Richards Thursday Folder
May 9, 2024
Dear Richards Families,
Mark your calendars! The Richards Fine Arts Festival is fast approaching on Thursday, May 30th, and we couldn't be more thrilled. This wonderful event, organized by our dedicated Encore teachers in Art, Library, Music, Spanish, and Physical Education, promises an afternoon of fun including lunch on the lawn, art, music, and dance.
This year's theme, "A 'Day' at the Museum," adds an exciting twist. Each grade level will present a unique museum exhibit, with a special Richards History Exhibit and an impressive Art Show rounding out the experience. We're eager to showcase the incredible talents of our students and celebrate their creativity.
To ensure we're prepared for your attendance, we kindly request that all families RSVP via the provided LINK by May 20th.
For further details and the event schedule, please visit the Richards Fine Arts Festival please see below. Additionally, here are some essential logistical reminders:
Parent setup on May 30th may begin at 10:30 am to allow for student recess to run up to that point on the field. Any set up prior will need to be removed for recess and the spot will not be saved.
We ask that there are no food deliveries to the school for the lunch on the lawn.
During the lunch hour, students and children will stay with their grownups at all times, adhering to school rules. Playground play will not be permitted, and students and children must not be left unattended.
Thank you for your cooperation, and we look forward to sharing this memorable day with you!
All-District Orchestra Festival (Grades 4-12) Tonight! Thursday, May 9, 7:00pm at the WFBHS Fieldhouse. All Richards families are invited to attend this free performance given by all ages and levels of WFB Orchestra students. Please join us!
Upcoming No School Dates
May 24 - No School 4K. Early Dismissal at 11:30am 5K - 5th Grade
May 27 - No School 4K - 5th Grade
June 13 - Last day of school for 4K
June 14 - Last day of school 5K - 5th Grade
5K-5th Grade Belongingness Survey: Starting on May 13th, K5-5th grade students will again take the three-question Belongingness Survey. There will be limited individual student follow up, as the data will primarily be used for comparison with fall data.
2024-2025 School Year
NEW Student Enrollment: 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.
Is your student NOT returning for the 2024-25 School Year? Another important part of our planning for next year is to project as accurately as possible our student enrollments. Please notify the Richards office if your child will not be returning to Richards next year. (Stephanie.Haupt@wfbschools.com) Thank you!
The 2024-2025 School Year Calendar is linked below for family reference.
Winkie’s School Tools: Get ready for next school year! Families have the option of purchasing school supplies through Winkie’s, with a percentage of sales donated back to Richards. Orders placed this spring will be available for pickup at Winkie’s in August. The School Tools Order Forms are linked below and can be returned to Winkie’s or to Richards by June 1. Questions? Contact Winkie’s at 414-964-2130 or Richards at 414-963-3951.
FUN LUNCH FRIDAY! Fun Lunch is tomorrow 5/10. Please still pack your child’s snack and beverage!
Spirit's Soiree!! Please mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 15th for a fun night at Richards Elementary School!! The Richards PTO invites all families to join us in the Richards Gym for Spirit's Soiree from 5-7pm. All are welcome to enjoy dancing to a DJ, snack on cookies and treats, and even a special appearance by Spirit the Tiger! Stop by the Great Hall for the Book Fair and Spirit Wear Sale. We hope to see you all there!! Questions? Contact Anna Graham at annagraham4@gmail.com or Kristin Fischer at klfischer622@gmail.com
Make sure you plan a stop in the main vestibule for your last chance of this school year to purchase Richards spirit wear! We will be offering several end of year deals as we make room for next year's new favorite items!
Get Ready for Richards Movie Night this Friday - Night at the Museum!
Event Details:
- Date: May 10th in the Great Hall
- Time: Doors open at 6:30 PM and the movie starts at 7:00 PM
- Cost: Free!
- Enjoy complimentary popcorn
- Concessions will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going to support the Richards PTO. Cash Only!
- Don’t forget chairs and blankets!
Special Sponsor:
Richards Movie Nights are proudly sponsored by Jamie Ludlow of Shorewest Realtors. Make sure to visit Jamie's table at the event to pick up your free glow sticks and enter a fun giveaway!
