School District of Westfield

We hope this newsletter finds you well and you are looking forward to the cooler weather the November typically brings.

A few things to look forward to this month include:

• Reminder***November 2, Daylight Savings Time - fall back one hour and reset your clocks.
• The Westfield Area Drama Department presents "Mamma Mia," Check out information below for show times and to learn how to get your tickets
• Winter Sports Begin
• Honoring our Veterans- Please visit your student's school link below for building level program information
• Coloma Elementary - November 10, 9:00 a.m.
• Oxford Elementary - November 6, 10:00 a.m.
• Westfield Elementary - November 11, 9:00 a.m.
• Westfield Middle School/High School - November 11, 2:00 p.m.
• Last Day of 1st Quarter - Thursday, November 6
• Reminder: No School for students on Friday, November 7, (staff training day and grading)

• November 12: 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 and 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)

• Thanksgiving Recess begins Wednesday, November 26.
• School Resumes Monday, December 1.
• Bowls For Hunger - December 1, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
  
  

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

Warm Regards,

Michelle Johnson

District Administrator

Parents and Guardians - In the next few weeks, our school district will be mailing a community survey. For your convenience, you will also receive an emailed survey link. Please be on the lookout for an email from School Perceptions.

The goal of the survey is to gather input regarding how to best address our district’s operational needs.

School Perceptions is an independent education research firm we are working with to administer the survey. Therefore, your feedback will be confidential.

Thanks in advance for participating,

The Numbers Are In: Our Commitment to Stewardship

In the complex world of school finance, we finally have the critical figures that determine our annual budget.

The Three Critical Dates

Unlike personal budgets, Wisconsin school districts operate for three months (July-September) before we know our final revenues. This is because our revenue limit authority—our spending power—is based on three figures released in the fall:

1. September 19th: The Third Friday Student Enrollment Count.

2. October 1st: Certification of local Property Values.

3. October 15th: Final release of State Aid and Voucher Information.

Understanding the Financial Picture

The combination of these three numbers dictates our total revenue and, crucially, our mill rate—the amount taxpayers contribute to school property taxes.

The mill rate did decrease by 30 cents this year. While this reduction could offer some property tax relief, the actual impact will be dependent on each homeowner's individual property evaluation.

Furthermore, the final certified state aid figures released on October 15th present a difficult reality for many districts. Statewide, the numbers for the 2025-26 school year show that of 421 districts, 301 (71%) will receive less state aid—a significant jump from earlier estimates.

Our district is one of those certified to receive less state aid.

The Impact on Our Community

When a district’s state aid is reduced, the funding formula requires that local property taxpayers, within the established revenue limit, will make up the difference. The decrease in state aid means our local community is now accountable for a greater share of our students' educational funding.

While the landscape of school funding is less than ideal, for rural schools, we want to thank you for your continued partnership and investment in our schools. Your support is vital to our children’s success.

Fall Sports Season Wrap-Up

Football, Volleyball, and Cross Country wrapped up their successful fall seasons last week! All teams showed great effort and made tremendous strides throughout the year.

Football finished with its first winning record (6–4) since 2013! This year’s senior class also closed out their careers with a 20–19 record, marking the first class since 2013 to graduate with a winning record. Nicely done, guys!

We’ll announce All-Conference winners once all selections are finalized. Coaches will also communicate details about end-of-season banquets and uniform turn-in dates.

As we shift gears to Winter Sports, please make sure all paperwork and fees are turned in as soon as possible.

Great job this fall!

GO PIONEERS!

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/