**Please be sure to have the most up to date contact information with our office staff. Email addresses and phone numbers are crucial to receive timely communication. In addition to newsletters, we send notice for conference sign ups, special/evening events, and attendance matters. Call the Main Office at 414-935-1400 or stop in to update your information.

THIS SATURDAY!!

 For more information, volunteer opportunities and to RSVP, follow link here: https://tinyurl.com/4tuufdu6

Bring a Reusable Water Cup

Upcoming Events / Meetings

THIRD FRIDAY COUNT DAY

TOMORROW!!!  Friday, September 19th 

On this day the State of Wisconsin will count all students to determine the amount of funding provided to schools this year. Help MacDowell by making sure your child is in attendance on September 19! It is vitally important for our school funding. 

BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC

Saturday, September 20th

1:00-4:00 pm

Hawthorn Glen FLYER 

MacDowell Gear Swap: 

Do you have used and too small or not worn MacDowell Gear?? Bring them to the Back to School Picnic and offer it to other families. Maybe your family will find some gear to start the year.  

~Watch later this fall for our MacDowell gear sale through Dunn’s Sporting Goods.~

FUNDRAISER – CLUB’S CHOICE

NOW – September 26th

Forms sent home last week

Pick up – October 27th 3:30-4:30

HOMECOMING WEEK

September 29 – October 3

7th – 12th grade students

More information below

WELLNESS DAY 

7th-12th grade students

October 3rd

More information below

HOMECOMING DANCE

Saturday, October 4th

Middle school students 5:00-7:00 pm

High school students 7:30-10:00 pm

9th GRADE EARLY ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE
For 8th grade students and their families
Monday, October 13th
5:00-7:00 pm

SAVE THE DATE – FAMILY-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Family-Teacher Conferences will be held on the evening of Monday 10/13 and Wednesday 10/15. 

Stay tuned for more information, including Conference sign ups!

Plan to visit our Book Fair on both Monday AND Wednesday, sponsored by Rainbow Booksellers.

There will be no school on Friday, 10/17 and Monday 10/20

NO SCHOOL

Friday, October 17th & Monday October 20th

TITLE 1 MEETING

Wednesday, October 22nd

5:00pm

Room 103

Please join us to learn more about this program and what the funding means to MacDowell. More Info : HERE

PTO MEETING

Wednesday, October 22nd

5:30pm

Room 103

ALL ARE WELCOME!

General Reminders

PRIMARY AGED CHILDREN (K3-K5) should wear clothing that is easy for them to manage on their own when using the bathroom.  Pants with elastic waistbands are easier to manipulate than buttons, zippers, snaps, and belt buckles. Rompers and overalls are also difficult to take off and on for most students.

SLEEP MATTERS: Why we ALL need good sleep and how to get it!  Our bodies and brains NEED sleep to heal and renew. Sleep is when the brain processes information and strengthens memory. This helps us learn, function, and create!  More information HERE

RESEARCH DEMONSTRATES THAT GOOD SLEEP = BETTER…

• Emotional control 
• Outlook
• Relationships 
• Communication
• Attention
• Problem solving & learning
• Safety and driving
• Physical health and weight
• Motor skills

 HOW MUCH SLEEP? 

Ages   : Hours per night

3 to 5   : 11 to 13 hrs

6 to 13 : 9 to 11 hrs

14 +     : 8 to 10 hrs

💉VACCINES – ALL STUDENTS

School Required Vaccines Include:

K-6                                                                                                    7th thru 12th

DTaP                                                                                                 ALL those in K-6 AND

MMR                                                                                                 Tdap Booster

Polio                                                                                                  Meningococcal

Hep B

Varicella

Clinics to be held at:

Northwest Health Department 

10/3/2025 from 3pm-6pm

10/11/2025 from 10am-2pm

Southside Health Department

10/4/2025 from 10am-2pm

10/10/2025 from 3pm-6pm.

