K3 - 5th Grade

Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School

K3 - 5th Grade

Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School

K3 - 5th Grade

Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School

Families

Resources

Hawthorne Family-School Manual
MPS Forms
MPS Family Academic Resources
MPS Parent/Student Handbook
Milwaukee Area Guide to Community Resources (PDF)
Family is our most important partner at Nathaniel Hawthorne Elementary School.

We implement Milwaukee Public Schools Family & Community Engagement framework so families and staff can collaborate to support individual student achievement and overall school progress.

Parent and Family Resources

Stay connected to Hawthorne happenings through our Parent Center, school and district newsletters, SchoolMessenger, and ClassDojo.

Parent Coordinator Christal Liddell runs the Hawthorne School Parent Center and publishes our school newsletter.  Our Parent Center is in room 35 and is open on school days from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parents/guardians can hold meetings and trainings and access career/family resources in the center. Parents and family members can connect with Christal Liddell at liddelca@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or (414) 247-7211.

Parent and Family Engagement Opportunities

Support your child’s learning and positively impact the wider Hawthorne Elementary School community as a classroom volunteer or committee member.

Events

Cultural celebrations and special events spotlight student creativity and scholarship and are great opportunities to meet other Hawthorne Hawks families. Don’t miss our Read Across America and Black History Month Wax Museum projects. Meet school staff and volunteers during our annual open house, harvest fest, and family prom.

Volunteer

We are always looking for more caring, motivated individuals to join our volunteer team. Neighbors, retired educators, nonprofit partners, and community leaders provide one-on-one and small group tutoring to students. Please contact our parent coordinator to learn about classroom and field-trip opportunities or get started by completing an MPS volunteer application.

District Advisory Council (DAC)

Families can stay informed on and share ideas about the district’s Title I programs and priorities during monthly council meetings. Each school sends two delegates to meetings; alternates may attend as well.

School Engagement Council (SEC)

The Hawthorne SEC provides a forum for parents, teachers, community members, students, and principals to work together in providing continued analysis and improvement of public-school policies, curriculum, and School Improvement Plan. Our School Engagement Council meets on the second Thursday of the month from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher

Stay in touch with your child’s teacher and stay up to date on their academic goals and accomplishments. Students feel extra motivated when they see teachers and parents working as a team to reinforce high expectations and positive learning strategies. Here are some tips for building a strong parent-teacher relationship.

  • Collect current school and teacher contact information at the beginning of each school year. You can gather this information from teacher handouts, during open-house events, or visit our staff directory.
  • Stay up-to-date on school news, services, activities, and events through SchoolMessenger and ClassDojo.
  • Attend parent-teacher conferences. If conference days and times don’t work for you, ask your child’s teacher if you can schedule a virtual appointment or phone call.
  • Sign up for the MPS Family Friday Newsletter for district-wide news and updates.

Supporting Your Child During the School Day

Powerful ways to support your child’s learning include:

  • Ensuring that your child arrives at school on time every day (7:25 a.m.).
  • Calling the Hawthorne office when your child is absent at (414) 247-7200.
  • Making sure your child stays to the end of every school day: 2:10 p.m. Every minute of instruction is important.

Supporting Your Child’s Education at Home

These tips can keep your child focused on learning and can be enriching for your entire family.

  • Make sure that your child gets the proper amount of sleep every night.
  • If your child brings a cold lunch to school, make sure that it is nutritious.
  • Check your child’s bookbag every day. The school folder is where you can find important school-to-home communications.
  • Read with or have your child read every day.
  • Assist your child with homework/practice.
  • Encourage your child to keep a writing journal.
  • Attend fall and spring parent–teacher conferences.
  • Provide your child with comments of encouragement regularly.
  • Ensure that your child is dressed appropriately.

Campus Parent Portal

Sign up for Campus Parent Portal to receive real time updates on your child’s progress in school. Call our office (414) 247-7200 to find out how to sign up.