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 or individuals who want to add an item to the Virtual Backpack must submit a Virtual Backpack request form at least 1 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 no longer posts images or PDFs on the Virtual Backpack.
Items that have expired or 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.
October
KHDS Trunk-or-Treat (Oct. 22)
-posted Sept. 11, 2026
Presented by Kenosha Human Development Services
- Thursday, October 22
- 4:00–6:00 p.m.
- 3536 52nd Street, Kenosha, WI
Grand Prairie Trunk-or-Treat (Oct. 23)
-posted Oct. 20, 2026
Support Indian Trail Cheer at Panda Express (Oct. 23)
-posted Sept. 25, 2026
Take a night off from cooking and support the Indian Trail High School & Academy Cheerleading Teams!
Join us for our Panda Express Fundraiser:
📅 Friday, October 23, 2026
⏰ 5:00–9:30 PM
📍 Panda Express, 9800 76th Street, Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
20% of event sales will be donated to support fundraising and expenses for the Indian Trail Varsity Cheerleading teams, including their trip to Nationals!
Ordering Online or in the App: Use Fundraiser Code 3865390
Ordering In Person: Bring the fundraiser flyer or show it on your smartphone when ordering.
Orders can also be placed ahead of time for pickup on October 23.
Thank you for supporting our Indian Trail cheerleaders! 💜🖤🦅
Kids Night Out at the Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus (Oct. 23)
-posted Aug. 27, 2026
Join us at the Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus for Kids Night Out! What better way to end the week than by making friends with other animal enthusiasts and meeting animal guests? Kids Night Out is for kids in grades 1-6 and provides an opportunity for parents or guardians to enjoy a Friday evening to themselves while the kids have an awesome time at WHS. Themes and crafts are always changing, so even if you’ve attended before, there will be something new to enjoy!
Kids Night Out takes place one Friday each month from 5-7 p.m. at the Racine Campus, located at 8900 16th Street, Mount Pleasant, 53177.
Register:
- Kids Night Out Registration – Friday, October 23
- Kids Night Out Registration – Friday, November 20
- Kids Night Out Registration – Friday, December 11
Please reach out to racyouthprograms@wihumane.org or call 262-554-6699 ext. 6014 with any questions!
Special Needs Trunk-or-Treat (Oct. 25)
-posted Aug. 27, 2026
Tender Touch Therapy and Medical Support Services will be hosting the 2026 Special Needs Trunk-or-Treat. This is a Halloween event designed to provide a safe, accessible experience for kids with special needs, but is open to everyone in the community! Bring the whole family for an afternoon of costumes, candy, and community. Volunteers needed to help set up event (great opportunity for students to complete their required hours)!
- October 25, 2026
- 12:30- 2:30 p.m.
- 3700 Washington Rd, Kenosha, WI 53144
- RSVP or reach out about hosting a trunk
- Contact Kadon Hoffman khoffman@msstherapy.net for any questions
Reading Road Trip (Oct. 27)
-posted Oct. 2, 2026
Kids ages 6 – 9 are invited to join us for fun activities geared toward exploring the USA through books. Together, we’ll enjoy creative activities and games based on what we learn about many of our great states, including national parks and monuments. Snacks and take-home activities included.
WHEN: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m., on the following dates:
- Tuesday, October 27
- Tuesday, November 10
- Tuesday, November 24
- Tuesday, December 8
Location: KELA Building– 2222 63rd St., Kenosha
Email Jackie Easley to register: jeasley@carthage.edu
Night at the Planetarium: A Not-Too-Scary Night Sky (Oct. 29)
-posted Oct. 13, 2026
Get ready for a night of spooky space discoveries! Families are invited to explore the wonders and mysteries of the autumn night sky at KUSD’s Mildred “Millie” Carlson Planetarium. Discover why the moon looks different in October, uncover the stories behind “haunted” stars and constellations, and explore black holes and other cosmic mysteries in a fun, kid-friendly way. It’s an out-of-this-world adventure that’s more fascinating than frightening!
Please register for ONE session and indicate the number of attendees/slots you are reserving.
Event Details:
📅 Thursday, Oct. 29
🕑 4:30 p.m. OR 5:30 p.m.
📌 Mildred “Millie” Carlson Planetarium at Bradford High School, 3700 Washington Rd.
🖊️ Register for Night at the Planetarium
Everyone in our community is welcome at our free family education programs – you do not need to attend KUSD to participate! If you are not a KUSD family, join our Family Education Programs Community Group to register. Once you join, you’ll receive updates and can sign up for future events without joining again.
