Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
December 16, 2022
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
We want to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who took time to take the Muskego Lakes Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey this year! We are grateful that you provided us with feedback so we can best serve our students and their families! As soon as we have access to the results, we will share them with you. We will also let you know our next best steps that we will take as a result of the feedback you provided. We are learning leaders, so we always appreciate hearing how we can better serve you.
This holiday season, we hope you know how much we appreciate you. From volunteering in classrooms to sending snacks for teachers, sharing your experiences as guest speakers, chaperoning grade level events and more, we are beyond grateful for all the support and care you bring to this school community.
Next week, students only have school Monday, December 19th - Thursday, December 22nd. We are looking forward to those days with students before the holidays as we have some fun planned for them next week. That being said, we will surely miss them over winter break!
Finally, if this holiday season is going to be a hard one for your family due to a loss, a financial hardship, or any other challenge you are facing as a family- please reach out. We are here to listen, check-in, connect you with resources, and support you. We are so much more than a school- we are a community that shows up for one another. So, please never hesitate to let us know if you could use some extra love this holiday season.
Peace and joy to you and your loved ones.
With love,
Rachel Rydzewski & Nancy Pasch
Muskego Lakes Principals
Winter Spirit Days from our Student Council
Important Dates Ahead
December 22nd: PBIS Assemblies
December 23-Jan 2: Winter Break
January 19th: Quarter 2 Ends
January 20th: No Students/Professional Development Day
January 25th: Last Student Photo Day
February 7th: 8th Grade Career Fair
February 20th: No Students/Professional Development Day
March 2nd: Parent-Teacher Conferences
iReady Winter Testing Results Coming Home
We will send home your student's iReady winter reports in the Musky folder prior to winter break. That way, you can review your child's mid-year progress since the beginning of the school year. If your child's doesn't make it home before break please reach out to Nancy Pasch (nancy.pasch@muskegonorway.org).
After seeing your child's mid-year iReady diagnostic report, reach out to your child's literacy and/or math teacher if you have any questions or concerns.
Missing Something? Check Lost and Found!
We have quite the collection of lost and found items ranging from shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, water bottles, etc. Please remind your child to check the lost and found items in the cafeteria. Any items left on December 22nd, 2022 will be donated. Thank you!
Upcoming 8th Grade MHS High School Orientation Information
Muskego High School invites all students and families to two important events intended to assist with the transition to high school and the course selection/registration process.
Our first event is the Muskego High School Orientation Evening on Wednesday, January 11, 2023. This night is intended to provide some insight as to what makes MHS such an amazing place and what it means to be a Muskego Warrior. Students and families will hear about important factors to a successful transition to high school and will get a chance to hear current high school students share stories about their experience with the transition. Presentations will be facilitated by the administrative team, the athletic director, and our school counseling team. Families will also have the opportunity to meet coaches and club advisors, and take a self-guided tour.
In an effort to maintain two relatively equal size presentation groups and maximize the opportunity to engage in the learning, please follow the alphabetical schedule below. Our orientation event will begin promptly at 6:00 PM with the presentations described in the outline below.
Students - Last Names A-K
6:00-6:45 PM Attend “Keys to Success” presentation in the Performing Arts Center (PAC)
6:45-7:00 PM Walk to the Salentine Gymnasium
7:00-7:15 PM Brief Presentation on Co-Curricular Activities in the Salentine Gymnasium
7:15-7:45 PM Visit Co-Curricular Activities in the Cafeteria and Self-guided Tour of MHS
Students – Last Names L-Z
6:00-6:15 PM Brief Presentation on Co-Curricular Activities in the Salentine Gymnasium
6:15-6:45 PM Visit Co-Curricular Activities in the Cafeteria and Self-guided Tour of MHS
6:45-7:00 PM Walk to the Performing Arts Center (PAC)
7:00-7:45 PM Attend “Keys to Success” presentation in the Performing Arts Center (PAC)
For your convenience, you may park in either the east lot along Racine Avenue (nearest the PAC) or the west lot located off Woods Road (nearest the Salentine Gym), depending upon which presentation your night will begin with.
The second event, Muskego High School Course Information Night, is open to all current and incoming students/families. The goal of this event is to provide students and families access to our entire teaching staff to ask questions about the specific details and expectations of the various courses we offer. This event will take place on Wednesday, January 25th, and will be run in an open house format from 5:00-8:00.
We are excited to begin our partnership together and hope to see you at these important events. If you have any questions about either event, please contact our Student Services Office at (262) 971-1790, ext. 4509.
Join the 8th Grade Completion Committee!
Staff Member Spotlight - Mrs. Heimerl
Meet Mrs. Heimerl! We asked her to share a little about herself and what makes her proud to work at Muskego Lakes and she said:
"I am so happy and proud that I made the career choice to become a teacher. This job is never easy, but the hard work will always be worth it. I am really proud of taking opportunities to teach in different grade levels and each teaching position helped me grow so much as an educator. I have a constant desire to learn different strategies of effective teaching and ways to build strong relationships with my students. I am proud of focusing on teaching the whole child and encouraging academic, emotional and behavioral growth so my students can become the person they want to be."
Here is a little more to help you get to know Mrs. Heimerl
Favorite Coffee Drink: Chai Tea Latte
Favorite Subject When In Middle School: Math
Fun Fact About Me: I am the youngest of 52 cousins on my dad's side.
