Dear MTUESD Community,
I love the stage where kids start to explore humor and jokes and try them out on you. Sometimes, those humor offerings are incomprehensible, but oftentimes, they hit a home run. The one I received this week from a second grader was well-timed and she felt perfectly thrilled when I laughed in response to: “How did the turkey cross the lake? On a gravy boat!” I hope that brings a chuckle to your day, because that kid that told it to me was absolutely tickled with herself!
Our Sierra Hope partnership has been a tremendous support for some of our families, and I wish to thank those in the school community who donated food and to those who helped support distribution. Sometimes, a little extra thoughtfulness can make a BIG difference to someone, and I am grateful for the love and care that we show one another. No one ever seems to be left behind at MTUESD. Sierra Hope will continue the weekly food bank delivery tentatively through the end of December. Our middle school Leadership Class is collecting canned foods and shelf stable foods ON-GOING IN THE SCHOOL OFFICES. Give a can to support the leadership students’ drive if you can. My grandma, a wise old lady who lived to 102 years old always said, “If you need a hand ask for it, if you can extend a hand, do it”.
The State released the testing “dashboard”. We made significant progress in the district last year. State Dashboard It was a SUBSTANTIAL gain, but we still have a race to run to get to the finish line. I think that our compass is definitely in the right direction!
My one area of concern moving forward is related to the suspension data. We need to figure out a way to get kids to reflect and change their behavior that is more effective than what is happening right now. I really think that has to do in huge part with consequences at home. I request please, if your student is having a disciplinary issue at school, set some boundaries for loss of privileges at home (restrict phone and video game access, opportunities for socializing, special events, etc…) We don’t change behavior, if we don’t have incentive or consequences to do so. We need some home help folks. About ten kids across the district suck up some serious oxygen due to their behavior and we need home-school partnership to fix it. Call me and let’s figure it out together at 650-996-3290.
The week of Thanksgiving is charging right up on us, and I hope you and your family have a relaxing vacation from school. School at both sites and all related programs are closed Monday, November 24-November 28. School will RESUME on December 1.
Thanksgiving isn't a thought...it's an action....
Enjoy your holiday!
Sincerely yours,
Louise Simson
Superintendent
650-996-3290