December 5, 2024

https://tinyurl.com/5n7hj6hf

Upcoming Events / Meetings

DISTRICT ADVISORY (DAC) MEETING

Thursday, December 5th

6:00 – 7:30 pm

Via Zoom: LINK

PHOTO RETAKE DAY

Monday, December 9th

MILWAUKEE MAKERS FUNDRAISER PICKUP

Monday, December 9th

3:00 – 4:00 pm – school store, main lobby

MAC (Montessori Advisory Committee) MEETING

Monday, December 9th

5:30–6:30 pm, Central Office

FLYER

SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT COUNCIL MEETING / PTO MEETING

Wednesday, December 11th

5:00 / 5:30 pm

FAFSA ASSISTANCE NIGHT – SENIOR FAMILIES

Thursday, December 12th

5:00 – 7:00 pm 

ELEMENTARY WINTER CONCERT

Thursday, December 12th

6:00 – 7:30 pm

K5-6th music students

LOU MALNATI’S FUNDRAISER NIGHT

Thursday, December 12th

4:00 – 10:00 pm

BATTLE OF THE DRUMLINES

Saturday, December 14th

12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (doors open at 11:30 a.m.)

Rufus King International High School 

Admission: $3

KRISPY KREME DIGITAL DOZEN FUNDRAISER

Now until December 31st

More info below

WINTER BREAK – No School 

December 23 – January 1

Classes resume January 2, 2025

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 colder weather attire. 

!!! PLEASE LABEL ITEMS !!!

~Students have outdoor recess unless the temperature is below a feels like temp of 11°~ 

Please send your child prepared for the colder weather. If possible, an extra pair of pants or sweater is helpful to leave in their locker. Hats, gloves, mittens, scarves and snow pants are easily misplaced. Please label all items so they can be returned to the child!

Families that are in need of Holiday support, warm weather gear, food, etc. are encouraged to contact Ms. Rachel Jacobson, School Social Worker. Desk (Office) Number: (414) 935-1432,Text/Cell (Google Voice): (507) 384-9078, jacobsr@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

PICTURE RETAKE DAY is this Monday, December 9th.

Retake day is for students who were absent on photo day, and for any student who is retaking their photo. Please make sure your child’s teacher knows that you want a retake photo done. If families ordered a picture package before picture day and did not like it, their student needs to bring the picture package back on retake day and take a new picture. Another picture package will be sent to school. 

Don’t Forget to Order This Year’s School Pictures

ENJOY 10% OFF your order!

CODE: F202410OFF

EXPIRES: July 31, 2025

Redeem Now

SPIRIT WEAR UPDATE 

Dunn’s Sporting Goods has delivered all screen printed items, embroidery items are still in process (track jackets, polos, some hats). Completed Spirit Wear has been delivered to student backpacks. Check those bags. I will be in touch when the remaining items have arrived. 

Thank you for your support!  ~ Ms. Jaeger

**If you missed ordering this fall watch for another sale in spring.**

NEW JUNEAU GEAR WEBSITE

High School Athletic Director Ms. Schenk has opened a new Juneau gear site. Purchases can be shipped or picked up at a Burghardts location. Items can be customized for an extra cost. Many options available: https://bsg.chipply.com/MILWAUKEEJUNEAU/ 

THE MONTESSORI ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MAC) 

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.

Meetings are 5:30–6:30 p.m. one Monday every month at MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208. Meetings are held in room 210/211 unless designated as a virtual meeting. Everyone is welcome at all meetings.

Upcoming Meetings:

December 9, 2024 

February 10, 2025

April 14, 2025 

June 9, 2025

K5-6th PRIMARY / ELEMENTARY Winter Concert 

December 12, 2024,  6:00pm, Auditorium

• K5-6th music students
• Friday music engagement students

*Be sure to stop by the Middle Years Occupations sales tables during the winter concert. 

• mugs, bags, body scrubs, and letter crayons
• cutting boards →
• plants

Cash only – Prices range, some up to $20

Middle and High School Families

Hello MacDowell Montessori Families!

My name is Kate Beazley (please feel free to call me Kate, Ms. Beazley, or Ms. B!) and I am the new College and Career Center Planning Assistant here at MacDowell Montessori. I would like to introduce myself and my role here at MacDowell.

For the last six years I have been working in college in career advising in my role as Director of College and Career at ACE Amandla Charter High School in Chicago, IL and more recently with the Schuler Scholar Program at Riverside University High School. Before that I taught social studies in Chicago high schools for 10 years and have experience with IB including teaching Theory of Knowledge and working as Extended Essay Coordinator. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Ohio University and a Master’s Degree from Concordia University in Reading Education.

