{"id":235360,"date":"2025-04-15T15:54:05","date_gmt":"2025-04-15T15:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mpsschoolsites.wpenginepowered.com\/fernwood\/?p=235360"},"modified":"2025-05-15T14:24:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T14:24:49","slug":"235360","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/2025\/04\/15\/235360\/","title":{"rendered":"Fernwood Family Newsletter #31, 4\/15\/25"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FERNWOOD FAMILY NEWSLETTER #31, 4\/15\/25<\/div>\n
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TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/div>\n
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
PLEASE READ!<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Fernwood Montessori Temporary Closure Handbook for Families<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
A Building Update from Ms. Kristy<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Lead Town Hall Video and Summary<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Fernwood Spring Concert-CANCELLED<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Returning Fernwood Library Books<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Primary Parent Meetup on 4\/16 at 9am-CANCELLED<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
2025-2026 MPS District Calendar<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Important Measles Update from Nurse Gretchen<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Teacher Grant Opportunity-Nominations Wanted!<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Special Friends Day 2025-CANCELLED<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
ArtsFest for 2025-CANCELLED<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Middle School Twilight Center Events at Douglas Middle School<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
Information on MPS Lead Testing Clinic for MPS Families<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
OUR SCHOOL IS COOL!<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS<\/div>\n
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~Tuesday, April 15th, 2025, 6:30pm,\u00a0Fernwood Fund Meeting,\u00a0Beulah Brinton Historic House and virtual, email\u00a0brett.mytys@gmail.com<\/a><\/u>\u00a0for link<\/div>\n
~Friday, April 18th, 2025,\u00a0NO SCHOOL<\/div>\n
~Thursday, April 24th, 2025, 5:30pm, SEC Meeting, virtual\u00a0https:\/\/meet.google.com\/tir-huzv-ikc<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
~Tuesday, April 29th, 5:30pm, DC Departure Trip Meeting, virtual, link to follow<\/div>\n
~Monday-Friday, May 5-9th, 2025, Teacher Appreciation Week, Fernwood Montessori<\/div>\n
~Tuesday, May 6, 2025, 6:00pm, PTO Meeting, virtual\u00a0https:\/\/meet.google.com\/xyc-wwnz-czu<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
~Thursday, May 8th, 2025, 6:30pm, Music Parents Meeting, Virtual\u00a0https:\/\/meet.google.com\/fpf-rvca-uuk<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
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PLEASE READ!<\/div>\n
Fernwood Montessori Temporary Closure Handbook for Families<\/div>\n
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Fernwood Montessori Temporary Closure Handbook- Families<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
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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.\u00a0 Families should use this handbook as a reference before they reach out to the office, teachers, or administration.\u00a0 Lately, there is much communication that is atypical, we appreciate families doing their best to stay informed.<\/div>\n
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A Building Update from Ms. Kristy<\/div>\n
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Hi Fernwood Community,<\/div>\n
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I was called over to Fernwood yesterday for a walkthrough of the building.\u00a0 It was so nice to be back and to see so many families (and see how the Fernwood-side of the shuttles operate).<\/div>\n
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This was my first time in the building since we shut down.\u00a0 From my understanding, remediation and painting have been completed and we are moving to deep cleaning next.\u00a0 The walls look really nice and fresh.\u00a0 The new wing has not been touched since there were no lead paint concerns on that side of the building with the new construction.<\/div>\n
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In my conversations with district leadership, I continued to press for a timeline to be provided to our community.\u00a0 I know both staff and families are understandably calling for this, as it will be helpful for planning.\u00a0 As a reminder, a final determination about reopening will be made by the Milwaukee Health Department.<\/div>\n
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Thank you!\u00a0 Ms. Kristy<\/div>\n
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Lead Town Hall Video and Summary<\/div>\n
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The Lead Town Hall Video and Summary will be provided as soon as it is available per the MPS Communications Department.\u00a0 The information will be emailed to families who registered for the town hall and also linked in a future Fernwood Family Newsletter.<\/div>\n
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Fernwood Spring Concert-CANCELLED<\/div>\n
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Please note that the Fernwood Spring Concert is being CANCELLED.\u00a0 Performers will not have time to adequately prepare for their performance due to the Douglas relocation.\u00a0 Thank you for your understanding as we announce this difficult decision.<\/div>\n
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Returning Fernwood Library Books<\/div>\n
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Is Mr. Grant jealous of the Art Cart?\u00a0 I think so!\u00a0 Students may return Fernwood library books to Douglas! \u00a0 There will be a return box in the Main Office.\u00a0 If we have enough books, Mr. Grant will make a Library on a cart and let students check the books out.\u00a0 Details to follow!<\/div>\n
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I\u2019m going to float the donkey idea!<\/div>\n
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Primary Parent Meetup on 4\/16 at 9am-CANCELLED<\/div>\n
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***Please note that the primary parent meetup on 4\/16 has been cancelled.***<\/div>\n
A Fernwood parent has organized a series of parent meet ups!\u00a0 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.<\/div>\n
Primary Parents Sip and Socialize (1).pdf<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
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2025-2026 MPS District Calendar<\/div>\n
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The 2025-2026 District Calendar is now available online (about halfway down). \u00a0 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\u2019t run out.<\/div>\n
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https:\/\/mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us\/en\/Families\/Resources\/School-Calendars.htm<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
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Important Measles Update from Nurse Gretchen<\/div>\n
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Please see the attached letter from Nurse Gretchen with essential information about the measles vaccine and an anticipated measles outbreak.<\/div>\n
