School Ends Early on December 10th
REMINDER: Friday, December 10, 2021, will be an early dismissal day for our school. Our dismissal time on Friday, December 10th will be 11:20. All students will be dismissed at this time and all scheduled bus routes will arrive to transport students home. Please be prepared to pick up or receive your student from the bus at this earlier time.
All students will need to be picked up or take their bus home at 11:20.
D.I.Y OCCUPATIONS SPOTLIGHT
OCCUPATIONS SPOTLIGHT: All 7-12th grade students at MacDowell participate in a non-academic activity called Occupations. Every semester, students select from a variety of activities to participate in twice a week. These “Occupations” serve to engage the adolescent in enrichment activities that support their emotional, physical, and spiritual needs. Our Occupations at MacDowell range from working in the bike shop, stage crew, and greenhouse to other activities such as running, rugby and D.I.Y. Occupations also include our student groups such as Student Government and the National Honor Society.
This week we are featuring Ms. Werner’s (7-8th gr.) and Ms. Govig’s (9-12th gr.) D.I.Y Occupations. In the D.IY Occupation students produce a variety of different do-it-yourself projects throughout the semester. Students can customize their projects to reflect their own personality and taste. In the past students have made body scrubs and bath bombs that they have sold to our community during school events. This year Ms. Werner’s and Ms. Govig’s DIY Occupation students have made acrylic letters, trays, and coasters and have recently finished string art trees.
Reading Corner – Library Updates
Contact Ms. Raasch via email with any questions: RAASCHTL@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Computers are everywhere, changing every industry on the planet. But only 51% of all high schools teach computer science. The good news is, we’re on our way to changing this! If you’ve heard about the Hour of Code before, you might know it made history. More than 100 million students have tried an Hour of Code.
Next week, December 6-10, many of our MacDowell students from Lower Elementary through High School will participate in an Hour of Code in the library with their classes. If your child wants to participate in an hour of code at home and/or continue what they learned at school, you can access the activities at hourofcode.org. We encourage all students to try coding at home! Watch this 1-minute video to learn more!
The ‘Hour of Code™ is a global initiative by Computer Science Education Week and Code.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.
FROM NURSE SARAH: –
Hello, Parents/Guardians of MacDowell students. As the COVID-19 vaccine has now been opened for 5 and older, I am requesting immunization records. If you get your child vaccinated for COVID-19, please be sure to send a copy of the immunization record to me. This will help to ensure I have the most up to date records and will assist in determining quarantine times should your child be identified as a close contact. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. My email is: gruettsd@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
BOOK FAIR UPDATE
Thank you to everyone who purchased from our virtual book fair with Rainbow Booksellers! Ms. Claudine will reach out to families once the orders are at the school to work out the delivery arrangements.
SIGNUP FOR OUR FOOD DRIVE HERE: https://tinyurl.com/2p9ymmn3
School state report cards are now available on the Wisconsin Department of Instruction website. Please click on the link to view MacDowell’s 2020-21 Report Card. MacDowell received a score of 61.8 and falls into the category of Meets expectations. Link to MacDowell Report Card HERE
REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 2, 2021 AT 10AM
Seats fill quickly!
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION: • MPS Administration Building – 5225 W. Vliet St., Room 56 • OASIS Senior Center – 2414 W. Mitchell St.
ONLINE REGISTRATION*: Visit mkerec.net
- User Name = MPS Student ID (Only enter numbers)
- Password = MPS Student Last Name (the first letter is capitalized)
*Student accounts already created by MKE REC. Simply log-in to register.
Download the driver education flyer HERE
HS Final Proficiency Schedule / Final Exam Schedule
Fall – Semester 1 – 2020/2021
Times Monday, December 20th
8:05am-9:20am Final 1 Block 1A
9:25am-10:40am Final 2 Block 2A
10:45am-12:00pm Final 3 Block 4A
Times Tuesday, December 21st
8:05am-9:20am Final 1 Block 1B
9:25am-10:40am Final 2 Block 2B
10:45am-12:00pm Final 3 Block 4B
Times Wednesday, December 22nd
8:05am-9:20am Final 1 Block 5A
9:25am-10:40am Final 2 Block 5B
PARENTING RESOURCES
TRIPLE P PARENTING CLASSES: The programs offered are brought to you by a partnership between Children’s Wisconsin, The Parenting Network, and Milwaukee Center for Children and Youth. Parenting is hard! Sign up for the programs that meet your parenting goals. Don’t see the program you wanted? Check back regularly for updates. TRIPLE P classes: SCHEDULE
TRIPLE P RESOURCES: https://www.theparentingnetwork.org/triple-p
FAMILY HIKE – WINTER WALK – FREE!
Saturday, December 4, 2021
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Havenwoods State Forest, 6141 N. Hopkins St., Milwaukee, WI 53209
Havenwoods State Forest is Wisconsin’s only urban state forest, featuring 237 acres of grasslands, woods and wetlands in the city of Milwaukee. Children and adults of all ages are welcome on Family Hikes. Weather dependent. We will reschedule for bad weather. Bring boots in case of muddy trails. Bring binoculars or borrow a pair of ours! EVENT LINK
EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES – Register now! Seats fill up fast!
The Extended Learning Opportunities Office is sponsoring a select number of seats in various winter break opportunities so MPS students can attend free of cost.
