South Milwaukee Blog

I’ll bring the beer, MillerCoors products of course.

From the South Milwaukee School District …

We are happy to announce that the School Board for the School District of South Milwaukee approved Dr. Jeffrey Fleig as the next principal of South Milwaukee High School effective July 8, 2019.

Dr. Fleig has 21 years of experience in administration. He previously served as the principal for La Crosse Central High School for 5 years, and as the assistant principal of the same high school for 6 years prior to becoming the principal. Since moving to the Milwaukee area three years ago, Dr. Fleig has been the principal of Glen Hills Middle School in the Glendale River Hill School District.

Dr. Fleig was chosen to be the next principal of South Milwaukee High School after multiple interviews with students, parents, teachers, administration, and the Board of Education. He recently received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with his dissertation focused equity for all students. His master’s degree is from UW-Superior, and his undergraduate work is from UW-La Crosse. The School District of South Milwaukee is very excited to announce his appointment.

Welcome to South Milwaukee, Dr. Fleig, and good luck at Kettle Moraine, Mrs. Kaminski!

I had the pleasure of meeting many of the students of South Milwaukee’s REAL Academy recently during their open house and graduation ceremony. What an impressive group of young adults — and what an impressive example of innovating to improve the lives of all students.

Indeed, this is a South Milwaukee success story. And these kids are too.

The REAL (Rocket Education for Alternative Learning) Academy offers an option for kids who may have been left behind in many districts.

Kids — those who need an alternative learning environment outside of the traditional high school — meet for three hours a day and get a lot out of that time. As instructor Joanna Rizzotto told me when I first learned about this effort several years ago …

The REAL Academy is an alternative learning environment that provides high need, at-risk and special education students equal access to education by addressing their barriers to success through a personalized educational program. The REAL Academy is a separate school within SMHS, resulting in a small classroom setting which allows for individual student attention and a strong community atmosphere. Everything we do is created around being a Productive Worker: Attendance & Punctuality, Organization, Task Completion, Taking Initiative, Enthusiasm, Self Esteem, and Self Management.

She added recently …

Most of our guests comment about how they can just “feel” what is different from our students. Our students understand what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how it can be applied in their lives outside of school. The majority of alternative programs utilize online learning and have a focus on obtaining credits. Our focus is on the overall well-being (regulation) of the child and addressing root causes (of disregulation) first. We are so grateful to be supported by our community.

Supported, and recognized for their good work.

Joanna and fellow REAL instructor Hallie Schmeling were recognized with a WISN Top Teacher Award last fall. More details here. From that story …

At the REAL Academy, Joanna says, “the focus is on the whole child and relationships.” She says her approach to teaching is “to be open, to respond and not react, to guide.”

“The unique thing,” Hallie says, “is that we really come from the space that instead of me being the teacher that is putting information into kids, we’re more about they have it in them, they have their passions, they have strengths, they have things that just need to be drawn out of them.”

Our community is better for it.

Bucyrus continues to leave a legacy in South Milwaukee, supporting the organizations that make our city so special and help so many people.

The Bucyrus Foundation has announced a new $25,000 grant program aimed at supporting South Milwaukee-based nonprofit organizations and institutions.

The city will administer the grants, partnering with the foundation and its board (including former CEO Tim Sullivan), as well as the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, to choose recipients. Grants will be for up to $5,000 each.

While funds can be used for general operations, applicants are encouraged to use the grant money to drive new or early-stage projects or programs. Funding can also be used toward capital projects. Recipients should improve the quality of life of residents in the city, or help attract new visitors, residents or businesses to South Milwaukee.

Applicants can apply here.

“The Bucyrus Foundation is thrilled to bring this funding to deserving South Milwaukee organizations,” said Tim Sullivan, a foundation board member and former CEO of Bucyrus. “I’m proud of the work Bucyrus and our employees did in passionately supporting community organizations. This effort reflects that commitment, and I’m personally excited to get behind it.”

Applications must be received by July 19, 2019. Funds will be disbursed in September.

