MacDowell Montessori Newsletter Vol. 10

2023-2024 School Year
October 19, 2023

Upcoming School Events / Meetings

TOMORROW- FRIDAY 10/20 • NO SCHOOL
Parent Teacher Conference Day

MONDAY 10/23 • NO SCHOOL October Break

PAPA JOHN’S NIGHT- PTO FUNDRAISER
Monday, November 13
10:00am – 10:00pm
7520 W. Greenfield Ave.
Flyer coming soon!

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LOST AND FOUND
Our Lost and Found is overflowing! At the end of the month, and each following month, any
unclaimed items in the lost and found will be donated. If your child is missing clothing, shoes,
water bottles, lunch boxes; stop in the front lobby and check out our lost and found table across
from the main office.

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All school newsletters will be sent via email and text on Thursday and will not be sent as a paper
copy unless requested. If families would also like to receive a paper newsletter for red folders,
please fill out this form HERE: https://forms.gle/qtgUbEcjqSx3sae47

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, newsletters and important
messaging.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMP OPPORTUNITY
MacDowell is offering an overnight camping trip opportunity to all 7th and 8th graders.
Camp Upham Woods in Baraboo WI runs October 31 – November 3.
All students received a packet with information, eligibility criteria, and forms to fill out if interested.
Mr Eide shared a presentation outlining many of the activities for the trip including: Archery,
Outdoor Survival, Canoeing, Tree Identification, Night time Hikes, Bat Ecology and more.
All forms and fee with a copy of insurance card are due no later than October 27th.
Additional documents shared with students and families at our informational meeting on October
17th can be found here: Itinerary / Packing List

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Apply Now! High School Enrollment Is Open for Fall 2024
Eighth-grade students and parents are encouraged to choose an MPS high school for the
2024-25 school year and apply during the high school enrollment period, NOW through Sunday,
October 31, 2023.
Grade 8 students currently enrolled at a school that serves students in grades 9-12, such
as MacDowell Montessori, must complete an application and put their current school as
their first choice if they want to continue at the school going into grade 9. Applicants
already enrolled at these schools for grade 8 do not compete with other applicants for a spot in
grade 9.

Steps to apply:
1. Complete the high school admission application: https://mpsmke.com/hsapp
2. Complete the on-demand writing activity. Grade 8 students will complete the on-demand
writing activity at MacDowell October 24, 2023 and October 25, 2023
3. For students who attended 7th grade in MPS: Documents needed for the application
(attendance, report card, standardized test scores) will be pulled by district staff. Families
do not need to upload.
4. For students who did NOT attend 7th grade in MPS: Families will need to submit
attendance, report card, and standardized test scores when filling out the admission
application.
Note: If a student does not apply during this enrollment period, their seat is not guaranteed.

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8th GRADE WRITING ASSESSMENT 10/24 and 10/25
On October 24 & 25, 2023, all 8th grade students will take part in the On Demand Writing Essay.
This assesses the standard domains of writing such as composing, expression, usage, and
mechanics.This assessment is also used for students who will apply to MPS High Schools with
entrance requirements. This assessment is administered by computer during class time.
Any questions regarding this, please contact Ms. Wetzel at 414-935-1346.

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PICTURE RETAKE DAY
Students who were absent on Picture Day this week will have an opportunity to have their picture
taken on our Retake Day which will be Thursday, Nov. 16.

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Sports and Activities Update

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS- Register NOW!
Registration is open for winter sports including cheer and girls and boys basketball at Juneau. In
addition, boys swim co-ops with Pulaski and wrestling co-ops with Tech. Registration must be
fully complete and confirmed prior to starting tryouts/practice.
Register online only: https://mpsathletics-ar.rschooltoday.com/home

ELEMENTARY / MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAM MEMBERS :

UNIFORM RETURN AND TEAM PHOTO- All athletes should bring their uniforms to final
practice to take a team photo and return uniforms to MacDowell.

Middle School Cross Country final practice is Tuesday October 24th!

Remind links:
♟️ Beginner Chess Club https://www.remind.com/join/c68gd4
♟️ Experienced Chess Club https://www.remind.com/join/g7b2kf2

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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

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MacDowell Spotlight

FOOD RIGHT sessions have begun with our extended-day Primary students. Last week classes
discussed the 5 senses and tasted Triscuits, sun butter, green apples, and parsley. This week our
Primary children were farmers: preparing soil, planting mustard green seeds, and misting the soil.

CYBER CIVICS
As an extension to a Cyber Civics lesson that invited students to investigate the technology tools
we use and the parts that make them work, Mr. Steve provided obsolete technology for them to
take apart and discuss.

Middle School Students Disassemble Computers in Social Studies to Enhance Cyber Civics
Content. Cyber Civics Unit 2 Parent Letter

HIGH SCHOOL MOBILE LIBRARY
Our High School Mobile Library is in full swing rotating through the hallways during Advisory
Block on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Mobile Library brings books right to the students and
creates excitement about our new collection of engaging titles in a wide variety of genres and
formats, including graphic novels and manga! Students from Ms. Lester’s Occupation have been
training with Ms. Raasch to become Library Assistants so they can check books in and out using
Destiny, our online catalog. Sophomore, Lavayah Carter, designed posters to advertise in the
hallways. Freshman, Lance Sobrowski, decided to come in costume as our mascot and it’s been
a fun way to attract new patrons!

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Do you wish to 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

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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!

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

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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!

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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

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Resources & Events

Don’t miss the Hunting Moon Pow Wow on October 20-22 at Potawatomi Hotel and Casino,
1722 W. Canal St., Milwaukee. Attendees will see drumming, dancing, and singing competitions,
plus the pageantry of grand entries at 7:00 p.m. October 20, 1:00 and 7:00 p.m. October 21, and
12:00 p.m. October 22. Children younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Experience the splendor for yourself—Hunting Moon Pow Wow is a celebration not to be missed.
Admission is free and open to everyone!

2023 Milwaukee Fatherhood Summit
Register now to join us at the 2023 Milwaukee Fatherhood Summit. Celebrating the Gift of
Fatherhood and coming together to share resources and services.
● Saturday, October 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
● Destiny Youth Plaza, 7220 N. 76th Street
● FREE admission – Pre-registration is required
● Raffles, services and food included
● $50 paid to fathers for survey participation (from UWM)
● FREE PICK-UP & DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: North & South side stops
English Flyer
Spanish Flyer

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Please join us on November 2nd from 4:30-6:30 pm to celebrate the opening of the
new Montessori Model Classrooms at Grant Gordon. Please see the attached
flyer for details.

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Dia de Los Muertos Bonfire at the Harbor View Plaza on Wednesday,
Nov. 1 at 6:00pm
They will be screening Disney’s Coco, and providing free s’mores, champurrado, and PYO
sugar skull cookies while supplies last! The Milwaukee Public Museum will also be there to
give a brief history lesson about the indigenous origins of El Día de Los Muertos.