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District News
The overall goal – from the school district’s new strategic plan – is to identify ways the MMSD can actively promote the benefits that all students derive from the challenging, respectful, inclusive education that Madison Schools provide. While the session is open to the public, parents of MMSD students are particularly welcome. Running of the robots Looking for something unique to do tomorrow? How about taking the kids to see robots on the run? Operated by remote control, the student-built robots will compete in “Breakaway,” a soccer-like game with field obstacles. Different teams of students have spent the last six weeks building robots using identical kits that included motors, batteries, and all the necessary parts – but no instructions! See what the budding robot scientists created. The event is noon to 5 p.m. at Isthmus Engineering and Manufacturing, 4035 Owl Creek Dr. State finals for spoken word artists Seven Madison high school students will participate in the 2010 Wisconsin Teen Slam spoken-word competition, Saturday, February 27, beginning at 7 p.m. at the UW Memorial Union Theater. Darien Power and Jessica Ruiz, West HS; Shanon Holmes and Jenna Webster, La Follette HS; Elyon (Ash) McNickle, Shabazz HS, Alicia Chavous, Madison Affiliated Alternative Programs and Tia Gilmore, Memorial HS from Madison Schools will compete in the event.
February 12, 2010 Starting school Kindergarten registration for incoming students in the Madison Metropolitan School District is Monday, March 1, 2010 from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at MMSD elementary schools. Parents or guardians should register their child at their neighborhood school. To be eligible, children must be 5 years old by September 1, 2010. More information is at http://drupal.madison.k12.wi.us/kinder
Weigh in on district communications Everyone is welcome to attend and give input about Madison School District communications at a Community Engagement Session scheduled for: Monday, February 22 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Marquette/O'Keeffe Schools' Cafeteria, 1501 Jenifer St. The session is a step in the development of a communications plan aimed at ways to focus on the positives of the MMSD school experience and to publicize the benefits of graduating from the MMSD.
Board of Education Progress Report Updates from the Board for the month of January: 4 Year Old Kindergarten (4K): The Board approved the implementation of a district‑wide, community model for 4K, which will start in September of 2011. We are still discussing the finance model. We are excited about the start of this program and the benefits it will bring to the community. Race to the Top: The Board voted to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to move forward in the Race to the Top program. This is a competitive grant program run through the federal government. Federal money will be awarded at the state level, to states who qualify. If the State of Wisconsin receives federal money, MMSD will have the opportunity to apply for some of the state money, if we choose to do so. There are still many unanswered questions on the requirements of the Race to the Top funds. Core Performance Measures: The Board approved Core Performance Measures for the district. As the Strategic Plan was developed, a series of performance measure were defined to be the barometer by which we assess whether or not the goals and objectives defined in the plan are being met. There are almost 200 key performance measures defined across all strategic goal areas in the plan. The performance measures listed below are considered the "Core" measures. Each measure has a baseline, annual benchmark and target data: * WKCE reading proficiency percentage, grades 4 and 8 * WKCE math proficiency percentage, grades 4 and 8 * WKCE reading percent above 90th state percentile, grades 4 and 8 * WKCE math percent above 90th state percentile, grades 4 and 8 * Percentage of students on track for credit attainment required for graduation in four years, Grade 9/year 1 * Advanced course participation rate * ACT composite score, percent scoring above 90th national percentile * Percentage of students above 90 percent attendance rate, kindergarten, grades 6 and 9 * DPI graduation and completion rate * Percentage of students suspended (in and out of school), all grades Badger Rock Charter Middle School: The Board received a presentation from a community group focused on starting an environmental charter school, Badger Rock. This would be a middle school located on the site of the former Badger School. The Board reviewed and approved the action of the planning team to submit a planning grant on the project. This will allow the group to do more detailed planning before making a final proposal to the Board. A Penny for Kids: Wisconsin's school funding system is broken and is failing our children and our community. Comprehensive school‑funding reform is the long‑term answer for our schools. To address the funding crisis, Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools has launched "A Penny For Kids" campaign to raise the sales tax one‑cent to help fill the gap in public school funding created by the 2009‑11 state budget (which was devastating for MMSD) and try to keep a lid on property taxes. The Board voted to endorse the campaign. We hope you will too. To sign the petition and learn more, go to www.apennyforkids.org/ State of the District: The Superintendent presented a State of the District address to the Board and community. To read the report or listen to the presentation, please go to: www.mmsd.org/node/5760 If you have any questions or comments, please contact the Board at board@madison.k12.wi.us or call me at 516‑8981. Best regards, Arlene Silveira MMSD Community Engagement Session about communications The Board of Education will host a Community Engagement Session on Monday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the cafeteria of Marquette-O'Keeffe Schools, 1501 Jenifer St. The engagement session is about soliciting input on the development of a communications plan aimed at ways to focus on positive branding of the MMSD school experience and publicize the benefits of graduating from the MMSD. It will be facilitated by Superintendent Dan Nerad and other district leaders. The overall goal - from the school district's new strategic plan - is to identify ways the MMSD can actively promote the benefits that all students derive from the challenging, respectful, inclusive education that Madison Schools provide. While the session is open to the public, parents of MMSD students are particularly welcome. Souper Bowl XIV Habitat for Humanity's annual Souper Bowl fundraiser will be held this Saturday, February 6 from 3-8 p.m. at West HS, 30 Ash Street. Begun fourteen years ago, the brainchild of Don Hunt, deceased West HS art teacher, last year over 1,800 people attended, raising over $31,000 for affordable housing. For $15 per person ($35 for a family of four) individuals receive a handcrafted ceramic bowl, soup, bread and dessert. Entertainment will also be provided. If you're attending the Camp Randall Hockey Classic, stop by before or after for this great community event. Penny for Kids Recently, the Madison Board of Education voted to support the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools' Penny for Kids effort. After 17 years of state-imposed revenue limits requiring annual cuts to school district budget across the state, the effort seeks to increase the sales tax by 1 cent, dedicated to support education and lower property taxes. When you get to the Penny for Kids Web site, sign the petition to support the cause, and pass the link on to other school advocates. A recent Wisconsin State Journal article provides more information about the advocacy effort. Presidential Scholars Eleven MMSD high school students have been selected as candidates in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. This is the first of three levels leading to Presidential Scholar designation. Candidates, semifinalists and scholars are chosen based on their accomplishments in many areas. The students are: Nelson Auner, Ansel Norris, East HS; Laurel Hamers, Jane Lee, Valerie Shen, Memorial HS; Timothy Choi, Benjamin Klug, Wendi Sun, Eric Swaney, Peter Wear, Jacob Wolbert, West HS.
January 22, 2010 Kindergarten registration for incoming 5 year old students is Monday, March 1, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at all MMSD elementary schools. Parents or guardians should register their child at the school he/she will attend. To be eligible, children must be 5 years old by September 1, 2010. More information about kindergarten registration is available by clicking here. ------------------- A reminder that the State of the District presentation will be Monday, January 25 at 5:30 p.m. at Wright Middle School on Fish Hatchery Rd. All are invited to attend but if you can't make it, the talk and Q&A period will be televised live on MMSD-TV Cable Channels 96/993 and streaming live on the web at http://www.mmsd.tv/ and it will be available for replay at the same web site. ---------------------- Chelli Riddiough, a 2009 graduate of Madison West, is one of 48 students in the nation whose submitted manuscript will be included in the book "The Best Teen Writing of 2009" from the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. January 15, 2010 On Monday, the Board of Education voted to begin four-year-old kindergarten (4K) in the fall of 2011. 