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Superintendent Update

Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, WUSD Superintendent

SuperintendentUpdateDr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, WUSD Superintendent

January 2023 In Review

Whitewater High School to Offer Dual-Credit Courses with Gateway Technical College

Starting next school year, Whitewater High School students will be able to get a jump start on earning college credits thanks to a new series of transcripted courses available through Gateway Technical College.


The partnership will allow students to take college-level classes on early childhood education, introduction to business, software academy, advanced automotive care, and enterprise manufacturing. The WUSD School Board approved the courses at its December 19 meeting.


“We are thrilled to engage in this partnership with Gateway Technical College and give our students the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit without leaving Whitewater High School,” said Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty, Superintendent. “These programs will help students reduce the cost of their college education and give them the skills necessary to enter high-demand jobs shortly after graduation.”


Through the one-semester Foundations of Early Childhood, students explore key concepts in child guidance, discipline, lesson planning, and fostering creativity. They also hear from guest speakers and observe children in a daycare setting.


Intro to Business introduces students to various business topics and other high school business course offerings, such as Accounting, Business Law, Entrepreneurship, Personal Finance, and Sales & Marketing. In Software Academy students will have the opportunity to earn the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification, which is globally recognized for demonstrating Microsoft Office skills and meeting the workplace demand for qualified employees.


Also available is Health, Safety, and Nutrition, another early childhood-focused course that includes various training sessions that allow students to become state certified as assistant childcare teachers.


Advanced Auto is a full-year course that familiarizes students with the various systems of motor vehicles and includes ASC certifications for students who want to pursue automotive-related careers.


The one-semester Manufacturing Enterprise class enables students to research, design, build, market and sell products, with the ultimate goal of making a profit. This includes quoting jobs, ordering materials, building products, quality control, and marketing.


The transcripted classes will be taught by certified high school teachers, with students earning high school and college credits concurrently. To learn more about the program, visit https://www.gtc.edu/admissions/audience/high-school-students/earn-college-credit-high-school.

Jerry Awards

A big CONGRATULATIONS goes out to the WHS Players, who have received 14 Jerry Award nominations for their fall 2022 production of “Beauty and the Beast!” 🎭


Cast members nominated include Skyler Staebler, Josh Kirley, Brooke Mason, Ava Van Daele, Anderson Waelchli, Ben McCulloch, and Mel Prince.


Nominees on the production team are Jim McCulloch, Liz Elliott, Taytum Adkins, Karen McCulloch, Bobbi Wedl, Alejandra Diaz-Gallegos, Alexandra Cansino-Pena, Claire Tourdot, Maddsion LaHaie, and Remington Van Daele.


WHS also received a nomination for Outstanding Orchestra!


The awards program encourages, recognizes and honors excellence in high school musical theater throughout Wisconsin. Educators and industry professionals review productions at more than 85 high schools in 30 counties statewide.


We’re incredibly proud of our talented and hard-working students. Bravo!

Whippet All Academic Teams - 1st Semester

The 1st semester just ended which means it's time to announce our Fall Whippet All Academic Teams!! To qualify for the award, the team must earn a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher for the 1st semester. The following teams earned the honor and a placard of their accomplishment will be hung in the athletic hallway. Congratulations to the following teams on their academic excellence!! #1Family #TheStandard


Boys Cross Country: 3.89

Varsity Volleyball: 3.81

Girls Cross Country: 3.75

Girls Swimming: 3.62

JV1 Volleyball: 3.56

Positive Happenings

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Crossing Guard & Bus Driver Appreciation Breakfast

On January 12, the School Board and District Leadership Team held a breakfast to recognize the Crossing Guards and Bus Drivers.


  • Crossing Guard Appreciation Week - January 9-13, 2023
  • Bus Driver Appreciation Week - February 13-17, 2023


The District is incredibly grateful for their efforts to keep our students safe while traveling to and from school and events each day.

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WUSD Set Spring Primary

Twelve candidates have filed the paperwork to run for the three seats up for election on the WUSD School Board this spring. There will be both a primary election and a general election.


