NEWS
Capitol West Academy
3939 N. 88th St. } Milwaukee, WI 53222
Ph: (414) 465-1302 } Fax: (414) 465-1319
{ cwacademy.org }
{12}2015-16
IN THIS ISSUE
Dear Families and Students:
I can hardly believe it’s almost the end of 2015. We have accomplished
a lot, and now the holidays are coming up, and it’s time for celebrating
and for family warmth and joy.
There is a lot to celebrate about CWA, and I’d like to share some things
with you.
We recently completed a survey of 104 alumni from 2010-2015 who
have moved on to high school. We reached 77 students; 27 families’
contact information was unknown or the student or family had moved
out of state. I’m happy to report that 65 of the students said they felt
prepared academically and socially. Fifty-eight are involved in extracurricular activities or have a part-time job. Of the 35 students who
graduated from 8th grade in 2010 or 2011, we reached 26. Eighty-eight
percent of them, 23 students, graduated on time. Getting our students
ready to succeed in high school and beyond is one of our primary goals,
and this shows we have a very good success rate. I’m very proud of and
grateful to our teachers and staff and to you, the families, who help keep
your children on track and ensure their success. Thank you!
Speaking of gratitude, I recently found something on a website called
Misshumblebee.com, Four Tips to Teach Your Children Gratitude, that
I think is valuable to share. As the site notes, these attitudes sometimes
come naturally and sometimes not so much. “Thankfully though, we
don’t have to leave it up to chance. With a bit of intention and the
following four tips, we can raise grateful children.”
1. Model gratitude
• Say ‘Thank you’ often.
• Talk regularly about how grateful you are for all that you have.
• Mention the things you want, but also discuss why you might not
need them.
• Give liberally to others.
2. Don’t give them everything they want
Instead of gratitude, they will develop a sense of entitlement, thinking
they deserve whatever their heart desires. Using moderation and
making them work for some of what they get will teach them to
be grateful for what they have (with the added bonuses of learning
responsibility and a good work ethic). Then when you do give them
something they ask for, it will mean that much more to them.
Anti-bullying campaign
in October......................... 2
Holiday program Dec. 8...... 3
Gift shop Dec. 14-17;
Book fair Dec. 7-11............ 3
Power School keeps
parents informed
on progress........................ 4
Muffins with mom.............. 4
Thanks to our volunteers..... 6
No school
DEC. 19 - JAN. 3
IMPORTANT NOTES
DECEMBER
7-11} Scholastic Book Fair
8} Holiday program 6 p.m.
9} Holiday Program K4-2nd , 10 a.m.
9} Student early release, 2:15 p.m.
11} Out-of-uniform day, nachos sale
14} Board meeting, 4:30 p.m.
14-17} Holiday Gift Shop, all day
16} Prides, 10-10:50 a.m.
16} Student early release, 2:15 p.m.
18} Full day of classes
19 - Jan. 3} NO SCHOOL-Winter Break
3. Expose them to the world
Unless we expose them to the needs of others, who don’t have a place to live and food to eat, let alone a cell
phone or all the electronic games they want, they will have no way of knowing how much we have to be
thankful for. By taking the opportunity to talk about and see how other people live as often as we can, we
will teach our kids that not everyone has it as easy as we do.
{12}2015-16
4. Live lives of service
Lives of service develop naturally from lives of gratitude. When we realize how much we have to be
thankful for, it makes sense that our reaction is to share our blessings with others. The nice thing about
the relationship between gratitude and service is that it’s reciprocal. The more we serve, the more
grateful we’ll become. And our kids can help us serve in ways both big and small, from volunteering at
a shelter, to donating clothing or toys or food for those in need. If we live our lives with gratitude, we
instill that attitude in our children.
If you have other ideas on how to teach gratitude to your children, I’d be happy to hear from you.
I’m also pleased to report that the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee recently renewed our charter
until 2020. I want to send a special thank you to the parents and kids who were involved in the site
visit. All the parents are listed in our Volunteers listing of this newsletter.
We have several events coming up that I hope you will share with us and your children. There are stories
about all of these in this newsletter: our upcoming holiday show, where the students in K4-second grade
will perform; our holiday gift shop and our Scholastic Book Fair. We hope to see you at the show and the
gift/shop and fair. You can take in both by coming a bit early on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Browse the offerings in
the library, then attend the show a 6 p.m. The kids work hard to prepare a great show, and it means a lot to
them to be able to perform for an audience.
Once again, I thank you for all you do to support your children and our school. We wouldn’t be what
we are without you. I wish you the very best of holidays!
Sincerely,
Donna Niccolai-Weber
Executive Director
ANTI-BULLYING CAMPAIGN IN OCTOBER
Once again this year, CWA participated in an anti-bullying campaign throughout the month
of October.
