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Appleton Area School District families,

It’s been a great start to the year! Whether this is your first year in the AASD or you are a returning family, thank you so much for choosing our District for the education of your student(s)! 

This month’s update is full of opportunities, reminders, and important information to help your family stay connected and prepared. From upcoming events like the Fox Valley Tough Kid Challenge and Sensory-Friendly Trunk or Treat to community conversations about district finances, there’s a lot happening this fall!

We’re proud to highlight new inclusive programs for students with disabilities, including the Arts League and Adapted Sports League, where students can explore creativity, build confidence, and participate in competitive athletics. You’ll also find updates on student safety, from partnerships with local law enforcement to traffic tips during drop-off and pick-up, as well as resources for bullying prevention through the SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT system.

Families can also review important reminders about Free and Reduced Meals, instructional materials feedback, college credit programs, AI resources for safe learning, immunizations, and attendance support. Plus, we’re sharing ways to get involved—whether that’s joining our team, participating in community opportunities, or contributing input on district decisions.

Important Upcoming Dates (Find our yearly calendar here.)

• Monday, September 29, 2025: No school for AASD neighborhood schools
  • Charter schools and Appleton Central programs may follow their own calendars; please refer to your school or program calendar.
• Saturday, October 4, 2025: Fox Valley Tough Kid Challenge
• Thursday, October 23, 2025: Sensory-Friendly Trunk or Treat organized by the AASD Special Education Parent Advisory Council 

Invitation to Community Conversations on District Finances

The AASD will be hosting two upcoming Community Conversations on District Finances. These sessions will provide families and community members with an opportunity to learn more about the District’s budget, financial challenges, and future planning. Both sessions will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be located at the AASD Welcome Center, 2701 N. Oneida St, Suite C1, Appleton. Free parking is available in front of the Welcome Center. Space is limited; please RSVP below.

• Thursday, October 2, 2025  - RSVP
• Tuesday, October 7, 2025 - RSVP

We encourage families to attend one of these sessions to hear directly from district leaders, ask questions, and share input. Your feedback is an important part of our decision-making process as we continue to ensure that resources support student success.

Inclusive Opportunities for the 2025-26 School Year

• Arts League: New for this year: after-school Arts League invites students in grades 6–12 with disabilities to explore the arts in a supportive, non-competitive setting. Students can participate in dance, theater, visual arts, and more — building creativity, confidence, and community in a welcoming environment. 
• Adapted Sports League: The ASL gives students in grades 9–12 with disabilities the chance to compete as part of high school varsity athletics. Athletes will participate in indoor soccer, floor hockey, and wiffleball while developing leadership, sportsmanship, teamwork, and character. 

AASD Seeks Partnership with City of Appleton to Improve Attendance

On September 24, the Appleton Common Council’s Safety and Licensing Committee voted 3–2 to advance a resolution adopting an attendance ordinance to the full Common Council. The resolution will go before the Council for a final vote on Wednesday, October 1, at 7:00 p.m.

The AASD has been involved in this process since March, with multiple presentations to the Common Council and the Safety and Licensing Committee, and a community listening session in early August to gather feedback from families and community members.

A truancy citation would be used only as a last resort, after all available supports—like counseling, transportation assistance, or family outreach—have been offered. It is not automatic; the ordinance would simply provide an additional tool to help students who struggle with attendance.

Missing 50 or more days in a school year can seriously impact learning and graduation. 97% of the school districts in Wisconsin have a truancy ordinance to support student attendance.  Because Appleton has not since 2019, we have been asking for the City’s support in helping students attend school consistently. Find our frequently asked questions here and learn more about how the AASD supports student attendance.

Local Law Enforcement and the AASD: Partners In School Safety

We’ve had Appleton Area Police Department and Grand Chute Police Department School Resource Officers (SROs) in our schools for over 40 years, providing support and safety to our schools and students. Today, 13 SROs and 1 SRO supervisor serve across our 27 schools, playing an integral role in building strong, secure school environments.

Our commitment to school safety is reflected in our continuous improvement of safety practices and procedures. Every year, each school updates its Entrance Control Plan, Evacuation Plan, and Emergency Management Team roster. In addition, staff receive annual training on these plans, including simulations of critical response scenarios led by our SROs. Students also participate in safety drills throughout the year, ensuring preparedness at all times.

Thanks to funding from referendums in 2014 and 2022, we’ve enhanced security at our school entrances by relocating main offices to the front of the buildings, creating a single point of entry for visitors to ensure better monitoring. 

We also know that creating a safe and welcoming environment depends on strong relationships between students and staff. Our K-8 Second Step curriculum, Sources of Strength programming for middle and high schools, and the support of school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and all school staff promote social-emotional learning and help foster a positive school climate. We use data from the fall and spring Panorama surveys to track our progress, which measure student well-being and their sense of belonging.

