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Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
February 16th, 2024
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
In the upcoming weeks, our students will engage in human growth and development lessons in their physical education classes here at school. We recognize that you know your child best and are likely also having ongoing conversations with your child about their development throughout the adolescent years.
That being said, we find it a privilege to partner with you in this endeavor. So, look for communication coming directly from the physical education staff regarding specific resources they will be using in alignment with the Muskego-Norway School District’s Human Growth & Development Curriculum.
The human growth and development lessons for students in grades 5-8 are designed to help students learn about the physical, emotional, and social changes that often occur during puberty. Specifically, our 5th graders learn about changes their bodies undergo during adolescence including hygiene as well as personal choices and decision making. (We separate our 5th graders by gender for the lesson about their changing bodies to honor their dignity.) Our 6th graders learn about personal choices and decision making as well as social media and cyberbullying. Our 7th graders review external influences during adolescence including social media and vaping. And finally, our 8th graders explore the impact of risky behaviors on their wellness.
Know that you have the option to review any curriculum resources prior to your child engaging in the lessons here at school. If you wish to do so, please reach out to Andy Bavlnka, Secondary Curriculum Director at (262) 971-1800 ext 2309 or email him at andrew.bavlnka@muskegonorway.org .
You also may choose to opt your child out of one or more of the human growth and development lessons, we are happy to provide an alternative activity related to their physical education at that time. If you prefer that your child not participate in the human growth and development lessons ahead, please contact Rachel Rydzewski, Principal, at (262) 971-1860 or email her at rachel.rydzewski@muskegonorway.org.
We know these conversations related to human growth and development can be very personal to each family as well as sensitive matters for each child depending on their comfort level. That being said, our hope is to ensure that all students have access to information related to their personal health, development, and safety as they navigate their adolescent years.
As always, we are here to listen, talk through your questions/concerns, and work together on a plan that works best for your child regarding the human growth and development lessons ahead. So don’t hesitate to reach out so we can best support both you, your child, and what’s most important to you as a family.
In partnership,
Rachel and Nancy
Muskego Lakes Principals
Important Dates Ahead
- February 23: 8th Grade Career Fair/Community Day
February 26: No School Professional Day
March 13: PTO Meeting 6:30pm
March 25-29, April 1: Spring Break
April 6-7: Willy Wonka, Jr. @ MHS PAC
April 10: PTO Meeting 6:30pm
May 8: PTO Meeting 6:30pm
May 30: 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony 6pm
Executive Function Series: Goal Directed Persistence
Goal-directed persistence is the ability to avoid distractions and stay focused on doing what you set out to do, even when it’s boring or doesn’t have immediate pay-off. It’s also known as “stick-to-itiveness”. This is one of the last executive function skills to develop.
Develop a goal with your teen that they want to work on (it’s important to let them choose the goal, rather than what you think it should be).
Use PERSIST Strategy:
Purpose of goal -
Establish steps of goal - make them as concrete as you can
Reward yourself as steps are accomplished
Schedule time to work on steps to goal - schedule visually
Increase effort when a step is challenging
Seek assistance to persist (help your teen identify barriers proactively and what they can do or who they can lean on if/when those obstacles arise)
Ta Da! Goal achieved - celebrate success!
If you need support in developing a goal or support in planning with your teen, student services is here to help!
Visioneer Design Challenge
Does your student love art and design? Then the Visioneers Design Challenge is for them! The Visioneer Design Challenge is a statewide learning program and competition for high school and middle school students interested in design arts and learning about design-related careers alongside professional designers in various fields of design. A variety of challenges have been created by professional designers for students to compete in. These challenges cover the design of everyday objects, the design of spaces and places, the design of communication and information systems, and design for human interaction.
How it works:
Students choose one of the categories listed below to compete in and sign up for the event through Mr. Potts. They can sign up to compete as an individual or with a partner. From now until the competition date(4/26/24), students begin designing and creating their long-term challenge project. On the day of the competition, students bring their projects as we head to the UWM Peck School of the Arts. Once there, students work alongside professional designers in that particular design field and with students from around the state. Also, during the day they will be given a short-term project to complete. This on-site challenge will be related to the long-term challenge. While working on this, students are able to collaborate with and learn from fellow students and the design professionals. At the end of the day, awards will be given for long and short term project designs.
Event categories:
- Architecture
- Audio Engineering
- Digital Photography
- Exhibit Design
- Fashion Design
- Game Design
- Graphic Design
- Art Lesson Design
- Toy Design
- Urban Planning
- Video Production.
When: Friday April 26th, 2024
Where: UWM Peck School of the Arts
More Information & Project Prompts: 2024 Visioneers Design Challenge Info Packet
Reach out to Mr. Potts with any questions, to sign up, or if you are interested in chaperoning!
Email: nick.potts@muskegonorway.org
Phone: 262-971-1860 x5101
Partnering with Families for Strong Attendance
Our goal is to have your student in school everyday and we thank you for helping us make that a priority. Although, we know that sometimes absences can't be helped (i.e. sick, funeral leave,etc.), but we thank you for avoiding any absences by continuining to:
- Scheduling appointments for after school hours or on breaks.
- Scheduling vacations or trips when possible over school breaks.
- Talk about the importance of showing up everyday with your child.
- Help your child maintain daily routines.
