Manatee Moments
Today's Learners - Tomorrow's Leaders
October 2021
October 4, 2021
Dear Manatee Families,
Happy Fall everyone! Can you believe it’s already October? This school year is really moving along! It was great to see many of our parents on campus for our curriculum nights last month. We encourage you to keep in touch with your child’s teacher as we continue to work together as true partners in your child’s education. Our first quarter officially ends on October 15th. Be sure to log in to the parent portal to view your child’s quarterly progress report on/after October 25th (our first virtual learning day of the year).
Thank you all for your support in making sure that your child comes to school in uniform every day and remembers to wear his/her lanyard. Our School Advisory Council voted this month to amend our school uniform policy to include black as a color choice for uniform bottoms (pants, shorts, skorts). While uniform bottoms are limited to blue, tan (khaki) or black, students may continue to wear solid color polo-style shirts in their choice of colors. Students may wear jeans on Fridays if they bring $1 (PTO Jeans Fundraiser Fridays!). All students are welcome to wear school spirit shirts on Fridays as well.
Speaking of school spirit… Lely High School has invited our students and their families to join them on Friday night, October 8th, to help cheer on the Trojans at their varsity football game! If you would like to bring your family to Manatee Family Night at Lely High School, a free ticket for your family will be sent home in the weekly communication folder on October 6th. We hope to see you there!
Thank you to all who have expressed condolences regarding the tragic loss of one of our 5th grade students. Angelique will be deeply missed here at Manatee by our students and staff but will remain forever in our hearts. Our thoughts are with Angelique’s family during this difficult time. Our school family will be collecting donations to support the family during the week of October 4th-8th. Please send any contributions to our front office before Friday, October 8th. Our staff and student jeans day fundraiser on Friday, October 8th will go to Angelique’s family as well.
Dr. Laurie Mearsheimer
Principal, Manatee Elementary
Important Dates
October 2021
October 8 = Student Leadership Clubs (Students only)
October 8 = District Science Benchmark Assessment (5th Grade only)
October 11 = District ELA Benchmark Assessment (3rd, 4th, 5th)
October 12 = District Math Benchmark Assessment (3rd, 4th, 5th)
October 18 = No School (Teacher Planning Day)
October 22 = Drive Thru Half-Time Concession Stand 5:30 - 7:30 P.M. ALL WELCOME
October 22-29 Red Ribbon Week
October 25 = Virtual Learning Day (previous Early Dismissal Day); Report Cards Published
October 26 = SAC Student Advisory Council Meeting 5pm MES Room 3-100
October 26 = PTO Parent Teacher Organization Meeting 5:30pm MES Room 3-100
Manatee Health Screening
Health Screening will be provided to students on the following dates:
Hearing Screening (grades: Kindergarten, 1 & 3) November 3, 2021
Height & Weight Measurements (grades 1 & 3) November 3, 2021
If you do not want your child to receive one or more of these screenings, YOU MUST complete an Opt-Out form. Forms are available at your child’s school (Front Desk) or on the district website at www.collierschools.com/Page/3065
If you have questions, please contact the school. Thank you.
Accessing Report Cards & Progress Reports
Navigate to https://focus.collierschools.com/focus/
Enter the username: student's number = lunch number
Enter the password: PreK-Grade 2 - enter the number 1; Grades 3-5 enter child's birth month and day as four digits. Ex. January 7, 2009 would be entered as 0107
Under your child's picture, click Reports Tab
The link can be viewed as a PDF or downloaded and saved
Academic Updates
Reading
Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) Program
The Sunshine State Young Readers Award (SSYRA) Program is a statewide reading motivational program for students in grades 3 through 8. The purpose of the SSYRA Program is to encourage students to read independently for pleasure and to read books that are on, above, and below their reading level in order to improve their reading fluency.
the SSYRA Jr. program is to develop student interest in K-2nd grade in reading for pleasure by exposing them to a wide range of appropriate literature. Students will be eligible to vote for their favorite book in the spring after listening/reading at least three of the books.
All SSYRA and SSYRA Jr. books are available in our Manatee Media Center for check out, along with many other amazing titles for children.
Happy Reading
Math
Home Support - Flash Cards (Grades 2-5)
Strong number sense, the ability to understand, relate, and connect numbers, supports long term success in mathematics. This includes fluency with basic math facts. Fluency occurs when students are able to provide mathematically correct answers relatively quickly and easily. All students in grades 2-5 have been provided with sets of math fact flashcards to be used for daily practice both at school and at home. The video link provides information for parents and families on how to support building fact fluency with their student as well as suggestions for productive and engaging practice that can be done at home.
