As we move into October, can you believe that 20% of the 180 school days has been completed? By this time school routines should be established and all students entrenched in daily learning, homework and for some, athletic activities. By now students should have a good grasp on teacher expectations and rules for success, both academically and behaviorally. If you child is struggling in either of these two areas, please contact your child's teacher(s) for assistance. In the case of secondary schools, having all six teachers at the same meeting can be beneficial, especially if your child is successful in some classes and not others. The sharing of successful strategies between staff members may be the key to changing behaviors.
As you may or may not be aware, all school districts in California are being provided extra funding in the form of a Learning Recovery Emergency Block Grant. These funds can only be used to establish learning recovery initiatives through the 2027-28 school year that, at a minimum, support academic learning and staff and pupil social emotional well-being. These dollars are being distributed to sites this year based on an approved intervention plan. Site Administration must send their proposals to the MUSD Ed Services Department for review, ensuring that the plans are appropriate, sustainable and in line with the district goals and actions found in the LCAP.
For example, the AHS team has an approved proposal for WALK THRUs, an approach to effective teaching. The admin team is committed to the implementation of WALK THRUs to assist teachers in developing an understanding of the best evidence informing teaching strategies that improve student learning. With the help of West Ed, Las Juntas Elementary staff will be provided professional development in problem-solving cycles focused on using data. Plans for all sites will be shared and signed off by site council. Sites will also be provided funding for before and after school, teacher hosted, intervention. Other options to be offered during the student day are also being investigated.
The District also received a one time block grant of money, for the Arts, Music, PE Instructional Materials which may be used for professional development, acquiring instructional materials, improving school climate, developing diverse book collections with culturally relevant texts, operational and COVID 19 costs. The money must be spent by to be used by the end of 2025-26 Each site has been given an initial allocation to replace or purchase materials in the arts, music, and PE, as well a discretionary budget to purchase or improve whole school items, such as tables, risers, benches, folding chairs, etc.
We continue to have issues in Susana Street Park. I understand that parents use alternative locations to pick up their children from school, but please keep in mind that the park is a community space. Often times neighbors or moms with their young children are enjoying the park when school lets out, and are subject to inappropriate language and reckless behaviors which make the park unsafe. I urge you to speak to your children about these types of behaviors, in any public setting, and remind them that the park is there for the community to enjoy as well.
Remember that October 10 is a non student day. All teaching staff and administration will participate in Professional Development. Classes will resume on the 11th.
