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.
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.
Mathnasium
-posted Feb. 11, 2025
Mathnasium of Pleasant Prairie is offering a HUGE discount of $314 for a 12 month commitment. Students can come in for up to 10 sessions a month. This offer expires 3/31/2025.
More information:
Soup with the Sup! (March 11)
-posted Feb. 11, 2025
Join Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Weiss for a special read-along event for young readers! Families with students in grades 4K-3 will enjoy a fun science activity, get to know Dr. Weiss, and savor a warm bowl of soup—served by our school board members! Please help support our community by donating non-perishable soup or canned goods to the Shalom Center. It’s a heartwarming evening of stories, connection and giving back—don’t miss it!
- Soup with the Sup!
- Tuesday, March 11
- 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Grewenow Elementary School, 7714 20th Ave.
- REGISTER for Soup with the Sup!
Read Across Kenosha (March 6)
-posted Feb. 11, 2025
United Way of Kenosha County is excited to once again celebrate Read Across Kenosha. The 15th Annual event is taking place on Thursday, March 6, 2025, in conjunction with National Education Association’s Read Across America. Volunteers are needed to read to classrooms – sign up today!
More information:
- Read Across Kenosha flyer – English (PDF)
- Read Across Kenosha flyer – Spanish (PDF)
- Read Across Kenosha website
Aviation Maintenance Technician Program (Fall 2025)
-posted Feb. 11, 2025
Eagles Nest Projects Wisconsin is partnering with local high schools, Fox Valley Technical College, and aviation maintenance shops to launch an Aviation Maintenance Technician program. Students can earn FAA Airframe and Powerplant certification, preparing them for careers in aviation maintenance. This is your chance to take the first step toward a thrilling and rewarding career in the aviation industry.
More information:
Chili Cook Off (March 22)
-posted Feb. 7, 2025
Enjoy a tasty selection of chili and vote for your favorite to take home the trophy. All proceeds benefit the Kenosha Senior Center.
- St. Catherine Commons, 3508 7th Ave.
- March 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Register at stcatschilicookoff.com to compete
- Chili Cookoff flyer (PDF)
Heart Healthy (Feb. 13)
-posted Feb. 5, 2025
Families are invited to wear their comfiest clothes and walk laps through the hallways of Pleasant Prairie! Come learn about healthy habits, fitness and nutrition information, and make your own trail mix! Everyone will be able to record their laps and decorate a success board!
- Heart Healthy
- Thursday, Feb. 13
- 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Pleasant Prairie Elementary, 9208 Wilmot Road
- REGISTER for Heart Healthy
Triple P: Raising Resilient Children (Feb. 12)
-posted Feb. 5, 2025
We invite families to join us for the first in a series of Triple P Parenting workshops. Emotional resilience is an essential life skill that helps individuals confidently navigate challenges. It involves six key abilities: recognizing and accepting emotions, expressing feelings in a healthy way, maintaining a positive outlook, developing effective coping strategies, managing negative emotions, and handling stressful life events.
Join us for this valuable session! Free child care is available, and a light meal will be provided. Registration is encouraged.
- Raising Resilient Children
- Wednesday, Feb. 12
- 5-6:45 p.m.
- Chavez Learning Station, 6300 27th Ave.
- REGISTER for Raising Resilient Children
Book Study: The Anxious Generation (Feb. 12)
-posted Feb. 5, 2025
Join a small group to meet and discuss the book “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt. Participants will receive a copy of the book and meet THREE times with teacher facilitators to discuss how technology has changed and shaped the mental health of youth. A family meal will be served and free childcare is available.
- Book Study: The Anxious Generation
- Wednesday, Feb. 12, Wednesday, March 12, Wednesday, April 9
- 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
- Pleasant Prairie Elementary, 9208 Wilmot Road
- REGISTER for Book Study
After-School Homework Help
-posted Jan. 30, 2025
Want to get some help on a project, study a difficult subject, or just read with a mentor? Stop by the Carthage Literacy Center, 2222 63rd St., in the KELA Building after school on Wednesdays (3-5:30 p.m.) to work with a Carthage student on these and other school-related assignments or projects. We’ll also provide snacks to give you the energy to finish your work!
- When: 3-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays from February 12 through June 9
- Where: Carthage College Community Literacy Center in the KELA Building, 2222 63rd Street, Kenosha
More information:
Kinder Artists
-posted Jan. 30, 2025
Hey, Kindergartners! Join us at the Carthage Literacy Center, 2222 63rd St., for making art and reading books together! We will have fun exploring our creativity based on picture books, music, and poetry. Snacks will be provided, too! See the flyer for meeting dates, time, and location.
- When: February 21, March 21, April 11 from 1:00 – 2:00pm
- Where: Carthage College Community Literacy Center in the KELA Building, 2222 63rd Street, Kenosha
- REGISTER for Kinder Artists
More information:
Young Authors Club
-posted Jan. 30, 2025
Calling creative writers, authors, and storytellers in grades 4 and up! Join our Young Authors Program on the second Saturday morning each month for writing workshops at the Carthage Literacy Center, 2222 63rd St. We will brainstorm ideas, help each other with our writing projects, and get our creative juices flowing so that you can make your dreams of becoming an author come true. Our goal is to publish our own Literary and Arts Magazine! We’ll meet from 9-10 a.m. at the KELA Building.