The grants are a continuation of a program that Bucyrus pledged as part of its 2001 tax incremental financing agreement to remodel its downtown South Milwaukee campus. Caterpillar, which acquired Bucyrus in 2011, continued with the grants until the obligation expired in 2018, under terms of the TIF contract.

“I’m really happy Tim and the Bucyrus Foundation stepped up to continue to offer these funds,” South Milwaukee Mayor Erik Brooks said. “These will make a real difference for some deserving organizations and the people they serve. Our community will be stronger for it.”

So glad to see this return this summer!

From the South Milwaukee School District …

The School District of South Milwaukee will provide a free lunch program again this year to all children 18 years and under. Persons over 18 years of age who are determined by a state or local public educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled and who also participate in a public or private non-profit school program during the regular school year may receive free meals as well.

The program will operate from one location this year: South Milwaukee High School, 801 15th Avenue. The program will operate Monday-Friday beginning Monday June 24, through Friday August 9, 2019. Lunch will be served from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm every Monday-Friday during this time. We will be closed on Thursday, July 4th for the holiday.

Meals are provided to eligible children regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender or disability and there will be no discrimination in the course of meal service.

The Summer Food Service Program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture and administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. If you have any questions, please feel free to call.

Check out the menu here.

Thanks to First Congregational United Church of Christ and all of the community organizations who continue to make this happen each month. Please check it out — and bring a friend or three!

From Milwaukee County Parks …

Mark your calendars: Our next Traveling Beer Garden stop will be at Grant Park on June 19th from 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.!

Our Hours: Weekdays 5:00 – 10:00 p.m and weekends/holidays 11:00 am – 10:00 pm. ***Last call will be 9 pm daily. 

Beer list: Acapulco Gold, Hefe Weiss, Abbey Triple, IPA2, Fire Light, Cidre De Pome, Black Bavarian, Pineapple Express, Mango Radler, Mai Bock, PilsnerSpecial Amber, non-alcoholic Sprecher Root Beer.

The ceremonial keg tapping is at 5 p.m. Wednesday, with free beer, as supplies last. Check out the full beer garden schedule here.

I continue to be impressed with the work of the South Milwaukee Theatre Co. under Executive Director Tim Backes, his team and students.

The latest effort: an Advanced Theatre Series “intended to give students the opportunity to take on more mature, complex literature, as well as the opportunity to take a larger role in production.”

Their first show is this weekend: “Rabbit Hole.” Details here.

From the Facebook event …

We are thrilled to present the first ever production of the new SMHS Advanced Theatre Series. This series is intended to give students the opportunity to take on more mature, complex literature, as well as the opportunity to take a larger role in production. Advanced Theatre Series shows will be fully designed (costumes, hair, makeup, lighting, sound, set) by SMHS theatre students.

This year’s production, running June 21-22 at 7:30 PM in the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center, is RABBIT HOLE by David Lindsay-Abaire.

“Becca and Howie Corbett have everything a family could want, until a life-shattering accident turns their world upside down and leaves the couple drifting perilously apart. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RABBIT HOLE charts their bittersweet search for comfort in the darkest of places and for a path that will lead them back into the light of day.”

*NOTE: This production features some strong language and mature themes. Recommended audience is high school and older.

This production will feature audience seating on stage in a black box style format. There will only be 100 tickets available per night and only two productions, so it is HIGHLY recommended you purchase tickets in advance.

Cast …

• BECCA: Angelita Colin
• HOWIE: J.P. McCown
• IZZY: Lia Krystowiak
• NAT: Isabella Bravo
• JASON: Eli Lindner

For tickets and more information, visit www.smhstheatre.org or www.southmilwaukeepac.org.

