MMS Update 3-3-25

Sunday, March 9, 2025, 2:00:00 am clocks are turned forward 1 hour to

Sunday, March 9, 2025, 3:00:00 am local daylight time instead.

Sunrise and sunset will be about 1 hour later on Mar 9, 2025 than the day before. There will be more light in the evening and less light in the morning.

Professional Development For Teachers

Beginning Tuesday, April 8, 2025, Milwood Magnet School will administer state tests designed to provide important information on student knowledge and their progress toward being career- and college-ready upon graduation. These tests are required by federal and state laws. We use these test results for school improvement initiatives that benefit all students. The data gathered from this year’s state assessments will help educators support students when they return to school in the fall and move forward with their education.

Ricardo Liniers Siri, known professionally as Liniers, holds a unique position in the broad swath of Latin American culture.

He is by trade a cartoonist, and he's becoming a presence in the United States after his recent covers for The New Yorker. But Argentines have been familiar with him for over a decade — he's had a daily cartoon strip called Macanudo in the Argentine newspaper La Nación for 15 years.

Thanks to The Kalamazoo Public Library, MMS students had the opportunity to meet Liniers. He shared his life story and how he became a cartoonist. Students used his famous trademark red and black colors to create their own illustrations. Everyone enjoyed his visit and were happy to learn about this author and illustrator. He also gave students signed copies of his work!

Thank you Liniers!

March is Reading Month! We are celebrating by asking YOU to help us promote our collection. Stop in to any KPL location and fill out a shelf talker. What’s a shelf talker, you ask? We will have small paper cut-outs for you to write down the title of a book you love and why! We will then place that paper cut-out on the shelf where that book belongs so another patron can find it and read your recommendation.

Shelf talkers will be available at any public service desk.

2.The Giver (The Giver, #1)

Our Advanced Band students knocked festival out of the park on Thursday, March 6, 2025. They earned Straight 1s, with all "A"s from each adjudicator in EVERY sub-category. This is the highest rating this group has ever earned since Mr. Mirakovits has been at MMS, and most likely in the recent past as well.

This is the highest ratings at the middle school level that he ever had a group earn.

Congratulations!

Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women's History Month.” The National Women's History Alliance selects and publishes the yearly theme. The theme for Women's History Month 2025 is “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”

First elected to the Kalamazoo City Commission in 1975, Caroline Ham has the distinction of being the city’s first woman mayor, having beat out several other candidates in 1981 in one of the closest mayoral races in city history. Her win came with a difference of only 49 votes. After the city’s board of canvassers officially announced Ham the winner over fellow commissioner candidates John Vander Ploeg (second place) and Francis P. Hamilton (third place), Ham celebrated her victory by modestly suggesting that the historical significance shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. “We’ve had a woman mayor in Portage (Betty Ongley), a woman is chairman of the Kalamazoo County Board (Sandra Noteboom), and we had a woman president of the Kalamazoo school board (JoAnn Milligan)…it’s nothing new.”

Visit The Kalamazoo Public Library to learn more about Caroline Ham.

As our 8th graders begin to transition to high school, the high school counselors will be visiting the middle schools to discuss class options and high school expectations. Loy Norrix High School counselors will be at MMS all day on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, to help students select their classes.

Loy Norrix High School will be having their informational family night for incoming 9th graders on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 5:30-6:30.

The Milwood Dance Team gave another outstanding performance. They were able to show their diversity through modern dance, hip hop, tap, ballet and more!

• Students must be in the 50th percentile in NWEA Math and Reading.
• Students must pass their core classes (Math, ELA, Science and Social Studies)
• Students must be at a 90% or higher attendance rate.

Students not meeting these goals may have to attend summer school or be retained in their current grade for the following school year.

• Students have 4 minutes to transition from one class to another. They must be on time for each of their classes. They should be in their seats ready to learn when the bell rings.

MMS Non-negotiables

• 1. No Cell phones/headphones/earbuds/ Air pods

  2. No Hats or Hoods on heads

  3. No Backpacks/winter coats

  4. No sunglasses/bandanas

  5. No Food/drinks (other than water in clear water bottles) in classrooms

• Parents, remember to use PowerSchool to monitor your child's grades and attendance. It is important for all students to arrive to school and class on time every day.

Be Proactive and Safe!

• If you or your child becomes aware of a situation that may create a problem at school, please contact an administrator at the school (269-337-0670). We want to be proactive and maintain the best possible learning environment for our students.

Academic Achievement, Safety and Order are Milwood Magnet School Priorities!

The 7th grade Lady Lancers were second place finishers in the KPS City Championship Series!

6th, 7th and 8th grade boys and girls can participate in Track and Field. All students must have an athletic physical on file to participate. If you are in need of a physical you can check with your personal physician or contact the Loy Norrix High School Heath Center at 269-337-0200.

The Lady Lancers traveled to East Lansing to watch The Lady Spartans roar to VICTORY!

So here’s to Milwood, a place of pride,

Milwood Magnet, we shine bright and true!

District Beliefs, Expectations & Responsibilities

The Kalamazoo Public School District believes that all students can learn when provided with appropriate instruction and an environment that is safe and orderly. To create such an educational setting requires a comprehensive program of instruction, written and consistently enforced standards of discipline, and the cooperative efforts of students, parents/guardians, school staff and the community. In order to develop and maintain a positive educational setting, discipline standards should balance the need for consistency and uniformity with the need for discretionary authority, and should offer alternatives. The Kalamazoo Public Schools’ Student Code of Conduct is based on the following beliefs:

1. Discipline is a natural element of educational and personal development.

2. Positive behaviors are encouraged through appropriate reinforcement and/or corrective measures.

3. The rights and welfare of the individual as well as the entire school population will be protected. 4. The Student Code of Conduct should lead to a clear understanding of behavioral expectations and consequences for unacceptable behavior.

5. The school will strive to achieve a balance between the rights of students and the need for order and safety for the entire school population.

The Milwood Magnet School Staff had a great time at the Around The World Literacy Night Event. Thanks to the Milwood students, families, community partners and to Kalamazoo Public Schools!

Mission of Milwood Magnet School

Milwood Magnet School will engage all students in rigorous learning experiences that promote academic excellence, while fostering a positive inclusive environment that demonstrates our school’s core values: preparation, respect, integrity, determination, and effort.

Vision of Milwood Magnet School

At Milwood Magnet School, our vision is to educate and empower the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally, so they have the skills to be a positive influence in our community.

Principal, William Hawkins - Hawkinswm@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Assistant Principal, Aaron Sauter –Sauteram@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Counselor, Joshua Kruger - Krugerja@kalamazoopublicschools.net

Counselor, Rashonda Wiggins - Wigginsrl@kalamazoopublicschools.net