WISH LIST
Notre Dame Middle School (NDMS) is dedicated to empowering at-risk, young women to overcome socio-economic obstacles and to pursue lifelong learning, leadership, and services to our community. NDMS is based on a model of intensive academic preparation with small classes, individual and group tutoring, and an extended day with mandatory after-school programming of study and enrichment activities. Our programs works! Defying local and national statistics, 96% of students residing in Milwaukee graduate high school and 76% go on to college.
This accomplishment is made possible by our student’s self-determination, their parent’s commitment to their education; our dedicated teachers and staff; the generous time commitment of our volunteers and community financial support. Below please find NDMS’ wish list.
NDMS GENERAL SUPPORT
Adopt-A-Student
$ 8,384 per student for one year
$33,536 per 5th grader for 4 years
$40,172 per 5th grader for 4 years plus 4 years of graduate support program (Choice reimbursement subtracted)
"Adopting-a-student" would underwrite the costs of providing small classes sizes, after-school and related programming for one student for one year.
Adopt-A-Class
$251,525 per class for one year
$1,006,100 for the 5th grade class for 4 years
$1,205,180 for the 5th grade class for 4 years plus 4 years of graduate support program (Choice reimbursement subtracted)
"Adopting-a-class" is similar to a student just expanding the scope to include a whole class. You would be assuring our students have the best educational opportunities through one year of middle school.
New Reading Initiative
$86,000 for year one
$61,000 going forward
A majority of our students arrive at NDMS below grade level. Principal, Sr. Jean Ellman and the teaching staff are beginning to implement a multi-dimensional initiative to address this critical issue. .All grades are utilizing new reading and spelling programs. New phonics programs are being utilized for the 5th and 6th graders and the 7th and 8th graders. Initially, the funds will be used for purchasing new supplies related to the curriculum development and the additional staff. Going forward, the costs represent continuing with the additional staff, professional development, summer school and related costs.
Classroom Fund
$7,500 per year
Start a fund to be used for classroom upgrades. Our teachers would make requests to the Principal for improvements to the classroom that would directly impact their ability to teach. Examples include requesting new microscopes for the science lab, a new typing program for the computer lab, or a new world map for the social studies room. It could also be used for requests to underwrite educational field trips such as the art class visiting the museum or the science class exploring a nature center.
GRADUATE SUPPORT PROGRAM
Starting in 8th grade, NDMS works with students and parents to identify the high school that would best fit their needs and interests. Seminars are provided on financial aid and information is shared on community scholarships. The Director works with students throughout the application process. Ideally, most students will attend a local Catholic college preparatory high school. While in high school students grades are monitored and many return to NDMS for evening study hall, tutoring and/or mentoring. Other programs include college exploration, social outings, community service and emotional support. The Director is available to help students with any problems they may be having. If needed, transportation form the high school to Notre Dame is provided. The Director will work with the graduates to provide assistance during the college application experience including assisting with financial aid process. NDMS also has a high school scholarship program for students in need.
High School Scholarships Fund
$80,000 for this school year
NDMS provides scholarships to students in need to attend local private Catholic High Schools. The scholarship allocation is based on a matrix that assesses financial need, existing scholarship, GPA, family income, number of family members and special circumstances. All parents contribute toward their children’s education. This is a growing need since many of the private high schools are giving fewer scholarships and other students must rely on a lottery for Choice funds. In 2008-2009, NDMS allocated $80,000 for partial high school scholarships. It is our goals to increase amount of scholarships we can offer our students to assure all students have the ability to attend the private college preparatory high school of their choice.
Study Hall & Academic Support
$10,000 per year
NDMS provides a study hall for our high school students 4 nights a week from 3:30 pm-6:30 pm. The attendance ranges between 15-25 students nightly. Students can work quietly or together on group projects. Tutoring is also available. We are in need of extra laptop computers for the girls to use ($1,000 per computer w/ software). Our Director of Graduate Support and other staff members are available during this time to assist with other high school issues too.
