` FERNWOOD FAMILY NEWSLETTER #30, 4/8/25 _______________________________________________________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Fernwood Montessori Temporary Closure Handbook for Families 2025-2026 MPS District Calendar...
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Fernwood Family Newsletter #31, 4/15/25
FERNWOOD FAMILY NEWSLETTER #31, 4/15/25
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
~Tuesday, April 15th, 2025, 6:30pm, Fernwood Fund Meeting, Beulah Brinton Historic House and virtual, email brett.mytys@gmail.com for link
~Friday, April 18th, 2025, NO SCHOOL
~Thursday, April 24th, 2025, 5:30pm, SEC Meeting, virtual https://meet.google.com/tir-huzv-ikc
~Tuesday, April 29th, 5:30pm, DC Departure Trip Meeting, virtual, link to follow
~Monday-Friday, May 5-9th, 2025, Teacher Appreciation Week, Fernwood Montessori
~Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, virtual https://meet.google.com/xyc-wwnz-czu
~Thursday, May 8th, 2025, 6:30pm, Music Parents Meeting, Virtual https://meet.google.com/fpf-rvca-uuk
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PLEASE READ!
Fernwood Montessori Temporary Closure Handbook for Families
The handbook linked above is updated weekly and includes information on forms for pick up and virtual work, updates on Wraparound and After School camp, and other important information. Families should use this handbook as a reference before they reach out to the office, teachers, or administration. Lately, there is much communication that is atypical, we appreciate families doing their best to stay informed.
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A Building Update from Ms. Kristy
Hi Fernwood Community,
I was called over to Fernwood yesterday for a walkthrough of the building. It was so nice to be back and to see so many families (and see how the Fernwood-side of the shuttles operate).
This was my first time in the building since we shut down. From my understanding, remediation and painting have been completed and we are moving to deep cleaning next. The walls look really nice and fresh. The new wing has not been touched since there were no lead paint concerns on that side of the building with the new construction.
In my conversations with district leadership, I continued to press for a timeline to be provided to our community. I know both staff and families are understandably calling for this, as it will be helpful for planning. As a reminder, a final determination about reopening will be made by the Milwaukee Health Department.
Thank you! Ms. Kristy
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Lead Town Hall Video and Summary
The Lead Town Hall Video and Summary will be provided as soon as it is available per the MPS Communications Department. The information will be emailed to families who registered for the town hall and also linked in a future Fernwood Family Newsletter.
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Fernwood Spring Concert-CANCELLED
Please note that the Fernwood Spring Concert is being CANCELLED. Performers will not have time to adequately prepare for their performance due to the Douglas relocation. Thank you for your understanding as we announce this difficult decision.
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Returning Fernwood Library Books
Is Mr. Grant jealous of the Art Cart? I think so! Students may return Fernwood library books to Douglas! There will be a return box in the Main Office. If we have enough books, Mr. Grant will make a Library on a cart and let students check the books out. Details to follow!
I’m going to float the donkey idea!
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Primary Parent Meetup on 4/16 at 9am-CANCELLED
***Please note that the primary parent meetup on 4/16 has been cancelled.***
A Fernwood parent has organized a series of parent meet ups! Please see the attached flyer if you are interested in an informal way to connect with other primary parents over daytime beverages during some mornings this Spring.
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2025-2026 MPS District Calendar
The 2025-2026 District Calendar is now available online (about halfway down). Fernwood siblings should note that Winter Break is 16 days next year, so they should start pre-planning their topics for bickering now so that they don’t run out.
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Important Measles Update from Nurse Gretchen
Please see the attached letter from Nurse Gretchen with essential information about the measles vaccine and an anticipated measles outbreak.
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Teacher Grant Opportunity-Nominations Wanted!
Our friends at the Cream City Real Estate Company would like to give a $500 grant to one of our Fernwood teachers. This money would be used in their classrooms (not for spa services). This fun opportunity is in honor of Teacher appreciation week which is the first week in May. Please take this opportunity to brag on your favorite Montessori Directress or Director! All Fernwood families are invited to participate and you don’t have to nominate your current teacher. However, only one grant will be awarded to a teacher at our school.
DIrections are as follows:
1. In a few sentences, tell us why your teacher deserves a high-five and this awesome prize. They must be a teacher, currently teaching at your school.
2. Email your nomination to info@crmcty.com by 4/30. (Subject: Teacher Name/School) Personal contact information will not be shared or used for future business purposes.