measles letter.docx<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
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Teacher Grant Opportunity-Nominations Wanted!<\/div>\n
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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).\u00a0 This fun opportunity is in honor of Teacher appreciation week which is the first week in May.\u00a0 Please take this opportunity to brag on your favorite Montessori Directress or Director!\u00a0 All Fernwood families are invited to participate and you don\u2019t have to nominate your current teacher. However, only one grant will be awarded to a teacher at our school.<\/div>\n
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DIrections are as follows:<\/div>\n
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.<\/div>\n
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.<\/div>\n
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.<\/div>\n
Our team will read every heartfelt nomination and announce this year\u2019s Amazing Teachers on Tuesday, May 6, 2025 \u2013 National Teacher Appreciation Day!<\/div>\n
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Special Friends Day 2025-CANCELLED<\/div>\n
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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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Thank you for your understanding as we announce this difficult decision.<\/div>\n
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ArtsFest for 2025-CANCELLED<\/div>\n
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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.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Classrooms that already created art or crafts to sell will be providing an opportunity to purchase these goodies via other methods!\u00a0 Stay tuned for details on those sales from our budding entrepreneurs!\u00a0 Thank you for your understanding as we announce this difficult decision.<\/div>\n
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Middle School Twilight Center Events at Douglas Middle School<\/div>\n
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Andrew S Douglas Middle School is also a Twilight Center for 6th, 7th, 8th Graders!\u00a0 Twilight Centers offer a place for kids to go for free fun after hours!\u00a0 Our hosts at Douglas wanted to invite our students to these activities.\u00a0 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).\u00a0 Activities include ping pong, air hockey, XBOX, Playstation, free food, and more. See below for details.<\/div>\n
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https:\/\/milwaukeerecreation.net\/en\/Programs\/Twilight-Centers.htm<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
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Information on MPS Lead Testing Clinic for MPS Families<\/div>\n
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https:\/\/city.milwaukee.gov\/Health\/Services-and-Programs\/HomeEnvironmentalHealth\/Ongoing-Lead-Hazard-Investigations-With-MPS<\/a><\/u><\/div>\n
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OUR SCHOOL IS COOL!<\/div>\n
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There\u2019s always something COOL going on at Fernwood!<\/div>\n
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This last week Mr. Nikolai and his Nikol-ites walked to the Atkinson Branch of the Milwaukee Public Library!\u00a0 This branch is only about 4 blocks from Douglas and those librarians welcomed us with open arms.\u00a0 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!\u00a0 Way to be prepared, Fernwood!<\/div>\n
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Here\u2019s some facts about the Atkinson Branch:<\/div>\n
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.<\/div>\n
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Here\u2019s some pictures of the adventure!<\/div>\n
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I think this is a turkey?<\/div>\n
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Librarians making friends!\u00a0 Awwwww!<\/div>\n
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Studious!<\/div>\n
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Looking COOL, Mr. Grant!<\/div>\n
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A cathedral of knowledge!<\/div>\n
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Students explored and checked out books.\u00a0 The library is such a place of calm and also a place of discovery and exploration\u2026.COOL!<\/div>\n
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Ms. Caitlyn McWilliams, the lady with the super Irish name, is actually half Puerto Rican!\u00a0 One day this week, her \u2018fit was especially COOL, cute, and colorful!\u00a0 When chatting with her about her day, it was revealed that her outfit was in fact part of her lesson plan.\u00a0 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!\u00a0 Shantay you stay, Ms. Caitlyn!\u00a0 COOL!<\/div>\n
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Four Lower El classes experienced the ballet on 4\/11!\u00a0 Students from Ms. Kat\u2019s, Ms. Jessica\u2019s, Ms. Clay\u2019s, and Ms. Jen\u2019s classes took the bus to watch the Milwaukee Ballet perform \u201cSleeping Beauty\u201d.\u00a0 The guest chaperone was Ms. Jen\u2019s daughter, Anya who is a seasoned and serious ballerina!\u00a0 Anya gave students a dancer\u2019s perspective on the world of ballet.\u00a0 Thank you to Anya, for sharing your knowledge (and your Mom) with Fernwood students!\u00a0 Thanks to Fernwood teachers for bringing in the experts!<\/div>\n
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Some COOL work in Ms. Vogel\u2019s class with Ms. Heidi steering the (pirate) ship!<\/div>\n
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Periodic table of the elements with student pictures to illustrate the elements!\u00a0 Superman!<\/div>\n
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Cloud work!<\/div>\n
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Students in Ms. Kari\u2019s class celebrated Milwaukee on Monday for 414 Day (4\/14)!\u00a0 There was a pin the tail on the badger game (there is no official animal of Milwaukee, unless you count Bango \ud83d\udc9a\ud83e\udd8c\ud83d\udc9a), cheese curd tasting, Milwaukee history lessons, and more!<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FERNWOOD FAMILY NEWSLETTER #31, 4\/15\/25 _______________________________________________________________________________________ TABLE OF CONTENTS SCHEDULE OF EVENTS PLEASE READ! Fernwood Montessori Temporary Closure Handbook for Families A Building Update from Ms. Kristy Lead Town Hall Video and Summary Fernwood Spring Concert-CANCELLED Returning Fernwood Library Books Primary Parent Meetup on 4\/16 at 9am-CANCELLED 2025-2026 MPS District Calendar Important Measles Update from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":99,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[15,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-235360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","category-newsletter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/235360","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/99"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=235360"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/235360\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=235360"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=235360"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mps.school\/fernwood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=235360"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}