Fernwood Family Newsletter #3, 9/12/23

~Tuesday, 9/12/23, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, Virtual and Fernwood library, https://meet.google.com/?hs=197&authuser=0

~Tuesday, 9/12/23, 6:30pm, Fernwood Fund Meeting, Fernwood Community Room and virtual-email benjaminmstocks@gmail.com for meeting link

~Thursday, 9/14/23 6:30pm, Music Parent Meeting, Virtual https://meet.google.com/fpf-rvca-uuk

-Friday, 9/15/23, Third Friday State Count, Attendance is VERY Important

~Saturday, September 16th, 10am-12pm, Fernwood Fest, West Playground 

Please consider volunteering! 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0944A5A922A3FF2-fernwood#/

~Wednesday, September 20th, 7:45am-12pm, Picture Day

~Wednesday, September 20th, 5:30pm, High School Application Meeting, All 8th Grade Families, Virtual (Correction-Meeting was changed to 9/20)

~Monday, September 25th, 5:30pm, School Engagement Council (SEC), virtual

Link to Fernwood Family-School Manual 2023-2024: Family-School Manual 2023 2024 SY.docx

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Staying Connected to Fernwood

Each Tuesday a newsletter will be sent out to the email address you have listed in your Parent Portal account.   These newsletters will have information about upcoming events in our school, resources for families, and information about ways to get involved in Fernwood.  If you need to update your email address, please reach out to our school secretaries.  

Our newsletter can also be found on our website, https://schools.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/fernwood/.  The website is also a great resource for staff contact information, agendas from meetings, and a Fernwood calendar. 

If you would like to receive the newsletter by text, you will need to opt in to the MPS text messaging system.  To opt in to receiving Fernwood and district text messages, please text 67587 with “Y” or “Yes.” 

Fernwood has a Facebook group for current Fernwood families to communicate with other Fernwood families, Fernwood Montessori Community.  Please note that this group is not for communicating with Fernwood staff, but to speak with other families.  Please keep topics relevant to Fernwood and lead with kindness. 

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Recapturing Attendance 2023-2024

This school year like last year, the Department of Public Instruction is allowing attendance to be recaptured for the situations listed below.  If your child meets criteria for one of these, please email Principal Kristy Lowell at lowellkm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us to receive a message from your child’s teacher about work options.  Your child will be marked “Absent Excused” and you do not need to call your child into the attendance line.  Once the work is completed, please inform Kristy Lowell at lowellkm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us and Cynthia Arias at ariascg@milwaukee.k12.wi.us and attendance will be recaptured using a special attendance code that indicates the child is not in the building, but is considered present since they did instructional work.

-COVID related reason for absence

-School Bus Transportation reason (no driver was available for your child’s route and you have no other way of getting them to school)

-Any illness resulting in an absence (this does not include appointments or injuries)

Note that in order for attendance to be recaptured, you must confirm that your child has completed instructional work.

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Immunization Clinics

MPS, in partnership with the Milwaukee Health Department, is excited to announce the upcoming immunization clinics. The purpose of the clinics is to help students get updated on their required vaccines while making it easier on families by doing so during school hours. All childhood vaccines will be available, except for the flu and COVID-19. The immunization clinics will be held at the following locations:

• MACL – September 14, 2023 
• Lincoln Avenue – September 20, 2023 
• Elm Creative Arts – September 27, 2023 
• Engleburg – September 28, 2023 

All clinics will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Consent forms are attached and information on the MHD immunization program expanded walk-in clinic hours. Please note that the clinics are open to all MPS students. If you have any questions, please contact Tashanda Edelen, health services manager, at edelentn@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or 414-438-3539.

MHDImmunizationWalk-InClinicHours.pdf

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Military Connected Families Survey 

The Department of Public Instruction is asking schools to annually collect information from military connected families. If a parent or guardian at Fernwood is connected to the U.S. Military, we are asking them to complete the military connections survey. This is optional and no family must return the survey. Please return the survey to Meredith at genricm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us by November 1st.  Form is linked below.

