Longfellow Middle School

Happy Friday Longfellow Families,

A couple of things to share from 76th and North:

1. Please review this Important Forward Testing Information. Our 8th graders will be testing next week. Wish them luck!!!

2. We also wanted to acknowledge the time, hard work, and effort that our Orioles have put into their classes, and it is apparent in their Star Scores! Please review an updated version of the LMS School Growth Plan Dashboard.

3. Let’s cheer on Never Ready (from the LMS Destination Imagination) who will compete in the improv category tomorrow, March 16, 2024!

4. Please join us in celebrating Spirit Week Next week (see photo below) and World Down Syndrome Day on March 21 by wearing colorful, silly and creative socks! Don’t have any fun socks? Check out World Down Syndrome Day #LotsOfSocks web page and get some today!

5. Fundraiser Alert! The LMS and Whitman Foreign Language department are fundraising at YoMama! Students are fundraising to attend the foreign language students’ camp experience at Concordia Languages Village (see photo below).

6. Our students and staff had a wonderful time at the LMS and Whitman incentivized Admirals Game!

7. Here are a few “House Newsletters”: Brewers, Admirals, Packers, STEM 7, Wave, Badgers

8. Join us for 6th grade ACAL tonight from 7:00-9:00 pm we will have ACAL for our 7th and 8th graders! Remember, students must be picked up in the North parking lot (near door N1), and students are not allowed to be picked up early OR allowed to walk home.

Hello Longfellow!

This is a time when students show some difficulty engaging in their academic work and feel like they are hitting the slide before spring break. During this time there is an uptick in off-task behaviors and putting things in place to motivate young people can help. The PBIS Team has built tardy incentives to get students into classes on time, consistent reminders about conferences and the need to reflect on classroom performance, and positive messaging about "locking it in" down the stretch.

Longfellow is a great place for students to learn and grow academically, socially, and emotionally and we are proud that so many young people have become incredible learners so far this school year.

Patrick Larsen

Dean of Students

Longfellow Middle School

(414) 773-2503

Parents should always attempt to arrange their student’s medication to be taken outside of school hours. If a student must take medication during school hours, the proper guidelines must be met. Per WI Law-Stat 118.29: An Authorization for Administration of any medication (prescription and OTC), by school staff, must be completed before the medication can be administered in school. All medications must be in their original containers and not expired. At the middle school level, students are not allowed to self- carry. Medication includes but not limited to, eye drops, cough drops, OTC medication and prescription medication. The proper forms can be found in the following link:

https://www.wauwatosa.k12.wi.us/o/wsd/page/medication-forms
--

Jennifer Rotgers

Longfellow Middle School

Phone Number 414-773-2406/2465

Fax 414-626-8197

Longfellow Tennis season runs in April and May. For the 2024 season, we will have A and B teams. Tennis starts on Monday, April 1, 2024. Athletic forms are due to the LMS Main Office by Friday, March 22nd at 3:30 pm.

Longfellow Track - there will be a meeting right after school March 12th for parents and students wanting to participate in track. The season runs from April through May.

Longfellow Volleyball - Our 8th grade girls Your 8th grade Lady Orioles SWEPT Kennedy, ending the season with another amazing victory! The 8th grade girls finished their season 11-0.. UNDEFEATED!! Make sure if you see an 8th grade volleyball player show your support and congratulate all of their teamwork and effort!!!

Athletes of the week, sponsored by Tabal Chocolate and Cranky Al’s - 7th grade Mia Deprey and 8th grade June Prusha!

Jesse Jeffers

Athletic Director/Physical Education Teacher

Longfellow Middle School

jefferje@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us

Family Outreach

Every person (regardless of age or religion) has access to a warm meal here in Wauwatosa. Hot and generous meals are served on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month (breakfast and dinner options throughout the city of Milwaukee) at Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church on 84th and Center. Please review this link for more information.

Zoe Reinhardt, LCSW, MSW

Youth Mental Health Social Worker

Longfellow Student Services Team:

8th Grade Counselor: Brandi Berg

7th Grade Counselor: Michelle Marcou

6th Grade Counselor: James Bentley

Mental Health Specialist: Amber Ringstad

School Psychologist: Jessica Micol

DEIA Advocates serve as equity leaders and resource providers for students, families and staff. All requests for advocacy are confidential. If you or your child are interested in speaking with your DEIA Advocate, please call or email Tia Mohacsi or fill out the confidential Advocacy Request Form.

Your DEIA Advocate is prepared to support students, families and staff in the following areas:

Providing professional learning
Relationship building
Culturally Responsive practices
Feeling purposely isolated or excluded
Discussing peer or adult conflict
Communication issues or concerns
Developing self- advocacy skills
Building confidence
Assistance with effectively expressing views/opinions
Development of coping skills

If you experience or witness staff or student misconduct, bullying, safety concerns or discrimination of any form, please contact Dr. Larson immediately.

If you are unsure who to contact for a specific situation, your DEIA advocate will be happy to assist you. If you have any questions, suggestions, or would like to learn more about our DEIA initiatives, please feel free to contact your advocate.

Thank you!

Tia M. Mohacsi (she/her)
Longfellow Middle School
8th Grade MSTEM Teacher
DEIA Building Advocate
Middle School HGD Content Team Leader

mohacsti@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us

(414) 773-2569

Wednesdays from 7:00-8:00 pm

May 8

We have positions opening up on the LMS PTA Board next year - email us at longfellowtosapta@gmail.com if you're interested in talking with us about what is involved. It is a great way to stay informed as a parent, as well as to get to know other parents, teachers and administrators.

Our next PTA meeting on Wednesday, May 8th at 7pm in the library. We would love to have you join us! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram.

8th grade families! Please reach out to us if you are interested in volunteering or donating items for our 8th grade field day celebration Monday, June 3, 2024 from 12:30 pm-3:00 pm

LMS PTA Board 2023-24

Kerry Veth, President

Elisha Dyer, Vice President

Megan Fifarek, Treasurer

Sarah Fortman, Secretary

Longfellow 8th Grade Field Day Celebration: Monday, June 3rd, 2024 (starting at 12:30 pm) (photo below).

Longfellow 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony: Tuesday, June 4th, 2024 at 9:30 am

Rain Date: Wednesday, June 5th, 2024 at 9:30 am

Last Day of School for 8th graders: Monday, June 3rd, 2024.

Last Day of School for 6th & 7th graders: Thursday, June 6th, 2024

6th grade tentative dismissal time 10:25 am

7th grade tentative dismissal time 11:00 am

March 11 - 15, 2024

NEW: EFW Grant Recipients

Earlier this week, the Education Foundation of Wauwatosa (EFW) funded 12 grants totaling more than $65,000 that will impact our elementary, middle, and high schools by promoting excellence, innovation, and opportunities in our schools.

Congratulations to the following teachers and students:

• Active Play Interactive Wall: All Elementary Gym Teachers

• The Power of Play: Kristy Menke and Kay Kortas, Jefferson Elementary

• Hyper for Hydroponics: Paige Brown, McKinley Elementary

• Floreo Virtual Reality Educational Software for Neurodiverse Learners: Mary Ann McLennon and Kallie Berg, McKinley Elementary

• Culturally Responsive Literature: Amber Tanty and Lauren Sennott, Underwood Elementary

• Project Lead the Way - VEX Robotics Updates: Emily Petrin and Ryan Zierath, Longfellow and Whitman Middle Schools

• 3D Printing Resources: Sarah Johnston, Bryce Nett, Trenton Godshaw, and Erin Apollo, Longfellow Middle School teachers and students, Trenton Grodshow and Bryce Nett

• Weight Room Equipment: Jesse Jeffers, Longfellow Middle School

• Community Art Gallery: Natalie Hodgkins and Jennifer Funk-Collins, Vel R. Phillips

• Growing Green Hydroponics: Heidi Hegwood, Carly Joseph, Madalyn Kempen, and David Keech, West High School

• Theatrical Script Library: Adam Steffan and Stephanie Leupold, West High School

• Lighting the Tech Ed Path Mural: Craig Griffie, Fran Kelley, and Phil Kiley, East High School

The EFW raises and awards funds for educational initiatives to enhance and enrich experiences for all students. These grants are not possible without the support of the community and donations. Learn more about the EFW and please consider donating to help fund future grants.

NEW: Raise Your Voice Club

The high school years and the transition from high school to college are critical periods in the lives of young people. Raise Your Voice Club is dedicated to increasing mental illness awareness, inspiring advocacy and promoting acceptance. Specifically, RYV Club empowers young people to speak up and create an open dialogue about mental health, creates a community that works to reduce stigma, and promotes acceptance for all students living with or who know someone living with a mental health condition. Join RYV Club for an informational session on April 17 from 8-10 a.m. on Zoom. Click here to register!

NEW: Wauwatosa Blazers Lacrosse

Interested in playing the fastest game on two feet? Check out Wauwatosa Blazers Lacrosse! Space is still available on boys/girls teams for grades 3rd through 8th. Click here for more information.

FINAL REMINDER: Upcoming MEPA Meeting

Please attend the upcoming MEPA meeting that will take place on March 21, 2024, from 6-7 p.m. in the Fisher Administration Building in Conference Room A. Click here to RSVP!

UPDATED: Tosa 2075 Task Force

The Tosa 2075 Task Force met on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. During this meeting, Task Force members continued to conduct small-group problem-solving activities in their work pods. A meeting summary will be posted on the web page in the coming days. Members of the community are strongly encouraged to stay informed about the Task Force’s activities by reviewing materials, meeting agendas and recaps on the Task Force web page.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Tosa 2075 Survey for All Wauwatosa Residents

A community survey has been mailed to all residential addresses in Wauwatosa. The survey was also emailed to all WSD families for those who prefer to complete a digital copy and/or for the convenience of households with multiple adult residents. The goal of the survey is to gather input on how to best address our operational needs and to inform our planning process. Please be on the lookout for an email from School Perceptions. School Perceptions is an independent education research firm we are working with to administer the survey. Therefore, your feedback will be confidential.

All-City Music Festivals

The K- 12 Vocal/Choral Department is excited to announce this year's All-City Choral Festival to be held on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. The event will feature all choral singers in grades 4 - 12, and Dr. Means will be a guest reader. The performance will be held at Wauwatosa West High School in the large gym. It is free and open to the public. Each piece that will be performed links back to a sentence or phrase in the book CHANGE SINGS! by Amanda Gorman. All are welcome for this fun, free event!

The Wauwatosa School District All-City Orchestra Festival will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. (concert one) and 1:15 p.m. (concert two) at the West Allis Central Field House.

World Down Syndrome Day

Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day on March 21 by wearing colorful, silly and creative socks! Don’t have any fun socks? Check out World Down Syndrome Day #LotsOfSocks web page and get some today!

District Spring Break Hours

During Spring Break, the Fisher Administration Building will be closed on Friday, March 29. Regular operating hours will be maintained for the rest of the week (March 25-28).

Summer School Registration

Summer School Registration will open on Monday, April 1 at 8 a.m. for in-district students and families for our enrichment programs offered for K4 to 7 Grade. Course registration will happen through the Infinite Campus portal, and instructions on this process will be communicated on the website next week. Please be aware that registration will be on a first come basis and there are limitations on class sizes and available sections. Classes are capped, and once a class is full, you will not be able to register for the course. Please direct any questions to Stephen Oliver at oliverst@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us or Colleen McDonald at mcdonaco@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us.

