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 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.

December

Every Child Warm in the Winter Collection (through Dec. 6)

-posted Oct. 13, 2025

Join us for the Every Child Warm in the Winter Cold Weather Gear Drive benefiting Frank Elementary School! 🧥🧤

New or gently used items are needed to help keep kids warm this winter. Donations will be accepted at the four convenient locations below from Saturday, Oct. 25, through Saturday, Dec. 6.

Drop-Off Locations:

📍 United Way Office – 5500 6th Ave.
🕘 Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
📍 BCU Kenosha Branch – 7114 118th Ave.
🕘 Mon–Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Sat, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 Kenosha YMCA – 7101 53rd St.
🕔 Mon–Fri, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. | Sat, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
📍 KUSD Educational Support Center – 3600 52nd St.
🕢 Mon–Fri, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Items most needed: Winter coats, hats, mittens or gloves
Also welcome: Snowpants, boots

More info: cfriesch@kenoshaunitedway.org | rmall@kenoshaymca.org

Salvation Army – Volunteers Needed

-posted Nov. 20, 2025

Salvation Army Angel Tree

Toys are collected for children in the Kenosha area.  Parents sign up for their children online, and volunteers choose toys for the children, based off their wish list.  Parents pick up the toys the week before Christmas.

Volunteers needed:

  • Choosing toys December 8 – 12 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Volunteers choose when and how many hours they would like to volunteer.

To volunteer, contact Sarah White at 262-564-0286 ext. 106, or email at sarah.white@usc.salvationarmy.org

Salvation Army Bell Ringing

We are looking for groups to bell ring at the red kettles. We ring at various locations throughout Kenosha County from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8p.m.  Shifts are in 2-hour increments.  Volunteers can register at on the Register to Ring website or call Rebecca Hixenbaugh, Kettle Coordinator, at (262)564-0286 Ext 104 for assistance.

Caleb Durbin Youth Baseball Camp (Dec. 6)

-posted Nov. 25, 2025

Step up to the plate and join us on December 6 from 1–3 p.m. for the Caleb Durbin Youth Baseball Camp, held inside the Wilmot Union High School Fieldhouse. This high-energy camp is open to all 4th–8th grade Baseball and Softball players who want to sharpen their skills, and boost their confidence. Whether you’re preparing for the upcoming season or just love the game, this is the perfect opportunity to grow and have fun. Registration is just $50, and spots will fill up fast—don’t miss your chance to be part of an exciting afternoon of baseball development! Grab your gear, bring your enthusiasm, and get ready to take your game to the next level!!! Contact Karl Richter: richterk@wilmoths.k12.wi.us with any questions (only 25 spots open).

Register for Caleb Durbin Baseball Camp

Photos with Santa (Dec. 7)

-posted Nov. 25, 2025

Please join Mending Minds Behavioral Health Services at our Pleasant Prairie location (8500 Green Bay Road) for our 3rd Annual Photos with Santa event. Featuring guest appearances, hot cocoa and a bake sale with 50% of proceeds donated to charity. Photos are free to take on your own or our professional photographer will be taking them as well and will provide the digital copy.

More information: Photos with Santa Facebook Event

Polar Express: Literacy & Craft Night (Dec. 11)

-posted Nov. 18, 2025

Elementary students and their families are invited for an evening of winter fun! Wear your pajamas and snuggle up for a cozy read-aloud, try fun extension activities, create a winter craft, and share a delicious snack!

Event Details:
📅 Thursday, Dec. 11
🕑 6-7 p.m.
📌Pleasant Prairie Elementary, 9208 Wilmot Road (Please enter through Door 7)
🖊️ Register for Polar Express

You do not need to be affiliated with KUSD to participate in family education programs—we welcome all members of our community!

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.

Gingerbread Goodies (Dec. 11)

-posted Nov. 17, 2025

Elementary students and their families are invited for an evening of gingerbread fun! Families will enjoy a fun read-aloud before crafting a gingerbread house of their very own to take home. Free child care will be available for children 3 years old and under. We hope to see you there!

