Cumberland Thursday Folder
March 14, 2024
Dear Cumberland Families,
I miss my mother at unexpected times, one of them being with the fabulous weather this week when I wished she could be here telling me to "Go outside and play!" one of her common directives. The warmth and sun beckon me like a kayak on a summer day, and based on the large number of children on the front lawn and the back playground for long periods after 3:00, I suspect that many felt this same pull. I am glad that families and students see Cumberland as a center of activity, even when school is not in session and I am guessing our after school population will continue to grow when the weather warms. If you allow your child to play after school without you being present, please have a planning conversation with him or her, reminding them of the expectation of acting in safe and respectful ways while at Cumberland, during or after school hours. With no school staff supervision after school so we do not directly monitor what happens. There are times, though, when an after school incident has ripple effects into the school day and when this occurs, we do look into what has happened and follow up as needed. If a child shows a pattern of causing or being involved with problematic behavior on the playground after school, we will contact you to make arrangements for the child to leave directly after 3:00. Thanks ahead of time for your help and support in keeping Cumberland safe for all.
On this same note, we will really appreciate you not allowing your children who are in the front of the school to run down the slope to the classroom windows, even after school. Children pounding on the windows is both dangerous and distracting to the students, or to staff after 3:00.
Safety crossing streets: When crossing at the intersections with crossing guards, children of all ages need to get off hot wheels, bikes, and scooters to cross. Please do not allow your young children to go ahead of you at the intersection. Drivers of large vehicles cannot see small children on their own and we just had another close call on Hampton.
Forward testing, required at 3rd-5th grades is coming up after Spring Break. Families with children in these grades have an informational letter in Family Access with details. In general, testing will take place for all three grades on April 4th, 5th, 9th-11th. Fourth grade testing will continue April 12th, 16th and 17th. Typically, classes do 1-2 testing segments each day. If you can avoid pulling students out of school on these days, it minimizes the amount of make ups we have to arrange. Students are best able to show their learning when they are well rested and fed, so extra snacks are a good idea.
Optional Spring Conferences are on March 21st, with Spring Break starting on March 22nd. Note the following information from the North Shore Health Department:
- Spring Break Travel & Measles Outbreaks: The North Shore Health Department encourages caution and awareness if you and your family are planning to travel during spring break. Please carefully review the linked letter for additional information: Measles Information for Schools
Important Policy Updates:
Greetings Whitefish Bay School Community,
The School Board for the Whitefish Bay School District frequently assesses its policies and procedures. The District recently reviewed and updated several, important policies, in consideration of new legal guidance. We invite all families and staff members to review the updated policies. Should you have any questions, please contact the District Office at 414-963-3901.
Policy 411 Nondiscrimination and Equal Access to Equal Educational Opportunity
Policy 411.1 Student Anti-Harassment
Policy 411.2 Student Bullying and/or Hazing
Policy 411.3/511.3 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities
Policy 411.3/511.3 Exhibit Title IX Formal Complaint Form
Policy 411.5 Exhibit Report of Bullying, Harassment, and/or Hazing
Tuesday's 5K and 1st grade performances would have charmed even Oscar the Grouch! It was such fun to see our older students enjoying the show at our Kids to Kids assembly yesterday.
Warm regards,
Jayne Heffron and Rebecca Salomon
Upcoming Events
MARCH
21st - Optional Spring Conferences
- In-person 12-4pm and Virtual 5-8pm, register required, see below
21st - NO School
- Thursday, 3/21 thru Monday, 4/1 (Spring Break)
APRIL
3rd - Fun Lunch, Firefighter Visit
16th - 4th Grade Orchestra Concert, 6pm, Great Room
23rd - RI/CU 5th Orchestra Concert, 7pm @ Richards
25th - 5th Grade Band Concert, 7pm @ MS Band Room
30th - Encore Day, Monday Schedule
Optional Spring Conferences, Thursday, March 21st: registration to close soon
Registration for Optional Spring Conferences are available now and will close on Monday, March 18th. For your planning, conferences are March 21st, with In Person appointments 12-4pm and Virtual appointments 5-8pm. Teachers are not allowed to schedule conferences outside of these times, as it is the time set aside for this purpose. To schedule, log into your Family Access account and choose Conferences. Call the Cumberland office if you need assistance.
