Community Schools December 2024 Update

Your support and investment amplifies our team’s impact, and empowers us to serve the whole student and whole family. That support is making a difference. Our schools continue to make gains in academic achievement and attendance rates. 

We have accomplished a lot over the last six months, including bringing on a new community school and creating a new partnership. Our eight full-service Community School sites include Mendota, Leopold, Lake View, Hawthorne, Sandburg, Southside, Orchard Ridge and Kennedy. We are excited to share our highlights with you: 

• Kennedy Elementary became MMSD’s eighth community school on July 1, 2024. 
• Our team participated in, and helped plan, the inaugural Wisconsin Community Schools Conference on July 30, 2024 in Sun Prairie. 
• In August 2024, MMSD Community Schools transitioned to the Department of Engagement, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to better align and support workstreams and roles. 
• In September 2024, MMSD launched a brand new partnership with the University of Wisconsin Athletics Department.
• Staff across all eight sites have been participating in the National Education Association’s training, and completing their needs and assets assessments.

Looking to the future, staff are creating a Community School Steering Committee, with our District Steering Committee expected to launch in 2025. 

As you can see, we have a lot to celebrate as we make MMSD a destination school district! Additionally, we cannot thank you enough for your support of MMSD’s historic referenda. We are excited to continue this transformational work alongside you in 2025 and beyond. 

With gratitude,
Community Schools Leadership Team
Carlettra Stanford, Assistant Superintendent of School Leadership
Adam Clausen, Director of Engagement, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (EDEI)
Sarita Foster, Community Schools Manager