Fernwood Family Newsletter #11, 11/07/23 

~Friday, November 10th, No School

~Tuesday, November 14, 2023 6:30pm, Fernwood Fund Meeting, Fernwood Library and Virtual-email benjaminmstocks@gmail.com for meeting link

~Thursday, November 16, 2023 6:30pm, Music Parents Meeting,Virtual https://meet.google.com/fpf-rvca-uuk

~Tuesday, November 21, 2023, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, Fernwood Library and Virtual

meet.google.com/isc-jfjq-zow

~Monday, November 27, 2023, 5:30pm, SEC Meeting, virtual https://meet.google.com/hnp-uhmu-wpr

~Thursday, November 30th, 2023 5:30pm Forensics Kick Off Meeting, Virtual https://meet.google.com/vbv-ypnu-uqj (Correction-meeting is now on 11/30)

_______________________________________________________________________

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

______________________________________________________________________

Camp Open on November 10th

November 10th is a non-student attendance day, but camp will be open for current Wrap-Around and After-School Camp students from 8:00-5:30pm.  Families must provide a snack and lunch for students since the kitchen will not serve lunch.  Camp families should sign up for the opportunity and indicate times needed at the desk on Falling Heath.  The opportunity is first-come, first-served as we cannot accommodate all the camp students all day.

______________________________________________________________________

Fernwood Visitors

Just a reminder that all Fernwood visitors must check in at the Main Office.  In order to provide a secure environment, we must require that parents do this as well as any other visitor.  Please refrain from just running something up to a classroom.  We are happy to make sure that students are united with coats, lunches, etc.  Thank you for your attention and support!  

______________________________________________________________________

 Paraprofessional Position at Fernwood

Fernwood is currently hiring a Paraprofessional!  Interested candidates should view the job description and apply using the link below.  If you apply, please email Ms. Kristy at lowellkm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us, so she can look out for your application.  

Fernwood Paraprofessional

______________________________________________________________________

Free Mental Health Services for Kids 11-18 years Old

Walker’s Point Youth and Family Center offers free mental health services for kids ages 11-18.  The services are free, confidential, and provided by a licensed therapist.  Kids must be a Wisconsin resident.  Health Insurance is not required and kids over 14 do not need parental consent for services.  See below for a link to the website.

https://www.walkerspoint.org/mental-health-clinic-for-youth

______________________________________________________________________

 Yo ho!  Pirates Basketball Undefeated!

The Girl’s 6-8 grade basketball team are undefeated heading to the last game of the season to determine the season champion. They will play this weekend, Nov 11, at 11am at Golda Meir. The team will also compete in the City-Wide Girls Basketball Tournament. The Tournament will be on November 17 and 18, game times are TBD. 

The players are: Amelie Bielinski, Hailey Blinderman, Kacey Jacobs, Lux Juchemich, Ziva Lavoe, Ruby Major, Grace Saller, Hope Saller, Joy Saller, and Norah Van Schyndle

______________________________________________________________________

Fernwood Spirit Wear Fundraiser!

The Fernwood PAC is sponsoring a clothing sale to promote all our sports and activities!  Show your school spirit by cheering on your kids in fancy new swag!  Proceeds raised will be used to support extracurricular activities that promote opportunities and experiences that enhance the Fernwood experience.  Past PAC contributions include the gaga pit, volleyball equipment, balls and equipment for sports, scoreboard in the gym and lots and lots of uniforms for all sports.  Current discussions have centered around possible playground equipment, coaching kits and as always we will consider any request!   Items will be delivered to the school.  Scan the QR Code below or follow this link to purchase!  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!

_________________________________________________________________

Early Dismissal After 2pm

We request that families do not pick up students between 2-2:25pm.  The main office gets very busy during this time and early dismissals are hard to execute after 2pm.  If you need to pick up a student early, please do so before 2pm.  

______________________________________________________________________

Attention Skiers, Snowboarders, and Yetis!

Can pirates ski?  We are going to find out!

Please see the letter below for information and registration for Fernwood Ski Club!

Fernwood Ski Club-23/24

_________________________________________________________________

Toys for Tots

Please see below for information on how to get your child registered to receive gifts from Toys for Tots.  Registration opens on October 30th.

https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/milwaukee/toy-shop-registration-information/

______________________________________________________________________

Forensics Kick Off Meeting

Greetings families of 6th-8th grade students!  Does your young person have a flair for the dramatic, a love of verbal communication, and seems to enjoy commanding the attention of a crowd? Or, does your young person want to conquer a fear of public speaking?  Then they should consider being a part of Fernwood’s Fantastic Forensics Family!! Forensics is a Milwaukee Recreation program, so students may be involved in this program in addition to an afterschool club.  

