Upcoming Events / Meetings

TONIGHT AND FRIDAY

Cash or Check

SPRING MUSICAL RESCHEDULED!!

ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, JR

Thursday & Friday, May 1st and 2nd

6:00 – 7:00 pm 

MILWAUKEE IMPROV – 

MACDOWELL PTO NIGHT

Friday, May 2nd

7:00 pm

Code MACDOWELL more info below

SPRING OPEN HOUSE / SOCIAL

Thursday, May 8th

Classrooms open 5:30-7:00 pm

Social in Cafe 6:30-7:30

RSVP below

SEC/PTO MEETING

Wednesday, May 21st

5:00 / 5:30 pm 

MEDIA LITERACY WORKSHOP – K-3rd Grade

Thursday, May 22nd

6:00-7:00 pm 

more information and RSVP – FLYER

MIDDLE / HIGH SCHOOL SPRING CONCERT 

Thursday, May 22nd

6:00 – 7:30 pm

NO SCHOOL

Monday, May 26th

Memorial Day

ELEMENTARY SPRING CONCERT

Thursday, May 29th

6:00 – 7:30 pm

MS/HS COMMUNITY DAY

Friday, May 30th

HIGH SCHOOL PROM

Saturday, May 31st

Hotel Metro

END OF YEAR CELEBRATION

Thursday, June 5th

The OPEN HOUSE is an opportunity for families to get a glimpse into the classrooms and for children to guide their family through a few special lessons. Students will be encouraged to present work(s) to their family. It could be something that they recently completed and are proud of, or it could be their favorite material. 

Our 7th-12th grade students will be showcasing their MYP Design projects, IB Design projects, Theory of Knowledge projects and cross curricular projects. Classrooms will be available for families transitioning into 7th grade and a Media Literacy Presentation for grades 4th -8th. Please join us!

Please RSVP HERE: https://tinyurl.com/5n9367wv

After visiting the classrooms, join our community in the cafeteria after 6:30pm for a treat and engagement. MacDowell’s PTO will supply the frozen dessert.

LOST AND FOUND

Families- please check the Lost and Found outside the main office as you attend Open House next week. Many hats, gloves and sweatshirts have begun to accumulate. Help us clear out your items before it is all donated. 

JOIN A MACDOWELL SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT COUNCIL MEETING!

All are welcome to attend. 

Principal Corona discusses school climate, attendance, budget, projects and staffing.

This is your opportunity to have time with administrators, be informed, and have a voice.

Next meeting discussion: Spring Testing and Results

May 21st 5:00pm Room 103

Notes From Your Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

‼️Teacher Appreciation is NEXT WEEK– Please consider showing your appreciation for all the hard work MacDowell’s staff does by contributing a side to the PTO purchased sandwiches on May 8th. Sign up for Teacher Appreciation HERE Drop off Monday May 5th or Tuesday May 6th. 

‼️If shopping is hard for you, a community parent (and educator) has shared a message to the MacDowell PTO Facebook page, collecting for May 6th brunch items :

Hello everyone! Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week. For the past two years I have collected donations from MacDowell families to purchase donuts and coffee from Cranky Al’s for the MacDowell staff. I will be doing it again this year. If you would like to donate to help make sure there is plenty for everyone, you can Venmo me at @Carolyn-Kaems. You can also put cash or a check (made out to Carolyn Kaems) in an envelope and send it to Ms. Heidi’s class. She will make sure it gets sent home with my daughter. I will collect donations through Saturday, when I will then place the order for early next week.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this successful in the past and to all who donate this year. Any amount is appreciated! Let’s show the amazing staff at MacDowell that we appreciate all they do!

JOIN MACDOWELL’S PTO FACEBOOK PAGE HERE : PTO Facebook Page

Next Meeting – May 21st 5:30pm 

(after the SEC meeting led by Principal Corona)

April PTO meeting minutes : HERE

SAVE THE DATE FOR AN ADULT NIGHT OUT:

TOMORROW – Friday May 2nd

Enjoy comedy by Steph Tolev at Milwaukee Improv. 

Use coupon code MACDOWELL and the school will receive 50% back from ticket sales. bit.ly/MacDowellPTO 

⭐⭐available now⭐⭐New MacDowell Logo Decals

$5 a piece (cash or check)

approx 4” wide wreath in cardinal red

Available at Open House and End of Year Potluck 

– bring your cash

~ request forms coming soon ~

STUDENT ENROLLMENT FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR 2025-26

As we look toward the next school year, for our planning purposes it is important for us to know whether your student(s) will continue at MacDowell next year.  Please take a moment to complete our short Enrollment Form at your earliest convenience so that we can plan efficiently.  If you have multiple MacDowell students, please complete the form for all your children. Thank you in advance.  

Complete the form here: https://tinyurl.com/yvxpbf4y

A number of MacDowell parents have organized a Chalk the Walk:  If you are free this Sunday, May the Fourth.

