UPCOMING DATESMonday, October 9, 2023: MPS Closed in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day Tuesday, October 10, 2023: Board of Education Meeting (Click here for details) Saturday, October 14, 2023: Hispanic Heritage Community Celebration Tuesday, October 17, 2023: Early Dismissal for all students (Schedule here)
Our 2023-2024 school year calendar can always be found here: https://www.middletownschools.org/page/district-calendar |
ACTION REQUIRED or REQUESTED - IMMEDIATELY
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month - Employee Spotlights
Central Office contact on this matter: Jessie Lavorgna
As part of our ongoing efforts to create inclusive schools and offices that celebrate diversity and cultivate a sense of belonging, we are seeking to highlight our employee diversity throughout the school year. September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. During this period of time, we would like to feature our employees with Hispanic heritage. If you identify as such, please consider completing this form.
ACTION REQUIRED or REQUESTED - ONGOING
Required Email Signatures: Complete by October 23, 2023
Central Office contact on this matter: Jessie Lavorgna
As a reminder, we have established a uniform email signature format. Please make sure that you are in compliance with that format. More information can be found here: MPS Email Signature Guidelines.pdf Please update your email signature by Friday, October 23, 2023.
INFORMATION for EMPLOYEES
October 10, 2023: Middletown Board of Education (BOE) Meeting
The first Board of Education Meeting for the 2023-2024 school year will be on Tuesday, October 10, 2023. It will begin at 6:30 PM and will be held in the Auditorium of Beman Middle School. When the agenda is available, it will be posted here: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/2423
Proposal for a District Highlight for an upcoming BOE Meeting
Central Office contact on this matter: Jessie Lavorgna
Linked below is a form for all MPS Employees to use when they/their students have a project/event/achievement/etc. that they feel should be presented to the Board of Education as part of the District Highlights portion of the meeting. All suggestions are welcomed. If selected, you will be contacted one week prior to the meeting. Google Form: https://forms.gle/sadqSAXepD6mQWHz6
This form is also accessible on our staff info site: https://www.middletownschools.org/o/staff/page/comms
New! MPS Employee Info Site
Central Office contact on this matter: Jessie Lavorgna
In case you missed it, we recently launched our MPS Employee Info Site. This site (https://www.middletownschools.org/o/staff) will eventually house all of the necessary information and documents that MPS employees need. Everything in one place! Hooray! If there is something you would like to be available through this site, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/iDDae1NADgsa6Bog7
Information: Meals for Staff in MPS Schools
Central Office contact on this matter: Randall Mel
Did you know that our Cafeterias have customizable meal options for $4.50 or less for all MPS Staff? Contact your school's Cafeteria or check out the link below for more information: Adult Menus 2023-2024.pdf
Reminder: Share Your (Good) News!
Central Office contact on this matter: Jessie Lavorgna
If you have something you would like shared in The Middletown Minute, The Community Connector, on our website, and/or with local press, submit it here. This form is great for things that have already happened and that you have a story to tell about them. Let’s spread the news about how amazing you and our students are! This form is also accessible on our staff info site: https://www.middletownschools.org/o/staff/page/comms
Reminder: Publicity and Media Coverage Request Form
Central Office contact on this matter: Jessie Lavorgna
Let’s get some good news coverage of what’s happening in your school, classroom, and/or after school program! If you would like publicity for and/or media coverage of an event/activity/etc that will be happening in your classroom, school, after school program, etc., please complete the form, linked below, 2-3 weeks prior to the needed deadline. Turnaround time varies by project. Click here to access the form.
This form is also accessible on our staff info site: https://www.middletownschools.org/o/staff/page/comms
Information: FAFSA Completion Graduation Requirement for Class of 2025 and Beyond
Pursuant to sections 319 and 320 of Public Act 23-204, starting with the high school graduating class of 2025, school districts shall not permit a student to graduate from high school unless the student has completed the FAFSA, other institutional financial aid application for those without legal immigration status, or a waiver developed by the CSDE. This waiver can be completed by the parent/guardian or the student (if 18 or older or an emancipated minor). On and after March 15, a principal, school counselor, teacher or other certified educator may complete such waiver on behalf of any student if they affirm that they have made a good faith effort to contact the parent/guardian or student on at least three (3) occasions about completing the FAFSA or other institutional aid form.
Information: State Board of Education Endorses "Equity in Mathematics Education Statement"
On September 6, 2023, the Connecticut State Board of Education (SBE) endorsed Equity in Mathematics Education: A Joint Position Statement for Connecticut expressing their support and commitment to equitable mathematics education for all students across Connecticut.
Equity in Mathematics Education: A Joint Position Statement for Connecticut was developed and adopted by the Associated Mathematics Teacher Educators of Connecticut (AMTEC), Associated Teachers of Mathematics in Connecticut (ATOMIC) and Connecticut Council of Leaders of Mathematics (CCLM), in collaboration with the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE). This joint statement expands on the previous commitments to mathematics education by the SBE and CSDE embodied in the 2009 Position Statement on Mathematics Education and the 2016 Report of the Commissioner’s Council on Mathematics.
Lately the word equity has triggered political division and controversy, but Equity in Mathematics Education: A Joint Position Statement for Connecticut is not centered on any one group or affiliation. Our belief is that every student in Connecticut, regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity, home language, or abilities, must have access to high quality mathematics curriculum, instruction, and assessment to support student learning. Our aim is to promote opportunities and growth in mathematics, making higher levels of achievement possible!
This is challenging work and requires collaboration and knowledge sharing across all levels of educators. We are fully aware that districts vary in their time, resources, or capacity to advance this important work. AMTEC, ATOMIC, CCLM, and CSDE stand ready to support these efforts and have established the Collaborating for Mathematics Education Equity website with resources to assist schools and districts in this impactful work.
Event: International Day of the Girl Panel: Using Digital Platforms to Progress Change
On behalf of Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz and Commissioner Russell-Tucker, Superintendents are invited and encouraged to have their students register and attend the International Day of the Girl Panel: Using Digital Platforms to Progress Change, on Wednesday, October 11, at 3:00 p.m. Hear from girl leaders from Myla+ (a Lt. Governor’s Computing Challenge winner) and United Sound (a Voice4Change winning project) who will discuss how they are using digital platforms to support their community. Register here: https://bit.ly/DotG. Please see the flyer for more details.
INFORMATION to share with FAMILIES
Information for Families: School Based Health Centers
Beginning October 1, 2023, you may begin to see billing statements from CHCI for any deductible or copay responsibilities determined by your plan. If you have health insurance, CHC SBHC will continue to bill services to your insurance. Applying for the Sliding Fee Scale Discount Program could result in reductions to your out-of-pocket costs. See attached letter here for more information: SBHCLetterV4_English.docx.pdf
Information for Families: What do you think of our Food?
The Office of Food, Nutrition and Wellness is seeking information from our students and families pertaining to our dining services. Our goal is to continue to expand and improve our meal services utilizing community feedback. Through our partnership with FoodCorps, we will be providing taste testing opportunities, as well as introducing over 75 new recipes this school year. Please complete this brief survey if you are interested in providing feedback on our Food and Nutrition Services: District Food and Nutrition Survey.pdf
Information for Families: Free College Readiness Workshop
Please join us on October 5, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM for a free College Readiness Workshop presented by Middletown High School's Aspiring Young Leaders program and MeshEd.
President of Wesleyan University, Michael Roth, will read an excerpt from his new book and discuss key themes with Middletown High School Juniors and Seniors currently enrolled in MeshEd's after-school program.
Before the reading, MHS students are invited to join a workshop with Wesleyan and UHart students to receive feedback on their college essays. Students can bring an essay, an idea that they have been working on, or start from the beginning of the process with guidance from workshop facilitators. During this time, families of students can meet with Betsey Schmidt, Founder and CEO of MeshEd, to learn about the changing landscape of college admissions and how to best prepare your child for success.
Register in advance of the event here:
https://mhs.middletownschools.org/o/mhs/page/ayl-upcoming-events
Location: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore, 413 Main St, Middletown, CT
Event Agenda:
- 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM: College Essay Workshop for Students & Admissions Workshop for Families
- 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM: Reading by Michael Roth & Questions by MHS Student
Light food is provided by Story and Soil Cafe
Information for Families: Parent and Family Info Hub
The Parent and Family Information Hub serves as a one-stop shop for quick information for MPS Parents and Families. On this webpage, you'll find links to the most frequently visited parts of our website. Find the page here: https://www.middletownschools.org/page/parent-info-hub
Information for Families: Communicating and Connecting with MPS
When you have questions, concerns, and/or feedback regarding your child, your child's school, and/or the school district, please visit the “Communicating Effectively with MPS” linked below. This page is designed to ensure that your voice is heard and your concerns/questions are addressed.
https://www.middletownschools.org/page/communicating-and-connecting#WhoDoIContact
Information for Families: MPS Community Hub
Are you familiar with our Community Hub? It's where we share information about upcoming events, activities, and programs in the Middletown community. We update it weekly on Saturdays. Check it out! https://www.middletownschools.org/page/community-hub