January District Newsletter
Bay Gives Back Fall 2023 Events
Congratulations to the Bay Gives Back team for organizing a Fall semester filled giving back to the community! Bay Gives Back is the service-based organization at the High School, with a goal of helping the school, the community, and the Greater Milwaukee area. Led by students Connor, Isaac, Burke, and Bryn, as well as advisor Ms. Gibson, Bay Gives Back held several events this fall:
- 9th City Wide Community Food Drive Benefiting Kinship Community Food Center - More than 150 WFBHS students were involved in the project, collecting 6,000 pounds of food in under 3 hours! Kinship leaders shared that they believe this is the larges single private food drive in the state!
- 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Meal Drive Benefiting Cass St. Elementary School - Bay Gives Back coordinated the sponsorship of 60 area families by providing all of the fixings needed for a Thanksgiving meal.
- Bi-Annual Blood Drive Benefiting Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, Co-Sponsored with HOSA - Eighty students, staff, and community members participated in the blood drive, which collected 55 units of blood. The next blood drive will take place on May 21, 2024. Click here to sign up.
- Little Laundromat Libraries - This project is a continuation of one the kicked off in Spring 2023 when Bay Gives Back established two Little Laundromat Libraries on Milwaukee's northwest side. BGB has maintained these libraries by restocking the books each month since April, 2023. Over 2,000 books have been distributed and will continue to be distributed all year, and hopefully well into the future. BGB is always accepting children and youth book donations to help maintain the libraries.
- 9th Annual Gift Drive Sponsorship Benefiting Seeds of Health Elementary School - One hundred and fifty-six Whitefish Bay families sponsored 282 students by purchasing individualized holiday gifts for each student in grades 4K-6 at Seeds of Health Elementary School. Thirty-four WFBHS students hand delivered the gifts and spent an afternoon with the students as part of an annual tradition, continuing a positive relationship with the school and its families.
Annual School Reports
Come hear about each one of our school’s continuous improvement efforts at each of the Annual School Reports. All School Reports will take place at the High School LMC at 7PM.
Each of our schools has developed and refined a school improvement plan aimed at ensuring an aligned and collective commitment around all students' learning and growing in a supportive and caring environment.
- Whitefish Bay High School, January 10, 2024
- Cumberland, February 14, 2024
Fine Arts Assembly & Hall of Fame Inductees
The Fine Arts Assembly was held on December 15th at the High School. The assembly included choir, orchestra, and band performances, showcases of student art, and featured student-composed music.
- Daniel Bioco, Conductor - Class of 1987
- Dan Kois, Writer - Class of 1992
- Justin Maas, Portrait Artist - Class of 1990
- Niels Mueller, Film Writer, Director - Class of 1979
Pictured: High School Band Performs Sleigh Ride; Inductee Dan Kois, Former WFBHS Educator Frank Laycock, and Inductee Niels Mueller outside the Frank Laycock Auditorium
Winter Weather Safety
This time of year, we remind our school families of the importance of winter weather safety for pedestrians in the community.
Student and child safety is a priority for the School District of Whitefish Bay. At home, in the community, to and from school, and while at school, we as a school community share the collective responsibility to ensure our loved ones are safe.
In cold weather, it can be easy to rush and overlook safety measures when walking in the community. Before you set out, it's important to prioritize safety and review some basic safety measures to consider.
- Prepare by checking weather and light conditions. Wear appropriate footwear with good traction and wear warm socks to keep your feet warm on your journey. Be sure to wear reflective clothing and bright colors, especially when walking early or late in the day, so that drivers are more likely to see you.
- Stay attentive while walking to minimize risk while out and about in the community and while traveling to and from school. Avoid distractions such as looking at phones which could take attention away from your surroundings.
- Use sidewalks and crosswalks, always following traffic signals, and look both ways before crossing the street. Crossing in the middle of the block or walking against a red light poses dangers to both pedestrians and drivers.
Staying focused and following these reminders can help everyone travel safely throughout the Village, while reducing the risk of accidents and injury.
A Collective Responsibility: We believe that safety is a collective responsibility. All staff, students, parents, and community members play an important role in ensuring all are safe. Should you or your student(s) see or hear anything concerning, please do not hesitate to contact your school's principal, the District Office, or the Whitefish Bay Police Department immediately. We would rather err on the side of caution and safety than be sorry for not investigating a concern.
School Board Information
School Board Selects New District Superintendent
At the December 13 Regular Business Meeting, Board President Anne Kearney introduced the board’s finalist for the position of District Superintendent, who will replace Dr. Thomsen following his retirement in June 2024.
The Board approved the Personnel Report during the Regular Business Meeting, resulting in the Board’s official hiring of Dr. Jamie Foeckler as Whitefish Bay School District’s next Superintendent effective July 1, 2024. See Press Release.
District Welcomes New HR Manager & Associate Legal Counsel
The Whitefish Bay School District is excited share that Hannah Chin has joined our District Office as the new Human Resources Manager and Associate Legal Counsel effective November 30, 2023. Please join us in welcoming Hannah! See Press Release.
Upcoming Board Meetings
The School Board and School District invite you to attend School Board Meetings. Board meetings begin at 7PM in the High School Library Media Center, unless noted otherwise.
- January 10 -- Regular Business Meeting
- January 24 -- Committee Meetings
Subject to change. Please view BoardDocs for up to date meeting notices and agendas.
Board Meeting Takeaways
Curious about what is discussed at School Board Meetings? Linked below, you'll find key takeaways from the most recent School Board Meetings. Additional information can be found in BoardDocs.
School Updates
Fifth Graders Visit the Milwaukee Public Museum
Buddy Classroom Connections
Podcast Creators
Business Students Take on the Ice Cream Challenge
High School: Activities Newsletter
Contact us
Email: districtnews@wfbschools.com
Website: https://www.wfbschools.com/
Location: 1200 East Fairmount Avenue
Phone: 414-963-3921
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WFBSchools/