Messages from Dr. Kasmarick
Have your kids asked what the teachers will be doing on Thursday while students have the day off? Mine have! I've shared that we'll be doing or own learning (it's our turn!) and working together to help all students continue growing.
More specifically, the Richards staff will spend the morning digging into our focus areas for the year:
- The District Focus Plan's charge to ensure academic and whole child growth for all students: how high expectations and an assets-based approach, inclusive and culturally-responsive teaching practices, and purposeful collaboration can get us there
- Robust mini lessons in reading and writing workshops, in which students are given a relevant learning target with clear modeling, and opportunities for both guided and independent practice
- The collaborative review of Fall data, and instructional planning based on present levels and opportunities for growth
In the afternoon, grade level and departmental teams will work with their Cumberland counterparts on a variety of timely topics, including the continual alignment of curriculum with standards, instructional planning based on fall data analysis, resource sharing, and the refining of assessment practices moving forward.
We know that these days off can present logistical challenges for families, but please know how valued and impactful the time is for staff. Thank you for your partnership as we work to actualize the Focus Plan!
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There is no school tomorrow, Thursday, September 21.
Students in grades 1-5 will return to school on Friday, September 22.
Friday, September 22 and Monday, September 25 are K4 & K5 Kindergarten Assessment Days. Half of the class attends the full session on these days. K4 & K5 classroom teachers sent home information detailing which day your child will attend. Please contact your child(ren)'s teacher if you have any questions.
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Richards Open House
Richards Open House is on Thursday, Sept 28, from 6-7:15pm and all families are invited to attend this annual event! Our students are excited to show their families what is happening in their classrooms!
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Parent Teacher Conferences
The Fall Parent Teacher Conference dates are just around the corner:
K4: October 24, 25, 26
K5-5th: October 25, 26
If you have not had a chance to sign-up for conferences, please call the school office to schedule your conference at 414-963-3951.
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From the Richards PTO
Want more information about an upcoming event? Did you lose a form? Check out richardspto.org for events, forms, dates, volunteer sign ups, and more!
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Newcomers Meet & Mingle, Thursday Sept. 21, 6pm-8pm
Are you new to Richards School? Or would you like to come help welcome newcomers?
Come meet new and old friends at our Richards PTO Newcomers Meet & Mingle at The Bay restaurant, 342 E. Silver Spring. This is a great chance for parents (especially those with K4 and K5 kiddos, and any families new to the area) to enjoy an evening out and get to know each other.
Come enjoy:
- extended Happy Hour specials
- ongoing drawings for gift certificates & gift bags from more than a dozen local businesses
- live music starting at 8:30pm
- we'll kick it off with free appetizers
Hope you can stop by! For more information, please contact Beth Bruch at richards_newcomers@yahoo.com.
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Fun Lunch
The Fun Lunch sign-up form was sent home in last week’s Thursday folder and it needs to be returned regardless of participation in Fun Lunch. The form will need to be returned to your child(ren’s) teacher by 9/29. The first Fun Lunch is scheduled for 10/20. If you misplaced the form, please visit the PTO website for a copy of the Fun Lunch sign-up form.
Proceeds from this year’s Fun Lunch will go to the Richards PTO. This year the Fun Lunch program has again teamed up with California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) and is also welcoming Cousins Subs.
The weeks that CPK provides the meals, students participating will receive their selection of Cheese Pizza, Mac and Cheese or Salad with Chicken! They will also be served carrots, applesauce, bottled water and a Rice Krispie Treat or Oreos!
Beginning October 1st, CPK is continuing to generously offer a free meal to Richards students when they dine-in with their family! Students who participate in the Fun Lunch program will receive a free kid’s meal when THEIR family is dining. A raffle ticket will be given to each dining student for a chance to win an embroidered chef coat! Raffle tickets will be randomly selected and chef coats will be presented at Fun Lunch. Students that wear their chef coat to CPK will be allowed to make their own pizza! Please note: Only students dining with their families will be discounted and an adult entrée must be purchased for every kid’s meal. This offer is not valid with any other offers or discounts, and is not valid to groups or sports teams.
The weeks that Cousins Subs provides the meals, students participating will receive their choice of a 5-inch sub or a salad in addition to a nut-free snack, a Rice Krispie Treat or Oreos, bottled water, and an apple.
As with many PTO sponsored events, volunteers are important. Many have already signed up to volunteer. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Amanda or Verna (addresses below) to have your name added to the list.
We welcome any comments and suggestions regarding Fun Lunch!!! Please contact Amanda Flegner amanda.flegner@gmail.com or Verna Pazaras at vernapazaras@mac.com with feedback and questions.
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BuzzBook Updated!