The six candidates receiving the most votes in the February 21 primary will appear on the ballot for the April 4 spring general election.

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WHS Stock Market Challenge

Congratulations to our WHS students for their 7th place finish in the Stock Market Challenge for the first semester!


The team of Josh Kirley, Ben McCulloch, CJ Tomomitsu, and Nick Weirich finished the 10-week competition with a 17.95% return! Over 300 high school teams participated statewide.

Educators of the Month

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Lakeview Elementary

  • Since returning from holiday break, Lakeview students are back at work! 5th grade band had a wonderful performance at Pepapalooza at the High School.
  • Lakeview Kindergarten started their first unit of Project Lead the Way and are exploring the engineering design process through various experiments and activities.

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Lincoln Elementary

  • Lincoln Pandas had a great Winter Sing concert on Wednesday, January 4. Students were able to showcase their talents by singing in multiple languages and playing instruments for their families.
  • In December our talented 5th grade choir students performed on stage for the Nutcracker at UWW and also performed at the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association All-State Children’s choir on Saturday, January 14 at Lawrence University.
  • Planning is underway to complete the mosaic mural in the courtyard thanks to the generous financial support of our Family Teacher Partnership.

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Washington Elementary

  • Washington’s 4th and 5th graders participated in our 2023 Spelling Bee on Tuesday, January 17. 31 students enjoyed the opportunity hosted by Mrs. Meier and Mrs. Troxel. Gio Vidales was the Spelling Bee champion with Kacie Brummeyer the runner-up. Congrats to both!!
  • Opera for the Young performed The Barber of Seville at Washington on Friday, January 20. 16 4th grade students joined the professional actors for the performance. A good time was had by all!

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Whitewater Middle School


  • The student council has planned this year's Winterfest for the week of January 30th - February 3rd. Themes for the week include: Pajama Day, Decade Day, Tropical Vacation Day, Southern Vacation Day, and Superbowl Vacation Day. Along with the dress-up days there will be fun activities during lunch periods and an Activity Night on Friday from 5:30-7:30pm.
  • The students have been working hard on their iReady lessons during Advisory period and have recently taken the mid-year diagnostic test. We are excited to report that all grade levels have shown great growth in both Reading and Math!
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Whitewater High School


  • The team of Josh Kirley, Ben McCulloch, CJ Tomomitsu, and Nick Weirich finished in 7th place in the 1st Semester Stock Market Challenge. The group finished the 10 week competition with a 17.95% return! 324 Wisconsin High School teams participated in the fall competition.The second semester competition will run from February 13-April 21st and all WHS students are eligible to participate. A big THANK YOU to Premier Bank for sponsoring the 1st semester teams!
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Whitewater High School (continued)


  • Maddison LaHaie has been chosen by the faculty at Whitewater High School to attend the Wisconsin Leadership Seminar at Carroll University in Waukesha June 9 - 11, 2023. Maddison will participate in team-building activities, hear motivational speakers and participate in small group discussions designed to develop additional leadership skills in sophomores across the state of Wisconsin.
  • Congratulations to Skylar Staebler for being selected to the 2023 Senate Scholar Program. Students will engage in a variety of experiences during her stay in the program including attending floor debates in the Senate Chamber, committee hearings, and seminars conducted by individuals involved in the legislative process. Thank you to the Whitewater American Legion Post 173 for sponsoring Skylar’s trip!
A reminder that the Open Enrollment Regular Application Period for the 2023-2024 School Year is February 6-April 28, 2023. Parents may apply online at https://dpi.wi.gov/oe.

2022-23 School Year Calendar

Upcoming Dates

February 8: High School Parent University 4p-7:30p

February 20: Elementary & Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences 4p-7:30p

February 23: Elementary & Middle School: Half Day & Parent/Teacher Conferences 1p-7:30p: High School - Full Day, No Conferences

February 24: No School

Winter Weather Notice

Links of Interest

Notice of Educational Options 2023
School boards are required by section 118.57 of the state statues to annually publish by January 31, a description of the education options available to the children in the district.