Clarendon Avenue Elementary School

Hi Families!

Happy March! As we welcome the month of March, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the unwavering support and dedication you continue to show toward your child’s education. Your involvement—whether through encouraging homework completion, attending school events, or fostering a love of learning at home—makes a significant difference in our school community.

March is a busy and exciting time at our school. We have several events planned, including Read Across America (this week), 3rd and 4th grade concerts, Forward testing periods, and so much learning! I encourage you to stay engaged and reach out if you have any questions or need any support.

Thank you for your continued partnership in creating a positive and enriching learning environment for our students. We appreciate all that you do and look forward to a fantastic month ahead!

On behalf of myself and everyone here at Clarendon, we are honored to work with you and your children!

Brandy Hart, Principal

We have seen an increase in cars not wanting to stop and students not being as aware of their surroundings when crossing near the walking path afterschool.

Is anyone willing to help with volunteering to help students to cross after school? If we work together, we can work to get the weeks covered from March-June. Let me know if you are interested in this by adding your name to THIS DOCUMENT or by calling the main office or emailing hartbr@masd.k12.wi.us with questions. Thank you in advance!

Each spring, in preparation for the following school year, teachers divide their classes into instructional groups designed to promote the most effective learning environment possible. These groups are based upon the teacher observation, current test results, curriculum grouping, student ability factors, the ratio of boys and girls, the individual ages of the students, other behavior and social concerns, and exceptional educational needs.

Please list any justifiable educational needs that you would like us to take into consideration when placing your child. Please take time to describe a classroom environment you feel would benefit your child academically, socially, or emotionally.

Careful consideration will be given to the makeup of the classroom as a whole in order to create a culture conducive to learning. We ask that discussions regarding teachers held in the public setting be avoided. These conversations may lead to misrepresentations, generalizations, and misinformation.

Please note that parent input is just one aspect of determining student placement. This form will be reviewed by the principal and current staff.

Completing this form does not automatically place your child in a particular classroom, but will be a factor in the decision.

To be considered, this form must be completed by Monday, March 31, 2025.

Did you know that Clarendon Ave. staff is focused on "looking for the good" in all students? This is a strengths-based approach to supporting all students. Below is information on some of the rewards that happen at school. *Note the Trimester award is coming up at the end of March and this is an earned reward.

• Cougar Cash: Cougar Cash is handed out daily to students showing the Cougar Code. This can be for showing safe, responsible, and respectful behavior in the classroom, in the hallway, at an assembly, in the cafeteria, at recess, etc.
• The Cougar Store: The Cougar Store is open every Thursday and Friday for students that earned Cougar Cash to go shopping! Our store is run by student council members.
• A Super Roar: Super Roars are given to students going above and beyond or showing consistent use of The Cougar Code.
• Trimester Celebration: Trimester One celebration was for ALL students. It was not earned. We celebrated with a "Rockin' Recess". This was an extra recess with music and dancing for all. Trimester Two Celebration is coming up on March 21st. It is an all-school Bingo Party! Students that have 1 major or 2 minor behavior referrals are in jeopardy of losing this celebration. Should they get 1 major or 2 minors, they will be coached by a staff member in how to "earn" their way back in by showing increased effort to improve the behaviors seen. This will be connected to their Cougar Cash and each student has the ability to "earn" their way back in once. If you have questions on this, please reach out to any staff member. Trimester Three Celebration will also be earned to increase self-control and making safe, respectful, and responsible choices. Find out more about major/minor behaviors HERE!

Thanks to our amazing Clarendon families, our Coins for College fundraiser was a huge success! Together, we raised a total $2659.57! The top four classrooms who won a doughnut party, are Mrs. Bradford, Mrs. Mutsch, Mrs. Hansen, Mrs. Leonard. Money raised will be donated to several MHS seniors who have previously attended Clarendon. The scholarship committee will meet soon to determine the winners, who will be announced this spring. Way to go, Cougars!

Thank you for your generosity and support of the Coins for College program.

Here is information on how to order a 24-25 Clarendon Yearbook. The yearbook will only be available to order online. The cost is $13.50. Here is the Network Photography link to order and prepay: Clarendon Ave. School Virtual Flyer.

The prepay link will close on 3/17/2025.

Don't forget to change your clock, +1 hour, either Saturday night, March 8 or Sunday morning, March 9!

Dear families,

Please see below for opportunities for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students to sign up for band and orchestra for the 2025-2026 school year:

Band (4th and 5th Grade Students)

Informational Letter for NEW Band Students

New Band Student Sign Up Form

5th Grade Return to Band Form (Current Band Students Only)

Orchestra (3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade Students)

Informational Letter and Enrollment Form for NEW Orchestra Students

4th & 5th Grade Return to Orchestra Form (Current Orchestra Students Only)

Band and Orchestra enrollment is due prior to spring break(3/20/2025).