3. Share this contest with friends and family to help your favorite teacher get as many votes as possible. Teachers with the greatest number of nominations will move to the final round.
Our team will read every heartfelt nomination and announce this year’s Amazing Teachers on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 – National Teacher Appreciation Day!
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Special Friends Day 2025-CANCELLED
Due to our prolonged building relocation, Fernwood administration (with input from staff and parent groups) has decided to cancel Special Friends Day for 2025 to preserve our energy and mental resources for student learning. We are hopeful that before our relocation, many of our special friends have been into our building at Open Houses, concerts, and events AND that they will have these opportunities again in future years. Thank you for your understanding as we announce this difficult decision.
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ArtsFest for 2025-CANCELLED
Due to our prolonged building relocation, Fernwood administration (with input from the ArtsFest committee and the PTO) has decided to cancel the ArtsFest for 2025. We considered what was best for the many vendors that contribute to this event and use their earnings to support their small businesses as well as the financial situations of the school organizations that fundraise at this event. Classrooms that already created art or crafts to sell will be providing an opportunity to purchase these goodies via other methods! Stay tuned for details on those sales from our budding entrepreneurs! Thank you for your understanding as we announce this difficult decision.
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Middle School Twilight Center Events at Douglas Middle School
Andrew S Douglas Middle School is also a Twilight Center for 6th, 7th, 8th Graders! Twilight Centers offer a place for kids to go for free fun after hours! Our hosts at Douglas wanted to invite our students to these activities. The Twilight Center at Douglas is open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6-9pm for ages 10-14 (students need their S number to be let in). Activities include ping pong, air hockey, XBOX, Playstation, free food, and more. See below for details.
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Information on MPS Lead Testing Clinic for MPS Families
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OUR SCHOOL IS COOL!
There’s always something COOL going on at Fernwood!
This last week Mr. Nikolai and his Nikol-ites walked to the Atkinson Branch of the Milwaukee Public Library! This branch is only about 4 blocks from Douglas and those librarians welcomed us with open arms. Our time at Fernwood North has made Fernwood teachers and staff adept at pivoting. So, Mr.Grant also chaperoned in case they needed a back up librarian! Way to be prepared, Fernwood!
Here’s some facts about the Atkinson Branch:
Atkinson Branch located at 1960 W. Atkinson Ave., opened in January 1961 as the first in a 10-year program to provide large regional libraries throughout the City within a two-mile radius of anywhere in the city. The building’s unique architecture is highlighted by a beamed, cathedral vaulted ceiling, woodwork and modern stained glass windows. The branch was renovated in 1994.
Here’s some pictures of the adventure!
I think this is a turkey?
Librarians making friends! Awwwww!
Studious!
Looking COOL, Mr. Grant!
A cathedral of knowledge!
Students explored and checked out books. The library is such a place of calm and also a place of discovery and exploration….COOL!
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Ms. Caitlyn McWilliams, the lady with the super Irish name, is actually half Puerto Rican! One day this week, her ‘fit was especially COOL, cute, and colorful! When chatting with her about her day, it was revealed that her outfit was in fact part of her lesson plan. She was going to be talking about an endangered Puerto Rican frog called El Sapo Concho (the Puerto Rican Crested Frog), a relative of the Coqui who many of us know. Fashion as part of pedagogy, SLAY! Shantay you stay, Ms. Caitlyn! COOL!
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Four Lower El classes experienced the ballet on 4/11! Students from Ms. Kat’s, Ms. Jessica’s, Ms. Clay’s, and Ms. Jen’s classes took the bus to watch the Milwaukee Ballet perform “Sleeping Beauty”. The guest chaperone was Ms. Jen’s daughter, Anya who is a seasoned and serious ballerina! Anya gave students a dancer’s perspective on the world of ballet. Thank you to Anya, for sharing your knowledge (and your Mom) with Fernwood students! Thanks to Fernwood teachers for bringing in the experts!
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Some COOL work in Ms. Vogel’s class with Ms. Heidi steering the (pirate) ship!
Periodic table of the elements with student pictures to illustrate the elements! Superman!
Cloud work!
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Students in Ms. Kari’s class celebrated Milwaukee on Monday for 414 Day (4/14)! There was a pin the tail on the badger game (there is no official animal of Milwaukee, unless you count Bango 💚🦌💚), cheese curd tasting, Milwaukee history lessons, and more!
