Dear MPS Community Members:

Milwaukee Public Schools was in the national spotlight for a few days in late October as the district, and our great city, hosted the 58th Annual Fall Conference of the Council of the Great City Schools. 

More than 20 years has passed since MPS last hosted the conference, which assembles hundreds of elected and appointed urban public school officials and educators from around the country.

During the time between conferences, MPS has undergone many changes, settling in on a cycle of continuous improvement to keep pace with the skills students need to succeed in a rapidly changing world. I'm committed to working with our parents, educators and community partners to ensure our students and future graduates have the skills they need to make the most positive impact on the community possible.

The conference gave MPS the opportunity to showcase our city and the talents of our students. Some of the city's best-known destinations, such as The Wisconsin Center, served as the conference's main site. Other venues, including Discovery World, Harley-Davidson Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum, also hosted conference events. Our students created the artwork used to decorate everything from meeting rooms to dining tables. The conference theme was Fresh Water, Fresh Thinking in Urban Education, so the decorations included decorative fish and scenery drawings of rivers and Lake Michigan. The Lincoln Center of the Arts Middle School Ambassador Choir, the Arts Concert Chorale and Arts Vocal Jazz Ensemble from the Milwaukee High School of the Arts, and the Rufus King String Orchestra performed for conference attendees. Keep in mind, these are just a few examples of what our talented students can do.

We know what we're accomplishing every day and we recognize many of our students are doing great things. As you read through this newsletter, you will see how effective collaboration can set young people on the right path. I hope you'll join us in working together to improve outcomes and opportunities for our students.

Darienne B. Driver, Ed.D.

Traditional schools

Year-round schools

Rufus King/Ronald Reagan  

An opportunity to learn what it takes to land a job is what students were provided during job readiness training hosted by Milwaukee Public Schools Department of Contract Compliance Services.

Students learned what to expect during a job interview and were provided tips to succeed in landing a job. Then, the skills they learned were put to the test during mock interviews conducted by MPS vendors.

The session also provided information on how to conduct an effective presentation as well as write a resume.

MPS vendors engaged students in panel discussions on topics ranging from proper attitude on the job to expectations and employment retention. Vendors later identified potential student hires for immediate employment. Read more. 

Milwaukee Public Schools unveiled its redesigned website, which offers a fresh look and improved functionality. Feedback from more than 450 students, educators, support staff, families and the community-at-large, was taken into account as the site underwent its first overhaul since 2007.

Some of the website's enhanced features include improved search capabilities and scaling, which allows visitors to enjoy the same site experience on computers, tablets and smart phones.

The launch of the new website represents a nearly two-year process to give visitors a user-friendly online resource, offering grade-specific educational information as well as less duplication and improved navigation tools. Read more.