From the Kromrey PTO Board
THANK YOU to the many Kromrey families who have already signed up to volunteer as a chairperson or committee member. Your help is sincerely appreciated!
There are still many spots to be filled so please check the volunteer sign up to get involved. Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to Kromrey, meet new people, and help support the PTO events & programming.
Please check www.KromreyPTO.org for information such as the *NEW* Kromrey PTO Newsletter, donation links and volunteer links.
Partnering with Mr. Ricks and Mr. Engel on High Priority Challenges
Each month the PTO Board meets with Mr. Ricks and Mr. Engel to collaborate on the Principals’ highest priority challenges. In October, there were two areas of focus that merit further engagement. 1.) Bullying and 2.) Cyber Sessions (primarily related to social media)
Bullying
Mr. Ricks identified Bullying as one of his primary challenges and encouraged our PTO Board to help raise awareness and encourage parents to utilize the district’s resources. Specifically, bullying should be reported via the district website: links for parents--> parent resources--> report bullying
This confidential report is immediately directed to all necessary school counselors and administration. https://www.publicschoolworks.com/SHL/bullyingMgr.asp?di=793&dia=mszmy
Parents are encouraged to watch for all forms of bullying and report problems as they arise. Bullying can take many forms including one-time events, recurring events, microaggressions, and cyber bullying.
For parents interested in learning more about microaggressions, Danielle Boorstein recommends this brief video that was produced by Middleton High School students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW027BzE3uM&feature=youtu.be
Cyber Sessions
Mr. Engel is partnering with the PTO and Kromrey teachers to sponsor Cyber Sessions to raise awareness to realities of healthy and unhealthy use of social media and video games. In the past Kromrey hosted the documentary called Screenagers. For 2019-2020 there are additional events planned. Kromrey’s health teachers are also enhancing their curriculum to help students – especially 8th graders - make informed choices.
Mr. Engel and the Kromrey/Glacier Creek PTOs want to extend the impact of Kromrey’s initiatives to parents and community. Please donate to the Kromrey PTO to help us pay for activities such as:
Student and parent screenings of a highly rated documentary film on social media
Kromrey classroom visits from high school students to share their experiences and advice on navigating social media
Parent and student roundtables so you can learn how others are successfully managing social media
Related Messages from the MCPASD Superintendent and MHS Principal
Superintendent Dana Monogue recently produced a video that touches on many of the same issues and challenges that Mr. Ricks and Mr. Engel addressed. Here’s the link to that message:
Finally, this video message from the MHS Principal Shoemaker addresses micro aggressions and explains the steps the high school administration is taking to foster an inclusive, safe, and campus for all students.
PTO School Supply Drive During Conferences
The PTO will be holding a supply drive during from 11/7-11/12 around parent/teacher conference time. The goal of the drive is to gather materials and donations to help teachers with supply needs that arise after the beginning of the school year. A complete list is being compiled by teachers so please watch for future communications as we update the list with staff needs. All items can be dropped off at the supply drive table during parent teacher conferences. We will have a table set up at conferences on 11/7 and 11/12.
Currently, the school has a need for:
1" and 1.5" binders
lunch boxes
sharpies (fine black)c
composition notebooks
TI 30x calculators
3 subject notebooks
backpacks
ear buds
Items are also needed for the Sunshine Fund Snack Closet that provides snacks to students in need at the discretion of staff. These items are specifically approved accommodate food allergies:
JackLinks Big Beef Jerky
Nature's Bakery Fig Bars
Goldfish Crackers (plain, 1 oz packages)
Cheez-Its
belVita Cinnamon Brown Sugar Breakfast Biscuits
Frigo Cheese Heads String Cheese Sticks
GoGurt Simple
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to the Kromrey Library November 7th through November 12th. Please encourage your children to stop by before or after school and during their lunch periods. We will also be open during Parent/Teacher Conferences on November 7th and November 12th.
NEW digital payment option: Book Fair eWallet! Your student can now shop the Book Fair cash-free! Simply set up a free account and have funds immediately available for your student to shop the Book Fair. Visit our Book Fair homepage to learn more and to create an account.
We need volunteers to assist with the Book Fair. If you are interested in helping, please sign-up at:
Book Fair Hours
Thursday, November 7th – 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday, November 8th– 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monday, November 11th - 7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 12th – 7:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
All proceeds from the Book Fair are used to purchase books and learning materials for the Kromrey Library. Thank you for your support!
PTO Fundraising Update
We are 60% toward our PTO fundraising goal to support your students at Kromrey in 2019-2020. Thank you if you have already donated! If not, can you please help us meet our goal?
Did you know that Kromrey teachers and staff submit requests to PTO throughout the year to fund all types of classroom projects and student enrichment? Your donation supports these valuable enrichment activities and saves teacher/staff time so they can teach. Some specific examples of how your donations benefit students are:
Science and tech enrichment – Structural engineering project for 8th grade science. Outdoor science lab supplies.
Arts – Children’s Theater of Madison playwriting mentoring and competition. Poetry Slam event.
Students in need – The Sunshine fund provides essential school supplies for students in need identified by the school social workers. Snack closets that enable teachers to provide students in need with healthy snacks.
Staff appreciation – The PTO is sponsoring luncheons during the November parent/teacher conferences.
Cougar community connections - A series of informative talks will be beginning soon.
Boxtop$ for Education Fundraiser
Did you know you can raise money for Kromrey every time you shop?
The Boxtops program now has an app that simply scans your grocery receipt. Get it at Boxtops4education.com. Kromrey will receive 10 cents for each eligible item. (Traditional box top clips will still be accepted - please send them to the front office). Check out the app and share with other family members who want to support Kromrey. Our goal this year is to raise $500 through Boxtops.
For more information on the program, see: https://www.boxtops4education.com/
Kromrey Spirit Wear
Thank you to everyone who purchased Kromrey Spirit Wear!
We look forward to seeing all of you proudly wearing your bright red Kromrey Cougars this fall and winter. The PTO is considering adding new pieces to our fundraising clothing line. Watch for the fashion reveal coming soon!
Calendar – Upcoming November Events
Nov 4 – No School
Nov 7-8, 11-12 – Scholastic Book Fair
Nov 7, 12 – Fall Parent & Teacher Conferences
Nov 7, 12 – PTO Supply Drive
Nov 27-29 – Thanksgiving Break
Communications Tools and Resources
There are many ways to stay connected with everything happening at Kromrey
eNews signup - https://mcpasd.k12.wi.us/kromrey/enews-signup
Kromrey PTO website - https://www.kromreypto.org/
Subscribe to the Kromrey PTO e-mail list - https://www.kromreypto.org/about
Kromrey PTO Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KromreyMiddleSchoolPTO/
PTO Monthly Newsletters - https://www.kromreypto.org/news
PTO Board Members
President - Danielle Boorstein
Treasurer - Sam Garlock
Communications – Chris Jones
Sunshine Fund – Melissa Dale
Events – Rebecca Charles
Fundraising – Fran Priddy
We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us at: https://www.kromreypto.org/contact