(In case you missed it last week) ✨ Celebrating 20 Years of Service ✨
Please join us in honoring 15 incredible Fond du Lac School District staff members who are beginning their 20th year of service this school year.
They were recognized with gratitude by colleagues for their dedication, care and commitment to our students and community. With this milestone, they join more than 100 staff members who have each served the district for 20+ years!
We are truly fortunate to have such a hardworking and dedicated team shaping the lives of Fond du Lac students every day.
Watch the full video at FDLsd.org/20
Please join us in honoring 15 incredible Fond du Lac School District staff members who are beginning their 20th year of service this school year.
They were recognized with gratitude by colleagues for their dedication, care and commitment to our students and community. With this milestone, they join more than 100 staff members who have each served the district for 20+ years!
We are truly fortunate to have such a hardworking and dedicated team shaping the lives of Fond du Lac students every day.
Watch the full video at FDLsd.org/20
As students return to classrooms, we are also beginning a new chapter, officially welcoming Superintendent Steinbarth to his first school year leading our Fond du Lac School District.
Many of you may know him as a familiar face, though this is the perfect time to get to know more about the person behind the role. Superintendent Steinbarth is excited to partner with families, staff and students to strengthen connections and ignite opportunities for each and every student to thrive.
🎥 Kick off the year by watching our video and learning more about his goals for our schools: FDLsd.org/sup.
Many of you may know him as a familiar face, though this is the perfect time to get to know more about the person behind the role. Superintendent Steinbarth is excited to partner with families, staff and students to strengthen connections and ignite opportunities for each and every student to thrive.
🎥 Kick off the year by watching our video and learning more about his goals for our schools: FDLsd.org/sup.
Thank you, Fondy community, for your incredible support! Because of you, Mason has been named Player of the Week.
👏 Congratulations to Mason on this well-earned honor, and to his teammates and coaches whose hard work made it possible. We are proud of the entire Cardinals family!
👏 Congratulations to Mason on this well-earned honor, and to his teammates and coaches whose hard work made it possible. We are proud of the entire Cardinals family!
Mason powered the Cardinals’ 17–3 win over Marquette with 48 carries, 302 yards and two touchdowns!
👏 Show your support. Vote Mason for Player of the Week on Bound Wisconsin (FDLsd.org/mason).
👏 Show your support. Vote Mason for Player of the Week on Bound Wisconsin (FDLsd.org/mason).
First Day of School
What an incredible morning across our schools! It was so special to see our families, welcome back so many smiling faces, and kick off the year together. The energy and excitement today remind us of the amazing year ahead.
Here is to new opportunities, friendships and learning in 2025-26. It is going to be a great one!
🖍️ Welcome Back!
4K & Early Childhood families, your big day is tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept . 3)
Let’s get those first day photos ready 📸
Here’s to a fantastic 2025–26 school year!
💬 Tag us in your first day smiles!
4K & Early Childhood families, your big day is tomorrow (Wednesday, Sept . 3)
Let’s get those first day photos ready 📸
Here’s to a fantastic 2025–26 school year!
💬 Tag us in your first day smiles!
🎒 Tomorrow’s the Day!
K5–12 students start on Tuesday, Sept. 2; 4K & Early Childhood begin Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Enjoy the rest of Labor Day, then pack backpacks, lay out outfits and charge devices so we can kick off an amazing 2025‑26 school year.
Tag us in those first‑day smiles!
K5–12 students start on Tuesday, Sept. 2; 4K & Early Childhood begin Wednesday, Sept. 3.
Enjoy the rest of Labor Day, then pack backpacks, lay out outfits and charge devices so we can kick off an amazing 2025‑26 school year.
Tag us in those first‑day smiles!
