District Administrator Michelle Meronk, Ed. D., MBA
District Information
PALMYRA-EAGLE AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT
123 Burr Oak Street
Palmyra, WI 53156
Business Comptroller: Alfredo Balmaseda
Phone: (262) 495-7101 Fax: (262) 495-7146
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Summer Hours: Monday - Thursday 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Thank you for your interest in the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District. The Palmyra-Eagle Area School District has the advantage of a scenic small town atmosphere with close proximity to urban and suburban areas. Our community is a great place to live, raise a family and send your children to school.
We are proud of our accomplishments and our vision for the future and invite you to become a part of the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District. We invite you to contact the District Office or any of our schools if you have any questions.
Mission Statement
To ensure that students excel with intellect and virtue, inspired by innovative educators who engage and challenge each individual.
Announcements
Wrap Around Care
Greeting PEASD families. We are pleased to offer before and after school care to our learning community! Enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year is now open. With locations at the Eagle and Palmyra Elementary sites, we aim to support our families and students in the most convenient way possible. Please read the attached "Elementary Wrap Around Care Parent Handbook" and click on the link to fill out the application form. Application forms may also be obtained by picking one up at Eagle Elementary. Elementary Principal Ms. Katie Robertson is serving as the program supervisor and any questions may be sent to her at krobertson@peasd.org or by phone at 262.594.2148. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
At Palmyra-Eagle Area School District we believe every child can succeed in their education, everyone can be inspired, challenged and engaged to be the best they can be in life! As an administrator I believe it to be my duty to serve the community, our students and to provide everyone in our staff with the best resources and tools available to us.
Finding a good balance between what we can afford and what we need to succeed can be challenging at times, but anything can be overcome if everyone keeps the best interests of the students at the top of their mind. Schools are the pillar of the community and they provide not only education but they form individuals who can then be good citizens and members of the community.
Having strong school districts serving the community lifts everyone's values, citizenship and that eventually impacts the well-being and the economy of the entire country.
During this year we have been fortunate enough to find out our economic situation was much better than previously thought of. After having restructured the school district we are very excited to let everyone know this school district is probably going to be educating students beyond the year 2100!
Financial Newsletter
We have exciting news to share with the community about our financial situation! Attached below is our financial report and statements that show where we stand now financially and where we are expecting to be over next year and for many years to come. We are excited to say that panther pride is back and here to stay!
Also, please remember to register your children, we have moved the registration deadline to August 7th. We hope to count on everyone's support to continue providing excellent education to all our students!
Attention Panther families: Online registration is being extended until Friday, August 7th to better accomodate families.
Plans to Safely Reopen
At last night’s special board meeting, the school board voted to approve the 5-day school week return to school, with an option for virtual learning for those who choose to stay home. They also discussed the safety measures that will be required in order for a safe reopening, with the number one priority being the children. Please keep in mind that with the unknown nature of this virus, the plans are fluid and may be changed at any time. The presentation also contains plans for a potential 4-day week or full virtual model in case they are needed in the future. We thank everyone for the continued flexibility, understanding and cooperation in creating a safe environment for our children, staff and community.
PEASD Guiding principles for the reopening of schools in the Fall of 2020
This information, plan and subsequent details are subject to change and are pending official school board approval.
PEASD Guiding principles for the reopening of schools in the Fall of 2020
We support the American Academy of Pediatrics Statement: “Schools provide more than just academics to children and adolescents. In addition to reading, writing and math, children learn social and emotional skills, get exercise and access to mental health support and other things that cannot be provided with online learning. For many families, school is where kids get healthy meals, access to the internet and other vital services.”
Please note that all plans created by PEASD are designed only to mitigate student, staff, or community exposure to and spread of COVID-19. The protocols created should not be relied upon or be construed as a way to completely prevent students, staff, or community from becoming infected with COVID-19.
In reviewing the initial survey data from parents, students, staff and community members, PEASD wants to thank everyone for their thoughtful consideration and responses, and encourages those who may not have had the opportunity to complete this survey to do so; as the information garnered from the results will continue to drive the details of our planning process.
