MacDowell Montessori Newsletter Vol. 9

2023-2024 School Year
October 12, 2023

Upcoming School Events / Meetings

PICTURE DAY
Monday, October 16th

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Tuesday, October 17th

BOOK FAIR
October 17th 3:00 -7:30
October 18th 3:00 – 4:45 pm

CLUBS CHOICE FUNDRAISER PICK UP
October 18th
3:30-4:30
~West side of green space west of school

ANNUAL TITLE I MEETING
Wednesday, October 18th
5:00 PM
Room 103
Come early and shop our Book Fair. Everyone is welcome!

PTO MEETING
Tuesday, October 18th
5:30-6:30 PM
Room 103
Everyone is welcome!

FRIDAY 10/20 • NO SCHOOL Parent Teacher Conference Day
MONDAY 10/23 • NO SCHOOL October Break

---

Only a few more days left! ONLINE MacDowell Spirit Wear Sale Closes 10/15 @
11:59pm Sales Flyer
https://dunns-macdowell-spirit-23.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Juneau Athletics has an ongoing sale of a wide variety of items :
https://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/wisconsin/milwaukee/juneau-high-school

---

PICTURE DAY: NEXT WEEK- Monday, October 16
*Pictures of all students will be taken, whether or not picture packages are ordered. These photos
are used in our school yearbooks. If you chose to order using the paper order form, please send it
along with a check on picture day, October 16th.
Picture packages can be ordered in advance online at www.mylifetouch.com. Use the MacDowell
order ID: EVTPHNWN2 If you order online, there is no need to return the paper form.

---

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES:
● Tuesday, 10/17 3:45 – 7:30 PM
Links to Conferences Sign Ups can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/46x3r76b

---

BOOK FAIR @ MACDOWELL:
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! SIGN UP HERE Volunteers are essential in making our book fair a great
success! We need helpers to set up the fair on Tuesday morning, and also to work as sales
assistants and cashiers during the Book Fair. Please take a look at the shifts available and sign up if
you are able to do so. Your time and assistance are greatly appreciated!
WHEN: Tuesday, October 17, 3:30 – 7:30 PM
AND Wednesday, October 18, 3:30 – 4:45 PM
(please consider staying after the fair to join us for our annual Title I meeting at 5:00 and the PTO
meeting at 5:30; all are welcome!)

We are again partnering with an outstanding local business, Rainbow Booksellers, to bring a book fair
to MacDowell for our students and families. We will host the Book Fair on the second night of
conferences only this year, with after-school shopping also available the next day. All families are
welcome to visit the fair during any of the posted hours. Rainbow Booksellers brings a wonderful
selection of books for our fair and graciously donates a percentage of the sales to our school.

LIBRARY
CIRCULATION IS
OPENING!

Our 7-12 students have access to Mobile Libraries on Tuesdays and Thursdays during
Occupations and can access the full library during posted open circulation hours with a pass. The
mobile libraries are run by students and supported by Ms. Raasch and Ms. Lester’s Advisory.
Library Orientations for Elementary and Primary will take place over the next few weeks. Please
watch for the MacDowell Montessori School Library Access & Opportunity document to come
home in Thursday folders the week of your child’s orientation. The document outlines the
procedures and responsibilities of students and families in utilizing our school library. Always feel
free to contact our School Librarian, Ms. Raasch, via email, with any questions:
raaschTL@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

---

Thank you to all Families that contributed to our Staff Meal on Conference night. It was
a substantial spread and enjoyed by many! MacDowell’s community is the best 😀

---

Volunteers Needed

CONCESSIONS AT BASKETBALL GAMES:
High School Athletic Director Ms. Schenk is looking for volunteers to work the concession stand
at High School basketball games this winter season. There are multiple time slots for each game,
please consider helping once or on a regular basis. See the signup for a list of dates. Any help is
appreciated! Volunteers do not need to have a high school student or athlete. The season begins
November 28th.
See the sign up here : https://tinyurl.com/MacD23-24Concession

---

Sports and Activities Update

CREATE, MAKE & CODE CLUB
The lottery has been drawn and notification slips have been sent home with students if their
names have been selected. CHECK THOSE BACKPACKS!

ELEMENTARY TEAM MEMBERS : PLEASE JOIN REMIND
Parents please join Remind to receive updates about your students’ sports and clubs. Here are
the current team links.
⚽ 1st-3rd coed Soccer https://www.remind.com/join/ea9h7h
🏐 4th-5th coed Volleyball https://www.remind.com/join/kda9gkd
👟 5th-8th Cross Country https://www.remind.com/join/58cr
🏀 6-8 girls Basketball https://www.remind.com/join/23cd833
♟️ Beginner Chess Club https://www.remind.com/join/c68gd4
♟️ Experienced Chess Club https://www.remind.com/join/g7b2kf2

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS- Register NOW!
WINTER SPORTS registration is OPEN
See athletics flyer HERE for information on Winter Sports: Cheer, Basketball, Wrestling, Boys
Swim. Instructions for registration are located on the website HERE, or email Amanda Schenk,
Athletic Director, with additional questions at schenkao@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Winter sports spots will fill up quickly, so it is VERY IMPORTANT that registration is
completed PRIOR to the start of the season.

---

MacDowell Spotlight

STARBASE Wisconsin
MacDowell’s 5th and 6th graders had the amazing
opportunity to attend 5 sessions of STARBASE
Wisconsin, a Department of Defense Youth Program.
STARABASE Wisconsin inspires Milwaukee’s future
innovators through an engaging yet rigorous odyssey in
science, technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM). This interactive academic outreach program
helps youth increase their knowledge in STEM.

Some of the exciting activities include: Model Rocketry, Robotics, Building Molecular Models,
Electrical Circuits, Engineering Design, Computer Aided Design, and STEM Career Exploration.

 

WELLNESS DAY 2023 – Middle School and High School

As Part of our Montessori Philosophy we strive to provide each child with an opportunity to make a
deeper connection in our school day. Wellness Day is a day where students are allowed to leave the
classroom and enter the community to experience a connection that will help their academic, social,
mental and physical wellness. Students were given a wide array of choices this year: Apple Picking,
Basketball Tournament, Ice Skating, Bowling, Wauwatosa Village Walk, Milwaukee Zoo, Mario Kart
Tournament, Bike Ride, Quiet Reading Time, Day of Art and MORE.
Here are some highlights to this rejuvenating, fun day for our Adolescents.

---

Do you wish you could see pictures of your child highlighted in MacDowell’s
Newsletter? Be sure they have a current media release on file for the 2023-2024 school year.
Feel free to print and return filled out forms to school. There are so many great things happening
in our school we love to share with the community. Any questions, or if you need assistance,
contact Parent Coordinator Gail Jaeger. Media Release Form SY23-24

---

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 warmer weather attire. Please
label items!
LOST AND FOUND: Our lost and found table has begun to grow. Please check across from the
school office when you are in the building for Conferences. Families: light jackets and hoodies are
often a large part of our lost and found – labeling these items will help us return lost items to their
owners.

---

DO YOU KNOW ANYONE INTERESTED IN MONTESSORI TRAINING?
The district has 20 sponsorships available for AMI Elementary training and 20 for CMSTEP
Secondary training! Pass this FLYER along to anyone and everyone that may be interested!

---

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:

Lunch Menu
MPS School Calendar
School Website
MacDowell School Handbook
IB September Newsletter
HS Athletics Newsletter