Read Across America Podcasts Learning about Light-Discovery Museum
March is inclusion Month
Spread the Word: March is Inclusion Month!
The Spread the Word Campaign was built with the goal of ending isolation and exclusion for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. An action an individual takes to end exclusion is unique to them, but is a shared global goal that when combined creates a more inclusive world. Inclusion is a skill each of us can learn and practice together. Below is the link to the "Spread the Word" campaign, to learn more about the campaign. https://www.spreadtheword.global/about FY2025 Budget
As we delve into the intricacies of our budget for the upcoming school year, I'm pleased to provide an overview of our ongoing efforts. Our budget season kicks off as early as October-November, when we begin receiving budget requests from each school and department. From December through February, we meticulously review and assess these requests, ensuring alignment with our goals and priorities for FY2025. During this period, we await crucial updates, such as preliminary state aid numbers in January and local aid numbers from our towns in February. Alongside these revenue insights, we analyze key cost drivers, including transportation, out-of-district tuition, health insurance, Worcester County Retirement, and other contractual obligations.
Regrettably, this year poses unique challenges. Our costs are surpassing anticipated revenue streams, exacerbated by reduced state aid and significant rises in fixed expenses like healthcare. Despite these hurdles, we're actively engaged in strategies to close the gap between expected revenue and current expenditures for the FY2025 budget. At the School Committee meeting this evening, we'll address the approximate $1 million deficit with our School Committee and outline our strategies to navigate this financial challenge. Our efforts extend beyond internal adjustments; we're advocating for increased state aid and exploring collaborative solutions to mitigate healthcare costs. We also work closely and collaboratively with leaders from both Mendon and Upton and are appreciative of their collaborative support. In the upcoming School Committee gatherings, we'll provide updates on our budget's status, aiming to present a level services budget where feasible. Rest assured, transparency remain our priorities, and all budget-related information can be accessed through our district budget webpage: https://www.mursd.org/page/budget-and-finance. Reasons to celebrate -Examining student SEL and wellbeing
Last month students at all MURSD schools completed an annual SEL survey that asks them question about their Social Emotional Learning and wellbeing. First, we want to thank all of you for assisting our students in taking this survey. The survey measures Supportive Relationships, Self-Management, Positive Feelings, Emotion Regulation, Challenging Feeling, Growth Mindset and Self-Efficacy and reports the percentage of overall positive responses. Check out a snapshot of the data below:
Year after year our students tell us that the relationships they have at school are very supportive, and that they feel equipped to manage themselves (the national percentile rank is particularly impressive!) This is a credit to all of you who continue to prioritize relationships with students and attend to SEL skills!!! Certainly a reason to celebrate!!
If you are interested in learning more about student SEL and wellbeing and interested in seeing your students' data, consider singing up for this workshop on Tuesday: Using SEL data to set goals and monitor progress at all Tiers of MTSS led by Dr. Amalio Nieves of Panorama Full PD Day - Tuesday, March 5th
We're excited to be spending Tuesday together in vertical curriculum teams to reflect on how we collaboratively build students' skills during their PK-12 MURSD journey. We'll gather at Nipmuc Auditorium and will have coffee available starting at 7:30 a.m. with an 8:00 a.m. launch. Department Chairs and Curriculum Assistants will be your guides in the morning when we meet in departmental vertical teams. Lunch will be served, and we hope those with dietary restrictions have already reached out to Brittany O'Neil ([email protected]) to let her know. Please sign up for the morning session and your choice of afternoon workshops separately in Vector Solutions/Teach Point. You can find details and workshop descriptions on our Professional Development website. Don't delay if you haven't signed up yet.
Primary Source Professional Learning
We partner with Primary Source, an organization committed to educating global citizens. As a partner we have access to a number of their webinars, conferences and credit and non-credit bearing professional learning experiences for free. Below is an upcoming course that may be of interest that satisfies DESE 15 PDP requirement to learn about the needs of English Learners for re-licensure:
Engaging Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Students & Families
This asynchronous online course provides a theoretical and practical foundation for culturally responsive teaching of English language learners in the elementary school setting. Weekly sessions can be completed on your own schedule by logging on to our online learning platform. We will examine how young immigrant students experience school; the demographic and diversity profile of Massachusetts districts; cross-cultural communication and its implications for teaching and learning; and effective strategies for schools to engage immigrant and refugee families. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own teaching practice, apply course skills and strategies, and receive feedback from peers and the instructor.
If interested in registering please contact Brittany O'Neil at [email protected] Primary Source World Online Resources
Additinoally, Primary Source has a library of resource guides, lesson plans, and webinars that are more accessible than ever! Just visit primarysource.org/for-teachers to start exploring curated guides and lessons on a wide range of topics including:
TECH TIPS FOR YOU TO TRY
Do you wonder where fireflies come from, where is the eye of a hurricane or if an apple a day can really keep a doctor away? Wonderopolis can answer those questions and so much more. Let your students explore the world of "Wonders" through a multitude of topics and/or a daily Wonder. An Instructional Coach, Leticia Citizen, created a hyperdoc called Crafting Curiosity into Wonder Poems. Leticia used Wonderopolis to help students wonder and create poems. You can make a copy and try it yourself. Wonderopolis offers information on a variety of topics in every grade level.
Who doesn't like playing BINGO? I know Britt Kahler had a full house in her BINGO session at last month's PD session! Do you want to learn how to make your own BINGO boards? Now you can with ease by using Canva. Check out this video to learn how. If you didn't already know, Canva has provided every educator and student with a pro account as long as you sign into Canva using Google. Coming soon is the ability to sign into Canva using Clever. Please Share Your Thoughts
Please take a moment and fill out this brief form to assist us with examining some of the technology tools you use on a regular basis. If you would like to be part of the team to further analyze our technology use please reach out to Colleen.
Join the District Technology Meeting
Please join Colleen on Wednesday, March 13th at 3:30 PM in Central Office or virtually for a District Technology Meeting. We have a team continuing work Dave Quinn started last year to examine our technology tools and their use. Consider attending the meeting to help better understand your technology use and needs. You can attending the meeting in person or virtually to share your thoughts.
Want to Try Something New?
YOU INSPIRE ME #MURSD INSPIRESLaughter is the best medicine
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