Hello Lakeside Families, 

With March right around the corner, it’s a crucial time to focus on student attendance and prevent chronic absenteeism. Consistent attendance is key to academic success, and we can work together to ensure students stay on track.

• The start of the second semester is a key time for early intervention. Identifying students with moderate chronic absence now allows us to provide the necessary support before they fall further behind.
• Absenteeism often spikes in winter due to illness and bad weather. Families can take proactive steps to keep students healthy and prepared for school. (Check out January Tips for more info!)
• For middle and high school students, empowering them to develop their own strategies for getting to school and tracking their absences can help build responsibility and consistency.

Additionally, the WI Forward Exam for 3rd-5th grade students is also starting in March and April! These assessments are an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their learning and growth. Families can help set their children up for success with a few simple strategies:

• Ensure a good night’s sleep before each testing day to help with focus and energy.
• Provide a healthy breakfast to fuel their brains for the day ahead.
• Encourage a positive mindset by reminding students to do their best and stay confident.
• Avoid scheduling appointments on testing days to minimize disruptions.

Thank you for your support in helping our students feel prepared and ready to shine!

Celebrate Read Across America with Spirit Week

Upcoming Lakeside Events

• March 3rd - 7th- Read Across America Week (see above for details)
• March 4th- Ms. Fritz's 3rd grade field trip to the Oshkosh Public Museum
• March 5th - Ms. Pelot's 3rd grade field trip to the Oshkosh Public Museum
• March 7th - No school for students; professional development for staff
• March 11th -
  • PTO Meeting, 3pm in the media center 
  • Referendum presentation from 4 - 5:00pm in the gym
• March 10th - 14th - Student Council Spirit Week; watch your child's folder for more information
• March 14th - Lakeside School Dance, 6-7:30pm
• March 15th- PTO Fundraiser at Gabe's Wisconsin Kitchen and Tavern from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
• March 24th-March 28th- Spring Break
• April 1st- End of Third Quarter
• April 8th- PTO Fundraiser at Rocky Rococo's

Making an Informed Decision: April 1 School Referendum Approaches

We’re just weeks away from a significant moment for our schools—the upcoming vote on the Oshkosh Area School District’s (OASD) $197.8 million facilities referendum. This plan is about more than just buildings—it’s about creating better learning environments and opportunities for our students, improving safety and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) access limitations, and saving money through operational efficiencies, all while maintaining a $0 tax increase to the debt levy. This referendum represents the next step in our community-developed facilities consolidation plan, which began in 2017 and has already delivered significant improvements through Phase 1. 

As members of our school community, we know you may have questions or hear questions from others about what this means for our schools. We want to ensure you have the facts and an understanding of the plan before you cast your vote on April 1!

What Will Your Vote Decide?

If the Referendum is Approved:

• A new consolidated middle school will be built at the Shapiro site (close South Park and Perry Tipler, reducing from three to two westside middle schools)
• Carl Traeger, Franklin, and Oakwood Elementary schools will be expanded and renovated (close Roosevelt and Shapiro, reducing from seven to five westside elementary schools)
• Perry Tipler Middle School will be converted into a pre-kindergarten center and recreation department
• A new auditorium will be added to Oshkosh North High School
• Air conditioning will be installed at Emmeline Cook, Lakeside, and Read Elementary schools
• The district will close and seek to sell South Park Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary School, and the downtown recreation center
• Non-district pre-kindergarten leases will be eliminated (approximately $550,000 annual savings)

WATCH! Here is a 3-minute video explaining the scope of our April 1 Facilities Referendum.

If the Referendum is Not Approved:

First and foremost, the OASD will seek community feedback to understand why it did not pass. After review, a process will be developed to adjust accordingly - with the next opportunity to go to referendum being April 2026. Additionally:

• South Park students will remain in a 120-year-old building located within a restricted flight zone
• Virtual learning would be required during emergency repairs at South Park due to insufficient space at other schools
• Shapiro STEM Academy will still close after the 2025-2026 school year due to low enrollment (Note: Shapiro will close regardless of the referendum outcome)
• Planned facilities improvements will not be made
• Annual operational savings from consolidation will not be realized
• Construction costs are projected to increase by 5% annually, potentially raising the project cost from $198M now to $242M by 2029

Upcoming Information Sessions

There are still several opportunities to learn more and ask questions before the vote. Visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/referendum-2025/information-sessions for a list of upcoming dates - including information sessions and informal Q&A drop-in sessions.

WATCH! This 30-minute presentation is available for anyone who is not able to attend an information session. 

Voting Information

• Election Day: Monday, April 1, 2025
• Voter Registration: Visit Myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Voter-Registration 
• Early Voting Options:
  • Absentee ballots can be requested through Friday, March 28 by 5:00 PM
  • Municipalities will begin mailing absentee ballots no later than March 11
  • In-person early voting begins March 18 at your local municipal clerk's office (check directly for office hours)

Learn More

For more detailed information about the referendum, including FAQs, videos, floor plans and project details, visit the district's dedicated webpage: oshkosh.k12.wi.us/referendum-2025. You can also contact the district directly with questions at 920.424.0395 or referendum@oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

Get ready for Oshkosh Summer School 2025

Registration Opens March 5th, Course Guide Now Available

Starting March 5th, families may begin registering their child(ren) for Summer School 2025! Be sure to sign up early because classes do fill up and those that do not have enough students enrolled may be canceled. 

OASD Summer School offers a variety of in-person and virtual classes for students entering kindergarten through high school, including athletic camps, music camps, and eAcademy options. While remedial courses are available, the majority of courses are designed to keep students thinking and exploring during the summer. 

COURSE GUIDE: Detailed information about all course options, including special camps and registration instructions, are available on the OASD Summer School webpage in the Summer School Course Guide. 

Summer School enrollment is FREE and available for all OASD students, students who live within the district boundaries, and students who are open-enrolled in the OASD. 

LEARN MORE: OASD Update 02.20.25 - Summer School 2025 Dates, Locations, and Details

Community Events

Check out our Community Events page on our website for information about events happening throughout the Oshkosh community!

Follow the Lakeside PTO

Click HERE to find our amazing PTO on Facebook! Please 'like' and 'follow' Lakeside's PTO on Facebook. They have the most up-to-date information on all of our wonderful events!  The next PTO meeting is March, 11th at 3pm in library.

Important Information
Lakeside Elementary School 2024-2025 Family Handbook 

Pre-Planned Absence Form
2024-2025 OASD School Year Calendar with Lakeside Events

2024-2025 Lakeside School Supply List