Appleton Area School District families,

This message contains important updates, including details on 4K enrollment, a summary of recent boundary changes in the AASD, our upcoming Educator Recruitment Event, information about the district-wide hygiene drive, attendance letter FAQs, and a reminder about our bullying and incident reporting system.

Additionally, we’ve included a few ongoing topics from our last message: the 2025-26 charter school application window, an update on the Ballard Road Interchange project, details about the winter clothing drive, guidance on determining if your student is well enough for school, an overview of weather-related school closures and Snow Day Partner Programs, an opportunity to provide feedback on instructional materials, and Community Opportunities for Students.

Important Upcoming Dates

• Monday, February 17, 2025: No School 

(Find our yearly calendar here.) Charter schools and Appleton Central programs may follow their own calendar, please refer to your school or program calendar.

2025-2026 Appleton Community 4K Enrollment

Will your child be four years old by September 1, 2025? Join us at Appleton Community 4K! Our 4K fosters a lifelong passion for learning by encouraging creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and exploration from an early age. Why choose 4K? Because it's where their educational journey begins. 

We are dedicated to providing an exceptional early learning experience rooted in play-based education. Appleton's 4K curriculum nurtures all aspects of a child's development, from foundational literacy and math skills to social and emotional competencies crucial for success in school and beyond. Visit our website for informative videos and to connect with our community partners. Explore our 2025-2026 4K Sites, and contact the locations that interest you to learn more or schedule a visit!

Online enrollment begins on Monday, February 10, 2025! Don't have internet access or need assistance with enrollment? Call our Enrollment Office at (920) 852-5308 to schedule an appointment. Questions about 4K? Contact the 4K office at (920) 852-5600, check out our frequently asked questions, or email community-4k@aasd.k12.wi.us. 

Columbus Repurposing and Edison Elementary Boundary Update

On January 13, 2025, the AASD Board of Education approved repurposing Columbus Elementary School, requiring updates to Edison Elementary’s boundaries to include the former Columbus attendance area. Families in the Franklin and Dunlap Elementary attendance areas were invited to provide input, and a listening session was held on January 23, 2025, for additional feedback. Check out the FAQ here.

At the January 27 Board meeting the Board approved the following Edison attendance boundaries for the 2025-2026 school year based on the input and criteria:

• Columbus Elementary’s entire attendance area
• Franklin Elementary area south of Wisconsin Avenue
• Dunlap Elementary area east of Richmond Street

We are committed to supporting families across all affected schools throughout this transition, both now and into the next school year. We will work closely and collaboratively with these elementary school communities to develop a comprehensive transition plan in preparation for the 2025-26 school year and beyond.

Sandy Slope Elementary Boundaries Set

Opening in fall 2025 near Appleton North High School, Sandy Slope Elementary will be our 17th neighborhood elementary school. Attendance boundaries, finalized on December 9, 2024, were developed using community feedback and criteria like proximity, enrollment capacity, and neighborhood integrity. Check out the full details here. The key boundaries for Sandy Slope are:

• North: Broadway Drive
• South: Highway 41
• East: District’s eastern edge
• West: Meade Street from Highway 41 to Edgewood, then Richmond Street to Broadway

Adjustments may follow pending Thrivent property development.

Summary of Recent AASD Boundary Updates and Changes:

As we stated above, the AASD recently updated school boundaries based on community input, transparency, and data-driven decisions. Key factors included proximity, enrollment balance, transportation, neighborhood integrity, demographics, and future growth. Changes aim to prevent overcrowding, optimize resources, and accommodate the opening of Sandy Slope Elementary and the repurposing of Columbus Elementary. Community engagement, including surveys and listening sessions, played a crucial role in shaping these decisions, ensuring safe routes, cohesive neighborhoods, and flexible planning for future developments. 

AASD Educator Recruitment Event – Saturday, February 22, 2025

Do you know a recent college graduate, or are you or someone you know looking for a new career path? We are hosting an Educator Recruitment Event on Saturday, February 22, from 8:00 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. at Appleton North High School (5000 N Ballard Rd). AASD is hiring for the 2025-26 school year and this event is a great opportunity to meet school leaders, explore job openings, and learn about AASD’s benefits. We’re hiring educators and support staff, including paraprofessionals, interpreters, transportation aides, and substitutes. Help us spread the word and share with friends, family, or neighbors who may be interested. Learn more here.

