Tuscola CUSD #301 News

Another Year Ends

The 2018-2019 school year is officially over.

Every May I write a thank you letter as our senior class moves on and as we plan for the newest and youngest students to enter the North Ward preschool and kindergarten classes. Every year this letter takes more effort to compose. It is not because it is difficult to write. It is because there are more and more good things happening and more and more great people who make the Tuscola School District better than ever. I want to be sure that everyone is recognized.

I will always remember the 2018-2019 school year. It has easily been my best year in Tuscola. I have lived in this wonderful community for 23 years. I have had the pleasure of being Superintendent for the past eight years. This school year passed quickly. At my age, each one always does, but this year seemed to fly by exceptionally fast. It has been an honor to watch the Class of 2019 grow up and make their way through the school system. I know they are moving on to bigger and better things.

Tuscola School District is beyond lucky to have a support system that I believe is unequaled. I would like to extend my thanks and appreciation to our teachers, administrators, secretaries, custodians, aides, volunteers, coaches, athletic directors, parents, community members, school board members, tech department, social workers, library clerks, our friends from EIASE, Dr. Dorner, Mrs. Quinn, the City of Tuscola, Tuscola Police Department, Tuscola Fire Department, our bus drivers, Shane and Lindsey Gould, Russ Leigh, Brandon Wright, our Trainer Amy, our lunch ladies, and everyone from Aramark. It takes so many wonderful people to make a great school district, and we have more than our share.

Last, but certainly not least, thank you to our students. They are the best.


Michael Smith
Superintendent
Tuscola CUSD #301

MTSS Information

This letter was sent thru TeacherEase on behalf of the Tuscola CUSD #301 District MTSS Leadership Team.

Dear Families/Guardians,

The Tuscola school district has provided supports for our students through Response to Intervention (RTI)/Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) since 2010. Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) is defined as: the practice of providing high-quality instruction/intervention matched to all student needs using data to facilitate educational decision-making. MTSS provides an improved process and structure for school teams to design, implement, and evaluate both daily instruction and specific interventions. MTSS is a process that focuses on growth for all students.

The MTSS process includes:
K-8 students will be assessed 3 times a year using AimsWeb Plus K-12 intervention groups will be formed using data from assessments, grades, attendance, and behavior.

There are 3 Tiers of intervention groups:

In Tier I, all students receive high-quality curriculum and instruction in the general education classroom
In Tier II, the school provides supplemental instructional support, usually in small groups, to students who need support in addition to what they are receiving from the general curriculum (Tiger Time, Activity Period, Etc.).
In Tier III, intense instructional support is provided to students with the greatest needs, with frequent progress monitoring.

Once a month, teachers/staff will collaborate, evaluate student needs, and adjust interventions. These designated times include 7 shortened student attendance days in addition to the 3 scheduled Teacher Institute/SIP days.

Board Approved Days for the 2019-2020 School Year:

September 11
October 9
November 13
December 11
January 15
February 12
March 11
April 8
May 13 

Tuscola CUSD #301 Board of Education finalized the schedule for these MTSS days during the May 28th Board Meeting. These days will be set for 2:00 pm dismissal schedules.

Please contact your student’s Principal with any questions or concerns. Further MTSS updates and information will be provided throughout the year.

North Ward - 217-253-2712
East Prairie - 217-253-2828
TCHS - 217-253-2377

District MTSS Leadership Team

Voices of Tuscola

We invite you to listen to memories shared by our first three "Voices".