Appleton Area School District families,

As we move into the second half of the school year, we have several important updates to share with our AASD families. From key calendar dates and the Board’s recent approval of a spring operational referendum to school closure reminders, 4K enrollment, charter school applications, and opportunities for student support, this month’s update is full of helpful information. 

You’ll also find details on health guidance, new communication practices from our Health Offices, community programs available during snow days, and ways to get involved—from reviewing instructional materials to supporting our winter clothing drive. We invite you to take a few minutes to browse the updates below and stay connected to all that’s happening across our schools.

Important Upcoming Dates (Find our yearly calendar here.)

• Thursday, January 15, 2026: End of Semester 1
• Friday, January 16, and Monday, January 19, 2026: No school for AASD neighborhood schools. We’ll welcome our students back to school on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
  • Charter schools and Appleton Central programs may follow their own calendars; please refer to your school or program calendar.
• Wednesday, February 18, 2026: IEP 101: Understanding Your Child’s IEP
• Saturday, February 21, 2026: Educator Recruitment Event

Board Approves Spring Operational Referendum

On Monday, January 12, the Board of Education voted unanimously to place an operational referendum on the April 7, 2026, ballot. An operational referendum is a voter-approved measure that allows a school district to exceed state revenue limits.

The referendum asks voters to approve $15 million per year for four years to support:

• maintaining current district operations, programs, and services, and preventing cuts or reductions caused by funding shortfalls
• expanding support for student mental health and students living in poverty

The estimated tax rate impact is $0.15 per $1,000 of property value—about $15 per year on a $100,000 home, or $45 per year on the average Appleton area home ($300,000).

• Many community members recently received their property tax bills. If you’re wondering how AASD fits into that picture, we’ve put together a short, easy-to-understand video that breaks it down. 
• We also created another quick video explaining how the Governor’s $325 line-item veto, which has been in the news, impacts our district.

We’ll keep adding more informational videos over the next few months to help everyone stay informed. You’ll be able to find them all on our referendum webpage, where you’ll also find an FAQ and a place to submit any questions you may have. We’re here to help and want to make sure you have the information you need.

IEP 101: Understanding Your Child’s IEP

Join us for a parent education session on Wednesday, February 18, from 6:00–7:00 PM in the James Madison Middle School auditorium, designed to help families better understand the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the special education process. All parents and caregivers are welcome!

This session will provide a broad overview of IEP components and the IEP process to help parents feel informed and confident. Information will be shared by the AASD Special Education Administration. Sponsored by the AASD Special Education Parent Advisory Council.

2026-2027 Appleton Community 4K Enrollment

Will your child be four years old by September 1, 2026? Appleton Community 4K offers a high-quality, play-based learning experience where children build a strong foundation for school through creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and exploration. Guided by highly qualified teachers, our program supports early literacy, math, and social-emotional skills while meeting children where they are and fostering a lifelong love of learning.

4K enrollment for the 2026–27 school year begins Monday, February 9, 2026, at https://4k.aasd.k12.wi.us/. Visit our website to explore 4K sites, watch informational videos, and connect with our community partners. Need help enrolling? Call the Enrollment Office at (920) 852-5308. Questions about 4K? Contact the 4K Office at (920) 852-5600 or email community-4k@aasd.k12.wi.us. 

2026-27 School Year Calendar Approved

The calendar for the 2026-27 school year was recently approved by our Board of Education. Meeting all State requirements, the calendar ensures instructional minutes and a post-September 1st start date. The approved calendar allocates surplus minutes to accommodate the potential cancellation of two school days due to severe weather conditions and ends the academic year during the first week of June. View and download next year’s school calendar here.

School Closure Information

When the weather is bad, we follow a process for deciding if schools will be open or closed. The district must make a decision that is best for all students. We encourage and strongly support you in making the decision that is best for your child(ren). You are always the best judge of your child’s health and safety. If you do decide to keep your child(ren) home on a day when school is in session, please be sure to contact their school to report the absence.

How can I find out if schools are closed? Families will be notified via Infinite Campus alerts with robocalls, emails, text messages, or a combination to reach all families in case of school start delays or closures. Please ensure that your Infinite Campus contact preferences are up to date. On days when the weather is questionable, families can always check the District website or their school's website. Families can also listen to any local radio station or watch many local television stations for information about school closings.

We will stagger notifications to ensure timeliness while minimizing early-morning disruptions.

