Virtual Backpack
KUSD鈥檚 Virtual Backpack provides an outlet for the district and community organizations to share events, activities and resources with our families in one easy to access location. Materials and/or activities below may not be sponsored by KUSD or its personnel.
Organizations wanting to add an item to the Virtual Backpack must submit a at least one month prior to their event date. All requests must abide by the procedures outlined in Board Policy 1520.
Items that have expired, or that are more than six months old, will be removed to keep this page current. If items are removed, they may be resubmitted in alignment with the procedures above for review/consideration.
Youth Kindness Nominations, Written, or Creative Arts Challenge – Dec. 6 deadline
-posted Dec. 2, 2024
- The Kenosha Coalition for Dismantling Racism has been recognizing and celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for 29 years through various events and programs.
- Winners will be recognized at the 鈥淜indness: A Family Affair鈥 Community Unity Breakfast and awards recognition ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
- Student entries must be submitted at . The deadline for all submissions is Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.
- Questions? Contact Yolanda Jackson-Lewis at yjackson@kusd.edu or 359-6237.
More information:
Books, Spice and Everything Nice! – Dec. 12
-posted Dec. 2, 2024
Join staff from Pleasant Prairie Elementary for an evening of fun, interactive winter-themed crafts and literacy activities for the entire family!
- Books, Spice and Everything Nice!
- Thursday, December 12
- 6:00 p.m.
- Pleasant Prairie Elementary School, 9208 Wilmot Road
Novels & Noshes – Dec. 5
-posted Nov. 15, 2024
Join Somers Elementary and Kenosha Public Library staff for dinner, fun activities, story time, and a bag of library books handpicked for your family! Registration is open through November 25 or until capacity is reached.
- Novels & Noshes
- Thursday, December 5
- 5:30 p.m.
- Somers Elementary School, 1245 72nd Avenue
Hibernate with a Good Book – Dec. 5
-posted Nov. 14, 2024
Join Grant Elementary staff for an evening of cozy, fun literacy activities! Wear your comfiest clothes and bring a blanket to snuggle up for an engaging evening of family reading. A meal will be served, and all families will receive a free book!
- Hibernate with a Good Book
- Thursday, December 5
- 6:00 p.m.
- Grant Elementary School, 1716 35th Street
KUSD Cooks: Gingerbread Goodies! – Dec. 10
-posted Nov. 14, 2024
Join KUSD鈥檚 Chef Kyle Rudin for a fun, interactive gingerbread house-making workshop! This program is open to all ELEMENTARY students and their families!
- KUSD Cooks: Gingerbread Goodies!
- Tuesday, December 10
- 6:00 p.m.
- Brass Community School, 6400 15th Avenue
Salvation Army – Group Ringers Needed
-posted Nov. 1, 2024
The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign is an iconic holiday initiative that dates back to 1891. It involves placing red kettles in public places during the Christmas season to collect donations. The funds raised support year-round services in the community, including sheltering and housing programs, youth services, disaster response, and Christmas assistance.
Visit or contact Jane Kinslee at 262-564-0286. This is a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours this holiday season!
More information:
Mathnasium
-posted Nov. 1, 2024
Mathnasium sessions for students in 1st to 4th grade:
- Elementary school students who can recall their math facts with accuracy, efficiency, and understanding have achieved what we call Numerical Fluency, which is critical to building a strong foundation for math success.
- Our proven curriculum teaches them to think critically, taking them beyond strict memorization of facts.
- This is a launchpad to more advanced skills, as they learn to rely on their brain power rather than inefficient techniques such as finger counting
- This new knowledge will give them the confidence to tackle what comes next in higher grades
More information:
Vaccines for Children Program
-posted Sept. 19, 2024
Kenosha County Public Health – Job Center Clinic offers free vaccines to eligible children thanks to the Vaccines for Children Program. Call our clinic to find out if your child is eligible (262) 605-6770. Se Habla Espa帽ol.
La Cl铆nica de Salud P煤blica del Condado de Kenosha – Centro de Trabajo (Job Center) ofrece vacunas gratis para ni帽os elegibles gracias al Programa de Vacunas para Ni帽os. Llame a nuestra cl铆nica para saber si su hijo/a es elegible. (262) 605-6770. Se Habla Espa帽ol.
More information: Childhood Immunizations flyer – English & Spanish (PDF)
Sparkler App
-posted Sept. 18, 2024
Sparkler is a free mobile app available to Kenosha families that helps parents support their children鈥檚 growth from 0-5. Sparkler is safe and secure and available in English & Spanish.
