Virtual Backpack
KUSD’s 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 Virtual Backpack request form at least one month prior to their event date. All requests must abide by the procedures outlined in Board Policy 1520. Note: Due to changes in accessibility standards, KUSD will no longer be posting images or PDFs from outside organizations on the Virtual Backpack.
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.
September
KUSD Cooks: Balanced Bites Family Education Program (Sept. 18)
-posted Aug. 25, 2025
Join us for KUSD Cooks: Balanced Bites, hosted by Emily Riedler, KUSD’s Food Services Director and Registered Dietitian, for an evening of food fun! Participants will explore nutritious snack options and basic kitchen skills, such as chopping and preparing vegetables for a delicious and balanced bite! Families in attendance will also receive simple kitchen tools of their very own to take home.
📅 Thursday, September 18
🕑 6-7:00 p.m.
📌 Whittier Elementary, 8542 Cooper Road
📝 Register for Balanced Bites
Fall Fun Fest at Pringle Nature Center (Sept. 20)
-posted Aug. 11, 2025
Pringle Nature Center is hosting our annual Fall Fun Fest Saturday September 20th from 10 AM – 3 PM. This is a family friendly event featuring hayrides, crafts, live animals, and food trucks. Admission is free, and there are small fees from some activities.
Wisconsin Juniors Free Clinic (Sept. 24)
-posted Sept. 8, 2025
- September 24 from 6:30-8 p.m.
- Contact: Casey Neave at wijrs.casey.price@gmail.com
- Register for Wisconsin Juniors Clinic
- Wisconsin Juniors Website
Tremper Cheer and Dance Camp (Sept. 24-26)
-posted Aug. 19, 2025
The Tremper High School Trojanettes and Cheer Team are hosting a Cheer and Dance Camp for students in K–5th grade! Participants will learn fun routines, make new friends, and showcase their spirit during a halftime performance at a football game! 🏈
📍 Ameche Field, 8701 26th Ave.
📅 Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 5–7 p.m.
📅 Thursday, Sept. 25, from 5–7 p.m.
📅 Friday, Sept. 26, from 5:45–7 p.m. (halftime performance date)
🔗 Register for Cheer and Dance Camp
👉 For more info, contact lblise@kusd.edu
Legal Rights of Public School Students and Families re: ICE (Sept. 27)
-posted Aug. 13, 2025
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 320 is partnering with Voces de la Frontera and the Kenosha Education Justice Coalition (KEJC) to provide a hybrid (virtual and in-person) presentation on the legal rights of public school students and families in Kenosha in order to prepare our community for possible encounters with ICE. Our program will also include the following:
- Bilingual Presentation (Spanish and English)
- Community Resources
- Action Steps to Safeguard Students Attending Kenosha’s Public Schools
- Snacks/Refreshments Available to In-Person Attendees
- Q&A Session with an Immigration Attorney from Voces de la frontera
Please register by Friday, September 19. If you will be joining us virtually, a Zoom link will be sent to you via email the day before the presentation.
- Where: Union Club 3030-39th Ave., Room 117, Kenosha or Virtual Zoom
- When: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 12:00-1:30 PM
- Link to Register: https://forms.gle/9xJDxjuXBoujo6tL9
El Consejo 320 de la Liga de Ciudadanos Latinoamericanos Unidos (LULAC) se ha asociado con Voces de la Frontera y la Coalición por la Justicia Educativa de Kenosha (KEJC) para ofrecer una presentación híbrida (virtual y presencial) sobre los derechos legales de los estudiantes y familias de las escuelas públicas de Kenosha, con el fin de preparar a nuestra comunidad para posibles encuentros con ICE. Además nuestro programa incluirá lo siguiente:
- Presentación bilingüe (español e inglés)
- Recursos comunitarios
- Medidas para proteger a los estudiantes que asisten a las escuelas públicas de Kenosha
- Refrigerios disponibles para los asistentes presenciales
- Sesión de preguntas y respuestas con un abogado de inmigración de Voces de la Frontera
Por favor, regístrese antes del viernes 19 de septiembre. Si se une virtualmente, se le enviará un enlace de Zoom por correo electrónico el día antes de la presentación.
- Dónde: Union Club, 3030-39th Ave., Sala 117, Kenosha o por Zoom
- Cuándo: Sábado, 27 de septiembre de 2025, de 12:00 a 13:30 h
- Enlace para registrarse: https://forms.gle/NRcjLQjVyCNhJ9uM7
October
Party on the Playground – 10th Anniversary Celebration (Oct. 4)
-posted Sept. 8, 2025
Join us for live entertainment, kids’ activities, a resource fair, and more as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Kenosha’s inclusive and accessible playground. Food will be available for purchase.
- Saturday, October 4, 2025
- 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- Dream Playground at Petzke Park, 2820 14th Ave, Kenosha, WI
Foster and Military Family FREE Shopping Event (Oct. 5)
-posted Sept. 5, 2025
Rhea Lana’s of Kenosha invites Foster and Military families to take items for FREE at the end of our semi-annual event located at 4204 78th St. on October 5, 2025, from 12:30-2 p.m. No passes needed, just bring your licensing papers and/or Military ID!
All families are invited to experience the ultimate in budget-friendly, eco-conscious shopping at our upcoming Children’s Consignment Event, happening September 28 through October 4 at 4204 78th St. This highly anticipated semi-annual event brings together hundreds of local families and thousands of items—all under one roof.
Teachers, Healthcare, Families-To-Be, and Military members can all get FREE passes, to shop before we open to the public! Grab Rhea Lana’s passes here.
For more information visit, Rhea Lana’s of Kenosha or contact Becky Windberg at beckywindberg@rhealana.com
Kenosha Girls Wrestling Parent Meeting (Oct. 6)
-posted Sept. 3, 2025
Families are invited to join us for the 27th annual K-12 Kenosha Girls Wrestling meeting on Monday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. in the Bradford High School cafeteria, 3700 Washington Road. Information about the program:
- Practice location = Bradford fieldhouse
- Practice days = Monday and Wednesday nights from Oct. 13 through Feb. 23
- Practice times = 5:30-7:30 p.m.
If you have questions, please contact head coaches Jerril Grover at jgrover@kusd.edu or 262-657-5046, and Elisabeth DeFoe edefoe@kusd.edu.
Triple P – Dealing with Disobedience (Oct. 7)
-posted Sept. 3, 2025
Parents and caregivers are invited to a presentation on Dealing with Disobedience, presented by Alison Haas from the PSN Family Resource Center. This workshop includes strategies for understanding why a child is disobedient, teaching them limits through positive parenting, and managing behavior through consistent, assertive discipline techniques.
Free child care is available, and a meal will be served prior to the presentation. You do not need to be affiliated with KUSD to participate in family education programs—we welcome all members of our community!
🗓️ Tuesday, Oct. 7
🕔 5:30 – 7 p.m. (Optional family meal will be served at 5 p.m.)
📌 Lance Middle School, 4515 80th St.
🔗 Register for Triple P
Non-KUSD families and community members: Community members who are not current KUSD students, families or staff must join our Family Education Programs Community Group to register for this event. Once you’re a member, you’ll receive information about and be able to register for future events without needing to rejoin the group.
November
Winter Color Guard – Spin Clinics/Auditions (Nov. 1 & 8)
-posted Sept. 15, 2025
JOIN WINTER COLOR GUARD!
Do you love to dance? Interested in the Performance Arts? Do you want to spin flags, rifles, and sabres and be part of a dynamic team that brings energy and excitement all winter long! Then Winter Color Guard is for YOU!
No Experience Needed! Perform to Fun Music, Learn Cool Routines, Make New Friends, Travel and Compete, Build Confidence, Teamwork and Performance Skills!
