Wisconsin Education NewsSeptember 4, 2025A daily update of education news and events that are taking place around Wisconsin. Nominate an Outstanding School Leader! Governor stops by School District of Crandon as part of 'Back to School'tour The Governor’s annual back-to-school tour stopped in Crandon Wednesday. In a message recorded at the start of the tour, Governor Tony Evers told educators back-to-school is his favorite time of year. “Each new school year is filled with new opportunities for students and educators alike to grow, learn, and inspire,” said Evers. In the 608: Back-to-school week for Waunakee Community School District WAUNAKEE, Wis. -- It's Back-to-School Week on News 3 Now as teachers and students return to the classroom for the 2025-26 school year. News 3 Now This Morning visited Waunakee High School on Thursday morning, where Superintendent Dr. Monica Kelsey-Brown stopped by to speak to our Josh Spreiter. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development has awarded nearly $1 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward grants to 19 school districts throughout the state. One of those schools is the Campbellsport School District here in Fond du Lac County who will receive $100,000. De Pere students enjoy benefits of November referendum DE PERE, Wis. (WBAY) - With class now back in session, students and staff in the Unified School District of De Pere can appreciate major upgrades to several buildings. Voters approved a $22 million referendum last November to pay for renovations. Open houses give Pulaski community the chance to see renovations at 2 elementary schools PULASKI (WLUK) -- The Pulaski Community School District is hosting open houses and ribbon cuttings to show off major renovations at two elementary schools. Wednesday's event took place at Sunnyside Elementary School. Another celebration will be held Thursday at Hillcrest Elementary School. MMSD 'weighs in' about why they stuck with unweighted GPA system for high schoolers MADISON, Wis. — The Madison Metropolitan School District will keep its current unweighted grade point average system for high school students. A refresher, "weighing" a grade would mean making an "A" in an Advanced Placement or AP class count for 4.5 or 5.0 points instead of 4, and so on. Random Lake School District Awarded Equipment Grants from Wisconsin DWD The School District of Random Lake will have $60,000 to spend on industrial equipment thanks to the Wisconsin Fast Forward grant program. The Department of Workforce Development grant issued nearly $1 million in all to 19 school districts in order to expand career pathway options by upgrading technical education training equipment and facilities. DWD Awards Nearly $1 Million in Equipment Grants to 19 School Districts MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has awarded $998,114 in Wisconsin Fast Forward grants to 19 school districts throughout the state. The Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Equipment grants will benefit 4,223 students and help address the state’s skilled workforce shortage by supporting schools as they prepare students for quality jobs. New 'net-zero' Menasha middle school building opens in time for first day of school On the first day of school Sept. 2, Menasha-area students and teachers started their year with a new Maplewood Middle School building. While building the new school was on a "tight timeline," it was completed on time for the school year to begin, said Brian Adesso, director of business services for Menasha Joint School District. Renovated S.C. Johnson Elementary ready for students A new elementary school in Appleton aims to make immersing children in Hmong language and culture key to its educational mission. The Hmong American Immersion School opened its doors for the first time for students Tuesday. The school is housed in the existing Johnston Elementary School. MaiKou Heu is principal of both Johnston Elementary School and the new Hmong American Immersion School. She told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” that the school has been six years in the making. MMSD students return to class with focus on engagement and attendance MADISON, Wis. (WKOW) — About 26,000 students returned to Madison Metropolitan School District classrooms Wednesday as Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard and staff look ahead to the new school year. More than 3,400 students participated in summer programs, and Gothard said MMSD is setting high expectations for achievement in the year ahead. Two Rivers Public Schools Launches Phone App If anyone needs information from Two Rivers public schools, there’s now an app for that. Two Rivers Public Schools has launched a new app that provides parents, students, and faculty members with all the information about the district. BUILDING BLOCKS: Kraus-Anderson completes athletic facility for Amery High School PROJECT SIGNIFICANCE: Kraus-Anderson completed new athletic facilities at Amery High School, including a new turf football and soccer fields, as part of a $43.5 million referendum passed in 2022. The referendum also kicked off separate projects at Amery Lien Elementary and Amery High School. Altoona Hosts Governor Tony Evers for Back to School Visit ALTOONA, Wis. (WCFW) – Altoona Elementary School hosted a visit from Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Tuesday as part of his statewide back to school tour. District officials began the visit with a presentation on how they’ve improved student achievement over the last five years. They attributed that success to lower staff turnover rates and their efforts to improve outcomes for students with special