MacDowell Montessori Newsletter Vol. 8

2023-2024 School Year

October 5, 2023

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Upcoming School Events / Meetings

 

SAZ’S NIGHT- PTO FUNDRAISER  →

Tuesday, October 10th

11:00 am – 8:00 pm 

Saz’s Flyer

 

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

Open House Flyer

 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Wednesday, October 11th

 

PICTURE DAY

Monday, October 16th

 

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Tuesday, October 17th

 

BOOKFAIR

October 17th during conferences

October 18th 3:00 – 4:45 pm  

BookFair Flyer

 

ANNUAL TITLE I MEETING

Wednesday, October 18th
5:00 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

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PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES:

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

Links to Conferences Sign Ups can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/46x3r76b

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LIBRARY CIRCULATION IS OPENING! 

Our 7-12 students have access to Mobile Libraries on Tuesdays and Thursdays during Occupations and can access the full library during posted open circulation hours with a pass. The mobile libraries are run by students and supported by Ms. Raasch and Ms. Lester’s Advisory.

Library Orientations for Elementary and Primary will take place over the next few weeks. Please watch for the MacDowell Montessori School Library Access & Opportunity document to come home in Thursday folders the week of your child’s orientation. The document outlines the procedures and responsibilities of students and families in utilizing our school library. Always feel free to contact our School Librarian, Ms. Raasch, via email, with any questions: raaschTL@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. 

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ONLINE MacDowell Spirit Wear Sale going on Now, until Oct. 15th 

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/

 

Juneau Athletics has an ongoing sale of a wide variety of items :

https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/wisconsin/milwaukee/juneau-high-school

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PICTURE DAY: Monday, October 16

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

Picture packages can be ordered in advance online at www.mylifetouch.com. Use the MacDowell order ID: EVTPHNWN2  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.

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BOOK FAIR @ MACDOWELL: 

WHEN: Tuesday, October 17, 3:30 – 7:30 PM

AND Wednesday, October 18, 3:30 – 4:45 PM 

(please consider staying after the fair to join us for our annual Title I meeting at 5:00 and the PTO meeting at 5:30; all are welcome!)

We are again partnering with an outstanding local business, Rainbow Booksellers, to bring a book fair to MacDowell for our students and families. We will host the Book Fair on the second night of conferences only this year, with after-school shopping also available the next day. All families are welcome to visit the fair during any of the posted hours. Rainbow Booksellers brings a wonderful selection of books for our fair and graciously donates a percentage of the sales to our school.  

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! SIGN UP HERE

Volunteers are essential in making our book fair a great success! We need helpers to set up the fair on Tuesday morning, and also to work as sales assistants and cashiers during the Book Fair. Please take a look at the shifts available and sign up if you are able to do so. Your time and assistance are greatly appreciated! 

Thank you!! ~ Ms. Raasch

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Volunteers Needed

TACOS FOR TEACHERS: On Wednesday October 11th we will host dinner for our teachers and staff immediately after school – before Conferences. Many from our community have already signed up, but there are still some open slots available. 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  ~Thank You!

 

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 

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Sports and Activities Update

CREATE, MAKE & CODE CLUB

MacDowell Library has been provided with an exciting new supply of maker materials this year! In this after-school club, students will have time to create, make, and build using these engaging STEM materials. Our new Makerspace Kits include a variety of engaging materials such as Snap Circuits, Legos, K’nex, Keva Planks, MagnaFormers, Ozobots, Micro: Bits, and more! These materials provide opportunities for hands-on learning, problem-solving, creativity, imagination, self-directed learning, and FUN!

