Fernwood Family Newsletter #17, 12/19/23 

~Tuesday, December 19, 2023, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, Fernwood Library and Virtual
http://meet.google.com/isc-jfjq-zow

~Thursday, December 21, 2023-Monday, January 1, 2024, Winter Break-No School

~Tuesday, January 9th, 6:30pm, Fernwood Fund Meeting, Fernwood Library and Virtual-email benjaminmstocks@gmail.com for meeting link

~Thursday, January 11th, 6:30pm, Music Parents Meeting,  Virtual https://meet.google.com/fpf-rvca-uuk

~Tuesday, January 16th, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, Fernwood Library and Virtual http://meet.google.com/isc-jfjq-zow

~Wednesday, January 17th, 4-5:30 pm, Conversations about Race, Fernwood Library

~ Friday, January 19th, 5:30pm-7:00pm, PTO Trivia Night, Fernwood Cafeteria

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

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Fernwood Fund end-of-year donations

Did you know that the Fernwood Fund is part of the MPS Foundation, which is a tax deductible 501c3?  If you or your business is looking for some tax deductible donations before the end of the year, please consider the Fernwood Fund.  Funds raised go directly back toward enriching your child’s educational experiences and environment at Fernwood.  To donate, please use the following link and select “FERNWOOD MONTESSORI SCHOOL FUND” from the fund options.

Fund Link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E252729&id=1

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Thank you for Cookie Donations!

Thanks to anyone who contributed cookies and cookie tins to our bus drivers, delivery people, and engineers!  The Keebler Elves have NOTHING on you people!  It takes an army to keep this school running and we are so grateful for our transportation, engineering, and delivery helpers!  This year gifts featured original artwork by the students from Rooms 11 and 17 with assistance from Room 32 students.  Please see the attached picture of what the artwork looked like.  Thanks to Ms. Makula for coordinating our artists!

Holiday Cards

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Fernwood Soup & Chili Supper is back!!!

Mark your calendars for Friday February 2nd, as we are bringing back, by popular demand, our soup and chili supper and social event.  The Fernwood Café will be turned into an all you can eat soup buffet with dozens of soups prepared by your fellow Fernwood families.  Soups will be served from 5:30pm until 7pm and will cost $2 for students and $5 for adults (children 3 & under are free).  If you would like to contribute by cooking and serving a soup please visit this link: www.mealtrain.com/potlucks/wdg9lq

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Cool Reading Games for Kids

Here is a list of some fun reading games for kids that were provided by Tanya Evans, our district Reading Curriculum Specialist.  These are some fun ways to promote literacy and family togetherness!

Games Educational Board 2023.pdf

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Camp Open on December 21

December 21st is a non-student attendance day, but camp will be open for current Wrap-Around and After-School Camp students from 8:00-5:30pm.  Families must provide a snack and lunch for students since the kitchen will not serve lunch.  Camp families should sign up for the opportunity and indicate times needed at the desk on Falling Heath.  The opportunity is first-come, first-served as we cannot accommodate all the camp students all day.

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Saturday Academy Opportunity For 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders

Please see the attached flyer for information on the Saturday Academy at UWM.  This program offers opportunities for career exploration and practice of academic skills.

Saturday Academy 23-24.pdf

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Save the Date: Conversations about Race

Please save the date of January 17th at 4pm-5:30pm in the Fernwood Library for a conversation about race with Coach Nikki Janzen.  Please see below for details and look to future newsletters for a sign up.

Children are never too young to learn about race. In this 90 minute session, you can grow your knowledge on healthy ways to talk to your children about race and equity using children’s books and videos as an anchor for discovery and discussion. This session will be lead by social justice educator, Milwaukee Public Schools restorative practices coach, parent of one of our students and founder of Beloved Healing LLC, Nikki Janzen.

Nikki will use restorative shared agreements to create a brave, caring space and guide us through researched best practices to help us cultivate children that are racially aware, empathetic and proud of who they are while supporting those in their community. We will watch videos, read children’s books as well as talk through resources and close with a question and answer opportunity.

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Fernwood Montessori: Meet the Staff 

Pop Quiz:  What Fernwood teacher is also a hockey player?  The answer is in the attached slide show of information about our Fernwood staff compiled by the PTO. Teachers filled out some questionnaires to let us know their likes and dislikes.

Meet the Staff

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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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A Little Gift from Ms. Meredith

On day 11 of Winter Break, when EVERYONE is ready to go back to school, please play this short video for your child and let Oprah take over.  Hope you all have a great and restful break!

https://storylineonline.net/books/hula-hoopin-queen/

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