December 21, 2020 | Vol. 35 Mequon-Thiensville School District Newsletter |
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Stay Safe, Stay the Course |
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As we look forward to the new year, it remains extremely important to continue practicing the virus mitigation procedures that we have grown accustomed to over the past several months. Please keep the following in mind over winter break:
- Wear a mask or face covering when you leave your home.
- Avoid large gatherings or groups of people who live outside of your immediate household.
- Wash your hands with soap and water frequently or use hand sanitizer when soap is not available.
- Stay home when you are sick.
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Obtain a COVID-19 test if you are experiencing any of these COVID-19 related symptoms, or if you have been identified as a close contact to a positive case of COVID-19.
If you, your child, or another member of your household tests positive for COVID-19 over winter break, please email one of the contacts below. Though your child’s quarantine period may end before school resumes, it is important for MTSD to continue obtaining positive case data:
Our return to school on January 4 could mark the beginning of an increase in student illness, particularly as we head into the coldest months of the year. This year more than ever, it is critical to keep children at home when they are sick. Please do not send your child to school if they have any of the following:
- A temperature of 100.0 Fahrenheit or higher.
- New respiratory symptoms including cough or shortness of breath.
- Recent changes in sense of taste or smell.
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Any other COVID-19 symptoms as defined by the CDC.
- A positive or pending test for COVID-19, or if someone in their household has a positive or pending test.
- Recently come in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Thank you for doing your part to keep our school community healthy!
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To inform our improvement efforts, we shared a follow-up family survey at the end of November on a number of topics including the level of effectiveness of students' learning environments, satisfaction with instructional schedules, and clarity regarding communication provided by the district. The following results are shared according to data from this survey:
- 85% of on campus learners feel extremely or somewhat comfortable sending their student to school every day.
- 79% of on campus learners and 68% of distance learners would rate their student's learning experience, to date, as Excellent or Good.
- 71% of respondents strongly agree that information about positive COVID-19 cases in their child's school has been clearly communicated.
- 77% of respondents strongly agree that information about school closures due to COVID-19 has been clearly communicated.
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Each year, we hold a designated pre-registration day for four-year-old kindergarten. The purpose of the day is to get a good idea of 4K enrollment projections in order to develop class rosters and determine staffing. Families can also indicate their morning or afternoon class preference, and pick up some useful information.
The pre-registration window will open on February 15, 2021 and close on April 12, 2021.
Watch for more information this January!
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To our families at Donges Bay, Oriole Lane, Wilson, Lake Shore, Steffen, and Homestead: Please share your perspective with us by participating in our annual climate and culture survey. Results from this survey will help your child’s school and the district enhance the educational experience for all students and families while monitoring progress toward strategic plan goals. The survey covers these seven themes:
- Student Relationships
- Learning Environment
- Safety & Well-Being
- Physical Environments
- Contracted Services
- Family Engagement
- Overall District Quality
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Please remember to follow these helpful tips regarding student Chromebooks:
- Shut down the Chromebooks every day - this will help with the performance of the Chromebook.
- It is helpful to restart your home router at least once a month.
- When school resumes in January, remind your students to use the Zoom app for all Zoom meetings. The Zoom app performs much better than the browser-based version of Zoom.
- Keep food and drink away from Chromebooks and other devices at all times.
Thank you! Together, we can ensure our students have access to the technology that they need.
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Gathering Data for Digital Equity |
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In an effort to improve digital equity in the state of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is partnering with the Measurement Lab (M-Lab) to collect data on internet speeds across Wisconsin. All families are invited to participate in the collection of data by conducting the M-Lab Speed Test on their home internet connection. Families are encouraged to conduct the test several times on different devices and at different times during the day. The more times that the test is performed across homes, schools, and libraries, the more accurate picture they will have about internet connection speeds across the state.
For more detailed information, please visit the Broadband Speed Test page on the Wisconsin DPI website.
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Holiday Meal Pick-Up is Back Again! |
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Fill your belly with holiday cheer: Aramark, MTSD’s food service partner, is once again offering a free holiday meal to all students 18 and under! Stop by Homestead High School between 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 22 to receive a homemade pumpkin muffin, homemade hearty beef chili with toppings and cornbread, and a fun, winter-themed culinary activity. As per usual, the meal will be distributed cold with the intention that recipients will reheat it for consumption. Note: Tuesday is the last day of meal pick up before break. Meal “packs” picked up on Tuesday will include seven days worth of food. Service will resume on January 4 when students return to the buildings. We look forward to feeding our MTSD families during this holiday season!
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Save the Date: Equity in Education |
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Distance Learner Check-In 💻
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Our distance learners are hard at work this school year and we are glad to see their happy faces while they are learning from home! If you have a great photo of your distance learner that you'd like to share for an upcoming newsletter or social media post, please submit it here.
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(Top right) Homestead Junior Elliot Nimmer is logged onto two screens for maximum learning.
(Top left) Caroline Bell, 6th grader at Steffen, takes advantage of some nice weather for an outdoor orchestra lesson.
(Bottom left) Oriole Lane 4K student, Alice Weide, works on her color sorting skills.
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Board of Education Regular Business Meeting
Monday, December 21 @ 6:00 p.m.
NO SCHOOL - Winter Break
December 23 - January 1
School Resumes
Monday, January 4, 2021
Board of Education Working Meeting
Monday, January 4, 2021 @ 6:00 p.m.
Early Release Day (Elementary & Middle Schools)
Thursday, January 14, 2021 - Elem. @ 1:15, Middle @ 12:30
Realizing Our Vision: Each Student, Every Time, Empowered to Succeed - Parent Event
Thursday, January 14 @ 6:30-8:00 p.m.
More information and signup for virtual access coming soon
NO SCHOOL - Students (Staff Inservice)
Friday, January 15, 2021
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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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