the
MARK Manteca Unified School Board
Spring 2017
Making a positive difference to each and every student daily.
Inside Cover Vision and Mission Who we are, what we value, our Board of Trustees, and how to follow us online.
M U S D
Back Cover Student Parade East Union Girl’s Softball team march in a parade to celebrate EU’s 50th anniversary.
A N N U A L
R E P O R T
Page 3 Superintendent’s Insight
Pages 14 Modernization
Jason Messer reflects on 2016 and what made it a spectacular year for MUSD.
Thanks to Measure G and community support, 5 schools get upgraded.
Contents SPR I NG 2017
Board Goals
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Programs, Resources, and Support
MUSD School Board President Stephen J. Schluer, Area 6 Vice President Bob Wallace, Area 7 Board Clerk Evelyn Moore, Area 5
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Health, Fitness, and Grade Level Events
Eric Duncan, Area 1
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Connecting, Engaging, and Expanding Pathways
Michael Seelye, Area 3
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Sound Budget and Positive Employees
Kathy Howe, Area 2 Nancy Teicheira, Area 4
MUSD Superintendents Superintendent Jason Messer Deputy Superintendents Dr. Clark Burke Roger Goatcher
50th Anniversary
As part of the MUSD 50th Anniversary celebration, the Trustees revealed the new logo emblazoned on the concrete in front of the district office.
Vision
Manteca Unified School District will ensure every school day is relevant, rigorous, and leads students to become productive and engaged members of a global society while residing in the central valley.
Mission
Manteca Unified School District is committed to providing a safe environment where all students will thrive with the tools, resources and support needed to achieve their academic and personal potentials.
C O N N E C T Mobile App
http://www.mantecausd.net/ community/blackboard
http://facebook.com/ proudtobemusd
http://twitter.com/musd
Linked In
http://linkedin.com/company/ manteca-unified-school-district
Superintendent’s Insight Opportunity – A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
Manteca Unified School District educators take every opportunity to teach students how to thrive. They provide strong educational programs crafted in success focused settings. They daily engage their diverse community of learners, innovating and empowering them with the passion that comes from greater ownership of their learning. As we look back at 2016, and consider our future, I am reminded of what Albert Einstein said. “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
Opportunity to continually shift our thinking in the relationship between teaching and student learning. Personal growth and innovation can be difficult. But inside the difficulty that comes with learning new skills, new techniques, and new technology is the opportunity to continually shift our thinking in the relationship between teaching and student learning.
Building on the strong foundation of our qualified employees, our students produce their own publications, design virtual worlds, discover scientific truths, and launch data collecting rockets to the sky. Building on their individual cultural and experiential identities, they expand their knowledge through new experiences. They embrace and conquer challenges. They plant and harvest. They compete and win. They paint, act, play, and sing. They code and troubleshoot. They research, calculate, write and present. They change difficulty into opportunity. It is our enthusiastic response to these difficult opportunities that has shaped our culture, community program and facilities over the past 50 years. It is who we are. We are Proud to be MUSD!
Jason Messer Superintendent
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Board Goals
MUSD promotes a shift in thinking with the relationship between teaching and student learning.
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MUSD promotes a culturally proficient, safe learning and working environment. MUSD promotes a creative and collaborative educational system founded on a Pre-K through 5th grade program that supports critical thinking and effective communication as students achieve or exceed proficiency. As students build upon that foundation; they will discover a 6th-8th grade program that engages future ready learners; and as they move into 9th-12th grades, individual needs of students will be uniquely met to prepare them for their future success.
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raduation rates for MUSD are up to 95.1, and our goals get us there. Students are empowered as we continue to shift our
thinking.
MHS students shine at the Academic Decathlon, WRHS students experiment with new art techniques and create makeshift boats as they paddle for victory. Woodward students experience virtual reality and publish their own publications in print and online. Many schools made rockets and launched can-size satellites over a mile into the air.