My role at MacDowell is to assist students with college and scholarship applications, FAFSA, exploring college and careers, resume writing, internship and youth apprenticeship searches, and more. Students are welcomed and encouraged to use the center during operating hours. A pass from myself or a teacher is required if a student is coming during class time.I will update students on opportunities, deadlines, and events through email and/or Google Classroom.

I will be in the MacDowell College and Career Center room 021 on Mondays and Thursdays from 8am to 4pm. Please stop by with any questions or just to say hello! To reach me on days I am not in the building please email me at beazleka@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or call/text (414) 219-0336.

I am so excited to be joining the MacDowell Community and I look forward to working with each of you toward your postsecondary goals!

MacDowell Senior Families – 

The FAFSA application is now open. You are invited to the MacDowell FAFSA Night on Thursday, December 12th from 5-7pm. 

Please be sure that you and your senior have created your FSAID already and bring your login information.

See Flyer HERE

Please RSVP at tinyurl.com/FAFSAMAC. 

See you there! 

Save The Date!

MIDDLE and HIGH SCHOOL Winter Concert  January 16, 2025 – 6:00pm, Auditorium

• Required for middle and high school music students

Notes From Your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

HOLIDAY BRUNCH FOR TEACHERS– contributions request

The PTO would like to show our love for the wonderful MacDowell staff this holiday season by providing a brunch on Wednesday December 18th. And we would love your help! The PTO will provide the hot items, but we’d like to ask the community to contribute yummy items as well. Use the Signup Genius to volunteer to donate pastries, yogurt and more! Bring your items to school on Tuesday the 17th or the morning of the 18th and leave them on the cart near the office. Thanks!   https://tinyurl.com/5b8s45xk

DAVE & BUSTER’S POWER CARD

MacDowell PTO is pumped to launch our Dave & Buster’s Power Card Fundraising Campaign! When you purchase a $20 Dave & Buster’s Power Card from our fundraising page, 50% of your order directly supports MacDowell PTO! Now until December 31st. Power card comes loaded with 100 chips.

🎯🎉 Whether it’s classic arcade thrills, action-packed racing, or multiplayer challenge, enjoy endless gaming fun at any Dave & Buster’s location nationwide when you purchase your Power Card at the link below.

Don’t forget to share it with friends and family to join in the fun: grouprai.se/davebusters49110m.

LOU MALNATI’S (Brookfield and Greenfield locations)  carry out only – December 12th

KRISPY KREME DIGITAL DOZENS – $15

Going on now until December 31st 

Order online and receive a voucher to redeem at any participating Krispy Kreme location.

MacDowell PTO receives back 50% from every voucher sold.

https://www.groupraise.com/oc/49247/5T883G

SAVE THE DATE: Restaurant Fundraisers

Dave and Busters power card deal – month of December

QDoba Miller Parkway – January 14th

Cousins Subs – February 5th

Saz’s State House – March 12th

JUST ADDED

Artisan Ramen – April 8th

November PTO meeting minutes : https://tinyurl.com/263xm4vd

NEXT MEETING: Wednesday, December 11th 5:30pm. Join for the School Engagement Council meeting at 5:00pm to hear Principal Corona present on school stats, projects and test scores. 

Sports and Activities Update

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS

Call For Coaches!

🎾We are looking for a 5th-8th grade Tennis head coach and assistant coach for the Spring season. If interested please contact Ms Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

⚽ We are looking for a 6th-8th grade Soccer head coach and assistant coach for the Spring season. If interested please contact Ms Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

Middle & High School Chess Club Interest Form – still accepting participants

• Middle & High School students will have the opportunity to participate in Chess Club this school year.
• Chess Club will be held on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30, starting Dec. 3, 2024. In room 334.
• If we reach capacity the google form will be turned off.
• Please fill out this Google Form to participate https://forms.gle/8XTEwLbief1xCXXU8 
• Any questions? Please contact Ms Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

Winter Sports Remind Links

• 🏀1-3 Basketball Team 1: https://www.remind.com/join/ha9843a 
• 🏀1-3 Basketball Team 2: https://www.remind.com/join/36f428 
• 🏀4-5 Basketball: https://www.remind.com/join/82h96g 
• 🏐6-8 Volleyball Team 1: https://www.remind.com/join/cghdh6 
• 🏐6-8 Volleyball Team 2: https://www.remind.com/join/7fdfcgg 
• 📣6-8 Cheerleading: https://www.remind.com/join/29f846 

 Club Remind Links

• ♟️Tuesday Chess Club: https://www.remind.com/join/c68gd4 
• ♟️Thursday Chess Club: https://www.remind.com/join/g7b2kf2 
• 🎲Tabletop Adventure Gaming: https://www.remind.com/join/8e39k3f 
• ♟️MS/HS Chess Club: https://www.remind.com/join/chessmsh 