On Monday September 22nd the first round of letters go out to those who are behind on immunizations.

Tuesday October 7th the second letter and exclusion notification goes out to those who are still behind. 

MANDATORY EXCLUSION PERIOD FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE BEHIND ON IMMUNIZATIONS IS October 13th thru October 29th. This means if your student is behind on immunizations they are required to be out of school during this time until immunizations are updated or a current waiver is on file with the school nurse and updated in Infinite Campus. 

The waiver form can be found here: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/f04020l.pdf Once completed and signed, it needs to be turned into the school nurse.

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

September Meeting Minutes : HERE

Club’s Choice PTO Fundraiser going on now until 9/26 

• Club Choice Order flyers and forms were sent home in Thursday Folders. 
• Sell items online, Use group code MACD23

https://seller.clubschoicefundraising.com/Home/SchoolPage/MACD23

• • Forms and monies are due by September 26th to the school office.
  • One check payable to MacDowell PTO
  • Pick up will be October 27 

• 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. Cash or Check only.

Un fundraiser form HERE

COMING LATER THIS FALL -> Milwaukee Maker Fundraiser October 20 – November 2. Excellent selection of locally made goods. Wonderful for Holiday shopping early. 

Middle and High School Families 

The school day starts at 8:00am. REMINDER – any 7th-12th grade student arriving after 8:10am will need a tardy slip.

WELLNESS DAY  – October 3rd

October 11th *7th-12th graders

As part of our Montessori Philosophy, we strive to provide each child with an opportunity to make a deeper connection in our school day. Wellness Day is a day where middle and high school students are allowed to leave the classroom and enter the community to experience a connection that will help their academic, social, mental, and physical wellness. This day provides those students with the opportunity to find the activity they connect with best.  Whether they want to explore something new or find comfort in an activity they know, their choice will guide their day of wellness. We ask that you and your child take the time to look through the options and figure out which option best matches your child. Note costs associated with different activities.

On Wednesday, September 17th, middle and high school students were shown the opportunities and choices for Wellness Day during their Advisory Class.  On Thursday, September 18th, students signed up for activities on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats in each activity are limited, so it’s important to have more than one option. Students absent Thursday can choose an activity as soon as they return. Once selected, they will receive a field trip form. A returned form, as well as any payment are due by September 26 to the teacher running the activity.  HERE are the Wellness Day Choices for 2025.

Classroom Heartbeat 

Ms Benthien: K5 – 6th Music

Ms. Benthien (Ms. B) has shared a monthly newsletter to showcase the happenings in music class.
Find them here: 

• Elementary Elementary Classroom Heartbeat
• Primary- Primary Classroom Heartbeat

Please also check out this article Six Things Every Parent Should Know About Music Educaiton

Sports and Activities Update

High School Fall Sports:

Fall sports are in full swing!  There is still time to register for volleyball and cross country (Juneau), football (Marshall), and boys’ soccer and girls swim (King).  Registration is fully online and must be fully completed before a student-athlete can start practice. The registration link, schedules, ticketing information, and other items can be found at the following link:  https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Programs/Athletics.htm. 

**The DEADLINE to register and participate in fall sports is-  TOMORROW, SEPTEMBER 19.

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

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

Winter sports season (basketball, cheer, and wrestling) will begin in November. Stay tuned for more details in upcoming newsletters.  If you have any questions, reach out to the athletic director, Ms. Schenk at schenkao@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Elementary & Middle School Fall Sports: **Please return any uniforms from last school year.

NEW : 6th – 8th Grade Dance & Poms Club

    Click link to submit request to join: https://forms.gle/tZwUFcPhpZVqaRyq7 

This is an opportunity for 6th-8th grade students to learn & share the joy of dance & poms, foster creativity, develop critical thinking and teamwork skills with Ms. Emily.

