Richards Family News
October 12, 2026
Dear Richards Families,
As part of our District Focus Plan, we are committed to “supporting the individual needs of the whole child in a safe, caring, and inclusive learning environment.” In October, we will complete two assessments to help us better understand and support our students at Richards.
Belongingness Survey
During the week of October 19, students in 5K through 5th grade will be invited to complete a brief, three-question survey about their feelings of belonging, connection, and engagement with peers and adults at Richards.
The results will help us identify opportunities to strengthen students’ social and emotional well-being and determine where additional support may be helpful. If a student’s responses indicate a need for support, a staff member will follow up with the student.
If you prefer that your child not participate, please email Mrs. Katie Petersen, Associate Principal, at katie.petersen@wfbschools.com by the end of the day on Thursday, October 15.
Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA)
Following the Belongingness Survey, school staff will complete the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) for students in 5K through 5th grade. This assessment helps us better understand students’ social and emotional strengths and identify ways to support their continued growth. You can find additional information HERE.
We will use the insights from both assessments to inform our classroom practices and schoolwide planning. Our goal is to ensure every student feels connected, supported, and ready to learn and grow at Richards.
Over the past few weeks, students across all grade levels officially launched Unit 1 of our new literacy curricular resource, Benchmark Advance. Along with new instructional materials, Benchmark Advance includes an assessment system designed to guide daily instruction and measure progress toward English Language Arts standards. The format of these assessments will be new to most students and your child may find the format more challenging. As we move through our Benchmark Advance units, we will continue to support students in becoming comfortable with the format and expectations.
We are excited about the levels of engagement and learning we are seeing with our students!
Parent Teacher Conferences: Richards Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are just around the corner. This is a great opportunity to connect with your child's teacher, discuss their progress, and address any questions or concerns. Strong partnerships between home and school are key to your child's success.
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences Information
The window to schedule a parent/teacher conference through your Family Access account is now open through October 23. Sign-up instructions can be found HERE. To maintain confidentiality and privacy, names of families or students will not be visible on filled or closed time slots. Conferences are 15 minutes in length. Your child's teacher will email you a link if you are signed up for a virtual conference. If you have trouble scheduling a conference, please contact the Office at 414-963-3951.
Dates & Times
Wednesday, October 28:
- 4K: 8:00am–1:00pm Virtual, 4:00pm–8:00pm In-Person
- 5K–5th: 4:00pm–8:00pm In-Person
Thursday, October 29:
- 4K: 11:00am–3:00pm In-Person, 4:00pm–7:00pm Virtual
- 5K–5th: 11:00am–3:00pm In-Person, 4:00pm–7:00pm Virtual
Our staff places high value on the time set aside for meeting with parents and guardians, and we encourage you to sign up for a conference with your child’s teacher. Teachers are not allowed to schedule conferences outside of these designated days in order to keep intact their regular preparation and collaboration times. If you are unable to attend conferences during the scheduled times and the teacher has a concern, they will communicate with you via phone or email. Thank you ahead of time for cooperating with this structure.
Two household parents/guardians sometimes request separate conferences. This is often problematic as the dialogue, discussion, and conclusions in each conference may vary. Therefore, parents/guardians are asked to attend one conference together and to sign up accordingly.
Please note that students should not be present (either on camera or nearby in the room) during virtual conferences unless specifically requested by the teacher, or unless steps have been taken to ensure they cannot hear the discussion (such as parents wearing headphones). Children often process feedback differently than intended; a gentle observation about a specific area for growth, like "working on math facts under 10," can easily be interpreted by a child as "my teacher thinks I'm bad at math." Keeping these conversations private helps ensure feedback is received constructively and supports your child's confidence.
Music Department News: This school year will bring many opportunities to showcase the musical talents of our students in Vocal Music, Band, and Orchestra. Concert dates can be found in the link below. Specific details will be shared prior to each concert.
Upcoming No School Dates: School is not in session on the following dates.
- October 28 – No school 4K
- October 28 – Early Dismissal 5K – 5th Grade. Dismissal at 11:30am
- October 29 – No School 4K – 5th Grade
- October 30 - No School 4K – 5th Grade
Student Picture Retake Day: On Tuesday, November 10 from 2:00-5:15 pm, our photographer from Visual Image Photography (VIP) will be at Richards School to take photos of students who were unable to have their photo taken during Picture Day in September, as well as those who want to have their photo retaken. For retakes, families can stop by after school, an adult must accompany the student to have a retake photo taken. No appointment is needed.
A HALLOWEEN BOO!
A long-standing tradition in Whitefish Bay, is a little gift or treat left anonymously by a friend or neighbor. Let the Richards PTO make your Boo Bags for you! Once you’ve been Boo’d, you hang a picture on your front door to let everyone know that you’ve gotten your Halloween surprise.
Each bag will include various trinkets and treats (i.e.: candy and fun Halloween accessories). Place your orders between Oct. 1 and Oct. 25 through Membership Tool Kit or click here. Boo Bag pick-up will occur in the Richards Vestibule (outside the front office) starting October 15.
Any questions please feel free to reach out to Kristin Fischer at klfischer622@gmail.com
ICE CREAM DAY: Reminder that tomorrow is our next ice cream day: Tuesday, October 13.
Ice cream will be sold during lunch for 1st- 5th grade students.
Run. Raise. Build, PLAY! 2026 Richards Fun Run - Thursday, October 15th
Help Build the NEW PLAYGROUND!
Richards students are running toward something BIG! We’re continuing our fundraising efforts to build a new, safer, and more accessible playground for all of our students. Every lap, every cheer, and every dollar raised during our 1st Annual Fun Run will bring us one step closer to making this playground a reality. Let’s run, raise, and play our way to a new playground!
How to Raise Money
Register: Go to https://richards.pledgestar.com/Welcome.html
Click “Not Registered For This Year’s Event”
Enter your name & email address. Click “Submit”
Follow instructions to register runner(s)
Add family and friends & Share:
Send 10-15 emails and/or text messages
Post to social media
Help your child reach their goal
Site is open NOW through Friday, October 16th
Student Fundraising Goal
Let’s get 100% of our students registered online! Registration is free, easy, and takes just a minute to get your child(ren) set up. We’re encouraging each student to raise $75, and together, our school-wide goal is to raise $50,000 toward our new playground!
Incentives
75% of Class Registered on Pledgestar: Teacher Challenge (teacher/class choose this)
50% of Grade Goal Met: Spirit Day for the Grade, chosen by students
75% of Grade Goal Met: Extra Recess for Grade
Whole School Goal Met: Principal Challenge
Grade Level Goals: K4= $5,000 and K5-5th = $7,500
Day of the Run: THURSDAY, October 15th at 3:00 PM
K4-1st grade dismissal will still be at their regular doors in front, please pick your K4-1st graders up in front, bring them around, and help them find their grade level line
3:15: K4 Run
3:18: K5 Run
3:21: 1st Grade Run
3:24: 2nd Grade Run
3:27: 3rd Grade Run
3:30: 4th Grade Run
3:33: 5th Grade Run
Questions? Email Betsy Wittmann or Tara Semenkovich: betsyholtz@gmail.com tara.semenkovich@gmail.com
FALL FAMILY FUN NIGHT: Please join us Thursday, October 15 from 5:00pm-7:00pm for Fall Family Fun Night. This event will take place on the blacktop behind the school. Food vendors include Musa Ice Cream, Romero's Taco Truck, and Big Dawg's Hotdogs. You will also be ale to purchase Spiritwear! Not to be missed!
THE FALL BOOK FAIR IS BACK!
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 8:00am-7:00 pm
Thursday, October 15, 2026 10:30am-7:00pm
The Fall Scholastic Book Fair is back in the gym and will be open for two days!
5K-Grade 5 will visit the fair during school time with their teachers to browse and create wish lists. Students in grades 1-5 may bring money or set up an e-wallet to make purchases during their class visit.
***Please note that 4K Students WILL NOT be visiting the book fair during the school day. They must attend the fair with a grown up. The fair is open for shopping before and after the 4K school day. Please visit us with your child during the open hours. K Students will be creating wish lists. They will also need to return with a grown up to make a purchase.
To Set up an E-Wallet, go to: Parent How it Works (scholastic.com)
When you create an E-wallet, we will have record of that at the fair, so the kids don't need to bring anything with them. Any unused money is converted into a gift card that can be used in the online store, for classroom book orders, or saved for future book fairs. Cash will also be accepted from the kids if they want to buy books when they visit with their class. If you have money remaining on an ewallet from a previous book fair, you will receive an email from Scholastic that is titled: ONE WEEK “TIL THE FAIR-BE READY WITH EWALLET. You will need to activate the remaining funds.
Teacher Wish Books will be Available: Each year families have donated over 200 books back to the classrooms. If you would like to donate a book to a classroom, teachers will have many books picked out that you can choose from. Ask the fair volunteers for assistance when you come to the fair.
Volunteer to Help with the Book Fair: We need help with working the fair, and/or with set-up and breakdown to make this fair fun smoothly. Thank you! 2026 Scholastic Fall Book Fair
Still have questions? Contact one of the book fair chairs:
Kelly Moore kellybrookemoore@gmail.com
Elizabeth Schwartz easchwartz11@yahoo.com
Jen Biffle jenbares@gmail.com
Betsy Wittmann betsyholtz@gmail.com
FUN LUNCH NEWS
NEXT FUN LUNCH IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23!
Our Fun Lunch season is underway! The next Fun Lunch is Friday, October 23. Don’t forget to pack a snack for your child on Fun Lunch days!
