A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT
Dear MUSD Parents, Guardians, and Staff,
It is exciting to come back together for the 2023-24 school year. Last year our theme was moving from surviving to thriving. With the diligent work of our teachers and staff, we were able to support our students in growing academically and social-emotionally. This work will continue into this school year as we “move forward together.”
We will continue to focus on our three instructional initiatives that have been developed very purposefully to provide a high-quality learning environment for all students.
MULTI-TIERED SYSTEM OF SUPPORT
Menifee Union School District envisions all students having access to limitless futures through the development of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Our multi-tiered system of support will be responsive to meet the needs of every student through a reflective use of data, considering diverse experiences, and building trusted relationships with all stakeholders to remove barriers to success.
UNIVERSAL DESIGN FOR LEARNING
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework for designing equitable, and inclusive
learning environments that honor the natural variability of people. Educators design learning experiences that eliminate barriers to learning by providing multiple means of engagement, representation of content, and action and expression of knowledge so that all students develop the skills of expert learners.
MATH STANDARDS AND FRAMEWORK
MUSD has offered professional learning in high-leverage, research-based mathematical practices to ensure teachers are supported with methods that assist students in accessing grade-level standards. In addition, Math Leads from each school site meet regularly to expand our knowledge of the practices embedded in the new California Math Framework.
One of our greatest strengths as a District and community is the partnerships that we hold. Our parents are integral to the work we do both with your own children and supporting the schools through actively participating in parent organizations and volunteering in your children’s classrooms. We also have great partnerships with the resources throughout the cities that we serve.
And most importantly, it is an honor to serve our 12,000+ students each and every day. They are the focus of our work and what makes the work we do the most important work in our society. As a District, we are here to prepare our students through engaging young minds for limitless futures. It is important that we all work together to achieve our student-centered goals. To quote Henry Ford, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” Thank you for joining us in moving forward for the success of our students.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Root, Ed.D.
Superintendent
BIOGRAPHY
On September 20, 2020, the Board of Education unanimously appointed Dr. Jennifer Root to serve as the Superintendent of the Menifee Union School District. Her leadership philosophy is based on a foundation that educating children is the most important responsibility of any community. That it is imperative that we provide children with a relevant education that prepares them for their future.
Dr. Root’s career spans 30 years as an elementary and middle school teacher, assistant principal, principal, director, and assistant superintendent. In her most recent role as the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services in Anaheim Union High School District, Dr. Root monitored a $400 million budget and oversees numerous departments including fiscal services, maintenance & operations, payroll, purchasing, transportation, food services, and facilities.
Before joining the Anaheim team, Dr. Root was the Chief Business Officer and Director of Student Services in Covina-Valley Unified School District. Prior to these roles, Dr. Root spent 11 years as an elementary principal serving students in both high performing and program improvement schools. While leading Hodge Elementary in Azusa USD, Dr. Root implemented an award-winning dual immersion program that encompasses a preschool bi-literacy academy which is still flourishing today.
Educationally, Dr. Root has a degree in psychology from the University of California, Riverside. She has earned master’s degrees in Language Development and School Administration from Azusa Pacific University. Most recently, she has earned her School Business Management Certificate and doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.
Among her accomplishments, Dr. Root has been named Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region XV Elementary School Principal of the Year, ACSA Region XV Central Office Administrator of the Year, ACSA Region XV Charter Leadership Award, ACSA Region 17 Business Services Administrator of the Year and was most recently honored with the ACSA Region XV Robert Gray Service Award.
Dr. Root is married to Scott, a high school special education teacher. They have one son, Turner, who attends the University of California, San Diego.