Is your student NOT returning for the 2024-25 School Year?
Accurate student numbers are important for sectioning and staffing decisions. Please contact John, John.levek@wfbschools.com in the office if your child/children will not be returning to Cumberland next year.
Parent/Guardian Optional Input Form: by Friday, April 5th
This LINK takes you to the Parent/Guardian Optional Input Form, Due 4/5/24. This form can be used to provide us with any information that you feel will be helpful in the class placement process for your student for the 2024-25 school year. All classroom placements are carefully considered whether this form is submitted or not. The form will be available online through April 5, 2024. It is important to complete the form by this date to ensure the request is reviewed prior to initial placements.
NEW Student Enrollment 2024-25 School Year:
4K - 5th Grade new student enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. Visit our website for more information about the enrollment process. It is not necessary for current students to re-enroll. Families of current students will complete online registration in August. Specific registration details will be shared this summer.
WFB Music Parents Association:
Dear Whitefish Bay Music Parents --
As your children continue to participate in WFB music programs throughout the school district, the WFB Music Parents Association would like to invite you to join. The WFB MPA is an organization that supports music directors and students in the district in a variety of ways. We provide our music directors with large yearly stipends which they use for audio/visual equipment, music stands, acoustic and electric instruments, guest clinicians, and many other things. The MPA also gives scholarships to graduating seniors, travel grants to students for school trips, and grants for summer music camps and clinics. We also support the WFBHS Band, Orchestra, and Choir Boosters organizations. Most of our funding comes from the work of wonderful volunteers who manage the concession stand during high school sporting events.
As we approach the 2024-25 school year, we have several openings for volunteers. If you can spare a few hours per month to help us continue to support our wonderful music programs, directors, and students, please contact Gretchen Seamons at 253-753-0188.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Concessions stand workers (sell concessions with other parents and students). This is so much fun!
- Concessions stand supervisors (manage the concessions stand on any given night)
- Supervisor Coordinator (this person is responsible for recruiting, training, and making sure all supervisor slots are filled for sporting events)
- Board position: Concessions Chair (this person works with the above people plus the scheduler to make sure that the concessions stand is running smoothly & that equipment is working well. They also tell the concessions buyer what needs restocking)
- Board position: Treasurer -- this is a great position for someone who has bookkeeping or accounting experience
Thanks in advance and we hope that you’ll consider joining our fantastic group of music parents! It’s a great way to get involved, meet new people, and see first hand how fortunate we are to have such great music programming in Whitefish Bay!
The WFB Music Parents Association
Stock the Staff Lounge for Spring Conferences:
Please help us stock the staff lounge with all their favorite things in time for Spring Conferences! Use the link below to sign up for one or more slots. We always deeply appreciate your support, but you know who appreciates it the most? Our amazing teachers and school staff! Sign up here!
Spring Cumberland Cougar Wear Sale: by Friday, March 15th
The Spring Cougar Spirit Wear Sale ends Friday, March 15th, so please get your orders in if you haven’t already! Order Cougar Wear Here. Pick up will be mid-April. Be sure to grab T-shirts, sweatshirts, and some of the new updated tie-dyed options we have! If you have any questions, let Sam Cruz know (sam417@gmail.com).
Lunch Composting - Thank you:
A huge shout out and thank you to Jamie Ludlow, Shorewest Realtors for generously sponsoring daily composting and fun lunch composting for the entire month of April in honor of Earth month! Also, thank you to all of those who volunteered to help compost in March and April! We filled all our slots! Yay!
Did you forget to order a Yearbook?
You can confirm your yearbook order by checking your receipts in Membership Toolkit. If you still need to place an order, please make sure to do so by Monday, April 22nd. After that date, orders will no longer be accepted.
Do you have classroom photos from your Child's Teacher?