Check out these South Shore and South Milwaukee headlines …

• After 13,000 People Came to Crusherfest This Year, Will it Return in 2020? Here’s What the Organizer Had to Say. (NOW)
• Village Attorney “Stunned” at Da Crusher Fest (Racine Journal Times)
• “Just Disappointed”: Reduced Hours at Milwaukee County Pools Due to Lifeguard Shortage (CBS 58)
• South Milwaukee Students Make Cancer Patients Feel “a Little Bit Like Christmas” With Custom Care Packages (TMJ4)
• Local Fire Departments to Staff Madison Stations During Service for Fallen Firefighter (CBS 58)
• Last Year he Found Out His Hair Salon Was Going to be Torn Down. Now he Has the Place of His Dreams. (NOW)
• Suspicious Package Spotted Downtown Ends up Being Suitcase With Dirty Laundry (WISN)

Also, Chris Smith appeared on Steve Scaffidi’s show on AM 620 on Monday, to talk about Crusherfest. Check out the interview here. Find the June 10 rebroadcast; the interview starts about 1:45 into the show.

Combining bicycling and the area’s top attractions … thanks, James Davies, for bringing these rides to South Milwaukee!

South Milwaukee is famous for many things — and we’ve happily added “bird flyway” to that list, officially.

Bird City Wisconsin has named us a Bird City for the second time.

Thanks to Rita Wiskowski for leading this effort! Look for more details soon on our annual event celebrating the birds of South Milwaukee.

And be sure to like the South Milwaukee Bird City Facebook page.

Pick up a book, and put down your phone this summer. Me included.

The 2019-20 season will bring more memorable performances to the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

The lineup was announced last month, and you can purchase a ticket to four or more shows (a subscription) through their box office now, to choose your seat before the general public tickets go on sale at the end of July.

I always look forward to their varied lineup of shows, and it never disappoints. The South Milwaukee PAC challenges us artistically as a community, and that’s why it’s celebrating its 15th season this year … with hopefully another 100 to come.

From the press release …

South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) will celebrate its 15th Anniversary Performing Arts Season next year and recently announced the 2019-2020 Performing Arts Series at a Preview & Tasting Party hosted by the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Council, Skyline Catering & Express Deli, Azteca Restaurant, and the Milwaukee Gourmet House.

“Our 15th anniversary season will feature eight performances chosen for their high-energy, opportunities for community collaboration, and broad appeal,” said Rachel Sorce, Executive Director. “The annual Performing Arts Series is designed for people of all ages and aesthetics, and we encourage experience-seekers to join us for these exciting performances.”

The 15th Anniversary Season will open September 21 with ARTRAGEOUS: The Interactive Art & Music Experience, an energetic and visually stunning production where large-scale paintings are created live on stage while musicians, singers and dancers entertain and engage our audience. On October 19, sing along to the music of one of the most prolific and beloved songwriters of our time when Matt Vee Family & Friends celebrate the music of Neil Diamond in I Am… He Said. Local choir members will join the band on stage for part of the show. To start the holiday season, we’ll present The Mark O’Connor Band, a multiple Grammy-winning artist with one of the most distinguished careers in the business, on November 16. Coming Home will feature the band’s impeccable style of progressive bluegrass, country and Americana. We’re proud to present America’s trailblazing first ladies of mariachi, Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles®, in Navidad Mexicana on December 13. Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles® brings sensitivity, beauty, warmth and vivacious spirit to the historic art of mariachi.

For the second half of our season starting on January 30, we will feature Shaun Boothe’s Unauthorized Biography Series, a critically acclaimed musical project that celebrates the world’s greatest cultural icons to educate and challenge us to “live our legacies”. Half TED Talk, half live music concert, Boothe uses multimedia and motivation to deliver powerful and transformative messaging. For a fun romantic date or group night out, get tickets for the Australian performers, The Tap Pack, in Las Vegas style level up old-school cool as the new “Kings of Swing.” In our first-ever Canine Cabaret, the adorable Mutts Gone Nuts rescue dogs will steal your heart and then your socks! For our season finale, we’ll curate a special 15th Anniversary Variety Show that will be like no other. Auditions start soon. Visit southmilwaukeepac.org for details. Sponsored by Molthen-Bell.

I love to see our police department continue to innovate. Adopting this program is just the latest example. This could save lives.

Sign up here.