Fernwood Family Newsletter #3, 9/10/24

_________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Table of Contents 

 

Schedule of Events

Fernwood Fest! Volunteers Needed!!!!

Special Message about CAMP Staffing for ALL FAMILIES

Free Sports Equipment Swap

Ms. Natasha Update

District Advisory Council Members Needed

Medication and Immunization Reminders from Nurse Gretchen

PTO-curious?  First PTO Meeting of the Year!

Sports Update from Ms. Chanda

Picture Day Information-September 18th

Upper Elementary Overnight for 24-25

District Parent/Guardian School Engagement Survey

Futura Spanish Enrollment-Now Open Online

Character Kids Enrollment-Now Open Online

Our School is Cool!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Schedule of Events 

~Tuesday, September 10, 2024, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, Fernwood library and virtual  https://meet.google.com/xyc-wwnz-czu

~Thursday, September 12, 2024, 6:30pm.  Music Parents Meeting, virtual https://meet.google.com/fpf-rvca-uuk

~Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10am-12pm, Fernwood Fest, West Playground

~Tuesday, September 17, 2024, 6:30pm, Fernwood Fund Meeting, Fernwood library and virtual, email brett.mytys@gmail.com for link

~Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 7:45am-12pm, Picture Day

~Thursday, September 26, 2024, 5:30pm, School Engagement Council (SEC), virtual https://meet.google.com/tir-huzv-ikc

-Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, Fernwood library and virtual https://meet.google.com/xyc-wwnz-czu

~Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024, 7:00am, Bike Walk and Roll to School Day, East Playground

~Thursday, October 10, 2024, 6:30pm, Music Parents Meeting, virtual https://meet.google.com/fpf-rvca-uuk

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Fernwood Fest! Volunteers Needed!!!!

The PTO is excited for our annual back to school family fun event!  This year Fernwood Fest will be held on Saturday, September 14th from 10am-12pm. There will be popcorn, face painting, bounce houses, food trucks 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!  You will still have an hour of free time to enjoy the event!   Volunteer Sign Up

Fernwood Fest 2024.pdf

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Special Message about CAMP Staffing for ALL FAMILIES

Dear Fernwood Families,

We currently still have students on our after-school camp waitlist, and families are in dire need of childcare.  Per state and local childcare ratios, we do not currently have enough staff to accommodate these students.  Milwaukee Recreation is supporting us in working to recruit staff, but at this time, we have no additional prospective employees in the pipeline.

We know our families are incredibly supportive of our school and that many of you volunteer regularly.  We wanted to share that if we can get 2 adults to “volunteer” consistently 1 day a week from 2:30-5:00pm, we will be able to accommodate all of our students.

If you are able to make this work in your schedule for 1 consistent day every week, please consider this opportunity.  Your child(ren) would be able to attend camp for free that day (you would also need to sign them up).  Per Milwaukee Recreation, in order to abide by childcare ratios, individuals must apply and engage in the background check, fingerprinting, etc.

If you would be willing to help us out, please complete the following:

1. Fill this out with your name under the day of the week you could help out: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HR9uyjPBrVDw2PxCpx5DDq77L26DDMWkEzREPC7TUV4/edit?usp=sharing
2. Apply to be a camp volunteer at: https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Community/Get-Involved/Volunteer.htm
3. Reach out to Michelle Stehlik, Camp Director at stehlim@milwaukee.k12.wi.us so she can flag your application.

If you or anyone you know are interested in becoming an employee at Camp Fernwood Full or Part Time, please consider becoming part of our team at:: https://milwaukeerecreation.net/rec/Employment/Current-Job-Openings.htm

Thank you for considering and passing along this information.

Michelle Stehlik

Fernwood Montessori Camp Director

Direct Phone: 414.294.1313

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Free Sports Equipment Swap

Pirates, time to pillage for sports stuff…but not violently!!!!  The PAC will host a free equipment exchange for lightly used sports equipment that families want to pass along within the Fernwood community.  School is back in session and sports are getting underway.  Donate that lightly used pair of cleats or shin guards your child has grown out of and help a new player get their start.  We are in particular need for small soccer cleats and shin guards.  The exchange will be at Fernwood Fest (10:00 – 12:00 Saturday 9/14).  The sports table will be near the Falling Heath doors.  You can bring equipment at that time or if you’d like to drop things off beforehand, they can be left on the porch at 2723 S Wentworth Ave.  

