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

November 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

8:30am-4:45pm


608-204-1920

sennett@madison.k12.wi.us




2023/2024 School Year Calendar




Important Dates


11/6 - Beginning of Q2. New Bell Schedule starts


11/10 - Q1 Report Cards available in Infinite Campus


11/15 - Middle School Evening Conferences 4:50pm-8:30pm


11/17 - NO SCHOOL All Day Middle School Parent/Teacher Conferences


11/22-11/24 - NO SCHOOL

Fall Break


12/1 - Q2 Progress Grades available in Infinite Campus


12/6 - December PTO meetingm 6PM


To Sennett Parents and Teachers:


I am thrilled to provide the most recent information and updates from Sennett #1 as we enter November.


This month is jam-packed with chances for development, education, and community involvement.


Here are a few of the changes and opportunities for this second quarter.


  • New Bell Schedule
  • Students Lead 15-minute Parent Conferences with two opportunities to attend (Student must also attend).


Advisory Teachers will contact you for scheduled conference time.


  • Nov 15, Wednesday at 4:50pm - 8:30pm
  • November 17, Friday at 8:00am - 4:00pm


We invite you to attend the Student Lead Parent Conferences so you can visualize and comprehend your child's development and academic success.


We have a food drive ending November 6th. This Thanksgiving, please consider gifting non-perishable food items to local families in need to help us make a difference.


Lastly, we encourage our parents to come out and enjoy a scrumptious Thanksgiving Lunch with your child (the cost of your lunch will be determined by the MMSD nutrition department) on November 21 during their lunch period (no additional children permitted due to liability). Let’s bring in the holiday season with joy, peace, and harmony.


Educationally yours,

Dr. Jeffrey Copeland

Principal, Sennett Middle School


Sennett PTO information


  • The Craft Fair is coming up soon! - Saturday, November 18th, 9am-3pm. The PTO is busy getting ready for the craft fair and we are looking for help! There are a few ways you can get involved with this event. First, help us by spreading the word in any groups you belong to (neighborhoods, clubs, church groups, etc), or telling anyone you know who loves crafts! There is a Facebook event that anyone can share, or just tell them the date! Second, come to the craft fair, and bring your family, friends and neighbors! There will be over 50 booths with all different types of crafters from the area, so it is a great opportunity for a fun day of shopping. Finally, help us staff the concession stand! We are looking for volunteers to help out at the event. See the Signup Genius to sign up: Craft Fair Concession Stand Sign Up . The craft fair is our biggest fundraiser of the year, so we really appreciate everyone's help to make it a successful event! 


  • Staff Appreciation Thanksgiving Meal - The PTO will be sponsoring a staff appreciation Thanksgiving meal on Friday, November 17th, on the day there is no school for conferences. We will be providing the turkey and gravy for the meal and are looking for donations from families of additional items and/or financial contributions that will be used to purchase additional food items. Please see the Signup Genius and sign up if you are able to contribute: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0449AFAE2FAAFE3-45658418-staff 



  • Tour the Tech Lab - At the October PTO meeting we got a tour of the new Tech Lab at Sennett from teacher Ben Balgord. The Tech Lab is a new space at Sennett and is still in the first phase of opening, but it is already offering some amazing resources for our students. If you missed it, you can watch the video of the tour here: Sennett Technology Class Intro- Mr. Balgord


  • Warm Belly Farm - Thank you to those who were able to join us for our share night at Warm Belly Farm! Warm Belly is sending us a donation of a percentage of the ticket sales that used our code, so we really appreciate everyone who participated. We are considering making this an annual event, so keep an eye out for another date for this event in Fall 2024.


  • Save the Date - Thanks to everyone who joined us for our PTO meeting last week. Mark your calendar - the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6th at 6:00pm. All are welcome! Spanish interpretation will be provided. 


  • Join the PTO Board. We're always looking for parents or family members to join our board. The board meets monthly, about a week before the full PTO meeting, and we'd love to have your voice at the table. If interested, contact us using the information below.




Come enjoy the Sennett Community Winter Craft Market. 


We are excited to showcase some of the great crafters in our area!


