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Bilingual Program Enrollment Fair
Join us to learn about MPS schools that offer a full bilingual program! Our students learn English and Spanish together to be successful in both languages.
Meet school staff and hear about the exciting opportunities in MPS! Fill out your child's application for Fall 2026.
Saturday, May 30, 2026
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Longfellow School Gymnasium
2110 W. Scott St., Milwaukee, 53204
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Wisconsin's Five Largest School Districts Urge State Increase Toward Special Education
Superintendents from Wisconsin’s five largest school districts called for the Legislature and Governor Tony Evers to return to the table to address special education funding after a bipartisan plan to do so failed.
"We urge the Governor and the Legislature to return to the table to address the continued underfunding of special education. Failure to approve a bipartisan plan will result in real harm, not just for students with disabilities, but for all public school students statewide,” the superintendents said in a letter issued Thursday, May 14.
The letter is signed by Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, EdD; Green Bay Area Public School District Superintendent Vicki Bayer; Racine Unified School District Superintendent Soren Gajewski; Madison Metropolitan School District Superintendent Joe Gothard, EdD; and Kenosha Unified School District Superintendent Jeff Weiss, EdD.
Read more about what this means for public education.
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Summer Academy—Register Now!
With only about four weeks of school left, it's time to register for Summer Academy!
Summer Academy is for all students who want to have fun learning and start strong in fall The 2026 summer session runs July 6–30. Summer Academy is recommended for all students, especially those who want to strengthen reading skills.
K5–grade 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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Summer Childcare
Looking for affordable summer fun? Milwaukee Recreation has safe, supervised programs at Camps, CLCs, and Safe Places throughout the city beginning June 22!
The full-day summer sessions include free meals and a wide range of engaging activities, both indoors and out. Your kids will make new friends and stay active with sports, music, art, games, and weekly field trips!
More than 70 locations are available this summer for children through high school age. Visit mkerec.net/summer to learn more. Give your kids a summer to remember with Milwaukee Recreation!
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Lead-Screening Clinics
for Milwaukee Community
MPS will host lead-screening clinics for its students and children in the community. Appointments are not needed for the screenings.
Lead screening is done through a finger prick. A health care provider collects a few drops of blood to be used for the test. Test results will be ready in minutes and shared with families.
The screening will show whether children have elevated levels of lead in their bloodstream. These tests indicate whether a child’s lead exposure falls within acceptable ranges or whether further monitoring or treatment is needed.
MacDowell Montessori School, 6415 W. Mount Vernon Ave.
Tuesday, May 19, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Riley Dual Language Montessori School, 2424 S. 4th St.
Tuesday, June 2, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
A parent or guardian must provide consent for children to be tested. Consent forms for the community will be available at the clinics.
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Save the Date and Get Ready!
Run Back to School
August 22, 2026
Get ready to lace up your running shoes! Sign up for your spot today in the 19th annual Run Back to School 5K race/1.5-mile walk.
All students, families, school staff, and community members are invited to join us as we start the 2026–27 school year strong! Enjoy activities before and after the event, including family-friendly games, the school mascot race, and a live DJ.
Visit mkerec.net/RBTS to support your school community and register today!
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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.
MPS high school seniors: Remember that the FAFSA is a graduation requirement. Please complete your FAFSA no later than one month before graduation to ensure that your school records are updated correctly. Families who cannot complete the FAFSA may request a waiver.
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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Milwaukee Summer Jobs
Check out these opportunities for summer jobs!
Milwaukee Recreation is hiring full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions such as instructors, leaders, field attendants, coaches, umpires, and referees who support programming at school and community locations throughout the city of Milwaukee. View current job openings with Milwaukee Recreation.
Milwaukee County Parks hires seasonal employees with many different skill sets to serve the community. Visit the Milwaukee County Parks website to find positions that offer training and work experience in your area of interest.
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MPS Is Hiring!
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.
Classroom Support Staff: Wednesday, May 27, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, 53208
Positions to be announced: Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, 53208
Positions to be announced: Wednesday, August 5, 2026, from 5:00–7:00 p.m.
MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, 53208
Read more about excellent benefits and open positions.
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Every Day Counts!
Finish the School Year Strong
The end of the school year is approaching fast!
Be sure to maintain good habits, get to school on time, and complete all school work to end the year strong.
If your family needs support to get to school on time every day, talk to the school counselor or parent coordinator at your child’s school. Help is available!
Families: Remember that you can check attendance by logging in to the Campus Parent Portal at mpsmke.com/parentportal. If you need assistance, scroll down in this newsletter for contact information.
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Townsend Welcomes Secret Service Who Are Former Students
On Friday, May 8, Townsend Principal Ray Perine welcomed Peter Vogl and Andrew McArtor—both students in the 1980s—to their former school so they could tell students about their exciting career paths. Both men work for the Secret Service, and their careers have allowed them to meet presidents and other dignitaries and travel to more than 20 countries along the way. The agents offered advice to students about pursuing a career in the Secret Service and other pathways.
Read more about the agents' exciting career paths that included the White House!
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MPS Student Job Fairs
Offer Career Pathways
In March and April, MPS juniors and seniors took a leap forward on their career pathways by attending MPS Student Job Fairs hosted at UWM. About 1,000 teens and 120 employers connected during the two events, where students learned about careers in healthcare, emergency response, trades, hospitality, and more. They also had options to apply for part-time and summer work including festivals, restaurants, recreation, lifeguarding, and landscaping. Employers are now in the process of hiring our students.
Read more about ways that our job fairs help build career pathways.
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MPS Releases Preliminary Budget Totaling $1.6 Billion
Milwaukee Public Schools has released the 2026–27 proposed budget totaling $1.6 billion. The superintendent’s proposal will bring more resources to students and classrooms.
View the entire budget and learn more about the budget process on the MPS website's 2026–27 Proposed Budget page.
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Summer Academy Music Programs
Does your child enjoy music and want to develop their talent? Enroll in summer music classes!
Monday through Friday, July 6–30, 2026
Elementary music for grades 1–5 is offered at Elm Creative Arts School.
Band, choir, guitar, piano, strings, and musical theater are offered for grades 6–12 at North Division High School. Some classes require experience.
Classes are free for city of Milwaukee residents.
Families provide transportation.
Download a flyer for more information.
Register at mpsmke.com/summeracademy
Registration is open through June 1, 2026
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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.
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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Direct Admit Applications Are Open!
MPS high school juniors: Apply to 12 Wisconsin colleges and universities in less than 10 minutes!
Apply now! Deadline is June 1, 2026.
Direct Admit is a set of streamlined applications that connect 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, MATC, and/or Alverno College
- 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!
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Milwaukee Health Department
Vaccine Clinics
Free immunizations are available for children who are uninsured or have Medicaid or BadgerCare. Friday morning visits are now offered from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. by appointment at the Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd., Milwaukee, 53218.
Walk-in immunizations are also offered at the Keenan Health Center and the Southside Health Center. Find all locations and the complete schedule at milwaukee.gov/VaxClinics.
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Sign up for the Campus Parent Portal
The Campus Parent Portal gives parents/guardians access to student information 24 hours a day. By logging in on a computer or in the app, a family member can:
- Check daily attendance
- View report cards
- See messages from teachers and school staff
- Communicate directly with a student’s teacher
- Be better informed about a student’s progress or needs
- Stay up to date about events in schools
Sign up for your Campus Parent Portal account! To receive a login and password, visit your child's school or MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St. A photo ID is required.
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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.
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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: May & June
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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 & Budget: Tues. May 19, 5:30 p.m.
Committee on Finance and Operations: Thurs. May 21, 5:30 p.m.
Committee on Strategic Planning & Budget: Tues. May 26, 5:30 p.m.
Regular Monthly Board Meeting: Thurs. May 28, 5:30 p.m.
Committee on Student Achievement: Tues. June 9, 5:30 p.m.
Committee on Finance and Operations: Tues. June 16, 5:30 p.m.
Regular Monthly Board Meeting: Thurs. June 25, 5:30 p.m.
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