News & Events

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by Whitewater Unites Lives.

Saturday, October 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m. will be an opportunity to celebrate Whitewater’s LGBTQ+ community. Students from the Whitewater High School Gay-Straight Alliance and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s PB Poorman Pride Center and IMPACT, along with the Unity Project, Studio 84, First United Methodist Church, The Book Teller, and Whitewater Unites Lives (WUL) are inviting supporters to join them on Saturday, October 23 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Cultural Arts Center (near the Birge Fountain) in Whitewater to celebrate our LGBTQ+ community and their allies.

The event will feature family-friendly music and entertainment, including performances by volunteer members of the Warhawk Marching Band, student drag performer Victorya Attwood, singer/songwriter Felix Ramsey, and more!

Stephanie Selvick (she/her) is the LGBTQ Coordinator at UW-Whitewater. Students in the PB Poorman Pride Center and IMPACT say: “The Whitewater Pride event is important because it can help people find safety in their identity within a small-town community. Inclusive events help to debunk stereotypes that render LGBTQ+ people in small towns invisible. Gen Z has already gone viral for being the most LGBTQ+ identified generation yet (16% in a 2020 Gallup poll!). This Pride celebration offers young people a platform to connect, celebrate each other, and showcase the gender and sexual diversity that of course already exists in Whitewater.”

Camden Harlan (she/her/hers) is an advisor for the Whitewater High School Gay-Straight Alliance. She said, “Our GSA is honored to be one of the sponsors of the PRIDE event this October. Our focus is to educate our students, staff, and community on positive ways to speak out against hate, prejudice, and injustice. This opportunity allows our students to meet others who share these concerns, make friends, and know that they are not alone. A safe space where they can express themselves or learn how to be a more active Ally is empowering for them, and honestly, this event is saving lives. What an honor!”

Lauren Smith (she/her), one of the founders of Whitewater Unites Lives, said, “WUL is so delighted to partner in this PRIDE event, as it is a perfect fit for the mission of WUL. Our group is a locally-focused civil and human rights group that works to connect the people in our community and to create opportunities for all people to learn and support each other in our common humanity. Our thanks to the Unity Project in Fort Atkinson for expanding their event from last year’s Fort location to include neighboring communities.  Everyone should feel welcome and appreciated in their communities.” 

More information about the event can be found on Facebook at Whitewater Pride Rally.

There is limited parking behind the Cultural Arts Center, and people are invited to park in the First English Lutheran Church lot across from the CAC. People are encouraged to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID.

The image on the homepage, “Pride rainbow flag” by Thompson Rivers is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.

City of Whitewater Common Council – Tuesday @ 6:30 p.m.
Agenda (Amended 10/4) includes Creating Municipal Wards (Redistricting due to results of Federal Census) and request for consideration of waiver of requirement for second reading, Ordinance amending storage of vehicles, Creating Chapter 1.33, Residence Restrictions for Sex Offenders, Presentation of 2022-2023 Whitewater Municipal Budget, and Discussion and possible direction regarding ATV and UTV use and bicycle regulations
This will be an IN PERSON MEETING as well as a VIRTUAL MEETING
Citizens are welcome (and encouraged) to join us in person, or via computer, smart phone,
or telephone. Citizen participation is welcome during topic discussion periods.
Please note that although every effort will be made to provide for virtual
participation, unforeseen technical difficulties may prevent this, in which case
the meeting may still proceed as long as there is a quorum. Should you wish
to make a comment in this situation, you are welcome to call this number:
262-473-0108
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84187101042?pwd=T00way9xVmwraVRKcDFyS1Roc3ZUdz09
Passcode: 279124
Or Telephone:
Dial 1 312 626 6799 or 877 853 5257 (Toll Free)
Webinar ID: 841 8710 1042
Passcode: 279124

City of Whitewater Lakes Chemical Aquatic Application Meeting – Wednesday @ 3:30 p.m.
Agenda
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/469475541
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: 1 (646) 749-3122
Access Code: 469-475-541

City of Whitewater Finance Committee – Thursday @ 4:30 p.m.
Agenda: First of three meetings to review the proposed 2022-23 budget.
Meeting will be held in a BLENDED format (in-person and Virtual) You may join the meeting
in person in the City Manager’s Conference Room located on the 2nd floor of the Municipal
Building or from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/899402645
You can also dial in using your phone.
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)
United States: +1 (571) 317-3122
One-touch: tel:+15713173122,,899402645#
Access Code: 899-402-645

Whitewater Fire Department, Inc Business Meeting – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Discussion options for a Finance & Administration Position
a. Bring finances inhouse from City of Whitewater
Location: WFD, Inc Training Room
This meeting will have a virtual option. Please join the meeting from your
computer, tablet or smartphone :
meet.google.com/yae-dobz-oxn
You can also dial in using your phone
Meeting ID: 1 513-909-3933
Passcode: 585 868 360#

City of Whitewater Landmarks Commission – Thursday @ 6:00 p.m.
Agenda includes Effigy Mounds Preserve – Report on Presentation to Common Council and Progress on City
Manager’s Plan
Cravath Lakefront Room, 2nd Floor
312 Whitewater Street, Whitewater, WI 53190

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

The Wisconsin Association of School Boards has designated October 3-9 as Wisconsin School Board Week as a
time to build awareness and understanding of the vital function an elected school board plays in our communities.
Whitewater Unified School District is joining all public school districts across the state to celebrate Wisconsin School Board Week to honor local school board members for their commitment to Whitewater and its children.