22-23MilitaryConnectionsSurvey.docx

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Teacher Classroom Reimbursements

Our PTO has a very generous program that allows each of our classroom teachers up to $250 in funds to purchase whatever supplies are needed for their classrooms.  Each week in our newsletter, we will share the cool items teachers have selected for their classrooms.   All of this is possible thanks to the generous support Fernwood families show our PTO during events and fundraisers.  Thank you to all of our families for creating this strong community!

“To the awesome PTO

You have helped our classroom flow.

We purchased a much larger rug

So we don’t have to feel squished like a bug.

It beautifies our room

It was made on a loom.

Thank you so much for helping us out

WE LOVE YOU is what we shout!

Thank you so much for the donated funds. I love to have larger circle meetings and it will be nice to fit better on the much larger rug. “  Ms. Kelsey and Classroom 253

“Thank you, Fernwood PTO, for your help to make this year run smoothly. By providing materials that support our adolescents’ developing executive functioning skills, we are able to give them the skills and abilities necessary for navigating the world beyond these walls.  Thank you for all you’re doing! “  Ms. Davis-Room 151

“Thank you PTO!  Room 252 has some new math games and arts and crafts items.  In addition, new hallway passes were made to keep students safe and responsible.” Ms. Natasha-Room 252

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Fernwood Fund Informational Meeting 

The Fernwood Fund is hosting an informal, informational event on Wednesday September 13th from 6 to 7:30 for parents to learn more about the Fernwood Fund, what we do, and how parents can get more involved. At a minimum, this event will allow new and existing families to learn more even if they cannot participate any further. The event will be hosted at the home of one of our board members, if interested families can contact us (FernwoodFundInfo@gmail.com) for the exact details.

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Music Update from Mr. Miller

There is LOTS of information from Mr. Miller about Choir and MANY other music opportunities for our students.  Please see the link for his update which includes ways to sign up.

Fernwood Music 2023-24

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Arrival and Dismissal Procedure

School Daily Schedule:Office Hours 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Office Phone: (414) 294-1300

Student Start Time

School begins promptly at 7:25 a.m. each morning. 

Early Arrival

Children are not to be dropped off at school before 7:20 a.m. There is no supervision for children before 7:20a.m. unless they are coming off of a bus or in for breakfast at 7:05 a.m. Students who arrive early to school and are not eating breakfast will have to wait outside unsupervised. 

Student Entry Procedures

Students will be allowed to enter the building at 7:25 a.m. To alleviate congestion when entering the building please have your student enter the correct door associated with their room number. Please assist your child in making a smooth transition to school in the morning by saying “good-bye” at the door to the school. Staff will be available to help your child find his/her classroom. Parents will not be permitted to enter the building with their student during the morning entrance.  

~Lower and Upper Elementary students in Rooms 22,24,31,32, 33,34, and 35, will enter through Door #1 (Northeast entrance) in order to avoid the first floor. 

~Lower and Upper Elementary Students in rooms 250,251,252, and 253 will enter through Door #6 (Northwest entrance). 

~Upper Elementary students (in rooms 25, 27, 37) and the Adolescent students will enter through the Falling Heath Place entrance (Glass Doors). 

~Primary students (K3-K5) will enter through Door #2 (Southeast entrance) with siblings, if needed. For the first couple of weeks, primary students will line up on their classroom numbers and be escorted into the building by their teachers.  

***After 7:25 a.m. the Falling Heath Place entrance will be used for parents and visitors to enter the school.  All people entering the building must report to the office to sign in and receive a visitor’s pass.*****

End of the School Day for K3 and K4

K3 and K4 children end their school day at 10:20a.m. Please wait on the East playground to pick-up your child(ren). The teacher will escort each group out of the building.

End of the Day/Dismissal K5-8th

K5 through 8th grade students finish at 2:25 p.m. Parents of children who do not ride the bus meet them on the East playground. Do not park on Pennsylvania Avenue or Falling Heath Place. This is dangerous and interferes with the safety of the children who ride the buses. Students start boarding buses from 2:20 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. Buses will begin pulling from the school at 2:30 p.m. Our school’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety and well-being of your children. We need your cooperation, assistance and support to ensure students’ safety especially during arrival and dismissal.

