Get the 2008-2009 School Year Calendar Here
Get the 2008-2009 MCDS A-E Calendar Here
Get the August Calendar Here
Welcome Back:
To help you prepare for the first day of the 2008-2009 school year we have transformed the Friday File into a Back to School Resource. Below you will find all the necessary forms and updates for your child(ren). Please review all of the information listed below and print off and return all necessary forms either on or before the Registration and Orientation Evening on August 20th. Please feel free to call us at (608) 850-6000 with any questions.
Class Lists:
The class lists will be posted on Friday, August 15th. An announcement will be sent via e-mail regarding the posting. Parents can access the class lists by logging on to the internal MCDS website under the 'Update Student Information' tab at the top of the MCDS home page.
Back To School Preparations Guidelines:
Step 1
Please review all of the updates posted here in the Friday File. We have provided detailed explanations below of all the forms you will find in the Back to School Packet. The descriptions below are in the order you will find the forms in the Back to School Packet. Once you have opened the Back to School Packet attachment you will be able to choose the specific forms that you will need to fill out and return on Registration and Orientation Night on August 20th. Please keep in mind that some forms are multiple pages. We request that each multi-page form be stapled when it is turned in. The Back to School Packet includes information for all MCDS students Pre-K through grade 12. There is also an additional supplement packet just for all Middle & High School students. If you have a student in Middle and/or High School please make sure to click on the Middle/High School Supplement listed below.
For the Back To School Packet Click Here.
For the Middle School & High School Supplement Packet Click Here.
For a printable version of this Friday File Click Here.
Step 2
Review the directions for Updating the Student and Family Information Profile (see link below). All families were sent a copy of the instructions for updating the Student and Family Information Profile in the August mailing.
- Student & Family Information Profile:
Every family will need to update their child(ren)'s emergency contact information on the database found on the MCDS website. Please follow the instructions to complete online this contact form which can be returned on the Registration & Orientation Evening on August 20th. This is crucial information for the school to have regarding each student in the event of illness or injury. Assistance will be available during registration for any family that may need extra help completing this form. By law, students cannot attend school without a signed and completed form. Click Here for instructions for updating the Student and Family Information Profile.
Registration & Orientation Evening Overview:
Back to School Registration & Orientation will be on Wednesday, August 20th with staggered start times for new & returning families. New families will begin the Registration process at 5:45 p.m. in the Middle/High School Gym. Returning families will begin at 6:30 p.m. This is an important event for all families to help start the year off in an organized fashion as well as catch-up with fellow MCDS community members.
Extended Day:
MCDS will once again offer after school childcare through our Extended Day program for students in grades Pre-K through grade 8 . This program runs from 3:30-6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and includes supervised fun. Students will once again be able to take advantage of the homework lab and piano practice options as part of the Extended Day program. The program fee is $5.00 per hour and will be billed to your school account. Participants are billed in 30 minute increments. Families that commit to Extended Day for an entire semester will receive a 5% discount. Please contact Kristen Jansen, Extended Day Director, with any questions about the program.
Bus Transportation:
MCDS is now accepting applications for families interested in bus service to and from school. Please note that MCDS would consider expanding its bus service to families in Fitchburg and Sun Prairie if there is enough interest. Please contact Barb Spurlin, Business Manager, at 850-6372 with any questions.
SCRIP & Building Use Fee:
By now many of our families are already familiar with and have participated in our Scrip program. For our new families and for those who did not have the opportunity to participate last year Scrip is a great way to offset your family's Building Use Fee and/or contribute to the Annual Fund. The Building Use Fee is a standard fee that is found in many independent and private schools. It is completely separate from tuition and is used solely for routine facility expenses. The Building Use Fee for the 2008-2009 school year is $425 per family. This fee will not come due until June, 2009; however it will appear on your August billing and subsequent statements. Each family has two options for payment:
*Families can select to pay the Building Use Fee upfront;
or
*This fee can be completely or partially offset through participation in the MCDS Scrip program. Here is how it works:
When you purchase a gift card at face value from MCDS for a variety of local and national retailers (groceries, gas, restaurants, retail stores, etc.), MCDS buys the card for you and receives a percentage discount that varies from retailer to retailer. Beginning Monday, August 4th, 2008, your Building Use Fee will be reduced by the amount that the school earns from the percentage discount on your personal Scrip card purchases. You will receive a quarterly statement showing how much your family has earned for that period. It’s an easy way to earn money necessary for building maintenance as well as reduce your fiscal obligation at the same time.