4K is an optional program that will be available to all children who reside in the MMSD and are four years old on or before September 1 of that school year. 4K is a part day program that will be offered in both MMSD school buildings as well as in child care centers in the community. More information is available by clicking here. All community members are invited to attend a State of the District presentation by Madison Schools Superintendent Daniel Nerad on Monday, January 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the library of Wright Middle School, 1717 Fish Hatchery Rd. It will be the sole agenda item in the Board of Education meeting. The 45 minute presentation will provide an overview of important information and data regarding the Madison School District - including student achievement - and future areas of focus. It will be followed by a short period for questions from those in attendance. Public Health Madison Dane County is resuming school H1N1 vaccination clinics in MMSD on January 20. This round of clinics will run through February 11 in schools that have not yet had an H1N1 clinic. Schools are communicating with families regarding sign-up for the clinics. All relevant information is online here. Student teams from East, La Follette, Memorial and West competed in the 2nd annual Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl on Wednesday. A program of Madison-based Asset Builders of America Inc., the Bowl is an interactive way to teach high school students about personal finance, economics, entrepreneurship and investing. A team from West won the competition. January 8, 2010 ● January Board of Education Progress Report is below. ● Citizens and MMSD staff members can nominate other citizens and staff members for a 2010 MMSD Recognition Award. This year nominations will be accepted online at http://www.mmsdawards.org/. The deadline for nominations is Monday January 25. MMSD Board of Education Progress Report - January, 2010 Happy New Year! On behalf of the Board of Education, I wish you a happy and healthy 2010. Summary of major December Board decisions: Reading Programs: The Board received a presentation on Reading Recovery in the district. A number of questions were raised about our reading programs and how programs worked together to ensure we are meeting the needs of all of our students. Therefore, the Board requested a full evaluation of all reading programs at the elementary level so we have a better understanding of the big reading picture. Superintendent Goals: As part of the Superintendent evaluation process, the Board, in conjunction with the Superintendent, developed goals for the Superintendent. There are a lot of details associated with each goal. The Goal area and targeted Results of each goal are below: Goal Area: Increase the percentage of students who are Proficient and Advanced in reading. Results: Increased proficiency and advanced proficiency on WKCE or its replacement, other district assessment or standards-based tests. By 2013-14, 100% of students will meet this target. Goal Area: Increase the percentage of students at all grade levels who attend school at 96% or more. Results: Increase attendance for students in every grade, with a specific focus on the students in key transition grades. By 2014-15, 96% or more of students will meet this target. Goal Area: Increase the percentage of students on track for credit attainment for graduation in four years. Results: Increased percentage of students on track for credit attainment for graduation. By 2014-15, 90% or more will meet this target. Goal Area: Completion of a review of the district's organizational structure and organizational systems/processes and develop a plan to align the work of the administration to the district's mission and Strategic Plan. Results: This goal will be assessed by Board approval and successful administrative implementation of a plan that aligns the work of the administration with the district's mission and Strategic Plan and to principles of quality organizations, and is fiscally sustainable over time. Goal Area: Board relations. Results: Development and implementation of a sustainable system for improving and demonstrating effective communication with the Board of Education. Goal Area: Implement the Strategic Plan action steps targeted for year one as approved by the Board of Education. Results: A report in June 2010 outlining progress toward implementation of the action steps including any evaluation of new programs that has occurred using the approved performance measures. Goal Area: Leadership development goal. To focus on encouraging the heart in others and challenging the process. What's Up in January?: 2010 will be a busy year. Items of interest on our January agenda: Decision on the implementation of 4-year-old kindergarten; Race to the Top funds; initial presentation of an environmental charter middle school; core performance measures associated with the Strategic Plan; and kick-off of the 2010-11 budget process. Thanks for all you do for our children. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments at board@madison.k12.wi.us Arlene Silveira (516-8981)