Family STEM Night (Oct. 29)
-posted Oct. 6, 2026
Get ready for an evening of discovery, creativity, and hands-on fun! Elementary students and their families are invited to explore the exciting world of STEM through engaging science experiments, math challenges, interactive activities, and more. There’s something for everyone to enjoy as you learn, experiment, and discover together! We’ll also provide a light meal.
We can’t wait to see you there for a night of family fun and learning!
Event Details:
- 📅 Thursday, Oct. 29
- 🕑 5:30-7 p.m.
- 📌Curtis Strange Elementary, 5414 49th Ave.
- 🖊️ Register for Family STEM Night
Everyone in our community is welcome at our free family education programs – you do not need to attend KUSD to participate! If you are not a KUSD family, join our Family Education Programs Community Group to register. Once you join, you’ll receive updates and can sign up for future events without joining again.
Kenosha Public Museum: Kohl’s Wild Theater How Does Your Garden Grow (Oct. 31)
-posted Sept. 16, 2026
A novice gardener’s race to grow a prize-winning watermelon before the Stanley Fruit Cup Competition becomes an interactive musical adventure through gardening basics. Audiences learn the power of healthy soil from Captain Compost, the water cycle and the importance of water conservation from a pair of Vaudevillian performers, and the importance of pollinators from Buzz, the Rusty Patch Bumblebee. In the end, the Gardener learns an important lesson far more valuable than any trophy: by caring for the living things around us, we become part of something much bigger, and every garden, no matter how small, is a chance to care for the world we share. This musical performance is designed for children in grades K-2 but all are welcome!
October 31, 2026
1pm-3pm
More details: Kenosha Public Museum Events OR CALL 262-653-4140
November
Little Problem Solvers: A Family STEM Adventure (Nov. 5)
-posted Oct. 13, 2026
Get ready to think, explore and solve together! Families with children ages 3–5 are invited to join a hands-on STEM adventure filled with fun, age-appropriate challenges for curious little minds!
Together, our littlest learners and their grown-ups will ask questions, make predictions, test ideas, solve problems and discover what happens when they try again. Along the way, parents and caregivers will learn simple, playful ways to encourage STEM thinking and problem-solving at home.
Come ready to get curious, get creative and become a family of little problem solvers!
Event Details:
📅 Thursday, Nov. 5
🕑 5:30-6:15 p.m.
📌 Lakeview K-8, 6729 18th Ave.
🖊️ Register for Little Problem Solvers
Everyone in our community is welcome at our free family education programs – you do not need to attend KUSD to participate! If you are not a KUSD family, join our Family Education Programs Community Group to register. Once you join, you’ll receive updates and can sign up for future events without joining again.
Kenosha Public Museum: Native Plant Medicine With Misty Cook (Nov. 7)
-posted Sept. 16, 2026
In this illustrated lecture, learn from Misty Cook about the history of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans, their traditional Medicines, and how her people preserved them. Misty will focus on the Medicines utilized throughout the Winter months, discussing gathering, preserving, and implementation. After the talk, take home an herbal tea bag with hand-gathered and dried local medicines that Misty prepared.
November 7, 2026
1pm-2pm
More details: Kenosha Public Museum Events OR CALL 262-653-4140
RecPlex Winter Hoops (begins Nov. 7)
-posted Aug. 27, 2026
- Saturday mornings from November 7 through January 30.
- Teams will practice 1x per week
- Grades: 1st – 6th grade
- 3rd – 6th grade will have evaluations November 2 and 3
- Boys and girls divisions available
- Registration closes Oct. 21
- Price: $110 members, $140 non-members
FREE Try Lacrosse Clinic (Nov. 8)
-posted Oct. 19, 2026
Kenosha Raptors Lacrosse Club invites boys and girls in grades K–8 to attend our upcoming FREE Try Lacrosse Clinic on Sunday, November 8, at the Boys & Girls Club of Kenosha! The girls’ clinic will be held from 2–3 p.m., followed by the boys’ clinic from 3–4 p.m.
No experience or equipment is needed—these clinics offer a fun, no-pressure opportunity for kids to try lacrosse, learn the basics, and see what the Raptors program is all about. All equipment will be provided!
REGISTER for the free Lacrosse clinic
Learn more about Kenosha Raptors Youth Lacrosse
Event Contact: Amber Pierce | vp@kenosharaptors.com | 224-430-0143
Reading Road Trip (Nov. 10)
-posted Oct. 2, 2026
Kids ages 6 – 9 are invited to join us for fun activities geared toward exploring the USA through books. Together, we’ll enjoy creative activities and games based on what we learn about many of our great states, including national parks and monuments. Snacks and take-home activities included.
