MSD MESSENGER
March 2018

In This Issue......
MSD Calendar

Staff Development Day
Mon., Mar. 12
No School for Students

Governing Board  
Meeting
Tues., Mar. 13
7:00 PM, JM Library

A Wellness Committee
Presentation for parents of students grades 5-8 on
"Stress & How to Deal With It"
Thurs., Mar. 15
6:30 PM, JM Library

Cultural Proficiency Committee Meeting
Mon., Mar. 19
3:30 PM, JM Library

Supporting Adolescents Through Middle School
Part 3 - Adolescents
at Home and in the Community
Wed. Mar. 21
6:30 PM, JM Library

Third Quarter Ends
Grades 6-8
Fri., Mar. 30

Minimum Day
Grades TK-8 
Fri., Mar. 30

Spring Break 
Schools Closed
Mon., Apr. 2 - Fri., Apr. 6
District Office Closed Apr. 6 only
Did You Know?
~ Camino Pablo School is presenting on Student Discourse at the March 13 Governing Board meeting? Attend the March 13 Governing Board meeting to learn more.

~ March 13 is Legislation Action Day at the State Capitol in Sacramento?

~ Moraga iKind is hosting a movie night on March 21 - "The Mask You Live In", 7:00 PM in the JM Auditorium?

~ School Board members will be visiting CP, RH and JM classrooms during the month of March ?

~ All MSD schools will soon be using Raptor, a data base program used to clear visitors and volunteers on school campuses?   Please remember to check into the school office when coming on all school campuses for any reason. 

~ It is necessary to complete a Volunteer Clearance Form prior to volunteering in a MSD classroom? 



~ You can view MSD CA Assessment of Student Performance and Progress state scores, the top 1% of all districts,  HE RE ?

~ You can view a detailed report of MSD revenue and expenses?  See HERE, page 85.

~ Did you know MEF unveiled a new website?  HERE

MEF is benefiting every student, every day, and donations make it possible for students to explore, imagine, innovate and experiment in small classes, with dedicated experts and with opportunities not found in most public schools?

~ MSD is looking for substitute  teachers?   
Contact Lisa Crouch at lcrouch@moraga.k12.ca.
us.   More information about employment opportunities can be found HERE.
Quick Links

Joaquin Moraga IS
MEF
3rd Grader 
Develops C ode 

Measure V Funds 
at Work
JM Roof Inspection

CP, LP, Rh and JM Perform with Campo

MEF Funded 
Teacher Training

Planning Your District's Future
Annually, the Morga School District develops the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP), a tool for public school districts to set goals, plan actions, and leverage resources to meet those goals to improve student outcomes.

The LCAP is a three-year, district-level plan. The plan describes our district's key goals for students as well as the specific actions (with expenditures) the district will take to achieve the goals and the means (metrics) used to measure progress.  Progress can viewed at the CA School Dashboard website.

The LCAP addresses the needs of all students, including specific student groups, and all districts must specifically address English learners, foster youth, and low-income students. In addition, the LCAP must address the state of California's eight priority areas that include student academic achievement, school climate, student access to a broad curriculum, and parent engagement.

The MSD LCAP is HERE.  An abbreviated LCAP can be found HERE.

The MSD Coordinating Council, comprised of parents, teachers, classified staff, administrators, a board member, and superintendent monitor LCAP progress and annually update the plan.  

Your feedback on the development of LCAP is encouraged - and easy to do.  Ideas and suggestions for future District direction based on need can be sent to lcapfeedback@moraga.k12.ca.us, or attend the next Coordinating Council meeting at CP at 3:30 PM on April 25, 2018.
March 13 Board Meeting
Agenda topics for the March 13, 2018, Governing Board meeting include:

~ 2019-2020 Student Attendance Calendar Report: The Board will receive information about the AUHSD Calendar Task Force recommendations.  The Board will take action on the calendar at a future Board meeting.
~ The Board will receive a report on existing, in-progress and future safety plans.  An update will be provided on the selection of a safety consultant to conduct assessments of school site vulnerability and emergency plans.
~ Chief Business Office Daniela Parasidis will present the "2nd Interim Budget Report".  The report reviews revenue and expenditures from July 1, 2017 through January 31, 2018.
~ Other agenda items: Technology Implementation Update, Annual Review of Intradistrict Policy and Eligibility of State School Program funds to enhance Measure V funds.

Agenda analyses and backup information for all agenda items can be found on the MSD website - HERE.  

The MSD Governing Board generally holds regular meetings the second Tuesday of the month in the JM library.  Meetings begin at 7:00 PM.
February
Governing Board Meeting Highlights
The following are highlights from the February 13 Governing Board meeting: 

~ Eighth grade students from Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School presented information to the Governing Board on the Where Everyone Belongs (WEB) program for sixth graders transitioning into middle school. The WEB program strengthens leadership skills, encourages relationships between grade levels, builds confidence and provides sixth graders a path for transitioning into JM. 
~  The Governing Board approved the Single Plan for Student Achievement plans for all schools.
~ The Governing Board approved a one year agreement between the MSD and the Contra Costa County Office of Education to provide  Internet access   and increase bandwidth.
~  The Governing Board approved revisions to the Governance Protocol Handbook per the January 30 special meeting.
~ The Governing Board approved a two year extension on the existing MOU: Community Engagement between Saint Mary's College and Community Based Organization. 
~ Interim Town Manager Jim Holgersson, Mayor Dave Trotter and Public Works Director Edric Kwan addressed the Governing Board to provide background information on Prop 218, which gives property owners the right to vote on the proposed Town of Moraga Stormwater Fee. The District will be assessed an estimated $21,403 a year if the stormwater fee is approved by voters. The Governing Board will act on the Proposed Fee at the April or May Board meeting.
~ The Governing Board adopted the Lamorinda Transportation Safety Plan (TSP) in accordance with SB 1072 requiring the TSP to list procedures ensuring that a student is not left unattended on a school bus.
~ The Governing Board approved Resolution 18-19, Full and Fair Funding, urging the State Legislature to fund California public schools at the national average or higher by the year 2020, and at a level that is equal to or above the average of the top ten states nationally by 2025. (CA is ranked 41st in per-pupil funding; 45th in pupil-teacher ratios, and 48th in pupil-staff ratios)
~ Superintendent Burns provided an update to the Board on proposed Measure V plans to ensure alignment with District values. A re-organized list of project plans by school was reviewed to clearly identify work and costs by school.  Measure V funds are targeted for the enhancement of learning environments, safety and infrastructure.
~ Superintendent Burns provided the Board with a preliminary kindergarten and transitional kindergarten enrollment projection for 2018-19. 
~ Superintendent Burns provided an update on the current Local Control Accountability Plan which is comprised of three goals, specific outcomes and actions/services for each goal. The two remaining Coordinating Council meetings will focus on reviewing and possibly developing new goals, actions, and services for the 2018-19 LCAP.

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The following are highlights from the February 27 Special Governing Board meeting on special education programs and services: 

~ The Governing Board received an overview of the MSD Special Education program services available to students in the District. Director of Pupil Services Susan Bishop, Executive Director of the Contra Costa County SELPA, Brian Inglesby, and teachers Maureen Gala, Kate Kunnes, Karlene Steelman and Jerry Gilbert presented information about teaching methods and special education programs and services.
~ The Governing Board approved the Scale-Up Multi-tiered System of Support (SUMS) Agreement between Orange County Superintendent of Schools and the Moraga School District. The District received a grant in the amount of $25,000 to be used to address barriers to learning and improve access to academics and engagement in learning for all students. 
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Board agendas and minutes can be located on the MSD website, www.moraga.k12.ca.us and under the menu heading "District."
MSD Committee Updates
All Moraga School District committee meetings are open to the public.  Meeting dates and times can be located on the front page of the MSD website calendar.  Agendas and minutes from meeting are posted on the MSD website.  

~ The Wellness Committee, charged with developing a MSD Wellness Plan, met March 8 and reviewed teacher survey results regarding Social Emotional Learning; reviewed research supporting a recommendation to encourage alternatives to treats served in school; and planned for the 3/15 "Stress and How to Deal With It" student and parent education program.  Next meeting: 4/12 at JM at 3:45 PM.

~ The Cultural Proficiency Committee met February 28 and held a working meeting to review indicators in support of Standard 1: " Students, families, and staff value human differences  and varied perspectives, and own their responsibility to respect others."  A subcommittee presented eight categories (ex. religion/culture, gender stereotypes, family structure, abilities/skills, race, etc.) and draft indicators for each, such as sensitivity training, parent education, and support/resources for teachers. Next meeting: 3/19 at 3:30 PM at JM.

The Coordinating Council, charged with overseeing and developing the Local Control Accounting Plan, or the strategic plan, heard action/service reports and reviewed existing LCAP goals at the March 7 meeting.   Next meeting: 4/25 at 3:30 PM at CP.

~ The Student Safety Committee, responsible for updating the MSD Comprehensive Safety Plan, completed work started earlier this year to finalize intruder/active shooter protocols with support from the Moraga Police Department and a Playground Supervision Manual.  Next meeting: 4/18 at 3:30 at CP, room 7.
MSD Newsletter
The MSD Newsletter is sent to District families and community members after monthly Board meetings and when communicating special announcements. Please note the Subscribe and Unsubscribe information at the end of the newsletter.
Moraga School District  |  1540 School Street   |  Moraga, CA 94556      www.moraga.ca.us.k12.ca.us    |  Twitter: @MoragaSchDist

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