More information: Sparkler Flyer – English & Spanish (PDF)
Connections grief support group – Oct. through May
-posted Sept. 6, 2024
Held on the third Thursday of each month from October through May, Connections is a Child and Teen bereavement program for students who have experienced loss. This program is open to all children and teens in the community, and is free to attend. Connections support group includes: dinner, separate groups held for parents/guardians and children/teens, and engaging activities designed to educate about the grief process, remember loved ones, allow participants to share at their own comfort levels, and find hope and insight. To learn more and register, please email: bereavement@hospicealliance.org or call (262) 652-4400.
- Third Thursday of Each Month, October through May
- 5pm – 7:45pm
- Hospice Alliance, 10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd, Pleasant Prairie, WI
- Connections flyer – English (PDF)
- Connections flyer – Spanish (PDF)
Free Adult Classes to Learn English
-posted Sept. 4, 2024
Gateway’s offers instruction in reading, vocabulary, writing, grammar, listening and speaking. Classes meet two days a week for six hours per week. Multiple levels of classes are offered.
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You will need a photo ID.
- Students are required to purchase a set of books. Books cost approximately $55 (subject to change without notice).
- Before attending classes you must first complete a 2-day orientation session in which you will learn about Gateway, learn your English level, and register for classes.
- Go to Student Services at one of the main campuses to register.
- Summer semester: May-June
- Fall semester: September-December
- Spring semester: January-April
- Gateway ELL flyer – English and Spanish (PDF)
Kenosha Literacy Council – Classes for Adults
-posted Sept. 4, 2024
Learn English. Get your GED. Many Kenosha Literacy Council students have reached their goals. You can too! At the Kenosha Literacy Council, adult learners are improving their reading, writing, and English language skills. KLC students are adults who come from all walks of life and have different reasons for becoming students. The Kenosha Literacy Council offers tutoring and group classes.
- Drop-in Tutoring: Tutoring is held at the KLC four days a week to work on reading, writing, and English skills. (Clase de tutor铆a est谩 en la KLC cuatro d铆as a la semana. En esta clase, los estudiantes aprenden a leer, escribir, y hablar ingl茅s.)
- ELL Civics Class: Learn English as you explore important topics like public schools & libraries, health, finance, safety, housing and government. (Aprenda ingl茅s mientras explora temas como la escuela p煤blica, la biblioteca, las finanzas, el cuidado de la salud, la seguridad, el alojamiento, y el gobierno.)
- Citizenship Class: This class prepares learners for the naturalization test and interview. (Esta clase prepara los estudiantes para el proceso de ciudadano.)
- Small Group Classes: These classes give students the opportunity to practice English conversation and vocabulary. Such classes include: Conversation Class, Art Club, Book Club, Adventure Awaits Conversation, Community Connections, Literacy@Work, and Writing Class. (Estas clases ofrecen la oportunidad de practicar conversaci贸n y vocabulario en ingl茅s. Las clases son: Conversation Class, Art Club, Book Club, Adventure Awaits Conversation, Community Connections, Literacy@Work, y Writing Class.)
- Kenosha Literacy Council flyer – English & Spanish (PDF)
Girl Scouts at KSOL
-posted Aug. 23, 2024
- Join Girl Scouts at KSOL and meet new friends!
- Troop meetings are held twice a month on the 2nd & 4th Thursday* of each month (starting September 26, 2024 and ending in May 2025).
- Meetings start at 3:10 PM (after school dismissal) and end at 4:30 PM.
- 2024-2025 Troop Meeting Schedule
- 2024: September 26, October 10, October 24, November 14, December 12
- 2025: January 9, January 23, February 13, March 13, March 27, April 10, May 8, May 22
- More information: Girls Scouts at KSOL flyer (PDF)
Holiday House Coat & Toy Giveaway
-posted Aug. 23, 2024
- 草榴社区 with children can receive FREE Winter Coat, Toy, and Food
- Registration begins August 19
- Event dates:
- Winter Wraps Coat Distribution: October 21-25, 2024
- Christmas Toy & Food Distribution: December 16-20, 2024
- More information: Holiday House flyer (PDF)
Join the KUSD Family – Now Hiring Substitute Teachers
-posted Aug. 14, 2024
WE鈥橰E HIRING! Make an impact today and join our KUSD family by becoming a Substitute Teacher.
- DO YOU:
- Want to help students succeed?
- Have an associate or bachelor鈥檚 degree?
- Enjoy a flexible schedule?
- Apply today or contact subservices@kusd.edu for more information.
Free Coloring Books from the Kenosha Fire Department
-posted March 22, 2024
The KFDiversity and Recruitment Committee invites elementary students to learn about becoming a professional firefighter through the exploration of these fun coloring books available in English and Spanish! Check them out and learn more about this rewarding career opportunity today.