June 3, 2020 | Vol. 25 Mequon-Thiensville School District Newsletter

School Closure Update

Education is always a collaboration between family and school. This year has underscored that collaboration exponentially. Thank you to our students, parents, guardians, extended families, and community for your extraordinary efforts all year, and most especially these last few months of distance learning as we changed nearly every aspect of our educational program. I am so proud of our school community for the flexibility, resilience, and compassion I have seen demonstrated time and again. As we look forward, it is important to recognize that we will have some challenges that still lie ahead of us. Going back to school in fall 2020 may not look like it did in fall 2019. It is impossible to predict now what phase of our response to the pandemic we will be navigating in a few months. Therefore, we are planning for several different scenarios that span an array of possibilities, ranging from implementing enhancements in cleaning practices and the addition of personal protective equipment in our typical routines to providing different or staggered phases of in-person instruction and distance learning. These are challenging concepts and it is a daunting task to prepare for undesirable circumstances. However, I know that our planning will allow us to be prepared for whatever changes must be managed.  I recognize that anything other than a return to business as usual next fall will stretch our families and students—requiring even more flexibility, resilience, and compassion. You have my commitment to open and timely communication over the course of the summer as we learn more and work to finalize our plans for next fall. I end this note as it began—with my sincere thanks and gratitude for this school community. Sincerely, Matthew Joynt, Ph.D.

Did Your Family Borrow a Chromebook?

As this year's last days of distance learning comes to an end, we will be offering two different days for those families that borrowed a Chromebook to return it to the Technology Department. Over the summer, we clear each machine and complete all updates or repairs as needed. If there are any issues we should be aware of regarding the Chromebook, please put a note inside the device. Please come to the Technology Office Entrance, Door 45. ( Listed as #14 Technology Office Entrance on this map .) We will request that you stay in your car and pull up to the sidewalk. Staff members will come directly to your car to pick up the Chromebook AND charger.  Dates and Times to Return Borrowed Chromebook Thursday, June 11 - 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 15 - 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Retrieving Personal Items

Times have been scheduled by each school for families to come pick up their child's belongings and materials that were left in classrooms before the closure, beginning next week. Specific pickup instructions and dates/times vary by school, so please refer to your school's communcications regarding those steps.

Summer Academy Moves Online

As the educational world continues to evolve and shift in response to the ongoing pandemic, the Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department has decided to take both sections of Summer Academy online . We will keep the same weeks that were previously scheduled and will be offering synchronous 60-minute classes from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. (with a 15-minute break between classes) for Session 1 (Monday-Friday - June 22-26 - 5 days) and Session 2 (Monday-Thursday - July 27-Aug 6 - 8 days).  Please click the link below to see a draft class structure. Note this may vary by age group and class as our teachers are going to have to adjust as they get to know their new learners. There is at least one teacher from each school in the district represented and we are ready to have some learning fun this summer! You will receive information the Friday before the session begins so that you can access learning beginning on the first Monday. Any questions about Summer Academy can be directed to Lindsey Moore, Summer Academy Coordinator, at lmoore@mtsd.k12.wi.us.

Learn more about the changes to Summer Academy, including a revised schedule and draft class structure

Referendum Next Steps

This spring, the MTSD community approved a plan to expand and improve our facilities. We are grateful for the community’s investment in our schools, students, and staff. The design process is underway to add capacity at all of the elementary schools and improve safety, security and accessibility at all of our buildings. This will be a long and, hopefully, energizing process that will positively impact Mequon and Thiensville for decades to come. We will continue to provide community updates as plans progress and we reach other key milestones. Key Milestones Design: May 2020-February 2021  Project Bidding: March 2021 Begin Construction: April 2021

Online Enrollment for the 2020-2021 School Year Closes on August 1

The enrollment window for the 2020-21 academic year is now open! Please plan to complete online enrollment for your child by August 1, 2020. To enroll online, one parent or guardian will need to enter or verify the information listed below in your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. (In cases of resident students with more than one home address, the parent or guardian who completes the enrollment must reside in Mequon or Thiensville.) If your information has not changed since the 2019-20 school year, you will simply be required to confirm your information. Household contact information and preferences, including address(es) and phone number(s) Contact information for primary and secondary contacts, including work and mobile phone number(s) and email address(es) Student information, including medical conditions and updated care plans (Forms available at www.mtsd.k12.wi.us/healthplans) Bus transportation preferences An informational email was sent to all current families on Friday, May 15.

Help! I forgot how to access my Parent Portal account

Congratulations Homestead Grads!

Salute to Homestead Graduates - Televison Be sure to tune in to My 24 (Channel 24 in Milwaukee) on Thursday, June 11 at 7 p.m. for a Class of 2020 Senior Spotlight featuring Homestead High School! The program includes words of congratulations from Homestead faculty and staff, musical performances, and memories from the school year, and will feature a spoken word poem, "20/20 Vision." Homestead has a rich creative writing culture. With Mrs. Angelina Cicero, eight seniors collaborated to write "20/20 Vision" as part of the upcoming Senior Spotlight video, edited by Gabe Cicero. Special recognition goes to the writing team of Zack Zens, Gabrielle Martin, Lauren Fitzsimmons, Isabella Cicero, Chris Tiako, Logan Hisle, Christopher Golden and Ethan Schlesinger. Our thanks go to My 24 and program sponsor Concordia University for making this tribute possible! Salute to Homestead Graduates - Newspaper We are working with our local community newspaper, the News Graphic, to produce a special section honoring Homestead graduates in their Tuesday, June 9 edition. Along with recognizing our senior class, the newspaper is also offering families the opportunity to purchase an ad to honor their grad. The ad would include your graduate’s name, photo, a short message of congratulations, and would cost $25. The deadline to purchase an ad is Thursday, June 4. Learn how to place an ad to honor your grad! Postponed Graduation We are excited to recognize the Class of 2020 with our graduation ceremony on Saturday, July 18 at 5 p.m. The ceremony will be held at Miller Park in Milwaukee, home to the Milwaukee Brewers. Hosting graduation at Miller Park will allow us to allocate the same number of tickets as we usually do, ensuring that families and loved ones can participate in this momentous occasion. Trained Miller Park staff members will also be on hand to help maintain social distancing and safety for all. In short, as one of the largest venues in Wisconsin, Miller Park was the best choice for our graduation ceremony because it will allow us to follow all prudent measures to ensure safety. We also believe this site will allow us to create an event like none other.

Important Dates Last Day to Purchase Senior Ad in News Graphic Thursday, June 4 My 24 Class of 2020 Senior Spotlight Thursday, June 11 @ 7 p.m. Online Enrollment Window Closes Saturday, August 1

Mequon-Thiensville School District | 262-238-8500 | 5000 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI www.mtsd.k12.wi.us ‌ ‌