Children discussed in classrooms and in their Pride groups the importance of not bullying
each other, and how to be an “upstander” – a person who speaks out – instead of a bystander if
witnessing bullying.
Oct. 21 was Unity Day, on which students wore orange as a symbol of standing up against
bullying. It was part of a national campaign from an organization called Pacer. To learn more,
go to/www.pacer.org/bullying.
”Studies have shown that bullying can have lifelong effects on a person,” said Guidance
Counselor Abigail Reese-Kelley. “And in recent years, there have been several tragic, highprofile cases of kids who have committed suicide after relentless bullying.
“CWA’s activities are so important because kids need to know they can prevent bullying. And
it gives them the tools to stop it, plus the knowledge that they have the power to do that.”
Capitol West Academy { 3939 N. 88th St. } Milwaukee, WI 53222 { (414) 465-1302 } FAX (414) 465-1319 { cwacademy.org }
{CWA}
NEWS
2
{12}2015-16
{CWA}
NEWS
3
HOLIDAY
PROGRAM
DEC. 8
CWA’s annual holiday
program, featuring singing
and surprises from students
in grades K4 through
second, will be held on
Tuesday, Dec. 8, at 6 p.m.
“It’s important for all
children in K4-2nd to
participate,” said Executive
Director Donna NiccolaiWeber. “Not only have they
practiced with their music
teacher from the Wisconsin
Conservatory of Music,
but being a part of a school
event and sharing it with
your family creates lifelong
memories and helps establish
a school connection.”
Parents are encouraged to
bring their children that night
and share in the festivities.
Siblings and other family
members also are welcome.
“It’s a great way to celebrate
the holiday season,” said
Mrs. Niccolai-Weber. “The
kids are really excited about
preforming in front of an
audience, and it promises to
be a wonderful show.”
GIFT SHOP DEC. 14-17;
BOOK FAIR DEC. 7-11
Holiday Treasures, CWA’s annual gift shop for students, will be held Dec. 1417. The event allows kids to purchase things for their families. The Scholastic
Book Fair, which offers an array of books for students to purchase, will be held
Dec. 7-11. Both events will be held in the library.
Gift shop items include things such as jewelry, key chains, sports items, mugs,
magnets and picture frames, among others, with prices ranging from about
$1.25 to $10. The younger students will be helped with their selections.
“The kids get excited about the gift shop, and they usually come with a list of all
the people they want to buy for,” ” said Kendra Kuhnmuench, Coordinator of
Student Services. And it helps build character, she said, by focusing on giving
to others and thanking them for being part of a child’s life.
Volunteers are needed to help staff the gift shop. If interested, e-mail Mrs.
Kuhnmuench at [email protected].
The book fair offers a wide selection of engaging and affordable books for
every reading level. Students get to browse through the books, then take home
a wish list.
“Reading for pleasure inside and outside of school has real and long-lasting
benefits,” said CWA librarian Tricia Rindahl. “It unlocks the power of
information and imagination and helps children discover who they are.”
Book fair shopping hours are:
• Monday, Dec. 7, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 8, 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (Holiday Program for K4-2nd grades, 6 p.m.)
• Wednesday, Dec. 9, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (Holiday Program for K4-2nd grades, 10 a.m.)
• Thursday, Dec. 10, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Friday, Dec. 11, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
There also is an online Book Fair at scholastic.com/fair that is available from until
Dec. 11. If you order before Dec. 4, you will receive books before the holidays.
Capitol West Academy { 3939 N. 88th St. } Milwaukee, WI 53222 { (414) 465-1302 } FAX (414) 465-1319 { cwacademy.org }
NEWS
{12}2015-16
4
Parents are reminded to stay on top of
their children’s progress by checking
Power School, the online grade book
used for students in third through
eighth grades. Parents have been given
logins through the mail and at fall
parent/teacher conferences, but anyone
who does not have one should contact
the school office.
Each week, teachers enter scores for
individual assignments and can tag
missing or late work. Power School
shows at any given time what a student’s
grade is in all classes.
“We encourage families to use Power
School throughout the year rather than
waiting for conferences or a child’s
report card to learn how the student
is doing,” said Kendra Kuhnmuench,
Coordinator of Student Services.
Additionally, each child logs in once a
week to note his or her progress.
{CWA}
POWER SCHOOL
KEEPS PARENTS
INFORMED ON
PROGRESS
MUFFINS WITH MOM
“Students and parents should stay
informed so it doesn’t get to the end of
the quarter, and the student is trying to
make up several missing assignments,”
she said. “We are trying to get students
to understand that a teacher does not
simply give a grade, but it is made up of
a culmination of their scores on all of
their homework, in-class assignments,
tests and quizzes.”
