Fernwood Family Newsletter #8, 10/17/23

~Thursday, October 12th and Tuesday, October 17, 3:00pm-6:45pm Parent Teacher Conferences, Fernwood Classrooms

~Tuesday, October 17th, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, Fernwood Library and Virtual

meet.google.com/isc-jfjq-zow

~Wednesday, October 18th, Picture Retake Day, Fernwood Auditorium

~Friday and Monday, October 20th and 23rd, No School

~Friday, October 27th, 5:30-6:30,  PTO Halloween Parade Event, Falling Heath Doors and Gym

~Monday, October 30th, 2023, 5:30pm, SEC Meeting, virtual https://meet.google.com/hnp-uhmu-wpr

~Friday, November 10th, No School

~Tuesday, November 14, 2023 6:30pm, Fernwood Fund Meeting, Fernwood Library and Virtual-email benjaminmstocks@gmail.com for meeting link

~Thursday, November 16, 2023 6:30pm, Music Parents Meeting,Virtual https://meet.google.com/fpf-rvca-uuk

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

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Camp Fernwood is Hiring!

Camp Fernwood is hiring for 2 Assistant Directors and Classroom Instructors Monday through Friday from 2:20PM until 5:30PM. Recently restructured, starting pay is competitive and based on experience and education. Please contact Michelle Stehlik at stehlim@milwaukee.k12.wi.us for further information. 

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Family Teacher Conferences

Conference days are Thursday, October 12th and Tuesday, October 17th from 3-6:45pm.

The online sign ups are now closed. If you need to schedule or reschedule a conference, please contact your child’s teacher.

Please sign up for ONE conference time slot for your K3-6th grade student with your student’s teacher. Conferences will be in person in the classroom. 

If you have more than one child at Fernwood, please consider allowing some “travel time” between your conferences. 

If your child receives special education support, please also schedule a conference with your child’s special education teacher. 

Conferences are also available with our gym, music and art teacher.  Additionally, conferences are available with our support staff.  

Free childcare will be available in room 9 (near the cafeteria) during conferences.  

Secondary (7th-8th): 

Secondary (7th/8th grade) conferences will be on a walk-in basis.  No appointments will be scheduled. Families will wait in line to see the teachers with which they would like to meet. You will be able to meet with any of the five teachers your student works with for up to 5 minutes. The teachers and the content they teach are as follows: Mr. Jerabek, Science; Ms.Davis, Social Studies; Ms. Zimmers, STEM and Health; Mx. Botsford, Language Arts; Ms. Bussewitz, Math.  

 

All secondary conferences on October 12 and 17 will be held in the gym. 

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Fernwood Fund Gifts via United Way

You can designate a gift to the Fernwood Fund through your employer’s United Way Giving Campaign.

Please contact the Fernwood Fund at FernwoodFundInfo@gmail.com for directions on how to donate.

Donating directly to the Fernwood Fund is also an option, and a bit easier!  Learn more about the Fund and how to donate directly via its website http://www.fernwoodfund.org/donations.html.   

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Parking Reminder

If you drive and park at school, please be mindful of our neighbors on Falling Heath and other streets.  The school has gotten some complaints from neighbors about lawn damage due to parking.  Thank you for your consideration and cooperation.

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Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Requests Input 

DPI wants to hear from you, a valued stakeholder, on what schools and districts need to reach our vision of “Engaged learners creating a better Wisconsin together.”  The information you provide will be included in a report to the Wisconsin DPI Office of State Superintendent to inform DPI on how best to advance equitable, transformative, and sustainable educational experiences that develop learners, schools, libraries, and communities in Wisconsin.  Please use the link to complete the survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAg8gn-kjqhcekEcZzKdrUPNTKnFEhbqIv7iC2wA7J6BsI4Q/viewform

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Art Supplies for Ms. Makula

The art room is in need of newspaper, toilet paper rolls, and paper towel rolls for paper machè projects. Donations can be left with Ms. Meredith in the Main Office.  Thank you so much. ~Ms. Makula 

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Learn To Speed Skate at The Pettit

Did you know The Pettit is one of only two indoor long-track speed skating facilities in the country?  And The Petitt is only 13-minutes from Fernwood?  Registration is now open for Youth Skating and Learn To Speed Skate lessons.  The Learn to Speed Skate program teaches students progressively more difficult moves through six levels of skating for short-track or long-track skating.  The first class is used to gauge their skill/ability and place them with the best class for the remainder of the lessons.  Classes are open to all ages 3+ to adult.  Speed skate rental is available, or participants can bring their own hockey or figure skates.  All lessons take place on the 400m Oval which is home to an official Olympic Training Facility.  

