MPCSD District Newsletter
June 13, 2019
Providing a world-class, community-funded education.
A Note from Superintendent Burmeister
Not that you - or your children - are counting, but there is only one day of school left! What a wonderful year it has been. Personally, I have seen my own children make strides in third grade and preschool, and are more than ready to transition into fourth grade and start kindergarten. For all you families making big transitions this year, you've got this. Our staff is mindful of transitions all year long, and whether you have a student starting kindergarten, sixth grade, leaving MPCSD for high school, or any grade in between, we are confident they have the knowledge and support to thrive. And our district-wide commitment to mental health and wellness and full time counseling at every school gives you the peace of mind that there is a safety net for our students. So, enjoy these last days, have a relaxing summer filled with family memories, and we will be ready to greet you again August 22!

Before we go, I have one more blog for you, and this is a very special one. I had the good fortune to be joined in my job for two days last week by our "Superintendent for the Day" students (more on this in an article below). We had a blast running the school district together, and the students collaborated on a Sup'sOn blog post about the experience, which I invite you to read. Now... happy summer!
Complete our annual Community Survey by June 15. Please share the link with friends and neighbors, too. The community's feedback helps us plan for the future. Thank you!
Hillview Middle School's promotion ceremony will be at 5:00 p.m. on June 14, followed by the traditional 8th grade party! Congratulations to all students and families who are ending their time with MPCSD, and best wishes for success in your next endeavor.
In This Issue:

  • School Board Report
  • Superintendent for the Day
  • Bus & Hot Lunch Reminders
  • ELC Promotion
HAPPY SUMMER!
We have lots of great district news to share. If this newsletter is cut off in your email browser, please click the "View Entire Message" link at the bottom of this email.

If you have suggestions for stories you'd like to hear more about in future editions, please let us know at hello@mpcsd.org .
School Board News and Views
All Board meetings are open to the public and agendas are published here three days in advance. Public comment is always invited at meetings. School Board meetings are held at the TERC Board Room, 181 Encinal Ave., Atherton. You may reach your School Board any time at board@mpcsd.org .

The June 4 meeting included our annual celebration of MPCSD Staff who are retiring, reaching a milestone with the district, or have received notable recognition in their careers. Over 90 dedicated staff were honored at the meeting, followed by a celebration with them, their families, and the community.
At its June 11 meeting, the School Board had the honor of receiving the annual grant from the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation. The MPAEF's goal was to raise $3.7 for the 2019-20 school year, a goal that was exceeded by $66,450 because of an exceptional Fund-A-Need at this year's auction. The Board and district sincerely thank the community for its ongoing and very generous support of the MPAEF, which allows the district to provide smaller classes, specialist teachers in art, music, library, science, and world language, and full time counselors and psychologists at every school.
Executive Director of Student Services Stephanie Sheridan updated the board on the Dyslexia and Twice Exceptional Working Groups' Efforts that have been ongoing this year to ensure that MPCSD is providing the best possible support for students and their families in these areas.

The Board also approved the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) for 2019-20 , approved the 2019-20 budget , received a mid-plan update from Superintendent Burmeister on the district's Strategic Directions and recommendations for how to focus in the remaining three years of the plan, and heard edits to the first draft of the Vision for Outstanding Public Education , which was presented at the May 7 meeting .

