News & Events

Trippe Lake at twilight on August 22, 2026. Photo by Joel Houkom.

Photo submitted by Cheryl Stormes

The Whitewater Unified School District has adopted an updated policy establishing expectations for student use of cell phones and other personal communication devices.

The School Board adopted Policy 5136, Personal Communication Devices, on June 22 as part of the district’s adoption of NEOLA policies. The updated policy largely formalizes practices already in place across the district while outlining expectations for student use of cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, and other personal communication devices.

Under the policy, students may bring personal communication devices to school, but devices must be completely powered off and stored out of sight during school hours.

“Our goal is to keep our schools focused on learning and allow students to connect with their teachers and classmates without unnecessary distractions,” said Superintendent Samuel Karns. “This policy is not a significant change from what we have already been doing in our schools. However, it puts those expectations in writing so students and families know what to expect.”

The policy includes exceptions that allow students to use personal communication devices in an emergency or perceived threat, to manage specific healthcare needs, as authorized through an Individualized Education Program or Section 504 plan, or when a teacher allows a device to be used for an educational purpose.

The policy also prohibits students from using personal devices to record others without authorization, access online content that is otherwise blocked by the district, engage in bullying or harassment, or share information in a way that constitutes cheating or academic dishonesty. Violations may result in disciplinary action or confiscation of a device, depending on the circumstances and previous violations.

Families who need to contact their child during the school day are encouraged to call their child’s school office.

The district encourages students and families to review the policy together before the start of the school year so they understand the expectations for personal devices in WUSD schools. The full policy is available at https://go.neola.com/whitewater-wi/policy/policy-manual/po5136.

Thank you to Tom Ganser for these additional photos from the grand opening of the new fire training facility located at 1220 Innovation Drive in the industrial park.

This project was funded in its entirety by the Chief CG Hickey Fund managed by the Whitewater Community Foundation.

It was July 4th, 1981.

Our very first Gyro Stand at Starin Park.

$2.00 Gyro,  $1.00 Ding Dong Sundaes, .50 cartons of Hawthorn Melody milk.

Several months earlier, a group of men met in the basement of Commercial Bank, discussing the possibility of starting an Optimist Club in Whitewater.  Duane Dickens spearheaded this movement, and asked if we were interested in community service.  I was currently President of the Whitewater Jaycees at the time and we had a very active group with over 90 members.

So, on we went. It took several months to get to the required 35 members who were interested in paying dues to volunteer! We did, and as the 4th of July drew near, we decided to have a food booth in the park. Gyros were launched, with equipment offered by Athanas (Tony) G. Georgalas, who owned the Duck Inn at the time. Splitting our time between the Jaycees Jingle Board and our food stand was fairly easy.  It was fun to be at the park seeing so many friends.

So now we have a kitty, some equipment, and a track record; what we needed now was a Charter, a Board of Directors, and officers.

On July 26th the motion to organize was made by R. Fassl seconded by H. Devitt with 21 members present and four guests.

The officers were:
Duane Dickens   President
Tim Sobie            Vice President
Tom Aumann       Vice president
Pat Bonney          Director
Harry Devitt         Director
H. Marklein          Director
Duane DeSart     Director
Wayne Riegler    Director
Tom Schopen      Director
And Gerald R. Thayer was our Secretary/Treasurer (Where did he keep the Gyro money for a whole year ?! )

This was the start of a 45-year run of Optimism in Whitewater. We did Gyros until 2018, when we found that we just did not have enough manpower to run the length of the event.

It was a tough decision to make, and it is still missed.

We continued with many other projects from building parks and playgrounds, to taking over several projects from the Jaycees such as the Easter Egg Hunt and Post Prom activities. We enjoyed our partnerships with the WUSD, at all the schools serving ice cream, Bicycle Rodeo, finger printing all our children with the Safe Child Program, honoring Students of the Month, Teachers of the Year.  Giving tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships. Oratorical Programs,  Tri-Star Sports of all kinds. Sponsoring youth sports through the Whitewater Park and Rec. Dept..  The Optimist Fishing Derby at Cravath. We loved Breakfast With Santa, Toys for Kids, Christmas Neighbors, Floats in the Christmas Parade.

We were young and energetic, so building playgrounds and building Optimist Park was easy, and fun!  Deer widows Bowling Tournament, Trivia Night, and Bingo at the Legion brought in people from near and far.  We kept the shelves stocked at the food pantry. manned the gates at Perkins Stadium, and manned the concessions stands at the Kohl Center and the Bradley Center. We even worked the first Brat Fest in Madison.  And so much more.

As the Club grew, we had even more impact.  We started a Club on the UWW Campus, which also grew into a Student Optimist Club on Campus.  We had a Chapter in the Middle school, the Junior Optimist Club, and the Octagon Club at the High School.  With so much involvement, and so many members, there was little that we would not take on, so we added Highway Cleanup, and the Fremont Nature Park.  Moving the “Mustard Building” that was across the street from the train depot to the southeast end of Washington School field for a warming house/clubhouse. It stood next to their Washington Golden Eagles Butterfly Garden.

Last month, the Board of Directors made a difficult decision to no longer pay our National dues, and due to no longer being able to find new members to join, officially ended the  UW- Whitewater Community Optimist Club.  We were able to donate materials and supplies to Studio 84. WUL received art supplies for the National Children’s Day event. The Community Space was able to take a few loads, and we are pleased that the Whitewater Rec. Dept continued the Breakfast for dinner With Santa event. Watch for it next year. It will be wonderful! The Aquatic center provided a new home for all our Easter Eggs! 

Thank you for your support throughout the years, and maybe think of helping our remaining Service Clubs in Whitewater by pitching in. It is a lot of fun to serve.

There will always be Optimists in Whitewater; we just look a little different.

Rick Fassl, Charter Member

Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is proud to contribute $1,500 to Bethel House of Whitewater’s 7th Home Project, helping expand transitional housing opportunities for families experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

For more than 30 years, Bethel House has served the greater Whitewater community by providing emergency assistance, a public toiletry pantry, and transitional housing programs that help families achieve long-term stability and independence.

The donation supports Bethel House’s campaign to raise $100,000 toward the construction of a new duplex in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. The project will allow Bethel House to once again offer seven transitional housing units, increasing its ability to serve local families in need.

“At FCCU, we believe strong communities begin with strong foundations, and that starts with having a safe place to call home,” said Whitney Townsend, Director of Business and Community Development at FCCU. “We are honored to support Bethel House and the important work they do to help families build brighter futures.”

Construction is expected to begin this fall on property recently acquired from the City of Whitewater. The duplex will provide additional housing opportunities for larger families, an increasing need identified through recent housing applications.

FCCU is proud to partner with organizations like Bethel House that make a lasting impact on the communities we serve by providing hope, stability, and opportunities for local families. For more information about the 7th home project, Bethel House’s program, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support the organization, please contact director.bethelhouse@gmail.com or by phone 262-473-2715.

About FCCU: Established in 1940, Fort Community Credit Union (FCCU) is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone living or working in Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, or Waukesha counties. With branch locations in Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Watertown, and Whitewater, FCCU holds $419 million in assets and has more than 21,000 members. For more information about FCCU and the products and services they offer, visit fortcommunity.com or call (920) 563-7305.