As the principal of Marshall Middle School, I am excited for the start of the 2022/23 school year. Since March of 2020, students, staff, and families have been challenged and stretched beyond imagination. Collectively, we have accomplished and overcome tremendous adversity. The 2022/23 school-year is about opening doors and leveraging a newfound energy to return to what we do best; producing the highest academic outcomes in San Diego County. Yet, the organizational, social, and political tumult of the last two years has also opened our collective eyes to the inequities and tension in our educational system. As a school community, when we put the learning needs of every child first, together we can find common ground and a path forward. We are excited to see what new exceptional outcomes our Mustang staff can generate for all of our learning community. As we start the year, I want to remind everybody that the dangers of COVID-19 are real. We need to remain diligent by monitoring our symptoms, using the home kits that are available to students in the health office, and taking advantage of the weekly on site COVID tests (every Friday, 12pm-3pm). Again, masking is not required, but highly recommended. For more information about COVID-19 Testing, visit the SDUSD COVID-19 link below.

Again, I want to wish everyone a safe and exciting first day of school tomorrow!

Josh Way, Ed.D

Principal

During the first week of school, students will receive their schedules (first day), textbooks, Chromebooks (6th grade only), PE clothes, and “First Day Packets” which includes all of the required forms to attend school. Here’s a brief description of each form that needs to be returned to the school during the first week:

1. Enrollment Form - parent can update through Parent Portal

2. Health Information Exchange Consent Form - Goldenrod

3. Proof of Residence - Only IF there is a current change of address - update Parent Portal AND submit verification (current utility bill - SDG&E, water, cable)

4. Universal Form - refer to Facts for Parents booklet

We've been away for so long, we realize that many of our families may not know all of the great staff members that make up the Marshall family. In this weekly installment, we'll be showcasing a different member of our staff. In our first edition, I'm excited to introduce you to our new Theater teacher, Mr. Scott Sussman.

How many years in education? I taught nine years in L.A. County (Downey Unified) and thirteen years abroad (Rome, Italy). 2022-23 will be my 23rd year in education.

Why did you choose to work in Middle School? Middle school students are crossing a delicate bridge from childhood to young adulthood. It’s an important and formative age where we teachers can help guide them to think constructively about their identities, their relationships, and their futures.

What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend? On weekends, and every day, I write, read, exercise, play the harmonica, and spend quality time with my wife, Francesca, and our two comical cats, Cacio and Pepe.

What impact do you hope to make at Marshall?I hope to help Marshall students develop the tools they need to empower themselves. I want to show them how to break down long-term goals into short-term goals and then work hard to achieve them. In the words of the Chinese mystic and philosopher, Lao Tzu, “The journey of 1000 miles begins with the first step.”

In this section, each week we'll be sharing ideas, topics, wonderings and other things related to our work of supporting our children to reach their fullest potential. In today's edition, I'm sharing some resources on how parents can support students at home. Author and Psychologist Lisa Damour, Pd.D., who wrote Under Pressure and Untangled, is widely known as one of the leading experts on adolescence. In this link she offers free downloadable bookmarks with practical guidance and simple techniques on: How to Cope with Stress, Homework, When a Friend's in Crisis, How to Manage a Meltdown, Risky Behavior, and How Breathing Can Reduce Stress. As a parent of a middle schooler myself, I have found her work very relevant and helpful. I hope you do as well.