Upcoming Events / Meetings

ELEMENTARY SPRING CONCERT

TONIGHT, Thursday, May 29th

6:00 – 7:30 pm

MS/HS COMMUNITY DAY

Friday, May 30th

Eligible students have signed up for activities

JUNIOR / SENIOR PROM

Saturday, May 31st

6:30 pm 

Hotel Metro – Purchase tickets in the main office

END OF YEAR CELEBRATION & POTLUCK FLYER

Thursday, June 5th

5:00 – 7:00 pm

RSVP Here: https://tinyurl.com/mvbee2kn

NO SCHOOL

Friday, June 6th

HIGH SCHOOL EXAMS:

Wednesday, June 11th, 8:00 AM – 12:05 PM

Thursday, June 12th, 8:00 AM – 12:05 PM

Friday, June 13th, 8:00 AM – 10:45 AM

HIGH SCHOOL ALL SPORTS BANQUET

Wednesday, June 11th

5:30 – 9:00 pm

MacDowell Gymnasium – invite only

8th GRADE COMPLETION CEREMONY

Friday, June 13th

5:00 – 6:00 pm 

MacDowell Auditorium – ticket required

STUDENT LAST DAY

Friday, June 13th

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

Monday, June 16th

Library News

END OF YEAR LIBRARY- STUDENT AND FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES

All students have been notified about the books and other resources they owe to MacDowell Library by the end of the year. K-6 students will continue to receive paper notices and 7-12 students receive a weekly email on Thursday at 8 AM that details their current library and resource checkouts. Chromebooks must be returned before the last day of school.

Families are responsible for resolving lost/missing library books with Ms. Raasch by Friday, May 30th. Families have options: 1) pay the listed fine to the main office. 2) donate a gently used hardcover book as a replacement. Please attach a note to the book indicating the student’s name. 3) contact SSW, Ms. Jacobson, to have the fine waived if your family is currently unable to resolve it another way. 

Contact Ms. Raasch via email: raaschTL@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

 

Media Literacy

Thank you to all who joined our two Media Literacy Presentations offered by Ms. Raasch this month. We had a number of families gather to receive information and engage in discussion. If you could not make it, or would like to revisit the resources, access the two slideshows below. Check out the many links available. If you are interested in further discussions and presentations, please contact Ms. Raasch or fill out the survey at the end of the slideshow presentation.

 K-3rd Media Literacy Slides: https://tinyurl.com/5n8vtjsc

Tween (4th-8th) Media Literacy Slides: https://tinyurl.com/56bw366j Open the slideshow to gain access to all links underlined in the slides.

**One big takeaway from this topic (as we understand that devices and digital media will not go away) is to find balance between media and real life experiences. 

Here is a link to a more extensive handout: Building Healthy Relationships with Media

Notes From Your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

April PTO meeting minutes : HERE

Join Us !

RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/mvbee2kn and volunteer to help

Middle and High School Updates

COMMUNITY DAY for Middle and High School students – May 30th

CHROMEBOOK RETURN EXPECTATIONS & PROCEDURES

All Middle and High School students are responsible for returning their Chromebooks and all other library books and textbooks before they leave MacDowell for the summer. We expect students and families to clear their Destiny account with MacDowell each spring as items and associated fines follow students to other MPS schools. Invoices will be sent home over the summer for unpaid fees. All fines must be paid to graduate.

Middle and High School students receive an automated email at 8:00 am every Thursday that details their current status with Destiny. An email receipt from Destiny is sent once they have returned their Chromebook. 

• High school students must return their items at one of the two Return Stations available on the 1st floor during all exam days. Students should return their Chromebook after their last exam. Exempt students can return before the exam days in Room 116 to Ms. Rogers. 
• Middle school students will turn in their devices beginning Wednesday 6/11, during their Advisory Block from 1:00-2:00 PM at a Return Station in the Middle School Hallway. 
• NOTE: Students KEEP their chargers and cases to bring back in fall for Chromebook distribution. When a case and/or charger is not present at distribution, students are charged $10 for a charger and $20 for a case.

