Fernwood Family Newsletter #23, 02/07/23

~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, https://meet.google.com/srb-wjae-xko?hs=122&authuser=0 

Order Your Yearbook and Yearbook Pictures Needed

It is time to order your 22-23 yearbook.  All yearbook sales will be online only though the Lifetouch website.  Yearbooks are $12.  Yearbook sales will be through preorder only.  We expect yearbooks to be delivered at the end of May.  

To order a yearbook, please go to ybpay.com.  Fernwood’s yearbook ID code is 14852523.   (If you have already ordered a yearbook through Lifetouch for this school year, no need to take any additional action.) 

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

Thank you to Amanda Lavoe, Fernwood parent, for volunteering to create our yearbook.  

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.

Spring Lower Elementary Choir

Spring Lower Elementary Kids Choir is returning! 

WHEN: Wednesdays (2:25-3:10pm) March 15th – May 10th

WHERE: Fernwood Auditorium

WHO: Intended for Lower Elementary Students (1st-3rd)

PRICE: $40 per student (8 meeting sessions total)

Looking for committed children who enjoy singing and would value the benefits of being part of a choir. Each child will take home and sign an attendance and behavior contract.  Culminating performance at the end of the session!

Deadline for signup is Wednesday, March 1st, 2023.

Your spot is guaranteed once you’ve paid in full and complete this link. Venmo (to @molly-pufall) or check delivered to the main office (made out to Molly Pufall-Brown) are best options. 

Two parent helpers are needed for management, bathroom/water breaks and dismissal. Please contact me if you are available at mpufall@gmail.com.

Director: Molly Pufall-Brown, a Fernwood parent, has Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in music, specializing in voice. She is insured and thrilled to be offering Kids Choir at Fernwood for the 4th year.

Camp Fernwood Updates

Camp Fernwood will be closed on Friday, February 17th and Monday, February 20th.  

Camp Fernwood will be open in the Summer from Friday, June 16th through July 28th.   Hours for camp on June 16th are 7-3:30pm.   Please watch the newsletter for sign up information.  

Additionally, Fernwood will be hosting a MPS Montessori summer school program. Enrollment information will be available soon.  Enrollments for summer school and the camp Fernwood summer program will be two separate enrollments. 

MPS Week of Action

Leading off Black History Month in February, the country observes the National Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action, February 6 – 10, 2023. The week is designed to engage the Milwaukee community, draw attention to issues and topics, promote equity, and foster discussions around current issues. All events are FREE and open to the public. Registration is NOT required to participate.  

Please click on the flyer to check out all the great events MPS will be hosting this week.  Fernwood students, Oliver Gray and Juliet Leger, will be performing at the Kuumba student showcase on Friday, February 10th from 5:30-7pm.  Stop by and check it out. 

MPS Week of Action 

Fernwood Fund at Mitten Fest

Thank you to all of the families and community members who supported the Fernwood Fund at Mittenfest.  Over $600 was raised for the fund.  Thank you to the fund members and their families who worked the event.  Thank  you also to Burnhearts for hosting the event and inviting Fernwood to participate!  What a wonderful community we are a part of!

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.  Summit Flyer

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

Troop 10529 Comfort Kits

Girl Scout Troop 10529 is working to earn one of Girl Scouts’ highest awards, the Bronze Award. They’ve decided to make Comfort Kits for teens and tweens in foster care!

Their goal is to make 150 kits and distribute them to foster family support agencies so that kids in foster care have some things that bring them relaxation and comfort and make their new homes feel a little more like, well, home. The girls are collecting NEW items for boys and girls, including:

–blankets

–scrunchies

–warm/fuzzy socks

–nail polish

–fidget toys like pop-its, fidget spinners, etc.

–activity books like crossword, sudoku, or adult coloring

The girls will be collecting items through Feb. 10th. Look for the green sign and box near the Falling Heath entrance. Cash donations for the project can also be accepted–email troop leader Kelly Rickman Bosh at rickman.kelly@gmail.com for more information.

Upcoming Elections

Milwaukee Spring elections will be held on April 4th.  This is during Spring Break for MPS.  If you are going to be out of town for this election, please click on the link to learn more about how to request and submit an absentee ballot.  City of Milwaukee Voter Info

Stroller

A stroller was recently found after drop off in the neighborhood near Fernwood.  It is currently on the East playground near the bike racks. It is a gray and black Graco stroller with a yellow stripe. Please stop by and pick it up if it is yours. 

 Bay View Area Redcats Co-Ed Baseball Registration

Registration for Bay View Area Redcats Co-Ed Baseball for the summer 2023 is now open!! If you register by February 13th, you’ll receive an early-bird discount. This league is for boys and girls ages 5-13 years old. Team assignments will be made in late March/early April, with practices scheduled to begin April 15th (weather permitting). It’s a wonderful group of coaches, kids, and parents.

Please see the website to learn more about our leagues and to register:

https://bvaredcats.leagueapps.com/. If you have any other questions, please email info@bayview-area-redcats.org.