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School Board Recognition Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, January 8, 2024

Merced City School District is proud to join more than 1,000 local educational agencies in California recognizing the contributions of Board Members in January, which is School Board Recognition Month. As schools work to accelerate learning and serve the whole child, board members play a key role in setting the foundation, policies and priorities to support optimal student outcomes.

“Board members are our elected representatives and are a vital link between Merced City School District and our community,” said Acting Superintendent Brian Meisenheimer. “The Board sets the foundation and vision for the District, directs resources where they are most needed, and ensures accountability to the community by monitoring progress toward goals. Their end goal is to support our school community and improve outcomes for students.”

During this busy year, the Board has created space to receive feedback from our community, and through a shared understanding of the District’s initiatives, recently selected the Cosca Group search firm to guide the process of identifying the best Superintendent candidate for Merced City School District.

I would like to recognize the MCSD Board members, President Allen Brooks; Clerk Birdi-Olivarez-Kidwell; Jessee Espinosa; Priya Lakireddy; Beatrice McCutchen.

“Please join me in celebrating our hard-working board members for their continual commitment to the success of students and staff through effective policies, governance, and advocacy,” said Acting Superintendent Brian Meisenheimer.

Respectfully,

Brian Meisenheimer, Acting Superintendent Merced City School District

Spanish

We Need Members to Join the CBOC

The Merced City School District (MCSD) is accepting applications to serve on the MCSD Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee. The MCSD Board of Education formally appoints Committee members to serve two (2) consecutive two-year terms. The Committee oversees the use of local General Obligation Bond Measure tax funding for modernization projects approved by the Board. State law provides that a local citizens’ oversight committee oversee all school construction bond expenditures. Committee members serve without compensation and attend four (4) meetings scheduled annually, typically from 4 pm to 5 pm (currently held via Zoom).

MCSD Boundary Resident - One member who lives within the district boundaries
Senior Citizen - One member who is a senior citizen and/or active in a senior citizens’ organization within the district
Bona Fide Taxpayers Organization - One member who is active in a bona fide taxpayer organization within the district
Special Interest Group - One member who is active in a community group or organization within the district
Parent/Guardian - One member who is the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the district
Business Community - One member who is active in a business organization representing the business community within the district
School Site Council or PTC - One member who is both the parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District and who is active in a parent-teacher organization, such as the PTA or school site council
Member at Large - One member who is a member of the community within the district boundaries

Counselor Describes the HERO Program

School Counselor Describes the HERO Program

Counselor Mr. Brandon Castro
Photo credit: KMPH Fox26 News

Check out our very own Brandon Castro, School Counselor at Fremont Elementary School, as he describes the HERO Program at Fremont Elementary School. School Principal Dawn Hubble said, "It means that we invest in teaching behavior expectations and pouring into students instead of formative old school kind of discipline."

https://kmph.com/news/crisis-in-the-classroom/crisis-in-the-classroom-teaching-appropriate-behavior

MCSD Offers Summer Academy

MCSD Offers Summer Academy Enrollment Now Open

While summer seems far away, Merced City School District staff is already planning for this year’s Summer Academy. This year, the District will be offering summer classes to all grades for five weeks. The summer program starts June 20 to July 22 offering opportunities for both academic and social-emotional learning.

Open to current MCSD students from preschool to 7th grade, Summer Academy will focus on academics but also include opportunities for social and emotional enrichment, allowing students to engage in outdoor activities/play, reading, math, music, arts, and other learning opportunities, including field trips. “Last year’s summer academy was very successful and helped tremendously in bridging the gap and preparing our students to return full-time in-person instruction. We love offering this program because it allows our students to continue spending time with our staff and with their peers,” shares Doug Collins, Interim Superintendent for MCSD. “In addition to the academic component, this year, we’re incorporating social and emotional learning in the curriculum as well. Since we’ve returned to in-person learning this school year, we recognized that our students needed more support when it comes to regulating their emotions, learning to resolve conflict, and making responsible decisions. By providing tools and teaching them these skills, they can be successful in school, and at home,” Collins adds.

Last year, approximately 1,200 students benefited from extended learning opportunities through the District’s summer program.

In addition to the summer program, another resource for families is MCSD’s Learning Hubs which will continue to be open throughout the summer. The Learning Hub located at Merced Mall will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The hub will be staffed by MCSD instructional aides and can help support students with homework help, reading, and other academic support.