7-12 students receive a weekly email on Thursday at 8 AM that details their current library and resource checkouts. All books and resources were due back May 23rd. See Library section above for instructions if an item is lost.

8th GRADE COMPLETION CEREMONY

Friday, June 13th

5:00-6:00 pm

MacDowell Auditorium

Each student is allocated 10 tickets. Tickets are now available. Parents may stop in room 116 and pick up the tickets from Ms. Rogers. We encourage adults to pick up tickets for their student between 8:00-4:00pm.

High School Semester 2 Exam Schedule

Junior / Senior Prom

Sports and Activities Update

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

High school student athletes are reminded to turn in all uniforms, warmups, and bags at the conclusion of their spring sports season !!

High School All Sports Banquet –  June 11 Invitation only – Please return RSVPs by June 3rd

Athletic Schedules:  https://www.mccathletics.org/public/genie/1190/school/64/

Purchase Online Tickets:   https://gofan.co/app/school/WI19445 

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS

Join Remind!

Questions about your students’ sports teams? Join the Remind group where all practice and game information is updated regularly, or email Ms Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

Spring Sports Remind Links

⚽1-3 Soccer TEAM 1 Coach Josh: https://www.remind.com/join/e74hh6h 

⚽1-3 Soccer TEAM 2 Coach Katie:  https://www.remind.com/join/h62e48 

⚽4-5 Soccer: https://www.remind.com/join/b9ad44e 

⚽6-8 Soccer: https://www.remind.com/join/96bk2g 

🎾5-8 Tennis: https://www.remind.com/join/e82h99 

👟5-8 Track & Field: https://www.remind.com/join/eehh64 

⚽⚽⚽⚽CALL FOR COACHING ⚽⚽⚽⚽

We’re looking for enthusiastic and supportive parent volunteers to coach or assist with our youth soccer teams for the upcoming school year 2025-2026.

No experience necessary – just a love for the game and a willingness to learn!

Details:

• 🧒 Age Group: 4th-5th grade
• 📅 Time Commitment: 1 practice per week and games on Saturday mornings.
• 💬 Role: Head Coach or Assistant Coach (your choice!)

Why volunteer?

• Be part of your child’s development on and off the field
• Join a fun, welcoming community of families
• Help kids build skills, confidence, and sportsmanship

If you’re interested or have questions, please contact: Ms Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Let’s make it a great season—we can’t do it without you!

District Advisory Council Representative- Family Involvement

MacDowell is looking for 2025-2026 school year DAC Representatives:

Milwaukee Public Schools established the District Advisory Council (DAC) to ensure that parents of all students have an opportunity to share their ideas about the needs of children, assist in the planning and operation of programs for children and participate in evaluating the success of efforts. Today, the DAC is a diverse group of families committed to lending their voice on current issues faced by Milwaukee Public Schools.

DAC meetings occur the first Thursday of the month, October through May from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Meetings are currently being held virtually until further notice. As a MacDowell DAC Representative members attend DAC meetings and speak and share on behalf of the MacDowell community. We ask that representatives attend PTO meetings and share what was discussed each month. Every MPS school is encouraged to have two representatives. Topics have ranged from SRAs, AI, Superintendent search feedback, Long Range Facilities Plan, FoodRight initiatives and school lunch programs, teacher recruitment and retention, MPS for green futures and sustainability and much more.

~~Please consider volunteering to be a MacDowell Representative next school year.

All are welcome to attend meetings, as official representatives or as a community member. 

Contact Parent Coordinator Gail Jaeger if you are interested or have any questions. Current and past representatives would be happy to share their experiences as well. https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Families/Family-Involvement/Advisory-Committee.htm

In Case You Missed It

STUDENT ENROLLMENT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2025-26

As we look toward the next school year, for our planning purposes it is important for us to know whether your student(s) will continue at MacDowell next year.  Please take a moment to complete our short Enrollment Form at your earliest convenience so that we can plan efficiently.  If you have multiple MacDowell students, please complete the form for all your children. Thank you in advance.  