We will be having an informational meeting for interested scholars and families on Thursday, Nov. 30th from 5:30- 6:30pm via Google Meet (https://meet.google.com/vbv-ypnu-uqj )

You will learn what Forensics is, some of the categories, the commitment involved and about volunteer opportunities.  Hope you see many of you there! Please email Mx. Botsford (botsfokm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us) with any questions. 

______________________________________________________________________

Fernwood Fund Gifts via United Way

You can designate a gift to the Fernwood Fund through your employer’s United Way Giving Campaign.

Please contact the Fernwood Fund at FernwoodFundInfo@gmail.com for directions on how to donate.

Donating directly to the Fernwood Fund is also an option, and a bit easier!  Learn more about the Fund and how to donate directly via its website http://www.fernwoodfund.org/donations.html.   

______________________________________________________________________

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Requests Input 

DPI wants to hear from you, a valued stakeholder, on what schools and districts need to reach our vision of “Engaged learners creating a better Wisconsin together.”  The information you provide will be included in a report to the Wisconsin DPI Office of State Superintendent to inform DPI on how best to advance equitable, transformative, and sustainable educational experiences that develop learners, schools, libraries, and communities in Wisconsin.  Please use the link to complete the survey.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAg8gn-kjqhcekEcZzKdrUPNTKnFEhbqIv7iC2wA7J6BsI4Q/viewform

______________________________________________________________________

Announcing 2023-2024 Fall/Winter Clubs

We’re excited to announce the after school clubs for the 2023-2024 school year. These are in addition to more sports and offers through the Recreation Department. We were able to offer these clubs this year thanks to ESSER II Extracurricular Engagement grants.  Thank you to the following club leaders for their extra efforts this year. 

Families please sign up for one club maximum in Fall/Winter, as the club sizes are small compared to the size of our school. Enrollment will be accepted on a first-come first basis. Thank you for your interest and signing up for only one club per season. You can contact the club leader if you have more questions. Most clubs will run 10 weeks.  Spring Clubs will be announced in January/February.  

Links to sign up are activated below.

ABAR Club (Enroll Here)

Grade level: 4th-8th

Coordinator: Kat Toman
Beginning: 10/26-3/21

Thursday 2:30-3:30

Max: 15*

Location: Room 251

This is a student-led anti-bias/anti-racism group. We will be examining the biases we all have and work to dismantle them. This will be partially student-led, and students may decide to share their work with other classes.
*Please email Ms. Kat for questions on this club, all interested students can join.

Archery Club (Enrollment is full)
Grade level: 5th-8th
Coordinator: Kari Wellhausen
Beginning: 11/29-1/17
Wednesday 2:30-4:00 (at times, 4:15)
Location: Gym
Max number: 40
Fernwood Archery Club is based on The National Archery in Schools curriculum. We teach target archery for recreation or for competition. Competitions are all across Wisconsin in January, February and March.

Braiding SweetGrass – a Book Club with Storytelling and Cookies  (Enroll Here)
Grade level: 6th-7th
Coordinator: Lorinda Flores
Beginning  11/6 – 1/ 22
Mondays, meeting bi-weekly
TIME: 2:45-4:00
Max Number: 8
Location: Room 11
Ask yourself: “What responsibility do I have to myself to live a good life?” Is that enough? Or should we be evaluating our responsibility to ensure that we support others in their goals to live a good life too? We will read out loud sections of this great book to stir up good conversation and spark adolescent curiosity and brilliance. Please join us if you are willing to participate in this type of discussion, and discover new cookies.

Math Club  (enrollment is full)

Grade Level: 6th-8th grade 

Coordinator: Kim Obrien

Beginning: 11/13-3/18

2:30 – 3:45 Mondays

Max Number:  14
Location: Room 21

Math Club will inspire curiosity and build confidence in students in grades 6th – 8th.  This club will create a space where learning math is fun, social, and supportive, so that every child can become a lifelong math learner.   We will be using MathCounts games, activities, explorations, and monthly challenges to guide our activities.   

 

Sewing Club (Tracy) (enrollment is full)
Grade level: 3rd-6th
Coordinator: Tracy Redlich
Beginning: December 6-February 28
Wednesday 2:30-3:30
Max Number: 12
Location: Room 24
After school, students will learn basic hand sewing skills to create a stuffed animal.

