Dear MMSD Families and Community,
Let's dive right into this special graduation and summer resource issue because there are many important and exciting topics to cover. Here is what you'll find within:
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Updates to the 2021-22 school year calendar
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Videos of the Shabazz and Capital High commencement ceremonies, and details about upcoming ceremonies for East, La Follette, Memorial, and West.
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MMSD students honored in the All City American Indian & Alaska Native Graduation Celebration
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Our graduating Mann Scholars
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Our graduating Sánchez Scholars
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A special senior tribute video
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A Wisconsin State Journal feature story highlighting some of our outstanding graduates
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How our high schools are recognizing the Class of 2020 with in-person celebrations
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Our 2021 National Merit Scholarship Recipients
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Wednesday's pep-rally style Summer Literacy Launch events at Orchard Ridge and Whitehorse
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A variety of ways your family can access free, nutritious meals throughout summer
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How your middle or high school student can get a free Madison Metro bus pass for the summer
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MSCR is seeking high school students for summer job opportunities
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MSCR summer programming and camps are back
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Updated vaccine opportunities and incentives
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How we make decisions about school closings due to extreme heat
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How to contact your school this summer
That's quite a list, but we hope you find reading this edition worth your time. Please note that due to the length of this issue, the entire message is clipped, so if you don't want to miss anything, click "view entire message" at the end of the email.
Finally, congratulations, MMSD Community. We made it through another historic school year together. While school is out, we know the need to support one another doesn't take a summer break. You'll find several resources within this newsletter, and more at our new Summer Supports webpage, to help make these summer months safe, fun, rewarding, and cool.
Sincerely,
Carlton D. Jenkins, Ph.D.
Superintendent
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The stage is set, caps and gowns are on, and our 2021 graduates are off! |
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This week we kicked off our 2021 high school commencement ceremonies, with Shabazz and Capital High graduates stepping onto the stage and speaking beautifully and powerfully at the Monona Terrace on Tuesday, June 8.
"While some people will remember you as the class whose senior year was disrupted by two pandemics – the pandemic of the COVID-19 virus and the pandemic of racial injustice heralded by the death of George Floyd – you will forever be known to us as the class that forged ahead, tackling each challenge as it came…. While others might reflect on your resilience and your courage during this pandemic period, I would rather call out that you have possessed those qualities from the moment you arrived at Capital High."
– Principal Karyn Stocks-Glover
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"The one thing I want to say to you, when you go out into the world and life gets tough... remember what you did your senior year…. what you conquered. You absolutely did, and the Shabazz community is so very proud of you."
– Principal Mary Jankovich
Watch the 2021 Shabazz City High School Graduation
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Our East, West, La Follette, and Memorial commencement ceremonies are up next. They will be livestreamed today (Friday) and Saturday. View the full schedule and livestream links. Videos will be posted to YouTube after the ceremonies.
Due to the forecasted high heat and humidity, face coverings/masks will now be optional for students, families, guests, and staff at our outdoor graduation ceremony. Participants should still keep a six-foot minimum distance from anyone not in their immediate family.
Graduates should bring a mask with them in the event they need to go inside the building, as masks are required inside our schools. Additionally, health experts recommend unvaccinated individuals continue wearing masks. Remember to follow hot weather tips such as drinking plenty of fluids, wearing lightweight and light-colored clothing, and applying sunscreen. To stay hydrated, you can bring water and sports drinks (like Gatorade or Powerade) with you to the ceremony. More tips and hot weather information can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.
We look forward to recognizing our resilient graduates and celebrating their accomplishments!
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Eight outstanding graduates from the Class of 2021 reflect on the school year in Wisconsin State Journal feature
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"The Wisconsin State Journal asked eight Madison seniors from all of its high schools to reflect on the year. They shared their hopes and plans for life after high school."
Meet Capital High's Jaylon Lee; La Follette's Tziah McNair; Lilah Banks from Shabazz; Claire Krause, who graduated from the Madison Area Technical College STEM Academy and West; Memorial's Eddie Chen; and East graduates Pedro Martinez, Alayna Tucker, and Isabell Vang.
Get the full story, including video interview clips, at Madison.com.
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Bringing back our 2020 alumni to celebrate in person |
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Our high schools haven't forgotten about their 2020 graduates who were "Born to Make History" and weren't able to have in-person ceremonies last year. Many are hosting in-person, socially distanced gatherings to share memories, reconnect, and pay tribute to students' tenacity and perseverance through a challenging second semester of their senior year.
