Muskego Lakes Family Newsletter
February 3rd, 2023
Dear Muskego Lakes Families,
Here at Muskego Lakes, we work very hard to maintain a learning environment where all students are treated with dignity and respect. And we empower students to look out for one another so that we can maintain the culture that promotes our vision for students. To do that, we want to ensure we provide channels for students to communicate concerns with us.
Monthly we ask students to fill out a form to indicate whether they have witnessed or experienced rude, mean, or bullying behavior. In addition, students can report concerning behaviors to any staff member, fill out a request to talk to someone in Student Services or Administration, or we also encourage you and/or your child to reach out to us anytime!
Anytime incidents are reported to us as principals; we learn what we can, follow up with all students involved, and then work through conflict resolution and/or restorative conversations to allow students the time, space, and support to make things right with their peers.
As principals, we use restorative practices anytime conflict arises, or harm is done to relationships. Restorative practices focus on people and relationships in line with our school vision. Restorative practices empower students by helping them develop empathy and perspective-taking. In addition, restorative practices allow students to take their power back, honor their feelings and emotions, give victims a voice, and serve as a model for healthy conflict resolution.
When facilitating restorative conversations, the goal is always to exit the conversation as an adult so the students can continue talking without a mediator.
The wait time when stepping out of those conversations can be tricky for students. Most students struggle to make eye contact with one another at first. But our students can do it, and we are always so proud of the way they express themselves to one another. By providing this time, students are able to hear the impact they had on another person, and they get the time and space needed to repair the harm they caused so relationships can be restored.
Important to know is that we have a consistent and predictable disciplinary system at Muskego Lakes- holding all students to high behavior expectations. But we are also aware that our students are complex, experience different emotions, need support from adults when lacking skills, and more! And while ensuring all students learn at high levels is important, we understand that middle school students have big emotions and real fears, and in the end, they all want to be loved and supported. Our goal is always to ensure that students feel heard, supported, and respected whenever we work through an issue.
Thanks for trusting us as we work through the middle school years with your children. We know that middle school students are still learning how to build relationships with one another, how to work through conflict, how to stand up for themselves, and how to advocate for what they need. So, know we are here to walk alongside them and support them no matter what!
With gratitude,
Rachel and Nancy
Muskego Lakes Principals
Important Dates Ahead
February 7th: 8th Grade Career Fair
February 15th: 8th Grade Courage Retreat
February 15th: PTO Meeting 6:30pm
February 17th: MLMS Community Day
February 20th: No Students/Professional Development Day
March 2nd: Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-8pm
March 13th- 15th: Musical Tech Week
March 16-19: Matilda Jr!
Weekly Muskego Lakes Co-Curricular Meetings
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!
Quarter Two Report Cards
In addition, all report cards are also being mailed home, so please be on the look out for them!
Help Requested for Community Day Ahead!
On February 17, all students will participate in their 3rd Community Day of the 2022-23 school year. The goal of our community day is to promote students building relationships with one another as a grade level and fostering friendships by having students explore high interest activities with one another. Our MLMS PTO is suppporting this community day, but is also looking for help with some donations to make the day run.
Please check out our Amazon Wishlist Here and consider purchasing an item. Items needed will help us run several different high interest activties for students as well as team-building events as a grade level.
All donations not from the Amazon wishlist can be dropped off in the main office. A heartfelt thank you from the MLMS PTO and staff for your consideration.
Spring Parent Teacher Conferences Sign Up Coming Soon!
- In-Person 4-6pm
- Virtual 6-8pm
We will again use Meet the Teacher for you to sign up for conferences. On the sign-up, you will be able to indicate if you would like your conference to be in person or virtual. Look for instructions and sign up date/ time in next week's parent newsletter!
8th Grade 2023 MHS Summer School Information
If you have an 8th grader that is attending MHS next fall, please review the following links for information about MHS Summer School Information. Summer School registration will take place February 10th - 17th.
Upcoming 8th Grade Courage Retreat
We are excited to share with you that every 8th grader will have the opportunity to engage in a Courage Retreat led by Youth Frontiers on Wednesday, February 15th. Important to know is that students will need to bring a cold lunch.
Look for more information coming home in your students Musky Folder on Monday. Should you have any questions or concerns please reach out to Jim Brickweg, school counselor, at james.brickweg@muskegonorway.org.
Help Needed to Plan 8th Grade Promotion
Are You a Graphic Designer or Engineer?
Building Academic Foundations is looking for a Graphic Designer and Engineer to come and talk to our class in order to expose the students to a variety of career opportunities. If you are interested in coming in to share about your profession, please contact: Kristen Modica - kristen.modica@muskegonorway.org
Staff Member Spotlight- Mrs. Urban
We asked Mrs. Urban to share a little about herself and her career in education, in addition to what what makes her proud to work at Muskego Lakes and she said:
"My teaching career has taken many twists and turns, allowing me to teach a variety of age ranges, subjects and within differnet learning environments. With each and every experience, not only have I been able to do what I love by teaching others, but has also enabled me to learn and grow, right along with my students. Every teaching opportunity has reinforced my core belief that we are all lifetime learners!"
Here is a little more to help you get to know Mrs. Urban
Favorite coffee drink - Chai tea latte
Favorite subject when you were in middle school - English: reading and especailly writing
Fun fact about yourself that may surprise students and families - I am addicited to TikTok
My Dream vacation - Greece, along the Mediterranean coast
My students describe me as - Mrs. Urban holds me to high expections, to prove to myself that I can do things that are challengeing and build confidnece in my own abilities. She really cares about me as a person.
Staff Member Spotlight- Mrs.Bloczynski
We asked Mrs.Bloczynski to share a little about herself and her career in education, in addition to what what makes her proud to work at Muskego Lakes and she said:
"In my own career, I am the most proud of the overall growth my students experience every year academically and as individuals."
Here is a little more to help you get to know Mrs.Bloczynski
Favorite coffee drink - Iced caramel macchiato
Favorite subject when you were in middle school - Spelling
Fun fact about yourself that may surprise students and families - I play third base in a co-ed softball league.
My Dream vacation - Greece
My students describe me as - loud, helpful, fair, kind, fun
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Reminders
The safe and timely arrival/departure of our students is the main focus of our pick-up and drop-off procedures. We ask all Muskego Lakes families to do their part by:
- Reduce speeds (10mph or less)
- Pull all the way up in the red drop off zone to ensure as many students can exit their vehicle as possible at one time. This helps the flow of traffic not get congested.
- Be patient and stay in the drop-off/pick-up line. Impatience can cloud judgement and cause accidents.
- When students are dropped off, they should exit on the curb side of the car only.
- When students are picked up, they should enter vehicles on the curb side of the car only.
Did you know we have On-Site Mental Health Counseling at Muskego Lakes?
We are proud to continue to partner with Clinical Psychology Associates (CPA) to offer on-site counseling services at Bay Lane Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, Mill Valley Elementary, Muskego Lakes Middle School, Lake Denoon Middle School, and Muskego High School. For information about CPA’s services and therapists or to get started with an appointment, please visit our website.
Have You Gotten Your Matilda Jr Tickets Yet?
Ticket sales for the Muskego Lakes Middle School production of Matilda Jr. are now live to purchase. To order tickets click here.
Performance Dates:
Friday, March. 17 at 7 pm (Miracle Cast)
Saturday, March 18 at 2 pm (Miracle Cast)
Saturday, March 18 at 7 pm (Naughty Cast)
Sunday, March. 19 at 2 pm (Naughty Cast)
Open Gym Schedule for Muskego Lakes
Reporting of an Illness/ Reporting of COVID Reminders
A friendly reminder that when you notify school of your child/children being out ill/sick, it's important that we get the reason that they are out as we keep track of illness to monitor outbreaks.
Reporting of Illness
If your student is ill please keep them home and notify us at 262-971-1860 ext 5000. You may also use the Campus Parent App to report the illness.
Reporting of COVID
If your student has a positive COVID test please keep them home and Report your student's COVID ISOLATION using the COVID-19 SYMPTOM OR STATUS NOTIFICATION.
Please refer to the Health Services website for additional information.
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 in how we can make this an amazing school year ahead!!
MLMS PTO Meeting Dates for 2022-2023
- February 15
- March 15
- April 19
- May 17
PTO Mid-Week Munchies
Community Events
Speak Up Speak Out Wisconsin
Muskego Lakes Associate Principal
Muskego Lakes Principal
Muskego Lakes Middle School
Website: https://www.muskegonorway.org/schools/muskegolakes/
Location: W124 S8009 North Cape Rd.
Phone: 262-971-1860
Twitter: @MLMSmuskies