The Weekly Update
April 8, 2026
Table of Contents
District News
New Website is LIVE
Deadline is This Week for Intra-district Transfer
Enrollment for Summer School 2026 is Open
All Around the Bend Event is Saturday
Autism Awareness Soup Event on 27th
Student and Staff Achievements
Badger Teacher Wins Prestigious Award
Students Clean Up at Poster Contest
District News
New Website is LIVE
The West Bend School District's new website is now at www.wbsd-schools.org. The new site features a mobile-friendly design that works seamlessly on any device.
Go to the far upper right corner to navigate to different school websites (on a computer). The main menu is also in the upper right corner. Click on the three horizontal lines to open it.
Deadline is This Week for Intra-district Transfer
The West Bend Schools support intra-district choice, as we know families with young students sometimes need to consider alternate elementary schools due to child care, etc. Requests to transfer to a different West Bend School District school for 2026-2027 are due Friday, April 10. Access the form on the new website. If the transfer is approved, families must provide transportation.
Enrollment for Summer School 2026 is Open
Enrollment remains open for all grade levels of Summer School 2026. There are numerous interesting enrichment classes for students to experience this summer. To learn more, check out the Summer School page on the NEW website.
Follow the instructions below to navigate to the Summer School page on the new website (wbsd-schools.org).
All Around the Bend Event is Saturday
The West Bend High Schools fieldhouse and West cafeteria will host the 4th Annual All Around the Bend Business Showcase on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free, public event features more than 100 local businesses sharing information about their products, services, career, and volunteer opportunities.
It will also feature raffles and giveaways, live performances by local school groups, a kids play zone, and the return of the Taste of the Showcase, where attendees can sample food from local restaurants and 50 percent of proceeds benefiting the COLUMNS Scholarship Foundation (which provides scholarships to East and West graduates). In fact, one of the performances will be by The Brass Project band, made up of East and West High Schools students. It’s a high-energy brass group that will have you moving! They will perform at 12:30 p.m.
For more information, visit the Chamber website or contact the West Bend Area Chamber of Commerce at (262) 338-2666.
Annual Autism Awareness Soup Event on 27th
The 8th Annual Autism Awareness Soup Night on Monday, April 27 at the West Bend East cafeteria from 4 to 6 p.m. will raise additional funds to support innovative learning opportunities and experiences for students receiving special education services.
At the event, all you have to do is purchase a bowl made by high school and middle school students and choose from delicious soups made by 20 area restaurants.
Student and Staff Achievements
Badger Teacher Wins Prestigious Award
Grace King, an English Language Arts teacher at Badger Middle School, is one of only 100 teachers in the state of Wisconsin to win a 2026 Teacher Fellowship award from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. Mrs. King is part of a group of distinguished educators recognized for their exceptional leadership, dedication to students, and commitment to educational excellence.
There were more than 1,200 nominations that were subject to rigorous review and scoring at the regional and statewide levels to choose 100 winners. Both the school and the winners receive an award to further support student learning and school initiatives.
A former student's parent nominated Mrs. King and said, "Grace truly connects and inspires 7th grade students in a subject that many students do not naturally connect to. She creates a classroom that is welcoming and where students can take chances and grow as learners and humans. She is motivating and nurturing."
Award recipients are selected by a statewide committee composed of civic leaders and representatives of education-related associations and the program’s co-sponsors.
Many congratulations to Mrs. King and thank you for her dedication to her students and to her craft.
Students Clean Up at Poster Contest
Several West Bend School District students placed well in the Washington County 2026 Local Conservation Poster Contest, which was open to all K-12th grade students attending school in the county. The theme was "Soil. Where it all Begins.” The top three places in each grade category were chosen.
2-3 Grade Category
1st place - Carley Sedlar, Fair Park (Carley also took 1st place for all of Southeast Wisconsin!)
2nd place - Ivy Ristau, Fair Park
3rd place - Kaylee Tarantino, Fair Park
4-6 Grade Category
2nd place - Victory Esselmann, Fair Park
3rd place - Emma Wood, Fair Park
7-9 Grade Category
1st Place - River Biertzer (River also took 1st place in all of Southeast Wisconsin!)
2nd Place - Kennedy Marek
3rd Place - Nikol Martinez
Community Connections
Community Bulletin Board
There are various events and activities available on the WBSD’s Community Bulletin Board!
General
Musical Masquers Summer Camp
Kiwanis Club's Free Fishing Clinic
West Bend High Schools FBLA Club Presents the Princess Ball
Girls Scouts Aviation Badge
High School Fundraisers at Local Restaurants
All Around the Bend Business Showcase by West Bend Chamber
Boys and Girls Club Teen Lock-In
Prom Con (sponsored by high school clubs)
MOWA Family Fun Events
MOWA Summer Youth Workshops
MOWA Teen Council
MOWA Teen Volunteering
Athletics
Force of Nature Kettle Moraine Figure Skating Show
Kettle Moraine Figure Skating Summer Learn How to Skate
Chasin' the Chill West Booster Club Fundraiser
West Boys Basketball Summer Camp
West Bend Little League
West Summer Volleyball Camp
East Summer Volleyball Camp
Hartford United Club Soccer
East Dance Tryouts
Jackson Youth Summer Baseball and Softball
Volunteer Center
Celebrate the Champions Event
Springtime Spreads
Camp Superhero Leaders and Campers
Partner in Kindness Events
YMCA
Before & After School Daycare
Summer 1 & 2 Programs
Youth Performance Classes
New Street Hockey Program
Hiring Camp Counselors
Bucks Basketball Summer Camp
Family Pickleball and Pizza Night