February 15, 2024

Upcoming Events / Meetings

 

NO SCHOOL  – 

Tomorrow – Friday, February 16th 

Monday, February 19th

 

FAFSA APPLICATION NIGHT

Receive assistance filling out the FAFSA application

4:00 – 6:00 pm

Room 103

Seniors and their Guardians – FLYER

 

SEC / PTO MEETING

Wednesday, February 21st

5:00 pm / 5:30 – 6:30 pm

Room 103

*FINAL BUDGET VOTE at SEC

 

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Thursday, February 22nd

6:00 – 7:30 pm

MacDowell Auditorium

 

SPRING PICTURE DAY

Friday, March 1st

FLYER

 

FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT 📚

Friday, March 1st

6:00 – 7:30 pm

See FLYER 

 

SAZ’S NIGHT – PTO RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER

Wednesday, March 13th

5539 W. State St

11:00am – 8:00 pm

Mention MacDowell – Reservations encouraged

 

FAMILY CONFERENCES 

Wednesday, March 13th and Tuesday, March 19th

3:45 – 7:30 pm

More info to come

Seniors and their Guardians – 

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Dear Parent or Guardian of all 4th – 12th Graders,

We are writing to let you know about a survey your child’s school is using this year. This survey is conducted by Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). The survey asks students about their experiences and feelings, such as support from their teachers, how safe they feel at school, their school work, and plans for the future. Having such information directly from students is critical for developing plans to improve schools.

All students’ answers will be kept in strict confidence. No students will be identified in reports to the school or district relating to this survey.

For information about this survey, please visit http://uwm.edu/udisp, or talk with your child’s school principal.

Please be aware that under the Protection of Pupil Rights Act. 20 U.S.C. Section 1232(c)(1)(A), you have the right to review a copy of the questions asked of your child. 

If you would like to do so, you can view a copy of the survey at http://uwm.edu/udisp.

Your child is not required to participate in this survey. If you do not want your child to 

participate in this survey please notify your child’s school. 

Thank you!

 

The student survey for the Essentials of School Culture and Climate (ESCC) will be administered on February 20, 2024, and close on February 23, 2024.*

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REMINDER: 

Nature’s Classroom February 26 (departure at 9:00 am) – March 1 (arrival 2:00 pm)

Registration and Forms are PAST DUE.

Payment due by February 20th – At the Latest

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~HISTORICAL NARRATIVES of Black History through the performing arts~

Participants include High School Modern Band and Orchestra, Middle School Choir, Elementary Choir, and Music Club members.

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SPRING PICTURE DAY: Please note – we have a Spring Picture Day scheduled!

Friday, March 1st

Spring Photos are different from traditional school photos – they are meant to be more fun and informal and are not required to be taken. Only students who have ordered Spring Photos online in advance, or brought the order form back to school, will be sent to the library for photography. If you would like to order online, please use our mylifetouch.com Picture Day ID: EVTWGVWM9

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FAMILY LITERACY NIGHT – moved to March 1

Please update your RSVP if you can not attend – Or maybe you can now join us!

Celebrate Books, Reading, Libraries, Literacy Crafts, Mad Libs and observe Montessori Material Demonstrations. 

http://tinyurl.com/MacDLiteracy2024

Consider reading books aloud or assisting at the craft tables to make our event a success! 

Thank You!

https://tinyurl.com/MacDLiteracyVolunteer24

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REMINDERS

Kindergarten Enrollment for the 2023-2024 School Year: February 3 to March 4, 2024

• If you have a younger child that you wish to enroll in K3 or K4 at MacDowell, you must enroll during this enrollment window to receive sibling preference. The current student’s name should be included in the application. Sibling preference is not granted after this enrollment window.
• There is no advantage to completing the enrollment application on the first day of the process.  
• Current MacDowell students do not need to reapply.  They are automatically re enrolled. 
• Please encourage your friends, family and neighbors to choose MacDowell Montessori for their child’s education!  Interested families should call the school office to schedule a tour. 

HOW TO APPLY: To apply for Kindergarten enrollment, please complete these steps:

1. Visit the MPS Online Registration webpage.
2. Choose a language (English or Spanish).
3. Select “Start New Application”.
4. Complete the initial registration form at the end of the webpage. For “Registration Type”, select “24-25 Kindergarten”. (NOT FALL 24-25)

Wondering if you can enroll your child?

• Students enrolling at K3 need to be 3 years old by September 1st and must reside in Milwaukee.
• Students enrolling in K4 need to be 4 years old by September 1st.

  MPS Kindergarten Enrollment Page; MPS: Kindergarten Enrollment – Schools

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PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION

January Minutes can be viewed here – http://tinyurl.com/4uczy4jk

Next PTO organized restaurant fundraiser: MARCH 13th

Saz’s State House

FLYER

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FAMILY CONFERENCES – Save the Dates!

We will publish sign ups for Conferences in the near future. Conferences will be in person.