Currently, plans will reflect a full five-day week, with a face to face classroom learning environment that focuses on creating conditions to reopen schools as safely as possible. There will also be a consideration of options provided to parents who wish to enroll their child in virtual learning. However, knowing the trajectory of the COVID-19 outbreak is changing weekly, we are planning for multiple school opening scenarios as needed. We recognize that families may have unique needs as we develop this process and we will work with those families to provide the necessary support and responses as needed.
At this time there are no additional details available regarding the reopening plans. As soon as information is available, and board approved, we will provide detailed information to the school community at large. Thank you for your continued support and patience throughout this process.
Back to School Survey
Dear PEASD family and community members;
Here are the links to our community and family back to school survey. More information regarding our back to school options may be found on our website. Your input is valued and appreciated during this planning process, and seeking your opinions and feedback will help us throughout this planning process. Thank you for taking a moment to review our information and complete the survey. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know.
Thanks to careful planning by our amazing leadership, we are excited to be hosting an in-person Senior Awards Night and Graduation. As we are practicing social distancing, space is extremely limited but we want to share these special moments with friends and family so we will be livestreaming both events on YouTube. Join us at the following links to help celebrate our 2020 Seniors!
Palmyra-Eagle Area School District is pleased to announce the new District Administrative Assistant and Varsity Volleyball Coach, Karlin West. West grew up in Southeast Iowa, and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with her Bachelor’s in Business Management & Administration and a minor in Ethics. West moved to Wausau after college for a year and now lives in Janesville with her husband, Baron. Before being hired here she worked as an Administrative Assistant at Dayton Homes, a home building company.
West loves to remain active in her free time by playing volleyball and tennis, riding bikes and spending time with family. The district is excited for the new addition to our staff and we look forward to having West help us continue to grow and accomplish great things!
Superintendent Message
To our Palmyra-Eagle Area Staff, Parents, Students and Community members. As many of you are aware, DPI released “Education Forward” on June 22nd, with guidelines for school districts to use as we plan our return to school in the fall. We want to assure you that we are in full stages of planning and reviewing the document as we come to a decision for how school will begin in the fall. We plan to make the best decisions for our students and staff in regards to health and safety while still ensuring they receive a high quality education.
2020/21 School Calendars
The calendar for 2020-21 school year has been set. Click the links for the Family Calendar and the Calendar at a Glance.
Please join us any of the following dates, for more information on our new 4K program taking place in the fall! July 9th, July 23rd and August 6th, from 6-7 p.m. These will take place at Eagle Elementary, and please contact our new Principal, Katie Robertson with any questions regarding this event.
Announcing Our New Public Relations Coordinator
Palmyra Eagle Area School District would like to announce the new Public Relations Coordinator, Caitlin Kirchner. Kirchner grew up in our district, from Kindergarten at Eagle Elementary,until she graduated from high school. She is receiving her degree from UW-Whitewater in the fall with a degree in Interpersonal Communication and a minor in Journalism.
Kirchner keeps busy with her husband and three children and enjoys reading and true crime podcasts in her free time. She is excited to be back where she went to school and to help promote the district and everything it has to offer. Palmyra-Eagle has so many positive things going on now for our students and our community and we are here to stay! People need to be aware of the awesome opportunities for all students pre-k through 12 and the extra added value that a small rural district like ours can provide. Caitlin will be quite busy getting the good news out as much as possible! The school board and administration feel very fortunate to have Caitlin come alongside us and help with our efforts to make district changes and improvements known.
New EES Principal
Palmyra Eagle Area School District would like to announce the new Principal of Eagle Elementary, Katie Robertson, starting July 1st. Robertson is a UWM grad who has spent nearly 14 years working in classrooms from PreK-8th grade. A kindergarten teacher at heart, she considers becoming a principal an amazing opportunity to serve a school community.
Robertson lives in Burlington with her 4 year old son, Zachary. She enjoys being outdoors and plays six different instruments. She is thrilled, honored, and excited to be joining the Palmyra Eagle Area School District. Robertson believes that "We learn from ourselves, from others, from our mistakes and from our successes!” Her progressively increasing administrative experiences working with teachers as an instructional coach, curriculum leader and dean of students have allowed her to develop the necessary expertise and relationship-building skills that it takes to become an effective educational leader. She fully believes that all students can learn, and deserve a great place to learn, with great teachers, great staff, great programs and great attitudes!She says this is going to be an exciting year filled with new challenges and she can't wait to meet all of the students, families and community members.
