Richards Family News

Dear Richards Families,

We are pleased to share that first semester report cards will be available in Family Access by the end of the school day on Thursday, February 6th. We encourage you to take some time with your child(ren) to celebrate their progress and identify key opportunities for growth. Your continued support in their learning journey is invaluable.

Additionally, we want to remind you about the updated report card format. While the layout has changed, our goal remains the same—to provide up-to-date information on student learning in all subject areas. Some report card standards may be marked as “NA” (Not Assessed) for this semester. Please know that all standards will be assessed by the end of the school year.

If you have any questions about your child(ren)’s report card, please reach out to their classroom teacher.

Open House: We are delighted to invite you to Open House this year on 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.

2nd and 3rd Grade Concerts: 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 Updates: Our first ‘spring’ fun lunch will be on Valentine’s Day - Friday, February 14! If you haven’t already, place your order! Fun Lunch can only be ordered through our Membership Toolkit Website. Click the link to place your order. Membership Tool Kit - ORDER FUN LUNCH. You can also find the order form under the STORE section in the MTK app.

Pricing:

Orders placed on January 27th or later: $8.00 per lunch

The order form will close on February 3rd.

Late Orders:
Any orders placed after February 3rd must be submitted via email to jacob.wruck@gmail.com

Volunteers:

There are a few openings in the volunteer signup for the spring. If 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 with Fun Lunch.

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

Questions?
Please 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!

We need YOU for High Interest Day!! High Interest Day is an amazing afternoon where students get to choose unique professions and hobbies to learn about that are presented by relatives, friends and community members in those fields.

WHY SHOULD YOU VOLUNTEER?

1. IT’S AN EXCITING AND DIFFERENT WAY TO LEARN: This community has so much to offer and Richards Tigers love to learn. High Interest Day is a chance for kids to learn about something entirely new and exciting.
2. ENTHUSIASM IS CONTAGIOUS: By presenting at High Interest Day you are bringing your expertise and enthusiasm to our students.
3. APPLIED LEARNING: You’re validating our students' interests by showing them the things they’re interested in are valuable and worth pursuing.

I WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER. NOW WHAT?

1. Please fill out THIS FORM by February 14
2. QUESTIONS? e-mail Katie at katiewortman@gmail.com or Lisa at lisabers@gmail.com

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.

Join Our Fundraising Team! We’re forming a Playground Fundraising Committee to help raise money for our school playground expansion, and we need your help! Volunteers will assist with:

● Brainstorming creative fundraising ideas

● Promoting fundraisers

● Reaching out to local businesses for support

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a big impact on our school community. If you're interested in joining, please contact Brigid Ingram and Christina LeBlanc at brigid@gmail.com or christinatjones@gmail.com. Let’s create an amazing space for our kids to play and grow!

Food Drive Fundraiser

The 20th Annual Food Drive and Fundraiser hosted by the 3rd Grade is coming soon! Support the 3rd grade class’s goal of raising $10,000 for the Hunger Task Force this year. Join us for the Food Drive (Feb 10–Mar 7) and the Pasta for Purpose Benefit Dinner on March 6, catered by Rosati’s - Bay View. Let’s come together to make a difference in our community. Tickets will be available starting February 3 through Membership Toolkit.

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

Mark your calendars! Tickets for WFBHS Theater's winter musical, Mamma Mia!, go on sale SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1st. Tickets are going to sell FAST, so make sure you go to our website WFBHSTHEATER.COM on Saturday, February 1st at 8:00am to get the best seats to see this iconic show!

Check out our flyer for more details!

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/