MCP3 Parent Newsletter-#1

Greetings MCP3 Families!!

I am happy to see that so many people opened the first Newsletter that was sent last week Wednesday. Thank you for taking the time to read through our weekly newsletter as this is where important information is communicated. If you miss a newsletter, you may access all of them on our website @ milwaukeecollegeprep.com.

Our amazing MCP3 staff have returned this week! They have been working hard to set up their classrooms, attending Professional Developments, and are preparing to welcome your amazing kiddos next week to K3! You should have received a phone call from your child's teacher this week welcoming you and your child to their class!

The MCP3 Family Handbook is attached to the bottom of this newsletter and can be found on our website. It is important to take some time to review our policies and procedures so that we experience a successful year together. Here are a few important policies for us to know before school starts.

ClassDOJO

ClassDojo is an innovative communication platform designed to enhance collaboration and engagement between teachers, students, and parents within our school community. It provides a user-friendly interface that promotes positive behavior, fosters academic growth, and strengthens the school-home connection. Teachers can track and reward positive behaviors in the classroom. The platform also enables instant messaging between teachers and families, facilitating discussions about a child's progress, upcoming events, or any concerns. ClassDojo allows teachers

to share classroom updates, photos, and announcements through the Class Story feature, keeping parents informed about classroom activities and fostering a connection with their child's educational journey. Through ClassDojo, we aim to create a supportive and encouraging learning environment, strengthening communication and involvement to foster the success and growth of all our students. It is important for all families to access their child’s classDOJO. You will be asked to join our MCP3 school and your child's class at Open House and/or via an email invite.

Uniforms

All scholars must come to school in the Milwaukee College Prep-K3 uniform every day. Teachers/EAs will check scholar uniforms at threshold in the morning. If a student arrives at school out of uniform, parents/guardians will be notified at drop off or called by 9:00 and asked to bring in the proper uniform item by 10:00. If the scholar is not in full uniform a uniform violation is issued and will be sent home with the scholar at the end of the day. Five or more uniform violations accumulated in any one quarter will require a conference with the Director. Continued failure to follow the uniform policy could result in a student losing his/her seat.

Red MCP3 T-Shirt-MCP3 T-Shirts are for sale in our main office starting 8/19 during open house ($8 for short-sleeved; fleeces purchased online). If it is cold, students may wear long-sleeved t-shirts or turtlenecks under their T-Shirts (these shirts must be plain white, black, blue, gray, or red), a Milwaukee College Prep fleece or a navy blue cardigan sweater (no hoods or logos). Plain red shirts are not acceptable and considered out of uniform.

Navy blue pants-Solid navy blue bottoms are expected.Walking shorts, skirts or skorts that are no shorter than three inches above the knee are allowed on hot days. Cargo shorts/pants, joggers, skinny pants, corduroy, and denim of any color are not allowed.

Headwear-Headbands and barrettes are allowed. No hats, hoods, bandanas, du-rags etc. (any headbands determined to be distracting to the learning environment may be asked to be removed, i.e. large bows, ears, lights, etc..)

Socks/Tights-Solid red, white, blue or black socks, tights or leggings. (No patterned i.e. stripes, polka dots, oversized logos socks, tights or leggings).

Shoes-Gym shoes with velcro straps are preferred so students do not need to change for physical activity or recess. All scholars must wear closed toed shoes. No boots, moccasins, sandals, clogs, crocs, shoes that lace up one inch past the ankle, or flip-flops allowed. In winter, if boots are worn to school, students must change into uniform permitted shoes for class. Light-up shoes are to be turned off during the school day. Heelys are not permitted.

School Schedule

7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. Arrival/Morning Routine

8:00 a.m. School begins

8:30am-8:30am Breakfast

8:30 a.m. - Classroom instruction/Circle Time begins

3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Dismissal

3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Aftercare Camp (Aftercare fee of $4.00/hour) After Care Sign Up Form seats are limited

Arrival/Dismissal Procedures

MCP3 families will enter the entrance to the parking lot off of Teutonia and park in the designated rows for our program. Please do not park in the first seven spots reserved for the YMCA Child Care center. They are marked by cones. Parking for MCP3 families are the remaining spots along the YMCA Child Care center and the first two rows. See the picture below. You will need to sign your child in and out from the classroom each day. Safety is our number one priority!

Entrance for MCP3 is through the sliding black doors behind the sculpture. Please do NOT enter through the North Campus main entrance or drop your K3 scholar off in the 14th street car line.

Authorized Scholar Pick Up

MCP3 staff will only let people who are on the authorized pick up list to pick up scholars. Please make sure that we have the correct people on this list and inform the office in the event that someone else will be picking up and they will need to show their ID. Thank you for your understanding to this matter.

I look forward to seeing you all at Open House on Monday, August 19th 3:00pm-5:00pm.

During Open House you will have the opportunity to:

• Visit your scholar's classroom
• Meet your scholar's teaching team and the leadership team
• Complete all paperwork
• Drop off school supplies- (lists are available on the MCP website)
• Enjoy the MCP3 Community & meet new friends

With Love and Respect,

Ms. Peterson

Hi my name is Cassandra Perine. I will be the Office Manager for the MCP3 program. I have over 20 years of experience in the Childcare field from teacher to running my own facility. I have been married for 21 years, am the proud mother of 2 MCP-36th Street graduates and have worked at MCP for the past 9 years. I look forward to assisting you and your family on your scholar’s educational journey! ~ Ms. Perine

(414)264-6007

cassandra.perine@mkeprep.com

MCP3 accepts private pay and Wisconsin Shares. Our program is $215 a week and families are billed on an enrollment basis regardless of sick days, personal days, or family vacation. Families are responsible for tuition and unpaid balances.

Wisconsin Shares/W2 Child Care Authorization

If you are eligible to receive Wisconsin Shares please have your child’s day care authorization assigned to Milwaukee College Prep K3 Program at 1350 W. North Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53205. Families will need to provide proof of authorization. All families must have an authorization and have made an EBT payment prior to the first day of enrollment. At this time if a child is not authorized they may lose his/her K3 seat. If a family uses more funds than they are authorized, families will be billed the difference and additional aftercare fees of $4.00/hour. MCP3 does not have access to information regarding your Child Care Authorization and the amounts you are authorized for. If you have questions regarding your child care, please speak to your caseworker.

Authorization #: 1000588581 Location #: 003

Private Pay

Fees will be billed in advance bi-weekly and are to be paid in advance of services. Private paid payments will need to be made in Skyward Family Access or in our MCP3 main office.

**Additional details regarding billing/payment can be found in our MCP3 handbook online.

The Night Before Preschool

• Answer any last-minute questions from your child.
• Lay out your child's uniform.
• Make sure that your child goes to bed on time.
• Pick a bedtime that gives your child a good night’s rest before the first day. Keep the bedtime routine soothing and relaxing. Don’t focus too much (or at all!) on the first day of school unless they wants to.

The First Day

• Wake up early enough so that you and your child don’t have to rush to get to MCP3.
• Enjoy Breakfast together or be sure they are here at 8:00am when breakfast is served.
• Review the day’s routine (what preschool will be like, how your child will get to school/come home).

Saying a Good Good-Bye

These strategies can help toddlers prepare for preschool and ease the jitters of separating on your child’s first day.

Plan to stay a little while.

Staying for 15-30 minutes on that first morning can help ease the transition. Together, the two of you can learn the morning routine, explore with the toys during arrival activity, and meet some other children. When you see that your child is comfortable, it is time to leave. If they are having a harder time getting engaged, you may want to ask your child’s teacher to stay with your child as you say good-bye so that when you leave, they can turn to another caring adult for support.

Keep your tone positive and upbeat.

Children pick up on the reactions of the trusted adults in their lives. So try not to look worried or sad, and don’t linger too long. Say a quick, upbeat good-bye and reassure your child that all will be well.

Think about creating a special good-bye routine.

For example, you can give your child a kiss on the palm to “hold” all day long. Or, the two of you can sing a special song together before you leave. Good-bye routines are comforting to children and help them understand and prepare for what will happen next.

Resist the Rescue.

Try not to run back in the classroom if you hear your child crying, as upsetting as this can be. This is a big change and your child may, quite understandably, feel sad and a little scared. But if you run back in, it sends the message that they are only okay if you are there and it is likely to prolong your child’s distress and make it harder for them to adapt. Rest assured, teachers have many years of experience with helping families make the shift to preschool. Instead, you can wait outside the classroom for a few minutes to ensure that all is well or contact the school/your child's teacher later in the morning to check in

8/19- Open House 3-5p.m

8/21- First Day of School

9/2- Labor Day (No School)

9/13- Staff In-Service (No School)

Email: allison.peterson@milwcollegeprep.com
Website: milwcollegeprep.com
Location: 1350 W North Ave, Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414-264-6007
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milwcollegeprep