Keep Your Family Safe and Healthy: We can all do our part to stay healthy and avoid COVID-19. Please continue to follow practices to keep our children and community safe. Students who are sick or have COVID-19 symptoms should not come to school. Any person showing symptoms or having exposure to COVID-19 must report this to the school immediately at 414-935-1411.
- Wear a face mask in public, even if you are vaccinated.
- Maintain 3 feet of physical distancing.
- Wash hands frequently, especially when returning home.
Check your child every morning for signs of illness. Keep them home if symptoms are present, and contact a health care provider to ask about testing.
ONE of the following symptoms
- Cough
- Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
- New loss of taste or smell
TWO or more symptoms
- Fever of 100.4° F or above
- Chills
- Sore throat
- Muscle or body aches
- New onset of headache
- Congestion or runny nose
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
- Nausea or vomiting
PLEASE SEE THE GUIDELINES FOR SICK CHILDREN pdf HERE and below: https://tinyurl.com/4w9w69aw
COVID-19 TESTING PROGRAM
MPS is participating in the Wisconsin Department of Health Services K–12 COVID-19 testing program. The district will offer a lab-based PCR test to students and staff who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms at school. Collecting a specimen for testing involves inserting a small swab into both nostrils. Testing is voluntary and will take place only with written consent from a parent/guardian.
Below is a link to the consent form for COVID-19 testing, please return this form to the school office if you consent to testing for your student. https://tinyurl.com/34hdz24x
SAFETY DURING DROP OFF AND PICK UP
Our top priority for the school drop-off and pick-up lines is ensuring that students are safe. Please note these important safety reminders:
- Stay aware of students and staff and follow the speed limit on school grounds.
- Stop at the crosswalks and the stop signs.
- Do not stop in the middle of the street and let your child out.
Reading Corner – Library Updates
Our new full-time librarian, Ms. Raasch, has been in the library for over a week now and she’s really excited to be here at MacDowell Montessori! She’s noticed that there are LOTS of books missing from the library that were checked out pre-pandemic or during the pandemic and never returned. The search is on for ALL misplaced and overdue library books!
Students and parents, please look around your house for misplaced library books from the MacDowell library. A lot of books went missing over the past few years (as they did in most libraries!) and we hope that we can work together as a community to get our library books back on the shelves! Look under your beds, in between the couch cushions, and in your cars, etc. Please promptly bring all library books back, no matter how overdue they might be. No fines will be assessed for overdue books, we just want to reshelve them so they can continue to circulate with our students!
Many students have begun checking out books and the excitement is spreading! Please watch for library books that might come home and help your student keep track of them so books can be returned on time to the library and remain in circulation!
Triple P – Positive Parenting Program
Triple P teaches families with children 0-12 years of age how to spend less time battling misbehavior and more time building close relationships. We offer practical advice, backed by science and the successes seen by thousands of families. You’ll develop positive parenting skills to manage stress and encourage healthy habits. Meetings are virtual. Please see the flyer below for a range of classes or the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/cfrs7y5a
Seeking a soccer coach!
We are looking for a 4th-6th grade soccer coach. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Torre Johnson at johns119@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Game Location: South Stadium
Game Time: Saturday Afternoon
Practice: 1x week minimum
MPS seeks community feedback about upcoming projects.
Milwaukee Public Schools will receive financial support under the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund (ESSER). MPS anticipates about $504 million to allocate over the next three school years and is looking for community participation to help prioritize efforts. The public is invited to read the proposed plan and help prioritize the projects that have been identified. Please read more and access our survey on our ESSER funding web page here:
https://mps.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/News/MPS-seeks-community-feedback-about-upcoming-projects.htm
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE: Below please find a resource for a free one hour training for teens about mental health. The program is recommended for teens ages 14 and older.
September 20th
6-7 PM
It’s Real: Teens and Mental Health provides youth with general mental health information and resources. The presentation defines mental health and includes guidance on starting a conversation about mental health and engaging in self-care. The program includes a PowerPoint presentation and script prepared by experts and a resource list for participants.
The goal of the presentation is to provide:
- General mental health information and resources to youth
- Information on how to notice signs of deterioration in mental health
- Tips and strategies on how to start a caring conversation about mental health
- Information on how to engage in methods of self-care
PLEASE NOTE: This program is not intended to be utilized for clinical services, support groups, or crisis intervention programs.
Registration information is here: Home – American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
UPCOMING DATES – Please mark your calendars
CUB SCOUT PACK 179 INFO MEETING
Any boy or girl entering K5 thru 5th grade can join Cub Scouts.
Tuesday, Sept 21 at 6:30 PM
Any boy or girl K5-5th grade
Fernwood Montessori School
3239 S Pennsylvania Ave
You can also learn more about Pack 179 and sign up at:
www.facebook.com/FernwoodCubScouts
MacDowell Open House and Back to School Social
Friday, September 24th
4-6 PM @ MacDowell
See flyer linked here
RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/MacSocial21
MPS Hosts Foro Latino for Families with Special Needs Students
Children with special needs will be the focus of MPS’ 18th annual Foro Latino event. Information and workshops will be provided to improve access to supports for children with special needs.
Foro Latino is set for Monday, September 27, 2021 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This year’s event will be held virtually. Families should register by September 24 at https:// tinyurl.com/ MPSForoLatino
Families will be able to learn more about managing behavior, referrals, transitioning to college and career, and more!
Download a flyer.
PICTURE DAY
OCTOBER 1ST
Forms will be sent home this week. Our School ID for ordering online at mylifetouch.com is EVT4QXCD9
MAC (Montessori Advisory Committee) Meeting
October 4 from 5:30 – 6:30 PM (virtual)
The Montessori Advisory Committee (MAC) needs your thoughts, ideas, and voice. Join us to help strengthen Montessori education in Milwaukee. Be part of a committee working to make MPS a global leader in Montessori practice.Everyone is welcome at all meetings. Please visit the MAC Zoom link to register. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
DAC Meeting
October 7
6:00 – 7:30 PM
The District Advisory Council (DAC) meets monthly to learn about and advise on district strategies and programs impacting families, particularly related to Title I.
This will be a virtual meeting. Link will be shared soon.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Monday, October 18 from 3:45PM to 7:30PM
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 from 3:45PM to 7:30PM
*Look for sign-up links NEXT WEEK!
NO SCHOOL OCTOBER 22ND & OCTOBER 25TH
REMINDERS
CROSSING GUARD POSITION: MacDowell needs a crossing guard! There is a shortage of crossing guards, and we have a vacancy at the corner of Mt. Vernon and 64th Street. Pay is $12.69 an hour and the hours are 7:20 – 8:10 am and 3:00 – 3:40 PM. Questions or want to apply? Call 414-935-7990. Please help spread the word!!!!
SPIRIT WEAR SALE – LAST CHANCE! Our Sale closes this Sunday at midnight!
MacDowell and Juneau items may be purchased online through SEP 19th. A $3 bagging fee will apply to each order. Orders will be delivered to the school and then distributed through student backpacks. Please note that items will not be received at the school until at least 4-5 weeks after the sale closes.
SALE LINK HERE: https://tinyurl.com/MacSpirit21
!!!! OPT-IN TO TEXT MESSAGING: This will allow you to receive updates regarding transportation changes, school newsletters, school closings and so much more. Follow these instructions to ensure you are receiving important information:
- Families should send a text message to: 67587 to connect to the new system.
- In the message, send Y or YES to ensure that you continue to receive important texts from your school and district.
REMINDER: VOLUNTEER for MacDowell: If you are interested in volunteering or serving on one of our leadership committees, let’s talk! Volunteer opportunities include: literacy and math tutors, general assistants (photocopying, laminating materials), coaches, gardeners, field trip chaperones, and event volunteers. If you are able to help our community in any way, please fill out the information on my Google Form here: https://tinyurl.com/s9c2ske7
REMINDER: YEARBOOKS:
If you still wish to purchase a K3-6th grade yearbook from last school year, you can do so through the office, or send payment with your child. Yearbooks are $10 each, payable in cash (exact change) or check made out to MacDowell Montessori.
QUICK LINKS:
Parent/Student Handbook On Rights, Responsibilities, And Discipline