BRRRR! It’s getting COLD! Please make sure that your child has warm clothing, including jacket, hats, mittens for recess. K5 and all elementary classes go outside every day unless the temperature is below 11 degrees.
Please also check your child’s spare clothing and replace the items with warmer weather attire. Label items, especially sweatshirts, water bottles and jackets, so that they can be returned to their owner if need be. Thank you.
We want YOUR input! The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is writing the Six-year Plan for Wisconsin’s students served by IEPs. But, it’s everybody’s plan, and we’re looking for input from YOU. DPI is asking you for feedback on seven questions, which will take about ten minutes. Please feel free to add any ideas, connections to projects or people who are doing a good job, or anything else you want WDPI staff to know. Please complete this online survey before December 1, 2021.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas about improving outcomes for Wisconsin students with IEPs.
SURVEY LINK: https://tinyurl.com/e6mff9wt
WINTER SPORTS 1ST-8TH GRADE UPDATE: Paperwork has gone home this week Thursday to all students who expressed an interest in joining a team. Teams will be filled by LOTTERY. If your student did not bring home a form to register, please contact Torre Johnson to request a form. Teachers will also have extra forms available. Teams we have for Winter sports: 1st through 3rd Grade Co-Ed Basketball, 4th and 5th Grade Co-Ed Basketball, 6th through 8th Grade Co-Ed Volleyball, 6th through 8th grade boys Basketball. *Please contact Torre Johnson if you have any questions: johns119@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
PTO UN-FUNDRAISER: If you meant to sell popcorn during the PTO fundraiser but didn’t get to it, please consider contributing to the PTO Un-fundraiser. 100% of funds donated will go directly to the PTO. The office will take checks payable to ‘MacDowell PTO’ with the Memo line ‘Un-fundraiser’. Thank you in advance for all of your continued support and help in making this fundraiser a success! ~ MacDowell PTO
EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY – Register now! Seats fill up fast!
The Extended Learning Opportunities Office is sponsoring a select number of seats in a November 24th non-school day learning adventure so MPS students can attend free of cost. Families are responsible for pick-up and drop-off, and students must bring a bag lunch. Confirmation regarding the student’s enrollment will be sent to families via email.
Space is limited, and these free adventures usually fill up quickly.
Urban Ecology Center November Outdoor Adventure
Grades: 1-6
Non-school day date: Wednesday, November 24, 2021 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee, WI Description: Students will love building forts and playing outdoor games all while learning how animals and plants prepare for our long Wisconsin winters.
Registration link: (English) https://forms.gle/y7xH2bW15NafXG346
(Spanish) https://forms.gle/RJmnM9PpbavvRtPq9
For additional questions or information, contact Extended Learning Opportunities at 414-475-8238 or elo@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Upcoming Book Fair – SAVE THE DATE!
MacDowell will host our second annual Virtual Book Fair from Nov. 11- Nov. 21
Our book fair will be through Rainbow Booksellers, a wonderful local children’s bookstore, who have hosted our physical book fairs in the past. Rainbow Booksellers is located just off of Vliet and 57th street. Our families will be able to buy books from this specific sale online and books will be delivered to MacDowell approximately 2 weeks later. Parent Coordinator Claudine will be in touch to work out delivery of items, and will be mindful that some items might be gifts. Look out for our Virtual Book Fair link soon!
Rainbow Booksellers generously gives MacDowell 25% of all sales.
COGAT SCREENER – 2nd and 3rd grade
Testing date: Wednesday, November 10th
The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) assesses students’ abilities in reasoning and problem solving using verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal tests. It is used to help identify students for possible eligibility for gifted and talented programs and is used as a screener for all 2nd grade students.
Due to virtual instruction , CogAT was not administered to 2nd grade students in the fall of 2020. During the 2021-2022 school year, both 2nd and 3rd grade students will be screened using CogAT to ensure all MPS students have an opportunity to participate in the assessment.
All students are screened using a shortened version of the test, which includes three 10-15 minute subtests. Select students are then identified to complete the remaining portions of the CogAT (post screener) based on their screener score. These results are reviewed by district members of the Advanced Academic Program and information is shared with parents of students meeting the qualifications for Gifted and Talented Services.
TOYS FOR TOTS
When: Registration dates are Nov. 1st – Dec. 1st
Where to Register:
- Distribution Center – 5880 N. 60th (414) 464-2971
- Monday – Wednesday 9 AM until 3 PM; walk in only
- Citadel Corps – 4129 W. Villard Avenue (414) 463-3300
- Mondays 9 AM until Noon and 1 PM until 4 PM; call for an appointment
- Tuesdays 1 PM until 4 PM; call for an appointment
- Thursdays 12:30 PM until 3 PM; call for an appointment
- AND Wednesday, December 1st only will be walk in only; 9 AM until Noon
- Coldspring Corps – 2900 W. Coldspring Road (414) 763-9797
- Online preregistration beginning November 1st.