Whether you’re a total beginner or a natural performer, Winter Guard is the perfect way to express yourself.
Spin Clinics/Auditions
- November 1 & 8 | 11 AM – 4 PM Location: KSOL
- Open to students in grades 6–12 who live within the Kenosha Unified School District boundaries. You don’t have to attend a KUSD school to join, just bring your energy and enthusiasm!
- Sign Up Today for Spin Clinics/Auditions
December
Christmas Wizards (Dec. 12)
-posted Aug. 21, 2025
Christmas Wizards pay homage to the legendary Trans-Siberian Orchestra, featuring music of the holiday season. This 2-hour live/all ages show will transport you and your family to a world of wonder with dazzling lights, lasers, snow machines and breathtaking pyrotechnics and heart-stirring performances. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the Education Foundation of Kenosha.
- Christmas Wizards flier – English (PDF)
- Christmas Wizards flier – Spanish (PDF)
- Purchase tickets
- Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.
- Ralph J. Houghton Performance Center, 913 57th St.
Ongoing
English Language Learning Classes at Gateway
-posted Aug. 26, 2025
- Free English Language Learning classes for adults 18 and over.
- Classes levels 1-5 are in person on Kenosha campus and advanced level 6 is online.
- Register immediately. New students can start in September, January & May each year.
- Learn more about ELL Classes at Gateway
2025-26 Family Engagement Programs
-posted Aug. 19, 2025
SAVE THE DATE! We invite the community to learn, create and connect with us! Enjoy hands-on learning projects and meaningful conversations with your family at every event. You do not need to be affiliated with KUSD to participate—we welcome all members of our community!
- 9/18/25 – KUSD Cooks
- 10/7/25 – Triple P: Dealing with Disobedience
- 10/23/25 – Pumpkin Science
- 11/13/25 – Soup with the Supe!
- 12/11/25 – Gingerbread
- 1/13/26 – Active Parenting of Elementary Students #1
- 1/20/26 – Active Parenting of Elementary Students #2
- 1/27/26 – Active Parenting of Elementary Students #3
- 1/29/26 – KUSD Cooks
- 2/12/26 – Build It!
- 2/17/26 – Triple P: Raising Resilient Children
- 3/5/26 – Family Traditions in Art
- 3/12/26 – Family Forensics Night in collaboration with the Kenosha Police Department
- 3/19/26 – Night at the Planetarium
- April – Cinnamon Roll Model (multiple dates and locations)
- May – Growing Gardeners (multiple dates and locations)
To register, watch for program information in the KUSD Bulletin, on social media, ParentSquare and the Virtual Backpack!
Holiday House Annual Coat & Toy Giveaway
-posted Aug. 7, 2025
Spreading Joy for the Holidays! Holiday House is taking registrations for their annual coat and toy giveaway. Coats, hats and gloves will be given out in October. Toys will be handed out in December.
Kenosha County Needs More Local Foster Families
-posted Aug. 7, 2025
Community Impact Programs is a foster care licensing agency serving Kenosha County. Our community is experiencing an urgent need for additional foster homes to support children in crisis. If you’re interested in learning more or beginning the licensing process, please contact us at 262-654-1004 ext. 3 or fostercare@psgcip.com. Not ready to foster just yet? Reach out to explore other meaningful ways you can support local children and families.
Childhood Immunizations
-posted May 22, 2025
Kenosha County Public Health can help your child remain up to date with their immunizations. See our informational flyer for details.
Early Head Start Program at KAC
-posted March 18, 2025
Did you know Kenosha has an Early Head Start program for eligible families who are pregnant or have children under the age of three? Early Head Start provides free (and fun) weekly home visits for parents and children to play, with development and school readiness (even for infants!). Besides home visits, Early Head Start holds events twice a month for families to get out of the house and socialize. We also have playgroups and open play times for families to participate in! Please contact us today to learn more about this free program, by calling Genna Moreno at 262-818-3581.