Youth Theatre Clinic

The Tosa East Players are hosting their fourth annual Youth Clinic for Wauwatosa elementary and middle school students on Saturday, April 13, 2024. The clinic will be held from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. and allow students to work on singing, acting, and dancing through the music of Shrek the Musical (our spring production). Families can use this link to register or visit our website for more information.

Wauwatosa East Issue Fair Judges Needed

Tosa East Issue Fair judges are needed! Come take part in an evening of civic action by Wauwatosa East High School’s Junior Class on Wednesday, April 24 from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. in the gymnasium! Students have been working on a capstone social studies project to address societal issues with personally-constructed public policies in order to create change. Judges will be interacting one-on-one with students to hear and reflect on their policy ideas with guided reflection sheets provided. Please contact Mike Fischer at fischemi@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us if interested!

Wauwatosa West 5K and Fun Run

Wauwatosa West is hosting an exciting morning of fitness, community spirit, and fundraising at the first annual "Tosa West 5K and Fun Run” on April 27! This event is organized to raise funds for the school, with all proceeds going toward the Junior Prom and future school funding opportunities. This event offers something for everyone. Participants can choose between five options: the 5K Race, 5k Run/Walk, 2 Mile Walk, 5k Virtual Race, or Kids Run/Walk. Throughout the event, there will be plenty of entertainment for participants and spectators to enjoy, live music, face painting, food, and other activities. Click here to register!

Board of Education Engagement Session Links

The Board of Education held three engagement sessions over the past several months. In an effort to continue engagement around the topics of facilities planning, academic culture, and school culture, the Board encourages members of the community to review the meeting notes and community contributions associated with each event:

Facilities Planning

Academic Culture

School Culture

Tosa 2075 Web Page

A web page related to Tosa 2075 has been published on the Wauwatosa School District website. This page is intended to provide general information about the five areas that the Board of Education will address including:

• Inadequate funding

• Aging facilities

• Policies: Open Enrollment and Boundary Lines

• Breadth of Academic Portfolio

• Transportation Inequities

The page also contains a link to the Tosa 2075-specific web page, a cost calculator, and an FAQ section. Community members are encouraged to stay up to date with these topics and the various ways to get involved by visiting the Tosa 2075 web page.

Agendas and meeting summaries related to the Tosa 2075 Task Force will continue to be published on the Tosa 2075 Task Force web page.

To start the 23-24 school year, we wanted to provide our students and families to easier access to the clubs and organization that we have here at Longfellow. Please review Longfellow's Clubs and Organizations. As students create more clubs and organizations, we will update this powerpoint!

Reminder, if you are attending any after school events please enter door N1 (located towards the back of the building). The LMS office closes at 4:00 pm.

Wauwatosa School District Attendance Information

At home, you can help your student get to school each day by:

• Call the school office any time your child may be late or absent.

• Scheduling medical and dental appointments after school or during teacher work days when possible.

• Provide the school office with medical excuses any time your child misses school for a medical appointment. Medical excuses can be brought in or emailed to Jennifer Rotgers.

• Send your child to school if they have just a slight stomach ache, headache or allergies, and do not have a contagious illness. Call the school or a health provider for advice if your child complains regularly.

• Familiarize yourself with the WSD district illness guidelines.

Stay connected WSD Canvas Observer Training Course This course explains Canvas vs. IC, contains directions on how to create a Canvas observer account, and provides an explanation of how to use Canvas as an observer. Once a parent is connected to their child as an observer, they will not have to connect again.

Please see here regarding a policy change with regards to cell phones in school see letter here from the WSD's Division of Pupil and Family Supports. Thank you for reviewing this information with your Longfellow student as a quick reminder.

Please review our district's Technology usage policy and Student acceptable use guidelines for the use of electronic devices.

Email: palazzan@wauwatosa.k12.wi.us
Website: www.wauwatosa.k12.wi.us/longfellow
Location: 7600 West North Avenue, Wauwatosa, WI, USA
Phone: 414-773-2400