The MMSD Planetarium features the "Season of Light" at the presentation on Wednesday, December 16 with shows at 6:30 and 7:45 p.m. The program leads viewers through the discovery of many basic astronomy concepts, while exploring the holiday traditions of several cultures and religions. The $2 tickets go on sale at 6 p.m., prior to the first show. East HS student Darrel Butcher and West HS's Richard Jones won first and second place, respectively, in a Dane County spoken-word poetry competition at the Goodman Community Center. The competition encourages young people to use poetry as a means to tell their stories and to be agents of social change. Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR) is looking for community members to serve on its Citizens Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee meets five times annually, generally the fourth Tuesday of every other month. Individuals interested should be avid supporters of public recreation and residents of the MMSD, or a staff member of an organization that provides recreational/educational services to MMSD students. On-line applications are available through the above link. Starting to think maybe it's time to begin that holiday shopping? MSCR is holding a Pottery Sale on Thursday, December 17 and Friday, December 18 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 3802 Regent Street. Find that unique hand-crafted gift for someone special - or treat yourself! All proceeds go back into the MSCR pottery program. Remember: Friday, December 18 is the last day of school this calendar year. Winter break runs from Monday, December 21 through Friday, January 1. School commences on Monday, January 4. This will be the last District News report until next year. Enjoy the holidays and time with family/friends. December 10, 2009 December Board of Education Progress Report December 4, 2009 MMSD Fine Arts Coordinator Julie Palkowski is the author of the featured article in the latest edition of the Wisconsin School Musician magazine. Partnerships across our community enhance the opportunities for MMSD students. Making the Most of the Concert Festival Experience is a case study of the collaborative project among the MMSD, the Overture Center for the Arts and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association that occurred this past April. According to Google, the MMSD is the fifth most popular searched item in the Madison area. Google broke down the top search terms by city in its Zeitgeist 2009 survey. Google counted searches in 31 US cities to compile the list of the most popular searches unique to specific cities. Looking for something to do on a cold winter's evening? Why not consider a concert at one of our high schools, or a middle school choral performance. The MMSD calendar of events lists a wide range of no-cost potential family activities to beat the recession blues! November 20, 2009 When is school closed due to weather? The letter that outlines Madison School District guidelines regarding opening/closing schools during severe weather is now online in English, Spanish and Hmong. Click here to go to the letter. Survey about 4-year-old-kindergarten - Families with pre-school and elementary age children are welcome to provide input in helping MMSD and the community plan for the possibility of 4K. The survey should take only 5-7 minutes to complete and will provide the 4K planning committee information on what families need and hope from the program. Link to take survey. Emerson Elementary School physical education teacher Kitty Erdman has been selected as the Dance Educator of the Year according to the Wisconsin Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. The 57 National Merit Scholarship Semi-Finalists from the Madison School District will be honored at a special Board of Education meeting on Monday, November 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Doyle building. For the 10th consecutive year, at least 56 Madison students have achieved semi-finalist status. Based on percentages and number of students applying, Madison should have 6 semi-finalists. for the week of November 9, 2009 Gov. Jim Doyle returned to Wright Middle School, where President Barack Obama spoke about education reform the previous week, to sign four education reform bills that will enhance Wisconsin's application for the competitive Race to the Top federal education reform grants. A Community Forum on the recently approved MMSD Plan for Talented and Gifted Education will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 6:00-7:30 pm at the Hamilton Middle School Library. The forum will provide a plan overview followed by an opportunity for discussion. Superintendent Dan Nerad and Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Lisa Wachtel will be in attendance. You are invited to attend to learn more about the plan and provide feedback. November, 2009 Board of Education Progress Report
October 27, 2009 Through their actions at last evening's meeting, the Madison Board of Education lowered the increase in the 2010 property tax levy from 5.7% to 3.49%. The increase over last year in property taxes for the owner of a $250,000 home is now $92.83 instead of $147.50. Families with pre-school and elementary age children are encouraged to complete an online survey that will help MMSD and the community plan for the possibility of 4-year-old-kindergarten. The survey - in both English and Spanish - should take only 5-7 minutes to complete. It can be accessed at http://elemedweb.madison.k12.wi.us/4k Did you know that Athletics has two types of calendars? One is an athletic event calendar by date, while the other calendar can access team by team schedules. http://drupal.madison.k12.wi.us/node/4132
December 15, 2009 |
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