· English link: https://kaltura.collierschools.com/tiny/2cd60
· Spanish link: https://kaltura.collierschools.com/tiny/o4pdt
· Creole link: https://kaltura.collierschools.com/tiny/ekh95
Waggle (Grades K-3)
•Waggle is a supplemental online program that gives Grades K–3 students adaptive, personalized practice in math reinforcing the skills you teach in your daily lessons
•Waggle takes advantage of students' comfort with technology to encourage them to find the fun in learning
•Waggle turns skill practice into fun and games for students
•They create their own avatars and complete activities that earn them rewards as they go
ALEKS (Grades 4 & 5)
•Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) is an artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and still needs to learn
•ALEKS then instructs the student on the topics he/she is most ready to learn
•ALEKS courses are very complete in their topic coverage and ALEKS avoids multiple-choice questions
Instructional Materials Notification for Parents
Parents may review their children’s instructional materials at the school site. Parents may also schedule an appointment to review currently adopted instructional materials at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Administrative Center. Please contact Julia Lorenzo, Instructional Materials Manager at LorenzJu@collierschools.com or 377-0103.
Counselor's Corner
National Bullying Prevention Month
A month long event to prevent childhood bullying and promote kindness, acceptance and inclusion in schools, homes, and communities.
According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019, one out of every five (20.2%) students report being bullied. Bullying is different from rude behavior (carelessly saying or doing something that hurts someone else) and mean behavior (purposely saying or doing something to hurt someone once or maybe twice).
Bullying occurs when someone is purposely and repeatedly targeted by a stronger person and feels a sense of powerlessness. The Centers for Disease Control, 2019 found that students who experience bullying are at an increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school.
The key to bullying prevention lies in building a culture of kindness and helping bystanders become upstanders. Since only 46% of bullied students report notifying an adult at school about the incident (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2019), bystanders can be encouraged to stand up and speak out. A bystander is a witness to bullying. A bystander can do nothing and be part of the problem or can become an upstander and become part of the solution. Upstanders show empathy for the target and find the courage to act by confronting the bully or reporting the bullying to an adult. They see something and say something.
Leader in Me
Habit Hero of the Month - August
1st Grade: Elida S, Giselle G, Felix N-R, Jane R-B, Lauren S, Christina P
2nd Grade: Raphael F-G, Katie M-G, Izabella V, Allison R, Rachel L
3rd Grade: Melissa A-A, Esther J-F, Arlan L
4th Grade: Fredrick E, Surisley G-P, Natalia M-A, Lianna M, Jayden C
5th Grade: Ximena J, Angelique S, Menorah A, Angelo L
1st Student Club Day - September 10, 2021
Manatee students in Third through Fifth grade took part in our first Student Leadership Club Day! Students picked their own club based on their interests and passions. Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade students also took part in the day with classroom based clubs! Some examples of this year’s clubs are Sewing Club, Health and Wellness Club, Campus Arts Club, Tech and Robotics club, Engineering Club, Basketball Club and many more! Student leadership clubs will meet once a month on Fridays.
DEAL Time Highlighting 3rd Grade
In 3rd grade we were working on synergizing! We had to build cup towers with only string and rubber bands, we were not allowed to touch the cups with our hands! We had to work as a team to build the tallest tower. We learned that communication is key when working together and how much easier it is when we do work together!
Sharpen the Saw
Dojo
Parents can sign up for Class Dojo at classdojo.com. Click on Parent and enter the information requested and then click Sign Up. You will be asked to click on our school and then your child’s teacher, and then select your child’s name. Another way to join is to ask your child's teacher if they can send an email inviting you to join. Please make sure that you have updated your email address with your child's teacher and then check your email for the invite to join Class Dojo.
Student Leader Dialers
The Leader in Me encourages schools to create a culture of student empowerment. Students take on leadership roles in the school. One way that students are showing their leadership skills is by reading and recording phone calls from the school. You will soon hear several student voices on the recorded phone calls biweekly. Please update your phone number in your parent portal and answer the call!
7 Habits of Highly Effective Families
Leadership Roles at Home
Supporting Leader in Me
PTO
Join the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) for 2021-2022
Call Beatriz Cuellar at 377-7600 to find out how you can support Manatee Elementary. We are looking for parents to be part of the PTO for the 2021-2022 school year.
2020-2021 Yearbooks
Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)
Student Jean's Day every Friday:
$1 = students can wear jeans with a Manatee Spirit Shirt
While supplies last, PTO is selling the following merchandise:
Manatee mask, lunchbox, bottle, lanyards, and hoodies (see pics below)
Fundraisers: Smelly Items for sale
Erasers 2 for $1, Crayons $1, Smencils $2, Smens $3
Now selling smickers $1 & pouches $5!
Important Reminders
Manatee Elementary School Advisory Council (SAC)
The School Advisory Council (S.A.C.) is a school-based group responsible for guiding the school toward continuous improvement.
Members are required to attend meetings once a month on Tuesday evenings at 5:00 P.M.
PTO meetings will take place immediately following SAC.
