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Burdick Buzz, 02/06/2026

February 10, 2026

Burdick Buzz Newsletter!

Online Yearbook Orders

January 28, 2026

Burdick yearbook's are available to purchase online. Order yours before April 1. https://orders.schoolandsportpics.com/ordering/with?key=E5TJMKNZ

MPS Invest and Grow community meetings

November 17, 2025

Join MPS Academic Superintendents at meetings across the city to hear important updates and give feedback. Leadership will be making the rounds from November 2025 through May 2026 to present information to students, families, staff, and community members. Sessions are...

Burdick Buzz, 11/10/2025

November 17, 2025

Burdick Buzz Newsletter, 11/10/2025

Get essential back-to-school tips and be ready on Tuesday, September 2

August 1, 2025

Milwaukee Public Schools wants to help students get the new school year off to a great start! The district is offering important information to guide families as the start of school approaches this fall. All MPS students begin school Tuesday, September 2, 2025. Visit...

Burdick Buzz, 10/24/2024

October 24, 2024 | News

Greetings Burdick Families!

Happy Fall Fest week! Thank you to those families who have volunteered to host an activity table or donated items! There are still some empty spots available if you would like to help out! We are very excited to see you all on Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for the event!

Fall Fest Flyer

Important Dates

October 25- Burdick Family Fall Fest

October 28- Middle School Play Parent Information Meeting

October 29- Middle School Play Auditions

November 5- No School- Election Day

November 6- Picture Retakes

November 11-25- Kringle and Coffee Fundraiser

November 12- SEC Meeting

November 18-22- Burdick Food Drive/Spirit Week

November 19- FTT Meeting

November 27-29- No School- Thanksgiving Break

December 5- Winter Concert

December 13- Kringle/Coffee Fundraiser Pick-Up

December 14- MPS Battle of the Drumlines

December 23-31- No School- Winter Break

January 1- No School- Winter Break

January 2- Classes Resume

Staff Spotlight

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on the one and only Rex! Rex is the coolest little resident of Ms. Akin’s 3rd-grade class—our beloved 7-year-old leopard gecko! Rex has been hanging out in Room 112 for since she was three and a half weeks old, and she’s become a key member of the Burdick family.

Rex is more than just a class pet—she’s a real mascot for the 3rd graders! She’s there to lend a scaly ear during reading time, to keep an eye on all the classroom happenings, and to sneak in a little mischief when Ms. Akin’s back is turned (especially during Fall Fest when hot dogs are involved!). Whether it’s chilling out under her favorite “rock” that Mrs. Akin 3D printed, munching on crickets, or showing off her leopard spots, Rex knows how to keep the kids entertained and learning.

Rex is all about enjoying the simple things in life: warmth, bugs, and lots of love from her 3rd-grade friends.

Check out how Rex answered our questions below:

How long have you worked at Burdick? Oh, I’ve been here since… well, in gecko years, it feels like forever! I’d say about 7 years, which is a lot of recesses and snack times! I live in Ms. Akin’s 3rd-grade class, where the kids are super fun, and I get all the attention (and bugs) I could want. It’s the perfect gig!
What was your favorite school subject when you were a kid, and do you still love it today? I’ve always been a fan of Science! Anything that involves bugs or small critters is totally my jam (and my lunch)! I still love it because the kids in Ms. Akin’s class get super excited about experiments, and sometimes I get to be the special “guest gecko” for lessons. I mean, who wouldn’t want to learn about the food chain from someone who lives it every day?
If the school had a theme song that played every morning, what song would you choose? I’d pick “Eye of the Tiger!” It’s got a great beat for a morning run up my climbing rock, and it makes me feel like the king of the classroom. Plus, who doesn’t want to start the day feeling like they’re about to catch the biggest cricket ever?
What’s your favorite school tradition or event, and why is it special to you? I love Fall Fest because I get to see all the fun activities the students and their families plan! There’s always something exciting happening, and everyone’s in a great mood. Plus, I’ve got a little secret… I love sneaking a hot dog when Ms. Akin isn’t looking. What can I say? Even geckos like a good Fall Fest snack!

