Fernwood Family Newsletter #20, 01/18/22
~Monday, January 24th, 5:30pm SEC Meeting, https://meet.google.com/hja-gigx-ifn, date changed
~Tuesday, January 25th, PAC Meeting, Zoom https://sdsm-k12-wi-us.zoom.us/j/96497820921
~Friday, January 28th, Fernwood Clothing Sale Ends, Fernwood Gear Store
~Tuesday, February 8th, 6:30pm Fernwood Fund Meeting, Email chairperson Ben Stocks for link, benjaminstocks@gmail.com
~Wednesday, February 9th, 6pm, PTO meeting, https://meet.google.com/qmq-teef-est
~February 14th and 15th, No School
Get Your Fernwood Spirit Wear
Did you remember to buy your Fernwood gear last week? Fernwood clothing is now for sale! There are tons of different options, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, masks. New items this year are additional color options and soft feel t-shirts.
The logo (designed by parent, Gemma Ryan) features native plants that can be found on the Fernwood property.
Orders will be accepted through January 28th. All items are pre-order only. There will not be additional items available after the sale closes. Items will be delivered to Fernwood sent home with students. Watch the newsletter for more information about the delivery time frame.
A portion of each item will go straight back into your student’s classroom through the PTO. Check out the link below and happy shopping. Fernwood Gear Store
Covid Guidelines
Please do not send your children to school if they are experiencing one major or two minor symptoms of COVID as listed on the attached “Guidelines Regarding a Sick Child”. A negative COVID test or a doctor’s note clearing your child to return to school as well as symptom improvement are required prior to return. MPS does not currently accept home COVID test results.
Fully vaccinated students with family members who have symptoms do not need to be kept home. No quarantine is required for fully vaccinated students who are identified as close contacts of positive COVID cases unless they test positive or develop symptoms themselves. Please continue to encourage proper mask wearing and hand hygiene at home. Thank you for your support in ensuring the health and safety of our school and community.
PTO Cookbook
In the past, Fernwood has fought through the winter doldrums by coming together for the Fernwood Family Dinner. Families would bring a favorite soup or chili to share and we would enjoy a meal together. This year we are not able to have a meal together, but you can still share your recipes.
Please send a comfort soup recipe or any other tasty treat your family enjoys to Katie Walters at katieberkwalters@gmail.com. Please include your name or family name the way you would like it listed in the cookbook and students’ names and classrooms. Please submit all recipes by January 31!
We are also looking for student artwork to decorate the pages of our cookbook. If you student would like to draw a picture of food or cooking or anything food related, please scan or take a picture of the drawing and email to katieberkwalters@gmail.com.
CogAT Testing Results
In November and December, 2nd and 3rd graders participated in the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT). All students were administered a screener (a shortened version of the test taking no more than 45 minutes in length). Some students whose screening form total exceeded a particular cut score were also administered the CogAT Post-Screening Form, which consisted of 6 subtests. On Tuesday, 1/18, in Tuesday folders, students will bring home their results which will consist of a profile narrative and letter from the Department of Research, Assessment and Data providing more information about the test and interpreting the results. Students who took the Post-Screener will also have an ability profile highlighted at the bottom left-hand corner of their results page; parents can visit www.cogat.org for more information; teachers will review these results and, depending on results, may hear from the Office of Advanced Academics for next steps and supports. If you have any questions, you may contact Ms. Kristy Lowell, Assistant Principal at Fernwood at lowellkm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or you may contact Bob Latterman or Martha Lopez, whose contact information is listed on the letter that will be sent home. Please remember that as a high-fidelity Montessori school, we continue to support your child in their development by meeting their strengths, needs, and interests.
MPS Hosts Vaccine Clinics at 11 Schools
The COVID-19 vaccine is approved for everyone age 5 and older. MPS will host COVID-19 clinics to help families access the vaccine. Appointments are not needed. See the complete schedule by downloading a flyer.
A signed consent form is needed for children to receive the vaccine.
Download the vaccine consent form in English.
To view a list of vaccine clinics across the city, visit the Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 webpage.
K3 and K4 Fernwood Enrollment! Coming Soon!
Online enrollment for new K3 and K4 students will begin in MPS on February 5th and run through March 6th. The application will be online through the MPS website. Please watch the newsletter for more information. We will share information and links as soon as it becomes available. Please share this information with any potential families who are interested in attending Fernwood in the Fall. Students must be 3 by September 1st, 2022 to be eligible to apply.
~If your new to Fernwood K3/K4 student has a sibling currently enrolled at Fernwood, a spot is guaranteed. However, in order to get a spot, an application must be submitted during the application window and the current student’s name should be included in the application.
~Applications can be submitted throughout the application window. There is no advantage to completing the application on the first day of the process.
~Current Fernwood students do not need to reapply. They are automatically re enrolled.
January MAC (Montessori Advisory Council) Meeting
The MAC group meets one time per month and parent Marisa Lange has volunteered to be the parent representative for Fernwood. All parents are invited to attend. Please just reach out to Jenni for the meeting link. This is a group of Montessori parents, teachers and school leaders who work together to support Montessori education in MPS.
The following is Marisa’s summary of the meeting. Monday’s MAC meeting took place over Zoom. Our very own Mr. Sanchez presented information about Fernwood, which was part of the first public Montessori school in Milwaukee. The Montessori summit is canceled for this year but will continue to represent Montessori school in Milwaukee through the regular MPS open house functions.
Strategic plan update- The group is working towards supporting MPS Montessori schools even more. Helping to find success by getting help with materials and minimum standards, having a voice in curriculum district wide, creating essential elements for all district Montessori’s.
Current needs are to keep the district to 7 Montessori schools. Building these schools up and recruiting more students. Supporting teachers and recruiting more Montessori teachers and furthering retention.
Room 32 Team Seas Fundraiser
Congratulations to room 32 for a successful fundraiser. The grand total of what we will donate to Team Seas is $764.77!! That means more than 700 pounds of garbage out of the ocean.
Thank you to all the families who purchased items and donated money. Thank you to room 32 family members, Jobey Clarke, Gina Boyer, Todd and Doris Maki, and Kymarie Kuster-Kosmoski (thank you!!!) who supported the students with this great project. The kids really pulled it off!! They made some amazingly creative crafts and sold out in the cold for 3 days!
