August 19, 2020 | Vol. 27 Mequon-Thiensville School District Newsletter |
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Distance Learning Start to the 2020-2021 School Year |
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Two weeks ago, the district shared our Responsible Return Operating Plan (Version 1), which included four instructional scenarios for navigating the risk associated with COVID-19. Our ability to provide on campus instruction during the 2020-2021 school year remains contingent upon current health data, the district’s ability to implement instructional delivery scenarios, and the availability of our staff members and students.
At Monday night’s monthly Board meeting, updates to the Responsible Return Operating Plan (Version 2) were discussed, and a Decision Framework to inform instructional scenarios was approved. The framework, designed in lieu of timely direction from local health agencies, provides a mechanism for monitoring external decision-making factors associated with COVID-19, assessing the level of risk based on the current data, and determining a school district response. Unfortunately, the current state of COVID-19 community spread in the Mequon-Thiensville zip codes reflects high risk for the month of August and as such, the District will begin the 2020-2021 school year having to provide distance learning for all students.
Though we had planned to begin the year by offering both On Campus and Distance Learning options, teachers in the Mequon-Thiensville School District have been preparing all summer to provide a high quality distance learning experience for our students through hours of curriculum alignment, distance learning guidelines, lesson frameworks, and professional development in Canvas, the district’s new learning management system.
Additional direct communications from your school and the district will be shared in the days ahead.
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Responsible Return Operating Plan Version 2: What Else Changed? |
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Details regarding the district’s distance learning instructional model have been added to the MTSD website.
Requirements regarding the use of face coverings for students, staff and contracted service members were updated.
Requirements regarding the use of face coverings for students, staff and contracted service members were updated.
External Decision-Making factors were reviewed and revised and a Decision Framework providing thresholds for shifting across instructional scenarios based on identified external data was added.
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Learning More About Canvas LMS - Technology & Device Information |
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A major difference in the way distance learning was conducted in the spring of 2020 versus what is planned for 2020-2021 is through MTSD's implementation of the Canvas LMS (Learning Management System). A LMS is a platform that helps instructors manage and organize educational materials online and conduct online courses as well as help streamline the learning process by providing a central location for accessing material online and developing content. MTSD will be using Canvas as the LMS platform for grades kindergarten through grade 12. Canvas will provide:
- A consistent platform for students and parents to access teaching and learning materials regardless of the learning environment (in-person or distance learning)
- A secure and managed arena for student/student and student/teacher interaction
- Tools for educators to monitor and track student activity and engagement
Educators have spent the summer preparing for distance learning across all scenarios. A team of approximately 90 teachers worked together to develop and refine faculty guidelines for distance learning to make instruction as synchronous as possible through the use of lesson design templates and frameworks. These templates/frameworks were developed after extensive research of best practices that ensure high-quality, engaging distance learning lessons.
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Accessing a Device for Distance Learning
Lessons are most easily accessed using a computer or Chromebook. All students/families who select the distance learning environment can request a Chromebook from MTSD using the link below. After the device request form is completed, they will receive communication from their child's school about the device pick up prior to September 1.
For technical assistance, families should communicate with the Research and Digital Learning (RDL) specialist from their student’s school.
Please continue to visit the Distance Learning web page on our district website for the most up-to-date information on how the Canvas LMS system will be used, technology resources for parents and students, and more on the supports that will be available for all students as distance learning begins.
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MTSD is pleased to announce that the Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department’s before and after school program, Kids’ Campus, will be providing a full day program during our time of distance learning. The program will be available for MTSD students in 4K through 6th grade. This program will be located at Homestead High School to allow for maximum physical distancing.
Additionally, MTSD is committed to providing meals to resident students of the Mequon-Thiensville School District during distance learning. Beginning September 1, meals will be available for pick up at Homestead High School. Additionally, the district is working with our transportation partner, Go Riteway to offer meal delivery. More information will be released next week.
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Still Have Questions? We Hear You. |
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Whether professionally, personally, or both, every single member of our school community has been tasked with navigating a complex scaffolding of decision-making and critical planning unlike anything we have experienced before. We are grateful to those who have reached out to provide feedback and inform continued decision-making as our plans for Distance Learning and eventual On Campus instruction evolve. Still, we understand that many questions may remain.
If you are unable to find an answer to your inquiry using the resources provided on the Responsible Return webpage, please use one of the following methods to ensure that you receive an appropriate and thorough response:
- Contact your school principal directly.
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Use the ASK MTSD feature, which will route your question to the appropriate contact.
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Direct your question using the Who to Contact information page.
As you may expect, our administrators have experienced a high volume of feedback in the form of questions, concerns, and gratefully, appreciation in the last couple of weeks. We thank you in advance for your continued patience as we work to address all messages in the most timely and comprehensive manner possible, while simultaneously working to address many unknowns.
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Important Note: During the August 17 Board of Education meeting, the board approved an inservice day on Monday, September 21, 2020 dedicated for teachers to work on lesson plan alignment and further Canvas professional learning. This was previously scheduled as a regular instruction day. The change has been reflected on the district school calendars. |
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Welcoming Our New Staff Members |
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Just a few of the few new faces at MTSD |
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We are pleased to welcome some new faces to the MTSD staff this year! Please take a moment to get to know the new teachers and other employees at each school. Despite the certain challenges of this coming school year, we know our new staff are ready to empower all students to succeed, no matter what. Welcome to all our new teachers, support staff, and other employees! |
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First Day of School (Grades K-12)
Tuesday, September 1
First Day of School (4K)
Thursday, September 3
NO SCHOOL - Students & Staff (Labor Day)
Monday, September 7
MTSD Board of Education Working Meeting
Monday, September 14
NO SCHOOL - Students (Staff Inservice)
Monday, September 21
MTSD Board of Education Business Meeting
Monday, September 21
NO SCHOOL - Students & Staff (Yom Kippur)
Monday, September 28
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Mequon-Thiensville School District | 262-238-8500 | 5000 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI www.mtsd.k12.wi.us |
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