Fernwood parking/driving guidelines:

*Do not park or drop off students on Pennsylvania Avenue or Falling Heath Place. These spaces are reserved for buses only.  

*Please have your student cross the street at the intersections with a crossing guard.

*To ensure the safety of all students please avoid double parking, which causes heavy traffic congestion. It is unsafe for your child to run between vehicles.

* We need to respect the rights of our neighbors. Do not park or drop off students in front of their driveways.

*The school parking lot is restricted and not open to the public. The parking lot is for staff members only.  Please do not have students walk through the parking lot or use the parking lot as a space to pick up students.  

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Breakfast and Lunch 

All MPS students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch each day.  

Breakfast 

Students that would like to eat breakfast may report to Door 2 or the Falling Heath Doors between 7:05am and 7:30am to be buzzed in by the secretaries.  Students will report directly to the cafeteria for breakfast.  Breakfast will be served from 7:05am-7:35am.

Lunch

If a student would like to have a hot lunch, they will sign up each morning in their classroom.  This year Fernwood students are having pre-packaged lunches.  The menu can be found on the MPS home page.  Please note that the meal served may be different than the planned meal due to supply issues.   Lunch menus can be found here: https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/home/Lunch-Menu.htm. Note that changes may be made based on availability of certain meals and ingredients.

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Fernwood Fest!!

The PTO is so excited for the return of our back to school family fun event.  This year Fernwood Fest will be held on Saturday, September 16th from 10am-12pm. There will be popcorn, face painting, bounce houses, a food truck, freeze pops, Pete’s Pops, and a special appearance by the Milwaukee Fire Department!  All families are invited to come to meet new families and connect with old friends.   

We are looking for lots of volunteers to make this day a success.  Please consider volunteering for an hour or donating an item to make this event a success!  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0944A5A922A3FF2-fernwood

Donations can be sent to the main office in care of Meredith. 

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Sport Equipment Swap

Hello Fernwood Families!

Do you have any gently used equipment that your child outgrew?  Have any extra supplies for sports that you no longer use?  Do you need any new sports gear for your kiddo? If your answer is YES, then please come to our first ever Fernwood Equipment Front Porch Swap!  (Please tie shoes together, remove excess dirt, etc.)  We are looking for gently used cleats, balls, pinnies, shoes, etc.  We also acquired a lot of items (especially soccer gear) at the Fernwood Open House, and would love to share out the goods. This will be like the free little library of Fernwood, except for sports equipment and gear/clothing.  Bring a thing, take a thing, or see what’s available!  All items not claimed will be donated. We will be having this event on Monday 9/18 from 5:30-6:30 at 2723 S Wentworth Ave.   Please join us!  

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Fernwood Calendar

Fernwood Montessori follows the MPS traditional calendar.  Please click on the link for the MPS Calendar for Traditional Schools, 2023-2024 MPS_Calendar_2023-24_1222V4TradOnly (1).pdf.  School off days can also be found on the Fernwood website.  

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Fernwood Family/School Manual

Fernwood Montessori has updated our Family School Manual, found here: Family-School Manual 2023 2024 SY.docx  This manual has tons of information about family engagement, procedures, dress code, staff contact information and so much more.  It can also be found on the homepage of our website. 

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Principal Office Hours

Communication with parents is essential to ensuring we are best supporting our students! If you wish to speak with Ms. Kristy Lowell, Fernwood’s Principal, please contact her directly at lowellkm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or contact the main office to set up an appointment.  Meetings with parents will be by appointment only and her hours to meet with parents are between 9:00-10:00 am on Mondays and 1:00-2:00 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Thank you for your attention to this.

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Student Pick Up and Release Procedures

Anyone picking up a child early must present an ID to the main office and sign their child out in order for their child to be released.  Since we have new office staff, we need to make sure this is in place at the beginning of the school year until our office staff are familiar with parents and guardians.  Please ensure that anyone picking up your child is listed in Infinite Campus otherwise we cannot release your child to them.  Please contact the school secretaries if you would like anyone added or taken off of the list in our database.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation for this safety measure.  Note that we are unable to release children without an individual coming to the main office.

