PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE SIGN-UP LINKS ARE NOW LIVE!
→ Please sign up HERE
SENIOR DEADLINE: Attention parents of 12th Grade Students! It’s hard to believe but the time has come to start thinking about your student’s Senior Photos! We would like a Senior Photo, Baby Photo (If available), and Senior Quote from each graduating Senior by February 1st, 2022. The photos are needed for our yearbook, graduation slideshow, and hallway display. During graduation, we run a slideshow for each student displaying their Photo, Accolades, Baby Photo, and Senior Quote. In addition, in our school’s main hallway we will display the Senior Photos and Accolades of our 2022 graduates since they deserve to be celebrated! Please submit these items electronically at tinyurl.com/MacSeniorPhotos2022
CONGRATS TO OUR MACDOWELL SOPHOMORE ANNA HEFFERNAN, WHO IS THE MPS STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK!
OPEN HOUSE IS THIS WEEK! (OUTDOORS) All are invited and welcome!
RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/MacSocial21
| Reading Corner – Library Updates
Contact Ms. Raasch via email with any questions: RAASCHTL@milwaukee.k12.wi.us More students are accessing the library each week and it’s been wonderful to watch enthusiasm for books and reading increase each day with many students! Over the next couple of months, all classes will be invited to come to the library for a Library Orientation to ensure all students and teachers know how to access all the wonderful books we have and understand how to become responsible and reliable patrons of the MacDowell Library. Stay tuned for a permission form coming home in next week’s newsletter! |
|
| We encourage MacDowell families to carve out at least 15-20 minutes daily to read aloud to their children, and/or alongside them, and/or support independent reading habits, depending on the age of your child.
Montessori philosophy and teachers recommend that our youngest children (K3-K5) are read to about REAL LIFE things (non-fiction) as often as possible to help construct their understanding of the world around them. They will have plenty of time to explore all the wonderful fantasy options available once they’ve reached the second plane of development (grades 1-6). |
|
MacDowell is going green! (K3-6th grade Newsletter update)
In order to be more environmentally conscious of our paper usage, and because we have many families with siblings enrolled at MacDowell, we will begin sending only one copy of the newsletter home each week. This means that families with siblings in K3-6th grade will only receive (1) newsletter home, and it will be given to the child you designate below.
In addition, any family who reads and receives the digital school newsletter via email and/or text may choose to opt out of the paper newsletter entirely if they wish.
*Please note: Thursday Folders of all students should still be checked weekly for class work and teacher communication.
Please complete this form designating a student, if you have more than one K3-6th grade child who attends MacDowell, OR if you are requesting a paper opt-out and we will make the adjustment as soon as possible.
https://forms.gle/GKyCUQaTRsxQpv9y7
Thank you! ~Ms. Claudine
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
High school Senior Demarus Torrence works with students in Ms. Rebecca’s class as a Teaching Assistant every other day during his first Block. Demarus works on sandpaper letters, sounds, and sound books with Ms. Rebecca’s K4 and K5 students. Here he is pictured with Tatum working on her sound book. It’s nice for the children to be able to work with him one on one in a quiet area on their sounds. They are always eager to work with him and Demarus is a really great role model to our students.
ACT PREP
Mini-Courses ACT Preparation Class prepares 11th-12th graders for the official ACT test. Students gain direct instruction in the math, reading, English, and science reasoning as well as the writing section of the ACT test. Class instruction also covers test taking strategies so students become familiar with the types of questions they will encounter and learn a variety of strategies to answer those questions. Students participate in an unofficial pre- and post-test experience that familiarizes them with the ACT testing process.
Students must have a core GPA of 2.5 to be eligible for the ACT Preparation Class. Program fee is $185 for the session. DPI Pre-College Scholarships are available to students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch.
The deadline for registration is Friday, September 24th and students can register directly at www.uwm.edu/actprep.
In addition to the preparation class, Mini-Courses offers a one-time test taking experience to 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. There is a $25.00 fee and there is no grade point average requirement. A DPI scholarship is not available for this experience.
Interested students can register online or download the printable brochure found on the Mini-Courses’ website at www.uwm.edu/actprep.
MENTAL HEALTH MEETINGS AND EVENTS
- September 27th at 7pm – More Than Sad – For Parents: From the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The More Than Sad for Parents program teaches parents how to recognize signs of depression and other mental health problems, initiate a conversation about mental health with their child, and get help.
This program is appropriate for general audiences and for participants age 18+.
https://morethansadsept272021.attendease.com/
- September 30th at 7pm – Panel Discussion with Milwaukee Community Members and the Office of Violence Prevention: Suicide and Suicide Prevention among Black and Brown Community Members: Please complete the information below to receive a Zoom link for the event: https://mcwisc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bQm22xoFlRGWCTY
EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITY (6th-12th Grade)
The Student Enrichment Program for Underrepresented Professions (StEP-UP) at MCW is designed to bring opportunities to middle, high school, and college students in the Milwaukee area who are interested in careers in medicine and the sciences.
The program aims to increase access and retention in medical and graduate school among students underrepresented in medicine and contribute to resolving health disparities in Wisconsin.
StEP-UP is a competitive program designed to provide opportunities to local middle school, high school and college students from disadvantaged backgrounds, underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities. Their target ethnic groups include African Americans, Mexican- Americans, Native Americans (American Indians and Alaska Natives), Hmong, and Mainland Puerto Rican.
Their academic year programs will start on Saturday, November 6, 2021. The application deadline is Friday, October 1st. Please see the flyer and apply here: mcw.edu/stepup
UPCOMING DATES – Please mark your calendars
MacDowell Open House and Back to School Social (outdoors)
Friday, September 24th
4-6 PM @ MacDowell
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!
FAFSA EVENTS
Do you have an 11th or 12th-grade student that is planning to attend college?
Would you like information on the various ways to pay for college? If yes, come to one of our FAFSA Events below! *Please see the flyer with documents/information required to complete the FAFSA
FAFSA Event / Paying for College Overview
September 30th
5PM
(virtual)
https://meet.google.com/vei-vnbk-grf
*See FLYER HERE
FAFSA Work Session
*IN person, 12th Grade Parents only
October 7th
3:30-5PM
MacDowell College and Career Center.
*See Flyer HERE
PICTURE DAY
OCTOBER 1ST
Forms were sent home recently. All students will have their photo taken, even if they do not order photos.
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
NO SCHOOL OCTOBER 22ND & OCTOBER 25TH
REMINDERS
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
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!!!!
!!!! 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