Fernwood Family Newsletter #37, 5/21/24 

~Thursday, May 23rd, 2024, Experience Day, Fernwood Montessori Classrooms

~Monday, May 29th, 2024, 9:00am, Parent Orientation for NEW K3/K4/K5 Students, Fernwood Auditorium

~Thursday, June 6th, 2024, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, South Shore Terrace

~Sunday, June 9th, 2024, 11am-3pm, Fernwood Flights, The Sugar Maple

~Tuesday, June 11th, 2024, 5:30pm, 8th Grade Completion Ceremony, Bayview High School Auditorium

~Wednesday, June 12th, 2024, LAST DAY OF STUDENT ATTENDANCE

~Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, First Day of Student Attendance

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

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Fernwood Experience Day, May 23rd

On May 23, 2024 Fernwood Montessori will be holding an Experience Day.  We kindly ask that all students bring a cold lunch to school this day, since there will be many moving pieces during lunch (we will of course have hot lunches available if students need to order one, as always).

During Experience Day, students in K5, 3rd grade and 6th grade will have the opportunity to visit a classroom for a few hours (in the morning) at the next level to gain understanding about what their next classroom may look like and feel like,and will be welcomed by a student ambassador well established within that classroom community.  Please note that we have paired teachers up for Experience Day, and the classrooms that students will visit have no bearing on their classroom placement for the fall.  The purpose of this day is to help students feel comfortable and safe in their transition to the next level, while also building leadership skills in students who will be remaining in their classrooms next year.  If a student is out sick that day, teachers will do their best to coordinate a make up day.

Students in K4 will be invited by their primary teacher to attend school for a full-day.  Teachers will communicate with parents about a schedule.

Please reach out to your child’s teacher with any questions.

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Extra Yearbooks for Sale

Exciting news for Fernwood historians!  We have some extra yearbooks available in the Main Office for $12.  They are first come, first serve and payment must be presented to get a book.  Payment is cash or check made out to Fernwood Montessori.  Thanks!

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Construction Happening Soon-KK Ave Impacted

Please note that some construction will be happening on our West Playground right along KK Ave soon.  If parents drop off on KK Ave, we ask that you please access the building in a different way while construction is happening.  We don’t have an exact date for the start of the project but it will be happening in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your attention!

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FERNWOOD FLIGHTS (June 9th) – Tickets selling fast!

See below for some of the auction items that will be available at this event!  There are some very cool experiences up for grabs!  

Major Auction Items.pdf

Don’t forget to snag your tickets for our great annual social event for Fernwood parents and community members.  If you’ve never been to Fernwood Flights before, ask someone who has—and then scramble to get your childcare sorted for the afternoon of June 9th.  We are less than a month away, and this event is shaping up to be fantastic.  You will enjoy The Sugar Maple with its wonderful patio, lunch, beverages, live music by Frogwater, exciting raffles, and an amazing assortment of silent and live auction items.  The live auctions will have a lot of returning favorites as well as some new and very exciting additions.  Perfect for those who just want to enjoy the food, beverages, and entertainment, as well as those looking to scoop up some amazing items and experiences.  Tickets are selling fast, and we are excited to see a lot of first-time attendees!  Head to https://events.readysetauction.com/mpsfdn/beerscheers24 to buy your tickets now!

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IMPORTANT Attendance Information for the 24/25 School Year

Please see the attached letter from Principal Lowell regarding attendance for next school year.  The 2024-25 MPS District Calendar is also attached to aid with planning.

attendance letter 24-25

MPS_DistrictwideCalendar_2024-25_1223.pdf

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Traffic Safety Petition from Fernwood Parents

There have been increased concerns in regards to students crossing the intersection of E Oklahoma Ave and S Pennsylvania Ave. A request has been made for the City of Milwaukee to complete a traffic study. Show your support of the traffic study by signing the linked petition. This will be shared with the DPW to survey and address pedestrian safety walking to and from school. Link to Petition

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MPS Strategic Plan Survey

Parents are invited to complete the MPS Strategic Plan survey by May 27th.  This survey gives parents an opportunity to provide Milwaukee Public Schools input on their strategic plan.  Please complete the survey here.

If you’d like to attend a strategic planning meeting to ensure your voice is heard, please see the attached flyer.

MPS_Strategic Plan Meetings Flyer_524 V6 Eng+Span.pdf

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Interim Report Cards

Interim Report Cards are now available to view on the parent portal for grades K5-8th grade.

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ATTENTION ALL PARENT RUNNERS

Ever dream of being a Cross Country coach for middle school? The team is in need of coaches and committed volunteers at practices and races! We run Mondays and Tuesdays and Wednesdays for 7 weeks, and race on Thursdays (one Saturday race – on October 19). Our season begins on the first day of school, and tentatively ends on October 24th. Interested in more details? Have questions? Email Coach Lorinda at fernwoodrunning@gmail.com or text her at 414-265-8043. THANK YOU!

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Run Back to School Registration now Open!

Fernwood took first place in last year’s annual Run Back to School 5K run/1.5 mile walk by having the most registered participants in the district!  Let’s do it again and win the $1,000 grant!  Please see details on the attached flyer, including how to register your family.  Be sure to list ‘Fernwood’ as your participating school.  Any questions, please contact Fernwood’s team captain, Lisa McLure, at samperld@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. 

2024 RBTS Flyer.pdf

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Transition Information for Students Moving to a New Level Next Year

Fernwood put together some helpful videos for families to understand what the transition looks like from the previous to the next level.  These videos will be helpful for families of current K5, 3rd, and 6th grade students:

Primary to Lower Elementary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsKy3LFFunw

Lower Elementary to Upper Elementary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUui5YVG6D0

Upper Elementary to Secondary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnpNOxfOKsM (please note that all of our secondary classrooms are combinations of 7th and 8th graders with the exception of math)

Fernwood students in grades K5, 3rd and 6th grade will have the opportunity to participate on May 23rd in our experience day.  Families can expect to receive supply lists and class placements/homerooms (for 7th and 8th grade) on the last day of school sent home with report cards.  At the end of August when teachers return, families should expect to hear from the new teachers about procedures, communication, expectations, etc.

If you have any questions about your child moving to the next level and what this may look like, please contact their current teacher.

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End of Year Medication Pickup

Please read the attached document about end of year medication pick up from Nurse Gretchen.

end of year med pick up 22-23.docx

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Chrome Book Collection Dates

We will be collecting Chrome Books and chargers from our students before the end of the school year.  Please ensure Chrome Books and chargers are sent to school with your child on the below date:  

Lower Elementary Students (1st-3rd)- May 29th

Upper Elementary Students (4th-6th)- May 30th

Primary Students (K3-K5)- May 31st

Additional collection date: June 3rd

Secondary Students (7th and 8th)- June 11th

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Our School is Cool!

There’s always something COOL going on at Fernwood!  These are the people in your neighborhood!  In your neighborhood!  In your neighborhood!  Fernwood is filled with cool teachers, cool paras, and also COOL support staff (school psychologist, school social worker, school counselor, and school support teacher, and school nurse).  Take a look at the following page on our website that showcases some cool and smart people who help our students and families feel good, solve problems, and learn about themselves so they can learn in the classroom!  

   https://mps.school/fernwood/students/

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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 to help.

Fernwood Music 2023-24 _________________________________________________________________________________________