A Message from PEASD
The NEW Solution, no dissolution, PEASD is here to stay!
After watching PEASD go through one of the toughest school years I can possibly imagine; from the dissolution process, to the loss of some beloved long term staff, to the Covid19 impact, they survived. The students, staff and community have been put through a horrendous experience. They have weathered it all and the majority have stayed loyal and hopeful for the future.
It is with confidence that I proclaim that the school district has made a variety of changes and are in a position to not only operate fully for the 20-21 school year, but the picture is very positive for years to come. While financial adjustments have taken place, (none bigger than teacher salary reductions) no services nor programs impacting students have been eliminated. In fact, the curriculum has expanded to better meet the needs of students as well as families and the community as a whole.
From the addition of wrap-around care and the choice of all-day or half day 4K instruction to the drastic expansion of course selection offerings to the high school, our students will be better served. With the closure of Palmyra Elementary we now will return to a two track offering in Eagle Elementary while retaining the advantage of small class sizes. With the 6th grade moving to the middle school, they will remain in a two section setting but gain the expanded offerings of elective experiences.
The surrounding districts are all larger than PEASD, but none will prove to be more personal, nurturing or responsive to the needs of our students. Palmyra-Eagle does have a rich history not ignoring some bumps in the road to where we are today. The new leadership of District Administrator Michelle Meronk, along with her team of Kari Timm, Katie Robertson and Alfredo Balmaseda are assembling a forward thinking teacher pool that will take the district to new heights. The school board with some returning veterans from golden years, coupled with the creative and passionate new blood, fought to save the district, and now will insure the future.
For those who chose to open enroll out, you may want to take a second look at what you have left behind. Bigger is not always better. It is just different. While there will still be people who want to pronounce the end of PEASD, they will soon discover that this unique little school district continues to have shining stars in its hallways and beyond. Purple Pride is back and here to stay.
Jeff Tortomasi
Consultant for Palmyra-Eagle Area School District
Introducing Alfredo Balmaseda
Palmyra-Eagle Area School District would like to announce the new Business Manager, Alfredo Balmaseda, who began on May 18th. Balmaseda was born in Mexico City, but has lived all over. He lived in Illinois before moving to Wisconsin six years ago. He has a Bachelor’s in Business, specializing in finance. From there he received his M.P.A., his M.B.A., and finally his M.S.B.A.
Balmaseda comes to the district after working in banking, for non-profits, industries, for the government and for schools. He was a teacher for seven years, and a financial manager for 17. He has managed financial information for over 12 countries.
He has been away from teaching for seven years, and is excited to be back in a school district setting. He feels a strong commitment to the community, and to the students. Balmaseda feels empathy towards those who are in need, and believes that when communities work together it leads to health and wealth for everyone involved. He states that “Best thing you can do for your community is to support your school district.“With an extensive background in both finances and education, the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District believes that Balmaseda will be a great asset to us, and can help move our district forward not only in the next few years, but well into the future for the hundreds of students we can continue to serve. Balmaseda has the confidence PEASD can continue to grow and looks forward to working with our staff and our community and to helping everyone have a great 2020-2021 school year!
2020-2021 Elementary School Consolidation
At its regularly scheduled March 11, 2020 school board meeting the Palmyra-Eagle Area School District school board voted to consolidate its elementary schools beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. As a result of this determination, all incoming four-year-old kindergarten through grade 5 students will be enrolled at Eagle Elementary School. While a difficult decision to make, the advantages of assigning all elementary grade levels at one school site are many.
Benefits to students include the coordination and sequencing of common curriculum experiences within and across grade levels, collaborative efforts among multiple teachers of the same grade level, targeted learning experiences for all learners, and the alignment of interventions created to support and expand student growth and achievement. The school setting has ready access to a natural conservatory which offers "nature's classroom" to both teachers and their students. A strong partnership exists with the local library which is a brief two minute walk from the school through a serene, wooded area.
Future communications will address new and expanded program offerings at Palmyra Middle/High School which will house students in grades 6th through 12th next year.
On days when inclement weather necessitates the closing of school, delayed starts, or early release, please listen to the following radio and TV stations:
