Before schools shut down in March, students at Leopold Community School were on track to paint a new sculpture at the school. The sculpture, called 'Fiddlehead Fern Family', was fabricated by Michael Burns and commissioned by Madison Arts Commission’s 'Art in Public Places'. It was designed with the Fiddlehead fern in mind. Leopold Art Teachers Sonia Valle (left) and Candace Patterson (right) have been working hard to see the project through to completion. See additional photos.
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Is there something you'd like to see in the staff newsletter? Email us.
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FALL VIRTUAL LEARNING START AND END TIMES
Students
Elementary: 8:30 am – 3:30 pm
Middle: 8:30 am – 3:42 pm
High: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Staff
Elementary: 8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Middle: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
High: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
IMPORTANT DATES
August 24 - Sept. 4
Welcome Back: Central Office & School-Based Staff
September 8:
First Day of School
September 18:
Third Friday count for the 2020-21 school year
DISTRICT
RESOURCES
+ Summer Food Program
OTHER RESOURCES
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Dear Staff,
I am excited about being with you next week to kick off our two weeks of professional learning. The work ahead may feel overwhelming as we prepare to do something we've never done before – open schools virtually during a pandemic, and under new leadership.
Yet, at the same time, we have a rare opportunity to break the mold and turn our usual ways of working upside down, while we develop out-of-the-box strategies to ensure all students achieve at high levels.
Together, we are going to refine our practice and get virtual learning right for all students this fall. In the process, we will learn valuable lessons which we can take back to school when we return to in-person instruction. Returning to "normal" will not be an option, and we should take advantage of this historic opportunity to evolve and better serve all students. We will create silver linings out of the clouds of these uncertain, stressful times.
I have seen your work and witnessed your love for our students. For several months, I have watched you go above and beyond to support our students, families, and community, as well as your colleagues. Thank you for continuing to bring your energy, creativity and passion as we dive into our work.
In the meantime, I would like to shine a light on some of our extraordinary students and staff in this newsletter. While we highlight just a few examples here, I know they represent thousands of others in the #MMSDFamily. This is what our district is about, and I am happy and proud to be here, back home in Madison.
Sincerely,
Carlton D. Jenkins, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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CITY OF MADISON COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND UPDATES
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Due to the challenges of COVID-19, many Madison families have concerns about child care, housing, food, internet access and more. In response, the City of Madison has posted a list of community organizations that can help. In the latest update from the City of Madison, you’ll find a link to resources, a list of COVID-19 testing sites and news from Madison Public Library and Goodman Pool.
Interested in receiving COVID-related updates from the City of Madison? Sign up for email and/or text alerts.
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WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DECISION-MAKING TOOL
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As the spread of COVID-19 continues, it’s more important than ever that we all do our part to protect ourselves and our community. The Wisconsin Department of Health has created a decision-making tool to help individuals and families determine the safest way to engage in activities outside the home during the pandemic. Use this tool to ask yourself key questions to decide whether or not it’s safe to leave the house.
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VELMA HAMILTON SCHOLAR WI WINNER OF 'DOODLE FOR GOOGLE' CONTEST
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Congratulations to Ocean Beutter, a rising 8th grade student at Velma Hamilton Middle, and the Wisconsin winner of the 2020 Doodle for Google contest!
The prompt for this year's contest was 'I show kindness by...', and entries were submitted in the spring. Here is how Ocean describes her winning entry, titled 'Not Only Ours':
"I show kindness by returning the favor to animals, who lend us their home: Earth. Soon I'll be hitting my four-year mark of becoming vegetarian. My drawing aims to portray the beautiful relationships with animals we could have. I hope my doodle will shout a wake up to the world that animals deserve a happy life, just like us."
Ocean's drawing is one of 54 doodles that will advance to the next round, in which five national finalists will be chosen. You can help Ocean become one of the five finalists!
You can still vote for Ocean's doodle through midnight tonight (scroll to the bottom of the 'Grades 6-7' category at link below)!
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WISCONSIN'S 48 MOST INFLUENTIAL
ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERS
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Each day this week, Madison365 has been shining a statewide spotlight on the dedicated leaders of Wisconsin’s Hmong, Chinese-American, Japanese-American, Pacific Islander, South Asian, and other communities. Those highlighted include elected leaders, business leaders and community leaders, doing difficult, important work. Check out the list (by part, below), which includes some of our MMSD leaders and community members!
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MADISON WEST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FEATURED IN INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY CAMPAIGN VIDEO
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Last week, International Youth Day was celebrated across the globe. Here in Madison, our very own West High School student, Maka Chikowero, was honored by UN Women for her work to empower girls from marginalized communities through her own non-profit organization, MTC Educate A Girl Inc.
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Maka's organization (MTC Educate A Girl Inc.) is registered here in the US and in Zimbabwe and offers full scholarships for orphaned girls to stay in school and also sources sports equipment for rural girls to participate in sports, especially in those disciplines that are usually inaccessible to girls due to cultural biases. As Maka says, "Soccer, in particular, is considered a "boys" game in Zimbabwe. Today, my organization has a group of girls on full scholarship and an even larger group playing for my community-based soccer club, MTC Sirens Football Club in the same area. I have also sourced and donated soccer equipment for a few years!"
To learn more about MTC Educate A Girl Inc. or to support Maka's projects here in Madison and globally, visit the website or follow on Twitter.
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MSCR FALL 2020 PROGRAM GUIDE
Enjoy a variety of active and enriching programs adapted to keep you safe.
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Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is proud to announce the MSCR Fall 2020 Program Guide. This book offers a variety of recreation programs for all ages including arts & enrichment, fitness, paddling & boating, sports, soccer and much more! Programs are available inside, outside and online so customers can choose their comfort level following health and safety policies.
New this season:
Art, Nature & You - Learn how to use found and reclaimed natural materials to create stunning pieces of artwork. Tuesdays, September 15 - October 20. Grades K-2: 4:30-5:30 pm and Grades 3-5: 5:45-6:45 pm at Hoyt Park.
Community Climb - Bring your isolation crew for a climbing adventure at the School Forest Challenge Course. Fridays, September 4, 18 & October 9, 2-5 pm. Ages 12+.
Games Galore - Play popular yard games; stations are created to keep participants physically distanced. Takes place Mondays to Thursdays, 4:30-6 pm at several locations.
The guide is also available in Spanish. Please go to mscr.org to learn more + register.
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RESOURCES + OPPS + NEWS + MORE!
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You’re invited to take part in Cycle September - a global competition with individuals and organizations coming together to help more people realize the benefits of riding a bike.
The Wisconsin Association of College Admissions Counselors is hosting several opportunities from August 24 - September 3 for Wisconsin students to connect with more than 100 colleges and universities, hear from admissions counselors and gain important college knowledge.
Just announced: 2nd annual Conservation Art Contest hosted by Dane County Parks Natural Areas (for middle and high school students)
IN THE NEWS
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