Sennett Signal
The Family Newsletter for Ray F. Sennett Middle School

August Edition 2023

Contact Information


Dr. Jeffrey Copeland - Principal

Jbcopeland@madison.k12.wi.us


Jessica Fleischmann, Asst. Principal

jlfleischmann@madison.k12.wi.us


Sennett's website 

Sennett Main Office


Hours: Mon - Friday

8:15am-4:30pm


608-204-1920

sennett@madison.k12.wi.us




2023/2024 School Year Calendar



Hello Sennett Stars,


I hope you've had a fantastic summer filled with exciting adventures and wonderful memories.


The time has come to tuck your cell phones away (cell phones distract learning), dust off your backpacks,

sharpen your pencils, charge your laptops (although, there will be limited use of technology during the

first month back) and get ready for an incredible school 2023-24 year at Sennett Middle School!


As you enter the halls of Sennett, please note that you are a part of a vibrant community of learners, dreamers, and achievers. Each one of you brings something special to our school, and together, we create an environment where everyone can thrive.


This year, we have so much in store for you. A new ELA and Biliteracy curricula, new tech lab, new friends to meet, and new opportunities and challenges awaiting you around every corner. We have a new Assistant Principal and new staff to enhance our instructional program coupled with our current dedicated

teachers to assist you in reaching the apex of your academic, social, and personal ambition.


Together we will make this year unforgettable! Embrace challenges with a positive attitude, ask questions to fuel your curiosity, and collaborate with your peers to create a strong and inclusive Sennett family.


Don't forget to cherish the small moments, from lunchtime and recess laughter to discovering a new favorite book in the library. As you set your goals for the year ahead, remember that growth takes effort, perseverance, and a willingness to learn from both successes and setbacks.


So, here's to a fantastic school year filled with exploration, growth, and success. Sennett Middle School is more than just a place; it's a community of learners who support, inspire, and uplift one another.


Get ready to shine, Sennett Stars! Together, we'll make this school year the best one yet.


See you in the classroom, hallways, cafeteria, and recess!


Educationally yours,


Dr. Jeffrey B Copeland

Principal, Sennett Middle School

Welcome From Our New Assistant Principal Jessica Fleischmann


Hello Dear Sennett Star Community, 


I would like to take this opportunity to formally introduce myself. I am Jessica Fleischmann and I am extremely honored to be the new Assistant Principal at Sennett Middle School. I spent my entire life growing up on the northside of Madison WI. I attended Mendota Elementary, Sherman Middle and East High School. Later, I graduated from Madison College with my Associates in Liberal Studies, UW- Madison with a bachelors, and Edgewood College with a Masters. Over the course of my journey, I have worked as a teacher, committee leader, instructional coach, and most recently assistant principal. However, my proudest accomplishments are my two girls (6) and (7).


As an educational leader, I strongly believe in establishing a caring, cohesive and scholar-centered learning environment with paired high expectations and strong positive relationships. The priority for our Stars will be to foster relationships that support academic and social growth. I am excited to get to know our students, love them, and learn from them. I am eager to get to know my staff and parents as we continue our commitment to educational excellence. 


My priorities as a leader are to focus on: 

1. Helping to establish systems and procedures 

2. Support academic press of scholars and educators

3. Build long lasting relationships through love, respect, care and high expectations


I am excited about joining this community and partnering with you in ensuring success for this school year and for many more years to come. 

Additional New Staff to Sennett


Benjamin Balgord - Tech teacher
Jordan Carlson - PE teacher
Amanda Jamae - Advanced Learning
Nicollette Torres - 8th grade SCI DLI
Jesus Cortez - 6 & 7 Special Ed

   Camari Williams - SEA


kids_welcome.jpg

Upcoming Important Dates & Information

 

August 3: Online Enrollment Begins - For more information, visit this link

All families MUST enroll their student/s.

