On January 10th, the School Board voted to put a referendum question on the April ballot. If approved by the community, the District would add $2 million in funding for safety upgrades, staff retention to ensure students have the consistency in their schools, technology upgrades, and K-12 career exploration paths.
The estimated property tax change of an approved referendum would be 4 cents per every $1,000 of assessed property value. The owner of a home assessed at $200,000 would see a property tax increase of no more than $8 per year.
Join us on February 7 from 4-6:30 in the High School Commons (door 9) for a Referendum Information Night - a pop in event to learn about the referendum and have your questions answered.
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This newsletter is a bi-weekly update from the South Milwaukee Middle School
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Dear Middle School Families, Here are some updates about activities in the school: January Service Projects
During January and February, our Homebases will be creating service projects. The purpose is to provide students an opportunity to give back to our community and help others. Students have been using their Homebase time to brainstorm service project ideas and create a plan and timeline for completing the project. Listen to the Podcast Episode about these projects.
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6th Grade Field Trip to Peace Learning Center
Our 6th-grade students will attend a field trip to Peace Learning Center in Milwaukee.
While at the Peace Learning Center students will engage in various activities and workshops focusing on conflict resolution, communication skills, and promoting a peaceful and inclusive community.
Staff from Peace Learning Center will also be coming on-site for the “booster” lessons over the 2nd Semester.
6th Grade Social Studies Virtual Interview in Cairo
Last Friday, our 6th-grade students had the opportunity to meet Mohamed, a teacher in Egypt who is also a part-time tour guide.
The virtual interview was in conjunction with the Ancient Egypt unit students have been engaged in. Mohamed met with our students for over 30 minutes providing first-hand knowledge of what students are learning about in their classes.
Mohamed speaks 4 languages, and has two master's degrees in Egyptology and Languages. Students developed a series of questions ahead of time that Mohamed responded to.
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Missed Newsletter/E-mails
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You might have noticed over the last week that you received fewer or no emails from the Middle School or the School District.
This was due to an effort to combat spam messages by Google.
The company had increased its security protocols requiring IT departments everywhere to scramble to change settings to verify that we, in fact, are verified and legitimate senders of mass emails.
That's a long way of saying a lot of our emails probably ended up in your spam folder in the last two weeks -- including the last Middle School Newsletter.
You can find that edition by clicking the button below. (You can always find our newsletter archive at https://ms.sdsm.k12.wi.us/about/news)
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Join us for an evening of science experiments, musical performances, art displays, makerspace, library learning center, a light dinner, and much, much, more.
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Grade 7 Learns Mindfulness, Confidence and Self-Compassion Through Art
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The third quarter of the year has begun at South Milwaukee Middle School and Grade 7 Art and Design students are busy exploring the work of established artists under the direction and guidance of art teacher, Ms. Nancy Laski. The projects involve the students examining the works of the artists while exploring the feelings, motivations and joys behind their art. Each student then produces a unique work of their own based on their individual observations. Sometimes the smallest discoveries can change how you see the world. “I learned that I can create a lot of things by just using sticks and leaves,” Kiyana, a seventh grader, said. The goal of the unit is to have the students learn self-compassion, learn to be present in the moment and discover the resilience it takes to overcome challenges. “I learned that my mistakes can be fixed,” another student, Camryn, said. “I didn’t like my donut drawing until I added glitter. Then I liked it.” “This journey isn't just about mastering techniques; it's about uncovering their own potential,” said Ms. Laski. “Through art, they're gaining a deeper understanding of themselves, their values, and the world around them.”
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Check Out the SMMS Promo Video
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Check out this professional video about South Milwaukee Middle School!
In today's media landscape, if we're not telling our story, no one is.
This video was produced to give our families, and prospective families an idea about SMMS is all about.
The video will live on our website for those prospective families and for anyone who might want to know what drives our school!
Thanks to Principal Jim Hendrickson for being our narrator!
