Richards Family News
January 6, 2025
Dear Richards Families,
Welcome back, and Happy New Year! I hope your winter break was filled with joy, rest, and quality time with loved ones. As we dive into the new year, I’m excited to see our hallways buzzing with energy and learning once again.
January promises to be a busy and rewarding month. Students will engage in assessments that help us reflect on their growth and guide their learning goals. We’re also looking forward to showcasing student talents during our upcoming concerts and celebrating the end of the semester with pride in all we’ve accomplished so far.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we embark on a new year filled with opportunities for growth and achievement. Let’s make 2025 a year to remember!
Upcoming No School Days
January 10 and 13 - 4K & 5K Half Class Assessment Days
*Your child's group assignment letter and corresponding attendance date posted are in Family Access.
January 20 – No School 4K–5th Grade
January 24 – Early Dismissal at 11:30am for 5K–5th Grade. No School for 4K.
January 27 – No School 4K–5th Grade
Click here to view the 2024-2025 School Year Calendar.
January Music Concerts - Mark Your Calendars!
January 14: The Richards 5th Grade Band will hold its first concert of the year on Tuesday, January 14th at 7:00pm in the Great Hall. This performance is required for band students. Musicians should plan on arriving no later than 6:45pm, dressed nicely, with instruments and Essential Elements books. The concert is free and open to the public. Band families, please contact Mr. Gard at tom.gard@wfbschools.com if you have any questions.
January 30: 4th and 5th Grade General Music Concerts will be held at 5:30pm and 6:15pm, in the Richards Great Hall. More details coming soon.
Cindy Nelson Memorial Blood Drive: Richards School, along with the Richards PTO, will be hosting the annual Cindy Nelson Memorial Blood Drive on January 21, 2025. Cindy Nelson was a beloved teacher at Richards and touched many lives through her love of teaching and her long-standing dedication to our school. Throughout her life, Cindy was a consistent supporter of the Blood Center of Wisconsin. We are thrilled to keep that tradition going in her honor. Please find more information and a link to sign up to become a donor in the flyer below.
Winter Gear and Outdoor Recess: We want to ensure that our students are well-prepared for outdoor recess during the cold winter months. Please make sure your child comes to school with the necessary winter gear to stay warm during recess. Our expectation is that students wear what they've brought to school when going out for recess.
We typically go outside for recess unless it's raining or the actual temperature or wind chill falls below zero.
For students who want to play in the snow and leave the blacktop, it's important that they have snow pants, mittens/gloves, hats, and boots. To avoid any mix-ups, kindly label all your child's winter gear with their name. Your cooperation in this matter will help ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience for all our students. Thank you!
Parking Reminders: There is very limited parking on N. Santa Monica Blvd. so that authorized emergency vehicles and buses can access our building. We need your help in following these signs.
Please do not park or idle in locations not intended for parking.
There are a number of handicap parking spots on E. Belle Avenue. These spots are intended only for children and adults with disabilities and for buses that are used to transport children with physical, chronic or medical conditions. These spots, by law, can only be used if you have a handicapped tag. Do not park or idle in handicap spots without a handicapped tag, even for “just a second” and/or to drop off children.
Many families park near Richards on the surrounding blocks, where there is plenty of space.
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.
Visit our website for more information about the enrollment process.
Historically, there has been more interest in the morning session than there are seats available in classes. Therefore, a lottery system determines those who will be enrolled in the morning session.
In order to be included in the lottery drawing for the morning session, families must complete an online Enrollment Application and indicate your preference for the morning session. This process includes uploading required Immunization and Residency Verification documents to the application and presenting your student’s birth certificate to Richards main office in person before noon on Friday, January 10, 2025.
Don’t be Tardy for the Fun Lunch Party ~ Sign up for SPRING Fun Lunch!
Eight "Fun Lunch" dates are scheduled for students in grades K5-5th for the spring semester.
● February 14
● February 28
● March 14
● April 11
● April 25
● May 9
● May 23
● June 6
Fun Lunch may only be ordered on our Membership Toolkit Website. Membership toolkit form opens Jan 6 or soon after. Each Fun Lunch costs $7.00 for orders placed through January 26th, with an increase to $8.00 for orders placed on January 27th and later.
The form will close on February 3rd. Any orders placed after February 3rd must be placed via jacob.wruck@gmail.com
California Pizza Kitchen caters to Fun Lunch with an individual cheese pizza, macaroni and cheese, or salad with grilled chicken, ranch dressing, and goldfish crackers. All lunches include carrots, applesauce, and dessert (Oreo cookies or Rice Krispie treat). CPK lunches are peanut-free.
Please select a menu item for each Fun Lunch date. If your child is not participating in Fun Lunch, please complete the form and select “Not Participating on This Day” for any days you are not ordering Fun Lunch, and you will not be charged for those dates. After you have made your menu selections, click “Add to Cart.” The system will not let you proceed unless you have made a menu selection for each date. Repeat these steps for each of your children in grades K5-5. Proceed to check out, even if your child is not participating in Fun Lunch.
We cannot provide refunds or “to-go” orders if your child is not in the building on a Fun Lunch day. If participating presents a financial hardship for your family, please get in touch with Stephanie Haupt in the Richards main office (414) 963-3951.
Questions? Contact Fun Lunch chairs
● Janaki Shah - janaki.y.shah@gmail.com
● Kelly Moore - kellybrookemoore@gmail.com
Reminder: CPK is generously offering a free meal for Richards students dining in with their families. Students participating in the Fun Lunch program will receive a free kid's meal when dining with their family. Please note that the discount is only applicable when students dine with their families, and an adult entree must be purchased for every kid's meal. This offer is not valid with any other discounts or offers (including the CPK rewards program) and is not valid for groups or sports teams.
For additional details please contact committee chair Jacob Haller j.a.haller@gmail.com
Family Night Out: Please note that although this is a PTO sponsored event, you are not guaranteed seats next to other Richards families.
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.
December 11 Board Meeting Takeaways
Next School Board Meeting: Wednesday, January 8 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.
Join Us: Facilities Focus Groups
Our district is working to develop a plan to ensure our facilities are best suited to meet the needs of our students, staff, and community. Based on feedback from our community and our district’s goals, we’re focused on developing ideas around collaborative spaces and modernized learning environments. We invite you and your family to share their thoughts with us through the opportunities outlined below:
Student Focus Groups
Your student’s perspective is essential as we plan improvements to support your academic, social, and future goals. We want to hear your student’s ideas on how updates to classrooms, common areas, and other school facilities could enhance their experience at their school.
Please let us know if you would like your child (grades 3 - 12) to participate in a focus group by clicking here to add their name and your agreement to allow them to participate in the group during the week of February 24-28. The focus group will include 5-7 students and be about 15-20 minutes long with a facilitator and notetaker. If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to Dr. Jamie Foeckler, jamie.foeckler@wfbschools.com, 414-963-3901.
Community Member Focus Groups
We are excited to invite you to participate in a focus group as we develop a plan to ensure our facilities best meet the needs of our students, staff, and community. Your insights are invaluable as we evaluate the condition of our school buildings, evolving educational practices, projected enrollment trends, and other factors to shape recommendations for repairs and updates to facilities to the school board and administration.
The focus group will occur during the week of February 24-28 and will last approximately 15-20 minutes, facilitated by a leader/notetaker. If you would like to participate, please click here to confirm your participation. For any questions, feel free to reach out to Dr. Jamie Foeckler, jamie.foeckler@wfbschools.com, 414-963-3901.
Thank you for your support in improving our schools!
