MacDowell Montessori Newsletter Vol. 7

2023-2024 School Year

September 28, 2023

 

K3-K4,  8:05 am – 11:25 am, dismissal beginning at 11:15 am

K5-6th grade,  8:05 am – 3:00 pm

7th–12th grade,  8:05 am – 3:20 pm

---

Upcoming School Events / Meetings

 

TOMORROW, FRIDAY 9/29 • NO SCHOOL Professional Development Day

 

HOMECOMING DANCE – Carnival Theme

Friday, September 29th

Middle School students 5:00-7:00 pm

High School students 7:30-10:00 pm

Tickets are $10, can be purchased in advance or at the door. 

 

SAZ’S NIGHT- PTO FUNDRAISER –FLYER

Tuesday, October 10th

11:00 am – 8:00 pm 

Come Support The PTO And Join Us For Saz’s Night!

 

9th GRADE OPEN HOUSE
For 8th grade students and their families
Wednesday, October 11th
5:00-7:00 pm

 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
October 11th

PICTURE DAY

Monday, October 16th

Forms coming soon

 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
October 17th

 

BOOKFAIR

October 17th during conferences

October 18th 3:00 – 4:45 pm, leading up to → 

 

ANNUAL TITLE I MEETING

Wednesday, October 18th
5 PM
Room 103

Everyone is welcome!

 

PTO MEETING

Tuesday, October 18th
5:30-6:30 PM
Room 103
Everyone is welcome! 

 

FRIDAY 10/20  • NO SCHOOL Parent Teacher Conference Day

MONDAY 10/23  • NO SCHOOL October Break

---

TEST RESULTS: Parents be on the lookout for last year’s test results that will be coming home in either the mail (7th-12th grade) or in student red folders on Thursday (K5-6th grade). 

The results are from The Forward Exam, last year’s 3rd – 8th & 10th graders, the PreACT scores from last year’s 9th & 10th graders, and the ACCESS testing for English Language Learners. (K5 – 12)

---

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES:

• Wednesday, 10/11 3:45 – 7:30 PM
• Tuesday,      10/17  3:45 – 7:30 PM

 

7th-8th grade students will conduct Student Led Conferences.

Conferences will take place in person unless a parent requests a phone or virtual conference. Please stay tuned for more information, including Conference sign ups!

There will be no school on Friday, October 20th and Monday October 23rd.

 

---

ONLINE SPIRIT WEAR SALE IS LIVE NOW!

Sales Flyer

 

Items include MacDowell t-shirts, hoodies & more. Orders will be delivered to the school and then distributed through student backpacks.  

*Disclaimer: There is typically a 4 to 5 week turnaround to get all apparel ordered, printed, and sorted AFTER the store has come offline. 

Sale Closes 10/15 @ 11:59pm

https://dunns-macdowell-spirit-23.itemorder.com/shop/home/

---

PICTURE DAY DATE: Monday, October 16

 

Picture packages can be ordered in advance online at www.mylifetouch.com

Use the MacDowell order ID: EVTPHNWN2 

 

*Pictures of all students will be taken, whether or not picture packages are ordered. These photos are used in our school yearbooks. Picture order forms will be sent home next week with students. If you chose to order using the paper order form, please send it along with a check on picture day, October 16th.

 

If you order online, there is no need to return the paper form. 

If families do not order a picture package in advance they will receive a picture proof afterward, with instructions to order pictures online if they wish.

---

BOOK FAIR @MACDOWELL: 

We are pleased to announce that we will have an in-person book fair on the October 17th night of our Conferences. As well we will have shopping hours Wednesday Oct 18th, after school leading up to the Title I meeting at 5:00pm. We will host a wonderful local children’s bookstore, Rainbow Booksellers. Shopping is available for all families, if you are in the building for conferences or would just like to visit and buy a book (or two). 

Please remember to stop by our library to browse! We will have a wonderful selection for all ages! Cash or credit card will be accepted. A portion of the sales will be donated to the school.

---

Volunteers Needed

TACOS FOR TEACHERS: On Tuesday October 11th we will host dinner for our teachers and staff immediately after school – before Conferences. If you are able to make or buy an item to contribute to this meal, or help with set up or clean up, please sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/2nu8mrbb

 

BOOK FAIR HELP: We need help setting up our book fair the morning of October 17th, as well as working the book fair during both sessions, 10/17 and 10/18. 

Please look out for the volunteer sign up soon.

 

CONCESSIONS AT BASKETBALL GAMES:

High School Athletic Director Ms. Schenk is looking for volunteers to work the concession stand at High School basketball games this winter season. There are multiple time slots for each game, please consider helping once or on a regular basis. See the signup for a list of dates. Any help is appreciated! Volunteers do not need to have a high school student or athlete. The season begins November 28th.            

