9.2.22

September

Fri, 23 - Bash on the Grass @ KMHS, 3:30-7:00

Tues, 27 - Open House, 4:30-6:00

Fri, 30 - NO SCHOOL

October

Tues, 4 - Cushing Decathlon at St. John’s

Wed, 5 - Cushing Decathlon - Rain Date

Thurs, 27 - Book Fair Begins

Mon, 31 - Halloween Spirit Day

The 2022-2023 school year is in full swing here at Cushing! We have spent our time getting used to our school routines and schedules.  Similar to previous years, we are also being very intentional as we work to build strong, positive relationships here at Cushing as we start the year.  Today, we held our first all-school assembly where we reviewed our school-wide motto: We not Me and how we can work together to make Cushing a great place by coming to school each day trying our best to “leave things better than we find them.”

Speaking of improvement, I wanted to share our 22-23 school year goals.  We work together as a school and district team to build our goals; at Cushing, we have a few teams including our School Leadership Team and our “Be a Star” team who work together to plan action steps around these goals and reflect on our progress towards them.  This year, we have three goals in the following areas:

• Academic Excellence
• Citizenship and Personal Development
• Community Relations and Communication 

Below is a brief summary of our goals; you can expect more information to be shared here as the year progresses. 

Academic Excellence Goal Statement (AE)

100% of our teachers will grow their level of confidence in the area of project based learning by the end of the 2022-23 school year.  As a result, we will see a decrease in the number of students identified as “high risk” and “some risk” in reading and math as measured by their FastBridge assessment data.

Citizenship and Personal Development Goal Statement (C/PD)

Students and staff will grow their understanding and use of strategies around student self-management. Students will respond to their ability to demonstrate what it means to be an engaged citizen (outlined below) at least three times throughout the school year.

As a result, we will see a favorable change in our staff and student survey data and a decrease in our office discipline referrals. 

Community Relations and Communication Goal Statement (CR/C)

By the end of the 2022-2023 school year, we will see an increase in positive parent responses around feedback and communication as measured by responses to the following statements on the KMSD Parent/Guardian Survey:

• Q 15: My child is recognized for good work and behavior at this school.
• Q 14: I regularly receive feedback from staff on how well my child is doing.

We’re excited to continue to share our work around these goals as well as the steps we’re taking to reach them.

NEW Newsletter Name: Cushing Chronicles

You might have noticed that our emessenger has a new name; the Cushing Chronicles. We thought the beginning of the year would be a great time to introduce our newsletters' new, catchy name. 

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. You may also receive a paper proof in the mail in the weeks after picture day.

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

Bus Riders

Making a return this year: Students may ride on other buses with parent approval. Please send notes or an email to your student’s teacher and Mrs. Mirek if your student will ride home on a friend’s bus. We need to give a special note to the bus driver so they know it’s approved.

Cushing Family Directory

Click HERE to fill in the contact information you’d like included in this year’s Cushing Family Directory. Our Family Directory (put together by our PTO) is a great resource for families to help with play date planning, car pools, and party invitations.

Please enter your information for EACH student every year, as the Directory is sorted by grade level and information is not carried over from previous years.

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.  

Faces of Cushing

Each week we will be highlighting a staff member so our families can get to know the faces of Cushing a bit better. We’re kicking off this new installment, Faces of Cushing,  by introducing you to Mrs. Jamie Mastrocola who is a new Cushing teammate.

If you see Mrs. Mastrocola around the building, please say “hi” and introduce yourself!

Suspicious Emails

We have seen an uptick in phishing attempts in the district.  Remember, KMSD/Cushing staff will only email you from our school email account; you can verify this by checking the end of the email address as it should always be @kmsd.edu.  We will not email messages from other platforms (gmail, yahoo etc) and will never email asking you for money.

Transportation Reminders

Bus

Dousman Transportation has communicated that routes 24 and 32 will be impacted by the highway 18 road construction; students on these routes may arrive earlier to school and depart later than the normal departure time. Be patient the first few weeks of school, as all buses will be running a bit late while all students get used to the new routine. 

Car Line

For those learners utilizing the Car Line, we're asking that you please refer to the map below for traffic flow information. Entrances are designated by last name. Designated pick up locations are:

• Last names A-M — west blacktop
• Last names N-Z — east blacktop
• 4K students — Genesee St doors

 A few carline reminders to consider:

• Visor tags have been distributed during Great Start Conferences.  You can also make your own - a sheet of paper with your LAST name in large letters.  
• Please display the visor tag at dismissal time to keep cars flowing smoothly.
• Please pull as far forward as possible when you line up.
• Parents should remain in the car pick-up line and patiently wait until a staff member directs your student to your vehicle. 
• Students should enter and exit the vehicle on the side that is closest to the building.  
• The more cooperation we have with the pick-up process, the smoother, quicker and safer the pick-up process will be.

Walkers/Bike Riders

Walkers/Bike Riders will meet up with a staff member in the library at dismissal. They will be safely escorted as a group to the bike rack and crosswalk.  Parents/Guardians who wish to walk/bike home with their student will wait for them at the bike rack.

All students who would like to walk or bike to/from school need to have a signed permission form on file in the office.  Click HERE for the form.

DECA’s Bash on the Grass: Friday, September 23

"The BASH is back"  This year DECA will be hosting the Bash on the Grass event on Friday September 23rd at KMHS, prior to the home football game against the Waukesha Wolverines.  This event has a great tradition and has been a huge hit with both elementary and middle school families. Click HERE for more information on this family-friendly event.

Cushing Family Directory

The Cushing Family Directory is offered by the PTO each year as a convenience to share contact information with other Cushing families. To participate in the 2022-23 Cushing Family Directory, you MUST complete a form for EACH of your children attending Cushing, as the KM District does NOT share your information with the PTO. Also, your information is not carried over from year to year.

To read more and to submit your information, please click: Cushing PTO Directory: 2022-23.

Spirit Wear 2022/2023

Cushing Parents! Below you will find a link to Cushing Spirit Wear for parents and students. You may order through the link or use the QR code found on the flyer your student will be bringing home.

Please try and visit the site, as the flyer does not show all color options and there are some fun ones!

The site is now open and will run through September 11th. 

Items will be delivered to Cushing within 4 weeks after the shop closes. 

https://cushing22.itemorder.com/

If you have any questions please let us know! 

Rebekah DeLuca and Nicole Deklotz

[email protected] or [email protected]

Box Top Collections

The school year has begun and Cushing’s Box Tops earnings can too!  No more clipping squares! Another year moving forward and all you need to do is download the App and take a picture of your receipts to submit. 

To get the App click on The App Store or Google Play

August PTO Meeting Summary

1. Discussion continued on how PTO can better communicate with you, additional volunteer needs and events with parents. The weekly Cushing Chronicles and the Cushing PTO website are great places to find information on all PTO related events, happenings and needs.
2. The plans for new fully accessible playground equipment at Cushing was discussed along with fundraising ideas to help cover the cost of the equipment.  At the September meeting, the board will vote on PTO's contribution and payment plan for the new playground equipment.  
3. Decathlon planning has started and information will be coming soon!  

KM Community Education provides recreational and educational opportunities for families. Please be sure to visit the website often for updates and new programs. For program information and registration forms, visit www.kmsd.edu/communityed.

Middle School Cross Country

Sign up is happening now! Join Coach Fritsch and Coach Page this fall after school on Mondays-Wednesdays September 12-October 13. There will be 4 meets available. Sign up today at https://kmsd.revtrak.net/rwcommunityeducation/

Kettle Moraine Boys Basketball Club Tryouts: Attention Boys entering 3-8 grade

Register NOW: https://kmbbc.sportngin.com/register/form/260382249

Tryout dates:

3rd/4th Grades: Wednesday September 7th (6:30pm-8pm HS east and middle gyms)

5th/6th grades: Thursday September 8th (7pm-8:30pm HS middle gym)

7th/8th grades: Wednesday September 14th (6:30pm-8pm HS east and middle gyms)

Please arrive 15 minutes early.

Boys Fall Volleyball: Grades 4-6

Any boys interested in playing fall volleyball grades 4-6 please see Link to pre-register.  Weekday practices with league play on the weekends.