9.23.22

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

Mon, 3 - Homecoming Spirit Week: Mismatched Sock Day

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

Wed, 5 - Cushing Decathlon - Rain Date

Wed, 5 - Homecoming Spirit Week: Comfy Cozy Day

Thurs, 6 - Homecoming Spirit Week: Class Colors Day

Fri, 7 - Homecoming Spirit Week: KM/Cushing Spirit Day

Fri, 7 - Movie Night, 5-7

Tues, 11 - Picture Retakes, morning

Thurs, 27 - Book Fair Begins

Mon, 31 - Fall Spirit Day

Earlier this month I shared details around our school goals for the 2022-23 school year.  Next Tuesday (September 27), we will be hosting an Open House and starting in October, we will be working to organize a Cushing Family Advisory Council. Both the Open House and Advisory Council are action steps that we’re taking towards our Community Relations and Communication Goal.

I will facilitate the Cushing Family Advisory with occasional attendance/facilitation from our Director of Elementary Education, Laura Dahm, while including a diverse, collective group of Cushing parents.

As you know, The Kettle Moraine School District is dedicated to a vision of "Learning without Boundaries" with a mission defining student achievement as including Academic Excellence, along with Citizenship and Personal Development. Our approach to reaching all learners is through student-centered personalized learning. The Advisory focus is around a variety of items around learning and life at Cushing Elementary School, not to address other political or controversial issues in education today. 

As an Advisory, we will spend our first meeting creating advisory norms, a purpose, a vision, and goals for the school year. If you are interested in participating as a member of the Cushing Family Advisory, please complete this registration form. The Advisory will be limited to no more than 12 members.

• Please note that if you are already contributing as an active Cushing PTO Board Member, I ask that you do not participate in the Advisory. We value the voice you share and are grateful for your commitment in that role. We are inviting additional parents to have a voice through this Advisory. Please know that part of my principal update at PTO meetings will be sharing what our Advisory discusses and I will seek your input about those discussions at the PTO meetings, bringing back your feedback to the Advisory.

The linked registration form will close on Tuesday, October 4th, 2022, so I can start organizing our meeting dates and our first meeting in October.

Veterans Day Program

Veterans Day is a time we remember and honor the men and women of our armed services.  The staff and students at Cushing would like to honor current and past service members for Veterans Day.  If you or a family member is/was a member of any service branch and would like to send in a picture AND/OR participate in a Veterans Day event at Cushing on 11/10, please complete this survey.  

Note: Third grade students will be singing at this event, but veterans of all grade level students are welcome to attend. Photos of veterans are encouraged even if they can't attend!

When: Thursday, November 10th at 9:00 AM

Where: Cushing Elementary Gym

Who is invited to attend: All third grade parents (no matter if they are a veteran) and veterans of Cushing students (any grade level).

Please submit one entry for every veteran that will attend. This form is a place to give pictures (for veteran attendees or ones that can't come) AND a form to sign up to attend.

Order School Pictures

Empire Photography has sent emails to order school pictures if your student had their picture taken during Great Start Conferences. If you haven't received an email or if you have any questions, please email Empire Photography at [email protected].

Blessings in a Backpack

Blessings in a Backpack (BIAB) distributes snack packs to local schools, like Cushing Elementary, to ensure that children who are facing hunger have the food they need on the weekends. 

If you do not need the snack pack from BIAB or would prefer it goes to another family, please email Mrs. Mirek ([email protected]) or turn in the Opt Out Letter you received with your child’s first package of food.

If you wish for your learner(s) to participate in the program, you do not need to do anything.

Kettle Moraine Middle School: Family Advisory Council

Kettle Moraine Middle School is continuing with a Family Advisory Council. The purpose of this group is to provide input and feedback on a variety of issues around learning and life at KMMS. We are entering "Year 2" of the Family Advisory Council and have 12 returning members from our first year. Our goal is to add a few more representatives from our current 6th grade families as well as a few 4th and 5th grade families. The group will have people representing multiple grade levels, environments, and perspectives. 

If you are interested in joining the KMMS Family Advisory Council, please complete this short form: KMMS FAC Form. Thank you for considering!

Homecoming Week: October 3-7

We’ve got spirit...yes, we do! We’ve got spirit...how ‘bout you? October 7th is KM’s Homecoming. Cushing will be getting into the Homecoming spirit ALL WEEK!

Monday, October 3 = Mismatched Sock Day

The less coordinated your socks are - the better.

Tuesday, October 4 = Decathlon Day 

Wear your Decathlon t-shirt.

Wednesday, October 5 = Comfy Cozy Day

Wear your comfiest, coziest clothes.

Thursday, October 6 = Class Colors Day

Dress in your grade’s color and let’s see what grade has the most spirit!

4K = Red

5K = Orange

1st = Yellow

2nd = Green

3rd = Blue

4th = Purple

5th = Black

Friday, October 7 = KM/Cushing Spirit Day

Show your Kettle Moraine/Cushing Pride by wearing your KM/Cushing gear! Play a sport for KM? Wear YOUR team jersey! Don’t have any spirit wear? That’s ok! You can wear Navy and Gold instead!

Faces of Cushing

Meet Mrs. Mokros! One of our 1st Grade teachers.

Fall Spirit Day - Monday, October 31

Students can wear orange and black on this day and will participate in a buddy class activity sometime that week.  Costumes are discouraged for safety reasons.

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

DECA's "BASH on the Grass" is TONIGHT.  Come and join us for an amazing event that will take place prior to the home football game.  We will have a Stunt Jump,  Rock Climbing Wall, Adrenaline Rush Obstacle Course and the Ball Balance Challenge... Just to name a few...  There will be plenty of food and snacks available as 3 separate food trucks will be on the grounds to serve you.  This year, we will have a street magician who will be working the crowd.  Cost is only $15.00 and includes all activities.  The event runs from 3:30 until 7:00 pm.  Fun for the whole Family... Click HERE for more information on this family-friendly event.

