Superintendent

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Be the change you wish to see... – Gandhi

Over the past two years, the School District of South Milwaukee has engaged staff, students, parents, and community members in a dialogue about how to create the best possible future for our students. Through this Visioning and Planning process, we revisited our mission, vision, and core beliefs, and we identified goals around four themes: Curriculum Expectations, Character Education, Community Engagement, and Cost Effectiveness.

Curriculum Expectations includes developing curriculum around new Common Core State Standards, focusing on best instructional practice, and aligning assessments with the new Smarter Balance Assessment System.

Examples:

  • We boast award-winning elementary schools, including a three-time winner of the Wisconsin Promise School of Recognition.

  • Students are able to earn college credit or advanced standing through Advanced Placement, and more than 20 courses are articulated with MATC.

  • Youth apprenticeships and special programs are available in Finance, Health Services, Manufacturing, and Prostart Certification.

  • Milwaukee Magazine (April 2012) ranked South Milwaukee School District as the #1 “After-School All Star” and South Milwaukee High School as #2 “OVERPERFORMING High School.”

  • South Milwaukee seniors earned over $1.3 million in scholarships in 2012.

Character Education means teaching and modeling the common traits of respect, responsibility, honesty, kindness, and perseverance.

Examples:

  • The “South Milwaukee Way” emphasizes respect, responsibility, honesty, kindness, and perseverance.

  • The Wisconsin Character Education Partnership (WCEP) selected our district as a 2012 Wisconsin Promising Practices Award Winner for its emphasis on character education.

Community Engagement focuses on promoting positive perceptions and building partnerships with parents, community, and businesses.

Examples:

  • Our “Job-Ready” Certification Program is endorsed by the South Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce.
  • South Milwaukee High School has been accredited by the North Central Association since 1909; the entire district is currently a candidate for AdvancED/NCA District Accreditation.

Cost Effectiveness consists of developing a systematic process around budget criteria and generating altenate forms of resources.

Examples:

  • We have developed decisive budget criteria to determine how we use our time, facilities, human resources, and fiscal resources.
  • In 2011-12, we conducted a study of the Pre K – 8th grade buildings to determine if the District is effectively and cost efficiently providing environment for instruction.

We are proud of our accomplishments and we invite you to visit the following sites to discover why South Milwaukee is a great place for children and families to learn and grow.

A Message from Dr. Olson, Superintendent

A Message from Thomas Zepecki, Mayor of South Milwaukee

A Message from Ante Udovicic, Activities, Athletics & Recreation Coordinator

The Day in the Life of a South Milwaukee High School Student

The SM Story – Who We Are

Please feel free to send comments, questions, and suggestions to districtconnection@sdsm.k12.wi.us.  I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Rita M. Olson, Ph.D.

Superintendent - Dr. Rita M. Olson

Rita M. Olson has been the Superintendent for the School District of South Milwaukee since 2010. She began her career with the South Milwaukee School District in 1979. Over the years, she has served as a German and French teacher, Title 1 reading and interim kindergarten teacher, foreign language coordinator, District K-12 Curriculum Coordinator, Elementary Principal, and Director of Instruction. Dr. Olson received both a B.S. in German and French and an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction/Reading from UW-Milwaukee. Additionally, she earned an M.A. in Educational Leadership from Marian University and a Ph.D. in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service from Cardinal Stritch University.