Cumberland Family News
September 16, 2024
Dear Cumberland Families,
We had a fantastic start to the school year and our students are already feeling more independent with their morning, lunch, and classroom routines. Thanks to our successful Prep for Success days, we were able to dive right into learning. Each student had the chance to get to know their teacher, explore their classroom, find their desk, locker or cubby, and complete some initial assessments. This time together helps us to foster connections, ease any first-day jitters and tailor our instruction and supports from day one.
It was wonderful to see so many new and returning families at our Parent/Guardian Orientation the other night. We understand that you have busy schedules and you taking the time to meet and connect with your child's teacher and get valuable insights and information about their new grade-level and classroom is appreciated. Your presence and engagement made the event a great success and we look forward to partnering with you to ensure that your child has a positive and successful learning experience this year.
Our first fire drill of the year went smoothly and we were incredibly proud of how quickly and quietly everyone lined up and exited the building. Our evacuation time was a speedy 2 minutes and 27 seconds! That's a big accomplishment for over 700 students and staff! If you have any additional questions around the safety drills that take place throughout the course of the year, there is more information in the news and announcements section below.
Today we held our annual Recess Rodeo. Recess Rodeo is a Cumberland tradition that takes place at the beginning of the school year and where we explicitly teach and practice playground expectations and behaviors. Multiple school adults lead stations during which students see, hear and practice how to be safe, respectful and responsible during recess. We also have so much fun!
Volunteering: We are fortunate that many family adults and community members volunteer for Cumberland activities throughout the school day and during Cumberland PTO events. Your contributions make a huge difference and contribute to the positive experiences of students, staff and families. In keeping with our Focus Plan value of “Safety and Well Being”, we are implementing a new step in the process of being a volunteer. You may have noticed this during the online registration process.
If you are coming to Cumberland during the school day to volunteer in the classroom, to serve Fun lunch, chaperone a field trip, volunteer in the library or any other activity during which you interact with students, you are considered a volunteer and are required to apply through the online process. After school PTO clubs, such as Lego club, during which students are present without their family adults, also fall under the volunteer category. A one time visit, such as for Star Student presentations, does not require you to apply under the volunteer process.
Volunteers submit an application through the district HR department at this link. Next week’s Family Newsletter will include further detail about this new procedure. You are welcome to apply now, or to reach out to us with questions.
We are grateful for your continued support and partnership and we look forward to another great year ahead!
This year's school portraits have been scheduled on the following dates:
- Individual student photos: Thursday, 9/26
- Retake day for individual photos: Thursday, 11/7
September
24th - 4k/5k Parent Guardian Coffee Social 7:55 a. m.
October:
11th - No School
30th - EARLY DISMISSAL, 11:30am
31st- No School
Operational Reminder- Morning Arrival
Staff members will open doors at 7:47 each morning and K5- 5th grade students will enter through their designated door, walk to their classrooms and teachers will greet them at their classroom doors. All exterior doors will close at 7:51am. If students arrive after 7:51, they will need to enter the building through the main entrance at door 1 and check in to the health room for a tardy slip.
Student Safety
We love that so many Cumberland families walk and ride bikes to school! Our crossing guards are very dedicated to keeping you and your children safe. Please help our crossing guards by doing these things:
Children approach the intersection with their parents
Have children not run ahead but stay next to their parents/guardians as they cross
Walk bikes across the street and not ride across
Once at school, students should walk their bikes only.
Don't forget to lock up your bikes!
Continuing our safety efforts, this week students will view a presentation from our School Counselor, Ms. Kivi, in which she teaches or reminds students that there can be no talk of weapons at school, nor any pretend play with weapons. Ms. Kivi emphasizes the importance of a safe school environment for all and assures students that we take their words and actions seriously. Let us know if you have any questions.
Encore Team Orientation Video:
If you didn't get a chance to meet our Encore teachers on Parent Orientation Night or if you are just interested in learning more about our Encore team and program, click here to check out their video.
Show Your Cumberland Spirit!
Fridays will continue to be our Cumberland Spirit Days! Students are encouraged to wear their Cougar Wear or any green shirt. The Cumberland PTO will be holding spirit wear sales throughout the year.
New Language Lab, Mango
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
Whitefish Bay Football Game Expectations: LINK
- PTO Meeting! Join us for the first PTO meeting of the 24/25 school year on September 17th in the Great Room at 7:00 pm, all are welcome!
- Touch a Truck/Safety Fair! Together with North Shore Fire Department and the Whitefish Bay Police Department, students will be able to touch rescue vehicles, learn about safety, view demonstrations, and more! There will also be a first aid kit making station (while supplies last) generously donated by Molitor Properties! This event will take place on the back black top on September 18th at 3pm.
- K4 and K5 Kinder Coffee for Parents/Guardians! Join us on September 24th after AM and PM drop off in front of the K4 and K5 doors for a complimentary cup of coffee provided by the PTO and take the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new friends! Younger siblings are welcome!
- The PTO is excited for a new school year. If you haven't already, we invite you to create an account in Membership Toolkit (MTK). Your MTK Account is free, and all Cumberland families need a Membership Toolkit Account. Go to https://cumberlandpto.membershiptoolkit.com/home. Once there, please update your child(s) teacher assignment so you can receive communication from the PTO and your child’s room parent(s).
- Homecoming Tailgate Party! Join with Cumberland families for a Homecoming Tailgate Party on Friday, October 18th from 3:30-5pm on the blacktop and East Lawn of Cumberland School. There will be rally-sign making, fun music, lawn games, and concessions for sale to help everyone get ready for the high school varsity football team's homecoming game that night at go 7pm. Go Blue Dukes!! Volunteers are needed for this event! If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Jenny Scheels, jennifera.busch@gmail.com.
- Lego Club! Beginning in October, the Cumberland Lego Club is back for fall and in need of parent volunteers to help supervise the meetings. The club will meet one day a week from 3-4 pm in the art room. Lego club is free and open to grades K5-5th. The goal of the club is to provide a fun setting for kids to play Legos with their classmates. If you have a Lego-loving child and are interested in volunteering (or have questions), please reach out to: cumberlandlegoclub@gmail.com. Volunteers will need to complete a brief safety training and background check. More information about student sign-up for the club is coming soon!
- Cumberland Composting is Back! Needed- Paper Bags for Composting: Do you have paper shopping bags lying around? If so, we would love to take them! Please bring in your paper bags for daily compost collection. Thank you!
- We Need Volunteers for Lunch Composting: Spots are now available for OCTOBER and NOVEMBER! Let’s start the year strong! Link to Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DAAA82BAAFAC07-50860503-daily
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
· *UPDATE your information and add your child(s) teacher to your account to be sure to receive information about Cumberland and your child(s) classroom.
o ** If you don’t have a membership toolkit account, please create a FREE account. Go to: 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, 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.
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.
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
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!
Whitefish Bay Schools' Orchestras invites you to join us for our largest annual fundraiser, Portraits in the Park, supporting Whitefish Bay Schools' Orchestras!
- See flyer for details. Link is embedded in the flyer.
- Quick link to schedule a sitting, click here.
- Reach out to wfbobpresident@gmail.com with questions.