October 2025
October 26th, 2025
Good afternoon Whippets Nation!
Can you believe we are almost in the month of November already? The temperatures are beginning to drop, so please be sure to plan accordingly to ensure that your child(ren) stays warm, especially when they are outside during recess. The Whitewater Unified School District continued its dedication and commitment to school safety by practicing one of our drills known as an active‑threat safety drill. This included the activation of our WAVE system. This drill is required by Wisconsin schools twice annually. When the WAVE system is activated during the drill, students and staff follow our district's established physical lockdown procedures for threats to schools. Our school report cards will officially be released in the middle of November, so we hope to report to the community how we are doing in the area of student achievement. Each year we continue to focus on continuous improvement so that we support every student, every day, in a unified way.
The month of October was filled with gratitude as we celebrated our very own school board for Wisconsin's School Board Appreciation Week, because behind every successful school district is a team of thoughtful, committed leaders working to serve students, staff, and families. We also said thank you to our bus drivers during "National School Bus Safety Week," because they help get our students safely to and from school each and every day. We also thanked a few of our 2025 WASB Business Honor Roll partners, who will be publicly recognized at the November school board meeting.
We want to be sure we give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to our amazing school leaders for National School Principals Month throughout the rest of October. Our principals serve as educational leaders, responsible for managing daily school operations, overseeing staff, and making key decisions about instruction and social-emotional learning for all kids while promoting a positive and effective learning atmosphere. They are vital in influencing the quality of education our students receive and play a crucial role in shaping our young people's futures. It is not too late if you want to send a kind note to your child's principal this week.
This upcoming week is a shorter one, so be sure you read through the section "October/November at a Glance" towards the bottom of this newsletter. We have parent-teacher conferences on October 28th and 29th, so please touch base with your child(ren)'s school if you have any questions. We continue to call all interested community partners! If you or someone you know is interested, please share the link below titled "Community Partnership Interest Form" or fill it out so we can connect.
There is a lot of great information in this newsletter, so please read through it thoroughly, and reach out if you have any questions.
All Means All,
Samuel
This Veterans Day, let's make a difference together! Join the Whitewater Unified School District in supporting our Veterans VFW Post by purchasing a Whitewater Salute to Our Military Sweatshirt. A portion of every sale will go to Veterans right here in Whitewater!
You can purchase one if you'd like to by clicking the button below, and can select to pick it up at our Central Office. Let's show our appreciation and support for those who served!
At WUSD, we are proud of the exciting work happening in our five schools. Our teacher leaders and administrators have been collaborating closely to strengthen systems and implement effective strategies that enhance education in every content area—from core academics to electives and the arts. We take great pride in our district’s ongoing growth and are truly delighted to serve our learners in our classrooms, filled with energy, curiosity, and engagement. The enthusiasm among both students and staff is inspiring and reflects our shared commitment to continuous improvement.
Across all grade levels, our programs are expanding opportunities for students and empowering them to take an active role in their learning. In the elementary schools, math intervention supports are growing to ensure all students build a strong foundation. Middle school English Language Arts classrooms are incorporating structured literacy practices, strengthening reading, writing, and spelling skills for every learner. At the high school, our youth apprenticeship and work-based learning programs are expanding, providing students with valuable real-world experiences and career exploration opportunities.
We are incredibly proud of the collaboration, innovation, and dedication shown by our staff and students. Together, we are building on our successes, supporting one another, and continuing to create vibrant learning environments where every student can thrive. As this year continues, it promises to be one of meaningful growth, discovery, and achievement—and we are grateful to share it with such an engaged and supportive community.
Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness: Understanding the McKinney-Vento Act
November is designated as National Homeless Awareness Month. In honor of this, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the homelessness experienced by children and families in the Whitewater Unified School District.
Over the past decade, WUSD staff have been working daily to provide support to students and families experiencing homelessness. In fact, in a school district of roughly 2,000 students, nearly 80 students, or 4%, experienced homelessness for part or all of the school year.
Every child deserves a stable and supportive education, regardless of their living situation. Unfortunately, many students face housing instability due to circumstances beyond their control. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ensures that these students have equal access to the same free, appropriate public education as their peers.
The McKinney-Vento Act provides federal protections and resources for students experiencing homelessness, which may include those living:
- In shelters or motels
- With relatives or friends due to loss of housing or economic hardship
- In cars, parks, or other public places not meant for regular sleeping
- Unaccompanied youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence
Under this law, students are entitled to:
- Immediate enrollment in school, even without typical documentation (such as proof of residency or immunization records)
- Transportation assistance to remain in their school of origin, if it is in the child’s best interest
- Access to school meals, extracurricular activities, and support services that promote academic success and stability
- Confidential support through a designated McKinney-Vento liaison, who helps families navigate enrollment, transportation, and community resources
WUSD is committed to identifying and supporting students who may be experiencing homelessness. Staff members receive training to recognize signs of housing instability and to connect families with the district’s McKinney-Vento liaison. The liaison works closely with families to remove barriers to education and link them to additional community supports such as food, clothing, and housing referrals.
