Mount Pleasant 
Central School District
newsLINK  Superintendent Email
Dear Parents and the Community,

Welcome back! It finally looks more like spring and I hope you enjoyed a restful week with family and friends. The coming weeks and months will be busy as we prepare for upcoming assessments, senior internships, and culminating projects that come with the end of the school year. Please make a note of the following important happenings that are occurring during the month of April:

2015-16 Budget Presentations
At this time and through May, the district's full attention is focused on the 2015-16 budget. Over the past few months, budget conversations with administrators, teachers and staff have been taking place and next year's budget is taking shape.
Last week, state aid allocations were released to public schools and in Mount Pleasant, the school district will see an increase of 13.73% in aid for the 2015-16 school year. While Albany still has not returned the full GEA monies to schools around the state, we are appreciative of this increase in funding. With the Governor's budget in place, along with modifications to the teacher evaluation system and tenure regulations, we now have a clearer picture of the district budget.
As in past years, I will again present a budget to the Board of Education and community that stays within the tax cap, supports all academic programs and services for our students, and maintains a conservative tax rate for the community.
Please join me tomorrow evening - and next Wednesday - as I present the proposed 2015-16 budget:

Overview and Non-Instructional Budget

Wednesday, April 8 (tomorrow)
7:30 p.m. Westlake library

Instructional Budget Presentation
Wednesday, April 18
8 p.m. Westlake library

There will be plenty of time for participation and questions.

Excellence in Grade 8 - Mathematics
Next year, Westlake Middle School will offer all eighth grade students the opportunity to select Regents Algebra as their grade 8 math course. This course will be offered as well as Math 8/Concepts in Algebra as a choice for 8th graders. Parents of middle school students as well as elementary students are invited to learn about the opportunities that children can experience while still in middle school. A "Curriculum Coffee" with Director of Curriculum and Instruction Mary Ellis, Principal Dr. Robert Hendrickson, and Assistant Principal Christine Parrottino will be held tomorrow, April 8, at 7 p.m. in the LGI. Your participation and questions are welcome!

New York State Assessment Time
This month, districts around the state will administer assessments for grades 3-8 in ELA and math, and grades 4 and 8 in science in May and June. With much in the media regarding the assessments, please know that public school districts are required to administer the tests. We encourage our parents and students to treat the assessments as part of a regular school day. To best support your child at this time, please ensure he/she has a good night's rest, a healthy breakfast, and much positive reinforcement. The children are well-prepared for the NYS Assessments and should approach them as they would any other classroom assessment. We know our students try hard and will do their best.  

Other Concerns
Over the break, particular attention was paid to clearing the middle and high school buildings of food left in classrooms, lockers, and locker rooms. Food left out or not properly stored creates a "bed and breakfast" environment for our woodland critters who welcome the opportunity to join the Westlake community.  Although we have asked that all food be removed or secured from these areas, we are still finding both food and occasional critters in our buildings. We continue to monitor our facilities and trap them if they enter our schools, but we need our students' help in keeping the critters outside. Please remind your child not to leave any food or drinks in their desks, lockers or locker rooms and to take home any lunch or snack remnants with them each day. Our building principals, faculty and staff have been reminded as well. We appreciate your help as we continue to monitor this concern.

I encourage your participation in the upcoming meetings and events, and look forward to seeing you there!

Regards,
Sue

Dr. Susan Guiney
Superintendent of Schools 
 

MPCSD Bell

Tomorrow's  
Lineup

April 8
Curriculum Coffee
Math Ops in Grade 8
7 PM 
WMS LGI

April 8
Budget Overview & Non-Instructional Budget
7:30 PM
Westlake library

MPCSD News 
Thornwood, New York 10594

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