• Website and social media posting will be completed as soon as possible
• Email notification as early as possible, starting no earlier than 5:00 a.m.
• Text notification as early as possible, starting no earlier than 5:30 a.m.
• Phone calls at 5:45 a.m., to allow enough time for 10,000+ calls to be completed by shortly after 6:00 a.m.

A note about robocalls: We serve nearly 15,000 students, and our call-out system cannot call all of our families at the same time. It may take a few minutes to reach your family after the notification is sent. For that reason, we also post to our website and social media accounts as soon as we know the District will delay or close for the day.

Snow Day Partner Programs

When severe weather strikes and our schools are closed, our partners at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley and YMCA can help! Both programs offer care options for families on these days. From structured activities to nutritious meals, they provide a safe and nurturing environment for students when schools are closed due to severe weather or other unexpected situations. Explore the Boys & Girls Club of the Fox Valley and YMCA’s range of services designed to support families and students during school closures here.

Charter School Application Window Now Open

Our charter school application window is open for the 2026-27 school year. Our 15 free, public charter schools offer unique, innovative programming such as environmental education, online learning, project-based learning, engineering, manufacturing, fine arts, bilingual learning, and Montessori education. Our application is a lottery process, so there is no need to rush; take your time learning about all of our offerings. 

Health Guidance for Going to School

We know it is not always easy to decide if your child is sick enough to stay home or well enough to be in school. We also know that showing up every day is critical for children’s well-being, engagement, and learning. We encourage our families to send their students to school if they are generally healthy and are participating in usual day-to-day activities. Learn more about whether your child is well enough to attend school here.

Health Office Visit Notifications

Beginning in the next month, parents/guardians will start receiving communication through Infinite Campus if their student visits their school’s Health Office or receives any as-needed medication during the school day. These messages are intended to keep you informed about your student’s health and wellness while at school. 

We encourage you to talk with your student about any Health Office visits they have, so you can stay connected about how they’re feeling and any support they may need. If you have any questions about a notification or your student’s health needs, please contact your school directly. Thank you for partnering with us to support your students’ well-being!

Winter Clothing Drive for AASD Students

We are collecting new winter items to support our students in need through January 30, 2026, with donations accepted on school days between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at the Welcome Center, Family and Community Engagement Office, (2701 N. Oneida Street, Appleton). 

Items needed include gloves, boots, warm hats, coats, jackets, and snow pants. To ensure the health and safety of our students, we can only accept new items. Please donate waterproof and warm items only, as these help keep our students the most comfortable and protected during the winter months. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Bargholtz. Thank you for your generosity and support! Learn more.

Start College Now/Early College Credit/Request for High School Credit Program Deadlines

AASD offers three programs for eligible high school students wanting to enroll in courses through two- or four-year participating colleges or universities in Wisconsin. 

The deadline to enroll in a spring semester course is October 1 of each academic school year. The deadline to enroll in a summer course is February 1 of each academic school year.  The deadline to enroll in a fall semester course is March 1 of each academic school year. If you have any questions, please reach out to your School Counselor. The requirements are included below:

Start College Now: Available to 11th- and 12th-grade students enrolled in Wisconsin Technical Colleges, this program requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of eligibility determination. Summer courses are not eligible, and students may not participate in both the Start College Now Program and the Early College Credit Program at the same time.

Early College Credit Program: Available to students in grades 9–12, this program allows enrollment in University of Wisconsin System institutions, tribally controlled colleges, and private nonprofit colleges (excluding Wisconsin Technical Colleges) and requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the time of eligibility determination. Summer courses are eligible, but students may not participate in both the Start College Now Program and the Early College Credit Program at the same time.

Request for High School Credit: Learning takes place outside the school day, on the student’s own time and at their own expense. AASD will review the opportunity and decide if high school credit will be awarded, and in what amount.

Feedback Requested on Instructional Materials

The Board of Education, as the governing body of the District, is legally responsible for all educational materials utilized within the instructional program of the AASD. We are currently soliciting feedback on the instructional materials for:

• Secondary Math

As part of the adoption process, AASD staff members, students, parents, and residents are provided with the opportunity to examine and contribute feedback on the recommended instructional materials. The feedback collected will be considered by the committee to determine the final list of instructional materials recommended to the AASD Board of Education. Learn more about Materials Review in the AASD.

Community Opportunities for Students

Each month, the AASD shares local community opportunities for students. These community opportunities for students include upcoming events and activities such as art and music camps, youth athletics, cultural events, enriching programs, and more. We encourage our families to review these opportunities for students of all ages. Check out this page anytime for a current list of opportunities.