Students explore their world through field trips and scientific discovery. They read, write, research, and present their findings. They hold mock elections and design new experiences for themselves and their peers. Teacher and staff collaboration help identify and meet students needs. Peer training and shared instructional ideas lead to greater growth for all. District programs lead to both greater equity and shared innovation from one school site to another.
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Programs, Resources, & Support Provide programs, resources and support designed to improve the academic performance of all students including unduplicated students as defined by LCAP. Provide School Readiness Programs for all 4-year olds. Right: Veritas 4th grade students collaborate with Kinder buddies. Below: Dante Prete receives the ACSA SJCOE Every Student Succeeding award.
Left: Students enjoy their Green Eggs and Ham as part of Read Across America Day.
Right: East Union Culture Club celebrates their final projects.
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Alejandra Machuca is crowned Cinco de Mayo Queen.
MHS celebrates a week of diversity.
Schools have a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast.
In the classroom, we celebrate culture and individuality because each and every student sees the world from their cultural perspectives. Our schools support Black History Month, Autism Awareness Month, Cinco de Mayo and other cultural opportunities. High School ASB groups make a special effort during spirit week to provide opportunities for cultural expression. Sixty-five students this year earned the seal of bi-literacy and the district has worked hard for greater access to equal-gender athletic access and facilities. The district is also working hard to reduce class sizes for kindergarten and increase access to the Kindergarten
bridge program. Additional pre-school access has been added to Golden West, Joseph Widmer, and Nile Garden schools. At New Vision, MUSD opened a full-day, full-year preschool in the child-care classroom. This benefits both the children and the high school students who are learning to care for them.
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Every Student Succeeding Provide programs, resources and support designed to improve the academic performance of all students. MUSD Autism, Special Education, Foster, and Homeless supports help students succeed. Special Education students from Sierra High School are empowered through technology. It increases their communication and organizational life skills.
There are Special Ed Programs at every school site implementing resource and speech therapy. At many district sites, we have special day classes. Focusing on individual student needs, we strive to provide services at every student’s home school. In MUSD, we also offer four autism classes.
may struggle with emotional and social control or may not understand inferences and non-verbal cues that are key to social communication.
With additional academic support, some autism students need more structured curriculum and may also have unique sensory and environmental needs.
MUSD also partners with the county autism programs to help students who have greater needs and some county programs are hosted on MUSD campuses. Nationally, 1 in 68 people have autism—a number that has significantly increased in the last 10 years. MUSD will be adding an additional autism class next year.
Autism social skills curriculum involves specific behavioral instruction with appropriate reinforcement for students and staff. Using explicit visual and verbal cues helps autistic students who
To address the needs of our homeless students, who the McKinney-Vento Act applies to, MUSD applied for and received a state grant that empowers them to deliver resources directly at our school sites.
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Remax homes donates over $4,000 for homeless and needy MUSD students.
Every effort is made to help every child feel completely integrated into each classroom experience.
Students in the Autism program learn cooperative play and social skills.
Determining students who need these services via the enrollment process and through school counselors is the first step. Then, in addition to breakfast and lunch provided at school, we shop for clothing and school supplies for those students. We provide basic hygiene products. We work with Shasta elementary and GECAC for the Books Bears and Blankets program that benefits children who are homeless. We have 626 children who meet the criteria for homeless students in the district. They are at every school site and of every age. In addition, MUSD has 250 students living in Foster homes. Teacher Liaisons and counselors are key team members in
helping these students have the additional support they need. One of the things school sites address is kids who don’t have breakfast and lunch during school weeks off. We try to provide them with some non-perishable foods or sometimes we provide gift cards to McDonalds or Subway so that they can have at least one meal per day. Most of this is paid for through donations from the community.
