MacArthur Messenger

Dear MacArthur Families,

I hope the sunshine has brought you some peace, as we know we are close to the imminent spring weather soon! We've had lots of unique and exciting learning experiences here at MacArthur as we enter what feels like a "final stretch" after returning from spring break. The energy is high, we are excited to finish the school year strong, and we anticipate the end of the year being full of growth and joyful learning. Our scholars have been immersed in assemblies, field trips, classroom exploration, and personal growth, which we are sure you are proud to be a part of.

We are eagerly looking forward to viewing the solar eclipse (news link) collectively on Monday, April 8th. This is a unique event that provides a wonderful learning opportunity for our scholars. Be sure to check your emails for information on how we plan for all scholars to view the eclipse outdoors safely. If your scholar's classroom teacher would like you to make the pinhole viewers at home, please note that your child will be unable to view the eclipse without it (or safety glasses supplied by a guardian).

We plan to be outside from 2 to 2:20 p.m. This interactive map (move the time slider on the bottom) helps show what the sun will look like at different times. Here is another interesting video on eclipse viewing and current technology to allow the blind to "see" the eclipse. It is very neat indeed, and we are excited!

Switching gears, our 3rd-5th grade scholars will undergo Forward Exam testing in the next few weeks. The Wisconsin Forward Exam is a test mandated by the state, designed to gauge how well students are performing according to our state standards. Wisconsin Students in Grades 3-8 will participate in the English Language Arts and Math assessments. Grades 4 and 8 students will participate in the Science and Social Studies assessments.

Our Forward Exam testing schedule has been updated and is viewable by clicking the "Updated Forward Schedule" button below. Please encourage your son or daughter to take the test seriously and do their best. The results of these tests will be used to help school staff make determinations that best support our students and provide our greater community with a level of academic performance in reading, math, science, and social studies in grades 3-8.

Next week will be a busy time with the Golden Guest events and Book Fair. I wish you the best and hope you enjoy embracing these last couple months of school. We continue to be so proud of your scholars and the growth they are experiencing.

Sincerely,

Mr. Gonzalez

Friday 4/5: PTA's Spring Dance (6-8pm) and Spring Book Fair Preview (starting at 5:30pm)

Saturday 4/6: DI State Tournament

Monday 4/8: Solar Eclipse Viewing

Monday 4/8: Spirit Wear Sale Begins

Monday 4/8-Friday 4/12: Spring Book Fair and Golden Guest Lunches

Tuesday 4/9: Germantown Sings Concert at GHS Fieldhouse, 7pm

Tuesday 4/9: DHHDB Fundraiser at Robert's Frozen Custard, 4-8pm

Thursday 4/11: PTA Meeting, 7pm

Friday 4/12: Summer School Registration Closes

Friday 4/19: No School, Last Day of Spirit Wear Sale and Last Day to order 5th grade yard sign

Monday 4/22: Earth Day - wear blue and green

Thursday 5/2: Fun Run

Thursday 5/9: PTA Meeting, 7pm

Thursday 5/16: 3rd Grade Concert, 6:30pm

MacArthur teachers and staff work hard to support our school community. Our staff members love hearing from you. We invite you to complete the google form below if you would like to recognize a staff member or team for their hard work and dedication. We will pass on the good news to them. Thank you in advance for sending an encouraging word, as we know it will mean so much to them.

The Spring dance is tonight! Join us (FREE ADMISSION!) for a Hollywood themed dance from 6-8PM. There will be a photo booth and dancing in the gym. Chick-Fil-A will be selling food in the cafetorium from 6:30-7:30pm. As a reminder, please remove any shoes with heels that could damage the gym floor when dancing. In addition, students should not be dropped off - an adult should accompany them (feel free to dance as well parents!). If you are able to help with the set up and clean up for the dance, please sign up here.

If you need to catch your breath from doing the worm, the book fair will be open tonight as well. It will open a bit before the dance, at 5:30pm. You can sashay on down to the library to peruse the books that are available tonight and all next week for the students to purchase. The Book Fair will remain open until noon on Friday, April 12th. As always, you can avoid sending cash with the kids to school next week by adding money to their wallet here. If you have time to help with the book fair during the next week, please sign up here.

Next will also be a time for your student to have lunch with a guest. So many parents, grandparents, family members, and friends have signed up for lunch with the students. As a reminder, they should bring their own lunch and will be able to tour the book fair with the kids during that time as well. If you have time to help the visitors check in for this awesome event, please sign up here.

We still have about 25% of students who have not turned in their t-shirt sizes. These t-shirts will be free for all students but we need to get the sizes completed ASAP to ensure the order can be made in time. Please submit sizes here or email them to ptamacarthur@gmail.com. If you are emailing the sizes in, please include the student’s name, grade and teacher.

Speaking of the Fun Run, it will be held on May 2nd. We will be sending out volunteer sign up links in the next few weeks. It is a great time to come out and help the kids run through the obstacle course. Stand by for more information!!

