Upcoming Events / Meetings

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM – Motown !

TONIGHT Thursday, February 26th

6:00 – 7:30 pm

VALENTINE COFFEE FUNDRAISER PICKUP

Tuesday March 3rd

3:00 – 4:30 pm

Main lobby – school store

EARLY RELEASE DAY

Wednesday, March 4th

ACT TESTING – 11TH GRADERS

Wednesday, March 11th

No student attendance for grades 9, 10 & 12

PTO FUNDRAISER – SAZ’S STATE HOUSE

Wednesday, March 11th

11:00am – 8:30pm

*Mention MacDowell – Reservations encouraged

FLYER

SPRING CONFERENCES 

Monday, March 16th & Wednesday March 18th

3:45-7:30pm

BOOKFAIR

Monday, March 16th & Wednesday March 18th

3:30-7:30pm

NO SCHOOL

Friday, March 20th

UPPER ELEMENTARY – NATURE’S CLASSROOM

March 23rd – 27th

CABARET NIGHT – MIDDLE / HIGH SCHOOL

Thursday, March 26th

6:00pm

NO SCHOOL March 30th – April 3rd

Spring Break

Tickets are on sale now in the office for the MacDowell Theater Club’s production of A Deadly Medley! All tickets are $5 for general admission seating.  

Come see the show on March 11th and 12th at 6pm. Doors open 20 minutes in advance. Come early to enjoy our concessions and check out our merchandise.

Ages 8 and up. A Deadly Medley features four Shakespearean tragedies and these plays include both murder and suicide. While theater is an excellent opportunity to explore challenging topics in a safe way, viewer discretion is advised.

Before or After the Show:

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

https://tinyurl.com/39j3b4rt

📘 We will have a BOOKFAIR the week of March 16th, more information to come. 📙

🍪Watch for the Girl Scouts selling cookies. 🍪

NEXT WEEK! MARCH EARLY RELEASE DAY

Reminder – March 4th is the second early release day for all students. Teachers will continue professional development in the literacy curriculum. 

Dismissal will occur at different times depending on grade level:

• K3 and K4 students will be dismissed at 10:00 AM
• Extended day K4 & K5 through 6th grade students will be dismissed at 1:00 PM
• 7 through 12 grade students will be dismissed at 1:25 PM

All regular school transportation will be provided and will operate on this adjusted early schedule.

!! Please make the necessary arrangements to receive your student at their earlier dismissal time !!

Camp MacDowell will begin at these early dismissal times for families already enrolled in Camp. Please notify Camp Director Ms. Jones if your child will be staying at camp that day. Thank you!

General Reminders

MIDYEAR CENSUS- Please Return

Midyear Census Verification a.k.a Emergency Contact Information (NEW) – The district requires that all schools conduct a mid-year census verification. Census verification forms for each K-6 student will be sent home in Thursday red folders this week. 7-12th graders will receive copies from their math instructor Thursday or Friday. Please ask your student for the census form. Please return the signed Census Verification form to the school no later than Friday, March 6, 2026.

MORNING HUG AND GO FLOW REMINDERS 

***Encourage students to exit vehicles (if they are able) even if a staff member is not opening the car door. Our goal is to get the line cleared BEFORE door closure at 8:20am.

KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT for the 2026-2027 School Year: ENDS March 2, 2026

• 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. MPS Kindergarten Enrollment Page; MPS: Kindergarten Enrollment – Schools

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

The dates of this trip are Monday, March 23 – Friday, March 27, 2026.

PAPERWORK DUE TOMORROW!!! 3:00pm

NATURE’S CLASSROOM DEADLINES:

• Both registrations (NCI online and MPS Field Trip forms) should be completed ASAP but no later than Friday, February 27th 3:00pm. Late registrations will not be accepted. 
• 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, March 6th

Middle and High School Families 

GSA COMMUNITY SPEAKER WORKSHOP

MacDowell has both a high school and middle school GSA (Gender-Sexuality Alliance) that has been meeting the second and fourth Fridays of each month this school year.  Our GSA gets together to build community, promote positivity, and learn!  On March 27th the GSA will be hosting community speakers from Planned Parenthood to discuss healthy relationships and communication with our members. This workshop topic was voted on by the students during a previous GSA meeting.  Please reach out to our GSA facilitator, Carlie Hubbard (hubbc2@milwaukee.k12.wi.us), if you have any questions.

