The Merced City School District is excited to be expanding our "Ask a Scientist or Engineer" nights this year. We have added even more dates and will now hold these events at three different locations. This is a great opportunity for students in 5th through 8th grades to get free help on their science fair projects from local experts.
Please see the flyer below for more details.
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The new school year kicked off on August 15, and we are thrilled to have students and staff back on all of our 18 campuses! Many arrived to find modernized classrooms and other upgraded facilities thanks to Measure M projects over the summer, but those improvements are just some of “what’s new” this year. We wanted to take a moment to update our community on a few other additions that aim to support student success.
One area of focus is providing additional social-emotional supports for our students. This is something that became a clear priority through our Local Control Accountability Plan process, as we heard from parents, staff, community-based organizations and other stakeholders. As a result, we have added staff, curriculum, and training. This includes a psychologist, an additional board certified behavior analyst, two social workers, and staff development for trauma-informed practices. The goal is to better serve students who face unique challenges and to respond faster when this type of support is needed.
We’ve also added more opportunities for students to learn outside the classroom through districtwide educational excursions. All of our sixth graders will travel to the Jack L. Boyd Outdoor School, more commonly known as Camp Green Meadows. It’s located in the Sierra National Forest and operated by the Merced County Office of Education. They’ll get to spend multiple days and nights conducting research and experiencing what it’s like to be a scientist working in nature. We also offer many other districtwide excursions by grade level, including Yosemite National Park, Farm 2 U at the Merced County Fairgrounds, the Merced Symphony Orchestra performance at the historic Merced Theatre, and the Field of Honor at Merced College. These trips help our students understand how their classroom lessons relate to the real world, while building an appreciation for what makes our region so special. They also help to ensure equity because all of our schools enjoy these same opportunities.
Another new addition this year is to our Montessori program. We have added a third teacher and expanded the program to serve students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The classes are held at Ada Givens Elementary and offer an alternative for children who may thrive in the Montessori environment. You can learn much more about this program here: http://www.mcsd.k12.ca.us/District/Portal/montessori
Our Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program has expanded as well with an additional class at Charles Wright Elementary. This year we will be working to ensure even more students have an opportunity to qualify for the program by testing all third graders and making assessments for other grade levels as convenient as possible. In the future, we are also looking to offer GATE enrichment at all of our elementary campuses. Timelines and other helpful information for this school year will be posted on our website in the coming months.
We are also continuing to focus on safety, which will always be our number one priority. Last year, we installed front office security cameras on our campuses and completed upgrades that allow all classroom doors to be locked from the inside. Some of the 2018-19 projects identified by the district include security cameras in corridors, playgrounds, and other gathering spaces, additional security fencing; strategic exit points, and more radios. We will also be forming a community based safety committee and continuing to collaborate with our local law enforcement agencies.
These are just some of the many new additions to the Merced City School District. We hope you’ll follow our Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter pages for more updates throughout the year. #WeAreMCSD
--Sara Sandrik/MCSD Public Information Officer
All sixth graders in the Merced City School District will have an opportunity this year to attend the Jack L. Boyd Outdoor School, also known as Camp Green Meadows. The schedule is posted below, and parents/guardians will receive more information from their child's school. This video also has helpful information about the experience and what students should and should not bring.
***Please note that Stefani Elementary has two different sessions, so the school will inform parents/guardians
about which session their child will be attending.***
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SCHOOL |
DATE |
|
Burbank |
August 22 – August 24, 2018 |
|
Peterson |
August 27 – August 29, 2018 |
|
Reyes |
August 29 – August 31, 2018 |
|
Fremont |
September 5 – September 7, 2018 |
|
Gracey |
September 5 – September 7, 2018 |
|
Wright |
September 10 – September 12, 2018 |
|
Muir |
September 10 – September 12, 2018 |
|
Chenoweth |
September 12 – September 14, 2018 |
|
Rivera |
September 17 – September 19, 2018 |
|
Stefani |
September 17 – September 19, 2018 |
|
Stefani |
September 19 – September 21, 2018 |
|
Givens |
September 24 – September 26, 2018 |
|
Stowell |
September 24 – September 26, 2018 |
|
Sheehy |
September 26 – September 28, 2018 |
Students at Peterson Elementary will return to a blacktop play area filled with colorful new artwork and activities when school resumes on August 15. Members of the Parent Teacher Club (PTC) volunteered their time to paint a large map of the United States and a map of the continents as well as 10 foursquare courts and three hopscotch courts.
PTC vice president Robin Kuhls says it’s a project she’s been dreaming of for the past two years. She’s the mother of a current Peterson fourth grader and two freshmen who also attended the school. She says when the district did a fresh slurry seal on the blacktop last year as part of a Measure M improvement project, she knew it was time to make the vision a reality.
The PTC held a fundraiser to purchase supplies and planned the design before Kuhls and 11 other volunteers went to work on July 30. They set up small tents to help shield them from the summer heat and finished the project on August 2. Kuhls says, “I’m ecstatic that we were able to do this for all of the children at Peterson. I can’t wait to see them out there enjoying it soon!” Kulhs adds that this is just phase one of the project, and they have more exciting ideas in mind for phase two.
Peterson Elementary principal Suzanne ***undes says, “We are so grateful for the time and effort that our PTC board and members put into this project. It will not only give our students more fun activities to enjoy outdoors, but it will also help them with geography.”
Peterson Learning Director Josy Pulido adds, “It makes Peterson look vibrant and inviting! Our PTC is incredibly hard working and dedicated to our kids.”