On June 12, the School Board held a special study session on the topic of equity. Many community members attended, including from the Menlo Park City Council and other local organizations. There was discussion around various aspects of equity, including affordable housing, access to after school and summer activities, the school districts that serve Menlo Park residents, and what we mean by "community" and "equity." Look for more information and further opportunities for the public to weigh in as the Board continues to discuss equity over the next year. Here are the background documents that were available at the meeting: Guiding Principles and Mission, Vision, and Core Values . These are existing Board documents that have been highlighted with areas that reference equity. As part of this conversation, the Board will consider where to change the language in these documents to reflect commitment to equity.
Two Guest Superintendents Take the Helm
Third grader Jacob Atkins joined Erik Burmeister on Wednesday, June 5. He supervised recess, toured classrooms, met with our Atherton Police School Resource Officer, got a VIP visit of the Menlo Park Fire Station, and more. Thank you, Jacob!
Sixth grader Arhaan Gupta-Rastogi joined Mr. Burmeister on Thursday, June 6. He sat in on important meetings, perfomred a district-wide radio check, and held a special meeting with Menlo Park Mayor Ray Mueller, sharing his student perspective on city issues. Thank you, Arhaan!
Menlo Park City School District hosted guest superintendents for two days, Laurel School Third Grader Jacob Atkins on Wednesday, and Sixth Grader Arhaan Gupta-Rastogi on Thursday. The students won the “Superintendent for the Day” item at the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation’s annual auction. Actual MPCSD Superintendent Erik Burmeister volunteers to have the students shadow him, planning activities that are sure to interest the young superintendents. Throughout each day, the students conduct radio drills, tour other campuses and visit classrooms, sign important papers, and meet district staff and learn what their roles are. They even met with Laurel and Hillview “Principals of the Day” who were scheduled the same day.

Watch Sup for the Day Atkins interview real Sup Erik Burmeister here:
Early Learning Center Hosts First "Step Up" Ceremony
The Early Learning Center marked the close of its inaugural year with a special promotion ceremony called "Step Up." Each student walked across the "wobbly" bridge to receive congratulations and a certificate from their teacher, metaphorically crossing into the next phase of their education. With students wearing butterfly capes and pipe cleaner antennae, the students then followed their teachers into the large Laurel field to release butterflies that they had been raising as part of a life cycle study unit. As the butterflies flew off, the analogy of the children having completed their own metamorphosis towards readiness for the next step of their education journey was clear.

Director Jessica Mihaly thanked the parents and community for trusting the ELC in its first year with the opportunity to educate our youngest students. It has been a very successful year, with many students moving on to kindergarten throughout the district, and younger students staying with the ELC for another year. Beginning in the fall of 2019, the ELC will expand to three classrooms at the Laurel campus and a satellite classroom at Oak Knoll, enrolling a total of 88 students. We look forward to welcoming more families into the MPCSD and ELC community, and are excited about the future of early childhood education in our district.

There are a few spots available for Fall 2019 in the Hummingbird class, for children born between September 1, 2015-December 1, 2016. Please see the ELC webpage for more information.
Reminders: School Bus & Hot Lunch
School Bus Sign-Ups

The school district offers limited, fee-based school bus spots on a first come, first served basis. The applications for spots for the 2019-20 year will be open August 1, with the first week of August being the priority registration time. Please check at the district's transportation webpage for updated information over the summer. If you have specific questions, please email Adrienne Maracha .
Hot Lunch

The LunchMaster will continue to provide MPCSD's hot lunch service in the 2019-20 school year. To learn more about LunchMaster and to sign-up, please visit the hot lunch webpage . Starting in the fall of 2019 MPCSD will no longer be offering "BOTTLED WATER" out of respect for our environment. Please have your child bring their own reusable water bottle for daily use. There is also a LunchMaster app available at the iPhone App or Google Play stores. It is highly recommended to have an account "just in case." Late meals can be ordered up to 6:00 a.m. every day of the week.

Direct sign up links for each school are below (click a link to begin and use the code as listed):
 
ENCINAL  school code: 
encinalelementary
 
school code: laurelelementary
 
OAK KNOLL  school code: 
oakknollelementary
 
HILLVIEW  school code: 
hillviewmiddle
 
EARLY LEARNING CENTER  school code: earlylearning
Erik Burmeister, Superintendent | mpcsd.org
Governing Board
David Ackerman , President
Caroline Lucas , Vice President
Sherwin Chen
Stacey Jones
Scott Saywell