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The district’s legacy graduation rate now stands at approximately 69% for 2010-11, up 1.9 percentage points from 67% in 2009-10 and up 17 percentage points from 52% in 1999-2000. The state legacy rate grew by 1.1 percentage points between 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Under the new four-year cohort statistic all states are now required to use, students who take more than four years to graduate cannot be counted as graduates at all. Using that more strict definition, MPS showed a 1.7 percentage-point increase to stand at approximately 63% in 2010-11, up from 61% in 2009-10. The state four-year cohort rate grew by 1.3 percentage points between 2009-10 and 2010-11.

“We have much more work to do, but these numbers — along with ACT score growth and growth in 10th grade state test scores — show that we continue to move in the right direction,” Superintendent Gregory Thornton said. “We’re putting our comprehensive literacy and math/science plans to work. We have put the compelling curriculum in place that encourages students to think critically. We’ve increased supports for teachers and classrooms. And we are building up our college-going culture thanks a multitude of efforts including our GEAR UP grant, College Access Center and the high school reform plans in the 2012-13 budget proposal.”

Plans include adding high school grades to the popular MacDowell Montessori school, preparing for high school grades at Golda Meir School and a proposal to bring the College Board’s SpringBoard pre-college program into a group of middle and high schools.

Last year's "vals" and "sals" pose for their group portrait.

The annual celebration of all Valedictorians and Salutatorians in MPS HIgh Schools is scheduled for Thursday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. at MPS Central Services.   The event kicks off the monthly meeting of the School Board. 

Approximately 100 students who have the highest academic scores in their individual high schools don their caps and gowns to be honored by the Board, MPS staff, and their proud parents.  The names of the students and their schools are read aloud as the Valedictorians and Salutatorians cross the stage.

The “Vals” and “Sals” traditionally pose for a group picture after the celebration. The photo is taken at the front entrance of MPS Central Services. Media are encouraged to join us for that photo opportunity, as well as for the entire celebration.

Safe Kids Southeast Wisconsin Coalition is teaming up with Kiwanis Club of Metro Milwaukee, Habush Habush and Rottier and other organizations to provide the program.

School Board Director Mark Sain has been invited to take part in the Celebrity Bike Challenge that happens at 10:45 a.m.

Students receive a free, fitted bike helmet donated by Habush, Habush and Rottier and participate in a bike rodeo to learn safe biking skills.

Project Staying Alive, or PSA, is a joint effort by the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative, the Milwaukee Fire Department, and Children’s Hospital’s Project Ujima. The Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative of Milwaukee Public Schools allows the Fire Department to reach students in a familiar classroom without any cost to the school. The Fire Department then educates the children and trains the teachers on proper anger management techniques to help reduce incidents of violent injury in the City of Milwaukee. Project Ujima, started in 1996, provides a network of services to reduce the number of repeat victims of violence.

The Fire Department and Project Ujima have three teams of educators that speak to students during a 90-120 minute block of time during their regular school day. During a school visit, they can educate as many as three classrooms of students simultaneously.

Project Staying Alive is just one program within the federally funded Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative in which select Milwaukee area schools participate. SS/HS, which includes a catalogue of programs, works to promote safe and healthy environments in which children can learn and grow. One of main goals of the initiative is to assist the district to reduce the levels of disruption in schools. The partnership with the Fire Department helps the district to meet that goal.

“Within the national arena of SSHS, Milwaukee is one of the only cities receiving funding to have the local Fire Department as part of the core management team,” said SSHS director Jacqueline Mann  “MPS is fortunate to have such a great and rare collaboration with the Milwaukee Fire Department.”

 For more information on Project Staying Alive, please visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/ProjectStayingAlive24746.htm. For more information of the Safe Schools Healthy Students Initiative, please visit http://www2.milwaukee.k12.wi.us/sshs/

The effort is part of Target: Milwaukee Matters, a partnership between the retailer and the Milwaukee-based Zilber Family Foundation aimed at improving academic outcomes for Milwaukee children.

Rufus King ranked first in Wisconsin and 130th in the U.S. in the rankings. MPS’ Ronald Reagan College Preparatory High School ranked second in the state and 197th in the nation. MPS’ Milwaukee School of Languages ranked seventh in the state.

The magazine selected the schools in part because of the large number of students at the schools taking college-level courses, whether they are International Baccalaureate courses at King and Reagan or Advanced Placement courses at Milwaukee School of Languages (MSL).

“We are giving students the coursework they need to succeed in college and careers. Our educators and school staff are giving students world-class instruction. And our students are working hard and succeeding,” Superintendent Gregory Thornton said.

“Our budget proposal for next year includes plans to create even more high school success stories,” Dr. Thornton added. “We’re adding high school grades to the popular MacDowell Montessori school. We’re spending a year planning for the new high school at Golda Meir. And we’re proposing to bring the College Board’s pre-college program into a group of our schools.”