If you know of a student or family who might be experiencing homelessness, please reach out to the district’s McKinney-Vento liaison, school principal, or me. Together, we can ensure that every child has a safe, consistent place to learn, grow, and succeed.
With kindness,
Dr. Lanora Heim
Director of Pupil Services
McKinney Vento Team
If we can be of assistance to you or someone you know that is experiencing homelessness, please contact our McKinney Vento Team:
Lanora Heim Director of Pupil Services, McKinney-Vento Liaison
Kelly North, Social Worker, McKinney-Vento Liaison
262-472-8651
Valerie Alverez Social Worker, McKinney-Vento Liaison
262-472-8115
Henrrique Alas Melger Outreach Coordinator for McKinney-Vento Program
920-542-8959
This Hispanic Heritage Month, our schools came together to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. Students and staff participated in assemblies, enjoyed cultural dances, reflected on important terminology, and learned about impactful contributions by Hispanic and Latino individuals in the U.S. and around the world.
Celebrations also included sharing pieces of culture through food, dance, and games, creating opportunities for connection and learning across our school community.
By embracing diversity in our classrooms, hallways, and community spaces, we live out our belief that “All Means All”: every student, every family, every voice.
Building Futures Together
Whitewater students are learning by doing, connecting classroom lessons to real-world careers, community service, and hands-on experiences that make a lasting impact.
Real Experiences, Real Impact
Career Based Learning is in full swing this fall at Whitewater High School. Students are taking their learning beyond the classroom and into the community, gaining hands-on experiences that connect directly to real careers and local partnerships.
Students interested in construction careers recently attended the JP Cullen and Build My Future construction career fairs. These were anything but ordinary events. Students rolled up their sleeves to operate equipment, try carpentry and masonry, and explore engineering tasks that mirror what professionals do every day. The experience gave them valuable insight into the many career paths within the construction industry. A heartfelt thank you to JP Cullen, the Lakeland Builders Association, and the Racine Kenosha Builders Association for providing such an engaging and authentic learning opportunity.
Agriculture students also had a busy and rewarding month. On campus, they worked with an equine specialist to learn about veterinary care, horsemanship, gaiting, and riding. Special thanks go to Paul Majors and Allison Parsons for bringing this experience to life for our students.
In another project, Agriculture students teamed up with the Department of Natural Resources at the Bluff Creek Wildlife Area in Whitewater. They helped with land restoration efforts, learning to operate trimming and cutting equipment, collect and preserve seeds, and manage local habitats. Students left the day feeling proud to support conservation work while gaining practical technical and teamwork skills. Thank you to our local DNR staff and the Agriculture department for making this partnership possible.
Community Partnerships
As we continue to grow and strengthen connections between our schools and the community, we are inviting local businesses, organizations, and individuals to get involved. Whether it is through mentorship, hands-on learning opportunities, or resource sharing, your partnership makes a difference.
We encourage everyone to share their ideas and get connected by completing the WUSD Community Partnership Interest Survey. Together, we can continue creating meaningful experiences that prepare students for success while supporting the Whitewater community.
JP Cullen
JP Cullen
JP Cullen
Build My Future
Bluff Creek Wildlife
AG Horse Vet Training
Our middle school cross country and volleyball seasons have come to an end with a lot of growth! Our middle school cross country teams placed a total of seven athletes in the top 25 of their respective races. Our seventh-grade volleyball team won all but one game this season, and our eighth-grade team showed the most improvement of the entire season! In addition, many of our high school teams have seen their seasons come to an end after volleyball and boys' soccer lost in a regional game this past weekend. Girls' tennis had a few athletes win their first-round match-up at sub-sectionals, and cross country did not have anyone qualify for state from the sectional meet held by Deerfield/Cambridge. Girls' swimming has JV conference and varsity conference meets this week and will participate in sectionals the following weekend. On the activities side, Ferradermis ranked #2 out of 30 at their event in Muskego and is currently (10/24 and 10/25) at the Roboteer Rumble. Lastly, FBLA has one more week of Soctober Fest, and then we will be into November, when most of our winter seasons will begin.
WIAA Sectional Meet in Cambridge
Whitewater HS girls swim team travels to Beloit
Whitewater HS girls tennis team subsectionals
FFA members attended F.I.R.E. Conference
Fall Band Concert
Ferradermis at the third-annual TWIST FIRST Robotics
