DID YOU KNOW: Less than 5 percent of the world’s cocoa is Fair Trade?

• An estimated two million children work on cocoa farms
• Farmers suffer from unstable global market prices for cocoa
• Average annual revenue for a cocoa farmer is between $30 and $100

Fair Trade Cocoa
• Fair Trade standards prohibit forced and child labor
• A minimum price provides greater economic stability
• Farmers earn additional income from the Fair Trade community development premium

October is Fair Trade Month.

*Please help raise awareness by buying, eating and sharing only Fair Trade certified chocolate. *Stop in at any of our 3 MPTC campus libraries this October to sample some delicious Fair Trade chocolate and find out more!

Find out more about MPTC Fair Trade College.

Last week, the Kewaskum and West Bend High School Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class, held at Moraine Park’s West Bend campus, participated in a combined educational opportunity with the West Bend Fire Department and Flight for Life, a critical care air medical transport program out of Waukesha.

During the class, students were able to observe the Flight for Life helicopter landing and the appropriate setup of the landing zone. Students were taught the different aeromedical needs for patients and were provided time to inspect the aircraft and ask the flight crew questions about operations and patient care.

“These educational opportunities enhance the students learning with field observation,” Moraine Park Paramedic Instructor, Andrew Novak, said. “Educational opportunities like this would not exist without our strong partnerships with our local departments.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Domestic violence occurs when one intimate partner seeks to maintain power and control over the other partner, which may be exhibited as verbal or emotional abuse, intimidation, isolation, economic abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or other abuses. The trauma from these abusive behaviors can have significant impact on survivors and can, ultimately, result in death.

According to the annual Wisconsin Domestic Violence Homicide Report from End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin, 811 victims were killed in domestic violence homicides from 2000 through 2019 in Wisconsin, excluding homicides involving legal intervention. In 2019, domestic violence claimed 72 lives, including both victims and perpetrators. Tragically, past domestic violence homicides in Wisconsin have claimed the lives not only of victims, but of their family members, friends, co-workers and law enforcement.

from State of Wisconsin Department of Justice

For help in your community:

SSM Agnesian DV and Solutions Center DV are the service providers in Fond du Lac.

PAVE is the service provider for Beaver Dam.

FRIENDS is the service provider in West Bend.

Christine Ann is the service provider for Green Lake.

If there is an Emergency, CALL 911.

MPTC Counseling Services are free and confidential and available to assist you. LEARN MORE HERE

West Bend October event:

Fond du Lac October event:

Congratulations to Moraine Park’s 2022-23 Student Senate Officers!

Moraine Park’s Student Government provides a forum for students to share opinions on college issues and offers opportunities to get involved in college life. Participation promotes skill building and leadership development. Students work with each other, plan student development opportunities, act as liaisons amongst the student body and interact with faculty and the administration in the promotion of student rights. Student Senates are setup on each of MPTC’s campuses to provide individualized attention to campus issues and activities. Representatives include at-large members and representatives from each campus club.

Beaver Dam Executive Team

Secretary: Morgan Ottman of Oconomowoc – Nursing

Vice President: Mailia Bachleitner of Juneau – IT Software Development

President: Ivan Hebbe of Princeton – Electrical Power Distribution

“Becoming Student Senate President means a couple different things to me,” Hebbe said. “It allows me as an individual to grow and work outside my usual comfort zone as well as help others do the same. It also enables me to try to blend the different programs at Moraine Park and understand the different views and ideas that come with them. I hope this year is full of fun and excitement as well as next year with the footprints that we leave as a whole Senate this year.”

Fond du Lac Executive Team

Secretary:  Tim Reynolds of Van Dyne – IT Cyber Security

Vice President: Allison Newman of Richfield – Medical Laboratory Technician

President: Damien Garza of Watertown – Medical Laboratory Technician

“What I am looking forward to most this year is my leadership role,” Garza said. “I believe my office gives me a unique opportunity to make our students feel included here at MPTC. Studies consistently show that the more involved a student is on campus, the more likely they are to graduate. I believe it is part of my job to make sure our students, no matter their program of study, feel like they are part of the wolf pack. I know that my academic success is directly correlated to my involvement here on campus, and what to share the fun and inclusive environment that Lucas Nieman has worked hard to procure here.”

West Bend Executive Team

Secretary: Sara Dzierzewski of West Bend – General Studies

Treasurer: Jacob Weymier of West Bend – CNC/Tool & Die

Vice President: Aspyn Koslowski of West Bend – HVAC

President: Andy Dionne of West Bend – CNC/Tool & Die

“Becoming Student Senate President means I can test my leadership skills and my ability to do good for the whole of the college,” Dionne said. “I look forward to planning many fun student life events and community service opportunities.”

Moraine Park Technical College hosted a Community Forum on the West Bend campus today, Sept. 26, regarding the College’s referendum in the November election.

