Dear MNPS Community Member:

In the Saint Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, there is an interesting exhibit of a wooden door with a hole in the middle. The name of this relic is "The Door of Reconciliation" (See picture above). The story behind it dates back to 1492 when two prominent Irish families, the Butlers and the FitzGeralds, were involved in a bitter feud over the position of Lord Deputy. Both families wanted one of their own to hold the position. This tension broke into outright warfare and a small skirmish occurred between the two families just outside the city walls.

The Butlers, realizing that the fighting was getting out of control, took refuge in the Chapter House of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The FitzGeralds followed them into the Cathedral and asked them to come out and make peace. The Butlers, afraid that if they did so they would be slaughtered, refused.

As a gesture of good faith, Gerald FitzGerald, the head of the family, ordered that a hole be cut in the door. He then thrust his arm through the door and offered his hand in peace to those on the other side. Upon seeing that FitzGerald was willing to risk his arm by putting it through the door, the Butlers reasoned that he was serious in his intention. They shook hands through the door, the Butlers emerged from the Chapter House and the two families made peace.

The above story illustrates the extraordinarily risky move of Mr. FitzGerald, but it paid off at the end. Even today, the widely used expression in Ireland of "chance your arm" is owed to that incredible act of risky courage.

Let's reflect for a moment. Wouldn't it be great if, metaphorically speaking, we seized any "door of reconciliation" opportunity that comes our way? That should certainly be conducive to the betterment of our families, communities and society at large.

As a reminder, the MNPS 2022-2023 school year starts Monday, August 8 (half day for PreK and Kindergarten students).

Until next time!

Dr. Battle and Chief Drake collaborating on school safety

On August 2 Metro Police Chief John Drake and MNPS Director of Schools Adrienne Battle announced some important updates to our school safety procedures as we prepare to start the new school year next Monday, August 8. After the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in May, we doubled down on school security to protect our students and staff from outside threats and create an even safer and more secure learning environment.

LEARN MORE

Updated numbers for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which anyone who experiences mental-health related distress can call for immediate care and support, has updated its phone number. People can now dial 988 if they are having thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crises or any other kind of emotional distress. Support is available in multiple languages. English-only support is available by texting "hello" to 741741. Help is also available via live-chat online at: 98 8life line.org. Local support is available through the Nashville Mobile Crisis line at 615-726-0125.

In case you missed it: Metro Schools students show strong progress on State Assessments 2021-2022

Students gained ground in almost every academic category and exceeded statewide improvement levels in numerous areas.

Tutor volunteers needed for our 2022-2023 Accelerated Scholars Program

Last school year, Accelerating Scholars, MNPS’ high-impact tutoring Signature Initiative, succeeded in tutoring nearly 950 students across 44 schools in the fall. We expanded to more than 1,750 students served by 820 tutors across 79 schools this spring. We tutored 1,080 students across 39 of our Promising Scholars sites in June.

This school year, we are expanding to all traditional schools with tutoring for 1st-8th grade literacy and 4th-9th grade mathematics. Our goal is to serve more than 7,000 students with the help of at least 2,000 volunteers.

The frequency would be 30-minute sessions, 3 times a week from September 19 to December 15, 2022 and training will be provided.

With your help, we would hope to dramatically increase the number of students that need tutoring.

To learn more, visit https://acceleratingscholars.org/.
Sign up as a volunteer today

NOT TOO LATE to enroll your English Learner student!

Download and share the English, Spanish, Arabic, Kurdish, Somali, Burmese and Swahili fliers
Click here for additional English Learner student registration information

Registration information for NON-English Learner students:

Metro Action Commission's Head Start and Early Head Start Pre-K Enrollment

Download and share the flier

Has your Kindergartener or 7th grader been vaccinated yet?

Immunizations Requirements in Public Schools
Immunizations are available through your child's doctor or the Metro Public Health Department at the Lentz, East and Woodbine Health Center locations.

Download and share the fliers of ongoing Lentz Public Health Center Back to School Immunization Clinics:

Student-Parent Handbook updates now online

The online version of the Student-Parent Handbook has been updated for the 2022-23 school year. This year, parent permissions must be submitted by Friday, Aug. 26 either using the online permissions portal (which will be available in the coming days) or the printed permission forms. Permission forms can be downloaded in multiple languages from the Handbook webpage.

Review the handbook

August 6-7: Free Back to School events

August 8: Back-to-school volunteering opportunities with Hands On Nashville

Help make this school year the best one yet!
With school starting next week, our education-based partners could use your help! Lead field trips, sort school supplies, or tutor students studying for their GED — some of these opportunities take less than 30 minutes, but will make a lasting impact on students as they begin a new year.

August 9, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Back-to-school physicals | Exámenes físicos de regreso a la escuela

August, 2022: Free in-person Legal Aid Society's clinics for qualifying low-income families

Download and share the flier

Have you tuned in yet? | ¿Ya sintonizaste?

06-03-22 Newsletter

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