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Dear MMSD Families,


Throughout the first quarter of the 2021-2022 school year, MMSD has stepped up. Our students have displayed their potential in the classroom, co-curricular activities, and opportunities for advocacy. Our staff have worked collaboratively to address the academic and social-emotional needs of students, families, and colleagues. Our families and community continue to be encouragers and supporters.


Our conversations with students, staff, and families have reinforced the importance of voice. We continue to witness powerful student advocacy about addressing violence, as well as dedicated staff members who are providing support with humanity. Together, we strive to make all of our learning spaces places where every student and staff member can thrive.


During these stressful and unprecedented times, it is important we all feel included and valued. I encourage you to participate in this month’s “Gratitude Gram” campaign - it’s a great way to share kind words with each other and exemplify what human decency is all about.


Sincerely,


Carlton D. Jenkins, Ph.D.

Superintendent

Share Your Gratitude!

Gratitude is a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible. Expressing gratitude is a great way to build each other up, lift spirits, and encourage us to find the joy in our daily lives. 


During the month of November, we ask you share your gratitude with our MMSD community with a video message. It can be directed at a person or at something that brings you joy. We in turn will share on our social media outlets, and amplify the joy with "Gratitude Grams" to our MMSD Community.


How to take part: email your short video (under 20 seconds) to communications@madison.k12.wi.us.


Here are a few things to consider when creating your video: Make sure you state your name, school, and grade if applicable. Use Zoom or your mobile device to record your message. Record by yourself or with a group.


We believe community connections are at the heart of what makes us a strong #MMSDfamily. Thank you for being a valued member of this community!


If you're not already, make sure to follow us on Facebook: @MadisonSchoolsWI

and Instagram so you can see all our great Gratitude Grams throughout the month!

November Dates to Remember: 21-22 School Calendar

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  • November 5 No School for Elementary, Early Childhood and 4K – all day Parent/Teacher Conferences
  • November 18 No School – Middle School only – Parent/Teacher Conferences, High School – Parent/Teacher Evening Conferences
  • November 19 No School – High School only – Parent/Teacher Conferences all day
  • November 24, 25, 26 No School – Fall Break
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Daylight Saving Time This Sunday, Nov. 7, 2021

Reminder - Set your clock back one hour on Sunday. The clock will “fall back” one hour, and in theory, we get one extra hour of sleep!

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Memorial High School Students Collaborate on Weekly Spartan News Video


At first glance, one of the art classrooms in Memorial High School looks like any other: Posters of famous photographers, old cameras, and a series of small sculptures line the walls. However, just past the rows of computers, a neon green screen drapes the corner, surrounded by tall camera lights. This classroom studio set is home to the student members of Spartan News who write, shoot, and edit the weekly video news series.


Students have created almost 260 episodes of Spartan News since it began in 2012, led by Memorial Art Department Chair Joe Frontier.


“Can we inform students? Can we entertain students? Can we make the community at Memorial feel a little more cohesive, a little smaller? That has been the mission of Spartan News all along,” Frontier said. “We want to highlight the best parts of this school community.”

Read the full article

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Nallely Gonzalez, La Follette High School Senior, Spotlighted as WIDA Intern

WIDA is part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, a top-five university in the field of education. WIDA is housed in the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER), one of the first, largest, and most productive education research centers in the world. WCER has assisted scholars and practitioners to develop, submit, conduct, and share grant-funded education research for more than 50 years.


"'Today’s students are our future' is a well-known adage that rings true today. Nallely Gonzalez, a WIDA Featured Student, is a clear representation of a future leader," the article states.


The article continues, "Nallely is a senior at La Follette High School. She is a 2021 WIDA high school summer intern who loves dancing, journaling, and scrapbooking. Nallely is a driven multilingual learner. She typically speaks Spanish at home, and English at school and work. She also has some experience with American Sign Language (ASL). As someone who is hard of hearing, she knows the value in learning ASL and hopes to be of service to those who use ASL."


Read the full article and learn about what makes Nallely such a fabulous leader, and the things that excite her – like helping others and social justice.

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Tips for Discussing Social Media Use with Your Child 

Talking to kids about their use of social media can be hard, and sometimes stressful, but it can help influence their behavior online. Interact! is an online, interactive e-course for families (available in English and Spanish) that aims to help you get these conversations started, and make them a bit less painful and more productive. Topics include oversharing, inappropriate sexual conduct, bullying, child enticement, and more. 


