Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter

Dear Muskego Lakes Families,

If you haven't done so yet, please consider taking a few minutes to complete the Muskego Lakes Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey using the link below:

Muskego-Norway School District - Parent/Caregiver Experience Survey

So far this year, we've had 117 families complete the survey. Huge thanks to everyone who has already completed the survey, but we have a ways to go!

We use the results to make sure we are best meeting your needs and the needs of your children. And we use your ideas and feedback to make the school community even better.

We have heard that the survey is much easier to navigate from a laptop or desktop computer but you are able to complete the survey from a mobile device as well.

The survey will remain open through December 14th.

With love,

Rachel Rydzewski & Nancy Pasch

Muskego Lakes Principals

• December 6th-8th: Winter Math iReady

• December 8th: ML Winter Band Concert at the PAC

• 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

Our students started mid year iReady diagnostic testing this week in literacy. Next week, students will continue with testing in math. Please remind your child(ren) to bring their headphones, to ensure their Chromebooks are charged, and to get a good night's sleep.

After all the mid year testing is complete, we will be sending home printed iReady diagnostic reports in our Monday Musky folders. That way, you can review your child's mid year progress since the beginning of the school year.

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.

Here at Muskego Lakes, we have a school wide instructional framework that ensures all students have access to the support they need during their classes.

This framework is used by all teachers at Muskego Lakes to ensure students have an equitable learning experience regardless of the teacher they are assigned.

The instructional framework is built upon a gradual release model, so students move toward independence.

This model also builds our students' ability to self-direct their learning, advocate for resources and/or support when needed, learn what strategies work best for them, and evaluate the quality of their work.

Starter / Entry Point

The Starter / Entry Point activates students' minds as soon as they enter the room. During this time, students review key ideas creating a bridge to the learning of the day.

Mini-Lesson

The mini-lesson is a brief lesson aligned to the learning targets and led by the teacher. This is when teachers directly model key skills and use academic vocabulary. Students experience a wide range of examples illustrating when the skill will be used or applied.

We Do Together

Students participate in guided practice related to the skills taught. While students practice, teachers observe, prompt student thinking and move on to give them space to consider the new concepts.

Check Back In

Teachers gather quick check data to determine how well students have learned from the mini-lesson and determine next steps for students based on readiness

Workshop

This is a time for students to work independently or collaboratively on activities and tasks that will deepen their understanding of the skills taught. As they work, they reflect on the mini-lesson, consider next steps when they get stuck, determine what questions to ask when they meet with their teacher and reflect on the quality of their work in relation to the success criteria.

Teachers are also very busy during workshop. During this time, they work with skill groups and meet one-on-one with students. Skill groups are for all students and are designed to meet the diverse needs of all learners. Teachers may also take time to confer with individual students. In both cases, students are left with clear feedback and work to do to continue to build their understanding of the learning target.

Synthesize & Reflect

This stage of a lesson helps students organize, evaluate and store critical information from the day's lesson.

If you have any questions about our school wide instructional framework, please reach out to Rachel Rydzewski or Nancy Pasch, the Muskego Lakes Principals.

This upcoming Tuesday, December 6th is the first Ski and Snowboard trip. Students that are bringing their equipment can drop it off in the main rotunda area as they arrive to school on Tuesday. Please ensure your child's items are labeled accordingly and that they bring all needed clothing with them.

Did you know that your child has a student data tracker they manage throughout the school year for both their math and literacy classes?

In each course at Muskego Lakes, there are key standards of focus that our teachers ensure students understand by the end of the school year. So, students are empowered to track their progress on those key standards.

If you haven't yet seen your child's Standards of Focus Tracker (or SOF tracker), we highly recommended asking to take a look. You'll get to see how your child is progressing on key standards, and you'll get to celebrate the growth that you see!

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

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.

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.

As part of our comprehensive Academic and Career Planning at the middle level, we are hosting a Career & Community Fair for our 8th graders on the afternoon of February 7th.

If you or someone you know would be interested in sharing about your career with our 8th graders, please let us know.

