 6 POINTS, moving our accountability score into the Meets Expectations category! This significant progress reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, staff, and school community.

ACT SCORES ON THE RISE

Congratulations to Cooper Buehl from Parker High School, who achieved a perfect score of 36 on the ACT! In addition, 27 other students earned impressive scores in the 30s. The average composite ACT score was 18.5.

READING PROGRESS

Students are making academic progress in reading and remain on track to meet or exceed district goals. Fall-to-Winter i-Ready data in grades K-5 show a 22% increase in proficiency, and grades 6-8 saw an 11% increase. Winter 24 to 25 shows that grades 9-12 saw an increase in students reaching college and career benchmarks.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS

Did you know that regular school attendance plays a critical role in your child’s success? Consistent,on-time attendance is strongly connected to student learning and achievement. As we work to prepare all students to
be college and career ready, building strong attendance habits is an important part of that journey.

Thanks to intentional efforts across our schools, we are beginning to see positive results. DISTRICT-WIDE ATTENDANCE HAS INCREASED BY 0.6% SINCE 2025, REACHING 92.6%.

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s success. Encouraging strong attendance helps ensure students make the most of every learning opportunity.

Members of the Janesville Jets hockey team visited Roosevelt Elementary School to read with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade students, sharing their love of reading and spending time with young learners.

The Parker Arts Academy proudly presented You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, made even more special as 2025 marked the 75th anniversary of Charlie Brown.

Members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Men’s Wheelchair Basketball Team visited Harrison Elementary School, inspiring students by showcasing the incredible achievements possible for people with disabilities.

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

OUR COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP

We recognize that taxpayer dollars represent a significant investment from our community. SDJ remains committed to careful, responsible financial management, treating public funds with the same care as a household budget.

In recent years, we have:

Phased operational and facility needs separately to avoid asking our community to fund everything at once
Proactively worked to prepay debt, thereby reducing local tax burden by $1.72 million
Reduced costs wherever possible before seeking additional resources
Leveraged one-time federal grant opportunities, related to facilities, reducing local tax exposure by $10.8 million
Continued to have clean independent auditor reports

In 2024, our community approved a non-recurring operational referendum for the School District of Janesville. This referendum has provided critical funding to:

Maintain small class sizes at key grade levels
Attract and retain staff
Invest in curriculum resources
Continue investments in classroom technology and supporting infrastructure
Address costs related to insurance, supplies, transportation, and utilities
Avoid reduction that will hinder the district’s mission

We have taken a multiphase approach to address our highest-priority needs and will need to address other facilities projects in future phases. Below is a snapshot of our project plans:

Over the past 12 months, $2.9 million in referendum funds were spent for various roofing projects at Lincoln Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, Rock River Charter, Marshall Middle School, and Craig High School.

This summer, $57.8 million in approved work will commence at

Bid Package 1A: The Educational Services Center will receive necessary work on HVAC, windows, ADA restrooms, and LED lighting updates. Jefferson and Wilson Elementaries will receive work on special education classrooms, windows, HVAC, ADA restrooms, and LED lighting updates.
Bid Package 1B: Craig and Parker High Schools will receive Auditorium technical improvements and special education classroom updates, and Lincoln Elementary School will receive special education classroom updates, windows, HVAC, ADA restrooms, and LED lighting updates.
This is an operational referendum, meaning it supports people and services and not buildings. It’s important to note that the referendum expires at the end of the 2026-27 school year.
In 2024, our community also passed a capital referendum to address the district’s most urgent Phase 1 facility needs in the district long-range facilities plan. The focus of this work is on safety security, special education learning spaces, and making repairs to aging systems.
We are happy to report to our community that the current work and upcoming bids are ON BUDGET

The School District of Janesville holds a MOODY’S Aa2 BOND RATING an indicator of strong financial health and responsible fiscal management.

An Aa2 rating is similar to a premier credit score for our district. It signals to lenders that the district is a reliable
borrower, which allows us to secure lower interest rates when financing projects. Most importantly, this helps ensure that more taxpayer dollars go directly toward supporting students and classrooms rather than paying interest on debt.

STAY CONNECTED TO SDJ

Facebook - Insta #SDJExperience

WISCONSIN SCHOOL FUNDING CHALLENGES

Wisconsin public schools operate under a state-imposed revenue limit that determines how much funding a district can receive from a combination of state aid and local property taxes. At the same time, costs for essentials such as utilities, transportation, health insurance, and employee compensation continue to rise, while state revenue has not kept pace with inflation. In addition, Wisconsin’s funding formula can create inequities, affecting districts in different ways.

The School District of Janesville is one of the largest districts in the state, and the needs of our students continue to grow. We serve a diverse population with increasing needs for special education services, language support, and economic assistance. Despite these challenges, SDJ remains committed to maintaining strong academic outcomes while responsibly managing the resources available to us.

CHECK OUT THIS MATH!

During the 2024-25 school year, our School Nutrition Program served an incredible number of meals to students across the district: 611,552 Breakfasts and 889,166 Lunches. That’s a total of 1,500,718 meals served, helping fuel student learning, health, and success every single day!

STAFF EXCELLENCE

We recently honored 16 outstanding individuals whose accomplishments and years of service have made a lasting impact on our students, staff, families, and the broader community. Their dedication, passion, and commitment to education help make our district a special place. We are grateful for the difference they make every day.

TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Julie Jenson, Roosevelt Elementary School
Dayna Clark, Craig High School
Kelly Korth, Parker High School

EMERGING TEACHERS OF THE YEAR

Genna Robinson, Harrison Elementary School
Samantha Olvera, Madison Elementary School
Elizabeth Clayton, Kennedy Elementary School

STAFF MEMBERS OF THE YEAR

Elijah Franks, Educational Services Center
Destiny Thayer, Van Buren Elementary School
Gloria Diaz Cosme, Wilson Elementary School

ADMINISTRATORS OF THE YEAR

Sarah Brehm, Jackson Elementary School
Chris Maedke, Educational Services Center

WE ALSO PROUDLY RECOGNIZED STAFF MEMBERS CELEBRATING MILESTONE YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE DISTRICT!

30 YEARS OF SERVICE

Jennifer Seisser, Franklin Middle School
Lisa Brovick and Neal Boys, Parker High School
Leona Lux and Lisa Campion, Van Buren Elementary School
Mary Richards, Educational Services Center
David Loveland, Marshall Middle School
Angela Dravus and Michael Duval, Jackson Elementary School
Angela Olin and Kerry Reilly, Marshall Middle School
Dennis Condon, Monroe Elementary School
Kelly Stengel, Adams Elementary School
Kim Schram and Michele Frank, Washington Elementary School
Lynn Sauauer, Harrison Elementary School
Michele Herbst and Ted Grenke, Craig High School
Pamela Ross, Wilson Elementary School
Stephanie Filter and Steven Thiering, Madison Elementary School
Veronica McMahon, ARISE

35 YEARS OF SERVICE

Blake Budrow, Craig High School

Thank you to all of our honorees for your years of dedication, leadership, and service to the School District of Janesville community.

Other News

We are HIRING more amazing staff! Check our hiring website for openings.

At ARISE Virtual Academy, social connection is an important part of student success. That’s why field trips are part of the learning experience. Recently, students met up to hit the ice for some fun and connection

Second-grade students from Adams Elementary School visited Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison to explore nature and learn more about plants and the environment

Students at Monroe Elementary School welcomed some of the most important people in their lives for VIP Day! Guests enjoyed time with their students, art projects, cookies, and beverages, and plenty of photo opportunities.

Students at Kennedy Elementary School sold student-created bookmarks to raise funds for Project 16:49, a local nonprofit that supports unaccompanied homeless youth in Rock County.

Fifth-grade students at Wilson and Adams Elementary Schools explored the ancient art of mummification through an engaging traveling program from Milwaukee Public Museum Outreach.

Students at Van Buren Elementary School welcomed David Daniels of Forest Whales and his life-size gray whale. The massive model serves as an indoor classroom, helping student learn about whale anatomy, including its bones and organs.

Natalia earned her Associate Degree from Blackhawk Technical College in December while also completing her high school diploma at Rock University High School. She was also recently named a YWCA Young Woman of Distinction

Edison Middle School music teacher Jason Herzog visited 5th-grade students to introduce them to the band and orchestra opportunities available next year.

