MPE Weekly Roar

September 23, 2022

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Principal's Message

Principal's Message

Dear MPE Families,


Happy First Day of Fall!


Be sure to come to the school picnic today at 5 pm. All MPE families are invited!


As we reflect on the past week, I am so proud of our children. Our teachers are commenting on the joy they see in their students' faces! I hear lots of manners and kind words. Great Job, MPE LIONS.


We are excited to announce our MPE Scarecrow Walk for families to help decorate MPE this fall. Please see below. A google form must be completed so we have space for all scarecrows.


As we plan for Halloween, please note that we strongly discourage group costumes. This can lead to students feeling left out. A more detailed notice will come out soon but mark your calendars for the whole school parade at 1:30 pm on Halloween.


The PTA will also be hosting a Trunk or Treat on October 30th. Check out the PTA blast for details.


The fifth grade team building event last Friday was sponsored by the 5th grade PTA committee. The students were laughing and collaborating together. It was a special night full of excitement, games and fun. Thank you to all who made this possible,


Lunch has been going really well. Continue to review the menu with your child each day if he or she is buying lunch.


Picture Day(s) were a huge success. We will do club pictures and make-ups in the near future. The date will be December 12th. We will also do a 5th grade roof-top photo on November 2nd.


Our MPE 2022 Walk-a-thon will be on October 7th. Please send in donations and pledges for LNHN in a sealed envelope on Friday, October 7th. All students should wear sneakers on that day. The form was sent home and it also below. This is a great way to help our community, exercise and come together for a great cause.


October 12th is National Walk to School Day. All students who walk or bike to school will receive a sticker and be entered into a drawing for gift cards. Office Joy and Officer Ralph from the Livingston Police Department will be here! Safety Patrol and Student Council Members will also be a part of the event.


Reading at home is so important. At least 20 minutes per day is required. Your child's teacher or Mrs. Finan (our new media specialist) can offer book selections and fun ideas. The MPE Book Fair is coming! Mark your calendars for the 2nd week of October. Details are forthcoming!


Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 - October 15. Lining our hallways are posters of influential Hispanic Americans, who have positively impacted and enriched our country. Mrs. Finan also sent a list of books written by Hispanic authors to all of our teachers. Teachers are reading books from authors and countries all over the globe. This is both a building and district focus.


The NJ Start Strong State Assessments took place this week. If your 4th or 5th student still needs to make up an assessment, we will administer additional make-up tests next week. We expect the results shortly which will be shared with you. This assessment is used to guide instruction.


Rolling backpacks are strongly discouraged. We understand that there are extenuating circumstances but they do not fit in lockers and have resulted in tripping injuries.


We are looking forward to a very busy fall. Please see the list of upcoming events below.

Principal's Message

Students may not stand or climb on the trailers in the back of the school. This is very dangerous.

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Student Council News

September


Executive Board Elections Update: If you ran for 4th Grade Student Council VP OR 5th Grade Student Council President in the Primary election please note that the FINALISTS received an email from Mrs. Szostak on Friday, September 16. If your parents did NOT receive an email you are not a finalist, but we sure hope you decide to run for Class Representative soon.


You are all MIGHTY leaders and we are proud of you for running.


Finalists will make in-person speeches during our assembly for grades 3-5 on Thursday, September 29. Good Luck!

Author Visit - November 4th

Author Visit - November 4th

Local author, Lisa Jacovsky, will be visiting MPE on November 4th to discuss her books and her writing process. If you would like to order any of her books, Let's talk! A Story of Autism and Friendship, Let's talk! Going to the Zoo, and Let's talk! Learning to Bowl, please complete the attached order forms and return to Mrs. Finan, our Media Specialist, by Friday October 7th if you would like to order a book. This is completely optional.

Author Visit - November 4th

From Our STEAM Teachers

From Mrs. Zambrio who is our STEAM and enrichment teacher at MPE. As a STEAM teacher, we encourage students to work as a team to problem solve through the Engineering Design process. We look forward to engaging the students in defining problems, imagining and planning solutions, while creating and improving designs throughout the entire process.


From Mrs. Fishter our Technology Coach and one of our STEAM teachers at MPE. As a Technology Coach, I help teachers and students learn new apps, integrate educational technology, and improve digital literacy. As a STEAM teacher, I encourage students to be bold in problem solving and embrace teamwork within the context of the computer science and design thinking standards. We are off to a wonderful start this year and I am looking forward to continued work with your children in planning, designing, building, and coding.

Be sure your student knows their name (first and last) and a parent's phone number!

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From Our Creative Art Teachers

Hello! My name is Jordan Dineen. Like any good art teacher I love all things art & creativity. My favorite mediums include drawing and watercolor. What you may be surprised to learn is that I studied Art Therapy way across the pond in Ireland at University College Dublin. I was able to do a lot of rewarding work over there with great kiddos. I also hold an undergraduate degree in Art Education from Elizabethtown College. This year we will be doing so many amazing things in and out of the art room! Using all different types of materials in the process! I can’t wait for the best year with all of your young artists.

