Richards Family News

Dear Richards Families,

We’re excited to invite you to our Open House this Thursday from 5:45–7:00 PM (see additional details below), where you’ll have a special opportunity to preview the future extension of the Richards play structure!

Our Playground Committee has been hard at work developing this concept, collaborating with multiple vendors, and securing School Board approval to move forward with a selected vendor. Stop by the Great Hall with your family to see the vision for this exciting addition!

While you’re there, be sure to check out the Lost and Found—it’s overflowing with jackets, water bottles, and more!

We’re also launching a Playground Coin Drive to help support this project. Bring your spare change and kick off the fundraiser with us on Thursday night! The official start date is 2/18, so stay tuned for more details on how you can help.

We look forward to seeing you at Open House!

Open House: We are delighted to invite you to Open House this Thursday, February 13th. Students love to show you their tables, desks, cubbies, lockers and various spaces they spend time in each day. Open House is not a conference time, rather a time for you to come and see the wonderful things happening in classrooms and across our school!

To prevent traffic jams and congestion in classrooms, you are encouraged to come from either 5:45-6:20pm or 6:20-6:55pm, whichever works for your family. There is much to see beyond the classroom, so after visiting your child(ren)’s classroom, we hope you will visit the other school spaces that children spend time in.

The Lost and Found will be displayed in the Great Hall during Open House, be sure to check out the tables to claim any items belonging to your child(ren).

Upcoming No School Date

Monday, February 17 - No School 4K - 5th Grade

Elementary Switch Days: There are many no student days on Mondays and Fridays throughout the year. To provide every student with a balanced experience of Library, Art, Music (including Band and Orchestra), Physical Education, and Spanish instruction throughout the school year, we introduced a "days equalized" calendar.

Tuesday, February 18 will be treated as a Monday. The reason this is important is specific to students who need to bring an instrument or wear appropriate footwear for physical education. We will give you notice before each switch day throughout the school year.

2nd and 3rd Grade Concerts, Wednesday February 19: We are looking forward to 2nd and 3rd grade general music concerts on Wednesday, February 19! 2nd grade will perform at 5:30pm (5:15pm arrival) and 3rd grade will perform at 6:15pm (6pm arrival). The concerts will take place in Richards Great Hall. Students are asked to dress up for their performance. Please email Mrs. King Driscoll (lauren.kingdriscoll@wfbschools.com) with any questions.

Valentine’s Day: As this holiday approaches, we invite you to join us in creating celebrations at Richards that are safe, inclusive, and meaningful for all. With over 40 students managing life-threatening food allergies, we ask that Valentines and party treats not include food items. Non-food alternatives like stickers, pencils, or small toys are a great way to share holiday joy while ensuring everyone feels included and safe.

This season, let’s also reflect on ways to celebrate mindfully and sustainably. Consider shifting the focus from party favors to experiences or shared moments—like a classroom book, a holiday-themed game, or a creative craft using recycled materials. Celebrations centered on kindness, compassion, and togetherness not only reduce waste but also model values we hope to instill in our children. Thank you for helping us make this holiday season special for every child at Richards!

4-Year Old Kindergarten (4K) Enrollment Open for the 2025-2026 School Year

4K Online Enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is now open. We are looking forward to welcoming new students and families next fall!

Visit our website for more information about the enrollment process.

Please contact the Richards Office at 414-963-3951 with any questions.

Fun Lunch: Our first spring Fun Lunch is this Friday, February 14!

Late Orders: If you haven’t ordered yet, there’s still time! Future orders must be submitted before midnight on the Wednesday before the Fun Lunch date. Please place your order via email to: jacob.wruck@gmail.com

Volunteers: There are a few openings in the volunteer signup for the spring.If you're interested, you can find more information and sign up for a time slot here. FUN LUNCH Volunteer Signup .

Fun Lunch volunteers are considered “visitors” and do not need to complete the volunteer application. Please continue to sign in and out through the office when helping.

Thank you for your support and commitment to our school community!

Questions?

Contact the Fun Lunch chairs:

Janaki Shah: janaki.y.shah@gmail.com

Kelly Moore: kellybrookemoore@gmail.com

Spirit Wear - Stop by the main vestibule during the February 13th school-wide open house to get your Richards School Spirit Wear winter gear! Take home your hoodie, flannel pj pants and t-shirts to layer. Don't forget your new water bottle and Spirit the Tiger keychain!

Students have a weekly spirit wear day on Mondays to show their spirit at school!

Bucks Family Night Out: Please note that although this is a PTO sponsored event, you are not guaranteed seats next to other Richards families.

Admirals Family Night Out: Please note that although this is a PTO sponsored event, you are not guaranteed seats next to other Richards families.

The Food Drive is HERE!

We’re excited to kick off our annual Food Drive and Fundraiser hosted by the 3rd-grade class to benefit the Hunger Task Force! The drive will run from February 10th to March 7th, and we are asking for your help in bringing in non-perishable food items to support families in need across Milwaukee. Donate 'food' virtually here.

We are also hosting a school-wide competition. The grade with the most food donations will win an extra recess, so let’s make this a fun and friendly challenge! Our goal is to raise $10,000 for the Hunger Task Force and continue Richards' proud tradition of generosity. Over the past 20 years, we’ve donated more than any other elementary school in Milwaukee, and we’d love to keep that streak alive!

Thank you for your support. Let’s work together to make a positive impact in our community!

Pasta for a Purpose: A Benefit Dinner Supporting the Hunger Task Force

Get ready to catch the wave of giving at the Pasta for a Purpose beach-themed benefit dinner on March 6th! The Richards 3rd Grade class is hosting this fun-filled event to support the Hunger Task Force. For just $12, enjoy a pasta dinner with salad, bread, and bottled water, catered by Rosati's-Bay View. There will be a tide of games with prizes, a raffle drawing, and a bake sale!

Help us reach our $10,000 goal and continue Richards' tradition of generosity—we've proudly donated more than any elementary school in Milwaukee over the past 20 years!

Tickets can be purchased through the Richards PTO Membership Toolkit. Come join us for a splash of fun, food, and community spirit!

SAVE THE DATES!

More information to come on these upcoming PTO events, but get them down in your calendar now, so you don’t miss out!

• February 27th: Cultural Night

Student Attendance FAQ

The linked document includes answers to frequently asked questions related to student attendance, excused and unexcused absences, make-up work, and more. Please carefully review the linked information. 2024-25 Student Attendance FAQ

School 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 Meeting. Additional information can be found on the Board of Education website.

January 29 Board Meeting Takeaways

Next School Board Meeting: Wednesday, February 12 at 7:00pm, at Whitefish Bay High School Auditorium. Click here to view the 2024-2025 School Board Meeting dates.

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.

• Meeting dates located under featured tab/documents
• Agendas located under featured or meeting tabs

The Whitefish Bay Schools Orchestra Boosters thanks the Whitefish Bay school community for participating in our thirty-second annual Music for Munchkins! It was a delightful afternoon filled with brilliant orchestral music, an entertaining story, photos in front of a supercity skyline, a meet-and-greet with string instruments, and fun super-hero themed crafts. We hope you will join us next year!

Website: https://www.wfbschools.com/schools/richards/
Location: 5812 North Santa Monica Boulevard, Whitefish Bay, WI, USA
Phone: 414-963-3951
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WFBSchools/