Appleton Area School District families,

We hope you are enjoying a fun, safe, and relaxing summer! Inside this message, you’ll find key information about required annual registration and forms, Meet and Greet events, school supply lists, and meal programs. 

You’ll also find details about student transportation, Extended Day Learning Program opportunities, and free or reduced meal applications. Additional topics include Infinite Campus payment processing updates, ACT 95 eligibility and upcoming events like the Student Attendance Policy Listening Session and the AASD Schools Open House, where you can explore referendum-funded school improvements.

We look forward to welcoming our students back in the fall, ready for new adventures and academic achievements. The first day of school for neighborhood schools for the 2025-26 school year is Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Find next year’s calendar here.

Required Annual Registration

Required annual registration for the 2025-26 school year is open via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. Get started here.

If your family hasn’t already registered your student(s), and you live in the Sandy Slope Elementary attendance area, or have chosen Sandy Slope through school of choice, please complete your student’s registration as soon as possible. On-time registration helps us plan effectively for staffing, class sizes, and the services our students need for a successful school year. This is especially true for Sandy Slope in its first year, as we lack prior enrollment information to inform our decisions.

If you know a family or student who plans to attend Sandy Slope but has not registered or is unaware that registration is required, please encourage them to complete this step. Families not registering could impact all students in staffing, class sizes, and the services our students need to be successful. 

Do you need assistance completing your required annual registration? 

Contact the AASD Welcome Center at (920) 852-5308 to schedule appointments for online registration and interpreter support.

Required Forms to be completed on the Portal

A number of required forms have been pushed to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal for signing.  Please follow the instructions found here to complete these forms before the school year starts.  Additional forms may be required to be completed closer to the start of the school year, based on the courses your student has enrolled. 

**If your high school student is participating in athletics, especially for the fall season, the “2025 AASD CoCurricular Required Forms (HS)” forms need to be completed as soon as possible. Your student will not be able to participate, including in practice, if these forms have not been completed. The final step is a student signature; the process is not complete until the student has signed.

Meet and Greet Events

Date and time information for Meet and Greet events can be found on each school's website calendar and under Our School - Annual Student Registration. We encourage you to attend your school’s Meet and Greet. This is a great way to meet school staff and familiarize yourself with the building and procedures, such as drop-off and pick-up.

If your student will be walking to school, we encourage you to walk to the Meet and Greet to ensure your student knows the best way to safely get to and from school. Check out the City of Appleton’s recommended Safe Routes to School here.

School Supply Lists

School supply lists for the upcoming school year are available. Our goal is to ensure that every student is prepared and ready for a successful year of leading, caring, and contributing. If you have any questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. School supply lists are available here or on your school's website under Families.

Open Positions for the 2025-26 School Year

We are still hiring for the 2025-26 school year! We have a variety of positions open throughout the district and are looking for passionate, dedicated individuals to join our team. If you're ready to make a difference in our students' lives, we invite you to explore our current job openings and apply today.

Student Meals

All neighborhood elementary schools and select charter schools, including Appleton Public Montessori, Classical Charter, Odyssey, Fox River Academy, and Magellan, will have free school breakfasts available during the 2025-2026 school year. We encourage our students to fuel up with breakfast at no cost to families.

In June 2025, the AASD re-applied for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program for the upcoming school year.  Approval of this application would allow us to provide a healthy breakfast and lunch for students at no charge for all schools that previously participated: Appleton Bilingual School, Badger, Dunlap, Edison, Foster, Franklin, Highlands, Horizons, Jefferson, Johnston, McKinley, Richmond, Kaleidoscope Academy, Madison Middle, Wilson Middle, and West High School. 

We anticipate receiving a decision about the CEP program application in August. Pending approval through the USDA, enrolled students of these schools would be able to participate in the no-cost breakfast and lunch programs without having to pay a fee.

• Meal prices for the 2025-26 school year have been updated. Pricing information and instructions on adding funds can be found here.
• View our School Meal Account policy here.

Free or Reduced Meal Applications

For the 2025-26 school year, if you think your family may qualify for Free or Reduced meals or you aren’t sure, we encourage you to fill out the Free or Reduced meal application. Forms can also be completed online through the Parent Portal. When logging into the Portal, the Free or Reduced Meal Benefits Application is available on the center panel under "Meal Benefits.”

We encourage the annual submission of meal applications from households with a student participating in the CEP; however, receipt of free breakfast and lunch meals does not depend on returning them. Other waivers and benefits still require the completion of the alternative meal application.

Families who directly qualify for meal benefits will be notified by the end of July. If you do not receive a meal benefit letter stating that your family is eligible for free school meals, it is recommended that you complete and submit the Meal Benefit Application for us to process.  We will notify families of their eligibility once the application is processed via USPS.

