MCSD News
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July - 2020
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2
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – In preparation for the 2020-2021 school year, the District has developed a new online application portal for registration and verification. Parents with new or returning students can access the application on the District’s website starting 8:00 a.m., July 3, 2020.
As part of the District’s COVID-19 re-opening plan, the application features a section for parents to declare each student’s preference for either in-person or virtual instruction. Preferences must be declared within the application by 5:00 p.m., July 17, 2020. Each declared preference will be reviewed to complete enrollment at each school site. The online application will not complete enrollment; all student assignments will be finalized based upon each student’s verified household address per the annual District-wide Verification Day, August 5, 2020.
Once confirmed, each option will be applicable for the duration of a full nine-week grading period or semester (block schedule). Upon acceptance, changes to each option cannot occur until the next grading period.
The following parameters indicate how to access and complete the online application.
New student registration:- Who: students who are not currently enrolled in the District and/or students who were enrolled during a previous school year but withdrew
- Access point: District login page
- Required documentation for each student:
- Student’s birth certificate
- Student’s Social Security card or waiver
- Withdrawal form and transcripts or last report card from previous school district
- Two proofs of residency with the parents/legal guardians’ full name and address:
- Currently lease and/or mortgage
- Current utility bill
- Parents/legal guardians’ identification (driver’s license, state-issued I.D., passport, or military I.D.)
- GA Immunization Form (3231) or waiver form giving more time to get form 3231
- GA Eye, Ear & Dental Form (3300) or waiver form more time to get form 3300
- Who: students who were enrolled during the 2019-2020 school year and are returning for the 2020-2021 school year0
- Access point: Parent Portal
- Required documentation for each student:
- Two proofs of residency with the parents/legal guardians’ full name and address:
- Currently lease and/or mortgage
- Current utility bill
- Parents/legal guardians’ identification (driver’s license, state-issued I.D., passport, or military I.D.)
- Two proofs of residency with the parents/legal guardians’ full name and address:
Parents who need assistance with completing the online application due to internet access, language barriers, etc. can contact the students’ assigned schools or Central Registration: centralregistration@muscogee.k12.ga.us, 706-748-2000.Central Registration will offer appointment-based in-person assistance upon request.
Parents and students experiencing homelessness should contact the McKinney-Vento department, 706-748-2276 or 706-575-1676, to complete registration for the 2020-2021 school year.
For more information and updates related to the District's COVID-19 plan, visit our website.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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2
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – The District’s live graduation ceremonies have been cancelled in accordance with the recent Executive Order extended by the Governor’s Office and current COVID-19 public health emergency guidance affirmed by agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Georgia Department of Public Health. The ceremonies were previously scheduled for July 22-25, 2020.
For more information and updates related to the District's COVID-19 plan, visit our website.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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June - 2020
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30
Mercedes Parham
The District held a Special Called Work Session June 29, 2020 in part to review District re-opening plans for School Year 2020-21.
Please review the following key notes from the session:
1. The School Year 2020-21 start date is August 10, 2020.
2. The District is implementing the School Choice option for return. Parents can choose either in-person or virtual instruction.
3. Details on how parents can declare their options are in progress. The full-detailed plan will be ready to share with parents and employees in early July.
Resources:
Board meeting session ( via YouTube)
PowerPoint presentation
FAQs (on-going under development) -
25
Mercedes Parham
WHEN: June 29, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: District YouTube live stream-http://bit.ly/mcsdyoutube
WHAT:The Muscogee County Board of Education will conduct a special called work session through Zoom and livestream on the District’s YouTube channel. The purpose of this meeting is to take action on an amended contract for the Superintendent of Education and receive proposed information on the re-opening options for the FY21 school year. The Board will also conduct any other necessary school business.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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23
Mercedes Parham
Total number of participants: 493
Students: 235 (June 18: 136; June 19: 99)
Parents: 258 (June 18: 130; June 19: 128)
View all sessions on the District's YouTube Channel
Student Responses (combined and averaged)
Poll Question #1: How do you feel about this upcoming school year?
