November 18, 2021

Messages from Dr. Kasmarick and Mrs. Petersen

Team Building in PE and Classroom Buddies this week - so much to be thankful for!

Caring School Community Classroom Buddies: Buddies in classes below will meet monthly to build relationships, share celebrations, and have fun together!

• 5K Wintheiser & 3 Alter
• 5K Bond & 3 Haase
• 5K Opelt & 3 Romnek
• 5K Abadie & 3 Eyers
• 1 Bornheimer & 4 Ade
• 1 Mooney & 4 Merlo
• 1 Schaapveld & 4 Wilhelm
• 1 Vollmer & 4 Yeager
• 2 Jacque & 5 Commer
• 2 Lazovik & 5 Mike
• 2 Safer & 5 Matthews
• 2 Sohr & 5 DeToro

Richards School Report Card Celebration: We are very proud of our Wisconsin School Report Card results! We have received a score of Significantly Exceeds Expectations as measured by achievement, year-over-year growth, target group outcomes, and graduation predictors. Please view this letter to families for more information!

Thank you, PTO!  Our amazing PTO approved over $8,500 in special disbursement requests this week, which will help us purchase needed items ranging from classroom alternative seating and storage items to sensory bin materials to small group and independent reading books. Thank you, PTO and Richards families!!

Winter Gear: Winter is upon us and we want students to be prepared for recess. In general, and especially in our youngest grades, we expect students to wear outside what they brought to school. In grades 1-5, when the temperature rises above 50 degrees students can choose whether a coat is needed. In short, please send students to school with the winter gear they'll need to stay warm at recess. We are outside unless it is raining or (actual temp or windchill) is below zero.

Clinic Information: The Richards Clinic oversees daily attendance. All absences, including students arriving to school late or leaving before the end of the school day should be reported to the Clinic at: richards.clinic@wfbschools.com or 414-962-6810. Please note that we do not accept at-home COVID test results for return-to-school purposes after a child has been out ill. We do accept test results from your doctor's office or official testing sites. Results can be submitted via email directly to the Clinic. Please also note that students who are awaiting test results cannot return to school until results are recieved and shared.  Call 414-962-6810 with any questions.  

Upcoming No School Days

• Wednesday, November 24: No School 4K – 5th Grade
• Thursday, November 25: No School 4K – 5th Grade
• Friday, November 26: No School 4K – 5th Grade
• Monday, November 29: No School 4K – 5th Grade

Click here to view the 2021-22 School Year calendar.

School's Out Care: The Whitefish Bay Recreation Department offers Early Release and School's Out Care when school is not in session. It is a first-come, first-serve basis and space is limited so register early! We do ask that families register 7 days prior to the day needed to avoid paying a late fee. Please bring a bag lunch and dress to be active! Click here to access the registration form.

Incoming 4-Year Old Kindergarten Virtual Visit: Resident children 4-years old on or before September 1, 2022 are eligible for 4K next fall. Families of incoming 4-year old kindergarten students are invited to attend a Virtual Visit on December 10 at 9:30am or 1:00pm (families can attend either session). Via Zoom, we'll provide an overview of the 4K program, an introduction of key staff members, information about the enrollment process and time for Q&A. Check out this flyer for more details and click here to RSVP.  

From the PTO

Fun Lunch Tomorrow!! The Richards PTO is excited to host Fun Lunch tomorrow!!  For participating families, don’t pack your student’s lunch tomorrow and let California Pizza Kitchen do the work!  Questions? Contact Fun Lunch chairs Deb Grayeski or Lynn Lange. 

World Kindness Day: Tomorrow is the last day to donate to One Hope 27!  In honor of World Kindness Day, we are collecting items for foster children in the Milwaukee area. The items that we are collecting are pajamas, clothing sets, books, small toys, toothpaste, toothbrushes, brushes, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant. We need all sizes of clothing and pajamas. All items must be new. Items can be placed in a bin in the vestibule in the front of Richards. Thank you to those who have already donated!!! Questions? Contact the PTO at richardsptowfb@gmail.com.

Winter Cookie Kits: Are you looking for some sweet family fun this December?  The Richards PTO is again partnering with Matilda Bakehouse in River Hills and have put together do-it-yourself boxed cooking decorating kits that can be enjoyed by all ages.  Smiles guaranteed! Each kit includes 12 winter-shaped sugar cookies, 7 piping bags of frosting, 2 bags of custom sprinkles and instructions. All kits cost $30 with 10% going back to the Richards PTO. Order here and in the special request box, make sure to write “Richards PTO”.  Ordering begins December 2nd and goes through December 17th.  NEW THIS YEAR: pick up will be on December 20th at Richards School! Pick up details to follow.  Questions? Contact the PTO at richardsptowfb@gmail.com.

Crayon & Marker Recycling: The Marker and Crayon Recycling Center is now OPEN! All staff and families are invited to donate their used markers and crayons in the bins outside of the Main Office.  All markers and crayons are accepted, including dry erase markers. The crayons will be melted down by an organization who will then donate the new crayon! Thank you to Emily Bandsma and Ms. Danforth for collaborating on this initiative! Questions? Contact Emily Bandsma at ecbandsma@gmail.com

Thank you Richards! Thank you to all of our volunteers who participated in our fall rake up on Monday!  Our school is looking great and ready for winter! A special thank you to the Riley family, the Vandiepenbeek family, the Knobloch family, the Pavlik family, the Hall family, Nicole Miskel, and Hailey Clarke.  An extra special shout out to Emily Bandsma for organizing this event!

You shop. Amazon Gives: Are you starting your holiday shopping?  Put your Amazon purchases to work and select Richards PTO as your chosen charity through Amazon Smile.  When users shop on AmazonSmile, Amazon contributes a percentage of the sale of eligible purchases to the charity of your choice.  If you have not done so already, make the Richards PTO your charity organization on your account and on the app and shop through Amazon Smile.  Thank you to everyone who supported the Richards PTO by shopping through Amazon Smile – your purchases make an impact! For more information, visit The PTO website.

District Announcements

COVID Testing Site: With the colder weather here, diagnostic testing by ACL has transitioned to the Whitefish Bay High School Health Office, 1200 E. Fairmount Ave., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217. Testing entry will be at Door 2 only, which is west of the main entrance. ADA access available at Door 1. Testing days and times*:

• Tuesdays 3:45pm-5:45pm
• Wednesdays 6:30am-8:30am
• Thursdays 3:45pm-5:45pm
• Fridays 6:30am-8:30am

*Testing is only offered on school days, prior to, and after the instructional day. More information available in this link.  Click here for detailed informtion regarding the ACL Diagnostic COVID Testing Holiday Schedule. 

The Whitefish Bay Public Education Foundation has been funding innovation in WFB Schools since 1993. Learn more about the impactful work of the Foundation in this attached letter. To support our mission of funding innovation, please consider a donation during the 2021 Annual Campaign.

WFBMS Holiday Boutique Today! The holidays are right around the corner! Get a head start on your shopping at the Whitefish Bay Middle School Holiday Boutique, brought to you by the WFBMS PTO. The Holiday Boutique will be held on Thursday, November 18, from 4-8 pm at the Middle School. We currently have more than 20 vendors participating, with a wide variety of unique merchandise. Admission is free and open to the public. In addition to the shopping, there will be a Silent Auction with proceeds designated to benefit the Middle School directly. So, grab some friends and shop at the boutique! Check out our flyer! Like us on Facebook and invite your friends: Questions? Contact Beth Wagner at bethcrivellowagner@gmail.com

Connects Before & After School is hiring! If you are interested in working with children or know someone who is, please have them contact us! Check out this flyer for more information.