Cumberland Family News
March 3, 2025
Perhaps as a result of growing up in the country, I am drawn to vistas without any human made structures. Add some water, be it lake, river or ocean, and my sense of time evaporates when I am there. Minutes or even hours can pass unnoticed as I get lost in the ever changing sound of the water and the light reflecting in ways that are different minute to minute. Somehow, I am taken out of noticing the inside my head thoughts that at other times are ever present.
I suppose I could call this one of my own ways of regulating or re-centering, refreshed when I return to the world beyond these views.
It is this internal sense of calm that we try to help children find through our regulation stations, through breathing techniques, or through self talk. We know that children learn best when they are able to be fully present in the now, undistracted by internal thoughts and emotions. As adults, many of us have discovered ways to achieve this internal state. For some, it is through exercising, or meditating, or seeing a film, or being in nature, creating, or participating in sports.
As I have learned more about helping children discover approaches to assist them in returning to a state of calm, or regulation, some insights have emerged:
Successful approaches are as individual as students themselves
Children develop these skills and the self awareness at widely varying ages
Some children simply need time with no one talking to them to regulate
As surprisingly young ages, many children can articulate what will help them, if they are asked
The next time your child is elevated, you may want to consider simply asking: What will help you get regulated? Or, What do you need right now to get back to the green zone? The answer may surprise you.
Spring Parent/Guardian Teacher Conferences: Spring conferences, March 20th, are optional, and can be requested by the teacher or parent/guardian. Families who the teacher is requesting to meet with will receive an email by mid day today, and can schedule starting today at 3:00 PM. The scheduling window for everyone else is March 7th-17th. Further details are below.
Kudos to 2nd and 3rd graders for their enthusiastic performances last week. It was such fun to see the student learning. Thanks for making time to attend.
Kind regards,
Jayne Heffron and Rebecca Salomon
Upcoming Events
March 18: PTO meeting 7pm-8pm
March 20- 21: No School
March 24th-28th: Spring Break- No School
Wisconsin Forward Exam: Students in grades 3-5 will be participating in the Wisconsin Forward Exam testing in April. More detailed information can be found in this brochure. All testing will take place in the morning. Your help in not making morning appointments on these dates is much appreciated!
In addition, please ensure that fifth graders come to school with their fully charged Chromebook.
Third Grade: April 1-2 and April 8-11
- Fourth Grade: April 1-2, 4 and April 8-11
- Fifth Grade: April 1-2 and April 8-15
Spring Parent/Guardian Teacher Conferences:
Spring conferences are held on an as-needed basis. They can be scheduled by either family or teacher request. Conferences will be held for grades 4K through 5th grade on Thursday, March 20:
12:30–4:00pm In-Person
5:00–8:00pm Virtual
Teachers may recommend a conference if they see a change in achievement based on student progress indicators, behavior, or work habits. Conference scheduling will be done using your Family Access Account by March 6th if a conference is teacher recommended.
Families may also wish to schedule a conference to discuss any new concerns or to receive updates on student progress toward previously established concerns or goals even if they have not received a recommendation from their child’s teacher. This conference signup window is March 7-17.
Spring conferences: March 20
Teachers prepare extensively for conferences, and March 20 is the date allocated for Spring conferences when teachers are not teaching. Teachers are not allowed to schedule conferences outside of this window. If your child’s teacher has any concerns and you are not able to attend on March 20 (in person or virtually), the teacher will send an email with a summary.
Two-household parents/guardians sometimes request separate conferences. This is problematic as the dialogue, discussion, and conclusions in each conference may vary. Therefore, parents/ guardians are asked to attend one conference together and to sign up accordingly. Thank you ahead of time for cooperating with this structure.
2025-2026 School Year Enrollment
2025-2026 School Year NEW Student Enrollment: 4K - 5th Grade new student enrollment for the 2025-26 school year is now open.
Visit our website for more information about the enrollment process.
Currently Enrolled Students: Current students are not required to re-enroll. Families of current students will complete Online Registration in August prior to the upcoming school year.
Students Not Returning: If for any reason, your child(ren) will not be returning to Cumberland next year, please contact our office at 414-963-3943 or by email at: john.levek@wfbschools.com
Enrollment Questions? Contact the Cumberland's Office at 414-963-3943.
Staff Appreciation Week: Calling all volunteers! We need your help in creating and
executing the most exceptional Staff Appreciation Week! Please email
mooney.christiana@gmail.com with interest!
Cumberland Yearbook: The deadline to order yearbooks is Wednesday, April 16.
Make sure to double check your account on Membership Toolkit and view your receipts
to make sure you ordered. Every year there are many parents who believe they ordered
but did not. We don’t want anyone who desires a yearbook to go without. For questions
regarding yearbook issues, please reach out to Jillian
Cooper: jillian.gs.cooper@gmail.com or 816.589.1143.
Cumberland's Admirals Night Out! Join your Cumberland friends at the UWM
Panther Arena to see the Milwaukee Admirals take on the Rockford Ice Hogs on March
16th at 3pm. Please use this link https://fevo-
enterprise.com/event/Cumberlandelementary4 to purchase your tickets! Hope to see
you there!
Lunch Composting: Volunteers Needed! We are looking for volunteers to help with
composting during lunch from 11-1:05pm. Opportunities available daily. Signup for one
day, or many! The time commitment is small, and kids tend to love the surprise of
seeing their adult mid-day :-)
Signup Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DAAA82BAAFAC07-54358685-daily
Cumberland Online School Store is OPEN! The Cumberland Elementary School
online store has been launched! Orders are due by Monday, March 10 th .
The direct link for the store is: https://bsg.chipply.com/cumberlandspring/
Friday Spirit Days: A reminder to wear your Cumberland Cougar spirit wear on Fridays
to show your school spirit! Let’s go Cumby Cougars!
LIKE, Follow, and Update your Family Information!
Be sure to LIKE our Facebook page- Cumberland PTO
Please visit the PTO website for all PTO updates at www.cumberlandpto.com
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.
Next School Board Meeting: Wednesday, March 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.
Whitefish Bay MPA Summer Music Grant – Apply Now!
The Whitefish Bay Music Parents Association (MPA) is excited to support our young musicians through our Summer Music Grant Program!
Who’s Eligible?
Students entering grades 6-12 next year
Must participate in orchestra, band, and/or choir at school
Parents/guardians must be current MPA members
What’s Covered?
A $100 Summer Grant (or the cost of the activity if less)
Can be used for a summer music clinic, class, or camp (not private lessons)
We encourage all students to keep the music going this summer with camps and clinics!
Apply now and take advantage of this amazing opportunity!
From the Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation:
The WFB Public Education Foundation is participating in Give-Education Day on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025. It is a 24-hour donating event to support K12 education foundations. Help us make a lasting impact on the lives of students, teachers, and schools in your community!
Every contribution counts, no matter the size. By donating, you’re helping to fund our K12
programs, resources, and opportunities that empower our students to make the most from their
time in school.
We invite you to join us on March 5th (or before!) at
https://www.give-education.com/organization/Whitefish-Bay-Public-Education-Foundation and help us transform education—one donation at a time. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our schools!
