Families are our most important resource in the Milwaukee French Immersion School community.

Students perform better and enjoy school more when parents and guardians are involved.

Families are encouraged to set a time with teachers to visit their child’s classroom and discuss their child’s progress. Teachers send progress reports to parents and guardians and hold conferences to share each student’s progress. Teachers and staff are ready to help our families with extra meetings or reports.

Join your child at school events and activities. We love getting to know our French Immersion families!

Supporting Your Student in French and English

Family involvement leads to better grades, better attendance, improved test scores, higher self-esteem, and better behavior for children. You can help your child succeed at Milwaukee French Immersion School in many ways. French-language experience is not necessary to participate in school events or to help your child with homework because teachers provide most lessons in French during the school day and can help students during class.

• Parent-organization meetings are conducted in English.
• School staff are fluent in English and French.
• Parent Coordinator Lori Banks is available to assist our families. Feel free to call Madame Banks at (414) 874-8470 or visit our Family Resource Center during school hours.

Homework Resources

Online learning resources are available in every subject and grade level, and can help parents and caregivers support their child’s learning at home. Milwaukee French Immersion School faculty and staff recommend these free, online games. It is beneficial to have some knowledge of French to help your child successfully navigate these websites.

• Maternelle / Kindergarten
• CP / First grade
• CE1 / Second grade
• CE2 / Third grade
• CM1 / Fourth grade
• CM2 / Fifth grade
• Multiple grade levels

Enriching Your Child’s Vocabulary at Home

One of the best strategies families can use to strengthen student achievement is to provide children with a language-rich environment. Meaningful conversations with your child will expand their home language fluency and vocabulary. Research shows that children with a good foundation in their native language are better able to learn a second language.

Milwaukee French Immersion School faculty and staff recommend these videos that demonstrate effective strategies for enriching your child’s language skills at home:

At home, be sure to provide a quiet time and place for your child to do homework and help your child access the online programs they use in class. Have your student log in through Clever to find learning programs like Smarty Ants, My Path, Discovery Education, Flocabulary, and others.

Healthy Routine

Consistency and communication – in any language – help children thrive at school and at home. Support your student’s academic success and help maintain our school’s strong family culture in the following ways:

• Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day (9:10 a.m.)
• Call the Milwaukee French Immersion School office when your child will be absent, at (414) 874-8400. It is very important that we know when your child will not be in school.
• Ensure that your child gets at least nine hours of sleep every night.
• Dress your child appropriately for the weather. Please tell us if your student needs a coat or other outerwear.
• Check your child’s bookbag every day for homework or important messages.
• Help your child with homework. Read with your child every day.
• Volunteer in the classroom.
• Ask how you can join our field trips.
• Attend monthly School Engagement Council meetings.
• Attend monthly Parent-Teacher Association meetings.

Communicating With Your Child’s Teacher

Stay in touch with your child’s teacher and stay up to date on their academic goals and accomplishments. Students feel extra motivated when they see teachers and parents working as a team to reinforce high academic 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.
• If a scheduled conference time does not work for you, contact the teacher to choose a different time. Or schedule a virtual appointment or phone call with the teacher and ask if your child should attend.
• Send your child to school with a bookbag every day and check the bookbag after school. Lots of important paperwork travels from school to your home – and back again – in your child’s bookbag. Check the yellow folder in your child’s backpack daily for homework, school announcements, permission slips, and more.
• Volunteer for a field trip or family event at school. Milwaukee French Immersion 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.

Family Programs and Events

Milwaukee French Immersion School staff plan family programs, activities, and events throughout the school year. These include:

• Mardi Gras celebration
• Arts and crafts nights
• Special family- and student-centered programs and assemblies
• Host an Amity Institute classroom intern. Each year, we welcome several language interns from French-speaking countries.