The principals of King, Reagan and MSL will be recognized and congratulated at the Tuesday event at Rufus King.

Celebrations are set for 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at MSL, 8400 W. Burleigh Street, and 2:15 p.m. Wednesday at Reagan, 4965 S. 20th Street.  Both these events are in the schools’ auditoriums and will include hundreds of students.

Media are invited to attend all three celebrations.Please contact Tony Tagliavia, MPS media manager, at 414.475.8675 if you plan to join us.

The MHSA students, invited to help showcase MSO’s innovative programming and connections to the community, will attend the Carnegie Hall performance and are set to tour Lincoln Center, the Freedom Tower and other landmarks.

MSO is one of just six symphonies from around the country selected to perform as part of the annual Spring for Music event at Carnegie Hall, “a concentrated festival of concerts by North American symphony and chamber orchestras … with an artistic profile built around innovative and creative programs.”

“This is an incredible opportunity for our students because it exposes them to the professional side of the arts,” MHSA Principal Barry Applewhite said. “The partnership we have with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra is wonderful. They’re a very important partner for the students at MHSA – and we’re extremely grateful for it.”

“The MSO is honored to perform in Carnegie Hall as a participant in the Spring for Music Festival. We are thrilled to share this exciting experience with students from the MHSA as part of our annual partnership,” MSO ACE and Education Manager Rachel Stuen said. The partnership is funded in part by the Maihaugen Foundation and the City of Milwaukee Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin.

When both groups return, MSO musicians will help coach MHSA student musicians in advance of a June 1 Spring for Music-themed concert featuring High School of the Arts soloists, composers and conductors.

That concert is set for Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m. – and will also include MHSA alumni.

The effort is part of Target: Milwaukee Matters, a partnership between the retailer and the Milwaukee-based Zilber Family Foundation aimed at improving academic outcomes for Milwaukee children.

Projects for the playground include a color map of the United States; work on the basketball courts, football field and track; a garden; a four-square court; benches; a compass; a numbered snail; a kickball diamond – and a yellow-brick entrance to it all.

A numbered snail, one of the many items planned to be added to the Hopkins-Lloyd playground thanks to Target, the Zilber Family Foundation and City Year Milwaukee

“The result will be an interactive, vibrant space for students – whether it’s for recreational or educational purposes. And since students are also part of carrying this out, it connects them to their community,” said Dr. Juan Baez, principal at the school. “There’s ownership for them.”

MPS Superintendent Gregory Thornton said the district is grateful for the dedication to students shown by Target, the Zilber Family Foundation and City Year.

“This is yet another reflection of the commitment so many people in this community have to our children,” Dr. Thornton said. “It’s inspiring.”

“Volunteerism is the heart and soul of Target’s commitment to communities,” said Brian Givot, District Team Leader for Target stores in the Milwaukee market.  “Our team members are generous with their time, talents and personal contributions…donating millions of hours to community projects that are right for the community, and ultimately, right for our business.”

Hopkins Lloyd is one of six MPS schools where City Year corps members provide invaluable support to students during the school day and beyond.

Target: Milwaukee Matters began in the city’s Lindsay Heights neighborhood, one of three areas of the city that participate in the Zilber Neighborhood Initiative. Target brings technical expertise, volunteer power and a commitment to public education and reading programs – and the Zilber Family Foundation contributes local knowledge, neighborhood connections and a commitment to community revitalization.

The makeover is set to take place from noon to 5 p.m., with a brief program from 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m., at Hopkins Lloyd, 1503 W. Hopkins Street, Milwaukee 53206.

Reporters interested in stopping by can contact Tony Tagliavia, MPS media manager, at 414.475.8675, or Kara Navin, City Year Milwaukee corporate and foundation partnerships manager, at 414.882.2013.

McDonald’s and V-100 launched a contest throughout the region aimed at finding the best-loved teacher.

But when a panel of representatives from both groups picked a winner last week, it wasn’t a teacher, at least by job title.

Dixon was honored for his work as an “everyday educator” who goes above and beyond as a positive influence for students — particularly students with disabilities — at Riverside.

“He does everything to make sure they feel welcome and supported,” said Michelle Allison, the Riverside educational assistant who nominated Dixon.

The custodian attends countless school events on his own time, including a recent prom specifically for students with special needs.

Allison joined Ronald McDonald, a McDonald’s executive, Riverside Principal Dan Donder and Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Thornton in surprising Dixon with the appreciation honor.

The Riverside custodian won a free trip for two to the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans in July.

“Every school needs a Sherman Dixon,” Dr. Thornton said as Dixon was honored. “We’re so glad Riverside has you.”

“I never expected anything like this,” Dixon said afterward. “It’s overwhelming.”

Throughout the week of May 7, National Teacher Appreciation Week, Milwaukee Public Schools invited students, parents and community members to submit ‘thank-yous’ to educators throughout the district. More than 500 have been submitted. You can read them all here: http://milwaukeemps.tumblr.com/