Westside Academy has a fund-raiser starting in February!

UPDATE! We raised a total of $1,481.68!!! Way to go WESTSIDE! Westside Academy will be participating in a fund-raiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma society starting in February and going into March. The classrooms will have PENNY-WARS to see which class and grade will raise the most. Special prizes will be awarded to the winning rooms and grade-levels.

I trust this letter finds you well. Students began 2012 with a good focus on their studies. Is it possible there were New Year’s resolutions on the part of some children to study more and make homework a priority each evening? I hope so!

This week our principals are learning what the financial picture looks like for their schools next year. In coming weeks there will be administrative work sessions, reviews and school governance council meetings that will help school leaders shape their spending plans. You will soon hear more detail about the proposed budget and our efforts to begin to ensure a citywide standard of care for all our schools.

Over the past several weeks I have been growing more concerned with student safety. I am talking about safety in all aspects of our students’ lives, including the hard reality of trouble on the streets. I was jolted by the loss of three students recently; two of them were the victims of gun violence in their neighborhoods. We extend our sympathies to the families.

Please know that as a result of our concerns for the challenges in our students’ lives, and concerns for the safety of all children, I convened a meeting of high-level local officials, including the Chief of Police and the County Sheriff, to discuss ways in which we can work together to keep kids safe. It is unfortunate that we have a handful of students who are disruptive in school, on buses and in the community. Some of our children need seats in alternative settings so we might provide them with supports they need. As a result, I am adding additional alternative school seats. I will continue to monitor this challenge and will update you from time to time.

Finally, I wanted to share a few words on enrollment. We are in the middle of our annual “three-choice” enrollment process (now through January 27) – and I hope that you’ll share your support of MPS with friends and neighbors. Encourage them to enroll their children as well. You may wish to try our online registration.

We are one of the first districts in the state to put enrollment on the internet! Look for the gold and purple “ONLINE REGISTRATION” button on our website www.milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

Thank you for your partnership. Let’s have a great year!

Gregory E. Thornton, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

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Westside students at the Marquette game.

As a PBIS reward, some of our students went to a Marquette University basketball game. They had a blast!