• Starts on Tuesday Sept 30. Last meeting Nov 18.
• Offered to students in 6th – 8th grade
• Club meets on Tuesdays from dismissal-4:30 PM, in the Auditorium.
• The first 25 students interested will be given a permission form to return with payment.
• There is a $25 fee for participation.
• Parents are responsible for transportation of students after the club ends. 
• Pick up at the Main Entrance at 4:30. Being late for pickup twice (after 4:45) will result in your student being unable to continue to participate.
• Accepting responses until 10:30 AM, Tuesday 9/23/25.
• Any questions? Please contact Ms Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

Coaches Needed!!!!

As we prepare for an exciting year of youth sports for our 4th-5th grade players, we’re in need of a parent volunteer to step in as the head coach for the teams. Unfortunately, we’ve lost our previous coaches, and we are reaching out to our parent community to find someone who can help lead and support the teams moving forward. We are specifically in need of 4-5 coed basketball coaches this winter and 4-5 coed soccer coaches this spring. If you are available or interested in more information please contact Ms Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. 

All 1-8 grade sports teams are formed for the fall season. Available schedules have been sent home and posted on the Remind app. 

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 Volleyball: https://www.remind.com/join/346288 
• 👟5-8 Track & Field: https://www.remind.com/join/eehh64 
• 🏀6-8 GIRLS Basketball: https://www.remind.com/join/a2k6e9 

BBBS is Enrolling Now!

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.

• For more information on how to apply: contact Natalie at njackson@bbbsmilwaukee.org or 414-831-4591

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 

APPLY HERE: https://bbbs.tfaforms.net/f/youthenrollment-m20-0405

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 19 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.

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   Welcome Back – I look forward to a fun and exciting year! ~ Ms. Jaeger 

STAY CONNECTED – OPT IN

If you want to receive a newsletter link 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.

School Hours:

K3-K4,  8:00 am – 11:25 am, dismissal beginning at 11:15 am

K5-6th grade,  8:00 am – 3:00 pm

7th–12th grade,  8:00 am – 3:25 pm

In Case You Missed It

Please take the time to fill out the MPS School Engagement Survey– takes 5 minutes.

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. Let your Parent Coordinator know what your family needs. 

https://mpsresearch.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8vthsN2BBv09xpY

UNABLE TO ATTEND DUE TO ILLNESS – MAKE UP OPPORTUNITY

When a school has been notified by a parent that their child is not able to attend due to illness, the student attendance will be marked as Absent Excused. But, absences due to illness do not have to negatively affect your student’s attendance. If your student completes the assignment(s) or work missed on the date of absence and you notify the teacher, the attendance can be updated from Absence Excused to Unable to Attend Due to Illness (UADI). Remember, the student may only have their excused absences updated after they have submitted instructional work. 

*Students that have the UADI code will not have those days calculated into their absence percentage. 

Please make sure you discuss with your child the importance of submitting assignments after an excused absence due to illness so that the attendance can be updated accordingly.

If your child will be out of school for any reason make sure to call our attendance secretary at 414- 935-1460. 

If you have further questions please speak with the attendance secretary.

OUR 2024-2025 YEARBOOKS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!

Extra copies are available in the main office on a first come first serve basis.

Elementary Yearbooks – $15, 

Middle / High School Yearbooks – $25

QUICK LINKS:

MPS School Calendar

MacDowell School Handbook

School Website

Lunch Menu – K-8th September
Lunch Menu – 9-12th September

Staff Preference 

Community Resources and Opportunities

FEMA Flood Assistance Applications Now Open !!

First Come- First Serve Basis

Individuals and business owners can apply for assistance at:

https://www.disasterassistance.gov/  or by calling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at 800-621-FEMA (3362).

DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING (DAC)

Thursday, October 2nd

6:00-7:30pm

*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 Title I programs for children and participate in evaluating the success of Title I 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 on the first Thursday of each month from October to May, except January 1.  Meetings are held virtually via Zoom from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

School DAC Representatives, as well as other families or community members, are welcome to attend. Translation services are always available.