MMSD Summer Internship Program Gives Students Hands-On Experience in District Departments

MADISON, Wis.—Over the past several weeks, high school students in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) stepped into professional roles across the district through MMSD’s Summer Internship Program, gaining first-hand experience in departments like communications, building services, athletics, library services and career and technical education.

From June 23 through July 31, interns worked part-time in departments housed at the Doyle Administration Building and throughout the district, while participating in professional development and career planning. The program provided students with paid, supervised work placements and the opportunity to explore career pathways aligned with their interests and strengths.

“This experience is about more than building résumés, it’s about helping students see themselves as professionals,” said Annie Johnston, MMSD’s work-based learning coordinator. “Our interns practiced communication, teamwork and initiative in real work environments. And most importantly, they left the summer with a clearer idea of what they want for their future, and how to get there.”

Interns met weekly for professional development sessions covering workplace readiness, networking and career goal-setting. At the end of the program, students presented what they had learned, including how the internship shaped their aspirations and built connections between classroom learning and job skills.

The internship program reflects MMSD’s commitment to providing students with real-world learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom. By embedding paid, career-connected opportunities into the school experience, the district is helping students link their interests to possible futures and take concrete steps toward their goals.

“Career-connected learning is essential to our vision for student success,” said Cindy Green, assistant superintendent of strategy and innovation. “By embedding opportunities like internships into the high school experience, we help students graduate not only with a diploma, but with a sense of purpose and a foundation for what comes next.”

In addition to the summer internship program, MMSD continues to expand experiential learning year-round through youth apprenticeships, job shadowing, and community-based opportunities. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to ensure every student is academically prepared and ready to thrive in college, career and community life.

To learn more about MMSD’s experiential learning programs, please visit the District’s website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District: The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The District’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the District’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Public input requested for various polymer overlays in Columbia, Dane and Jefferson counties

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is seeking public input on improvements along I-39/90/94, I-94 and US 151 bridges in Columbia, Dane and Jefferson counties. Construction is currently scheduled for 2029.

A presentation and materials detailing this project are available to view on the project website at https://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/projects/by-region/sw/overlay-regionwide/default.aspx.

The project will install polymer overlays and flood seals on eleven bridges in Columbia, Dane and Jefferson counties. These treatments are needed to extend the service life of the bridge decks. A 6-foot-wide raised sidewalk will be added to the Milwaukee Street bridge in Dane County. The eleven bridges include:

• Columbia County
  • US 151 southbound bridge over Maple Avenue
• Dane County
  • Four I-90/94 westbound bridges between County N and WIS 73
  • Milwaukee Street bridge over I-39/90/94 northbound
  • I-94 bridges over US 151
• Jefferson County
  • Three I-94 westbound bridges between WIS 26 and County F
  • I-94 eastbound bridge over Hillside Drive

I-39/90/94, I-94 and US 151 will remain open to traffic while being constructed under nighttime ramp and lane closures.

All persons interested in the project are encouraged to view the website and provide input by contacting project staff via email, postal mail, or phone. Your comments will assist WisDOT in developing a project that will serve the needs of the traveling public and community. Your input is welcome and appreciated throughout the design process. Questions and comments can be directed to WisDOT Project Manager Mark Sponem at mark.sponem@dot.wi.gov, (608) 245-2627, or mailed to the WisDOT Southwest Region, 2101 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704.

Dill Dinkers Madison Opens July 31

NEW INDOOR PICKLEBALL FACILITY TO BE MADISON’S LARGEST

Dill Dinkers Madison to open July 31

(Madison, WI) — Area pickleballers will have a new option for play starting July 31 when Dill Dinkers Madison opens at 5004 Tradewinds Parkway with ten dedicated pickleball courts.

The courts will each be individually fenced and feature a cushioned surface which will make play easier on knees while having no impact on the bounce of the ball. Dill Dinkers Madison will feature open play, private court reservations, leagues, tournaments, clinics, and lessons.

“Our goal is that everybody feels welcome at Dill Dinkers Madison,” said Zach Feldman, one of the co-owners of Dill Dinkers Madison. “We have options for first-timers, weekend warriors, and competitive players and encourage everybody to enjoy the pickleball community.”

