August 26, 2020 | Vol. 28 Mequon-Thiensville School District Newsletter |
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COVID-19 Update: Burden in M-T Zip Codes Continues to Trend Down |
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Current burden data from the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department for Zip Codes 53092 and 53097 |
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We are on day 9…5 more to go!
At the recommendation of our local health department, school and district officials continue to monitor the burden data in Mequon and Thiensville zip codes to determine when a return to on campus instruction could become a reality for those that choose it. Beginning on August 17, the COVID-19 burden data in the 53092 zip code dropped below 350 and has continued to decline. In 53097, the burden has declined significantly over the past week. Should the current COVID-19 zip code data trend continue for fourteen consecutive days (through August 30), then the school district would again be able to offer on campus and distance learning as an option to families as early as September 8. Please note, it takes one week to engage our staff members and contracted service partners in a shift from distance learning for all to providing the option of on campus learning for interested families.
Keep it up MTSD! Continue to wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering, maintain physical distance from others, and refrain from participating in large group activities. Let’s keep working together to open our schools and keep them open!
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COVID-19 Timeline: How Did We Get Here? |
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Much has happened in the past six months leading up to the start of this school year. Take a look at the timeline of events that have led to our current state.
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Distance Learning: Spring 2020 vs. the 2020-2021 School Year |
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This school year, the academic rigor, expectations, and instructional scope-and-sequence for distance learning will be the same as it is for on campus learning. It will include a 5-day a week learning model and will follow the 2020-2021 school year calendar. Please view the infographic below to see more about the difference between emergency learning during Spring 2020 vs. distance learning for the 2020-2021 school year. For the most updated information regarding distance learning please visit our website. For questions specific to your student please contact your child’s principal.
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Canvas LMS
Both on campus and distance learning will be conducted utilizing Canvas, the new district Learning Management System (LMS) for MTSD. Canvas allows teachers to facilitate, document, and track learning in an online environment. Parents and guardians can use Canvas to see important class information including assignments, due dates, assignment feedback, teacher engagement, and more using their Canvas Observer Account.
Here is a brief overview video that provides an example of a student's Canvas view:
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In this video, you will learn about the student's Canvas Dashboard and Global Navigation links. You’ll also learn about how students navigate a course and access assignments. The look of the dashboard and navigation will vary by the student's grade level.
Parents will have the ability to act as observers in their child's courses. As an observer, parents will be able to link to their students in Canvas, and will have some access to the course material. Observers cannot submit work on behalf of the students they observe but are able to access some components of the course without being able to affect any course data or participation.
More detailed information regarding your child(ren's) Canvas account is being finalized this week.
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Chromebooks & Requesting a Device |
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We are pleased to announce that we are able to implement all three phases of the 1:1 project for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. As a result, MTSD will provide all students in grades 3-12 with a device. For students in grades K-2, families will be provided the ability to request a Chromebook from MTSD. For technical assistance, families should communicate with the Research and Digital Learning (RDL) specialist from their student’s school. |
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Why Chromebooks?
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Support
- Safety
- Security
- Monitoring
- Testing
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Teachers are Back on Campus! |
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When we celebrated the last day of school on June 11, 2020, MTSD educators may not have been physically present in our buildings, but they never stopped working to prepare for distance learning across all of our scenarios. Through the ongoing work of numerous committee and team meetings, our teachers and specialists logged over 6,000 hours of work in preparation for the school year, which does not account for the countless “informal” hours put in over the summer.
A team of approximately 90 teachers worked together to develop and refine faculty guidelines for distance learning to make instruction as synchronous as possible through the use of lesson design templates and frameworks. These templates/frameworks were developed after extensive research of best practices that ensure high-quality, engaging distance learning lessons.
Additionally, teachers are receiving ongoing professional development specific to Canvas LMS to grow their capacity for teaching at a distance. Lessons are being developed without the reliance of a physical space to carry out instruction. This ensures that students will have access to high-quality instruction no matter where it takes place.
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More on School Meal Pickup |
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August 31 is the final day for children age 18 and younger to pick up meals at no cost regardless of free/reduced lunch status. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) waiver is expiring which means the district no longer qualifies to offer a waiver of eligibility to all families.
Beginning September 1 through September 4, students who are actively enrolled in the Mequon-Thiensville School District may pick up breakfast and lunch at Homestead High School from 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m. Parents or guardians may pick up meals on their child's behalf and should be prepared to give the student's name. If your family has an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from picking up your meal(s), please contact Molly Bortin via email at bortin-molly@aramark.com. Meals will be charged to student lunch accounts based on paid, reduced, or free lunch status.
Please fill out the form below to e-request breakfast and/or lunch. If you have multiple students in your household, a form needs to be filled out for each student. Requests can be made until 12 p.m. on Monday, August 31st.
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Behind the Curtain of Distance Learning |
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The Educational Services and Information & Technology Departments have been working tirelessly all summer to prepare teachers and students to achieve success through distance learning. This preparation included aligning curriculums, designing and revising lesson plans, implementing a new learning management system, preparing for our 1:1 device roll-out, planning around limiting the disruption in shifts between instructional scenarios, and much more.
About our Educational Services Department:
The Educational Services Department's purpose is to provide leadership to teaching staff, student services, curricular specialists, and administrative staff in the area of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The department implements programs and strategies to ensure the continuous improvement of the education systems in accordance with the mission and strategic plan of the district. The work associated within this department directly impacts the school district’s ability to maximize the academic achievement and personal growth of each student.
About our Information & Technology Department:
We recognize the importance of providing students with technology-rich learning experiences that will prepare them for post-secondary success. We empower students and staff to embrace lifelong learning as critical thinkers, passionate readers, skillful researchers, effective technology users, and ethical users and producers of ideas.
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E-Requests for School Meals Due
Monday, August 31 - 12 p.m.
First Day of School (Grades K-12)
Tuesday, September 1
First Day of School (4K)
Thursday, September 3
NO SCHOOL - Students & Staff (Labor Day)
Monday, September 7
MTSD Board of Education Working Meeting
Monday, September 14
NO SCHOOL - Students (Staff Inservice)
Monday, September 21
MTSD Board of Education Regular Business Meeting
Monday, September 21
NO SCHOOL - Students & Staff (Yom Kippur)
Monday, September 28
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Mequon-Thiensville School District | 262-238-8500 | 5000 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI www.mtsd.k12.wi.us |
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