We are looking for a wide range of speakers in order to ensure we have representation across the U.S. Department of Education's 16 clusters:

• Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
• Architecture & Construction
• Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications
• Business, Management & Administration
• Education & Training
• Finance
• Government & Public Administration
• Health Science
• Hospitality & Tourism
• Human Services
• Information Technology
• Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
• Manufacturing
• Marketing, Sales & Service
• Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
• Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

If you or someone you know might be interested, please reach out to Rachel Rydzewski, Principal, who can provide more information. Thank you for considering!

We are currently seeking highly dedicated, motivated, long-term guest teacher(s) to serve the student community at Muskego Lakes Middle School for Muskego-Norway Schools. If you are interested in any of the positions below and have questions please reach out to Rachel Rydzewski (rachel.rydzewski@muskegonorway.org).

Special Education

• Estimated dates April 13, 2023 - June 9, 2023
• Interested? Apply HERE

Come join us for a night of dancing, open gym and raffles. Event will take place at Lake Denoon Middle school, Friday December 9th from 5PM to 7PM. Students must fill out the behavioral contract found in student services as well as complete the sign-up google form in advance.

• Behavior Contract
• Sign-Up Form

Mrs. Tschudy attended UW-LaCrosse for her undergraduate degree and National- Louis University for her masters degree. She began her career teaching 3rd and 4th grade in Cudahy for ten years. She then moved to 8th grade Literacy at Cudahy Middle School where Lisa Reedy was her Math teammate. Mrs.Tschudy then taught 7th/8th-grade Project i at Lake Denoon and eventually moved to her current 7th grade Literacy position at Muskego Lakes.

We asked her what she was most proud of working at Muskego Lakes and she said:

"I am proud that I have been able to experience teaching kids in so many different grade-levels and schools. Each school has made me a better educator for different reasons."

Here is a little more to help you get to know Mrs. Tschudy

Favorite Coffee Drink: I love cold brew coffee especially with brown sugar flavoring and oatmilk

Favorite Subject When In Middle School: Social Studies because I liked learning about ancient times and my social studies teacher made the class interesting.

Fun Fact About Me: I played singles and doubles on the Women's Tennis Team at UW La-Crosse. I have never been to a Packers game, something I hope to be able to experience someday.

My Dream Vacation: My dream vacation would be to go to Greece. I love Mediterranean food and I love the movie Mama Mia.

My Students Would Describe As: Someone who is kind, fun, understanding and patient. Someone who students can easily approach when they have learning questions or just need to talk.

Mrs. Staber has known since her 8th grade spring concert that she wanted to teach middle school band. Since then, she has tried to say yes to every opportunity that came her way related to music. She has played in various groups which really helped her learn a lot about all sorts of music and how work with many different people. Mrs. Staber also had many opportunities to help lead different groups which has allowed her to find different ways to teach, which has come in handy teaching middle school!

She doesn't aim for my students to be professional musicians, though that's a bonus if they do. Her goal is for band to be used as a tool to find who they are, what they like, help problem solving, interact with all sorts of people, and learn about the world through music. We asked her what she was most proud of working at Muskego Lakes and she said:

"I really love what I do and I think that spreads to my students. That is what I'm most proud of."

Here is a little more to help you get to know Mrs. Staber

Favorite Coffee Drink: I like coffee that doesn't taste like coffee. I normally drink tea, I like lots of herbal teas.

Favorite Subject When In Middle School: It was band! I also really enjoyed my social studies classes.

Fun Fact About Me: When I worked at a summer camp, I held the women's record for fastest time up the rock wall for 2 summers. (maybe even still today)

My Dream Vacation: My dream vacation would be to see all the historic and beautiful castles in Scotland.

My Students Would Describe As: My students would describe me as, and have, as kind, funny, (sometimes) patient, teaches with a lot of passion, knows what we're all capable of and doesn't settle for less, and really wants everyone to succeed.

I truly believe I teach the best students!

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.

Make sure that you get your tickets for the Christmas Carnival Lights! There are two dates you can attend and give back to Muskego Lakes PTO!

Option #1: December 7th, 2022 use promocode MLMSLIGHTS

Option #2: December 26th - 30th, 2022 use promocode MLMSLIGHTS2

Make sure you secure your tickets/appointment today!

Please check out the information below for details for the student t-shirt design contest.

Don't forget that tomorrow is open gym! Anyone is welcome to join. It runs from 8am-11am. It runs each saturday.

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.

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

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

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.

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