Memberships now Available

The club will be open to anybody, and memberships will provide benefits including 50% off of court fees and events, the ability to reserve courts 10 days in advance, and discounted leagues, lessons, and clinics.

To secure a pre-opening membership and take advantage of an account credit, visit the Dill Dinkers Madison website.

Dill Dinkers Madison will be open from 8:00am – 10:00pm every day and feature a pro-shop powered by Pickleball Central.

Ribbon Cutting

While Dill Dinkers will be open for business on July 31, an official ribbon cutting celebration will be held on August 22 at 10:00am. The celebration will feature light refreshments and open play after the ceremony.

For the latest updates follow Dill Dinkers Madison on Instagram and Facebook (@dilldinkersmadisonwi).

Dill Dinkers is a national Pickleball brand with clubs in 12 states.

Community Shares of Wisconsin presents the 2025 Community Change-Maker Awards

2025 Community Change-Maker Awards
Community Shares of Wisconsin will honor local social and environmental justice leaders
Madison, WI – On September 11, Community Shares of Wisconsin (CSW) will honor local leaders and organizations who are advancing social and environmental justice in our community. At a time when many organizations are shying away from diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, LGBTQ+ rights, and other social justice issues, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its nearly 70 member nonprofits are proud to honor leaders who champion these causes and continue to do what is right.

The annual Community Change-Maker Awards event will take place at The East Side Club in Madison. The public is invited to attend the event. Tickets purchased in support of this event help Community Shares award $6,000 in donations to local nonprofits. Each of the six award winners will select a nonprofit to receive a $1,000 donation.

Tickets are a suggested donation of $50. To sponsor the event or purchase tickets, visit communityshares.com.

Change-Maker Award Winners

Mary Ellyn and Joe Sensenbrenner, nominated by Rooted
Winners of the Liesl Blockstein Community Leadership Award

For decades, Mary Ellyn and Joe Sensenbrenner have used their resources to safeguard public lands to ensure that the public has access to viable, beautiful open spaces. Their work through Rooted (and its precursor organizations) encompasses Troy Farm and Gardens and McPike Park in Madison; Clarence & Cleopatra Johnson Park, Brown Street Academy, and Alice’s Garden in Milwaukee; and ultimately the construction of the Badger Rock Center, which houses a neighborhood center, middle school, and now is home to the Lori Mann Carey Elementary School on Madison’s South Side. Through Rooted, Mary Ellyn and Joe continue to connect the community through food, land, and learning.

Joyce Hall, nominated by Freedom, Inc.
Winner of the Sally Sunde Family Advocate Award

Joyce Hall is the Lead Gender Justice Advocate, Program Coordinator, and Organizer for Survivor and Victim Services at Freedom, Inc., as well as a mother of seven. Her lived experiences are a testament to her organizing power and unshakable resilience. As a survivor herself, Joyce made the courageous decision to leave a domestically violent household to protect herself and her children. Today, she provides emergency crisis response, court support, rapid rehousing, and interpersonal violence mitigation for Black, Southeast Asian, queer, youth, and low- to no-income survivors. More than that, she uplifts survivors, helping them transform into leaders within her programs and the wider community.

Ximena Linares-Rodriguez, nominated by Tenant Resource Center
Winner of the Linda Sundberg Civil Rights Defender Award

Ximena Linares-Rodriguez is deeply committed to providing community-centered solutions and equitable access to resources for tenants. She goes above and beyond to ensure Spanish-speaking families can navigate and access critical tenant resources. Recognizing the barriers faced by immigrant communities, Ximena and Tenant Resource Center’s Associate Director, Chrisbelly, partnered with Joining Forces for Families to launch Madison Area Partners and Allies (MAPA). The monthly MAPA events bring together a diverse mix of providers and allies who offer culturally and linguistically responsive support, including bilingual staff and access to a language line. Ximena also collaborated with Dr. Carolina Sarmiento, Dr. Revel Sims, and students from the Chicanx/e & Latinx/e Studies program at UW–Madison to survey tenants who had accessed TRC services, centering the lived experiences of Latinx renters in Dane County.

