Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
December 10th, 2021
Meet the Muskego Lakes Principals
Muskego Lakes Associate Principal
Muskego Lakes Principal
Important Dates Ahead
Parent Satisfaction Survey- November 19th-December 17th
5th & 6th Grade Band/Choir Assembly - Dec. 16th Hour 1/2
6th Grade Science Fair - December 16th
MHS Chamber Choir Performance for 5th Graders- Dec. 21st- 12:45-1:45pm
No School Winter Break - Dec. 23rd - January 2nd
Choir Dress Rehearsal during the day & Winter Choir Concert at the PAC- Jan. 13th
8th Grade Pep Band Game with MHS Band- Jan. 28th at MHS
MLMS Community Day- Feb. 18th
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences- Feb. 24th
Lion King Musical - April 2-3rd
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
At Muskego Lakes, we rely on Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as a research-based approach to teaching and reinforcing behaviors. We make sure we are clear with students about what we expect from them, and they are aware of the consistent consequences school wide when those expectations are not met.
In a middle school, we know it is especially important that we are consistent and predictable when it comes to behavior expectations. So, we have a PBIS team that meets regularly to ensure all staff are on the same page when it comes to enforcing behavior expectations school wide.
In addition, we work really hard to track patterns of behaviors as a school in order to intervene as needed. For example, we had more playground behavior incidents tied to the Gaga Ball Pit last month. As a result, we re-taught the Gaga Ball Pit rules last week in homerooms.
We are excited to share that so far this year, 98.3% of students at MLMS have received 0-1 behavior referrals. (1.6% of students received 2-5 behavior referrals and 0% of students received 6+ behavior referrals so far this year.)
In addition, the grade levels have been working hard to reduce tardies. As a result, we've successfully cut tardies in half school wide.
Also, please know that anytime students do end up with a behavior referral in the office, we:
1) First and foremost, we listen. We want to make sure we understand the student's experience and perspective.
2) Then, we help the student understand the impact of his or her actions.
3) Next, we work with the student to problem solve next steps to restore any harm that was done.
4) Finally, we reflect with the student to talk through what he/she could do in the future if in a similar situation again.
Our goal is to keep all students safe, but it is also important to us that students with behavior referrals learn through those experiences. And we do our best to preserve students' dignity even on their worst days, because we understand that all behavior is really a form communication and potentially an unmet need.
Enjoy the weekend ahead!
With love,
Rachel Rydzewski & Nancy Pasch
Muskego Lakes Principals
Muskego Lakes Parent Satisfaction Survey
If you haven't yet, please take a few minutes to complete the Muskego Lakes Parent/Family Satisfaction Survey using the following link.
Muskego Lakes Middle School– https://rezed.io/1N9DQ6
The survey will remain open through December 17th.
Thank you for your commitment to our District’s success. And thanks for all the ways you help us keep Muskego Lakes a premier middle school! We are grateful for your support, for the ideas you bring forward to help us improve, and that you trust us as we walk alongside your children here at school each day.
How do you know if you ordered a yearbook?
All ordering of yearbooks is done directly through Jostens. To check if you ordered a yearbook, you should create an account with Jostens. By creating an account, you can check anytime during the year to see if you have ordered one. Important to know is that after you successfully purchase the yearbook, you will receive a confirmation email.
You can still purchase a yearbook, and If you are interested in your student having a yearbook, you can order through this online link.
PTO Holiday Staff Celebration
Missing Something? Check Lost and Found!
Notice for 7 & 8th Graders Attending MHS
On December 16, 2021, all middle school students who have classes 1st & 2nd Hour at MHS will report to their Middle Schools and not to Muskego High School - due to the Career Fair at MHS.
How to Help Your Child Deal With Academic Anxiety
Signs of academic anxiety
Kids don’t always tell you how they feel or show anxiety in obvious ways, and behavior is one way kids communicate. Look out for these signs of academic anxiety in your child:
- Complaining of frequent stomachaches, headaches or other physical pain with no known medical cause
- Avoiding school or certain classes (e.g., refusing to get dressed or trying to miss the bus)
- Worrying excessively about school and no longer making time for activities they used to enjoy, including social interactions.
- Showing changes in sleep or eating habits
- Showing changes in mood, such as appearing to be “on edge,” irritable, or tearful
- Acting out in class (e.g., being the class clown, getting in fights or talking back)
- Having an “I don’t care” attitude about anything related to school
- Sweating, shaking or fast breathing when thinking or talking about school
Talking to your child about academic anxiety
It’s natural to want to help kids feel better when they are stressed, but sometimes even the best intentions backfire. By attempting to fix the problem without acknowledging their feelings, kids can end up feeling worse while getting the message that their feelings are not OK. Here are some helpful ways to respond:
Overcoming academic anxiety in the moment
What can kids do when they find themselves worrying excessively about an assignment, or feeling short of breath as a teacher passes out a test? It’s important for kids to get a chance to learn and practice these skills in a calm moment, such as at the kitchen table while doing homework, so they will be ready to use them when they feel their anxiety rise. Here are a few strategies:
- Deep breathing: Breathe slowly in through the nose and out through the mouth. Repeat several times
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Slowly tense and relax muscles. For example: As you inhale through your nose, tighten the muscles in your hands by pretending you are squeezing a lemon.. Hold for a few seconds. Now, imagine letting go of the lemon and allowing your muscles to relax, as you exhale slowly through your mouth.
- Grounding: Take a few deep breaths, and then use your senses to notice things. For example: Notice 3 things you can see around you, 2 things you can touch or 1 thing you can hear, etc.
Overcoming academic anxiety in the long run
Here are some ways you can give your child a healthy outlook on school and help them manage school-related stress.
- Practice healthy habits as a family. Healthy habits have a positive impact on both the body and mind, and they help reduce stress. Encourage the whole family to prioritize getting enough quality rest, eating well and being active.
- Encourage balance. Encourage children to explore other interests and hobbies so that school is not their only focus.
- Make time for play. Like adults, kids need unstructured time to play, unwind, be creative and relax. Taking breaks and being active can reduce stress.
- Be a positive role model. Your child still looks to you as an example, and if they see you managing stress in healthy ways they are more likely to do the same. For example: “I feel stressed about a big work deadline, but I know I will feel better if I take a break to go for a walk. Would you like to join me?”
- Teach your child how to study smarter. Knowing how to properly study, and be organized, can help reduce anxiety.
- Break big assignments up into smaller, more manageable pieces.
- Find a quiet space and remove distractions (such as the TV, phone, etc.).
- Use a planner to help with time-management.
When to seek help or support for academic anxiety
Some amount of school-related anxiety is normal and to be expected for most kids (at some point in their lives). If you are ever concerned your child may be experiencing symptoms of anxiety that go beyond what is normal and manageable, or you have other concerns about their emotional wellness, please feel free to reach out to our student service team of:
- Stacey Malek - School Psychologst
- Janine Hake - School Counselor
- Stacy Pawlak - School Social Worker
Saving Money and Getting the Most Out Of Your Lunch Account Balance
The Offer Versus Serve (OVS) lunch plan aims to reduce food waste and allow students to choose the foods they want to eat from the hot lunch menu. This program also guidelines how students' meals can be reimbursable or free. When students, families, and cafeteria staff understand OVS, lunch lines move smoothly, allowing students to make the most of the lunch break and enjoy the wholesome and appealing foods they are served. It also helps reduce overall food costs and saves families money under current lunch program guidelines.
The OVS program dictates that schools must offer all five food components in at least the minimum required quantities:
- A food component is one of five required food groups in reimbursable lunches. These are meats/meat alternates, grains, fruits, vegetables, and fluid milk*.
- A food item is a specific food offered within the five food components. For example, spaghetti (whole grain-rich pasta with tomato sauce) is one food item that contains both a grain and a vegetable component.
Under OVS, students must select three meal components to ensure they get the nutritional benefits of a meal. One of these three must be a fruit or vegetable.
- If a student's meal from hot lunch meets these requirements, the meal is reimbursable or free.
- If the students' meal doesn't meet these requirements, the student will be charged for the items.
- Any a la carte options offered are not part of the published lunch menu, do not qualify for OVS, and are marked as such and charged individually.
If your child(ren) takes advantage of this program and is mindful of the number of a la carte options they purchase daily, your child's account balance will last longer.
New Taher Food Service App: Stay Updated About Lunch Menus, Allergens, Nutrition and More!
Get school lunch menus and nutritional information from your phone on the new Food Service App! You can download this app for FREE from your phones app store. From there, just add the Muskego menus you want to follow. For more information on how to use the app visit here: Food4Life App FAQ
Considering Joining the Muskego Lakes PTO!
MLMS PTO Meeting Dates for 2021-2022
- January 19, 2022 @ 6:30pm
- February 16, 2022 @ 6:30pm
- March 16, 2022 @ 6:30pm
- April 20, 2022 @ 6:30pm
- May 18, 2022 @ 6:30pm
PTO Mid-Week Munchies
COVID-19 Important Information
- To opt into this program, please complete our online form by clicking here.
- Please to submit the follow form if you, your child, or anyone in your household has been exposed to and/or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. (Form: COVID-19 SYMPTOM OR STATUS NOTIFICATION FORM. After completing the form, someone from Health Services will be in touch with you about next steps.
Parent COVID-19 FAQ
- You can find any and all information related to COVID-19 and our response in the PARENT COVID-19 FAQ. Please take a look there before reaching out to the Health Services team.
For all other questions related to COVID-19, please refer to the MNS Health Services website for the latest health information including but not limited to COVID-19 guidelines, Illness and Injury guidelines, Immunizations, Forms, and other useful information.
Muskego Lakes Middle School
Website: https://www.muskegonorway.org/schools/muskegolakes/
Location: W124 S8009 North Cape Rd.
Phone: 262-971-1860
Twitter: @MLMSmuskies