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Back To School

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Gov. Walker: Back to School

Gov. Scott Walker: Tonette and I are grateful for the work done to educate our sons and all children across Wisconsin.

The state partnered with the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association to produce and distribute brief radio address once a week.  Audio files and a written transcript of this radio address can be accessed on http://www.wi-broadcasters.org and http://walker.wi.gov/Weekly-Radio-Addresses.  To download an mp3 file, you can right click the radio address link and click “save link as.” Hi, this is Scott Walker. Like many parents across Wisconsin, Tonette and I are excited to see our two sons head back to school. While our two sons have always attended public schools in Wisconsin, this year is a major milestone for us as parents—our oldest son will be heading off to college. This achievement couldn’t have been done without the hard work and dedication …

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Luke

3:57 pm on Tuesday, September 11, 2012

I hope the teachers keep this up and the politicians hold their ground. It will require a radical event to get someone to reach up an pull the lever on that toilet. Then, perhaps, we can get serious about helping those kids in a way that has been demonstrated to work.   more ›

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

School Supply Drive Helps About 800 Kids in Need

The annual drive fell short of last year's numbers, causing organizers to limit supplies given to Port Washington and Saukville families.

Despite donations being down from last year, a local school supply drive was still able to help roughly 800 children from the Port Washington and Saukville area. Bethel Metz, one of the organizers for the drive that raised about $10,000 in supplies last year, said the group pulled in about $7,500 this year. The line started forming at about noon Tuesday, with doors opening at 2 p.m., Metz said. About 600 students benefited from Tuesday's distribution, and supplies will be given to about 200 more students by next week. "Our donations (both cash and donated supplies) totaled approximately $7,500, which is $2,500 LESS than last year," Metz said in a message to Patch. "Because of that, we were forced to eliminate items such as gym shoes, …

Not Done With Back-to-School Shopping? Hold Off Until Labor Day Weekend

While holidays are well-known for the accompanying holiday discounts, it may be surprising just how much you can save on Labor Day.

While its well-known that holidays are a good time to hit up sales and other shopping deals, it seems that Labor Day weekend doesn't get as a good of a reputation as it deserves. The holiday weekend actually has an average discount of 48 percent off on clothing, according to day on Shopittome.com, which beats out the more-famous Black Friday with an average discount rate of 41 to 42 percent. These numbers are based on tracking of last year's data. Check out dealspl.us for a list of major name brand stores and Labor Day discounts, or read below for some local sales:  Looking for something to do this 3-day weekend? Check out the Shop Port, Think Local group's blog with a list of something to do every day. Do you know of another local deal …

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Back to School Trends: Start the New Year in Style

School starts in a few short weeks, so it's time to get all that new clothes shopping in; here, learn what seems to be trendy in 2012.

Summer is coming to its end, a chill is in the air, and after busting out the kid's pants you realize they are a couple inches short after a growth spurt since the last cold season. Looks like it's time to go shopping for the new school year, but rather than just updating your child's wardrobe sizes why not consider adding a little style to their life. Here's a roundup of tips for 2012 Back-to-School fashion trends: Shop Local: Find out where to buy back-to-school clothes and accesories in the Port Washington and Saukville area in the Patch directory. What do you think of these trends? Is there a new style that should be added to the list? Tell us in the comments.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

School Supply Drive in Need of, Well — Supplies

The fundraiser held annually at St. Peter's Church in Saukville to gather school supplies for children in need is struggling to get donations this year.

After giving away nearly $10,000 in school supplies last year, local fundraiser organizers say the supply drive is struggling to gather donations this time around. Bethel Metz, one of the organizers, is working with Mark Gierach of the Saukville Community Food Pantry as well as BMO Harris Bank in hopes of garnering more awareness of the need in the area — and collecting more donations. "Our donations are really down this year, unfortunately, and we could really use the help," Metz said. BMO Harris Bank made a $500 donation in support of the initiative, and will be collecting supplies at the Harris Bank and M&I Bank locations in Ozaukee County, according to a press release from BMO Harris. Visit harrisbank.com or mibank.com to locate a …

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Chilly Swimming Pool Drives School District to Buy New Heater

The Port Washington-Saukville School District has ordered an energy-efficient heating option to replace its pool heater, which has recently stopped functioning. Swim practice has been ongoing since Aug. 6, and the pool also has other summer uses.

