Dear MTUESD Community,
Hard to believe May is almost upon us. We are really in the thick of the frenzy of end of year events.
Please take a few minutes to look at all the communications regarding the Frog Jump activities, especially the Junior Frog Jump, sponsored by the Angels Camp Business Association in downtown Angels Camp. The flyers went home electronically. I went to this for the first time last year and it was really quite a great event!. It will be relocated back to Utica Park this year. The park will also be hosting your annual Friday Night Farmers Market beginning in June. You HAVE TO LOVE SMALL TOWN LIFE.
Tonight, I will be at Copper Elementary at 5:00 P.M. to talk about the transition of sixth grade in 2027/28 to middle school. I know these conversations are always filled with pros and cons. I’m struggling with not having enough funding to maintain the quality program that we have in the same way and we need to think a little out of the box to preserve all that is good and try to get our class sizes balanced in the lower grades. It is a STATE FUNDING PROBLEM, but there is no fix in sight. It is not okay to me to have Bret Harte and Vallecito awash in money due to being in Basic Aid status, and our district struggling, BUT THAT IS THE REALITY I LIVE WITH.
So let me explain what is happening right now. Our current middle school program requires seven teachers to run it. It is a GREAT program preparing kids for Bret Harte, and I want to keep it intact. In order for us to do so, we need to add more students into the mix of 6/7/8 grade. This would allow us to not keep taking our layoffs due to declining enrollment in the lower grade bands which is making our Kindergarten-Sixth class sizes bulge. People say why don’t we have money? The reason is our declining enrollment as the number of students is far lower than it was just four years ago. Every student that moves out of the area or graduates to high school, we lose about $14,000. We are efficient with the money that we have, but we just don’t have enough of it. Split classes are a reality in all school districts. They are a DEFINITE reality when we are based on the Local Control Funded Formula, as we staff at 30:1 average in all classes except TK. We did put out Measure A to the community last year to support our funding, but it did not pass, and I accept that. I just have to deal, like you do every day, with the economic realities of “what is” and not “what I wish”.
I have two options, I can completely change the complexion of middle school and lay off numerous teachers in 7th and 8th grade and have one teacher teaching two or three subjects, OR, maintain the great program we have and add in more kids. I know sports is a big deal and we will have to examine how to handle that if sixth grade comes up. Most of the middle schools in the area are 6th-8th and it may make us more competitive in sports in the long-term band, but we need to figure out how to maximize play for all students.
Enrollment for summer school continues to grow. Please join us. You have the option of having your child attending session one or session two, or you can sign up for both. You can sign up for mornings only, afternoons only, or for a full day. It includes small groups, academics, art, PE, and so much more. The kids really have a great time, and it also strengthens their academic skills by preventing that summer slide at least you see so often. Busing home to Copperopolis is only available following the morning session. If you want your student to be in full-day session, pickup at Mark Twain is required.
Just a reminder to make sure to please have your student be at school the remainder of the year. We’ve done a pretty good job this year with our attendance and we need everybody to continue to do so. The sites will be sending out lots of notifications about the upcoming events so that you don’t miss anything. I apologize if we over-message a little bit, but we just don’t want any kids to be disappointed that their person wasn’t there for them. We’ve got those incredible Spring Sing days at Copper, the academic awards night, and ongoing assemblies.
Our math team is looking at a new curriculum to pilot next year. The math standards have really changed, and there’s a huge shift in teaching math including student conversation, various approaches and trying new ways to approach the problem, and numerous answers to get to a solution within the framework. I really compliment these outstanding math lead teachers that have been doing this work in an intentional and thorough manner. We will have two programs picked out for a short-term pilot next year and then make a decision about adoption for the district. A parent review night will be included.
Frog Jump is coming up and please remember Thursday and Friday are the only scheduled days off. I know another school district in the county has a different calendar and they take the whole week off, but that is not OUR SCHEDULE. Please make sure your students attend. I also know that Derby is a late night on Sunday, but Monday is a full day too. Every kid that doesn’t show up on that Monday, costs this district $75. One hundred kids out is $7,500. I need you to send your kids to school. We can’t afford absenteeism for our kids.
Congratulations to all of our track athletes who are doing a terrific job. It’s great to see kids running. I run six miles every morning. I’m not fast, but I’m steady. It is a great and healthy activity and clears the mind at the same time. Thank you to all folks that are supporting that program.
I also want to let you know that we have requirements regarding driving to games that are not my requirements, but they come from our insurance carrier. Students during school hours must ride in district transportation TO the game. After the game, a parent may sign out their OWN child ONLY. I know this seems like a lot. All of these rules stem from losses that have hit school districts, and insurance carriers require these processes in place. We are looking at additional permission slips for next year, but right now, this is the process and your understanding is appreciated. This is very similar to Bret Harte’s process. I know it’s inconvenient. I have NO INFLUENCE in changing this process as it is a requirement of our insurance coverage. Please see your school office for volunteer forms or email me at lsimson@mtwain.k12.ca.us
I have to tell you one of the things that is most heartwarming to me when I come to the school is the love and respect that your students show. When I say, “Good morning”, I always get a “Good Morning" back. When I say, “How are you”, I get a “I’m great, how are you Mrs. Simson?” back. That doesn’t happen everywhere, and it is because of the love and expectation that you create and model at home. It is appreciated.
Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely yours,
Louise Simson
Superintendent
(650) 996-3290
Sincerely yours,
Every Student. Every Day. Every Possibility.