~Wednesday, March 13 from 3:45 to 7:30 pm

~Tuesday, March 19 from 3:45 to 7:30 pm

 

📘 We will have a BOOKFAIR the week of March 18th, more information to come. 📙

🍪Watch for the Girl Scouts selling cookies both nights. 🍪

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Don’t Forget – PRE ORDER YEARBOOKS

We are taking preorders for our school yearbooks! All students who had their photo taken will be in their classroom / grade level layout in this yearbook. We create two separate yearbooks, one for K3-6th grade students & one for 7-12th grade students. Yearbooks are delivered at the end of the school year. There are separate yearbook order links for each yearbook, please see order information below:

• K3-6th grade yearbooks will cost $15 – order online at ybpay.com code is 15140624
• 7-12th grade yearbooks will cost $25 – order online ybpay.com code is 14324524

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         Sports and Activities Update

ELEMENTARY: 🗣️Call For Coaches

Elementary parents/guardians & staff, the Spring season is right around the corner and we are still looking for coaches.  If we do not find coaches, unfortunately we will not be able to offer these teams this year. Coaches are paid through Milwaukee Recreation. We are currently in need of 1st-3rd Soccer coaches and 4th-5th soccer coaches. 

Please contact Ms. Wanta if you are interested or have any questions: wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

JUNEAU ATHLETICS:

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

MPS Referendum Will Go to Voters in April 2 Election

MPS Referendum Fact Sheet

On January 11, 2024, the Milwaukee Board of School Directors approved a plan set forth by MPS administration to place a referendum on the April 2, 2024 spring election ballot.

MPS’ plan would secure as many resources as possible for students while being mindful of taxpayers.

Read more about this important action.

 

~Since 2009, Wisconsin public school funding has not kept pace with inflation. For this reason, public schools across the state are facing budget challenges. 

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ACT INFORMATION

2024 ACT District Testing Day March 12

MPS high schools will administer the state-required ACT to grade 11 students on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. On this date, only juniors will be in attendance. Freshmen, sophomores, and seniors will not report to school on this date but will engage in asynchronous work. Multi-grade schools on the early start calendar (e.g., K– 12, 3–12, 6–12) will have regular attendance for students not in grades 9, 10, or 12. Students should arrive at school at their regular start time to allow testing to be completed in a timely manner.

2024 PreACT District Testing Day April 10– attendance change

MPS high schools will administer the state-required PreACT to grades 9 and 10 students on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. On this date, all 9th- 12th grade students will be in attendance. Juniors and seniors WILL report to school on this date, this is a change from previously communicated. Multi-grade schools on the early start calendar (e.g., K–12, 3–12, 6–12) will have regular attendance. Students should arrive at school at their regular start time to allow testing to be completed in a timely manner.

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!! OPT-IN TO TEXT MESSAGING ! To receive notices via text message be sure to OPT-IN to text messaging from MPS. Text “Y” to 67587 to receive school notifications, transportation updates, newsletters and important messaging.

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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        

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QUICK LINKS:

Lunch Menu – February

Staff Emails

MPS Early Start School Calendar

MPS 2024-2025 School Calendar

School Website

IB January Newsletter

Juneau Athletics Dec/Jan Newsletter

Highschool Juneau Boys Basketball Schedule

Unit 4 Letter to Parents

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MacDowell Spotlight

JUNEAU VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

This past Saturday Milwaukee Juneau played Milwaukee School of Languages at MSL. Juneau won their 13th game overall 91- 82, and remained number ONE in their conference. Leading scorers were Dooney Johnson (40 points) and Raylen Jones (16 points). 

Follow the team’s activity and stats at https://www.maxpreps.com/wi/milwaukee/milwaukee-juneau-pioneers/basketball/

Their next game is Friday February 16th at Vincent High School. 

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50 Years and Growing Montessori in MPS Event

On Saturday February 10th more that 1700 people came through the door of MacDowell to celebrate 50 years of Montessori education in Milwaukee Public Schools. Families, former students, staff and friends enjoyed performances from our Montessori campuses, cake and refreshments, material demonstrations, living history, Montessori school artifacts and more. Middle school students sold their creations of earrings, mugs, plants, baked goods and more with an abundance of pleased customers. 

It was a great event attended by numerous community members and local figures. Speakers included State Senator Chris Larson, State Representative Christine Sinicki, DPI Executive Director Sachin Chheda, MPS School Board Director Henry Leonard and Dr. Keith Posley.

We look forward to celebrating MacDowell’s 50th anniversary in three years! We hope you can join us in 2027. 

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Resources & Events

The Milwaukee Bucks hosted their annual Black History Month Impact Game on February 8th. Their focus emphasized Black Excellence in the arts in Milwaukee.  As a part of the celebration, the Bucks create a specially designed t-shirt and donate a portion of the proceeds to a local non-profit. We are pleased to inform you that the Milwaukee Bucks have selected the MPS Foundation as this year’s recipient!  If you would like to purchase a t-shirt for yourself, a family member, or a friend, you can purchase it at a Bucks game, or by clicking on the link below:

https://shop.bucks.com/products/item-of-the-game-milwaukee-bucks-black-history-month-celebration-t-shirt

Please share this positive message far and wide! Thank you so much and have a great week! Let’s Go Bucks! MPS Proud!

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MPS Extended Learning Opportunities is sponsoring several adventures with community partners for students.

Extended Learning Adventures: 

• Most adventures are FREE of charge for MPS students and city of Milwaukee residents (MPS students receive priority registration).
• Adventures may be held during non-school days, winter, spring, and/or summer breaks.
• Some adventures require parent drop-off and pick-up as well as a bag lunch.

Find more information HERE