Happy September!

I hope you and your family had a restful Labor Day weekend and a great first month of the school year. I am excited to share updates from our three key priorities:

1. Academic and Instructional Improvement

2. Community Engagement and Safety

3. Organizational and Operational Efficiency

Academic and Instructional Improvement: 

We're committed to enhancing the quality of education for every student, ensuring that our instructional practices are aligned with the highest standards and are responsive to the diverse needs of our learners.                                                     

So what does this look like in action?

• The MPS Governing Board has demonstrated their commitment to increasing student outcomes by approving the following goals for 2024-25 school year.  

• Monitor and discuss your child’s academic performance by reviewing his/her progress report in ParentVUE. If you have not yet received access to ParentVUE you can do so by contacting your school office.

• Help us reduce distractions in classrooms by discussing Policy 5-305 Student Code of Conduct with a focus on item #30. 

  • The policy states a student shall not use a cell phone or other electronic communication device during class time without the express permission of the teacher.

  • During class time, a cell phone or other electronic communication device shall be turned off and placed in the student's purse or backpack.

  • A student shall not record or transmit speech or other communications of other persons without those persons' express consent. 

  • Consequences for violating this policy are included in the Student Handbook under the Discipline Matrix.

• Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for October 16-18 for elementary parent-teacher conferences. This is a great time to learn how your child is progressing academically, socially and behaviorally.  

Community Engagement and Safety:                                                                  

Building strong, collaborative relationships with our community is essential. We will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families while fostering open communication and active involvement.                                                   

So what does this look like in action? 

Maintaining safe and caring learning environments is our highest priority. Here are a few safety tips this month:

• Parents can monitor the websites their children visit while on the MPS network by signing up for Lightspeed Filter (formerly Relay) during online registration. If you did not sign up, it is not too late. Parents will need a ParentVUE account to register and opt in to this report. After registration, parents will receive a weekly report of the websites their children have accessed on the MPS network.

• Parents often ask how MPS responds to school threats, the consequences for threatening behavior and what can be done to prevent violence. This MPS safety video provides answers to those questions. If you see something, say something. Report to the MPS Silent Witness Line at (480) 472-7867. 

• Quick link to Parent Resources on our website.

Five candidates are running for three open Governing Board seats in the Nov. 5 election. Earlier this week, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted a Candidate Forum. Watch the replay here.

There is another candidate forum hosted by Mesa Community College on Sept. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Mesa Community College. Attend in person or watch live on YouTube.

What does a Governing Board member do?
Watch this video for more information on the responsibilities of a Governing Board member and the upcoming election.

Organizational and Operational Efficiency:

To support our educational goals, we are streamlining our processes and resources, ensuring that our district operates effectively and efficiently.      

So what does this look like in action? 

MPS is a people organization and over 85% of our budget is dedicated to salaries and benefits for our staff members. I am proud to announce that Forbes named Mesa Public Schools as one of Arizona's Top Employers! We ranked 14th overall and No. 1 in education.

Interested in working for one of the best employers in the state and making a difference? We have openings!

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts about attendance last month. We had over 100 responses and here is what we heard:  

• Top reasons for absences include lack of interest in school and illness. 

• Families would like more counseling services, work-based learning opportunities and after-school programs. 

• Families and staff expect consequences for absenteeism.  

I have shared these results with our attendance task force who is collaborating with the City of Mesa on citations for truancy.

• Mesa Public Schools puts vape detectors in secondary schools (ABC15)

• Mesa Public Schools students give district an earful of ideas (Mesa Tribune)

• Schools consider cell phone bans to keep kids focused on learning during class (FOX10)

I look forward to sharing updates on our three focus areas each month as well as responses to the Question of the Month. Thank your for joining me in ‘Finding What’s Inside' MPS in September.

Andi Fourlis, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools