A parent is the first educator in a child’s life, teaching them daily tasks and encouraging an interest in learning long before they attend school. We value our students’ families as significant supporters of their education.

Parent Center

Located in room 114A, our Parent Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parents and guardians are encouraged to make an appointment to ask questions, address concerns, and get resources and other student information. We also offer assistance with Campus Parent Portal account setup.

Parent Coordinator

This role is designed to help parents and guardians find information about our school and MPS. Kiara Knox is the parent coordinator at Barack Obama SCTE. You can contact her at [email protected] or (414) 393-5093.

Events

Our parent coordinator organizes a variety of activities for students and families. These activities help parents maintain ties with the school and ensure they remain committed to their children’s educational progress.

Cell Phone Policy

According to 2025 Wisconsin Act 42, student use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices is not permitted during the school day. Violations of MPS district cell phone policy will result in consequences for students.

Communication

Tuesday folders with school information are sent home weekly. We also send an email newsletter home every month to highlight important events and updates.

Families receive quarterly progress reports and are encouraged to attend parent/teacher conferences once per semester. Our open door policy offers an opportunity to visit our school whenever necessary. Parents and guardians are welcome to come in and discuss their children’s progress anytime.

School Engagement Council (SEC)

The Barack Obama School of Career and Technical Education Engagement Council brings together families, staff, students (when appropriate), and community members to support and inform shared leadership that can lead to increased student achievement.

Members of the council:

• Analyze school climate, performance, and budgetary issues.
• Advise school faculty and administration on matters affecting curriculum, student performance, and overall student well-being.

Meetings take place on the second Thursday of the month from 4 to 6 p.m. You can participate in our School Engagement Council as a voting member or guest. Email our parent coordinator or principal to suggest agenda topics for an upcoming meeting.

Supporting Students at Home

Here are some tips you can follow at home to help ensure your child’s success at Barack Obama SCTE:

• Make attendance a priority. There is an undeniable link between a student’s attendance and their overall success. Call the school attendance line when your child will be absent: (414) 393-4900 (option 1). We must be sure every student has arrived safely and follow up with any who are absent. We must also record absences correctly.
• Make sure your child arrives at school on time every day (8:00 a.m.).
• Make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for school. Please let us know if your student needs a coat or other outerwear.
• Communicate with us. By communicating with the school, you are able to keep up with your child. It is recommended that parents attend parent-teacher conferences and reach out anytime if there are concerns or changes that may affect students.
  Set realistic expectations. It is always important to set standards to ensure that our children are working towards achieving a goal. Make sure that these standards are realistic and attainable. By setting expectations, we can hold our students accountable for their education.
• Keep your child healthy. Make sure your child is getting enough rest and eating right. It is important that our students are prepared every day. By caring for your child’s physical, emotional, and mental health, you are ensuring that your child is ready to succeed in school.
• Ask for help. We understand that there are often obstacles that affect families. We are here to help. If you would like to talk to a school counselor, psychologist, or social worker, please reach out. Our goal is to collaborate with parents and families to build a strong support network for our students.
• Share your voice at our monthly SEC or PTSA meetings.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are always looking for more caring, motivated individuals to work with our students. Please contact our parent coordinator at [email protected] to find out how you can help. You can also learn more about volunteering with MPS at mpsmke.com/volunteer.

WheresTheBus App

WheresTheBus is an app that lets you know in real time when your child’s bus will arrive! It tracks the bus location through GPS and provides up-to-the-minute arrival times. Learn more about the app, including how to access it.