If you have a photo from your child’s teacher including 3 or more students, it may be a great addition to the yearbook! Any photos can be text to Jillian Cooper at 816-589-1143 or emailed to jillian.gs.cooper@gmail.com. Please indicate the teachers name in the message. Thank you!
Visit Our PTO Website:
Check out our revamped PTO website for everything you'll need to know about upcoming PTO events, volunteering, fundraising opportunities, and more! Like us on Facebook and Instagram, too! @CumberlandPTO
Friday Spirit Wear Days:
A reminder to wear your Cumberland Cougar wear on Fridays to show off your school spirit! Let’s go Cumby Cougars!
School Board Meeting Information: Next Tuesday, March 19th
The community is welcome to attend School Board meetings to gain a better understanding of School District business and the role of the School Board. The public is also invited to address the Board during the public comment portion as indicated in Board meetings.
Meeting agendas are posted within BoardDocs two days preceding each meeting.
Student Supervision in School Buildings After School Hours:
Dear Whitefish Bay School District Community,
To ensure safety and proper supervision, it is imperative that all students who are in the building beyond regular school hours are participating in school-sponsored activities or events. Only students actively participating in a school-sponsored activity or event before or after school hours are allowed to be in the building.
Any students who are not actively participating in a school-sponsored activity or event will be required to leave the building. This is not intended to discourage student participation in activities and events in any way; this is to ensure safety and appropriate supervision in the buildings. Should you have any inquiries or concerns, please feel free to reach out to your student’s principal.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in prioritizing a safe environment for all students.
Feedback Needed for New Principal Hiring Process by Friday, March 29th:
The School District of Whitefish Bay is in the search process for a new middle school principal. The search is currently underway. Your feedback regarding desired qualifications is important for this position and will ensure that the new hire aligns with the priorities of our school community.
Your insights would be greatly appreciated. The feedback and results from this form will be taken into consideration during the hiring process. The information provided in this form is anonymous. Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback.
The form will be available until Friday, March 29th. Please click here to fill out the form.
WFBHS Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Event: This Sunday, March 17th, 2pm
FBLA Chapter (Future Business Leaders of America) of Whitefish Bay High School is teaming up with The March of Dimes, in a Concert for Life, a fundraising and awareness event in the fight to prevent premature birth.
Matt Wessel, an active supporter and coordinator for The March of Dimes, has written his own music spreading awareness for their cause. Since he was a teenager, Matt has performed in an FBLA - run event every year playing his own original music. Recently, Matt moved to Whitefish Bay and is continuing his tradition through WFBHS's FBLA chapter with an afternoon concert registration / donation, Wednesday, March 17th, 2:00 to 3:30pm, at the United Methodist Church in Whitefish Bay.
The Whitefish Bay School Orchestras invite you to Electrify Your Symphony: Saturday, April 6th, 7:30pm
Electrify Your Symphony with the Whitefish Bay School Orchestras, features Mark Wood, original member of the Trans Siberian Orchestra, Saturday, April 6 @7:30 p.m. in the Whitefish Bay High School Auditorium. Music from the Beatles, Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones and much more!
Tickets: $5 students, $10 senior citizens, $15 adult
Ticket site: https://wfbhsorchestra.ludus.com/200445212
New COVID Absence Guidance - Respiratory Virus:
Greetings Families and Staff,
As more is learned about COVID-19 and its treatment, we continue to evolve our practices based on medical advice and guidance. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has updated guidance around COVID isolation protocol. The District continues to ask that all families and staff members follow the guidance provided.
From the CDC:
When you may have a respiratory virus
Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others.
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days.
Additional information and more specifics about the meaning of “added precaution” can be found on the CDC’s website. Background information on the CDC’s decision can be found on their website.
Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation's.... Run the Bay: Saturday, May 4th
REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Run the Bay is the foundation's main event to fund innovation in the WFB Schools. The run will be held on Saturday, May 4th at Klode Park! You can register for the run HERE! Visit us on Facebook for more information on the run along with the other Bay Day activities. Please email Kara Bzdusek (kmbzdusek@gmail.com) for sponsorship opportunities.