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Ms. Natasha Update

Unfortunately, the weekend of Labor day, Mike Fricke, Natasha Posey’s husband was seriously injured and required a six-hour emergency surgery to fuse his spine. The procedure was a success, and he remains in a very serious but stable condition.  Mike is a highly respected teacher at St. Thomas More High School.

Ms. Natasha Posey, Room 252, wanted this message shared with Fernwood families.  It is unclear at this point what Mike’s recovery will look like and what Ms. Natasha’s absences will look like.  Family members in room 252 will receive updates from Ms. Kristy or Ms. Natasha directly via email.  

_________________________________________________________________________________________

District Advisory Council Members Needed

The District Advisory Council (DAC) meets monthly to learn about and advise on district strategies and programs impacting families, mainly related to Title I.  Fernwood Montessori School is in need of two delegates to serve as our representatives on the committee.  Thanks to retiring members, Nikki Janzen and Laureen Anderson-Stepanek, for their years of service to this group!  Duties include attending meetings and reporting back to school with relevant information from the meetings.  Please use the link for some additional information as well as a list of dates and times for the virtual meetings.  If you are interested in getting involved please contact Parent Coordinator Meredith at genricm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Families/Family-Involvement/Advisory-Committee.htm

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Medication and Immunization Reminders from Nurse Gretchen 

Please see the attached letter for important information from Nurse Gretchen about medications at school

Back to School Medication Reminders.docx

Nurse Gretchen also wanted to circulate information about some emails about vaccines that some of you may get.

imms newsletter.docx MHD_ImmunizationClinics_HalfSheet_flyer_8.30.2024.pdf

Included below is information on your child returning to school after illness.  

24-25 Sick Guidelines.pdf

_________________________________________________________________________________________

PTO-curious?  First PTO Meeting of the Year!

Did you know that everyone is welcomed and encouraged to join a PTO meeting?! Join us on the 1st Tuesday of every month in the Fernwood library (or virtual if that’s easier) at 6pm. Bring your kids, ideas, snacks, or all 3…meetings are fun and casual!   PTO membership is fluid, you can show up to every meeting OR whenever your time and your schedule allows!  

Meeting reminders go out in the Tuesday newsletter and on the Fernwood Montessori Community Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Melissa Rabiego (PTO President) if you have any questions: melissarabiego@gmail.com

Hope to see you on September 10th for our first meeting of the year!

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Sports Update from Ms. Chanda

Hope you are all settling into the first few weeks of school. I wanted to provide an update on Fall sports. Soccer registration is now closed. If your student was not able to register through Fernwood there may be opportunities to register through another MPS school. If this is something you would be interested in let me know and I can reach out.

There are still spots available for girls’ basketball grade 6-8. Please let me know if you are interested as soon as you can. Seasons start 9/21/24.

If they haven’t already your Coaches will be reaching out to provide information regarding the schedule and other important information.

You will see Winter sport registration information in the next couple months. We will have Co-ed volleyball grades 4-5 and 6-8, as well as Co-Ed Basketball grades 1-3, 4-5 and 6-8. Please let me know if you are interested in coaching or have questions about coaching. We have a great group of parent volunteers that are always willing to help!

Chanda Miller

Cell: 414-202-5255  chandamiller@hotmail.com

If your family is looking for other opportunities for Fall leagues there are 3 community team opportunities being offered through MPS Recreation.

*STUDENTS MAY NOT PARTICIPATE ON COMMUNITY TEAMS AND THEIR SCHOOL TEAM*

Please see the document below for details.  

Additional Fall Sports

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Picture Day Information-September 18th

School Pictures will be taken on the morning of Wednesday, September 18th in the Fernwood Auditorium!  Don’t forget to set your alarm earlier so you have time to do your hair (Beyonce did)!  

Lifetouch is the photography company that we are using.  Pictures of all students will be taken, whether or not pictures are ordered.   Each student will get a complimentary composite class picture. 