Interest forms were handed out this week for grades 1st-3rd & 4th-6th. Participants will be selected by lottery. Interest forms are due to the office by 9 AM Wednesday October 11th. Forms can be emailed to Ms Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

 

ELEMENTARY COACHES NEEDED – WINTER SEASON

MacDowell families, we are still looking for 1st-3rd and 4th-5th coed Basketball Coaches🏀 so that our students can participate in athletics. Coaches are paid through Milwaukee Recreation. If you, or anyone you know, are interested in coaching, please contact the Sports & Activities Coordinator Ms. Wanta 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

♟️ Beginner Chess Club  https://www.remind.com/join/c68gd4 

♟️ Experienced Chess Club https://www.remind.com/join/g7b2kf2 

 

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

 

BLACK ARTS MKE FOR 2nd – 5th GRADE STUDENTS

We still have seats available for Drumming with Ms. Oju on a first come first serve basis. Students work with the artists Tuesday and Thursday after school until 4:30 pm. Please contact Ms. Nancy directly if your student is interested ruditynb@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

 

FALL MUSIC CLUB – Hosted by Ms. Benthien  (Ms. B) in room 220.

Starting next week, Music Club is open to anyone interested in music, musical theater, or practicing for your audition for the Spring Musical. 

Any questions? Contact Ms Wanta wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

3rd-6th grade Wednesdays from 3:00-4:45:

Oct. 11, 18, 25, Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29, Dec. 6, 13

 

MS & HS Thursdays from 3:30-4:45:

Oct. 12, 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, Dec. 7, 14

 

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS– Register NOW!
WINTER SPORTS registration is OPEN

See athletics flyer HERE for information on Winter Sports: Cheer, Basketball, Wrestling, Boys Swim. 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. 

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Highlights from September’s IB Newsletter

 

Middle Years Program (MYP 7-10th)

MacDowell Montessori has been Authorized for the IB Middle Years Programme

by the International Baccalaureate Organization! We have worked for more than

two years to achieve this goal, and teachers have spent countless hours

planning, training, and preparing to deliver this rigorous curriculum. We are one

of only 13 IB Middle Years Programme Schools authorized in the State of WI.

Congrats!!

 

IB Learner Profile of the Month – KNOWLEDGEABLE : Students that develop and use conceptual understanding, exploring knowledge across a range of disciplines.

They engage with issues and ideas that have local and global significance.

This month’s spotlight is Jayana Scott-Warner 

 

To read more on our 10th Grade Personal Projects, every 11th Grader IB enrolled and 12th Grader commitment to IB testing, read the full September IB Newsletter HERE.

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MacDowell Spotlight

Ms Kiki’s Upper Elementary class took a field trip to Lakeshore Park in late September to experience Canoemobile, a “floating classroom”.

Canoemobile is a program that brings students out on local waterways in a 10-person canoe to learn about science, history, geography, and culture. The on-water experiences are often enriched with land-based learning activities developed and facilitated by organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Park Service, and hundreds of other government and nonprofits. Canoemobile brings classroom learning outside, engaging youth to improve school performance, cultivate a stewardship ethic, and create pathways to pursue educational and career opportunities in the outdoors.

Homecoming Week 2023

Our 7-12th grade students celebrated Homecoming week last week and participated in dress up days, school events, a pep rally, Wellness Day, and the Homecoming dance. In addition, High School advisory groups decorated their classroom doors with our Homecoming theme, which was Carnival. Check out some of their designs!

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This week High School Counselor Ms. Bruce-Konuah took a group of students to the MPS Apprenticeship Skilled Trades Fair at Milwaukee Tool. It was an awesome event, and it was amazing to see 7 of the 10 students working at the event were either current MacDowell students or recent MacDowell graduates. The students were so happy and excited to be there—it was great overall and just had to share!

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COLDER WEATHER: As the season begins to turn 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: Our lost and found table has begun to grow. Please check across from the school office when you are in the building for Conferences. Families: 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 owners.

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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!

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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 

 

QUICK LINKS:

Lunch Menu

MPS School Calendar

School Website

MacDowell School Handbook

IB September Newsletter

HS Athletics Newsletter

 

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

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District / Citywide Events

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

TONIGHT’S Agenda – October 2023 DAC Agenda

Everyone is welcome to attend!

 

MPS Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Free Event October 7th

“Our Afro Latino Roots: We Are All in This Together.”

National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15! MPS is celebrating the rich culture and many contributions of people whose family roots stem from Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Spain. 

When: October 7, 10:00am – 1:00pm

Where: South Division High School, 1515 W. Lapham Blvd.

Cost: FREE