Upcoming Events / Meetings

VALENTINE COFFEE SALE – FUNDRAISER

January 30th – February 14th

Order forms sent home in red folders – extras in main office

DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING

TONIGHT- CANCELLED, because of conflicting event:

Superintendent Finalist Q&A Community Forum

DAC RESCHEDULED: Thursday, February 13th

6:00 – 7:00 pm

Virtual Link

A MORNING OF MONTESSORI – DISTRICT EVENT

Saturday, February 8th

9:00am – 12:00pm

MacDowell Montessori

More about the event: FLYER

DEER DISTRICT PREP SHOWCASE – JUNEAU BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

Fiserv Forum

Saturday, February 8th

2:00 PM

MacDowell vs Racine Park

To order tickets click HERE

WASHINGTON DC TRIP – HIGH SCHOOL

February 10th – 14th

NO SCHOOL

Monday & Tuesday, February 17th – 18th

SEC MEETING- School Engagement Council

Wednesday, February 19th

5:00 – 5:30 pm

Sign off on the Budget

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE SEC MEETINGS – every month, this is your opportunity to contribute to the school and have a voice

PTO MEETING

Wednesday, February 19th

5:30- 6:30pm

BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

Wednesday, February 26th

6:00 – 7:30 pm

PARENT EDUCATION SESSION – FOCUS ON LITERACY

Friday February 28th

7:45-9:45 am

Thursday March 6th

5:30-7:30 pm 

More details below

Check the MacDowell webpage calendar for future events.https://mps.school/macdowell/calendar/

A MORNING OF MONTESSORI – DISTRICT EVENT   *MacDowell Hosts

Milwaukee Public Schools invites families and educators to A Morning of Montessori! See classrooms in action and experience the philosophy of teaching and learning through the Montessori method in K3 to grade 12. This event is designed for new families as well as current families who want to know more about how their children progress through grade levels.

 In a Montessori setting, children learn through hands-on experiences and exploration. MPS has eight Montessori schools—one of the largest clusters in the nation—and the only K–12 public Montessori school in the country (MacDowell)! The district is also home to Riley Dual Language Montessori School, the only bilingual (English/Spanish) Montessori school in Wisconsin.

Learn more about enrolling your child or joining our team! Families can enroll on site for Fall 2025.

A Morning of Montessori Flyer

Saturday, February 8, 2025, 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Edward A. MacDowell Montessori School

6415 W. Mt. Vernon Ave., Milwaukee, 53213

Free childcare for school-age children will be available while families explore the event.

Save The Date

~SPRING CONFERENCES~

March 17th and 19th

3:45 – 7:30pm

Watch for communication and signups later this month.

 

February is Black History Month! The origin of African American history month can be attributed to a week-long celebration created in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who hoped to raise awareness of the history and contributions of African Americans to civilization. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. However, over the past ninety-five years, America has come to realize that Black history is American history.

Milwaukee Public Library Black History Month Resources

The Milwaukee Public Library has resources and ideas for books, e-books, audiobooks, e-audiobooks on Black history, stories, life and culture for every age group as well as fun activities and events.

Black History Month · MPL

MPS Black Lives Matter Week of Action is February 3-7 

Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action is February 3-7, and schools and communities nationwide are planning lessons, activities, and events focused on the 2025 theme, “Collective Value.” Five days of action and education will span 13 guiding principles. Increasing the ranks of Black and Brown educators in K-12, teaching Black history and ethnic studies, and welcoming students and educators of all identities and abilities are among the 2025 priorities.  

Find a listing of events and further details here!

Kindergarten Enrollment for the 2025-2026 School Year: February 1 to March 17, 2025

• 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. 
• The application will be available online through the MPS website.
• 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. Please also remind them of our A Morning of Montessori Open House on February 8th at MacDowell! 

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

If you have enrollment questions, please contact Parent Coordinator Ms. Jaeger mossergj@milwaukee.k12.wi.us 

Elementary Enrichment

UPPER ELEMENTARY NATURE’S CLASSROOM TRIP – eligible 4th – 6th graders

The dates of this trip are Monday, March 3 – Friday, March 7, 2025.