School Supply Fund
$5,000 per year
Many of our students and families struggle to pay for necessary school supplies that include books (average $400 per year per student) and uniforms (average $150 per year per student).
AFTER-SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
All students are required to participate in the After-School Enrichment Program. It is comprised of an enrichment activity and study hall. The enrichment activities are divided into 3 sessions throughout the year and each evening students are divided into approx. 8-10 activities. All students must participate in at least one team sport during the year and have a physical fitness activity each session. Programs include yoga, dance, cooking, sewing, math club, museum exploration, clay works, mentoring, volleyball, soccer, tennis, water aerobics, sacraments, science club and many more.
Programming Expenses
$5,000 per year
NDMS pays for many of the programs that our students participate in including, but not limited to, First Stage Theater, Pearls for Teen Girls, Red Cross Babysitting Certification, Mad Hot Milwaukee Ballroom, READY, and various recreational sporting league fees.
Healthy Snacks
$1,500 per year
Hunger is an issue for some of our students. As part of the after-school program we provide a nutritious evening snack.
Summer Camps
$100 per student, $12,200 for the whole school
Realizing the need to keep our students active and engaged during the summer months, NDMS helps students and parents with the summer camp application process and will pay for the camp and daily transportation.
General After-School Uniforms
$75 per student or $ 9,150 for the whole school
Each student is required to have an after-school uniform that consists of a shirt, shorts, sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Additionally, NDMS would like every child to have a pair of athletic shoes. As the students move into the formalized physical fitness program it will become increasingly important for our students to have the proper athletic shoes to assure a safe experience.
CAPITAL EXPENSES
New Van
$25,000
NDMS utilizes 3 vans (1 mini and 2 ten-passenger) to drive our students to and from various activities throughout the school day, summer, weekends and in the evening for after-school enrichment and graduate support programs. We need a new mini-van.
Technology Upgrades
$3,500 per year
As our computers and related items continue to age out, there is a constant need to replace several computers per year. The computers are used in the computer lab, classrooms, offices and graduate support area to facilitate the completion of our graduate’s homework.
GENERAL NEED
Operating Support
$10,000
NDMS is in need of general operating support that would assist with the cost of the day-to-day operations that include increasing costs to heat our building, administrative support and special evening programming for parents and students (family connection series, school fair, parent meetings, holiday celebrations, variety show, etc.) and related items.
Physical Fitness
$1,500 per year
NDMS is working hard to instill a sense of enjoyment of physical fitness activities in our students that will last a lifetime. In addition to our new gym, we have added a formal physical fitness curriculum to the school day and are requiring all students to participate in a minimum of 1 team sport per year and a physical fitness activity during each after-school session. We need to increase our supply of basic gym equipment (soccer, volleyball, basketball and baseball items, bike helmets, stop watches, cones, pull-up bars, team jersey, etc.)
Transportation Fund
$10,000 per year
Given the rising costs of gas, NDMS is paying more than ever for bus rentals. Buses are utilized for school day field trips and after-school programming. Though our many community partnerships, NDMS students have the opportunity to visit local museums, theaters, nature centers, businesses for mentoring, churches, and other cultural and educational locations. The dramatic increase in bus rental costs is requiring us to thoroughly assess each opportunity and at times turn down trips. NDMS also utilizes a mini-van and two 9 passenger vans to take small groups to summer camps, academic and sporting competitions, community service activities and related trips. Additionally, the vans are used to pick-up high school students after-school and bring them to NDMS for tutoring and mentoring
Community Projects Fund
$2,500 per year
NDMS is fortunate to have a corps group of parents that are willing to donate their time and expertise to enhance the school. Recently, they built a collapsible stage that can be used for various activities throughout the year. Other projects include adding a backsplash to the art room, building shelves for several classrooms, beautifying the entrance to the school and similar projects. The parents also volunteer to help sew costumes for various plays and the variety show. This fund would be used for the costs of materials.
