Richards Family News
August 30, 2024
Dear Richards Families,
Thank you for joining all of us for the Meet and Greet. It was wonderful to see the excitement on both teachers' and students' faces as they connected with one another. We're already looking forward to another fantastic year at Richards Elementary School, with all students starting together on September 6th.
One of the most heartwarming moments was seeing our incoming 4K students take their first steps into the school building and meet their teachers for the very first time. It's a reminder of the joy and wonder of childhood.
As we prepare for the new school year, we're eager to spend time during Prep for Success getting to know your child(ren) personally and building those important relationships that will set the tone for a successful year. Prep for Success is a special time for new and returning students to get acquainted with their teachers.
Here is a reminder on the time to expect for Prep for Success and the entrance for students to meet their teacher and where to meet them when they exit.
5K-2nd grade students will be here for 60 minutes:
5K - Enter and Exit through Doors 2 and 3 (front, north, near the Blue Playground)
1st - Enter Door 11(front, south, near the Red Playground) and Exit near Door 10/11 (front, south, near the Red Playground)
2nd - Enter Door 8 (back, south, near the staff parking lot) and Exit near Door 10/11 (front, south, near the Red Playground)
3rd-5th grade students will be here for 75-85 minutes. Please have your child bring a book in case they finish early. All students in these grades will Exit near Door 10/11
(Front, South, near the Red Playground)
3rd - Enter Door 7 (back, south center door)
4th - Enter Door 8 (back, south corner of the building)
5th - Enter Door 6 (back, north center door)
A huge thank you to our dedicated PTO for their continued support and for organizing the wonderful ice cream social. Their efforts help to create a positive and welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
We're excited about the year ahead and can't wait to see what we'll accomplish together.
For a variety of reasons we are changing the timing of our weekly communication. Once we are fully underway, you can expect our weekly newsletter to arrive on Monday. Don't hesitate to call the office if we can be of any assistance to you
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
● 6:10-6:40 pm 4th and 5th
● 6:50-7:20 pm 2nd and 3rd
*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
Winkie’s School Tools: Families who pre-ordered School Tools can pick up their child's supplies at Winkies now through September 5.
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 from the spring.
- Phones and smart watches: In all grades, phones and smart watches are to be turned off and stored in the student’s backpack during the school day.
- Snacks: Please ensure your child brings a healthy snack each day. Starting this school year, we will not be providing snacks for students who forget to bring their own. If a student forgets their snack, they will be allowed to eat items from their lunch.
- Student Milk and Ice Cream: Milk is sold daily during lunch and can be purchased for .10 cents. Ice cream bars are sold once a month to students in grades 1-5 for .60 cents. Milk and ice cream cards are available for purchase during lunch in the Great Hall or in the office. Milk cards ($2.00) include 20 punches and ice cream cards ($5.00) include 9 punches. Partially used punch cards from last year can be used, so check those lunch boxes!
- Arrival Procedures: Friday, September 6th marks the first full day of attendance for all students. Please have your child line up at their designated grade-level door by 7:50 am. The classroom teachers will come out to greet you and the children. You will say goodbye there and children will enter with their classes. School starts at 7:50 am so please be sure your child is in line by then. There will not be supervision prior to 7:50 am so please have your students here as close as possible to this time.
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.
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
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
Whitefish Bay School Board Annual Meeting: Wednesday, September 4 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.
From the Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation: Bring your friends and family to the bank and enjoy Paul's Smokehouse & BBQ. A portion of the food proceeds will go towards Nuss Grant, and Town Bank will match all food items sold up to $2,000. A special thanks goes out to Paul's Smokehouse & BBQ for the food donation!
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.