Fernwood Family Newsletter #22, 01/31/23

~Saturday, February 11, 1-4pm, Montessori Summit, MacDowell Montessori

~Wednesday, February 15, 5:30pm, PTO Meeting, Library and https://meet.google.com/gog-iqtt-hbw

~Friday, February 17th and Monday, February 20th, No School

~Tuesday, February 21st, 6:30pm, Fernwood Fund Meeting, Library and email benjaminmstocks@gmail.com for link

~Monday, February 27th, 5:30pm, SEC Meeting 

Important Schedule Changes

There are two changes to the MPS schedule for the 2022-23 school year from the calendar initially published.  Monday, April 10th is now a student attendance day.   This is the Monday after Spring Break.   Thursday, June 15th is the last day of school. Friday, June 16th was initially published as the last day of school.   These changes were made official by the full school board on January 26th.  

Fernwood Fund at Mitten Fest

The Fernwood Fund will be running a hot cocoa booth at this year’s Mitten Fest, at Burnhearts on Saturday, February 4th.  Mitten Fest is an annual outdoor block party and Hunger Task Force charity event at Burnhearts (2599 S Logan) described as a wintery mix of live music, food, beverages and charity.  The event runs from noon to 8pm, and our booth will be selling cocoa from noon to 4pm with cocoa proceeds going to The Fernwood Fund.  Bundle up and come enjoy the festivities, and please don’t forget that Burnhearts will be collecting non-perishable food and cash donations for Hunger Task Force, so bring something along to contribute if you can!  More info about Burnhearts Mitten Fest at  www.facebook.com/events/1338307330341861/

Yearbook Pictures Needed

Are you a wonderful family volunteer who is working with a Fernwood club, troop or sports team? (Thank you!!)   If you are, please submit a picture of your group to our Fernwood yearbook.  Please label your picture with grade level and group name.  We would also love to have pictures of your groups in action.  All pictures should be submitted to FernwoodYearbook@outlook.com by February 15th

Spirit Wear Sale: Last Chance!

Did you remember to submit your order for Fernwood spirit wear?  The sale is closing Friday! 

~Fernwood PTO is excited to announce our annual spirit wear sale.  This year the sale will be through Dunn’s Sporting Goods website.  All items must be preordered. There are t-shirts, tie dye shirts, hooded sweatshirts, and zip ups.  Dunn’s charges a $3 bagging fee for each order.  The sale will close on Friday, February 3rd!   

~Orders will be delivered to students in the beginning of March.  Please indicate the student’s name and classroom on each order. 

~Thank you to Fernwood parent Kevin Ristow for the cool design representing our labyrinth on the East playground with the words Fernwood Montessori written throughout.      Sale Website 

K3 and K4 Fernwood Enrollment!

Online enrollment for new K3 and K4 students will begin in MPS on February 4th and run through March 5th.  The application is online through the MPS website. Enrollment website.   Click “the online application” near the bottom fourth of the page.   

Please share this information with any potential families who are interested in attending Fernwood in the Fall.  Students must be 3 by September 1st, 2023 to be eligible to apply.   

~If your new to Fernwood K3/K4 student has a sibling currently enrolled at Fernwood, a spot is guaranteed.  However, in order to get a spot, an application must be submitted during the application window and the current student’s name should be included in the application.

~Applications can be submitted throughout the application window.  There is no advantage to completing the application on the first day of the process.  

~Current Fernwood students do not need to reapply.  They are automatically re enrolled.

~On Saturday, February 4th, MPS will hold a Kindergarten Enrollment Fair from 9am-12pm at North Division High School. Families will have the opportunity to learn more about Fernwood and ask questions of our leaders.   Additionally, families can visit with other MPS schools and complete the online application.   

Share your voice! Please complete the MPS Strategic Plan Survey

Milwaukee Public Schools wants your input! Take our Family and Community Survey here! 

As part of strategic planning for the school years 2023–2028, the district invites students, families, staff, and community members to voice their opinions by taking a district survey.  The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. 

Responses are confidential. The survey will remain open until February 10, 2023. 

Thank you in advance for taking part!

Montessori Community Summit

Please consider attending the Montessori Community Summit at MacDowell Montessori School on Saturday, February 11th from 1-4pm.  There will be glass classrooms where you can observe students working in each level of Montessori education.  There will also be two breakout sessions providing an overview of Montesori methodology and materials.  It will be a great way for families to learn more about Montessori education.   Childcare and snacks will be provided.  

Girls on the Run

Fernwood is so excited to be offering a new Girls on the Run program for 3rd-5th grade girls.  Thank you to our parent volunteer Erin Foldstad for being our school liaison and coach.  Additional thanks to Nichole Abresch, Leah Larios, Melinda Eskra, and Jessica Farah for volunteering to coach this program.

The program will start the week of March 6th and practices will be Monday and Wednesday from 4-5:15pm at Fernwood.  The season ends with a celebratory 5K event on May 21st at American Family Field.  

Registration will open on February 13th and close on February 19th.  Families will be able to register using the QR code on the flyer.   The program can only accept 20 students. Students will be selected by a lottery.   Families will be notified via email on February 20th if their student was selected.  

Please click on the flyer to learn more about the program and how to apply.  GOTR Flyer

ACE Performance at Fernwood

Upper Elementary students in Rm. 25 (Ms. Jean) received a live visit and performance from professional Tuvan throat singing ensemble, Alash! Tuva is located in the Siberian area of Russia, near Mongolia. This immersive and global musical experience is part of the ACE program through the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, which is funded by the Fernwood Fund. This program currently reaches all K5 and Lower Elementary students at Fernwood, along with one pilot Upper Elementary class this year. Next year we intend to reach all K5-6th grade students with this wonderful program!  Watch Alash’s TED talk here: https://youtu.be/V76psBrEypg

Upcoming Chess Tournaments

Please check out the flyers for upcoming chess tournaments.  All interested Fernwood students are welcome to attend whether or not they are part of the chess club.  All Fernwood students who attend will participate as part of Team Fernwood.   If you have any questions, please reach out to Fernwood parent, Erin Gebhart at eringebhart@gmail.com.       Annual All Girls Tournament     UW Milwaukee March 11 Chess Tournament

Milwaukee Repertory Theater Free Workshops

Milwaukee Recreation is partnering with the Milwaukee Repertory Theater to provide FREE workshops for MPS students on Saturdays. Food and materials will be provided.

Please see the flyer for more details.

2023 Spring SYP Digital Poster (2).pdf