Parents and community members who would like to learn more about the Merced City School District's S.T.E.A.M. Center are invited to attend informational meetings on September 28 and January 25 from 6-7 p.m.
The first meeting took place on August 24 and focused specifically on the experiences for students in grades 4, 5, and 6.
The S.T.E.A.M. Center is located at 2900 Green Street, next to Ada Givens Elementary. It is a cutting edge facility where TK-8th grade students from throughout the district will have an opportunity to experience 21st century, hands-on learning in the subjects of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics. It also allows groups of teachers to work together and receive support and training so they can continue to expand their own horizons and bring that knowledge back to our 18 school sites.
The center includes a lab classroom and two “flex” classrooms, along with a lobby/breakout space and a large outdoor amphitheater. The entire design is intended to allow for engaging, interactive lessons that can be tailored to various age groups and class sizes.
This facility is one exciting piece of the district’s comprehensive S.T.E.A.M. program, which was honored with a Golden Bell Award by the California School Boards Association in 2016. The goal of the program is to prepare all of MCSD students for bright futures in high demand fields through critical thinking and experiential learning. It is supported by classroom teachers as well as several teacher librarians and teachers on special assignment, known as TSA’s. Students are provided STEAM learning opportunities throughout the school year as part of their daily coursework and through extended day opportunities after school. They have the chance to perform a play, learn a new instrument, compose music, build and program robots, create art galleries, work with 3D printers, grow plants, build electric circuits, and much more.
Staff members look forward to sharing much more about the experiences students will have at the center during the upcoming parent/community nights.
Kindergarten registration is now underway at the Merced City School District's elementary sites. Office staff members are back on campus and ready to help!
Kindergarten students must be five years of age on or before September 1, 2017. Transitional Kindergarten students are those who turn five between September 2 – December 2, 2017.
Please register your new student at your neighborhood school between the hours of 8:00 – 3:00, Monday-Friday. Your address will determine your neighborhood school. If you are unsure which school to register at, please call (209) 381-2816 or email dpbuhrmann@mcsd.k12.ca.us.
Verification of residence documents are required for all grade level registrations. Please be sure to bring at least three of the following six acceptable documents: current PG&E/MID statement, mortgage statement, rental or lease agreement, City of Merced water/garbage bill, driver’s license, car registration, and/or unopened business mail with current postmark.
Kindergarten/transitional kindergarten children attending school for the first time will also need to have proof of their birth date (original birth certificate, passport, or notarized affidavit of birth) and a current immunization record.
If your child has previously attended school in another school district and you do not have school transcripts with you at the time of registration, your neighborhood school office staff will request those transcripts on your behalf for placement purposes. Regardless of what types of services your child may have received at your previous school, you will still need to register directly at your neighborhood school. Services and specific placements will occur after the registration process has been completed.
The Merced City School District’s preschool program recently received excellent ratings through the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS).
The California Department of Education describes QRIS as “a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs.” It considers seven comprehensive categories, including effective teacher-child interactions, program environment, and the qualifications of the lead teachers and director. The ratings are determined every two years, and the Merced County Office of Education facilitates the process for districts in Merced County.
QRIS consists of a five tier system with the following ratings in ascending order: Emerging Quality, Basic Quality, Quality, High Quality, and High Quality Plus. Eleven of MCSD’s preschool sites received the top rating of High Quality Plus, and the remaining two sites were recognized as High Quality.
Preschool Director Melanie Cole explains, “Our preschools earn these outstanding ratings because we have highly qualified staff, we provide high ratios for supervision and engagement, and we monitor children’s development and provide additional support as needed. We also score high for our safe, clean facilities.”
The high ratings also earned the district a $105,300 block grant from the California State Preschool Program. Each preschool site will receive $8,100.
MCSD places a tremendous value on preschool because of the impact it can make on children for years to come. It supports their academic, social, and emotional development in a number of ways. The lessons, games, and activities are designed to boost pre-math and literacy skills, while interacting with teachers and classmates helps build trust and positive relationships. Preschool also nurtures curiosity and creativity. All of these elements help prepare the children for success not only in kindergarten, but throughout their lives.
The MCSD preschool program serves children between three and five years old. The program provides a three hour session in the morning and another three hour session in the afternoon. Class sizes range from 16-24 students, but the district always maintains a ratio of one adult for every eight children. It is a state preschool program, so participants must meet eligibility requirements, which are based on a family’s size and the gross monthly income. Applications are being accepted right now and will continue to be accepted throughout the year in case additional spaces become available.
Anyone interested in applying or learning more about the program can call (209) 385-6619 or visit Galen Clark Preschool at 211 E. 11th Street in Merced. More information is also available on the preschool web page: http://www.mcsd.k12.ca.us/MCSDPreschool/
MCSD Preschool QRIS Ratings:
Burbank Preschool High Quality
Clark Preschool High Quality Plus
Chenoweth Preschool High Quality Plus
Franklin Preschool High Quality Plus
Fremont Preschool High Quality Plus
Givens Preschool High Quality Plus
Gracey Preschool High Quality Plus
Muir Preschool High Quality Plus
Peterson Preschool High Quality Plus
Reyes Preschool High Quality
Rivera Preschool High Quality Plus
Sheehy Preschool High Quality Plus
Wright Preschool High Quality Plus
The Merced City School District is expanding its social media offerings in an effort to help stakeholders stay connected and enjoy more news, events, photos, and videos from all of our sites.
The district now has a Twitter page, an Instagram account, and a YouTube channel, along with the Facebook page and mobile app that launched last summer.
You can find icons for Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in the upper right hand corner of the MCSD website, or search for "Merced City School District" on each social media platform. Links are also posted below:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MercedCitySD
Dozens of students are celebrating the completion of a program that aims to change lives through positive experiences, meaningful mentorships, and strong support systems. It’s called the Lift While You Lead Empowerment Project and is part of the Merced City School District’s Summer Academy. This is the third group of girls to complete the program and the first year it has been offered for boys. On Thursday, the participants took part in a closing ceremony at UC Merced, but their journey is just beginning.
The program helps students increase their self-esteem and improve academics, discipline, and attendance. It also promotes higher education and encourages the students to become leaders in their schools and community. The four week course included classroom activities at Reyes Elementary School and excursions to places such as UC Santa Cruz. The group also took a trip to Yosemite Ziplines and Adventure Ranch in Mariposa, where the students conquered a ropes course more than 30 feet above the ground by supporting one another.
The Lift While You Lead Empowerment Project is made possible thanks to collaboration between multiple agencies. The participants are all Merced City School District middle school students. Their teachers, Annie Delgado and Sam Parker, work for the Merced Union High School District and will continue to interact with the students and track their progress throughout their high school years. The participants are also mentored by students from UC Merced and Golden Valley High School. Field trips are funded through the Educational Employees Credit Union.
This program has had proven success in a number of ways. The inaugural class members raised their combined grade point average from 2.8 to 3.26. Several of the participants have also gone on to shine individually. Ms. Delgado says, “We have two young ladies who just graduated from Hoover Middle School who delivered their commencement speeches. We had one student who was recognized as the ‘Comeback Kid’ because she completely turned it around. We had two other ladies at Tenaya Middle School deliver their commencement speeches, and another student recognized as the ‘Ultimate Warrior.’”
During Thursday’s closing ceremony, the students each spoke about the impact Lift While You Lead has had on their lives, and they performed an uplifting dance for their family and friends.
Dozens of students are celebrating the completion of a program that aims to change lives through positive experiences, meaningful mentorships, and strong support systems. It’s called the Lift While You Lead Empowerment Project and is part of the Merced City School District’s Summer Academy. This is the third group of girls to complete the program and the first year it has been offered for boys. On Thursday, the participants took part in a closing ceremony at UC Merced, but their journey is just beginning.
The program helps students increase their self-esteem and improve academics, discipline, and attendance. It also promotes higher education and encourages the students to become leaders in their schools and community. The four week course included classroom activities at Reyes Elementary School and excursions to places such as UC Santa Cruz. The group also took a trip to Yosemite Ziplines and Adventure Ranch in Mariposa, where the students conquered a ropes course more than 30 feet above the ground by supporting one another.
The Lift While You Lead Empowerment Project is made possible thanks to collaboration between multiple agencies. The participants are all Merced City School District middle school students. Their teachers, Annie Delgado and Sam Parker, work for the Merced Union High School District and will continue to interact with the students and track their progress throughout their high school years. The participants are also mentored by students from UC Merced and Golden Valley High School. Field trips are funded through the Educational Employees Credit Union.
This program has had proven success in a number of ways. The inaugural class members raised their combined grade point average from 2.8 to 3.26. Several of the participants have also gone on to shine individually. Ms. Delgado says, “We have two young ladies who just graduated from Hoover Middle School who delivered their commencement speeches. We had one student who was recognized as the ‘Comeback Kid’ because she completely turned it around. We had two other ladies at Tenaya Middle School deliver their commencement speeches, and another student recognized as the ‘Ultimate Warrior.’”
During Thursday’s closing ceremony, the students each spoke about the impact Lift While You Lead has had on their lives, and they performed an uplifting dance for their family and friends.
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