WHEN: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m., on the following dates:
- Tuesday, October 13
- Tuesday, October 27
- Tuesday, November 10
- Tuesday, November 24
- Tuesday, December 8
Location: KELA Building– 2222 63rd St., Kenosha
Email Jackie Easley to register: jeasley@carthage.edu
The Art of Storytelling (Nov. 12)
-posted Oct. 20, 2026
Gather the family for a heartwarming celebration of storytelling, memories, and kindness! Join author Michele Garza for a special presentation of Ruth’s Ducks and discover how stories can bring us closer together. Then, dive into hands-on activities that spark creativity, encourage sharing, and help families celebrate the special memories and meaningful moments that make their stories unique.
A light meal will be served, so bring the whole family and make memories together! As an added bonus, copies of “Ruth’s Ducks” will be available for purchase at the event at a discounted rate.
Event Details:
- 📅 Thursday, Nov. 12
- 🕑 5:30-7 p.m.
- 📌 Somers Elementary, 1245 72nd Ave.
- 🖊️ Register for The Art of Storytelling
Everyone in our community is welcome at our free family education programs – you do not need to attend KUSD to participate! If you are not a KUSD family, join our Family Education Programs Community Group to register. Once you join, you’ll receive updates and can sign up for future events without joining again.
i9 Sports Basketball & Volleyball Clinic (Nov. 14)
-posted Oct. 19, 2026
The i9 Sports basketball and volleyball programs at Nash Elementary School officially kick off on Saturday, November 14.
- Youth Basketball begins at 9:00 AM, focusing on fundamental motor skills, dribbling, shooting form, and team play for young athletes.
- Youth Volleyball follows at 10:00 AM, teaching essential skills like serving, bumping, and passing in a fun, supportive setting.
Both programs align with the i9 Sports mission of helping kids succeed in life through sports by delivering age-appropriate instruction with a heavy focus on sportsmanship.
Check registration details, group assignments, and gear requirements online at i9sports.com
Kids Night Out at the Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus (Nov. 20)
-posted Aug. 27, 2026
Join us at the Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus for Kids Night Out! What better way to end the week than by making friends with other animal enthusiasts and meeting animal guests? Kids Night Out is for kids in grades 1-6 and provides an opportunity for parents or guardians to enjoy a Friday evening to themselves while the kids have an awesome time at WHS. Themes and crafts are always changing, so even if you’ve attended before, there will be something new to enjoy!
Kids Night Out takes place one Friday each month from 5-7 p.m. at the Racine Campus, located at 8900 16th Street, Mount Pleasant, 53177.
Register:
- Kids Night Out Registration – Friday, October 23
- Kids Night Out Registration – Friday, November 20
- Kids Night Out Registration – Friday, December 11
Please reach out to racyouthprograms@wihumane.org or call 262-554-6699 ext. 6014 with any questions!
Kindness Week Essay/Art Contest (Nov. 23 deadline)
-posted Sept. 15, 2026
This year’s Kindness Week theme is “Kindness Is My Superpower!” The deadline for all submissions is Monday, November 23, 2026.
Student entries (200-word essays, poems, art projects, videos) must be submitted electronically: Kindness Contest Submission Form
Submissions should address one of the following topics:
- ❓ Why is kindness a superpower?
- ❓How can you use your kindness superpower to improve our community?
- ❓What would happen if everyone in Kenosha County used the superpower of Kindness?
Winners will be notified in December and invited to the Community Unity Awards Breakfast on January 16, 2027.
Questions should be directed to Teri Gamble – tgamble@bgckenosha.org or 262-653-7304.
Reading Road Trip (Nov. 24)
-posted Oct. 2, 2026
Kids ages 6 – 9 are invited to join us for fun activities geared toward exploring the USA through books. Together, we’ll enjoy creative activities and games based on what we learn about many of our great states, including national parks and monuments. Snacks and take-home activities included.
WHEN: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m., on the following dates:
- Tuesday, October 13
- Tuesday, October 27
- Tuesday, November 10
- Tuesday, November 24
- Tuesday, December 8
Location: KELA Building– 2222 63rd St., Kenosha
Email Jackie Easley to register: jeasley@carthage.edu
Support Indian Trail Cheer at Panda Express (Nov. 27)
-posted Sept. 25, 2026
Take a night off from cooking and help support Indian Trail Varsity Cheerleading!
Join the ITHSA Cheer Booster Club for our Panda Express fundraiser on Friday, November 27, 2026, from 10:00 AM–9:30 PM at the Pleasant Prairie Panda Express.
