CUSHING CHRONICLES

March
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

Hello Cushing Families!

Thank you for taking the time to view our weekly update message. We hope you have an enjoyable, safe, and restful spring break! If you'd like to get caught up in our March Madness Battle of the Books over break, you can listen to them all here. When we return, we have lots of exciting learning experiences ahead, including our American Revolution Museum and a few field trips.

Also, please remember that there is no school for elementary students on Wednesday, April 9th.

Enjoy the break, and we look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday, March 31st!

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!

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 NOW OPEN
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 opened 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 - Order by April 1
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!

In February, we lost a member of our Cushing family, Wendy Menning. Wendy has left behind her husband Al, son Ian (9th) and daughter Adeline (3rd). On behalf of our Cushing community, the PTO has planted a tree in Wendy’s memory and put together a care package to help the Menning family. 

If you would like to help support the Menning family, you can kindly contribute via GoFundMe.

Our thoughts (and hearts) are with them during this difficult time.

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

WHEN: April 11th at 7pm | April 12th at 2pm
WHERE: KMHS Auditorium

Click HERE to buy tickets!

Willy Wonka Jr." is a musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" following Charlie Bucket and other golden ticket winners on a magical tour of Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, filled with quirky characters and unforgettable songs  Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka JR. follows enigmatic candy manufacturer Willy Wonka as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up with these tickets will win a free tour of the Wonka factory, as well as a lifetime supply of candy.

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/ 

Cheerleading Fall of 2025
Register now for Jr. Laser and Little Laser Cheerleading for the fall.  Grades K-8 are encouraged to be part of the KM Cheer program.  

Grades K-2 practice once per week and grades 3-5 practice twice per week. The season runs August-October with performances on Saturday mornings at local flag football games.  

Grades 6-8 practice twice per week July-October with Saturday morning performance at local football games. 

Sign up today at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

In order to participate in the competition season, an athlete must participate in the fall season.

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.