Dodger families,
We would like to commend our entire school community for an incredible job well done in opening schools this year and keeping them open. Our faculty, staff and students are working tirelessly through significant staffing shortages and ongoing COVID restrictions. Please take a moment to recognize that our smooth operations this year are the result of the hard-working Dodgers. Our low COVID rates and many educational successes this new year (see the October Education Update) bear witness to the resilience of the Dodger spirit. The next time you see one of our faculty members, please extend your appreciation. And the next time you see your student, tell them you are proud of them.
As the leaves turn and the holiday season approaches, please consider these important updates:
Regional COVID rates remain at “Moderate”; MPS rates appear stable.
More detailed information regarding our COVID rates are available in the October Superintendent Coffee recording. Please note that while rates appear to have stabilized, it is still very important that vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals remain mindful of their actions as isolation and quarantining rules continue to be observed at school. Accordingly, all parents and students should ensure that any indoor gatherings include some combination of mitigation strategies, including ventilation, filtration, distancing, and/or mask wearing. Further, students who are experiencing any COVID-like symptoms should stay home and contact their school nurse.
The 2021 State of the Schools Address has been scheduled for November 17.
If you are interested in being more informed regarding our schools, please mark your calendar to attend our virtual address in which the MPS Central Office administrative team will provide our annual update regarding how our schools are performing across a variety of indicators. For more information, please review some of the prior State of the Schools Addresses on our website.
2021 State of the Schools Climate Surveys will be administered this week.
Parents should know that the student portion of this survey is different from the Panorama SEL Surveys which have been placed on hiatus while we reevaluate our agreement terms with Panorama Education. This climate survey is an updated version of the district developed student surveys that have been used in prior years. These surveys are designed to provide insight regarding the efficacy of our programs and quality of our organizational climate. Students in grades 3-12 will complete the student version of the survey during the school day and responses will be collected anonymously through the Qualtrics platform. Parents will receive the Parent/Guardian version of this survey via email this week.
The New MHS/MCVSD Government and Leadership Academy Program is anticipated to begin in 2022-23!
This exciting program collaboration is being led by a team of teachers and administrators at both MPS and the Morris County Vocational School District. For more information, please see the Government and Leadership Academy webpage. The program will be further discussed at the MHS 8th Grade Parent Night on November 15, 2021.
Madison Public Schools is in immediate need of community help!
If you or someone you know is interested in an opportunity to work with students and become a part of our school community, then please consider the important work of substitute teachers and teachers assistants. Our school district is in dire need of reliable individuals to serve in these critical capacities. If you are able to join our team to support our staff and students as a substitute teacher or teacher assistant, please contact Confidential Secretary Jenifer Biondi at biondij@madisonnjps.org.
Thank you for taking the time to read all of this important information. We look forward to seeing you soon. In the meantime, best wishes for a safe and enjoyable Halloween.
Upcoming Events:
Thurs, Nov 5 - Schools Closed for NJEA Convention
Fri, Nov 6 - Schools Closed for NJEA Convention
Tues, Nov 16 - Board of Education Meeting, 7pm
Wed, Nov 17 - State of the Schools Address, 7pm
Mon, Nov 22 - Single Session for Parent Teacher Conferences (K-8)
Tues, Nov 23 - Single Session for Parent Teacher Conferences (K-8)
Wed, Nov 24 - Single Session prior to Thanksgiving
Thurs, Nov 25 - Thanksgiving Break
Fri, Nov 26 - Thanksgiving Break
Mon, Dec 13 - Superintendent Coffee, 7pm
Tues, Dec 14 - Board of Education Meeting, 7pm