When a family thrives at home, their children are more likely to thrive in school. As a member of the Milwaukee Community Schools Partnership, South Division High School offers many services and programs that encourage family involvement and family well-being.

Parent Resource Center

You can contact Keilyn Borrero, our parent coordinator, at borrerkm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. Working with volunteers and community partners in our parent resource center, Ms. Borrero coordinates workshops, field trips, and events just for parents and caregivers.

“South Division is a really welcoming school,” says Ms. Borrero. “My main goal is to bring families together from all over the world. Our family programming breaks down barriers so students and parents can be as successful as possible.”

• Field trips – The Parent Resource Center plans adults-only trips to Milwaukee museums, zoos, and other fun locations.
• Literacy Services of Wisconsin – Adult literacy classes are taught in the resource center twice a week.
• Parent and family workshops – Agencies and experts come to the center to educate parents on topics like homeownership, legal rights and responsibilities for immigrant families, financial aid for college, and more.
• Parent Support Group – Share information and advice on topics of mutual interest on select Wednesdays at 11 a.m.
• Sixteenth Street Clinic at South Division High School – Provides same-day medical care to students and staff. The clinic expanded in fall 2024 to treat staff, students and their families, and community members.
• Special Education Parent Support Group – Led by parents for parents.
• Translation support – South Division families speak more than a dozen languages. South Division teachers and leaders use the SchoolMessenger app to communicate with them in Arabic, Burmese, English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish. Contact Ms. Borrero to request interpretation services in these or other languages.

Parent/Family Engagement

As a community school, we want to hear from everyone who believes in our students. Parents are our most important partners, and we invite them to contribute ideas and perspectives as members of our Family Leadership Organization, Community School Leadership Team, and District Advisory Council.

• Family Leadership Organization (FLO) – Families participate in discussions and decisions to help support our students during monthly FLO meetings, held at 1 p.m. the second Thursday of every month.
• Community School Leadership Team (CSLT) – Families join staff, students, community partners, and community members to identify needs and determine strategies to best ensure student and school success during monthly CSLT meetings, held from 2:00 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. the second Thursday of every month.
• District Advisory Council (DAC) – The 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.

Parent/Family Events

Meet teachers and staff and connect with other South Division families during school events. Expect a crowd, as anywhere from 200 to 300 members of our school community attend to support all students and share the Cardinals pride.

• Back to School Fair in August
• Freshmen Bridge in August – An orientation for new South Division parents and caregivers.
• Senior Bridge in August – An orientation to prepare parents and other caregivers for their student’s graduation.
• Pancakes with Santa in December – Welcoming all families for 500 pancakes, 1,000 sausages, gifts for little siblings, and holiday cheer.
• FAFSA Night – Learn how to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Honor Roll Dinner in January – Celebrate students’ academic success.

Supporting Student Success from Home

Here are some tips you can follow from home to help ensure your child’s success at South Division High School.

• 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) 902-8300. 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.).
• 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 any time 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 attaining 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 be prepared to take on their day. By caring for your child’s physical, emotional, and mental health, you are ensuring that your child is ready to succeed in school.
• Volunteer this year! South Division always needs new volunteers to chaperone field trips, staff the Parent Resource Center, or flip pancakes during our holiday breakfast. Complete your volunteer application today.
• 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.

Keep up with Your Child’s Grades and Attendance

Sign up for the Campus Parent Portal and receive real time updates on your child’s progress in school. With Campus Parent Portal you can see your child’s grades, attendance, as well as receive school updates. Call our office (414) 902-8300 to find out how to sign up.