The Weekly Update
September 2, 2026
Table of Contents
District News
Welcome Back!
Deadline Approaching to Sign Up for Exciting Afterschool Programs
New Bus Tracking System
High School Football Games Begin
Skip the Line! Purchase Tickets for Athletic Events Online
Construction Update
Renovated Space in Silverbrook is Now Open
New Jackson Elementary Taking Shape
Student and Staff Achievements
Teachers Honored for Major Achievement
Crossing Guard Retires After 57 Years
District News
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to students in grades K-12 for the 2026-2027 school year! The Early Learning Program (3- and 4-year-olds) will begin their school year on Tuesday, September 8. This will be an exciting year filled with learning, fun, special events, new opportunities, and many memorable experiences.
The West Bend School District website (wbsd-schools.org) is the command center for information about the schools. Items to help families:
Free and Reduced-Price Meal Applications
2026-2027 School Year Calendar
Skyward, Canvas, RevTrak Logins
From the district website, you can also access all the school websites.
Deadline Approaching to Sign Up for Exciting Afterschool Programs
Check out the new, exciting afterschool programs being offered in the WBSD schools from some of the area's most respected afterschool enrichment providers.
The deadlines to sign up for several classes that begin this month are approaching quickly (see below). As a reminder, a minimum number of attendees is required to run each program. ALL students (including public, virtual, homeschooled, and parochial) living in the West Bend School District boundaries may participate.
Please review the detailed guide for more information about these programs and others being offered in our schools. Some upcoming deadlines:
- Space Academy (at Fair Park) Deadline - September 7
- Weather on the Wild Side (at Decorah) Deadline - September 9
- NASA Academy of Future Space Explorers (at McLane) Deadline - September 14
- Wild World - The Art of Conservation (at Decorah) Deadline - September 15
- Aerospace Adventures (at Silverbrook) Deadline - September 15
New Bus Tracking System
Families should have received an email from GO Riteway about Stopfinder, the new easy-to-use, all-in-one app that allows you to have the most accurate information about your student’s bus schedule at any time from anywhere. Separate emails for each student in the district were sent by GO Riteway to families from no-reply@stopfinder.com.
Stopfinder is free to families and allows users to customize when they receive alerts about their children’s bus location and to get notifications instantly. Because Stopfinder works seamlessly with GO Riteway’s routing system, target communications can be sent via the app to specific families based on the location of a bus. Stopfinder also provides school bus stop and schedule information.
Check your email for details on this new GO Riteway product. The available on both the Apple App Store and Google Play. Check stopfinder.com if you have questions or contact Riteway at wbdispatch@goriteway.com or call 262-429-1334.
High School Football Games Begin
Friday nights are a special part of the school year, and we’re excited to welcome students and families to the many home football games for East and West High Schools this fall. Whether your child is cheering from the stands, meeting up with friends, or experiencing a high school football game for the first time, we want every student to feel welcome and enjoy being part of the excitement.
To help make game nights safe, positive, and enjoyable for everyone, here are a few details for families to know:
Students Attend Free
West Bend School District students can attend home football games at no charge by showing their student ID at the gate. We encourage our students to come out, support their classmates, and show their school spirit!Cheer on Our Teams with Good Sportsmanship
We want our stadiums to be places where everyone can enjoy the game. Students are expected to use school-appropriate language, demonstrate good sportsmanship, and treat players, coaches, officials, staff, and fellow fans with respect. Students should also follow directions from school staff, event supervisors, and police officers.A Place for Middle School Students to Cheer Together
Middle school students in grades 6–8 who attend a game independently will have a designated seating section in the bleachers. This gives students a place to sit together, enjoy the game, and cheer on our teams. Students should remain in the seating areas rather than gathering around the concession stand, stadium entrances, or behind the bleachers.Elementary Students Are Welcome with an Adult
Elementary students are encouraged to experience the fun of Friday night football, but they must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event.Help Us Keep Entry Moving Quickly
To make getting into the stadium as easy as possible for everyone, please leave backpacks, large bags, and outside food and drinks at home.Plan Ahead for Pickup
Gates open at 6:00 p.m., and games begin at 7:00 p.m. Families are encouraged to make a pickup plan with their child before the game begins, including a designated pickup time and location. Having a plan in place will help students head home safely and efficiently when the game concludes.
