by rsullivan | Jul 31, 2017 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
Milwaukee Public Schools: Milwaukee Public Schools has honored 167 students who completed graduation requirements during summer school and earned the right to wear a cap and gown. This year, MPS put a concentrated effort into summer high school, seeing it as a critical opportunity to ensure students have every chance to graduate and move on to college and career. A summer graduation ceremony recognizing their accomplishments was held July 28 at South Division High School.
This summer, MPS doubled the number of schools offering the summer high school program and included Madison, Obama, Pulaski, Riverside, South Division and Transition High Schools. Intensive outreach to students attracted those who could directly benefit from accelerated or recovery options. Offerings were increased and led to large enrollment and student success.
Students wore their school colors and accepted their diplomas from their own school principals at the large ceremony that was attended by family and friends.
MPS is proud to present these students with diplomas and send them on their personal journeys ready for college and career.
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by rsullivan | Jul 17, 2017 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
Wisconsin Public Radio: The Milwaukee Public School District is expanding its free driver’s education program to 1,400 students this upcoming school year. All students age 15 ½ to 17 ½ are eligible to participate in the program.
Annie Kubes, coordinator of citywide programs with the district, said today’s students need a valid driver’s license in order to find jobs.
“Seventy-five percent of the job openings in Milwaukee County in 2012 were in the suburbs,” she said. “Most were beyond the bus line so they weren’t necessarily accessible so having a driver’s license is really key in terms of accessing employment.”
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by rsullivan | Dec 22, 2016 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
OnMilwaukee.com: On Tuesday night, Milwaukee French Immersion School Principal Gina Bianchi was honored for her work at this MPS school – which exceeds expectations according to its most recent DPI report card – by the French government.
At a ceremony at the school – located in the former Steuben Junior High at 2360 N. 52nd St. – Bianchi was presented with the Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Palmes Academiques (Knight in the Order of the Academic Palms) Tuesday by the French Consulate Denis Quenelle – on behalf of French national education minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem – during the school’s winter concert.
Bianchi has been principal at the school – where she got her start as a teacher – for three years. MFIS was established in 1978 and has been located in a few buildings since. It is the state’s only French immersion school.
According to MPS, The Palmes Academiques is a national order of France for distinguished academic figures in the world of culture and education. The order was established in 1808 by Emperor Napoleon. Bianchi was nominated by Anne Leplae, executive director of Alliance Francaise de Milwaukee, who also is a recipient of the award.
“(Ms. Bianchi’s) passion for French language and culture as well as for teaching is evident as soon as you meet her,” wrote Leplae in her nomination letter.
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by rsullivan | Oct 11, 2016 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
Milwaukee Public Schools: Two Milwaukee Public Schools students studying mobile app development were recognized for their first place finish as a “Fan Favorite” in a national app competition.
North Division High School students Tatiana Loyd and Qiaira Mathews were awarded the MPS Board of Directors Excellence in Education Award for their achievement at the MPS Board meeting Thursday evening. The two North Division students'”Emoji Encouragement” app is one of just two teams voted first place nationwide in the “Fan Favorites” category in the Lenovo Scholars Network competition.
The app is designed to support students battling cancer, sickle cell anemia, depression and other diseases or those with low self-esteem with words of encouragement. The two students stayed after school, worked from home and even came in over spring break to work on the app and accompanying video presentation, according to North Division lead computer science teacher Melissa Menge.
The students earned a tablet and a trip to the National NAF Conference in Orlando from Lenovo and NAF. NAF (formerly the National Academy Foundation) transforms the high school experience by infusing STEM and work-based learning experiences into curriculum to ensure students graduate and are college, career, and future ready. The winning team plans to enter another app in the contest this year and will further develop their mobile app programming skills in the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles class at North Division. This is the first time this class the College Board as offered this class.
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by rsullivan | Sep 23, 2016 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
Fox6Now.com: A Milwaukee Public School is in the national spotlight. Hundreds of students and staff at James Fenimore Cooper School are being recognized for outstanding achievement with an award that comes with new opportunities.
“Cooper has really set us up for success, to be honest, and we’re excited,” said Kayla Jimenez , eighth-grade student.
The K-8 students, teachers and staff are celebrating national recognition as a high-quality school.
“Our boys and girls feel connected. They feel loved. They feel appreciated by all staff members,” said Principal Jennifer Doucette.
On Thursday, September 22nd Cooper was named a member of “Schools That Can Milwaukee” and its national affiliate, “Schools That Can.”
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