Richards Family News
September 9, 2024
Dear Richards Families,
Last Friday, our hallways were buzzing with excitement as students returned to school. It was wonderful to see the joy and enthusiasm on their faces as they reunited with friends and explored their new classrooms.
Throughout the day, students had the chance to get to know each other both as individuals and as learners. Our staff worked diligently to establish routines, share classroom expectations, and create a fun and engaging environment. It was heartwarming to see students enjoying lunch together and playing during recess.
During our Prep for Success days last week, teachers had the opportunity to meet with each student individually. These one-on-one interactions helped build positive relationships and gather important information to support each student's learning journey, ensuring a strong start for everyone.
The first week was a great success, and we were truly impressed by the students' enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We look forward to a wonderful and successful school year together!
We are thrilled to welcome several new staff members to Richards this year and are excited to introduce them to you! Open this link to learn more.
Mark Your Calendars!
Parent/Guardian Orientation will be held In Person on September 12th for 5K-5th grade. This adult only event is an opportunity for family adults to meet the teacher and learn about grade level curriculum, expectations, and procedures. We hope to see you there. Schedule below.
● 5:30-6:00 pm 5K & 1st Grade
● 6:10-6:40 pm 4th and 5th Grade
● 6:50-7:20 pm 2nd and 3rd Grade
*4K Orientation: September 4th during Prep for Success*
School Picture Day: Thursday, September 12
The 2024-2025 School Year Calendar can be viewed here: LINK
Elementary Switch Days: There are No Student Days throughout the school year. To provide every student with a balanced experience of Library, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Spanish instruction, we use “switch days”. The reason this is important is so students know when to bring an instrument for band or orchestra or wear appropriate footwear for physical education class. These are the switch days for the 2024-25 school year:
Tuesday 11/26 = Friday schedule
Wednesday 1/29 = Monday schedule
Tuesday 2/18 = Monday schedule
Wednesday 4/23 = Monday schedule
Band and Orchestra Registration:
Band (5th grade) and Orchestra (4th & 5th grade) classes are open for the 2024-25 school year. If your child is interested in participating, please see all of the information linked below.
In order to make Ice Cream Days a success this year we are looking for VOLUNTEERS to help out on these days from 10:50am-1:00pm. This is a great opportunity to spend time at the school and be part of something that every kid loves - Ice Cream Day! Please sign up HERE if interested. Our first Ice Cream Day will be September 24.
*We have updated our volunteer process for the school year, which you can find HERE. Volunteers that come in for Ice Cream or Fun Lunch would be a level one volunteer, and should find this to be a quick process. Questions? Please contact Lisa at lisabers@gmail.com
The WFB School District has adopted a new language lab resource called Mango for grades
2-5. More information can be found in this link: Mango Family Information
Student Safety: We have such a wonderful school community where our students and families are able to walk or bike to school. With that come a few friendly reminders to speak to your child(ren) about:
- All bikers should wear helmets fitting snugly with only 1-2 finger spaces between the chinstrap and chin.
- Phones should be put away so bikers can remain alert and on the lookout for other bikers, walkers, and vehicles.
- Bikers should only cross the street at crosswalks stopping to look left, right, and left again before crossing.
- Dogs are not allowed on WFB School District property. If you bring your dog at drop off or pick up time, please remain on the parkway or across the street.
- Drop off your children on the curb side and even better to walk when it is possible. Watch for bicyclists.
Celebrating Birthdays/Star Student: As noted on page 15 of our school handbook, we no longer allow shared food treats for birthday or star student celebrations. This is intended to increase levels of both safety and inclusivity for all of our students. Donating a book to the classroom library, inviting a family member in to read to the class, or other small items to share (i.e. pencils, stickers, straws, bookmarks, etc.) are options for celebration. Shared snacks/treats may be provided by teachers or teacher-appointed volunteers for all-class celebrations, but these will be selected carefully based on allergies in each individual classroom.
Snacks and Lunches: We are able to help students at times opening containers and different types of snacks. However, this should not be the norm as with a classroom or lunchroom full of students, we are limited in our ability to help in this way. Please practice with your child and have them demonstrate the ability to independently pack lunch or snack on their own. This could be a fun activity at home over the weekend packing lunch for the day to see how independent your child is with their lunch. If they do struggle, please look to adjust the packaging to something they are able to open (ziploc bags seem to work). We are also unable to peel oranges for students so please peel if necessary and put into a bag they can open.
Student Medication Drop Off: The Richards Health Room is open for medication drop off beginning September 3. Your child(ren)'s medication along with the corresponding forms can be brought in between 8:00am - 3:00pm. Just a reminder, if you feel your child may need Tylenol or Ibuprofen for any reason during the year, that would also need to be brought from home.
