Milwaukee Public Schools declared its sixth school closure day this year due to weather on Tuesday, February 12, 2019. To account for all instructional hours required by the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, a number of calendar changes were proposed by MPS. The calendar changes were approved by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors on February 12.

The calendar changes are designed to minimize the impact on the overall school calendar and to avoid adding school days to the end of the year. Parents should take note of a significant change that makes Tuesday, February 19, an attendance day for all students. Prior to the weather closings, school was not scheduled to be in session on this date.

MPS partnership and charter schools, whose calendars may differ from the MPS calendar, may opt to revise and distribute calendar changes directly to families.

The complete list of adjustments to the remainder of the 2018–19 school year appears below. To download a flyer showing the calendar modifications, visit mpsmke.com/calendar

Students in Grades K–8 on the Traditional Calendar

• Beginning Monday, February 25, 2019, five additional instructional minutes will be added to each school day.

• February 19, 2019, formerly a professional development day for staff, will be a full student attendance day.

• April 2, 2019, formerly a professional development day for staff, will be a full student attendance day.

• June 13, 2019, formerly a records day for staff, will be a full student attendance day.

• June 14, 2019, formerly a professional development day for staff, will be a records day (no student attendance).

Students in Grades K–8 on the Early Start Calendar

• Beginning Monday, February 25, 2019, five additional instructional minutes will be added to each school day.

• February 19, 2019, formerly a professional development day for staff, will be a full student attendance day.

• April 2, 2019, formerly a professional development day for staff, will be a full student attendance day.

• May 23, 2019, formerly a records day for staff, will be a full student attendance day.

• May 24, 2019, formerly a professional development day for staff, will be a records day (no student attendance).

Students in Grades 9–12 on the Early Start Calendar

• Beginning Monday, February 25, 2019, 12 additional instructional minutes will be added to each school day.

• February 19, 2019, formerly a professional development day for staff, will be a full student attendance day.

• April 2, 2019, formerly a professional development day for staff, will be a full student attendance day.

• May 20, 2019, formerly an exam day, will be a full student attendance day.

• May 21, 2019, formerly an exam day, will be a full student attendance day.

• May 23, 2019, formerly a records day, will be a half-day of student attendance for exams.

• May 24, 2019, formerly a professional development day, will be a half-day of student attendance for exams.

ALERT: Milwaukee Public Schools will be closed Tuesday, January 29 due to inclement weather. This closure includes all after-school activities. Central locations will remain open and staff should report. Principals and assistant principals should report to their school.

MPS is implementing Five Priorities for Success:

• Increasing academic achievement and accountability
• Improving district and school culture
• Developing staff
• Ensuring fiscal responsibility and transparency
• Strengthening communication and collaboration

Every MPS school has developed a School Work Group focused on reviewing discipline data to determine whether specific interventions or services help improve student behavior. Additionally, every middle and high school has a Student Discipline Committee that recommends how school climate can be improved. The district has discovered that student voice is essential for improving school climate because students know best what they need. To gather community input, seven public informational meetings were held in April, 2018, to garner input regarding student discipline in MPS.

For more information on our efforts to strengthen our school community, please visitmpsmke.com/discipline.

MPS is hiring! Visit our career fair at South Division High School on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon to apply and get more information!

Positions for teachers, paraprofessionals, facilities workers, and food service professionals are open in Milwaukee Public Schools. Learn about open positions, benefits, requirements, and more. On-site interviews will be available for teachers and paraprofessionals.

In addition to full-time teaching positions, part-time teaching is a new option in MPS that offers a great work-life balance for retirees or teachers juggling a family and a career. A limited number of positions are available. MPS offers a track to a teaching license for individuals who meet specific criteria, including those with a bachelor’s degree looking to make a career change. Paraprofessionals should ask about completing a bachelor’s degree through MPS University and other programs.

Facilities and food service workers will enjoy flexible schedules and will be on track to earn $15 per hour under the MPS Road to $15 plan. Under this initiative, all MPS employees will earn $15 per hour during the 2020–21 school year.

Interested applicants can also find job openings and apply on the MPS Employment Page. All candidates who receive a job offer must pass a physical exam and criminal background check.

South Division High School is located at 1515 W. Lapham Blvd. in Milwaukee. Plenty of free parking is available.

In June and July, the district will send enrollment buses throughout the city to enroll children for the 2018-19 school year. Milwaukee families will be able to learn about the quality educational options for their children and enroll students from the comfort and convenience of their own neighborhood.

