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| Bay View Montessori 2026-2027 Budget Update |
| Dear BVM School Families,You are an important part of our school community and I want to give you an important update on our school budget for next year. I also encourage you to read the message from the superintendent sent earlier this week, which appears below this message.
Here are some key points to understand as we compare our current year budget to the proposed budget for next year:
2025-26 (current year)
2026-27 (next year)
Montessori Classrooms: 17 teachers (6 Primary, 5 Lower El, 4 Upper El, 2 Secondary)
Montessori Classrooms: 19 teachers (7 Primary, 5 Lower El, 4 Upper El, 3 Secondary)
Special Education Teachers: 1 Early Childhood, 3 resource (multi-categorical), .8 speech (4 days), 2 paras: 1 40-hour, and 1 30-hour.
Special Education Teachers: 1 Early Childhood, 3 resource (multi-categorical), .8 speech (4 days), 2 paras: 1 at 40 hour and 1 at 30 hour.
Paras: 10 paras (4 paras at 40 hours & 6 paras at 30 hours)
Paras: 15 paras (5 paras at 40 hours & 10 paras at 30 hours)
1 Children’s Health Assistant (CHA)
1 Children’s Health Assistant (CHA)
AMP: 1 Art, 1 Music, 1 PE, .2 (1 day a week) Library
AMP: 1 Art, 1 Music, 1 PE, .2 (1 day a week) Library
Traveling Music: 3 hours Brass, 15 hours strings
Traveling Music: 8 hours Strings, More may be added.
Office: 1 Principal, 1 AP, 2 secretaries, 1 Parent Coordinator
Office: 1 Principal, 1 AP, 2 secretaries, 1 Parent Coordinator
Support Staff: 1 Psych, .4 Counselor (2 days a week), .2 SSW (1 day a week)
Support Staff: 1 Psych, .4 Counselor (2 days a week), .2 SSW (1 day a week)
*Section 3 Discretionary Spending: $156,00
*Section 3 Discretionary Spending: $212,000
*supplies, contracts, teacher professional development, paying staff for extra responsibilities, travel for staff between both campuses, and time worked, building maintenance, and supplies for both buildings, etc.
I know that there are parts of this budget that are not ideal. As Superintendent Cassellius shared, MPS is working to equitably distribute resources to schools while also addressing a $46 million budget deficit identified in the district’s most recent audit. The changes at the district and school level are designed to protect classrooms while restoring MPS’s fiscal health.
If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected] or (414) 914-9810.
Sincerely,
Mark Sholta
Principal |
| Reminder: Wednesday, April 15th is an Early Dismissal Day. |
| Please make arrangements for your student’s early drop-off by bus or to pick up your student earlier than usual. Please notify any daycare, family member, or friend who is affected by this schedule.
K3 and K4 students who ride the bus home midday will be released to load the bus at 11:10 a.m.
K3 and K4 students who do not ride the bus will be dismissed at their usual time. K5 students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m.
Afternoon dismissal for all students at Upper Campus will be at 2:10 p.m.
BVM Camp will be available for existing camp students. Camp families must sign up for the additional camp hours. Sign-up sheets are available at the sign in/out tables.
After-school care by Milwaukee Recreation will be available at four hub locations from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Transportation to the sites must be arranged by families. The four sites for students of all ages are: · James Madison High School, 8135 W. Florist Ave. · Hawley Environmental School, 5610 W. Wisconsin Ave. · Rufus King International Middle School, 121 E. Hadley St. · Wedgewood Park International School, 6506 W. Warnimont Ave.
Please visit mkerec.net/schoolcare to complete the online registration form.
All K5 – 8th grade students will receive lunch at school on April 15th. |
| 8th Grade Graduation Kringle Sale |
| BVM 8th graders are off to their next chapter soon. We’re holding a Kringle fundraiser to assist with celebrating these amazing students; many of whom started with us and BVM in K3 or K4!
8th grade graduation kringle sale will be from April 9th – April 23rd. NO order can be accepted after the 23rd as we’ll need to solidify our number to submit. Kringle pick-up will be May 8th at upper campus. Kringles are being sold for only $16.00 each. YUM. 🙂 Please make checks payable to Bay View Montessori for all orders. Cash is accepted, but not cards. PLEASE fill out the form completely with your student’s information so we can accurately deliver your kringles.
Forms were sent home with students today. |
| New Club Alert: BeyView Beyblade Club |
| Get ready to let it rip! We’re excited to introduce a brand new Beyblade Club starting this month. The club is open to all Upper El students.
When: Thursdays, beginning April 30th
Time: 4:00–5:30 PM
Cost: $20 per student
Capacity: Limited to 10 students (up to 15-20 if an additional parent is available to assist with the club)
The club fee will be used to purchase Beyblade supplies for club use. Students should not bring their own BeyBlades to school.
If your family has Beyblade items you’d like to donate, we would greatly appreciate it – please drop them off in the office.
Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly!
Sign up here: Beyblade Club Sign Up |
| Marcus Theatres Fundraiser |
| We’re excited to announce that we are doing another round of Marcus tickets and gift cards! These tickets and cards make great gifts for any occasion, and the best part is that a portion of every purchase goes to supporting our school.
The Platinum Discount Tickets are $9.50 each, valid for one movie ticket to any Marcus Theatre or Movie Tavern, and have no expiration date!
You will receive one FREE snack cash voucher – good for $3 off a concession stand purchase – with every two Platinum Discount tickets purchased.