The safety of our students and peace of mind for our families are top priorities for AASD. Our goal is to maintain a balance between securing our schools and creating an inclusive, caring environment where students, staff, families, and community members feel welcome.

Student And School Safety

Weather events, fire, accidents, intruders, and other threats to student safety are scenarios that are planned and trained for by students, teachers, staff, and administration. The AASD utilizes the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) to respond to security incidents and emergencies. 

The SRP Parent Handout (English - Spanish) explains the five actions and the responsibilities of teachers and students. Each protocol has specific staff and student actions that are unique to the action ("Hold", "Secure," "Lockdown," "Evacuate," and "Shelter"). In the event of an emergency, the action and appropriate direction will be announced. Students and staff will be trained, and the school will drill these actions over the course of the school year.

Speak Up Speak Out Bully and Incident Reporting

The AASD utilizes SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT (SUSO), a 24/7 comprehensive bullying and incident reporting system. Students, families, school staff, and community members can submit a school safety concern by downloading the SUSO app, submitting a tip online, or calling 1-800-MY-SUSO-1. We recommend typing in "AASD" into the search field to see all AASD schools.

Resource Center staff work around the clock to respond to reports and deploy a response locally by communicating directly with school administrators, law enforcement, and counselors. This system will be used to identify not just threats to schools, but also other daily safety concerns students encounter, such as bullying, drug use, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, and more. We encourage you to talk to your students about sharing their safety concerns with a trusted adult or using the confidential SUSO system. 

Safe School Traffic Tips

As the new school year begins, it's essential to revisit the importance of patience and safety during school drop-off and pick-up hours. Increased traffic around our schools—especially during drop-off and pick-up times creates congestion that, as you know, is most noticeable during the first few weeks as students return and families adjust to new routines. Please be extremely patient, and remember to put the safety of all students first.

Drop-off Tips

• Carpool when possible – fewer cars means smoother traffic flow.
• Arrive a little earlier or later – staggering arrival times reduces the rush.
• Use designated drop-off zones – avoid stopping in crosswalks, bus lanes, or along the curb outside of marked areas.
• Have kids ready to go – backpacks, coats, and goodbyes done before you reach the drop-off point.
• Pull forward – don’t stop right at the front; keep moving so more cars can unload safely.
• Keep drop-off quick – stay in the car, let your child exit promptly, then continue driving.
• Follow staff directions – they’re there to keep things safe and efficient.
• Encourage walking or biking – if safe and possible.

We all share the goal of ensuring our students' well-being, and by following a few simple guidelines, we can contribute to a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone. Learn more.

Free or Reduced Carry-Over Status Ends October 15, 2025  

AASD families approved automatically or through an application for Free or Reduced Meals for the 2024-25 school year, we want to remind you that carry-over status, which allows families time at the start of the school year to submit a new annual application, will expire on Wednesday, October 15, 2025.  

All families without a current and completed Free or Reduced application will revert to full pay for meals on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Please submit your completed Free or Reduced application to determine eligibility for meals for the remainder of this school year. 

If you think your family may qualify for Free or Reduced meals, or you aren’t sure, we encourage you to annually complete the Free and Reduced meal application online through the Parent Portal. When logging into the Portal, the Free and Reduced Meal Benefits Application is available on the center panel under "Meal Benefits.” Only one application is needed per household. 

Please note that families with students who attend a CEP School (Community Eligibility Program) will continue to receive meals at no cost. Families are still encouraged to submit free or reduced meal applications each year. While CEP meals do not require an application, other waivers and benefits do. 

Please remember to add money to your meal account if you have not applied for the current year. If you have questions, please email the Food Service staff at foodservice@aasd.k12.wi.us or by phone at (920) 852-5314.

REMINDER: Meal benefits apply only to the reimbursable meal. The reimbursable meal includes milk as one of the required components and must be priced as a unit. If the student decides to take only milk, this is not a reimbursable meal, and the meal account will be charged for the milk as an à la carte item. 

Are you ready for the Tough Kid Challenge?

The Fox Valley Tough Kid Challenge (TKC) is not your average Saturday morning – it's a thrill-packed obstacle course extravaganza and a super-fun fundraiser for the AASD's physical education department! Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 4, 2025, starting at 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Highlands Elementary School, 2037 North Elinor Street, Appleton.

Kids between the ages of 5 and 13 can conquer a 1.55-mile course filled with 30 mind-boggling obstacles that'll test agility and strength. But wait, there's more! This year, we've thrown in some wild new twists and turns to keep you on your toes! Learn more about the TKC and register 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. We are currently soliciting feedback on the instructional materials for:

• Secondary 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.