Shabazz held a picnic celebration June 4 (see photos).
West hosted a "Bring Back the 2020's Senior Party" June 9 with music and games, a photo backdrop, yearbook signing, raffle prizes, and food (see photos.)
Also on June 9, Memorial's Class of 2020 walked the building one final time and celebrated with games, music, and a photo booth.
East is hosting a "Class of 2020" celebration of 2020 alumni June 16. On the docket: cupcakes, camping chairs, and yearbook signing.
La Follette 2020 alumni are coming together June 16 to enjoy music, snacks, and reconnecting.
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All City American Indian & Alaska Native Graduation Celebration |
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The 15th annual American Indian and Alaska Native Graduation Ceremony, livestreamed virtually on May 6, honored all American Indian and Alaskan Native students graduating from kindergarten, fifth, eighth and twelfth grades and all post-secondary certificate and degree programs from public and private educational institutions within Dane county in conjunction with MMSD, Madison College, and UW-Madison.
The virtual ceremony, which you can view in its entirety here, featured a congratulatory message delivered by MMSD Superintendent Dr. Jenkins as well as an outstanding talk by world-renowned First Nations Children's author Monique Gray Smith.
We are so proud of our graduates:
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Carter Byington, Choctaw: 5th grade, Lincoln Elementary School
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Cayden Byington-Smith, Oneida, Choctaw: 12th grade, West High School
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Jeremy Cornelius, Oneida, Ojibwe: 12th grade, West High School
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Jessen Black, Delaware, Menominee, Oneida: 12th grade, Memorial High School
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Leo Spencer, Oneida: 5th grade, Henderson Elementary School
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Arvina Martin, Ho-Chunk, Stockbridge-Munsee: 8th grade, Spring Harbor Middle School
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Our four Sánchez Scholars graduates pursue academic dreams |
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"The Sánchez Scholars Program, now 21 years old, is currently celebrating four high school graduates who will be moving on to really big things in the coming years:
Linda Isabel Hernández Ugalde – Graduating from La Follette High School and looking forward to continuing studies at Madison College for Medical Interpreting.
Sharon E. Ruíz – Graduating from La Follette High School and looking forward to continuing studies at Harvard University in Environmental Science and Public Policy & Romance Languages and Literature.
María Magdalena Galán – Graduating from West High School and looking forward to continuing studies in the Madison College Cosmetology Program, after taking some time to visit family in Mexico.
Saúl Díaz – A Scholar from West High School, graduating from the Early College STEM Academy, and looking forward to continuing his studies in Neurobiology as a Badger at the University of Wisconsin-Madison."
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Mann Scholars Annual Celebration recognizes academic achievements of four graduates |
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The Mann Scholars Annual Celebration on June 4 honored the senior class of Mann Scholars: Calise Howard and Ke’Sean Homesly of La Follette High School, Travona Jordan of STEM Academy and Memorial High School and Tyrone Stevenson of West High School.
"The special mission of the Mann Educational Opportunity Fund is to provide mentoring support and educational tools primarily, but not exclusively, to students of color from the Madison Metropolitan School District who show potential for academic achievement, but face significant economic and personal challenges in reaching their full potential."
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Seven MMSD students are National Merit Scholarship winners |
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Seven MMSD high school seniors were named National Merit Scholarship winners, selected based on their academic record and rigor, contributions and leadership in school and community activities, essays, recommendations, and more. Students will receive twenty-five hundred dollars toward their college education. Read more about this distinction.
Congratulations to:
La Follette High School's Mina T. Linsenmayer
Memorial High School's Jessica L. Jiang and Sanil S. Partha
And West High School's Akshay K. Joshi, Thomas Ethan A. Kaji, Joseph B. Cai and Jessica Liu.
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Oh, the places our graduates will go!
In this video, we hear from several of our graduating seniors about their post-high school plans, their experience learning virtually, and who they are especially grateful for for supporting them through this school year. We are so proud of our aspiring nurses, architects, cadets, engineers, social workers, psychologists, historians, and Biblical theology scholars, and can't wait to see the mark they make on the world. Watch the video.
