Pioneer Family Update -Week 8

Strong Schools, Strong Future, Strong Communities

Dear Pioneer Families

Thank you for making Homecoming week so memorable! After celebrating our traditions and spirited competitions, we look forward to another great week ahead in Week 8. Please take a moment to look through this week's updates and access the links useful for your family.

Referendum Updates & Voting
Stay informed by visiting westfield.k12.wi.us and making your voice heard on Election Day!

Next Referendum Info Session:
Oct. 20: 5:00 p.m. at Oxford Public Library

Respectfully,

Michelle Johnson
District Administrator

What's up with all the parking lot repairs at Westfield Elementary and the Middle/High School?

The district has received questions about the parking lot work funded by the capital referendum — specifically, why the project included new curbs, green spaces/trees, retention ponds, and underground piping instead of just a fresh layer of pavement.

This was not for "curb appeal": this was a proactive site design to protect district facilities and future tax dollars:

PROTECTING THE SCHOOL:

The sites sit on wetland ground with a high water table. To make sure heavy rainfall never collects around school facilities, the district installed stormwater piping and retention ponds, along with curbs and green space “islands”. This new system is designed to channel rainwater away from the school. Although it is called a "pond," it was not added as an aesthetic feature and is designed to temporarily hold water after rainfall.

REBUILDING A WEAKENED PARKING BASE:

The soil under the pavement had degraded after years of deferred maintenance. Crews had to dig out 4,771 cubic yards of unstable dirt (enough to fill 1.1 Olympic swimming pools!) and lay down 9,610 tons of crushed stone to create a strong, solid base that can support heavy school bus traffic.

PROTECTING STUDENT & TRAFFIC SAFETY:

Curbs and green space “islands” act as physical barriers during busy drop-off and pick-up times. They organize traffic, keep cars separated from school buses and handicap access areas, and create safe walking routes for students. They also ensure we comply with safety and environmental codes.

Different checkbooks: Capital vs Operational Referendums:

By law, capital referendum funds can only be spent on long-term physical facilities and site infrastructure — they cannot legally be transferred from that “checkbook” to the operational “checkbook” to cover daily classroom operating costs or staff salaries.

By installing this new drainage system and building a solid foundation now, the district safeguards its school facilities and is trying to avoid costly emergency repairs down the road!

#StudentLearning #EssentialOperations #ResponsibleBudgeting #PioneerNation

Pioneer Pride: Celebrating our NEW Middle School community service class

PRIDE ACROSS THE FRONTIER:

Celebrating our NEW Middle School community service class

In addition to teaching students the "three Rs" and skills for future career pathways, the School District of Westfield is committed to helping future generations of students become good neighbors and civic leaders.

Our new middle school community service class introduces students to civic responsibility, hands-on leadership and practical problem-solving. The course includes classroom discussion focused on creating projects around our school and local community needs.

We have been working to start different projects around our school and with Orphan Grain Train to get students involved in service learning and benefit our local community.

The students have started going to Orphan Grain Train weekly to help process donations, create various school kits for children in need, and assist with other programs.

Thank you to the Orphan Grain Train and WMS students and staff who make these great opportunities possible! We are grateful for your collaboration.

#PioneerPride #PioneerNation 💜 💛