Age: 3 to Adult.  3+ Tot ‘N Me.  4+ for other programs.  6+ for Learn To Speed Skate.

Coordinator: Carolyn Spiewak, Director of Speed Skating, cspiewak@thepettit.com      Fernwood Parent:  Ryan Lent, rlentgroup@gmail.com 

Instructor:   Pettit National Ice Center Staff

Cost: $99 per session

  Session #2 Dates:  Nov. 7 – Dec. 21 (Tuesdays or Thursdays at 6:15pm)

  Session #3 Dates:  Jan. 9 – Feb. 13 (Tuesdays or Thursdays at 6:15pm)

  Location:  Pettit National Ice Center, 500 S. 84th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53214

LearnToSpeedSkate.9.6.2023.pdf

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Bake Sale Fundraiser at Conferences for Upper El

Bake Sale Flyer 

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Fernwood Winter Sports 

Basketball                                                                                                            

1st-3rd Co-Ed Pee-Wee   

4/5th Co-Ed 

6-8th Co-Ed/Girls (determined based on coach availability, indicate preference on form)                                                                      

Volleyball

4/5th Co-Ed    

6-8th Co-Ed/Girls (determined based on coach availability, indicate preference on form)

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Registration Opens Wednesday 11th and closes October 19th

Please turn in Activity Form (see below) with payment to the Main Office or to Mr. Comp.

*****Teams fill up fast, sometimes before registration deadline*****

We are in need of coaches:

4/5th Basketball 1 coach

6-8th Basketball 2 coaches

6-8th Volleyball 2-3 coaches

Fernwood athletics are such a great success due to all the parent support. Interested coaches should contact Mr. Comp at compra@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

Winter BB 1-3rd 2023.doc

Winter BB 4-5th 2023.doc

Winter BB 6-8th 2023.doc

Winter VB 4-5th 2023.doc

Winter VB 6-8th 2023.doc

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Announcing 2023-2024 Fall/Winter Clubs

We’re excited to announce the after school clubs for the 2023-2024 school year. These are in addition to more sports and offers through the Recreation Department. We were able to offer these clubs this year thanks to ESSER II Extracurricular Engagement grants.  Thank you to the following club leaders for their extra efforts this year. 

Families please sign up for one club maximum in Fall/Winter, as the club sizes are small compared to the size of our school. Enrollment will be accepted on a first-come first basis. Thank you for your interest and signing up for only one club per season. You can contact the club leader if you have more questions. Most clubs will run 10 weeks.  Spring Clubs will be announced in January/February.  

Links to sign up are activated below.

ABAR Club (Enroll Here)

Grade level: 4th-8th

Coordinator: Kat Toman
Beginning: 10/26-3/21

Thursday 2:30-3:30

Max: 15*

Location: Room 251

This is a student-led anti-bias/anti-racism group. We will be examining the biases we all have and work to dismantle them. This will be partially student-led, and students may decide to share their work with other classes.
*Please email Ms. Kat for questions on this club, all interested students can join.

Archery Club (Enroll Here)
Grade level: 5th-8th
Coordinator: Kari Wellhausen
Beginning: 11/29-1/17
Wednesday 2:30-4:00 (at times, 4:15)
Location: Gym
Max number: 40
Fernwood Archery Club is based on The National Archery in Schools curriculum. We teach target archery for recreation or for competition. Competitions are all across Wisconsin in January, February and March.

