Kindergarten Enrollment Fairs Feb. 6 and Feb. 20 Enrollment is open Feb. 6 to March 21, 2021 Will your child turn 3, 4, or 5 years old by September 1, 2021? It's time to enroll for Head Start and kindergarten! Learn about MPS schools and how to enroll at a virtual Kindergarten Enrollment Fair. Fairs will take place February 6 and 20 from 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Registration is recommended but drop-in attendees are welcome at mpsmke.com/boothcentral. Read more about the fairs and enrollment.

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News and Updates February 5, 2021

Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action MPS celebrated the national Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action with exciting virtual events. If you missed any of the activities, they will be available on the MPS website! This is your chance to watch these entertaining, thought-provoking discussions right in our own community. Visit mpsmke.com/blm.

Summer Academy Registration Is Open Get ready for Summer Academy! Visit mpsmke.com/summeracademy for all the details. Grades K5-8 can take part in a six-week camp with weekly themes in art, music, math, science, and literacy. Session runs June 22 to July 29 from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Middle and high school students can catch up on credits or get ahead. Two sessions are available: June 7-July 2 and July 6-29 from 8:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M.

Community Conversations on Classroom Conduct We invite families and community members to participate in important discussions designed to improve school climate and culture. Share experiences regarding behavior and communication Discuss approaches, actions, and attitudes to build trust Address concerns on discipline practices that deter learning Provide ideas to enhance the learning climate/environment Attend a virtual meeting to be part of the discussion! Join us on February 10, 2021, from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Access the meeting at https://tinyurl.com/y6snd3tz Can't attend? Share your comments at http://tinyurl.com/mpscommunityinput

National School Counseling Week February 1-5, 2021 This week, MPS recognized school counselors who work hard to help students achieve in school and support children with social and emotional needs both in and out of school. Read more about a group of school counselors who were recognized with awards by the MPS School Counseling Department. Thank you, school counselors!

MPS Reads Each month, MPS provides a list of recommended books for preschool through grade 12 that allows students to see themselves, explore other cultures, and discover more about the world in which they live.  Help ignite a passion for reading! Access the February book list on the MPS Reads page.

Need Money for College? Fill out the FAFSA! The first step in finding money for college is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application is free and will reveal what loans and grants may be available to students. Read more about FAFSA and special workshops on Feb. 11, 17, and 23 to help you fill out your application. Help is available to students through MPS College and Career Centers.

UWM College for Kids & Teens The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee offers spring and summer courses in science, math, language, social sciences, arts, and more for students in K5 through high school. Prices vary and a limited number of scholarships are available! Visit uwm.edu/sce/kids for course descriptions and schedules. Registration is open now. For spring programming, visit the spring programming page or call (414) 227-3360 to ask about scholarships available.

In case you missed it . . .

Joyce Peoples is Dr. King Teacher of the Year Each year, the steering committee of Milwaukee’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration selects a Teacher of the Year. This year, Joyce Peoples of Hartford Avenue University School was honored for her work around Dr. King's legacy. Read more about her award and this important work!

Free Fresh Produce for Children Continues in February MPS will continue to offer bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to children in February through the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. Each bag will contain nutrition facts and recipes so families can cook together and enjoy new healthy food options. Learn more on the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program web page. Families can pick up a produce bag Feb. 11 and 25 at Stop, Grab, and Go locations during regular meal distribution hours of 11:00 A.M. to 1:30 P.M.

Scholarships A number of scholarships are available exclusively to MPS students. A complete list can be found on the MPS Foundation Scholarships page. Browse and apply now--deadlines are coming soon! Educators Credit Union Scholarship: Must have 3.0 GPA or higher and submit an essay. Deadline is February 26, 2021.

Explore and Learn: Virtual Field Trips Each week, we feature four new virtual field trips to add variety to learning. Enjoy activities and tours of factories, parks, and zoos around the world! Avery Island, Home of Tabasco Sauce: Learn how production of Tabasco pepper sauce depends upon careful environmental management of its home, Avery Island. Disney Sing-Along: Check out this list of Disney favorites with lyrics so the whole family can sing along. Eskimos Build an Igloo: Have some winter fun and watch construction of an igloo. National Portrait Gallery Portraits of African Americans: Scroll through paintings and vintage photos and read the stories of Black Americans who helped build our country.

No Meal Distribution Feb. 15-16 Extra Meals and a Palermo's Pizza on Feb. 12! MPS does not distribute meals to students on scheduled days off. Breakfast and lunch will not be distributed on February 15-16, 2021. On Friday, February 12, children can receive additional meals ahead of the break. All children age 18 and under can receive three breakfasts, three lunches, and three supper meals. Children will also receive a free frozen pizza thanks to Palermo's Pizza! For more information, visit our Stop, Grab, and Go web page.

We're here to help! For questions about your child or your school, please email your child's teacher or principal. MPS Central Services Phone Line: (414) 475-8393 MPS Hotline: (414) 475-8900 Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. For specific questions regarding a child with disabilities, call the Department of Specialized Services at (414) 438-3648. Families who need support for English language learners can call (414) 777-7806. Enrollment If you need immediate enrollment, contact a school directly, visit mpsmke.com/enroll, or call (414) 267-5100. Chromebook Support If your student's Chromebook is not working properly, do not try to repair it yourself. Email the MPS Technology Support Center at [email protected] immediately or call (414) 438-3400 . Please include a phone number, school name, student name and ID number, and description of the problem in the email so we can contact you. Infinite Campus Parent Portal Technical Support Live Parent Portal (Infinite Campus) support is available from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday.   To recover a username/password: Parents/guardians should email [email protected]. Include the parent/guardian name, child’s name, birth date, and a contact number. If you do not receive a phone call or email within 24 hours, please call (414) 475-8159 for further assistance.  For assistance setting up a new Parent Portal account: Parents/guardians may call (414) 475-8159 or email [email protected].

Helpful Links for Students and Families MPS Roadmap to Readiness Website: These new pages will support students and parents during virtually learning. MPS Website: Everything you need to know about the district. MPS Stop, Grab, & Go: Information about meal distribution sites. Access Books on OverDrive/SORA: Help your child log in and access online library books to keep reading. Enrichment Activities: Dance, yoga, crafts, and more to keep children engaged. Family Resources: Get support with helping your child learn at home. Local COVID-19 Testing Sites and Information If you feel you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please contact your healthcare provider or access information about testing sites in the Milwaukee area. City of Milwaukee Health Department Wisconsin Department of Health Services COVID-19 Community Testing Sites Community Resources: Find supports for food access, mental health, financial assistance, and more. IMPACT 2-1-1: A network of local resources to assist families.

Milwaukee Board of School Directors Upcoming Meetings: February If you'd like to follow the meetings of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, visit the Electronic School Board page to find the meeting schedule, agendas, and links to watch or listen to live meetings. Instructions for public testimony are also offered on this page. Committee on Parent and Community Engagement: Tues. Feb. 9, 5:30 P.M. Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation: Thurs. Feb. 11, 5:30 P.M. Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel: Tues. Feb. 23, 5:30 P.M. Regular Monthly Board Meeting: Thurs. Feb. 25, 6:30 P.M.