We look forward to seeing our students and families in the stands this fall! Thank you for helping us create an atmosphere where our students can cheer loudly, support our teams, enjoy time with friends, and make great Friday night memories.
Skip the Line! Purchase Tickets for Athletic Events Online
Review East and West High Schools fall athletic schedules on the websites: wbeastsuns.org and wbwestspartans.org. If you would like to attend a home athletic event, you have the option of skipping the ticket line at the event by purchasing them ahead of time through the GoFan website or app. (Bring your phone to the game to redeem the tickets.) Senior citizens and WBSD students are free (with their school ID). Tickets are $6 for adults, $4 for children.
East GoFan: https://gofan.co/app/school/WI13638
West GoFan: https://gofan.co/app/school/WI13639
Tickets can be purchased at the event with debit or credit cards, Google pay, Apple pay, or cash.
Renovated Space in Silverbrook Opens
An area of Silverbrook Intermediate School has been renovated and updated as part of the school’s ongoing improvements. The newly-renovated space was celebrated during the meet and greet last week. Teachers, administrators, board members, and representatives from construction partner Findorff joined students and families for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new space. The renovation is one of several improvements taking place at Silverbrook as the building continues to evolve. Construction on the future kindergarten classrooms will continue throughout the coming months.
Jackson Elementary Taking Shape
Student and Staff Achievements
Teachers Honored for Major Achievement
A group of West Bend School District teachers who earned their National Board Certification in the past year were honored at the Executive Residence in Madison by Governor Evers and Mrs. Evers on August 19. Achieving National Board Certification demonstrates exceptional teaching practice, deep commitment to student learning, and a sustained effort to reflect, refine, and elevate their craft.
In total, the West Bend School District has 14 teachers who have earned their National Board Certification, and seven of them were in this past year. Only 3 percent of active teachers nationwide are National Board Certified and less than 1 percent of Wisconsin's teachers have achieved this certification.
Pictured from left to right are Kristen Koenings (Silverbrook), Kevin Doornek (Silverbrook), Governor Tony Evers and Kathy Evers, Hailey Dougherty (high schools), Danielle Schumacher (high schools), and Mitch Ziesemer (high schools). Allyson Guzan and Rebecca Sohm from Fair Park also achieved the certification in the last year.
Crossing Guard Retires After 57 Years
Diane Bruendl, who served as a crossing guard for the City of West Bend for 57 years, retired this summer. Over the years, Diane has worked at several intersections, including N. Main Street and Jefferson Street, N. Main Street and Roosevelt Drive, and most recently, Green Tree Road and Park Avenue. The West Bend School District joins the West Bend Police Department in expressing how incredibly grateful we are for the nearly six decades of dedication, consistency, and care that Diane has shown the children and families of this community. Thank you Diane!
Community Connections
Community Bulletin Board
There are various events and activities available on the WBSD’s Community Bulletin Board!
Big Brothers Big Sisters Beyond School Walls Mentoring Program
FC Wisconsin Minis Fall Program
West Boys Junior Spartans Basketball Tryouts
East Boys Junior Suns Basketball
West Bend Swim Club Registration
Now Hiring Lifeguards
Savvy Cyber Families Event with "Wit for Girls"
Washington County 4-H Open House and Enrollment Night
Cub Scouts Pack 3791 Registration
Cub Scouts Pack 3787 Join Night
East Dance Team Youth Dance Clinic
Learn to Skate with KMFSC
YMCA Before- and After-School Program
YMCA Fall Program Guide
YMCA Strength and Conditioning
YMCA Boy Pre-Teen Program
YMCA She Pre-Teen Program
YMCA Now Hiring for Before and After School Program and Child Care Teachers
YMCA Student Checking Sweepstakes