CUSHING CHRONICLES

March
Mon, 17 - Summer Academy Registration Opens
Mon, 17 - Spring Spirit Week: St. Patrick’s Day
Tues, 18 - Spring Spirit Week: Class Color Wars
Wed, 19 - Spring Spirit Week: PJ Day
Thurs, 20 - Spring Spirit Week: Dream Big, Shine Bright
Fri, 21 - Spring Spirit Week: Rock Your Socks for Down Syndrome Awareness Day
Fri, 21 - FIELD TRIP: 1st Grade - First Stage
Mon, 24 - SPRING BREAK BEGINS
Mon, 31 - Classes Resume

April
Tues, 1 - Yearbook Orders Due
Thurs, 3 - 4th Grade Parent Camp Info Meeting, 4:30
Tues, 8 - FIELD TRIP: 1st Grade - Retzer
Wed, 9 - NO SCHOOL - Elementary Schools Only
Wed, 16 - FIELD TRIP: 4th Grade - Camp Whitcomb
Wed, 16 - 5th Grade Musical, 5:00
Thurs, 17 - FIELD TRIP: 4th Grade - Camp Whitcomb
Thurs, 17 - Cushing Family Movie Night
Fri, 18 - NO SCHOOL
Mon, 21 - NO SCHOOL
Thurs, 24 - Celebration of Learning, 3:15-4:45

Hi Cushing Families,

Thank you for taking a moment to watch this week's weekly update! Below, you'll find links to some of the topics mentioned in the video message.

Battle of the Books

If you'd like to join in on the Battle of the Books fun at home, you can listen to them all here.

Science Day

If you’re interested in being a presenter at our Science Day in May, please complete this form.

Wisconsin Forward Exam

• Informational Brochure for Families

• Why Wisconsin Requires Standardized Testing

• Forward Exam Practice Test

Shine on, Stars!
Mrs. Rach

Star Slip Winners!

Forward Testing
Between March 17th and April 25th, 2025, Wisconsin students in grades 3-8 and 10 will take the WI Forward Exam, a state assessment that measures student learning in key subject areas. The test helps schools understand student progress based on Wisconsin Academic Standards in the following subjects:

• Grades 3, 5, 6, and 7 – English Language Arts (ELA) & Math

• Grades 4 and 8 – ELA, Math, Science & Social Studies

• Grade 10 – Social Studies

This exam is not factored into student grades, but it is used alongside other assessments to help educators structure instruction to meet student needs.

You can find more information about the Wisconsin Forward Exam here:

• Informational Brochure for Families

• Why Wisconsin Requires Standardized Testing

As we approach the Forward Exam testing period, we want to ensure that all our students are well-prepared and supported. If you have additional questions about your child’s grade level test schedule, please reach out to their classroom teacher.

A few reminders and tips for parents/guardians ahead of testing:

• No Electronic Devices in Testing Environment: Please remember that electronic devices, including smartwatches, are not allowed in the testing environment to maintain fairness and integrity.

• Option to Practice at Home: While teachers will provide practice tests in class, some students may benefit from additional practice at home. You can access practice materials here.

• Encourage Restful Sleep: Adequate sleep is crucial for optimal performance. Please ensure your child gets enough rest in the days leading up to the test to help them stay alert and focused.

• Healthy Eating Habits: Nutritious meals and snacks play a significant role in maintaining energy levels and concentration. Please provide balanced meals, especially on test days, to support your child's well-being.

• Celebrate Effort and Manage Stress: Regardless of the outcome, celebrate your child's effort and hard work in preparing for the test. Your support and encouragement are invaluable. Encourage positive self-talk and maintain a positive attitude to help alleviate any stress.

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure our students' success.

Spring Spirit Days
Let’s get ready for Spring Break with some Spirit!

Monday, March 17 = St. Patrick’s Day
Dress your little leprechauns in green to celebrate the luck of the Irish!

Tuesday, March 18 = Class Color Wars
Dress in your grade’s color and let’s see what grade has the most spirit!

4K = Red
5K = Orange
1st = Yellow
2nd = Green
3rd = Blue
4th = Purple
5th = Black

Wednesday, March 19 = PJ Day 
We all love pajama day.  Just make sure your pajamas are outdoor recess appropriate. 
Who knows what Mother Nature will have in store that day…

Thursday, March 20 = Dream Big, Shine Bright (Paisley N. – Principal for the Day Spirit Day!)
Dress as what you want to be when you grow up and show off your future dreams!

Friday, March 21 = Down Syndrome Awareness Day - "Rock your Socks"
Wear mismatched, brightly colored socks to celebrate the day!
The shape of chromosomes resembles socks, and individuals with Down syndrome have an extra chromosome—symbolizing the "extra" sock in the Rock Your Socks tradition.

Camp Whitcomb Parent Meeting - Thursday, April 3
The mandatory parent information meeting will be held on Thursday, April 3rd in our Activity Center from 4:30 PM-5:30 PM.  (4th grade parents only)

Summer Academy - Registration Opens March 17
The Summer Academy Course Guide is live! Click HERE for more information.

