Donate School Supplies
School supplies are filling store shelves, and back-to-school ads will be appearing soon. This is the perfect time to organize a school supply drive! Milwaukee businesses, community groups, and faith-based communities are invited to collect school supplies so MPS students have the tools for a successful school year.
Small donations will be accepted Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at MPS Central Services, 5225 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI, 53208. Security staff will accept donations at the north or south main entrances.
For large donations, please make arrangements with the MPS Department of Strategic Partnerships and Customer Service.
Learn more about making donations.
News and Updates
Register Now for Head Start!
If your child is 3 or 4 years old, it’s time for their learning journey to begin! Children who attend preschool, Head Start, or an early learning program are more prepared for kindergarten and are more successful in school. Help your child succeed—register for MPS Head Start now!
MPS offers half-day and full-day Head Start programs at 35 sites. Some schools offer a bilingual (English/Spanish) program. Before- and after-school care and transportation are available.
Learn more about Head Start!
Summer Meal Program
MPS will offer meals for children age 18 and under at more than 50 sites during the summer. Free breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be offered and will vary by location. Stop by for a well-balanced breakfast including whole grains, fruit, and local milk. Lunches and dinners include an entrée, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and local milk.
Parents or students can find the nearest meal location and check dates, schedules, and offerings on the MPS Nutrition Services page.
We look forward to serving children in our cafeterias this summer!
Tips to Reduce Summer Slide and Keep Kids Reading
Help students retain knowledge over the summer months so they start strong in fall! Try these helpful tips to keep kids reading.
- Let your child select books that interest them. If they don’t like a book, allow them to quit reading and try a different book.
- Look for books at thrift stores, yard sales, and Little Free Libraries. Consider donating unwanted books, or swap with friends.
- Attend local events and read before you go. When children read and know what to expect, they absorb more from an event or activity.
- When watching television, turn on captions so children can read along with the program.
More Tips to Keep Children Reading All Summer
- Read to your child or encourage independent reading every day for at least 20 minutes.
- Make reading a family event! Take turns reading or ask older children to read to younger siblings.
- Visit the library every week or two so children know when books are due and when they can select new titles.
- Talk to your child about their interests and look for books on those topics—try fiction and nonfiction.
- Watch free online reading videos.
Look for more tips in this newsletter in the coming weeks!
Download a list of free Milwaukee events with reading suggestions.
MPS Twilight Centers Summer Hours
Twilight Centers offer programming at select schools so young people have a safe place to go during the evenings. This summer, five high school Twilight Centers (ages 12-18) and two middle school Twilight Centers (ages 10-15) are open for young people to safely participate in activities, board games, sports, open gym shootaround, and more! Learn more about Twilight Center summer programs.
College and Career Centers Summer Hours
MPS College and Career Centers are available all summer to assist students in grades 6 through 12 (and beyond) with FREE college and career support. Four sites are open this summer Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more information on summer programs and virtual office hours, please visit mpsmke.com/CACC.
MPS Is Hiring! Join Our Team!
MPS is seeking motivated teachers, paraprofessionals to support teachers, building operations and maintenance staff, and kitchen and cafeteria staff. MPS will host hiring events throughout the summer and attend local fairs and festivals including Summerfest, Bastille Days, Wisconsin State Fair, and Mexican Fiesta. Stop by to ask questions about the hiring process, learn about pay and benefits, and find out how to become a teacher.
Read more about summer hiring events!
District Weekly Highlight
MPS students celebrated the completion of architecture and engineering projects through the NAF program. At Metcalfe Park on Milwaukee’s north side, scholars hosted a ribbon cutting to officially dedicate two shade and rainwater collecting stations and a renewable power station. The projects were designed and constructed by students in the NAF Future Ready Scholars program through a camp experience hosted at UWM.
Read more about this hands-on opportunity and the NAF program!
In case you missed it . . .
Childhood Immunization Clinics
Summer is the perfect time to catch up on childhood vaccinations! The City of Milwaukee Health Department offers free vaccines for children who qualify. Protect your child from measles, mumps, whooping cough, hepatitis A and B, COVID-19 and more!
Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd.
Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23rd St.
- Fridays: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Vaccines are given on a walk-in basis. For a list of vaccines and how to qualify, visit Milwaukee Health Department Immunization Clinic Services.
For questions, please call (414) 286-8034.
Milwaukee Public Library Summer Reading Program
Join the Super Reader Squad or take part in the Teen Summer Challenge! Children of all ages can sign up to enjoy adventures, great stories, and exciting characters through reading. Adults are encouraged to be reading role models by participating in the Book by Book Adult Summer Reading Program.
Learn more about free summer reading programs.
Milwaukee Summer Jobs
Milwaukee Recreation is hiring full-time, part-time, and seasonal positions such as instructors, leaders, field attendants, coaches, umpires, and referees who support programming at school and community locations throughout the city of Milwaukee. View current job openings with Milwaukee Recreation.
Milwaukee County Parks hire seasonal employees with many different skill sets to serve the community. Visit the Milwaukee County Parks website to find positions that offer training and work experience in your area of interest.
Lifeguards Wanted! Milwaukee County Parks need lifeguards for the summer. Starting pay is $16.14 per hour. Training is provided. Candidates must be age 16 or older and able to swim 100 meters in 1 minute and 45 seconds to qualify. Apply as a lifeguard and for other County Park jobs at county.milwaukee.gov/EN/Parks/What-We-Do/Careers-with-The-Parks. Positions are available for gardening, golf course maintenance, food service, and more.
Earn an Equivalency Diploma and Business Skills this Summer
Attend a free 16-week program to earn a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) while also developing skills to run a business. The program runs four days per week, July 11-October 27. This course is offered through Literacy Services of Wisconsin, the African-American Chamber of Commerce, and RISEMKE.
For details, download a flyer or visit literacyservices.org/rise
COVID-19 Vaccine Locations
COVID-19 vaccine is available FREE for all Wisconsin residents age 5 and older. Health insurance is NOT needed. Call the hotline at (414) 286-6800 for questions, to schedule an appointment or home visit, or to speak with a nurse.
Milwaukee Health Department Clinics
Northwest Health Center, 7630 W. Mill Rd.
Southside Health Center, 1639 S. 23rd St.
Mondays & Fridays: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 12 - 6 p.m.
Saturdays: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Menomonee Valley Site, 2401 W. St. Paul Ave.
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12 - 6 p.m.
Tuesday & Thursday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Vaccines are also available throughout the city at many pharmacies including CVS and Walgreens. Visit the Milwaukee Health Department COVID-19 Vaccine page (available in English, Spanish, and Hmong) for more information about COVID-19 vaccine locations.
Stay Connected!
MPS offers tools to help families find the information and support they need. Log in to the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, download the MPS App for updates, and follow us on social media. The Parent Coordinator at your child's school can also assist.
Infinite Campus Parent Portal Technical Support
Live Parent Portal (Infinite Campus) support is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
To recover a username/password: Parents/guardians should email parentportal@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. Include the parent/guardian name, child’s name, birth date, and a contact number. If you do not receive a phone call or email within 24 hours, please call (414) 475-8159 for further assistance.
For assistance setting up a new Parent Portal account: Parents/guardians may call (414) 475-8159 or email parentportal@milwaukee.k12.wi.us
MPS App
Get all the latest news and updates! Download the MPS App and follow us on social media. Fast access to news, updates, and the entire MPS website is available on the MPS App (for Apple and Android smartphone platforms). To download, use the links below.
iOS | Android
Milwaukee Board of School Directors
Upcoming Meetings: July
If you'd like to follow the meetings of the Milwaukee Board of School Directors, visit the Milwaukee Board of School Directors page to find the meeting schedule, agendas, and links to watch or listen to live meetings. Instructions for public testimony are also offered on this page.
- Regular Monthly Board Meeting: Thurs. July 28, 2022, 5:30 p.m.