“It takes strong schools to build a strong community, and these men and women devote countless hours to making
sure our schools are helping every student, every day, in a unified way,” Dr. Caroline Pate-Hefty said.
Dr. Pate-Hefty said the key work of school boards is to raise student achievement by:
● Creating a vision for what the community wants the school district to be and for making student achievement
the top priority
● Establishing standards for what students will be expected to learn and be able to do
● Ensuring progress is measured to be sure the district’s goals are achieved and students are learning at
expected levels
● Being accountable for their decisions and actions by continually tracking and reporting results
● Forming partnerships with others in the community to solve common problems
● Focusing attention on the need for continuous improvement by questioning, refining and revising issues
related to student achievement
“School board members give the Whitewater citizens a voice in education decision making. Even though we make a
special effort to show our appreciation in October, their contribution is a year-round commitment.”

The members serving our district and their years of service as follows:
Casey Judd, President – 12th year
Thayer Coburn, Vice President – 11th year
Steve Ryan, Clerk – 11th year
Jim Stewart, Treasurer – 27th year
Jennifer Kienbaum – 3rd year
Larry Kachel – 1st year
Maryann Zimmerman – 1st year

By Lynn Binnie
Whitewater Banner volunteer staff
whitewaterbanner@gmail.com

Highlights of the WUSD School Board meeting of September 27:

In other business:

• John Houwers was congratulated for having been selected as the Inspiring Educator of the Year.
• The Board approved a proposal to move Digital Life Skills from the Middle School to younger pupils, and convert the Middle School curriculum to both Family Consumer Science and Technology Education.
• The “Third Friday Count,” which is used for revenue limit purposes, showed enrollment of 1881 students, an increase of 77 students compared with last year’s 1804. It was indicated that this year’s enrollment includes 35 newcomers from Nicaragua. In 2019 the Third Friday Count was 1962. The Third Friday Count includes only students who are present on that day or the day before/after.
• Although it was indicated that some of the students who open enrolled out of the district last year have returned, this year there are 289 open enrollments “out” versus 264 last year. At a cost of $8161 per student, enrollments out will reduce the district’s revenue by approximately $1.9 million. Elkhorn Area School District is the biggest beneficiary. Open enrollments “in” totaled 56 versus 62 last year.
• Third Friday Enrollment per school is shown in the table below.
  

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Unified School District.

The Whitewater Unified School District (WUSD) has teamed up with the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UWW) Early Childhood Education Program and PremierBank to create free enrichment sessions for children ranging from birth through age five.  We are extremely excited about this new opportunity!  The enrichment sessions, or Partners in Play, are open to any children birth through age five and their caregivers, from all of our surrounding areas.  The curriculum for these sessions was created and will be taught by WUSD staff and the Early Childhood Education Program faculty and students from UWW.  

There will be two sessions/week offered for birth to two year olds and two sessions/week offered for two and half to five year olds.  The sessions for the younger children  will be 30 minutes long.  The sessions for older children will be 45 minutes long. The sessions will run for eight weeks.  Parents/guardians will stay with their child during the sessions.  Sessions will be fun and interactive for all involved. All sessions will be in English and Spanish at the University Community Engagement Center (1260 W Main St).  

Fall Sessions begin September 28 and run through November 16.  Sessions for children birth to two years old will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.  Sessions for the children ages two and a half to five will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.  Sessions are now full and we have a waitlist available.  If families sign up and a spot becomes available, families will be notified.  To sign up, please go to the Whitewater Unified School District’s website at wwusd.org and click on Partners in Play on the top of the screen.  We will be having a spring session and sign up will be available in January for that session.  

The weekly themes are as follows:

Week 1: Rainbow of Foods  (exploring healthy foods by color)

Week 2: Crunch and Munch (exploring healthy foods by texture)

Week 3: If You are Happy and You Know It (exploring emotions)

Week 4: Moving and Grooving  (big body movements)

Week 5: Roll Baby Roll (exploring things that roll)

Week 6: Into the Light (light and shadow explorations)

Week 7: Cool as a Cucumber (relaxing our bodies)

Week 8: Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes (body awareness)

Editor’s note: The following information was provided by the Whitewater Police Department.

The Wisconsin Law Enforcement Accreditation Group (WILEAG), has once again accredited the City of Whitewater Police Department (WPD) following a rigorous, on-site assessment of the police department in June of 2021. It is the seventh time the department has been accredited through WILEAG, one of the most of any law enforcement agency in the state of Wisconsin.

“The WILEAG team examined all aspects of the Whitewater Police Department’s policies, procedures, management,
operations and support services,” Police Chief Aaron M. Raap announced. “Verification by the WILEAG team that the
Whitewater Police Department meets the Board’s state-of-the-art standards is part of a voluntary process to gain
accreditation – a prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence.”

WILEAG exists to “promote excellence and professionalism in policing” which, for the WPD Department, included 230 standards. The WILEAG Governing Board met last month to conduct a review of the on-site
assessment and to review feedback from the Whitewater community and professional associates. The Board voted
unanimously to reaccredit the WPD for a three-year period.

The WPD follows their Mission Statement: We strive to be leaders in policing for our community and models of character, honor, service and excellence. We resolve to develop a creative and problem-solving workforce dedicated to innovation and meeting the challenges of tomorrow. In times of crisis, we strive to defend public safety, maintain order and restore a sense of personal wholeness. Our goal is to protect and serve our diverse and dynamic community with integrity, dignity and respect. Central to the WPD’s mission, is a set of values that guide their work and decisions which allow them to make significant contributions to improving the quality of life in Whitewater; those values are: Commitment to Service, Leadership, Justice, Compassion, Partnership and Pride.

“This most recent re-accreditation, combined with the actions and interactions we are engaged in today will further define the character and reputation of our Department and the effect that we have on reducing crime and disorder in our community for years to come,” Chief Raap said. “I am very proud of the men and women of the Whitewater Police Department and grateful for being able to serve such an incredible community.”