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From Alicia Ferrell:

Art has always been an integral part of my life. I remember drawing with my mother at age 3 and never stopped. This is my 15th year teaching elementary art, but my second at Livingston Public Schools. I earned a BA and MA in Art Education from Kean University and was awarded the AENJ (Art Educators of New Jersey) Elementary Division Teacher of the Year award, in 2017.


I love teaching art and believe EVERY child is an artist. They simply need a little encouragement, guidance, and patience to bring it to the forefront. I specialize in watercolor painting, colored pencil drawing, and practice often to continuously improve my own skills. To keep connected to all the great things we are doing in the art room you can follow me on instagram @art.with.mrs.ferrell.

Scarecrow Walk

Scarecrow Walk

Family Fun Scarecrow Walk


From October 23-31 schools across the country will celebrate Red Ribbon Week! Red Ribbon Week aims to raise awareness and promote a healthy, drug free lifestyle. This school year, MPE families will be invited to “scare away drugs” by creating a scarecrow in the fields of our school! This activity fosters creativity and making connections together as a family! All MPE families are encouraged to create a scarecrow interpretation of your favorite book, television or movie character: human, animal or animated!
Scarecrow Walk

Girls Who Code

Girls Who Code is a non-profit organization dedicated to closing the gender gap in technology. It is a free, after school club for MPE 5th grade girls. We will meet for 6 sessions, every-other Wednesday from 2:45 - 3:30 pm, on 10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/30, 12/7, and 12/21. The first 20 responses received will be included in this fall session. It may be opened to 4th grade girls if all spots are not filled. If interested, please complete the form that follows. Any questions, please email Ellen Fishter at efishter@livingston.org.


https://forms.gle/Mrh75i4GdXWQSSzN9

Back To School Night

Mark your calendars for Back to School Night. It will be in person this year on Thursday, September 29th at 7 pm. See attached program. This is for parents only.

MPE Equity Team

Please reach out to Dr. Dolan if you would like to join our school-wide equity team. Our first meeting will be on October 18th. Mr. Bickel will be our special guest.

Our Equity Committee meets one Tuesday a month and all are welcome to join this team. We have important work to do. Here are the goals of this committee:

Goal 1: Enhance inclusivity, cultural awareness and acceptance of individual differences through SEL lessons, extracurricular activities and professional development

Goal 2: Equitable access and inclusion: To ensure unobstructed entrance into, involvement of and full participation of learners in schools, programs and activities.

Goal 3: Equitable opportunity to learn to ensure that every child, regardless of characteristics and identified needs, is presented with the challenge to reach high standards and receives the requisite academic, social, emotional and psychological supports to achieve the high standards of excellence that are established.

From Our School Counselor, Mrs. Kelner

I hope everyone had a restful, fun summer. I am so excited to be back at MPE and looking forward to seeing all of the MPE students learn and grow this school year. This school year, our students will learn about and celebrate the 6 pillars of character; trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. This will be done through classroom lessons and school wide events! Please know I am here to support your child socially, emotionally, or academically. If you or your child needs support, don't hesitate to reach out to me. Jkelner@livingston.org

Our School Nurse

Our MPE School Nurse is Mrs. Cullen. Please reach out to her with all of your health questions.

Mcullen@livingston.org

Upcoming Events

  • September 5 - Schools closed for Labor Day

  • September 6 - LBOE workshop meeting 7:00 pm

  • September 9 - All School Pep Rally. Wear your MPE Gear!

  • September 16 - 5th grade game night - 7:00 pm MPM Cafeteria

  • September 19 - Start Strong Assessment for Grades 4 and 5

  • September 20 - LBOE voting meeting - 7:00 pm

  • September 20 - Start Strong Assessment for Grades 4 and 5

  • September 21 - BNL School Picture Day for grades K-2 - Individual and Class pics - small gym. More information will be sent home.

  • September 21 - International Peace Day

  • September 22 - BNL School Picture Day for grades 3-5 - Individual and Class pics - small gym. More information will be sent home.

  • September 23 - School Spirit Day - wear MPE gear or blue and white

  • September 23 - School Picnic 5-7pm

  • September 26 and 27 - Schools closed for Rosh Hashanah

  • September 28 - General PTA meeting - 7:30 pm

  • September 29 - SEPAC meeting in Media Center 6:20 pm

  • September 29 - Back to School Night 7:00 pm - All School In-person

    • October 4 - Community Meeting (This is A School)

    • October 5 - Yom Kippur (No School)

    • October 7 - Walk-a-thon (Pledge sheets and donations for LNHN)

    • October 12 - National Walk to School Day

    • October 11-13 - Book Fair

    • October 18 - Equity Meeting at 2:50 pm (All are welcome)

    • October 31 - Halloween Parade (whole school parade 1:30 pm) Group costumes are strongly discouraged

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