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

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

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

MUSICAL THEATRE CLUB ANNOUNCEMENT

• There will be NO Musical Theater Club on 12/12/24 due to the Winter Concert. 
• The final day of Musical Theater Club will be 12/19/24.
• Students who make the cast for the spring musical will be notified.
• Any questions? Please contact Ms. Wanta at wantalm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

General Reminders

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 14324525
• 7-12th grade yearbooks will cost $25 –  order online at ybpay.com code is 15393925

WEATHER CLOSING INFORMATION ❄️

Winter weather will be here before we know it! As winter conditions arrive, please be alert for school closings. The district has added a new webpage about winter weather and potential school closings, with information and tips for families and staff during weather events. Please become familiar with this page linked below mpsmke.com/weather. The decision to close school will be posted on the MPS website, MPS X and Facebook pages, and on all major television and news stations.

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

School Website

IB October Newsletter

Lunch Menu – K – 8 December

Lunch Menu – 9-12th December

MacDowell Spotlight

UPHAM WOODS – MIDDLE SCHOOL

Last month 52 MacDowell Middle Schoolers enjoyed 4 days at Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center in Baraboo, managed by the University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension. At camp the students learned outdoor survival techniques, practiced archery, investigated water quality by finding “wacky water critters” or macroinvertebrate indicator species. They also hiked and explored, removed invasive species like Buckthorn, canoe, and enjoyed evening hikes with bonfire and s’mores. Caves were found, survival fires were built, log sawing to simulate logging operations of the 1800s, and an evening screening of Cool Runnings. The days allowed for beautiful scenery and time with peers. The students came back tired and largely enriched.  https://fyi.extension.wisc.edu/uphamwoods/

Community Resources and Events

FIRST STAGE – RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER

See Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at First Stage this holiday season!  Now until December 29th.

Watch MacDowell’s own 6th grader Penny Whitmore in the Silver Cast production as Hermey the elf. 

Pay What You Can night on December 6 at 7pm. 

Purchase tickets for all other performances at: http://www.firststage.org/Production-Details/Rudolph-The-Red-Nosed-Reindeer. 

Use code 82412 for 15% off! 

MPL WINTER FEST

Milwaukee Public Libraries would like to invite you to the free family and neighborhood Winterfest at the Washington Park Branch Library on December 14, 10 am-3 pm.

• All Day Activities
• Cozy Drinks
• Library Card Check-ups
• Prize Giveaways

More information and a schedule of events can be found at https://mpl.org/special_events_and_programs/winter-fest/

~A combined community event brought to you by the East, Center Street, Martin Luther King, and Washington Park Branches.

WINTER WONDER WOODS

Celebrate winter in style with Milwaukee Recreation’s Winter Wonder Woods! Join us to experience seasonal serenity in the city while creating lasting memories and new traditions.

See Hawthorn Glen in a new light as you stroll through our trails that are twinkling with holiday cheer. Tens of thousands of lights will illuminate the beauty of the Glen, winding you through the woods and past displays. Winter Wonder Woods will feature a selfie station, hiking Santa, educational facts along the trail, and more!

• Where: Hawthorn Glen
• Dates: Dec.6, 7, 13, & 14
• Times: 5-8 p.m. (specific time slots will be available when registration opens)
• Cost: $4 per person (free for children that are 2 years old or younger)
• Register Here

Note: Please arrive at your scheduled time. Parking is extremely limited in both the Hawthorn Glen parking lot and on the street on the adjacent Martin Dr.

Street parking is not permitted on 60th St. Carpooling and ride-sharing is greatly appreciated!

On the day of each event day, online registration closes at noon for that night’s sessions. Online registration will remain open for sessions on the remaining dates.

On-site registration is available, as long as space remains in those sessions.

Concessions are cash only.

This is a non-refundable event.

URBAN ECOLOGY CENTER – School’s Out Adventure Days

Outdoor exploration, nature play, hiking, climbing, creating, and skill building for ages 7 to 12 years while school’s out during the year! Kindergarten : kids will have an active day outdoors hiking, climbing trees, bird watching, bug catching and playing in the park. They’ll explore and question through outdoor play, games, imaginary play and more.

The seats are limited and given on a first-come first-serve basis. Register K4/K5 HERE. Register 1st-4th graders HERE.

Remaining 2024 Dates:

• Monday Dec 23rd  @ Riverside Park UEC
• Winter Break- Dec 26th-27th, 30th @ Riverside Park UEC

• Spring Break- March 24th-28th 2025 @ Washington Park UEC        

BREAKING NEWS – MILWAUKEE ART MUSEUM

“Milwaukee Art Museum will be free for kids 12 and younger ‘in perpetuity,’ thanks to donor”

Read the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article HERE