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South Milwaukee Middle School Teacher and Students of the Month
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Each month at the middle school administrators, classroom teachers and office staff select students from Grades 6-8 to be honored as Students of the Month. These students are chosen on the basis of their active commitment at school to the principles of the SM Way----Respect, Kindness, Responsibility Honesty and Perseverance. Distinguished winners for the Month of December are:
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Ms. Nehring, who teaches Foundations for Success, nominated 8th grader, Rebeka. Rebeka demonstrates the SM Way Trait of Perseverance. Mr. Stepp, Orchestra Teacher, nominated 6th Grader, Cloe Cloe demonstrates the trait of Kindness.
Mrs. Wawrzyniak, 6th Grade ELA Teacher, nominated Mara for demonstrating Responsibility.
Mr. Gaudio, 7th Grade Social Studies Teacher, nominated 7th grader, Madelyn, for demonstrating Responsibility.
Ms. Bertoni, ELA Reading Specialist, says, nominated 7th Grader, Grace Kehoe, for demonstrating Responsibility.
Mrs. Chmielewski, 8th Grade ELA teacher, nominated 8th grader, Adrian, for demonstrating Responsibility.
Ms. Cuevas, Middle School Secretary, nominated 8th grader Miranda for demonstrating Kindness.
Our 8th Grade students had the opportunity to nominate an Allied Arts Teacher for the month of December.
8th Graders chose Ms. Bleicher, who teaches Business and Career Education. Students said Ms. Bleicher is helpful, fun, and very nice.
8th grader Chloe says, “Ms. Bleicher helped with my learning because she teaches well and knows how to get important details so we understand what we are learning. If we have a question she will come to us and explain what we need help with.”
Makaya says, “Ms. Bleicher is an amazing teacher, and can be fun to talk to when it is work time. She is also nice and I can learn a lot while in her class.”
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In this episode, we’re talking about one of the newest student activities in South Milwaukee – First Lego League. If you’re not aware of what it is, it’s more than bricks and Lego figures, though those are certainly part of it.
At the suggestion of a parent who wanted his daughter to be involved in some sort of a robotics club, South Milwaukee Middle School started up two First Lego League teams as an after-school activity.
We hear from two of those students and their coach and what that experience has taught them.
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South Milwaukee Middle School Yearbooks on sale now! Don't miss the opportunity to save you wonderful memories of SMMS! Order today!
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All students in Physical Education classes will have the opportunity to participate in an Introduction to Swimming Mini-Unit. Students will learn introduction to water skills, fundamentals, and stroke development of the front crawl, and improve their fitness with fun aquatic activities. PE Class Schedule for the Pool: Mr. Formanek’s Classes: January 22nd-February 2nd Mr. Zietlow’s Classes: February 5th-February 16th Students are responsible for bringing: - Swimsuit
- Towel
- Personal Toiletries
- Plastic or mesh bag to transport wet items
- Goggles (optional)
If a student does not bring the required swim items for the pool, they will not be allowed to participate. The student will complete an alternative assignment given by their teacher and not earn participation points toward their daily grade. Administration will be notified if a student continues to violate the policy.
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CATAPULT: MAGIC SHADOWS Fri., Feb. 2, 7:00 pm Stories told through music and miraculous silhouettes Catapult’s Magic Shadows is a show for the entire family.
Working behind a screen, the Catapult dancers stretch their bodies and your imaginations, telling stories with silhouettes transforming magically from one shape to another.
You won’t believe your eyes as you watch these incredible dancers form magic shadows such as a mountain, a full size elephant, and a helicopter. You won’t figure out how they do it, and you won’t know what they will make next. Be surprised and delighted again and again.
Founded in 2009 by Adam Battlestein, Catapult catapulted to fame on Season 8 of America’s Got Talent.
Animated by the dancers’ shadows, every cinematic scene in Magic Shadows is a kaleidoscope of colorful storytelling that will awe and astound you. You will never look at your own shadow the same way again!
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Help For You, Help For Others:
When you, a friend or the community needs help, you can make it happen. Speak up and speak out by reporting a tip! The Speak Up, Speak Out Resource Center will respond quickly and confidentially to make sure we can get help to you or to someone who is hurting, struggling or in danger.
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901 15th Ave., South Milwaukee WI 53172 United States of America
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