The Weekly Update

West Bend School District families with a student currently in elementary school were emailed a survey on April 24 regarding new elementary school attendance boundaries and possible adjustments to elementary school schedules. The survey is open through Sunday, May 3.

We have added links to interactive maps regarding potential boundaries, feel free to revisit the link to access the added feature.

The upcoming reconfiguration of elementary schools means there will be some changes in boundaries and input from families is an essential part of the process. All families with elementary school children should check their email for the message. Please contact your school principal if you did not receive the survey.

Running Monday, May 4 through Sunday, May 24, the annual West Bend School District Art Show features hundreds of pieces by students in grades K-12. Go to The Hub in West Bend to view the amazing artwork by WBSD students. And, on Thursday, May 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. there is a special opening event/celebration for the show featuring food trucks and more.

The community is invited to the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Jackson Elementary School on Monday, May 11 at 1:45 p.m. (The rain date is Tuesday, May 12 at the same time.)

The event is at the new school site, W204 N16722 Jackson Drive, or about one block south of the current school. Parking is available on Hickory Lane or in the Hickory Park lot. Join us and the students of Jackson Elementary, the Jackson Jackson Jinglers choir, and the West Bend High Schools Band Drumline at this special event.

Spotting the Signs & Navigating Substance Use and Social Media Pressures, a free workshop presented by the West Bend School District, West Bend Police Department, and Elevate Community Resource Center, is on Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at Silverbrook Intermediate School library. This presentation will help parents and guardians identify warning signs of substance use and social media pressure, understand current trends, and learn practical strategies for communicating with your child, setting boundaries, and knowing when to seek help.

There is an optional dinner from Cousin’s at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation will begin at 6:00 p.m. Register for this free event: Spotting the Signs & Navigating Substance Use and Social Media Pressures Registration form.

Bring the family and take a break from the busy pace of daily life and join us for an evening of connection, creativity, and calm on Friday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Silverbrook cafeteria. This event is designed to help you and your children explore practical tools for emotional regulation and family connection. Free pizza and snacks will be provided.

We’ll have hands-on "make-and-take" stations and interactive activities where you can learn strategies to use right at home for managing feelings, relaxing, and connecting.

This is a low-pressure, welcoming space to meet other families, share ideas, and pick up new tools to support your family’s emotional well-being. Please use this link to register for the event. Family Wellness Gathering Registration.

The Washington County Clerk’s Office is excited to launch its second “I Voted” Sticker Contest for the 2026 General Election for students in grades 5-12. Four winning designs, one from each age group (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12) will be selected and distributed to voters during the November 3, 2026 General Election.

Submissions will be accepted from April 10 through May 31 at www.washcowisco.gov/ivotedsticker. The top designs will be open for public voting during the month of July, with winners announced on August 4, 2026.

Don’t let any East and West High Schools graduating seniors go empty handed and complete a Grad Gram for all the seniors you know. Grad Grams are free, short messages to seniors; all you have to do is write a note of congratulations (this is the Grad Gram). Those notes are compiled and presented to each graduating senior on graduation day.

You can fill out an electronic form on the WBSD website or download a Grad Gram from the same webpage to hand write a note and turn it into any school or the district office. All Grad Grams are due by Friday, May 29. Click here to access the details and the forms.

The West Bend School Board held a regular meeting on Monday, April 27. The board recognized Badger student Miles Riemer, the CESA 6 Regional Spelling Bee Champion. The board also approved the Consent Agenda with:

• Minutes of the April 13, 2026 Regular Board Meeting and Executive Session

• Contracts

• Resignations

• Retirements

• 2026-2027 Food Service Cooperative Purchasing Agreement

• Approval of Workout Room Equipment Donation from the YMCA

In the Construction Report, updates were given on upcoming projects at Badger, Silverbrook, and the new Jackson Elementary. Plans for keeping construction separate from students in Silverbrook this summer were shared. The Superintendent's Report was also given.

The board held discussions on:

• Review Board Operations

• Review Board Officers, Terms, and Election; the current officers expressed interest in serving again in the same roles. They will vote on this at the next meeting.

• Review Board Committee and Delegate Assignments; all current committees and assignments will remain the same.

• School Board Meeting Calendar 2026-2027; meetings will continue to be held on the second and fourth Mondays of the month unless there is a conflict and the board will discuss possibly changing the meeting start time at the next meeting.

• Early Onboarding of Mechanical Sub-Contractors for High School Construction

• High Schools Configuration Planning Update

Finally, the board voted to approve the 2026-2027 Staffing Plan and the 2026-2027 Employee Contract Renewals.

If you are interested in reviewing the details of the meeting, see this tutorial on how to access the agenda with links to the supporting documents. A video of the meeting is available.

Fifth-grader Brennen Zaeske tied for first place in the fifth-grade category for his book Recycled in the State of Wisconsin 2026 Mary Jo Nettesheim Literary Competition sponsored by the Wisconsin State Organization of Delta Kappa Gamma.

This prestigious competition, established in 1984, was created to provide young writers the opportunity to showcase their creativity through fiction, including personal narratives and fantasy/science fiction stories.

Brennen’s book was one of 773 books submitted. Brennen attended the state awards ceremony in Wisconsin Dells on April 18 and presented his award-winning book to all of the event attendees.

There are various events and activities available on the WBSD’s Community Bulletin Board!

General

Musical Masquers Summer Camp

Girls Scouts Aviation Badge

Prom Con (sponsored by high school clubs)

MOWA Family Fun Events

MOWA Summer Youth Workshops

MOWA Teen Council

MOWA Teen Volunteering

Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf Fundraiser

4H Inventors Quest Summer Camp

4H Build It Summer Camp

AFS International Exchange Program

Athletics

West Bend High Schools Track Summer Camp

West Boys Basketball Summer Camp

West Bend Little League

West Summer Volleyball Camp

West Jr. Sparties Fall Volleyball League

East Summer Volleyball Camp

Jackson Youth Summer Baseball and Softball

Kettle Moraine Figure Skating Summer Learn How to Skate

Youth Summer Soccer Camp at Shephard of the Hills Church

Volunteer Center

Blend and Breathe Event

Planters with Purpose Event

Calling all Artists

Cooking events: Little Hands Big Rolls, Sauce Boss, Cutie Pies in the Kitchen

YMCA

Before & After School Daycare

Summer 1 & 2 Programs

Youth Performance Classes

New Street Hockey Program

Bucks Basketball Summer Camp

Wraparound Care at Silverbrook YMCA Camp

Family Minute to Win It & Pizza and Swimming

Day Camp