CUSHING CHRONICLES

September
Fri, 22 - Spirit Wear Orders Due
Mon, 25 - Homecoming Week: Mismatched Sock Day
Tues, 26 - Homecoming Week: Hat Day
Wed, 27 - Homecoming Week: Pajama Day
Thurs, 28 - Homecoming Week: Class Colors Day
Fri, 29 - Homecoming Week: KM/Cushing Spirit Day

October
Mon, 2 - NO SCHOOL
Wed, 4 - Decathlon @ St. John’s
Thurs, 5 - Decathlon Rain Date
Tues, 10 - Picture Retake Day
Tues, 10 - FIELD TRIP: 5K - Green Meadows
Wed, 11 - FIELD TRIP: 4th Grade - Old World Wisconsin
Fri, 13 - Fire Prevention Day
Mon, 16 - Navigating Digital Safety @ KMHS
Tues, 31 - Fall Spirit Day

Greetings Cushing Families:

I hope that you had a great week. In last week’s Cushing Chronicles, I shared information about our academic achievement goal focusing on the area of literacy. I also shared some of the action steps we are taking to support this goal which make up our action plan. Think of our goals as the destination we want to reach, and these action plans as maps that guide us on our journey to get to our goal.

Below are some of the steps we are taking school-wide to support our work towards our academic achievement goal:

• Use MyView curriculum as intended. 

  • As we learn our new curriculum, we plan to follow the outlined guidelines and instructions as intended.

• Support teachers using a flexible coaching model.

  • We are supporting teachers through regular, ongoing and adaptable coaching and professional learning in order to help them with instruction and student learning.

• Improve grade level team meetings and data meetings to support in depth review of data and collaboration.

  • We review data regularly and are restructuring these meetings to allow for thorough data analysis and collaboration.

In the coming weeks, I plan to share more detailed information about our remaining goals along with a description of the action steps we are taking towards those goals. I welcome any conversation or questions our families may have around this work, thank you for your partnership and your support!

Star Slip Winners!

Cell Phone/Smart Device Usage During 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.

Cushing Family Advisory Council 
The mission of Cushing’s Family Advisory Council is to provide input and feedback around relevant issues at Cushing in order to foster a highly supportive, engaging, and inclusive school community for all students, families, and staff. It serves as a bridge for communication and collaboration between families and the school.

In addition to our returning members, we are seeking a few new members as we enter year two. As a member, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with other parents, school staff, and administrators, providing valuable input on important matters. Meeting times and cadence will depend on the availability of the team. If you are interested in being a part of our FAC, please complete THIS FORM by Friday, September 29th, 2023.

Student Services Update
During Great Start Conferences, you may have connected with our staff working at our Be a Star Table.“What is Be a Star?” You might ask, well, it is a part of our Multi-Level Systems of Support (MLSS). MLSS is an overarching framework that typically includes a continuum of prevention and intervention supports to help the whole child succeed academically and behaviorally. 

MLSS is often described as integrating the academically focused response to intervention (RTI) and the behaviorally focused positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) to comprehensively serve students across these multiple, overlapping domains.  

The MLSS framework is typically composed of three tiers of prevention and intervention. For the next three weeks, we will write a little highlight about the tiers and what Cushing is doing in each tier to support our students. Stay tuned till next time! 

Picture Retakes - October 10
Empire Photography will be here in the morning on Tuesday, October 10th for picture retakes.  If your learner is making a funny face and you want a re-do or if your learner did not get their picture taken at Great Start Conferences, fill out THIS FORM. 

Cushing Family Directory
The PTO Family Directory is now available to Cushing families.  When you log into your Parent Portal, you will find the link to access the directory under the Announcements tab. 

A password is required to open the Directory. Password: cushing2324 

Please note, the Parent Directory is only available on the desktop version of the Parent Portal.  It is not available through the app.

District Website Update
As you may have noticed, we’ve updated our KMSD website. Part of this update will also include adding new photos and videos on our school website. Over the next few weeks, we wanted you to know that there will be people at Cushing filming / taking pictures for this update.

Homecoming Week: September 25-29
We’ve got spirit...yes, we do!  We’ve got spirit...how ‘bout you?  September 29th is KM’s Homecoming.  Cushing will be getting into Homecoming spirit ALL WEEK!

Decathlon Volunteers Needed
We need Decathlon volunteers, come be a part of this special day!!

October 4, 2023. Rain Date: October 5.

