The Milwaukee Post

New MPS early enrollment period under way MILWAUKEE — All Milwaukee Public Schools with high school grades are now offering students the opportunity to secure a high school seat early. The move is part of a new district effort aimed at giving all eighth-grade students the opportunity to make their top high school selections at the same time, whether they are seeking their neighbor- hood school or a school with a specialized program. The early admissions will run through Nov. 2. Students can fill out a single appli- cation and select schools they are interest- ed in attending for the 2016-17 school year. Online applications are at http://mpsmke.com/highschools through Nov. 2. "This past spring, we celebrated seven MPS high schools receiving national recognition from U.S. News and World Report and the Washington Post. We are on a mission to grow that number by focusing on equity, access and opportunity for all students," MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver said. "Part of that work involves making sure every student has the opportunity to select a high school that meets their needs and has programs that interest them." The enrollment process allows students to express interest in up to two traditional high schools and up to two selective criteria high schools. The selective criteria high schools are Rufus King International High School, Golda Meir School, Milwaukee High School of the Arts and Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School. In the past, only a small number of schools with entrance requirements participated in early admissions for high school grades. The selective criteria high schools have additional steps students must take to apply. Information, including a list of early-admission open houses, is available at http://mpsmke.com/highschools. 4 • Milwaukee County Post • October 9, 2015 WEEK IN REVIEW STATE AND LOCAL STORIES OF INTEREST World Day for Farmed Animals protested at Patrick Cudahy plant CUDAHY — About eight animal activists protested Saturday at Smithfield's Patrick Cudahy plant for World Day for Farmed Animals, said Ryan Olson, one of the protesters. Protesting the world's largest pork processor, the activists handed out leaflets to cars stopped at the lights near the company's plant, 1 Sweet Applewood Lane. "A lot of people observed the protest, but the signs weren't stable enough to hold and the weather was awful," Olson said. "This protest memorializes and speaks out for pigs who are exploited for Smithfield's Patrick Cudahy products." World Day for Farmed Animals included a coordinated, targeted series of demonstra- tions at slaughterhouses and other animal agriculture facilities around the world to oppose the abuses that the activists say are inherent in animal agriculture. Protests were planned in several other countries, including Canada, England, Spain, Chile, India and Israel. In its 33rd year, the day is observed on or near Oct. 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. www.DayForAnimals.org West Allis man charged with setting up sexual encounter with 15-year-old WAUKESHA — A West Allis man arrested for allegedly trying to schedule a sexual encounter with whom he thought was a 15-year-old girl claimed he was only trying to teach the fictional girl how to drive. Jason L. Peterson, 40, was charged last week with using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. He faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted. According to the criminal complaint, a Waukesha Police detective using a profile as a 15-year-old girl began conversing with the defendant over a social media app. Peterson immediately sent multiple pictures of his genitals to the "girl," according to the complaint, but eventually tried to cut the conversation off, believing the account belonged to police. Investigators used a second account to convince Peterson the "girl" was real, and he eventually began sending more sexually explicit pictures, videos and messages to the police account, according to the complaint. Peterson continued conversing with the "girl" into late September, and eventually agreed to meet her on Silvernail Road, where he was taken into custody. Toni Rivera-Joachim appointed executive director for Centro Hispano MILWAUKEE— Toni Rivera-Joachin was recently appointed the permanent executive director of Centro Hispano. Rivera-Joachin's main focus is to secure the 51-year legacy of Centro Hispano as the oldest Latino nonprofit in Wisconsin. Rivera-Joachin succeeded Tony Baez earlier this year, as he became an independent consultant in Latino issues, civil rights, educational change and community nonprofits. Baez, who was executive director for eight years said, "I chose Toni as my associate director because I was convinced that she had the preparation and commitment to fill the job. It was my intent all along that I would mentor someone to take my position, and for me, Toni was clearly the person to do so." Prior to Centro Hispano Milwaukee, while at Children's Hospital, Rivera-Joachin served as the Project Ujima manager, mentoring violence intervention programs. Rep. Zepnick pushes for gas sales tax MILWAUKEE – State Rep. Josh Zepnick on Monday called on Gov. Scott Walker and legislative leaders to come together to come up with a real solution to Wisconsin's trans- portation funding troubles, especially the high level of debt to future taxpayers. Zepnick has introduced a plan that allows cities or counties to tax gasoline at the pump with Wisconsin's sales tax and all revenue be placed in a local infrastructure fund. Under this plan, a city or county with a majority vote approved by their governing authorities could implement up to the 5 percent state sales tax on the gas pump all local- ly controlled. For Milwaukee County, this could yield between $10 million and $50 mil- lion annually for transportation projects, he said. Woman charged after police chase in Falls WAUKESHA — A Milwaukee woman has been charged after she allegedly led police officers on a 3 1/2-mile chase that reached speeds of up to 96 mph in Menomonee Falls on Monday. Leona Givhan, 35, was charged Wednesday in Waukesha County Circuit Court with fleeing an officer and faces up to 3 1/2 years in prison, if convicted. Governor proclaims October Domestic Violence Awareness Month MADISON — Gov. Scott Walker has declared the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Wisconsin. Every year, about 2,500 victims seek lifesaving assistance and shelter in Wisconsin. Last year, the state mourned the loss of 43 people to domestic violence, 36 of whom were victims of homicide. "Domestic violence is a tragedy that impacts the lives of tens of thousands of Wisconsinites every year," Walker said. "We have worked hard to support victims of domestic abuse by passing legislation strengthening protections and implementing reforms and services to provide victims and their children with the help and information they need to break the cycle of abuse. We are committed to continuing to protect and care for the most vulnerable among us." Submitted photo A family explores MPS' South Division High School at the 2015 MPS All-School Enrollment Fair.

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