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FERNWOOD FAMILY NEWSLETTER #33, 4/29/25

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

DC Trip Meeting Tonight

Encyclopedia of Thank Yous!

Chrome Book Returns

Congratulations to Odelia Milligan!

Fernwood Flights – Tickets On Sale Now for Our End-of-Year Celebration & Fundraiser!

Futura Spanish Re-Starts this Week

Teacher Appreciation Week is 5/5-5/9-Cards Wanted!

Attendance Recapture for Illness

Volunteer Opportunity for Families

Lower EL Choir Starting 4/29/25

Yearbook Coordinator Wanted

Lead Town Hall Video-FAQs ADDED

Teacher Grant Opportunity-Nominations Wanted!

Information on MPS Lead Testing Clinic for MPS Families

OUR SCHOOL IS COOL!

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

~Tuesday, April 29th, 5:30pm, DC Departure Trip Meeting, virtual, https://meet.google.com/mdr-amsb-icy?hs=122&authuser=0

~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

~Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, 6:30pm, Fernwood Fund Meeting,  Fernwood Fund Meeting, Fernwood Library or virtual (email brett.mytys@gmail.com for link)

~Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, Experience Day, Fernwood Montessori 

~Thursday, May 29th, 2025, SEC Meeting, Virtual https://meet.google.com/tir-huzv-ikc

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DC Trip Meeting Tonight

The Adolescent Washington DC trip is less than 2 weeks away!  There is a virtual meeting to tie up final details TODAY at 5:30pm.  Ms. Zimmers will be available to answer any questions.  Link to the handy DC one sheet here Washington DC 2025

Link to the meeting is below.

https://meet.google.com/mdr-amsb-icy?hs=122&authuser=0

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Encyclopedia of Thank Yous!

Presenting the Encyclopedia of Thank You from our days at Douglas and our transition back to Fernwood South!  If we missed anyone, apologies in advance, we had literally a hundred of you to thank (this is a good problem to have)!  This coming together of our community seems like a distant memory at this point.  However, it was fun to put this list together and remember how our first few days at Douglas were all-hands-on-deck, Jesus-take-the-wheel (as Ms. Andi says), and rise-and-grind kind of days.  THANKYOU,THANKYOU,THANKYOU!  Fernwood makes it happen!  Fernwood made it happen!

Fernwood North Encyclopedia of Thank Yous

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Chrome Book Returns

For all families that checked out Chrome Books for our relocation to Douglas, please return these to the library no later than May 9th.

All families that have a Chrome Book checked out for use of ALEKS, these must be returned to the library to later than June 9th.

Families will be responsible for paying a fee for lost or unreturned Chrome Books.

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Congratulations to Odelia Milligan!

Congratulations to Odelia Milligan! Odelia won the Daughter’s of the American Revolution video contest for 6th grade, NATIONALLY!  WOW!  Odelia will be traveling to Washington DC on June 26th to receive her award and spread the good word about Montessori!  We’re loud and proud for you, Odelia!  Way to go!

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Fernwood Flights – Tickets On Sale Now for Our End-of-Year Celebration & Fundraiser!

Book your sitter and get ready to raise a glass & raise some funds! Join us for Fernwood Flights on Sunday, June 8th from 11am-3pm at The Sugar Maple for a fun afternoon in support of Fernwood Montessori.

This beloved annual event brings together parents, teachers, and community members for an unforgettable celebration featuring:

* Beer Tastings

* Live Music

* Outdoor Patio & Grill

* Silent Auction + Live Auction with exciting items and experiences

* Raffles & more!

More than just a fun social event, Fernwood Flights is a vital fundraiser helping to support our school’s programs, classroom resources, and facility improvements — all to ensure a rich and dynamic learning environment for our students.

Don’t miss this joyful celebration of our school community! Grab your tickets at: https://events.readysetauction.com/milwaukeepublicschoolsfoundation/fernwoodflights2025

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Futura Spanish Re-Starts this Week

Futura Spanish will be re-starting this week.  Please see below for an adjusted schedule.  Reach out to Sandy at sandyo@futuraadventures.com with questions.  

(Tuesdays) 2:25pm – 3:25pm – Vamos Grades 4th – 6th  

Location: Group A (Room 151)  Group B (Room 152)

4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27, 6/3

(Wednesdays) 2:25pm – 3:25pm – Vamos K-3rd

Location: Group A (Library), Group B (Room 151), Group C (Room 152)

4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21

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Teacher Appreciation Week is 5/5-5/9-Cards Wanted!

Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5 – May 9 and after 6 weeks at Fernwood North, one thing (of many!) proved true: Our teachers are AWESOME! 

The Fernwood PTO will be providing snacks, treats, and lunch for teachers throughout the week. 

Would you like to let your teacher know how appreciated they are? On Wednesday, May 7, send in a card with your student to give directly to their teacher! Whether it be handmade or Hallmark, let’s let these teachers know how much they rock!

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Attendance Recapture for Illness

Parents will complete this form to communicate with the Fernwood office evidence of student work completed at home so that attendance may be recaptured (UADI).  This is only available if a child is home ill (appointments, funerals or travel do not count).  You will get an attendance call as this will be checked later in the day, so please don’t worry.  If you fill this out, we will get the attendance recaptured.  Work options can be found in the description on the google form.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBorB7gkqUIvWiMxYqOohbmzo3SiNHwaWgsmhQi_otjSGp-w/viewform?usp=sharing

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Volunteer Opportunity for Families

There is a Community Garden Clean Up volunteer opportunity for Fernwood families on May 10th!  This is a great way to give back and get your hands dirty!  Details in the flyer below.  Please email Sam at samskizycki@gmail.com with questions and to sign up!  

