District 1 Newsletter

MPS students will not report for School on:

Monday, January 26, 2026 for Record and Professional Development Day

Please check your own schools calendar's schedule to confirm the holiday schedule.

With the holiday season bringing a shorter month and many joyful celebrations across the district, this section looks a little different than usual. Rather than highlighting individual events attended by specific Board Directors, we are excited to share a collection of festive events attended by several of our MPS Board Directors across the district. These moments reflect the joy, school pride, and strong sense of community that make the holiday season in MPS so special.

Holiday Magic at Morgandale with the Daisy Foundation

Director O’Halloran joined city officials, the WISN news team, and the Daisy Foundation in surprising students at Morgandale with holiday gifts generously donated by the Foundation. This annual event is always a highlight of the season, the energy and excitement in the room were truly infectious, and the joy on students’ faces was priceless. In addition to the students, teachers were also surprised with gifts, making the celebration even more meaningful for the entire school community.

Grantosa Holiday Concert

Director Siemsen had the pleasure of attending Grantosa’s schoolwide Holiday Concert and connecting with students, staff, and families throughout the event. The strong sense of pride at Grantosa was evident, and it was inspiring to see the school community come together to celebrate and showcase the incredible talents of its students.

Pancakes with Santa at South Division High School

Students and families gathered at South Division High School to meet Santa, take photos, and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast. The event created a joyful space for families to come together and celebrate the holiday season. Director Reza stopped by to connect with families and share in the festive spirit of the morning.

Battle of the Drumlines

Board members showed their support at one of MPS’s most anticipated annual events, cheering on talented student drumlines as they battled for first place. The event was a powerful reminder of the exceptional musical talent found across MPS.

Since relaunching Beyond the Boardroom in October, Board members have been participating in opportunities that extend beyond their day-to-day duties and allow them to be more actively engaged in their communities. This month, Director Christopher Fons accepted an invitation from Fratney parent Amanda Seppanen to volunteer alongside community members packaging food donations for Fratney families—an effort Amanda has led since concerns about a potential government shutdown emerged in October.

In addition to volunteering, Director Fons joined local and state leaders for a conversation about what more can be done to address food insecurity, an issue that impacts far too many MPS families. This experience provided an opportunity not only to support families directly, but also to engage in meaningful dialogue about long-term solutions.

This is what Beyond the Boardroom is all about—showing up in our school communities, supporting families in tangible ways, and continuing important conversations that move our district forward. We encourage community members to reach out if they have ideas or opportunities for Board participation.

If you are interested in donating to the food drive you can scan the QR Code below!

MPS Career Fair

Join Our Team!

Milwaukee Public Schools is hosting two career fairs this month for individuals interested in meaningful, purpose-driven careers. Attendees can explore job opportunities, connect with staff, and learn more about building a career with MPS.

If you have a bachelor’s degree and are interested in teaching—even if your degree is not in education—MPS offers multiple pathways to becoming a licensed teacher while gaining valuable classroom experience. Information about these licensure pathways is available on the MPS website, where prospective educators can learn more about requirements, supports, and next steps. Individuals with bachelor’s degrees in non-education fields are encouraged to attend and learn how their experience can translate into a rewarding career in education.

MPS also provides ongoing professional development and support to help employees grow and succeed.

Take the next step—attend a career fair to learn how your skills and experience can make a difference for students.

MPS is currently seeking:

Teachers
Substitute teachers
Paraprofessionals
Food service managers
Tradespeople
Administrative staff

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

MPS Central Services

5225 W Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI 53208

&

Wednesday, January 28, 2026

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Rufus King International High School

1801 W Olive St, Milwaukee, WI 53209

Families as Partners Workshop

Families as Partners is an education and leadership development workshop for family members and caregivers of children with IEPs. Families as Partners focus on building relationships with others that can lead to improved outcomes for students.

Learn what questions to ask
Make connections with staff, agencies and other families
Promote high expectations for your children
Gain knowledge and skills to support your children with special needs

Light breakfast and lunch included!

When:

Saturday, January 24

9:30 am - 3:30 pm

Where:

Central Services Room 206-208

5225 W Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI 53208

Register here

Child care available for ages 3 and up.

Kindergarten Enrollment Fair

Ages 3, 4 and 5!

Families are invited to explore the many opportunities MPS has to offer by discovering schools and programs that best fit their child’s needs. Attendees can meet school leaders and teachers, learn about transportation and before- and after-school care, and enjoy hands-on activities, classroom demonstrations, and other family-friendly experiences. The event will also highlight MPS’s new approach to teaching reading and provide information on family resources, career opportunities, and more

For more information, call (414) 475-8159. Interpreters will be available. Apply by March 2 for the best opportunity at your first-choice school.

When:

Saturday, January 31, 2026

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Where:

South Division High School

1515 W Lapham Blvd, Milwaukee, WI 53204

We want to make it easier for families, staff, and community members to stay informed about the work of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors. If someone you know is interested in receiving these newsletters directly, we’ve included step-by-step instructions below on how to subscribe through Enotify.

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