MISSED THE ORDERING DEADLINE? Late orders require at least one week’s notice before the Fun Lunch date. Please contact Jacob Ruck at jacob.wruck@gmail.com to request a late order. For the October 23 Fun Lunch, late-order requests must be made by Friday, October 16.
SUPPORT OUR RICHARDS FACULTY!
Did you know the PTO provides FREE Fun Lunch to all Richards faculty? Show your support by purchasing a Fun Lunch for one of our valued faculty members!
PURCHASE A FACULTY FUN LUNCH
https://richardspto.membershiptoolkit.com/open_forms
VOLUNTEER AT FUN LUNCH
We’d love your help! Sign up to volunteer at an upcoming Fun Lunch.
FUN LUNCH VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4CAFAD2EA1F94-58278498-funlunch#/
Upcoming Fun Lunch Dates:
Oct. 23 • Nov. 6 & 20 • Dec. 4 & 18 • Jan. 15 & 29
Questions?
Please contact our Fun Lunch Chairs:
Janaki Shah – janaki.y.shah@gmail.com
Kelly Moore – kellybrookemoore@gmail.com
Dine Out at Daily Dose Juice Bar on Wednesday, October 28 (Early Release Day)
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, October 28 (Early Release Day), and join us for a Richards Dine Out Fundraiser at Daily Dose Juice Bar right here in Whitefish Bay! Dine in, order online, or pick up between 7am-2pm and Daily Dose (619 E. Silver Spring Dr.) will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Richards PTO. Please mention the Richards PTO Fundraiser when ordering at the cafe.
Questions? Email Sabrina Eder sabrina.d.eder@gmail.com
GET INVOLVED AT RICHARDS! Come to a PTO Meeting!
Everyone is welcome at PTO meetings and we would really love to see as many people there as possible. Meetings are held at 7pm on the third Monday of each month in the Richards Great Hall.
Next meeting: Monday, October 19 @ 7pm - we hope to see you there!
Stay connected
Don’t miss out! Follow us to see what’s happening and keep up with the latest PTO news:
Instagram: @RichardsPTO_WFB
Facebook: @RichardsPTO
Membership Toolkit: richardspto.membershiptoolkit.com
If you have any questions, or need help navigating any of the above, please reach out to richardsptowfb@gmail.com. We are ALWAYS happy to help!
Thank you for supporting Richards Elementary PTO!
Have a great week everyone.
The Richards PTO
ATTEND AN INFO SESSION!
We sincerely appreciate all of the community members who made time last month to attend a referendum information session and learn more about our facility needs and the solutions that are possible with an approved referendum.
Please mark your calendars to attend one of our upcoming sessions if you have not been able to join us.
🗓️Thursday, Oct. 15: WFB Middle School Gym, 6 p.m.
🗓️Monday, Nov. 2: WFB Middle School Gym, 6 p.m.
Each gathering features a presentation from district administrators and staff, a building tour, and a Q&A session. A recording of the September 15 event is available online.
FAQ OF THE WEEK
Question: How does this plan for the middle school support student learning?
Answer: For our middle school students, this plan moves beyond simple “brick-and-mortar” repairs to create a high-performance learning environment designed for the unique needs of early adolescence. By constructing a functionally new building on the current middle school site, we can replace outdated, rigid classrooms with flexible learning spaces that mirror the collaborative nature of today’s schools and workplaces.
A renovated middle school design would include dedicated specialized spaces, such as advanced science labs and purpose-built sensory areas, that the existing building’s footprint currently limits.
These upgrades ensure middle school students have a future-ready foundation during these critical developmental years, aligning with the “Acoustics” and “Lighting” foundations highlighted in the Harvard 9 Foundations of a Healthy Building.
Have a question of your own? Please use our submission form to share it with district administrators.
STAY INFORMED
➤ Referendum information is always available at www.wfbreferendum.org
Whitefish Bay School Board Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00pm, in the Whitefish Bay High School Library Media Center. Click here to view the 2026-2027 School Board Meeting dates.
October 7, 2026 School Board Meeting Takeaways
The community is welcome to attend School Board meetings to gain a better understanding of School District business and the role of the School Board. The public is also invited to address the Board during the public comment portion as indicated in Board meetings. Meeting agendas are posted within BoardDocs two days preceding each meeting.
WFBHS Theater Presents: & Juliet - Tickets on Sale Now!
Created by the Emmy-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,” this hilarious new musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love – her way.
Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life,” “That’s The Way It Is,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” – all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.When: 7:00 on November 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14, as well as 2:00 on November 8
Where: Whitefish Bay High School Auditorium
Tickets: $20 for Adults, $15 for Senior Citizens, & $10 for Students
Ticket Information: WFBHSTHEATER.COM. Can’t wait to see you there!