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Health & Fitness Good nutrition is supported by the district farm—and some school farms—who contribute directly to MUSD student meals. Nutrition Education harvested over 12,000 pounds of produce this year. Students visit the farm and learn about bees and pollination. Heathly living is furthered by the Parent Cafe to help keep families strong with connections to community family resources. High School Link Crews help new students transition to high school with a peer support system. Schools and communities hold donation drives for the homeless, cancer victims, and other causes. MUSD athletic programs continued to shine with victories in multiple sports. WRHS Basketball won the basketball section championship and MHS won the state basketball championship. MHS girls Tennis team won the section championship, SHS wrestler Branden Rullan placed 4th in sectionals, and 8th grader Tyler Griggs won the National Drive, Chip, and Putt competition in Golf. In the Acorn League at our K-8 schools, students showed their fitness skills before moving on to high school.
Above: East Union’s Jake Harries and Vinny Torrice celebrate Vinny’s touchdown vs Del Campo.
Support District-wide student wellness programs and activities which promote good nutrition, healthy living, physical fitness, and positive self image.
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Championship Teams
Above: The Manteca High School Buffaloes boy’s basketball team wins the CIF Division III State Championship. Above right: Tyler Griggs of Woodward wins the National Drive, Chip and Putt competition for his age group in Augusta, Georgia. Below: The Manteca High School girl’s Tennis Team wins the Divion III Section Championship and wrestler Branden Rullan placed fourth in sectionals. Strong MUSD athletic programs encourage students to strive for excellence, both individually and as a team.
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Grade Level Events
Support LOGIC, AgVenture, Steppin’ Out, Planet Party, Science Camp, and Career Pathway events.
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ain can put a damper on any event, but crowding close together in the provided tents helped sixth grade students learn about energy, conservation and the environment in the 7th annual Planet Party held at the MUSD District Office. On a much sunnier day, 3,800 third grade students from all over the county for the 10th annual Ag Venture at the MUSD farm and orchard. Student and adult presenters prepare booths of learning material to share about all aspects of agriculture.
Letting the music fill their ears, MUSD fourth grade students visited the Delta Community College Atherton Auditorium to hear works by Mendelssohn. Career pathway events, like the summer Engineering Bootcamp, Astronomy Camp, and Coding camp, are increasing in type and frequency in MUSD. Some schools held field trips to the county office for Lego Robotics, some held career days, and others held specialty days like Neil Hafley’s Female Empowerment Day.
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Connecting & Engaging
Support programming that connects and engages 6th-8th grade students.
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TEM is growing in MUSD this year. SHS brought the county Star lab, an inflatable planetarium, to visit school sites. Students from be.next also visited, featuring a hands-on experience with clay modeling and programming. Preparing students both for the Acorn League, and their own athletic program, EUHS held their annual Junior High Volleyball Camp with over 35 students learning the value of teamwork and the game’s fundamentals.
Like many schools with special engaging events, McParland hosted both a renaissance fair and a talent show. Woodward students found their golden ticket in a production of Willy Wonka. School sites held jog-a-thons, color runs, and many started a STEM club to engage their students and help prepare them for the rigors of high school.
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Expanding Pathways High school has its core classes to provide the fundamentals. Students also connect through an elective or a sport program. JROTC students from LHS experienced a ride in a CH47 helicopter. The JROTC program is a strong and vibrant part of the culture of MUSD, and each program works hard to instill leadership and dedication in their students. In addition to the strong visual arts programs at each high school, that culminate in art shows both at their high schools and the district office, each high school also has a vibrant performing arts program. Band, Choir, and Drama spend hours rehearsing and put on a great show for the public. Several schools even combine choir and drama to produce musical theater, like SHS’s performance of Grease. One of MUSD’s fastest growing pathways are in Career and Technical Education. Students from both the be.tech charter school—which began enrolling ninth grade students—and the pathway programs continue to grow as students produce impressive results. EUHS is quickly ramping up to add their agri-business program be.global into the mix as well.
Support and expand Pathway Programs for 9th-12th grades including: Vocational Education, Career and Technical Education, Advanced Placement, Honors, Visual and Performing Arts, and other programs that promote rigor and relevance for all students to be future ready.
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Community Partners
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Left: GECAC students use an artistic realworld prop for photography.
