A Letter from Dr. Gothard: All Children are Welcome in MMSD
Dear MMSD Families,
We are continuing to monitor the rapidly dynamic directives that are coming through as executive orders. We recognize the growing fear and uncertainty among many families in our district and assure you that MMSD remains deeply committed to providing every student with a safe, inclusive, and opportunity-rich learning environment that supports their academic and personal development. All children, regardless of immigration status, race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation are welcome in MMSD schools.
As we assess these orders and their potential impacts on MMSD, we want to assure our staff, students, and families that we will continue to abide by laws and district policies that protect students and staff from discrimination on the basis of protected categories. We will also monitor and follow updated guidance from the Department of Education and the Department of Public Instruction.
Our focus remains on students and we prioritize the preservation of a secure, supportive educational environment. The Board of Education affirms MMSD’s established protocols, and are committed to a resolution they adopted in April 2017 and another in May 2021. They have also shared their commitment to all students. MMSD district facilities are safe spaces for students and families. Please see this statement from the Board of Education about MMSD's commitment to educational excellence and inclusion.
We have engaged principals, educators and staff on supporting students, families, and each other. We continue collaborating with our community partners and city and county officials to develop comprehensive support resources. Although we acknowledge that our diverse community includes a range of perspectives and beliefs, we are united in our responsibility to protect the rights, dignity, and safety of every child and staff member.
Student Rights
- Board Policy 4620 Nondiscrimination - District policy protects students from discrimination and harassment regarding a person’s sex, race, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion, creed, pregnancy, marital status, parental status, homelessness, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability including their physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability and/or retaliation as defined in this Policy.
- Board Policy 4150 Student Records - All students have a right to privacy in school. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) grants parents and eligible students certain rights regarding access to and control over those records. FERPA applies to all students, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, or perceived race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and sexual orientation. The federal law also supersedes any state-level policy that seeks to mandate the release of student data.
- All children in the United States have a constitutional right to equal access to public educational opportunities regardless of their immigration status or the status of their parent (Plyler vs. Doe, 1982).
What Will Staff Do if Someone They Don’t Know Comes to School?
- If an unauthorized visitor enters a school building and inquires about the name, attendance, or location of a student or staff member, staff will not provide this information without the consent of the student, their legal guardian, or the staff member.
- Staff will not let enforcement officers into the building.
- All staff will talk to their school building leader or supervisor and call the Office of School Safety.
Resources
Our staff are available to support students and families. In addition, we have been in strong collaboration with local organizations to develop support resources and are providing links below:
- Community resources/Know your rights (Centro of Dane County)
- Immigrant students and families
- Mental health and well-being
- LGBTQIA+ Equity in MMSD
Contact Information Updates
Please review and update your emergency contact information in Infinite Campus.
Now more than ever, it is crucial that we come together and lean on our community’s strength. We will continue to keep you updated as we learn more. Please do not hesitate to contact your school’s office if you have questions or need additional support.
In partnership,
Joe Gothard, Superintendent