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Dear MMSD Families,
During this time of year, we witness early indications of the winter season preparing to exit the stage and allowing spring to take a starring role. As we eagerly await warmer temperatures and nature to begin blooming, we are inspired by the joys of childhood, such as seeing our youngest learners enjoy recess and connections with friends.
We continue to see our students aim for equity and excellence; for example, the Africa Club at East High School can be a model of creating inclusive and welcoming spaces.
On a daily basis, our dedicated teachers and staff encourage and uplift, while providing thriving learning environments. We witness this in Memorial High School math teacher and boys’ basketball coach, Steve Collins. He will be inducted in the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in September. Wow!
As we celebrate leaning forward into new possibilities, I hope everyone has an opportunity to rest and recharge during Spring Break. We look forward to seeing our scholars on Monday, April 4, and beginning 4th quarter with energy and excitement!
Sincerely,
Carlton D. Jenkins, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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Huegel Elementary Ceiling Art Project Connects School Community
Walking through the hallways of Huegel Elementary School is like strolling through an art museum–all you have to do is look up. The ceiling is a colorful compilation of decorated two-foot by two-foot ceiling tiles, each one painted by a third-grade student, a community art project that has continued for almost 15 years.
Art Teacher Kate Olsen Birner, who has worked for MMSD for 33 years, started the project shortly after joining Huegel. A few ceiling tiles in the art room were already painted by the previous teacher, leading Olsen Birner to paint her own tiles in the style of famous artists during art appreciation lessons. Before long, the project grew into a schoolwide endeavor, with each student getting to leave their artistic fingerprint in the school.
“I love childrens’ artwork! I love their courage, creativity and fearlessness. I love the way my students think of something that never occurred to me,” Olsen Birner said. “I think I learn far more from them than they do from me.”
Read the Full Story
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Madison West Rocket Club Preps for Competitions
The Madison West High School Rocket Club is reaching new heights this year as members prepare for three separate competitions: NASA Student Launch, the American Rocketry Challenge, and Rockets for Schools.
Second-year members of the Rocket Club can participate in NASA Student Launch, a nationwide competition which aims to provide relevant, cost-effective research and development of rocket propulsion systems. Students work alongside leaders in the NASA Space Launch System (SLS) throughout the school year to design, build, and fly payloads (also known as cargo) that support the program.
“I really enjoy the opportunity to be able to work with NASA throughout the year and go through the standard NASA project development cycle,” Rocket Club President Madeline Dean said.
The team spent the first few weeks of the school year designing their vehicle, using software systems like OpenRocket. During construction, students have weekly evening workshops on Fridays throughout the school year, supervised under West High School Biology teacher Christine Hager.
Read the Full Story
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Memorial Basketball Coach Recognized for 24-Year Career with Hall of Fame Induction
This week in his statistics class, Memorial High School math teacher Steve Collins taught his students about the binomial distribution formula. Full of variables and exponents, the formula is used to determine the probability of a two-option outcome: heads or tails, pass or fail, win or lose.
For Collins, the statistics lessons reach much further than the walls of his classroom, which he has experienced first-hand during his 24 years as head coach of the Memorial boys' basketball team.
“There’s a lot of stats in basketball, there’s almost too many numbers,” Collins said, laughing. “I believe there is a way you think and process things that’s similar in both mathematics and basketball.”
While statistics is not the driving force behind Collins’ coaching methods, his own coaching stats represent his success: He has a career record of 445-122; led teams to state championships victories in 2005, 2009, and 2011; and state championship runners-up in 2004, 2006, 2008, and 2010. Collins is also a two-time winner of the State Coach of the Year.
Before coaching, Collins played basketball at Madison East High School, and was captain of the Lawrence University men’s basketball team. He received his master’s degree at Dartmouth College before coming to Memorial.
Currently, he’s recognized by fans for his active and animated sideline energy and many superstitions, which range from McDonald’s meals to lucky outfits. In February, the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced Collins will be inducted into its 2022 Hall of Fame in honor of his decades-long career.
