WPS Progress Report
August 13, 2026
We are excited to welcome back students, staff and our volunteers as we start another school year! Volunteer opportunities include helping school office staff, reading with students, mentoring, helping with lunch or recess, and much more.
All individuals volunteering in a WPS school, including parents, are required to register as a volunteer every school year. This registration allows us to conduct a background check on all volunteers to ensure the safety of our students, staff and visitors.
If you already know how you want to help, our registration form will allow you to select the specific school or program with which you're volunteering. If you don't yet know where or how to help, you can still register as a volunteer! Our team will use the information you provide to identify potential schools that will welcome your support. Learn more here.
The bond issue election on November 3 will have an impact across our district, not just the schools that are listed in the bond issue plan. New information on our website shows that schools not listed on the bond issue will also see facility improvements through capital funds that will be freed up with the passage of a bond.
Click here to see details on how the bond issue will impact our schools.
The 2026 Bond is an opportunity for our community to come together and build for the future. WPS knows that Wichita values a strong community within its schools. The two-question bond proposal focuses on four themes: modernizing learning spaces, improving experiences and efficiency, preserving historic high school facilities and providing FutureReady opportunities. Watch to learn more.
WPS is following changes in Kansas state law regarding connected personal electronic devices. The intent of the law aligns with the districtwide policy WPS implemented in 2023 and updated in July by the Board of Education: to reduce distractions and support teaching and learning.
The expectation is that no personal electronic devices are used by students during the school day, with few exceptions.
Superintendent Kelly Bielefeld and Chief of Schools Dr. Loren Hatfield discussed the changes during August's news conference. Click here to watch…
South High senior gains work experience thanks to Job Prep program
Rising South High senior Caitlyn Wagher spent her summer caring for infants at the Greater Wichita South YMCA's Early Learning Center through the YMCA Job Prep program. Job Prep is a free course for teens ages 15–17 that builds real-world job and life skills, from applications and interviews to workplace readiness. After completing the program, students can apply for summer jobs, and this year, more than 100 Wichita teens had jobs thanks to Job Prep. Watch the video here.
My WPS Story - Jana-Davis Tobias
Hunter Health Chief Financial Officer and South High alum Jana Davis-Tobias says a teacher helped her find her place after transferring into Wichita Public Schools — and that experience shaped the leader she would become. Watch her video here.
WPS welcomes more than 350 new staff members
We were excited to welcome more than 350 new staff members to Wichita Public Schools at New Staff Orientation, held Aug. 3. A special thank you to Credit Union of America for providing spirit wear for our staff, and to our community partners for helping welcome our newest team members while sharing valuable information and resources. We’re grateful to have so many dedicated educators and support staff joining Wichita Public Schools. It's going to be a great year! Watch the NSO recap.
WPS staff gather at Rally at the Roundhouse
With help from our community partners, Wichita Public Schools kicked off the new school year with more than 8,000 WPS employees at our Rally at the Roundhouse, presented by the Wichita Public Schools Foundation. Staff heard an inspiring keynote from elementary principal and social media influencer Gerry Brooks as we celebrated another great year of learning ahead. Huge thanks to our sponsors — Credit Union of America, Wichita State University, Relevant Audio & Visual, Project Teacher, Savvas Learning Company, Count Me In Vote Yes Yes, and Textron — for supporting our WPS family.
First district-wide Para Training Day
On August 7, more than 1,100 paras came together at eight sites across the city for our first-ever districtwide Para Training Day.
Built from feedback we've heard directly from our paras, the training focused on early literacy for elementary paras and student behavior/engagement for secondary paras. It took teamwork across the district — Learning Services, Student Support Services, and Transportation & Safety Services all played a part, with literacy expertise from our partners at Wichita State University.