The MASD Band and Orchestra teachers look forward to a great year of music making with you!

St. Patrick's Day originated as a religious celebration in Ireland to honor St. Patrick, the country's patron saint. Irish immigrants brought the holiday to the United States, where it evolved into a secular celebration of Irish culture. Although blue was the colour traditionally associated with St. Patrick, green is now commonly connected with the day. St. Patrick's Day is always celebrated on March 17th.*

*https://www.britannica.com/topic/Saint-Patricks-Day

All birthday treats sent to school must be pre-packaged. All treats must be “nut free” and

sensitive to any allergies within the classroom. The treats should not require refrigeration or

freezing. The teacher will determine an appropriate time and manner for items to be distributed

so as not to disrupt the classroom learning

If you want to come to school to eat lunch with your student you will need to check in at the

main office. Food from an outside vendor is prohibited. We are able to accommodate any adult

who would like to enjoy a school lunch with their student. Please let the office know before 9:00

a.m. the choice of lunch you will be having with your child

Gifts, balloons and decorations should be kept at home to celebrate with your family. Deliveries

to the classroom will not be allowed. It is not acceptable for parents to bring in balloons, flowers

or deliveries.

A group of 5th graders brought this idea to Mrs. Hart to see how they could help an elementary school in California get back on their feet. The students notified their classmates with a video they created, created and shared the below flyer with families, and will help to pack up and ship any supplies we gather. Great initiative from our future leaders!

Please send donations by 3/20/2025.

The school the donations will be going to is:

Odyssey Charter School, 725 West Altadena Drive Altadena, CA.

Each month, the Mukwonago School District seeks out and recognizes staff that have gone above and beyond in serving the districts mission and vision. We call these awards, The Vision Keepers!

In the month of February, 11 vision keepers were recognized throughout the district.... Clarendon had one of those 11 recipients! Congrats to Angie Schultz for showing excellence. You may see Angie if you've ever visited our health room. She started after the school year began, but continues to learn and grow each day.

We are all thankful and and grateful to have so many high performing and high qualified educators on our team!

Dear Families of 3rd - 6th Grade Students,

This year students in 3rd - 6th grade will take the Wisconsin Forward Exam. Students will complete the Forward Exam in the areas of English/Language Arts (ELA) and Math. Additionally, 4th grade students will complete tests in the areas of Science and Social Studies.

The Forward Exam is designed to measure a student's cumulative yearly progress. The testing window, as determined by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, is March 17th through April 25th.

Below are the testing dates for Clarendon Avenue Elementary

3rd Grade

ELA - April 2, April 3, April 15

Math - March 17, March 18

4th Grade

ELA - April 3, April 9, April 10

Math - April 9, April 10

Science - March 17, March 18

Social Studies - March 19

5th Grade

ELA - April 1, April 2, April 4

Math - April 7, April 8

6th Grade

ELA - April 1, April 4, April 7

Math - April 8, April 10, April 11

To ensure the most reliable test scores possible, it is important your child be in attendance on the test dates for their grade. Make sure your child has a full breakfast on these mornings. Also, studies show that a good, long night’s sleep helps the child be alert for the tests.

Please encourage your child to take his/her time, be thorough, and have a positive experience on the tests. You can also help get your child ready for this testing by practicing sustained reading, solving math word problems, and by encouraging thoroughness and rechecking of homework. These good habits will help to reduce careless errors on tests and with other tasks. Finally, please make sure your child has a set of working headphones for their specified test dates.

This class won the coveted G.O.A.T trophy both in January AND in February's Assembly! For March, we will be splitting this class up in pairs to sit with, model, and coach other classes. We will see who what class comes out ahead on Friday, March 7th!

• Mar 4 - CES 3rd Grade Students Mukwonago Family Dentistry Visit
• Mar 5 - CES Complex Needs Field Trip Admirals Game with MHS Best Buddies
• Mar 6 - CES Incoming Band Fitting Night
• Mar 9 - Daylight Saving Time Starts Push clocks ahead 1 hour
• Mar 12 - CES Orchestra Recruitment Night for 3rd grade or New to Orchestra students 5:00-7:00 pm
• Mar 13 - CES 4th Grade Field Trip Edwards YMCA Camp
• Mar 17 - Last Day to order 24-25 Clarendon Yearbooks all orders are online through this link
• Mar 17 - St. Patrick's Day - Wear Green
• Mar 19 - CES Guest Reservation Form 3rd & 4th Grade Music Concert March 19, 2025 2:00 pm
• Mar 20 - CES 3rd & 4th Grade Music Concert at MHS PAC 6:30-7:30 pm(no sign up needed)
• Mar 20 - CES 5th Grade Students Field Trip to JA BizTown
• Mar 24-28 - Spring Break - No School
• Mar 31 - Classes Resume

CES will be closed March 24 - 28, 2025 for Spring Break.

