January 28, 2020 | Vol. 20 Mequon-Thiensville School District Newsletter

Board of Education Approves Referendum

Dear Mequon-Thiensville Community, On Tuesday, April 7, residents will vote on a referendum question for the Mequon-Thiensville School District. The question asks voters to approve $55.7 million in general obligation bonds to address enrollment capacity concerns by funding additions and renovated spaces, as well as enhancing district-wide safety and security. The Board of Education approved the ballot question on Monday, January 27, after careful and deliberate review of an administrative recommendation that was informed by a number of inputs from stakeholders.  Community members, including many of you, took the opportunity to share their opinions throughout the nearly 18-month planning process, and I am grateful for the engagement. Community workshops in spring 2019 informed the development of a long-range master plan for facilities. A Community Task Force on facilities dedicated many hours this fall, learning about our facilities, touring schools, and studying data. A total of 1,167 stakeholders participated in a community-wide survey this fall, and 85 percent of those who completed the survey believe the district's facility needs should be addressed now.  The referendum would have a tax impact of $30 per year on every $100,000 of assessed property value. If approved, it would allow for the following projects: ENROLLMENT & GROWTH: Create additions and renovations at three elementary schools to increase space available for core classrooms, art, physical education, music, and special education Expand cafeterias at the elementary and middle schools  Renovate targeted spaces at the middle schools, including music and specialist classrooms, to support current needs SAFETY & SECURITY: Improve traffic circulation and parking lot queuing space at all schools Make restrooms and playgrounds more accessible for those with mobility impairments Create a more identifiable main entrance at Homestead High School and make district-wide improvements to control visitor access  Connect to municipal water and enhance fire suppression and alarm systems at the elementary and middle schools To learn more about MTSD’s facilities planning process, review enrollment projections and reports, please visit www.mtsd.k12.wi.us/facilities . To calculate tax impact, use our online tax calculator . As always, thank you for your ongoing support of the Mequon-Thiensville School District.  Sincerely, Matthew Joynt, Ph.D. Superintendent

Principal Mary Jo Tye Announces Retirement from Oriole Lane

Mary Jo Tye has expressed her intention to retire from her position as principal of Oriole Lane Elementary School at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Mary Jo has served as principal of Oriole Lane for 26 years, during which time she has demonstrated commendable leadership. The passion that Mary Jo has for education and for her students is truly inspiring.  Please join us in wishing Mary Jo Tye every happiness as she enters into a new chapter in her life.

Read more about Mary Jo's key accomplishments and what she is most proud of

You're Invited: 4K Information Sessions

Parents and guardians of prospective 4K students are invited to learn more about our program! Join us at an information session for an informal opportunity to: Learn more about how teachers provide social, emotional and academic opportunities to meet varied learning styles and needs Meet teachers Ask questions Preview your child's classroom Tuesday, February 4, 2020 5:30-6:30 p.m. at your child's elementary school Note: This is an adult-only event. Students will have the opportunity to meet their teacher and see their classroom closer to the beginning of the school year. A formal curriculum night will also be offered in August.

Learn more about 4K at MTSD

School Resource Officer Update

We broke the news in December that the City of Mequon, Village of Thiensville, and Mequon-Thiensville School District established a collaborative agreement to add a second school resource officer to serve and support students in the communities of Mequon and Thiensville. We are now pleased to share an update that Officer Jason Moertl, a veteran of the Mequon Police Department, will report for duty mid-February. He will join our current resource officer, Tarie Umhoefer, in working to foster positive relationships between law enforcement and school-aged children throughout the community. Stay tuned for another update when we welcome Officer Moertl to our school community in February!

Join Us on February 11!

On Tuesday, February 11, Your Choice to Live, Inc. will present Wake Up Call, a substance abuse educational program, at the Homestead High School James Barr Performing Arts Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This event is open to all adults 21 and older.  The Wake Up Call presentation provides practical information on current drug trends, a walk-through of a teens' bedroom with more than 50 red flags that could indicate substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and self-harm as well as proactive parenting strategies to keep your child substance-free. Visit the  district homepage  for more information. All attendees are asked to register in advance at the link below.

Click here to RSVP to the event

Tartan Bash 2020

It's not too late to register for the Mequon-Thiensville Education Foundation's annual Tartan Bash. Join us for a night of food, fun, dancing, and silent and live auctions to benefit excellence in education! Where:  Ozaukee Country Club When:  February 8 - Cocktails @ 5:30 p.m. Cost:  $150 per ticket ($75 of which is tax deductible)

Space is limited  - Register now!

Important Dates MTEF Tartan Bash Saturday, February 8, 2020 Wake Up Call Event Tuesday, February 11 Homestead High School NO SCHOOL - Staff Inservice Friday, February 14, 2020 Online 4K Pre-Registration Window February 15-April 15, 2020 NO SCHOOL - Staff Inservice Monday, February 17, 2020

Mequon-Thiensville School District | 262-238-8500 | 5000 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI www.mtsd.k12.wi.us ‌ ‌