This Madison365 story talks with the first-ever AVID teaching team of color at Madison East , who are 'providing support for their students in new ways and making waves throughout the district'. Pictured (L-r) : Anisa Yudawanti, Kennedy Adeetuk, Vera Naputi and Cesar Martinez.
ICYMI: Here are the June 5th , June 12th and June 19th editions of MMSD Connect.
Dear Staff,

As you know we have been working to provide guidelines to you and families for the plans for reopening schools in the fall. We are aware of the work that lies in front of our school staff once these guidelines are in place and I want you to know how much confidence I have that you will engage wholeheartedly in this challenge. We have gotten preliminary feedback on the virtual learning experiences of staff, students and families that indicates the areas that we excelled in and the areas we need to work on. Overall the feedback was positive for stepping up to such an unprecedented challenge. I wanted to update you on our planning thus far, specifically around a hybrid model. 

The health and safety of our students and staff is at the center of our planning. We know that we need to be flexible and fluid based on the ever-changing guidance, information, and research.

Early this week, the Department of Instruction (DPI) released their latest guidance on the reopening of Wisconsin schools this fall, and additionally we are anticipating to receive updated Public Health - Madison & Dane County guidelines on July 6. All of these guidelines may have implications on our planning. Just as we understand our families need for information to create a plan for the fall, we also certainly know that our staff too need information to make plans for the fall.

We are preparing for three scenarios for the fall:  

  • all-virtual learning
  • all in-person learning 
  • a hybrid model that is a blend of both in-person and virtual

THE HYBRID MODEL

The hybrid model is the one that needs the most attention at this time. Right now we're focusing efforts on what a hybrid model might look like at elementary, middle and high schools. So far, we believe that our model would involve all students learning virtually three days per week and learning in person two days per week. 

Learn more .
On Monday we narrowed the number of candidates in our search for our next Superintendent down to our top two finalists. We are pleased to introduce them to you:

Dr. Carol Kelley
Currently Dr. Kelley is in her 5th year as Superintendent of Oak Park Elementary School District 97 in Oak Park IL. Prior to Oak Park, she served 3 years as the Superintendent of Branch Township School District in NJ. Dr. Kelley’s experience includes 25 years in education including serving in roles of Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Elementary Principal and Middle School Assistant Principal, K-12 Supervisor of Mathematics, and classroom teacher. Dr. Kelley holds an Ed.D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania, an MBA degree from the University of Virginia, Darden School and a BS in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.
 
Dr. Carlton Jenkins
Dr. Jenkins is currently in his fifth year as Superintendent of the Robbinsdale School District in New Hope, Minnesota which serves a diverse student population. He has held leadership positions in several states including Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan. In addition to two superintendencies, his educational leadership roles include; chief academic officer; principal; assistant principal; and physical education/health teacher. He received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin. 

Digital Days in the District - June 30 & July 1 
Given COVID-19, we aren't able to host a physical "Day in the District" as we did with our previous finalists, but [ name ] (June 30) and [ name ] (July 1) will have an opportunity to meet with students, staff, families and community members virtually. 

Virtual staff meeting: Save the dates and times
I will be facilitating a staff Zoom Q&A session, which will be livestreamed on the board's YouTube channel, with each finalist from 2:30-3:30 p.m. both days. If you have a question for one or both of the finalists, please submit your question using this form by 12 p.m. Monday, June 29. If you can't watch the livestream, the link will be available for you to check out later. After each session, we'll let you know how you can give feedback on each of the finalists' Q&A sessions. 

Following the staff meeting, the finalists will meet with a group of students. We'll then hold a virtual community-wide meeting from 7:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. More details to come. 
'MSCR MAKES': A SPECIAL EDITION
ABOUT BLACK ARTISTS
In the new 'MSCR Makes and Appreciates' video series, we learn about art history in a kid-friendly way.

Here’s  MSCR-Madison School & Community Recreation  Youth and Family Arts Instructor Miss Julia talking about some her favorite Black Artists and why representation in art matters.

"Being an artist is hard, and a lot of Black Artists are not featured or talked about often in the art community. When you don’t see people who look like you in a job, it can be hard to imagine yourself doing that job. This is why these role models are important. It helps people see that a job, like being an artist, is for everyone."
TIME AND ATTENDANCE TRACKING
As of June 29, hourly employees should resume the use of Kronos to track their time and attendance. With the availability of the app and the ease of sign on to the software through Classlink, MMSD is able to pay employees for their work hours that are on-site or at home. Payroll will discontinue paying employees the Emergency Closure Pay that was based on allocation.  

If you would like to use the mobile app and have not installed it on your smartphone, here are instructions .   

You are able to enter any benefit leave time available to you (i.e. vacation, floating holiday or personal illness) through the app, time clock or software. If you need to make any changes after the benefit leave time is entered you will need to ask your supervisor to do that for you.

If you have additional questions, please email payroll@madison.k12.wi.us . 
COVID-19 AND THE HEALTHY MINDS PROGRAM FOR EDUCATORS STUDY
All MMSD employees are invited to participate in an online study to look at emotional and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to better understand how the pandemic is affecting people’s lives and whether the Healthy Minds Program – an app that integrates mental exercises into daily life, with an approach that parallels the way physical exercise becomes a part of healthy living – might improve well-being.
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