The new school year is almost here! MPS wants to celebrate the start of the new school year, which will take place through online learning. To kick off a fresh start, students, families, and the community are invited to take part in Welcome Back-to-School Spirit Week!

During the week of August 10 to 14, fans of MPS are encouraged to have fun and show school spirit on social media. Each day of the week offers a different theme to promote creative activities. Students and families are reminded to stay safe and maintain social distancing while making their photos and videos.

We want to see your spirit! Post your photos and videos using the hashtags #MPSspiritweek and #MPSProud, tag MPS in your social media posts, or email your photos and videos to comm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us Be sure to include your name and the name of your school. Have fun, and welcome back to school!

Spirit Week Daily Themes

• Monday—Motivational Monday! Share a quote or message that inspires you.
• Tuesday—Show Your School Spirit! Post photos wearing your school colors and/or clothing.
• Wednesday—Welcome Wednesday! Make a video telling why you are excited for school to start and welcoming students, staff, and friends back to school.
• Thursday—School Picture Day! Post a new or throwback school picture.
• Friday— What are you Looking Forward to Friday? Post a picture or video of what you are looking forward to about the new school year. 

Milwaukee Public Schools’ (MPS) phased-in reopening recommendation for the 2020-21 school year was unanimously approved by the Milwaukee Board of School Directors. The Board, in a 7-2 vote, also approved to maintain the early and traditional start calendars for the school year.

The phased in approach includes, Phase 1-full remote learning, Phase 2-hybird learning, and Phase 3-face-to-face learning with virtual option.

MPS will start the school year with virtual learning for all students. As the spread of COVID-19 decreases, students will return to schools for two days each week for face-to-face learning and virtual three days each week. Phase three will allow all students to return to the classroom five days a week, when conditions are healthy to return. MPS will monitor public health conditions to determine movement between each phase.

“To help preserve the health and well-being of our students and staff, we believe virtual learning is the best scenario at this time,” MPS Superintendent Dr. Keith P. Posley said. “This was a difficult decision but a necessary one as we work diligently to provide the best education for our students. We look forward to returning to in-class instruction but only when we can do so safely.”

As details continue to develop, the district will provide information to students, families, and staff regarding the upcoming school year. Families are encouraged to stay up to date with information about the fall semester by visiting the MPS website, downloading the MPS App on their smartphones, and following MPS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

To enroll, visit mpsmke.com/enroll, call 414-267-5100, or take part in Curbside Enrollment at MPS Central Services on August 3 and 4.

See how much the staff at Trowbridge “reely” misses you.

https://meet.google.com/dxk-pdfh-tfx
Here is the link for the open house today! Feel free to drop in I will be on from 9:00-10:00

Dial-in: (US) +1 413-679-2687 PIN: 300 037 098# if you want to call in you can!

Hope to visit with you soon!

Trowbridge Families, I challenge you to spread some kindness!  I am issuing a Kindness Rocks Challenge.  Let’s do our part in spreading some love, joy, inspiration, and kindness through this Kindness Rocks Challenge.  You can find some rocks around your house, park, along your walking path, etc.  Decorate those rocks and add some words or encouragement and inspiration.  Once you have finished your rocks, share them with others, leave them along a walking path, on a doorstep, etc.  You never know when someone may need that smile put on their face!   “One message at just the right moment can change someone’s entire day, outlook, life!” (The Kindness Rocks Project™)

Snap some pictures of your student and family participating in this challenge and email them to me at koneypm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us .  All families who participate will be put into a drawing to win a prize.  Drawing will be on April 30^th, so you have about 2 weeks to complete the challenge.

I saw a news clip this morning on how you can use old crayons to decorate your rocks.  You put the rocks on a foil covered pan and bake at 350° for about 15 minutes.  Be careful since the rocks will be hot, but you just put the crayon on the rock and it will melt over it.  Use some shavings to get some fun multi-colored rocks.

My kids and I are excited to start this Kindness Rocks challenge ourselves!

Stay healthy, stay positive, and stay Trowbridge Strong!

-Mr. Koney

Mr. Reiser is going to attempt to hold a virtual open house tomorrow, April 16th at 9am.  A link to the open house will be posted here around 8:45am tomorrow.  You will need to be logged into a Google device, in order to access the Google Meet application.

He wishes everyone well, and hopes to be able to see some familiar faces during our virtual open house.

Stay tuned, stay healthy, stay Trowbridge Strong!

Here is a link to some resources from the Milwaukee Coalition for Children’s Mental Health

https://www.mkekids.org/resources/covid-19/

Families,
You should have received an email from the superintendent about a technology needs assessment of your family. Please take the survey indicating the technology availability in your household. I believe the district is trying to get devices into homes that do not have them for online learning to continue during this closure. Click below for the link. And if there is anything else we teachers can do for you, please reach out to us!

https://mpsresearch.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bINb61jo7DkTCN7