We want to ensure you and your family have everything you need to be prepared for the first day of school. This special edition of our Family News highlights popular back-to-school topics and resources. 

We are excited for the upcoming academic year, and offer our continued appreciation for your partnership!

Visit our Back-to-School Website

UPDATE: 2021-2022 School Year Calendar Change

In response to family feedback, and collaborative discussions with school leaders and Madison Teachers Inc., we are adjusting the school year calendar for the first day of school, to August 2, for 1st, 7th and 10th grade scholars. They will join 4K, Kindergarten, 6th, and 9th grade students who also have their first day of school scheduled for August 2. All other grade levels will return August 3. 

First Day of School by Grade Level:

• Thursday, September 2
• 4K, Kindergarten, 1st, 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th grades
• Friday, September 3 
• All grades return 4K-12
• 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 11th and 12th grades (first day of school)



Visit mmsd.org/calendar to see this school year's calendar.

Online Enrollment is Open

MMSD is supporting existing and new families of elementary, middle, and high school students complete the enrollment process 100% virtually.

Families of continuing students will complete the enrollment process fully online, and will be asked to schedule an appointment with their school only if they need to verify date of birth and/or parent-student relationship. 

Families will can use the enrollment checklist as a guide to help them prepare the documents they need for their student’s enrollment. For assistance with online enrollment or computer access, families can visit these locations. 

4K or 5K (New Students)

Families who completed online enrollment, but have not verified enrollment documents at an MMSD school or office prior to August 5:



Contact your school during August Enrollment Dates to schedule an appointment to verify your student's enrollment. Access your school contact information here. Enrollment documents to verify include your child’s date of birth, address, and parent/guardian identity and relationship.

Madison Metro and Badger Bus Develop Safe Transportation Guidelines

Masks will continue to be required on buses, per the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention's order. Find bus routes and bus stop reminders, as well as additional information for students riding Madison Metro buses, at mmsd.org/transportation. 

As you may have seen, we are in need of additional drivers to get all students to school on time this fall. Please keep this in mind because bus routes may be affected based on driver availability. New MMSD bus drivers receive a $5,000 sign-on bonus.

To learn more and apply, visit mmsd.org/drive.

All MMSD students will receive free meals for the 2021-22 school year

This school year, all MMSD students will receive free meals under the USDA's Summer Seamless Option program. All students 18 years old and younger are eligible for meals at no charge. 



Under this program, we are required to promote and process applications for free and reduced priced meals (we expect the application to be available the week of August 23) because this establishes a household's eligibility for other benefits, such as state reporting, Wisconsin School Day Milk Program, and P-EBT.  



At mmsd.org/food you can find details, as well as breakfast and lunch menus and information on what mealtimes will look like at schools.

Health & Safety Strategies

Schools will have in place the following health and safety strategies: 

• Requiring masks for students and staff while inside school buildings and traveling on buses
• Not requiring masks during outdoor activities or while eating or drinking
• Maintaining a minimum three feet of physical distancing (when possible) for all individuals
• Scheduling cleaning of buildings throughout the day
• Following practices of proper handwashing, respiratory etiquette, and monitoring symptoms
• Continuing our collaboration with state and local health experts, and reviewing Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidance in alignment with our planning
• At this time, MMSD is not permitting visitors inside of schools and district buildings. However, school leaders can determine access to their buildings on a case-by-case basis, in partnership with health staff. Any visitor must follow our health and safety mitigation strategies.
• Schools and afterschool programming will strive to cohort students in groups, but it is not a requirement as long as everyone is wearing a mask.  

Find additional details in the MMSD COVID-19 Safety Plan.

Get Vaccinated!

Vaccination is the leading public health prevention strategy to end the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 vaccines are available for everyone age 12 and older and have been shown to be highly safe and effective. We encourage anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated.

Fees

Fees can be paid online through Infinite Campus, with instructions and information available on our website. The 2021-2022 fees are also posted online.

Student fees posted at enrollment include:

• Consumable Materials (classroom supplies not included in the supply list) – all grades
• Textbook Fees – middle and high school students
• Activity Fees – middle and high school students
• Other Fees, such as planners, locks, high school course fees and (optional) yearbooks
  

School Supply Lists can be found at mmsd.org/supplies and on individual school websites under ‘For Families.’ Please reach out to your child’s school directly if you have any questions.

Boys and Girls Club of Dane County Will Be Hosting Our Back-to-School Night

Back-to-School Night: Tuesday, August 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at all locations, Taft, Allied, and Sun Prairie.

The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County will have games and fun geared toward children and youth. Students can win small prizes, and if they complete a passport, families will be entered into a raffle for more prizes. Use the sign-up link to register each child individually (preschool, elementary, high school, or college) -- they will receive a bookbag full of age-appropriate school supplies and then can join in the fun for Back-to-School night!

MMSD's Middle and High School Virtual Program, Madison Promise, Extends Application Window to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, August 18

Visit our website to review course offerings, application, and frequently asked questions. In order to have a complete application, students must fill out the entire form, including answering the essay questions. Students applying to Madison Promise must also complete the MMSD Enrollment process.

MMSD is Hiring!

Principals are looking forward to connecting with the Madison community and beyond during our in-person Teacher Career Fair on August 19, 2021 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Holtzman Building (333 Holtzman Road). We are seeking dynamic and passionate teachers to lead in a variety of subject areas: Elementary Education, Bilingual Education, Science, Math, Special Education, Language Arts, and more.

Attendees must register in advance and will have the opportunity to meet district leaders for live networking, learn more about available teaching opportunities, and participate in a one-on-one interview. District personnel will share information on the hiring process, full-time openings, and competitive pay and benefits. Staff are eager to assist and answer your questions. We hope to see you there!