Family Friday Nameplate 2024
Budget Meetings 2026

Attend a Community Meeting About the MPS Budget!


MPS is drafting its budget for the 2026–27 school year. The district will be making hard decisions to address funding gaps in the budget this year and next year.


Attend a meeting to learn more and share your thoughts! We welcome input from students, families, staff, and community members.


Learn more and find the meeting schedule at mpsmke.com/budget.

News and Updates

Summer Academy

Summer Academy Registration Opens

February 16



Summer Academy is for all students who want to have fun learning and start strong in fall!

The summer session runs July 6–30, 2026.

 

Grades K5–8 will strengthen skills and expand knowledge through hands-on activities and special programs.

Middle and high school students can catch up on credits or get ahead.

Specialty courses are available for grades 1–12 to explore interests such as music, art, crochet, sports, and sciences.


Visit mpsmke.com/summeracademy on February 16 for all the details and to register.

Kindergarten Fairs 2026

Kindergarten Enrollment Fair

Kindergarten enrollment for Fall 2026 is underway! MPS will host a second enrollment fair to help families explore programs, choose schools, and enroll students. Plan to attend!


Saturday, February 21, 2026

North Division High School

1011 W. Center St., Milwaukee, 53206

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.


For more information, visit our Kindergarten Enrollment page.

Winter Graduation 2026

Congratulations, Winter Graduates!

MPS celebrated about 100 winter graduates with an in-person ceremony on Friday, January 30. Families looked on as proud students walked the stage to receive their diplomas.


If you missed it, enjoy the livestreamed video of this important occasion using this YouTube link.


Help congratulate our newest high school graduates!

I Got You

MPS Reads

Each month, MPS provides a list of recommended books for preschool through grade 12 that allows students to see themselves, explore other cultures, and discover more about the world in which they live.

 

Help ignite a passion for reading! Access the monthly book list on the MPS Reads page.

Milwaukee SROs 2025

Learn About

School Resource Officers (SROs)

A number of MPS schools have a School Resource Officer on site. Students, families, and staff are invited to attend a meeting hosted by the Milwaukee Police Department to learn about the role of SROs, their current activities, and engagement with students.


Monday, February 23, 2026, 5:30 p.m.

Bay View High School

2751 S. Lenox St., Milwaukee, 53207

MPS Rights & Responsibilities

Parent/Student Handbook on Rights, Responsibilities, and Discipline

Are you looking for a good book to read during the cold winter weather?


This handbook is the best source of information for families to be informed about behavior and discipline, attendance, student records, transportation, winter weather, and family supports.


Read more about the MPS Code of Conduct at mpsmke.com/rights. The handbook is available in English, Arabic, Burmese, Hmong, Karen, Rohingya, Somali, Spanish, and Swahili.

Visit Our Career Fairs!

MPS seeks exceptional individuals to join our team! The district is hosting monthly fairs to help job seekers explore careers and learn more about working in MPS.

 

The district is looking for teachers, substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, food service managers, and more.

 

Each job fair seeks specific positions; contact our recruitment coordinators to find out what jobs will be offered by emailing mpscoordinators@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.


Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

MPS Central Services–5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, 53208

 

Wednesday, Mar. 4, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.

Milwaukee Marshall High School–4141 N. 64th St., Milwaukee, 53216

 

Read more about excellent benefits and open positions. 

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Seniors—Apply for College Scholarships!

MPS scholarship information is available to students in Xello and through the MPS Scholarship Google Folder. The folder includes event flyers, scholarship applications, presentations, and the 2025–26 MPS Scholarships & College and Career Opportunity list. All materials can be viewed online, downloaded, and printed at any time.


MPS high schools will host College Ca$h Workshops during the week of February 23–27, 2026. These workshops give students dedicated time and support to apply for scholarships.


Families are encouraged to visit the MPS Scholarships webpage for additional resources on college affordability and to connect with their student’s school counselor or College and Career Center advisor for one-on-one assistance.

MPS Students

Every Day Counts!

Help Is Available to Support Attendance

With the arrival of cold weather, we want all our students to get to school safely every day so they can continue good attendance habits that started in fall.


If your child needs mittens or other warm clothing for winter, contact the Parent Coordinator at your child's school. They can locate resources for the winter months.


Families: Remember that you can check attendance by logging in to the Campus Parent Portal at mpsmke.com/parentportal. If you need assistance with Campus Parent, scroll down in this newsletter for contact information.

District Weekly Highlight

Students in Reading Class

New Reading Materials and Instruction

Are a Hit with Students and Staff

A new reading curriculum is a big step forward for MPS in its goal to get all students reading at grade level. Teachers are seeing students becoming more engaged and excited about the world of words.


