Westwood Elementary School

08/31/2026

The School District of West De Pere is facing growing budget deficits due to a combination of limited state funding, an inequitable state funding formula, and rising expenses.

While cost-saving measures have been implemented, they are no longer enough to offset the financial gap. Without the permission to reallocate current district funds to operating expenses, reductions that impact our students will be necessary.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, voters in our community will consider an operational referendum that would provide the district permission to reallocate critical funding to maintain and support our schools and students.

Find more information and answers to FAQs at https://www.wdpreferendum.org

08/31/2026

Happy New School Year Eve!

We are so excited to have the students return to the building tomorrow! Here is our traditional back to school video! Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/vDuZ5dSvIWU?si=TcRXB6gsGIi-LTht

08/12/2026

We are so excited to have Ms. Bengtson be part of our regular staff! Some of you may recognize her as a former student teacher and regular sub from last school year, we couldn't pass on the opportunity to add an exceptional teacher to our kindergarten team! Have a great school year and welcome to Westwood!

Hi everyone! My name is Paeyton Bengtson, and I’m so excited to be joining the kindergarten team at Westwood this year!

I completed my student teaching at Westwood, long-term substituted in the first-grade, and spent time substitute teaching in the area before accepting this position. I graduated this past December from UW-Green Bay with my bachelor’s degree and I’m excited to begin my teaching career here.

When I’m not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my two cats, my family, and friends. I’m originally from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, so I love heading back home whenever I can to visit loved ones and enjoy the outdoors. I’m looking forward to an amazing school year and can’t wait to meet all of my students and their families!

08/02/2026

Welcome Ms. Dobratz! Our kindergarten students are so lucky to have your sweet, kind demeanor! We know they will adore you and learn so much from you!

Hello! My name is Aly Dobratz, and I am so excited to be joining Westwood Elementary as a new kindergarten teacher! I graduated from UW- La Crosse this past year and earned my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. I have worked alongside teachers and students in kindergarten, preschool, and third grade classrooms, and have additionally worked as a preschool TA for the past 2 years! Kindergarten truly holds a special place in my heart, so I am thrilled to be joining the kindergarten team!

I am originally from Oconomowoc, WI, so outside of the classroom you can find me exploring the De Pere area and becoming acquainted with my new city! I am really looking forward to settling into this community and connecting with all of the amazing students and families in the West De Pere School District!

07/21/2026

Today and tomorrow, many of our teachers are learning and collaborating to prepare for the year ahead! 🧡🖤

07/17/2026

Welcome Gabby! We're excited to see all your skills put to good use at Westwood!

Hello! My name is Gabby Geldmeyer and I am so excited to be joining Westwood Elementary this fall as a special education teacher! I graduated from UW- Eau Claire in December of 2023 with a Bachelor's degree in Unified Early Childhood. Since then I have been a special education teacher in the Kimberly area School District for about 1 ½ years. I have also worked in ABA therapy through Milestones Behavioral Pediatrics through college and post college.

This summer I have been teaching 4-5 year olds in a daycare setting while preparing to get married! I have also been enjoying traveling, spending time with family and friends, and working on different fun projects at home!

I can’t wait to get back into the classroom and build relationships with all the students in West DePere! I am looking forward to a full year of growth, learning, and experiences this school year!

07/14/2026

Welcome Kate! We can't wait to share your energy and enthusiasm!

My name is Kate Kretsch, and I am so excited to be joining the Westwood Elementary family as the new Speech-Language Pathologist!

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Eastern Washington University and my Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.

After my husband retired from the Air Force following 22 years of service, our family was excited to return to Wisconsin and chose the West De Pere area as the place we’ll call home.

My husband and I have two wonderful kids who keep us busy with their sports and activities. As a family, we love traveling, hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors. Our home is also full of furry (and scaly!) friends—we have two ball pythons, a bearded dragon, a cat, and a dog.

I am passionate about helping students build confidence and communication skills, and I can’t wait to get to know the amazing students, families, and staff at Westwood Elementary. I’m looking forward to a fantastic school year filled with learning, growth, and new connections!

07/13/2026

We are so excited to have Mrs. Fourness joining our 4th grade team!

Hi! My name is Becky Fourness and I am so excited to be joining the fourth grade team at Westwood Elementary this fall! After teaching for 12 years in the Green Bay Area Public School District, I have stayed home the past five years to raise my family. During that time, I worked as a substitute for the School District of West De Pere and was quickly won over by all of the amazing things happening around our schools.

In my spare time, I enjoy reading, running, camping and going on adventures with my family. I am thrilled to be jumping back into my own classroom and am eager to continue to connect with the wonderful community of West De Pere !

07/01/2026

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the Westwood PTO Golf Outing! Whether you sponsored, donated, volunteered, golfed, or helped spread the word, your generosity and support made this event a tremendous success.

Because of your commitment to our students, staff, and school community, we are able to continue providing meaningful opportunities and experiences for our Westwood students. We truly couldn't do it without you.

Thank you for investing in Westwood Elementary and for helping make this year's golf outing such a memorable event. We are incredibly grateful for each and every one of you!

06/13/2026

Best of luck to our Bellin runners this morning! We are proud of you! 🏃🏼‍♀️