Braiding SweetGrass – a Book Club with Storytelling and Cookies  (Enroll Here)
Grade level: 6th-7th
Coordinator: Lorinda Flores
Beginning  11/6 – 1/ 22
Mondays, meeting bi-weekly
TIME: 2:45-4:00
Max Number: 8
Location: Room 11
Ask yourself: “What responsibility do I have to myself to live a good life?” Is that enough? Or should we be evaluating our responsibility to ensure that we support others in their goals to live a good life too? We will read out loud sections of this great book to stir up good conversation and spark adolescent curiosity and brilliance. Please join us if you are willing to participate in this type of discussion, and discover new cookies.

Math Club  (Enroll Here)

Grade Level: 6th-8th grade 

Coordinator: Kim Obrien

Beginning: 11/13-3/18

2:30 – 3:45 Mondays

Max Number:  14
Location: Room 21

Math Club will inspire curiosity and build confidence in students in grades 6th – 8th.  This club will create a space where learning math is fun, social, and supportive, so that every child can become a lifelong math learner.   We will be using MathCounts games, activities, explorations, and monthly challenges to guide our activities.   

 

Sewing Club (Tracy) (enroll here)
Grade level: 3rd-6th
Coordinator: Tracy Redlich
Beginning: December 6-February 28
Wednesday 2:30-3:30
Max Number: 12
Location: Room 24
After school, students will learn basic hand sewing skills to create a stuffed animal.

Yoga and Meditation Club (Enroll Here)
Grade level: 4th-6th
Coordinator: Caitlyn McWilliams
Beginning: 1/11-3/13
Thursday 2:30-3:30
Location: Room 27
Max Number: 12
Ms. Caitlyn will guide our yogis through asana (poses), pranayama (breathwork), meditation and honor their cultural origins.  Students will be empowered to explore their peaceful and playful selves through movement, storytelling, and embracing stillness.

Running Club  (Was communicated in previous newsletters, enrollment is full)

Grade level: 6-8th grades

Coordinator: Lorinda Flores

Beginning: 9/5
Location: Outside

A group that gathers to foster a love of running while building not only skills/ability, but also inner strength and friendships

After-School Theater Skill Building (Was communicated in previous newsletters, enrollment for session 1 is full, session 2 enrollment will open in November)

Grade Level: 1st-3rd grades

Coordinator: Character Kids Theater

Session 1: Mondays, 2:30-3:30pm, 10/16-12/18 (no class 10/23 or 11/20)

Session 2: Mondays, 2:30-3:30pm, 1/ 8 -3/11 (no class 1/15 or 2/19)

Max Number: 20 students per session

Location: Auditorium

Scholarships are available and the cost to parents is $100 per student for their 8 week class, with funds additionally supplemented by the school to cover the total cost.

Character Kids will provide a comprehensive drama program that includes instruction in the basics of theater, stage directions, pantomime skills, basic improvisation, character movement and development, and vocal projection/public speaking. Students will learn these concepts through theater games and exercises, as well as ensemble work on a script throughout the class. The program will culminate in a parent performance of the script, songs and/or scenework. Most importantly, students will learn valuable life skills through these activities including listening and responding, teamwork, confidence, emotional literacy and empathy. Curriculum is always specifically tailored to each grade level. 

Futura Spanish (Was communicated in previous newsletters, enrollment is full)

Grade level: K5-2nd grades

Coordinator: Futura

Beginning: 10/19, see dates on flier Fernwood Montessori 2023-24 Spanish flier.pdf

Max number:15

Location: Library and 152

Prepare your child for a global world with a 16-week adventure in Spanish! In the fall session, ¡Vamos con la Familia! (Let’s go with Family!), the class visits the fascinating country of Peru. The children will learn to describe and ask questions about their families and talk about likes and dislikes. After break, we continue adventures with ¡Vamos con la Música! (Let’s go with music!) in the enchanting city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Students will learn music and school related vocabulary in Spanish along with real life communicative practices. Put on your thinking caps because each week will be packed full of useful SPANISH! Get a language head start – enroll today! (Space is limited.) There is a cost to this club.

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Looking for Chess Coach(es)

Fernwood is looking for a few parent volunteers who would be willing to coach chess this year.  Dates and times would be dependent on the availability of the volunteers.  Please reach out to Meredith Mertes at genricm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us if you are interested in coaching.  If we are able to have a chess program this year, we can also bring in a chess master to work with older and more advanced students.

