Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
January 13th, 2023
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
Here at Muskego Lakes, we infuse college and career exploration for all our students 5-8. This means exposing students to different career clusters, learning opportunities, and fields of study. Our goal is for students to explore various fields of interest before high school. These student experiences vary from guest speakers, field trips, in-class projects, and more!
Recently, our Dollar and Cents students participated in a field trip to Junior Achievement's Biztown. At Biztown, students were given job roles in a variety of businesses. They were tasked with working together as citizens, workers, and consumers in the community to learn about the free enterprise system. Students participated in scenarios that had them manage money, understand business practices, and participate responsibly to create a successful society.
In our Teen Cuisine II class just today, 8th graders participated in a Breakfast Bonanza! Students planned, cooked, and prepared breakfast. Students learned the importance of timing, plating, and food presentation when cooking for others. Working together in teams, they cooked eggs, bacon, pancakes, and toast. To celebrate their hard work, students invited staff to join them for breakfast, so they could show off their skills.
In addition to the career exploration work in classes, our students work with our school counselors to explore academic and career planning. Working alongside the school counselors and classroom teachers allows students to explore interest areas, career options, and reflect on how that might shape next steps in life over their years here at MLMS. Some examples of topics covered include:
- Goal setting
- Interest inventories
- School subjects related to work tasks
- Career cluster and interest matches
- Career and learning pathways
- Skill assessments
- Self-advocacy
We will continue to share more about the different opportunities our students experience this year with you. However, if you are interested in partnering with us to provide students with more opportunities or have questions, please reach out to us.
With love,
Rachel Rydzewski & Nancy Pasch
Muskego Lakes Principals
Important Dates Ahead
January 17th: Co-Curricular/Club Photo Day
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 15th: 8th Grade Courage Retreat
February 17th: Community Day
February 20th: No Students/Professional Development Day
March 2nd: Parent-Teacher Conferences
Co-Curricular and Group Photos Taken Next Week
Get Your Tickets Today! Muskego Lakes Presents Matilda Jr!
Ticket sales for the Muskego Lakes Middle School production of Matilda Jr. are now live to purchase. To order tickets click here.
Performance Dates:
Friday, March. 17 at 7 pm (Miracle Cast)
Saturday, March 18 at 2 pm (Miracle Cast)
Saturday, March 18 at 7 pm (Naughty Cast)
Sunday, March. 19 at 2 pm (Naughty Cast)
Deadline Approaching for Course Registration for 2023-2024 School Year
Students in grades 5 - 7 now have all the course registration forms they need for the 2023-2024 school year. If you have any questions regarding registration, we ask that you please reach out to your childs school counselor.
- 5/6th Grade: Mrs. Hake - janine.hake@muskegonorway.org
- 7/8th Grade: Mr.Brickweg james.brickweg@muskegonorway.org
When students are selecting their elective classes, the online portion must be completed through the student's Infinite Campus account. While directions are provided on how to register online, please know that some students have changed their Infinite Campus passwords and are not their original passwords as stated on the direction sheet. If a student does not remember their Infinite Campus password, please have them go to the Student Services office or the main office to have their accounts reset to their original passwords.
Online course registration for 5th, 6th and 7th graders is due by Wednesday January 18th. Course selection, (program) cards need to be completed and signed by a parent/guardian by Wednesday, January 18th as well. There is not a "save" button when online registration is complete and we do not want you to print the online information.
MHS Registration information for 8th Grade Students
Please review the presentation HERE shared with students on how to register for their high school courses. Important to know the deadline for this is January 31st for fall classes. For summer classes registration opens on February 10th and closes on February 17th.
Upcoming MHS High School Course Information Night
The second event to help with high school orientation is the Muskego High School Course Information Night. This 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.
Penny Wars
If you are able to help, the PTO is looking for support in managing the jars each day at lunch, and if you are able to help sign up HERE.
Does your student start their day at MHS?
If your child starts their day at Muskego High School this is a reminder of communication you recieved earlier this week that that your child's semester exam at Muskego High School is scheduled for January 18, 2023.
Since class times are extended during exam days, please note the time change listed below:
1st Period 7:25-8:35 (instead of the usual 8:15)
2nd Period 8:45-9:55 (instead of the usual 9:10)
The bus company is aware of the schedule change and bus transportation is provided after each exam back to Muskego Lakes.