When: November 18, 2023 9am-3pm


Where:  Sennett Middle School, 502 Pflaum Road, Madison, WI


Why:  It's fun and sales from concessions, raffle tickets and booth fees will  benefit the Sennett Middle School PTO


Who:  Crafters with handmade goods only.  No direct sales vendors


Contact:  Carmen Ames:  cames@madison.k12.wi.us 

Andi Kent:  kent@madison.k12.wi.us 

Sennett PTO:   sennettpto@gmail.com 


Please do NOT contact the Sennett Main Office.


MSCR After School Clubs and Sports INFO


Hello Sennett MSCR Families,


Congratulations to our Sennett Soccer, Volleyball & Cross Country teams finishing 2nd place in their tournaments/meets this fall. These students showed hard work and dedication and a huge shout out to them! 


Update with MSCR & New school time policy:

MSCR sports and programming will continue the original schedule placed for the remainder of the school year. Programming will continue to end at 6pm. Games will continue to begin at 5:30pm and end at 6:30pm. 



Students and families will receive a mandatory google form that needs to be filled out and turned into Mr. Robinson. If your student is interested in a sport please fill out the following intake form and the google form that will be sent out after your student attends a meeting/practice.  


Updated Club List:

  • Anime Club: Tuesdays & Wednesdays 4:20pm-5:10pm (Starts TBD in November)
  • Art Club: Wednesdays 4:20pm-5:10pm
  • Avid Club: Wednesdays 4:10pm-5:00pm
  • BSU: Thursdays 4:10pm-5:30pm
  • Boardgaming Club: Tuesdays & Thursdays 4:10pm-5:30pm
  • Dance Team Mondays, Tuesdays 7 Wednesdays until 5:30pm
  • FCS Club: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30pm-5:30pm
  • GSA Club: Monday 4:20pm-5:20pm
  • Math Club: Tuesday and Wednesday 4:10pm-5:10pm
  • Juventud: Tuesday and Thursday 4:10pm-5:30pm
  • Lego Club: Wednesdays 4:10pm-5:30pm
  • Tutoring Club: Mondays, 2:30pm-4:30pm Wednesdays & Thursdays 4:10pm-5:10pm
  • Winter Cross Country: Tuesdays until 5:30pm (Starts November 6th)

All clubs will meet in the cafeteria after school!


There is no available transportation for afterschool, so please set up a way home for students.


Sports starting in November:

Girls Basketball!


**We are still looking for a coach! Is there anyone you know that would make a great coach for our Girls basketball team? If so, please contact Mr. Robinson (dkrobinson@madison.k12.wi.us ) or Ms. Grethe (meblum1@madison.k12.wi.us) if you have any questions.**






New Bell Schedule Starts Monday, 11/6





As we begin our second quarter, we will make the following adjustments to our school schedule: 


  • The school day will begin at 9:00am and end at 4:30pm. Early Release Monday will be 9:00am-2:50PM
  • Doors will open at 8:50AM
  • increase instructional class minutes.
  • Fewer periods
  • Increased passing times from 3 to 4 minutes


See updated grade level schedules below


Please also check your Transportation Tab in Infinite Campus for updated bus routes and times. See instructions HERE




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November Parent Teacher Conferences


  • Wednesday, November 15 - Evening Conferences
  • Friday, November 17 - All Day - no school


Students are beginning to work on their conference presentations, reflecting on their data, behavior, and grades to share with you when you come to meet with their advisory teacher. Please Note: Students will be leading the conference themselves, so they must attend with you.


Conferences will be 15 minutes in length for your students’ presentation, parent and teacher input. Encore teachers will be in the cafeteria for family check-ins.


Additionally, we will offer Infinite Campus support for the app and making sense of your scholar’s data in the system.


Please be on the lookout for a phone call or email to schedule your scholars’ conference. 


We are looking forward to seeing you and your student on November 15th or 17th!


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Congratulations to our Choir Members for their Wonderful Performance on

November 1st.


Your musical talents shone brightly and brought so much joy!