Hygiene Drive Kicks Off February 24!

This year all AASD schools will be participating in the annual Fox Cities “Help for the Homeless” hygiene drive. Schools will be collecting NEW hygiene and cleaning items between February 24 and March 14. Please send your donations to school with your student, or drop them off in the collection box located at your student’s school. The most frequently needed items are laundry detergent, hand soap, dish soap, shampoo/conditioner (especially children’s products), cleaning supplies, toilet paper, and deodorant. Donations received at our collection sites are used within our AASD school community to stock our Basic Needs Care Closet for students/families in need. These donations are also the primary source of hygiene products provided to students and families experiencing homelessness. Click here for more information.

Addressing Attendance Letters in the AASD

We get it- sometimes receiving an attendance letter can be surprising, especially when you have communicated your child's absences to their school or after they have been sick. We know life happens—kids get sick, cars break down, alarm clocks fail, and Wisconsin winters happen. The AASD sends letters to families regarding attendance as part of a state-mandated system designed to keep everyone informed about attendance thresholds, even when absences are perfectly valid. Regular school attendance plays a huge role in your student’s learning, social development, and overall success -- and we want to partner with you to help every student thrive. We’ve put together an FAQ to answer some of the most common questions (and frustrations) about attendance letters. We hope it helps clarify what’s required, why these letters exist, and how we can work together to ensure your student’s success. Find it here.

Have You Heard About SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT (SUSO)?

SUSO is a statewide, 24/7 safety reporting system that empowers students, families, school staff, and community members to address critical concerns. Whether it’s bullying, drug use, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or other safety threats, SUSO provides a safe, confidential way to report issues and help keep schools secure. Students, families, school staff, and community members can submit a school safety concern by downloading the SUSO app (available on Android and iOS), submitting a tip online, or calling 1-800-MY-SUSO-1. Pro Tip: Search for “AASD” in the SUSO app to view all AASD schools.

We encourage your students to share safety concerns with a trusted adult or, when needed, use SUSO to confidentially report issues that affect their well-being. SUSO’s Resource Center operates 24/7, ensuring every report is taken seriously. Staff work closely with school administrators, law enforcement, and counselors to provide the right response when it matters most. Learn more here.

Application Window Open for AASD Charter Schools

Our charter school application window for the 2025-26 school year closes on February 21, 2025. AASD charter schools are tuition-free, public schools that offer unique, innovative programming such as environmental education, online learning, project-based, engineering, manufacturing, fine arts, bilingual learning, and Montessori education. Learn more about our application timeline and what is needed to apply here.

I-41 Interstate Improvement Project Impacting AASD Northside Schools

According to the latest information from the Department of Transportation, the Ballard Road Interchange project will significantly impact several AASD northside schools in 2025, including Appleton North High School, Einstein and Kaleidoscope middle schools, Huntley Elementary School, and Appleton Public Montessori. 

The Ballard Road overpass will be completely closed for most of the year, with reopening anticipated in "late fall." Additionally, all four interstate ramps at the Ballard Road interchange will be replaced between summer and fall, along with E. Capitol Drive between Ballard and Commerce Court. To determine if an alternate route will be necessary for you or your student, please visit the WISDOT I-41 Project - Ballard Road Interchange website for updates. 

Help Keep AASD Students Warm This Winter

We are collecting new winter items to support our students in need. The collection will run from December 11 - February 28, 2025, with donations accepted on school days between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. at the Welcome Center, Family and Community Engagement Office, (2701 N. Oneida Street, Appleton). Items needed include gloves, boots, shoes, warm hats, headbands, coats, jackets, snow pants, and warm or heavy-duty socks. Please consider donating waterproof and warm items to help our students stay comfortable during the cold winter. If you have any questions, please contact Julie Bargholtz. Thank you for your generosity and support! Learn more.

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 well and are participating in usual day-to-day activities. Learn more about if your child is well enough to attend school 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 your child’s 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 more than 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. Learn more here.

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. The selection of educational materials is delegated to the professionally trained and certified personnel employed by the school system. The responsibility for coordinating and maintaining qualitative standards in the selection process rests with the Assessment, Curriculum, and Instruction (ACI) department.

We are currently soliciting feedback on the instructional materials for:

• Middle School Social Studies

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 at any time for a current list of opportunities. 

Miss a Family Communication? Find them all here.