MERSD Curriculum Blog
April School Committee Curriculum Office Updates
Attached are updates from the Curriculum Office, shared at the April 2026 School Committee Meeting. Curriculum office updates focused on the recent district PD day and provided an update for the various curriculum review efforts underway.
Curriculum Update to School Committee
February, 2026
During the School Committee meeting, we shared an update about various efforts from the Curriculum office. Those slides can be viewed HERE.
MERSD District Data Review
November 5, 2025
During the School Committee meeting on 11/4 we presented a review of district data from the 2024-25 school year along with areas of focus for this coming year. Those slides can be viewed HERE. To see a recording of the presentation, you can view the recording of the meeting LINKED HERE.
Understanding Your Child’s Spring 2025 MCAS Student Report
In the mail this week you will receive your child’s Spring 2025 MCAS Student Report. The report provides information about your child’s learning progress in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science and Technology/Engineering (grades 5 and 8), and Civics (grade 8.) These results offer one snapshot of your child’s academic growth and help schools strengthen instruction to meet individual needs.
- Achievement Level: Each subject shows whether your child is Exceeding, Meeting, Partially Meeting, or Not Meeting Expectations. A colored triangle shows your student’s score within each achievement level range, a gray line shows the possible range if retested.
- Student Growth Percentile (ELA & Math): Indicates your child’s progress compared with students statewide who had similar prior results.
- Reporting Categories: Breaks results into key skill areas—useful for understanding strengths and areas for support.
- Science & Engineering Practices (Grades 5 & 8): Reflects how students use data, reasoning, and modeling to solve problems.
While MCAS participation remains required, please note that passing the test is no longer a state graduation requirement following the 2024 ballot vote.
MCAS results are one measure of student learning and should be considered alongside classroom work, district assessments, and teacher feedback. Families with children in grades 1-8 will have received a digital copy of their child’s i-Ready scores this week (a diagnostic assessment we use 3 times per year.) These various information sources help schools and districts identify learning trends, refine curriculum, and support each student’s continued growth.
October School Committee Curriculum Office Updates
Attached are updates from the Curriculum Office, shared at the October 2025 School Committee Meeting.
Heather Leonard
Attached are areas of updates from the Curriculum Office, shared at the April 2025 School Committee Meeting.
Heather Leonard
Please share input about our MERSD Science, Tech, & Engineering programming!
This year MERSD is completing a Science, Technology, and Engineering (STE) curriculum review. During this time, we review all aspects of our STE curriculum and programming. We are seeking your input to help us evaluate our program from a broad perspective. Please complete this brief survey to share your family's experiences. Please share your feedback by March 31.
Science, Tech, & Engineering community feedback survey: https://forms.gle/cifybRLv8M42hwrd6
Heather Leonard
Elementary Opportunity: Please join our elementary instructional coaches for a parent/caregiver Math and Literacy presentation.
- Memorial Elementary - Project Room 1- Wednesday, March 19, 6-7pm
- Essex Elementary -Cafeteria- Monday, March 24, 6-7pm
Literacy Coach Beth LeDoux and Mathematics Coach Hana McGowan will share strategies and engaging activities to reinforce math and literacy learning at home. This event is for parents/caretakers. We look forward to meeting you!
Heather Leonard
Attached are areas of updates from the Curriculum Office, shared at the March 2025 School Committee Meeting.
Heather Leonard
On the night of March 3, our community engaged in session #2 of our Digital Wellness Series. Facilitated by Kerry Gallagher, J.D., we focused on the digital tools most commonly used by kids and parental controls including how they can be best utilized and their limitations.
You can view the slides from the event HERE.
Additionally, Kerry shared a URL to the 1 hour webinar for Safer Internet Day that ConnectSafely partnered with the National PTA to produce. She recommends folks listen to it like a podcast. It's chock full of helpful easy-to-implement strategies for parents including:
- Scams
- Sextortion
- Screen time strategies
- Talking to our kids and teens about strangers online
- Kerry’s “Play the tape forward” strategy
- How to talk to your kids about using AI in school
- Online bullying & harassment