📍 Panda Express, 9800 76th St. Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
20% of qualifying event sales will be donated to support fundraising and funding for the Indian Trail Varsity Cheerleading teams traveling to and competing at Nationals.
Order in person and bring the attached flyer or show it on your phone, or order online/in the Panda Express app and enter Fundraiser Code: 3865391.
💜 Thank you for supporting Indian Trail Cheer! 🖤🦅
Indian Trail Cheer Culver’s Fundraising Night (Nov. 30)
-posted Sept. 4, 2026
📣🍔 CULVER’S SHARE NIGHT IS BACK! 💜🖤
Skip cooking and join us for another Indian Trail Cheer Booster Club Share Night! 🦅📣
📅 Monday, November 30, 2026
⏰ 5:00–8:00 PM
📍 Culver’s — 8124 Sheridan Rd, Kenosha
Come grab your favorite ButterBurger, cheese curds, Concrete Mixer and more while supporting Indian Trail Cheer! 🍔🍟🍦
💜 Culver’s will donate a percentage of sales back to Indian Trail Cheer!
🎟️ Raffles & fun throughout the evening!
Bring your family, tell your friends, grab dinner and help us support our amazing Hawks! Every meal helps! 🦅💜🖤
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING INDIAN TRAIL CHEER! 📣 GO HAWKS!
December
Kenosha Public Museum: Christmas at the Museums (Dec. 5)
-posted Sept. 16, 2026
Celebrate the Christmas season with the Kenosha Public Museums! This dual event features activities for all ages at both the Kenosha Public Museum and Civil War Museum, including performances, crafts, trades demonstrations, a hot cocoa bar, and a vendor market.
December 5, 2026
10am-3pm
More details: Kenosha Public Museum Events OR CALL 262-653-4140
Reading Road Trip (Dec. 8)
-posted Oct. 2, 2026
Kids ages 6 – 9 are invited to join us for fun activities geared toward exploring the USA through books. Together, we’ll enjoy creative activities and games based on what we learn about many of our great states, including national parks and monuments. Snacks and take-home activities included.
WHEN: Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m., on the following dates:
- Tuesday, October 13
- Tuesday, October 27
- Tuesday, November 10
- Tuesday, November 24
- Tuesday, December 8
Location: KELA Building– 2222 63rd St., Kenosha
Email Jackie Easley to register: jeasley@carthage.edu
Kids Night Out at the Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus (Dec. 11)
-posted Aug. 27, 2026
Join us at the Wisconsin Humane Society Racine Campus for Kids Night Out! What better way to end the week than by making friends with other animal enthusiasts and meeting animal guests? Kids Night Out is for kids in grades 1-6 and provides an opportunity for parents or guardians to enjoy a Friday evening to themselves while the kids have an awesome time at WHS. Themes and crafts are always changing, so even if you’ve attended before, there will be something new to enjoy!
Kids Night Out takes place one Friday each month from 5-7 p.m. at the Racine Campus, located at 8900 16th Street, Mount Pleasant, 53177.
Register:
- Kids Night Out Registration – Friday, October 23
- Kids Night Out Registration – Friday, November 20
- Kids Night Out Registration – Friday, December 11
Please reach out to racyouthprograms@wihumane.org or call 262-554-6699 ext. 6014 with any questions!
19th Annual Working Artist Holiday Sale (Dec. 13)
-posted Oct. 8, 2026
The 19th Annual Working Artist Holiday Sale will be held Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kenosha Union Club, 3030 39th Ave.
Shop a wide variety of handmade artwork and gifts, including drawings, fiber arts, glass, gourd art, hand-bound books, jewelry, leather, mixed media, paintings, pottery, prints, wood and more! Complimentary refreshments will be available while you shop.
Admission is free, with ample parking available.
For event updates and more information, follow the Working Artist Holiday Sale on Facebook.
Kenosha Public Museum: The Schaeffer Mammoth Discovery with Dan Joyce (Dec. 19)
-posted Sept. 16, 2026
Listen to the first hand account from the archeologist who led the excavation of the Schaefer Mammoth found in Kenosha County. After about 18 months of painstaking work, he and his team of volunteers discovered the nearly complete remains of the oldest known mammoth believed to have been butchered by humans with tools east of the Mississippi River. Dan will share images, stories, and anecdotes as well as contextualize this important discovery in the 1990s and its legacy for the Kenosha Public Museum as it enters its historic 90th year.
