The Weekly Update

With just over five weeks of the school year remaining, here are just a few date reminders:

• Sunday, June 7: Graduation for East is at 1:00 p.m. and at 4:30 p.m. for West. Both ceremonies are at the West Bend High Schools fieldhouse and tickets are required.

• Monday, June 8: Eighth Grade promotion at 5:30 p.m. at the West Bend High Schools fieldhouse. Tickets are required.

• Tuesday, June 9: Final day for all students.

• Wednesday, June 10: Final day for teachers and school staff.

Four teachers were surprised this week with teacher of the year or Rolfs Educational Foundation Awards. The Rolfs Educational Foundation has generously sponsored the award for 55 years, and provides a cash award to each winner. The 2026 winners include:

• Leah Miller, Fifth Grade, Silverbrook

• Laura Seidensticker, Speech/Language, Early Learning Program

• Holly Walls, Math, West High School

• Nicole Williams, Special Education, McLane Elementary

Read more about each of these special teachers and why they won the award.

**Support Staff Awards Featured Next Week

This week Support Staff of the Year Awards are being awarded. These winners will be featured next week in this newsletter. See those already given out on our Facebook page.

Art Show Through May 24; Opening Celebration May 7

The West Bend School District Art Show is now on display at The Hub in West Bend, featuring hundreds of student-created works through Sunday, May 24. Join us for a special opening celebration on Thursday, May 7, from 4–7 p.m., with food trucks and additional activities to celebrate our students’ talent.

Jackson Elementary Groundbreaking Celebration

The community is invited to the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Jackson Elementary School on Monday, May 11 at 1:45 p.m. The event is at the new school site, W204 N16722 Jackson Drive, or about one block south of the current school. Parking is available on Hickory Lane or in the Hickory Park lot.

The groundbreaking features students of Jackson Elementary, the Jackson Jackson Jinglers choir, and the West Bend High Schools Band Drumline. (The rain date is Tuesday, May 12 at the same time.)

Free Parent/Guardian Workshop on Navigating Substance Use and Pressure

The West Bend School District, West Bend Police Department, and Elevate Community Resource Center have partnered to present Red Flags & Real Talk: Spotting the Signs & Navigating Substance Use and Social Media Pressures, a free workshop for parents and guardians, on Thursday, May 14 at 6 p.m. at the Silverbrook Intermediate School library.

This workshop will help parents and guardians identify warning signs of substance use and social media pressure, understand current trends, and learn practical strategies for communicating with your child, setting boundaries, and knowing when to seek help.

Register for this free event: Spotting the Signs & Navigating Substance Use and Social Media Pressures Registration form.

Family Wellness Night: Connect, Create, and Unwind Together

Bring the family and take a break from the busy pace of daily life and join us for an evening of connection, creativity, and calm on Friday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Silverbrook Intermediate School cafeteria. This event is designed to help you and your children explore practical tools for emotional regulation and family connection. Free pizza and snacks will be provided.

We’ll have hands-on "make-and-take" stations and interactive activities where you can learn strategies to use right at home for managing feelings, relaxing, and connecting. Please use this link to register for the event. Family Wellness Gathering Registration.

In one of the first end-of-the-school-year events, 250 scholarships were awarded to 149 East and West High Schools seniors on Monday, May 4. These generous scholarships are due to the support of various organizations, including local foundations, individuals and families, businesses, and civic organizations. Many thanks to the COLUMNS organization for its efforts to make many scholarships available to our students. Watch the video below with all the scholarship winners.

The West Bend High Schools band, choir, and orchestra cleaned up at the recent Wisconsin School Music Association’s Solo and Ensemble event. In total, there were 59 entrants, including solos, duets, ensembles, and large groups. Results include:

• Bands: 25 gold and 14 silver

• Choir: six gold and seven silvers

• Orchestra: four gold and two silvers

At this event, the judges select the two most exceptional performances, which is a way to expand recognition of outstanding performers at the State Solo & Ensemble Festival. There were nine West Bend High School students nominated among band and choir, and Grace Last (french horn solo) and Riley Tanner (parade drum solo) received the awards.

There are various events and activities available on the WBSD’s Community Bulletin Board!

General

Musical Masquers Summer Camp

Prom Con (sponsored by high school clubs)

MOWA Family Fun Events

MOWA Summer Youth Workshops

MOWA Teen Council

MOWA Teen Volunteering

Big Brothers Big Sisters Golf Fundraiser

4H Inventors Quest Summer Camp

4H Build It Summer Camp

AFS International Exchange Program

Athletics

West Bend High Schools Track Summer Camp

West Boys Basketball Summer Camp

West Bend Little League

West Summer Volleyball Camp

West Jr. Sparties Fall Volleyball League

East Summer Volleyball Camp

Jackson Youth Summer Baseball and Softball

Kettle Moraine Figure Skating Summer Learn How to Skate

Youth Summer Soccer Camp at Shephard of the Hills Church

Volunteer Center

Blend and Breathe Event

Planters with Purpose Event

Calling all Artists

Cooking events: Little Hands Big Rolls, Sauce Boss, Cutie Pies in the Kitchen

YMCA

Before & After School Daycare

Summer 1 & 2 Programs

Youth Performance Classes

New Street Hockey Program

Bucks Basketball Summer Camp

Wraparound Care at Silverbrook YMCA Camp

Family Minute to Win It & Pizza and Swimming

Day Camp