ACT INFORMATION

2026 ACT District Testing Day March 11

MPS high schools will administer the state-required ACT to grade 11 students on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. On this date, only juniors will be in attendance. Freshmen, sophomores, and seniors will not report to school on this date. Multi-grade schools (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.

2026 PreACT District Testing Day April 9

District PreACT day will be an all-school attendance day. Students should arrive at school at their regular start time to allow testing to be completed in a timely manner.

Sports and Activities Update

Calling builders and painters! The Shakespeare cast is looking for help to create a set for the MacDowell theater club. 

Proposed work dates:

• Friday February 27 from 5:00-8:00pm

Please click the link to fill out the interest form and Ms. Emily will be in touch! https://forms.gle/hJFk3FqLihUv7VBG8

Save the dates!!!

6th-8th Boys basketball: March of Champions March 13-15

6th-8th Volleyball: Middle school City-Wide Volleyball Tournament March 5, 6, & 8 

Winter Sports: 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 

Youth 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 Boys Basketball: https://www.remind.com/join/ce2kk4 
• 🏐6-8 Girls Volleyball: https://www.remind.com/join/cghdh6 
• 🏐6-8 Coed Volleyball: https://www.remind.com/join/7fdfcgg 
• 📣6-8 Cheerleading: https://www.remind.com/join/29f846 

Elementary Chess Clubs Remind Links

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

Tabletop Adventure Gaming Announcement: Last day is March 2, 2026

Youth Spring Sports

Interest Form closes March 6th 10AM !

https://forms.gle/EsyNtTtNmFsW8aaDA

BALLET CLUB– K5 to 6th Grade Interest Form 

Did you enjoy watching or performing in the Nutcracker ballet? Do you want to gain more strength, balance, or coordination? Join Ballet Club to learn about ballet technique and have an end of the year performance opportunity.

• Participation will be determined by lottery. ALL Students interested in participating should have this form filled out by 10 AM Wednesday March 4, 2026 
• There will be a $15 fee for participation.
• Students selected in the lottery will be given a form to complete and returned with the fee. 
• K-1 Grade on TUESDAYS 3:00-4:30 
  • Dates: 3/24, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 6/2, 6/3, 6/4
• 2-4 Grade on THURSDAYS 3:00-4:30
  • Dates: 3/26, 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14, 5/21, 6/2, 6/3, 6/4
• 5-6 Grade on FRIDAYS 3:00-4:30
  • Dates: 3/27, 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5 /8, 5/15, 5/22, 6/2, 6/3, 6/4
• 6/2 dress rehearsal
• Performance 6/3, call time 5:00pm show at 6:00pm
• 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 Emily at bowlinea@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

https://forms.gle/AJ74WKvsdEA6zfSNA

BALLET CLUB– 7th-9th Grade Interest Form

Did you enjoy watching or performing in the Nutcracker ballet? Do you want to gain more strength, balance, or coordination? Join Ballet club to learn about ballet technique and have an end of the year performance opportunity.

• Participation will be determined by lottery. ALL Students interested in participating should have this form filled out by 10 AM Wednesday March 4, 2026 
• Students selected in the lottery will be given a form to complete and returned with the fee. 
• 7-9 Grade on WEDNESDAYS 3:00-4:30 
  • Dates: 3/25, 4/8, 4/22, 4/29, 5/6, 5/13, 5/20, 5/27 6/2, 6/3, 6/4
• Dress rehearsal 6/2 from 3:30-5:00
• Performance 6/3 call time 5:00pm show at 6:00pm
• 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. Emily at bowlinea@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

https://forms.gle/4PdEEM9AfLbMLLyL6 

High School Winter Sports

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

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

Registration: https://mpsathletics-ar.rschooltoday.com/home

 

Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

The next PTO meeting of the year is March 25 at 5:30pm. After the 5:00pm SEC Meeting

January PTO minutes : HERE 

SAVE THE DATE: Upcoming Restaurant Fundraisers

Saz’s State House – March 11 FLYER

JUST ADDED: Build a Breakfast, Build a Burger – April 18th

In Case You Missed It

LOST AND FOUND Please check the lost and found when you are in the building. Please label items! 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.

WEATHER CLOSING INFORMATION ❄️

Winter weather can still hit us ! 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.

