Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
November 10th. 2023
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
Today was another fantastic Community Day at Muskego Lakes, and it was AWESOME! Students participated in a culture of respect retreat. The day's focus was not only on respect but also on building connections among our students. The goal for today was simple yet profound – to encourage students to connect with others they might not know well yet. We wanted students to step out of their comfort zones, discover new interests, find others with common interests, and create lasting memories!
We were lucky to have several Muskego High School students with us today, too. It was an excellent opportunity for our students to learn from their older peers and further strengthen the sense of community within our school and beyond. We are grateful that these students could share their strengths, experiences, and insights with our students today.
We know that for some students, these days that are out of their routine can be challenging. So, we do our best before the day to preview their schedules, pair students up with someone they are comfortable with, and check in throughout the day. This way, we ensure that all students feel comfortable and connected.
As Y. Berg wisely said, "A true community is not just about being geographically close to someone or part of the same social web network. It's about feeling connected and responsible for what happens. Everyone plays a crucial role."
Today, every school community member played a crucial role in making it a day to remember!
In partnership,
Rachel and Nancy
Muskego Lakes Principals
Important Dates Ahead
- November 14: 5-6th Grade CogAT Testing
- November 22- 24: No School Thanksgiving Break
- November 29: Choralfest at MHS in Salentine Gym
- November 30: Band Concert 6th Grade: 6pm & 7/8th Grade: 7pm at PAC
- December 5-7: Literacy iReady Testing
- December 11-13: Math iReady Testing
- December 14: Choir Concert 7pm at PAC
- December 15: 6th Grade Science Fair
- December 22- Jan 1: No School Winter Break
Honoring Veterans at Muskego Lakes
This week, in honor of Veterans Day, we took time to reflect and honor those who have served our country as a school today. It was one major focus of our community day and students participated in different activities related to Veterans Day and learning about the armed forces. We shared the following message with students during our announcements today:
"Tomorrow is Veterans Day, a day that we remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans.
Veterans Day started out as being called “Armistice Day” because the first year it was celebrated, in November 1919, was the anniversary of the end of World War 1. The end of World War 1 happened on November 11th - at the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918.
President Ronald Reagan described Veterans Day this way:
“We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ... became champions of a noble cause.”
So how can you, too, be a champion of a noble cause? Are you a positive leader in the classroom or at recess? Do you stand up for the right of other students to feel included and valued at our school?
We encourage that If you know a veteran, thank them for their service."
Shown above 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.
Check out all MLMS events here which includes more detailed information!
Support the PTO through our No Fuss Raffle Seat Fundraiser
Support the PTO through our No Fuss Raffle Seat Fundraiser! Each tickets is $5 each, and payment can be made by cash or check(written to the MLMS PTO). Check out the details below!
Holiday Carnival Lights to Support the MLMS PTO
Join us November 28th at the biggest, brightest & most dazzling drive through holiday light show, The Christmas Carnival of Lights! Come support our fundraiser, benefitting Muskego Lakes Middle School PTO. Families can drive through a 2 mile, brightly lit, wooded path with over 2 million dynamic lights while listening to all of the holiday hits!
After the lights, stop by Santa's Workshop for meet & greets, tasty holiday treats and photo ops.
25% of ticket sales for general admission car passes or the Golf Cart Holiday Train will go back to our organization! Purchase your car pass or Holiday Train tickets on the Christmas Carnival of Lights website and use our unique promo code: MLMSLIGHTS23, wichristmascarnival.com
Can't make the above date?
Visit the light show 12/26-12/29 instead and use promo code MLMSLIGHTS232.
Be on the lookout for the flyer to come up this next week in your student's Musky Folder!
Did your child misplace something? Check out the Lost & Found!
Common items we find are:
- water bottles
- school supplies
- assignment notebooks
- lunch bags
- sweatshirts
Please encourage your child if they are missing sweatshirts, jackets, water bottles, pencil cases, hats, headbands, etc. to stop by student services to check for their missing items right away. Please check out the items that are currently in our lost and found this week.
5-6th Grade CogAT Testing on Tuesday
Our 5-6th grade students will be taking the CogAt test on November 14th in social studies. The CogAt is the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and it evaluates the level and pattern of cognitive development of students, as well as their abilities in problem solving using verbal, quantitative, and spatial (nonverbal) reasoning. The CogAT measures developed abilities that begin at birth and continue through early adulthood. Scores can be used to adapt instruction in ways that enhance students’ success in learning.
Data gathered from these assessments will be included as one aspect of the multiple measures
that help staff make decisions regarding your child’s instructional needs. There is no way for
students to study or prepare for this assessment. Rather, to attain the most reliable results, we
want to foster a relaxed, natural environment in the classroom.
Results of this assessment will be shared with you following the completion of the testing and following our District’s universal screening process. The information gathered will not be used
in any calculation of report card grades since it is not directly connected to standard or skill
achievement.
Please contact Andy Bavlnka, the Director of Secondary Learning, if you have any questions at andrew.bavlnka@muskegonorway.org.
Help Support Building an Indoor Recess Cart
The Muskego Lakes PTO is looking to assemble a rainy-day activity cart for students to access for indoor recess. The hope is that when students have indoor recess, they will be able to choose from different options to occupy their time and make memories with one another. If you are willing and able to help, please check out our Muskego Lakes Amazon Wishlist HERE.
On behalf of the Muskego Lakes PTO, they thank you for considering supporting this endeavor, and want you to know that if you have ideas or would like to donate something not on the wishlist to please reach out to them at muskegolakespto@gmail.com.
Building Academic Foundations looking for Guest Speakers
Musical Audition Information
CAST AUDITIONS
Students should choose ONE DAY AND SIGN UP on the audition sign up doc. Students should plan to be there entire time.
Monday, November 13; 3:10-5:10 pm
Tuesday, November 14; 3:10-5:10 pm
Wednesday, November 15; 3:10-5:10 pm
CALL BACKS (by invitation only-emails will be sent on Wednesday evening)
Thursday, November 16; 3:10-5ish pm
Friday, November 17; 3:10-5ish pm
ARTISTIC & BACKSTAGE CREW APPLICATIONS-due Friday, November 17 by end of school day.
All will take place in the Choir room for students. Parents can pick up at Door 14 when finished.
ON-GOING REHEARSAL DOC-all known dates and times are posted here and will be added as soon as the information becomes available.
If you have any questions regarding the musical, please reach out to Sarah Milton (Sarah.milton@muskegonorway.org).
Purchase a Yearbook Yet?
MLMS PTO Kringle Sale Pick-Up November 18th
Thank you to everyone that supported our Kringle sale! Delivery/pick up will be Saturday, November 18th from 12-2pm at S76 W16150 Bridgeport Way in Muskego.
Important Payment Information
At pick up, we will need one check made out to MLPTO. We will hold your check for 1 week to give you time to collect. Payment must be made to pick-up kringles.
If you have any questions, please contact the the MLMS PTO at muskegolakespto@gmail.com
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
- January 10
- 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!
Muskego Lakes Middle School
Website: https://www.muskegonorway.org/schools/muskegolakes/
Location: W124 S8009 North Cape Rd.
Phone: 262-971-1860
Twitter: @MLMSmuskies