The staff newsletter will now resume biweekly distribution. The next edition will be sent on Friday, October 2. |
IMPORTANT DATES
September 15 - October 15
September 18:
September 24:
October
National Bullying
Prevention Month
October 2
National Custodial Worker's Recognition Day
October 11
October 12 - 16
October 15-17
(+ September events)
October 15 - November 15
MMSD Benefits Open Enrollment Period
October 27
DISTRICT
RESOURCES
OTHER RESOURCES
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Dear Staff,
I want to congratulate you on a great first two weeks of virtual instruction. We are hearing positive things from our families. As expected with such an undertaking, there have been a few hiccups along the way, however, nothing we could not resolve quickly and effectively, and that is a testament to your thorough planning and preparation.
As many of you are aware, MMSD traditionally releases an annual report on our Strategic Framework toward the end of each summer. The intent of the report is to tell the story of our progress toward meeting strategic goals, developed from an analysis of several key data points. Unfortunately for the 2019-2020 school year, the picture will be less comprehensive in its totality, because most of the metrics we look at are not available due to the closing of schools during second semester. However, there is still a good story to tell, with valuable insight on the district's progress. This year's report, to be presented by the Board on Monday, will instead inform on 2019-2020 first semester metrics only.
Our annual report also acts as a springboard for our work moving forward. For the 2020-2021 school year, we will focus on what we have learned from virtual learning thus far, as these lessons are very relevant and actionable.
As we transition into fall, events that seemed far off on the horizon are now just around the corner, including the November 3rd election. This year, two very important questions about our school district will appear on the ballot. While we continue to share referendum information at the district level, I encourage you to also share directly with your school community. It is important our families be well informed so that they can make the best decision possible. If passed, the referenda would transform our district, impacting nearly everyone in our school communities. For more information visit mmsd.org/future-ready.
Thank you for all your hard work to ensure a successful start to the school year. Let’s keep this great momentum going!
Sincerely,
Carlton D. Jenkins, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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Update on School Building Access for Staff |
Information was shared with staff in August that we would re-evaluate mid-September our decision to bring staff back into buildings. At this time, because of the increased number of cases of COVID-19 in Dane County and statewide, we are asking that staff only enter buildings if they are supporting childcare, voluntarily teaching from their classrooms, or providing specialized educational services. Our Reopening Schools Guidance offers further information.
Below is updated guidance around accessing buildings:
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- Face coverings are required; custodians have them if needed. If staff are working in classrooms with doors closed and no other staff are in the classroom, they may remove the mask.
- Cloth face coverings are made of fabric that cover your nose and mouth. It can be a sewn mask with ties or straps that go around the head or behind the ears, made of several layers of fabric, or factory-made or homemade. They are not face shields, mesh masks, masks with holes or openings, masks with vents, bandanas or gator masks.
- We recommend staff do not access common staff areas such as lounges, offices and foyers; though practice 6 feet distancing if used.
- If you are sick, tested positive for COVID-19 or have been identified as a close contact (i.e. sharing household) with someone with COVID-19 you must stay home. Please complete the symptom screener from Human Resources if you enter a building.
- Do not bring others into the building
- Staff must keep a personal log of who they come into contact with in case someone tests positive who has been in the building. Close contact is within 6 feet of an individual for over 15 minutes in a 24 hour period. (Be sure to swipe your key card upon entering the building.)
It’s important to remember that staff are not only protecting themselves while following health/hygiene best practices, they are also protecting their co-workers and students in the buildings.
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Influenza (flu) or COVID-19?
Protect yourself from influenza this season!
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Influenza and COVID-19 symptoms are similar and both will spread this fall and winter. There is no vaccine for coronavirus but there is a vaccine for influenza. Obtaining an influenza vaccine is very effective in protecting against getting the flu.
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REFERENDA 2020
Facebook Live sessions to discuss the 2020 Referenda are underway!
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At these sessions, we are discussing the question you'll be voting on, along with the proposed projects, and you'll have an opportunity to ask your questions. Our first session, with a focus on Madison East High School, was held on Wednesday, and a Community Conversation about Capital High was held on Thursday.
Check out both below!
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Madison East High School
Facebook Live session
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Get to know the Capital High
School Community! #TheThingIsLove
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Save the date for all of our upcoming sessions:
(links are to Facebook events)
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With only 46 days left until voting day, please remember that we have two important questions on the ballot for Madison residents. In addition, it's expected that about 80 percent of voters will vote by absentee ballot, and those have begun to arrive in mailboxes this week.
As staff, we can only share information and encourage folks to vote. We can't advocate for voting a certain way. As a reminder, here are important "dos and don'ts" pertaining to referenda communication.
We encourage you to check out mmsd.org/future-ready and the district's (and high schools') social media posts about the referenda. For your reference, below are links to brief overview videos (3-4 mins) for each of our four comprehensive high schools.
Thank for your partnership in helping our community stay informed about the referenda.
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James Madison Memorial High School |
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Benefits Open Enrollment Coming Soon! |
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Our annual benefits open enrollment period will begin October 15, 2020 and go through November 15, 2020. You'll receive an email to your district account on October 15th that will include information and instructions about open enrollment.
What is Open Enrollment?
Open enrollment is the time you'll need to enroll or re-enroll for Flexible Spending Accounts for the 2021 calendar year if you'd like to have an FSA for 2021. Flexible Spending Accounts do not roll over from year to year. This is also the time during which you can make changes to your MMSD benefits -- like changing health insurance carriers, adding or removing dependents from your plans, signing up for something new, or cancelling something you've decided you don't need.
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RESOURCES + OPPS + NEWS + MORE! |
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Have you met the Simpson Street Free Press? Check out this 3-minute video (featuring James C. Wright Principal Dr. Angie Hicks and MMSD scholars!) to learn more about SSFP, a neighborhood-based, non-profit where students produce and publish content on various media platforms.
On September 16th, Dr. Jenkins was the guest for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce’s Lunch(UP)date, the Chamber’s weekly program where participants can take a break and enjoy lunch while staying connected, curious and informed. During this week's program, they discussed the start of the new school year, how MMSD is addressing the unique challenges presented by the pandemic, and the facilities and operating referenda going before voters in November.
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