Movie Night - Friday, October 7

Decathlon

Cushing's tenth annual Decathlon will be held on Tuesday, October 4th 2022 (rain date: Oct 5th) at St. John's Military Academy.

The Decathlon challenges students to tackle 10 fun events and raise funds through pledges for their efforts. Some of the events include: bowling, hula hoop, and relay races, to name a few. 4K will have a special course of their own!

The Decathlon will be held during the school day and parents will help volunteer to make the event a success!

ALL students will be receiving a Decathlon T-Shirt!

ALL donations are used to support Cushing Staff, teachers, and classrooms.

Donate Online: Go to www.kmsd.edu/cushingdecathlon and give today.

Gold Level Sponsors ($1000)

Bartelt Remodeling, Rob Miller Homes, Digitek Digital, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Silver Level Sponsors ($500)

Delafield Family Dental, Deluca & Hartman Inc., Kreitzer Family, Prymas Family, Blau Sudden Service

Bronze Level Sponsors ($250)

Carter Family, Thakur Family, Zajicek Family, Merry Maids of Waukesha, Lieber Family, Cars.com, Lake Country Listings, Jim’s Auto Body of Jackson 

Family Sponsors ($150)

Winchell Family, Coakley Family, Friemoth Family, Beres Family, Schoene Family, Mueller Family, Lephardt Family, Johnson Family, Hansen Family, Miller Family, Stanevich Family, Hollman Family, Beres Grandparents

A huge thank you to ALL that have donated!

Would You Like To Spectate At The Decathlon?

While the Decathlon is a day for our Cushing Stars, spectators are welcome to watch our students in action. Please know that ALL SPECTATORS are required to have a Volunteer Application on file with Cushing BEFORE the day of the Decathlon. Applications need to be filled out EVERY SCHOOL YEAR. You may obtain an application from Mrs. Mirek at the Front Office or on the KM Website: www.kmsd.edu > Family Resources > Forms > Volunteer Applications. Completed forms can be turned in to Mrs. Mirek either in-person or email her at [email protected]. 

Once you arrive at the Decathlon, please check in with the front gate security. Once checked in, you may enjoy all of the events from outside of the fenced Track and Field area.

Decathlon Volunteers Needed

Attention all parents, grandparents and caregivers - Our 10th Annual Cushing Elementary Decathlon is a few short weeks away. We need your help to make this day a success for our CUSHING STARS! Please bring your energy and enthusiasm on October 4, 2022 (rain date: October 5) to St. John's Track and Field and help us make it a great day for all! Details are in the Signup Genius. Please feel free to email Jen Szerenyi with any questions: [email protected]

Kindergarten-5th grade sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BA5A62EAAFE3-decathlon1

4K Sign Up:

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

Box Tops

Box Tops makes a big difference for schools in need — and this week, it's your chance to make an even bigger impact. Now through 9/25, buy participating products and earn DOUBLE Box Tops with your receipt scans!*

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

Earn for Cushing

Cushing Family Directory

We are still waiting for more families to submit their contact information for our Cushing Family Directory. If you’ve been putting it off, now is the time to click HERE and do it. :) The directory is used by many families to reach out about play dates, birthday invitations, carpools, etc.  

Fun Fact: The sooner more families enter their information, the sooner it will be available. 

PTO Summary

Meet Your PTO

Upcoming PTO Meeting Dates

If you would like to join a meeting please email [email protected]

October 7, 2022

November 11, 2022

December 2, 2022

January 13, 2023

February 3, 2023

March 3, 2023

April 14, 2023

May 12, 2023

June 2, 2023

Check out the PTO’s website. You can also find us on Facebook.

September PTO Meeting Summary

• New playground equipment is coming to Cushing!  The contribution from PTO will be $10,000/year not to exceed 7 years was approved.  

• 2022-2023 PTO budget reviewed and approved with the addition of the playground equipment.

• Teachers requests for classroom items reviewed and some approved. 

• Reviewed and updated committee head volunteers for the 2022-2023 school year. Many ways to get involved this coming year.  If interested, Email: [email protected] to get on the volunteer list and be notified of volunteer needs throughout the year. 

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.

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 at 6:30. Sign up today at www.kmsd.edu/communityed

LYBA Basketball

Online registration is now open for recreational basketball at KM for boys and girls grades 3-8 at KM Middle School. Season begins in December and concludes in February. Grades 3-8 will practice one night per week with Saturday games and will be followed by a season ending tournament.

Grades 1-2 will meet on Saturday mornings.Our emphasis will be on knowledge and execution of basketball skills, rules, sportsmanship, fair play and attitude. Practices and games will be held Saturday mornings for 90 minutes. Eight foot baskets will be used. 

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

DECA Bash on the Grass

DECA's Bash on the Grass is Back! This Friday on Sept. 23rd prior to the home football game, the "BASH" will take place on the practice fields directly west of the tennis courts. We will have Rock Climbing, Stunt Jumping, the Bunjee Trampoline Bounce, Adrenaline Rush Obstacle Course are just a few of the many attractions available. A Street Magician will be on the Grounds working the crowd and 3 food truck options (Flourgirl Pizza Truck, Mr. P's Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Mama D's and Inclusion Coffee) will be available for your enjoyment. For only $15.00 you have unlimited access to all attractions as "The BASH" will run from 3:30 until 7:00 pm. Tickets will be available onsite at this year's event. A portion of the ticket sales will benefit the "Make A Wish" Foundation. As always.... Parents Get in for FREE. 

Kettle Moraine Lasers Fastpitch U8