Click here to find out more information.

New teachers, experienced teachers, and paraprofessionals should plan to attend the MPS Career Fair on Saturday, June 23, 2018 from 9 a.m. to noon at South Division High School to learn about exciting options that include part-time teaching. School leaders and benefits specialists will be on hand to answer questions and explain opportunities for professional development.

Part-time teaching is a new option that offers a great work-life balance for retirees or teachers balancing family and career. A limited number of positions are available. MPS also offers a track to a teaching license for individuals who meet specific criteria, including those with a bachelor’s degree looking to make a career change. Representatives at the Career Fair can provide details.

Principals and school leaders will be on site to offer on-the-spot interviews. Candidates should bring several copies of their resume. Selected candidates will be moved directly onto a pre-employment track that will require additional documents, background check, and other steps.

Check out these exciting reasons to work for MPS!

• Excellent benefits including health, dental, and vision insurance, professional development, pension, and tuition reimbursement
• Nearly 160 schools across the city that include options for bilingual education, language immersion, Montessori, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs, special education, and more
• Technical education programs including agriculture, automotive, business, construction, culinary arts, engineering, finance, health science, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, marketing, and welding
• Rewarding work among a diverse student body in an urban setting
• Strong support and mentoring system for new teachers
• Pathways for career advancement including principal/administrative track
• MPS is home to seven of the top high schools in Wisconsin according to U.S. News & World Report and The Washington Post.

No registration is needed. If you cannot attend or have questions, call (414) 475-8224. For more information, visit our Career Fair web page.

South Division High School is located at 1515 W. Lapham Blvd. in Milwaukee and offers plenty of free parking.

We cordially invite you to attend the Milwaukee Public Schools  Enrollment Bus Kickoff event. This year the district is taking  enrollment buses throughout the city in June and July to enroll children for the 2018-19 school year. Families can enroll students in the convenience of their own neighborhood! Please join MPS Interim Superintendent Dr. Keith Posley for this celebration.

Wednesday, June 27 at 10:00 a.m.*
Wick Field
5225 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI 53208

*Rain date is Thursday, June 28 at 10:00 a.m. at the same location.

Dr. Keith P. Posley, Interim Superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, has set Five Priorities for Success to help every child in MPS reach his or her fullest potential; to engage staff, parents, and the community; and to ensure fiscal responsibility and transparency. Your voice is important and your thoughts and ideas are valuable as we work together to improve outcomes for all of our students.

Please take a moment to answer a few questions that will help us as we move forward. Select the group that best matches your connection to MPS and answer the questions.

• Community
• Families
• Students
• Teachers

Thank you for your assistance as we create opportunities for every child in Milwaukee Public Schools to be successful.

Sign up now—stay on track to graduate, or discover and explore! MPS is offering two sessions for learning this summer: June Term (J-Term) from June 4 to 29, and Summer Academy from July 2 to 27. Students can attend one or both sessions. All city of Milwaukee residents, grades K5 to 12, are eligible and can enroll at select sites.

Both sessions are designed for summer fun and will include science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM), music, outdoor activities, field trips, and more! Students can catch up, get ahead, or just have fun learning. Summer classes help students strengthen and retain skills so they start strong in the fall. High school students can earn up to one credit in each session through credit recovery, credit acceleration, and/or internships.

J-Term and Summer Academy are free! J-Term provides learning for students on the early start calendar, since their school year ends in mid-May. Summer Academy is available for students on both the traditional and early start calendars. Traditional calendar students looking for options in June are encouraged to look at the variety of summer enrichment camp offerings that can be found on the J-Term website.

The summer program has many community partners to deliver art, coding, music, theater, outdoor education, STEM, and many other offerings. Field trips to local museums and nature centers will allow students to discover their community. Summer enrichment camps allow students to explore new ideas and abilities.

Child care is provided through the MPS Recreation Department; fees may apply. Summer child care provides educational activities in a safe environment with caring, trained instructors.

This year, registration for elementary and middle school students will take place online through the MPS Parent Portal. Families who need to create an account or need assistance can visit MPS Central Services at 5225 W. Vliet St. or phone 414-475-8159. High school students should register with their guidance counselor.

To learn more, talk to the parent coordinator in any MPS school or find out more on the J-Term and Summer Academy pages of the MPS website.