December 19, 2026
1pm-2pm
More details: Kenosha Public Museum Events OR CALL 262-653-4140
Ongoing
Alateen
-posted Oct. 9, 2026
Sylvan Learning – Free Assessment
-posted Sept. 14, 2026
Make Sylvan Learning of Kenosha part of your student’s Plan for Success
If you suspect your child is struggling in school or not being challenged, take action now. Schedule a free skills assessment with Sylvan Learning of Kenosha. Reading, writing, math, study skills, and more…
Through a combination of grade-appropriate questions and topics, we can pinpoint your child’s exact academic level. The results of the assessment help us understand where your child’s strengths lie, where help is needed, and how they are performing compared to other students in the same grade. The process takes under an hour, complete with a plan for success, and we can get your student enrolled that same day! From there, we can begin to develop a personalized learning plan that’s tailored to your child’s exact needs and goals.
Schedule a free Sylvan Skills assessment at 262-694-6286.
Connections Bereavement Program (Oct. – May)
-posted Sept. 14, 2026
Connections is a free bereavement program hosted by Hospice Alliance for children and teens who have experienced loss. The program runs the third Thursday of each month from October to May.
- Date: Begins October 15
- Time: 5 – 7:45 p.m.
- Location: Hospice Alliance (10220 Prairie Ridge Blvd., Pleasant Prairie)
Children and teens ages two to eighteen are welcome and each must be accompanied by an adult.
To learn more and register, please email bereavement@hospicealliance.org or call (262) 652-4400.
Mathnasium of Pleasant Prairie – Build Math Confidence This School Year
-posted Sept. 4, 2026
Mathnasium of Pleasant Prairie is now enrolling students for the 2026–2027 school year!
Whether your child needs to catch up, keep up, or get ahead, our customized learning plans help students strengthen their math skills, build confidence, and succeed in the classroom.
🍎 School-Year Math Programs
- Customized learning plans based on each student’s needs
- Experienced, caring math instructors
- Homework help and school support
- Flexible school-year membership options
- Convenient after-school and Sunday hours
- Programs for students of all skill levels
🎯 Start with a FREE Math Skills Assessment!
The assessment helps us identify your child’s strengths and learning gaps so we can recommend the school-year program that best fits their needs.
📍 Mathnasium of Pleasant Prairie
6935 75th Street, Suite D
Kenosha, WI 53142
📞 262-484-4511
✉️ pleasantprairie@mathnasium.com
Building Our Future Reading Resource Hub
-posted Aug. 27, 2026
The Reading Resource Hub connects families, educators, and community members with local programs and services that build reading skills at every age. From free to low-cost literacy programs, explore resources for children in Kenosha County and connect with community partners dedicated to reading.
Our Village Network – No Family Should Face Crisis Alone
-posted Aug. 13, 2026
Our Village Network is a Kenosha-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and families experiencing financial hardship, crisis, or other difficult circumstances. Currently, they can service up to 100 families per month.
Items include:
- Hygiene Kits – Essential personal-care and hygiene items for children and families who may not have consistent access to them.
- Birthday Kits – Birthday essentials that help ensure financial hardship doesn’t prevent a child from feeling seen and celebrated on their birthday.
- Empowerment Kits – Thoughtfully assembled kits designed to provide comfort, encouragement, and practical support to children and families experiencing difficult circumstances.
To request support, simply go to Our Village Network and click “Request Support”.
If you are able and interested in donating to help serve more families, you can go to their Amazon Wishlist. Every donation goes directly to a family in need.
English Language Learning for adults
-posted Aug. 13, 2026
Learn to read, write and speak English with Gateway’s ELL program. Our free ELL classes meet two days a week for six hours per week. You’ll start with an orientation that helps instructors find the best starting place for you.
Register for the orientation class on Kenosha Campus at the Student Services Center, 3520 30th Ave, Kenosha 53144. Open 8am-6pm Monday and Tuesday and 8am-4pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
For Kenosha ELL call Debra Solomon 262-564-2496 or email solomond@gtc.edu. Learn more at gtc.edu/ELL
Se habla español.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Resource
-posted July 14, 2026
Sleep in Heavenly Peace offers beds free of charge to children ages 3 to 17 who do not have a proper bed of their own. Beds are delivered complete with mattresses, bedding and pillows. No demographic or financial need documentation is required. Learn more or request a bed at shpbeds.org
This resource is provided year-round as beds and volunteers are available.
Kenosha County Needs More Local Foster Homes
-posted July 14, 2026
School can be the one constant in a child’s life during times of change. When children enter foster care, being able to remain in their home school or school district helps keep them grounded and connected to the teachers, friends, and support systems they know. These familiar connections can make a meaningful difference during a time of uncertainty.
Could your home be the one that helps a child stay connected to their school and community?