CUSHING CHRONICLES

May
Fri, 3 - NO SCHOOL
Mon, 6 - FIELD TRIP: 5th Grade - Camp Whitcomb
Wed, 8 - 3rd & 4th Grade Concert, 6:00
Fri, 10 - Physical Awareness Day
Tues, 14 - Science Day @ HAWS - 5K & 1st Grade
Wed, 15 - Science Day @ HAWS - 2nd & 3rd Grade
Thurs, 16 - Science Day @ HAWS - 4th & 5th Grade
Wed, 22 - 5K Info Night, 5:00
Thurs, 23 - FIELD TRIP: 3rd Grade - Dockhounds Game
Tues, 28 - 5th Grade Track Meet
Wed, 29 - 5th Grade Track Meet - Rain Date
Wed, 29 - FIELD TRIP: 1st Grade - Library & Cushing Park
Thurs, 30 - End of Year Celebration at Belfre & Steeplechase

June
Wed, 5 - Last Day for 4K Students
Thurs, 6 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Half Day, 12:35 Dismissal
Thurs, 6 - 5th Grade Farewell, 9:30

Our fifth grade Star Council students have partnered with a group of first graders to organize a Penny War starting next week. Students are working to raise funds for St. Jude’s Hospital. Please see the student-generated flier for more information:

Students will be able to drop off their coins during arrival time starting Monday. We’re looking forward to the friendly competition between classes!

Mrs. Rach

Star Slip Winners!

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Week of May 6-10 (Children and Teens Focus)
This week’s focus is on resources to help children and teens build resilience, self-care strategies, and skills for managing life stressors in healthy ways.

Supportive families, communities, and resources can help youth build strong foundations for lifelong well-being.

• By teaching children and teens coping skills, we can empower them to take charge of their mental health.

• Know the signs of mental health issues in children and teens. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives.

• Start the conversation early: talking about mental health can help children and teens build coping skills and feel comfortable with their emotions.

• Nurturing relationships and environments are important for helping children and teens develop good mental health and manage life stressors in healthy ways.

• Good mental health increases the ability of children and teens to practice self-care and face challenges with resilience.

Wear green during the month of May to raise awareness about mental health and wellness!!! #endthestigma

FACT SHEET FOR CHILDREN/TEENS/PARENTS

Local resource for those in need of support:
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Waukesha: Southeast NAMI chapter. Great resource for those in need of support in dealing with mental health needs.

Fifth Grade Farewell Information
Fifth grade parents and families are welcome to attend our Fifth Grade Farewell Ceremony at 9:30 on Thursday, June 6.  Unfortunately, we do not have capacity for the younger Cushing student siblings.  There is a school-wide "clap out" at 8:45 that our younger students will participate in to say goodbye to the fifth grade students.  After the farewell ceremony, fifth grade students can take pictures outdoors with their families, classmates and teachers and leave for the day.  Cushing does ask that younger siblings stay until the end of the day, which is 12:35.

Cell Phone/Smart Device Usage During School Day Including Smart Watches
We’ve seen a recent uptick in student use of cell phones/smart watches during the school day. Per the KMSD Elementary Handbook, student use of cell phones or personal electronic devices (e.g. ipods, smart watches, gaming devices, phones or androids) are not allowed during the school day from 8:30 AM through 3:35 PM. Students with these types of devices should inactivate or mute the device during the school day.  If you need to reach your student(s), please contact Mrs. Mirek and she will get the message to them.  We believe this will help reduce disruptions, keep our students engaged, and help everyone get the best education possible. If a student has a cell phone or device in school, they should store the inactive or muted device out-of-sight during the aforementioned times.

Fifth Grade Families: Message from Middle School Band
We are thrilled you have decided to join us for Band in 6th Grade at Kettle Moraine Middle School. Band is a wonderful opportunity to discover your ability to learn an instrument and to enjoy making music together with your peers. 

In a few weeks, Band teachers will be visiting your elementary school to hold instrument fittings for all students enrolled in Band for next year. This is a one-on-one appointment during the school day where you will have the opportunity to try 2 instruments of your choice. The band teachers will also answer questions you might have and help you in your decision for what to play next year. 

The options for 6th grade beginning band at KMMS are Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, and Mallet Percussion. Please visit our website here for information on these instruments and to hear each being played (highly recommended ahead of your fitting date)

The fitting day at Cushing will be May 7th.

We look forward to meeting each student and helping them find the best fit for their Band instrument! More information will be sent home with students after their fitting and selection is made. 

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns, and welcome to our Band program! 

Visit our website and contact us here: kmsd.edu/msband

Lost & Found
We have a lot of Lost items waiting to be Found.  If your child(ren) is missing something, there’s a real good chance it’s in our Lost & Found.  The next time you’re at Cushing, swing by to see if anything belongs to your family. Parents seem to have the magic touch with finding lost items.  Anything left after the end of the school year will be donated.

Class Placement Information for Next Year
The teams at Cushing take time to carefully balance all classrooms for the next school year.  They take gender, behavior, academics, and special needs into account.  If you have thoughts you would like us to consider about your child that we don’t already know, please complete THIS FORM.  Form(s) need to be submitted by May 3 for your information to be considered.

3rd and 4th Grade Concert
As we prepare for the upcoming Disney Jr Revue Concert, we have created an Amazon Wish List to make it easier for those interested in supporting the concert. The wish list includes various supplies and props that our 3rd and 4th-grade students will need for their performance. If you or anyone you know would like to contribute, please feel free to check out the wish list. Your generosity would greatly enhance the experience for our students. 

Thank you for your continued support, and please reach out to Mrs. Post if you have any questions.

