Research shows that when family members are involved in their child’s school—as decision-makers, volunteers, and advocates—student performance and school culture are stronger.

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

School Engagement Council (SEC)

Join our SEC to learn about Kagel School attendance, budgetary, and academic matters. Families and staff meet monthly to review our school’s progress. SEC members make decisions and revise plans to support student success. SEC meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month at 8 a.m. in the school cafeteria, unless otherwise noted.

District Advisory Council (DAC)

Learn about and advise on district programs and strategies related to our Title One School-wide Program during monthly meetings of the Milwaukee Public Schools DAC. Each school sends two delegates to meetings; alternates may attend as well.

Family Events

Get to know other Kagel School families during school info nights, open houses, and casual family events like fall parade and movie night. Our annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration and Middle School History Fair showcase student work and Kagel School’s diverse cultures.

Family and Staff Communication

Students feel extra motivated when teachers and parents work together to reinforce high expectations and positive learning strategies.

Here are tips for building a strong parent-teacher relationship and staying up to date on school news and family events.

• Collect school and teacher contact information at the beginning of the year. Gather this information from teachers, during open-house events, or visit our staff directory.
• Sign up for Campus Parent Portal to receive real-time updates on your child’s progress in school.
• Join SchoolMessenger and ClassDojo, communication tools we use to communicate with families.
• Sign up for the MPS Family Friday Newsletter for district-wide news and updates.
• Keep an eye out for our school newsletter, distributed digitally and in print.
• 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.

Supporting Your Child During the School Day

Family involvement leads to better grades, better attendance, improved test scores, higher self-esteem, and better behavior for children. Supporting your child’s success includes:

• Making sure your child arrives at school on time every day. School starts at 7:15 a.m.
• Calling the attendance line when your child will be absent, at (414) 902-7400. We must be sure every student has arrived safely and follow up with any who are absent. We must also record absences correctly.
• Observing the 2:15 p.m. dismissal time. If your student does not use school transportation or attend the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center at Kagel School, they must be picked up at 2:15 p.m.
• Completing your MPS  volunteer application to become a Kagel School  volunteer. Parent volunteers are heroes at Kagel School. They fundraise, cook, and cheer on our students at school performances and games. More volunteers are always welcome!

Supporting Your Child’s Education at Home

Supporting your child’s learning at home can include:

• Helping your child with homework. At home, have a quiet time and place for homework.
• Exploring learning programs and games together. Login through Clever to find programs like Learning A to Z, My Path, Discovery Education, and Flocabulary.
• Sending your child to school with a bookbag every day and checking the bookbag at night. If your child is in grades five through eight, check their Kagel School daily planner to make sure they are organizing and completing their assignments and preparing for tests.
• Reading with or having your child read every day.
• Prioritizing nutrition and rest every day and minimizing screen time when possible. Work with your child to model goal setting for a healthy lifestyle.
• Connecting. We understand that there are often obstacles that affect families. If you would like to talk to a school counselor, psychologist, social worker, or parent coordinator, please reach out. Our goal is to collaborate with parents and families to build a strong support network for students.