OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

Throughout the Fall, MERSD provides updates to the public on the progress we are making toward the goals outlined in the Strategic, District, and School Improvement Plans. School Improvement Plans (SIPs) in conjunction with the District Improvement Plan (DIP) and Strategic Plan provide a roadmap for continual improvement. These reports are a great way to learn about the outstanding work that is going on in our schools, and the efforts being made which build our capacity and broaden our skill set to meet the varied needs of students in order that we may provide all learners with a pathway for success.

Elementary Principals Sheila McAdams and John Willis gave the first School Improvement Plan Progress Report on October 3rd. There are two more key reports coming up this fall, and I encourage you to attend or tune in to hear about the great work going on in our schools.

• Middle & High School Improvement Progress Reports – Tuesday, October 17th @ 6:00pm
• Annual Student Achievement & Assessment Review – Tuesday, November 2nd @ 6:00pm

There are several themes to look for as you watch presentations or read the reports:

• Integration of social emotional learning and culturally competent teaching to create safe and supportive classrooms
• Targeted effort to balance development of safe and supportive classrooms with student achievement
• Horizontal and vertical alignment of curriculum and instructional practices
• Data driven instruction and differentiated learning
• Expanded authentic learning opportunities for students of all ability levels
• Effort to improve home-school communication and incorporate feedback
• Focus on cost management and efficiency

All presentation materials will be available on our Strategic Plan page as well as the School Committee Reports and Presentation page . You can view the presentations by watching replays of the School Committee meetings on the 1623 YouTube Manchester-Essex Regional School Committee Playlist.

What is MTSS? Multi-Tiered System of Support is a framework that provides data-informed decision-making processes to implement evidence-based instructional supports and strategies to ensure each of our students receive a high-quality educational experience. Please visit our Curriculum & Instructional Technology website to read more about our MERSD MTSS framework and approach. As a district we have started building our MTSS framework at the elementary level with a focus on academics. As we move forward, we will continue to expand our development into secondary levels and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) areas.

Check it out! Elementary Family Curriculum Guides for term 1 have been published to our MERSD website! These guides, created by our MERSD cross-district staff, provide you an overview of the learning focus areas our students are experiencing during each of our terms.

Powerful Strategies to Help Children Develop Independent Executive Functioning Skills

(including a focus on using technology in positive/helpful ways)

Presenter: Sarah Ward

January 3rd, 6:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. ~ Virtual

Sponsored by Middle School Council

More information and events coming soon!

Department of Developmental Services: Eligibility and Resources for Families of Children with Developmental Disabilities and Autism

Monday, October 16th at 6:00 P.M.

MERMS/HS Learning Commons

Join us for a presentation on the services offered by the Department of Developmental Services for children with intellectual impairments, autism, and other complex needs. We will discuss eligibility criteria, how to apply, and resources available for children from preschool through grade 12 as well those transitioning to adult services.

Navigating Your Family's Emotions: An Introduction to the Zones of Regulation

Monday, December 4th at 6:00 P.M.

Essex Elementary Cafeteria

Join special education teacher and social worker Lauren Costa for a workshop that focuses on strategies parents can use at home to support children in developing self-regulation. The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum that helps children to identify feelings that arise when they encounter challenges, recognize when they are becoming less regulated, and manage emotions in order to feel grounded and re-centered. To make emotions easier to talk about, think about, and regulate, The Zones of Regulation utilize simple, common language and visuals to make the complex skill of regulation more concrete for learners and those who support them.

RSVP to Shelley Mullarkey at mullarkeys@mersd.org.

Construction of MERSD’s two fields is now complete. Hyland field at the Middle High School campus was completed in early September and now the Coach Ed Field turf at Brook Street is now complete as well. Feedback from student athletes and officials about the new Hyland surface has been very positive, and Coach Ed Field turf will have its first game on October 5th. The projects encountered some initial delays related to special requirements that both MERSD and the Manchester Conservation Commission required related to testing for PFAs (chemical compounds found in old turf manufacturing that can impact groundwater). As required, all test results for MERSD’s turf field components came back negative for PFAs, which is welcome news. These test results have been posted on MERSD’s web site. Scheduling delays were managed by the athletics department in part by ensuring that one field was available for play at all times. Overall, the project remains significantly under budget, due to avoidance of change orders. MERSD is very thankful for support and patience from its member communities for these important projects.

Massachusetts permanently extended its free school lunch and breakfast program for all K12 students, regardless of income.

This means that all MERSD students can access a free breakfast and lunch meal every school day. There is no need to apply, and all students are eligible regardless of income. If you do not wish to have your child participate, you may opt-out by notifying your principal’s office. A public statement and non-discrimination statement for this program is attached.

Payment Portal Accounts

This free program does not include second meal servings, bottled water, or milk sold separately from a full DESE-qualified meal. Students may purchase these items on site, paid either by cash or by your student's online, pre-funded meals account. At the Middle High School, students may also purchase DESE qualified snacks. Families can make payments for these items online, using the School Payment Portal, located here: https://www.schoolpaymentportal.com/ConsumerLogin.aspx. A User’s guide to the portal is attached, and includes instructions on how to set up your account. The portal can also be customized to create:

• Automated low balance alerts via email (see p. 21)
• Automatic payments to replenish your account when balance hits a certain threshold (p. 21)
• Restrictions on specific food/menu options that your child may or may not purchase (p. 24)

Direct Certification/MERSD Fee Waivers

Please be aware that MERSD is still required to conduct periodic matching of our enrollment to the "Direct Certification" database of the Executive Office of Health & Human Services (EOHHS). Even though all MERSD students are eligible for free meals, only families that match the EOHHS database will also be eligible for reduction and/or waiver of MERSD bus, athletics and other user fees. Notices from MERSD's Central Office have been sent recently to families that have matched the EOHHS database.

Online Menu App

Nutrislice is a mobile app from our food service management company, Chartwells, that allows families to view lunch menus by school for each day of the month. All nutritional content information can be viewed for each menu item, including ingredients and potential allergens. Menus for each school will be posted on the MERSD Nutrislice web page at https://mersd.nutrislice.com, or you can also download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play. Please continue to work directly with the School Nurse in your child’s school on any issues related to food allergens or medical conditions that might impact food selection.

Contact Information for Chartwells

MERSD’s program is run by Paula Graham, on-site manager for Chartwells, who can be reached by phone at 978-526-2049, or via email at: grahamp@mersd.org. Please contact Paula Graham directly for any questions you may have about Food Service.

The Open Door Food Truck will visit Essex Elementary School and Manchester Memorial Elementary School. For more information about The Open Door please visit their website.

Essex Elementary

Third Wednesday of each month during the school year.

2:45-3:30 P.M.

12 Story St.

Essex, MA

The District Calendar is available in the Quick Links Section of the district and school homepages. Please note that the last day of school, if all snow days are used, will be June 20th; without the use of snow days, we are scheduled for the last day of school to be June 12th. Should we exceed five snow days, additional make-up days will be added to the end of the year through June 30th.

• School & District websites – we are making an effort to keep these informative and up to date.

• District & School website calendars have up-to-date information about school and district activities.

• Athletic schedules can be accessed from a link on the Athletics page.

• The budget page can be accessed by a Quick Link off the district home page – here you will find our FY 24 budget documents and presentations. We will be updating this in the fall to reflect the FY25 budget process.

• Superintendent’s Blog is a forum to share good news, observations, and information about our schools and about education in general.

• MERSD Facebook

📍 36 Lincoln St., Manchester, MA 01944

💻https://www.mersd.org/

📲 (978) 526-4919

📠(978) 526-7585