5th Grade Families: Middle School Summer Kick Off Bash

If you would like to show your child's teacher/support staff some extra appreciation, please use the sheet below. You can have your child fill it out and bring it in anytime during TA week (a copy was also sent home in each student's home folder). The TA Committee will be working throughout the week to show our gratitude also.  If you would like, on Wednesday, May 8th, we are encouraging students to bring in a single flower for their teacher, so each can have a special bouquet of "Thanks" on their desk!

NEW THIS YEAR! 1st Day School Supplies.

Name brands, great prices, customizable kits and all ships to the classroom for your learner. How convenient! Plus, you support Cushing with each kit purchased HERE.

As we get close to the end of the school year, we want to provide an opportunity to give extra "Thanks!" to our teachers and staff. Check out the link below!

Staff Giving Program End of School Year 2024

Join us for an extra special End of Year Celebration at Belfre & Steeplechase. Meet friends for coffee in the morning, plan a ladies’ lunch, or bring the family in the evening for delicious food, beverages and outdoor games. Our fifth graders will be special helpers during part of the day. We will also have an afternoon musical event performed by some of our Cushing Stars, and you will be able to preview the beautiful pieces the kids have created for Cushing’s Annual Art Auction. 25% of the day’s profits will go to Cushing Elementary. It’s sure to be a fun day!

More details to come!

May 10
May 31

All meetings begin at 9:30am in the Cushing Activity Center. Interested in attending? Please email ptocushing@gmail.com.

The Laser Locker is having a Spring Sale now through May 15th.  All apparel is on sale!  Shop now for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation, Sporting events or to stock up for School Spirit Days! 

Check the KM website for hours.

KM Global will be hosting an artisan craft fair at Kettle Moraine High School on Saturday, May 18th! This capstone project is a cornerstone of Global's learning. Students get the opportunity to build a community event to benefit a local organization. 100% of the proceeds from this event (from vendor fees, donations, food truck partnerships, etc.) will be donated to our friends at the Hunger Task Force. The market will start at 9:00am and end at 12:00pm in the KM high school parking lot. Join us to shop all of these wonderful products! Sign up to be a vendor or make a donation: https://www.classmunity.com/kmsd/view-fundraiser.php?fundraiser_id=2400

Tennis and Pickleball Opportunities
The Kettle Moraine Tennis Association (KMTA) along with Community Education has many spring and summer opportunities for tennis and pickleball for youth through adult. All registrations are online through KM Community Education at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/ 

Pickleball - Summer session AM or PM M-F, 6/10-8/2 The open pickleball paddle band is your ticket to playing pickleball on the new KMHS pickleball courts!  

Men and Women Recreational Tennis Leagues - June-August This league will be organized by KMTA volunteers, and you will receive a schedule with possible bye weeks, depending on the number of registrants.  Singles and doubles will be available, with a heavy emphasis on doubles to maximize court time.  Balls will be provided

Adult Tennis Drill and Play - Men and Women players will be provided with instruction from tennis professionals and assistants on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm – 8:00pm at KMHS.  The format for these sessions includes an hour of instruction on technique and strategy, followed by an hour of competitive play

Youth Tennis Academy - Eligible players (ages 10 – 18) will be divided by ability level and specific lesson plans will be modified to meet the player’s ability.  Lessons will be progressive, consisting of technique instruction, drills, conditioning, and competition.  

Camp Invention
Students in grades K-6 are invited to join us this summer at Cushing Elementary July 29-August 2 for an all day experience in STEM activities.  Registration is available online HERE.   

Jr. Laser Dance Team - Fall 2024
Interested in being part of the KM Jr. Laser Dance Team for next school year?  Students entering grades 6-8 will practice twice per week beginning in July and going through October.   We will perform Saturday mornings at the local youth football games.  Sign up today at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/   

Anyone who may be interested is welcome to attend an open gym to try it on Monday, June 3 from 6-8 at KM Middle School. 

Fall 2024 Youth Boys and Girls Volleyball Season
Boys and girls entering  grades 5-8 in the fall of 2024 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 are held Monday & Wednesday, 5/13 & 15/2024, KMHS All Gyms

5/13 (Mon) Tryouts MS 6:30 - 8:30 PM (5th graders 6:30 - 8:00 PM ONLY ONE DAY)

5/15 (Wed) Tryouts MS 6:30 - 8:30 PM.  

Students entering grades 1-4 in the fall of 2024 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.

Summer Youth Volleyball Camps Offered
Camp will focus on developing the fundamental skills for our younger players and work on advancing the skills of our more advanced players in a fun, friendly camp environment. There will be a balance of individual skill drills as well as game play to increase the talents of all participants. The KM Girls Varsity head coach will be working with the entire KM volleyball coaching staff as well as many players to create a great camp experience. For camp specific details and to register visit  https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/ 

Cheerleading Fall of 2024
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-5 practice once per week 

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/ 

Summer Basketball Camp Opportunities - Grade based on the 23-24 school year
All Registrations and detailed information can be found online at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/ 

Girls Basketball Camp For grades 3-8 will be offered June 10-13 with Coach Stranc.  Join the high school coaching staff and players for a week long camp focusing on many offensive and defensive fundamentals with plenty of competitions.

KM Girls Basketball Club offers State Champ Camp Players who want to bring their game to the next level and learn what it takes to  become a State Champ.  This will be an advanced level camp for all age levels so previous experience with competitive basketball is strongly recommended.  

K-2 Girls Basketball Camp - Coaches by Mr. J. Bestor, with help from high school and middle school players.  Campers will have fun practicing basic basketball skills with daily skill challenges.

Boys Basketball Toughness Boot Camp Join Coach Richert and his staff along with high school players for fundamental basketball work.  Camp is for grades 3-8 June 10-13 from 3-5pm

Boys Basketball Point Guard and Shooting Camp June 24-27 from 1-3 pm Grades 4-8

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.