HALLOWEEN AT MACDOWELL: 

We understand that Halloween is an exciting time for the children and we hope that there will be many ways that they celebrate the holiday with their family at home. At MacDowell we do not have Halloween celebrations in the classroom; this is so that we can keep the school day consistent and free from distraction for all of our students and support the students’ learning and focus while they are at school. 

Please note: Children are not to come to school with candy or arrive dressed in Halloween costume. 

Thank you for your understanding.

Principal Corona

Upcoming Events / Meetings

MILWAUKEE MAKER SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

NOW – November 2nd : Online

A selection of items created by local Milwaukee artisans.

More info below

CLUB’S CHOICE FUNDRAISER PICK UP – 

Monday, October 27th 

3:15-4:30pm – green space west of school

PARENT EDUCATION SESSION – Focus on Literacy/Grammar

Wednesday, October 29th

5:30-7:30pm

OR

Friday, October 31st

7:45am-9:45am

HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT

Now until November 4th

Apply online https://mpsmke.com/hsapp

NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 7th

PICTURE DAY

Tuesday, November 11th

Forms will be sent home just prior to the picture date.

LOU MALNATI’S FUNDRAISER NIGHT – Brookfield and Fox Point

Thursday, November 13th

4:00pm – 10:00pm

Carry Out Only – FLYER

RSVP Here: https://tinyurl.com/cc9wcx2y

General Reminders

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!

Save the Date:

RSVP Here: https://tinyurl.com/2chke95y

***MacDowell’s Music Department has set a schedule for the school year. Find the list here: MacDowell 2025-2026 Music Performance Calendar. 

Note some events are Elementary or Adolescent.

Picture packages can be ordered in advance online at www.mylifetouch.com  Use the MacDowell order ID: EVTQK6QG8

*Pictures of all students will be taken, whether or not picture packages are ordered. These photos are used in our school yearbooks. Forms will be sent home the week prior to the picture date. If you chose to order using the paper order form, please send it along with a check on picture day, November 11th.

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. Proofs arrive approximately one week after photos are taken.

ONLINE MACDOWELL SPIRIT WEAR SALE IS LIVE NOW!

https://dunns-25-macdowell-montessori-wear.itemorder.com/

Sale Closes 11/3 @ 11:59pm

Items include MacDowell t-shirts, hoodies, a ¼ zip sweatshirt & more. We’ve added some navy options so our Middle School sports fans can match team uniforms. 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.

Middle and High School Families 

7th Grade Parents/Guardians : 

MacDowell School Counselor Mr. Jonathan Marks is hosting 7th grade parent chats promoting High School, College & Career Readiness

Click for more info / signup https://calendar.app.google/Td1n3GFUEcb39SE36

A Note To 8th Grade Families:

It’s time to enroll in High School…

High School enrollment for current 8th graders is open now thru November 4th.

If you would like to stay at MacDowell for High School, make us the #1 choice on your application in order to guarantee your seat next year. 

Click here to see the MPS admissions site, including the online application:

https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Schools/How-to-Apply/High-School-Enrollment.htm

If you have any questions, please reach out to MacDowell’s middle school counselor, Jonathan Marks at 414-391-3068 or marksjt@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

Sports and Activities Update

High School Winter Sports Deadlines

Register online: https://mpsathletics-ar.rschooltoday.com/home

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

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

Elementary Coach Needed

We’re in need of a parent volunteer to step in as the head coach for a 1st-3rd grade Soccer team this spring. If you are available or interested in more information please contact 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 

Elementary Chess Clubs Remind Links

• ♟️Tuesday Chess Club: https://www.remind.com/join/c68gd4 
• ♟️Thursday Chess Club: https://www.remind.com/join/g7b2kf2 

Introducing Lego Club

1st-3rd & 4th-6th Interest Form

Whether you’re a beginner or a master builder, LEGO Club is a great place to learn new skills, make friends, and bring your ideas to life—one brick at a time!