If your child will attend Nature’s Classroom, please complete both the NCI online registration and the MPS Field Trip Form as soon as possible. Please return the MPS Field Trip Form to your child’s teacher.

PLEASE NOTE: We require a copy of medical insurance cards – you can send a photo of the front and back via email to your child’s teacher, or attach a copy with the paperwork.

NATURE’S CLASSROOM DEADLINES:

• Both registrations (NCI online and MPS Field Trip forms) should be completed ASAP but no later than Friday, February 14th. 
• Copy of Insurance card must be included with registration.
• We will accept payment (cash or check made out to MacDowell Montessori, to the main office) no later than Friday, February 21st.

FORMS/INFORMATION:

Cover Letter

General Information – please read

NCI Registration – online

MPS Registration / Field Trip Form 

Packing Information

UPPER ELEMENTARY FOODRIGHT – YOUNG CHEFS ACADEMY

MacDowell Upper Elementary will start their session with FoodRight’s Young Chefs Academy starting the week of February 10th. Parents / Guardians – please fill out the student consent form here : https://tinyurl.com/2tvy2kct

LOWER ELEMENTARY FOODRIGHT GROWING CHEFS – SPRING SESSIONS

MacDowell’s 1st-3rd classrooms will begin their spring sessions of Food Right at the end of February. We will have a variety of volunteer needs based on the lesson. Watch for specific dates and communication recruiting volunteers next week. Two of the lessons require gallon milk jugs. A concrete plan for collection has not been outlined yet. If any parent, or team of parents, would like to work together collecting and sanitizing milk jugs to help the classrooms, let us know. Ms. Heidi brazzahb@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or Ms.Jaeger mossergj@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

Middle and High School Updates

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – Milwaukee County Lifeguard

Milwaukee County Aquatics is recruiting swimmers to be lifeguards for the summer!! Become a County Lifeguard. Starting pay is $17.47 an hour. There are two training sessions left, one at the end of February and one at the end of March. Applicants have to be 16 by July 1st. 

MacDowell families- without lifeguards Milwaukee County Pools cannot open. Please help spread the word.

Visit their website for more information – https://mkecoparks.helpscoutdocs.com/article/231-how-do-i-become-a-lifeguard

~Mr. Roman, a MacDowell Upper Elementary educator, is more than happy to share insight from his relationship and experience with Milwaukee County lifeguarding. 

HIGH SCHOOL TAB WARS CONTINUES

NOW until February 28th

**Send your Kindergartener, your 3rd graders, your 8th graders with pop tabs…All grade levels and families can participate – place tabs in the grade’s bottle you’d like to support**

9-12th graders compete to win a pizza party and drinks while helping support the Ronald McDonald House.

Sports and Activities Update

HIGH SCHOOL SPRING SPORTS – https://mpsathletics-ar.rschooltoday.com/home

Registration is open NOW

DEER DISTRICT PREP SHOWCASE – JUNEAU BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM – Fiserv Forum

This Saturday – February 8th

2:00 PM

MacDowell vs Racine Park

To order tickets click HERE

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS

Please return any uniforms from last season and last school year.

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 

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

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 
• 🏀6-7 BOYS Basketball: https://www.remind.com/join/74af88a 
• 🏀6-8 BOYS Basketball: https://www.remind.com/join/ce2kk4

 Club Remind Links 

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

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

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

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

Notes From Your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Next Meeting – February 19th 5:30pm 

(after the SEC meeting led by Principal Corona)

January PTO meeting minutes : HERE

Valentine Coffee Fundraiser going on until February 14th

Order forms sent home in red folders, extra forms available in the main office.

Restaurant Fundraisers

Saz’s State House – March 12th

Artisan Ramen – April 8th    

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, JR – MUSICAL PRODUCTION

Concert Dates: March 12 and 14, 2025  – 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

❄️Montessori at Home – Winter ❄️

Watch for highlights each week to help incorporate the Montessori methods and early childhood activities at home to prepare our children for their great work.

What is the Stamp Game?

The Montessori Stamp Game is a hands-on, concrete material designed to help children understand and practice mathematical operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division). It bridges the gap between the Montessori Golden Beads and abstraction.

Stamp Game is presented to Primary children as early as age 4 and is used throughout Lower Elementary (ages 6-9). Ask your student about the Stamp Game today!

