Achievement Gap Reduction Program (AGR)

The Achievement Gap Reduction Program (AGR) was created by the Wisconsin State Legislature in 2015.  Through this program, class size is limited, teachers receive additional coaching in making use of data to determine strategies to use, and the academic needs of their students, and small group, or one to one tutoring is provided. The AGR program requires the schools to create annual performance objectives to reduce achievement gaps. The MPSD AGR schools are Franklin Elementary School and Jefferson Elementary School. For more information, please visit the Wisconsin's Department of Public Instruction website. 

 
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) is an anti-drug program taught to fifth grade students by a uniformed police officer.  Students are shown the hazards of drug abuse and violence and teaches them practical ways to resist those pressures. 

Keepin’ it REAL Curriculum

An effective multicultural curriculum that is developmentally appropriate  and based on the powerful Social Emotional Learning approach. This curriculum teaches the foundational skills that youth need to be safe, healthy, and responsible in leading drug-free lives.  Features:

• Eight 60-minute lessons taught in Fall
• Taught to All Public School 5th grade students
• Evidence-based
• Delivered by Certified D.A.R.E. Officers
• Deep dive into material link

Opioid & OTC/Rx Lesson

These lessons helps students understand the difference between prescription and over-the-counter medicines, how to real labels on medication, use drug facts labels to understand medicine use and risks. Students engage in scenario-based activities that help them apply effective decision making skills related to medicine use.  Features:

• One 60-minute lesson included in the Fall Elementary DARE Classes
• Designed for 5th grade students
• Accompanied by take-home Be Safe booklet and Family Talk
• Delivered by Certified D.A.R.E. Officers

Vaping Lesson

Vaping nicotine continues to increase among students. In this lesson, students will learn about the risks associated with vaping and understand how knowledge of risk factors increases over the lifespan of a product.  

Features:

• One Enhancement lesson
• Delivered by Certified D.A.R.E. Officers
• Lesson Objectives
• Recognize and identify basic information about vaping.
• Understand that most people in their grade do not vape.
• Identify similarities between tobacco and vape use, attitudes, and effects.
• Identify risks associated with nicotine use.
• Understand that products initially appearing safe may later be considered harmful as research and user data are studied over time.

To learn more about the local D.A.R.E. program, please visit the City of Manitowoc website.
 
Click here for DARE Family Talk Letters

What is Title I?

Title I is a federal program that provides extra funding to schools to help ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to get a high-quality education. Title I funding is aimed especially at schools with higher numbers of students from low-income families.

At Manitowoc Public School District, Title I helps us offer additional support and resources so all students can succeed, no matter their background or learning needs.

What Does Title I Support?

With Title I funding, our school is able to provide:

• Additional teachers or instructional staff to support reading and math.
• Small group or one-on-one instruction for students who need extra help.
• Educational materials and technology tools.
• Family engagement activities to help parents support learning at home.
• Professional development for teachers to better meet student needs.

Family Engagement Matters

We believe families play a key role in a child's education. Title I includes support for family involvement. That means we:

• Host family events (like literacy nights and parent workshops).
• Provide resources and tips for learning at home.
• Invite families to be part of planning how Title I funds are used.

Your voice matters! Each year, we ask families to give input on our Title I programs and how we can improve.

Parent Rights Under Title I

As a parent or guardian, you have the right to:

• Know if your child is receiving Title I services.
• Ask about the qualifications of your child’s teachers.
• Be involved in developing and reviewing school plans and policies.

If you have questions or want to learn more, please contact Heidi Schroderus, email: schroderush@mpsd.school

Learn More

To learn more about Title I and how it supports our students, visit DPI

Manitowoc Public School District Title I Schools

Franklin

Jackson

Jefferson

Madison

Monroe

Riverview

Washington

Advanced Learning Instruction (EXCEL) 

(Formerly Gifted and Talented)

The MPSD program for advanced learning students is known as EXCEL and is pursuant to Board Policy 2464. This policy is in correlation to the mission and vision statements that center on our commitment to serving all students at the highest levels. School districts are required to provide appropriately challenging programming for all students who “give evidence of high-performance capability in intellectual, creative, artistic, leadership, or specific academic areas and need services or activities not ordinarily provided in a regular school program in order to fully develop such capabilities” (WI statute § 118.35).

Students with unique gifts and talents need appropriate challenges through enrichment, acceleration, and various differentiated educational experiences. In partnership with parents, staff members assist students in developing their gifts and talents through inclusive identification, continuous and systematic programming, and socio-emotional guidance and counseling.  

Classroom teachers provide appropriate challenges for those students identified as having strengths in math, reading, writing, language, science, social studies, music, and art through enriched, scaffolded instruction.  High school students also have the opportunity to engage in advanced course work.

The MPSD utilizes a multi-level system of support designed to provide equitable services, practices, and resources to every learner, including students with unique gifts and talents, based upon responsiveness to effective instruction and intervention. In this system, high quality instruction, strategic use of data, and collaboration interact within a continuum of supports to ensure learner success. Schools provide varying types of supports at differing levels of intensity to proactively and responsively adjust to the needs of the whole child. These include the knowledge, skills, and habits learners need for success beyond high school, including developmental, academic, behavioral, social and emotional skills (Wisconsin DPI, July 2017).

EXCEL Resources:  

Wisconsin DPI Gifted and Talented Pupils • Davidson Gifted Institute • National Assocation for Gifted Children • SENG • WATG 

If you have questions on the EXCEL Program, please contact Stephanie Boncher at (920) 686-4702.