• Participation will be determined by lottery. ALL Students interested in participating      should have this form filled out by 10 AM Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
• There will be a fee for participation.
• Students selected in the lottery will be given a form to complete and returned with the fee. 
• 4th-6th Grade on WEDNESDAYS 3:00-4:30. Nov 12, 19, Dec 3, 17
• 1st-3rd Grade on FRIDAYS 3:00-4:30. Nov 14, 21, Dec 5, 12, 19
• 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.
• Any questions? Please contact Ms Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

MacDowell Library

Library operations are in full swing! All-day primary students visited the library this week for their first weekly session on Wednesday. You can support your child by reading their library book with them several times before returning it each week on Wednesday. When students return their book, they’ll be able to check out a new book! All other grade levels have had orientation and are in full circulation mode, visiting once a week on a regular schedule.

Upper Elementary classes will visit as a whole group for a quick library lesson and circulation time. This week, we discussed the characteristics of a good digital citizen and introduced Clever Apps Britannica School (online encyclopedia) and News-o-Matic (current events for elementary and middle school). 

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

The next PTO meeting of the year is November 19th at 5:30pm. After the 5:00pm SEC Meeting

SAVE THE DATE:

Upcoming Restaurant Fundraisers

Krispy Kreme online voucher purchase November 1 – December 31

Lou Malnati’s November 13

Saz’s State House December 11 

Cousin’s Subs (State St) January 13

Papa John’s (115th & North) February 11

Saz’s State House – March 11

~We are thrilled to announce that MacDowell Montessori is partnering with the locally run Milwaukee Maker School Fundraiser to bring you an opportunity to shop locally this holiday season while also giving back to the efforts and initiatives of our PTO. This initiative is designed to support our school while celebrating creativity, innovation and community spirit.

The fundraiser features a variety of local makers and artisans offering unique products that are perfect for everyone on your holiday shopping list through a single e-commerce fundraising website. By participating, you’ll not only find fantastic items, but also contribute directly to our school programs and resources. 40% of every purchase will be donated back to the school, and these funds will help us support author visits, reimburse teacher funds, provide field trip transportation, contribute to swim lesson costs, prom, social events and more.

Milwaukee Maker Fundraiser has officially gone live (Oct 20-Nov 2). We encourage you to share this link with family, friends and neighbors who might also be interested in shopping local while supporting our school – even if they are out of town, orders can be shipped. (Flat rate $6 !!) Pick-up orders will be ready the first week of December at the school

Start making your gift idea list now! Thank you! 

WEBPAGE IS OPEN: https://www.makerymaven.com/milwaukee-maker-fundraiser-macdowell

PARENT COORDINATOR CORNER

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. At the end of the month and each subsequent month we will box up all items to prepare for donation. 

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

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.

QUICK LINKS:

MPS School Calendar

MacDowell School Handbook

School Website

Lunch Menu – K-8th October

Staff Preference 

Elementary Classroom Heartbeat / Primary Classroom Heartbeat

September IB Newsletter

Ways to Support your Students at Home

• Read with them every day / Encourage them to read every day.  Looking for great book recommendations for your child? Check out the MPS Reads lists here
• Support math at home. Regularly ask them to practice counting coins, telling time, skip counting, basic math facts. 
• Create a quiet calm space for homework or reading.
• Ensure they get enough sleep so they are able to work to their fullest potential at school.

Give your child responsibilities around the house with clear and reasonable expectations. Setting/clearing the table, making their bed, washing/putting away dishes, peeling vegetables, sweeping floors, making lunch, helping with laundry, yard work, feeding animals, etc.  Framing these as their responsibility as members of the household, and not requests to “help out”,  increases their independence, and cultivates daily mindful and responsible action.

MacDowell Spotlight

WELLNESS DAY

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 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. On October 11th students were given a wide array of choices to participate in: Apple Picking, Basketball Tournament, Ice Skating, Bowling, Wauwatosa Village Walk, Milwaukee Zoo, Mario Kart Tournament, Quiet Reading Time, Pumpkin Painting, Yard Games and MORE. . 

PRIMARY SCAVENGER HUNT

Ms. Jessica took her K5 students on an exploratory scavenger hunt last month with the lovely weather extension we were experiencing.