Mark you calendars for these upcoming

Winter Music Events


7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Concert

Tuesday, December 12th at 6pm

Student performers report at 5:30

Sennett Gym

Free


7th & 8th Grade Choir and Band Concert

Thursday, December 14th at 6pm

Student performers report at 5:30

Sennett Gym

Free


6th Grade Choir, Band, and Orchestra Concert

Thursday, January 18th at 6pm

Student performers report at 5:30

Sennett Gym

Free

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Fall Break

NO SCHOOL



Wednesday, 11/22- Friday, 11/24

School Resumes on Monday, 11/27

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Sennett Students Win

2nd Place in

We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest!


We are delighted to have 2 students from Sennett Middle School - Hazel K. and Eliza T - as runners up (2nd place) in the annual We Read Youth Voices Writing Contest with Madison Public Library. 


Eliza is an 8th grader and Hazel is a 7th grader and their pieces have been published in the We Read Youth Voices anthology. They also received a cash prize for their submissions. 


They were honored at the Wisconsin Book Festival at Central Library and a copy of the anthology will be sent to each MMSD school library to include in their collection later in the fall. 


CONGRATULATIONS!!!!


REMINDER Regarding ILP Documents


Dear parents of bilingual students,


Don't forget to sign the ILP document and return it to school.


The document explains the services for your student and may include access to the dual language immersion (DLI) program and/or access to ESL or bilingual services within your classroom.


Everyone has the right to an education in a language they can understand. This document helps parents and the school agree on the best options for their child.


After signing the copy in English, return it to the school. If you have any questions, send an email to eslsennett@madison.k12.wi.us.


Sennett Middle School Title 1 Program Student-Family-School Compact 2023-2024


As a Title 1 School, Sennett Middle School and the parents of students participating in activities, services, and programs funded by Title 1, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), have come up with the following Student/Family/School Compact.


The compact outlines how the parents, the entire school staff, and the students will share responsibility for improved student academic achievement as well as the means by which the school, parents and students will build and develop a partnership that will help children achieve Wisconsin's high standards


Click here to look over the Compact for 2023-2024


If you have any questions please contact our Principal Dr. Jeffrey Copeland at jlcopeland@madison.k12.wi.us or our Assistant Principal Jessica Fleischmann at jlfleischmann@madison.k12.wi.us.


Advanced Learning Updates


Please click HERE for Advanced Learning Updates At Sennett



The Campus Parent app is a confidential and secure app where you can get current information about your student such as:


  • Accessing student grades
  • Review attendance and absences
  • Seeing assignments due or upcoming exams
  • Pay student fees
  • See student schedules
  • Transportation information


Download the Campus Parent app today by searching "Campus Parent" in the App Store or Google Play. Learn more about the app's features on our website.


For help setting up and using the app: contact Ashley Foxborn


For username and password: use the help link and fill out the form (it will send an email immediately) or contact Liz Reagan or Melea Richardson


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School Lunch: Accessing Meal Balances on School Cafe



Dear Sennett Families,


As we settle into a new school year, we want to remind you of resources to access and maintain your student’s meal balances. MMSD utilizes School Café to connect families with all Foods and Nutrition related information, including access to school menus, payment options and the free and reduced lunch application.


In addition to paying previous meal balances, School Cafe also allows families to proactively deposit funds into your student’s account. As a reminder, costs are published on the Foods and Nutrition website annually:


  • Breakfast: $1.60 in elementary schools, $1.85 in middle and high schools.
  • Lunch: $2.95 in elementary schools, $3.35 in middle schools, and $4.15 high schools
  • Reduced price is $0.40 for lunch in all grade levels. Your child may qualify for free or reduced-price meals if your household income falls within the limits on the Federal Income Chart.


Once you have created or logged into your School Cafe account, click “make a payment” to pay fees or deposit funds via credit card or bank account information. Alternatively, you can send a check or cash ($50 limit) with your student to school, where they can add funds to their account with the food service staff. Students can take the check or cash to the point-of-sale station in the cafeteria and it can be deposited on their account when they purchase a meal or they can just take cash or check to the point-of-sale station to deposit the funds. 


Please note, we serve meals to students at school regardless of their balance, in order to support equitable access to full, nutritious meals for all scholars. A la carte purchases, including milk, are only allowable with a positive fund balance or cash.


If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me or MMSD Foods and Nutrition staff at studentfees@madison.k12.wi.us.


Thank you, 


Sarah Fink & Dominic Maurice

Social Workers



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




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






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
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