My Dream Vacation: Hawaii
My Students Would Describe As: Kind, thoughtful, helpful, encouraging, inspirational, a leader, compassionate & cheerful
Staff Member Spotlight - Mrs. Hake
Meet Mrs. Hake! We asked her to share a little about herself and what makes her proud to work at Muskego Lakes and she said:
"I can't believe that this is my 35th year in education! The years have flown by with so many amazing memories that I will never forget!
Through these 35 years I have worked with so many amazing people: staff, students, parents, and community members. Starting out teaching and coaching in a small town in Colorado, then moving back to Wisconsin to teach, and then later becoming a school counselor, has been an adventure of a lifetime. Working in all levels of education, from preschool through twelfth grade, I have had the pleasure of doing what I love and loving what I do!
I have been proud to be an educator and school counselor for the Muskego Norway Schools for 25 years, as a school counselor at Bay Lane Middle School first, then opening Lake Denoon Middle School, and then later returning to Bay Lane after teaching AP Psychology and American Issues at Muskego High School. After returning to Bay Lane for counseling, I was honored to again open a new middle school, Muskego Lakes. Through those years I was also honored to be an advisor of many amazing clubs, involved in many sporting activities, and a big cheerleader, (figuratively speaking), for thousands of our amazing students in sports, activities, and in education.
What an honor, what a privilege, and what a dream to be able to have a profession where I love all of the people that I work with, love what I do, and couldn't imagine doing anything else."
Here is a little more to help you get to know Mrs. Hake
Favorite Coffee Drink: Stone Creek coffee with Kroger sugar free vanilla creamer.
Favorite Subject When In Middle School: Social Studies
Fun Fact About Me: I won a radio call-in contest for being able to say the McDonald's big mac ingredients, (two all beef patties, special sauce,...), in the fastest time. I also played a flying monkey in my middle school's rendition of Wizard of Oz.
My Dream Vacation: Any place that is warm, with a sandy beach, on the ocean.
My Students Would Describe As: Good listener, a crazy dresser for spirit days, someone having a messy, but fun, office, and also someone who cares about them, no matter what.
Seeking a Future Buisness Leaders of America (FBLA) Advisor
We are currently seeking highly dedicated, motivated, co-curricular advisor to serve the student community at Muskego Lakes Middle School for Muskego-Norway Schools. The mission statement of FBLA is to inspire and prepare students to become community-minded business leaders in a global society through relevant career preparation and leadership experiences. Through conferences, workshops, community service, and academic competitions, FBLA has helped so many students to learn about being a leader and assist in finding their future careers.
If you are interested in possibly becoming an advisor and have questions please reach out to Rachel Rydzewski (rachel.rydzewski@muskegonorway.org).
Deadline Approaching! Order a Yearbook Today!
You may order a middle school yearbook through Jostens, as yearbook sales are not handled through the school. In order to order a year book please visit: Jostens.com/YB23 . The deadline to place an order is February 1st, 2023. Additional copies of yearbooks will not be available at school after the deadline.
If you're not certain if you've already ordered a yearbook, please search your email for "Jostens" and look for a confirmation of sale. Or, if you created an account when ordering, you may login to Jostens.com, and view your purchase history.
To inquire about financial assistance, please reach out to Stacy Pawlak, Social Worker.
Reporting of an Illness/ Reporting of COVID Reminders
A friendly reminder that when you notify school of your child/children being out ill/sick, it's important that we get the reason that they are out as we keep track of illness to monitor outbreaks.
Reporting of Illness
If your student is ill please keep them home and notify us at 262-971-1860 ext 5000. You may also use the Campus Parent App to report the illness.
Reporting of COVID
If your student has a positive COVID test please keep them home and Report your student's COVID ISOLATION using the COVID-19 SYMPTOM OR STATUS NOTIFICATION.
Please refer to the Health Services website for additional information.
Holiday Assistance Is Available
Hope Center
They offer a free shop and will help you find winter clothing, hats, gloves, etc., to prep for the cold weather. They have meals served on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 5:30 PM for those in need. In addition, they also accept once-yearly applicants for financial assistance if they are in the low-income population.
Reach them at:
502 N. East Avenue, Waukesha WI 53186
P: (262) 549-8726
Love Inc.
They provide holiday assistance along with many other resources. Please contact at (262) 763-6226 to inquire about their "Thanksgiving Dinner Program" and "Adopt-a-Family Christmas Program." They also provided gently used coats, hats, scarves, and mittens for winter warmth.
If you have questions about any of the mentioned resources, don't hesitate to get in touch with Stacy Pawlak (stacy.pawlak@muskegonorway.org), School Social Worker.
Did you know we have On-Site Mental Health Counseling at Muskego Lakes?
We are proud to continue to partner with Clinical Psychology Associates (CPA) to offer on-site counseling services at Bay Lane Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Mill Valley Elementary, Muskego Lakes Middle School, Lake Denoon Middle School, and Muskego High School. For information about CPA’s services and therapists or to get started with an appointment, please visit our website.
Get Involved By Joining The Muskego Lakes PTO!
Please consider joining the Muskego Lakes PTO. We meet monthly in the MLMS library at 6:30pm. We always welcome new faces and would love to hear your ideas in how we can make this an amazing school year ahead!!
MLMS PTO Meeting Dates for 2022-2023
- January 18
- February 15
- March 15
- April 19
- May 17
PTO Mid-Week Munchies
Community Events
Speak Up Speak Out Wisconsin
Muskego Lakes Associate Principal
Muskego Lakes Principal
Muskego Lakes Middle School
Website: https://www.muskegonorway.org/schools/muskegolakes/
Location: W124 S8009 North Cape Rd.
Phone: 262-971-1860
Twitter: @MLMSmuskies