- When: FEBRUARY 8, MARCH 8, APRIL 12, MAY 10 from 9-10 a.m.
- Where: Carthage College Community Literacy Center in the KELA Building, 2222 63rd Street, Kenosha
- REGISTER for Young Authors Club
More information:
Happy Birthday, Dear Author – book club for grades 1-3 (Feb. 22)
-posted Jan. 30, 2025
The Carthage College Community Literacy Center, 2222 63rd St., is offering a unique reading program for 1st-3rd graders in which we celebrate children’s picture book authors during the month of their birthdays. Kids will read books by the author featured that month (available at their local public library) and attend our birthday celebration at the literacy center. During the celebration, we will play games, complete craft projects, and enjoy a birthday treat.
- The next party date is Saturday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. February’s author is Carole Boston Weatherford–check out her books at your local library!
- REGISTER for Happy Birthday, Dear Author
More information:
Bradford Dance presents “Embrace” (Feb. 28 & March 1)
-posted Jan. 29, 2025
This is a yearly production put on by the Bradford Dance Program, the only dance program in the Kenosha Unified School District. Enjoy a night filled with different styles of dance ranging from modern to hip-hop. All performances are held in the Bradford Auditorium.
Performance Dates:
- Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.
- March 1 at 2 p.m.
- March 1 at 7 p.m.
Tickets:
- $12 general admission
- $8 students, staff, and senior citizens
- Buy tickets now
Join the KUSD Family – Now Hiring Substitute Teachers
-posted Jan. 28, 2025
WE’RE 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’s degree?
- Enjoy a flexible schedule?
- Apply today or contact subservices@kusd.edu for more information.
Girl Scout Spa Party at KSOL (Feb. 13)
-posted Jan. 27, 2025
- Help us grow our troop and have fun at a SPA PARTY! We will be making Spa products that you can use at home.
- Girls must have a completed permission slip to attend. Please turn it into the school office or bring it the day of the event.
- February 13, 2025, 3:10 – 4:30 PM
- Cost: Free!
- Location: KSOL Cafeteria
- All girls in Kindergarten – 5th Grade are welcome!
- Spa Party permission slip – English
- Spa Party permission slip – Spanish
HBCU College Tour (April 21-26)
-posted Jan. 22, 2025
- For 26 years, Beyond College has been empowering students in the Kenosha and Racine communities through the Annual Spring Break College Tour.
- This program provides a unique opportunity to explore a diverse range of colleges and universities, including public, private, religious, mainstream institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
- The tour is open to all interested students, parents, and educators, offering an inclusive experience designed to inspire future college and career aspirations.
- Contact Our Coordinators
- Nick Payne: 262.492.2514
- Alvin D. Owens: 773.517.6568
More information:
Youth In Governance (YIG)
-posted Jan. 7, 2025
Youth who are selected to serve will gain instrumental leadership skills and knowledge from having the opportunity to serve on one of seven Kenosha County Board committees or commissions. The requirements to participate in Youth in Governance are:
- Youth must be a high school student in 10th or 11th grade Youth must have a GPA of 2.5 or greater
- Youth must be a Kenosha County resident Youth must be able to attend the monthly meetings of their committee
- Youth must attend at least one Kenosha County Board meeting during their term
- Youth must participate in the YIG Bus Tour held last Wednesday in June
- Youth must be able to attend additional committee meetings that are combined with other committees
More information: Youth In Governance flyer (PDF)
Youth As Resources (YAR)
-posted Jan. 7, 2025
Youth serving as YAR Board Members meet regularly to discuss community issues, develop leadership skills, and provide grants to youth-led service projects in Kenosha County. The requirements to participate in Youth as Resources are:
- Youth must be a student in 8th – 11th grade
- Youth must possess an overall good attitude, as well as high levels of reliability
- Youth must participate in YAR Board meetings (every third Tuesday from 5-7pm, Sept – May)
- Youth must show a willingness to complete committee work outside of Board meetings
- Youth must participate in one YAR Board community service project
More information: Youth As Resources flyer (PDF)
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 Español.
La Clínica de Salud Pública del Condado de Kenosha – Centro de Trabajo (Job Center) ofrece vacunas gratis para niños elegibles gracias al Programa de Vacunas para Niños. Llame a nuestra clínica para saber si su hijo/a es elegible. (262) 605-6770. Se Habla Español.
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’s 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 English Language Learning (ELL) program 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 tutoría está en la KLC cuatro días a la semana. En esta clase, los estudiantes aprenden a leer, escribir, y hablar inglés.)
- ELL Civics Class: Learn English as you explore important topics like public schools & libraries, health, finance, safety, housing and government. (Aprenda inglés mientras explora temas como la escuela pública, 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 conversación y vocabulario en inglés. 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)