Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
September 18, 2020
Muskego-Norway School District Covid-19 FAQs & Resources
Celebrating 3 Weeks!
Thank you for your continued efforts to help us Stay Safe to Stay Open. Families have supported us by monitoring student symptoms daily, supporting our face covering policy and navigating our new drop-off and pick-up routines. Students have navigated many changes to routines and expectations with ease - even when we made adjustments!
All of this adds up to a successful start to the year allowing our teachers and staff to focus on building relationships and delivering quality instruction!
In partnership,
Rachel Rydzewski & Chad Krupar
Muskego Lakes Principals
To contact Rachel: rachel.rydzewski@muskegonorway.org or (608) 628-8546
To contact Chad: chad.krupar@muskegonorway.org or (262) 955-1274
Important Dates Ahead
9/25 - Professional Development Day - No Students in Attendance
9/25 - 2:00pm - 6:00pm - Virtual Student Picture Day
9/29 - In-Person Student Picture Day
10/14 & 10/15 - Muskego Lakes Parent-Teacher Conference Nights
General Updates
Fall Parent-Teacher Conference Nights
Infinite Campus Attendance Messaging
School Lunch Program Update
On Monday, August 31, 2020, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) unexpectedly announced nationwide waivers to allow the continuation of free meals to all students through the National School Lunch Program. The nationwide waivers allow schools and school districts to serve meals in a similar manner to how students were served meals beginning in mid-March.
What does this mean for Muskego-Norway School District families? Any student who chooses a full reimbursable meal at lunch will receive that meal at no cost.
What is a full reimbursable meal and how do I ensure my child is selecting the right options? The USDA meal patterns require five components must be offered to qualify for a reimbursable meal. A Meat/Protein, Fruit, Vegetable, Grain, and Milk must be offered in specific quantities. Please view this presentation for an explanation of how to make a reimbursable meal. If a child does not take at least three of the five components, they will be charged for an ala carte meal. One component must be a fruit or vegetable.
When does the free lunch program begin? This program started the first day of school for all schools K-8. The high school started September 8. If your child has been choosing a reimbursable meal, you have not been charged for their lunch.
Are there other options besides the full reimbursable meal? Ala carte items, including milk are still available for purchase.
Where can I go to find out what meal options are available? Please visit the district’s food service website. You can also download the Taher Food4Life app from Google Play or the App Store.
My child is enrolled in the virtual learning option. Does he/she still qualify? Lunch service will be available to virtual families who elect to have meals provided. Surveys go out to virtual families via an Infinite Campus message. Families will continue to receive weekly surveys to request meals for the following week. Please submit all surveys no later than Friday.
These waivers are currently allowed through December 31, 2020. However, the USDA FNS reserves the right to withdraw any or all of the nationwide waivers subject to the availability of funding. We will communicate out to parents in the event there are changes to the program before December, 31, 2020. If you have any questions about the food service program, please contact Chrissy Koerner, Food Service Director at 262-971-1790 x4522 or via email at chrissy.koerner@muskegonorway.org.
PTO News
We know the Muskego Lakes Staff is one of the hardest working groups in the district!! It is tradition for parents to show our appreciation for the staff by providing Midweek Munchies. Unfortunately, this year we are unable to provide anything homemade and/or NOT individually wrapped. Basically staff cannot share serving utensils or grab off a platter/bowl. BUT there are lots of options to continue to support. Store bought or restaurant purchased pre-packaged/individually wrapped treats such as cookies, brownies, candy, granola bars, apples, oranges, or string cheese are all examples of items that can be brought in. We understand this could get expensive so we encourage getting together with a friend or two and sign up for a week that works for you. Please have munchies delivered to school by 8am. Please contact Jaci Geiger at 414-659-1255 with any questions.
Box Tops for Education
Do you have a baggie of clipped box tops at home? Have your student turn them into the Mrs. Colon in the office by October 1. Be sure to download the BOX TOP APP for digital collection moving forward.
Shop with SCRIP
Shop with Scrip now has a mobile app to make this the easiest ongoing PTO fundraiser ever! Shop more than 750 top brands using gift cards right from your phone. Already have a scrip account? Simply log into your account from the app. New to Scrip? Download the app and create an account using the Muskego Lakes Enrollment code D942D39361995
Questions about the program or need help logging in contact MuskegoLakesPTO@gmail.com
Muskego Lakes Spiritwear CLOSEOUT!
A limited amount of Muskego Lakes Spiritwear is available at a discounted price of $5 per item. Please contact MuskegoLakesPTO@gmail.com
Muskego Lakes Ski and Snowboard Club
In-Person Updates
6th Grade CogAT Testing
Virtual Updates
Picture Day
6th Grade CogAT Testing
Muskego-Norway Schools will be administering the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to third
and sixth grade students this year. If your child attended elementary school in the district, you may recall them taking this assessment in third grade. The test results are valid for three years.
The CogAT evaluates the level and pattern of cognitive development of students, as well as their abilities in problem solving using verbal, quantitative, and spatial (nonverbal) reasoning. The CogAT measures developed abilities that begin at birth and continue through early adulthood. Scores can be used to adapt instruction in ways that enhance students’ success in learning.
Data gathered from these assessments will be included as one aspect of the multiple measures
that help staff make decisions regarding your child’s instructional needs. There is no way for
students to study or prepare for this assessment.
At this time, we are unable to administer CogAT virtually. The company is working on a solution, but for now, we are offering the following options for your child to take this assessment:
Attend an in-person opportunity on October 16th at 1:00 at Muskego Lakes Middle School. This is a professional development day for staff, and there will not be any students in the building. Virtual students will be socially distanced in a large space.
Take the assessment upon returning to in-person learning, should an educator identify a need to have more information about your child as a learner
Results of this assessment will be shared with you following the completion of the testing. The information gathered will not be used in any calculation of report card grades since it is not directly connected to standard or skill achievement.
Attendance Reminder
If your child will not be attending virtual learning for the day, please call the Student Services office 262-971-1860 ext. 5000 to report the absence. Attendance must be monitored and documented for all students, both in-person and those participating virtually. Please reference the following attendance school board policy and administrative guideline for further details/ information.
Muskego Lakes Middle School
Website: https://www.muskegonorway.org/schools/muskegolakes/
Location: W124 S8009 North Cape Rd.
Phone: 262-971-1860
Twitter: @MLMSmuskies