At pickup, teachers will release children to their parents or guardians.  If someone other than the parent or guardian will be picking up your child, please ensure the teacher knows and verify that person is listed in Infinite Campus.  The teacher will check their ID to verify they are the correct person that you have identified to pick up their child.

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Fernwood Cub Scout Pack 179-New Scout Night/First Pack Meeting

Do you have a student who is curious about the outdoors or is already an outdoor enthusiast? Then Pack 179 invites you and your future Scout to New Scout Night on Wednesday September 20th, at 6pm in the Fernwood Cafeteria. There will be fun activities for the kids while parents get to hear from parent Scout leaders what being a part of Pack 179 is all about.

Current Scouts-This will also serve as the first pack meeting of the year.

About Pack 179

Fernwood Cub Scout Pack 179 makes getting outside fun and easy. Scouts engage in many different activities while earning badges and friends along the way. These include monthly night hikes, outdoor skills, arts & crafts, cooking, scavenger hunts, camping, climbing, Brewers games, volunteering, the Pinewood Derby and more!

Fernwood Pack 179 is an inclusive Cub Scout Pack open to all K5 through 5th graders from a number of schools in the Greater Milwaukee Area. Scouts meet monthly with their den (assigned based on age), the Pack, and occasionally other Packs in the region. Many Pack events, like our monthly night hikes and camping, are also open to the entire family! If you are looking for a high-impact activity that engages the whole family, then we invite you to learn more.

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Milwaukee Repertory Theater Saturday Classes

The Milwaukee Rep will be offering free theater classes (with a free lunch) on Saturdays at Fernwood from 9/23 until 10/28.  Families must register for classes.  More information including the QR code to register can be found here:

FY24 Fall SYP Poster.pdf

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After-school SPANISH at Fernwood Montessori for grades K-2nd! 

Embark on a language learning adventure this fall!  Futura Language Professionals will offer theme-based Spanish classes at Fernwood afterschool.  Classes are not only educationally enriching, but also interactive, dynamic and FUN! Learning Spanish is easier to acquire at a young age and it increases cultural sensitivity. Prepare your student for a global environment – register today!  

Fernwood Montessori 2023/24 Spanish Flyer 

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High School Enrollment Events for 8th Graders 

It is almost time to begin the MPS high school selection process! This is a very exciting time for students and families.  The high school selection process moves very fast, so please be on the lookout for communication regarding high school enrollment.  Please mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

2023 MPS High School Selection Dates 

September 23, 2023-October 29, 2023

High School Enrollment Parent Meeting for 8th Grade Families (Virtual)

Wednesday September 20th 5:30pm-6:30pm

High School Fair Field Trip for 8th Grade Students

Date: TBD 

(permission slips will be sent home soon)

North Division High School

MPS High School Fair for Families

Saturday, September 23, 2023

9:00am to 12:00pm

North Division High School 

Mark Your Calendars for the Following High School Open House and Shadow Experiences:

Rufus King Open House

 

Recruitment Open House will be held on Wednesday, September 27th from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

RKHS Open House.png

 

Rufus King Shadow Experience

 

Please use the link below to register your 8th grader for a shadow experience at Rufus King High School.  If you have any questions regarding the shadow experience, please contact Rufus King High School at (414) 267-0700.

 

RKHS Shadow Experience.png

 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMGUKrPL-ZZS07punlZgbEHCqOt2UtCFdO1qxlb1NoX_oqMg/viewform

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Support Group for Parents of Students with IEPs

See attached flyer for details on a support group for parents of students with IEPs.  

Support Group For Parents with IEP Students.png

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All City Middle School Dance

Start thinking about what you are going to wear!  See attached flyer for the All City Middle School Homecoming Dance at McDowell Middle School for 7th and 8th graders.  Students must have the attached permission slip to attend.

MS HOCO Dance.pdf

MS Dance Permission Slip.pdf

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