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Family and Community Engagement Guide

 

🐾 Badger Ridge Middle School

Family & Community Engagement Guide

In response to your feedback, here’s how we’re partnering with you.

 

Welcome & Purpose

Welcome to Badger Ridge Middle School! We are excited to partner with you to create the best possible middle school experience for your child. This guide shows how we are acting on your feedback to strengthen family partnerships, communication, and opportunities to be involved.

Our Belief Statement

At Badger Ridge Middle School, we show up for each other! We lead with kindness, speak honestly, stay loyal to our community, and try our best—even when it’s tough. We grow stronger & smarter together. We’re proud to be Wildcats!

Our Family Engagement Stance
Badger Ridge’s Family Engagement team values and leads with humility, curiosity, and listening with students and their families. We wholeheartedly believe that every child can and wants to learn, and all families want the best educational experience for their children.

 

Acting on Your Feedback

We listened to your feedback from last year’s surveys and conversations. Here’s what you told us mattered most — and how we are making it happen this year.

 

“I want to connect with the principal team, student services, and teachers.”

Here’s what we are doing:

  • Leadership Visibility & Communication:
    The principal team shares welcome messages, a monthly newsletter, and weekly This Week at Badger updates to keep families informed and connected.
     
  • Listening Sessions:
    During conferences, families have dedicated times to share ideas, ask questions, and engage directly with school leaders.
     
  • Family Events:
    School leaders regularly attend events such as Family Festivals, music concerts, AVID Family Nights, TWI Family Nights, and Transition Evenings to meet families and build relationships.
     
  • Clear Contact Pathways and Timely Follow-ups:
    For class-specific questions or concerns, families are encouraged to start with their child’s teacher. If needed, the teacher will connect families with the right staff member to support further.

 

“I want to understand how my students’ learning is reported on Canvas and PowerSchool and standards-based grading.”

Here’s what we are doing:

  • Monthly Grade-Level Newsletters by Department:
    These newsletters provide overviews of skills, standards, and upcoming assignments to help families know what their child is learning.
     
  • Standards-Based Grading and Digital Systems (Canvas, PowerSchool) Information:
    We will update and communicate family informational documents this year to guide caregivers on how to use PowerSchool, Canvas, and understand standards-based grading.
     

 

“I want to be updated on my students' progress in a timely and consistent way.”

Here’s what we are doing:

  • Teacher Communications:
    Families receive welcome messages from teachers and academic departments, plus invitations to fall and spring conferences to discuss progress in detail.
  • Special Education Support:
    Case managers connect regularly with families to explain IEP goals and share progress updates.
  • Weekly Progress Updates via PowerSchool:
    Families receive weekly updates on grades and assignments through PowerSchool.
  • Course Resources Available in Canvas:
    Students’ course materials and resources are accessible anytime in Canvas, giving families easy insight into what’s being taught.
  • Consistent Student Services Communication:
    Our full student services team—including counselors, psychologists, social workers, the dean of students, and restorative practices specialists—partners closely with families. They provide support for social-emotional needs, share college and career opportunities, and facilitate conflict resolution.
  • Timely Outreach & Collaboration:
    When new interventions or behavioral plans are developed, interventionists and case managers reach out promptly to discuss progress and next steps. Families receive updates on social-emotional supports and behavioral interventions as they happen.
     

 

“I want to be more involved in the school outside of conferences.”

Here’s what you can do to get involved:

  • Event Volunteering:
    Help at concerts, assemblies, cultural celebrations, and special school events.
     
  • Chaperoning:
    Join us on field trips, student outings, and off-campus activities.
     
  • Long-Term Volunteering:
    Commit to regular roles that provide ongoing support to the school community.
     
  • Clubs & Student Activities:
    Serve as a club advisor or co-lead a student interest group. Have an idea for a new club? Submit a proposal and start something fresh!
     
  • Parent Advisory Council:
    Become part of the team that co-creates plans to improve communication, strengthen family belonging, increase access to resources, and build community partnerships. Meetings are regularly scheduled and open to all interested families. More information will come in our monthly newsletters.
     
  • Event Planning & Fundraising:
    Join the PBIS/Student Engagement Team that plan dances, talent shows, cultural nights, recognition events, and fundraising activities that support student programs and trips.
     
  • Community Partnerships:
    Connect Badger Ridge with local businesses, cultural organizations, and service groups. Share your expertise through classroom presentations, career talks, or mentorship opportunities.
     

Getting Started Is Easy:

  • Browse the school event on our website for upcoming opportunities.
     
  • We welcome volunteers into our school community to support students and staff in various capacities throughout the school year!
  • Email grovec@verona.k12.wi.us or glasst@verona.k12.wi.us if you have ideas or want to explore other ways to get involved.

 

3️⃣ Quick Reference: Key Contacts

 

📞 School Leadership

  • Principal: Dr. Larry Love —| lovel@verona.k12.wi.us
     
  • Associate Principal (6th & 7th last names L-Z): Paula Arango — arangop@verona.k12.wi.us
     
  • Associate Principal (7th last names A-H & 8th): Shayla Glass-Thompson — | glassths@verona.k12.wi.us
     
  • Interim Associate Principal (7th last names A-H & 8th): Christina Grove — | grovec@verona.k12.wi.us
     

 

📅 Attendance

  • Email (fastest): brms-attendance@verona.k12.wi.us
     
  • Hotline: 608-845-4403
     
  • Note: Signed parent/guardian note sent with student
     

 

👥 Student Services

  • Dean of Students: Olivia Berch — bercho@verona.k12.wi.us
     
  • Restorative Practices & Engagement: Curtrel Robinson — robinsoc@verona.k12.wi.us
     
  • Counselors:
     
    • 8th & 7th (L-Z): Elvis Ajong — ajonge@verona.k12.wi.us
       
    • 6th & 7th (A-K): Amie Pittman — pittmana@verona.k12.wi.us
       
  • Psychologist: Joel Porter — porterjo@verona.k12.wi.us
     
  • Social Worker: Sarah Hall — halls@verona.k12.wi.us
     
  • Nurse: Annie Brandt — brandtm@verona.k12.wi.us
     

 

📚 Academics

  • Contact your child’s teacher first for class-specific questions.
     
  • Teachers provide weekly updates on PowerSchool, send conference invitations, and connect with positive progress messages.
     
  • Student services or interventionists reach out for any specific plans or supports.
     

 

Together, we are building a stronger Badger Ridge community — every voice matters, and every family belongs here.