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

!! 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 email is: mossergj@milwaukee.k12.wi.us ~ Ms. Gail Jaeger 

QUICK LINKS:

MPS School Calendar

School Website

Lunch Menu – K-8th February

High School February

K-8th March- not released as of print time

High School March

December / January  IB Newsletter

Staff Preferences 25-26

MacDowell  Spotlight

JUNEAU BASKETBALL IN THE NEWS

“Milwaukee Juneau off to historic start behind Gonzaga commit”

https://fox6now.com/video/fmc-dndooz15to5xqyvv

WASHINGTON DC TRIP

“48, 5 Chaperones,16 hours on a bus. Countless snacks, snores, and “Are we there yet?” moments later… we officially survived and thrived in Washington D.C. Our unforgettable trip took students from the classroom to the capital, where they mastered the metro subway, explored monuments and museums, toured government buildings, walked the grounds of Arlington Cemetery, and soaked in history at every turn. Despite the really early mornings and very late nights, our students showed up and showed out, staying punctual, respectful, curious, and thoughtfully reflective about the powerful history surrounding them.” – Mr. Greer

Community Resources and Opportunities  

From The WIAA – 

As part of our partnership with DICK’S Sporting Goods, we share this information with the membership for your benefit if you choose to take advantage of the opportunity.

DICK’S Sporting Goods is providing all athletes, coaches, and member schools of the WIAA with exclusive coupons. Get everything needed for the upcoming season and save money at DICK’S Sporting Goods.

 Click on the coupon link below.

 These coupons are for in-store purchases only and are valid 2/27-3/2/26.  If you can’t find an item in the store, ask a sales associate if it can be ordered, and still receive 20% off. The coupons can be printed off or displayed from any mobile device to be redeemed at the store. You can also access these coupons at any time by visiting the WIAA website and clicking into the DICK’S Sporting Goods web banners. WIAA Team Packet Coupons – CLICK HERE

The Summer 2026 High School Assistant Volunteer Program at the Milwaukee County Zoo are now open! 🐘

These engaging professional development volunteer opportunities are open to students ages 14–18 who are eager to gain hands-on experience, build leadership and communication skills, and make a meaningful impact in our mission to conserve wildlife and endangered species.

To accommodate a variety of interests and schedules, they offer two program types, the Zoo Camp HSA model and the Community Engagement HSA model, each with distinct responsibilities and time commitments.

Application link: Zoo Society – Volunteer opportunities   (Scroll down on page to view both HSA opportunities)

 

The Urban Ecology Center (UEC) is excited to share several opportunities for students and families to engage in outdoor learning and enrichment in early 2026.

1. Outdoor Explore Club (Spring Afterschool Program)  🔍🌳

The UEC is hosting Outdoor Explore Club at Washington Park this spring!  This spring we’ll investigate the Washington Park Lagoon, scooping for water creatures, practice catch and release fishing, catch insects, create nature inspired art and even conduct a few experiments.

  Registration is open now on our website.   Cost: $35 for a 6-week session

If cost is a barrier, families are encouraged to contact our Program Director to discuss alternative pricing options: Cassie Bauer email:  cbauer@urbanecologycenter.org phone: 414-626-8571

2. Adventure Days (Spring Break – Fully Scholarship-Based) 🐿️🌷

UEC is partnering with the MPS Extended Learning Opportunities (ELO) Office to offer Out of School Day Adventure Days for students in 1st–4th grade.

Dates: March 30 – April 3, 2026

Location: Washington Park Urban Ecology Center

Cost: Free for MPS students (registration required; space is limited)

Families can register through the MPS ELO website:

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019977b845d87cbbbc690067608aecb7

Or contact the ELO Office directly:

📞 (414) 475-8238

✉️ elo@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

MPS SUMMER ACADEMY

Registration Opens: February 16, 2026
Course Dates: July 6–30, 2026

8:00am – 12:00pm

A world of adventure starts here! Summer Academy is held at various locations throughout Milwaukee, offering specialty classes in all areas of interest. Course availability and dates, times, and locations are found in the enrollment guide. Breakfast and lunch are provided for all Summer Academy participants. MacDowell will be the location for the Montessori focused Summer Academy. K5-8th Grade.

Register Here: https://www.milwaukeepublicschools.org/academics/summer-academy

View the Flyer HERE