Burdick Spirit Wear

Good News! If you missed the chance to purchase your Burdick gear last month, you’re in luck! The spirit wear store will be open until midnight on Friday, October 25th. Orders should be ready for pick-up in November. Get your spirit wear before it’s too late

!https://dunns-24-burdickpanthers.itemorder.com/

Middle School Play

The middle school play parent information meeting is coming up on Monday, October 28th in the Burdick Cafeteria at 5:30 p.m. Any student who is interested in either Cast or Crew for this year’s production and their caregiver should plan on attending. If you cannot attend, please contact Ms. Jess at 414-559-0775 or jesslynn3129@yahoo.com

Middle School Play Information Flyer

Election Day

There will be no student attendance on Tuesday, November 5th.

Find your polling place and learn about voter registration! Visit MyVote Wisconsin for all the information you need to prepare for Election Day.

MPS School Engagement Survey

MPS is asking all families to take the Family Interest Survey so that we can determine what types of activities/events would be most interesting and useful for you. Please take a moment today to fill out this brief survey.

https://mpsresearch.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8vthsN2BBv09xpY

High School Enrollment

8th grade families, the MPS high school enrollment application is now open through November 4, 2024. If you need assistance completing the application or have questions, please contact Ms. Liza at 414-294-1288

For more information about the MPS high school enrollment process, visit https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Schools/How-to-Apply/High-School-Enrollment.htm

For more information about choosing an MPS high school, visit:

https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Schools/How-to-Select-a-School.htm

Community Support Opportunity

Parents and Caregivers of gender diverse children are invited to a monthly support and advocacy meeting where you can learn more about advocacy at school, ask questions, share information and meet other families. Check out the attached flyer

Rainbow Land Flyer

or visit:

https://rainbowlandaction.com/parents-%26-caregivers

Picture Day

If you didn’t have the chance to turn in a paper order form for picture day, you can still order your child’s school picture online.

Visit https://orders.schoolandsportpics.com/ordering

Use the drop down menu to select our school name

Picture Retakes will be on Wednesday, November 6.

Winter Sports

Burdick will be offering the following winter sports:

Boys 6-8 Grade Basketball
Coed 4-5 Basketball
Girls 6-8 Grade Volleyball
Coed 6-8 Grade Volleyball (Waitlist)
6-8 Grade Cheer
4-5 Grade Cheer

Tryouts for all teams will be held in November. More information and tryout permission slips will be sent home by the end of October. Please contact our sports coordinator, Mr. Williams at willi180@milwaukee.k12.wi.us if you have any questions.

District News

Nominate an Educator!

Nominations are open for Teacher Fellowships offered by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. After being nominated, candidates will fill out an application for the chance to be honored in spring. Only 100 teachers and 17 principals are selected each year from across the state of Wisconsin.

Visit kohleducation.org to click on the Teacher Fellowship Program tab. In the nomination form, be sure to fill out all three tabs before submitting.

Help us recognize our outstanding teachers!

Deadline to nominate teachers is November 12, 2024

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art, Speech, and Writing Contests

Save the date! Milwaukee’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration will be held on January 20, 2025, at the Marcus Performing Arts Center. Students who wish to enter the art, speech, and writing contests should read rules now and prepare to submit their work. This year’s theme is “What Are You Doing for Others?”

Writing (deadline Nov. 22, 2024): MLK Writing Contest Site

Speech (deadline Nov. 22, 2024): MLK Speech Contest Site

Art (deadline Nov. 22, 2024): MLK Art Contest Site

MPS Is Hiring! Visit Our Hiring Fairs!

Milwaukee Public Schools is hiring and will host events to attract new employees to the district. As one of the largest employers in Wisconsin, MPS offers opportunities in teaching plus many school support positions such as paraprofessionals and children’s health assistants. The district also has openings in several departments: