Engagement starts with communication, and we invite you to subscribe to “The Weekly E,” Maryland Avenue’s electronic newsletter.

Through “The Weekly E,” you can keep track of our school’s robust activities and events calendar and make plans to join us. We love getting to know Maryland “Jaguar” families by collaborating and celebrating during special events.

Maryland Avenue Montessori School is fortunate to have a dedicated parent coordinator on staff to answer questions about parent engagement, family events, and school resources. You can meet Jenni Hofschulte (Ms. Jenni) in our Parent Resource Center, or contact her at hofschjr@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

Family Events

• Forms and Photos Day – August
• Black History Month Celebration – This annual event showcases students’ visual, performing arts, and research projects completed during a school-wide study of Black life, leadership, and history within and beyond Milwaukee.
• Courageous Conversations – A unique activity that welcomes student, staff, and family participation as the Maryland community discusses redlining, racism, and Milwaukee history in partnership with America’s Black Holocaust Museum, Nurturing Diversity Partners, and other education and social justice leaders.
• MAM Maker Market – Annual vendor fair welcomes more than 60 school and community artists selling their creations.
• Montessori Mornings – Parents and caregivers learn about Montessori values like gratitude and grace, and how universal academic subjects (math and literacy) are taught differently in Montessori classrooms during these informal and informative gatherings held every third Thursday from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Spring Children’s Open House and Community Ice Cream Social – Students are guides as parents and other family members tour classrooms and common areas each spring to review student work from the past school year.

Parent/Caregiver Involvement

Participate in governance groups that support school progress and student success at Maryland Avenue Montessori. Parents, grandparents, older siblings, and other caregivers are welcome.

• District Advisory Council – The District Advisory Council (DAC) meets monthly to learn about and advise on district strategies and programs impacting families, particularly related to Title I. All school leaders must identify two delegates who are family members of students in their school to the DAC.
• Equity Committee – 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. every first Monday
• Maryland Avenue Montessori Fund – 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. every third Thursday
• Montessori Advisory Committee – MAC began in early 2018 as a working group of MPS Montessori parents and now includes teachers, paraprofessionals, principals, district administrators, and community partners.
• Parent Teacher Organization – 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. every fourth Friday.
• School Engagement Council – 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every first Monday.

Supporting Your Student

Family involvement leads to better grades, better attendance, improved test scores, higher self-esteem, and better behavior for children. Helping your child succeed at Maryland Avenue Montessori School includes practices and priorities like:

• At the beginning of every school year, review the Maryland Avenue Montessori School supply list to make sure your child(ren) has the necessary school supplies for Montessori learning.
• Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day (7:25 a.m.).
• Call the school attendance line when your child will be absent: (414) 906-4800. We must be sure every student has arrived safely and follow up with any who are absent. We must also record absences correctly.
• Your child should get a restful night of sleep each evening.
• Dress your child appropriately for the weather. Please tell us if your student needs a coat or other outerwear.
• Label your child’s belongings, from backpacks and outerwear to other personal items from your home.
• Check your child’s bookbag every day for homework or important messages.
• At home, have a quiet time and place for your child to read and study.
• Read with your child every day.
• Volunteer at school.
• Ask how you can join our field trips.

Montessori at Home

Your student(s) will complete most of their assignments and projects during the school day, working with special learning tools and stations that are part of every well-stocked Montessori classroom.

You can be a partner in your child’s Montessori education by nurturing their natural independence, creativity, and desire to help right at home. Familiarize yourself with simple Montessori-at-home practices. Your child’s school library may have other Montessori parenting resources that you can explore.

Learning at Home

At home, your child can easily access the same online programs they may use in class. Have your student log in through Clever to find learning programs like Smarty Ants, Discovery Education, Flocabulary, and others.

To access additional homework resources for your student, find out if your child’s classroom teacher uses an interactive learning platform like Google Classroom or Seesaw.

Communicating With Your Child’s Teacher

Stay in touch with your child’s teacher and you’ll be up to date on your child’s academic goals and accomplishments. Students feel extra motivated when they see teachers and parents working as a team to reinforce high expectations and positive learning strategies.

Here are some tips for building a strong parent-teacher relationship to support your child.

• Collect current school/teacher contact information at the beginning of each school year. You can gather this information from teacher handouts, during open-house events or visit our staff directory.
• Attend parent-teacher conferences in person or virtually. Students are proud to “show off” their school and feel supported when teachers and caregivers make time to meet at a conference or school event.
• Parents and caregivers can attend conferences virtually or in person. If the dates of fall or spring conferences don’t work for your family, classroom teachers will work with you to find an alternative date.
• Send your child to school with a bookbag every day and check the bookbag when they come home at night. Important paperwork travels from school to your home – and back again – in your child’s bookbag: permission slips, classroom updates, and school calendars.
• Volunteer for a field trip or family event at school. Maryland Avenue Montessori School needs volunteers during and after school. Ask a teacher or school staff member how you can get involved in a way that fits your schedule. Learn more about volunteering with MPS.