Students at Reyes Elementary in Merced have an exciting year ahead with a wide variety of extracurricular activities.  The school offers a playwriting class, choir, photography, and hip-hop dance lessons through collaboration with Playhouse Merced.  There’s also soccer, chess club, student leadership, and much more!

Staff members wanted to make sure students know about all of those opportunities, so they decided to hold the school’s first “Extended Day Fair” during recess on Tuesday.  Several tables were set up with sign-up sheets and contracts to take home for parents to sign.  Parents were also notified about this event in advance so they could discuss the options with their children.

Principal Aaron Alexander says these extended day activities provide experiences that students might not have if they were not offered by the school.  He adds, “These are great opportunities for kids to take advantage of to grow personally in what their interests are.  It builds self-esteem, and we’re always looking to do that for kids.  It also builds a sense of school culture.” 

These special programs also motivate students to perform well in the classroom because they must have great attendance and be in good academic standing to participate.  The extended day offerings directly support goals identified in the Merced City School District’s Local Control Accountability Plan, which aims to help all students succeed.

Students at Hoover Middle School in Merced have an extra incentive for demonstrating positive behavior.  They can win prizes and recognition for setting a good example.

Every day, 10 “Principal’s 200 Club” cards are randomly distributed among teachers and administrators.  Those staff members have 24 hours to give their cards to seventh and eighth grade students who they see following Husky PACK behavior expectations.  PACK stands for prepared, accountable, compassionate, and knowledgeable. 

Students who receive those cards are invited to the office to pick out a gift, such as a fancy pencil or colorful notebook.  The students also draw numbers and write their names in corresponding squares on the Principal’s 200 Club chart.  Once ten squares in a row are filled with names, those students receive a larger mystery prize.  In the past, those prizes have included everything from a food truck party to a pumpkin patch trip.  After there are ten in a row, the chart will be wiped clean so more students have a chance to win.

To make sure parents know about their children’s exemplary behavior, Principal Julie Rivard and office staff members place personal calls to each recipient’s home and send postcards as well.  Ms. Rivard says it’s an uplifting experience for everyone involved, and it’s a nice way to reward students on a daily basis.  She adds, “It helps reinforce our behavior expectations with the kids and helps them make good choices every day.”

The Principal’s 200 Club was implemented last year and recognized approximately 400 students.  This year, nearly 50 young scholars have already been selected, and the program has expanded by allowing those students to “pay it forward” by giving P200 Club cards to deserving staff members as well.

This program is unique to Hoover, but all campuses in the Merced City School District have their own special ways of recognizing and supporting positive behavior.

We hope MCSD families can join us for Back to School night!  This is a chance for parents to meet their children's teachers and other staff members.  You'll also hear about classroom expectations and what students at each grade level will be learning this year.  In addition, information will be available about the district's Local Control Accountability Plan and how to be involved in the process.  Dates and times are listed below:

The Merced City School District is currently enrolling students for the 2016-2017 preschool program.  This is a chance for children to reap the academic, social, emotional, and physical benefits of early education, which research shows continue even beyond the school years.

Qualified families who live in the district and have children ages three or four can stop by Galen Clark Preschool at 211 E. 11^th Street to fill out a pre-application.  The office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you have any questions, please call Galen Clark Preschool at 209-385-6619.

You can also find additional information at: 

http://www.mcsd.k12.ca.us/MCSDPreschool/