April 2025 District Newsletter

✨ Click the play button below to view a video message from Dr. Foeckler:

Greetings Families,

With the arrival of spring, I am reflecting on the importance of building a strong foundation, laying our roots, to establish the basis for growth in our relationships. Through a strong relationship with our community the District has sown solid roots, upholding a culture of excellence in learning across the Whitefish Bay School District.

Both Mr. Gard, High School and Richards Band Director, and Mr. Johnston, High School Choir Director, share how they see the values of Individual and Community in their classrooms every day.

Students are able to focus on their own individual confidence and talents through opportunities across our music departments. By engaging in individual learning, students are able to come together as a larger musical community as they discover their potential through performance, retreats, committees, and performances. Focusing on both individual and group growth helps learners to be prepared for future opportunities and challenges.

Your Partner in Education,

Dr. Foeckler

The District is conducting a long term facilities planning process. On September 18, 2024, the School Board approved a Facilities Charter, a document that will guide the facilities planning process. The Charter was created based on input from the Board, as well as the Facilities Subcommittee. Stay engaged and up to date throughout the process that could have a major impact on the future of the District!

Opportunity to Provide Feedback

The Facilities Advisory Committee wants to hear from YOU! The group will be hosting a World Café Conversation on Thursday, May 22nd from 6:00 - 7:30 pm at Whitefish Bay High School

What is a World Café Conversation?

The world café format makes use of an informal setting for participants to explore a topic by discussing it in small table groups. The session will last no more than an hour and a half.

The Facilities Advisory Committee is looking forward to hearing directly from you. Participants will share their ideas, listening, building upon ideas of others, and providing feedback on potential options of facilities improvements across the District.

Click here to learn more and to sign up!

Focus Group Summative Report

The focus group work conducted by the Whitefish Bay School District Facilities Advisory Committee in February 2025 gathered valuable insights from a diverse group of stakeholders, including students, staff, and community members. The purpose of focus group discussions was to better understand the strengths and challenges of current facilities and to identify opportunities for improvement in alignment with the District’s long-term goals emerging from the Facilities Charter.

Review the themes that were gleaned from the Focus Groups in the Summative Report.

The Facilities Advisory Committee, continues to learn about District needs related to facilities plan development with the goal of providing a recommended plan to the Board of Education.

Areas of learning for the group included:

• School Safety & Security
• Learning Environments with a Focus on the Middle and High Schools
• Learning Environments with a Focus on Richards and Cumberland
• School Finance - if there is only one presentation you review, make it this one! Please reach out to Director of Business Services, Ben Irwin (ben.irwin@wfbschools.com) if you have any questions.
• Building Tours: Cumberland, Richards, Middle School, High School
• Visits to Nicolet Union High School, Bayside Middle School, and Menasha High School (pictured) to see their recently updated spaces

Interested in following the work of the committee? Reach out to any committee member to learn more!

Spring weather can change in an instant. It is best to be prepared and have a safety plan in place before severe weather arrives. Please take time to develop and practice your safety plan with children, so that they are more comfortable with what to do in case of severe weather. ​

Staying focused and following these reminders can help you be prepared should severe weather strike.

At the March 12 School Board Meeting, the board voted to approve changes to the 2025-26 Family Calendar, resulting in a change to the first day of school for elementary students, eliminating Prep for Success. The Board also voted to approved the 2026-27 Family Calendar.

Visit the Calendars page on our website for more information.

The School District of Whitefish Bay is hiring a Crossing Guard! This position assists in providing safe access to and from schools for students, families, and community members.

The successful candidate must be available to work 7:30-8:30 AM, 10:45-12:15 PM, and 2:45-3:45 PM, Monday through Friday. The District will provide training and equipment!

If you are interested in learning more about this amazing opportunity to serve the students, families, and community members of Whitefish Bay, please contact Carin Keland, Director of Recreation and Community Education, at (414) 963-3947 or carin.keland@wfbschools.com. Ready to apply? Click here to submit your application!

The High School Team of Ms. Amy Levek, Mr. Josh Skatrud, and Mr. Randee Drew, along with students Megan, Mario, and Abby presented the High School Report to the Board on March 12th. Highlights included a focus on data-informed teaching and learning, the expansion of Sources of Strength, staff well-being, and school celebrations.

Thank you, High School Team!

The School Board and School District invite you to attend School Board Meetings. Board meetings begin at 7PM in the High School Library Media Center, unless noted otherwise.

• April 9 -- Regular Business Meeting
• April 30 -- Organizational Meeting, Regular Business Meeting, Committee Meetings

Subject to change. Please view BoardDocs for up to date meeting notices and agendas.

Curious about what is discussed at School Board Meetings? Linked below, you'll find key takeaways from the most recent School Board Meetings. Additional information can be found in BoardDocs.

• March 12 Board Meeting Takeaways
• March 18 Board Meeting Takeaways

Cumberland students are excited that warmer weather has arrived! See more photos.

K5 students had bright and creative lessons during Glow Day in their Richards classrooms! See more photos.

Middle School Aviation Club has begun building their rockets for an upcoming competition! Former Middle School AP and club advisor, Mr. Rose, was able to share tips with the group!

Forty high school students competed in the annual Puzzle Race in the library! Ten teams worked together to put their teamwork and strategy to the test, battling for bragging rights and the ultimate prize — a 3D duck puzzle! See more photos.

Activities Newsletters are shared throughout the school year on the High School's website. Check back frequently to stay up to date with athletics and activities! Read More.

Do you have good news to share with the school district? We would love to hear from you.

Email: districtnews@wfbschools.com
Website: https://www.wfbschools.com/
Location: 1200 East Fairmount Avenue
Phone: 414-963-3921
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WFBSchools/