February 10, 2022

Messages from Dr. Kasmarick and Mrs. Petersen

Love is in the air at Richards! Excitement about the upcoming holiday is palpable.

Student Drop Off/Pick Up: With increased WFBPD presence to monitor adherence to posted signs, we've gotten some inquiries about the potential for a drop off/pick up zone. We have reached out to Police and Village personnel about this possibility and learned that it would require a Village ordinance change and, if allowable, would likely not be feasible until the start of the 2022-2023 school year.

It goes without saying that the current signs are there to increase safety; It was safety concerns shared by several community members that prompted us to reach out to the Police Department. For now, while less convenient, parking in a surrounding neighborhood and walking up (or having kids walk up, crossing with Crossing Guards) is the best option. It also may be helpful to note that students may enter any of the doors listed below, regardless of their grade level (these doors are open and staffed from 7:52-7:55 daily). Thank you for your support as we keep safety first.

Thank You, Mr. Daigle:  Last night, our School Board approved the resignation of Jared Daigle, Richards School Counselor. Jared is leaving his counseling role to transition into a role in the private sector. His commitment and care for students, collaborative problem-solving approach, and instructional skills will be missed. He will be sharing this news with students between now and his final day, February 25th. Meanwhile, we are actively seeking a high quality candidate for this important position. Thank you, Mr. Daigle for your contribution to our school and students!

Classroom Windows Open While Eating:  Throughout the pandemic, we have collected data on CO2 levels in each classroom. This data consistently indicates that the HVAC systems using MERV 13 filters and HEPA air purifiers in all spaces are resulting in air quality that meets or exceeds recommended standards. This, in combination with vaccinations now available to the majority of our elementary students, has led to an adjustment related to the open window requirement. Going forward, when wind chills are above 40 degrees, 2-3 windows will be opened. When it is below 40, no windows need to be opened.

Music Concerts Tonight! We look forward to our 2nd/3rd grade winter concerts tonight, February 10th at 5:30pm (2nd grade) and 6:15pm (3rd grade) in the Great Hall. Due to the number of families involved and to maximize safety for all in a single space, we ask that our audience be limited to two family members per student. Students should plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the concert.  We understand concerns around safety at indoor events, so please note that evening events are completely optional for students.

No School February 25: School is not in session on Friday, February 25th, no school 4K–5th grade. Click here to view the 2021-22 School Year Calendar.  Connects School Days Out Care information is located below, under District Announcements. 

Student Council Bake Sale: On March 16th, Richards students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will be participating in a Learning Fair from 4 to 6 pm in the Great Hall. During the Learning Fair, the 5-DeToro Student Council group is hosting a Bake Sale that will include store bought items that are nut free. This group is raising money for the MACC Fund. All proceeds from the Learning Fair Bake Sale will go to care packages made by the 5D Student Council group for sick children to cheer them up! Bake Sale items will be sold for $2 each and cash/venmo will be accepted. Weather permitting, we will encourage enjoying the treats outside. Please join us for the Learning Fair --- bring some money to support this great cause and to purchase an after school treat!

Tiger Times:  Our 5th Grade Student Council Newsletter Committee has been hard at work creating the first issue of the 2022 Tiger Times.  Click here to view the newsletter.  Enjoy!

2022-2023 School Year: Looking ahead to next year already, we are excited to have sixty eight 4-year old kindergarteners enrolled! New student enrollment for all grades for the 2022-23 school year is now open. Enrollment information and forms can be found in this link. Current students do not need to re-enroll, families of current students will complete online registration in August for the upcoming school year.  If for any reason, your student will not be returning to Richards next year, please contact the office at 414-963-3951.

From the PTO

Happy Valentine’s!  This year for Valentine's Day, the Richards Service Committee will be collecting Valentines for grand-friends in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities around the Milwaukee area. We will be collecting Valentines in the Richards Vestibule from February 1-February 11th. If your child chooses to create a valentine, they should be made out to "Grandfriend" and signed with child's first name only. Questions? Contact Service Chairs Maggie Aschenbrener and Emily Anderson.

Hunger Task Force Food Drive: The Richards PTO and 3rd graders invite you to “Be a Soup-er Hero” this February and participate in our annual food drive benefitting The Hunger Task Force, which will run from February 14 – March 11th.  New this year, the HTF food drive will be both virtual and in-person.  The third graders will be tracking all of our school’s donations and announcing them each week.  All families are encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items, or  click here to donate!  Please be a soup-er hero and donate what you can! Questions? Contact Hunger Task Force Chairs Kristen Pavlik and Erin Haan.

Yesterday, the Richards third graders took a virtual field trip to the Hunger Task Force. They learned all about the services that this essential local organization provides, and most importantly about supplying families with emergency food with dignity. Their tour guide, Kyle, was so kind in showing the students around the warehouse and answering questions! Thank you to Kyle and the HTF — we’re excited to continue this Richards tradition!

Calling All 3rd Grade Lego Makers! Registration for 3rd grade Lego Club will open on Thursday, February 17 and will run through Friday, February 25th on the Richards PTO website.  3rd Grade Lego Club dates will be: March 7, March 14, and March 28.  Lego Club is a free extracurricular activity run by the Richards PTO.  Each grade will get a chance to spend a few weeks imagining, creating, and building with their peers. Lego Club will run on Mondays from 3:05-4:05 and students will be dismissed directly from their classrooms. Unless prior arrangements are made, parents are expected to pick their child up from Lego Club by 4:05.  We will also be looking for parent volunteers to assist. Questions? Contact Lego Club Chair Susan Puechner.

You Shop. Amazon Gives: Are you shopping for your loved ones for Valentine’s Day?  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: Diagnostic testing by ACL has transitioned to the Whitefish Bay High School Health Office, 1200 E. Fairmount Ave., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217. Testing entry 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.  

Substitute Teachers and Paraprofessionals Needed: We are always looking to add to our sub pools! If you are interested in learning more about becoming a paid Substitute Teacher and/or paid Substitute Paraprofessional (teacher's aide) for the School District of Whitefish Bay, please see the information linked here about how to start the process.

Connects School’s Day Out Care: Come join our School's Day Out Program on Friday, February 25th! Students can dress up as their favorite Disney Character for a fun day of Disney themed activities! The staff have created a ton of fun activities for the day, please see the attached flier for more information!

Connects offers School's Out Care during No School Days and Early Release Days when school is not in session. These days are not paid for with your normal monthly tuition. All students are welcome to participate, although space is limited. Registrations will be accepted in the order that they are received, and must be turned in no less than 7 days prior to the day off. Payment is due upon registration and your household account must have a $0 balance at the time of registration. The Rec Department does NOT keep your credit card on file, so please fill out payment information on the form in full. Program withdrawal requests will be honored one week prior to the day off and will result in a household credit. Withdrawal requests less than one week prior to the day off will not be honored.

WFBHS Bay Gives Back service organization is hosting the second annual Fun for Foster Care Spring Box Drive. We are collecting fun spring toys, games, and activities for children in Milwaukee's foster care system. This project will benefit KidsMatter Inc. and we are looking to sponsor 300 children this year. Check out our flyer for more information and consider donating via this LINK.

From the Recreation Department: WNS Junior Wolfpack Girls Lacrosse - Registration Open - Practices Start February 20. Teams are forming for 3rd - 8th graders. No experience necessary. WNS also offers a spring clinic for 1st and 2nd graders. Our program focuses on empowering girls to develop skill, athleticism, heart, determination, and a love for the game of lacrosse. Register through the Whitefish Bay Recreation Department. Click here to view our flyer. Questions? Please email wns.jr.wolfpack@gmail.com