The West Way (Volume 4 | Issue 16)
Let's Go Brewers!
The excitement is real across our schools! From classrooms to hallways, our students and staff are decked out in Brewers gear and ready to cheer on our hometown team as they take the field for Game 1 of the World Series tonight!
With the Brewers right in our backyard, the energy, pride and excitement are contagious! Our WAWM family is rallying behind the Crew and sending all the good vibes their way as they chase a World Series title.
Spotlight Story: Celebrating White Cane Day
On Thursday, October 15, students and staff in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District celebrated White Cane Day, an annual observance recognizing the achievements of individuals who are blind or visually impaired and honoring the white cane as a symbol of independence, freedom, and safe travel. This day also spreads awareness about the White Cane Law (WIS. STAT. § 346.26), which states that the driver of a vehicle must stop 10 feet away from any pedestrian carrying a white cane or walking with a guide dog.
Held at the Recreation and Community Services Building, the event welcomed community members, local businesses, and families for a morning of learning, connection, and awareness. Attendees participated in a question-and-answer session and open conversation, explored vision-related resources and learned about white canes and adaptive devices. White Cane Day Bingo added a fun element to the event, creating additional opportunities for community members to connect. A mayoral proclamation also recognized White Cane Day, emphasizing the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and awareness throughout the community.
Through events like this, we can help spread awareness about the white cane law to make our community safer, increase understanding of visual impairments, highlight the tools that support independence, and strengthen connections among individuals and families. Together, we can continue building a community where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and empowered to participate fully.
West Allis Central Bulldogs Dig Into Geology!
Our Bulldogs in Mr. Hawksley’s Geology class are digging into the fascinating world of rocks! Students explored the characteristics used to classify rocks and discovered how the three major types, igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, form through different geological processes. From volcanic activity to layers of sediment and the powerful effects of heat and pressure, students are uncovering how rocks tell the story of Earth’s history.
Lights, Microphone, Action at Hoover Elementary!
The Hoover Podcast is back! Third graders in Ms. Supple’s class at Hoover Elementary School are getting behind the microphone, testing out their podcast equipment and planning their very first episode. These young storytellers are building their skills, sharing their voices and getting ready to bring their ideas to life!
New episodes are released monthly on Spotify, and we can’t wait to hear what these student podcasters have in store. Stay tuned and cheer on our Bulldogs as they find their voices and take the spotlight!
Spotlight Story: Knights of Columbus Bring Warmth to Jefferson Elementary
As temperatures begin to drop, the Knights of Columbus are helping students in the West Allis-West Milwaukee School District prepare for the colder weather, once coat at a time. Last week, members of the Knights of Columbus visited Jefferson Elementary to provide every student with a new winter coat, helping ensure that that students have an extra layer of warmth with the colder months approaching. In Wisconsin, you never know when the temperatures might take a sudden dip, and now all Jefferson students are ready to take on the cold!
This visit marks the third consecutive year the Knights of Columbus have brought their Coats for Kids initiative to a WAWM elementary school. This first began at Horace Mann Elementary, continued at Pershing Elementary last year, and has now reached Jefferson Elementary.
Along with the excitement of receiving their new coats, students showed just how much the gesture meant to them. Their kindness, cheerful “thank yous,” and polite manners made the visit very meaningful, reminding everyone involved that even a simple act of generosity can make a lasting impression.
The Knights of Columbus Coats for Kids program was launched in 2009 to help children in need stay warm during the winter months. Through the initiative, local Knights of Columbus councils can purchase new winter coats at discounted prices and distribute them to children in their communities.
Since its launch, the program has distributed more than one million coats to children across the United States and Canada. Approximately 1,500 local councils participate in the annual coat distribution events, with around 200,000 coats distributed each year. The initiative reaches children in all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces, reflecting the Knights of Columbus’ longstanding commitment to charity and community service.
These coats will help our students stay warm and comfortable as they travel to and from school, participate in outdoor activities, and enjoy time with friends throughout Wisconsin’s coldest months. By bringing this initiative to a different WAWM elementary school the last few years, the Knights of Columbus continue to make a meaningful difference for our families, ensuring more students have access to a winter essential.
We extend our sincere gratitude to the Knights of Columbus for their generosity and continued commitment to supporting our students! Their efforts, paired with kindness and gratitude shown by Jefferson students made this year’s visit a wonderful example of what can happen when a community comes together!
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