MCSD Newsletter

Our final days of the 2023-2024 school year are fast approaching and with so much left to do, I want to take a moment and express my gratitude for the team we have here in Merced City School District. I appreciate everyone for their continual commitment to providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful; not just on the state test, but also to have a fulfilling educational experience where they can thrive. No matter your position, you make a difference, a BIG difference!

One day, or even one week, will never be enough to express how much we truly appreciate the team we have here in MCSD, but I hope this week each of you took the opportunity to celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week and National School Nurse Day! Please join me in continuing to celebrate additional staff on the upcoming appreciation days:

National Speech Pathologist Day: May 18

Classified Employees' Appreciation Week: May 19-25

Looking ahead, I invite all of you to join us at our next Local Control Accountability (LCAP) Forum on May 16 where we welcome all input and feedback, which guides decisions about actions and services that will be implemented on behalf of students, as well as the cost for those actions and services.

Please be reminded that the safety of our school community remains of the utmost importance, so be patient and compliant with local school drop off procedures.

With only 18 days left of school, let's finish safe, strong, and BETTER TOGETHER!

Warm regards,

Mr. Brian Meisenheimer

Acting Superintendent

Merced City School District

I am in awe of each student who continues to inspire us with their remarkable accomplishments. From shining on stage in recent performing arts programs, to triumphing at prestigious competitions, they embody the true definition of excellence right here in MCSD.

Here are a few highlights I am pleased to share with you.

Merced City School District has implemented an 18-month plan designed to establish systems that align research/standards based practices in learning, literacy, numeracy, behavior response, and safety.

The 4 steps below will collectively define the District's Instructional Identity.

1. Alignment and Coherence

2. Data Driven Collaborative Practices

3. Professional Learning

4. Communication and Outreach

CLICK HERE to read MCSD's full Instructional Identity Plan

Every student is "at risk" until they learn to read.

Reading is not a natural process. It is our job to explicitly and systematically teach students how to read. We believe that literacy-the ability to read, write, and understand-is a civil right.

The inability to read well is associated with lifelong consequences such as lower academic achievement, dropping out of school, diminished earning potential, higher risk for incarceration, and less access to resources that can help alleviate physical and mental health challenges.

What the Science of Reading demonstrates is that the human brain possesses the capacity to read and write if, through a Structured Literacy approach, the right processors of the brain are being activated through a series of instructional practices in phonological awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

The 5 Pillars of Literacy

1. Phonemic Awareness
2. Phonics
3. Fluency
4. Vocabulary
5. Comprehension

Most of these essential pillars need to be set in stone in the young reader's brain by the time students are in third grade where they will continue to develop these areas through third and subsequent grade levels.

Merced City School District is committed to providing excellent education to nearly 12,000 students across 19 school sites: 13 preschool-6th grade schools, 4 middle schools, and one preschool inclusion center.

Upon receiving Board approval in the fall of 2023, the District authorized PBK architects and School Works to complete Ed Specs., a facilities audit, and a demographic study and boundary adjustment that will help inform decision points that may result in a Bond Measure on the 2024 election ballot.

In order to capture adequate feedback, the entire community was engaged. Findings were presented at recent Board of Education meetings.

Data gathered, shows that funding from a bond measure could be used to do the following:

New Construction:

• New campuses
• New buildings on existing campuses, including portable replacements
• New specialty program spaces (e.g. TK, SPED, STEM)

Modernization:

• Interior finishes replacement
• Lighting and classroom equipment replacement
• Restroom updates
• Level of modernization based on need

System Replacement:

• Building envelope (roofs, windows, doors)
• Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (including HVAC)
• Fire-life safety, data/ communications, security

Site Improvements:

• Play fields, playgrounds, hardcourts
• Shade structures & outdoor furniture
• Parking and circulation improvements
• Landscaping and drainage

MCSD has formed a committee comprised of Executive Cabinet members, site administrators, facilities and transportation staff, as well as representatives from MCTA and CSEA labor unions to provide equity throughout the District for students and staff.