Waiting for my Blue Heron...
Dear MTUESD Community,
As you know we had some tough layoffs projected for next year. A couple of teachers, who were fairly senior in the ranks, have made some exciting life-choices and let us know early of their new career/life plans in order to save some less senior teachers on our layoff list. I want to recognize and show my appreciation for that consideration. I thank Paige Herring and Daniel Massarie for their service to the district. Paige has accepted a position with another district where she will obtain a single subject PE credential and become their athletic director and Danielle Massarie has decided to devote her energy full-time to her family next year. We appreciate their pro-active noticing so other placements could be made. This district has a revenue problem, and this district needs to fix it or live with the chaos it creates as we scramble for money, but I want to thank both of them for their care and service to the district and for providing early notice so others could retain their positions in the line up.
That said, I hope you had a restful and rejuvenating break. Elvis and I walked the banks of the river multiple times over break and I kept waiting for my beautiful blue heron to reappear. It’s been a year of metamorphosis for MTUESD, the list of projects includes repainting, resealing, reimaging, deep cleaning, resurfacing, retrofitting playgrounds, roof replacements, and so much more. Over the break, a huge amount of work occurred. We’re looking pretty on the outside and now we have to get into the deeper work of correcting our instructional performance. It’s kind of like that song, “Happy”. When you come to school, you should feel proud of your environment and happy to be there and we’ve gotten there. Now, we gotta get into the deep work–the instructional achievement…
We have staff that work really hard. We have some students that have challenges at home that have varying levels of support that impact their performance. It’s still our job to fix it. Having a school system with one in ten kids proficient in math and one and four proficient in reading is not OK. Everyone here agrees it is not OK. We had some layoffs this year. We’ve had a couple of resignations, and we have reconfigured some positions to other funding streams to try and restore us to the whole. Class sizes will rise next year. If we get the passage of Measure A or the benefit of the Community Schools Grant, we will be able to mitigate that somewhat.
In other big news, we have our Board of Education, considering an internal appointment for the Copperopolis principal position at our Thursday meeting. We will have more information on that pending board action. We also will be celebrating at the board meeting the wonderful achievement of Tessa Pyle as our Teacher of the Year, and we will also be honoring CSEA members Tracy Henry and Nicole Boucke as they were nominated for Employees Making a Difference awards.
In construction news, the Mark Twain elementary playground will reopen on Monday. I realize the closure has been an inconvenience. These contractors are booked out for summer months far in advance by big districts, so we have to take them when we can get them and we also have to be mindful of that temperature swing to make sure that the playground material will cure. Come look at the kinder playground at MT or the Copper playground. A huge shout out to Copper PTC for the incredible paint job on the new cement wall at Copper. It was a perfect finishing touch. We are ordering some more tables and umbrellas for the playgrounds/yards.
If your student has not signed up for summer school, please do so. If you want your kid to get some extra reading and math support and have fun during the summer doing it. Take this free opportunity. They can come for half or full day and for one or two sessions. We have an abundance of staff that will be pouring into individual work for kids. Now is the time to help your kids make that achievement move.
he DELAC meeting was well attended on Tuesday. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation.
I was asked when Measure A ballots will be received, and I can report that the county related they were mailed on Monday from the vendor. All ballots MUST BE returned no later than May 6 through the mail or dropped off at one of the official drop off stations.
I will continue to gaze into the rolling water and look for my beautiful blue heron who symbolizes growth, peach and tranquility.
Be safe, be happy, and know that we love your kids. I am proud to say MTUESD IS ON THE RISE. We received our third local transfer back into the district in two weeks. We are no longer, "that district"....we are "THE district". We may be under-funded, but we are scrappy and resourceful. Thank you to all who contributed the love and care and energy to bring us out of the chrysalis, so, like the beautiful butterfly, it's our TIME TO FLY.
Sincerely yours,
Louise Simson
Superintendent