Parker High School technology education teachers recently gave middle school students an inside look at their programs. Students explored hands-on opportunities in woodworking, metalworking, automotive, agriculture, welding, laser cutting, and more. With careers in technical fields becoming increasingly in demand and well-paying, these experiences help students discover their interests and explore rewarding career paths that don’t necessarily require a four-year degree.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

Thank you to our community partners who support our students, staff, and schools through their generous volunteering and donations!

DELIVERING BAGS OF HOPE

For the 17th consecutive year, community volunteers brought much-needed holiday spirit to fellow Janesville residents through the Delivering Bags of Hope initiative. Our student-led food security program served a record 367 local families and 50 senior citizens during winter break, helping ensure neighbors in need had food and support during the holiday season.

THANK YOU, OPTIMISTS!

A big thank you to the Optimists who popped, packed, and sold nearly 700 bags of popcorn in support of Jackson Elementary School. Proceeds from the sale will go directly to the school’s Student Activities and Interests Fund, helping support enriching opportunities for Jackson students.

THANK YOU, JANESVILLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION!

Thanks to our friends at the Janesville Education Foundation, educators received several generous grants this past fall to enhance student learning and classroom experiences. These grants help bring innovative ideas and meaningful opportunities directly to our students.

P4J ENROLLMENT

Do you know a child who will be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2026? It’s time to enroll them in the School District of Janesville’s P4J (4-Year-Old Kindergarten) program. P4J provides children with a high-quality early learning experience at no cost to families. Research shows that students who participate in 4K programs develop strong early reading and thinking skills building a foundation that is linked to better academic performance and higher high school graduation rates.

For more information, visit the District’s website or call 608-743-5046 between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm to schedule an appointment. We look forward to welcoming our newest learners!

WATCH YOUR MAILBOX!

Be on the lookout for a district-wide survey arriving soon. As we explore the next phase of a potential referendum, we are seeking community input to help continue supporting our staff, students, and schools. Your feedback will play an important role in guiding the district’s next steps.

Important Dates:

Monday, April 6: No School - Teacher Work Day
Tuesday, May 19: 5th Grade All City Track Meet
Wednesday, May 20: 4th Grade All City Track Meet
Monday, May 25: No School - Labor Day Holiday
Tuesday, May 26: Rock River Charter School Graduation
Wednesday, May 27: Parker Graduation
Thursday, May 28: Craig Graduation
Tuesday, June 2: ARISE Graduation at Franklin Middle School
Saturday, June 6: Rock University High School Graduation

Full district calendar

Previous Community Connection Newsletters

June 2024
August 2023

June 2024

Community Connections

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Printable PDF for June 2024

Message from the Superintendent

527 S. Franklin St. Janesville, WI 53548 | 608-743-5000 | janesville.k12.wi.us

It was a busy and productive year at the School District of Janesville. In addition to a successful launch of the school year last September, we completed some important tasks that directly impacted the long term
direction and goals of the district.

One major task completed was our long-range facilities needs assessment. Our buildings' average age is 63 years, with many sites having antiquated, inefficient, or deteriorating building systems that are at or beyond their service life (electrical components, mechanical systems, etc.). We also noted that our schools lack breakout areas, and our career & technical education and family & consumer science labs are out-of-date.

After identifying our facilities' needs, we reached out to the community to learn more about their thoughts via a community-wide survey. With more than 3,000 responses to our survey, we are grateful that the Janesville community understands and supports addressing our operational and facility needs, and investing in our schools and students’ education is investing in our community.

On a more school-centered level, we are incredibly proud of the more than 780 seniors who graduated in the Class of 2024. We offered 26 Advanced Placement courses, with more than 1,000 students taking advantage of these options! We’ve had hundreds of students participating in Career and Technical Student Organizations and
apprenticeships. And we continued our partnership with local builders so our advanced construction students could learn the trades associated with building a home!

Throughout SDJ, our team is working hard to ensure students are inspired, empowered, and achieving at high levels. We continue working to engage the greater Janesville community, sharing the many great things happening in our schools!

