2023-2024 School Year

August 31, 2023

 

Important Dates:

 

UPCOMING NO SCHOOL DAYS

 TOMORROW– FRIDAY 9/1 NO SCHOOL September Break

MONDAY 9/4 •  NO SCHOOL Labor Day

 

FRIDAY 9/29 • NO SCHOOL Professional Development Day

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SAVE THE DATE – FAMILY-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Family-Teacher Conferences will be held on the evening of Wednesday, 10/11 and Tuesday, 10/17. There will be no school on Friday, October 20th and Monday October 23rd.
Please stay tuned for more information, including Conference sign ups!

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PTO Fundraiser begins TODAY 8/31-9/18 

• Club Choice Order forms can be found today in Thursday Red Folders. 
• Forms and money are due by September 18.
• Pick up will be October 18th. 
• PTO raises funds for events and programs that are not covered by the school budget, such as prom, back to school picnic, field trip transportation and more.

 

If you wish to support the PTO but do not want to fundraise, please consider a donation to the Un Fundraiser. 100% of your donation goes directly to the PTO.

Un fundraiser form HERE

PTO (Parent Teacher Organization)

Our PTO is a volunteer organization made up of parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and staff. We work to improve the educational experience for the MacDowell students by organizing and supporting community events and fundraising for items that are not otherwise in our school budget. PTO meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm and anyone is welcome to attend. Dates and times are posted in our school newsletter and on our website. Additionally, our PTO has a Facebook group which you may request to join HERE  The first PTO meeting of the year is September 13th at 5:30pm.

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Parent Coordinator Corner

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 

Seeking Library Volunteers!

School Librarian, Ms. Raasch, is recruiting volunteers to support and boost library opportunities for all ages. Volunteers can supervise book check-in and checkouts for students, support general library upkeep including reshelving and inventory of books, textbooks, and other resources, and or help design and create engaging displays for various months of celebration. Days and times are flexible. 

New this year! Ms. Raasch has plans to develop maker space opportunities, like Lego tables and other hands-on STEM activities. She loves collaborating with inspired volunteers who are motivated to enrich the Macdowell Library experience for all students. Volunteers are encouraged to connect with Ms. Raasch via email for more details: raaschTL@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

 

If you are interested in volunteering for our school or serving on a family leadership committee – let’s talk! We are always happy to have families serve in whatever capacity they are able and we are extremely thankful for those who can offer their time, talent, and energy. Volunteer opportunities include literacy and math tutors, general assistants (photocopying, laminating materials), coaches, field trip chaperones, and event volunteers. We also have specific needs for the high school such as assisting upperclassmen with writing, field trips, and concessions at home games. 

If you are able to help our community in any way, please fill out the information on my Google Form here: https://tinyurl.com/MacDVolunteerInterest

How To Reach Me
If you need to reach me, my phone number is 414-935-1339 and my email is: mossergj@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

~ Ms. Jaeger 

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The 2022-23 Parent/Student Handbook on Rights, Responsibilities, and Discipline is available to download. The Parent/Student Handbook on Rights, Responsibilities, and Discipline can be found here: Parent/Student Handbook on Rights, Responsibilities, and Discipline

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GENERAL REMINDERS

If you want to receive school news, newsletters, and updates via text message you must opt into the system. 

To opt-in, families should send a text message to the number 67587 with “Y” in the message.

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MacDowell Montessori Middle and High School Tardiness Policy

Parents, we are working to establish a strong culture for learning here at MacDowell Montessori. That starts with students being to class on time and being ready to learn when the bell rings. Please review our new procedure for tardiness with your 7th-12th grade students as we are also discussing it with them in grade level meetings.

1. If a student arrives late to class they will get marked tardy in the computer.
2. 5 or more tardies = “No Pass’ list for the following week”

1. List is generated by the principal and sent to teachers weekly.
2. Consequences 

 

Number of Tardies	Consequence
5+ tardies in 1 week	Autodialer to parents ‘No Pass’ list
10-14 tardies in a month	Parent call Referral to support services
15+ tardies in a month	Parent conference with administration Loss of eligibility for extra-curriculars (including athletics) Referral to support services

 

 

⚽🏀COACHES STILL NEEDED!⚽🏀

We need coaches for 4th-5th COED Soccer & 6th-8th GIRLS Basketball Coaches are paid through Milwaukee Recreation. 

4th-5th Soccer season is Sept. 23 – Oct. 28. Games are on Saturday mornings and practice is on Thursdays after school.

6th-8th GIRLS Basketball season is Sept. 23 – Nov.18. Games are on Saturday afternoons. Practices are yet to be scheduled.

Please contact Ms. Wanta if you are interested or have any questions. wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

 

⚽1-3 coed Soccer team is FULL⚽ Ms. Wanta notified families if their student has a spot on the team. Students on the team were given registration forms this week to return to the main office with fees as soon as possible. Reminder: the first practice will be Tuesday September 12th.  

🏐4-5 coed Volleyball team is FULL🏐 Ms. Wanta notified families if their student has a spot on the team. Students on the team were given registration forms this week to return to the main office with fees as soon as possible. Reminder: the first practice will be Thursday September 7th.

ALL REGISTRATION PACKETS AND $25 REGISTRATION FEE DUE BEFORE 1ST PRACTICE

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BBBS IS ENROLLING NOW!

