Education Connection
October 2026
SPAPSD Families,
October brings a vibrant energy to our schools as students dive deeper into their learning and establish strong daily routines. Classrooms across the district are filled with curiosity, active problem-solving, and collaboration. Thank you for your continued support at home, which plays an essential role in reinforcing positive habits and keeping our learners focused.
Building on these daily habits, this time of year naturally allows our students to explore new interests and grow academically and socially. Our schools offer a wide range of opportunities to get involved, including music and fine arts, athletic programs, and co-curricular activities. If your student is interested in participating in extra-curricular activities, please reach out to your school's main office for details on sign-ups and available options.
We also have a significant academic checkpoint on the horizon, with the end of the first quarter arriving on November 4th. This milestone provides a natural opportunity to review student progress and ensure everyone stays on track for a successful year. Please continue to reach out to your child's teachers for any questions or concerns you may have as we partner together through the fall.
With appreciation,
Cory Hirsbrunner, Ed.D.
Superintendent
September Task Force Update
At its September 16 meeting, the #PointProud Schools 2040 Task Force reviewed “Path 1: Moderate Change,” its first alternative long-range facilities scenario, along with three early learning approaches.
Path 1 focused on rebalancing enrollment among current elementary schools, including to address looming capacity issues in southern school buildings. It did not suggest grade-group reconfiguration and deferred any suggested elementary building closure or repurposing to beyond 2035. Members described the approach as relatively manageable and low-disruption, while questioning whether it goes far enough to address declining enrollment, underused facilities, financial pressures and opportunities to enhance student programming.
The three early learning variations were:
Continue the current 4K model (ELa): Least disruptive, but largely maintains current conditions.
Expand full-day 4K to all elementary schools (ELb): Strongest support, with potential to improve family access, student opportunities and building use; questions remain about staffing, space, renovations, attendance boundaries and cost.
Establish an Early Learning Center (ELc): Potential benefits in consistency and specialized services, with significant uncertainty about transportation, family impacts, costs and meaningful savings.
Across the eight small groups’ evaluation, Path 1/ELb received the most positive responses overall, while Path 1/ELc generated the most “unsure” responses.
Other themes included exploring grade configuration changes, particularly moving sixth grade to the middle-school level; attendance-area changes; elementary building closures or repurposing; and virtual learning, alternative elementary programming and childcare partnerships.
The Task Force will review additional paths at subsequent meetings. District administration and consultants are investigating members’ requests for more information about whether current junior high buildings and SPASH could accommodate more students without substantial costs or programming compromises.
🔗 Read the full September Meeting 6 summary to learn what members discussed, what preliminary feedback showed and what happens next.
As we prepare for winter weather, the Stevens Point Area Public School District will conduct a test of our family notification system on October 19 at 4:00 p.m.
Families should receive the test by email, phone and text based on the contact information and preferences currently on file.
If you do not receive the test on all of your preferred devices, please log in to Skyward Family Access to review and update your contact information or contact your school office for assistance.
For the past five years, Mrs. Giese’s 4th-grade class at McKinley Elementary has partnered with our local Save-a-Lot store to blend creative writing, practical math, and authentic community engagement. Each month, students create and display seasonal artwork before practicing real-world budgeting skills with a hands-on shopping experience.
🔗Read the full article on our website to learn more about this wonderful partnership!
30 minutes, fabric scraps, and quick thinking! Every Friday, students in the SPASH Fashion Design & Marketing class tackle a fast-paced design challenge: dressing mini mannequins using only surprise materials—from old jeans and T-shirts to newspapers and garbage bags. Inspired by student feedback, teacher Mrs. Lesniak created this weekly tradition to foster real-world creativity and innovation.
Title: Kennedy Child Care Has Openings – No Waitlist!
Great news for our school community! Kennedy Child Care currently has openings available with no waitlist. If you or a family you know are looking for reliable care right here at Kennedy Elementary, now is a great time to enroll!
Who: Serving children ages 3 - 5 years 11 months
When: 6:15 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Why Choose Us: Convenient, supportive, and engaging!
Ready to enroll or learn more?
Contact Crystal Armstrong at 715-345-5614 or carmstro@pointschools.net. Additional information can also be found at 🔗kennedy.pointschools.net/child-care.
Friend Drama, Group Chats, and Social Exclusion: What Parents Need to Know
Friendships can be one of the best parts of childhood — and one of the most painful. If you’ve watched your child navigate friend drama, social exclusion, or the pressures of group chats, you know how hard it can be to know when to step in and what to say.
Join Cartwheel, our virtual mental health partner, and licensed counselor, author, and Washington Post contributor Phyllis Fagell, LCPC, for a free live webinar:
Friend Drama, Group Chats, and Social Exclusion: What Parents Need to Know
Thursday, October 15, 7–8pm ET
You'll leave with a clearer picture of what children and teens need from the adults in their lives to navigate friendship challenges, build resilience, and maintain healthy relationships.
ℹ️See the October 15 Webinar flyer for additional details.
🎭 SPASH Theater Presents Matilda
SPASH Theater is excited to invite our district families and community to this fall's production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical! Join us as our talented high school students bring this inspiring story to life on stage.
Showtimes:
Thursday, Nov 5 at 7:00 PM
Friday, Nov 6 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, Nov 7 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Tickets can be purchased at the door prior to each performance. We look forward to seeing you there to support our amazing student performers and crew!
👪 Save the Date: Real Talk – Supporting Every Ability | Nov 5
Join us for our upcoming Real Talk Parent Focus Group session focused on supporting our families of children with disabilities. This collaborative event is a welcoming space for families to connect with district staff, share positive experiences, voice questions or concerns, and help us continuously improve how we serve our students.
Date: November 5, 2026
Time: 5:30-7:00 p.m.
More details will be shared in the coming weeks. We look forward to listening, learning, and partnering with you to support every student's success!
