A photo from last year's Hmong New Year Celebration at East High School. The event will be held virtually this year (details below). |
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The staff newsletter is distributed biweekly to all MMSD employees. The next edition will be sent on Nov. 30. ICYMI: Oct 30 edition
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IMPORTANT DATES
November 16
November 16 - January 29
Info Sessions for 10th grade students and families (6-7pm):
November 25
No school for students or teachers (Teacher Comp. Day)
November 26 & 27
No school (Thanksgiving)
December 21 - January 1
No school (Winter Break)
DISTRICT
RESOURCES
OTHER RESOURCES
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Dear MMSD Staff,
The support received from our community, in the form of two successful referenda during unprecedented and challenging times, has left all of us humbled, grateful and deeply moved. As we build on our momentum by implementing the projects and initiatives discussed in our referenda presentations, we will continue to keep you informed of opportunities for input as well as project timelines. Please feel free to visit mmsd.org/future-ready for information and updates.
As mentioned in my email last Friday, MMSD is seeking a waiver from the Department of Public Instruction for Educator Effectiveness for the 2020-21 school year. We have developed a revised flexible evaluation process to use in place of Educator Effectiveness. Like EE, this process is grounded in support, feedback and a growth mindset; however, it is designed to be more flexible, fluid and reflective. You can view the Educator Effectiveness video on the MMSD TV YouTube channel.
We also invite you to keep sharing your gratitude! We believe community connections are at the heart of what makes us a strong #MMSDfamily. Throughout this month, we will continue to show our gratitude and appreciation for each other with video messages of appreciation. See instructions on how to participate below.
Let’s go, MMSD.
Sincerely,
Carlton D. Jenkins, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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Employee Assistance Program |
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides you and your family members with confidential and personal support on important topics that will help you with your well-being,
including stress management, nutrition, fitness and daily living. From legal support and financial planning to educational opportunities or care for your pet, child or elderly loved one - your Employee Assistance Program will help you with referrals 24/7 by phone, online, live chat, email and text.
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Falk Elementary educators describe the value of virtual learning |
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First grade Falk Elementary teachers Aila Bretl and Nikki Quevedo love learning the intricate details about their student’s lives they’d never known before.
Whether it’s a pet cat walking across the computer screen, a student proudly showing off a wiggly, loose tooth or a baby sibling cooing in the background, Aila and Nikki are connecting with their students in new and exciting ways because of virtual learning in MMSD.
“Getting to know students and their families over Zoom and SeeSaw has been the highlight of virtual learning,” said Nikki. “We get to meet the people they live with, see their pets, meet their grandmas and grandpas, and get a glimpse into their daily lives. This is something we might not get to do if we were teaching in person. It brings me joy and for this, I'm grateful.”
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Keep sharing the gratitude! |
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During the month of November, we are asking our community to share the gratitude with a video message, or 'Gratitude Gram'. You can give gratitude to someone else or anything that brings you joy. We will continue to add these to our YouTube playlist and share them out on our social media channels (Instagram, Facebook).
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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).
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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Vanessa Kent, Assistant Principal, Kennedy Elementary |
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Ali Muldrow, MMSD Board of Education |
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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 is underway, and goes through Dec. 7.
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!
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Falk Elementary renaming process moves forward |
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During their meeting on November 11, the Citizens' Renaming Ad Hoc Committee voted to move forward with the proposal t o rename Falk Elementary School after Milele Chikasa Anana.
The Citizens' Renaming Ad Hoc Committee will hold a public hearing virtually on Monday, November 30, at 4:30 p.m. Learn more about this process and register to speak, or submit written statements. After the public hearing, the proposal will move forward to the Board of Education's Instruction Work Group virtual meeting on Monday, December 7, at 5 p.m. The public is invited to speak or submit written statements at this meeting as well.
The Board of Education will vote on the proposal on Monday, December 14, at its Regular virtual meeting which begins at 6 p.m. The public is again invited to speak or submit written statements. If the Board of Education approves the recommendation from the Citizens' Ad Hoc Committee, the Falk Elementary School community will move forward to rename the school Milele Chikasa Anana Elementary School.
Related news stories:
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The Hmong New Year Celebration goes virtual |
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The beloved Hmong New Year Celebration that May Choua Thao and the Hmong Language Students of East High School put on every November is going virtual this year. Joining the East students in putting together virtual activities and videos will be Hmong students and their teachers from a variety of MMSD schools (including Lincoln, Midvale, Kennedy, Lake View, Hawthorne, Black Hawk and Sherman).
Elementary teachers at all MMSD schools will have access to a choice board as well as other Seesaw lessons (look in the Seesaw district library using the search word “Hmong”). Flipgrid and Zoom videos along with videos from the spring’s Hmong Read Aloud or the Hmong New Year in Madison book can also be used in the classroom or shared school-wide.