Event Details:
📅 Thursday, Dec. 11
🕑 6-7 p.m.
📌Southport Elementary, 723 76th St.
🖊️ Register for Gingerbread Goodies

You do not need to be affiliated with KUSD to participate in family education programs—we welcome all members of our community!

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.

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.

Santa’s Workshop Hosted by ITHSA Student Council (Dec. 13)

-posted Dec. 4, 2025

🎅🏻 Santa’s Workshop presented by Indian Trail Student Council and Culver’s
📅 Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025
🕑 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
📍 Indian Trail High School and Academy, 6800 60th Street, Kenosha
Arts, crafts, and games
Selfies with Santa
Reindeer (& reptiles!)

Pleasant Prairie Holiday Lights Tour (Dec. 12-27)

-posted Dec. 4, 2025

Who will shine brightest this holiday season in the Fourth Annual Pleasant Prairie Holiday Lights Tour? Pleasant Prairie residents decorate their homes with dazzling displays and twinkling lights for all to enjoy. Beginning December 12, explore our curated list of decked-out homes and use our interactive map to take the Tour—then VOTE for your favorites!

Residents of Pleasant Prairie are invited to join the fun. Submit your home for the Holiday Lights Tour at VisitPleasantPrairie.com/holiday-lights-tour now through December 10. Everyone who submits their festively decorated home will receive an exclusive Holiday VIP Gift Pack as a thank-you.

What to expect starting December 12:
✨ A curated list of elaborately decorated homes and an interactive Tour map published on our website
📸 Festive photo spots along the Tour route
🍪 Hosted treats and hospitality events at select local businesses
🎶 A holiday playlist to enjoy as you drive the route
⭐ Voting for your favorite homes, earning an automatic entry into a prize giveaway
🎉 Winners announced on December 27

Get all the details at VisitPleasantPrairie.com/holiday-lights-tour

Pringle Nature Center’s Great Gnome Gathering (Dec. 13)

-posted Nov. 4, 2025

Pringle Nature Center invites forest folk of all ages to join The Great Gnome Gathering on Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Bristol Woods County Park. This family-friendly event celebrates the magic of winter in the woods with a variety of free and donation-based activities designed to celebrate the season and raise support for Pringle Nature Center’s environmental education programs.
Wandering gnomes are welcome to enjoy a gourmet hot cocoa or espresso, make a nature craft, take a photo, go on a winter hike, share good cheer by the bonfire, try their luck in a 50/50 raffle, and more. Don’t forget to wear your festive or gnome-related fashion for the best-dressed contest!
All ages are welcome (children must be accompanied by an adult), and we ask that pets stay at home (service animals are always permitted).

Winter Baseball Camp at Carthage College (Dec. 6 through Feb. 15)

-posted Nov. 4, 2025

Kenosha Baseball Clinics is hosting the 30th annual Winter Hitting Camp at Carthage and it’s and better than ever! Many of the same coaches and players from Carthage will be present along with new staff from local colleges and high schools. Our camp runs for 10 weeks with 10 and 20 session packages available.
Choose to attend Saturdays, Sundays, or both. Sessions are open to all ages (little league – high school) and athletes will be assigned to small groups based upon skill level and age. Instruction will include; various hitting drills, programs designed to improve each player’s swing, increase bat speed, and enhance overall knowledge as a hitter.
– Dec. 6 through Feb. 15
– Carthage College Hitting Center, 2001 Alford Park Drive

Holiday House Annual Toy Giveaway (Dec. 15-19)

-posted Aug. 7, 2025

Spreading Joy for the Holidays! Holiday House is taking registrations for their annual toy giveaway. Toys will be distributed December 15-19.

Family Game Night (Dec. 17)

-posted Dec. 4, 2025
Elementary students and their families are invited to an evening of device-free fun! Unplug for some quality family time to build critical thinking skills as you learn a new game and have the opportunity to play with other families. We hope you can join us!
 
You do not need to be affiliated with KUSD to participate in family education programs—we welcome all members of our community!
 
