Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter

Dear Muskego Lakes Families,

Aligned with our school vision of connecting hearts and minds, we at Muskego Lakes are committed to preventing, identifying, and addressing any instances of rude, mean, or bullying behavior. We believe it’s a shared responsibility between staff and students to create a school culture where everyone feels accepted and valued.

Since October was Bullying Prevention Month, we wanted to let you know about the systems we have in place to prevent rude/mean/bullying behaviors here at school.

• School Wide Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) Matrix in every classroom and student space at MLMS.

• Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) Cool Tools so all students learn PBIS expectations at MLMS.

• Team-created supervision plans for hallways and lockers to detect rude/mean/bullying behaviors.

• GoGuardian software to monitor student communication on school issued devices.

• All partners/groups assigned at Muskego Lakes versus students selecting peers.

• 80+ cameras around MLMS so principals can review footage.

• Lunch/recess supervision meetings to brainstorm and adjust based on patterns of student behaviors.

• Ongoing anonymous reporting form accessible on the MLMS website for anyone to report rude/mean/bullying behavior anytime day or night linked at the bottom of the newsletter and on the school website.

• PBIS Cool Tools created for homerooms anytime patterns of rude/mean/bullying behavior arise throughout the school year.

At MLMS, we’re proud of the many systems we have in place to prevent rude, mean, and bullying behaviors. However, whenever an incident is reported, we see it as an opportunity to support students in understanding others' perspectives, resolving conflicts, advocating for themselves, and rebuilding relationships.

Thank you for partnering with us by reaching out whenever you have concerns about rude, mean, or bullying behavior. The sooner we know, the sooner we can step in. Every student deserves to feel accepted at school, and we take that responsibility very seriously. We understand it can be difficult for middle schoolers to share their experiences with a trusted adult, but please know that we are trained to handle these situations with confidentiality and care, ensuring their dignity is preserved.

In partnership,

Rachel Rydzewski and Nancy Pasch

MLMS Principals

• 11/5: End of First Quarter

• 11/21: Choralfest

• 11/27-11/29: No School

• 12/2: No School

• 12/3-12/5: Literacy iReady Testing

• 12/5: Winter Band Concert

• 12/9-12/11: Math iReady Testing

• 12/12: Winter Choir Concert

• 12/13: 6th Grade Science Fair

If your child had their picture taken on October 11th and you ordered photos, they have arrived! We will be sending home photos in students Musky Folder's on Monday, November 4th. Please check with your child that they have brought those home.

Musical is getting started! This year it's Newsies Jr! There's a student information meeting for any 5-8th grade student interested in cast, backstage crew or artistic crew on Monday, November 4 from 3:10-3:50 in the choir room.Parent pickup is afterwards at door 14. Parents and guardians as well as students looking to be involved in cast or crew should join the On-Going Rehearsal Schedule for many more important dates and information.

If your son is hoping to play basketball for Muskego Lakes this year, there will be an informational meeting for students on Thursday, November 7th until 3:30pm. Tryouts will be on November 12th and 13th. Students should plan to stay after school until 4:30pm. If you have questions, please reach out to either:

• Mitch Hendrix (mitch.hendrix@muskegonorway.org)
• Jack Thompson (jack.thompson@muskegonorway.org).

Money can be tight, especially around the holidays. If you are looking for assistance this season please consider reaching out to the Christmas Clearing Council for financial Christmas gift assistance.

The 2024 Client Application for Christmas assistance is now available. Applications are due by November 15th, at 11:59 PM.
The application is linked here.

To qualify a family must:
-Live in Waukesha County
-Have custody of the children (ages 0-18) they are applying for
-Provide proof of financial hardship (such as qualifying for free and reduced lunch)

Reach out to Stacy Pawlak, School Social Worker, if you have questions or are interested in additional community supports: (262) 971 1810 ext 6282 (Bay Lane), ext 5403 (Muskego Lakes), or stacy.pawlak@muskegonorway.org

For anyone interested, the Muskego - Norway Best Buddies has a fall apparel order open until November 3rd at 11:59 PM. Check out all they have to offer HERE.

Supporting student attendance is all about partnership and encouragement. At the middle school level, every day counts for building not only knowledge but also confidence, friendships, and routines. We appreciate all that you do to help your students to set regular routines for sleep, homework, and preparing for the school day. We also recommend checking in with your student about their day—both the good moments and any challenges—can also make a big difference.

If you or your student have concerns, please reach out to Stacy Pawlak (stacy.pawlak@muskegonorway.org); we’re here to work together.

Our goal is to help you and your child reunite with items they have lost or misplaced. This means that our staff checks items turned into Lost and Found for names, and when possible call students down to reunite them with their belongings. One way that would help us do this, is to ensure that you label items as much as possible with first and last names.

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. We will continue to update our photos weekly.

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.

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.

Would you like to Skip the LINE and enjoy FOUR reserved seats at the event of your choice? If so, you can purchase raffle tickets to enter one of two chances to win a set of four tickets to your selected event:

• Winter Band Concert- 6th Grade
• Winter Band Concert-7/8th Grade
• Winter Choir Concert
• Spring Musical (You pick the show!)

Tickets must be completed, cut out, and sent to school in an envelope labeled “Seat Raffle” with your child’s name. Be sure to indicate which event you’d like to win! Students will be bringing home a hard copy of this raffle sheets in their Musky Folders. Additional raffle copies can be found HERE. All entries must be received by 8am November 25th. Raffle winners will be drawn and notified November 25th.

Interested in getting some new spirit wear and support the MLMS PTO? You can shop now HERE until Sunday, November 10th. Plenty of options for all.

The MLMS PTO is looking to continue the traditon to have snacks for staff each Wednesday. We need your help though by signing up to donate snacks each week. This greatly helps them make it through the week. 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 HERE for a date below if you can. Drop off will be in the front office by 8am on the Wednesday you sign up.

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!!

Our last meeting Dates for the 24-25 School Year are:

• November 4
• January 6
• February 3
• March 3
• April 7
• April 28

In an effort to ensure students can move through the lunch lines efficently, 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 you ease, we have linked the September menu below with other helpful resources. You can always find the link to updated lunch menus, at the end of this newsletter.

• October Lunch Menu
• Guide to Making a Complete Meal
• Top Ten Reasons For School Meals

2024-25 Lunch Prices:

• Elementary School $2.55
• MS Diner meal $2.95
• MS Pizza meal $3.50
• MS Grab n Go $3.50
• MS Creation meal $3.90
• Adult $4.65
• Milk Carton $0.50
  
  

Questions related to the food service program can be directed to Benny D’Epiro, Food Service Director at 262-971-1790 x4522.

Please make note of days off and important events on the 24-25 calendar. It is ideal to make dentist and doctor appointments on days we do not have school whenever possible.

We encourage you to follow us on Facebook.

Website: https://www.muskegonorway.org/schools/muskegolakes/
Location: W124 S8009 North Cape Rd.
Phone: 262-971-1860
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muskegolakesmuskies

To view current support staff job vacancies, click HERE