Yoga and Meditation Club (enrollment is full)
Grade level: 4th-6th
Coordinator: Caitlyn McWilliams
Beginning: 1/11-3/13
Thursday 2:30-3:30
Location: Room 27
Max Number: 12
Ms. Caitlyn will guide our yogis through asana (poses), pranayama (breathwork), meditation and honor their cultural origins.  Students will be empowered to explore their peaceful and playful selves through movement, storytelling, and embracing stillness.

Running Club  (Was communicated in previous newsletters, enrollment is full)

Grade level: 6-8th grades

Coordinator: Lorinda Flores

Beginning: 9/5
Location: Outside

A group that gathers to foster a love of running while building not only skills/ability, but also inner strength and friendships

After-School Theater Skill Building (Was communicated in previous newsletters, enrollment for session 1 is full, session 2 enrollment will open in November)

Grade Level: 1st-3rd grades

Coordinator: Character Kids Theater

Session 1: Mondays, 2:30-3:30pm, 10/16-12/18 (no class 10/23 or 11/20)

Session 2: Mondays, 2:30-3:30pm, 1/ 8 -3/11 (no class 1/15 or 2/19)

Max Number: 20 students per session

Location: Auditorium

Scholarships are available and the cost to parents is $100 per student for their 8 week class, with funds additionally supplemented by the school to cover the total cost.

 

Character Kids will provide a comprehensive drama program that includes instruction in the basics of theater, stage directions, pantomime skills, basic improvisation, character movement and development, and vocal projection/public speaking. Students will learn these concepts through theater games and exercises, as well as ensemble work on a script throughout the class. The program will culminate in a parent performance of the script, songs and/or scenework. Most importantly, students will learn valuable life skills through these activities including listening and responding, teamwork, confidence, emotional literacy and empathy. Curriculum is always specifically tailored to each grade level. 

Futura Spanish (Was communicated in previous newsletters, enrollment is full)

Grade level: K5-2nd grades

Coordinator: Futura

Beginning: 10/19, see dates on flier Fernwood Montessori 2023-24 Spanish flier.pdf

Max number:15

Location: Library and 152

Prepare your child for a global world with a 16-week adventure in Spanish! In the fall session, ¡Vamos con la Familia! (Let’s go with Family!), the class visits the fascinating country of Peru. The children will learn to describe and ask questions about their families and talk about likes and dislikes. After break, we continue adventures with ¡Vamos con la Música! (Let’s go with music!) in the enchanting city of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Students will learn music and school related vocabulary in Spanish along with real life communicative practices. Put on your thinking caps because each week will be packed full of useful SPANISH! Get a language head start – enroll today! (Space is limited.) There is a cost to this club. 

______________________________________________________________________

BoxTops for Education

Did you know Box Tops for Education has gone virtual? No more cardboard paper cuts (aren’t those the worst?). It’s super easy to scan your receipt or email a digital receipt and send money to Fernwood. The list of qualifying products includes a wide array of kid favorites like Annies, Cheerios and GoGurt. 

The switch to digital is super easy. Download the app and create your account. Every time you shop, you can just scan your receipt from stores like Costco, Meijer, Target, Woodman’s and more. The app will find qualifying products for you. Don’t have a physical receipt? You can email your digital receipt to receipts@boxtops4education.com and the money will be added to Fernwood’s account.

Last year, the PTO got over $180 from this program.  If you have questions about how Box Tops works, feel free to reach out to PTO member Danielle Brannan (danielle.brannan@gmail.com). 

_______________________________________________________________________

Yearbook Photos!

Are you a wonderful family volunteer who is working with a Fernwood club, troop or sports team? (Thank you!!)

Do you have any school function or class candids you can share?

Please submit pictures to our Fernwood yearbook crew.  Please label your picture with grade level and class or group/team/club name.  We would also love to have pictures of your groups in action.  All pictures should be submitted to FernwoodYearbook@outlook.com 

______________________________________________________________________

Wisconsin Montessori Association Annual Conference, Fernwood Montessori

Fernwood will be hosting the WMA conference this year on November 10th for administrators and 11th for all interested individuals including grown-ups of Montessori students.  There are two parent options which are $10.00 to attend the keynote and morning sessions, and $25.00 to attend the keynote, morning sessions, and to have lunch.  Please see the link here to register: https://wma3.wildapricot.org/event-5376754

Please email Kristy Lowell, Principal and WMA Board Member if you have any questions at lowellkm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. 

_____________________________________________________________________

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.

Fernwood Music 2023-24

______________________________________________________________________