Parents who see a missing assignment
can contact the teacher and get an extra
copy of the assignment. Students in sixth
through eighth grades can stay after school
and finish their work in a study hall on
Tuesdays and Thursdays until 4 p.m.
“Power School is a good way for parents
to help ensure that their children are
not missing work,” Mrs. Kuhnmuench
said. “They both need to realize that
one zero on an assignment can be really
detrimental to an overall grade.”
Capitol West Academy { 3939 N. 88th St. } Milwaukee, WI 53222 { (414) 465-1302 } FAX (414) 465-1319 { cwacademy.org }
{12}2015-16
{CWA}
NEWS
5
Capitol West Academy { 3939 N. 88th St. } Milwaukee, WI 53222 { (414) 465-1302 } FAX (414) 465-1319 { cwacademy.org }
{12}2015-16
THANKS TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
{CWA}
NEWS
6
We would like to recognize
the following for helping out:
PAC
• Maureka Kimber, mother of Lyric (3rd), Harmonie (2nd)
• and Melodie Kimber (K4)
• Tameka Bradford, mother of Sheldon (6th) and Skyla
Bradford (7th)
• Michael Ward, father of Michia Marie Ward (3rd)
• Brigette Rahming, mother of James Rahming (K5)
• Kanisha Dixon, mother of Jada (2nd) and Makayla Dixon (5th)
Library help
• Mykesha Gray, mother of Myasia (7th) and Tristin Belcher (5th)
• Tameka Bradford, mother of Sheldon (6th) and Skyla
Bradford (7th)
• Kanisha Dixon mother of Jada (2nd) and Makayla Dixon (5th)
Parent/teacher conference donations
• Carmen Bitseedy, mother of Isaiah Bitseedy (4th)
• Tameka Bradford, mother of Sheldon (6th) and Skyla
Bradford (7th)
• Maureka Kimber, mother of Lyric (3rd), Harmonie (2nd)
• and Melodie Kimber (K4)
• Brigette Rahming, mother of James Rahming (K-5)
• Kanisha Dixon mother of Jada (2nd) and Makayla Dixon (5th)
• Latoya Robinson, mother of Deja (5th) and Dakota
Alexander (K4)
• Eric Mitchell, father of Erica (5th) and Alan Mitchell (3rd)
• Marva Johnson, grandmother of Khalil (2nd), Tiana (4th)
and Aniyah Johnson (K5)
• Sharon Thiel, mother of Kendra Kuhnmuench
• Annemarie Lohmiller, daughter of Christine Lohmiller
Room parent
• Fale Lee, mother of Aaden (1st), Absidey (7th) and Zeryia (5th)
Parent interviews for UWM charter renewal
• Mykesha Gray, mother of Myasia (7th) and Tristin Belcher (5th)
• Brigette Rahming, mother of James Rahming (K5)
• Tameka Bradford, mother of Sheldon (6th) and Skyla
Bradford (7th)
• Kanisha Dixon mother of Jada (2nd) and Makayla Dixon (5th)
• Terri and Lawson Murrell, parents of Quinton (7th) and
Storri (5th) Murrell
• Bruno Gagnone, father of Giovanni Gagnone (2nd) and Jalin
Smith (7th)
• Alisa Sims, mother of Marquan Johnson (8th)
• Michael Ward, father of Michia Marie Ward (3rd)
• Amanda Dobson, mother of Jayden (2nd) and Ashlyn
Dobson (K-4)
• Jacquelyn Weddle, mother of Jourdan Weddle (8th)
• Ranetta Williams, mother of Nevaeh Richardson (3rd) and
Aaliyah Williams (K-4)
• Antwon Watts, father of Antwonette Watts (8th)
• Alisa Sims, mother of Markahi Paine (7th)
Library help
• Mykesha Gray, mother of Myasia (7th) and Tristin Belcher (5th)
• Tameka Bradford, mother of Sheldon (6th) and Skyla (7th)
Bradford
• Kanisha Dixon, mother of Jada (2nd) and Makayla (5th) Dixon
Muffins with moms
• Kanisha Dixon, mother of Jada (2nd) and Makayla (5th) Dixon
• Tameka Bradford, mother of Sheldon (6th) and Skyla (7th)
Bradford
• Maureka Kimber, mother of Lyric (3rd), Harmonie (2nd)
and Melodi (K4) Kimber
Pumpkin farm chaperones
• Kanisha Dixon, mother of Jada (2nd), and Makayla (5th) Dixon
• Natasha Johnson, mother of Donovan Hoover (2nd)
• Candace Simmons, mother of Trinity Dorsey (2nd),
Shaun Dorsey (4th), Shauntell Dorsey (3rd) and Christina
Simmons (6th)
Capitol West Academy { 3939 N. 88th St. } Milwaukee, WI 53222 { (414) 465-1302 } FAX (414) 465-1319 { cwacademy.org }