Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter

Dear Muskego Lakes Families,

It's hard to believe the end of the first quarter is here. WIth the end of the quarter, it is a good time for students to reflect and plan for the quarter ahead. We encourage you to take the time to talk with your student about their first quarter.

Here are some questions you could ask your child:

• What went well in the 1st quarter?
• What is something you would like to improve on in the 2nd quarter?
• What is your plan for improvement?
• What resources do you think you would need? Who do you think would be able to support you?

When students play an active role in their education, they take greater ownership, achieve at higher levels and develop skills that will support their development in high school and beyond. However if your child is struggling, please reach out to us, so that we can work together to support them. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to the work ahead!

With love,

Rachel Rydzewski & Nancy Pasch

Muskego Lakes Principals

• November 10th: 8th Grade Pre-Act

• November 11th: Community Day

• November 23rd - 25th: No School - Thanksgiving Break

• November 28-30: Winter Literacy iReady
  

• November 30th: MNS Choral Festival

• November 30th: Co-Curricular Group Photo Day

• December 6th-8th: Winter Math iReady

• January 25th: Last Student Photo Day

We are excited to share that on Thursday November 10th, all 8th grade students at Muskego Lakes will be given the PreACT assessment. Eighth grade sudents who begin their day at Muskego High School should report to Muskego Lakes at 8:05am.

PreACT provides:

• Early indication of progress and ideas for improvement—PreACT gives students an estimated ACT test score and can be used as an indicator of college and career readiness.

• Fast, robust reporting—Reports are ready quickly, so teachers and students can get to work turning PreACT insights into action. Reports include a predicted score in all tested areas (Math, Science, STEM, English, and Reading), an overall composite score, and an item response analysis.

• Career Map showing 26 career areas that are matched to students’ interests and predicted ACT score.

Please make sure that your child has the following on the testing day:

• 3 sharpened (No. 2) pencils with good erasers

• A watch to pace yourself (no phones please)

• Calculator for the math test (recommended, but not required); see ACT Approved Calculators.

Tips to share with your child:

• Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test

• Eat a good breakfast

• Follow directions exactly and don’t be afraid to ask questions

• Don’t spend too much time on a single question

• Choose the answer you think is best and move on

• If the test is completed before time is called, recheck work

We are seeking your input to help plan the 8th grade completion ceremony. Please indicate your preference here. Thank you for providing input so that we can make a decision that is in the best interest of children and families.

Some school-related anxiety is normal—and helpful. It gives kids “a little healthy worry that will hopefully motivate them to study for tests, complete homework on time and focus on schoolwork. However, it's important to know how you to tell when that stress has gotten out of control? We wanted to share ways to help ease that for your child but still encouraging your child to achieve?

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 Psychologist
• Janine Hake - School Counselor
• James Brickweg - School Counselor

• Stacy Pawlak - School Social Worker

We often have requests from families to communicate with outside providers and/or family members that are not biological parents (i.e. step-parent). However, we are unable to do that without permission. To grant that permission, you will need to complete and submit to Student Services the Release of Information document.

Once this document is filled out, it allows us to learn or share information with those individuals. In addition, our student services team can work with your outside provider (pediatrician, counselor, therapist, psychiatrist, etc.) to ensure that strategies or plans can stay consistent between home and school. Teachers also need the release form emailed or sent to Student Services with the rating scale and teachers’ names to complete any assessment tools doctors give.

Student council has two different events planned for the month of November. Please check out the information below for details for the student t-shirt design contest and the food drive.

At Muskego Lakes, we are looking for someone to report to school every day from 7:15am-3:15pm. This role steps in anytime teaching staff are unable to be at school due to illness, attending a conference, medical appointment, etc. This position requires a minimum of an Associates degree but does not require a teaching license. If interested, please apply here Building Guest Teacher.

Waukesha County Resources

Christmas Clearing Council

The 2022 Christmas Clearing Council Client Application is now available online! Parents struggling financially may apply for Christmas gift assistance for their children this season. Deadline to apply is Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

http://www.christmasclearingcouncil.org/application

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

Racine County Resources

Love Inc. can provide holiday assistance in many ways. 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), the school social worker.

The MLMS PTO wants to thank the excellent staff for everything they do by providing midweek munchies. Every Wednesday, you have an opportunity to sign up to bring in munchies for the staff to help them make it through the week and brighten their day. If you are interested in supporting this, please sign up here.

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.

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.

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

• November 16
• January 18
• February 15
• March 15
• April 19
• May 17

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.

We encourage you to follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

Website: https://www.muskegonorway.org/schools/muskegolakes/
Location: W124 S8009 North Cape Rd.
Phone: 262-971-1860
Twitter: @MLMSmuskies