For in-person opportunities, 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 day camps usually fill up quickly. For additional questions or information, contact Extended Learning Opportunities at 414-475-8238 or elo@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
Winter Non-School Day Adventure Information:
Wehr Nature Center Day Camp “Winter Nature Detectives”
Grades: 1-3
Date: Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 (in-person) • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Wehr Nature Center (9701 W College Ave, Franklin, WI 53132)
Registration link: (English) https://forms.gle/JP5WoxVXu4UYQNcX9
(Spanish) https://forms.gle/gHmggTt9hF8sZCkY8
Wisconsin Humane Society Day Camp “Camp Bow Wow Blizzard”
Grades: 1-6
Date: Wednesday, December 30th, 2021 (in-person) • 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Wisconsin Humane Society (4500 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, 53208)
Registration link: (English) https://forms.gle/oi4qpAKa2VmtAWYm8
(Spanish) https://forms.gle/9Tdk9XNBY4nL7G5e9
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music Virtual Music Technology Camp
Grades: 6-12
Date: Thursday, December 23rd, 2021 (virtual) AND Monday, January 3rd, 2022 • 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Students should have a technology device at home to participate in this virtual camp.
Registration link: (English) https://forms.gle/fnYrMEZ2a3a52eV89
(Spanish) https://forms.gle/CbUSzLATyunsxb1F9
Urban Ecology Center Winter Break Outdoor Adventures
Grades: 1-6
Registration link: (English) https://forms.gle/BXcvTxoctiEH4csu5
(Spanish) https://forms.gle/cjNVerS9XMRv44dp6
Non-school day offerings (in-person):
“Wisconsin Winter Extravaganza” on Monday, December 27th, 2021 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee, WI 53211
“Wilderness Exploration” on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee, WI 53211
“Winter Survival Challenge” on Wednesday, December 29th, 2021 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Riverside Park Urban Ecology Center, 1500 E. Park Pl., Milwaukee, WI 53211
“Animals in Winter” on Thursday, December 30th, 2021 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Menomonee Valley Urban Ecology Center, 3700 W Pierce St, Milwaukee, WI 53215
“Outdoor Sports” on Monday, January 3rd, 2022 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Washington Park Urban Ecology Center, 1859 N 40th St, Milwaukee, WI 53208
REMINDER: Milwaukee Emergency Rent Assistance program, also known as MERA, is a new program that provides a new opportunity for City of Milwaukee residents who are experiencing financial hardship due to the impact of COVID-19. We understand that many people are going through challenging times and we are here to help you get back on the right path.
Click HERE for more information and the application: https://www.cr-sdc.org/services/mera
REMINDER:
Winter’s Eve Magic – Kids Candlelight Walk
Saturday, December 11 at Riverside Park
Join us for a magical evening in Riverside Park as we illuminate the trails with hundreds of candles. You’ll be guided through the park while listening to the story “The Mitten” by Jan Brett. Warm your toes and hands at the campfire before heading home with a goodie bag of hot chocolate and cookies.
- Walks begin at 4:00 pm & continue every 15 minutes (last walk leaves at 8:15 pm)
- Pick Your Price: Program Cost – $14 | Price Break – $9 (cost per person)
- Registration for specific walk times is required. (Free for kids 3 and under)
- Register for your Candlelight Walk for Kids start time HERE
Hawthorn Glen Winter Wonder Woods
There’s still time to register for Winter Wonder Woods! Celebrate winter in style and see Hawthorn Glen in a new light as you stroll through our trails that are twinkling with holiday cheer.
Winter Wonder Woods will take place on Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-18! For more information and to register, please visit our website: mkerec.net/WonderWoods.
Note: Please arrive at your scheduled time. Parking is extremely limited in both the Hawthorn Glen parking lot and on the street on the adjacent Martin Dr.
Street parking is not permitted on 60th St. Carpooling and ride-sharing is greatly appreciated!
LEADERSHIP
Please note that the December 6 Montessori Advisory Committee (MAC) Meeting is cancelled. During the month of December, MAC will continue to work on:
- Montessori Teacher Certification Scholarships
- Teacher Retention data
- Montessori Materials Standard of Care
- Montessori specific professional development for teachers and SSTs
The next regularly scheduled Montessori Advisory Committee (MAC) meeting will be held on January 10th , 5:30pm. We are looking forward to collaborating with you at that time!
MPS PARENT ADVISORY GROUP: SOCIAL STUDIES TEXTBOOKS / INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS Evaluation
Milwaukee Public Schools is in the process of adopting new textbooks for social studies. We would like to have family insight and perspective in this important process. Therefore, we would like parents to participate in an advisory capacity. The parent advisory group shall serve to review the materials and make recommendations. The advisory will not be a final decision-making body but will offer suggestions on which textbooks they believe would best support student learning. The parent advisory group will review materials in January 2022. If you are interested in participating, please complete the form for additional information. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSehIi-sxCA5sFLYYjDc7fEH4RFmbHMgeD0JckTDcwWa5_ln5w/viewform
For more information contact Renée Laird-Adelon, District Library Media Specialist at lairdr@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or (414) 475-8025.
IMPORTANT DATES – Please mark your calendars
DAC Meeting
December 2
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. School DAC Representatives as well as other families or community members are welcome to attend.
This will be a virtual meeting. Link to join the meeting is HERE
December 10th – EARLY DISMISSAL DAY. Students will be let out at 11:20.
CAMP MacDowell will be closed at 11:20.
MARQUETTE UPWARD BOUND VIRTUAL INFO SESSION *8th and 9th Gr. students
Saturday, December 11th at 10 AM (virtual meeting)
Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math and Science are recruiting all CURRENT 8th and 9th graders interested in going to college. This precollege program is free for students who qualify. Please come out to the information session to learn more about this exciting opportunity!
Zoom meeting link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82804342071#success
WINTER BREAK: DEC 23—JANUARY 3 2022
REMINDERS:
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
!!!! 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: 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.
QUICK LINKS:
Parent/Student Handbook On Rights, Responsibilities, And Discipline