The Mukwonago Lions Club Poster Contest is open to Kindergarten to 4th Grade Students.

Please follow the guidelines found here.

Click the button link for more information!

Purchase Tickets, Sign up to participate or Get more information:

Purchase Tickets and/or Vote for your favorite

Sign up to be part of the Cast, Crew, Pit or Volunteer

Complete description and more information

4th-6th grade students have the opportunity to sign up for the MASD Reading Rumble! This is an optional reading trivia competition that takes place in MAY 2025. Students will form teams of 2-4 students at their grade level, create a team name, and divide up the reading of 10 chapter books chosen by a district committee. If students want to participate, they will need to have a permission slip signed. They will have check-ins throughout the next few months until the School Rumble in May, where they will gather in a bracket-style competition to see which teams are the fastest and most accurate in remembering details from the books. In addition, the top team at each school will compete at the District Rumble on May 21 at the Mukwonago Performing Arts Center.

If you want more information, please email Miss Miramontes at miramma@masd.k12.wi.us or Mrs. Von Thun at vonthme@masd.k12.wi.us

Thank you and happy reading!

Reading RUMBLE Timeline of Events

May 15th at 2:35 is the CES School battle

May 21st is the District Level Battle at the Mukwonago PAC at 8 am

Items that are found without identification will be placed in the Lost & Found located in hallway outside the gym. Please mark your child's name in all outerwear, lunch boxes, and personal sports equipment brought for recess, etc. If your child has come home without all his/her possessions, please have your child check the lost and found located in the hallway outside the gym for sweatshirts, coats, hats, gloves, etc. Small items (jewelry, keys, etc.) will be located in the office. Items in the Lost & Found at the end of the school year will be donated.

Our next meeting will be held on:

Tuesday, March 11th, 6:30 pm in the CES library

All are welcome to attend.

Clarendon's High Interest Day - May 2nd

High Interest Day is a day set aside to provide an opportunity for students to explore different careers, hobbies or activities in a hands-on environment. Students will rotate through three different experiences with their class. This year's High Interest Day is in the afternoon of Friday, May 2nd.

We are looking for volunteers to help with sessions from 12:20-3:15. If you are interested, you can sign up to VOLUNTEER HERE. It is always an energy -filled day for EVERYONE in the building.

The Mukwonago Area School District is accepting applications for early entrance to

Kindergarten through March 1, 2025. Early entrance evaluations will be conducted for children

who are not 5 years old by September 1, 2025, but will be 5 years old by October 1, 2025. The

child must meet criteria set by the district in the areas of social, emotional, academic, and

intellectual levels. More information can be found on the district website (Board Policy 5112).

Parents must request an application stating the child’s name, date of birth, parent name,

address, phone number and email address BY MARCH 1, 2025 to: The Mukwonago Area School

District-Student Services Department at 385 E Veterans Way, Mukwonago WI 53149, or via

email to berkagi@masd.k12.wi.us.

Do you have concerns about your child’s development?

The Mukwonago Area School District will conduct preschool screening for children between the ages of 3-5 years old, or children not attending 5 year old kindergarten. If you have concerns about your child's development, you are encouraged to register. If the child is not an MASD resident, they must be in an MASD school aged program. District staff will screen your child in the areas of cognitive development, personal/social skills, fine motor (small muscle), gross motor (large muscle), adaptive, speech/language, hearing, and vision.This screening is NOT 4K or 5K kindergarten screening. There is no cost, and takes approximately 45 minutes.

To schedule a required appointment, please contact Gina Berka at 262.363.6300 x24201, or by email at berkagi@masd.k12.wi.us.

March 10, 2025

Brooklife Church

857 S Rochester Street in Mukwonago

2:30 pm - 5:30 pm

DPI: Apply for Open Enrollment

Open Enrollment Dates: February 3, 2025 - April 30, 2025(DPI Portal closes at 4:00 pm)

The Mukwonago Area School District accepts requests for open enrollment through the Department of Public Instruction each spring. Open enrollment is available to families residing outside of the Mukwonago Area School District and allows students to attend a public school in a district other than the one in which they reside.

View the DPI Open Enrollment Website

Questions? Please telephone Sue Brezovar at (262) 363-6300, x24115.

Please Note: Students who were approved for open enrollment in prior years do not need to reapply.

Intra-district transfers are requests for a district resident student to attend a Mukwonago Area School District elementary school outside his or her attendance area. Parents desiring a transfer for their son or daughter must complete a form and submit to the building principal of their current home school. Home school principals will notify the requested school of transfer papers. Transportation to attend a school outside of the home area is the responsibility of the parent. Students who are already attending a school as an intra-district transfer do not need to re-apply; however, new family members would need to do so.

