Muskego Lakes Summer Newsletter
August 19th, 2022
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
We are excited that the beginning of the school year is right around the corner, but know you might be trying to soak in just a few more days of summer!
Here at Muskego Lakes, we have been hard at work preparing for the start to the school year, and all staff are back in the building next week.
For most of our students, the start of a new school year brings excitement and new adventures ahead. That being said, we also know that your child may have needs that have emerged this summer that we don't currently know about, such as:
- Recent loss of a loved one
- Change in a living situation
- Hard time with socialization and/or friends
- Social emotional needs
- Change in the family dynamic
- Medical diagnosis of a loved one
- Family hardship
- Mental health needs
If there is something your child is going through that you'd like us to know about, please reach out. We are here to do whatever it takes to make your child's middle school experience positive. And we want all students to know that while learning is our priority, it is just as important to us that our students know they are loved, understand that they are cared for, and feel they belong at Muskego Lakes.
With Love,
Rachel Rydzewski & Nancy Pasch
Muskego Lakes Principals
Important Dates Ahead
5-8 Back to School Night - August 25th 4:30-6:30pm
Alternative Time to Drop Off Supplies- August 29th 2:30-5pm
First Day of School - September 1st
School Picture Day - September 13th
Fall Parent Teacher Conference Dates - October 13th and 19th
Student Schedules and Locker Assignments
Schedules have been released via Infinite Campus. In addition, locker numbers have been assigned and are uploaded. If you are not sure how to access your child's schedule, feel free to call us at Muskego Lakes or email one of our school counselors janine.hake@muskegonorway.org (5-6th grade) or james.brickweg@muskegonorway.org (7-8th grade) who can help! In addition, if you have schedule questions or requests, we ask that you reach out to our school counselors as well.
For a printable schedule with your child's locker and bus number, please log on to IC. Then, on the left hand side select:
- "Documents"
- "22-23 School Year"
- "Schedule with locker"
Your child's locker and bus number should then appear on the bottom of the student schedule. Please confirm your schedule and locker number before setting anything up at school.
Please note that we will have printed schedules at Back to School Night on Thursday, August 25th. If you are able to join us that evening, please start off meeting your child's first hour teacher so you can pick up her or her printed schedule. And if you are not able to make it for Back to School Night, your child can pick up a printed schedule on the first day of school from his or her 1st hour teacher. *If your child starts out his or her day at MHS, their schedule can be picked up in the MLMS Library.
Back to School Night at Muskego Lakes is Next Week
Students & families of our incoming 5th-8th graders are invited to our Back to School night on Thursday, August 25 from 4:30-6:30pm. At this event, your child will have the chance to:
- Pick up schedule/locker assignment from 1st hour teacher
- Walk his or her schedule
- Set-up his or her locker
- Meet his or her teachers
- Play yard games
- Get to know the Student Services team
- Grab a bite to eat from the two food truck options
- Enjoy popcorn and cotton candy
Do you have Yard Games You're Willing to Let Us Borrow for Back to School Night?
Not Able to Make Back to School Night on August 25th?
- Friday, August 26th between 8-11am or 1-4pm
- Monday, August 29th from 2:30-5pm
During those times, you and your child can set-up his or her locker and walk their schedule. Please note that no school personnel will be available during these times as we will be busy preparing to launch the start of the school year.
*Please also note that you are not required to bring your child's school supplies before the first day of school. Many students bring their school supplies on the first day, and our teachers will allow time for students to get settled upon their arrival.
Is Your Child New to Muskego Lakes?
If you are new to Muskego Lakes and able to come to Back to School Night, please stop to meet our School Counselors Janine Hake for Grades 5-6 and Jim Breckwig for Grades 7-8. F (If your child is new to us in grades 6-8th, the School Counselors will have their Chromebook for pick up at the event.
At Muskego Lakes, we also provide students the option of scanning their finger when purchasing food. This form of identification is called Biometrics. It is important to know this is not fingerprinting. At no time will your child’s fingerprint be stored. This is no different than the process used to unlock many smartphones using a finger/thumb. Please see the back of this letter for specific details on the process.
Finger scans allow students to spend more time eating, more time outside, and less time in line. The finger scanners will be able to read the scan and identify the student in less than a second. In addition, your child will not need to bring his or her ID to lunch every day. In previous years, , if a student forgot their ID, lunch staff would manually search for the student in the system. This significantly impacted the wait time for students in line.
In order for students to use the finger scanners at lunch, families will need to complete the consent form at our Back to School Night on August 25th. Students will then complete an initial finger scan to get them into the system.
(If you do not wish to provide consent for your child to use the finger scanners, we will provide lunch staff with a list of student ID numbers until IDs are ready in the coming weeks.)
Instructional Assistant Openings for the 22-23 School Year
At Muskego Lakes, we have instructional Assistants who support students who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). This role coordinates with a. special education teacher while serving in regular education classrooms alongside the grade level teachers. This position requires someone who values diverse learning needs, and who understands the importance of learner independence. In addition, depending on the needs of the students being served, we are looking for someone who understands that behavior is a form of communication.
We currently have two instructional assistant openings. One is a four hour position and one is a five and half hour position. A great way to work part-time with no nights or weekends.