Event Details:
📅 Wednesday, Dec. 17
🕑 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
📌 Brass Community School, 6400 15th Ave.
 
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 at http://bit.ly/4hwC5Vd 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.

2025 Overnight Winter Camp at Camp MacLean (Dec. 27-30)

-posted Oct. 7, 2025

YMCA Camp MacLean is a year-round winterized facility. All campers ages 7-16 years old stay in comfortable, heated cabins and meals are served in the William Rust Lodge from Dec. 27-30. Activities include Tobogganing, Art/Crafts, Dancy Party, Roller Skating, Snow Games, Campfires, sledding and more! Contact Alexis at the office (262)-763-7742 or aburnette@ymcachicago.org.

More information: Camp MacLean

Bow Wow Blizzard Camp (Dec. 29)

-posted Nov. 4, 2025

Come in from the cold and warm up with furry friends at this one-day winter camp for kids in grades 1-6. Bow Wow Blizzard Camp provides a wonderful way for kids to learn all about the Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus and different ways that they can help critters of all shapes and sizes.

Event Details:

Monday, December 29
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus, 8900 16th St., Mount Pleasant

Visit this site for more information and to register: Camp Bow Wow

Contact: RacYouthPrograms@wihumane.org

New Year’s Eve Open Skate at Kenosha Ice Arena (Dec. 31)

-posted Nov. 25, 2025

  • December 31 from 1-4 p.m.
  • Balloon drop at 3 p.m.
  • $10/skate or $35 for families of 4 or more
  • Rental skates are $7/skater

Register for Open Skate

Ongoing

BridgeWhiz

-posted Dec. 4, 2025

BridgeWhiz is a FREE online course designed to teach students in grades 4 through 12 the essentials of a fascinating game whose benefits, intellectual stimulation, and adventure will last a lifetime.

Learning to play bridge will nurture your child’s competitive spirit, both as a team player and an individual. Build social skills and enhance deductive reasoning and math abilities. In fact, young bridge players outscored their non-playing counterparts on the 2007 Iowa Test of Basic Skills by 39.31% in Science, 24.22% in Math, and 22.74% in Social Science.

Try BridgeWhiz at https://bridgewhiz.org/

Help Me Grow Kenosha

-posted Nov. 4, 2025

Help Me Grow Kenosha connects families with local resources, support, and activities to help every child thrive—from pregnancy through early childhood.
Through the FREE Sparkler app, parents can complete developmental questionnaires, track developmental milestones, find fun learning activities, and get expert tips—all personalized for their child.
Sparkler makes parenting easier while helping you understand and celebrate your child’s growth every step of the way!
Download Sparkler today, search “Sparkler Play for Parenting” in the app store and use code HMGK to get started.
Visit https://helpmegrowkenosha.org/ for more information

Parkside Athletics

-posted Oct. 7, 2025

The Parkside Athletics Education Game provides students with a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of collegiate athletics while gaining valuable insights into the college experience. Students will learn about the importance of teamwork, leadership, and perseverance by watching student-athletes who balance academics and competition at the highest level. Through interactive pregame activities and campus engagement, they’ll explore what it means to be a college student and how education connects to future success. This day is designed to inspire curiosity, encourage goal-setting, and motivate students to dream big—both in the classroom and beyond.

Contact: Stasha Warchock (warchock@uwp.edu) or Elle Nienhuis (nienhuis@uwp.edu)

Ticket Registration

Kenosha Area Family and Aging Services Inc. (KAFASI)

-posted Sept. 29, 2025

Hispanic/Latino adults, especially second-generation individuals, are invited to connect to mental health and general well-being resources; coping strategies and become more aware of mental health resources and more willing to seek help. This program will be offered in Spanish only.

  • Location: KAFASI. 7730 Sheridan Rd, Kenosha, WI 53143
  • Date: Every 3rd Monday of the month
  • Time: 5 p.m.
  • Participants receive a gas card.
  • Contact information: Fabiola O. Diaz Negrete – (262)744-2787

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!

  • 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!

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.