Only one application is needed per household. If you do not fill out a Free and Reduced form for the 2025-2026 school year, but you qualify, it may impact other benefits that can come along with a completed meal application. 

Families may apply or reapply at any time during the school year. For example, children with a parent or guardian who becomes unemployed or experiences financial hardship may become eligible for free and reduced-price meals if the household income drops below the income limit. Have questions? Please call the Food Service office at (920) 852-5314 ext. 62065 or email foodservice@aasd.k12.wi.us; they are happy to help!

Changes to Infinite Campus Payment Processing – Effective July 23, 2025

Infinite Campus is implementing a system update and transitioning to a new payment processing provider. As a result, changes to electronic payment processing fees will take effect on July 23, 2025.

We understand this change may require some adjustment. However, we are pleased to offer a more cost-effective option for families. Beginning July 23, 2025:

• E-check transactions will incur a reduced fee of $0.50 per transaction (previously $2.00).
• Credit/debit card payments (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) will incur a 3.75% fee of the total transaction amount.

As part of the transition, all previously saved payment methods (both cards and bank accounts) will be deleted. Users will need to re-enter their preferred payment methods after the update. This step enhances the security of your financial information. In addition, any recurring payments currently set up will need to be re-established. This is a one-time setup, and there is no fee to do so.

Please note that cash and check payments will continue to be accepted at your school with no additional fees. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to provide more secure and affordable payment options.

Transportation

The AASD will again provide transportation to and from school for students who qualify. If your student qualifies and wishes to accept transportation, please read the AASD’s Student Transportation Services and Policies, complete the transportation services agreement, and return the agreement to your student’s bus driver within the first two weeks after transportation services begin. Find more information here. 

If you have questions about bus eligibility, routes, times, or stop locations, please contact Lamers Bus Lines at (920) 832-8800, extension 2. Routing information will be available closer to the start of the school year through the Parent Portal. When logged into the Parent Portal, please click on the menu on the left side, then click More. Click on the Transportation tab and select the appropriate student on the right side if needed. The screen will refresh when you change students.

ACT 95

ACT 95 or The Wisconsin Guarantee automatically qualifies students in the top 10% of their graduating class for entry into the University of Wisconsin schools, except UW-Madison. Students who are in the top 5% of their class qualify for UW-Madison. The top 5% and 10% rankings are effective as of July 31, 2025, for the purpose of The Wisconsin Guarantee. Students who qualify must apply by the appropriate deadline. Please have your student check their school assigned email on August 1, 2025, to see if they qualify. Only students who qualify will receive an email. Families are responsible for completing applications to the school of their choice. To learn more, visit the Academics portion of our website.  

Public Listening Session on Student Attendance Policy Initiative Planned for August 4, 2025

The AASD and the City of Appleton invite families and community members to participate in a public listening session on the AASD–City of Appleton Student Attendance Policy Initiative on Monday, August 4, 2025, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. in the Mary Beth Nienhaus Community Meeting Room A/B at the Appleton Public Library, 200 N Appleton Street. This session is part of our ongoing efforts to address and improve high school student attendance in collaboration with the City of Appleton. Learn more here.

AASD Invites Community to Explore Referendum-Funded School Improvements on August 20

The AASD is inviting the public to tour selected schools on Wednesday, August 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, to see firsthand how the community’s support of the 2022 referendum has transformed learning environments across the district.

Community members can visit up to 12 school buildings improved or built through the 2022 referendum at the AASD Schools Open House. Community members, families, staff, and students are invited to stop in, explore the facilities, and connect with school leaders who will be available to answer questions and share highlights. Learn more here.

Save the Date for Sandy Slope Elementary’s Ribbon-Cutting

Please join us for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for Sandy Slope Elementary School, the first new school built in the Appleton Area School District in over 30 years, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at 2625 E. Edgewood Drive. Our district believes in the value of neighborhood elementary schools, and we are incredibly excited to be adding a school to this neighborhood. 

Extended Day Learning Opportunities

The AASD offers high-quality, sustainable out-of-school time learning opportunities and programming for students. These programs are provided through partnerships with the Appleton YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley (BGC). Site coordinators are located at each school to create vital links between the students' school hours and non-school hours. 

When severe weather strikes and our schools are closed, our partners at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley and the 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.

When there isn't school due to Staff Professional Development or during our winter and spring breaks, our partners can help. Boys & Girls Club registration for general no-school days opened on July 21, 2025, with winter and spring break registrations opening later in the school year. YMCA of the Fox Cities registration for these days opens on August 4, 2025. Learn more here.

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.