The BuzzBook is updated with classroom data. You can now create class lists by searching the database. PTO Members have access to the ONLINE BuzzBook at http://buzzbook.online/BuzzBook/members/. If you have not updated or given your contact information to the PTO, go to http://buzzbook.online/BuzzBook/business-directory/. The deadline for updates to the paper BuzzBook is October 5th.
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Step Right Up Folks, It’s Richards Family Fun Night!
Wednesday, October 18th, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
There is no evening more fun than Richards Elementary School’s Annual Family Fun Night. The fantastically fun tradition continues this year with the Family Fun Night and the Book Fair!
Fun and books—OH, MY!
The Family Fun Night Carnival event is FREE to our Richards School students and families, held in the Gymnasium.
- Highlights include:
- School-wide scavenger hunt
- Carnival-themed games and activities including face-painting, art mural creating, a cupcake walk and more! Popcorn concessions for only $1
- Milwaukee Art Museum presents Kohl’s Color Wheels
Enjoy the other event occurring at the school throughout the evening as well:
SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR! Also held in the Gymnasium
So please join us on Wednesday, October 19th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Greatest Place on Earth … RICHARDS ELEMENTARY!
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Box Tops
If you haven't already started turning in the box tops you've collected over the summer, now is the time. Our first submission is right around the corner, and your coordinators are ready to start counting!
Your children received some forms last week, including reminders about the use of the 'box top app' to earn extra $ on products, as well as a new fun collection sheet. Let's beat our totals from last year, and earn more free money for our classrooms! It couldn't be easier!
Any questions can be directed to Lindy Utley, lindy.utley@yahoo.com or Kristen Pavlik, lafond19@yahoo.com.
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Richards PTO Direct Donation Program
You may have noticed the green direct donation sheet from the PTO in your Thursday folder last week. In lieu of typical fundraising, the PTO asks for direct donations to fund their initiatives throughout the year.
Benefits to donating:
- tax deductible
- opt out of time consuming fundraisers
- 100% of monies go directly to Richards
Here are some of the programs made possible by the PTO:
- Roller skating
- Teacher Appreciation
- Art for Youth
- Lego Club
- Family Fun Night
- Extra classroom needs
- Fifth Grade Advancement
- Junior Great Books
- Milk and Cookies
- Beautification
- Playground Equipment
- And much, much more!
Thank you in advance for your generosity!
- $50 covers programs for one child
- $75 covers programs and additional needs for classrooms
- Any donation is greatly appreciated!
As an added bonus, you will receive a Richards School window decal with donation! Thank you from the PTO!
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District Announcements
Parent Representatives Sought for Social Studies Renewal and Design Committee
Our district evaluates and improves every curricular subject area on a six to seven-year cycle through the work of curriculum review committees. Typically, one or two parents/community members serve on each committee. Beginning in fall 2017, the academic area of K – 12th grade Social Studies will be reviewed.
Per School Board policy, interested parents/community members must apply to participate on curriculum renewal and design committees. Applications are reviewed by the Administrative Council. Parents/community representatives are selected based on the following criteria:
- Training, interest, or experience in this area
- Reasons for wanting to be on this committee
- Ability to contribute to meeting the goals set forth in the committee’s purpose
- Ability to attend scheduled meetings
The time commitment for representatives will involve six - eight meetings. Typically, meetings are held from 3:45-5:15 p.m. at the High School, but there are some full day meetings scheduled during the 2017-2018 school year as well. Below are the dates for the upcoming school year:
- October 4, 2017
- November 8, 2017
- November 9, 2017 (All Day)
- January 3, 2018
- February 28, 2018 (All Day)
If interested in serving on this committee, please contact Maria Kucharski, Director of Teaching and Learning, for an application at Maria.Kucharski@wfbschools.com or (414) 963-3927, by September 29, 2017. Applications are also available on the District webpage www.wfbschools.com on the Teaching and Learning home page.
Attending our School Board Meetings – You’re Invited! Next meeting: September 27, 2017
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 of each Board meeting.
Meeting agendas are posted within BoardDocs two days preceding each meeting. Click here for the Board of Education link.
*Annual Meeting dates located under featured tab/documents
*Agendas located under featured or meeting tabs
All are welcome!
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- The Whitefish Bay Recreation Department is offering Afterschool Spanish through Futura Language Professionals starting in early October. This is a great opportunity to give your child a skill for life. Click the link below for more information.
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- The Whitefish Bay High School Orchestra Boosters are partnering with Jorie J Photography to offer professional portrait sessions at Klode Park on September 30 and October 1. Sessions can include individuals, immediate families, high school seniors, and family pets. Appointments are required. See the attached flyer for additional details. For questions or to schedule a sitting, please contact Karlene Fox at ksfox59@gmail.com.
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