The Merced City School District Risk Management Office is reaching out to all full-time employees, part-time employees and retirees with the following update:
It is that time of year again! Health benefits open enrollment packets will be going out in the mail August 1st. Open enrollment will run from August 1st through August 18th. If you do not elect to make any changes, you do not need to do anything. If you elect to make a change, forms must be in the Risk Management office by 5:00 p.m. on August 18th. There are important changes you should be aware of, so please read your packets thoroughly.
If you plan to participate in the SISC Flex or Dependent Care plans, open enrollment for these plans will be announced this fall. It will be an online enrollment. Please keep an eye out for an email notice from Risk Management.
If you do not receive an open enrollment packet, or if you have any questions please call the Risk Management office at 209-385-6684.
Several students at Charles Wright Elementary are enjoying a hands-on science activity and reaping the rewards of their hard work. They are part of the garden club, which is offered as an extended day activity for kindergarten through sixth grade students.
With the help of teacher Jaime Enriquez, they are growing marigolds, petunias, onions, tomatoes, and peppers in a garden on their campus. The students planted the seeds themselves and have been tending to their flowers, fruits, and vegetables after school. Some are also able to work on the garden during recess if they choose.
The garden helps the children see firsthand the life cycle of various plants, the impact of sun, soil, and water, and many other science concepts. It also teaches them teamwork, responsibility, and even economics because they will be selling the flowers to their fellow students ahead of Mother’s Day.
Mr. Enriquez says, “Oh they love it…It’s a self-sustainable garden so they’re learning that if we produce some money from the garden it helps us buy more product for the future.”
The students have also had an opportunity to enjoy the “fruits” of their labor. They recently harvested several onions, which they were able to take home.
Student Julieta Juarez Cruz says she loves seeing the seeds she’s planted blossom into something beautiful and enjoys having her efforts pay off in more ways than one. She adds, “I like it because you do learn a lot, and it’s hands-on science.”
The garden club currently has approximately 25 students. It is one of many extended day programs offered at campuses throughout the Merced City School District, which are made possible through the Local Control Funding Formula and Local Control Accountability Plan.
The Merced City School District is excited to share that the 3rd annual STEAM Fair will take place at Tenaya Middle School on May 18 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This free event features student work done throughout the year in the areas of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.
Families are invited to see innovative projects, take part in hands-on activities, and enjoy student performances. Refreshments will also be available.
Ada Givens Elementary and Franklin Elementary are asking for the community’s help to receive a total of $20,000 in grants from ScholarShare, California’s 529 college savings plan. This new grant program, called “Scholar Dollars” is designed to help support extracurricular and enrichment programs.
All K-8 public and charter schools in California were eligible to apply for the Scholar Dollars grant last month. There are five categories based on school size, which range from extra small to extra large. Each category will have four winners, and the prizes range from $5,000 to $25,000 for a total of $300,000.
Givens and Franklin are each eligible for $10,000 based on their 2015-2016 enrollment numbers.
Givens would like to use the money to increase library offerings, to support a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) maker space, to offer career-oriented excursions, and to provide tutoring opportunities for both parents and students. Franklin would like to use the money to create a computer lab to support its STEAM program and 21st century learning.
You can vote for Givens and Franklin every day through March 24 at www.myscholardollars.com. Just click the “vote now” button and search for “Merced” to find both schools.
Many Valley veterans will enjoy a special treat this Valentine's Day, thanks to students at Peterson Elementary.
The students made creative cards and wrote lovely letters to support the American Red Cross "Valentines for Vets" initiative. They will be given to veterans at the VA hospital in Fresno this weekend.
The request came from Kimberly Lotz, who works as a health assistant at Peterson and is also a disaster responder for the Red Cross. Ms. Lotz says she was amazed at the wonderful job the students did and is grateful to all of the teachers and administrators for their support as well.
