FERNWOOD FAMILY NEWSLETTER #34, 5/6/25

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Fernwood Spring Cleanup – Fun Volunteering Opportunity

Volunteer Opportunity for Families-This Saturday!

Pancake Breakfast for Scout Troop 79-This Saturday!

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

Reminder: No Dogs on School Grounds

Fernwood is Hiring

Experience Day High School Helpers Wanted

Fernwood Compost Fundraiser

Congratulations to Odelia and Desmond!

Information on a Summer Opportunity from Ms. Bianca

Audit by MGT of MPS- Parent Survey

Pizza Eaters Represented!

CHARACTER KIDS Summer Theater Camps

Chrome Book Returns

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

Attendance Recapture for Illness

Information on MPS Lead Testing Clinic for MPS Families

OUR SCHOOL IS COOL!

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

~Monday-Friday, May 5-9th, 2025, Teacher Appreciation Week, Fernwood Montessori

~Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, Fernwood Library and 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 Library and virtual (email brett.mytys@gmail.com for link)

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

~Thursday, May 29th, 2025, 5:30pm SEC Meeting, Virtual https://meet.google.com/tir-huzv-ikc

~Tuesday, June 3rd, 2025, PTO Meeting,  Fernwood Library and virtual https://meet.google.com/xyc-wwnz-czu

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Fernwood Spring Cleanup – Fun Volunteering Opportunity

Let’s get together and make the school grounds look great with a Spring Cleanup!  Mr. Ray will be helping coordinate a whole host of projects, including spreading wood chips, planting veggies, rehabbing the lower garden area, sprucing up the courtyard, and repairing some planter boxes. The more volunteers, the merrier, and we welcome both adults and useful older students (and I’m sure we could keep any younger students pleasantly occupied with some sidewalk chalk and hula-hoops, so bring em if you’ve got em). We hope to see you there!  Please RSVP here for the event on 5/17: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0F4AA5AC23ABFC1-56619155-fernwood

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Volunteer Opportunity for Families-This Saturday!

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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Pancake Breakfast for Scout Troop 79-This Saturday!

Scout Troop 79 invites you to their annual Pancake Breakfast this Saturday, May 10th at Unity Evangelical Lutheran Church-1025 E. Oklahoma Ave from 8:30-11:30am.  Tickets can be purchased here: https://troop79milwaukee.square.site/

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

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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Reminder: No Dogs on School Grounds

Fernwood families should be advised that dogs are not allowed on the Fernwood school grounds (not on leashes, not being held in arms, not in backpacks, etc).  Dogs are permitted on the sidewalks outside of the fenced areas at school.  Cooperation with this city ordinance is appreciated for everyone’s safety and comfort!

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Fernwood is Hiring

Fernwood will be hiring the following positions in Cycle C.  The application window is from May 7th-May 12th, and individuals can find the postings on the MPS website under classified staff.  Please pass along the information to anyone you may think is interested.  For more information about the positions, please reach out to Ms. Kristy Lowell, Fernwood Principal at lowellkm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

-Parent Coordinator (40 hours)

-Paraprofessional- Autism Unit & Floating to Support School Needs (30 hours)

-Children’s Health Assistant (30 hours, must have CNA license)

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Experience Day High School Helpers Wanted

Greetings Fernwood Families,

As we gear up for our annual experience day on May 22nd, we would like to invite some of our former Fernwood students to join us for this wonderful opportunity.  We are looking for 10 former Fernwood students to speak to the 8th grade students on the experience day panel.  

We would like those students to share their experience about transitioning to high school, share their current high school, offer helpful advice to the 8th graders as they transition to high school and share their future goals.

If your student is available, please complete the google survey by May 16th.  We will reach out to you to confirm your RSVP for this event.

Experience Day

May 22, 2025

9:15am-Arrival and check-in at main office

We will meet in the school auditorium

10:45am-End Time

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxIZUii3ooseSsr2Faqdax1jEv6Ijx9OpnH0xwUNYPhBwMNA/viewform?usp=preview

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Fernwood Compost Fundraiser 

Did you know that Fernwood Montessori works with Compost Crusader to compost food from the cafeteria instead of sending it to a landfill? To help offset the cost of this service, we are hosting a fundraiser through Compost Crusader. For every 35 lb bag of compost sold, Fernwood will receive a $4 credit towards its pick up service. Compost orders must be placed by May 27th. Pick up will be on Thursday May 29th between 3 and 5:30pm outside the Falling Heath doors. 

Ordering is easy! Place your order at: https://accounts.compostcrusader.com/shop/Fernwood-Montessori-School/. If you have any questions about your order, contact education@compostcrusader.com. If you have questions about compost pick up, contact chelsea.malacara@gmail.com 

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Congratulations to Odelia and Desmond!

Odelia Milligan and Desmond Sarnowski won Critics choice awards at the MPS Media Arts Showcase!  Way to go, you two!  

📽️Desmond’s Blackthorn Key Book Trailer won the Critics’s Choice Award for Informative Video 6-8.

