The Cudahy Family Chatter

Dear Cudahy Families,

October is here, and the school year is in full swing. Across the district, students and staff are bringing this year’s theme, Creating a New Standard, to life through their work each day.

Our annual report is now available. It offers families and community members a look at our district’s work and how we use the resources entrusted to us. Along with our annual meeting, it is one way we share information openly and stay accountable to our community.

Every decision we make should keep students at the center. We will continue looking for efficiencies and aligning our resources to support teaching, learning, and opportunities for students. Our goal is simple: to create the strongest possible educational experience for every student with the resources available to us.

Thank you for your partnership and for the trust you place in Cudahy schools.

Dr. Michelle Garven

Superintendent

Our annual report offers a look at the work happening across Cudahy schools and how we use district resources to support students. We invite you to read it and learn more about our progress, priorities, and commitment to our community.

2026 Annual Report

• The district operates under state-imposed revenue limits that have not kept pace with inflation for many years.
• This creates a cumulative funding disparity (approximately $3,600 per student since 2009).
• Because of these strict state caps, the district's ability to generate revenue is limited unless approved by the community through referenda.

• While the overall number of students with disabilities has decreased in recent years, the Fund 10 transfer to cover the increasing expenditures associated with Fund 27 has increased by over $500,000.
• The Fund 10 transfer to Fund 27 per student increased over $2,000 from 2024 to 2025.
• The Fund 27 expenditures associated per student with a disability has steadily increased nearly $3,000 since 2020.

Traditionally, October marks the season for scheduling our standard parent-teacher conferences—a time when families secure a brief window during two designated nights a year to discuss their child’s progress. But this year, the School District of Cudahy is doing things differently.

We have been listening to your feedback. Throughout 2026, you made it clear that you want fast, up-to-the-minute communication about all things related to your child's education. Waiting for a twice-a-year conference simply doesn’t align with the real-time world we live in, nor does it best serve our students.

Because of this, we are officially moving away from the traditional two-night conference model and embracing a continuous, day-to-day, week-to-week, and month-to-month communication style.

What This Means for Your Family

Our goal is to ensure you never have to guess how your child is doing in the classroom. Going forward, you can expect:

• Real-Time Updates: Our staff will be in ongoing communication with you about your child’s academic and social progress.

• Consistent Platforms: Teachers will actively utilize tools like ClassDojo, Skyward messages, classroom/school newsletters, and direct phone calls to keep you in the loop.

• A Predictable Rhythm: Our principals are working closely with their staff this year to establish clear cadences and expectations for regular communication, ensuring every family receives consistent updates.

Valuing One-on-One Connections

While we are shifting away from the traditional, district-wide conference nights, we still deeply value one-on-one time with our families. We always encourage you to reach out and schedule in-person meetings with your classroom teachers and/or principals throughout the year whenever you have questions or want to check in.

We also want you to feel at home in our schools. We invite you to schedule building or classroom tours, and we highly encourage you to get involved through any volunteer opportunities available across the district.

Fostering In-Person Community

In addition to personal meetings, we are focusing on bringing our community together in welcoming, meaningful ways. Throughout the year, our schools will be hosting frequent family and community events—such as "Grown-Ups with Donuts" and other informal gatherings. These events are designed to celebrate our students, build relationships between staff and families, and keep our school community connected in a relaxed environment.

We are excited about this shift toward a more responsive, transparent, and continuous partnership. Thank you for working with us to make the School District of Cudahy a place where every student—and every family—thrives.

Join Dr. Garven as we explore topics that matter to our students, families and community. Upcoming conversations will focus on survey results, school safety and student achievement throughout the coming months. Come learn, ask questions and share your perspective.

Watch for dates, locations and more information in upcoming district communications!

We love giving our amazing staff the praise and recognition they deserve! If you would like to recognize an outstanding staff member here in Cudahy, please submit the Staff Shout Out form.

Your shout-out will be shared directly with the staff member as well as highlighted on our Facebook page and district website. Let's show our staff how great they are!

The Board of Education meets on the fourth Monday of every month at 6pm. Board minutes are posted to the website after the minutes are approved.

Board Meetings are virtual and in-person at Cudahy High School LGI, 4950 S Lake Drive, Cudahy, WI 53110. Community members should park in the student/athletic parking lot, which can be accessed from Pulaski Avenue and Lake Drive, and enter through door C14. There will be signs directing community members to the LGI.

Regular Board Meeting - Monday, October 26; Cudahy High School LGI 6:00 PM
Regular Board Meeting - Monday, November 23; Cudahy High School LGI 6:00 PM