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Nicolet Elementary seeks formal community-school title and signage after United Way funding
Summary
Staff and community-school leaders asked the board to change the school name to "Nicolet Elementary Community School," citing recent Brown County United Way investments, an on-site community-room buildout and a portfolio of family- and community-driven programming.
Nicolet Elementary's community-school team asked the board for approval to change the school's official name to "Nicolet Elementary Community School," saying the name would reflect expanded community-school services now active in the building.
Amy Fish, associate director of community partnerships and grants, and school leaders described how Howe Elementary acted as a flagship community school beginning in 2018 and that Nicolet began implementing community-school strategies about two and a half years ago. Brown County United Way provided initial investment funding for community-school work; Fish said a second United Way installment in November expanded the strategy across the district.
Laurie McArthur, Nicolet staff, and Megan Crystal, the school's community-school resource coordinator hired in August, described programming that staff and families identified through a needs assessment. Activities listed included family bingo, a morning martial-arts program that drew about 60 children across sessions, parent cafes, an art club, a running club culminating in a color run, Hispanic Heritage events, and partnerships to provide mental-health services onsite.
McArthur said initial United Way funds are planned for signage (exterior and community-room signage), interior artwork and a community room buildout. Fish said the community-school model focuses on the school-community partnership and data-driven indicators; she described the community-school work as intended to address student needs through partnerships that operate both inside the school and in the broader community.
Board members praised the model and asked about next steps. Staff said they expected to bring a resolution (or approval item) at a subsequent meeting to authorize the formal name change and signage. No vote was taken Feb. 10.
Ending: Staff asked the board to consider a resolution to formally change Nicolet's name to include "Community School." The board signaled support and staff said they would return with a resolution for action at a future meeting.