needs. Gov. Tony Evers fields questions about state budget, his age and car at Green Bay elementary Beaumont Elementary students got a surprise on their second day of school. Not a pizza party, not a long recess, but a visit from Wisconsin’s governor. Gov. Tony Evers visited Green Bay’s Beaumont Elementary on Sept. 3, its second day of school, as part of a back-to-school tour highlighting the state budget. He popped into classrooms, answered students’ questions and highlighted points of pride in the state budget, like increased funding for special education and child care. School officials celebrate increase to special education reimbursement, say more needs to be done LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Although many Wisconsin educators were disappointed with the state biennial budget passed this summer, they say an increased investment in special education is a silver lining. Public schools are mandated through federal law to provide services to meet the unique needs of their students. SASD Enjoys First Day of School with Three More New Principals Yesterday marked the first day of school for students in the Sheboygan Area School District, but it was also the first day in a new role for three faculty members. The district has shared that Cleveland Elementary School, Urban Middle School, and Sheboygan North High School are all under the leadership of new principals. Stoughton school board updates policies for 2025-26 With the start of the school year comes updates to the policy manual that Stoughton Area School District Board of Education members outlined at their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 2. One of the policy updates is to the policy that relates to tobacco and nicotine usage by students. The revisions to this policy are offered in consultation with representatives from the American Lung Association to provide options for incorporating cessation programs into the student intervention process rather than using strictly punitive measures. Augusta, Durand and Elk Mound among school districts receiving DWD grants for equipment MADISON, Wis. (WQOW) – Nineteen school districts across Wisconsin have been awarded a total of nearly $1 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants to address the state's skilled workforce shortage. Sparta, Campbellsport among school districts receiving DWD grants for equipment MADISON, Wis. (WXOW) – Nineteen school districts across Wisconsin have been awarded a total of nearly $1 million in Wisconsin Fast Forward Grants to address the state's skilled workforce shortage. D.C. Everest Senior High upgrades theater during the summer WESTON, Wis. (WSAW) - Students are back to school this week, and at D.C. Everest Senior High School, they will be back with an improved theater. Work to upgrade the existing theater began in mid-May and was completed a couple of weeks ago before students returned. The new upgrades include new carpeting, audio upgrades, LED lights, paint, and so much more. In the 608: Josh stops by the Middleton H.S. Girls Swim & Dive Team practice MIDDLETON, Wis. -- Well, it's official: Summer is over for kids across Wisconsin. Many students returned to the classroom this week for the brand new school year. The Middleton Cross Plains Area School District is excited to have students and staff filling the buildings once again. News 3 Now This Morning stopped by Middleton High School Wednesday morning to visit with the Girls Swim & Dive Team. Local school district adapts AI policies as students embrace new technology MIDDLETON, Wis. — The Middleton Cross Plains Area School District has developed a tiered approach to artificial intelligence in classrooms as students increasingly turn to tools like ChatGPT for academic work. Brian Miles, Technology Services Director for the district, said students began exploring AI capabilities immediately after ChatGPT gained widespread attention. Virtual school begins new year with full enrollment WAUSAU, Wis. (WSAW) - Wisconsin has over 60 virtual charter schools. This year, an online school based in Merrill is starting off the year with full enrollment. When Bridges Virtual Academy opened in 2012, they planned to teach about 75 students from across the state, but they ended up with more. Brown County volunteers help boost student reading skills despite challenges In Brown County, adults can volunteer as reading coaches for children in kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms in the Pulaski, Green Bay and De Pere school districts. West Bend high school seniors embrace final year with leadership roles and new clubs WEST BEND, Wis. — Both East and West high schools are back in the classroom in West Bend, with seniors already saying there’s a sense of nostalgia as they start their final year. “We are ready, prepared and excited to get these halls filled again,” Executive Principal Jennifer Potter said. “I think we have some really awesome opportunities for kids this year. We’ve expanded our clubs and co-curriculars. Our athletics were out yesterday showing all of the great ways for kids to participate both in and out of school.” New Ambassadors Join Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom Team Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) has announced the 2025-2026 Educator Ambassador Team, a group of seven dedicated educators who will play a vital role in expanding agricultural literacy across the state. These ambassadors will share innovative teaching practices, support professional development, and advise on program resources to help Wisconsin teachers incorporate agriculture into their classrooms.
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