Fast Facts:

• Summer Academy 2025 Dates: June 16-July 25 (no classes 7/4)

• Summer Academy hours: 8 a.m. to 12:35 p.m.

• Courses for grades 5K-8 will be broken into two sessions each three weeks long. Families will still be able to sign up for all six weeks or choose to only do one session. 

• Location: Wales Elementary and Kettle Moraine High School Campus

• Online Registration opens March 17, 2025

Help Wanted: Science Day Presenters
We will be hosting our annual Science Day in the morning of Wednesday, May 14th for grades 3-5 at Cushing. We are looking for volunteers to run various science themed stations. Interested participants are asked to create an engaging presentation and/or activity that lasts 45 minutes. There will be 2 rotations, so presenters will do their presentation twice. 

If you’re interested in being a presenter at our Science Day, fill out THIS FORM.

Yearbooks
Click HERE to order your yearbook. The deadline to order is April 1.  All yearbooks will be handed out at school at the end of the year.  

If you can’t remember if you ordered a yearbook at the beginning of the school year, reach out to Mrs. Mirek.

As part of our commitment to supporting students' well-being, our next school unit will focus on Protective Factors. To learn more about this upcoming unit, please click this link to view a message from our school counselor, Ms. Walker.

World Down Syndrome Awareness Day is a time to celebrate inclusion, kindness, and the contributions of individuals with Down syndrome. The date (3/21) represents the third copy of the 21st chromosome, which is unique to individuals with Down syndrome.

As part of our Spring Break Spirit Days, we will be raising awareness and showing our support by participating in "Rock Your Socks" Day! Students are encouraged to wear mismatched, brightly colored socks as a fun way to celebrate the uniqueness of every individual. We look forward to seeing a sea of colorful socks as we spread awareness and embrace the spirit of inclusion!

Don’t forget to save your Albrecht’s Sentry receipts and drop them in the front vestibule! We can take receipts that are up to 6 months old, so if you have any from over the holidays, it’s not too late!

Earning is easy! In store or online. School year to date, Cushing parents have earned the school $200.10 by simply scanning receipts. 

BUY BOX TOPS PRODUCT
Earn for schools with HUNDREDS of products from brands you love.

SCAN YOUR RECEIPT
Use the Box Tops app to submit your receipt within 14 days of purchase.

EARN CASH FOR SCHOOLS
Box Tops products are identified and earnings are credited online.

Watch this to learn more: Home - Box Tops for Education (boxtops4education.com)

Download the app today.

Meetings take place in the Cushing Activity Center. Please email ptocushing@gmail.com to attend the meeting or add to the agenda.

Friday, April 4 @ 9:30am

Friday, May 2 @ 9:30am

Friday, March 14  |  12:00pm-4:00pm

Saturday, March 15  |  8:00am-2:00pm

Jr Laser Football - 2025
Registration is NOW OPEN for Junior Lasers Football! 
Early Bird Registration:  Now – April 7
Late Registration April 8 – June 27 (+$50)

K - 4th Grade: Flag Football
Early Bird Registration: $275
The season will run from August through October.
Players will be randomly placed on teams that are balanced by grade-level.
Teams will end their season with an “Under the Lights” game on Vock Field.

We will need coaches, especially for the K-2 division.  Sign up in SportsEngine for this rewarding opportunity!

5th - 8th Grade: Tackle Football
Early Bird Registration: $450
The season will run from August through October.
There will be 1-2 teams per grade.
We are excited to begin our third season in the Wisconsin AAYFL league!

Visit www.kettlemorainelaserfootball.com for more information.

MS Track and Field 
Our spring season for grades 7/8 begins April 7.  Practices will be held M,T,W 2:40-4pm.  6th graders are welcome to practice with the club for three weeks of the season in April  to prepare, exercise and learn about track and field.  Registration is available online at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/ 

Deadline to sign up is March 21.

Fall 2025 Youth Boys and Girls Volleyball Season
Boys and girls entering  grades 5-8 in the fall of 2025 are eligible to participate in the league.  Practices are held twice per week August-October with league play on the weekends in the GMYVB League.  Tryouts will be held 5/15/25 and 5/19/25 from 6:30-8:30pm at the KMHS Gym.

Students entering grades 1-4 in the fall of 2025 are encouraged to join our mini league on Friday nights for volleyball instruction, fun and games.  

Register online at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/ 

Contact Coach Peterson at petersons@kmsd.edu with any questions.

Zumba Gold
ZUMBA GOLD® is perfect for active older adults, those new to exercise, those looking for a lower impact choice and those coming back into the fitness routine who are looking for a Zumba® class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity.

How It Works: This class introduces easy-to-follow Zumba® choreography that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination. Come ready to sweat, and prepare to leave empowered, feeling strong and successful. Join us on Tuesdays or Thursdays at 4:30 starting in April.  We offer full course sign up or drop in per date registration for just $8.  Sign up today at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

Events/opportunities listed on our Community Flyers page are not endorsed by the Kettle Moraine School District. They have been approved for electronic sharing. Visit https://www.kmsd.edu/page/km-community  to see the full list of current flyers.