Please be sure to do this as soon as you can! Additional Information can be found below

 

August 18: MS Enrollment Days with Support

10:00am - 1:00pm and 2:00pm-6:00pm

 

August 21: Student schedules and bus routes available in Infinite Campus


SAVE THE DATE August 30: Sennett Middle School Back to School Night (4:30-6:30pm)

Location: Sennett Middle (Gym, Cafeteria and Front Lawn)

Students will receive their class schedule at this event and families will have a chance to meet Staff. 

 

September 1: First Day of School for 6th Graders - regular full day

  

September 4: No School - Labor Day


September 5: First Day of School for 7th and 8th Graders - regular full day


September 26 - Picture Day

 

Sennett Start & Dismissal Times - NEW THIS YEAR

 

Students first class begins at 8:40am (students should not arrive/be dropped off before 8:20am)

Dismissal is at 2:30pm on Mondays and 4:10pm Tu-Fri (all students should be off school grounds by 4:30pm Tu-Fri and 3:00pm on Mondays unless in a school-sponsored, supervised activity). Full Daily Schedules are listed below


Bus Transportation - NEW THIS YEAR - Transportation will be provided by First Student Yellow Bus Service. Specific bus routes will be available in Infinite Campus on 8/21/23. Additional Information on transportation below.



MSCR After-School Programming

More information about sports, clubs, schedules, and more will be shared with students and families as we get closer to the start of the year.

 

Monthly Sennett Family Newsletter

Please watch your email to receive the Sennett Family Newsletter each month. We utilize this family newsletter to share important information, celebrations, and noticings regarding your students' Sennett Middle School experience.

 

Sennett Social Media

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram. We will utilize both platforms this year to highlight events happening in our community and share important information. 

 

MMSD Behavior Education Plan

The Behavior Education Plan is driven by the word “education”, and at its core is a teaching and learning plan designed to support every student in their social, emotional, and academic development. The Middle School MMSD Behavior Education Plan can be found here. Families new to the middle school level, please note the behaviors and responses are different at middle school compared to elementary. Please be sure to support your students in meeting our expectations for a safe and supportive school environment daily.

 

Cell Phones

Instruction time is valuable for every child, and we want to ensure our students do not have cell phone distractions impeding their learning. Cell phones will not be allowed out in classrooms and hallways. When students arrive at school they should turn them off and put them in a safe place until dismissal. Families, we need your help in reinforcing our school cell phone expectations! Please talk to your student early about cell phone expectations at school.

 

Lockers

Students will have a locker assigned to them at the beginning of this school year. Most students will have their own locker with just a few 6th graders needing to share. Sennett is not responsible for any lost or stolen belongings.

 

School Supplies

The most important item for a student to bring to school every day is a fully charged Chromebook and a binder. This year students will be charged fees for damaged and lost Chromebooks. Students are responsible for the care of their device at all times. Our school supply list can be found here. Sennett has extra supplies for any student in need and we are always looking for donations. 

 

Online Enrollment for the 2023-24 school year is NOW OPEN


 

Just a friendly reminder that online enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year is now open.

 

If you have not done so already, please log on to https://www.madison.k12.wi.us/registration-enrollment to complete the enrollment process. 

The online enrollment application is designed to allow new and existing families to complete the online enrollment application virtually and 100% online.

 

Here are links to helpful resources for online enrollment.

·        Online Enrollment How To 

·        Password Retrieval 

·        Free/Reduced Lunch Application Food & Nutrition Website

 

If you need help completing the online enrollment process or have questions regarding the online enrollment process please feel free to contact Sennett Middle School

sennett@madison.k12.wi.us, 608-204-1920

or

The MMSD Enrollment Office at 608-663-4957 or enrollment@madison.k12.wi.us

 

Student Schedules will be available in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal after 8/21/23 or at the Sennett Back To School Night on 8/30/23.



Fee Payment Information


To get started with online fee payment click on the button below to visit the fee payment website. If you are having trouble using the system please check out the additional resources at the bottom of fee payment website page.


Fee Payment Website




Free & Reduced Meal Program


What is the Free & Reduced Meal Program?