“I am only like 10 percent of the equation that’s gotten me here,” Collins said. “I’ve had wonderful coaching staff, great kids, and a supportive community. I just move the pieces around, it’s the players who do all the work.”
Read the Full Story
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Important Upcoming Calendar Reminders
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March 25: End of 3rd Quarter
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March 28 - April 1: No school – Spring Break
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April 4: School resumes, 4th Quarter begins
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April 8: Elementary school – Mid-day release for conference planning, check this link for individual school release times
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April 12: Aspire Testing, grades 9 and 10 only – no school for grades 11 and 12
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April 14: Elementary school – Mid-day release for conferences, check this link for individual school release times
2021-22 School Year Calendar
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Is Your Family Prepared for Severe Weather Season?
ReadyWisconsin is reminding residents now is a good time to reset and get ready as we get closer to the start of severe weather season. “We urge everyone to take steps to protect their families and homes from possible emergencies or unexpected disasters," said Acting Wisconsin Emergency Management Administrator Greg Engle.
ReadyWisconsin recommends every family have an emergency plan in place in the event of a natural disaster or any emergency. If you already have a plan, spring is a great time to review it with family members and make any necessary updates.
It is also a good time to assemble or restock a home or vehicle emergency kit. Check for expired products or items that may need to be replaced. Home emergency kits should include items that are needed if someone is stuck at home for a few days, or to grab-and-go if you need to leave the area.
Read More
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Financial Aid Texting Support for MMSD Seniors
Parents of Seniors - Do you have questions about how your child will pay for college? Do you need more information about Financial Aid and the FAFSA? Have you received an award letter from a college, and need help understanding it? You and your student now have the opportunity to receive weekly text messages from Get Schooled, financial aid experts partnering with MMSD. Through this partnership, you will have a financial aid expert at your fingertips! All you have to do is opt-in to receive weekly texts with tips and tricks about financial planning. Have a question for a financial aid expert? Just reply to the text and have a response within 24 hours! Opt-in by texting #mmsd to 33-55-77
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Spring Sports are Starting
Stay up-to-date with all the excitement, by following us on Twitter @AthleticsMMSD. Track and Field, Softball, Baseball, and Girls' Soccer have begun. Boys' Tennis and Boys' Golf begins on March 28. Good luck to all our student-athletes competing.
MMSD would like to thank students and coaches for their hard work, dedication, and pursuit of excellence. Your enthusiasm, effort, athletic abilities, and commitment to your team is inspiring.
Link to Winter Sport Highlights from Around the District
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Covid Testing
COVID-19 Testing will be available during Spring Break, Monday, March 28 through Sunday, April 3.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Locations:
- East
- Memorial
- Sennett
- VanHise/Hamilton
For additional information and the pre-registration link, click here.
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Additional Covid Resources
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MMSD Maintenance Appreciation
Throughout MMSD, our incredibly hardworking custodial and building maintenance teams work around the clock to ensure our schools are safe, with clean environments for our scholars and staff. Recently, the floor team has been working overtime to sweep, vacuum, wash, and buff the floors at Mendota and Midvale Elementary Schools. Take a look at the before and after photos, made possible by this tireless team!
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Boys' Basketball Summer Basketball Camp
If you child is interested in developing their basketball skills, sign up for this camp!
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Where: Toki Middle and Orchard Ridge Elementary School
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When: June 13-16
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Who: Kindergarteners through incoming 9th graders from any school are welcome
Sign up • Email Coach Collins with any questions at stcollins@madison.k12.wi.us.
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Share the Amazing Stories Happening in MMSD!
Is there a teacher or staff member engaging students with innovative lessons? Do you know of a student who is making a difference or was recently recognized? Are athletics teams, co-curriculars or arts programs demonstrating excellence? Let us know — share your story here.
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Madison Metropolitan School District | mmsd.org | |
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