Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
December 9, 2022
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
It is hard to believe it is December already! This school year is flying by! Our students just finished their winter iReady testing this week, and we could not be more proud of them for their effort on that assessment and for all they do as part of our Muskego Lakes community.
We wanted to also share with you a few celebrations so far from this school year:
- We have over 300+ students involved in one or more club/ co-curricular activities.
- Our entire student population participated in service learning at our last community day, giving back to the armed forces, Childrens hospital, and veterans.
- We have created new clubs based on student input.
- We have students in all grades 5-8 taking advantage of our homework center (lunch) and homework club (Tuesdays after school).
- Our staff has written 1,700 positive notes home to students this year to celebrate them in different ways.
- We had three student finalists in the Muskego Lions Club Peace Poster Contest.
- Several students receive awards and honors for their participation in Solo & Ensemble.
- We continue to be proud of our work with our community partners, Tudor Oaks, connecting students with the residents to strengthen generational connections.
- We've had over 100 students receive recognition this year in grade levels, encore classes, and more for effort, respect, academic achievement, creativity, and more.
- 100% of students created Google Sites to design or update their learner profiles, reflecting on their strengths, personality, passions, and learning style.
- Academic and Career exploration is underway with students exploring career clusters in 6th-8th grade.
While learning is our #1 priority at Muskego Lakes, we have much more to be proud of as a school community. Thank you for the many ways you continue to partner with us and share your ideas to help us do even better for our students.
With love,
Rachel Rydzewski & Nancy Pasch
Muskego Lakes Principals
Important Dates Ahead
December 14th: ML Winter Choir Concert at the PAC
December 16th: 6th Grade Science Fair
December 22nd: PBIS Assemblies
December 23-Jan 2: Winter Break
January 25th: Last Student Photo Day
Muskego Lakes Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey
If you haven't yet, please take a few minutes to complete the Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey using the following link.
Muskego Lakes Middle School: https://forms.hcg.com/f/41641788/a9b3/
The survey will remain open through December 14th.
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.
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.
Partner with Us to Support Attendance!
Thank you for all the ways you help us by getting your child to school each day. Thank you for doing your best to schedule appointments outside of school hours. And should your child have an appointment, thank you for bringing them to school until the scheduled appointment and/or returning them to school after the appointment. In addition, thanks to our many families who plan vacations in line with our District calendar.
Our role as a school is to partner with families to help you stay updated on your child's overall attendance. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in ensuring students regularly attend school.
Important to know is that parents/guardians can legally excuse their child from school for no more than 10 days in a school year (including vacations). So, when your child misses 5 days of school, 7 days of school, and 10 days of school- they will receive a notification letter from school. The purpose of the letters is to keep you updated on the number of days they have been out of school.
Once your child has been out for 10 days, our District policy requires a doctor's excuse for any additional absences.
Should your child be struggling to come to school, please reach out so we can support both you and your child and partner together.
A few tips to support your child in regularly attending school:
- Maintain structure at home with a predictable bedtime to ensure your child is getting enough sleep.
- Set expectations for technology use during the night time hours.
- Support your child's morning routine, ensuring he/she has enough time in the morning to eat breakfast and prepare for the day.
- Encourage your child to come to school each day, making sure they know they can see the school nurse if they do not feel well.
- Be aware that missing school can cause anxiety and stress due to missing class and/or falling behind. Make sure when your child does miss that he/she checks in with teachers to know what was missed.
- Reach out to school staff if your child is having an issue with another student, struggling in a class, or if there is any school-related reason why your child is not wanting to attend school. We are here to help!
Last Call for Connect Academy Trades Career Fair
Muskego-Norway's Connect Academy Coordinator, Mr. Jim Michlig, is offering an opportunity for 20 Muskego Lakes 5-8 students to participate in a field trip on December 14, 2022, to Whitnall High School for exploring a variety of construction building trades careers. Students will have opportunities to participate in hands-on activities, connect with industry professionals and view live demonstrations.
Whether your student is a hands-on, employment driven individual, a student interested in technical training beyond high school, or an individual interested in learning more about construction building trades, this field trip is an opportunity to learn more. Your student was identified and selected to participate in this field trip based on identifying Architecture and Construction as one career cluster of interest, through their career exploration work.
Please consider having your student join this field trip opportunity to learn more about several local construction building trades companies and the various jobs that they offer!
In order to attend we ask that you turn in the following Permission Slip by no later than Tuesday, December 13th, 2022 to Mr.Brickweg in Student Services.
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, 2021 will be donated. Thank you!
Notice for 7 & 8th Graders Attending MHS
On December 15, 2022, 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 do you know if you ordered a yearbook?
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.
MLMS PTO Holiday Staff Celebration
Looking for a way to show our amazing staff some love leading up to holiday break? Click on this Sign Up link to donate to this fun, 4 day event!
We're going to take the last 4 days before holiday break to spoil the amazing staff at Muskego Lakes! Monday will be a cookie bar, Tuesday will be a coffee bar from Vintage Grounds, Wednesday will be a breakfast bar + Thursday will be a savory treats bar!
Help today by signing up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0848AFAA28A46-holiday1
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.
Long-Term Guest Teachers Needed
Special Education
- Estimated dates April 13, 2023 - June 9, 2023
- Interested? Apply HERE
Winter Wonderland Middle School Dance
Staff Member Spotlight - Mrs. Capstran
Mrs. Capstran is our Spanish 1 teacher here at Muskego Lakes. She started her career at a time when there were very few computers, no cell phones, and limited technology used by students in their daily lives. She stayed home with my sons from 2002-2009, and then went back to work part-time from 2009-2011, and then joined us here in Muskego!
We asked her what she was most proud of working at Muskego Lakes and she said:
"I am proud of my grit and determination to improve my use of technology in the classroom and develop an understanding of the differences between millenial kids of the early 1990s and Gen Z kids of today."
Here is a little more to help you get to know Mrs. Capstran
Favorite Coffee Drink: Vanilla Latte
Favorite Subject When In Middle School: Literacy
Fun Fact About Me: I love to do service work for the Salvation Army Oak Creek. My husband is a retired teacher who is a youth development coordinator and I enjoy serving with him.
My Dream Vacation: Panama, Mexico, or Costa Rica for a year and being completely immersed in the culture
My Students Would Describe As: Fair and Consistent
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.
Student Council Happenings
Open Gym at Muskego Lakes
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.
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