• Big Brothers Big Sisters is enrolling MacDowell students now! (grades 1-8)

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a one-on-one mentoring program. We are very fortunate that BBBS has been a part of our MacDowell community for the last 18 years. There is no cost for families, and there are no household guidelines or qualifiers to enroll. Matching is done based on common interests and personality. Students meet with their mentor once a week during the school day.
If you are interested in BBBS for your child(ren), enroll here: https://bbbs.tfaforms.net/f/youthenrollment-school-0405
If you have questions about BBBS at MacDowell, please reach out to Pam Hinton.
Email: phinton@bbbsmilwaukee.org or at 414-831-4573.

• BBBS Mentor 2.0 (grades 9-11)

BBBS Mentor 2.0 is a separate program open to any MacDowell 9th-11th grade student. Mentor 2.0 provides support and guidance, helping high school students graduate and succeed in both college and the workforce. We are fortunate in that MacDowell is the only school in MPS to host the Mentor 2.0 program. Mentors and mentees interact weekly online and meet monthly in-person at the school.  Once approved, matches are made when classes begin in the fall, and are based on shared interests, personalities, and experiences.

What does the Mentor 2.0  curriculum focus on?

• Relationship Building: Fosters a strong mentor/mentee relationship through sharing professional experiences, networking skills, short/long-term goal planning, and leadership development.
• Non-Cognitive Skills: Develops study skills, social skills, and learning strategies to enhance students’ educational achievement.
• College Knowledge: Strengthens college aspirations, and builds an understanding of college eligibility, the application process, and support systems.

Students at MacDowell start this program any year and continue it throughout the rest of their high school career. For more information on Mentor 2.0 see the video here https://youtu.be/dL2EHmhF9ug To apply go to https://bbbs.tfaforms.net/f/youthenrollment-m20-0405

For more information on how to apply: contact Leigh at lbojan@bbbsmilwaukee.org or 414-831-4591

 

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Back To School Picnic at Hawthorn Glen

September 16, 2023 1-4 PM

 For more information, volunteer opportunities and to RSVP, follow link here: https://tinyurl.com/MacDBTSpicnic23

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIA MONTESSORI!!

 Video – How the Inspirational Life of Maria Montessori has Impacted the World

 

THIS IS HOW WE MONTESSORI
Dr. Maria Montessori believed that all children possess a need and determination for independence. She said, “ Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.”

At MacDowell Montessori it is always a goal to provide lots of opportunities for independence within limits—for students to move freely, to choose their work, and to care for themselves and their environment. When a child is able to do for themselves there is an increase in their self-belief, self-confidence, and esteem that they may carry on throughout their life.  This is the way they may build the skills needed for life-long learning.

So, how does a Montessori parent go about encouraging independence in their children?
Here are some helpful ideas for parents to incorporate Practical Life and foster their confidence and ability for them to do for themselves. 

Foster Independence
Montessori told us to let the child do for himself that which he is capable of and to provide the tools necessary for success. When showing your child how to do something, do it slowly, and break it down into simple steps. When your child is helping you do something or trying to do something independently, don’t rush him or her in their work.

At home, you can encourage your child to do things for themselves, such as dressing, grooming, and putting their things away, with your guidance and supervision while they learn. Assist only when needed. Help your child become independent by installing hooks where he/she can easily hang up and retrieve jackets and their backpack. Set up shelves that are low, making it easy to reach items (This works for toys, sports equipment, and other activities too).
The Montessori Dressing Frames used in the classroom teach children how to master buttoning, Velcro, snapping, zipping, tying, lacing, and buckling. Parents can help by giving children daily opportunities to practice with their own clothing and shoes at home. You can help them be successful by making sure the clothing is easy for them to put on independently.  If your child can’t yet button, zip, and snap, maybe some pull-on pants would be easier to handle. Opt for easy-on/easy-off clothing. If your child cannot tie their own shoes, then slip-on or Velcro shoes to be worn at school are best until they learn to tie.

We understand that allowing your young child to dress and undress themselves can be frustrating at times, especially when you are in a hurry and they move at a different pace.  Please remember that the ultimate goal is that the child is able to do for themselves, and helping them in their tasks does not allow for the practice that they need. 

Foster Making Choices
Encourage your children to make wise choices. It is best, in the beginning, to give limited choices. For example: Would you like an apple or a banana in your lunch? Notice, the question is not “Would you like fruit in your lunch?” Another example would be: Would you like to clean up the playroom before or after dinner? Again, the choice is not whether or not they want to, but when they would like to do so.

Correcting the Child
Children will make mistakes and we need to teach them in a nice manner that still encourages them to do for themselves.  When possible it is best to kindly help them realize their mistakes, rather than pointing them out. For example, If your child puts their shoes on the wrong foot, they will learn that it feels different on their own, and they will learn to correct it when they are given the opportunity to learn first hand from this mistake.
If your child spills something, you can calmly recognize the mistake without raising your voice. Children are sensitive to your tone and if you are not calm it is harder for them to concentrate on what you are saying. A good thing to say might be: “Oh you’ve spilled the water, why don’t we get a cloth and wipe it up.” This is an opportunity to ask the child to do some valid practical work for themselves. You will find that children do like to clean up as they see it as something adults do. Correcting children unnecessarily may result in them being scared to attempt anything in fear of making another mistake.

Maria Montessori understood that in order to be free, one needs to be independent. She also said that learning to be independent came before freedom. Fostering your child’s desire for independence will lead the child toward a sense of freedom and self-esteem. Before you know it, you will hear them excitedly say “I did it all by myself!”.

 

QUICK LINKS:

MPS School Calendar

School Website

Lunch Menu

 

All school newsletters will be sent via email and text on Thursday and will not be sent as a paper copy unless requested. If families would also like to receive a paper newsletter for red folders, please fill out this form HERE:    https://forms.gle/qtgUbEcjqSx3sae47