With Gratitude,
Mark Holzman, Superintendent

Our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan

Student Academic Excellence: Foster a culture of learning focused on growth and unlocking every student's potential.
Staff Excellence: Invest in a culture of professional growth to cultivate a skilled, motivated, and connected workforce.
Operational Excellence: Align our resources to provide modern and relevant environments to support students, staff and community successes.
Family & Community Partnerships: Engage families and the community Partnerships: Engage families and the community in students' education to enhance the student experience and promote our stories of success.

Collaboration
Critical Thinking
Curiosity
Empathy
Resilience

Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

The School District of Janesville offers its most sincere CONGRATULATIONS to the Class of
2024, the next great group of leaders who will make a great impact on the world! Nearly
800 students earned diplomas this school year, and we cannot wait to welcome the next
group of seniors—our Class of 2025—when things kick off in the fall.

ARISE Virtual Academy – 16 grads
Craig High School – 340 grads
Parker High School – 219 grads
Rock River Charter School – 191 grads
Rock University Charter School – 21 grads

Kindergartners Learn About Careers

In May, P4J-Preschool for Janesville (SDJ’s 4-year-old Kindergarten program) hosted a “Look to the Future” career exploration event at Parker High School. Students and families learned about career options such as dentist, musician, farmer, veterinarian, artist, baker, construction worker, mail carrier, zookeeper, and many more!
The event was made possible with help from community partners such as Hedberg Public Library, Janesville Police Department, Janesville Fire Department, Children's Wisconsin-Rock County Family Resource Center, 5 Star Barbershop, and SHINE Technologies.

Monroe Elementary Celebrates Blue Ribbon School Designation

In April, staff and students from Monroe Elementary School gathered to celebrate their National Blue Ribbon School designation during a special event at the Janesville Performing Arts Center!

Monroe was one of just eight schools in Wisconsin to receive the honor in 2023—and among 353 schools nationwide. The celebration started with a police/fire department escort of buses from the school to the JPAC. Once students were seated in the JPAC auditorium, they enjoyed a short performance by the Craig High School band and cheerleading squad.

Next, Monroe Principal Sally Pope introduced a series of short speeches by several guests, including Superintendent Mark Holzman and U.S. Congressman Bryan Steil. Congratulations to the entire Monroe Mustangs family!

Senior Stories: Marlene Romero Martinez

Designation Meet Marlene Romero Martinez, a senior at Rock River Charter School! Inspired by a dream of one day entering the construction management field, she plans to continue her education in the trades through a carpentry apprenticeship. When asked what her greatest challenge was in getting to graduation, Marlene said, “I had a lot of personal obstacles that were difficult to overcome, but I decided that I wasn’t going to let that stop me from achieving my goal. I knew

I had to make a change and receive help in order to continue. My parents and teachers were always there to motivate me to continue and not let my past affect my future."

Congratulations, Marlene - and best of luck!

Senior Stories appear on the district’s website and social media pages.

Parker Students Get Glimpse of Transportation Industry

Parker High School automotive students got a revved-up lesson when Mr. Dettman's class met with
representatives from Lakeside International Trucks to learn about career and training opportunities in the
automotive field. Students got to climb aboard a semi-truck and explore the engine and cab. It was a great
way to show students the exciting possibilities that exist in the automotive and transportation industry!

Cleaning Up Debris from the Summer Tornado

The June 22 EF-2 tornado that ripped through Janesville's south side did extensive damage to many homes in the neighborhood near Jackson Elementary School. Although the school itself escaped major structural damage, many of the established trees that stood in Jackson's front yard weren't quite as lucky.

On June 23, efforts aimed at clearing away fallen trees and picking up debris got underway. Among the many volunteers who gathered to help families in their attempt to recover was a collection of Jackson staff members.

This past spring, our community was invited to tour the 2024 Student Home Build project, which involved a collaboration of students from the School District of Janesville and members of the South Central Wisconsin Builders Association (SCWBA)!

High School Students Build Home in Arbor Ridge Engineering

The house, located at 1813 Arbor Hills Way in the Arbor Ridge subdivision, sits on .34 acres and features nearly 3,000 square feet of finished space. The four-bedroom, three-bathroom home offers a three-stall garage, floor-to-ceiling fireplace, modern kitchen appliances, quartz countertops, ceramic tile flooring, and more. What a terrific hands-on learning opportunity for students interested in the construction field! For additional photos, see MLS #:1977822.