Library News

Looking ahead to the end of the school year and library circulation- See dates below:

Middle and High School Updates

COMMUNITY DAY for Middle and High School students – May 30th

What is Community Day? It is a special day for every 7th-12th grade student to engage in projects that provide service to our community – projects which are in alignment with our Service and Action goals of our Middle Years Program and our Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) goals of our Diploma Program. During this year’s Community Day students will be taking part in a number of different activities such as blanket making for the Humane Society, cleanup at local parks and on our school grounds, making sandwiches, and sorting items for homeless shelters. Selection will be the week of May 19th. 

**Watch for communication on activities that are off-site which require a permission slip and may require a bagged lunch or money to purchase lunch.  Some organizations may require a waiver for student participation. 

ATTENTION JUNIORS: Class of 2026

Applying to a two-year or four-year college can seem complicated. But MPS, UWM and MATC have partnered to make the application and admission process simple and stress-free. Now you can apply to Milwaukee’s two largest colleges and 10 Universities of Wisconsin campuses in less than five minutes—no transcripts needed!

The Milwaukee Direct Admit and Direct Admit Wisconsin programs let all MPS high school juniors apply – for free – with just one five-minute form. The only information needed is the student’s name, their student ID and where they want to apply. After completing the form, students will hear from colleges in about a month regarding next steps and hear of acceptance in September 2025.

A parent/guardian will need to also assist with completing this form, the link to apply is here: https://mpsresearch.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_et7ARDn0H3lolhk 

For More information: https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/en/Programs/Postsecondary-Engagement/M3/Milwaukee-Direct-Admit.htm

Reach out to College and Career Advisor Ms. Beazley with questions, beazleka@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Junior / Senior Prom

Sports and Activities Update

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS

Save the Date

High School Sports Banquet – June 11

Invitation only, invite coming soon

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

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

ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS

4-5 Soccer

Starting on 4/30/25 4-5 Soccer practice will be ending at 4 PM. 

Uniform Return Time

All winter sports have ended. Please return uniforms to Ms. Wanta ASAP.

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 Soccer: https://www.remind.com/join/b9ad44e 

⚽6-8 Soccer: https://www.remind.com/join/96bk2g 

🎾5-8 Tennis: https://www.remind.com/join/e82h99 

👟5-8 Track & Field: https://www.remind.com/join/eehh64 

MPS RUN/WALK BACK TO SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

(You don’t have to Run to join our team!)

Celebrate the start of the 2025-26 school year with MPS and Milwaukee Recreation at the 18th annual MPS Run Back to School! This is an annual tradition for MacDowell families and a wonderful way to get together and enjoy a beautiful walk/run through the Washington Park neighborhood.

DETAILS:

• 5K run/1.5-mile walk through Washington Park
• Date: Saturday, Aug. 23
• Start Time: 9 a.m. (please arrive no later than 8:40 a.m.)
• Start & Finish Line: MPS Central Services Building, 5225 W. Vliet St.
• Cost: $5 for youth / $15 for adults (adult fee increases to $20 after July 31)
• Fee includes an event t-shirt and race bag

In addition, we will be eligible for a $500 grant to go towards a recreation and/or wellness need at MacDowell! If we have the most registered participants, we are eligible for a $1,000 grant towards recreation/ wellness programs. Let’s do this, MacDowell!

TO REGISTER FOR THE RUN/WALK BACK TO SCHOOL

• Register online by visiting mkerec.net/RBTS 

When asked the question, “If participating with a school group, please list the school”, enter MacDowell Montessori. 

INFO: Milwaukee Recreation: Run Back to School

QUESTIONS? Contact our RBTS School Captain Angela Pryor angelamariepryor@gmail.com

DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL (DAC) – Meeting Via Zoom

The District Advisory Council meeting takes place TONIGHT Thursday, May 1st, at 6:00 p.m., via Zoom. 

More information is available on the MPS DAC webpage. 

~This is the last DAC meeting of the school year! The MPS Superintendent, Dr. Brenda Cassellius, will share the vision of the Office of Family and Community Engagement and Partnerships.

Join Zoom Meeting Link:

https://milwaukeemps.zoom.us/j/87538897498?pwd=Hm0DClZf2IuZBvWO3aXeCFF7UwoF12.1          

🌷Montessori at Home- Spring🌷

Montessori at Home: Exploring the Outdoors

Spring is the perfect time to take learning outside! Nature walks offer endless opportunities for Montessori-style exploration, building not only a child’s sense of wonder but also important practical life and language skills. As you stroll together, encourage your child to notice and interact with the world around them: picking up a leaf, balancing on a log, or pouring water into a small flower pot are all natural ways to practice coordination, independence, and care for the environment.