The Moraine Park Technical College District Board passed a resolution in June stating an intent to borrow $55 million to enhance campus learning spaces to meet future student and regional workforce needs through four projects across Moraine Park campuses and communities. In August, the Board approved the final ballot language, allowing the College to move forward with a referendum in the November election. Under state law, technical colleges must hold referendums before completing capital projects with a cost of more than $1.5 million.

Moraine Park’s Community Forums are an opportunity for the public to ask questions and learn more about the referendum. Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald presented about the referendum, and the forum ended with a Q&A.

The College will host its third forum on the Beaver Dam campus on Oct. 3 from 9-10 a.m.

To learn more about the referendum, visit morainepark.edu/future.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.

MPTC wants to help raise awareness, spread hope and share resources.

Did you know?

• On average, 1 person in the U.S. dies by suicide every 11 minutes.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10–14 and the 3rd leading cause of death among people aged 15-24 in the U.S.
• Suicide is the 12th leading cause of death overall in the U.S.
• 79% of all people who die by suicide are male.
• In Wisconsin, 888 lives were lost to suicide last year.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available!

Call or Text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

If there is an Emergency, CALL 911.

MPTC Counseling Services are free and confidential and available to assist you. LEARN MORE HERE

MPTC Emergency CALL 5555 from any Campus Phone

OR using your cell phone:

BD Campus    920-887-4401
FDL Campus   920-924-3107
WB Campus   262-306-5334

NAMI resources

This fall, Moraine Park is offering a new Information Technology (IT) associate of applied science degree program specializing in applications support. The IT Applications Support Specialist program is one of the many IT programs offered at Moraine Park.

“The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment in information technology occupations will grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2021-31 due to growth and replacement needs,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “This is not just a national trend, but also a trend that we observe in our state and across the Moraine Park district.”

Students in the program will obtain education and training on multiple business applications including Microsoft and Office 365 Administrator; and will be prepared to provide end-user training and support. The college partners with Microsoft to provide students free access to preparation materials and testing for the credentials.

“Regardless of industry, employers are looking for people with strong skills in different office applications,” Deb Clarke, Moraine Park associate dean of business and IT, said. “Students in this program will learn a variety of entry-level technology skills and prepare for Microsoft credentials that district employers are looking for in employees.”

Graduates of the program can leverage entry-level support positions within a variety of industries to master their software support skills and explore opportunities to further focus their IT interests. Some occupations include computer specialist, computer technician, desktop support technician, help desk analyst, technical support specialist and more.

“What makes this program truly unique is that we offer many of the courses through our dual credit program,” Bobbi Fields, Moraine Park dean of applied technology and trades, said. “The Office Software Specialist embedded certificate is designed to provide a pathway for entrance into the IT Application Support Specialist program and gives high school students an opportunity to get a jump-start on college and their future IT careers at no cost.”

Learn more about the program at morainepark.edu/academics/programs/information-technology-applications-support-specialist/.

Are you looking to release your inner lumberjack and benefit Moraine Park students? Then The Ledge Games is just the event for you.

On Saturday, September 24, you’ll see plenty of beards and flannel at this family-friendly competition held at Red Cabin at Green Acres in Eden. One hundred percent of event proceeds support The Ledge Games scholarship, established through the Moraine Park Foundation, which focuses on engineering, manufacturing, and technology programs at Moraine Park.

Wannabe lumberjacks compete in caber toss, hammer toss, archery, keg toss, speed chop and axe throwing. Competition divisions include men, women and a 55+ age group. Spectators are also welcome to come and cheer on their friends and family members.

The event, co-founded in 2014 by Josh Michels of Fond du Lac and Tyler Oestreich of Eden, has generated over $43,000 in scholarships for 74 aspiring students. Last year’s competition raised $10,000 for student scholarships and will support 20 students.

For more information, visit ledgegames.com.

Moraine Park Technical College hosted a Community Forum on Sept. 15 regarding the College’s referendum in the November election. The forum took place both virtually and on the College’s Fond du Lac campus.

The Moraine Park Technical College District Board passed a resolution in June stating an intent to borrow $55 million to enhance campus learning spaces to meet future student and regional workforce needs through four projects across Moraine Park campuses and communities. In August, the Board approved the final ballot language, allowing the College to move forward with a referendum in the November election. Under state law, technical colleges must hold referendums before completing capital projects with a cost of more than $1.5 million.

Moraine Park’s Community Forums are an opportunity for the public to ask questions and learn more about the referendum. Moraine Park President Bonnie Baerwald presented about the referendum, and the forum ended with a Q&A. 

“Education is the key to economic growth in any community,” President Baerwald said. “Workforce growth is what will change our community. As a tech college, we are the change agents–a referendum is a way to make change and growth happen at a time when technology and automation is influencing industry so rapidly.”

The College will soon host Community Forums on the Beaver Dam and West Bend campuses. See the dates below.

• West Bend – September 26, 11:45 – 12:45 p.m.; 2151 N. Main St.
• Beaver Dam – October 3, 9 – 10 a.m.; 700 Gould St.

Learn more about the referendum at morainepark.edu/future.