Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
January 21, 2022
Meet the Muskego Lakes Principals
Muskego Lakes Associate Principal
Muskego Lakes Principal
Important Dates Ahead
Muskego High School Course Information Night - Wednesday, January 26th
8th Grade Course Meetings with MHS Counselors- Jan. 28th at MLMS
8th Grade Pep Band Game with MHS Band- Jan. 28th at MHS
Title I Parent Info & Feedback Meeting- Feb. 16th at 6pm
MLMS PTO Meeting - Feb 16 at 6:30pm
MLMS Community Day- Feb. 18th
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences- Feb. 24th
Band Solo & Ensemble - March 12th
Musical Tech Week- March 28-April 1st
Lion King Musical - April 2-3rd
Band Concert at MHS PAC - May 19 at 7pm
Choir Concert at MHS PAC- May 24 at 7pm
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
This week we received the results of our Parent Satisfaction Survey. We are so grateful that a record number of our families took the time to provide us with feedback! The number of surveys completed was an all-time high for our school! Your input will help us continue to evaluate our work and further improve. We wanted to share some of the bright spots with you about the survey:
Overall Mean (On a 5 point scale)
- 2015-16: 3.91
- 2016-17: 3.95
- 2017-18: 3.99
- 2018-19: 4.25
- 2019-20: 4.33
- 2020-21: 4.36
- 2021-22: 4.41
Listed below are the specific categories of growth for Muskego Lakes. The bullet point reflects the improvement from last year to this year and the second number represents the district's score.
My child's learning is a high priority at this school.
- Improvement from 4.45 to 4.55
child is learning.
- Improvement from 4.11 to 4.26
My family is treated with respect at this school.
- Improvement from 4.48 to 4.55
My child has every opportunity to be successful at this school.
- Improvement from 4.36 to 4.50
My child has the necessary classroom supplies and equipment for effective learning.
- Improvement from 4.51 to 4.60
I would recommend this school to other parents.
- Improvement from 4.52 to 4.59
This school provides a safe environment for my child to learn.
- Improvement from 4.47 to 4.51
My child is recognized for good work and behavior at this school.
- Improvement from 4.35 4.42
The school is clean and well maintained.
- Improvement from 4.58 to 4.67
The teachers, staff, and administration at this school demonstrate a genuine concern for
my child.
- Improvement from 4.39 to 4.46
I am proud to say I have a child at this school.
- Improvement from 4.49 to 4.54
I receive positive messages about my child from school via phone calls, Infinite Campus,
emails or notes.
- Improvement from 4.16 4.26
It is truly an honor and privilege to work with your children each and every day. We will be coming back around our results with our leadership team to plan our action steps and review feedback. Your feedback continues to help us improve the student and family experience at Muskego Lakes! Keep it coming!
With love,
Rachel Rydzewski & Nancy Pasch
Muskego Lakes Principals
How We Support Students When They Report Concerns
Our priority is to ensure that every student at Muskego Lakes is treated with respect and care. At Muskego Lakes, we check in with students each month about how things are going and learn if they have a situation that could be rude, mean, or bullying behavior. In addition, anytime a teacher observes or has a student report concerning behavior, they also have a notification form to fill out that alerts the administration.
We understand that human nature is to worry about a situation getting worse because of reporting. However, as their principals, we want to assure students and families that if they report a concern, the following will happen:
- The teacher administrator, or student services staff member will gather information while protecting student privacy.
- 100% of reports of behavior are documented on a school-wide tracker. This allows us to monitor any and all reports that we know about in order to be proactive and prevent future incidents.
- Teachers & administration will take all reports seriously and always address the behaviors with consequences and contact the family of both the victim and the offender.
- The reporting student won’t always know the consequence due to privacy laws (FERPA). So they might feel nothing happened, but as principals and teachers, we cannot legally share disciplinary action taken. Students have been assured that there is always a consequence and when a student may say "nothing happened" they are likely just trying to save face in front of their peers. There is always a consequence.
- A teacher, administrator, or student services staff member will check in with the reporting student to ensure the situation has improved without making it obvious to others.
Students are encouraged to reach out to the classroom teacher where the incident occurred, but if they are not comfortable doing that, they can reach out to a student services staff member. Please partner with us by reaching out if your child experiences rude, mean, or bullying behavior. We are unable to intervene to stop these behaviors if we are not aware of them. So, thank you in advance for trusting us with such sensitive information.
