November 2, 2023

 

Please join us on Tonight– 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.

 

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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LOST AND FOUND ~ UNCLAIMED  ITEMS WILL BE DONATED by week’s end!!

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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Upcoming Events / Meetings

 

DAC MEETING

Thursday, November 2

6:00-7:00 pm

Virtual- link below

~Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect at this month’s MPS District Advisory Council meeting: 

Please join us for conversations regarding:

1. Safety 
2. Bullying
3. Discipline Policy

DAC Zoom Link 23-24

 

Opera for the Young’s production of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Featuring our students as a Chorus of Birds!

TOMORROW, November 3rd

1:30-2:30 pm

MacDowell Auditorium

 

HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE WORKSHOP

Wednesday, November 8

6:00 pm

Central Office: 5225 W. Vliet St.

FREE – space is limited

Register online: tinyurl.com/mpsemt2023

FLYER

 

CALENDAR CHANGE :

MIDDLE and HIGH SCHOOL ONLY**- STUDENT ATTENDANCE DAY

NOVEMBER 10TH

Due to the Heat Advisory Days in August all MIDDLE and HIGH SCHOOL students now attend school on Friday, November 10th

 

FRIDAY November 10 – NO SCHOOL K-8

 

PAPA JOHN’S NIGHT- PTO FUNDRAISER 

Monday, November 13

10:00am – 10:00pm

7520 W. Greenfield Ave.

 

SEC (School Engagement Council) MEETING 

Wednesday, November 15

5:00pm

Room 103

All Are Welcome! A wealth of information 

 

PTO MEETING

Wednesday, November 15

5:30pm

Room 103

 

PICTURE RETAKE DAY

Thursday, November 16

 

THANKSGIVING BREAK

Wednesday 11/22 – Friday 11/24

Classes resume Monday 11/27

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BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Dear Parents and Guardians!

You are cordially invited to join us for Opera for the Young’s production of Beauty and the Beast !

Featuring our students as a Chorus of Birds!

TOMORROW November 3rd, 1:30 – 2:30 pm

MacDowell Auditorium

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LIFETOUCH PICTURE PACKAGES & PROOFS HAVE BEEN SENT HOME

• School photos were delivered to all students last week.

• If families did not order a photo package prior to picture day, they will receive a proof sheet with customized codes for their child so that they can order photos online.

• Families will be able to see the image on this proof sheet and will have until the end of this year to order at https://my.lifetouch.com/.

• Picture Retake day will be Thursday, November 16th.

• Retake day is for students who were absent on photo day, and for any student who is retaking their photo. Please make sure your child’s teacher knows that you want a retake photo done. If families ordered a picture package before picture day and did not like it, their student needs to bring the picture package back on retake day and take a new picture. Another picture package will be sent to school. 
• Please Note: Picture Retake day is Thursday, Nov. 16th

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PTO UPDATE

October Minutes HERE: https://tinyurl.com/3665v7af

 

Save the Date for November 13th: Papa John’s (7520 W. Greenfield) will donate 15% of all carryout, dine-in, and delivery orders to MacDowell’s PTO. Flyer

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Save The Date!

 

MIDDLE and HIGH SCHOOL Winter Concert  December 6, 2023 – 6:00pm, Auditorium

• Required for middle and high school Modern Band, Orchestra, and Choir students

 

K5-6th PRIMARY / ELEMENTARY Winter Concert December 13, 2023 – 6:00pm, Auditorium

• K5-6th music students

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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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Sports and Activities Update

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 then return uniforms to MacDowell. 

~ 1st – 3rd Soccer final practice is Tuesday October 7th

~ 4th – 5th Volleyball final practice is Tuesday October 7th

 

1st-3rd GRADE COED BASKETBALL and

4th-5th GRADE COED BASKETBALL TEAM forms and fees

The lottery has been drawn and chosen athletes have been notified. Registration packets have been sent home with students if their name has been selected. CHECK THOSE BACKPACKS!

 

Interest forms for other Elementary and Middle School athletic teams will be sent home shortly.

 

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    

High School Juneau Pioneers October / November Newsletter Highlights – 

• Ladell White- Athlete of the Month 
• Why are we the Juneau Pioneers? 
• Winter sport registration

 Read more HERE

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ATTENTION ALL 4TH GRADE FAMILIES! 

Fourth grade students are eligible for a free membership for the whole family to Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, Wisconsin!

All parents or guardians have to do is fill out this short online form. Membership includes free hiking all year in our 485 acre natural sanctuary, discounts on programs and merchandise, exclusive events, free snowshoe rentals, and more!

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HIGH SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH DROP IN SESSIONS – Every Friday until Jan 12th

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MacDowell Spotlight

 

IB LEARNER PROFILE OF THE MONTH

There are 10 learner profile traits which describe a broad range of human capacities and responsibilities that go beyond academic success.

 

This month we are spotlighting- THINKER: Students that are thinkers use critical and creative thinking skills to analyze and take responsible action on complex problems. They exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.

Anna Heffernan, 12th grader, was nominated and voted this month byMacDowell staff as the student that has shown what it takes to be a thinker. Her writing shows clear and consistent analysis. She finds creative ways to analyze primary and secondary sources to help find meaningful responses to IB prompts. Additionally, she is attempting to earn a Full IB diploma, which shows she accesses these skills in all areas of her learning. 

Congrats Anna!

 

Find this and more in October’s IB Newsletter HERE. A link to the current IB newsletter can always be found in our Quick Links below. October topics include : The Middle Years 3 Rivers Project, MYP Chemistry Curriculum, an 11th and 12th Grade coursework rundown.

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MAKE AND CREATE AND CODE CLUB- UPPER ELEMENTARY

MacDowell Library has been provided with an exciting new supply of maker materials this year! To give students time and exposure to these great materials, Ms. Raasch has implemented a Create, Make & Code Club after school. This is a glimpse into our Tuesday Upper Elementary Club. In this after-school club, students have time to create, make, and build using these engaging STEM materials. Our new Makerspace Kits include a variety of engaging materials such as Snap Circuits, Legos, K’nex, Keva Planks, MagnaFormers, Ozobots, Micro: Bits, and more! These materials provide opportunities for hands-on learning, problem-solving, creativity, imagination, self-directed learning, and FUN! and offer numerous benefits for our students’ educational journeys. This type of hands-on, self-directed learning fits exceptionally well into both Montessori and IB philosophy. 

 

FOODRIGHT – LOWER ELEMENTARY

Now a highlight of our partnership with Food Right working with the Lower Elementary classrooms. This week students prepared a Confetti Kale Salad. Small groups were given tasks cutting onions, squeezing lemons, tearing and massaging kale, and measuring ingredients. Growing chefs brought portions back to the classroom for their peers to sample. One student responded “It’s delicious!” and another “Tastes like ranch” 😀 Find the recipe HERE

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📷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

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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

 

COATS FOR KIDS

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Fall Scent Alert: The two deciduous trees that flank either side of the main entrance are Cercidiphylum japonicum, common name Katsura tree. It is sometimes called caramel tree for the light caramel smell it emits during leaf fall. You may notice the scent as you enter MacDowell’s main doors. The smell may also be reminiscent of Froot Loops. 🙂 

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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

!! 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.

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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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QUICK LINKS:

Lunch Menu – November

MPS School Calendar

School Website

MacDowell School Handbook

IB October Newsletter

HS Athletics Newsletter – October / November

Cyber Civics Unit 2 Letter to Parents

 

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Resources & Events

 

HOW TO PAY FOR COLLEGE WORKSHOP

Parents, are you looking for guidance on how to pay for your children’s college education? 

You’re invited to attend a free informational session on Wednesday, November 8, at MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St. 

Dinner will be provided at 5:30 p.m.; the session follows at 6:00. 

The session is to help parents of students in grades 9-12 plan for college. Space is limited — register now at mpsmke.com/mpsemt2023. Childcare will be available.

Informational Flyer HERE