Milwaukee Public Schools is excited for your children to join us this summer for free freshly prepared meals available at more than 50 sites. All children age 18 and under from any school are eligible (you do not need to attend an MPS school). This summer, meals must be eaten on site and are not available to be carried off site.

Free breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be offered and will vary by location. Stop by for a well-balanced breakfast including whole grains, fruit, and local milk. Lunches and dinners include an entrée, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and local milk.

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, provides nutritious meals to children during the summer, when school meals are typically unavailable. Persons over 18 years of age who are determined by a state or local public educational agency to be mentally or physically disabled and who also participate in a public or private nonprofit school program during the regular school year may receive free meals as well. Meals are provided to eligible children regardless of race, color, national origin, age, gender, or disability.

Parents or students can find the nearest meal location by texting FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304. Check dates, schedules, and offerings on the MPS Nutrition Services page.

We look forward to serving children in our cafeterias this summer!

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has announced that masks will be mandatory for students and staff in all district buildings. The policy will take effect Wednesday, April 20, 2022. The decision was made after determining a significant transmission of the virus within the city of Milwaukee.

The mask policy is in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The district has the option to revert back to a mask-optional policy if it is determined that there is not a significant risk of virus transmission within the city of Milwaukee and/or the school district. Masks will continue to be available for students and staff in all district buildings.

District procedures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 will continue, including access to testing. Staff and students are currently encouraged to take the following steps to stay safe and healthy:

• Practice physical distancing.
• Get vaccinated and boosted.
• Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer.
• Follow quarantine and isolation practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Sanitize surfaces often.
• Maintain use of HEPA filtration units and change filters as needed.

The district encourages families to watch for communications from their child’s school and the district on changing conditions.

When students return to classrooms on April 19, 2022, masks will no longer be required for students and staff in MPS schools and buildings. The wearing of masks will be optional at all MPS locations beginning April 18.

The decision was explored on March 24, 2022, during the regular monthly meeting of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors. Discussion included analysis of current trends of COVID-19 and recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Milwaukee Health Department. The April 18 date was selected to avoid any possible surges in COVID-19 following various dates for spring break across the state.

MPS administration will have the ability to reinstate the wearing of masks if COVID-19 numbers would surge again. Such decisions would require input from the Milwaukee Health Department, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, and the administrators union.

Masks will continue to be available in MPS schools for students and staff who wish to use them.

District procedures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 will continue, including access to testing. Students, staff, and families are encouraged to continue to take steps to stay safe and healthy:

Practice physical distancing.
Get vaccinated and boosted.
Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer.
Follow quarantine and isolation practices recommended by the CDC.
Sanitize surfaces often.
Maintain use of HEPA filtration units and change filters as needed.

The district encourages families to watch for communications from their child’s school and the district to stay up to date on changing conditions.

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) has announced that the return to in-person learning for MPS students will be postponed until Tuesday, January 18, 2022. The decision was made after a vote by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors during their special session Thursday, January 6, 2022. MPS was scheduled to resume in-person learning on January 10, 2022, but due to the current state of COVID-19 cases throughout the district, all classes will remain virtual at this time.

To support students and families during virtual learning, student meals will continue to be provided daily thru January 14, 2022 at our 50 Stop, Grab & Go locations from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Before and after-school programs will remain closed at this time while athletics and academic competitions will continue as scheduled.

The district will work to improve mitigation strategies inside school buildings and provide updates as new information becomes available. We encourage families to watch for communications from their child’s school and the district to stay up to date on changing conditions.

Milwaukee Public Schools is taking proactive steps to promote student and staff safety as the omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads. MPS schools will shift to virtual learning January 4–7, 2022. Important details are provided below.

School-based staff will report to their usual work locations on the morning of January 4 and will receive further instructions.

Families with students who need a Chromebook, hotspot, or other technology equipment should contact their child’s school and make arrangements to pick up needed items.

Children will need their login information. Each child’s seven-digit student ID number starts with the letter “s” — for example, s1234567. The password is your child’s date of birth using the format MM/DD/YY. This is the 2-digit month, 2-digit date, and 2-digit year. A student born on March 5, 2001 would enter 03/05/01. Contact your child’s school if you need assistance.

Students will access the Clever or SeeSaw platforms for learning. For easy access, visit mymps.org and click on Student Toolbox, or use the link for Student Toolbox.

MPS high schools begin the second semester on Tuesday, January 4. Students should log in to Infinite Campus to access their schedules and locate Google Classroom codes for their new courses. On Tuesday, January 4, students will attend class in the afternoon according to a schedule provided by each school. Wednesday through Friday this week, students will follow their daily schedule for virtual instruction according to their second semester schedule.

Free breakfast and lunch will be available for pickup January 4–7, 2022, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. Families can receive one breakfast and one lunch per child, per day. A flyer with locations is available.

