District Newsletter
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
District Administrator Message
My name is John Thomsen and it is a pleasure to serve as the District Administrator for the School District of Whitefish Bay.
In this e-news, we will provide guidance on travel safety in our community, information on incoming 4K visits, share school updates, and more.
On behalf of our students and team members, thank you for your ongoing support.
- Dr. John W. Thomsen, District Administrator
Feature Story: Community Travel Safety
As a Village, we share the collective responsibility to enhance a culture of safety for all
Winter and Cold Months in the Community
Pedestrians, remain alert when traveling in our community. Dress for the weather, which includes wearing appropriate footwear with good traction for walking in winter conditions. Put your phones down and keep your eyes up. Use sidewalks and crosswalks, and be sure to watch for snow and ice. Follow traffic signals by crossing the street only when you see a walk signal, or after making eye contact with a driver whose vehicle is stopped at a stop sign. Avoid crossing the street mid-block or moving between parked cars.
Bicyclists, it is important to remain focused while riding your bike. Biking during the winter may not always be the best option due to snow and ice, so be sure to check the weather forecast before leaving home for the day. Since you travel very quickly, your surroundings can change in less than a second. Be sure to ride your bike single file and on the correct side of the street. Use hand signals to alert those around you to your direction. And always be sure to wear a properly fitted helmet, in case of a fall or other accident.
Drivers, please remember that driving a vehicle is a great responsibility. As a driver, you have the ability to accelerate and change direction more quickly than someone walking or biking. Your vehicle is much larger than someone who is walking or biking, which means that additional responsibility lands with you to ensure that everyone remains safe while traveling. Maintain constant focus on your surroundings by ignoring alerts from your cell phone while you are driving.
Be aware of cold weather conditions, keeping in mind that it takes longer to come to a stop when there is snow and ice on the roads. Obey all traffic laws and traffic signs, and be sure to look around an extra time before braking, accelerating, or changing direction.
In preparation for driving during winter, it is helpful to make sure you have the following in your vehicle: ice scraper/snow brush, sand and shovel, jumper cables, flashlights, first aid kit, cell phone charger, boots, gloves, blankets, and warm clothes.
Parents/guardians and community members, please model safe traveling behaviors for children and demonstrate how to plan ahead and use good judgment when traveling. This includes to and from school and picking up/dropping off students. Children easily pick up on both positive and negative habits and look up to adults around them, often emulating their behaviors. Please also remember to look out for our many students as they travel throughout the community. We want everyone to arrive safely at their destination.
Let's be safe together.
Incoming 2023-24 4-Year-Old Kindergarten Visits
Whitefish Bay resident families of students who turn four on or before September 1, 2023 are invited to a 4K overview at Cumberland or Richards Elementary on Friday, December 9, 2022 at either 9:15 am or 1:30 pm. The in-person event will be hosted by the Elementary Principals and include a welcome from the 4K teachers, a short story with the Library Media Specialists, and a question and answer session. Please visit our website to register for this event. Contact Cumberland (414-963-3943) or Richards (414-963-3951) with any questions.
Click here for more information about 4K Visits at Cumberland.
Click here for more information about 4K Visits at Richards.
4K Enrollment will open on Monday, December 12, 2022. Enrollment instructions are available through each elementary school.
Historically, there has been more interest in the morning session than there are seats available in classes. Therefore, elementary schools use a lottery system to determine those who will enroll in the morning session. In order to be included in the lottery drawing for the morning session, families must complete enrollment (including submitting your student’s birth certificate and proof of residency) before noon on January 6, 2023, and indicate that you’d prefer your student to be enrolled in the morning session.
2023-25 Family Calendars
District Website: Request for Feedback
Greetings District Community,
In our efforts to improve communication and transparency with our community, we are asking community members and district families to complete the linked survey. The focus of this survey is improving our District website. The survey will be available until December 19th at noon.
Thank you in advance for your time and feedback.
COVID Testing Updates & Safety Information
The District is excited that our free, on-site COVID-19 testing program is continuing through the 2022-23 school year for district students and staff members. Beginning on Monday, December 5th, family members of students and staff are also be eligible for testing at the District testing site.
Please note COVID testing will not be available on December 23 - 26, and December 30 - January 2.
Visit our website at the link below for additional information about COVID testing.
It is our hope that all are safe and healthy this winter break. It is important to consider safety measures when gathering with people outside of your household.
- Monitor your health and the health of family members for symptoms of illness. Stay home if you are not feeling well.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
School Reports
Come hear about each one of our school’s continuous improvement efforts at our Annual School Reports. All School Reports will take place at the High School LMC at 7PM. We encourage and nurture a growth mindset for each and every one of our learners in the process of learning and growth over time. We also encourage each and every one of our team members to maintain the same mindset and approach to their work.
In the same way, 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 School Report, December 14, 2022
- Whitefish Bay Middle School School Report, January 11, 2023
- Richards School Report, February 8, 2023
State Report Cards
The Department of Public Instruction State Report Card is one resource that the district uses to reflect on our strengths and areas of improvement. The report cards are intended to help schools use performance data to celebrate successes and improve their efforts to prepare students for their futures. The current school year report card is primarily based on last year's performance data during the 2021-22 school year.
Cumberland, Richards, the Middle School, the High School, and the Whitefish Bay School District all were rated as "Significantly Exceeds Expectations."
Energy Conservation Program Report
Since 2003, the Whitefish Bay School District has saved an estimated $4,972,307 as a result of the Energy Conservation program.
Whitefish Bay Blue Duke Nation: A Place for Alumni and Community to Gather
The Whitefish Bay Public School District and the Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation are pleased to announce the launching of the Whitefish Bay Blue Duke Nation Alumni and Friends network, a network for alumni and friends of Whitefish Bay Public Schools to connect with each other and the district.
The WFB Blue Duke Nation's mission is to build and sustain a network of Blue Dukes both past and present. This network will harness the collective talents and experiences of alumni to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community committed to deepening connections with one another and finding ways to invest in opportunities for future Blue Dukes.
Graduates of Whitefish Bay Public Schools; former district students, parents, and staff; supporters, and local residents are invited to sign up to be a part of the WFB Blue Duke Nation. Joining is free. A directory allows members to easily find and contact other alumni and community members, no matter where they are located.
Members also receive regular updates on District and alumni news and events, including class reunions. There will be regular profiles of alumni, teachers, students, and community partners who serve their communities in notable ways. Members can also get involved to mentor current students, share their stories, or volunteer.
We invite you to check out the WFB Blue Duke Nation Alumni and Friend network and all that this new online community has to offer. We look forward to connecting with you!
Upcoming Board of Education Meetings
December 14 -- Regular Business & Committee Meetings
January 11 -- Regular Business Meeting
Subject to change. Please view BoardDocs for up to date meeting notices and agendas.
Cumberland: Honoring Veterans
Cumberland: School Report
Richards: Sharing Feelings
Middle School: Discovering 𝝅
Seventh graders recently had a very important day in their math classes! Students worked collaboratively to measure the diameter and circumference of various circles. Through their exploration, they also uncovered that the constant of proportionality between a circle's diameter and its circumference is always pi!
High School: Fall Production
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/