Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
September 16, 2022
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
Did you know that here at Muskego Lakes, we have over 30+ clubs/athletic opportunities for our Muskies? We are proud to share that last year, over 425 students participated in one or more club/sport!, and we hope to surpass that this year. This past Thursday, we had our Muskego Lakes Co-Curricular Fair over lunches to ensure students had a chance to learn more about the different clubs and athletics we offer and pick up information sheets.
Middle school is the perfect time for students to explore, discover their passions, try something new, and connect with others with similar interests. Because of this, we work hard to offer students a wide range of opportunities. By participating in clubs or sports, students grow their self-confidence, practice healthy risk-taking, develop friendships, and learn about their strengths beyond the classroom. In fact, many staff are running clubs based on students' requests.
So, we highly encourage all students to check out at least one club or athletic opportunity this year. If you haven't yet, please ask your child if he/she picked up any of the handouts over lunches this week. We've also included a list of the clubs/athletics in this newsletter, along with links to the flyers for more information.
In Partnership,
Rachel Rydzewski & Nancy Pasch
Muskego Lakes Principals
Important Dates Ahead
School Picture Retake Day - September 29th
MLMS Spirit Week- September 26-30th
No School - October 3rd
Fall Parent Teacher Conference Dates - October 13th and 19th
MNS Choral Festival - November 30th
Co-Curricular Fair at Muskego Lakes
This past week, students had a chance to learn about all the fantastic co-curricular options we have here at Muskego Lakes. Click here to see all the flyers shared with students today! We love that there is truly something for everyone!
Musky Award Nominations
Student Contract at Muskego Lakes
When registering for the school year, students and families are required to indicate that they have read and agree to the Muskego Lakes Student and Family Handbook. However, that happens outside of school before the school year begins.
So, in order to set our students up for success, this we are rolling out an MLMS Student Contract. This way, our students have their own copy of expectations from the Muskego Lakes Student and Family Handbook. We will spend time next week reviewing the expectations with them while also allowing them to ask questions.
In addition, we will use the contract when expectations are not met to reteach and reinforce our agreements to one another within our school community.
6th Grade CogAt Testing Ahead on September 21-22nd
6th grade social studies teachers are planning on giving the CogAt on September 21st and 22nd. The CogAt is the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) to both 3rd and 6th grade students every year. 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. Rather, to attain the most reliable results, we
want to foster a relaxed, natural environment in the classroom.
Results of this assessment will be shared with you following the completion of the testing and following our District’s universal screening process. 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.
Please contact Andy Bavlnka, the Director of Secondary Learning, if you have any questions at andrew.bavlnka@muskegonorway.org.
Pastries with Parents
Free/Reduced Lunch Application
If your K-8 student(s) have been part of the free/ reduced lunch program for the 2021-22 school year, a new application needs to be completed prior to October 14, 2022 for the benefits to continue for the 2022-23 school year. If you have high school students, they start the school year with a paid status until a free/ reduced application is submitted and approved.
There was a waiver the last two school years due to COVID which allowed for the prior year’s meal status to be rolled over to the new school year. This waiver has ended so it is now necessary to return to the prior requirement that a new free/reduced lunch application be completed each school year. The free/ reduced application can be found on the Muskego Norway School District website under the Parents & Students tab:
https://www.muskegonorway.org/parents/FreeReduced.cfm
Please return the completed application to the food service office at the high school. If you have any questions, please contact Deb Matson at 262-971-1790 Ext. 4622 or
Student Picture Retake Day
Picture retakes for students that missed picture day or that would like a retake is September 29th.
Ordering Student Photos
If you'd like to order pictures, they can be ordered online using the following link:
https://orders.schoolandsportpics.com/ordering
When ordering, you will need to use the access key 6WNP4RQJ or use the drop-down menu to type and search for Muskego Lakes Middle School to start your order.
Reporting Student Absences
Parents and Guardians can now put their student's absence in IC rather than calling into the school! We ask that you please report student absences from school daily before 9:00 am. In addition, we thank you for trying your best to make appointments outside of the school day whenever possible.
- Report absences by logging into Infinite Campus, either through the Campus Parent App or from a computer.
- Once logged in, click More, then Absence Requests.
- Select your student(s).
- Select the reason from the drop down.
- Select the absence type.
- Select the date(s).
- Add Comments.
- Click Submit
Failure to notify the school of a student’s absence within 24 hours shall be considered as truancy and handled accordingly. We want to partner with you to support your child's attendance, so don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you have concerns or wish to partner to create a plan to support your student's attendance.
Students shall be allowed one day for each consecutive day of absence to complete and submit pre-assigned work. Students do not receive an extra day to complete work due to an approved field trip or pre-arranged absence. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm arrangements with all teachers prior to a field trip or pre-arranged absence.
Yearbook Ordering Information
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.
Reminder about PE Shoes
We have noticed that quite a few students are not bringing appropriate shoes for PE. Students are required to have tennis shoes to participate in PE. So, we ask that you check with your student that they have a pair for class and can leave it in their gym locker.
If your child does not own a pair of tennis shoes and/or can not leave a pair at school for PE, please contact Stacy Pawlak (stacy.pawlak@muskegonorway.org), our school social worker.
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
- September 21st
- October 19th
- November 16
- January 18
- February 15
- March 15
- April 19
- May 17
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