Poll Response Options (n = 167):
- Ready for my child/ren to return to school – 52.5%
- Excited to see my friends and teachers – 53%
- Nervous about my health and safety – 24%
- Anxious about all the potential changes – 35.5%
- Not ready to return to school – 10.5%
Poll Question #2: I would prefer the following option for the new school year:
Poll Response Options (n = 127):
- A full virtual opening – 9%
- A partial virtual/partial in person opening – 46%
- A full in-person opening – 45%
Poll Question #3: I know how and where to communicate concerns or make suggestions about COVID-19.
Poll Response Options (n = 129):
- I strongly agree – 25%
- I agree – 45%
- I disagree – 24.5%
- I strongly disagree – 7%
Poll Questions #4: I have access to resources and teachers to help me succeed with remote learning.
Poll Response Options (n = 128):
- I strongly agree – 37%
- I agree – 44%
- I disagree – 14.5%
- I strongly disagree – 5.5%
Poll Question #5: I know how to create a workspace to effectively complete remote learning.
Poll Response Options (n = 127):
- I strongly agree -35%
- I agree – 48%
- I disagree – 10%
- I strongly disagree – 7%
Poll Question #6: I was able to adjust virtual learning from March thru May.
Poll Response Options (n = 127):
- I strongly agree – 28%
- I agree – 44.5%
- I disagree - 18%
- I strongly disagree – 9.5%
Poll Question #7: I need the following support or resources to feel confident about a re-opening plan: (Multiple Choice)
Poll Response Options (n = 285):
- Mask, gloves, and other protective equipment – 51.5%
- Regular updates on the progress of the plan – 80.5%
- Screening and testing resources – 44.5%
- Details for class scheduling procedures – 66%
- Cleaning and sanitizing resources – 73.5%
- Mental health resources – 21.5%
- Internet access (in case of virtual learning) – 22%
Poll Question #8: I am most concerned about how the re-opening plan could affect my:
Poll Response Options (n = 127):
- Grades – 26.5%
- Extra-curricular activities – 23%
- Health and safety – 43%
- Peer group/social interactions – 19%
- Family responsibilities or interactions – 3%
Parent Responses (combined and averaged)
Poll Question #1: How do you feel about this upcoming school year?
Poll Response Options (n = 169):
- Ready for my child/ren to return to school – 38%
- Excited to see my friends and teachers – 21%
- Nervous about my health and safety – 47%
- Anxious about all the potential changes – 34%
- Not ready to return to school – 16.5%
Poll Question #2: I would prefer the following option for the new school year
Poll Response Options (n = 169):
- A full virtual opening – 20.5%
- A partial virtual/partial in person opening- 43.5%
- A full in-person opening – 36%
Poll Question #3: I know how and where to communicate concerns or make suggestions about COVID-19.
Poll Response Options (n = 169):
- I strongly agree – 24%
- I agree – 33.5%
- I disagree – 33.5%
- I strongly disagree – 9%
Poll Questions #4: I have access to resources and teachers to help my child/ren succeed with remote learning.
Poll Response Options (n = 169):
- I strongly agree – 37%
- I agree – 42%
- I disagree – 14%
- I strongly disagree – 6.5%
Poll Question #5: I know how to create a workspace for my child/ren to effectively complete remote learning.
Poll Response Options (n = 169):
- I strongly agree – 43.5%
- I agree – 43%
- I disagree – 9.5%
- I strongly disagree – 4%
Poll Question #6: My child/ren and I were able to adjust virtual learning from March thru May.
Poll Response Options (n = 168):
- I strongly agree – 28.5%
- I agree – 46.5%
- I disagree – 17%
- I strongly disagree – 8%
Poll Question #7: I need the following support or resources to feel confident about a re-opening plan: (Multiple Choice)
Poll Response Options (n = 168):
- Mask, gloves, and other protective equipment – 50%
- Regular updates on the progress of the plan – 82.5%
- Screening and testing resources – 59.5%
- Details for class scheduling procedures – 76.5%
- Cleaning and sanitizing resources – 65.5%
- Mental health resources – 24.5%
- Internet access (in the case of virtual learning) – 17.5%
Poll Question #8: I am most concerned about how the re-opening plan could affect my child/ren's:
Poll Response Options (n = 169):
- Grades – 23.5%
- Extra-curricular activities – 2.5%
- Health and safety – 52%
- Peer group/social interactions – 19%
- Family responsibilities or interactions – 3%
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22
Mercedes Parham
Parents,
We would like your input as we develop our District's COVID-19 re-opening plan. To access our parent survey CLICK HERE.
