IMPORTANT
DATES
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:
First Day of School (all virtual through at least Q1)
DISTRICT
RESOURCES
+
Summer Food Program
OTHER RESOURCES
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Dear Staff,
We have finalized our first quarter calendar with
September 8
being the first day of virtual learning for the 2020-21 school year. At this time, we are not anticipating additional changes to the calendar.
The new start date provides eight days of Welcome Back professional learning so that we are as prepared as possible to make this fall's virtual learning experience stronger, more rigorous, and more equitable than what students experienced in the spring.
The
Instructional Continuity Plan
(access via MMSD email address) will guide us as we begin the year with Virtual Learning. Please know that this is a fluid plan and may still evolve over the next few weeks as we plan for reentry. Your principal will be sharing more information with you very soon as they plan for professional learning with your School Based Leadership Teams (SBLTs).
The decision to build in additional Professional Development (PD) days into the calendar was informed by family and staff feedback that we have received throughout summer. We are working on finalizing full reports of our surveys and expect to share them publicly very soon.
Welcome Back will be grounded in a set of guiding principles and goals that center our students and families and their experiences with virtual learning and support staff to continue our work with Black Excellence, anti-racism, and our Strategic Framework and to ensure that relationships are central to the work.
It will be important to balance this learning with building and strengthening relationships, to use this additional time to connect with all of your students and families to ensure that students have what they need to start virtual learning and that students and families know:
- how to use the technology and tools that will be used
- when and how to get support from teachers
- what the expectations are for everyone involved
- how to turn in assignments
- how attendance and grading will work
- students' daily schedule
- the answers to any questions they may have before the first day of school
Have a great weekend,
Jane
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KEEPING STUDENTS
AND STAFF SAFE
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As we prepare for a stronger launch to virtual learning this fall, we are also continuing to plan for both a hybrid model and all in-person learning so we are as prepared as possible when it is safe to re-open buildings. School safety is at the heart of all of our plans, and we wanted to offer you a window into the work that took place to support safety through the 2019-20 school year, what systems and resources we have in place to support student safety during virtual learning, and where we are headed next.
Even though students and staff will not be in school buildings this fall, our commitment to safety remains our top priority. We know school closures are impacting many students and staff. In several areas our work to support student and staff safety is intensifying. We are grateful to the many community partners who are collaborating with us to keep our MMSD Family healthy, fed, and connected.
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This year marks our 5th Annual
Excellence with Equity Awards!
With the pandemic closing schools in March, we were not able to follow our traditional process of selecting winners and coming together in person for our awards ceremony. But celebrating our educators and their contribution to education and commitment to equity is as important as ever.
This year we want to acknowledge and uplift all of the education leaders nominated for the 2020 Excellence with Equity Awards. These educators and district staff members have had such a profound impact on our school communities that their colleagues, MMSD parents and community submitted nominations on their behalf, to highlight all of the ways they elevate an equitable, creative and dynamic culture of learning.
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Excellence with Equity Award Nominees 2020
Honoring our 2020 Excellence with Equity Award Nominees! This year marks MMSD's 5th Annual Excellence with Equity Awards! With an unprecedented pandemic closing schools, we believe celebrating our educators and their contribution to education and ...
Read more
myemail.constantcontact.com
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UPDATE ON MMSD GROUNDS / FACILITIES
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We are now allowing
limited
use of our grounds for families and our students. Here are the important guidelines:
- There are to be no organized sports on athletic fields, outdoor courts, playgrounds or at stadiums.
- Schools grounds are similar to Madison Parks with the exception of any organized athletic programs.
- Playgrounds will be restricted to daycare use when they are operating, similar to when school is in session.
All of our buildings are closed through October 30th, with these exceptions:
- Daycare providers, which are deemed essential services under the Safer At Home plan and Forward Dane Plan, will be allowed to utilize our facilities.
- Students and staff receiving specialized services which can only be delivered through in-person means
- School grounds are available similar to Madison Parks with the exception of any organized athletic programming. As when school is in session, playgrounds will be restricted to daycare participants following guidance from PHMDC.
- Voting
- ACT testing
- MSCR small group activities on elementary schools ground may occur
UPDATE ON MMSD ATHLETICS
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SUSTAINABILITY AND THE
2020 REFERENDA
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Through 50 Input Sessions and 4,456 responses to our Community Survey, we heard loud and clear that environmental sustainability was important to our community.
As part of the 2020 Referenda, our high schools will combine environmental education and community engagement as teaching tools, in tandem with tangible sustainability projects. The Board heard your desire for additional investments in this area and has committed to improving the sustainability and health of our high schools.
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STAFF LAPTOP EXCHANGE REMINDER
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Here are the
procedures
related to staff laptop exchanges that will take place over the next few weeks. Our current staff laptops need to be returned to our leasing company by August 15. MMSD will be charged for any laptops we don't have returned after that date.
We have developed a safe and efficient system to do these exchanges. Our staff hopes to see all of you soon!
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WHAT DOES WELLNESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
THE MMSD 2020 VIRTUAL WELLNESS FAIR WILL BE HELD ON AUGUST 20
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Join us online for the MMSD 2020 Virtual Employee Wellness Fair, Thursday, August 20th, from 10am - 6pm. Hear insights from MMSD leaders about the LGBTQIA+, Lantix, Black and Hmong communities, among others. Free 90-minute virtual Resilience Training from Dan Joviet of the National Wellness Institute.
Representatives from GHC, Dean Health Plan, Delta Dental, The Standard Insurance Company, WEA Member Benefits and EBC Flex will showcase wellness opportunities and resources available to you and your families.
Stay tuned for more details!
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HOW TO GET HELP DURING COVID-19
From Public Health and the City of Madison
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These are extraordinary times. Due to the challenges of COVID-19, every Madison family needs a little extra support, and our community is stepping up to help.
The City’s “How To” series provides an online
list of community resources
that can help with everything from eviction to finding healthy food. You’ll also find printable handouts on each topic.
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AUGUST OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEEPENING OUR EQUITY LENS AND COLLECTIVE SELF-CARE
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A new course,
Mindfulness & Becoming an Abolitionist Educato
r
, is being offered for the first time August 10-14. Participants will experience a series of exercises to connect to our basic humanity in order to cultivate a classroom that co-creates space for all students to fully express their humanity.
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Also open to all throughout August are five weekly half-hour drop-in sessions for mindfulness practice. Check
this schedule
for dates, times and zoom links. No registration required. Fall MiMMSD courses will be posted soon. For questions or requests to provide school-based courses and supports, contact Sara Parrell in the Department of Student and Staff Support.
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RESOURCES + OPPS + NEWS + MORE!
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Madison College Information Sessions
We are collaborating with Madison College to offer a few help sessions for recent MMSD graduates (Tuesday, August 4th and Thursday, August 6th).
The sessions are for anyone interested in learning more about enrolling in Madison College or for people that are already enrolled and need help with financial aid, enrolling in courses, etc.
RSVP
required.
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