The staff newsletter is distributed biweekly to all MMSD employees. The next edition will be sent on Nov. 13. ICYMI: Oct 16 edition
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IMPORTANT DATES
November 3
DISTRICT
RESOURCES
OTHER RESOURCES
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Dear MMSD Staff,
Tuesday’s election is not only important for the future of our country, but also shaping the future of Madison Metropolitan School District. The two referendum questions on the ballot provide a tremendous opportunity for our community to make a long overdue investment in our schools and the City of Madison.
A successful referenda would certainly mean transformational change for our district, and provide us an opportunity to emerge from this pandemic stronger. However, regardless of election day results, we as the MMSD family will continue our collaborative work in providing the best possible learning experience for our students, ensuring they graduate career, college and community ready.
I also want to give thanks to our many staff who worked long and hard to uplift the importance of the referendum, and what it means to the Madison community. Your incredible work could not go unnoticed, reaching all corners of our community and informing Madison voters in a way they will be able to make the best informed decision on election day. For your work, the MMSD family and the Madison community are very grateful.
Next week, it will also be important to pay close attention to those around us. Results of the most polarized election in our country’s history, in addition to outcomes of the referendum, could add an additional layer of stress to what students, families and staff are already experiencing with the pandemic and incidents of racial injustice. I encourage you to take time to check in on someone. Just a simple expression of love, friendship and gratitude can go a long way.
Lastly, a reminder that you can check your voter registration, polling place location, track your ballot and more at www.myvote.wi.gov.
Let’s go, MMSD.
Sincerely,
Carlton D. Jenkins, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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Expressing gratitude is a great way to build each other up, lift spirits and encourage us to find the joy in our daily lives during these difficult times.
During the month of November, we ask that you share your gratitude with our MMSD community with a video message, or 'Gratitude Gram'. You can give gratitude to someone else or anything that brings you joy (like food! or David Attenborough! as you'll see in some of our student submissions).
We will continue to add these to our YouTube playlist and share them out on our social media channels, in order to amplify the joy. Please share with your families and encourage your students to participate!
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A few items to consider:
Please state your name, school and grade if applicable. Use Zoom or your mobile device to record your message. Record by yourself or with a group (virtually).
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Community connections are at the heart of what makes us a strong #MMSDfamily. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to support our students and families.
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2020 Combined Giving Campaign |
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How would you like to make even more of an impact in your community? The MMSD Combined Giving Campaign kicks off Monday, Nov. 9 through Dec. 7, 2020. This is our opportunity for MMSD educators, school staff and district employees to come together and help make a difference in the lives of our community members, the neighborhood around us and beyond! MMSD staff support the Combined Giving Campaign and give generously for many reasons. Some are responding to the increasing need for assisting the most vulnerable in society, while others choose to give to local charities that are performing critical public services.
If you’ve supported the Combined Giving Campaign in the past, we thank you for your generosity. If you’re a new donor, we appreciate your contribution very much. If you have any questions, please email combinedcampaign@madison.k12.wi.us. Thank you for your support, and stay tuned to MMSD Connect and your work email for Combined Giving Campaign updates.
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MMSD Arts Education, FMPS collaborate to provide art kits to elementary students |
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We were able to purchase supplies for a basic Art Materials Kit for 1,180 students, wjocj are being distributed at Title I elementary schools.
🎨 Many thanks to MMSD Art teachers Nate Kirley, Sheila Zenk, Luke Bassuener, Jodi Shaw, Megan Garner, Josh Ludke, and Andy Mayhall, who masked up and volunteered to help assemble over 700 kits so far! More kits are still being put together as we are able to schedule sessions.
🎨 Thanks and gratitude is also extended to Mary Reinders and the team at FMPS for their help and for the gracious additions to our stock of Art supplies and assistance in spreading the word!
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15th annual NAMIWalks Dane County a huge success |
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Even though it was virtual, the 15th annual NAMIWalks Dane County has raised more than $192,000 to date! The West High team is currently in 3rd place overall, they have already raised $8,312! Teams were also formed from Franklin, Randall, Lincoln, Memorial, Falk, and Sandburg. Together these schools have already raised an additional $4,146!
Donations can still be made, through December 10th, by visiting
www.namiwalks.org/danecounty. All proceeds will be used to further expand NAMI Dane County programs and services, all offered at no-cost to participants.
The 16th annual Walk will be held on Saturday, October 9th, 2021. Teams are formed in August and September each year. We'd love to have all MMSD schools participate!
📰 Related news stories:
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MSCR Late Fall Program Guide 🍁
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The MSCR Late Fall 2020 Program Guide provides a variety of recreation opportunities for November and December. MSCR offers programs for all ages including arts & enrichment, fitness, outdoor pursuits, sports and more! Staff have worked to plan safe and fun activities inside, outside and online so participants can choose their comfort level. Register now at mscr.org. Fee assistance is available.