"📅 Plan Your Year with the 2025‑26 School Calendar
• View or print it anytime at FDLsd.org/calendar
• Here are non-student days that are important to note:
--Breaks--
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025
Friday, Nov. 28, 2025
Dec. 24, 2025 - Jan. 4, 2026
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026
March 30 - April 6, 2026
Monday, May 25, 2026
--Academic Planning Days--
Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 (district)
Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (district)
Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 (4K/EC, E)
Friday, March 20, 2026 (district)
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (4K/EC, E)
Friday, May 15, 2026 (4K/EC, E)
--Conferences--
Oct. 13 & 23, 2025 (Middle School)
Oct. 14 & 20, 2025 (High School)
Oct. 16 & 21, 2025 (Elementary)
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 (4K/EC no school)
Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 (Elementary Day)
Feb. 17 & 19, 2026 (Elementary)
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 (High School)
Feb. 24 & 26, 2026 (Middle School)
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 (4K/EC no school)
Friday, Oct. 27, 2026 (Elementary Day)
--Staff Development Days--
Friday, Sept. 26, 2025
Friday, Oct. 24, 2025
Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
**Please note that Riverside and Parkside have Academic Parent-Teacher Team days that make slight adjustments to their family-teacher conferences.
--Riverside link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CDYv-Rsph0uRiRSAWuIwWensxO4JIUnIBzMnqELG5hI/edit?usp=sharing
--Parkside link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PeeDL78aKbPYL8Vv3eysiBwebOuQwQA2X6NCD0-vvQ/edit?usp=sharing
Start mapping out a smooth year today.
• View or print it anytime at FDLsd.org/calendar
• Here are non-student days that are important to note:
--Breaks--
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025
Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025
Friday, Nov. 28, 2025
Dec. 24, 2025 - Jan. 4, 2026
Monday, Jan. 19, 2026
Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026
March 30 - April 6, 2026
Monday, May 25, 2026
--Academic Planning Days--
Friday, Nov. 7, 2025 (district)
Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (district)
Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 (4K/EC, E)
Friday, March 20, 2026 (district)
Tuesday, April 7, 2026 (4K/EC, E)
Friday, May 15, 2026 (4K/EC, E)
--Conferences--
Oct. 13 & 23, 2025 (Middle School)
Oct. 14 & 20, 2025 (High School)
Oct. 16 & 21, 2025 (Elementary)
Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 (4K/EC no school)
Friday, Oct. 24, 2025 (Elementary Day)
Feb. 17 & 19, 2026 (Elementary)
Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026 (High School)
Feb. 24 & 26, 2026 (Middle School)
Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026 (4K/EC no school)
Friday, Oct. 27, 2026 (Elementary Day)
--Staff Development Days--
Friday, Sept. 26, 2025
Friday, Oct. 24, 2025
Friday, Feb. 27, 2026
**Please note that Riverside and Parkside have Academic Parent-Teacher Team days that make slight adjustments to their family-teacher conferences.
--Riverside link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CDYv-Rsph0uRiRSAWuIwWensxO4JIUnIBzMnqELG5hI/edit?usp=sharing
--Parkside link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16PeeDL78aKbPYL8Vv3eysiBwebOuQwQA2X6NCD0-vvQ/edit?usp=sharing
Start mapping out a smooth year today.
📣 Calling all current 2025-26 eighth grade famlies!
Save the date: January 12, 2026, is the Future Fondy Class of 2030 Orientation at Fond du Lac High School.
💡 A great first step in preparing for high school! More info to come in December.
Save the date: January 12, 2026, is the Future Fondy Class of 2030 Orientation at Fond du Lac High School.
💡 A great first step in preparing for high school! More info to come in December.
Families of all FHS students — join us Tuesday, Sept. 2, for Back to School Night.
🎤 Meet teachers
💬 Ask about curriculum & expectations
This evening helps you stay connected all year long.
See you Tuesday night.
🎤 Meet teachers
💬 Ask about curriculum & expectations
This evening helps you stay connected all year long.
See you Tuesday night.
Want to make a daily impact? Join us as an Instructional Assistant.
Love tech and teaching? Be our next Computer Science Teacher.
Learn more at FDLsd.org/work.
Apply for instructional assistant roles: https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicSupport/3453.
Certified openings (including computer science): https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicCertified/3453.