The National School Lunch/Breakfast Program is a federally subsidized program that is designed to help eligible children receive complete, nutritious meals at reduced or no cost. Families that qualify for free or reduced priced meals can confidentially participate in both the USDA Lunch and Breakfast Programs at their schools. Each school year, a new application needs to be filled out and only 1 application per family is necessary.


New Food And Nutrition, Free and Reduced Meals System

MMSD is using the service School Café to connect families to MMSD School Nutrition. Creating an account is quick and easy and will offer access to school menus, account balance, payment options, and the ability to apply and see the status of your free and reduced lunch application.


  • Create your account on School Café. You will need your students school ID number to create an account. Please reach out to you school for this information if you are unable to locate it.


  • Log back in to your School Café account


  • Click the Free and Reduced Lunch application link in your School Café account 


REGISTER NOW

Please visit the MMSD Food and Nutrition Website for additional information and instructions


MMSD Food & Nutrition Website




New Sennett Middle School Start/End Times and Daily Schedule



  • Start: 8:40 AM
  • Monday Early Release Dismissal: 2:30 PM
  • Tuesday - Friday Dismissal: 4:10 PM


Bus Transportation Information



NEW FOR SENNETT - Students will be transported to and from school by First Student Inc. Yellow Bus Service.


Students in 6th-8th grade who live in the Sennett Middle School attendance area are eligible for District-provided, yellow bus transportation if their address of residence is located more than one and one-half (1.5) miles from Sennett Middle School.


*Your Student's specific bus route will be posted in their Infinite Campus account on August 21, 2023


View instructions on how to check your child's bus route in Infinite Campus.


Below is a link to the general Sennett Bus Routes


2023-2024 Sennett Bus Routes


Yellow Bus Behavior

The District’s Student Conduct and Discipline Plan applies to regular, yellow bus transportation. Consequently, behavioral expectations for students are the same on the yellow bus as they are in school. If a student engages in misconduct while on a yellow bus, the bus driver is required to report the misconduct to the school principal or his/her designee within 24 hours of the incident. The principal may discipline a student for his/her misconduct in accordance with the Student Conduct and Discipline Plan up to and including suspension and/or an expulsion recommendation. The building principal may also revoke a student’s riding privileges.  See Board Policy 4213.


Please contact the Sennett Middle School Main Office with any questions 608-204-1920 or sennett@madison.k12.wi.us



Sennett Picture Day - Tuesday, 9/26/23

 

Mark Your Calendar: Lifetouch will be at Sennett on Tuesday, 9/26 for Picture Day.

 

Flyers and additional information will be sent home via your student the first week of school.


Sennett Spirit Wear Store


You may order Sennett Spirit Wear to show your Sennett pride at https://www.sennettspiritwear.com/.The items in this store will be available all school year and we will announce promotions on items every couple of months! 




New Online Work Permit Application



The Department of Workforce Development has implemented a NEW online Work Permit Application.

If your student is in need of a work permit everything can be done online. Payment is made directly to the department through the application, using a credit or debit card or by ACH direct withdrawal. Once the permit application process is complete, the Department mails a paper copy of the permit directly to the employer.


Please follow the instructions linked below. 


Online Work Permit Instructions 


Any questions can be directed to workpermits@dwd.wisconsin.gov.


Attendance Reminders

Parents/Guardians - please remember if your student is going to be absent for any reason, please call the Sennett Middle School Attendance line 608-204-4020 or submit the absence via the website below.
Thank you for your help in this important step.




Attendance and attendance protocols (appointments, pre approved absence, etc.): Please visit District Attendance Website







9am-4pm

All haircuts are first come first serve


***This is not a MMSD school sponsored event




Do you need an ASL Interpreter??

"ASL Interpreters are available for all school activities. Please contact eareagan@madison.k12.wi.us to request ASL interpreting services."
Thank you
Sennett Middle School
502 Pflaum Rd
Madison, WI 53716
608-204-1920 | sennett.madison.k12.wi.us
Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest