August 2008

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year.  A strong partnership between school and home is one of the most powerful supports we can put in place for assisting all our students to achieve their full potential.  Communication is a key facet of this partnership, so we at MUSD continually strive to provide multiple means of promoting the two-way flow of information and discussion.  Here are some of the ways that we are using technology to facilitate communication across the school community. 

• Our District website, www.mrpk.org, was entirely re-designed last year as a way to provide access to a wide variety of information about programs, services and operations.  It is also one of the fastest ways we have of providing parents with “up-to-the-minute” status reports about emergencies and other time sensitive news.  Breaking news will be posted in the center of the home page in a red bordered box.
• Parent Connection was introduced last year; which provides parents with password protected access to their students’ grades, test scores and attendance information.  Passwords are typically provided during Back to School Night events.
• This year,  Connect-Ed, a rapid dial phone system, will allow the District and schools to send messages to thousands of parents, faculty, and staff in minutes.  For this system to work effectively, your up-to-date phone information is crucial, so please make corrections on your children’s data cards that are sent home at the beginning of the school year or notify the school office if your contact numbers change.

Student Achievement is the primary focus of our endeavors.  The teachers, principals and support staff of the Moorpark Unified School District have reason to be very pleased with the test achievement our students demonstrated on the 2008 state and federal accountability assessments. Our high-performing students and their parents, who are essential partners in the education process, deserve to be very proud!  The District API has continued to climb above the statewide performance target of 800 for the last four years:

• 2005 - 803
• 2006 - 811
• 2007 - 818
• 2008 - 821 (unofficial)

District-wide, all sub-populations of students of significant size (White, Hispanic, Socio-Economic Status, English Learners, Special Education) made substantial growth on the API which includes results of the annual STAR exams and High School Exit Exam.  MUSD students perform well above the State of California levels overall and by sub-population.  For more detailed information on local test scores, see the District website on the Instructional and Support Services page or the California Department of Education at www.cde.ca.gov.

New Facilities have been completed at two school sites as part of the final stage of the Measure R $33 million multi-project plan. Two new classroom wings, which replaced portable buildings, are now open for students at Mountain Meadows and Arroyo West Schools.  For a full list of the completed Measure R projects that have improved facilities and learning environments across the District, see the District website under Business Services along with reports from the Citizen’s Bond Oversight Committee. 

Student Safety is the bedrock priority for maintaining effective learning environments. Our Safe School Plans, developed for each school in the District, include a balance of security and prevention strategies.  Some of the key elements are:

• Controlled entry to facilities,
• Campus security personnel and communication systems,
• School Resource Officer and close communication with Moorpark Police Department,
• Policy and rule enforcement prohibiting bullying, harassment and aggressive conduct,
• Crisis training and practice drills for students and staff
• Character education programs and school culture of respectful relations,
• Peer mediation and conflict resolution programs,
• Counseling and interventions to address behavior management and improve social skills,
• Inclusive activities to promote connections and relationships with others at school.

It is extremely important that everyone in the school community understands the important role they play in reporting unusual or concerning behaviors.  Please review more in the Emergency Information section of the District website. 

Thank you in advance for your participation in the school system this year.  This is a unique community of students, parents, teachers, and staff, whose expertise, creativity and caring make this District one of the finest in California.  I am proud to respresent the District and honored to serve as your Superintendent.  

Sincerely,

Ellen Smith

District Superintendent