Decathlon K-5:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA5A62EAAFE3-decathlon1

4K Decathlon: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA5A62EAAFE3-cushing1

As of noon on 9/20, we have received $13,205! That's almost 70% of our $20,000 goal!!

Kids have earned their popsicles and extra recess by getting to the 50% mark.

Let's go Cushing Stars! We're getting closer to our $20,000 goal!!

Spirit Wear
Last call!!! Order by today!

Join us Thursday, September 28 at 6:30 pm for the Varsity Boys Soccer Game at KMHS.  All youth players wearing their game jersey/uniform will get in free to the game!

All Kettle Moraine School District Clubs and Activities are encouraged to sign up and participate in the 2023 Homecoming Parade.  

Homecoming 2023 Parade Sign Up!

When: Friday September 29, Parade begins at 5:15
Where: Line up at 4:30 in the KMHS Athletic Entrance Parking Lot (south side)

Please contact Kelsee Stellpflug with any questions at stellpflugk@kmsd.edu

Healing Hearts is a trusted, local, free, source of grief support for children, and families who grieve loss due to death, divorce, addiction, incarceration, deportation, or military deployment. Fall sessions of Healing Hearts will be starting soon! There are three locations and times this fall. Pick one or more that work for you!

Oconomowoc | Good Shepherd United Methodist Church | 6-week session | starts Thursday, September 21  

Waukesha | First United Methodist Church | 12-week session | starts Monday, September 25

Menomonee Falls | Good Shepherd Catholic Church | 6-week session | starts Thursday, November 9

Children will find care, support, and healing through age-based peer support groups while parents/guardians participate in a peer support group specifically for them.

Please use this link to register for a group or call 262-751-0874 for more info. Share this with someone you know who may benefit from it!

American Sign Language
Introduces American Sign Language (ASL) to students with no previous experience with ASL. Emphasizes the expressive and receptive conversational skills of ASL used by the Deaf community. Students will learn strategies on how to introduce themselves, colors, and numbers 0 - 15. Includes introduction to American Deaf culture.  All ages welcome, students under 16 must be accompanied by a parent throughout the entire class time.  Classes are on Mondays in October, sign up online at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

After School Chess Club
Develop your child's intellect through the royal game of chess! Current research has shown a strong link between chess and academic performance in a variety of areas, including mathematics and language arts.. Each class will consist of a fun, interactive teaching period and guided practice time. Both beginner and experienced players are welcome and will learn under the guidance of an experienced Chess Scholars coach.  This program is offered by Chess Scholars.  To sign up, please visit https://www.learningmeansfun.com/signup 

Wales Elementary - Tuesdays, 10/10-12/19
Dousman Elementary - Wednesdays 10/11-12/20
Magee Elementary - Thursdays, 10/12-12/21
Cushing Elementary - Fridays, 9/29-12/15

LYBA Basketball
Registration is open for the 23-24 Youth Recreational basketball season.  All students in grades 1-8 are welcome.   Season begins in December and concludes in February.  Grades 3-8 will practice one night per week with Saturday morning games and will be followed by a season ending tournament.

Grades 1-2 will meet on Saturday mornings for 90 minutes with practice and game play. Our emphasis will be on knowledge and execution of basketball skills, rules, sportsmanship, fair play and attitude. Eight foot baskets will be used.  Sign up today at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

Kettle Moraine Wrestling Club
All students in grades K-8 are invited to join the Kettle Moraine Wrestling Club.  

2023-2024 SEASON INFORMATION

Open Mat Nights: Open Mat Nights begin on September 6th.  Open Mat will be held in the High School wrestling room every Wednesday from 6-7:30.  All registered wrestlers are welcome to attend.  We'll have a structured session available, but wrestlers are welcome to use the room for drilling, live wrestling or games as well.  We encourage wrestlers to "bring a partner", but we will pair up wrestlers appropriately as needed. 

Regular Season:  The regular season for Middle School will begin on November 13th and the Youth season will begin on December 5th.  The conclusion of the regular winter season will be on February 28th when we host our annual Youth Night.  Post season will continue through the Wisconsin Youth State wrestling tournament at the end of March. 

Middle School Practice:  Practices for the Middle School wrestlers will take place Monday through Thursday at the Middle School, directly after the school day ends.

Youth Practice: Practices for K-5th grade are on Mondays and Wednesdays in the High School wrestling room.  K-2nd practices from 5:15 to 6:00.  3rd-5th practices from 6:00 to 7:30.

For more details or to register, please visit www.kettlemorainewrestlingclub.com