In the Science Lab

Our 6-7 team spent a couple of days in the science lab analyzing soil to determine whether or not it was capable of growing plants for our Global Food Chain unit this marking period. See for yourselves what they discovered!

Crime Scene Investigators

Our 7th grade classes participated in a crime scene investigation project for their Unit 1 assessments. An actual crime scene was created in the school for students to analyze and compile data. They were to take their analysis and investigative work to decide who committed the crime and compile the evidence together. Take a look at some of their work!

Visit to the Dairy Farm

Our 6th grade classes visited, VDS Farms, LLC, a local dairy farm to start off their Unit 2 stories for their ELA classes. Students were given a list of questions to ask the farmer who conducted the tour and also took notes along the way. They had quite an experience!

Important dates as the new year starts

The school year is fast approaching and teachers and students alike will soon be getting into the swing of things. Are you ready to see all of the changes that have come to Milwood Magnet School during summer break? We have had many new renovations to make our biotechnology focus even stronger and put technology at the forefront of our students' learning experience.

The first opportunity of the school year for students to get a look at their class schedule, meet their teachers and get their lockers is September 2, at 6:30 pm, during the Ice Cream Social. This opportunity is generally very beneficial to students as a way of getting ready for the beginning of school. Students who are not able to attend will get the same information on the first day of school.

Other important dates as we begin the school year:

Tuesday, September 8th, will be our first day of school. Michigan law doesn't allow for schools to begin any earlier than the day after Labor Day. The first day is a half day. We will have three entry points, one for sixth graders in the back courtyard and two more for the 7th and 8th graders at the west side basketball courts. There will be lists posted at each entry door that will outline who everyone's advisory teacher is.

Teachers will come outside on the first day and will have a sign identifying who they are. The students will assemble with their designated teacher and will enter the building at approximately 7:30. The first half day will be spent entirely with the advisory teacher. We will review building procedures and expectations for behavior and responsibility thoroughly with all students. Teacher will walk out with their students at dismissal time, 10:35. Our first full day of school will be on September 9th.

Our official date for open house is Thursday, September 24, at 6:30 pm. This will be an opportunity for students to tour the building with their parents after they have been in school for a couple of weeks. Parents will have this opportunity to meet staff members and ask questions about school operations. We hope to see you then.

Upcoming events: Video Game Carnival

In just two weeks, Milwood Magnet School and the MMS Parent Advisory team will host its first video game night!



We are still looking for volunteers to lend their Wii and a game, their time, or resources for the evening, which will be May 15, 2009 from 5:30 - 9 pm. If you're interested, please contact Mary Hoyle at the school.

WGOM: Have you checked in on the salmon lately?

They have gotten big and will continue to double their size as the end of next month approaches, when we will release the salmon at a designated release location. The 7th grade students at Milwood Magnet School have enjoyed having salmon in the classroom and have gained a lot of knowledge from this project.

WGOM: Welcome Back & a Field Trip!

We hope everyone had a fun and refreshing Spring Break! We return to Milwood Magnet School with a renewed focus to educate and learn. Before we left, our 8th Grade A&B teams went on a Gear-Up field trip to Western Michigan University. Students were able to explore the campus via a tour, where they saw everything from the Waldo Library, to a realistic dorm room, to a taste of campus life by having a lunch in a WMU cafeteria.

Students walked away from the experience knowing more about college than they did before the visit and had an idea of the preparations they would need to make in order to be ready for college. They were also able to get more information on what the Kalamazoo Promise will pay for in regards to college, as well.

Upcoming events: Wii Game Night

Milwood Magnet School Parent Advisory is organizing the first Wii Game Night. More details to come!




Today is the last day of school before Spring Break. We will return on Monday, April 13.

WGOM: Family Computing Program!

Milwood Magnet School has begun the implementation of its Family Computing Program. This program offers families the opportunity to take part in the construction of a computing system for personal usage. The intent of this program is to expose current Milwood Magnet School families to technologies offered by the school, as well as bridge the "Digital Divide." Through this program, families will be given exposure to multiple computer-based tools that include: the Parent Internet Viewer (PIV) system, the Milwood Magnet School web site, and teacher blogs. The FCP offers the opportunity for academic growth in 21st century skills, as well as provides tools for parental support through the demystification of technology.

For more information, or to apply to be a part of our Family Computing Program, please visit Milwood Magnet School's FCP page.

WGOM: New visitors at Milwood!

The 7th grade science classes welcomed a couple of visitors this past week into their classrooms.

This little guy is a painted lady butterfly, still in larvae, or caterpillar, form. Students will watch the caterpillars through the pupal stage and hatch to become a butterfly.

The praying mantis is another visitor that made its arrival this week. It comes arrives as an egg case and will hatch into multiple mantises. This should happen in the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned as we keep you updated on the care of our visitors!

WGOM: Check in on the Salmon!

Have you checked in on the salmon lately?



We're happy to be back in action again on The Lancer Letter and bring you more updates in the coming weeks.

WGOM: Loy Norrix Concert Band treats Milwood Magnet School to a Holiday Concert!

Students were able to enjoy the music of Loy Norrix's concert band on Thursday, December 18, 2008. The band came over during 6th hour and performed several holiday-themed songs for students' enjoyment.

(Due to technical difficulties uploading the video to our viddler account, we are unable to share the video! We apologize for the inconvenience.)

We are enjoying our holiday break! See you back again on Monday, January 5th, 2009!

WGOM: Holiday Concert

Did you miss the concert on Tuesday, December 9 at LNHS Kasdorf Auditorium? Our orchestra, choir, and concert band performed for parents, staff, students, and community members who were in attendance. If you were not able to make it, you're in luck, because we recorded the performance for your viewing pleasure!

WGOM: Milwood Magnet School Contributes to the Global Food Chain!

Milwood Magnet School Contributes to the Global Food Chain

MMS will meet the immediate food needs of our community by collecting can and dry goods for the Greater Kalamazoo Food Drive.  We will meet the long-term needs of hunger by contributing money to Heifer International.

The Greater Kalamazoo Area Holiday Food Drive is West Michigan's largest holiday food distribution program. 1,500 families will receive food for a week!  The Student Advisory Council will use a friendly Canned Good/Non-perishable food item competition to get students and staff to contribute to the GK Food Drive.  Grade levels will compete against each other.  The competition will begin on December 1st and run through December 18th. 

Heifer International:  Ending Hunger, Caring for the Earth

Heifer's Mission to end World Hunger (http://www.heifer.org)

A world of communities living together in peace and equitably sharing the resources of a healthy planet.  

To work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth.  

To “pass on the gift.” As people share their animals’ offspring with others - along with their knowledge, resources, and skills - an expanding network of hope, dignity, and self-reliance is created that reaches around the globe. This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for over 60 years. Today, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of self-reliance and hope.

The Student Advisory Council will use a friendly penny war as a fundraiser for Heifer International.  The End Hunger & Care for the Earth Penny War will take place during each lunch hour.  Grade levels will compete against each other. The competition will being on December 5th and run through December 19th.  Morning Announcements and the December 4th Advisory will be used to help introduce Heifer International and the Penny War. 

Rules of the Penny War

The GOAL of the Penny War is to collect as many PENNIES as possible in your jar and put as many NON-PENNIES in everyone else’s jar. Each team (grade level) will have its own labeled container jar in the cafeteria during lunch. Money is worth “points” based on its monetary value.

Pennies = +1 point 

Nickels = -5 points 

Dimes = -10 points 

Quarters = -25 points

Pennies give your team positive points while nickels, dimes, quarters, and any dollar bills take points AWAY from the team’s total. Therefore, you want to put PENNIES in YOUR TEAM’S jar (positive points) & nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills (negative points) in the jars of OTHER TEAMS. Whichever team has THE MOST POINTS at the end of the Penny Drive, wins!

Also be on the lookout! The December edition of the mailed Lancer Letter should be making it to your mailboxes in the next few days! 

WGOM: Field Trips for 6th and 8th Graders

Our sixth graders recently took a trip to a dairy farm to see what life is like for the farmers and the cows. They were able to ask questions and tour each area of the farm. Each group, over the Wednesday and Thursday, were able to witness the birth of at least one calf, as well as the milking room, and each area where different groups of cows or calves are housed. Students gained a lot of knowledge of the current unit of our biotechnology curriculum (Global Food Chain) as well as an understanding of the work that goes into running a farming business.





Ms. Kidman and her eighth grade Spanish class also took a day trip to Chicago. While there, they were able to receive a lesson in salsa dancing, visit a pastry and candy store, and tour the National Museum of Mexican Art.

WGOM: Career Day and fun!

Wednesday, November 12 was Career Day at Milwood Magnet School. Guest speakers came to the school to talk to eighth grade students about their professions and the education that was required in order to be successful in their given professions. Speakers included:

Tim Terrentine, Community Services
Cyndi Trobeck, Bank Manager
Ervin Armstrong, Goal Setting
Tisha Yance and Shannon Coleman, Kellogg Manufacturing
Douglas Davidson, WMU Professor
Stacey Allison and Cynthia Weessies, Nurses
Joy Bailey and JoAnn Muncy, AntiRacism Organizers
Jerry Paul from Kalamazoo Air Zoo, Aviator
Delores Rawling, Nurse

Students on both eighth grade teams were able to receive presentations from four speakers.



And just for fun, Ms. Kidman's 6th grade Spanish Class sings the days of the week:

WGOM: Magnet Fair & More

Saturday was the Kalamazoo Public Schools Magnet Fair, where all KPS Magnet Schools gathered to provide information to interested students and families. Milwood Magnet School provided a full stock of technology available to students, featuring the 2Know! Classroom Response System, a Nintendo Wii with the Wii Fit, science experiments, a Make-And-Take Inheritance Bracelet, and a audio stream of The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld.



Previous to the Magnet Fair, Milwood Magnet School staff and students participated in the Kalamazoo Holiday Parade, along with the Milwood Magnet School Drum Line, who played cadences along with the Loy Norrix High School Marching Band, who preceded the MMS group in the parade. It was cold, with temperatures in the mid-30's to low-40's and mixtures of rain, snow, and sunshine, but everyone had a great time.

WGOM: Spirit Week and Science Lab!

Last week was School Spirit Week at Milwood. We love teaching students a sense of community and participation through fun events like this. Spirit week included:

Monday: Pajama Day

Tuesday: Mis-match Day

Wednesday: Professional Dress Day

Thursday: 80's Day

Friday: School Colors Spirit Day

Both students and staff were invited to participate and everyone who was able to had a wonderful time!

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Mr. Koch's Science Classes were in the lab this week learning weights and measurements, using both standard and digital scales in order to help reinforce our current unit on technological innovations.

WGOM: Student-Led Conferences

What's Going On @ Milwood Magnet School

We've wrapped up a busy couple of weeks! With student-led parent conferences and MEAP testing, both students and teachers have been feeling the crunch! We start off our first of regular Lancer Letter segments with a video clip:

Student-led Parent Conferences allows students to learn the core expectations of Milwood Magnet School - Respect, Responsibility, Caring, and Honesty. They learn to respect the work that goes into their education. They become responsible for themselves by being accountable for the work they've done. They learn to care about the hard work that they do in their classrooms and about the grades that they receive. And they learn honesty by having open conversations with both their parents and teachers about their strengths and weaknesses. Students and teachers alike experienced the benefits of student-led parent conferences on October 15 & 16, 2008.

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Today, we celebrate the launch of our interactive edition of the Lancer Letter. We have a lot of fun planned for the newsletter, including regularly-scheduled weekly articles:

What's Going on @ Milwood

Technology Tuesday

Question & Answers

On Mondays, we plan to share something you can't get via the Lancer Letter, be it sound clips, videos, photos, or all of the above!

Tuesdays are reserved to honoring the technology that encompasses our biotechnology theme. Each Tuesday, we will present a tutorial or short clip about how to utilize the technology that is also available to students and teachers in the classroom.

Wednesdays will allow us to answer questions given to us via the blog or email.

Please check back with us tomorrow!