MTSD Momentum Newsletter

Each year, MTSD holds pre-registration for four-year-old and new-to-MTSD 5-year-old kindergarten. The purpose of pre-registration is to get a good idea of enrollment projections in order to develop class rosters and determine staffing needs for the upcoming school year. 4K families can also indicate their morning or afternoon class preference, and get access to other useful information.

Online pre-registration for 4-year-old kindergarten and new-to-MTSD 5-year-old kindergarten students is now open! Please feel free to share this information with any families in your networks with 4K or 5K students new to MTSD.

The Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department is pleased to offer on-site 4K Wrap Care for our families with children enrolled in four-year-old kindergarten at Donges Bay, Oriole Lane, and Wilson Elementary schools. The program will be offered from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., with AM and PM sessions available.

Learn more about 4K Wrap Care

Kids’ Campus is a Before and After School Program offered by the Mequon-Thiensville School District and Recreation Department. Kids’ Campus is available for children in 4K through 5th grade. Programs are conveniently located at Donges Bay, Oriole Lane and Wilson elementary schools to ensure a smooth transition between the school day and before and after school care.

Learn more about Kids' Campus

To ensure that MTSD’s Strategic Plan meets the needs and goals of our school community, we use surveys and focus groups as part of our process. This helps us gather different opinions, combine data with personal feedback, and improve our goals. By doing this, we can provide more value to our students, staff, and community.

Since the conclusion of the community survey and focus groups conducted in January and input from the Board of Education gathered in February, the MTSD administrative team has worked to develop five Strategic Plan areas derived from the feedback received earlier this year. The five focus areas include:

1. Goal 1 - Academic Growth, Student Achievement, and Targeted Support

2. Goal 2 - Innovation in Learning, Post-Secondary Success, and Digital Integration

3. Goal 3 - Student Engagement and Well-Being

4. Goal 4 - Professional Engagement, Growth, and Well-Being

5. Goal 5 - Community Engagement and Communication

Next, the MTSD administrative team will continue to work on finalizing goals and objectives in preparation to present a draft 2025-2028 Strategic Plan to the Board of Education for approval during the March 17 Regular Business Meeting.

MTSD works to produce meaningful communication and engagement opportunities with all stakeholders to build strong relationships and trust across the school community. One of the methods used to engage stakeholders and gain input to inform decisions includes the use of surveys.

To understand perceptions of our schools’ and our district’s climate and culture, we annually invite MTSD parents and guardians to participate in a Climate & Culture survey focusing on seven categories including: Student Relationships, Learning Environment, Safety & Well-Being, Physical Environments, Contracted Services, Family Engagement, and Overall District Quality. Schools and the district use these results to enhance the educational experience for all students and families while monitoring progress toward strategic goals.

The survey was open Tuesday, February 4 through Wednesday, February 19 and was administered using Qualtrics. In total, 599 survey responses were provided representing approximately 17% of all students in the MTSD. We are pleased to report that overall responses were positive, with MTSD families recording a Net Promoter Score of 59 (excellent), and reflecting satisfaction with the overall quality of MTSD, most notably our wonderful educators and staff members. Other key takeways include:

• 89 percent of respondents agreed that "The adults in my child's school care about my child's social and emotional well-being."
• 92 percent of respondents agreed that "My child's teachers are available and communicative when I have a question or concern."
• 83 percent of respondents agreed that "My child is provided rigorous learning opportunities that push them to their fullest potential.
• 92 percent of respondents agreed that "My child feels safe at school."
• 90 percent of respondents agreed that "My child's school is kept clean."
• 89 percent of respondents agreed that "The school's transportation service is reliable."
• 90 percent of respondents agreed that "Communication with families occurs in an open and respectful manner."
• 91 percent of respondents agreed with the statement "I feel well-informed of important updates from the Mequon-Thiensville School District."

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in this important annual engagement opportunity!

For the 2025-26 school year, MTSD is once again using zero-based budgeting (ZBB) to build the upcoming school year budget. ZBB is a budgeting approach where organizations start the budgeting process from scratch rather than rolling over prior budget history. In this method, every expense must be justified and approved, and budget allocations are based on the actual needs and costs of each activity rather than historical spending patterns. Unlike traditional budgeting, which often involves incremental adjustments to existing budgets, ZBB requires a thorough review and justification of all expenses, fostering cost-conscious decision-making and resource optimization. ZBB aims to ensure that every dollar spent contributes directly to organizational objectives, promoting efficiency and accountability in financial management. All of our school buildings and department leaders are deeply engaged in the ZBB process and beginning to participate in initial presentations regarding proposed building and department budgets.

Even with the 2024 Operational Referendum in place, the role of legislative advocacy for increased, sustainable state funding for public schools remains a priority. With guidance from the MTSD Board of Education’s Legislative Committee, the MTSD administrative team has updated our Legislative Advocacy Priorities and communication toolkit for the upcoming 2025-27 Wisconsin State Biennial Budget. All interested community members are invited to attend Legislative Advocacy Information Sessions to learn more about how to use your voice to support our public schools.

Effective Monday, February 3, all Working Meetings of the MTSD Board of Education will be held in the Egelhoff Community Room, located at the MTSD District Office, 5000 W. Mequon Rd. These meetings will be in-person only, with no virtual access available. Regular Business meetings will continue to take place as hybrid meetings accessible both in-person and via Zoom in the Range Line Community Center Conference Room. All school board meetings are open to the public and we encourage all interested community members to attend!

Make the most of late start day! Plan coffee with HHS friends, treat your student to breakfast, or meet some parent friends for lunch. 20% will be donated to MTEF. You can even take some coffee beans or merchandise home with you! Not valid on app orders.

View Flyer

MTSD is proud to be a Parents United Member District in partnership with CESA 1. The mission of Parents United is to present timely and relevant information in a neutral forum for parents and professionals who work with children. On Wednesday, March 5 at 6:00 p.m., Parents United is hosting a FREE film screening and discussion of The Ride Ahead at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.

The Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department is operated by the Mequon-Thiensville School District!

This guide highlights all Summer activities and classes for preschool, youth, adults and families. You will also find information on Kids' Campus and 4K Wrap Care for the '25-'26 school year.

REGISTRATION OPENS ON MONDAY, MARCH 3! DON'T WAIT TO REGISTER - CLASSES FILL FAST!!

Click here for SUMMER BOOK PDF

Click here for Online Registration Page

Click here for CODE OF CONDUCT

As you plan activities for your children or consider summer recommendations for your students this summer, be sure to keep in mind the academic and enrichment courses that are offered through the Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department.

• Summer Academy is designed for students entering 4K-9th grade
• Summer Academy courses are taught by MTSD educators!
• There will be two sessions of Summer Academy

Session 1:

• Monday - Friday June 23 - 27, 2025 (5 days)

Session 2

• Monday - Thursday July 21 - 31, 2025 (8 days)

Click here for the brochure - Summer Academy Brochure

Questions on Summer Academy can be directed to Beula Sundararajan at: bsundararajan@mtsd.k12.wi.us

We encourage all community members to regularly check our certified and support staff listings on WECAN. Current highlighted positions include:

• Administrative Assistant - Mequon-Thiensville Recreation Department
• Special Education Teacher- Homestead High School
• Grades 6-8 Building Substitute Teacher - Steffen Middle School
• Substitute Teachers - Districtwide (Flexible schedule...work when you want!⏰)

Throughout the school year, be sure to check out the great things going on at your school building by following your school's page on Facebook, as well as the MTSD Facebook page, MTSD Instagram account, and by finding us on LinkedIn.

Please note: The accounts linked above are the only official social media presence managed and moderated with support from MTSD Communications.

MTEF Tartan Bash Online Auction Closes

Saturday, March 1 @ 8:00 p.m.

Click here to bid!

Monday, March 3 @ 6:00 p.m.

Egelhoff Community Room - In-Person ONLY

Parents United Event: The Ride Ahead Film Screening & Discussion

Wednesday, March 5 @ 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts - 3270 Mitchell Park Dr, Brookfield, WI 53045

4K Open House

Thursday, March 6 @ 4:45 - 5:45 p.m.

Donges Bay, Oriole Lane & Wilson Elementary Schools

End of Trimester 2

Friday, March 7

NO SCHOOL (All Students) - Teacher Inservice

Monday, March 10

Legislative Advocacy Information Session

Monday, March 10 @ 5:30 p.m.

Egelhoff Community Room, 5000 W. Mequon Rd.

Board of Education - Regular Business Meeting

Monday, March 17 @ 6:00 p.m.

Range Line Community Center Conference Room

MTEF Giveback - Colectivo Mequon

Wednesday, March 19 @ 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Mention MTEF and 20% of your order will be donated to the Foundation!

NO SCHOOL (All Students & Staff) - Spring Break

March 24-28, 2025