Talking Tosa

“When we think about the instructional opportunities that we want for our children, we want them to be prepared for whatever faces them in their post-secondary world.” In this episode of Talking Tosa, Chief of Academics Dr. Nicole Marble breaks down the findings from the district’s Analysis of Learning Spaces, which revealed an “instructionally unhealthy, outdated, and obsolete” state of the secon...

Learn more about the curriculum review cycle and its importance from Director of Curriculum Jessica Ebert and Chief Academic Officer Nicole Marble. “It’s really important that our educators and our community know that any high-functioning organization has regular reviews and opportunities for reflective change. We know it’s a non-negotiable. Education inherently is iterative; it relies on cycles o...

“To us, teaching reading and writing is one of the most powerful and urgent ways we can ensure that every student is able to pursue their dreams, their aspirations, and their goals.” Act 20 requires all Wisconsin public schools and private institutions to instruct 4K to third-grade students in science-aligned literacy, and all public schools to assess reading levels to achieve proficiency in readi...

Wauwatosa School District serves 2,050 students during summer school. From enrichment courses to credit recovery, Tosa summer school consistently provides something for everyone. In this episode of Talking Tosa, Summer School Coordinator Stephen Oliver and Superintendent Dr. Demond Means discuss how engaging and beneficial summer school programs are for Wauwatosa students and families.

As the Wauwatosa School District prepares for its next strategic plan, Director of Strategy and Continuous Improvement Jennifer Fotsch reflects on the district’s 2022-2025 strategic plan, breaks down the overall process for what it takes to create one for a school district, and emphasizes its importance. #TosaProud “A strategic plan–for any organization, educational or otherwise–it’s important bec...

Wauwatosa School District’s school counselors help students grow in three main domains–academic, career, and social emotional intelligence. While also acknowledging that all students develop in these areas at different rates, counselors provide strategic and consistent touch points with students and families to help develop each student’s independence and a plan for success. In this episode, Wauwa...

Director of Instruction Leann Neese and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Nicole Marble talk with Superintendent Dr. Demond Means about how instructional framework supports student-centered, high-quality instruction and gives the Wauwatosa School District a common language across its system. #TosaProud 🎬🍿Fun fact: The conversation even touches on how teaching portrayals in movies compare to real-life i...

“Everyone in the community and the district is part of safety. It’s not one person. It’s not just students, it’s not just staff, it’s everyone.” In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Demond Means, Chief of Pupil and Family Supports Luke Pinion, and Director of School Safety Laura Geisler discuss how everyone in the community and the district is part of safety. They define what safe and unsafe means...

When it comes to school safety, prevention is our strongest lever. Much of that prevention is due to processes in place that are aligned with the district’s mission, vision, and core values, along with best practices around school safety nationwide. Behind the scenes of every disciplinary case in the Wauwatosa School District, there is a lot happening in terms of strategic intervention and careful...

Superintendent Dr. Demond Means, Chief of Academics Dr. Nicole Marble, and Director of Strategy and Continuous Improvement Jennifer Fotsch discuss the grading process at the secondary school level in the Wauwatosa School District and how it aligns with the state's academic standards or a content area's governing body's standards.

Superintendent Dr. Demond Means and Director of Special Education Stacy Klemm discuss the role of special education in the Wauwatosa School District and the levels of support in place to ensure all students have opportunities for success. “We’re honoring who you are, recognizing who you are, and guiding you to build you up with the services we can provide based on what you see as your best future....

Wauwatosa School District Superintendent Dr. Demond Means sits down with Luke Pinion, Chief of Pupil + Family Services, to discuss the operation of a number of services and programs designed to support students, families and district staff members.

Dr. Means is joined by Mr. John Mercure and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Nicole Marble to discuss academics in the District.

Dr. Means and Mr. John Mercure discuss the two referendum questions that will appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot. Listen and learn how the funds would directly impact students.

Dr. Means is joined by Mr. John Mercure and Wauwatosa Mayor Dennis McBride for a tour of Wauwatosa East High School. Learn about the history of the school and the efforts taken to restore the historic entrance of the building.

Wauwatosa School District Superintendent Dr. Demond Means talks with Ms. Anne Chapman, Research Director with the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials to dive deep into the topic of school finance. How does it work? Who allocates funds? Why do some districts get more than others? Most importantly, how does Wisconsin's public school funding formula impact children? Click PLAY to f...