The Weekly Update
September 9, 2026
Table of Contents
District News
English Language Arts Update
Still Time to Sign Up for Interesting Afterschool Programs
Annual Meeting is on Monday, September 28
Another Social Media Trend is Circulating
East Football Game on September 11 is Canceled
Construction News
New Gym Floor and Bleachers at Badger
Landscaping at Green Tree Nearly Complete
Student and Staff Achievements
You May Have Missed This Yearbook Over the Summer
District News
English Language Arts Update
Students in grades 6-8 and English I and II will benefit from a new English Language Arts textbook designed to strengthen reading, writing, communication, and critical-thinking skills. The new textbook was approved by the West Bend School Board after a thorough review of several potential textbooks last spring.
This new textbook provides students with opportunities to:
Engage with meaningful texts: Explore a diverse range of fiction and nonfiction.
Strengthen writing skills: Practice writing for different purposes and audiences while receiving guidance and feedback throughout the writing process.
Build communication and collaboration skills: Participate in discussions, presentations, and collaborative learning experiences.
Develop independence as learners: Set learning goals and make choices in their reading and learning.
Use a variety of learning tools: Access print and digital resources that support learning both in the classroom and beyond.
There is Still Time to Sign Up for Interesting Afterschool Programs
Calling all students interested in learning more about NASA or aerospace…Check out the new, exciting afterschool programs being offered in the WBSD schools from some of the area's most respected afterschool enrichment providers.
These classes and more are available:
NASA Academy of Future Space Explorers (at McLane) Deadline to register is September 14
Wild World - The Art of Conservation (at Decorah) Deadline to register is September 15
Aerospace Adventures (at Silverbrook) Deadline to register is September 15
As a reminder, a minimum number of attendees is required to run each program. ALL students (including public, virtual, homeschooled, and parochial) living in the West Bend School District boundaries may participate.
Please review the detailed guide for more information about these programs and others being offered in our schools.
Annual Meeting is on Monday, September 28
Join us for the West Bend School District 107th Annual Budget Hearing and Annual Meeting of Electors on Monday, September 28 at the Silver Lining Arts Center (auditorium) at the high schools.
Residents can begin check-in and verification of residency (please bring a state-issued ID for proof of residency) at 6 p.m. and the meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. This meeting is held each year to inform the community of the estimated budget for the fiscal year. The final budget is presented to the West Bend School Board for approval in October.
Another Social Media Trend is Circulating
Just as schools start up again, so do the troubling social media trends. Law enforcement have termed the latest trend “Cat in the Hat” due to the nature of the image that accompanies the post.
The post is primarily shared in short form video via services such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook/Instagram Reels and typically showcases a dancing Cat in the Hat with verbiage of “I’m visiting (TOWN) or (STATE) next, better be looking out.” This can sometimes be accompanied by a threat that is worded like a Dr. Seuss rhyme.
So far, these have been investigated in other parts of the state and proven to be a hoax. However, if you or your students sees something like this on social media, please report it to the school and law enforcement. Review our tip lines for specific numbers to call. The West Bend School District and West Bend Police Department will investigate fully.
East Football Game on September 11 is Canceled
West Bend East Athletics has made the difficult decision to cancel the varsity football game on Friday, September 11 due to player injuries.
The safety and well-being of the student-athletes is always the top priority. Please support the team when they get back on the field on Friday, September 18 against Kettle Moraine Lutheran.
New Gym Floor and Bleachers at Badger
After completely removing the old gym floor at Badger Middle School over the summer, students are now taking part in physical education activities on a brand new floor. In addition, the gym also features brand new bleachers that are more sturdy and safe.
Landscaping at Green Tree Nearly Complete
When viewing the front of Green Tree Elementary, it looks like a new school with a completely new parking lot as well as landscaping. The full landscaping will be complete next week, however the new grass is growing quickly, as are the new trees, shrubs, and perennials.
Student and Staff Achievements
You May Have Missed This Yearbook Over the Summer
Even though the new school year has begun, don’t miss this opportunity to see the many highlights of the 2025-2026 school year. Review Vantage Point Yearbook for the 2025-2026 school year. This yearbook came out in July and includes some of the really great achievements of students and staff of the West Bend School District. We hope you will check out Vantage Point for other news from the past school year such as construction updates, academic achievements, high school configuration recap, and more.
Community Connections
Community Bulletin Board
There are various events and activities available on the WBSD’s Community Bulletin Board!
AFTER SCHOOL CLASS: Imagine Arts Academy's Wild Word (at Decorah)
AFTER SCHOOL CLASS: Futura's Spanish (at Green Tree)
AFTER SCHOOL CLASS: Mad Science Future Space Explorers (at McLane)
Big Brothers Big Sisters Beyond School Walls Mentoring Program
Cub Scouts Pack 3791 Registration
Cub Scouts Pack 3787 Join Night
East Dance Team Youth Dance Clinic
East Boys Junior Suns Basketball
FC Wisconsin Minis Fall Soccer Program
Learn to Skate with KMFSC
NAMI Into the Wild Class in Nature
Now Hiring Lifeguards
Savvy Cyber Families Event with "Wit for Girls"
United Way Brat Fry Fundraiser
Washington County 4-H Open House and Enrollment Night
West Boys Junior Spartans Basketball Tryouts
West Bend Swim Club Registration
YMCA Before- and After-School Program
YMCA Fall Program Guide
YMCA Strength and Conditioning
YMCA Boy Pre-Teen Program
YMCA She Pre-Teen Program
YMCA Now Hiring for Before and After School Program and Child Care Teachers
YMCA Student Checking Sweepstakes