Nature walks also open the door to language acquisition in a real-world context. Point out familiar signs—like STOP, PARK, or ENTRANCE– and invite your child to sound out the letters with you. Naming restaurants and local shops they recognize (“There’s the bakery!”) builds confidence and strengthens early reading skills, all while deepening their connection to their community.

Simple, everyday moments outdoors can become rich learning experiences when we slow down, follow the child’s interests, and enjoy the world through their eyes.

In Case You Missed It

2024-2025 YEARBOOKS HAVE ARRIVED!

All pre-orders were delivered to students. 

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

• Elementary Yearbooks – $15
• Middle School / High School Yearbooks – $25

SUMMER ACADEMY

Enrollment for MPS Summer Academy has begun. Register by May 26th. MacDowell will be the site for K5-8th grade Montessori Academy. More information and registration can be found at mpsmke.com/summeracademy.

!! 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.

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        

More Summer Opportunities

Golf:

https://firstteesoutheastwisconsin.org/

Music:

https://www.wcmusic.org/summer-camps/#music-exploration

JUNIOR LIFEGUARDS

Dive into the ultimate summer adventure with the Milwaukee County Junior Lifeguard Program! Perfect for young water lovers ages 12–15, this exciting program gives you the chance to discover what it takes to become a lifeguard while having fun in the sun. Whether you have your sights set on becoming a lifeguard or just love spending time in the water, this program is your ticket to an unforgettable summer!

Each day is packed with action and excitement

• Play water games and tackle obstacle courses to build strength and coordination
• Explore the lifeguard role by shadowing pros and watching live lifeguard demonstrations
• Boost your fitness with a mix of running, dry land training, and swimming drills
• Master first aid and water safety skills to help others in need
• Build teamwork and leadership skills through group challenges, activities, and competitions
• Swim and splash your way to becoming a more skilled and confident swimmer

More information and Register here: https://county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/What-We-Do/Lifeguards

Spots are limited so don’t wait to sign up!

QUICK LINKS:

MPS School Calendar

2025-2026 MPS School Calendar

School Website

Staff Emails

IB Newsletter – March

Lunch Menu – May

MacDowell Spotlight

BLACK ARTS MKE

Last month MacDowell’s second round of Black Arts MKE for this school year finished their sessions with a colorful and electrifying performance. 

MACDOWELL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

During 11th grader Annabelle Sullivan’s work internship course period she spends her hour at Village of Manor Park . Normally her duties at Village of Manor Park do not involve “mascoting,” but for a special Easter event, she donned the Parky mascot attire and helped to spread joy to residents and staff of the facility. After her shift, she resumed her normal routine of spreading joy to students and staff at MacDowell.

More students in MacDowell’s internship program on the jobsite. Zor-El Fojut and Ian Kuenning.

MAD HOT RHYTHM DANCE COMPETITION

Congratulations to our Mad Hot Rhythm Dancers, who put on an amazing show at the UWM Panther Arena last week! This incredible annual celebration shows off the hard work of  4th – 6th grade students from 32 classrooms from Milwaukee area schools, as they compete in three dance styles: Hip Hop, Jazz and Salsa. 

• Our Salsa Group placed 1st overall (red and black)
• Our Jazz Group placed 2nd overall (green outfits)
• Our Hip Hop Group made it to the semi-finals (red with hearts t shirts)

Congratulations to all of our dancers! We are so proud of their hard work, poise, and dedication. Also, Thank You to all those who were able to attend, cheer them on, and support their hard work! Danceworks teaching artists provide two weekly one-hour dance classes for 18 weeks for 36 total hours of dance instruction. Special thank you to Ms. Kiki for coordinating and overseeing this exciting program. The smiles say it all. 

District Programs / Events

DADS ON DUTY:: A forum for all men who want to make an impact in a child’s life.

Saturday, May 3, 2025; 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Hosted at ThriveOn on King: 2153 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53212

Join us for an inspiring and transformative forum! This forum is dedicated to equipping fathers with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to create positive learning environments and strengthen their impact in schools and communities for students of all abilities. Our sessions will focus on meaningful information and resources about education, especially for fathers of special needs students.

Whether you’re a father, father figure, mentor, or community leader, this forum will provide valuable insights, tools, and connections to help you make a lasting difference. Together, we can empower fathers to shape brighter futures!

-Breakfast and lunch are included

-Register: mpsmke.com/dadsonduty

DISTRICT ADVISORY COUNCIL (DAC) – Meeting Via Zoom

The District Advisory Council meeting takes place on Thursday, May 1st, at 6:00 p.m., via Zoom. 

All DAC meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month. 

More information is available on the MPS DAC webpage. 

Contact Regina Stieber, family and community engagement associate, with any questions at stieberd@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Join Zoom Meeting Link:https://milwaukeemps.zoom.us/j/87538897498?pwd=Hm0DClZf2IuZBvWO3aXeCFF7UwoF12.1