CUSHING CHRONICLES

September
Sat, 16 - KM Trivia Night
Fri, 22 - Spirit Wear Orders Due

October
Mon, 2 - NO SCHOOL
Wed, 4 - Decathlon @ St. John’s
Thurs, 5 - Decathlon Rain Date
Tues, 10 - Picture Retake Day
Fri, 13 - Fire Prevention Day

A huge thank you to our families for a great start to the school year. These past few days, students have come to school ready and eager to learn! Thank you for all that you’ve done to get your child(ren) ready for school and for all that you do to support our Cushing community; it really is going to be a great year.

Overall, morning arrival and dismissal have gone fairly well. We always expect a few bumps along the way and know that there will be delays or challenges as we get back into the swing of things. I anticipate that arrival and dismissal times will continue to improve as we get back in the groove of the start of the year. I do have a few specific transportation points that I wanted to share:

• Car Line - For the safety of everyone, please pull as far forward as you can in car line. Do not get out of your vehicles, rather, have your child(ren) exit your vehicle on the side of the car that is facing the building so that children do not walk in front of or behind cars.
  

• Walkers/Bikers - We will always have a staff member at the crosswalk to help children safely cross Genesee St. If the staff member is not at the crosswalk when your child(ren) gets there, please have them wait; someone will always be at the crosswalk by 8:20. Children should always cross the street at the crosswalk with the crossing guard.
  

• Bus Buddies - 4K and 5K students have fifth grade students assisting them as bus buddies at dismissal time; these older students, along with staff, will walk them to their buses and this will occur at least throughout the first month of the school year. We will also always have older students holding bus signs helping other students locate their buses more efficiently.

We’ve had a wonderful start to the year which has included classroom community building, a recess rodeo where students learned all about the new equipment and our first all-school assembly, just to name a few of the exciting things! Thank you again for your continued support and flexibility as we head into our first full week of school.

Part-Time Paraprofessional Position
Are you or someone you know looking for a part-time position at a great place to work? We are seeking a part-time educational / Library assistant here at Cushing. This is a part-time position with flexible scheduling. Responsibilities include: assisting students and staff in the library/media center, light administrative work (answering phone calls, briefly working the front desk), collaborating with teaching staff to support classroom activities/projects among other duties. You can apply for this position HERE; please see Mrs. Rach with questions.

Blessings in a Backpack
Cushing partners with a non-profit organization called Blessings in a Backpack. Through this partnership, students are eligible to be a recipient of the Blessings in a Backpack program.

The program is designed to provide non-perishable food every Friday to children who would benefit from supplemental nourishment over the weekend. The program runs the full 38-week school year and there is no cost to participate. If you choose to participate, your child will receive a bag of non-perishable food every Friday which will be distributed in a discreet and caring manner.

If you would like your child to participate, please email Mrs. Mirek (secretaryce@kmsd.edu).

Yearbooks
Click HERE to order your yearbook. All yearbooks will be handed out at school at the end of the year.  Please call/email Empire Photography if you have any questions.

School Pictures
If your learner’s picture was taken during our Great Start Conferences, you should receive an email from Empire Photography containing a link to your child’s private, PIN-protected gallery. If you do not receive an email, please check your spam folder and contact Empire Photography (608-257-2941) if you need assistance. 

There is no obligation to order.  If you decide to order, you can complete your purchase for photo print and specialty products online. All photo orders will be mailed directly home to the address provided during checkout and will be shipped within 2-5 business days.

Volunteer Applications
All adults need to fill out a Volunteer Application every school year.  These applications are required to volunteer in the classrooms, chaperone field trips, join your learner for lunch, help with PTO-sponsored events, etc.  Paper forms are in the Front Office.  You can also find the form HERE.  Please return completed forms to Mrs. Mirek. 

Do you want to have a better idea of the middle school vibe? Are you interested in having the inside scoop on KMMS? Do you want to spend some time each month with other middle school parents? 

If so, the Family Advisory Committee might be for you! The KMMS Family Advisory Committee (FAC) is beginning its third year and has returning members, but we are looking to onboard new parents to join our team to share their perspectives and insight.

Please fill out this short Google Form if you are interested. We meet the first Wednesday of each month from 5:00-7:00PM.

Date: 9/16/23

Location: Dousman Lions Club 235 N Main St., Dousman 53118 Doors open at 6:00pm, first round starts at 7:00pm.

Each table costs $300 and includes food. Cash bar.

Assemble your team (up to 8 people per table) and join us for this fun annual event. Proceeds benefit Kettle Moraine Athletics.

The top 3 teams will receive prizes! Additional prizes will be awarded for the best costume and table décor (arrive early to decorate your table). There will be a 50/50 raffle, silent auction, and heads/tails game. $10 or 3 for $25 shout-out for a special person/event, or roast.

SIGN UP NOW! https://www.classmunity.com/kmsd/view-fundraiser.php... you can't attend but still wish to support KMHS Athletics, please click the "Make a Donation" button.

World Cafe
The Kettle Moraine School District is formulating a new strategic plan. As part of this process, we cordially invite you to join us for an opportunity to participate in a World Cafe to inform the district's strategic planning. During this two hour event, you will be answering and discussing four questions. We are offering an in person World Cafe (Saturday 9/23 from 9:00-11:00 a.m.) and a virtual World Cafe (Tuesday 9/26 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.). If you would like to learn more about the our Strategic Planning process, visit https://www.kmsd.edu/page/spt. To sign up for the World Cafe click the link to our Google form at kmsd.edu/world-cafe.

Hunter Education
Students must be 10 years of age to attend this course. Many states require this certificate for out of state hunting for all children and adults. Students under the age of 16 must have an adult parent attend all sessions with the student.  Class will be held Sept 18-22.  Register online at www.kmsd.edu/communityed

Aerobics
Need that extra push to get started on an exercise program? We’ve perfected our routines so they work for anyone of any age or fitness level. Work at your own pace with easy to follow steps set to a wide variety of the music you love. You’ll get just the right cardiovascular workout followed by floor work that will both tone and stretch all of your muscles.  Class is held Tuesdays and Thursdays at KM Middle School/Dousman Elementary at 6:30.  Sign up today at www.kmsd.edu/communityed

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 Tuesdays  in October, sign up online at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

KM Boys Basketball Club - Tryouts for 3rd and 4th grade

September 12th | at KMHS
6:30 - 8:00 pm - 4th Grade

September 14th | at KMHS
6:30 - 8:00pm - 3rd Grade

Practices are twice per week October-March, with 3-4 weekend tournaments as well as league play on weekends.

Register online at www.kmboysbasketball.com  

Junior Lasers Baseball - Opportunity for 1st and 2nd Graders
KM Junior Lasers Baseball Club is holding an additional tryout to add players to our 2nd grade (U8) teams for the 2024 season. We invite all 1st and 2nd graders to tryout on September 20th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Wales Community Park. Players already placed on a team should not attend this tryout.

To register, please email Tryout Coordinator Joe Lawniczak at josephlawniczak@yahoo.com and include your player’s name and grade level.

At the tryout, players will perform throwing, catching, fielding, and hitting drills. Players should wear athletic attire and athletic shoes or cleats. Players should bring a glove, bat, and water. If a player does not have a bat, we will provide one. If a player is invited to join a team for the 2024 season the fees of $400 for 1st and 2nd grade would be due after tryouts to secure a roster spot. (Fees can be split into 2 payments)

KMJL teams begin indoor practices once per week in December or January. Beginning in April, teams will have a combination of 2-3 games or practices per week through the middle of July. Indoor practices are at KMHS or other KM schools. Outdoor practices are at Wales Community Park or other parks within the KM district. Teams will play approximately 16 league games, typically on weeknights, and 2-3 weekend tournaments.

Please email Joe Lawniczak at josephlawniczak@yahoo.com with any questions. We look forward to having your player in our program.