Show your Richards Spirit: We will continue the tradition of Mondays being school spirit day! Please wear your Richards gear on Mondays. The Richards PTO will be selling spirit wear throughout the year.
Whitefish Bay Football Game Expectations: LINK
Richards Parking Information: The only available parking on N. Santa Monica Blvd. is in front of the red playground. Please abide by all parking signage and plan accordingly with your vehicle.
Join the PTO: We are excited for a new school year! If you haven’t already, we invite you to create an account in Membership Toolkit and join the PTO to gain access to the Buzz Book, our online school directory. Both steps can be completed at richardspto.membershiptoolkit.com. Your MTK account is free and ALL Richards families need a Membership Toolkit account. If you already have a MTK account, please make sure to update your teacher assignment so you receive all communications from your Room Parent!
Donate to the PTO! The best way to support PTO programming is through Direct Donations. Monetary donations from Richards families to the PTO make up a substantial portion of the PTO’s annual budget. PTO funding creates an alternate source of financial support for our school. By contributing to the PTO, Richards families help to create a channel of funding to help meet our staff and student needs. All the money the PTO raises goes directly back to Richards. Consider donating today by visiting the Membership Toolkit website or stopping by the front office!
Follow us! The start of the school year is upon us! Don’t forget to like, follow, and bookmark all of the Richards PTO accounts to stay informed!
Instagram: @RichardsPTO_WFB
Facebook: @RichardsPTO
Membership Toolkit: richardspto.membershiptoolkit.com
Volunteers Needed! The PTO could not run without the help of volunteers. If you are interested in becoming more involved with the school and PTO, the following committees are in need of volunteers:
- Sporting Events
- Encore Room Parent
- Lego Club
- 3rd Grade Hunger Task Force
- Family Engagement
- Family Fun Night
For more information please email the PTO at richardsptowfb@gmail.com or visit the PTO website.
Richards Spirit Wear Online Sale is going on now and will remain open through Monday 9/16. Don't delay to secure your order! Storefront link: HERE
Help your family support their Richards spirit with great apparel and accessories offered in youth as well as adult sizes. Students also have a weekly spirit wear day on Mondays to show their spirit at school!
Orders will be available for pick up at the Burghardt’s Fox Point location in mid-October or you may ship to your home directly for a nominal fee. You will receive email notification directly from Burghardt’s when your order is ready for pick-up.
If you have any questions, please contact Spirit Wear Co-Chairs: Laura Schroeder lschroeder805@gmail.com or Leigh Anne Staley leigh_anne_staley@yahoo.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.
September 4 Board Meeting Takeaways
Next School Board Meeting: Wednesday, September 18 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.
Reminder: Enhanced Technology Safety
To enhance the culture of safety in our schools and in our greater community, the District continues to partner with Lightspeed Alert to improve upon our online monitoring system of student devices for specific safety indicators. See the following link for more information - LINK
New Immunization Requirements
The Department of Health Services has updated immunization requirements for school-aged children. These requirements for school-age children will go into effect at the beginning of the 2024–2025 school year. If your family is interested in signing a waiver, please contact your healthcare provider or the district nurse.
Changes include:
· Meningococcal (MenACWY-containing) vaccine has been added as a requirement for students entering seventh grade, and a booster dose for eligible students entering 12th grade.
· If a child has had chickenpox, a parent report of chickenpox disease is no longer acceptable for exemption from the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine requirement. Children must have a diagnosis of chickenpox from a qualified health care provider (M.D., D.O., N.P., or P.A.) to be exempt from this requirement, however existing exemption options still apply.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services website includes additional information. We encourage you to contact your healthcare provider if you have specific questions, or to schedule an appointment for a vaccine.
The WFB Music Parents Association (MPA) now represents 4th and 5th grade strings and band parents at both Cumberland and Richards! The MPA is the district's 2nd largest parent organization and has been in operation since the 1950s. We provide resources for our awesome music directors and music students. We are always looking for volunteers. The easiest way to help is to join MPA here.
Our fall open meeting is on September 23rd at 7pm in the high school band room. Please join us! Questions? Contact Gretchen Seamons at wfbmpa@gmail.com for more information!
Orchestra Boosters Portraits in the Park: Whitefish Bay Schools' Orchestras invites you to join us for our largest annual fundraiser, Portraits in the Park, supporting Whitefish Bay Schools' Orchestras!
- Reach out to wfbobpresident@gmail.com with questions.