Engineering Toy Cars for Families in Need

During the second semester, the district partnered with Shine Medical Technologies to participate in the The Go Baby Go project. The program has student teams modify electric toy cars to be used by families with children who have spina bifida to assist with their mobility.

The cars were donated by Blain's Farm & Fleet and assembled by STEM students throughout the district. They got mentoring help from engineers at SHINE Technologies. Students from Arise Virtual Academy, Franklin and Marshall Middle Schools, and Parker High School took part.

Community Survey Helps Drive Facilities Planning Process

The district conducted a community-wide survey in spring 2024 to gather input on the district’s operational and facility planning work. The community’s input will help guide next steps, including potential referendum questions on the ballot in November 2024.The district conducted a community-wide survey in spring 2024 to gather input on the district's operational and facility planning work. The community’s input will help guide next steps, including potential referendum questions on the ballot in November 2024.

A total of 3,273 community members provided input via the survey. A majority of respondents support renewing a $14.5 million operating referendum for two years, which would not be expected to increase the district’s tax rate.

Survey results also show that while the community understands the need for district facility maintenance and improvements, the facilities' base plan did not receive majority support at this time. However, the district and board could consider presenting a revised facilities plan at a reduced cost and tax impact to voters in November.

We are hiring

As one of the largest employers in Rock County, the School District of Janesville strives to provide its employees with a challenging yet fulfilling and enjoyable work environment - and we're hiring! We have a variety of full - and part-time positions that could be a perfect fit for those in the market for their first job, someone looking to re-enter the workforce, or anyone looking for a new work experience. Please see our hiring page for more information

Students Get In-Person Look at Heavy Equipment Operation Careers

The district took more than 30 students from Craig High School, Parker High School, and Rock River Charter School to the Operating Engineer Training Facility in Coloma. There, they received a hands-on exploration of careers in heavy equipment operation!

Students toured the facility, tested their skills on heavy equipment simulators, learned about apprenticeship opportunities, and even got behind the controls of real excavators! SDJ students interested in this field can get a head start by enrolling in the Highway Construction Academy offered at their high schools right here in Janesville.

Janesville Students Among World's Best at Coding Quest Competition

Students from Craig and Parker High Schools recently teamed up to finish as the top team in the United States—and the No. 10 school district IN THE WORLD—in the 2024 CodingQuest programming competition!

CodingQuest is an annual competition specifically for secondary students to showcase their knowledge and understanding of algorithm design, data structures, and computational thinking. Each competition runs across two weeks, where participants must solve a series of problems.

Congratulations to all involved in bringing this honor to the School District of Janesville! Team members were:

Chris Causey, Parker
Alex Cooper, Parker
Kevin Duong, Craig
Logan Flippin, Parker
Kelsey Gunderson, Parker
Ryan Hahn, Parker
Alex Nouansacksy, Craig
Daylen Schilling, Parker
Noah Sookraj, Craig

It is the policy of the SDJ, pursuant to applicable State and Federal law, that no person shall be subject to discrimination in employment on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, gender identity, gender nonconformity or change of sex, marital or parental status, national origin, disability or handicap, creed, color, pregnancy, citizenship, ancestry, arrest record, conviction record not substantially related to the nature of a person’s job or activity in the school, membership in the National Guard state defense force of any other United States or Wisconsin reserve component of the military forces, or any other reason prohibited by state or federal law.

August 2023

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS Printable PDF for August 2023

EMAIL: INFO@JANESVILLE.K12.WI.US
HTTPS://WWW.JANESVILLE.K12.WI.US
FACEBOOK
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CENTER - 527 S. FRANKLIN ST. - JANESVILLE - WI - 53548 608-743-5000