Community Garden Clean-up.pdf

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Lower EL Choir Starting 4/29/25

The Lower El Kids Choir is on! We will be starting rehearsals after school on Tuesday, April 29 and complete our session on Tuesday, June 3. 

After school, choir students will be dismissed to the Fernwood Auditorium for rehearsals.  After rehearsal, choir students will be released to camp OR they should be picked up at the Falling Heath Doors at 3:10pm.

We are thrilled to be able to offer this to our families after reopening the Fernwood campus!  Any questions regarding choir can be directed to Ms. Molly at mpufall@gmail.com

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Yearbook Coordinator Wanted

Fernwood Montessori is looking for a parent volunteer to take over the role of Yearbook Coordinator for the 2025-2026 school year.  This exciting opportunity is only available because our current yearbook coordinator, Amanda Lavoe, is about to have her youngest go to high school. We have been so lucky to have Amanda’s help for many years…she does not hold the record for the most years as a Fernwood parent (I believe that record stands at 19 consecutive years) but she’s close!  The coordinator’s responsibilities involve selecting pictures and laying them out, checking for errors, selecting the cover, and using templates provided by the yearbook company.  Amanda would work as your mentor while her student completes their 8th grade year, sniffle.  The Yearbook Coordinator receives free yearbooks for their students (a $12 value), an impressive sounding job title, and the admiration of our entire community!  Please reach out to Parent Coordinator Meredith at genricm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us if you are interested.  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lead Town Hall Video-FAQs ADDED

FAQs for the Lead Town Hall have been made available here:  Lead Town Hall FAQs

To view the video of the Lead Town Hall Zoom meeting held by the Milwaukee Public Schools in conjunction with the City of Milwaukee Health Department and Children’s Wisconsin, please click on this link: youtube.com/watch?v=BgoxciFy2q4.

MPS is addressing the many questions asked in the chat during the virtual town hall and will provide those answers in the coming days. Further questions are welcomed at lead@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

We are grateful for your continued support of Milwaukee Public Schools, and we are committed to honoring your request for more information about the district’s work to keep all students and staff safe.

Sincerely,

Office of School Administration

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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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Information on MPS Lead Testing Clinic for MPS Families

https://city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Services-and-Programs/HomeEnvironmentalHealth/Ongoing-Lead-Hazard-Investigations-With-MPS

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OUR SCHOOL IS COOL!

There’s always something COOL going on at Fernwood! 

Just like Dame Lillard’s deep vein thrombosis has resolved in time for the playoffs (💚🦌💚), Fernwood South is off the Injured Reserve list in time for the last 7 weeks of school!!  Our building is looking fresh and clean and COOL!  

Celebratory dance break brought to you by rap superstars and public school grads (Big Boi and Andre 3000 met at Tri-Cities High School), OutKast: 

“Ain’t nobody dope as me, I’m just so fresh, so clean

(So fresh and so clean, clean)

I love when you stare at me, I’m just so fresh, so clean

(So fresh and so clean, clean)”  

Here are a few pictures of classrooms and hallways during the big set up day last week!  4/24/25 was BANANAS!  Also included are some photos of our first day back!  

The blue is my fav!

Blue, green, and peach in one spot!  Very avant garde!

A view of Ms. Lisa McLure’s doorway (I am not a professional photographer).  

Mr. Jermaine and the other janitorial staff were the only staff members that were left to work at Fernwood South.  Mr. Jermaine was very, very happy to see us and put his own signs on the doors to welcome students back!  We missed you, too, Mr. Jermaine!

Cody, a Fernwood Parent (he’s one of us), works at Colectivo and came with coffee, cups, and creamers….he also modeled (SLAY!) when I asked him so you know he’s ride or die for Fernwood!  You can’t put a whole school back together in 8 hours without some chemical support!  Not pictured are bagels, donuts, and a GF option from the FUND!  The Fund also lent us their President for the day who did presidential things like hanging shelves, hanging pictures, and supervising Mr. Matt “Retired but Not” Ray (he showed up AGAIN with the dangerous combination of tools AND a sense of humor!).  Thanks, Brett!  Thanks, Cody!

Ms. Jeannette wore yoga pants so you know she came to get things DONE!

Ms. Jen mid-set up and apparently mid-sentence. 

Mr. Nikolai nikolai-n’ and also feeling proud of his progress.  His unpacking music was also the loudest in the building…rock on, Room 33!

These disco ladies (https://youtu.be/U4aiBO8RPzk?feature=shared) are 99% done and felt confident enough to check email while dancing!  What?!?!?!  Can you tell everyone is so happy to be back?  

This mysterious locked box #74 was found in Mx. Botsford’s Room #7 during the great unpacking and was rescued from the trash.  I’m calling it Mys. Boxford!  Haunted?  Evil?  Just vintage and COOL (like me)? I am going to get it opened when things calm down and we all catch up.  Stay tuned to this space for updates!  

These photos were not altered and are not to be viewed by those with heart problems, high or low blood pressure, or OCD.

Before….

And After…Is there ANYTHING these teachers can’t do?

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Parents and students chalked some welcome back messages for us on 4/25.  THIS is how Fernwood does a red carpet and it could not have been more perfect and more “Fernwood”! COOL!

”I love that we are going back to Fernwood” YOU SAID IT, YOUNG SCHOLAR!

I don’t know if this one was for the Parent Coordinator, but I don’t care because IT MADE MY DAY!

Magical!

And lastly, a new addition to the Fernwood menagerie!  The Mother of Dragons and the Room 26 artists hatched another dragon!  Welcome, Juice Box!  This blue and green beauty is perched opposite Daddy in the lunchroom between the Girls’ bathroom and Nurse Gretchen’s office in the basement.  To the best of my knowledge, Juice Box has no medical training but is willing to hold an ice pack on your knee in a pinch.  So helpful!  COOL!