The Scholastic Book Fair returns on Wednesday, May 15 for one day only! We will be open in the Great Hall from 3:00-7:30pm. The fair will feature great titles to interest all ages! Please note, teachers do not make wish lists for the spring bookfair. If you have leftover money from an ewallet from a previous fair, you should receive an email from Scholastic about how to reactivate the wallet. We hope to see you there!
We do need a few volunteers to make this event work. If you are interested, please use the following link to sign up: LINK
Questions?
Contact Carrie Osswald cseelman@yahoo.com or Amy Mulcahy amymulcahy13@yahoo.com
Richards Spring Clean-Up
Please join us for the spring clean-up of Richard's gardens and grounds. We'll be raking, weeding and pruning, so please bring your gardening gloves and rakes. All children must be accompanied by an adult. For questions, please reach out to Emily Bandsma at ecbandsma@gmail.com.
Sign up HERE.
Compost Crusader Fundraiser
We are extending the compost soil fundraiser through Compost Crusader. Currently, we've sold enough bags to support two months of our Fun Lunch composting program. Each 35lbs bag is $18 with $4 for each bag sold coming back to the school. Deadline to order is now May 31. For any questions, please reach out to Emily Bandsma at ecbandsma@gmail.com.
Richards Celebrates Victories at the FIRST Lego League Spring Expo
On April 13th, four teams representing Richards competed in the FLL Explore Spring Expo in Wauwatosa, with three teams taking home awards. The spring expo marked the end of the 12-week FLL Explore season, which saw our teams work together to build & program complex moving Lego projects. A big thanks to our volunteer coaches, as the FLL program wouldn't exist without them. Look for signup for next year's program in the fall!
Spring Expo Team Awards
Block & Roll: Team of One Award
Lego Mini Masters: Solid-as-a-Rock Model Design Award
Cool Coders: Gracious Professionalism Award
Attention Fifth Grade Families! Whitefish Bay Middle School Spirit Wear on sale now! Looking for the perfect gift for Fifth Grade Advancement? Surprise your rising Middle Schooler with some Lion Pride gear! All spirit wear orders are placed online and shipped directly to your home. Popular brands include Puma, Nike, Under Armor, and North Face. For a limited time only, use the promo code PRIDE20, to save 20% off orders of $100 or more. Exclusions apply, see the spirit wear store for more details.
Click Here to Shop Now! Or Visit the WFBMS PTO website and click on “Spirit Wear.”
Questions? Email the WFBMS PTO at wfbmiddleschoolpto@gmail.com
Measles in Wisconsin
We hope that this message finds you well. The District is writing to inform you of important information related to an increase in measles cases in Wisconsin.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus. It is a serious infection that causes fever, cough, a rash, sore eyes, and occasionally dangerous complications. Measles spreads very easily, so it is important to protect against infection. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent measles. Information on the measles vaccine can be found through the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.
It is important for you to check your student’s immunization records to make sure they have received two doses of MMR vaccine. You may check your student’s immunization record using the Wisconsin Immunization Registry (WIR). Your student’s health care provider should also have their immunization record.
To be clear, at this time, there have been no confirmed cases of measles in the Whitefish Bay School District. We encourage families to take precautions to avoid measles cases, particularly if your student is not vaccinated against the virus. Should there be a confirmed case of measles in the District, the District Nurse will work closely with the North Shore Health Department and the Wisconsin Immunization Program to determine if there is a need for those without proof of immunity to measles to be excluded.
Additional information on measles and relevant District policies are included below. Should you have any questions, please contact the District Nurse, Allison Heisler at 414-963-3989.
Resources:
Measles Fact Sheet (Center for Disease Control & Prevention)
Policy 453.3 Infectious/Communicable Diseases
Policy 453.3 Rule Definition of Infectious/Communicable Diseases
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.
School Board Meeting: May 22, 2024: 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
WFBHS Grad Grams: Who do you know who is graduating from WFBHS this year? Your sitter? Your neighbor? The kids you coached in soccer? Send them each a Grad Gram message! Create a note that will be bound in a special book for each senior and delivered at graduation practice. The WFBHS Parent Association is taking orders for Grad Grams through June 3. Please see the order form below to participate in this fun tradition that is a highlight for our WFB seniors.
Information about Whooping Cough (Pertussis) from the North Shore Health Department
A small number of Whooping Cough cases have been reported at the High School over the last several weeks. The North Shore Health Department has shared information with our community related to Whooping Cough, or Pertussis.