SUPERINTENDENT'S MESSAGE Mr. Mark Holzman

We are in the waning days of Summer, and it is an exciting time to be in the School District of Janesville! We are one of the largest employers in Rock County, and yet we realize that not everyone has a direct connection to our school community. With that in mind, we are providing you with this newsletter to share some updates and information about our schools. Our district is more than just a place of learning; it is a vibrant community that also fosters friendship, understanding, and success. This school year, we will continue to provide enriching, safe, and supportive learning environments. Our driving emphasis will continue to be reading and math, and with the community’s help, focus on the importance of regular school attendance for student success. Parents, your involvement is crucial to your child's success, and we value your partnership and appreciate the support you provide to our school community. The start of school can be a busy time, and we have spent many months planning to make it a smooth transition. Looking ahead, we are starting a strategic planning process to help guide our District forward, with the intent to find the best way to meet the needs of current and future students. Janesville is a great place to live, learn, work, and play, and I am grateful to be a part of that. With gratitude, Mark Holzman, Superintendent

DISTRICTWIDE FACILITIES STUDY UNDERWAY

The School District of Janesville is undertaking a comprehensive assessment of its facilities, which consist of over 2.25 million square feet across 20 sites, totaling 250 acres within the City of Janesville. The facilities assessment is an important next step following our successful Secure Pathways projects from 2020, which further enhanced the safety and security of our schools. Once complete, the facilities assessment will establish the baseline conditions within each of the district’s buildings. The average age of our school buildings is 62 years, with 4 buildings nearing 90 years of use by generations of Janesville students, staff, and community. As we look into the future of our school system, it is critical we gather objective data to guide and inform the development of a long-range facilities plan. In the coming months, consultants will assess the conditions inside and outside our facilities. They will review the plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and other critical systems that help run our buildings. This professional team will help us understand how well our educational environments support our current and future educational, co-curricular and athletic priorities. We look forward to sharing the results of our facilities study late this fall and gathering your input as we begin to consider solutions to address identified facility’s needs. Stay tuned!

DID YOU KNOW?

The School District of Janesville (SDJ) is the 9thlargest district (by enrollment) in Wisconsin, with 9,537 students (2022- 23). SDJ has 2 comprehensive high schools, 3 middle schools, 12 elementary schools, 3 charter school options, and a robust 4-year-old kindergarten program at sites across the community. The average age of our buildings is 62 years (newest Kennedy Elementary -1999). In 2023, 838 seniors graduated and received their high school diplomas from the SDJ. In 2022-23, SDJ served 667,326 breakfasts and 838,901 lunches to students in our schools. SDJ is one of the largest employers in Rock County with around 1,600 full and part-time employees. Re-investing in our communities, 88% of SDJ employees make Rock County their home (71% live in Janesville). DISTRICTWIDE FACILITIES STUDY UNDERWAY

JSRI STUDENTS BATTLE BACTERIA

No one knows where the next great science breakthrough might occur. But if students in the Janesville Summer Research Institute (JSRI) have any say, it might be in a Parker High School classroom! Since 2019, students have spent part of their summers with Parker biology teacher Zach Pratt investigating how antibiotic resistance evolves in certain bacteria and how once-feared viruses might help mutate or kill stubborn microbes. In Pratt's program, which is partially funded by the Carbone Cancer Center in Madison, students collect samples from various sources in search of bacteriophages - viruses capable of killing targeted bacteria without harming humans, animals, or plants. Once students discover these "phages," they then expose the phages to a lab strain of E. coli bacteria to see if the bacteria develops a resistance. See our stories for even more

KTD PROFILES HELP INTRODUCE SDJ EMPLOYEES

We might be a little biased, but we think the people who work for the School District of Janesville are more than a little AMAZING! And once you get to meet them, we think that you'll agree! With a workforce of 1,600 employees, getting to know each and every one would be just short of impossible. In an effort to get things started, SDJ introduced a question-and-answer profile series in 2022-23 titled "Know the District." In addition to teachers, principals, and paraprofessionals; those featured included counselors, food-service workers, IT professionals, and more. The goal was to provide not only information about employees' professional backgrounds and accomplishments but to also share a glimpse into who they are as people. New interviews are on the way for the 2023-24 school year, but we invite you to check out last year's features.

SUMMER SCHOOL MUSICAL WRAPS "LEGALLY BLONDE

Students taking part in the School District of Janesville’s Summer School Musical program recently wrapped their production of "Legally Blonde: The Musical." In addition to exposure to acting, singing and dance, participants gained exposure to the inner workings of sound and technical production. And because the program is open to students in and out of SDJ, it also offers chances to make new friends! If your child is interested in the arts, be sure to also check out the offerings at Parker Arts Academy.