Above: GECAC STEM activities can have an artistic twist.
and homework assistance. The after school advantage program also includes enrichment and physical education.
300 student volunteers helped serve 4,098 students through the Give Every Child a Chance (GECAC) program in 2016.
Their enrichment programs include health education and STEM, field trips, guest speakers, and even music and dramatic productions.
Following their mission to Give Every Child a Chance, they provide tutoring, reading, math
Employees and student mentors are able to work toward scholarship money to help themselves with their own educational goals, as well as the volunteering experience that GECAC provides.
Left: GECAC students enjoy the annual bowl-a-thon. Right: Manteca Parks and Recreation Kinder Kidzone at McParland school.
Manteca Parks and Recreation partners with MUSD for several programs: Kids’ Zone, a California state licensed child-care program, operates at nine Manteca Unified School District elementary schools, with 22 total programs.
Additionally, they offer Kickball, swiming, Tots, Youth, and open gym sports. For specific information on program locations, contact the Parks and Recreation Department.
Before School, KinderZone, and After-School care are available at select schools; currently we have 540 Kid Zone registrations.
The parent handbook and application materials are available on the Parks and Recreation website, or in the office at 252 Magnolia Ave.
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Sound Budget & Positive Employees Work with staff, the community, and the Board to maintain a fiscally sound budget. Continue to maintain a positive working relationship among and across all employee groups. Right: Members of each employee group worked together to “MacGyver� a working vehicle. Below: school sites honor employee years of service.
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At the new hire social, newly hired teachers met with prospective principals. EdCon was a chance for educators to train and collaborate. Office managers learn about new classroom trends.
Managing expenditures of over $277 Million in State and Federal funds requires constant communication and collaboration. MUSD held community study sessions on the budget, CFDs, and facility modernization. Maintaining effective employee relationships was helped by the third annual MUSD Educator’s conference, where all certificated employees came together for a staff development day where over 60% of the sessions were led by our own employees. Earlier in the year, MUSD held its first Job Fair in many years, hiring 50 teachers. Classified groups also receive training and collaboration opportunities that directly benefit their role and working environment.
MUSD continues to make efforts to honor outstanding employees both at the site and district level for their years of service in MUSD and the outstanding contributions they make. Social opportunities and special events, at both the school site and district levels, help bring employees from all groups together to connect with a common goal, have some fun, and maintain positive relationships.
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Improving Facilities Right: An aerial view of Lincoln school’s new admin building.
Measure G helped provide funds for school site modernization which has progressed throughout the year at Golden West, Lathrop, Lincoln, Shasta, and Sequoia schools. These projects have included additional campus safety features and for some campuses this has meant changing where the front of the school is located. In addition to these massive modernization projects, improving facilities continues to be a community effort. The grounds and maintenance departments work hard to keep schools functional and attractive. Sometimes students and other community members join in to help with campus beautification like the 38 ASB and National Honor Society members from Sierra High pictured above. Daily in the classroom, teachers make their environments unique to their subject and their students, becoming showcases of learning.
Continue to support efforts to improve existing school facilities so that these facilities remain safe and effective places to learn.
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Communications & Outreach
Develop communications and outreach efforts that enhance support of MUSD and its schools throughout the community.
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USD Communications efforts this year were dramatically simplified and improved with the adoption of the PeachJar eflyer system and upgrading our Blackboard alert system to a mobile app. Community outreach is a constant effort as visitors are invited to come and share with students, like the high flying assembly at Weston Ranch and the Mayor’s visit at Manteca Community Day.
Several school sites held special events like the Brock Elliott harvest festival pictured at top and MEL’S Garage star parties pictured above. Perhaps most important in our outreach efforts are those service projects put on by schools to serve the community. Several schools, like MHS pictured at left, chose to collect and distribute goods for the homeless, cancer victims, and other worthwhile community endeavors. Strong partnerships with our communities remains one of our top priorities at MUSD.
East Union 50 Years
SPECIAL PARADE TO C E L E B R AT E