Milwaukee Public Schools launches new Dept. of Black and Latino Male Achievement

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) launched on Monday, October 2nd the new Department of Black and Latino Male Achievement.A news release from MPS says "this department will work specifically address the glaring disparities in academic and life outcomes for young men and boys of color and to implement programs that improve their lives."On Monday, the new staff, city leaders and students met at Pulaski High School to discuss how this new effort will positively impact young men and boys of color, MPS and the city.As part of Monday's launch, students also took part in a variety of interactive stations including:

Zoning board gives initial go-ahead to turn former MPS school into Extended Stay hotel

MILWAUKEE -- A plan to convert a former Milwaukee Public Schools building into a hotel is starting to take shape.A city zoning board gave the initial go-ahead to sell the former Wisconsin Avenue School near 27th and Wisconsin to the Ambassador.The property would be sold for $200,000.

"My driving has changed:" 'MPS Drive' program offers free driver's ed to MPS students

MILWAUKEE -- Learning to drive used to be a rite of passage for teenagers, but when schools stopped teaching driver's education, many young people never got a true understanding of the rules of the road."I swore I knew everything before this class, but my driving has changed.

"It never gets old:" Gov. Walker, MPS superintendent greet students on 1st day of school

MILWAUKEE -- Thousands of students in Milwaukee said goodbye to summer vacation and hello to a new school year on Tuesday, September 5th.There was a celebration at Walt Whitman School, marking the official first day for students on Milwaukee Public Schools’ traditional calendar, after early start schools began on August 14th.“As you all know, at MPS, we love it so much we do it twice," MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver joked.

Board recommends MPS close Daniel Webster Secondary School effective September 1st

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) administration is recommending the Milwaukee Board of School Directors close Daniel Webster Secondary School, effective September 1st.“MPS is committed to ensuring that all children have the highest quality education possible and every chance for success,” said MPS Superintendent Darienne Driver in a statement provided to FOX6 News. “Webster’s enrollment was not sufficient enough to provide the robust academic programs every student in Milwaukee Public Schools deserves.

MPS teacher recovering from attack by student, calls the incident "unfortunate"

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee Public Schools teacher attacked by a student at South Division High School tells FOX6 News he is not sure when he will return to the classroom.Cell phone video showed a student punching the teacher several times in the head.The teacher, who we are not identifying, tells FOX6 News he has painful injuries to his jaw and spine from the attack.

"Nothing like the 1st day of school:" MPS welcomes back early start students with celebration

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) welcomed back its high school, middle school and select elementary school students on Monday, August 14th to kick off the new early start calendar.

Kohl's volunteers fill backpacks, help MPS get students ready for the school year

MENOMONEE FALLS -- Nearly 200 Kohl’s associate volunteers on Wednesday, August 2nd helped get Milwaukee Public Schools students ready for the school year ahead by organizing and packing 10,000 backpacks to be distributed to students in time for the first day of school.The Kohl’s associates filled backpacks with crayons, glue sticks, folders and more, which will then be distributed to students district wide across the Milwaukee Public School system.Students in grades K4, 1st and 2nd grade will receive the backpacks as they return to school for the new year.

Milwaukee area students spending the summer studying the science behind the opioid epidemic

MILWAUKEE -- Nearly two dozen area high school students are studying the science behind our nation's heroin epidemic.22 Milwaukee Public Schools and Greater Milwaukee area students are taking part in a six-week educational program at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE).On Thursday, July 27th, they presented what they learned about the molecular pathways of opioids and their impact on nerves and brain cells.

MPS students receive record $61M in scholarships; superintendent credits "hard work and determination"

MILWAUKEE -- New efforts this year in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) resulted in a record amount of scholarship money awarded to students.The MPS class of 2017 received more than $61 million in scholarships, MPS officials announced Monday, June 12th.