This year, MPTC Academic Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa students have decided on a Spring Project to benefit area homeless shelters in their quest to help those in need of services. These shelters are often only thought of by the general population during cold weather, but homelessness sadly knows no season. Help us to provide some critically needed supplies and other items to these facilities so that they can continue to provide shelter and hope for some of our most vulnerable residents in their time of need.

Beginning April 4, we’ll be collecting donations on all three campuses and need YOUR help to make this a success by April 29! The requested needs are small, but the impact of giving will be huge. The donated items we collect will be delivered to the Solutions Center of Fond du Lac,  the Promise Housing Program of West Bend, and to the New Beginnings Homeless Shelter of Beaver Dam. Each MPTC location will have a laundry basket for donations placed at the near school entrances, in front of the libraries, and at the cafeterias for a total of nine collection baskets. Whether you donate a few or many items, each will touch a heart in a lasting way!  Let’s do this!!

Critical Needs are as follows:

In addition to Phi Theta Kappa, Moraine Park has a NEW Academic Honor Society. Students who maintain a 3.5 GPA or above after obtaining at least 12 college credits towards an associate degree are invited to join the honor society. Check out our web page for more information on PTK and AHS.

— Written by Linda Huckaby

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It’s time to draw attention to the prevalence of sexual assault and educate ourselves and our communities about how to prevent it.

Did you know that 1 in 5 women in the U.S. experience sexual assault in their lifetime? Nearly 25% of men in the U.S. also experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men report experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault.

For more information and statistics at the NSVRC.

The movement to end sexual violence in the United States, and around the world, relies on people who have made a choice to do something. Sexual violence often seems inevitable, but the choice to do something and get involved has made incredible changes in national and global conversations about sexual violence. In recent decades, these changing conversations have expanded support for survivors and led to substantial innovation in the work of preventing sexual violence.

There are many ways you can become involved in the work of changing conversations about sexual violence, supporting survivors, and preventing sexual violence before it ever happens.

• Wear DENIM for Denim Day on April 27, 2022, when millions of people across the world will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence.
• Print and share the April Sexual Assault Awareness poster at your office, business, school or church
• Stay connected at the WI Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• Follow and Volunteer for FDL Says No More

MPTC Area Sexual Assault Resources

Fond du Lac – ASTOP

West Bend – Friends, Inc.

Beaver Dam – PAVE

Green Lake – ASTOP

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Every April, Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the necessity of communities working together to promote the social and emotional well-being of all children and their families. 

In Fond du Lac County alone, 552 cases of child abuse were reported in 2021, according to Nicole Mann, FDL County Social Worker. Children are the foundation of our society, our community and our future. Children raised in loving and supportive environments are more likely to prosper academically and
financially, becoming successful contributing members of society. Wisconsin must be a leader and
champion for all of our children. Research has shown the most effective way to prevent child abuse & neglect is to provide support to families so children can grow up in an environment that supports their well-being. Preventing child abuse and neglect results in better childhoods, ultimately saving millions of dollars currently needed for the services that address the short and long-term effects of abuse on children, their families, and our communities.

Find out more info at Prevent Child Abuse WI.

What can YOU do?

• Wear BLUE on April 1 in support and recognition of Child Abuse Prevention month
• Put a blue pinwheel in your yard
• Print and Share the CAP poster at your office, business, school or church
• Stay connected at Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin and Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board

Resources for Child Abuse Prevention in MPTC District:

FDL County Social Services

Washington County Social Services

Green Lake County Social Services

Dodge County Social Services

Moraine Park Information Technology student, Tim Reynolds of Van Dyne, has been named a 2022 Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

“The Coca-Cola scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, said. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa to make it possible for more deserving students to achieve their educational goals and support tomorrow’s leaders of the global community.”

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

“This scholarship is going to help pay for school, because I cannot afford it on my own,” Reynolds said. “I have been putting in a lot of hard work, and one of my biggest accomplishments is being part of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. I hope that I have inspired my peers to work hard and put their best foot forward.”

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held in Denver, Colorado, April 7-9.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, said. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month.  Did you know that 1 in 3 teens in the U.S. will experience physical, sexual or emotional abuse before they become adults? Close to 50% of college students report experience abusive or controlling dating relationships.  

We know that patterns of abuse and dysfunction in relationships that begin in adolescence can negatively impact a person’s relationships into adulthood.  Identifying and responding to teen dating violence in a way that empowers teens, educates them and helps them recognize the signs of dating violence, how to break free of an abusive situation and how to develop healthy relationships are important tasks for all of us who engage with teens and young adults. 

According to Love is Respect, typical warning signs of an abusive relationship include:

• Checking your phone, email, or social media
accounts without your permission.
• Putting you down frequently, especially in front
of others.
• Isolating you from friends or family (physically,
financially, or emotionally).
• Extreme jealousy or insecurity.
• Explosive outbursts, temper, or mood swings.
• Any form of physical harm.
• Possessiveness or controlling behavior.
• Pressuring you or forcing you to have sex.

