Week #15- November 25, 2024
I was traveling last weekend, and with no urgent items needing to be communicated, made the decision to forego the weekly parent message for the week. I am back this week with some updates and new information. Students just finished their first ten-day stretch, two full weeks, of school since September. The nuances of the RCPS calendar, along with the unplanned days off for localized flooding in October, resulted in some breaks in the consistency that is so important in establishing and maintaining routines. You may have experienced some signs of fatigue and general grumpiness this week as a result. The Thanksgiving Break is coming this week and will allow everyone to reset a bit and prepare for the run to the Holiday Break. MES will run another attendance challenge, a Ten-Day Challenge, December 2-13 with an ice cream pass for all students with perfect attendance and drawings for other rewards to be held the week of December 16.
Have a great week and safe travels to all of you who will be on the road this week visiting family.
MES Title I Schoolwide Plan, Part 2
I shared the two main goals of the MES Title I Schoolwide Plan with you two weeks ago. The plan was developed by a team of MES staff and parent representatives, shared with the full staff and RCPS leadership, and adjusted according to the feedback received.
The first goal targets literacy growth: “Throughout the 2024-2025 academic year, MES teachers and staff will work to fully implement the CKLA Language Arts curriculum with the intent of reducing the percentage of students identified as “High Risk” by 10 % as measured by State and curriculum-based assessments.”
Here are the “Action Steps” the team identified to meet the stated goal:
1. Essential Action/Research-Based Strategy: Teachers will implement CKLA literacy instruction with fidelity, through purposeful whole group and flexible small group instruction.
2. Essential Action/Research-Based Strategy: Teachers and staff will engage in professional learning and collaboration to fully implement the CKLA Language Arts Curriculum.
3. Essential Action/Research-Based Strategy: Teachers will utilize small group instruction to provide targeted remediation and meaningful enrichment in identified areas.
If you would like to review more detailed information about the Goal and the action steps please contact me via email. Thank you for your support of, and involvement in, the education of students at MES.
Together, we will do great things!
Have a super week!
Other Announcements/Reminders from the MES Office:
MES has been given several tickets for free admission to JMU basketball games. This week, MES staff will be on the lookout for students showing kindness. Students “caught being kind” will be offered the JMU tickets. Parents will be contacted to discuss if the tickets are appropriate for the family.
Holidays with Heart Update
Families Providing Support-- Information for the need/student you are matched with will be coming home with your child on Monday/Tuesday. So, please check your child's bookbag.
Families Signed Up to Receive Assistance- You will be contacted by phone/email the week of December 9th to schedule for the pickup of items. Pickup will take place the week of December 16th.
If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Mitchell, School Counselor, at wmitchell@rockingham.k12.va.us or by calling the school at (540) 289-3004.
The MES Fall Service Project was a great success again this year. MES donated 393 items to the EAUS. The Eagle House collected the most, with 160 items being turned in. Thank you!
MES Library Information: Library Catalog Tutorial explains how families can access the MES Library Catalog and how to use the search, history and hold features of the catalog. Learn more at the MES Library Website.
Attendance Tip: We are just over 60 days into the 2024-2025 school year. At this point, any student who has been absent for 6 or more days would be considered chronically absent. Review your child’s attendance and, if they fall in this category, let us know how we can help improve the pattern.
Parent & Family Resources & Information:
Activities & Events at MES:
Fall Colors Day- November 25
MES Spirit Day & House Day- November 26
Schools Closed for Holiday- November 27-29
MES Book Fair- December 2-6
Bring Your Adult to PE- December 6-12
MES Spelling Bee- December 5