Checking in on one anotherWhen I have spoken to members of our community this past week, many have been deeply impacted by the sudden and brutal attacks by Hamas in Israel. As media coverage has unveiled the unthinkable brutality that occurred, we know that many have been feeling anguish, concern, distress, and anxiety. Some of our community members have expressed that they have family members in the region and are concerned for their well-being and others have been fearful of events and threats occurring locally. The uncertainty of what will happen next in the region continues to weigh on many of us. It is in moments of crisis, where we need to dig down deep into our values, beliefs, and mission as educators in Mendon-Upton. While we don’t know what the weeks ahead hold, I know that all of you will continue to create an environment where all members will feel safe, included, and respected. I know that we are committed, through teaching and support, to promoting values of tolerance and peace, where all students no matter their religion or nationality will feel love and belonging. In our school community, there is no place for hate, harassment, or discrimination. The safety of our students, staff, and school community is and always will be our top priority. Please check on one another. It is is the supportive relationships in our schools that make this a special place. Please reach out if you are struggling. We are here for you. reasons to celebrateWe know there are amazing things happening in the MURSD every day, but it is not every day that our colleagues get recognized externally for all they do. Recently we've celebrated or learned about 3 MURSD teachers who have been recognized in important ways and we wanted to share the good news with everyone Julie Ahmed-Jussaume: Julie was honored on Friday by the Blackstone Valley Superintendents' Consortium as MURSD's Promising Practices recipient. Julie's use of Acquisition Driven Instruction into her World Language classes was highlighted as a Promising Practice. If you visit you will see no desks in Julie's classes, but what you will see are students speaking in Spanish to each other for most of the class. It's a truly unique approach and one that's worth checking out. Justin Williams: Justin was named Middle Level MAEA Art Educator of the Year for 2024 by the MAEA Board of Directors. If you are ever looking for a little visual art inspiration, please visit the Middle School Art classrooms. Truly exceptional! Also, did you know that Justin is a very talented cook, as well? So many reasons to celebrate and connect with one another! MA STEM Week this weekOctober 16-20 is Massachusetts STEM Week! This year’s theme is “See Yourself in STEM,” and the Healey-Driscoll Administration is highlighting the importance of STEM education in the search for solutions to the global climate crisis. The goal is for students and families to end the week with an increased awareness of the STEM programming available to them, including the opportunity for internships and career pathways. Anyone with questions about STEM Week or activities they would like to highlight during STEM week is asked to please email Aneesh Sahni, director of STEM for the Executive Office of Education, at [email protected]. How are you engaging students in STEM this week? Let us know with this mentimeter. November 7th educator-Directed PDOur next professional development day is coming up on November 7th. Please connect with your colleagues and thinking about what you would like to pursue for this educator-directed day of learning. How can you continue to develop your professional practice goal? How will you continue to engage in the district's strategic priorities? How will you engage with your colleagues and your grade-level or department teams to explore something you'd like to explore together? We'll send directions later this week for how to submit proposals on TeachPoint and will look forward to seeing your creative ideas. Mass Literacy: Online Overview Course
Learning Walks - Can we visit your classroom?We will hold a second round of learning walks for our educators in their second year in MURSD with our partner districts, Ashland and Milford, on October 18th. On October 24th, MURSD will host. If you would be willing to open your classroom up to visitors on October 24th, please let Kim Lowther know ([email protected]). Observing teaching is some of the best professional learning and an amazing gift to give by opening your classroom! from head and heart at JFK LibraryThis annual one-day conference at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on November 8, 2023 will focus on children's literature discussing the impact of climate change and how to empower students to navigate the future with hope and determination. Advancing school mental healthAdvancing School Mental Health through Shared Learning and Collaboration: A Joint Meeting of Massachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) and MASMHC (Massachusetts School Mental Health Consortium (MASMHC). We will be hosting the meeting twice. We invite you to choose one of the dates and times below. Date: November 2, 2023 Location: Shrewsbury High School Time: 3:00 – 5:00 pm Registration: https://massachusettspartnershipsforyouth.com/course/in-person-meeting-advancing-school-mental-health-through-shared-learning-and-collaboration-a-joint-meeting-between-mpy-and-masmhc-nov-2-2023-open-to-all-massachusetts-educators/ Date: November 6, 2023 Location: Weymouth High School Time: 12:00 – 2:00 pm Registration: https://massachusettspartnershipsforyouth.com/course/in-person-meeting-advancing-school-mental-health-through-shared-learning-and-collaboration-a-joint-meeting-between-mpy-and-masmhc-nov-16-2023-open-to-all-massachusetts-educators/ This meeting is open to all Massachusetts educators free of charge. For further details and registration information, please see MPY’s website. School Mental health Leadership InstituteMassachusetts Partnerships for Youth (MPY) is now accepting applications for the 2023-24 School Mental Health Leadership Institute (SMHLI). In partnership with the Rennie Center and the Massachusetts School Mental Health Consortium (MASMHC), this professional development series aims to help district or school-based staff grow their capacity to act as both clinical mental health leaders and change agents for building a comprehensive school mental health system. After the success of last year’s program, we are excited to work with a new group of participants eager to develop their skills in mental health leadership. The SMHLI includes ten hours of professional development and training divided across five sessions. PDPs will be issued for participants who attend all five sessions. Together, these sessions will cover the essential elements of a school mental health system, such as establishing a student support team and implementing tiered interventions. In addition to these sessions, the Institute also includes two learning cohorts that bring together school and district leaders interested in applying what they learn. Each cohort will meet five times during the year, with opportunities for members to hear from each other, share successes, and troubleshoot ongoing challenges. More information about SMHLI and dates for the 2023 – 2024 program can be found on our flyer. Applications are due Friday, October 27th. Application: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7452132/2023-24-School-Mental-Health-Leadership-Institute-Application SMHLI participation is available only to MPY members. Please reach out to Margie Daniels ([email protected]) for membership information and Amanda Chung ([email protected]) with questions. Health Updates-NARCAN TrainingThe Town of Mendon Board of Health, through their membership with the Blackstone Valley Partnership for Public Health, is pleased to announce a Narcan Training Event on Tuesday – October 24th. Please join us in the Upper Town Hall located at 20 Main Street, Mendon from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. We will be discussing the Opioid Crisis and provide Narcan training. We will also distribute Narcan Kits at the completion of the training event. Your local Board of Health is committed to the prevention of overdose deaths. Nearly 40% of overdose deaths occur while a bystander is present. By providing Narcan to those in need, you can help save a life. If you and anyone else you may think benefit from this training, Please RSVP if you’re interested in joining no later than Wednesday – October 18th to [email protected] or [email protected] sending reminder notifications for annual trainingsThank you to those who have completed their annual trainings! For those who have not yet, we want you to know that we will be sending out emails soon to you and your schools so that you will be reminded to complete them. So, finish them up before we do this. Most of you can complete them by passing short quizzes for each module. Here is a link to the Vector Solutions login page. Here is a link to instructions on the Annual (mandated) Training website. Laughter is the best medicine
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