Milwaukee Public Schools
Press Release

Student Early Release Days Will Allow Teacher Training in New MPS Literacy Plan

Plan Includes 40 Hours of Dedicated Teacher Training in 2025–26 So All Students Can Read at Grade Level

By - Oct 1st, 2025 02:40 pm

(MILWAUKEE)—Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced a new literacy plan earlier this year to ensure that all students can read at grade level.

Part of this plan includes 40 hours of dedicated teacher training. To complete this training, students will be released early four times this academic year to give teachers high-quality support and professional learning.

The first day of training is Wednesday, October 8. Students will be let out two hours early on October 8, except for half-day students, who will have a specific schedule to accommodate learning for both morning and afternoon students.

Morning half-day sessions will be two hours long, and afternoon half-day sessions will start 1.5 hours early. All students will receive lunch on these days, although lunch times may differ from regular schedules.

These early release dates will affect family schedules and after-school care. Families should be prepared to pick up early or be able to receive children early if students walk or travel by bus. Please check with your school to see if after-school care is available.

After-school care by Milwaukee Recreation will be available at four hub locations from 12:00 until 5:00 p.m.

Four sites for students of all ages are:

  • JAMES MADISON HIGH SCHOOL, 8135 W. FLORIST AVE.
  • HAWLEY ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOOL, 5610 W. WISCONSIN AVE.
  • RUFUS KING INTERNATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL, 121 E. HADLEY ST.
  • WEDGEWOOD PARK INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, 6506 W. WARNIMONT AVE.

Transportation to the sites must be arranged by families.

The remaining early release days in this school year are December 10, March 4, and April 15.

To see more about the district’s plan — including a video podcast — visit the literacy page on the MPS website.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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