* Additional friends and family may choose to participate in the program and designate their proceeds to your family’s fee.
All monies earned over the $425 Building Use Fee will be applied toward the MCDS Annual Fund.
Lands' End and Great Lakes Scrip are offering a 2% back to school bonus contribution from Saturday August 16 through Friday September 12. That means Lands' End gift cards will have a 19% contribution instead of the normal 17% contribution during that time period only.
You can earn even more money for MCDS by shopping with your Scrip cards through the Box Tops Marketplace. See the Box Tops section below for more information.
Parent Guild Volunteer Information:
Thirty years of educational research clearly shows that parent involvement in schools improves student achievement, attendance, attitude, and continued education. The Parent Guild organization offers all MCDS parents an opportunity to get involved.
The Parent Guild is a volunteer organization whose mission is to build community spirit and engage in activities which supports the children, faculty and staff of MCDS. Every parent/guardian of an MCDS student is automatically a member of the Parent Guild. The Parent Guild coordinates events like the Back to School Picnic, Books & Bagels, Winter Celebration, and Spring Carnival. The Parent Guild organizes many different types of faculty and staff appreciation events including monthly lunches and holiday and end of year celebrations. Please consider volunteering your time to help support the children, faculty and staff of MCDS by filling out the Parent Guild Volunteer Opportunity Form. For questions regarding the volunteer form please contact Parent Guild Volunteer Coordinator, Eileen Balmer. The Parent Guild Executive Committee will be available on Registration and Orientation Night to welcome MCDS community members and answer any questions.
For more information on the Parent Guild organization please click Here.
MCDS Milk Program:
MCDS will be offering 1% white and chocolate milk for purchase during snack and/or lunch everyday. A milk contract
should be filled out for those families interested in participating. Please contact Caitlin Stade at 850-6374 with any questions regarding the MCDS milk program. Parents will be billed on a trimester basis for their child's participation in the program.
MCDS Lunch Programs:
There have been many exciting additions to the lunch program for the 2008-2009 school year! New this year will be the addition of Glass Nickel Pizza as our Pizza Friday provider. Milio's will be offered twice a month to all MCDS students (yes, this means Lower School students)! MCDS has teamed up with Sweet Sophie's of Waunakee to offer a hot and cold lunch option twice a week! Parents will find detailed information about the various lunch options below as well as in the Back To School Packet. Parents are asked to review and fill out the lunch contract for all programs of interest. Please note that a separate form is needed for each student. See details below. Please contact Caitlin Stade at 850-6374 with any questions regarding the MCDS lunch programs. Parents will be billed on a trimester basis for their child(ren)'s participation in all of the lunch programs (yes, this includes Pizza Day).
Pizza Friday occurs once a month on Fridays throughoutt the year. This year MCDS has teamed up with Glass Nickel Pizza for our Pizza Friday lunches. Glass Nickel Pizza is a locally owned restaurant that prides itself on using the freshest ingredients available. Students will now have a choice between cheese, veggie, and pepperoni pizza.
Milio's subs will be offered school wide two Tuesdays a month. Students will have the option of ordering either 1/2 or full size sandwiches. Each order will include a bag of chips (bottled water will not be included).