- Please call for appointment to complete the process.
- West Corps – 1645 N. 25th Street (414) 342-9191
- Mondays through Thursdays 10 AM until Noon; 1PM until 3 PM
What ages of children can receive toys? Children born on or after January 1, 2009 (ages 0 – 12) are eligible to receive toys.
What do I need to bring with me to register for toys? To register children, parents or guardians as Head of Household must provide proof of their own identity, and their residence/address, and proof of the birthdate(s) of their child(ren).
Can I bring my children with me to register for toys?
No. Please do not bring children with you.
For more information: https://tinyurl.com/ya34ykx8
Chromebooks for Students: Students who qualify can receive a Chromebook and/or hotspot from MPS for use at home to complete homework, fill out college applications, and more. Chromebooks are for students to keep and do not need to be returned. This equipment is available thanks to a grant from the federal Emergency Connectivity Fund. These funds are available only for students who would lack access to Chromebooks and/or Internet hotspots in their homes if MPS did not provide them. Devices will be available during the second semester. Families can fill out an online form for each student in the household at https://mpsmke.com/techecf through Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
THE SALVATION ARMY COAT DISTRIBUTION
By Appointment Only
Call (414) 464-2940
Distribution Dates – please note times below:
- November 4th, 5th & 6th
- November 11 & 12
- November 18 & 19
Distribution will take place between 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. only on the dates listed above. Noon – 1 p.m. is reserved for restocking and sanitization
IMPORTANT DATES – Please mark your calendars
DAC Meeting
November 4
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
Picture Retake day
Tuesday, November 9th
- Retake day is for students who were absent on photo day, and for any student who is retaking their photo. If families ordered a picture package before picture day and did not like it, their student needs to bring the picture package back on retake day and take a new picture.
- Please make sure your child’s teacher is informed you wish to retake the photo.
SEC Meeting (virtual)
November 17th
5:00-5:30 PM
Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/jci-idna-dvt
PTO
November 17th
5:30-6:30 PM
Zoom link is HERE
NO SCHOOL MONDAY, November 15th (Record Day)
REMINDERS
HS BASKETBALL ANNOUNCER NEEDED!
Have you ever dreamed of being a sports announcer? Now is your chance to live out that dream! Juneau Boys Basketball is in need of an announcer for home games this winter season. It is a paid position, and the announcer would be responsible for announcing 11 varsity games. Game dates are as follows:
- November 23 and 30
- December 9 and 14
- January 5, 18, and 25
- February 11, 18, 23, and 25
Please reach out to Ms. Schenk if you are interested in this opportunity so that we can get you hired. If you know of any parents, alumni, or high school students who would be interested, please share this information with them as well. Thank you! Ms. Schenk can be reached at 414-935-1438 and via email: schenkao@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
TRAVEL THE WORLD ON YOUR DAYS OFF SCHOOL: GRADES K5-5TH | 9AM-4PM AT DANCEWORKS. Each Danceworks School Day Off Workshop will explore a different country of the world. Discover traditions, music, and the day to day life of children thousands of miles away. Gain insight and discover similarities between other cultures and peoples. Registration for all workshops will close one week before the workshop date. Space is limited – it’s never too early to register! Masks will be required to be worn by all students regardless of vaccination status. Scholarships available! Applications can be found on their website.
-Danceworks flyer HERE
-Click HERE to Register
HS WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED
REGISTER BEFORE NOVEMBER 22ND.
Register for Winter: Cheer, Boys Basketball, Girls Basketball, Boys Swim, & Wrestling.
Insurance and a physical are required to be uploaded with your registration.
Physical forms can be found on the registration website, or paper copies are located in the main office. Registration must be complete and approved to begin practice!
Registration is completely online and can be accessed by the following link:
https://mpsathletics-ar.rschooltoday.com/home
!!!! 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: NEWSLETTER OPT OUT. Are you already reading our newsletter via email or text? Any family can choose to opt out of the paper newsletter if they wish. Please complete the form below to opt-out, or if you have multiple MacDowell students – tell us who should get the paper newsletter. https://forms.gle/GKyCUQaTRsxQpv9y7
REMINDER: THE PARENT LIBRARY!
We have a wide variety of books and audiobooks on the topic of parenting that guardians may check out if they wish. Please see the list here and touch base with Ms. Claudine if you are interested in a copy. Books/audiobooks would be checked out under the student’s name and could be delivered through the student or picked up from the main office. Please see the list with links to descriptions HERE.
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: