Monroe-Woodbury is committed to academic achievement and success for all students in a safe environment. In partnership with families and our community, the district's mission is to promote confidence, inspire a passion for learning and to prepare students to become responsible global citizens.
The 2022-2023 school year is proceeding quickly. Every time I visit our schools I am reminded how important - and fun - this work is! After all the challenges we have experienced in recent years, it is wonderful to see our students and staff actively engaged in teaching and learning. The laughter, conversations and positive energy in the hallways and classrooms says it all. We have all learned to be just a little more grateful for the everyday moments that make up the patchwork quilt of our lives.
There are opportunities every day to celebrate our students and their work. Recently I had the wonderful experience of reading to Sapphire students during World Read Aloud Day. The book, Mae Among the Stars, is a story about Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel into space. Ms. Jemison's mother told her at a young age to pursue her passion because "you can achieve anything if you dream it, believe it and work hard." What an important reminder for all of us - whether we are a kindergarten student or Superintendent of Schools.
We also inducted 89 new members into the Monroe-Woodbury High School National Honor Society. The annual induction ceremony is always a memorable evening, a culmination of our students' hard work and a night of celebration of all they have accomplished at their time in Monroe-Woodbury. Congratulations to our hard working students.
There are many events, concerts, activities and memorable moments to look forward to in the months ahead, culminating with high school graduation on the last day of school. I plan to embrace each of these moments as the important milestones they are in our students' lives, and I hope you and your child do the same.
Warm regards,
Elsie Rodriguez
The district's five year strategic planning process, which was interrupted by the pandemic, nonetheless gave us many key takeaways from the students, families, staff and community members who shared their responses to our surveys. The district is planning for the future with a focus on District Goals, which mirror much of what we learned during the strategic planning process, as the foundation of the important work we do.
District leaders remain laser focused on: keeping members of our school community safe; using data to improve student outcomes at all grade levels; identifying and implementing additional opportunities for families to engage in activities in our schools; and making sure that the infrastructure of our school buildings provide a safe and comfortable educational environment for our staff and students.
We will be providing more information to the community about our district goals at Board meetings, Crusader Chats and through the district's regular communication channels.
Focus remains on supporting all of our students' academic successes and social-emotional well-being.
Conduct an ongoing evaluation of staff professional development to ensure it is relevant and targeted. Professional development must support staff to allow them to most effectively engage with students and build a culture of mutual respect in our schools.
Enhance academic offerings to help students become college, career and life ready.
Continue to identify and implement creative ways of communicating news among, within and in the community around our schools.
Ongoing evaluation and adjustment of academic programs to ensure district is best meeting the needs of all students.
Use student performance data to develop rigorous framework to measure student assessment and continuous improvement and to help guide future decisions.
While the proposed capital improvement program was not approved in December 2022, the fact remains that district facilities, most importantly our schools, are in dire need of infrastructure updates. Major operating systems and roofs are well beyond their useful life. District leaders, the Board of Education and Capital Improvement Committee are taking a deep dive into the initial proposal and will present a revised proposal to M-W residents in the near future. Thank you to the members of our school community who provided feedback via the online questionnaire. Your input and insights will help shape next steps.
We continue our efforts to create connections with our students, families and community members through the district website, social media platforms, school-level emails and events, as well as encourage student interaction with our community members.
NEW THIS YEAR - Online Crusader Chats addressing topics of importance for our families. Information regarding upcoming sessions will be shared with families via email and will be posted on the district site and social media.
District and building administrators held the first of a series of online Crusader Chats to address various topics of importance to families. The first session, dedicated to elementary curriculum, was held on Thursday, February 9, and a second chat will take place on Tuesday, February 28, to discuss middle school curriculum.
MS Chat Google Meet video call link: https://meet.google.com/jxo-iorz-nxo
Join via Google Middle School Meet link:
https://meet.google.com/jxo-iorz-nxo
To join a Crusader Chat using Google Meet
If you DO have a Google account:
You can join from your phone or a computer
Use the QR code or use the link provided
You will be automatically entered into the Meet. Please provide your name, and be certain your microphone is Muted before you join the meeting
If you DON’T have a Google account:
You can join from a computer only (you cannot use a phone)
Use the QR code or use the link provided
You will see a box to Add your name.
Once you have typed your name, click Ask to join.
The Meet host will admit you to the meeting. Please be certain your microphone is Muted before you join the meeting.
Why Data is Important
Assessment data is an important part of measuring the progress of a district, schools and individual students. New York state assessments, including Grades 3-8 Math and ELA tests, as well as Grade 8 Science tests, are just one of several tools the district uses to measure students' progress throughout the school year. These tests provide a snapshot in time of students' growth, help indicate specific areas in which students are performing well, identifies those students who need additional support, and measures the district's overall progress. Assessments can also be a helpful tool for parents and educators as students’ test scores in elementary and middle school can accurately help predict their academic performance in high school. From the state level, assessment results are considered when leaders make decisions about levels of support and resources for school districts.
At Monroe-Woodbury, we recognize the importance of finding a balance between the exercise of "teaching and learning" and assessing a student's progress. While standardized tests like state assessments provide valuable data, our educators use everyday lessons, homework, class projects and other less formal means of assessment to gain a full picture of a student and his or her growth. Our goal is to provide a well-rounded, engaging educational experience for all students.
For these reasons and more, it is important for all Monroe-Woodbury students to participate in the upcoming state assessments. They ensure the district has accurate, relevant information to help identify gaps in learning at specific grade levels and guide our decision to best meet the needs of our students. The tests provide critical data and insight for our school districts and the state of our schools. These results allow schools, districts, and states to identify where they need to take action to invest more in student learning.
Please click the links below to watch detailed presentations on district testing:
The business office has been working hard on the proposed 2023-2024 school year budget. Here is a calendar of upcoming budget presentations to the Board of Education. All Board meetings are open to the public and may be viewed via livestream. Links to upcoming meetings will be posted within 48 hours of the meeting date.
Did you, your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents attend M-W schools? Do your children currently attend M-W schools? We will be featuring legacy families on the district's website and social media in the months to come and would love for you to be part of our #mwlegacy!
Are you a legacy family? Complete the online form or email communications@mw.k12.ny.us. You may even be selected as a feature family in the 2023-2024 printed district calendar!
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Alfred Brooks*
Inez Bush
Sara Hunter
Ruth Krouse
Francis Maxstadt
Mildred O'Neil
* Alfred Brooks received a full scholarship to study at the Harvard School of Landscape Architecture.
FEBRUARY is Black History Month & Heart Health Month
February 14 Wear Red for Heart Health Day
February 20-24 Winter Break, Schools Closed
February 28 Online Crusader Chat - MWMS Curriculum, 12 noon
MARCH is Women's History Month
March 1 Board of Education Regular Meeting 6 p.m. @ Education Center
March 7 K-12 Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 9 Grades 6-12 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 12 Daylight Savings Time Begins
(turn clocks ahead one hour)
March 15 Board of Education Regular Meeting, 6 p.m. @ Education Center
March 16 Grade K-5 Evening Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 21 World Down Syndrome Day
March 24 K-12 Early Dismissal, Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 29 K-12 Early Dismissal, Staff Professional Development
Board of Education Regular Meeting,
6 p.m. @ Education Center