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Each student, every time, empowered to succeed.

Communications

MTSD Communications

 

At Mequon-Thiensville School District, effective communication is a shared responsibility across our entire staff. The Communications Department works to inspire, inform, and build trust through authentic, two-way communication with our students, families, and community.

Our work directly aligns with Goal 4 of MTSD’s Strategic Plan: Strengthen and expand community engagement and communication to foster trust and deepen connections. We drive this goal forward by sharing District stories to increase community awareness and involvement, updating web and digital platforms for a seamless user experience, supporting advocacy efforts for public school funding, and encouraging community investment and philanthropic support.

Through open dialogue and continuous feedback, we ensure our community remains connected to our mission: Each student, every time, empowered to succeed.

 

Stay Engaged! 

All community members are welcome to subscribe to our monthly District newsletters and Board of Education briefs.

Click here to sign-up!

Communications Overview

  • Our public website is used to provide information and resources to current families, prospective families and community members. The website includes news and announcements, information about academic programming and support, and resources such as contact information, school calendars, and menus. Additionally, information regarding the Board of Education, including policies, meeting agendas, and video recordings, are available. 

  • Elementary and middle schools share weekly or bi-monthly updates with parents via school-specific emailed newsletters. Newsletters include school news, updates, and information about upcoming dates and events.

  • Follow the Mequon-Thiensville School District's Facebook page, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts to see videos, pictures, and stories of what’s happening in our schools and classrooms.

    Social Media Disclaimer

    The official Mequon-Thiensville School District Facebook pages (District, Donges Bay, Oriole Lane, Wilson, Lake Shore, Steffen, and Homestead), Instagram page (MTSchools) and LinkedIn Account (Mequon-Thiensville School District) are created and maintained by MTSD Communications for the purpose of positively engaging with the MTSD community. Individual schools and programs may have additional pages that are maintained by other individuals not directly affiliated with the District. On all MTSD pages, it is expected that participants treat each other, and MTSD students and staff members, with respect.

    Comments that contain vulgar or abusive language; pornography; disparaging or personal attacks of any kind; offensive or suggestive language that targets specific demographic groups or incites violence; election campaigning for a political office or ballot proposition will be hidden or deleted. Comments that violate Meta’s or Twitter’s Terms of Use, are spam, divulge personal student or staff information, or that promote services or products will also be hidden or deleted.

    Links to other Internet sites are not endorsed by the Mequon-Thiensville School District, and the use of any copyrighted materials found on those linked sites must be granted from the sponsor of that site. The Mequon-Thiensville School District is not responsible for user-generated content and the opinions expressed in that content do not necessarily reflect those of MTSD.

    Please note: The accounts linked above are the only official MTSD social media pages managed by and moderated with support from MTSD Communications.

  • MTSD distributes two periodic e-newsletters to our school community. Momentum is a monthly e-newsletter shared with all District families that provides updates related to strategic initiatives, personnel, topics of interest, new programs, and program changes.

    The Tartan Review is a bi-monthly alumni newsletter shared with graduates of Homestead High School.

  • The communication department collaborates with administrators and staff members to produce periodic mailed reports to the community regarding academic performance, finances, initiatives, and more.

  • Families are made aware of critical information such as school closings or other vital information through email or a combination of phone, email, and SMS (text) messaging.

    Family members are responsible for managing their communication preferences based on what works best for them. Families select or approve contact preferences annually in the online enrollment process, and can also update preferences at any time in the Infinite Campus Parent portal.

    Find more information regarding how to access your Campus Parent portal and select your preferences.

  • MTSD uses Vimeo to store and publish District videos, including recordings of Board of Education meetings. 

  • MTSD uses stakeholder surveys to provide effective two-way communication with our school community and gather valuable feedback to inform our planning and practices. 

    MTSD Survey Schedule

    Survey Title Survey Description Month of Distribution Results Available by:
    September Family Survey This survey provides an opportunity to gather family feedback regarding the experience with the Mequon-Thiensville School District thus far. This information will help us continue to improve our approach to supporting students and their families as we prepare and plan to open our schools each year.  Late September Mid-October
    Staff Safety Survey MTSD employees have the opportunity to let the safety team know how they feel about safety in the district and across our schools through an annual survey. The survey covers awareness, culture, communication, and provides a place for open-ended comments. Mid-October November
    Student Pulse Survey #1  Student pulse surveys are given once per trimester to students in grades 2-12 to measure engagement indices such as drive, preparation, and connectedness. The results from the pulse surveys are used as formative pieces of data with the classroom teacher, principal, and social emotional coach to inform next steps as it pertains to the line items and how students responded. Please see below for more information about Student Pulse Surveys. Mid-November December
    Climate & Culture Survey In order to understand perceptions of our schools’ and our district’s climate and culture, we invite MTSD parents and guardians to participate in a survey focusing on seven categories including: Student Relationships, Learning Environment, Safety & Well-Being, Physical Environments, Contracted Services, Family Engagement, and Overall District Quality. Schools and the District use these results to enhance the educational experience for all students and families while monitoring progress toward strategic goals. January February
    Student Pulse Survey #2  Student pulse surveys are given once per trimester to students in grades 2-12 to measure engagement indices such as drive, preparation, and connectedness. The results from the pulse surveys are used as formative pieces of data with the classroom teacher, principal, and social emotional coach to inform next steps as it pertains to the line items and how students responded. Please see below for more information about Student Pulse Surveys. Mid-February March
    Student Engagement Survey MTSD contracts with School Perceptions LLC to facilitate an annual survey for all students in Grades 4-12 to assess school climate and student engagement.  The goal of the survey is to identify how MTSD staff can support each student to ensure lifelong success. Survey questions are asked across seven indicators, including Connectedness, Drive, Citizenship/Leadership, Preparation, Social & Emotional Aptitude, Wellness, and Academics & Career Planning. The data from this survey is used to inform Milestone 7, which reflects the percentage of students who participated in the survey whose average level of engagement across all survey questions was greater than or equal to 3.0 on a 4.0 scale as measured on an annual student engagement survey. Mid-March Late April 
    Spring Family Survey This survey provides an opportunity to gather family feedback regarding the experience with the Mequon-Thiensville School District later in the school year. This information will help us continue to improve our approach to supporting students and their families as we prepare and plan to close out the school year. April May
    Employee Experience Survey Every spring, we ask our employees to provide us with feedback about their experiences working in MTSD. Our responses about communication, leadership, compensation, etc., and the additional comments provide helpful insights that our leaders use to improve our experiences and help make MTSD a workplace of choice. March April
    Student Pulse Survey #3 Student pulse surveys are given once per trimester to students in grades 2-12 to measure engagement indices such as drive, preparation, and connectedness. The results from the pulse surveys are used as formative pieces of data with the classroom teacher, principal, and social emotional coach to inform next steps as it pertains to the line items and how students responded. Please see below for more information about Student Pulse Surveys. Late May June
    Community Survey As part of its strategic plan, MTSD launched its first Community Survey in July 2025, via the Annual Quality Report. The survey invites community members to share perspectives on district strengths and areas for growth. In addition to gathering demographic and residency information, communication preferences, and engagement methods, the survey includes a Community Net Promoter Score (NPS) to establish a baseline measure of satisfaction and connection with the district. Click here to view the most recent Community Survey Results. July September

     

    Student Pulse Surveys

     

    Student pulse surveys will be administered three times during the school year:

    • Tri 1: November 
    • Tri 2: February 
    • Tri 3: May 

    The pulse survey will be administered to all students in grades 2-12. The following questions (Drive Index) are asked to all students in grades 2-12: 

    • My classes challenge me.
    • When I accomplish/learn a skill, I push myself to learn something new.
    • If I commit to a task I will do what it takes to get it done.
    • I put my best effort into my school work.
    • I am able to get through challenging times.

    The following questions (Preparation Index) will be asked to all students in grades 6-12:

    • I believe what I am learning in school is preparing me for next year.
    • I explore careers/jobs that may interest me after high school.
    • I set goals for the school year.
    • I believe what I am learning in school will help me to be successful in life.

    In elementary schools, students take it during their ICC time, and it is administered by their Social Emotional Coach. The other grades choose an hour and have students complete it during that time. Pulse surveys shouldn't take more than 5-7 minutes to complete. 

    The results from the pulse surveys are used as formative pieces of data with the classroom teacher, principal, and SEC.  The results are used to inform next steps as they pertain to the line items and how students responded. 

    Parents/guardians always have an option to opt their child out of a survey, and they may do so by emailing their building principal. 

Compliance with 2025 Wisconsin Act 89

At the Mequon-Thiensville School District, protecting our students, fostering safe digital habits, and maintaining clear professional boundaries are foundational to our mission. In compliance with Wisconsin Act 89, MTSD maintains firm standards regarding communication between district staff, coaches, approved volunteers, and students.

To ensure accountability, transparency, and student protection, all digital communication between school personnel and students must take place exclusively through district-approved and monitored platforms. Every interaction must be clear, professional, and strictly connected to school-related academics, athletics, co-curriculars, or official district activities.

District staff, coaches, and volunteers are strictly prohibited from using personal cell phone texting, personal social media accounts, or non-district-approved messaging apps to communicate with students.

Approved Communication Platforms Include:

  • Gmail
  • ParentSquare
  • Infinite Campus
  • Canvas LMS
  • District Website
  • Official Social Media Pages
  • TeamSnap (HHS Athletics) 
  • Hudl (HHS Athletics)
A person holds a smartphone, scanning a QR code displayed on a laptop screen.

Stay Connected With ParentSquare

A colorful, segmented logo for ParentSquare

 

 

MTSD uses ParentSquare for school communication, primarily with email, text, and app notifications. ParentSquare automatically syncs with our Student Information System to generate an account for each parent, using their preferred email address and phone number. We encourage parents to access their accounts so they can download the mobile app and update their preferences for when and how they are notified.

ParentSquare is a safe, secure, and modern approach to communication and collaboration between school and home.

Click here to learn more and set up your account

Molly Loucks

Chief of Communications mloucks@mtsd.k12.wi.us 262-238-8517