The interact! program was created by the Wisconsin Department of Justice – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to help keep kids safe online.


Learn more about MMSD's Office of School Safety.

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Elementary Out-of-School Suspension Moratorium

As you may know, on October 25 the MMSD Board of Education voted to no longer use out-of-school suspensions with our youngest scholars. We lead with our values of teaching and learning over consequences and punishment, in support of our ongoing commitment to ensure all our students are safe and know they belong in our schools.


In addition to intolerable disparities among suspensions, research on out-of-school suspension shows they have a negative impact on students' academics and attendance, and have no positive impact on school climate as a whole. Our district is committed to leaning forward together with elementary schools to respond in a meaningful way to those limited number of incidents that have led to out-of-school suspensions. 

Learn more about MMSD's Behavior Education Plan and read the full letter.

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Scholarship Opportunity - Open to All Seniors

Application Instructions: The Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA), in partnership with Xello & Method Learning, has established the WSCA High School Scholarship Program to assist students with their post-secondary education. Four $500.00 scholarships will be awarded.

ELIGIBILITY: Visit this website for eligibility information and essay questions.

  • Question 1: Think about your experiences with school counselors throughout your education (elementary, middle and high schools); describe a time when a school counselor helped you overcome a barrier or obstacle and how that helped you to succeed
  • Question 2: How has your school counselor(s) helped you prepare for your postsecondary path and how would earning this scholarship support you in those plans? Provide specific examples of lessons, workshops, conferences, and/or conversations that were meaningful to you in creating your post high school plan.


*Students can find more local scholarships in Xello.

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National School Psychology Week November 8-12, 2021

National School Psychology Week (NSPW) is November 8-12, 2021. Schools throughout the country celebrate NSPW to highlight the important work school psychologists and other educators do to help all students thrive.


This year's theme is "Let’s Get in GEAR." The theme acronym, (Grow, Engage, Advocate, Rise), highlights how school psychologists can empower children to grow in areas such as social skills, empathy, and compassion for others, as well as problem solving, goal setting, and academic skills. To learn more about what school psychologists do, check out this infographic.


Find out who your child’s school school psychologist is, and reach out to them to show your recognition, appreciation, and support! #SchoolPsychWeek

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Guest Wireless Network Updates

Beginning November 15, use of guest wireless networks will be for visitors needing to gain access for presentations of professional purposes. Students will not have access to the guest network, during school hours, and are encouraged to utilize their district-issued devices, which automatically log in to the secure network. 


The guest wireless network will be available to students before and after school, open from 3:45 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.

Access Report Cards in Infinite Campus Parent Portal

This year, report cards will not be mailed home. Instead, families and students will be able to see report cards in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. You can also view:


  • Assignments—Browse assignments by specific class or due date.  
  • Attendance—Review attendance events in summary and detail form.
  • Grades—Immediate access to grades as they are posted.
  • Schedule—Review schedule from anywhere, at any time.
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Infinite Campus Mobile Apps can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

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Help Protect Your Child, Your Family, and Others

This week, the CDC recommended that children five to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. This expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinations as soon as possible.


Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can help protect children ages five years and older from getting COVID-19.

  • Vaccinating children can help protect family members, including siblings who are not eligible for vaccination and family members who may be at increased risk of getting very sick if they are infected.
  • Vaccination can also help keep children from getting seriously sick even if they do get COVID-19.
  • Vaccinating children ages five years and older can help keep them in school and help them safely participate in sports, playdates, and other group activities.


Help protect your family and slow the spread of COVID-19 in your community by getting yourself and your children (ages five years and older) vaccinated against COVID-19.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

REMINDER - MMSD COVID Testing Clinics

COVID Clinics are scheduled to start approximately 30 minutes before students start and 30 minutes after schools end.  


School / Hours MMSD COVID Clinic Open

  • Memorial / Jefferson   7:30-5:00
  • Black Hawk/Gompers   7:00 - 4:30
  • Hawthorne   7:45-3:00
  • La Follette / Sennett   7:30-5:00
  • Lowell   7:00-3:00 (This clinic is currently indoors. If you are not a member of the Lowell community, please select an alternative site.)
  • Toki / Orchard Ridge   8:00-4:00
  • Whitehorse / Schenk   7:00-3:45
  • Thoreau   7:45-3:45
  • West   7:30-5:00
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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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