In Case You Missed It

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 has arrived! As winter conditions continue, 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: 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.

!! OPT-IN TO TEXT MESSAGING ! To receive a newsletter link 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.

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 

Please take the time to fill out the MacDowell School Engagement Survey– takes less than 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 The Learning Team know your family needs. 

After submissions have been received we will share results and allow feedback at a spring School Engagement Council meeting. Please respond by February 28th. 

https://forms.gle/jG1vj7Uodt39f94s8

QUICK LINKS:

MPS School Calendar

School Website

Lunch Menu – K – 8 February

Lunch Menu – 9-12th February

MacDowell  Spotlight

ELEMENTARY FANCY DANCE

What an amazing night for our elementary students! Over 380 parents and students attended MacDowell’s Fancy Dance on Friday evening. The atmosphere was lively and fun. Thank you to all the parents and adults that brought their children to this favorite event. Fancy dress or not – the consensus was that a good time was had by all. Thank you to Ms. Heather and Ms. Heidi for executing another successful dance. 

MACDOWELL RECEIVES MUSIC GRANT

MacDowell’s music department has received approximately $5,000 for new laptops to use with music technology and run Ableton music-making software. Congratulations Mr. Ash!

Since its inception in 2018, the Let the Music Play Grant program has supported 40 organizations and hundreds of music students annually. Now entering its seventh year, Summerfest and American Family Insurance continues that support through the current 2024-2025 grant cycle. 

The Let The Music Play grant program is open to non-profit organizations and schools that serve Milwaukee County through music-based programming. The program is intended to represent the variety of music-based activities taking place in the greater Milwaukee community and is open to programs ranging from bands, orchestras and jazz ensembles to musical theater and dance. In the initial years of the grant program, each recipient organization received a standard amount of $2,500. Moving forward, the amounts granted to each recipient will vary based on the needs and budgets detailed by applicants; actual awards may exceed the previous $2,500 limit. Grants may also be awarded in amounts which fulfil a portion of your request.

“These incredible organizations are champions of music education in Milwaukee, and we can’t wait to see them continue to inspire students and grow their missions.”

Community Resources and Events

MPS MUSIC LESSONS

MPS will offer a variety of lessons for students who want to learn piano, guitar, drums, and more! Classes will run Jan. 25 to May 3, 2025, and are taught at Hamilton High School, Marshall High School, and MacDowell Montessori School.

Download a flyer to learn more.

Registration is still open!

9th ANNUAL CELEBRATING ABILITIES 2025

Milwaukee Public Schools will host a family forum focusing on the needs of special education students and their families on March 8th. The event will help families learn more about special education services, programs and summer opportunities. Please join us at Marshall High School, 4141 N. 64th Street, Milwaukee. It is from 8:30 to 1:30 pm with refreshments and food.

Register at https://mpsmke.com/mpsca2025

Flyer (English)

Milwaukee Rec Dept – Daddy/Daughter Dance

Save the Date! The 2025 Daddy/Daughter Dance is right around the corner!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 22 as we celebrate fathers, daughters, and father-figures in this classic Milwaukee event.

Event Information

• Date: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025
• Where: Baird Center (400 W. Wisconsin Ave) NEW LOCATION
• When: 5-8 p.m.
• Dinner & Dance Option: $30 per adult, $10 first child, $5 each additional child
• Dance-Only Option: $20 per adult, $5 each child (limit three children per adult)
• Register online here!

Adult registration includes a complimentary photo.

Doors open at 5 p.m. for pre-registered dinner & dance guests only. Dinner will be served from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. for dance guests only.

MPS EXTENDED LEARNING ADVENTURES

Families are able to check the Extended Learning Adventures page on the MPS website for upcoming non-school day activities at https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Programs/Extended-Learning-Opportunities/Enrichment-Camps.htm

To register for any Adventures please use the link below: Registration link- https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1035b5a8b85a4434bde28bb302b314e2  

• February 17 from 9:00-3:00PM– WI Humane Society  
• March 24-28 from 9:00-3:00PM– Urban Ecology Center
• Milwaukee Repertory Theater (Spring Dates Coming Soon) – 5-week session on Saturdays