Welcome to AWSA's bi-weekly newsletter! Below you will find our most recent edition of the AWSA Update Bulletin. Located on the side you will find current and past articles, current events and sponsor information.

September 24th Edition

AWSA Update

Celebrate National Principals Month this October

Successful schools depend on strong leadership. The AWSA staff joins Governor Tony Evers in thanking you for your dedicated service to your students and community.

Seclusion and Restraint Reports Due by October 1

It’s back-to-school time when summer school and fall planning give way to a fresh new school year. Each year brings with it the opportunity and obligation to post annual notices and prepare reports. Each school in the district must complete the Seclusion and Restraint Report by October 1 of each year. This report is one of those requirements that can easily get lost in the excitement that the fall brings. Read more.

Registration & Save the Date for Upcoming AWSA Conferences

SLATE: December 8-10, 2025, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells | Registration is Open
Associate Principals Convention: January 28-30, 2026, Grand Geneva Resort, Lake Geneva | Registration is Open
Middle & High School Convention: February 11-13, 2026, KI Center, Green Bay | Registration will open next week.

Update on School-Based Services (SBS) Medicaid Billing in Wisconsin

Be on the lookout—important updates are coming soon regarding changes to the Free Care Rule that will affect School-Based Services (SBS) Medicaid billing in Wisconsin. Read more here.

An Update from School Administrators Alliance

As students return to classrooms this fall, legislators have also returned to the Capitol to set their policy priorities for the remainder of the two-year session, which will conclude early next year. Education is a key focus. Read more here.

WIAA High School Principal Survey - Your Voice Matters

The WIAA Executive Staff and Board of Control are engaging in a strategic goals process. They have created a survey to gather valuable feedback that will help identify strengths, address challenges, and set priorities as they develop strategic goals for the future of education-based athletics. High school principals are invited to participate. Check your inbox and spam filter for an email with the subject line: WIAA Strategic Goals Survey. You may also complete the survey using the following direct link: https://dgsurveys.com/r/3QJBwL.

Nominate an Outstanding School Leader!

Nominations are now open to recognize Wisconsin’s top school leaders. Nominations are accepted from teachers, parents, principals, and community members. Principal Leadership Awards – Nomination Deadline: Oct. 3, 2025 and Associate Principal of the Year Awards – Nomination Deadline: Oct. 10, 2025. If you have questions please contact the AWSA office.

Wisconsin Purple Star School Program

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is launching the inaugural Purple Star School Program during the 2025 - 2026 school year. DPI invites all schools to participate in the Purple Star School designation, which recognizes schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting military-connected students. The primary focus of this designation is to help schools meet the unique needs of military-connected children, who often face educational, social, and emotional challenges when transitioning between schools with different curricula, expectations, and graduation requirements. Please see the Purple Star School Program Announcement flyer and share out with any interested parties. For more information on the Purple Star School Program, please visit DPI’s Military Children and Families webpage.