Please provide your feedback before 11:59 p.m., Sunday, June 28, 2020. We will present the survey results from your responses to our Board of Education, for further consideration, June 29, 2020.
The Connect & Chat parent/student sessions are available for viewing on our District's YouTube Channel. Summarized results from the session polls are forthcoming.To view District plans and updates related to COVID-19, visit our website.
Sincerely,
Muscogee County School District
706-748-2000
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22
Mercedes Ciara Parham
The GSNSP transfer application window for the 2020-2021 school year is June 29-July 10, 2020.
Please click this link to access the MCSD School Transfer Request Form:
https://muscogee.k12.ga.us/c/Divisions/StudentServices/StudentsWithDisabilities/SpecialNeedsTransfersSenateBill10
Questions may be directed to the Division of the Program for Exceptional Students, 706-748-2230. -
8
Mercedes Parham
WHEN: June 8, 2020 | 5:00 p.m.
June 22, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: District YouTube live stream-http://bit.ly/mcsdyoutube
WHAT: The Muscogee County Board of Education will conduct the June work and voting sessions, as scheduled, through Zoom and livestream, on the District’s YouTube channel. Requests to appear on the public agenda will be fulfilled through email. Requests should be submitted, by 2:00 p.m. each Monday of the Board meeting, through the link on the District’s website or to Karen Jones, jones.karen.p@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at
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5
Mercedes Parham
Dear MCSD Community,
The past few months have been nothing short of difficult. Recently, our nation has suffered as wounds from racism and recurring oppression heightened with the tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Such acts of racial violence against Black people have taken place throughout our nation’s history too often without justice being rendered. Racism is a pandemic in itself facing us that must be eradicated.
Schools are microcosms of our society. As such, educators have a unique opportunity and responsibility to dispel the prejudice that breeds fear and hatred. We must stand with the Black community against racism in all of its forms. We are with you in this march toward equity and will be a part of the solution to ensure America lives up to its aspiration of being a country that provides liberty and justice for all. As we stand at this crossroad in our country’s history, it is our hope that we will step up to this challenge together. As we aim to move forward, we reflect on the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. who eloquently expressed the sentiment I hope we can all consider: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
As an organization, who serves to meet the needs of students from all backgrounds, we reject any divisive actions that continue to marginalize the Black community, especially racial violence. As citizens, we reject any forms of prejudice and bias that support the ills demonstrated against Black people. Our foremost purpose is to ensure our educational efforts inspire and equip all of our students in a setting where they feel safe, known, and valued. Unfortunately, our historical narrative has substituted some for all. This is unacceptable. We have a responsibility to work diligently toward increased inclusion of diverse voices, concerns, and perspectives in support of our mission each day.
In that vein, the District recognizes the opportunity we have to better uphold our values to embrace equity and diversity and treat everyone with dignity and respect. Our students and staff deserve safe spaces to address issues of racial bias and injustice. To that end, we are committed to implementing consistent cultural awareness and competency programming for our students, parents, and staff. We invite you to enter into dialogue with us as we gain further insight to develop meaningful experiences for our community in the fight against racism.
Sincerely,
Muscogee County School District and Board of Education -
May - 2020
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28
Mercedes Parham
Columbus, GA – The Muscogee County School District will host its annual Seamless Summer Feeding Program June 1-July 17, 2020. Meals will continue to be distributed at the established alternate meal sites Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Safety guidelines for social distancing and protective personal equipment will be observed, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to prevent the spread of illness.
Student meals will be provided at the following school sites:- Baker Middle School
- Carver High School
- J.D. Davis Elementary School
- Dawson Elementary School
- Double Churches Middle School
- Fox Elementary School
- Key Elementary School
- Spencer High School
- Elizabeth Canty Apartments
- Chase Homes
- Eagle Trace Apartments
- Jordan High School
- Kendrick High School
- Midland Academy
- 30th Avenue Pre-K School
- Victory Mission
- Warren Williams Apartments
- Whisperwood Apartments
- Wilson Apartments
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national original, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
The mission of the Muscogee County School District is to inspire and equip all students to achieve unlimited potential. For more information, please contact the Office of Communications at 706.748.2034 or communications@muscogee.k12.ga.us.
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