Love tech and teaching? Be our next Computer Science Teacher.
Learn more at FDLsd.org/work.
Apply for instructional assistant roles: https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicSupport/3453.
Certified openings (including computer science): https://wecan.waspa.org/Employer/Vacancy/PublicCertified/3453.
🎒 Back-to-School Support
Huge thanks to our community partners. Many families received school supplies through the Back to School FDL program.
🦷 Healthy Smiles for Fall
Our friends at Bridging Brighter Smiles are enrolling now. Keep your child’s teeth shining for the new year. Learn more and enroll at BridgingBrighterSmiles.org.
Huge thanks to our community partners. Many families received school supplies through the Back to School FDL program.
🦷 Healthy Smiles for Fall
Our friends at Bridging Brighter Smiles are enrolling now. Keep your child’s teeth shining for the new year. Learn more and enroll at BridgingBrighterSmiles.org.
Every school day counts — especially the first ones. When students are in class, they learn more, connect with friends and build strong habits. Help your child build strong habits now: set a consistent bedtime and morning routine this week. Let’s start the year strong — make daily, on-time attendance your goal!
That “calm before the first bell” feeling is here. Our halls are quiet, though momentum is building across our community.
Earlier this week, we rolled out the red carpet to welcome our new staff at Cardinal Launch. It was an energizing kickoff that set the tone for a strong year.
We have also been excited to see many of our students begin with activities and families already filling our schools with back-to-school events, with more still to come this week and next.
Tomorrow, we welcome back all staff to officially start the 2025-26 school year together as Team Fondy.
After the holiday, we are thrilled to fully open our doors for our students, who are at the heart of everything we do. Let’s start strong together.
Earlier this week, we rolled out the red carpet to welcome our new staff at Cardinal Launch. It was an energizing kickoff that set the tone for a strong year.
We have also been excited to see many of our students begin with activities and families already filling our schools with back-to-school events, with more still to come this week and next.
Tomorrow, we welcome back all staff to officially start the 2025-26 school year together as Team Fondy.
After the holiday, we are thrilled to fully open our doors for our students, who are at the heart of everything we do. Let’s start strong together.
✨ Sabish (5:30-7 pm), STEM Academy (5:30-6:15 pm), Woodworth (4:30-6 pm) and Theisen (6-7:30 pm) families — join us for Back to School Night on August 26!
Meet your child’s teachers and hear what is new for 2025-26.
🏫 Build connection.
📣 Ask questions.
📅 Aug. 26 — we will see you there!
(Photos from Theisen's sixth-grade orientation last week)
🧡 Our elementary open houses run August 25-28! Come meet teachers and explore classrooms. Your child will feel confident on day one.
📝 Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, Waters from 3:30-5 pm and at Evans and Riverside from 6-7:30 pm. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at Chegwin, Lakeshore and Rosenow form 3:30-5 pm and at Pier and Roberts from 6-7:30 pm. Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Parkside from 3:30-5 pm.
📝 Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, Waters from 3:30-5 pm and at Evans and Riverside from 6-7:30 pm. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2025, at Chegwin, Lakeshore and Rosenow form 3:30-5 pm and at Pier and Roberts from 6-7:30 pm. Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, at Parkside from 3:30-5 pm.
Say hello to Brody Detert, our new second grade teacher at Riverside Elementary School.
Brody’s Fond du Lac roots run deep. He attended Lakeshore Elementary and STEM Academy, moved on to Theisen Middle School, and graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 2021. After teaching alongside Mr. Rauen at Pier Elementary last year, he now steps into his own classroom at Riverside, and we are thrilled to welcome him back.
Teaching is a family tradition. Brody’s mother, aunt, and grandparents are all educators, and a summer spent tutoring his cousin confirmed his own passion for the profession. A lifelong athlete, he plans to create a fun, inclusive classroom that builds teamwork and community, just like the sports he loves.
Ask Brody about the growing popularity of pickleball. If he could master one skill overnight, he would learn to play the guitar. In his free time, you can often find him on the ice for pickup hockey games.