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PTO Halloween Parade

The Fernwood PTO is hosting a Halloween Parade on Friday, October 27th from 5:30-6:30pm.  This event is for K3-3rd grade students.   Meet at the glass doors on Falling Heath Place to join the parade which will depart at 5:35pm.   After the parade, stay for some spooky music and dancing.  The Upper El students will also be selling pizza and other goodies to fundraise for upcoming field trips.  The event ends at 6:30pm.  Families must attend with their students and also supervise their students.   Costumes are highly encouraged!!   

PTO Halloween Parade Flyer

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BoxTops for Education

Did you know Box Tops for Education has gone virtual? No more cardboard paper cuts (aren’t those the worst?). It’s super easy to scan your receipt or email a digital receipt and send money to Fernwood. The list of qualifying products includes a wide array of kid favorites like Annies, Cheerios and GoGurt. 

The switch to digital is super easy. Download the app and create your account. Every time you shop, you can just scan your receipt from stores like Costco, Meijer, Target, Woodman’s and more. The app will find qualifying products for you. Don’t have a physical receipt? You can email your digital receipt to receipts@boxtops4education.com and the money will be added to Fernwood’s account.

Last year, the PTO got over $180 from this program.  If you have questions about how Box Tops works, feel free to reach out to PTO member Danielle Brannan (danielle.brannan@gmail.com). 

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Picture Retake Day, 10/18/23

If you would like to have your student’s picture retaken on 10/18, please do the following:

 

If you purchased a photo package and would like the picture retaken, the package with the pictures needs to be returned on retake day.  (Oct 18) 

 

If you did not order a photo package you may still have a retake. 

 

If you would like your student’s picture retaken, please email your teacher and Meredith Genrich Mertes (genricm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us) so we are aware.  

 

Students who were absent will also have their picture taken on retake day.   

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Yearbook Photos!

Are you a wonderful family volunteer who is working with a Fernwood club, troop or sports team? (Thank you!!)

Do you have any school function or class candids you can share?

Please submit pictures to our Fernwood yearbook crew.  Please label your picture with grade level and class or group/team/club name.  We would also love to have pictures of your groups in action.  All pictures should be submitted to FernwoodYearbook@outlook.com 

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Opportunities for Montessori Teacher Training and Sponsorship

Are you or anyone you know interested in becoming a Montessori teacher?  Milwaukee Public Schools will be sponsoring candidates interested in the training for free for elementary and secondary training, held in Milwaukee!

To qualify, an individual must work for Milwaukee Public Schools or Milwaukee Rec as a current employee, substitute teacher, or as camp staff.  Training begins in January and if you aren’t a current employee, picking up a few hours a week at our camp program would qualify you for this experience.  Please contact Camp Fernwood Director Michelle Stehlik at stehlim@milwaukee.k12.wi.us to learn about next steps to apply.

Please see the information below about upcoming informational meetings for sponsorship.  Please pass this information along!

MPS Montessori Sponsorship Process

MPS Montessori Sponsorship Meeting

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Wisconsin Montessori Association Annual Conference, Fernwood Montessori

Fernwood will be hosting the WMA conference this year on November 10th for administrators and 11th for all interested individuals including grown-ups of Montessori students.  There are two parent options which are $10.00 to attend the keynote and morning sessions, and $25.00 to attend the keynote, morning sessions, and to have lunch.  Please see the link here to register: https://wma3.wildapricot.org/event-5376754

Please email Kristy Lowell, Principal and WMA Board Member if you have any questions at lowellkm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. 

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School Engagement Survey

We want your feedback about school and community engagement!

Your responses to the following survey help identify improvement areas for our school’s engagement efforts and can provide valuable insights into family involvement, satisfaction, and connection within our school. 

The electronic survey is available in multiple languages and takes about 10 minutes. Families can choose a language preference from the menu.  Survey closes on October 31, 2023.  

https://mpsresearch.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_55RugxfFabDfr94

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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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Music Information 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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