Written transfer requests for the next school year can be submitted until May 1. If there are more requests than seats, students will be selected on a lottery basis. See School Board Policy IEB for the full set of criteria governing intra-district transfers.

You may find the form on the website or by clicking here.

New Food Service Menu!

The Food Service Department is pleased to introduce My School Menus by Health-e Pro - a mobile app with interactive menus. My School Menus allows easy access to complete nutrition information for the school meal--anytime, anywhere.

You can download My School Menus Mobile App in the iTunes Store or the Google Play store. The Food Service Department is excited to offer My School Menus Mobile App as a valuable nutrition resource. You can access the web version by visiting the district website at https://www.myschoolmenus.com/organizations/2534.

The free/reduced-price lunch application is available through your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. The primary household has the option to share the permissions (waiver) with other fees issued districtwide when completing the annual update. This option is selected yes/no on the household tab in the annual update, if this is not selected, no fees will be waived. Secondary households can apply for meal benefits, however only the primary household can apply for the fee waiver.

Please remember to pay any remaining student fees for the 2024-2025 school year.

Please log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal to view any outstanding student and lunch fees. You can pay online through the portal or send a check to the school office.

Checks should be made payable to Mukwonago Area School District.

The Wisconsin Student Immunization Law recently changed. New vaccine requirements for Varicella and MenACWY (meningitis) were added which may affect your child's compliance with the law.

Please see the following summary of changes to the Wisconsin school immunization requirements linked below for the 2024-2025 school year for schools. The summary explains the differences between the prior requirements and the newly updated requirements. For summary of changes please visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p03370.pdf

In Wisconsin, if a parent does not wish to have their child vaccinated, they may seek either a religious waiver or personal conviction waiver. This is noted in step 4 of the Child Care Immunization Record attached here.

For immunization requirements, please visit: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/immunization/reqs.htm

View a real-time, map-based bus located for your child's bus route on your mobile device!

1. Download the Zonar MyView app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Enter our district code (MASD1).
3. Enter your child's school ID number.
4. Create alert zones around drop-off and pick-up points.

When your child's bus enters an alert zone, you will receive notifications by email or text.

Click here to view full parent instructions for the Zonar MyView app or this brief guide with directions.

Technology information for families can be found at this link: Family Technology Resources

Internet Safety

Mukwonago Area School District has various options available to Parents/Guardians related to Internet Safety and monitoring student activity. For more information on how parents/guardians can take advantage of available options, please click this link.

We know that some of our families enjoy taking the opportunity to walk their children to or from school. If you choose to walk to and from school with your children, please leave your pets at home. Dogs and other pets are not allowed on school grounds without prior approval from the school principal.

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that ensures the right of students to go to school even when they are homeless or don’t have a permanent address. The Act aims to reduce barriers that have prevented many homeless youth from enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. The Mukwonago Area School District is committed to building and creating a supportive community for all families and students. Visit Resources for Homeless Students and Families

Finding affordable, quality child care is a challenge that many Wisconsin families face. But it's not a challenge families have to face alone. The Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program invests in eligible working families to help make quality child care more accessible and affordable. How? By covering a portion of their monthly child care costs. Why? Because when families get a little help — more is possible! Knowing their child is safe and well cared for, parents and caregivers can take advantage of opportunities that create strength, growth, and success.

Do you want more for your family? Take the first step and apply for Wisconsin Shares. Please find more information at Wisconsin.gov/wishares.

Information about 2025 Summer Adventures is coming soon!

Summer is just around the corner, but planning is underway for 2025 Summer Adventures.

Tentative 2025 dates:

E3: Eagleville Exploring the Environment: June 16-19

Summer Adventures: June 23 - July 17

Please watch the MASD Summer School webpage and Key News for Families for new information as it's released. Registration is slated to begin in mid-March.

As a service to our community, don't forget that MASD hosts a virtual Community Bulletin Board that is regularly updated with information from organizations providing services or activities. Be sure to bookmark the page and watch Key News for Families all year long for updates!

The library offers a variety of free programming for Youth and Adults. Join a book group, attend an author event, join an art class, or play board games.

Check online for the most current list of events. SITE: https://www.mukwonagolibrary.org/

Are you aware that the Mukwonago School District Posts Flyers for various community events online? Check it out! MASD Community Board -Posting

Parents, this is a great opportunity to:

• Be involved in your child’s education and help out in your local schools

• Turn your volunteer hours into extra income

• Maintain a flexible schedule—work when and where you want

• Get paid weekly and take advantage of bonus opportunities

Please check out these links to learn more!

Information on substitute opportunity for parents.

Find work that matters. Become a substitute.

School Hours

8:30 am - 3:35 pm Monday through Friday

Website: Clarendon Avenue Elementary School
Location: 915 Clarendon Avenue, Mukwonago, WI, USA
Phone: 262-363-6286
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/masdclarendon