CSW Collaboration Award Winners

Wheels for Winners and Bayview Foundation

Bayview Foundation supports its culturally diverse, low-income families in realizing their aspirations by providing affordable housing, fostering cultural pride, and building community through the arts, education, and recreation.

Wheels for Winners supports bicycling through an earn-a-bike program and free bike repair events. The organization provides refurbished bicycles to riders of all ages who earn their bikes by performing 10 hours of community service.

Bayview and Wheels for Winners understand that bicycles are most beneficial when integrated with culturally relevant services, arts, family support, environmental stewardship, housing advocacy, and food security. Thus, the long-time partnership between the organizations has proven to be a natural and impactful alignment.

Wheels for Winners and Bayview collaborate each year to organize a vibrant spring bike distribution event at Bayview’s community center. Wheels for Winners also partners with Bayview to provide free bike repair clinics and to train Bayview staff to make basic bike repairs for residents.

The partnership between Wheels for Winners and Bayview Foundation has also fostered crucial conversations regarding the definition of community service, because it was clear that Bayview children were serving their community in less formal yet equally significant ways, such as caring for siblings, translating for their parents, and assisting neighbors.

CSW Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Denise Matyka, nominated by Project Home

Denise Matyka has always had a deep commitment to social justice. She has dedicated more than 40 years to empowering communities through nonprofit leadership. Her journey began as a field organizer for the National Organization for Women (NOW) Equal Rights Amendment Campaign in Oklahoma. In 1982, she returned to Wisconsin and was elected NOW’s youngest state president. From 1985 to 1994, she worked to create Community Shares of Wisconsin with Nicole Gotthelf and Marianne Morton. The three led a successful merger of Madison Sustaining Fund and Aid to Wisconsin Organizations to form Community Shares of Wisconsin.

After a period of working in major donor fundraising for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, she joined Project Home in 1996 as Executive Director. Project Home doubled its staff and more than tripled its budget during her 29 years leading the organization. Project Home serves people with limited income in Dane and Green Counties with weatherization, home repairs, and accessibility modifications.

Denise is a longtime volunteer and has served as chair of the City of Madison’s first Housing Committee, chair of the Wisconsin Women’s Network, and chair of the New Harvest Foundation.

Photos and extended bios of award winners are available upon request. The Community Change-Maker Awards event is generously presented by UW Credit Union.

Since 1971, Community Shares of Wisconsin and its members have worked together to advance social justice and protect the environment in Wisconsin. Together they envision a future where people come together to ensure every member of our community is safe, healthy, and able to thrive.

MMSD and MSCR to Replace Cabins at Madison School Forest Following 2025 Summer Camp Season

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) and Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR), will begin construction this fall on a major upgrade to the Madison School Forest campground in Verona, replacing four cabins that have served generations of students and community members for more than 60 years.

The new cabins will feature frost wall foundations, thermal insulation, metal roofing and engineered siding—enhancing year-round durability and allowing for extended-season programming in both early spring and late fall. The project—scheduled to begin after August 15, 2025—will replace the aging cabins with modern, energy-efficient structures designed by Zimmerman Architectural Studios. 

“The Madison School Forest has given thousands of MMSD students a chance to experience nature, community and hands-on learning,” said Mary Roth, executive director of MSCR. “These new cabins ensure that the tradition of providing these programs can continue for generations to come.”

The 307-acre Madison School Forest, located 20 miles outside of Madison in the hilly terrain of the Driftless Area, is owned by MMSD and operated by MSCR, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 

“For more than six decades, these cabins have supported outdoor education in Dane County,” said Scott Chehak, MMSD’s senior executive director of building services. “Our investment in these cabins will not only last for decades, it’ll continue to support flexible programming in every season for our community to enjoy.”

The Board of Education awarded the construction contract to Iconica Inc. in the amount of $846,648, funded through MSCR’s maintenance budget. Demolition of the existing structures will begin after the conclusion of MSCR’s 2025 summer camp season.

Annually, MSCR provides environmental education, overnight camping and day camp opportunities to more than 7,500 MMSD students and community members. Please visit mscr.org for more information about the Madison School Forest and MSCR outdoor programming.  

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District: The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.