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Friends of MSCR Auction: Open through November 19 |
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Since 2013, the Friends of MSCR have given $430,000 to Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR). These funds support new program initiatives and much needed equipment including outdoor and environmental education, adapted recreation and inclusion services, Latino community outreach, after school clubs and neighborhood center programming, to better serve the Madison community.
Please join us and bid on fabulous items in the 2020 Online Auction! Items include pet care, gift baskets, entertainment, spa services, sports memorabilia and much more.
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🎻 Kennedy + La Follette Orchestra Teacher Levi Olson is pictured helping tune a cello for one of his Kennedy Elementary 5th graders. MMSD Strings teachers do drive-up or curbside tuning at area schools. Mr. Olson is at La Follette every Wednesday from 12-12:30pm. Any student in the District that needs help with their instrument (tuning, rosin, broken strings, etc.) can show up and safely get assistance. #LancerPride
🎥 Toki Middle School shared this video (2:14) with their students as part of the Toki Video News. #TokiThrives
🎥 Great things are happening in Choir at Whitehorse Middle School! Check out this video (0:46) , assembled by Mrs. Lindl and students. It is a great reminder for all of us to appreciate and take care of one another. #SaySomethingDoSomething
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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.
Healthy Kids Collaborative Get Up & Go Movement Resources
Looking to shake things up with your virtual learning classes? Get your students out of their seats and onto their feet with Get Up & Go!, a new physical activity, health, and wellness show for 4K-5 students produced by the Healthy Kids Collaborative of Dane County. In our program, students engage in brain breaks, play movement games, practice breathing and stretching, and HAVE FUN by moving along with interactive, indoor, equipment-free activities. Episodes are 15-20 minutes long and available on-demand on YouTube and the MMSD SeeSaw library.
New episodes debut on Mondays and Thursdays at 8am and feature guests like Tri 4 Schools. For more information, visit the Get Up & Go! Landing Page or contact Shawn Koval, Healthy Schools Coordinator, at skoval@uwhealth.org. Don’t forget to inquire about inviting “Mr. Shawn” into your classes’ morning meeting for a live session!
Changes in ESL/BRT Role Alike Focus (for ESL BRTs)
Secondary Focus: Understand and be able to explain system (district, school) causation of LTELs, Review, identify and problem solve action steps connected to needs of LTELs based on ELD data.
Elementary Focus: Understand importance of and action steps needed to use oral language as a lever of change for improving reading and writing. Learn how to more effectively use visuals as texts to springboard instructional small groups focused on ELD growth. New information is linked in the ESL/BRT PD Scope.
Zoom Simultaneous Interpretation Tips (from OMGE)
We are defaulting to Zoom’s instructions for use of the simultaneous interpretation feature as a way to ensure our staff have the most up to date information from the company.
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MULTICO is virtual this year:
Reserve your showtime now!
West High School's multicultural theatre group, MULTICO, continues to bring a message of acceptance, diversity and empathy to elementary and middle schools across the district, virtually this year. Starting at the end of November, your class can watch pre-recorded skits and have a 15-minute discussion with members of this year's cast (pictured). The class is available Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30-9:30am and again from 10:30-11:30am. Reserve your time now by contacting Holly Walker at hwalker@madison.k12.wi.us.
Tune in to the National Merit Scholars Ceremony on Nov. 16!
The video ceremony honoring this year’s National Merit Scholar semifinalists will premiere at 6:30 p.m. on November 16th, on the MMSD YouTube Channel and will be available to watch any time after that. The video ceremony will feature student speeches and remarks from our Superintendent, Board of Education, and Chiefs of Secondary Schools. We encourage you to watch, share and celebrate this showcase of our amazing students. Here is the Facebook event.
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Recruitment underway for Early College STEM Academy
The Early College STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Academy is a partnership between MMSD and Madison College.
Please help spread the word to current 10th grade students, with a special emphasis on those who are traditionally underrepresented in STEM / STEM-related fields, including students who identify as female and students of color. The application window opens on Monday, and there are a number of upcoming info sessions for students and families. More at mmsd.org/ECSA.
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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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$500 Youth Service America Afterschool Grants
Youth Serve America will award Afterschool Grants of up to $500 to support youth-led service or service-learning in afterschool programs engaging at least 50 middle and high school aged youth, primarily from underserved communities, as volunteers in virtual, hybrid, and/or safe in-person service or service-learning projects between Dec 2020 and May 2021. Apply by Dec. 4
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. Apply by Dec. 4
Peer-to-Peer Suicide Prevention Grants Deadline Extended
DPI is offering $1,000 peer-to-peer suicide prevention grants for Wisconsin high schools with a focus on training Wisconsin students to recognize the signs of suicide shown be fellow students, peer-to-peer programs use messages of hope, health, and strength to develop peer leaders and resources for students who may be struggling. Apply by Dec. 15
$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. Apply by 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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