November 13, 2020 | Vol. 33 Mequon-Thiensville School District Newsletter |
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COVID-19 Update & Responsible Return Operating Plan Version 6 |
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During the week of October 18, the spread of COVID-19 in our community rose to a level deemed very high risk by the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department (WOPHD), and it has continued to rise. Since this time, the school district has received numerous questions regarding whether it would close and temporarily transition all students to Instructional Scenario D: Distance Learning for All Students. For now, all District schools will remain open for on campus learning.
When, as a school and district community, we begin to experience a rise in cases or an increased number of students or staff members affected by COVID-19, we will make decisions to promote the health and safety of our students and staff and to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. When school closure becomes necessary, the District will work with public health officials to determine the least disruptive level of temporary closure or dismissal needed to halt outbreak transmission of COVID-19.
School district leaders are committed to maintaining an approach of using research, assessment, and measurement to inform decision-making and accountability and provide transparency into our decision making processes. The MTSD COVID-19 Monitoring System Dashboard is maintained on the District’s public website and includes data associated with both internal and external decision-making factors.
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Revised School Calendars & Early Release Days |
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The MTSD Board of Education approved a revised school year calendar at their Tuesday, October 27 regular business meeting. The revised calendar includes one early release day per month, December through May, at the elementary and middle school levels. During the early release days, elementary school students will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m., and middle school students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
The early release dates are as follows:
- Thursday, December 10
- Thursday, January 14
- Wednesday, February 17
- Friday, March 12 (this was already a planned early release day for the middle schools)
- Wednesday, April 21
- Wednesday, May 19
Upcoming dates to note:
- Tuesday, November 24th (Early Release Day, Grades 9-12 at 11:59 a.m. and Grade 6-8 at 12:30 p.m.)
- Wednesday, November 25 - Monday, November 30 (No School - Thanksgiving Break)
- Wednesday, December 23 - Sunday, January 3 (No School - Winter Break)
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Referendum Website Update |
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On April 7, 2020, the Mequon-Thiensville School District passed a $55.7 million referendum to address a variety of space and safety needs across all district facilities. Since then, MTSD has been working in close partnership with Eppstein Uhen Architects (EUA) and Hunzinger Construction Company to begin work on the schematic design process. We expect the design phase to be completed this winter, followed by pre-construction planning and bidding.
Check out our updated Referendum Project website to view the project timeline, archive of the referendum process so far, and how design progress is coming along at each of our buildings.
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Are You Interested in Serving Your Community as a School Board Member? |
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Join the current MTSD Board President and Vice President on December 2 for a virtual workshop to learn more about serving the community as a member of the Board of Education. The Board of Education is made up of seven citizens elected at large by voters in the Mequon-Thiensville School District. Members are elected to three-year overlapping terms, with elections for at least two seats held every year. The Mequon-Thiensville Board of Education provides oversight that enables our public education system to successfully achieve the ideals and goals set out in the Strategic Plan. The Board of Education utilizes a governance model to achieve the strategic goals of the organization. At this informational workshop, community members will learn more about the District’s governance model and strategic framework, the time commitment and responsibilities of being a Board Member, and how to file paperwork with the District to run for a seat on the Board in the upcoming Spring Election (April 6, 2021). |
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Aramark to Provide Thanksgiving Meals for MTSD Families |
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Get ready to gobble: MTSD’s food service partner, Aramark, is offering free Thanksgiving meals, available for all students 18 and under (this means distance learning AND on campus students)! These delicious and wholesome meals will be served as part of the regular virtual meal pick-up on Tuesday, November 24 and will include a homemade pumpkin breakfast muffin, hand-carved turkey with homestyle gravy, mashed potatoes, herb stuffing, carrots, a fresh roll, and homemade pumpkin dessert. Yum! As with regular school meals available for pick up, the Thanksgiving meal will be included in a multi-day meal pack for the week, served cold with the intention to heat before consuming. As a reminder, distance learners may pick up meals daily at Homestead High School from 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Families can pick up breakfast and lunch at the same time. Parents or guardians may pick up meals on their child's behalf and should be prepared to give the student's name. If your family has an extenuating circumstance that prevents you from picking up your meal(s), please contact Molly Bortin via email at bortin-molly@aramark.com.
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Congratulations to These Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department Halloween Costume Contest Winners! |
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The Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department is excited to announce the three top finishers in the Halloween Costume Contest! The winners are:
- 1st place ($100 M-T Recreation Gift Card): A Very Vibrant Jellyfish
- 2nd place ($75 M-T Recreation Gift Card): Wizard of Oz Family
- 3rd place ($50 M-T Recreation Gift Card): The Mad Scientist
Thank you to all who participated in the costume contest this year! To enroll in classes and other fun programming through the Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department, visit: https://www.mtsd.k12.wi.us/departments/rec
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Family Feedback Survey Coming Soon |
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Once again, we’re asking for feedback related to your 2020-21 school year experience in the Mequon-Thiensville School District! A survey will be sent to parents/guardians through Infinite Campus on Monday, November 16. The purpose of this survey is to engage families in:
- Providing input and feedback related to learning environments
- Providing input and feedback related to school closures and mitigation procedures
The anonymous survey is open from November 16 through November 20. The estimated time required to complete the survey is 3 minutes. Families are asked to submit a unique response for each child they have in MTSD schools. Your participation is important in our efforts to continue planning and improve operations as the school year progresses.
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Distance Learner Check-In 💻
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Our distance learners are hard at work this school year and we are glad to see their happy faces while they are learning from home! If you have a great photo of your distance learner that you'd like to share for an upcoming newsletter or social media post, please submit it here.
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(Top left) Grant Gleisner, 3rd grader at Wilson, is signed on for success!
(Top right) Camden Wiercinski gets creative as a Wilson 2nd grade distance learner.
(Bottom left) Donges Bay sisters Ava and Eme Hagerbaumer work in tandem on their 1st grade and K4 schoolwork.
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Board of Education - Regular Business Meeting
Monday, November 16 @ 6:00 p.m.
End of First Trimester - (Early Release, Grades 6-12)
Tuesday, November 24
NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
Wednesday, November 25 - Friday, November 27
NO SCHOOL for Students - Staff Inservice
Monday, November 30
Early Release Day (Elementary-1:15 p.m. & Middle-12:30 p.m.)
Thursday, December 10
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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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