The Merced City School District would also like to thank all of the volunteers who helped with this project: Robin Kuhls, Kelly McKain, Christa Bruner, Silvia Linan, Amy Jimenez, Zandra Villanueva, Allison Speidel, Rocio Salazar, David Sanchez, Michelle Taylor, Jeff Chiesa, and Felix Noriega.
Major Measure M Modernization Work Underway at MCSD Schools
Crews are hard at work this summer making significant improvements to several Merced City School District campuses. These projects align with the district’s priority to provide safe, secure facilities that support 21st century learning. Many of the schools are receiving extensive upgrades thanks to Measure M, which voters approved in 2014. That work is closely monitored by a Citizens Bond Oversight Committee. Here are some of the highlights:
FREMONT ELEMENTARY (Funded through Measure M): This summer all permanent classrooms are being completely remodeled to create spaces that are comfortable, energy-efficient, and feature cutting edge technology. This includes new flooring, cabinets, countertops, sinks, fresh paint, and other interior finishes. Modern projector systems are being added, with large magnetic white boards and upgraded Wi-Fi connectivity. Crews are also installing new HVAC systems that distribute air evenly to keep students and staff cool in the summer and warm in the winter while also improving air quality. The front office is being relocated to a room on the S Street side of the campus (where a new parking lot and drop-off area will be constructed in the fall). The goal is to improve safety and access for students and families by moving the main entrance away from busy R Street. Other improvements include:
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Re-roofing of old canopies over the interior walkways
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Installation of bright new LED lighting in the hallways
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Addition of new drought tolerant landscaping and efficient new irrigation systems
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Relocation of noisy refrigeration equipment to new outdoor enclosure to create more space in the cafeteria and make it more enjoyable for meals, performances and assemblies
Additional work will take place at Fremont Elementary this fall, including:
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Removal of five old portables after new modular classrooms are installed to replace them
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Creation of a new courtyard with fresh landscaping and benches for outdoor learning
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Construction of new parking lot and drop off/pick up area along S Street, which will lead into the new main entrance and front office
WRIGHT ELEMENTARY (Funded through Measure M): Extensive upgrades to the cafeteria/multipurpose room and kitchen at Charles Wright Elementary are nearly complete. This includes a new HVAC system to replace the old evaporative coolers, which were the last remaining in the district. These improvements will make the building more comfortable for students and staff, improve the air quality, and create a quieter space for assemblies, performances, and other events. The cafeteria also has new interior finishes for posting student work and visual displays, a custom paint job, and a new projector that will be a welcome addition for a variety of purposes, including school/community meetings and even family movie nights. The stage area has been transformed into a more user-friendly theatre space with cabinets for performing arts equipment and ADA upgrades. The kitchen has also been updated with modern equipment and fresh paint.
RIVERA ELEMENTARY (Funded through developer fees): Three new modular classrooms have been constructed to accommodate increased enrollment. Sidewalks, hand-railing, fencing, electrical and low-voltage/data systems, as well as irrigation system upgrades are now being installed. This work will all be complete before the Dragons return to school next month.
HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL (Funded through Measure M): Work is underway to create a student commons/outdoor learning area. Crews are erecting a large metal canopy shade structure where teachers can lead outdoor activities and students can enjoy lunch and socializing. New trees are being planted, dead trees are being removed, and additional site and access road improvements are also on schedule.
TENAYA MIDDLE SCHOOL (Funded through Local Control Accountability Plan): A new innovation lab is being created for hands-on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) learning experiences. This versatile facility will include space for video production and other collaborative projects. It will replace the old wood and metal shop, which is no longer being utilized as it was in the past due to changes in technology and the way students learn. This project is in the final planning/preparation phases, and construction will begin in the fall. (Hoover Middle School was the first to receive an innovation lab last year, and Rivera Middle School will be next after Tenaya). Also at Tenaya, the final phase of a multi-year re-roofing project funded through Measure M is on schedule and represents a significant infrastructure improvement for the campus.
SHEEHY ELEMENTARY (Funded through Measure M): Aging student restrooms are getting a complete makeover that will result in cleaner, brighter facilities. The upgrades include new sinks, fixtures, partition panels, plumbing, mirrors, ventilation equipment, fresh paint, LED lighting, and flooring repairs. Crews are also installing efficient new electric hand dryers that will help keep the restrooms clean while minimizing operational costs from the waste and disposal of paper towels.
MUIR AND BURBANK ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS (Funded through Prop. 39): The solar arrays at these sites had additional photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on them this summer. This will maximize their capacity to save energy costs and create more shade for students to enjoy. Arrays were installed at a total of 11 MCSD sites during the 17-18 school year, and the system is projected to save the district more than $7.9 million in electricity costs over the next 25 years. Prop. 39 funding also allowed the district to install efficient new HVAC systems and LED lighting at Muir, Burbank, Reyes, and Gracey. That work was completed this summer as well.
DISTRICTWIDE (Funded through Measure M): Plans are being finalized for additional security cameras to be installed at all sites later this summer and in the fall. These will bring the total number of cameras across MCSD to nearly 400. The cameras complement recent lighting upgrades, new security fencing, improved window tinting, upgraded classroom doors that lock from the inside, and other safety features.
These are just the latest in a long list of facilities upgrades, primarily funded through Measure M. You can read much more about the work completed in recent years by clicking on the CBOC reports on this page of our website: http://www.mcsd.k12.ca.us/District/Department/1-Facilities/Portal/citizens-bond-oversight-committee