📽️Odelia’s Travel with Odelia won Critic’s Choice Award for Personal Video 6-8

Families are invited to the Media Arts Showcase May 16th 3:30-7pm and May 17th 9-12 to celebrate the hard work of these students. There will be family activities at the event.  

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Information on a Summer Opportunity from Ms. Bianca

Please see the attached flyer for information on summer support groups for teens at Rogers Behavioral Health.

Summer Programming Overview_04102025.pdf

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Audit by MGT of MPS- Parent Survey

MPS Families: We want your feedback! We are currently engaging in an external Instructional Review of Milwaukee Public Schools, and we need your voice to help shape the future of the district. Parents and caregivers, take a few minutes to share your experiences through our family survey. Your feedback will help MPS improve instructional practices and better serve students. You can access the survey via this link.Additionally, we have family focus groups, including virtual and in-person options at locations across the city. Access details using the Blue QR code in the survey attached. Thank you!

Familias de Milwaukee: ¡Queremos conocer su opinión! Estamos llevando a cabo una revisión externa de la instrucción en las Escuelas Públicas de Milwaukee, y necesitamos su voz para mejorar los resultados de nuestros estudiantes. Padres y cuidadores: por favor, tómense unos minutos para compartir sus experiencias a través de nuestra encuesta para familias. Sus comentarios ayudarán a MPS a mejorar las prácticas de enseñanza y a servir mejor a los estudiantes.

Puede acceder a la encuesta mediante este enlace.

Además, ofrecemos grupos focales familiares, tanto virtuales como presenciales, en diferentes ubicaciones de la ciudad. Acceda a la información usando el código QR azul de la encuesta adjunta. ¡Gracias!

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Pizza Eaters Represented!

The Fernwood PTO Classic Slice fundraiser raised $2400 for the PTO…that’s a lot of pizza, pirate people!  Thanks to all who “sacrificed” to make this fundraiser a success!  The PTO sends this money directly into classrooms through teacher reimbursements, money for field trip buses, and also for fun school events (which sometimes have pizza…so meta)!  Fernwood makes it happen!  

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CHARACTER KIDS Summer Theater Camps

Come explore the wonderful world of theater in our Character Kids Summer Theater Camps! From the world of Disney to the Land of Oz, there’s something for everyone this summer. Camps are offered for ages 5-11 and take place on the Southwood Glen Elementary stage in Franklin. Early drop off, Lunch Bunch and payment plans are available! Focus is put on developing imagination, social skills and a positive self image through the performing arts. Visit www.characterkidsdrama.com/franklin or scan the QR code to learn more or to register.

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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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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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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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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! 

A teacher got pied in the face and you’ll NEVER guess which one! 

Ms. Kelsey “Cousin of Wonka” McCarron and Ms. Hayley “Along for the Ride” Werner lost a competition with their students and got pied in the face last week!  Students were tasked with coming up with as many words as they could using the letters in “planet earth” TWO teams beat Ms. Kelsey and Ms. Hayley.  Their handsome reward was the experience pictured below….priceless and COOL!  Thanks for always bringing the fun, Room 253!  

 

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Ms. Bussewitz threw a carnival with her 7th grade math students!  Her math students have been working on probability the past few weeks.  Students had to design a game that had 3 different levels of probability. Students calculated their theoretical probability for each level. Students then had to ‘man’ their game while others played. They will calculate their experimental probability next and compare/contrast their theoretical and experimental!  Sounds like a COOL way to learn AND help students with basic life lessons like, “the house always wins”, “always bet on black”, and “in sheepshead, there are 14 cards in the trump suit: all four queens, all four jacks, and all of the diamonds”….maybe not the last one!  Either way, fun and COOL!  

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Mys. Boxford #74 has been opened!

Contents included:

Dust (age undetermined)

A staple (unstapled)

Another staple (also unstapled)

A paper clip (1 ¼ inch size)

And the following note:

Can you believe this note almost ended up in the trash!?!  Ms. Milligan would have never known that one of her students in 2020 wanted to say “hello” to her.   “I don’t know when you’ll see this.”  Answer: May 5, 2025!   I asked Ms. Milligan if she had any idea who this kid might be (no name, but that stick figure is obviously a self portrait), but the author’s identity remains unknown.  An unsolved mystery COOL!  Communication across time and space!  COOL!

When delivering the note to Ms. Milligan, she told me that when she taught in the Adolescent program, she ran a mock election with the students.  Students had to do fake fundraising to earn money to buy campaign posters to put up around school, they ran campaigns, and a parent who worked for the parks department dropped off the ballot box (aka Mys. Boxford) to use for voting. The box was an actual ballot box from days of yore that was for District 74.  Historical COOLNESS!  

Thanks to the Rogers-Harris family (dad Dave, mom Susan, Fernwood student Ben), the First Gentleman of Parent Coordination, and Fernwood student Mabel Mertes for help opening Mys. Boxford.  Fernwood makes it happen!