Students can be excused by parents each year up to 10 days. Any absence(part or whole day) after 10 days needs a doctor's excuse. With that being said, any day a student misses counts towards their total days of school missed for the year (doctor excused or not). Our goal is that your child would have less than 10 total days out within a year.
As communicated earlier this year, we will continue to keep you updated and informed about your child's attendance, you can expect that we will send home a letter when your child reaches:
- 5 Days Out
- 7 Days Out
- 10 Days Out
The purpose of the letter is to serve as a reminder that we are here to support and partner with you. In addition, it is a reminder of the Compulsary Student Attendance requirements. We know that unexpected situations sometimes arise and that you might need a partner in supporting your child being at school. So, If you are worried about your child's attendance, have a unique situation or want to partner together, reach out to Stacy Pawlak, School Social Worker at stacy.pawlak@muskegonorway.org.
Interested in Volunteering?
Did you know that your volunteer applications expire every 2 years? If you have registered with us before 60 days before your registered volunteer status expires, you will receive an email to re-apply.
We highly recommend that you please renew your application if you are want to be able to volunteer in the classrooms or with a potential field trip. If you haven't completed the Volunteer Application, CLICK HERE to do so.
Educators Rising Book Drive
The MHS Educators Rising group is sponsoring a book drive, and we are particpating here at Muskego Lakes! Students can drop off books in the tub in the rotunda each day!
Willy Wonka Jr. Tickets On Sale Now!
Muskego Lakes Middle School production of Willy Wonka Jr. will have four fantastic performances for you to come and see all our talented middle schoolers! Mark your calendars for the following show performances:
- Saturday, April 6th at 1pm (Flavor Shifters Cast)
- Saturday, April 6th at 5pm (Mallows Cast)
- Sunday, April 7th at 1pm (Mallows Cast)
- Sunday, April 7th at 5pm (Flavor Shifters Cast)
Tickets are available for purchase by clicking HERE.
Last Call! Help Us Celebrate Our Staff, Give A Staff Shout-Out!
Is there a member of the Muskego Lakes staff who has been especially kind? helpful? Went out of their way to help you or their child? Help us celebrate and recognize them!
To do so, you can complete the form HERE. We will be taking nominations until February 18th, 2024. Thank you for helping us honor our staff here at Muskego Lakes!
Don't Forget To Buy A Yearbook!
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: http://jostensyearbooks.com?ref=A09369100 . The deadline to place an order is March 1st, 2024. Additional copies of yearbooks will not be available at school for purchase.
If you're not certain if you've already ordered a yearbook, you have two options to check:
- Have your child stop in student services or the main office to check their status
- 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.
- Call Jostens at 1-877-767-5217 and they will be able to assist you in looking up if you ordered.
To inquire about financial assistance, please reach out to Stacy Pawlak, Social Worker.
Lost & Found
Is your child missing something? We have quite the collection of lost and found here at school. Encourage your child to stop outside student services and check for their item.
Shown below are the upcoming co-curricular events at Muskego Lakes.
If a change occurs from the date of this newsletter, we post on Infinite Campus in the announcement section. We commit to letting students/families know about changes and updating Infinite Campus announcements as soon as possible once we've been notified of a change.
For more detailed information about MLMS events, click here.
SIgn Up Today for Mid-Week Munchies
Every Wednesday the Muskego Lakes PTO is looking for volunteers to donate snacks to our teachers and staff. This greatly helps them make it through the week and brighten their day. You can donate snacks or a group of families can donate. We have roughly 100 staff members. Snacks can be anything you'd like. Please sign up for a date HERE if you can. Drop off will be in the front office by 8am on the Wednesday you sign up.
Thank you in advanced for helping spoil our staff.
Get Involved By Joining The Muskego Lakes PTO!
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 on how we can make this an amazing school year ahead!!
Meeting Dates for the 23-24 School Year
- February 14
- March 13
- April 10
- May 8
Reminders for the Lunchroom
In an effort to ensure students can move through the lunch lines efficiently, we ask that you remind your student to ensure that they bring their school ID card with them to lunch daily or ensure that they have gotten their finger scanned.
For your convenience, we have linked helpful resources. You can always find the link to updated lunch menus, at the end of this newsletter.
2023-24 Lunch Prices:
- Elementary Lunch: $2.55
- MS 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.
Questions related to the food service program can be directed to Benny D’Epiro, Food Service Director at 262-971-1790 x4522.
Clinical Psychology Associates Services
We are proud to continue to partner with Clinical Psychology Associates (CPA) to offer on-site counseling services for students enrolled in Lakeview Elementary, Mill Valley Elementary, Bay Lane Elementary, Lake Denoon Middle, Muskego Lakes Middle, and Muskego High School. For information about CPA’s services and therapists or to get started with an appointment, please visit our website.
Muskego Norway School District Calendar
Please make note of days off and important events on the 23-24 calendar. It is ideal to make dentist and doctor appointments on days we do not have school whenever possible.
Thank you!
Lake Denoon Presents Wizard of Oz Jr.
Friday, March 1st at 7 pm and Saturday, March 2nd at 2 pm at the MHS PAC.
- Tickets are $6 for students and $8 for adults
- CLICK HERE for Friday Tickets
- CLICK HERE for Saturday Tickets
Muskego Lakes Middle School
Website: https://www.muskegonorway.org/schools/muskegolakes/
Location: W124 S8009 North Cape Rd.
Phone: 262-971-1860
Twitter: @MLMSmuskies