Learn more about how "Into Reading" uses digital tools and new techniques to help students become strong readers and learners.

In case you missed it . . .

Black History Month 2026

MPS Celebrates Black History Month

Black History Month is coming alive in Milwaukee Public Schools. Students and staff across the district are honoring the contributions of Black Americans who have helped build our country and promote peace and equality. 


Famous names such as Sojourner Truth, Jackie Robinson, Al Jarreau, and Michelle Obama will be woven into classroom activities this month. At all grade levels, teachers will be promoting educational activities that explore the heritage of Black Americans. 


Read more about this important observance.

Winter Warming Locations

Shelter is available for anyone who needs a warm place to stay during harsh winter weather. Find a current list of locations on the Milwaukee Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Seasonal Resources webpage.


Select shelters are open evenings and overnight from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

Warming Sites
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Weather Closing Information

Please be alert for school closings because of weather. The decision to close schools will be posted on the MPS website, MPS Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages, and on all major television stations.


Visit our Weather Information webpage for more information.

Winter Weather Assistance

Stay Safe During Winter Weather

Cold weather can turn dangerous very quickly. If you need winter clothing for your children, check with the parent coordinator at your child's school to find out if items are available.


The City of Milwaukee has tips and resources for staying safe and locating resources to combat cold weather. Visit the city's Cold Weather Safety Information page to find warming shelters, safety tips, winter parking regulations, and more.

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Milwaukee Direct Admit Application Is Open! 

MPS high school juniors: Apply to 11 Wisconsin colleges and universities in less than 5 minutes!

 

Milwaukee Direct Admit is a streamlined application that connects your MPS academic records directly to the schools of your choice. Fill out a simple form with your student information.

  • Apply to 10 University of Wisconsin campuses and MATC
  • Application is free
  • No attachments or transcripts are needed
  • No essay or letters of recommendation!

 

What happens next?

  • Accepted candidates will receive offers and will need to officially accept the offer of their choice and complete forms required by the school they select.
  • Students must graduate from high school in spring or summer of their senior year.
  • Start college in Fall 2027!

 

Learn more at mpsmke.com/directadmit!

Apply now!

 

Milwaukee Direct Admit is sponsored by M-Cubed — transforming the future of Milwaukee through education.

Need Money for College? Fill out the FAFSA!

The first step in finding money for college is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The application is now open for students who will start college in Fall 2026. Students who apply early might have more money available to them because some funding is limited.


This application is free and will reveal what loans and grants might be available to students. Read more about FAFSA. Help is available to students through MPS College and Career Centers.

Where's the Bus?

Download the App!

Student safety is a top priority in MPS. District families have access to an exciting app to help track their child’s bus—WheresTheBus! This app allows families to track their child’s bus in real time. 

 

The app is free! Families can access WheresTheBus from any internet-enabled device—smartphone, tablet, PC, or iPad. Apple iOS and Android apps are available. 

 

To access WheresTheBus, families must have a Campus Parent (parent portal) account with a login and password. These can be set up two ways: 

  • At each child’s school during regular school hours; an ID is required; OR
  • At MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53208, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; an ID is required

 

Learn more and read how to access the app on the MPS website at WheresTheBus.

Text Message Graphic 2024

Sign up for Text Messages


Get important district and school messages sent to your phone!


Opt in by texting Y to 67587. This can be done for any mobile phone. For questions or assistance, please contact the Department of Communications and Marketing at comm@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

Stay Connected!

MPS offers tools to help families find the information and support they need. Log in to the Campus Parent portal and follow us on social media. The parent coordinator at your child's school also can assist.

Campus Parent Portal Technical Support

Live Campus Parent support is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To recover a username/password: Parents or guardians should email parentportal@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. Include the parent or guardian name, child’s name, birth date, and a contact number. If you do not receive a phone call or email within 24 hours, please call (414) 475-8159 for further assistance.

For assistance setting up a new Campus Parent account: Parents or guardians may call (414) 475-8159 or email parentportal@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

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Milwaukee Board of School Directors

Upcoming Meetings: February & March

If you'd like to follow the meetings of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, visit the Milwaukee Board of School Directors page to find the meeting schedule, agendas, and links to watch or listen to live meetings. Instructions for public testimony are also offered on this page.

Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel: Tues. Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m.

Committee on Legislation, Rules, and Policies: Tues. Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m.

Regular Monthly Board Meeting: Thurs. Feb. 26, 5:30 p.m.

Committee on Family and Student Engagement: Tues. Mar. 10, 5:30 p.m.

Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation: Thurs. Mar. 12, 5:30 p.m.