Donations Needed: Old Bedsheets and Pillowcases
What Do You Know About Fortnite?
Your Choice, Wake Up Call: Learn to Spot the Signs of Alcohol and Drug Use
Parents, grandparents and staff are invited to attend an eye-opening presentation taking place on Tuesday, February 22 from 6:00-7:30 PM at the Muskego Performing Arts Center. This event is sponsored by Muskego Norway School District, Rosecrance and Your Choice to Live, Inc.
The rise in the use of vaping devices and other substances among youth is a growing concern. Are you familiar with carts? Dabs? Box mods? If you have young people in your life, you should be.
The Wake Up Call presentation, a program of Your Choice, provides practical information on current drug trends, a walk-through of a teens' bedroom with more than 20 red flags that could indicate substance abuse, and proactive parenting strategies to keep your child substance free.
The presenters, both with lived experience, combine their personal stories, experience working with students and families, and sharing things they wish they would've known into an engaging, real and unique presentation. This presentation is a MUST SEE for parents, grandparents, teachers, community members and other adults who are influential in the lives of youth.
Attendees will also receive a Your Choice Handbook, which is a 30+ page comprehensive resource guide with current drugs trends, signs of abuse, hiding places and relevant paraphernalia, parenting tips and resources all in one place.
*This event is for adults only (21 years of age and older).
Register for this free event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wake-up-call-presentation-muskego-norway-school-district-tickets-246720837667
For questions about this event, please contact a Ashleigh at ashleigh@yourchoiceprevention.org.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS:
Ashleigh Nowakowski, Executive Director, Your Choice to Live, Inc. - Ashleigh Nowakowski has been working in the substance abuse prevention field since 2009. Her work includes speaking in middle and high schools, educating parents, teachers and community members and working with high-risk youth. Ashleigh entwines her personal experience of living with a sibling’s substance use disorder into all of her presentations. She is passionate about preventing young people from going down a path that could have negative impacts on their life. Ashleigh has her Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Katie Morrow, Prevention Education Specialist, Your Choice to Live, Inc. - Katie Morrow is a prevention education specialist who has been working in the substance abuse field since 2009. She has worked in a variety of roles in this field including prevention, direct care, development and community organizing. She has a Master’s in Public Administration from Marquette University. Being in long-term recovery since 2007 gives Katie a passion for recovery and prevention. Katie enjoys sharing her story in hopes that it will help others from going down the path that she did.
Health Education Series for Parents
Muskego-Norway Schools invites you to participate in a three part parent education series on the prevention of Alcohol and Other Drug Addictions in youth. Click HERE To learn more about this educational series.
All presentations will be held at the Performing Arts Center, located on the south end of Muskego High School at 6pm. Additionally, presentations will be recorded and shared on the District’s website.
Attention 8th Grade Families: MHS Course Registration Information
A reminder that Muskego High school counselors will be meeting with students in person this year, not virtual, on January 28th. Parents may also want to go with their student to Course Information Night on January 26th, from 5:00-8:00PM to meet with teachers and learn more about the courses being offered at Muskego High School.
If you have any questions, please contact Janine Hake, school counselor, at 262-971-1860, ext. 5401 or janine.hake@muskegonorway.org.
Mid-Week Munchies for Staff at MLMS
Considering Joining the Muskego Lakes PTO!
MLMS PTO Meeting Dates for 2021-2022
- February 16, 2022 @ 6:30pm
- March 16, 2022 @ 6:30pm
- April 20, 2022 @ 6:30pm
- May 18, 2022 @ 6:30pm
Speak Up, Speak Out Wisconsin
Our staff at Muskego Lakes take threats seriously. We are grateful for our partnership with students and parents as they continue to be invested in their school culture as we all work together to keep our schools safe. We encourage all families to talk about how a child should respond to any threat or concern, regardless of the source or legitimacy. If a student or parent is not comfortable going directly to a district staff member, they can use Wisconsin's Speak Up, Speak Out that will notify a school administrator and/or police authorities immediately. Speak Up, Speak Out! Speak Up, Speak Out is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety.
You may make a report by visiting the website, using your smartphone by downloading the SPEAK UP, SPEAK OUT app from the Apple Store and Google Play, or by calling 1-800-MY-SUSO-1 to speak to a resource center analyst.
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