Complete the form here: https://tinyurl.com/yvxpbf4y

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:

MPS School Calendar

2025-2026 MPS School Calendar

School Website

Staff Emails

IB Newsletter – April

Lunch Menu – May

MacDowell  Spotlight

SPRING CONCERT – MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL – May 22nd

GRAPHING EXPLORATION – LOWER ELEMENTARY

Our 1st – 3rd grade students enjoyed a visit sharing and discussing Daphne Draws Data. This children’s book helps students at MacDowell Montessori develop their data drawing superpowers! Students listened to the book read aloud and participated in a hands-on graphing activity to answer a question that peaks their interest. “Where is the best place to play?”  This engaging activity allowed children to explore graphing and help them build life long problem solving skills! 

For parents:

Check out the graphing activities and videos to get a peek into the event. Use the support for parents’ resources to continue the learning at home along with the book!

To continue the learning after the event, we encourage parents and teachers to purchase a copy of Daphne Draws Data to use at home. There are a variety of online ordering options, and we also encourage you to support our local booksellers – Lion’s Tooth,  Wonderland Bookshop, Boswell Books, and Winkie’s Toy Store. 

District Programs / Events

MONTESSORI ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MAC)

Next meeting – Monday June 9th

5:30-6:30pm

MPS Central Office, Room 210-211

The Montessori Advisory Committee (MAC) needs your thoughts, ideas, and voice. Join us to help strengthen Montessori education in Milwaukee. Be part of a committee working to make MPS a global leader in Montessori practice.

SUMMER CROSS COUNTRY CAMP

The Youth Sports Office is excited to partner with High School Athletics Coaches to offer a Coed Summer Cross Country Camp Series designed to help middle school athletes prepare for the fall season. This 7-session camp is open to students entering 5th–8th grade (ages 11–14) and is ideal for building endurance, strength, and confidence, regardless of skill level.

It’s a great way for young athletes to stay active during the summer and get a head start on their fall season.

Future Hawks Cross Country Camp (Youth Sports)

Dates: July 7 – July 21, 2025

Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Madison Park – Milwaukee County Parks

Ages: 11–14

Fee: $36.00 (residents) / $54.00 (non-residents)

Program Code: RC01 (listed as Cross Country Skills Camp and Fun Run)

Focus Areas: Running form, drills, warm-ups/cool-downs, course running

**To celebrate the camp’s conclusion, participants are invited to join the Future Hawks Fun Run—free for all camp participants!

Future Hawks Fun Run

Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025

Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Location: Madison Park – Milwaukee County Parks

Race Distances: 500m, 1000m, and 3K

It’s a fun, low-cost way to help kids build confidence, conditioning, and camaraderie before the school year begins.

For registration and additional info, families can visit the Recreation Website at https://milwaukeerecreation.net/ 

MPS RUN/WALK BACK TO SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

(You don’t have to Run to join our team!)

Celebrate the start of the 2025-26 school year with MPS and Milwaukee Recreation at the 18th annual MPS Run Back to School! This is an annual tradition for MacDowell families and a wonderful way to get together and enjoy a beautiful walk/run through the Washington Park neighborhood.

DETAILS:

• 5K run/1.5-mile walk through Washington Park
• Date: Saturday, Aug. 23
• Start Time: 9 a.m. (please arrive no later than 8:40 a.m.)
• Start & Finish Line: MPS Central Services Building, 5225 W. Vliet St.
• Cost: $5 for youth / $15 for adults (adult fee increases to $20 after July 31)
• Fee includes an event t-shirt and race bag – if 25 participants register by August, MacDowell can choose the t-shirt color

In addition, we will be eligible for a $500 grant to go towards a recreation and/or wellness need at MacDowell! If we have the most registered participants, we are eligible for a $1,000 grant towards recreation/ wellness programs. Let’s do this, MacDowell!

TO REGISTER FOR THE RUN/WALK BACK TO SCHOOL

• Register online by visiting mkerec.net/RBTS 

INFO: Milwaukee Recreation: Run Back to School

QUESTIONS? Contact our RBTS School Captain Angela Pryor angelamariepryor@gmail.com