Elementary Counselors Introduce “Sources of Strength” to Build Lifelong Skills

Elementary school counselors teach life-long skills in classrooms in Kindergarten through grade 5.  They have been working to revise their lessons and are pleased to share information about a new resource they will be using to teach students. Find more information here about Sources of Strength for elementary students.

A New Resource Available to AASD Students

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already part of everyday life—almost 9 out of 10 students say they use it in some way. In the future, using AI will likely be as common as sending an email, searching online, or using a computer.

In the AASD, we believe it’s important for schools and families to work together to help students learn how to use AI safely and responsibly. AI is always changing, so we want to give students safe opportunities to learn and practice. That’s why students will soon have access to MagicSchool, a platform designed for education. MagicSchool ensures AI is used responsibly, with strong privacy protections, teacher oversight, and filters that keep the focus on learning. Student safety and privacy come first—your child’s information will never be used to train AI.

Over the next several years, AASD will continue to learn about AI, train staff, and provide meaningful opportunities for students to explore how to use it effectively. As a district, we have created guidance for families about how AI can be a helpful tool in your student’s education. Our goal is to use AI thoughtfully to support your students’ growth while maintaining strong teacher-student relationships and ensuring privacy and safety. 

Free Student Rides via Valley Transit Now Require WisGO

We want to share an important update about student transportation with Valley Transit. Beginning this school year, Valley Transit is transitioning to a new fare collection system. While AASD middle and high school students will continue to ride Valley Transit buses for free, student ID cards will no longer be accepted as fare. To ride for free, students must now use either the WisGO card or the WisGO mobile app. Students will choose one method only—either the card or the app—not both. Learn more about getting started here.

Attendance

The AASD is committed to partnering and communicating with families to support student attendance. Even as your students grow older and more independent, our families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day, and understanding why attendance is so important for success in school and life. 

• Missing 10% of school days, or about 2 days per month, can make it harder for students to learn to read. 
• By 6th grade, absenteeism is a sign that a student may drop out of high school. It can happen slowly, and you may not notice; however, students can fall behind by missing just 1-2 days every few weeks. 

What can our families do to partner with us on this? Set a regular schedule for bedtime and morning routine. Be prepared - gather everything you need for school the night before (clothes, backpack, lunch, etc.). Have a backup plan for getting to school if something comes up. Call on a family member, neighbor, or another parent. Try to schedule medical appointments and vacations when school is not in session. Arrive at school early enough so that students can be in their first class on time.

Attending school regularly helps students feel better about school and themselves. Starting this habit early in your child’s school career can help them understand that going to school on time, every day, is important. Eventually, good attendance will be a skill that will help them succeed in high school and college. 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 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.

Suicide Awareness 

The mental health of our students allows them to have healthy relationships, make good life choices, maintain physical health and well-being, handle the natural ups and downs of life, and discover and grow toward their potential. The AASD understands the importance of maintaining and supporting the mental health of our students. Find suicide prevention resources here.

Reminders:

NEW for the 2025-26 School Year: Signing of Required Documents

Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, we will be using the Infinite Campus Portal to collect signatures (parent/guardian and student) on required documents. These documents include:

• AASD Student Chromebook Handbook (grades K-12)
• Consent for Student Use of Google Services (grades K-12)
• Science and Technology Education Safety Contracts (grades 6-12, for students enrolled in applicable courses)
• High School Co-Curricular Forms (grades 9-12, to be completed by students participating in co-curriculars)

In order to access these forms, you will navigate to the Infinite Campus Portal. Some forms will be available now, and others will be available as needed throughout the school year. You will be notified throughout the school year when new forms are sent to the Portal for completion. Please see the following instructions on how to complete these required forms: video, slides, and written instructions.

Join the AASD

In the Appleton Area School District, we believe it takes a caring community to help our students thrive, and we’d love for you to be a part of it. We’re hiring for the 2025–26 school year, and this is your chance to join a team that supports one another while making a difference every single day.

We have openings for educators, paraprofessionals, and substitutes, and each role plays an important part in creating a safe, welcoming, and inspiring place for our students to learn and grow. If this sounds like a good fit for you, or for someone you know, we encourage you to explore our current openings. Please help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with friends, neighbors, or family members who may be interested in joining our AASD family.

Immunization Information

Per Wisconsin law, students are required to be fully immunized or have a signed waiver on file. The state of Wisconsin requires school districts with less than a 99% overall compliance rate in the previous school year to exclude all students who are not in compliance with immunization law (Wis. Stat. sec. 252.04(5)(b)3). There are additional immunization requirements for incoming Kindergarten and grade 7 students. If your child has received immunizations from out of state, please provide a hard copy of your student's immunization record to the school office, if you have not already done so. 

If your child has not yet received the appropriate immunizations, please schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider or the City of Appleton Health Department/Outagamie County Health Department before September. Please click here for 2025-26 updated immunization information.

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.