BAGS OF HOPE PLANS CONCERT FUNDRAISER

Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to rock when Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press hit the Janesville Performing Arts Center for a concert benefitting the School District of Janesville's Delivering Bags of Hope program! A popular band from Chicago, Rod Tuffcurls and The Bench Press, has entertained at clubs and festivals throughout the Midwest. They recently sold out the Majestic Theater in Madison and regularly perform at the House of Blues in Chicago. Tickets to the Janesville show are $35 each and can be purchased online at https://janesvillepac.org/box-office. Delivering Bags of Hope is a goodwill initiative that involves hundreds of volunteers who bag and deliver two weeks’ worth of groceries to 50 Janesville senior citizens and 350 of the district’s neediest families during winter break. Initially conceived nearly 40 years ago by workers at the Janesville General Motors plant, this storied program has been coordinated by employees in the School District of Janesville since 2008.

GET YOUR FREE SENIOR PASS!

Did you know that the School District of Janesville (SDJ) offers a Senior Citizen pass that provides FREE entry to any athletics event (excluding WIAA tournament games), and theatrical or musical performances at either Craig or Parker High Schools? This benefit is available for SDJ residents over the age of 65. To obtain a Senior Citizen pass, visit the Educational Services Center, (527 South Franklin St.) and bring a photo ID and proof of residence.

DIGITAL TICKETING FOR SDJ ATHLETIC EVENTS!

The School District of Janesville (SDJ) is adopting a digital platform called GO FAN for tickets to all athletic events. This means we are asking all students and fans to purchase digital tickets and passes for this year’s events. The benefits of moving to the all-digital ticketing system include saving time at event gate entrances, reducing paper-ticket waste, and providing savings when purchasing sets of event tickets. To learn more about the Digital Ticketing for SDJ athletic events.

ROCK UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL HELPING SDJ STUDENTS GO FARTHER!

Located on the Blackhawk Technical College campus (BTC), Rock University High School (RUHS) is a charter school offering unique opportunities to students. Part of the School District of Janesville, RUHS provides students with a post-secondary educational atmosphere -- but that's not all. Thanks to a partnership with BTC, five 2023 RUHS seniors graduated with Associate degrees while also receiving their high school diplomas. Credits from those Associate degree can transfer to colleges/universities to give these students a head start on obtaining a Bachelor's degree (likely lowering the cost of that degree). These amazing opportunities are only a few of the things that set RUHS apart. Students also can pursue any degree program BTC offers, such as a technical certificate in welding or a one-year diploma in BTC's health sciences programs. To learn more, visit RUHS website.

Important Dates:

Thursday, Aug. 31: Back-to-School (Elementary) and Read-Set-Goal (Middle Schools) conferences. Thursday, Aug. 31: 9th-grade orientation. Friday, Sept. 1: First day of school for all students. Monday, Sept. 4: No School (Labor Friday, Sept. 29: No School (Teacher Professional Development Day). Wednesday, Oct. 25: Parent-Teacher Conferences (4 - 7 PM). Thursday, Oct. 26: Parent-Teacher Conferences ( 8 AM - 7 PM), no Friday, Oct. 27: No School. Important Dates: Day Holiday). School for Students. The full district calendar

ADVANCED CONSTRUCTION CLASS - STUDENT HOME BUILD!

One of the many hands-on learning experiences the School District of Janesville offers students is the Advanced Construction class, and the Student Home Build Project. Since 1992, this effort coordinated by the South-Central Wisconsin Builders Association (SCWBA) and the School District of Janesville provides on-site training for students interested in careers in the skilled trades.

This past May, their latest effort was completed – a four-bedroom, three-bathroom home with more than 2,400 finished square feet, a three-car garage, and tons of storage. The home, located on the west side of Janesville, sold in July for $509, 900.

Congratulations to all of the students who worked on the home, and a special thank you to the school district’s educator, Joe Kruser; general contractor Naatz Construction, and volunteer Tom Griffin for their expertise in guiding our students through this project!