November MLSD Newsletter
November Wrap-up // December Preview
Dear Families,
On November 3rd, we held our first Strategic Planning Committee meeting– and it was a great first step. We have 74 people serving on the committee, representing a broad range of perspectives. We wanted to ensure student voices were well represented in our work, so 16 members of the committee are secondary students.
After the meeting, I had many of the adult committee members comment to me that they were so impressed with the contributions and insights of these students. I know our final Strategic Plan will be better because we’ve included student voices.
We will continue to seek ways to engage our students by providing them with opportunities to participate in the important work we are doing as a district.
I wish for you and your families to have a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Monty Sabin
Superintendent
IN OUR SCHOOLS
MLHS Students & Staff of the Quarter
Congrats to the student and staff recognized this quarter! Along with a certificate, all winners were presented with a free drink voucher from Pop Stop.
Introducing - JUNO Frontrow
These amplification systems help our students hear clearly, no matter where our teachers are in the classroom. Our teachers have noticed a significant difference in classroom engagement, focus, and attentiveness with the aid of these systems. Read more about what our educators are saying here.
Chess for Life
Early Learning hosted their 2nd Annual Chess for Life event and celebrated with more than 70 participants! Check out more pictures of the event here.
Vanguard Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
[ Pictured above ] Students and community members participated in the official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Vanguard Academy November 9, 2022 with student-led tours and refreshments.
Columbia Middle School - Culinary Class
Just another amazing day in culinary class! Students made mini pumpkin pies. Thanksgiving Bonus: CMS Culinary students know how to do dishes too!
TAKE ACTION
School Lunch Menus
All students enjoy free meals this year! Did you know we have an app for our school breakfast and lunch menus?
Download the Nutrislice App below to find your school's menu:
Career Opportunities
Bus Drivers & Assistants
Paraeducators – Life Skills ($500 bonus)
Custodial Services
Maintenance
Coaches
Tech Specialists
Inclement Weather Preparation
Winter weather is upon us! Be prepared for possible closures, delays, cancellations, and early releases due to inclement weather by reviewing our Inclement Weather Protocols.
When to Stay Home
With flu season upon us, here are a few recommendations from our school nurses for when to keep your child home sick. As always, we encourage you to seek medical attention when your child is sick and to follow your health care provider’s recommendations about returning to school and other activities.
District Improvement
Parents and guardians– Please take this opportunity to share feedback about our district. Complete our Improvement survey for each child here.
IN THE DISTRICT
Creation of Strategic Plan in Progress
We have begun the process of creating a Strategic Plan for the Moses Lake School District. A Strategic Plan is a brief document used to communicate our goals, the priorities needed to achieve those goals, and metrics used to measure our progress. It includes both the academic and operational aspects of the school district.
Through the strategic plan creation process, our district and community become partners in creating a 3-5 year plan to improve our school district.
Our goal is to empower our parents, students, district employees, city officials, business partners, and community, to collaboratively shape the future of our school district guided by the Strategic Plan. Read more about the process, progress, and goals here.
Land Recognition
We acknowledge that the Moses Lake School District is encompassed by the historical homeland of the škwáxčənəxʷ people (Moses-Columbia or Sinkiuse) of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. These lands were once a major trading center for the tribes of the Columbia Plateau. The Moses-Columbia shared this place by welcoming other area tribes through their relations, history, trade, and ceremony. We also want to acknowledge that the land holds the spirit of the people, through its knowledge, culture, and landmarks since time immemorial.
As we work in unison making decisions for the future, we do so with one heart, one mind, and one spirit. We are grateful to be on the traditional territory of the Colville Tribes. We recognize the injustices that forever changed the lives of Chief Moses, his people, and their descendants.
We move forward with the opportunity to learn more about the land, history, and relationships with tribes in the traditional territories of the Colville Tribes. We will remember the history of the Moses- Columbia people and remember that they were and remain hardy and resilient people deserving of our honor and respect.
November Board Meeting [ recap ]
- Staff recognitions: The Athletic Directors of the Moses Lake School District
- Revision of Policy 3241 – (first reading) The last updates to Policy 3241 were in 2018. The policy and the law focus on preventing the need to exclude students for disciplinary measures.
- Total Revision of Policy 3143 – (first reading) Notification and Dissemination of Information about Student Offenses and Threats of Violence or Home. Updated to reflect current laws in relation to student information and classroom placement when students have engaged in threatening or violent behaviors.
- The next board meeting is December 8th, 6pm.
View the meeting minutes and full agendas on BoardDocs.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Moses Lake School District
1620 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837
509.766.2650
The Moses Lake School District #161 does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boys Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district’s Title IX, Civil Rights, Affirmative Action, and Equal Opportunity officer, Michelle Musso, 1620 S Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837, (509) 766-2650, mmusso@mlsd161.org; OR Section 504/ADA Coordinator, Samantha Burgess, 1620 S Pioneer Way, Moses Lake, WA 98837, (509) 766- 2670, sburgess@mlsd161.org