Before- and after-school programs, including Community Learning Centers (CLCs), will be closed.

Sports, extracurricular activities, and school events will take place as scheduled. Games, plays, and other school-based activities will be held as scheduled but will be limited to 50 percent capacity. All attendees will be required to wear a mask at all times unless actively eating or drinking. Students will receive guidance from their coaches/advisors in the event of any changes to practices or events.

MPS Twilight Centers will be open as regularly scheduled.

At this time, classes are expected to return to in-person learning on Monday, January 10, 2022. Please watch for updates from the district and your child’s school in the event of any changes.

Please note that some MPS charter schools have made the decision to remain open and continue in-person learning. The schools that will be open Jan. 4-7, 2022, are:

• Carmen High School South

• Carmen High School Southeast

• Carmen Middle/High School Northwest

• Hmong American Peace Academy

• La Causa Charter School

• Milwaukee College Prep 36th Street

• Milwaukee College Prep 38th Street

• Milwaukee College Prep Lloyd Street

• Milwaukee College Prep Lola Rowe North

• Next Door Charter School

All students, staff, and families should continue to follow public health guidance to help mitigate COVID-19, including:

• Get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster
• Wear a well-fitted face covering
• Practice social distancing
• Wash hands frequently
• Isolate and quarantine as necessary
• Stay home if sick
• Get tested if symptomatic or exposed to COVID-19

Schools will continue daily COVID-19 testing for students and staff when in-person learning resumes.

We will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available. Thank you in advance for your continued support and efforts to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Milwaukee Public Schools will host COVID-19 testing sites for MPS students and staff starting Saturday, January 1, 2022. Students and staff must pre-register prior to attending a testing location. 

The table below details the COVID-19 testing opportunities for MPS students and staff.

Pre-registration is required and can be completed at register.covidconnect.wi.gov. When asked to select a testing site during the registration process, please select “I am being tested at a non-public site”. Once registered, a QR code will be emailed to the registrant. The QR code must be presented at the time of testing. Staff members will be required to show an MPS ID or other proof of employment status.

*Central Service: Testing for MPS staff, please park in the rear of the Central Service building and upon entry, you will be directed to the testing area.

For additional testing locations throughout the city, please visit:

• https://www.healthymke.com/testing
• https://city.milwaukee.gov/CoronavirusResources/COVID-19-Testing

The district will continue to consult with public health experts related to health guidance in our schools. We will continue to keep you updated as we monitor the evolving situation and adjust mitigation strategies, keeping the safety and well-being of our students and staff at the forefront.

MPS has created a Return to the Classroom Family Guide with important information about returning to in-person learning this fall. Get information about health and safety procedures, COVID-19 mitigation strategies, ways to keep students safe, and other important updates in schools.

The district recommends that all families read the guide before the first day of school. This publication will answer many questions about school procedures and the preparations the district has taken to enhance the safety of students and staff.

The book is currently available on the MPS Roadmap to Readiness website in English under the Quick Links section. Translations in Arabic, Burmese, Hmong, Karen, Rohingya, Somali, and Spanish will be added soon.

Get ready for a successful school year — check out the Family Guide today!

Summer in Milwaukee brings many ways to get outside and be active. Physical health is an important piece of caring for mental health. Enjoy our summer Wellness Matters newsletter for tips on staying healthy and gearing up for back to school! Visit the MPS Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Supports page.

MPS will host a series of community engagement sessions to share information and get input for the use of COVID-19 relief grant funds. The district is receiving financial support under the federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief fund (ESSER).

Students, families, staff, and community members are invited to attend to help prioritize the allocation of relief dollars, address the impact of the pandemic on learning, and provide input about delivering a high-quality education to children.

MPS anticipates about $506 million to allocate over the next three school years. At least 20 percent of this allocation must be used to mitigate learning loss due to the pandemic.

The district has identified five priority areas for allocating ESSER relief funds:

• Accelerating learning
• Health and wellness
• Facilities
• Technology
• Extracurricular engagement

Join us!

Thursday, July 8 (5:30-6:30 P.M.): Wisconsin Conservatory of Lifelong Learning (WCLL), 1017 N. 12th St., Milwaukee, 53233
Saturday, July 10 (9:30-10:30 A.M.): North Division High School, 1011 W. Center St., Milwaukee, 53206
Wednesday, July 14 (5:30-6:30 P.M.): South Division High School, 1515 W. Lapham Blvd., Milwaukee, 53204
Thursday, July 15 (5:30-6:30 P.M.): Vincent High School (in-person), 7501 N. Granville Rd., Milwaukee, 53224. This session is also offered virtually.
Saturday, July 17 (9:30-10:30 A.M.): Reagan High School, 4965 S. 20th St., Milwaukee, 53221

Please provide your input by completing our survey.
For additional information, please visit mpsmke.com/esser3.