Dress Code Reminder for Back to School Shopping
The Board of Education, under the authority of state statute 120.13(1) can make rules pertaining to the conduct and dress of pupils in order to maintain good decorum, a favorable academic atmosphere, and appropriate student health and safety. Student dress guidelines are decency, safety, and moderation. Dress and grooming behaviors not allowed include those deemed to be 1) disruptive or interfering with the learning process; 2) unsafe or harmful; 3) not in keeping with good health standards; 4) the cause of excessive maintenance problems (i.e. cleats on boots); or 5) considered vulgar or offensive. Student attire must be respectful of others and appropriate for the educational setting at Muskego Lakes Middle School. School administrators will make the final decision as to what constitutes appropriate dress. Limitations in the dress code during the school day or at school activities (except in such instances where a school sanctions the wearing of any of the following for special activity) are as follows:
No wearing hats in the building. Hats are allowed in the cafeteria and at recess.
No insignia, jewelry, clothing or accessories which depict, represent, solicit or promote alcohol, drugs, tobacco, gangs, cults, sex, violence, or profanity.
No costumes (including animal costumes and accessories), chains or spiked jewelry.
Foot attire must be worn at all times. No bare feet, stocking feet or slippers.
No clothing determined to be offensive in a discriminatory fashion will be allowed.
No part of any undergarment is to be visible while standing or sitting.
No sunglasses (unless worn under the recommendation of a doctor).
We know, especially in middle school, students have a strong desire to express themselves and communicate their identity to their peers. The purpose for a dress code is so students themselves focus on their educational experience rather than their attire. The dress code is not about how certain attire would be perceived by others but rather is for the purpose of maintaining an environment focused on learning. We encourage students to express themselves through their clothes at social events (not school sponsored) and/or weekends. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure students come to school each day following the following expectations. Should they come to school and not, we will ask them to put on a different item of apparel which could require a parent/guardian coming to school to drop an alternative off. In the event that the student does not have an alternative item of apparel at school and a parent/guardian cannot drop off an alternative, students will work in the main office with access to learning until they meet the dress code. We offer items from the nurse office for students or encourage PE apparel when we cannot reach parents/guardians. Please know it is never our intention to embarrass a child so thank you for helping us by making sure your child comes to school dressed for the learning environment.
Student Photo Day & Ordering Information
If your child is sick that day, we will have a photo retake day later on in the school year.
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.
Use this coupon code to save 10% off of your order if placed prior to picture day:
Fall100388
School Supply Lists for 22-23
Just a reminder that our summer mailer had printed copies of supply lists for your convenience but we've also linked supply lists here:
One-to-One Devices at Muskego Lakes
If your child is a 6th-8th grader who is new to Muskego Lakes, he or she can pick up their Chromebook at our Back to School Night event.
If your child is returning to Muskego Lakes but his or her device is not working, please reach out to Julie Flasch, our LIbrary Technical Aide, who can help problem solve next steps at julie.flasch@muskegonorway.org
Reminder about Change to Morning Drop Off Routes at Muskego Lakes
This year, please note that we will return to having all students dropped-off in the front of the building before the start to the school day. This means if you drive your child to school in the morning, please plan on heading straight toward the main entrance rather than turning at the fork to drive behind the building. (Last year, we had 7th and 8th graders dropped off behind the building before school.)
The lane for morning drop-off extends to Door 14 (by the band room) for all students.
We ask that all cars pull forward to fill in all of the available space before breaking to let students out. We know it is tempting to want to drop your child off right at the main entrance, but drop off will go smoothly for everyone if you pull forward to fill the entire drop off lane before students exit vehicles.
This will allow more cars to move through the drop off route in a shorter period of time.
Please also note that for safety reasons, we do not permit a double lane of moving traffic in the morning. So, thank you for your patience so all students arrive safely to school.
Please review: Morning Drop Off Procedures
No changes will be made to our after-school pick-up procedures. We will continue the following:
- 5th & 6th grade students will be picked up and dropped off using the lane in front of the building
- 7th & 8th grade students will be picked up and dropped off using the lane behind the building
- Cars using the lane behind the school will loop around the building and merge with the 5th & 6th grade lane.
School Lunch Updates
Food Service Update
For the last two year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has provided free meals to all students through the National School Lunch Program. The free meal program for all students ended June, 2022. For the 2022-23 school year, the free program will no longer be in effect.
Free and Reduced Lunches:
Should a family quaily, there are free and reduced options for lunches available for students K-12. Elementary and middle school forms are below::
- Free and Reduced Meal FAQ’s 2022-23
- How to Apply for Free and Reduced Meals
- Free and Reduced Meal Application
- Department of Public Instruction Free and Reduced Meal Application Website
- High school free and reduced application form is linked and is accepted at the high school.
2022-23 Lunch Prices:
Elementary Lunch: $2.55MS Lunch 1: $2.95
MS Lunch 2: $3.50
MS Creation Station: $3.90
Milk Carton: $.50
MHS Ala carte meal rates as noted on the monthly menu will apply.
Important Reminders
In an effort to ensure students can move through the lunch lines efficently, we ask that you remind your student to ensure that they bring their school ID card with them to lunch daily or ensure that you have gotten your finger scanned.
Also, Taher's new website is under construction currently, so the school menu will be available only through the Taher Food4life app to start. For you ease, we have linked the september menu below with other helpful resources.
Questions related to the food service program can be directed to Benny D’Epiro, Food Service Director at 262-971-1790 x4522.
Robotics Club Advisor Opening for the 22-23 School Year
We are looking for someone willing to help students persevere when something doesn’t work the first time and/or someone who enjoys Legos. No need to be an expert! This club typically runs from 3:15-4:15pm after school and is open to all grade levels.
Anime Club Advisor for the 22-23 School Year
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