Each participant who sells $300 or more worth of tickets and gift cards will receive TWO free movie passes and one free cash voucher!
Keep an eye out for the order forms sent home today.
Order forms are due Tuesday, May 26th.
Cash or checks made payable to Bay View Montessori PTO. |
| Please return your winter sports uniforms |
| With winter sports wrapping up and spring sports getting underway, it’s time to collect all uniforms. Since games have concluded, we’re hoping to have all uniforms returned as soon as possible.
To help keep everything organized, please follow the plan below:
– Place your child’s uniform in a bag
– Launder the uniform if you are able (thank you!), but no worries if not
– Label the bag with your child’s name, sport, and grade level (ex: Smith, Basketball, 5–8)
– Return the bag to your child’s coach
If you are unable to return the uniform to your child’s coach, you may send it directly to the upper campus office. Please be sure it is bagged and clearly labeled so we can keep everything organized. |
| SEC Meeting is Wednesday, April 15th at 5:30 pm |
| PTO Meeting is Tuesday, April 21th at 5:45 pm |
| Saturday, April 25th | Arts and Crafts Day |
| 10 am – 12 pm at Lower Campus
We’re excited to announce Arts and Crafts Day is back again in 2026! Join us for a fun-filled free event for our youngest students (K3 through 3rd grade)! There will be lots of creative crafts for the children to enjoy, and we need volunteers to help run the stations and guide the kids through their artistic adventures.
If you’re available to lend a hand and help make this event a success, we’d love to have you! Your support will make the day even more special for our little artists. Sign up here: Arts and Crafts Day Volunteer Sign Up
Thanks so much for helping us “craft” a memorable day! |
| Join the Montessori Advisory Committee on Monday, April 13th – Help shape Montessori in MPS! |
| Did you know that the Montessori Advisory Commitee exists to improve, enhance, and expand Montessori education in MPS? We invite families, staff, and community members to join us in making Montessori in MPS the best it can be.
This month’s meeting will include:
– Updates from the Montessori Coordinator on literacy adoption
– Discussions on staffing and budgets
– Time for Q&A – share your thoughts, ideas, and questions
Your voice matters! Spread the word and be part of this important work.
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm at MPS Central Services 5225 W Vliet Street Room 210/211 |
| Save the Date: May 2nd | BVM Big Night Fundraiser: Donate thru the Decades |
| Mark your calendars! Saturday, May 2nd promises an evening where community, creativity, and a touch of nostalgia come together for one unforgettable night.
This year’s Big Night Fundraiser, hosted at Gingerz Irish Pub from 4:00 p.m. until close, invites you to “Donate Through the Decades.” Guests are encouraged to arrive dressed in their favorite era – whether that’s flapper flair, disco sparkle, ‘90s throwback, or simply your best present-day style.
Behind the scenes, our dedicated PTO/FUND team has been hard at work curating a collection of exceptional raffle and auction items, sure to spark excitement and a little friendly competition. The silent auction will open the week before the event, with additional event-only items available exclusively that evening. The night will also feature a playful nod to past traditions, with Derby-inspired racing games, decades trivia, and plenty of opportunities to connect, celebrate, and give back to our school community. This is an adults-only event, designed to bring our community together in a fun and festive way.
Tickets are $10. Be on the lookout next week for the link to purchase tickets! |
| Upper Campus is planning to empty the lost & found on Friday, April 17th. Please stop by & find your lost items! |
| Community Event: National Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival |
| Milwaukee will be making history this summer! The Puerto Rican Heritage Foundation invites our community to the inaugural National Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival.
Event Details:
When: Sunday, June 7, 2026
Where: Humboldt Park
Theme: Nuestra Cultura, Nuestra Fuerza (Our Culture, Our Strength)
This vibrant celebration will highlight the rich culture, traditions, and spirit of the Puerto Rican community through music, dance, food, and more. The event also serves an important purpose—raising funds for school scholarships, addressing food insecurity, and supporting community advocacy efforts.
Get Involved:
March in the parade with a group or float
Perform (dance, music, poetry)
Become a vendor
Support through sponsorship
Let’s come together to celebrate culture, community, and connection!
For more information or to get involved, please contact the Puerto Rican Heritage Foundation at 414-383-1000 by May 8, 2026. |
| April 15 | Early Dismissal Day
April 15 | SEC Meeting
April 21 | PTO Meeting
April 22 | District Community Meeting at BVM
April 25 | Arts and Crafts Day
April 30 | SCHOOL DAY
May 1 | No School
May 2 | BVM Big Night Fundraiser: Donate thru the Decades (Adults Only Event)
May 6 | BVM 3rd & 4th Grade Spelling Bee
May 13 | BVM 5th & 6th Grade Spelling Bee
May 14 | Spring Strings, Orchestra and Band Concert
May 25 | No School for Memorial Day
May 27 | Spring Showcase
June 5 | No School
June 11 | K5 Moving Up Melody Concert
June 11 | 8th Grade Completion
June 15 | Last Day of School
Overnight Fieldtrips
April 13 – 17 | NCI – Ms. Jen and Mr. Tomter’s Classes
April 20 – 25 | NCI – Ms. Emma and Mr. Bryan’s Classes
April 15 – 17 | Upham Woods – Ms. Cathy and Ms. Jamie’s Classes
April 22 & 23 | Camp Minikani – 3rd grade students |
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