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The Merced City School District has been named the winner of a prestigious Golden Bell Award for its preschool program. This is the district’s second time receiving the state’s leading educational honor, after earning a Golden Bell Award in 2016 for its STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) program.
The awards are sponsored by the California School Boards Association to recognize outstanding public school programs for innovation, sustainability and best practices that facilitate positive student outcomes.
The MCSD preschool program goes above and beyond requirements to provide outstanding early education for children from diverse backgrounds. The district has implemented an innovative model that utilizes a multi-tiered system of supports, professional learning communities, and meaningful family engagement to become a truly exemplary program. All of the district’s preschool sites have repeatedly received top ratings from the state due to a number of factors, including effective teacher-child interactions, program environment, and the qualifications of the lead teachers and director. The MCSD Board of Education has also carried out its vision to expand the capacity and accessibility of the program by having at least one preschool classroom at each elementary site that serves TK and up.
MCSD Board President Adam Cox says, “The MCSD preschool program is a source of pride for our district and a tremendous benefit to our community. It helps level the playing field by giving some of our youngest learners the tools they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.”
The preschool program is led by MCSD’s Director of Preschool and Child Development Programs, Melanie Cole, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Paula Heupel, and Superintendent RoseMary Parga Duran, Ed.D.
The district will receive its award at a ceremony on Thursday, November 29 at CSBA’s Annual Education Conference and Trade Show in San Francisco.
A 17-member judging panel made up of experts from school districts and county offices of education reviewed the written entries and made the initial recommendations for the awards. On-site validators then assessed the programs in action.
“The Golden Bell recipients exemplify the spirit of innovation and excellence for which all of California’s public schools strive,” said CSBA CEO & Executive Director Vernon M. Billy. “The Golden Bell Awards reflect the depth and breadth of outstanding education offerings in our state, and demonstrate the tenacity, vision and dedication of school leaders across California.”
Congratulations to the Gracey Grizzlies for winning their third MC Cup Championship! Also, great job to the Peterson Panthers for making it to the finals and to Fremont and Stowell for advancing to the semifinals.
Thank you to all of the staff, volunteers, and family members who help make this annual soccer tournament possible. The MC Cup gives elementary students across our district a chance to play competitively while learning about great sportsmanship and teamwork. This year, the tournament featured nearly 300 students and 24 teams.
Students and staff at Charles Wright Elementary celebrated the completion of their new kindergarten playground with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 22.
The children couldn't wait to start climbing, sliding, and exploring their new structures. This project involved a collaborative effort, and the installation was completed by the MCSD Maintenance department. It provides some of the school's youngest children with a great space to exercise, socialize, and stretch their imaginations. The main structure is also covered by a shade feature to help keep the children and equipment cool and comfortable.
Please visit the MCSD Facebook page to see many more photos: https://www.facebook.com/officialMercedCitySchoolDistrict/
The safety of students is our number one priority for the Merced City School District, and we want to ensure that all of our students and staff are as prepared as possible in case of an emergency.
Each campus within the Merced City School District has a comprehensive safety plan, which includes certain emergency drills that are required by California Education Code. Many of these drills take place without leaving the campus, but this year all MCSD schools are also conducting evacuation drills. This means staff members are supervising students as they walk together to their primary evacuation site. Several schools have completed these drills already, and the rest are scheduled to complete theirs by mid-November.
These drills are important for many reasons. They give our students and staff a chance to practice using the emergency exit points on their campus, safely crossing streets together, and bringing the necessary supplies. They also allow us to evaluate our emergency operations plans and identify ways that we may be able to improve our response skills.
In advance of these drills, all evacuation sites and parents/guardians are being notified about the date, time, and what to expect. We would also like to ask that all parents and guardians make sure their contact information is current in our Aeries system so they can be reached in the event of a real emergency. Please contact the school office if your phone number(s), address, and/or email address have changed. This information is helpful not only in case of emergencies, but also to keep you updated about other news, events, and programs that impact your child.
Photos 1 & 2: Peterson Elementary evacuation drill
Photos 3 & 4: Wright Elementary evacuation drill
Fourth graders at Ada Givens Elementary in Merced enjoyed hands-on science lessons with the support of students from Yosemite High School on Friday, September 28.
The teenage mentors helped the children build and test solar cars. They also conducted experiments using snow cones and an infrared camera. The activities were tied to lessons about the difference between renewable energy and non-renewable energy as well as the principles of heat transfer.
Ada Givens teacher Elisa Boykin says, “This was a great way for our students to enhance their understanding of how humans impact Earth, which is part of the Next Generation Science Standards.”
The class visit was also a great opportunity for the Yosemite High School students as part of their Career Technical Education program. The students are focusing on green technology and energy conservation, and those who meet all requirements have the opportunity to receive industry certifications that will help them enter the workforce.
Their teacher, Kahri Boykin, says mentoring younger students not only adds to the high schoolers’ resumes but also helps them build valuable skills. He adds, “They’re learning more about teamwork and leadership while incorporating environmental literacy into education.”
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These images were taken by an infrared camera as students learned how eating a snow cone or holding a cold water bottle impacts their body temperature during a lesson on heat transfer.