See the sign up here : https://tinyurl.com/MacD23-24Concession

 

---

LEGO DONATION REQUEST: 

MacDowell Library is seeking LEGO donations to enhance the sets that were provided in our new Maker Space kits. Clear out all those extra LEGOS that you keep stepping on! Send them in a box, a bag, or even better, a yellow Lego bin, and have your student deliver them to the library.

We are all builders – 1 min video 

---

SENIOR PHOTOS 📷
Senior Photos are due February 1st.
Baby Photos & Quotes are also due at this time.
Submission Link: HERE

---

Sports and Activities Update

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
WINTER SPORTS registration is open starting September 26th. 

1. Registration can occur at the following link: https://mpsathletics-ar.rschooltoday.com
2. Select Juneau and the specific sport

Start dates and locations are as follows:

November 6 —  Co-Ed Cheerleading at JUNEAU

November 6 –  Girls Basketball at JUNEAU

November 13 – Boys Basketball at JUNEAU

November 13 – Wrestling co-op with Tech

November 13 – Boys Swim co-op with Pulaski

Transportation will be provided from school to practice if offsite.  

When registering, again, please select Juneau as the home school.

• Complete registration including submitted registration, uploaded signed physical, uploaded insurance card, and payment of $25 athletic fee are required prior to beginning practice.  

Instructions for registration are located on the website HERE, or email Amanda Schenk, Athletic Director, with additional questions at schenkao@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Winter sports spots will fill up quickly, so it is VERY IMPORTANT that registration is completed PRIOR to the start of the season. 

 

CHESS CLUB UPDATE:

The lottery was drawn for beginner & experienced Chess Club. Family members have been notified and registration sheets have gone home. Please return them with the fee to the office by Thursday, October 5th. Chess club meets after school from 3:00-4:00 pm on Tuesdays for beginning players and on Thursdays for experienced players. If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions please contact Ms. Wanta the Sports and Activities Coordinator at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

 

ELEMENTARY TEAM MEMBERS : PLEASE JOIN REMIND

Parents please join Remind to receive updates about your students’ sports and clubs. Here are the current team links.

⚽ 1st-3rd coed Soccer  https://www.remind.com/join/ea9h7h 

🏐 4th-5th coed Volleyball  https://www.remind.com/join/kda9gkd

👟 5th-8th Cross Country  https://www.remind.com/join/58cr

🏀 6-8 girls Basketball  https://www.remind.com/join/23cd833

Middle School Cross Country schedule, results and this week’s location map

 

ELEMENTARY ATHLETICS – WINTER SEASON

MacDowell families, we are actively looking for 1st-3rd & 4th-5th coed Basketball Coaches so that our students can participate in athletics. Coaches are paid through Milwaukee Recreation. Winter Sports Plan:

• 1st-3rd Coed Basketball – coach needed

• 4th-5th Coed Basketball – coach needed

• 6th-8th Boys Basketball

• 6th-8th Coed Cheerleading

• 6th-8th Coed Volleyball 

If you or anyone you know are interested in coaching, please contact the Sports & Activities Coordinator Ms. Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. 

BLACK ARTS MKE FOR 2nd – 5th GRADE STUDENTS

We still have seats available on a first come first serve basis. Students work with the artists Tuesday and Thursday after school until 4:30 pm. Please complete the form below if your student is interested. This form will stop accepting submissions by 12:00pm Friday September 29th.

Families will be emailed the results of the lottery to the email included in this form by 5:30 pm Friday September 29th.

Black Arts MKE interest form

---

COLDER WEATHER: As the season has turned colder, please remember that younger students should have spare clothing for colder weather in their backpack/bookbag. If you have not already done so, now is the time to replace their clothing with warmer weather attire. Please label items.

 

LOST AND FOUND: Please check the lost and found when you are in the building. Please label items! Light jackets and hoodies are often a large part of our lost and found – labeling these items will help us return lost items to their owner.

 

DO YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED IN MONTESSORI TRAINING?

The district has 20 sponsorships available for AMI Elementary training and 20 for CMSTEP Secondary training!  Pass this FLYER along to anyone and everyone that may be interested!

---

STAY CONNECTED

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.

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. Gail Jaeger 

 

MPS School Engagement Survey 

Your responses help identify improvement areas in our school’s engagement efforts and can provide valuable insights into family involvement, satisfaction, and connection with MacDowell.

 

QUICK LINKS:

Lunch Menu

MPS School Calendar

School Website

MacDowell School Handbook

IB August Newsletter

HS Athletics Newsletter

Unit 1 Letter to Parents

 

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

---

District / Citywide Events

The District Advisory Council (DAC) Meeting
October 5, 2023
6PM via Zoom
The Zoom Link is HERE: https://tinyurl.com/35bbszhv

Everyone is welcome to attend!

 

The ASCE Southeast Branch Younger Members Group is bringing back STEM Expo for 2023!  For those who are unfamiliar, it is a free event that provides activities and demonstrations for kids ages 6-16. The event is on October 21st at MSOE in Milwaukee. More information can be found at https://www.ascewise.org/stem-expo/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/STEM.Expo.MKE.