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Richards Thursday Folder
June 13, 2024
Dear Richards Families,
As we close the book on another exciting school year, I want to take a moment to reflect on a tradition that perfectly embodies the spirit of our school community: the high fives exchanged between our 5th graders and our incoming 4K students.
Those high fives are a sight to behold – a burst of warm welcomes and nervous energy sets the tone for a year of growth and connection. They are a powerful symbol of the mentorship and support our older students offer their younger peers.
And then, there are the end-of-year high fives at the 5th Grade breakfast – a celebration of journeys completed and new adventures about to begin as our 5th Graders transition to Whitefish Bay Middle School. By then, the 4K students are not so little anymore, and the high fives hold a touch of pride and accomplishment.
This year has been one for the books, and I can't wait to see what the next chapter holds. Here’s to another year of high fives, milestones, and unforgettable memories!
Last Day of School
June 13 - Last day of school for 4K
June 14 - Last day of school 5K - 5th Grade, Dismissal at 11:30am
Report Cards: Semester two report cards are now available to view in Family Access.
From the Richards Health Room: All student medication should be picked up by 11:30am on June 14. Parents can stop in the Health Room during school hours. Any medication remaining on June 14 will be sent to the High School Health Room. Please note that medication pickup will not be available after that time as High School Health Room is not staffed during the summer months.
Lost and Found: Last Call! The Lost and Found is on display in the main lobby through tomorrow and students are encouraged to check the tables for items they have lost. All unclaimed items remaining on June 14 will be donated to charity.
2024-2025 School Year
NEW Student Enrollment: 4K - 5th Grade new student enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year is now open. Visit our website for more information about the enrollment process.
Is your student NOT returning for the 2024-25 School Year? Another important part of our planning for next year is to project as accurately as possible our student enrollments. Please notify the Richards office if your child will not be returning to Richards next year. (Stephanie.Haupt@wfbschools.com) Thank you!
The 2024-2025 School Year Calendar is linked below for family reference.
2024-2025 Online Registration & Prep for Success Information: Online Registration opens July 23 and closes August 12. Classroom teacher assignments and welcome letters will be posted in Family Access on Monday, August 19th. Prep for Success days are September 3rd, 4th, and 5th. On these days, 5K-5th grade students come to school once to meet individually with the teacher and to complete assessments. Based on family survey input, families will schedule these appointments. Prep for Success scheduling is available starting on August 19th. Directions for accessing Family Access, teacher assignments and Prep for Success scheduling will be sent in mid-July.
4K students have a separate Prep for Success schedule, details in the link below.
2024-2025 Smart Watch Guidelines: A concern about students wearing smart watches at the elementary and middle school levels has surfaced as an issue within the daily instructional environment during this year. Within the classroom environment, concerns about student’s social emotional health and the lack of student interpersonal connections are linked with smart watch/smart phone accessibility. Our elementary schools and middle school have worked to try to navigate smart watches as that device has increased the ability to communicate like a cell phone (since many students who don’t have a cell phone at least have a smart watch for basic communication).
We are having our elementary schools and middle school update their guidelines to reflect that students will be required to keep their smart watches turned off and in their backpacks/lockers in the 2024-2025 school year. As always, if parents need to contact their child for urgent matters at any point in the school day, they can contact the main office. Please feel free to reach out to your principal if you have any questions.
Winkie’s School Tools: Get ready for next school year! Families have the option of purchasing school supplies through Winkie’s, with a percentage of sales donated back to Richards. Orders placed this spring will be available for pickup at Winkie’s in August. The School Tools Order Forms are linked below and can be returned to Winkie’s by August 1. Questions? Contact Winkie’s at 414-964-2130 or Richards at 414-963-3951.
Thank You! The PTO would like to thank all of the families for their continued support throughout the year, and a huge shout out to the committees and volunteers for their contributions and willingness to go above and beyond this school year. The PTO events were a major success this school year and it would not have been possible without the assistance from Richards families, committees, and volunteers. Have a wonderful summer break and be sure to look for PTO updates in the fall!
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.
June 12 Board Meeting Takeaways
School Board Meetings: July 10, August 7: 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
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.
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.
Summer Programs from Whitefish Bay Public Library
Please see the information below for summer programming through Whitefish Bay Public Library