As we get closer to the end of the year, it is time to look ahead. We have two PTA board openings, Vice President and Treasurer. Both of these positions have a two year term. The Vice President will assist the President in running meetings and all other general tasks to keep the PTA functioning at a high and compliant level. The Treasurer will manage the budget, ensure all of the events requiring cash exchange or set up and handle all reimbursement programs. If anyone is interested in serving in one of these positions, they must be a paid MacArthur PTA member and be able to either attend the April meeting on Thursday April 11th to introduce themselves. This can be either in person or online. The elections for this position will be held during the May meeting on Thursday, May 9th. If you have any questions about these positions or the process, please email us at ptamacarthur@gmail.com.

It is hard to believe but our children’s journey at MacArthur is quickly coming to an end. There will be many fun and exciting things coming their way in the coming weeks, one of which is the 5th Grade Farewell ceremony. The 5th Grade farewell ceremony will take place on June 5th, 2024 at 6:30pm in the cafetorium at MacArthur. The 5th grade classes voted on and chose this location to make the ceremony and evening one of celebration and fun.

Following the short ceremony, families are invited to stick around and, weather pending, join us for a slide show, light snacks/desserts and fun on the MacArthur Playground. Watch for a family letter coming home soon with many more details including on how and where to submit your students’ photos. DVD copies of the slide show are available for purchase at $18 each.

Celebrate your student moving on to Kennedy Middle School with a sign for your yard. Signs are 12”x18” and are available for purchase through April 19, 2024. Signs are $12 each and will be available in early May with communication sent to all who ordered to arrange pickup.

Order your family’s copy of the upcoming 5th Grade Farewell Slide show or a sign for your yard HERE or click the button below.

Thank you!

Robert Sanchez: President - robkiana@gmail.com - 858-663-8819

Nicole Christensen: VP - nicoleriege@gmail.com - 414-379-1600

Coral Kline: Secretary - coralrae.kline@gmail.com - 608-658-0475

Alexis Melby: Treasurer - leximelby0110@gmail.com - 414-331-4102

As a reminder, summer school registration is open for residents and non-residents. Registration is done via your Skyward Family Access account, and will close on April 12th.

If you would like to join a waitlist for a class that is full, fill out this form to be put on the waitlist.

Please contact Julia Leeson at jleeson@gsdwi.org with any questions.

Planning for next school year, begins early. Guardians of current K4 to 4th Grade Families: Please take a moment to complete the below 'Intentions for 2024-2025 School Year Form' linked below, as we anticipate classroom placement for the 2024-2025 school year.

Please note that this form is not the same as online Enrollment Verification. The above is simply to help us prepare next year's rosters. Please be on the lookout for an email regarding online Enrollment Verification in late July/early August.

If your family has an incoming 4K or 5K* scholar and you have not registered for the 2024-2025 school year, please do so HERE. Enrollment numbers affect the size of classrooms and staffing. The more information we have as we anticipate the next school year, the better we are able to serve our wonderful scholar population.

*Registration is just for new families entering the district. If you currently have a 4K student at MacArthur, you do not need to go through the entire online registration process for them to enter 5K in the 24/25 school year.

More enrollment information and specifics can be found here. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the office.

After the students are dismissed, please do not go to the Kids' Klub doors to get access into the school. Kids' Klub will not be permitting people to come through Door 2. Unfortunately we cannot have families/students come through after school is over and the items forgotten will need to be retrieved the next school day. Kids' Klub is also unable to allow families to come through their Door 2 entrance to retrieve scholars that are attending Destination Imagination, Girl Scouts, or other after school activities. Please contact the group leaders for these events to understand when they will be releasing children to Door 1. It is a safety and liability concern to have individuals in the school unsupervised. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Our Destination Imagination Teams absolutely IMPRESSED during the regional tournaments over the last couple weeks! One of our teams competed a couple weekends ago at the SE Sectional Tournament, and the three other teams competed at KMS last weekend in the EC Sectional Tournament. Below is the snapshot, along with the photos.

The Swift Seven solved the Improvisational Challenge, ”So Extra” and took first place at the EC Sectional Tournament! Team members are:

Piper A.

Nova B.

Charlie F.

Carson K.

Grace K.

Charlotte R.

Callie R.

Managers: Mrs. Bussie, Mrs. Kutil

The Queens of Chaos also solved the Improvisational Challenge, “So Extra” at the SE Sectional Tournament a couple weeks ago and took first place! Team members are:

Caelyn B.

Olivia C.

Sydney H.

Addison H.

Harper J.

Dakoda R.

Charlie S.

Managers: Mrs. Jensen, Mrs Sakac

The Pinball Pioneers solved the Technical Challenge, “Pinball Heroes” and took first place at the Sectional Tournament! Team members are:

Aarna B.

Myra J.

Kaleb L.

Aarish P.

Laasya T.

Brea T.

Daniel Z.

Manager: Mrs. Zarder

The Wanted Kids solved the Engineering Challenge, “Going the Distance, “ and took 4th place at the Sectional Tournament!

Logan K.

Willis L.

Sam L.

Logan S.

Nadia S.

Scarlett U.

Carson Z.

Manager: Mr. Kline

The MacArthur Rising Stars presented their solution to the DI Early Learning Challenge, "Making a Splash," in the non-competitive division. Team members are

Cecilia B.