The summer program is free for MCSD students. Transportation and free breakfast and lunch will also be provided. Classes will be offered in the following schools: Peterson Elementary Alicia Reyes Elementary, Rivera Elementary, and Wright Elementary schools. Preschool will be offered at Clark and all four sites mentioned as well. Students will be in-person and will receive instruction for five hours a day, five days a week, except for preschoolers who will attend school for four hours a day, five days a week. Health and safety precautions currently in place will continue.

In preparation for summer academy and to allow students and parents to get to know the team and the routines, there will be a “Meet the Teacher” event scheduled for June 17. More information will be shared.

Registration is now open for Summer Academy and parents can call their child(ren)’s school to register. More information is also available on the District’s website: www.mcsd.k12.ca.us or on our Facebook page.

MCSD Teacher Wins $10,000 Grant

MCSD Teacher Wins $10,000 Grant as Teacher of the Year Awardee

January 12, 2022

Just in time for the holidays, staff and students at John Muir Elementary School received an unexpected but welcome gift. That’s because one of their own, 6^th-grade teacher Mr. Sou Lee, was recognized as Rack Room Shoes Teacher of the Year. Mr. Lee was presented with a $10,000 technology grant for the school and a $500 gift card for him.

At the beginning of the school year, Rack Room Shoes launched a national competition calling for customers to nominate teachers who have made a positive impact in their lives and the lives of their children. On the last day of the nomination period, parent Ana Yanez saw the email calling for nominations. “I knew exactly who I wanted to nominate. Mr. Lee has inspired my 5^th grader to excel. He goes above and beyond for his students and I have seen his influence on my child. He is motivated and interested in school like never before. Because of Mr. Lee, he has found a new love for science and he hopes to become an engineer someday. Mr. Lee will forever live in my son’s life for his love of teaching and compassion. He is very dedicated and makes every student feel special. He motivates students to not only do their best in school but also in life. He demonstrates concern and makes science and math fun. He's been a great mentor for my son and for many kids to follow. I’m so happy my son was able to have him as a teacher.”

Rack Room Shoes committed to awarding five $10,000 grants to the schools of the winning teachers and a $500 Rack Room Shoes gift card for each of the winning educators.

Hearing about Mr. Lee’s nomination, his fellow teachers at Muir and the District, rallied behind him and put out a call to the community via social media to vote during the online voting period.

In the end, Mr. Lee received the 2^nd most number of votes, getting thousands of votes from all over the nation out of 399 nominations. Mr. Lee joins four other exceptional teachers and is the first one from California to have received the award.

“I’m overwhelmed and speechless. My students inspire me every day and this is all for them,” shares Mr. Lee. He says his favorite part about being a teacher is seeing his students grow in their academics. “I especially enjoy that ‘ah ha’ moment when the light bulb goes off. It takes a lot of work and patience to get to the ‘ah ha’ moment, but it is worth the time and effort. I learn from the students every day. It amazes me how my students think. I enjoy listening to how they approach math problems in different ways. They continue to amaze me every day,” he adds.

Mr. Lee credits his background and upbringing as his motivation as a teacher. His grandparents were refugees from Laos and they spoke no English. Because of that, they faced difficulties adjusting to their new life in the US, so he was raised to value education as a way to rise above his situation. “I go to work every day hoping to inspire my students to work hard and pursue their dreams. I want my students to realize how important education is and how it can change their lives. It changed my life. I bring the best of me every day to work to inspire and to remind my students that they have the power to turn things around.”

Principal Michelle Colburn says she is not surprised Lee was nominated. “Mr. Lee is an amazing teacher who inspires his students to excel. His belief in his students encourages them to believe in themselves and that goes a long way for their success. Because of this grant, we will be able to purchase much-needed devices to provide computer-assisted learning activities that will increase academic achievement and a more immersive learning experience.”

“Now more than ever, educators are facing mounting challenges in their classrooms. It is an honor to recognize exceptional teachers through our Teacher of the Year program and support them through donations to their schools,” President and CEO Mark Lardie said. “We hope this recognition will help exceptional teachers continue to inspire students and impact their communities in positive ways.”

Rack Room Shoes is headquartered in Charlotte. Rack Room Shoes operates more than 500 locations nationwide under the Rack Room Shoes and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse brands. Through Rack Room Shoes Gives, the company's ongoing philanthropic program, the company provides ways in which customers and employees can seek support for charitable organizations, instilling trust and inspiration in the communities served.

Teacher of the Year Mr. Sou Lee