Also, please note that on Thursday, January 19, 2023, your student should report to directly to Muskego Lakes to start their day.
Staff Member Spotlight - Mrs. Lehmann
We asked her to share a little about herself and her career in education and she said:
"I am truly a lifelong learner! My first degree was in broadcast journalism. Ten years later I went back to school for teaching. Then I got my Masters in Education. I expect that in retirement I’ll be one of those people who audits classes just for the joy of learning.
I started at Bay Lane in 2001. I’ve taught 8th grade Literacy every year. Additionally I’ve taught 7th grade Language Arts (that’s what it was called back then), Drama, pre-Algebra (my first year, and definitely NOT my area of expertise), and even a semester of German.
Over the course of my career I’ve adjusted from overhead projectors and chalkboards to Smartboards; TVs/VCRs to DVDs to streaming, signing up to bring classes to the computer lab to every student carrying a chromebook, paper gradebooks and calculating averages to online grading and Infinite Campus, not to mention adjusting to standards-based grading, personalized learning, flipped classrooms, virtual learning, new curriculums, years of no textbooks, to a textbook being the curriculum, and finally to teaching standards. In short, I started teaching the way parents learned back when they were in school and evolved to the way teaching is done today. Along the way I have been complimented for my willingness to embrace change, dive in and try new things, and learn and grow along with my students."
Here is a little more to help you get to know Mrs. Lehmann
Favorite Coffee Drink: I’m not a coffee drinker, but I have tea (Irish breakfast tea) every morning! And a black currant tea at night. My favorite coffee shop order is Chai Latte.
Favorite Subject When In Middle School: English/Language Arts and Theater Arts (of course!)
Fun Fact About Me: When I was in my 20s, two friends and I bought a pub up north in Wild Rose, Wisconsin. We ran it for 6 years and then I moved back home. At that time I was torn between going back to school to become a teacher or going to culinary school. So now, I teach all day, but do cooking and some catering outside of school.
My Dream Vacation: After I graduated from college the first time, I backpacked across Europe for 4 months. At that time I made a vow to one day do the same thing across the US. A few years ago, I went in with some family members to buy an RV, and now I’m just waiting until I retire to make it happen.
An African photographic safari and Australia have long been bucket list destinations. But I love travel so much, just being able to get away ANYWHERE, ANYTIME brings me joy. A weekend in a hotel, a spa resort, an NYC Broadway binge, a camping trip…. they're all good!
My Students Would Describe As: I know, I know…. I talk. A lot. I love to tell stories, and I’ve got 50+ years of experiences to share! (Just today students in one of my classes were telling me I need to get a podcast or do tiktok videos with my stories.) I’m well known to be the school word nerd! I’m passionate and enthusiastic about what I teach. I have high expectations and can be strict but I’m guessing they also think I’m pretty funny, and I hope they know that I truly care about them (and their learning) I know my stuff, and I leave them well-prepared for high school. At the end of the year most students tell me that they’ve learned a lot from me. Mission accomplished!
Staff Member Spotlight - Mr. Geers
We asked Mr. Geers to share a little about himself and his career in education, in addition to what what makes him proud to work at Muskego Lakes and he said:
"I am a passionate person who believes that life is meant to be lived with energy and vigor. Going to new places and immersing myself in the culture and geography of the area is my bliss. My family and friends are my greatest treasures and I am usually trying to convince them to join me in travel and adventure. Most of all I love my career choice. It happens quite often that I wish I could go back and thank my younger self. Teaching is what I was meant to do.The people make me proud to work at MLMS and make this a truly special place to work."
Here is a little more to help you get to know Mr. Geers
Favorite Food: chicken pot pie from Kettle Range Butcher
Favorite Subject When In Middle School: Social Studies
Fun Facts About Me:
- I am adopted.
- I wrote a novel.
- I am an avid endurance athlete.
- I race fat bikes.
My Dream Vacation: To see Russia, Mongolia, and China via the Trans Siberian Railroad
My Students Would Describe As:Funny, caring, cool as the leeward side of the mountain
Does Your Student Have a Cellphone?
Guest Speakers Wanted
Open Gym Schedule for Muskego Lakes
Need a Yearbook? Feb. 1st Last Day to Order!
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.
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