PICTURE DAY FOLLOW UP: If families did not order a photo package prior to picture day, they will receive a proof sheet with customized codes to order online at https://my.lifetouch.com/. Families will be able to see the image on this proof sheet and will have until the end of this year to order. All proofs will be sent when picture packages are sent to school in about 2-3 weeks.
Please Note: Picture Retake day is scheduled for 11/9/21.
→ PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE SIGN-UP LINKS ARE NOW LIVE!
→ Please sign up at the link HERE
COACHES NEEDED!
We are hoping to form several sports teams for Winter Athletics, but we need coaches to make it happen! Please consider volunteering your time. See below for details. Coaches are paid through Milwaukee Recreation. Please contact Torre Johnson if you are interested or have any questions. johns119@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
-Games are held on Saturdays, practice is 1 day a week minimum, practice ideally begins shortly after school dismissal time.
BASKETBALL COACHES and ASSISTANTS needed! The teams we are wishing to form are:
- 1st through 3rd Co-Ed Basketball
- 4th and 5th Co-Ed Basketball
- 6th through 8th grade Co-Ed Basketball
VOLLEYBALL COACH and ASSISTANT needed!
- 6th-8th Grade Co-Ed Volleyball
We will notify parents which teams we have and the registration procedure, based on the teams that we are able to form.
PTO FUNDRAISER IS COMING SOON! Please look for flyers in next week’s Thursday folder.
Reading Corner – Library Updates
Contact Ms. Raasch via email with any questions: RAASCHTL@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
This week the 5K students will start coming to the library with their teachers for an Orientation Tour. I will teach them about the library process and where to find books at their level. All students from 5K through 6th grade will have completed Orientation Tours by the end of next week. The tours have increased excitement about the library and interest in books and our overall circulation statistics are growing by the week!
We are still missing a LOT of books from the library; mostly books that were checked out pre-pandemic and never returned because the school closed. Please take a look around your home for books that belong to MacDowell library; they will have a labeled barcode and spine label. There are no fines for overdue books – we just want to get them back into circulation. Thank you to all the students and families that have found books and returned them so far!
WELCOME POSTER
Our middle school students made this poster in the first week of school. The poster says ‘You Hold the Future of the World in Your Hands.” The students wanted to make something to be bright and welcoming to the little kids who get dropped off in the morning, some who have not been in our school building before. It is displayed in the entrance stairwell on the 64th street side. Each hand is decorated with kind words, encouragement, or pictures that are comforting as we welcome our students to our school.
SPARE CLOTHING: As the season has turned cooler, please remember to check your child’s spare clothing and replace the items with warmer weather attire. Please also remember to label items, especially sweatshirts and jackets, so that they can be returned to their owner if need be. Thank you.
IMPORTANT DATES – Please mark your calendars
8th Grade On Demand Writing
All grade 8 students will participate in the district’s on-demand writing activity. MacDowell will assign the writing assessment to students on Wednesday, October 20. This activity will provide teachers with a writing sample and allow for equitable access to apply to a select criteria high school during early admissions.
- The on-demand essay activity is a text-dependent analysis, computer-based activity, and is expected to be completed in one sitting.
- Once students log into the activity, a prompt will be randomly generated, and students will have two hours to complete their response.
- Students with disabilities and English learners will sign in using a special assignment code that removes the timer and allows for unlimited time to complete their essay.
- Additionally, all prompts are translated into Spanish and students can respond in Spanish.
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 to join the meeting is HERE
SEC Meeting (virtual)
Wednesday, October 13th
5:00—5:30 PM
This will be a virtual meeting.
Google Meet joining info: https://meet.google.com/pne-tcpw-ubz
Annual Title 1 Meeting (virtual)
Come learn about what is a Title I Schoolwide Program!
We will also discuss our school’s goals and School-Parent Compact and you will have an opportunity to share your feedback. All families are encouraged to attend.
Wednesday, October 13th
5:30 PM
This will be a virtual meeting.
Google Meet joining info: https://meet.google.com/pne-tcpw-ubz
PTO Meeting (virtual) Wednesday, October 13th
6 PM
This will be a virtual meeting.
Google Meet joining info: https://meet.google.com/pne-tcpw-ubz
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Monday, October 18 from 3:45PM to 7:30PM
Wednesday, October 20 from 3:45PM to 7:30PM
NO SCHOOL OCTOBER 22ND & OCTOBER 25TH
REMINDERS
MPS Vaccine Mandate UPDATE:
The Milwaukee Board of School Directors has approved a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all staff. Religious and medical accommodations will be allowed, but exempt individuals will be required to take part in COVID-19 testing twice per week. Employees will need to become fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021.
The Board also approved an incentive of $100 for MPS students age 12 and older who become fully vaccinated by November 1. Information will be coming soon. Families should take note that children must receive BOTH doses of the Pfizer vaccine by November 1, 2021, in order to be eligible. The second dose of Pfizer vaccine must be given at least 21 days after the first dose, so children should receive their first Pfizer dose no later than October 8, 2021.
Families will receive more details from the district in the coming weeks, including how to apply for the incentive, when and how the incentive will be distributed, and more. Read more about this important decision!
REMINDER: VOLUNTEER for MacDowell: If you are interested in volunteering or serving on one of our leadership committees, let’s talk! Volunteer opportunities include: library assistants, 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