Learn more about Teen Dating Violence in FDL County thru Project Table Talk with Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Deputies Andrea Dowland and Derek Rehfeldt. Project Table Talk is a local broadcast from the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund commitment to raising awareness about teen dating violence as part of the Fond du Lac Says No More initiative. Watch here on YouTube.

For more information and to help your family or friends:

SSM Health Domestic Violence Services

National hotline

On Valentine’s Day, many of us take time to show extra love to the special people in our lives. Stop in at any MPTC Campus Library from Feb. 7 – 18 to pick up your take-home Valentine kit and include some delicious Fair Trade chocolate!

Wouldn’t it be great if you could share that love with the farmers that help make this holiday extra sweet? Sign the virtual valentine for Fair Trade cocoa and flower farmers! 

Head to: https://padlet.com/FairTrade2022/MyFairTradeValentine and double-click the board to create your message now through Friday, February 18th. Once the valentine is filled with messages it will be sent to flower farmers at Agrocoex and cocoa farmers at Olam Ecuador.

Did you know?

• 70 percent of cocoa is produced by small holder farmers in West Africa, primarily Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana. Indonesia, Brazil, and Ecuador are also major cocoa-producing countries.
• Cocoa trees take about five years to reach peak production and can continue producing at that level for about ten years.
• Chocolate is made from the seeds of cocoa pods, a tree-grown fruit. After harvesting, the seeds are removed from the pods and processed (fermented, dried, then roasted).
• It takes about 500 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate. In an average year, a cocoa tree produces enough fruit to make about two pounds of chocolate.
• An estimated two million children work on cocoa farms. Up to 40 percent of these children are not enrolled in school. Many Cocoa farmers are exposed to numerous hazards, including dangerous tools, dust, flames or smoke, hazardous chemicals, and physically demanding labor. 
• Fair Trade standards prohibit child labor, and community development premiums are often used to improve access to education. Fair Trade standards also prohibit harmful chemicals and provide a framework for environmental sustainability.

Find out more about Fair Trade and MPTC Fair Trade College!

Moraine Park Technical College has partnered with Legal Action of Wisconsin and Ascendium Education Group to offer students and community members free, confidential legal assistance. Upcoming virtual legal clinics provide driver’s license recovery, bankruptcy, and criminal record expungement help. Other legal help is also provided at any time. Simply scan the QR code or call (920) 393-9352 and set up your time to discuss a legal issue!

Lawyers for Learners is also offering a free tax season tips learning session on February 10, 2022, at 11 a.m.

Tax season is quickly approaching. Lawyers for Learners wants to help ensure you have the information needed to prepare taxes and take advantage of any eligible benefits or credits. This Lawyers for Learners Learning Session is meant to do just that!

Attorneys Andrew Belter from Wisconsin Judicare and Jay Miller from Legal Action Wisconsin will provide information about taxes, tax credits, and self-help resources. They will also share information about how Lawyers for Learners can help with family law, immigration, or other issues that may arise during tax season (or anytime).

Join on February 10, 2022, at 11 a.m. CST and register using the link below. https://www.accelevents.com/e/l4ltaxseasontips.

Learn more about Lawyers for Learners at www.lawyersforlearners.org. Reach out to Legal@AscendiumEducation.org with any questions.

Moraine Park Technical College hosted their third annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (MLK) Literacy Week Project, donating more than 500 culturally responsive books to three local elementary schools. 

In 2019, the College began exploring opportunities to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and developed strong partnerships with three area schools; Jefferson Elementary in Beaver Dam, Chegwin Elementary in Fond du Lac, and Green Tree Elementary in West Bend.

Each year, Moraine Park has donated culturally responsive books to the schools’ libraries, and employees of the College have spent time in the classroom or virtually reading books to the students.

“Engaging with our communities is a strategic priority for the College,” Bonnie Baerwald, Moraine Park president, said. “We value the partnerships cultivated with these three district elementary schools and look forward to working with them to celebrate the important work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for years to come.”

MPTC is a recipient of a $2,500 grant from the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund to help support our Fond du Lac County female students experiencing financial emergencies. MPTC was one of 15 area local nonprofits to receive grant funding.

“I am grateful for the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund’s generosity to award MPTC funding to help our Fond du Lac area female students who experience financial hardships. These dollars make an impact and help keep these students enrolled in school during times of need,” said Jackie Morgan, student community, equity and engagement specialist.

A recent Women’s Fund grant recipient wrote:

“I am so honored to be a recipient of your generous donation. I am in my last semester of the nursing program and will be graduating in December, 2021. I am planning on specializing as a lactation nurse. When I received the unexpected bill, I wasn’t sure how I could pay for it without sacrificing study time to work extra shifts. Thank you for lifting this financial burden off and enabling me to keep focused on my studies. Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to give back to the student emergency fund and help someone just like you had helped me.”