Dear MTUESD community,
How fun it was for me to bring my sister to the Mark Twain middle school "Hollywood" dance last Friday evening. The kids were in the gym, dressed in their LA finest, swirling around having a marvelous time, and my sister looked at me and just said this is really cool. I don’t think we all know what we have until we experience the outsider looking in. It is a pleasure to watch these kids that have grown up together, who are usually nice to one another, socialize together, and no matter if they are the coolest kid on the block or someone like my kid, who was socially a little awkward, everyone was having fun. I tell you what the teachers and staff created last Friday under the direction of Michelle Whitear‘s Leadership Class is indeed ALL GOOD. I thank the large number of staff members who gave up their Friday evening to supervise that event.
This week, summer school forms will be available in both English and Spanish. It is a tremendous opportunity for students to have a fun summer experience with rotations for small group learning, PE, art, Bret Harte pool time, ceramics, Jujitsu, and so much more. We are running a TK Bootcamp for new TKers at both sites. I did not have enough staffing to run a full program at Copper, but we will welcome all students to Mark Twain. You can register for one session or both, and mornings or afternoons or full day! Fire Camp will also be offered with more news to follow on that!
In other news, I’m very grateful that we were able to settle all the bargaining unit contracts this year. For the first time in many years, we are settling in real time rather than in arrears. You may ask, why is that important? The reason is it helps us build the budget for the next year realistically. I appreciate the collaboration on all sides.
I wish to thank the many businesses in town that have partnered with Badger Boosters to create staff lunches at Mark Twain. It makes my heart really happy when I walk in the break room, and I see an amazing array of goodies. The donor was Middleton’s and that act of kindness really lifts up the morale for the day.
At Copperopolis, it was fun to see the kids all excited for the hundredth day festivities. I saw some “elderly” TK-6 graders in full costume complete with grey hair and canes along with site administrative assistant Nicole Boucke who was styling the senior vibe in her mauve sweatsuit and grey wig, along with a big smile, and numerous kids had created t-shirts, posters, and other class projects to celebrate the day. Great fun.
I have a funny story to tell you, and it's true. Our leadership staff and I were engaging in a discussion about pajamas at school last Friday. I FLAT OUT don't like pajamas at school unless it is for a special pajama or dress up day. I had exercised my RARELY used "Superintendent Card" and made the decision to please ask staff to support kids with appropriate clothes and let me know what they needed if a kid needs help but to not allow pajamas at school. So, along comes Sunday morning... Many of you know that I have run for years and years. I used to be upwards of 10-12 miles a day when my son was very young. For years now, I am a daily five or six miles on my treadmill before work and then a couple of walks with the dog beginning at the crack of dawn and ending in the evening light. So, no surprise on Sunday morning when I woke up at 4 o'clock with a house brimming with my sleeping brothers and sisters visiting for the weekend from afar, that I took my run to the local streets. Granted, I looked peculiar. I get cold, so I wear my flannel bottoms and a jersey sundress that hangs loose but gives another layer of warmth, mittens, and a scarf around my head. Five miles is long and I want to be warm but not hot. I had run all through Angels Camp and ended my cardio by charging up the Foothill Village hill. A kind person stopped her car in the dark and asked if I was alright. I said I was fine and out for a run, and then she continued to work. I ran down the hill and headed back up for one more push and upon return found three kind ladies waiting for me questioning if I was all right because they don't usually see people run in their pajamas (they weren't pajamas, but that's okay). I said I was fine and I was out for my run. They offered to walk me home. I saId I was fine and turned around and headed home. Soon a car was following me and then about fifteen minutes later a kind officer from Angels P.D. was outside on the street of my house and I went out and I explained my situation and we had a good laugh. So that said, it was like the heavens above reminding me about following my own rules. So needless to say, no more flannel pants for my run, and please NO PAJAMAS at school. To the ladies at Foothill and the officer of Angels P.D. thank you for your kindness and care. That's why we live in a small town.
We are getting close on the Big Bike Build. A few of you gave me your name for your student to get a brand-new beautiful bike. Don’t be bashful folks. I have a donor whose dad has made it his mission before he passes to introduce the love of cycling to students in Calaveras County. No strings are attached--just a really cool program that this man wants to see in place. Help us, help him enjoy his vision. Call me or email me at lsimson@mtwain.k12.ca.us.
We have a couple of Monday holidays coming up and the first one is this Monday, February 9 and then another on February 16. I apologize for the inconvenience. These are contractual dates. Please remember that DELAC is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10 at 5:30 in the Mark Twain library.
On a last note, please CHECK YOUR STUDENT'S GRADES! This is especially important for our students in middle school. Reach out if you have any questions. If your student needs extra support, inquire please about the after-school tutoring program. WE WELCOME EVERYONE for this one-hour of additional support after school.
Have a safe and happy weekend!
Sincerely yours,
Louise Simson
Superintendent
Cell: 650-996-3290