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Orchard Ridge and Whitehorse hosted two pep-rally style events as part of our Summer Literacy Launch |
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MMSD purchased summer reading kits for all kindergarten through 8th grade students. On Wednesday, June 9, these two schools hosted district leaders for a pep-rally style Summer Literacy Launch that included music from the James Madison Memorial High School Concert Band. Thanks to Dr. Marvin Pryor, Ennis Harvey, and Jorge Covarrubias for reading aloud to our students together and demonstrating that "real men read!"
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Let's make sure no child goes hungry this summer |
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Please spread the word about these opportunities to pick up free, nutritious meals in the community: |
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Your family may still be eligible for grocery benefits through the Pandemic EBT program
Throughout our district, children who typically get free or reduced-price meals at school have been learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help, the federal government created the Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) program to provide $6.82 to families for each day that a student in a free and reduced-price meal program learned from home. Learn more.
Starting June 21, pick up free meal boxes at 12 MMSD locations
Boxes containing seven days of nutritious meals will be available starting June 21 for any child 18 years old or younger not receiving meals through Summer Semester (per the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction). See the Summer Curbside Market Box delivery schedule for dates, times, and locations. Boxes can be picked up by an older sibling or another family member or a neighbor or friend. No need to provide proof of children 18 or younger – just tell them how many boxes you need. As a reminder, here are the curbside pick-up procedures.
Pop in to a pop-up mobile food pantry
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Madison and MMSD partner to give all middle and high school students summer bus passes |
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Passes will be valid Wednesday, June 9 through Monday, September 7. This special summer program will provide free rides to incoming 6th grade students through outgoing 12th grade students to make it easier to get around to jobs, volunteer opportunities, camps and other opportunities. Contact your school to learn more.
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High school students: MSCR is hiring for summer programs
Upgrade your summer by coming to work for Madison School and Community Recreation. MSCR is looking for enthusiastic and motivated community members to help us support the health and wellness goals of our Madison community. Highest priority openings are for SREC (Summer Recreation & Enrichment Centers) and YRC (Youth Resource Centers) Program Leaders directly serving MMSD summer semester students in the afternoons. Positions are also available in sports, camps, aquatics, and inclusion services. High school students are encouraged to apply. Positions descriptions and online application can be found at mscr.org/employment.
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Looking for COVID-19 vaccination opportunities for yourself or your family? |
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Everyone in Wisconsin age 12 and older is now eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Many more MMSD students can now be protected from COVID-19, and we want to help make that process as easy as possible by providing families with vaccination resources. See opportunities.
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MSCR's summer programming is back!
Learn all about summer camps, sports, and other enrichment activities for the whole family at mscr.org.
"We are hopeful that the Summer of 2021 will bring a sense of normalcy to our community and we are excited to bring some of our 'normal' back to you after a long break. This Summer Program Guide also features a plethora of new activities, including Pedal & Plunge family bike and swim program, pick-up play soccer for adults, ultimate frisbee skills, adult outdoor volleyball and physical theater. In addition to a full array of indoor and outdoor activities, we are continuing a number of virtual programs." – Janet Dyer, MSCR Executive Director
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Staying in touch with your school this summer
During summer break, we want you to know you can still reach your school with questions or concerns. The best way to do this is by using the Let'sTalk feature on your school's website (look for the red "Contact Us" box in the bottom-right corner). School staff will be checking and responding to Let'sTalk messages daily.
If you prefer to call, either someone will answer or you'll hear a message asking you to leave a voicemail. The voicemail box will be checked daily.
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The heat is on! Is school off?
We want you to know how we will make decisions about closing school, including Summer Semester, due to extreme heat. The safety of our students is our top priority, and we always follow a set of National Weather Service guidelines to make decisions. Generally, schools will remain open when a Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Watch is issued. Schools will close when an Excessive Heat Warning is issued.
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2021-22 school year calendar updates
We have made adjustments to the 2021-22 school year calendar to accommodate an additional day of training for staff in literacy instruction. This means that four-year-old kindergarten, 5-year old kindergarten, grade 6, and grade 9 will start Thursday, September 2. Because these are transition grades, we want to give these students extra time to adjust to their new routines and settings. September 2 will be a full day for these grades.
The first full day for all students will be Friday, September 3. This is necessary to avoid starting school on a religious holiday.
New for next school year: Every Monday will be an early release day for ALL grades.
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Madison Metropolitan School District | 608-663-1879 | Email | Website
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