UPDATE REGARDING OUR PLAN FOR A RESPONSIBLE RETURN | August 5, 2020
Responsible Return to the 2020-2021 School Year - Full Operating Plan
The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff members remains a top priority in ensuring that each student, every time, is empowered to succeed - the vision of the Mequon-Thiensville School District. We have worked diligently over the summer to formalize a plan for a responsible return to the 2020-2021 school year that supports the needs of all students. The operational plan developed by school and district leaders includes the implementation of practical measures to mitigate the spread of disease when on campus, while allowing flexibility in family choice for instructional delivery by making distance learning available.

In preparation for our responsible return, we are carefully prioritizing health while considering how to accommodate the instructional, social, and emotional needs of our students, faculty, and staff members. The operational plan outlines the procedures to ensure a safe and responsible return to instruction this school year. It was developed in consultation with local and state health department officials, including physicians, nurses, and public health experts. In addition, our guiding principles set the foundation for how our organization will operate in the 2020-2021 school year. 

I encourage all parents/guardians and stakeholders of the District to review the contents of the operating plan in an effort to understand what school will look like in September, understanding that elements of the plan will continue to evolve as we gather information. Likewise, our ability to hold on campus instruction in the fall is dependent on many factors related to the challenges of an active pandemic. We are committed to transparent and ongoing communication as we navigate this uncharted territory together as a school community. 

Please visit www.mtsd.k12.wi.us/ResponsibleReturn for the most up-to-date information on the upcoming school year.

I look forward to welcoming students, families and staff back to the 2020-2021 school year. Regardless of the learning environment your family chooses, or the instructional scenario we are able to implement - on campus or distance learning - we will be ready and prepared to support you.

Thank you for your partnership.

With appreciation,
Dr. Matthew Joynt 
Superintendent of Schools
The button above will take you to the complete plan document.
What's Next for Families?
After taking some time to review the Responsible Return Operating Plan, families should log into their Infinite Campus Parent Portal account to accomplish the following:

  • Complete online registration for the 2020-2021 school year
  • Select the preferred method of instruction for your student: On Campus or Distance Learning
  • Select whether or not your student/s will need bus transportation
  • Pay school fees. Student fees are now accessible and may be paid online in Campus Parent. Please pay student fees on or before Friday, August 14. To access student fees in Campus Parent, login to your portal account and select Fees in the left side navigation. If you have questions about student fees, please contact Cindy Leinfelder at [email protected]

Families who have already completed online registration for the 2020-2021 school year will need to log into their parent portal accounts again to review their information and select their method of instruction. If you are having trouble accessing your parent portal account, please contact your school's front office staff.
Choosing the Right Method of Instruction
To inform planning for the 2020-2021 school year, parents/guardians will need to choose either an on campus or distance learning environment for their student’s learning. The selection of the learning environment should be done with the entire year in mind. If a student’s learning needs change during the year, the parents/guardians should contact the building administrator. For the on campus environment, MTSD administration is currently formalizing plans to start the school year in Instructional Scenario C (see the Responsible Return Operating Plan).
We Need Your Support
As we approach the start of our 2020-2021 school year, our preparation is more comprehensive than ever before. We have always been fortunate to benefit from a supportive school community and there are some additional opportunities to make a difference in our schools this year. Have you considered getting involved as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, health aide, or school nurse? We anticipate that our substitute needs this school year will be greater than in prior years due to COVID-19. MTSD contracts with Teachers On Call (TOC) for our substitute staffing. Access to subs who only provide service to MTSD (or one or two schools in MTSD) would provide us with enhanced capacity to limit contact and reduce the spread of illness. If you’re interested in learning more about the requirements for substitute staff, please reach out to TOC through the link below.
View the Results - Parent Survey #2
Thank you to all 2,228 participants who took place in our Parent Survey #2. Below is a key takeaway noting that 56% of families who replied to the survey feel extremely or somewhat comfortable sending their children back to school to participate in on campus learning. This and other data gathered from parent surveys will continue to inform our decision-making as plans continue to evolve.