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Volunteer Newsletter
TOAM2
 
Community group's visit to Thurston Woods allows students to showcase reading, leadership skills
Some Thurston Woods third grade students recently had the opportunity to become teachers thanks to a visit from a community group whose children needed help with reading and an art project.  Read more
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
MPSBiennial
Be a part of the 2016 Biennial Music Festival

Sell tickets, hand out t-shirts, guide students to their performance area, or serve as an usher at  the Biennial Music Festival, one of Milwaukee Public Schools' largest events. Volunteers will see thousands of students from across the district making music in bands, choirs, and orchestras at this special event. With daytime and evening shifts available May 2-5, this is a great opportunity for corporate groups, retirees, or individuals.  Learn more or sign up for a shift.
Stem
Judges and special event volunteers 
needed  for the April 21 STEM Fair 

We need help from STEM professionals and enthusiasts at the districtwide  STEM Fair, formerly the District Science Fair, set for April 21 at the Milwaukee County Zoo . Serve as a judge and chat with students about their projects or help with the behind the scenes work to make the day run smoothly. Giving students an opportunity to communicate verbally about their project is an important part of the experience. Sign up to be a judge or to volunteer behind the scenes. 
Guides needed for WSMA Choral 
and Instrumental Concert Festival April 6-8

 

Be a guide for the competing students as they arrive, warm up, and perform. Volunteers will get to hear some of the best student music in the city! Volunteers are needed April 6, 7, or 8 for a four-hour daytime shift. Read more

 
Message from the Superintendent
Dear MPS volunteers, 

April 10-16 is National Volunteer Week and I couldn't be more excited to be among the first to thank you for the work you do for our young people every week of the school year.  Read more
Volunteer Shout-Outs
Plenty of support behind the scenes 
at  the annual Daddy Daughter Dance

Volunteers came out to support the MPS Recreation Department's Daddy Daughter Dance in February. The event, held at North Division High School, sells out every year and is a wonderful opportunity for fathers and daughters to spend time together. Volunteers helped with the decorations, registration, coat check and dining room.
UW-Milwaukee service learners work with MPS school social workers 

For the second semester, MPS is partnering with UWM undergraduate students in a social work class to tackle attendance issues among our students. UWM students get first hand experience with social work in a school setting and MPS school social workers get extra manpower to help implement programs and initiatives focusing on increasing student attendance.
Important Dates
Check the calendar for student attendance days before you head over to school! Spring Break is March 25-April 1!
  
Haven't attended a volunteer orientation yet?  Plan to attend our next session on Monday, April 4 from 10-11 a.m. 

 

Volunteer orientations are held at the MPS Central Office, 5225 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee.  

  
Please RSVP to Heather Aschoff at (414) 773-9823 or  by email.
Message from the Volunteer Coordinator
MPS volunteers are certainly a passionate and enthusiastic group. You are engaged in public education in your community and are willing to devote time to make a difference. 

Getting involved in the community is a highlight of National Volunteer Week, which is April 10-16. This event is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out ways to engage in their communities and a great way to do that is to volunteer in MPS!

I often get questions from volunteers about how they can share this enthusiasm and passion with the youngsters in their lives, just like the parents in Toddlers and Kids on a Mission (TOAM), featured in this edition of the Volunteer Newsletter. I want to share some resources here to help folks who may be interested in doing that.
  • Outlet - a community organization that connects teens to meaningful volunteer opportunities
  • VolunteerMatch - a national clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities that can be filtered for kids or teens
  • Get Connected - a local clearinghouse for volunteer opportunities that can be filtered for kids or teens
  • Volunteer Center of Milwaukee - our local Volunteer Center - give them a call at (414) 237-7887.
MPS has also recently joined the wave of schools that now has a community service requirement for graduation!  Our students learn so much from taking an active role in the community!
  
As always, THANKS for all you do!

Cheers,
MPS Partnership and Volunteer Associate
414-773-9823
Start.Stay.Succeed.

About Milwaukee Public Schools
Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to accelerating student achievement, building positive relationships between youth and adults and cultivating leadership at all levels. The district's commitment to improvement continues to show results:
  • More MPS students are taking college-level Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses;
  • The MPS Class of 2015 earned $39+ million in scholarships; and
  • MPS is home to seven of the state's top high schools according to U.S. News and World Report and the Washington Post.