Pictures can be ordered online at mylifetouch.com using the Fernwood order code EVTG8R8WP.  If you order online there is no need to return the paper form that is being sent home.  If you choose to order with the paper form, please return it to school on September 18th with a check.

Picture retake day date and details will be announced in a future newsletter.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Upper Elementary Overnight for 24-25

Thanks to all families who provided feedback after the Nature’s Classroom Upper Elementary camping trip last year.  Based on this feedback along with staff’s needs, availability and preferences, we decided that there will not be an overnight camp experience for Upper Elementary students this year.  The team will revisit this for future school years.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

District Parent/Guardian School Engagement Survey

Please take a few moments to provide some feedback to the district and our school!  The District Parent/Guardian School Engagement Survey is your opportunity to provide the school with information on how you might like to get involved and barriers to involvement.  The school is provided with the data and it helps us to plan for our year.  The survey takes just a few minutes and is available in many languages.  Survey and flyer are linked below.

mpsmke.com/spcssurvey

School Engagement Survey FLYER 24-25.pdf

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Futura Spanish Enrollment-Now Open Online 

Enrollment for after school Spanish classes with Futura is now open online.  Follow the link to enroll.

https://futuraadventures.com/WISCONSIN-REGION/

Futura Fernwood Spanish 2024-2025 flier .pdf

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Character Kids Enrollment-Now Open Online 

Come explore the wonderful world of theater with Character Kids! Students will play theater games, learn stage skills and explore popular Broadway musicals while developing imagination, social skills and confidence. We’ll be offering 2 different fun-filled after school classes at Fernwood this year! 

FALL SESSION:

– Grades 1st-3rd: Mondays, 2:30-3:30 pm (September 23 – December 2 (10 weeks, no class 10/21)

– Grades 4th-6th: Wednesdays, 2:30-3:30 pm (September 25 – December 11 (11 weeks, no class 11/27) 

Parents are invited to a special performance on the last day of class! Visit our website for more info or to register.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Our School is Cool!

There’s always something COOL going on at Fernwood!  Building community is COOL and we do it so weeeell (get out of my head Taylor Swift)!  At Fernwood, we rely heavily on all our volunteers to help run events, provide extra opportunities to students, and to build a strong community.  The staff and administration is so grateful that parents and families donate their time and expertise to make an awesome place even more awesome!!!  The next time you see a Fernwood volunteer give them a high five!  

Here is a super COOL (and not exhaustive) list of all the ways that volunteers help in our building….

-teach yoga

-help with sound books

-hanging student art in the halls

-help students in the art room

-help make Mother’s Day and Father’s day gifts

-help make holiday ornaments

-help make crafts to sell for Arts Fest

-set up tables and chairs

-put tables and chairs away

-bake cookies, brownies, etc

-help sell cookies at a bake sale table

-make soup for Soup Night 

-sit by a door at the Adolescent dance (and experience the awkwardness in person)

-lead the Halloween parade

-stuff Valentine’s Day bags

-stuff Tuesday folders and backpacks

-call and ask for donations

-donate a raffle item

-library helper

-serve on the board for the PTO, Fund, Music Parents, Athletic Parents, SEC, MAC,     DAC, or DMACC

-create the 8th grade completion slide show

-Junior Achievement facilitator

-organize yearbook photos and create the yearbook 

-sweep up after events 

-wash tables

-choir helper

-move rocks on the playground for clean up

-plant things on the playground

-coach a sports team

-assistant coach a team

-assist the assistant coach of a sports team 

-scout leader

-help with Bike Walk to School Day

-chaperone a bus field trip

-chaperone a walking field trip

-chaperone an overnight field trip

-take students on a going out

-sell raffle tickets

-paint faces

-babysit a class pet over school breaks

-monitor bounce houses

-pop popcorn

-hand out popsicles 

-grill brats at Fernwood Flights

-organize raffle items for Fernwood Flights

-conceptualize, organize, and implement a school event or fundraiser

-donate juice boxes, empty paper towel rolls, granola bars, chalk, face paint, etc.

-And…..last but not least (and probably most importantly), let Ms. Meredith boss them around at school events!!