Grace D.

Andi M.

Christian S.

Jameson S.

Juliana S.

Reid T.

Managers: Mrs. Warnimont and Mrs. Coyle

All 3 of our 1st place teams will be going to compete at STATE on April 6th! All of the teams tried their best and had fun while doing it. Lots of creativity, perseverance, and cooperation goes into these competitions and we are so PROUD!

I wish the MacArthur DI teams Good Luck at the Destination Imagination State Tournament this weekend in Green Bay. The event, held at UW-Green Bay features 117 teams from across the state to compete for a chance to attend the Global Finals competition in Kansas City, Missouri later in May. Go Eagles!

Yours in creativity,

Mary Bykowski

GTown Schools DI Coordinator

Please remember to not have your child bring medicine to school in their backpacks. All medicine must be brought in to the health room in by an adult.

Personal Safety Lessons are coming up at the end of the month and into the start of May for all K5-5th grade classes. Please be sure to check your email for a letter that highlights the focus of these lessons.

Please click below for April menus! If your child will be late to school and would like to purchase lunch that day, please remember to let the front office know the lunch choice before school begins.

Home-School Connection

Every month, we will have a new "value word" that our scholars at MacArthur are working on as part of our Character Strong program. We talk about this during assembly time and as part of the Monday videos that are shared school-wide. The students continue learning about the value word within their classrooms. MacArthur focuses on specific areas in the school as we teach the students how to practice the value word in their lives. So far, we have focused on Kindness, Respect, Responsibility, Gratitude, Empathy, Perseverance, Honesty and Cooperation.

This month’s focus is Courage! One way to think about Courage is “choosing what is helpful, right, and kind even when it is hard or scary.” Courage is 1 of 3 traits we will focus on throughout the year that helps students Be Strong. Throughout the school, students will be developing skills like focusing, organizing, and goal-setting.

Have some fun connecting as a family this month while practicing Courage. Here are 2 “PurposeFull Pursuits” for you to complete together.

Pursuit 1:

Review Courage as a family! Remember that Courage is choosing what is helpful, right, and kind - even when it’s hard or scary. What’s something that you’ve been afraid to discuss with your student? Something that might be difficult to explain about our community or the world. Chances are they will hear about it eventually and it may come from someone who is less informed or less supportive than you. Have a courageous conversation with your student. It could be about bullying, the environment, uncertainty, etc. Remind them that love and support are two tools that we can use to practice Courage. Discuss as a family ways they can practice Courage around the issue you discuss.

Pursuit 2:

We have all demonstrated Courage in our lives. Many of us have seen people practice Courage in ways that have inspired us. Stories are powerful tools for connecting as a family. Protect time this week to share stories about Courage with each other (you can use the story prompts to get started). At the end of the conversation, think of one way you can practice Courage this week.

Story Prompts:

● A time I (or someone else) showed Courage was _____.

● An act of Courage that changed/challenged me was _____.

The deadline to SIGN UP your child for our upcoming talent show is this coming Monday, April 8th.

On May 29, MacArthur Elementary School will be having a student Talent Show! Does your child have a skill they would like to perform for the school? Singers, dancers, instrument players, Rubik’s cube solvers, artists, hula hoopers, tumblers, magicians, joke tellers, and so on are needed for the show!

We will have auditions during the school day between 3:15 and 3:50 on Wednesdays in April (beginning on April 10). Students who are signed up will be assigned an audition time/date. Because of the large number of potential student performers, we have to narrow our performances to fit the time frame of our May 29 performance date (3:25 pm - 3:55 pm).

Please be sure to sign up (using the link above) by the deadline if your child is interested!

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Polzar (dpolzar@gsdwi.org).

See below for information on a soccer camp for both boys and girls, ages 9-14. Registration ends on June 1, 2024.

The Germantown Park and Rec. Department’s Winter/Spring and Summer Recreation Brochures can be viewed online here.

Upcoming Programs to register for include:

Family Events – Glow Walk, Mini-Golf

Stay Home Alone

Schools Out Stream Sampler

Basketball Camps (Girls)

Volleyball Camps (Boys & Girls)

Gymnastics

Night Tball/Coach Pitch

Daytime Tball/Coach Pitch, Baseball, Girls Softball

Art classes

Babysitter’s Training

Tennis Lessons

Youth Dance

Check out this link for program specifics!

Please complete the DISTRICT VOLUNTEER APPLICATION using the button above if you are interested in volunteering at school or chaperoning a field trip with MacArthur. This form MUST be filled out and the background check needs to be cleared (it can take up to two weeks to clear) if you would like to help. The background checks are good for 3 years, after which they must be renewed.

If you are visiting the school and have an appointment, please bring your I.D. with you so you are able to get a visitor's badge to enter the school.

We plan to post many updates and school happenings on Facebook. Please be sure to follow us so that you can celebrate the student learning and school happenings with us!

Website: gsdwi.org/o/macarthur
Location: W154N11492 Fond Du Lac Ave, Germantown, WI, USA
Phone: 262-253-3468
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MacArthurGSDWI