School District of Westfield

Dear Pioneer Families,

We hope this newsletter finds you well and ready for an exciting October in the School District of Westfield!

Here are a few highlights to look forward to:

1. Homecoming Week
October kicks off with Homecoming Week—a time to celebrate Pioneer Pride, welcome alumni, and enjoy school spirit. Students can participate in dress-up days, friendly competitions, a parade on Friday, October 10 at 2:00 p.m., and a football game at 7:00 p.m. The Homecoming Dance will be on Saturday. For more details, check out the [HS/MS link].

2. October 8: 2-Hour Early Release – After School Care Available
Starting with the 2025–2026 school year, all schools in the district will have an early release on the second Wednesday of each month for staff professional development.

Early release times:

• Coloma and Oxford Elementary: 1:10 PM

• Westfield Elementary: 1:20 PM

• Middle School/High School: 1:30 PM

We understand early release days can create scheduling challenges. To support families, After School Care will be available. If your student will attend, please complete a registration form for each child.

Please note:

• After Care Transportation home will not be provided.

• Families must pick up children by 3:30 PM.

[Click HERE to sign up!] (If you have not already done so at the beginning of the year)

3. Parent-Teacher Conferences
Mark your calendars for October 13, from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to connect with teachers, discuss your child's progress, and collaborate on strategies for their success.

4. Red Ribbon Week
Elementary students will observe Red Ribbon Week from October 27–31. Activities and programs will focus on promoting a drug-free and healthy lifestyle.

5. Community Trick-or-Treat Event
Join us on October 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at N7046 County M for a fun Halloween celebration, hosted by our Student Council. Enjoy candy, costumes, skits, and community bonding!

6. A Note from the Nurse
Check the link below for updates from our Nurse, including vaccine clinics, immunization paperwork, and other important health information.

7. Mark Your Calendars

• We also want to invite parents, alumni, and community stakeholders to join us for an Open House at the Middle/High School before the Homecoming game. From 5:30–7:00 p.m., guided tours will begin at the sports lobby and showcase our recently renovated spaces. We’re eager to welcome you, share these exciting updates, and celebrate together as a community.
• November: Westfield Area High School proudly presents Mamma Mia!

Please continue reading this virtual newsletter for District-wide updates and links to individual building information. We hope the format is friendly and easy to use.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions. We are committed to working together to support you and your student(s).

Warm Regards,

Michelle Johnson

District Administrator

Some families have recently asked why certain athletic competitions are scheduled so far away, especially when there appear to be closer schools we could play against. The reality is that athletic scheduling is more complex than it might seem.

In Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association (WIAA) oversees conference alignment and scheduling. Schools do not choose their conference opponents or league schedules; those are assigned by the WIAA. For example, football schedules are locked statewide during weeks 3–9 each season. If a school fails to play its assigned games, the penalties can include forfeits and even postseason bans.

While we do have limited control over non-conference contests, we prioritize scheduling those as close to home as possible. For instance, in football, we matched up with Nekoosa and Wautoma, both nearby schools. However, options are limited, especially as more small schools in our area have shifted from 11-player to 8-player football, reducing the number of local opponents.

There are also broader pressures on athletics across Wisconsin. A shortage of officials has led to higher costs and increased competition among schools to secure qualified referees. Varsity officials’ pay is set by the conference, but sub-varsity rates vary, and even after recent increases, our district’s rates remain on the lower end—making it more difficult to consistently secure officials. (For example, a single football game requires five officials at $110 each. Basketball now requires three officials per game, compared to just two in the past.)

Rising costs for transportation, officiating, and the overall number of contests have not been matched by increased revenues, creating additional strain on both athletics and the district budget as a whole.

In short, while we do our best to minimize travel and costs when we can, many of the factors shaping our athletic schedules are outside of our local control.

Gratitude Shout Out:

A huge thank you to Apollo Tool, Schmidt Novelty, Luke Showen, and Proline Printing for your generous donations, contributions, and installation of our new sports lobby door film. Your support helps us create a welcoming space that celebrates our school spirit and pride!

Visit https://www.westfield.k12.wi.us/athletics/ for more information

or contact Brandon Daniels Westfield Athletic Director.

brandon.daniels@westfieldpioneers.org

608-296-2141 ext. 1064

We’re excited to share a convenient way to manage your child’s lunch account — online payments are now available!

Please note that a small processing fee will apply to each online transaction. This fee goes directly to the payment processing provider and helps us maintain a secure and efficient system.

To get started, visit: https://westfield.revtrak.net/

Or you can go into your Skyward account to Food Service. There you will see "Make a Payment" and you will have the option to make recurring payments as well.

In addition to Skyward Food Service, you can see your child's daily transactions.

We will continue to accept cash or checks in the school office for those who prefer traditional payment methods.

We hope this new system makes managing lunch accounts easier for busy families. Thank you for your continued support!

Please check out the link to see what organization and clubs are in the area. If you have anything you want added, please send the information to media@westfieldpioneers.org and we will add it to the list.

***This material includes communication from third parties other than the School District of Westfield and is not sponsored by the District. The District’s permission to distribute non-school material is not an endorsement of an activity, person, organization, or the subject matter of the material by the District, its officials or employees.

We’re also excited to share that the School District of Westfield now has a mobile app! The Westfield Pioneer app makes it easy for students, families, and community members to stay connected. From your phone, you can view announcements, check upcoming events, find staff contact information, and access important documents—all in one place.

The app is free and available to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

We look forward to a great year ahead!

CLICK HERE! & watch a short video to learn how to navigate the app!

Website: https://www.westfield.k12.wi.us/
Location: n7046 County Road M, Westfield, WI, USA
Phone: 608-296-2141
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/School-District-of-Westfield-100063586225758/