MCDS is very excited to offer an additional lunch option for students. MCDS and Sweet Sophie's of Waunakee have worked very hard on creating a menu that will hopefully appeal to All MCDS students. The program will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays every week. Sweet Sophie's has created a set menu for the first trimester that ranges from cold boxed lunches to hot lunch options including soup, pasta, taco bar, salad bar, and much more. Students interested in the program are committing to the full trimester program, including both lunches on Mondays and Wednesdays. The menu options are set for the entire lunch contract. Students in Pre-K, K and 1st grade occasionly have slightly different lunch options due to the fact that these students eat in their classrooms, as noted on the lunch meu details. Sweet Sophie's is committed to having their lunch program be accessible to all students. There will be a vegetarian option every day. They are also willing to work with families to provide individual meals that meet dietary/health concerns (vegan, dairy, gluten and other allergies/ intollerences) . Please see the Health Concerns Form in the Back to School Packet for more detail. For the Sweet Sophie's menu click Here. (updated on 8-12-08 to reflect school closings)
Order Your MCDS Calendar:
We are excited to announce that we will be producing an MCDS calendar for the 2008-2009 school year. Many of you may have seen a sample on display at the Spring Carnival. This full color calendar will feature all the MCDS events including the A-E day schedule, concerts, recitals, lunch days, Parent Guild sponsored events and so much more. Don't miss out on your opportunity to order a calendar. The calendars are $28, and all of the proceeds will benefit the theatre department. To place your order please contact Kimberly Felker , or fill out and return the Calendar Order Form and return it on Registration and Orientation Night.
Medical Records & Updates:
Please bring all new medical records and medical forms to school on or before the Registration & Orientation Night. Included in the Back To School Packet are medical forms regarding prescription and non-prescription medications. Without properly completed medication forms, we cannot legally dispense any medications to your child. Mary Priebe and Tracy Maloney, our volunteer Health Coordinators will be availble on Registration and Orientation Night to answer any health questions families may have.
The Wisconsin Student Immunization law was recently changed. Two different vaccine requirements were added which may affect your child's compliance with the law. The change will go in effect this fall with the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year. Information regarding these immunization updates was sent home with the grade reports. Please take a moment to look over this information. To review this information click Here.
For a copy of the Physical and Dental Health Form click Here. MCDS requests that parents/guardians update their child(ren)'s medical file periodically as changes occur.
School Supply Lists:
The school supply lists have been provided in the Back To School Packet.. For those families that placed orders for school supply Tool Boxes, your order(s) will include all of the necessary supplies for your child(ren)'s grade. Tool Boxes will be available for pick-up on Registration and Orientation Night on August 20th. The individual supply lists are posted below for your convenience.
- Pre-K & Kindergarten supply list click Here. (Please note that a 1" binder has been added to the Kindergarten supply list)
- 1st-4th grade supply list click Here.
- Middle School supply list click Here.
- High School supply list click Here. Correction: The heading for 11th & 12th grade science has been updated to reflect the Biology course (not Chemistry). Supply lists for these classes have not changed.
Lands’ End Uniform Update:
Now earn even more for MCDS.
Now through Sept. 5th, 2008 preferred school shoppers can earn a 3% school contribution from Lands’ End on thousands of additional items!
Swimwear, shorts, tees, outerwear, cashmere, towels, outdoor furniture – everything Land's End carries PLUS all school uniforms and dress code clothing. Click Here to learn more.
When you place an order with Lands’ End, please remember to provide our Preferred School Number (9000-3521-3) and the school will receive a 3% credit from your order.
Click Here for MCDS uniform requirements.
- There will be a New & Used Uniform Sale at MCDS on Friday, August 15th from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
A Family Guide to Life at MCDS:
MCDS has put together a Family Guide to Life at MCDS Handbook to answer many questions that come up throughout the school year. We hope this handbook will be a resource for every parent to turn to for answers to everyday questions that come up during the school year. Click Here for a copy of the handbook. Copies will also be made available on Registration & Orientation Night.
The MCDS Tomato Avalanche Fundraiser
Dreaming of tomatoes? Fresh salsa? Grandma’s sauce? Bruchetta? Want to make your own pizza sauce? Fulfill your desire at the first MCDS Tomato Avalanche Fundraiser! Proceeds go to MCDS field trip fund. Select from heirloom tomatoes worthy of a gourmet tasting party – all grown without pesticides or herbicides right here in Dane and Sauk Counties. Just make a donation to MCDS at the Aug 20 Registration Night and take your pick of the tomato avalanche. Different size packages will be available and recipes too. Want something special? 1 to 100 pounds can be arranged. For anyone interested in obtaining tomatoes sooner, they'll be ripening fast within the next week or two. Contact Mary Christison at
246-1734 (day), 957-6821 (cell) or Kathy Ley at 233-3814 .
BOX TOPS:
Make a difference with BOX TOPS for Education. BOX TOPS for Education makes it easy for our school to earn the extra cash it needs. Find BOX TOPS on hundreds of products you probably already buy! Each BOX TOP is worth 10 cents to MCDS. Turn your BOX TOPS in to your child(ren)'s classroom. A Parent Guild volunteer will collect them 3 times a year --
October 17th, 2008, February 13th, 2009, and May 15th, 2009. BOX TOPS will send MCDS a check worth 10 cents for each BOX TOP redeemed, up to $20,000 per year! If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer to help with the program at MCDS, contact Deborah Grunwald .
Also, here's another tip to help our school: When you purchase school uniforms from Lands' End.......
1) Purchase a Lands End gift card through our SCRIP program.
2) Sign on to www.boxtops4education.com and go to MARKETPLACE
3) Go to the Lands' End site from there, purchase your uniforms, use our preferred school # 900035213 and your Scrip card.
4) WIN - WIN situation because you get the uniform you need, you don't have the risk of putting your own credit card out on the internet (SCRIP card instead), and MCDS gets $ through Scrip, Box Tops, and the preferred school program!
MCDS Summer Reading Lists:
Although summer is a time for students to relax, mature, and develop in non-academic ways, research suggests that summer reading preserves reading skills. In addition, MCDS students and parents have requested lists of additional reading for personal enrichment. With this in mind, MCDS suggests the following texts as summer reading for students in different grade levels. Please note that this list is not exhaustive: we encourage students to explore personal interests in reading quality literature.
- For the Lower School suggested reading list click Here
- For the 5th & 6th Grade suggested reading list click Here
- For the 7th & 8th Grade suggested reading list click Here
- For the High School suggested reading list click Here.
3rd and 4th Grade Seminar Books:
Students entering 3rd and 4th grade have been assigned a summer seminar book that they should read and come prepared to discuss when school is back in session.
- Seminar book for incoming 3rd grade students-James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
- Seminar book for incoming 4th grade students-Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
Get Your Java...
and support MCDS MCDS Coffee Sales Raised $880!
Thank you to everyone who participated.
 
 
To order over the summer,
contact Kayte Cunningham, or call 238-3237
(Be sure to list grind preference.)
Pick-up will be at school unless you live close to me.
- Micro-Roasted Fresh Madison
It's as fresh as you can get. Roasting begins after our order is placed. This coffee is delicious!.
- 100% Fair Trade Fair Trade is defined as a “trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.”
- Organic & Shade Grown
- In the mid-elevations of Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and Colombia, most of the forests still standing are in traditional coffee plantations. These provide the last refuge for birds that have lost their habitat to the vast destruction of tropical forests. Conservation organizations such Audubon strongly endorse the purchase of shade grown coffee. Purchases of shade grown coffee make a difference.
- Benefits the Annual Fund
- Averages $4/bag for the fund while providing you with something you use everyday.
Recycling Helps Fund MCDS:
Empty printer cartridges and cell phones are worth money for our school… And recycling helps the environment. Please help the Parent Guild by saving your empty printer cartridges (or, if you’ve purchased a
new printer recently, we’ll take the cartridges for your old printer—empty or not!) and your used cell phones. We send them in and raise money for Parent Guild-sponsored activities and purchases. It’s an easy way that we can earn money (and help save the earth!) just by recycling items we no longer need or use! Look for the collection boxes in the LS and MS/US lobbies.
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