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In Case You Missed It: MMSD Stories and Sessions |
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📹 Virtual Learning in MMSD: Resources Available to Families: in English and Spanish
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Parent Teacher Conferences & Teacher Comp Day (Nov. 25)
The teacher comp day was created as a day off for teachers that worked evening conferences. This is considered a work day for all other employee groups and those with teacher contracts that did not participate in evening conferences. Please view the Day Before Thanksgiving Pay Rules for additional information. A chart at the end of the document illustrates how various groups can earn the teacher comp day on Nov. 25. Questions? Kim Callies Bleiler, Asst. Payroll Supervisor, kcalliesblei@ or 663-5380.
MMSD Calendar update for quarter 2
The only changes were to remove high school early release days, the December 7th Staff Only Day, and to update the time of elementary early release to 11:30am on November 6 for all elementary schools. The updated calendar is posted in English, Spanish and Hmong at mmsd.org/calendar.
Beware of phone scams
As you may already know or have experienced personally, there are a number of phone scams that have been occurring recently, including a few cases of calls to our district phones that claim to be coming from government agencies or our schools. Please remember to remain vigilant and do not proceed with sharing information when in doubt. Here are some important safety tips from the Social Security Administration.
Madison Area Farmers' Markets
Many area farmers' markets are shutting down for the season, but there are still options for buying fresh local produce and other goods.
🍅 The Dane County Farmers’ Market will continue outdoors through Saturday, Nov. 21, with both its Wednesday and Saturday "local food pick-ups" and the Saturday walk-up market on Willow Island at the Alliant Energy Center.
🍅 The Eastside Market on Tuesdays runs for another few weeks, Nov. 3-17, at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center parking lot, with a limited selection of vendors from 4-7 pm.
🍅 The Hilldale Market has one more go-round, from 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday, Oct. 31.
🍅 The Sun Prairie Market is planning on going all winter in a new location, Saturdays from 9 am-noon, Nov. 7-April 24.
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Hip Hop in the Heartland
The UW-Madison Office of Multicultural Arts Initiatives was not able to hold their annual Hip Hop in the Heartland Educators' Institute this summer. Ever since, they’ve been hard at work re-imagining what it could evolve into, considering this new normal, and have announced the launch of a new DIGITAL series.
Spring 2021 Teaching Internships at Literacy Network
Join Literacy Network’s virtual Spring 2021 teaching internships as a Group Leader! Being a Group Leader intern is a great professional development opportunity that also supports adult learners in our community. Available internships are ELS Group Leader, Essential Literacy Group Leader and GED Group Leader.
Madison Helping Hands Program seeking submissions
For decades each holiday season, the Wisconsin State Journal has reached out to teachers and students across the Madison area asking for letters about community members in need. The WSJ then vets those student letters and selects dozens of them for publication. The people in need that the students have written about then receive a gift of $200 and up. Helping Hands is a great way for teachers to show their students the power of using the written word to help others! Learn more.
Lussier LOFT HS Programs @ Goodman Community Center
The Lussier LOFT offers programs for high school youth, designed to enhance their success at school, at home and in their community. These programs are made possible by a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, the City of Madison, United Way of Dane County and the generous support of our donors. Upcoming opportunities include Life Skills 101, working on independent skills for example a lease, finances, living on your own, etc. and Girls Who Code, for learning computer skills and how to understand computer language. You are welcome to share these with high school students and families.
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The first step in writing any grant in MMSD is to complete the Grant Inquiry Form. Questions? Marcie Pfeifer-Soderbloom, Resource Dev. Manager, mpfeifersode@
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Green Bay Packers offering ten $500 grants to middle schools
The Green Bay Packers are offering ten $500 grants to middle schools to fund service projects that make an impact in their school or community. The project can take place throughout the school year. Deadline: Today, Oct. 30.
Note: You can still apply even if you did not complete the "commit to participate" form mentioned in the grant materials.
Resist $4,000 Grassroots Action Grants
Note: MMSD is not eligible for this grant. Grassroots organizations with which you work may be eligible. This information is provided for you to disseminate to your networks as you see fit. Resist General Support Grants are available for up to $4,000 to support groups who are building movements for justice and liberation and resisting systemic oppression through grassroots/cultural organizing, art-making and resilience building. Deadline: Dec. 4th.
$700 - $1700 Kids Gardening Grants
KidsGardening.org is providing grants for schools planning a new garden program or expanding an established one that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 3 and 18. Deadline: Dec. 18.
National Geographic Science, Social Studies, Geography Hybrid Learning Grants $1,000-$8,000
National Geographic has launched an emergency fund for innovative educators who are designing instructional resources — whether in the classroom, teaching remotely, or a combination of the two. Grants of $1,000–$8,000 will be awarded to individual educators to design instructional resources in the areas of science, social studies and/or geography that help educators effectively teach in remote or hybrid learning environments. Priority for this opportunity will be given to educators working in communities that have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, and who have not previously received National Geographic funding. Applications can be submitted until further notice.
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