"During these unprecedented times of COVID-19, civil unrest and racial tensions that we’re seeing, Madison is stepping up - and what an opportunity for us.
When you look at our core goals, we talk about preparing our students for college, career and community. It is community right now that we are really focusing on, and it’s going to take the collaboration of everyone to get us to where we need to go."
- Dr. Carlton D. Jenkins, MMSD Superintendent
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IMPORTANT
DATES
August 9:
MSCR Fall Program Guide available
August 10:
August 10 - 14:
August 11
August 11 & 12:
August 13
August 17 - 19
August 18
August 18 - 20:
New Educator Orientation
August 20:
MMSD Virtual
Wellness Fair, 10am-6pm
August 24 - Sept. 4
Welcome Back: Central Office & School-Based Staff
September 8:
DISTRICT
RESOURCES
+ Updated Summer Food Program Schedule (as of August 3rd)
OTHER RESOURCES
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Dear MMSD Community,
As your outgoing interim superintendent, I want to take this opportunity, my last, to say goodbye and thank you for your partnership throughout this historic school year. Starting next week, you will be hearing not from me but from Dr. Carlton D. Jenkins, who officially took over as MMSD's Superintendent on Tuesday, August 4.
You are in good hands. Capable, caring, and courageous hands. In the short time Dr. Jenkins has been on the job, we have seen how ready he is to lead our school district and how ready the Madison community is for his leadership.
If you didn't catch his live press conference on Wednesday, I encourage you to check it out here:
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I wish Dr. Jenkins, our staff, our families, and most of all our students health, happy memories, and unimaginable success in the 2020-21 school year and beyond.
Take care,
Jane Belmore
Interim Superintendent
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FALL VIRTUAL LEARNING START AND END TIMES |
Thanks for your patience as we've worked out the details on when students and staff will start and end their virtual learning day.
Students
Elementary: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Middle: 8:30 a.m. – 3:42 p.m.
High: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Staff
Elementary: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Middle: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
High: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
If and when we move to a hybrid or face-to-face model (possibly as early as November), these times will be adjusted to reflect the 2020-21 school start time plan. (To plan for this possibility, please check your school's start and end times in the above link since this could take effect as early as second quarter.)
Schools will be sending student schedules as part of their back-to-school communication.
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UPDATE ON HIRING PAUSE, SCHOOL AND DEPARTMENT STAFFING ANALYSIS TAKING PLACE |
As you know, MMSD has announced that school will be happening virtually at least through first quarter (October 30). There is a possibility that we may continue virtual learning or shift to a hybrid model through second quarter. In reviewing our staffing models for the fall, we know that while we are in virtual learning, not all of our department/school positions will be fully utilized until we are back in an in-person model. . |
Many of you have asked whether you can teach virtually from your classroom. We want to honor those requests as much as possible.
Please continue to check with your principal about school-specific building access. They received updated guidance this morning.
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If you were unable to exchange your leased HP G4 laptop at either Doyle or La Follette High School this week, Tech Services is providing the following days and location for exchange: 8/11- 8/14 (Tuesday-Friday), 8am-3pm at Doyle.
Please be aware that all these end leased HP G4 laptops will be disabled on 8/12. After the laptops are disabled, you will not be able to log on or do anything with the laptops. Before returning your laptop and charger, be sure to save all files and Bookmarks onto Google Drive, network drives (J, S, U) or external storage devices.
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UPCOMING ELECTIONS: AUGUST 11th PARTISAN PRIMARY AND NOV. 3 ELECTION |
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August 11, 2020 from 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - Register to Vote at Your Polling Place- Voters can register to vote at their polling place on Election Day, August 11, 2020.
Absentee Voting Deadlines for the August 11, 2020 Partisan Primary
All voters in Wisconsin can request an absentee ballot be mailed to them for any reason. Voters must be registered before they can request an absentee ballot. Voters may request their absentee ballot in writing. Request an absentee ballot at MyVote.wi.gov. You must provide a photo ID with your absentee ballot request,
Also be sure to complete your 2020 Census, if you haven't already!
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EQUITY PROJECTS AND THE
2020 REFERENDA
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The continued growth of strategic equity projects in the 2020 Referenda is aimed at disrupting societal and historical inequities and eliminating disparities based on race and socioeconomic status. Just a few examples are Full Day 4K, Early College Stem Academy (in partnership with Madison College), Behavioral Health in School, English Language Learner (ELL) services, Special Education, Advanced Learning, Forward Madison and TEEM Scholars, Black Excellence Coalition Fund, Academic and Career Planning (ACP), Personalized Pathways, 9th grade on track and AVID/TOPS.
Another example is Dual Language Immersion (DLI), a program that exists in nearly half of our schools. In DLI programs, native Spanish speakers and native English speakers maintain and develop their first language while acquiring native-like communication and literacy skills in a second language. Academic content is taught and assessed in two languages over an extended period of time.
DLI programs honor the linguistic and cultural diversity of our community, and prepare students for academic and personal success in today’s interconnected and increasingly competitive global context.
#FutureReadyMMSD
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We are excited to welcome new staff to our #MMSDfamily!
Recently we invited our teachers to share a little bit more about themselves. We're excited to start sharing their bios and photos in next week's edition.
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UPDATED REOPENING PROCEDURES AND SCHEDULING FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES |
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This letter to parents, caregivers, and staff provides an update about our planned actions to support the learning of students with disabilities during the first quarter of the 2020-21 school year.
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RESOURCES + OPPS + NEWS + MORE! |
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There will be five weekly half-hour drop-in sessions for mindfulness practice throughout the month of August. These are open to all MMSD staff. Check this schedule for dates, times and zoom links. No registration required.
The Madison Public Library has created this video to help families find resources for Kids & Family on the MPL website!
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