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Kindergarten Enrollment Closes Monday, March 2
Kindergarten enrollment for Fall 2026 closes soon! Families should explore schools, make their top choices, and enroll. MPS has kindergarten for children who will turn 3, 4, or 5 by September 1.
Start your child's education journey and enroll today!
For more information and to enroll, visit our Kindergarten Enrollment page.
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Childcare on Early Release Days
A reminder that Wednesday, March 4, is an early release day!
MPS added several half-day and full-day professional development sessions for school staff this school year. To assist MPS families, Milwaukee Recreation will offer childcare at four hub locations throughout the city of Milwaukee on these dates:
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Half Day (12:00–5:00 p.m.): Mar. 4 and Apr. 15
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Full Day (7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.): Apr. 30
Check with your child’s school to learn about on-site childcare on these dates. If your school’s program will not be open, you may apply for care at four sites: Madison High School (8135 W. Florist Ave.); Hawley School (5610 W. Wisconsin Ave.); King Middle School (121 E. Hadley St.); and Wedgewood School (6506 W. Warnimont Ave.)
Transportation to the hub sites is not available. Visit mkerec.net/schoolcare to learn more and complete the online registration form.
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MCTS Spring Bus Service Changes
Starting March 8, the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) will roll out its spring service changes. All families are encouraged to review their student’s route to see if any updates apply.
- Some bus routes will be shortened
- Some routes will continue or begin detours due to construction
- A few routes will have schedule adjustments to improve reliability
These changes are likely to affect the following schools:
- Bradley Tech High School
- North Division High School
- Riverside University High School
- South Division High School
- Washington High School of Information Technology
Please check bus routes and travel time in advance and allow extra time when needed. For the most up-to-date information, visit RideMCTS.com/ServiceChanges.
Thank you for helping your student plan ahead and travel safely!
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Financial Literacy Workshop
MPS students, staff, and families are invited to a workshop to learn more about personal finances and money management.
Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 5:30–7:00 p.m.
Riverside University High School
1615 E. Locust St., Milwaukee, 53211
Topics include:
- How to develop and follow a budget
- How to build your credit score
- How to plan to buy a car or house
- How to watch for fraud
A light dinner will be served. Space is limited and participants must register in advance.
Register in English.
Register in Spanish.
For more information, contact Marti Diaz, Financial Literacy Teacher Mentor, at joneswmd@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.
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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.
Next session: Saturday, Feb. 28, 10–11:30 a.m., Pulaski High School
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Student Job Fair—Get Hired!
MPS high school juniors and seniors are invited to the MPS Student Job Fair!
Juniors: Attend on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Seniors: Attend on Wednesday, April 22, 2026.
Bus transportation is available to the UWM Student Union and back to school.
For more information, contact your school counselor or visit your school's College and Career Center.
Employers: Space is still available! The fair is free to attend. Parking is included.
Junior Job Fair: March 25, 9:15 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Space is limited! Senior Job Fair: April 22, 9:15 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Register for the junior fair, the senior fair, or both!
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Summer Academy—Register Now!
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 specialty 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 for all the details and to register.
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Fearless Dreamer Scholarship
by American Family Insurance & Milwaukee Brewers
The Fearless Dreamer Scholarship provides funding for five Milwaukee students who plan to enroll full-time in a two- or four-year accredited institution. Each scholarship is worth $2,500 a year and is renewable for up to four additional years, or until the recipient earns a degree, for a maximum of $12,500.
View the eligibility criteria and apply at the Fearless Dreamer Scholarship Program website.
Applications for 2026 scholarships will be accepted through March 31, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. CST. All applicants will be notified of scholarship recipients in June 2026.
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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.
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, Mar. 4, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Milwaukee Marshall High School, 4141 N. 64th St., Milwaukee, 53216
Wednesday, Mar. 11, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, 53208
Hiring substitute teachers, paraprofessionals, and children's health assistants
Read more about excellent benefits and open positions.
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Every Day Counts!
Help Is Available to Support Attendance
We want all our students to get to school safely every day so they can continue good attendance habits that started in fall.
If you need help motivating your child or getting students to school, contact the Parent Coordinator at your child's school. They can help you locate resources to make sure children are in school.
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 | | |
"I Voted Early" Sticker Art Designed
by MPS Students and Teacher
Here's a new reason to vote early in 2026 and 2027 elections—you'll get a special sticker with artwork by MPS students and an MPS art teacher. Last year, the City of Milwaukee Election Commission hosted a sticker design contest and the designs are now in production.
The contest invited entries from four age groups, and four stickers with winning designs will be available. Age ranges for the contest were kindergarten through grade 3, grades 4–7, grades 8–12, and adults.
Read more about the winners and learn about early voting.
| | In case you missed it . . . | | |
New Grant Will Support More School Psychologists
MPS has been awarded a $5 million, four-year federal grant to expand the district’s pipeline of school psychologists through partnerships with Alverno College and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The funding will pay for training, hands-on practicum placements, and internships of school psychology students.
Learn how this program will support MPS students.
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Seniors—Apply for College Scholarships!
MPS scholarship information is available to students in Xello and through the MPS Scholarship Google Folder. The folder includes event flyers, scholarship applications, presentations, and the 2025–26 MPS Scholarships & College and Career Opportunity list. All materials can be viewed online, downloaded, and printed at any time.
MPS high schools will host College Ca$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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
| | 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: March
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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 Strategic Planning and Budget: Thurs. Mar. 5, 5:30 p.m.
Committee on Family and Student Engagement: Tues. Mar. 10, 5:30 p.m.
Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation: Tues. Mar. 10, 6:00 p.m.
Committee on Legislation, Rules, and Policies: Tues. Mar. 17, 6:30 p.m.
Committee on Accountability, Finance, and Personnel: Tues. Mar. 24, 5:30 p.m.
Regular Monthly Board Meeting: Thurs. Mar. 26, 5:30 p.m.
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