After noticing consistent temperature dips in the district swimming pool, the Port Washington-Saukville School Board decided to replace the heater in what officials called an "almost emergency" situation. In doing so, the board also opted for an energy-efficient option which costs $26,000 but saves money in the long run, according to Director of Business Services Jim Froemming. "One of the advantages of also doing the $26,000 … those parts and things are in stock, so replacement could take place in a 2-week period," Froemming said at Monday night's School Board meeting. That's compared to a 5-week period for a non-energy-efficient heater. The order was placed Tuesday morning. District swim teams started practice on Aug. 6; the pool is also…

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Help Your Favorite School Win Money From Target

Port Washington-Saukville schools are in a Facebook competition to receive up to $10,000 in gift cards from Target.

Do you want to help your child’s school win money from Target? Dozens of area schools are in a competition to receive Target gift cards. “Together we're giving K-12 schools up to $10,000 each in Target GiftCards® for books or any supplies they need,” states the Target Facebook page. “You can help by voting for a school each week. Rally your friends because for every 25 votes a school receives, Target will send a $25 gift card.” The closest area Target is in Grafton, 1250 N. Port Washington Rd. There’s about a month left to vote for area schools. Classes for the 2012-13 resume on Sept. 4 for the Port Washington-Saukville School District.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

POLL: What Should the School Calendar Look Like?

Most schools in the area use the traditional school calendar, with almost three full months off in the summer. But that's changing in some areas to a year-round, or "balanced" calendar, with shorter but more frequent breaks.

Summer break has been a hallmark of student-hood for what seems like forever.  But when summer comes around, parents who work have to find some place for their children to go. Enter summer school, summer camp, nannies, sitters, grandparents and children being left to fend for themselves. Most schools in southeast Wisconsin and throughout the state remain on the traditional calendar, with almost three full months off in the summer, but some schools are bucking that trend.  Brownsburg, IN, has moved to a balanced calendar with two-week breaks in fall, winter and spring, and eight weeks off in summer.  Some districts in Utah have moved to a year-round calendar due to space concerns. One Jordan, UT, official said the year-round calendar has …

Neeq79

4:20 pm on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

With parents complaining their kids forget over the summer...um, how about making them read a few books or for elementary kids, do those workbooks for specific grades you can find at book stores?? How about taking away their computer and iPhone time and forcing them to go outside, play, and learn? As far as babysitting, why not hire teachers, college, or hs students to babysit? Great time for …   more ›

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Patch Deal of the Day

Shop with Sara: Last Minute Back To School Savings at Target

Sara Conrad from SarandipitySaves.com shows you that being cheap can be oh-so chic with fortuitous frugal discoveries.

It's getting darned close to that time again...the time when the scent of freshly sharpened pencils wafts through the air and the sounds of "chaaa-ching!" are echoing in your mind. Luckily with back to school right around the corner, we have a bunch of great deals lining up for the taking! Each week in the month of August I'll be doing a column specifically aimed at helping you drudge up those dusty arithmetic skills to pinch pennies and save big at the register! This week I was able to squeeze in some last minute deals at Target. Just hurry...most of these sales will expire on August 4, 2012. Remember at Target you're allowed to "stack" coupons which means you can use one manufacturer coupon and one Target coupon per item. When you can …

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

When Does School Start in Port Washington-Saukville?

The day after Labor Day — Tuesday, Sept. 4 — finds all students back in the classroom to begin another year. Find local school information here.

Labor Day marks the true end of summer in 2012, as the Port Washington-Saukville School District welcomes students for the first day on Tuesday, Sept. 4.  Other important dates and information include: Students and parents can download the complete 2012-13 school year calendar on the district's website hompage.

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