Brody’s Fond du Lac roots run deep. He attended Lakeshore Elementary and STEM Academy, moved on to Theisen Middle School, and graduated from Fond du Lac High School in 2021. After teaching alongside Mr. Rauen at Pier Elementary last year, he now steps into his own classroom at Riverside, and we are thrilled to welcome him back.
Teaching is a family tradition. Brody’s mother, aunt, and grandparents are all educators, and a summer spent tutoring his cousin confirmed his own passion for the profession. A lifelong athlete, he plans to create a fun, inclusive classroom that builds teamwork and community, just like the sports he loves.
Ask Brody about the growing popularity of pickleball. If he could master one skill overnight, he would learn to play the guitar. In his free time, you can often find him on the ice for pickup hockey games.
Say hello to Alissa Best, our new special education teacher at Roberts Elementary School.
Alissa grew up in Mayville and attended Marian University. After working as an instructional assistant at Roberts, she is thrilled to move into a teaching role and play a more active part in each and every student’s learning journey. Just as she enjoys watching her own children grow, Alissa loves seeing students gain confidence and skills, and she looks forward to making a meaningful impact on every child’s development.
Outside of school, Alissa and her husband spend time outdoors and are often out walking or biking local trails. Her favorite treat is the Packer Sundae from Gillies Frozen Custard. She is inspired by Mother Teresa’s advice: “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”
Alissa grew up in Mayville and attended Marian University. After working as an instructional assistant at Roberts, she is thrilled to move into a teaching role and play a more active part in each and every student’s learning journey. Just as she enjoys watching her own children grow, Alissa loves seeing students gain confidence and skills, and she looks forward to making a meaningful impact on every child’s development.
Outside of school, Alissa and her husband spend time outdoors and are often out walking or biking local trails. Her favorite treat is the Packer Sundae from Gillies Frozen Custard. She is inspired by Mother Teresa’s advice: “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”
⚠️ 1 Week Left to Verify in Skyward!
Complete Student Verification by Wednesday, Aug. 20, to unlock schedules and ensure emergency contacts are correct.
Log in to Skyward Family Access today via FDLsd.org/skyward and click “Student Verification” to finish in minutes.
In-person support is available today (Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025) until 6 PM at the Administration Center, 72 W. 9th Street.
Complete Student Verification by Wednesday, Aug. 20, to unlock schedules and ensure emergency contacts are correct.
Log in to Skyward Family Access today via FDLsd.org/skyward and click “Student Verification” to finish in minutes.
In-person support is available today (Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025) until 6 PM at the Administration Center, 72 W. 9th Street.
Say hello to Karissa Jahn, our new fourth grade teacher at Roberts Elementary School and a proud member of the Fond du Lac High School Class of 2020.
Karissa grew up in Fondy and gained valuable experience working with children at the Treffert Center. That work shaped her strengths‑based philosophy, which focuses on building on each and every child’s unique abilities. She aims to help her fourth graders grow into confident leaders and dedicated learners.
Outside the classroom, Karissa enjoys drawing, reading and cuddling with her two cats. Her favorite local hangout is Chimera Hobby Shop, where she explores Magic: The Gathering and other card and board games. She is currently learning Japanese and hopes to visit Japan someday. Karissa finds inspiration in the Superman movies, appreciating their message that people can choose goodness and that empathy defines our humanity.
Karissa grew up in Fondy and gained valuable experience working with children at the Treffert Center. That work shaped her strengths‑based philosophy, which focuses on building on each and every child’s unique abilities. She aims to help her fourth graders grow into confident leaders and dedicated learners.
Outside the classroom, Karissa enjoys drawing, reading and cuddling with her two cats. Her favorite local hangout is Chimera Hobby Shop, where she explores Magic: The Gathering and other card and board games. She is currently learning Japanese and hopes to visit Japan someday. Karissa finds inspiration in the Superman movies, appreciating their message that people can choose goodness and that empathy defines our humanity.