2021/2022 meetings are scheduled to take place on:
October 26, November 30, January 25, February 22, March 29, April 26
Arrival & Dismissal
Schedule
7:30am - Doors Open
7:50am - Breakfast closes
8:05 - Tardy Bell
3:00 Dismissal
Arrival: Breakfast continues to be available free of charge and is encouraged. Students may eat in the cafeteria, socially distanced, before reporting to their classroom. All students must be dropped off in the car rider line, if they are not riding a bus. Parents may not walk their child to the front gate. This procedure change will assist us in keeping our students healthy and safe as we maintain social distancing. We will have plenty of supervision and assistance available to escort students to class. Visitors will not be permitted on campus at this time.
Dismissal: If you plan on utilizing the car rider line, car rider signs should be displayed in the front windshield. Parents must remain in their cars.
Emergency Information Forms
NEW this year, parents can complete the annual Emergency Information Form online! You do not have to wait to receive a paper version of the form. Simply visit the CCPS Portal and login as a parent (do not login using your student's information), then click on the FOCUS icon and follow the on-screen prompts to complete all sections of the form, including Student Information, Contact Information, and Health Information.
Click here to visit the CCPS Portal.
Click here for Directions on Completing the Electronic Emergency Form.
CCPS Mobile APP
Review grades through FOCUS, track weather alerts from campuses, see lunch menus and much more all from the palm of your hand. You can even "follow" specific schools to receive news and notifications sent straight to your phone. Search "collier schools" in the Apple App store or Google Play store for the free download.
Daily Requirements
A friendly reminder regarding our school dress code and uniform policy. Jeans are only allowed on Fridays when students bring $1 for our PTO fundraiser. On all other days, students are required to wear the school uniform of Navy or Tan pants, shorts or skirts.
Please be reminded that ID lanyards are also required as part of the daily uniform.
We appreciate your support in ensuring that students come to school every day in appropriate dress code, with lanyards.
Birthday
Birthdays
Birthday celebrations are special for all students, and each classroom teacher acknowledges a student’s birthday in various ways. In all cases, children are recognized at school. If you wish to send in an item for your child’s birthday, you may send in a non-food item that will be distributed at the end of the school day. Suggested items include: a colorful pencil, eraser top, stickers, bookmarks, or a small novelty item. Food items sent or brought in by parents/guardians will not be allowed and will be returned with your child. Distributing party invitations at school will only be permitted if there is an invitation for all students in the classroom, or all girls, or all boys.
Bus Riders
Does your Manatee ride a bus?
Check out the "Where's the Bus" app. Information from CCPS about this resource can be found at https://www.collierschools.com/Page/12820
Need help finding your bus route? Click the link below for details.
http://bus.collierschools.com/default.aspx?load=studentIDStops
Laptops
Just a reminder - laptops are still CCPS property and need to be cared for responsibly.
Pursuant to Rule 27 of the District’s Code of Student Conduct, students are responsible for the cost of repair or replacement of District property in their possession such as a laptop or other electronic device. The rule provides the following:
RULE 27. SCHOOL PROPERTY – MATERIALS/BOOKS/INTERNET/NETWORK/AND OTHER
DISTRICT DEVICES
Students are expected to take good care of school property. Students must assume full
responsibility for the care of school property available to them. This includes, but is not limited to textbooks, uniforms, equipment, electronic devices, or library books. These items are issued by school personnel and must be returned to the same person upon completion of the school year or withdrawal from school. Responsibility for the property rests with the student to whom the property is issued. Loss of items due to theft or other circumstances will not be accepted as an excuse for nonpayment or for not doing class assignments. Failure on the part of any student to pay for lost or damaged items shall deprive the student of further use of free items outside the school. If an item is lost and before another one is issued, the student will be required to pay full price for items less than one year old. For older items, replacement cost will depend on the original price and the age and condition of the items when issued. If the item is found and returned, a refund will be made to the student. If the item is damaged, the student is required to pay a damage charge depending upon the degree of damage and the condition of the item when it was issued.
The District’s internet/network system has not been established as a public access service nor established to create a limited public forum. The District has the right to place restrictions on its use to assure that use of the District’s internet system is in accord with its limited educational purpose. Student use of the District’s computers, network and internet services ("network") will be governed by Board Policy 7540.03 and the related administrative guidelines, and the Code. Misuse of the network will result in disciplinary action. The due process rights of all users will be respected in the event there is a suspicion of inappropriate use of the network. Users have a limited privacy expectation in the content of their personal files, electronic files, and records of their online activity while on the network.
Authority: F.S. 1006.28, 1006.28(3)(b), 1001.43(1), 1001.51(4)
Incident codes: CD, CE
The cost to repair or replace laptops for irresponsible damage is as follows:
- Power adapter $48.00
- Keyboard $95.00
- Touch Screen Laptop Screen $231.00
- Non Touch Screen Laptop Screen $117.00
- Laptop Total Replacement $586.00
Technology support is available to students and parents by visiting www.collierschools.com/CollierConnect.
Nutrition Services Information
***Breakfast and lunch are FREE***
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
https://schools.mealviewer.com/district/CollierFL
Vicki Pigott, Manatee Nutrition Manager
239-377-7612
2021-2022 NEW STUDENT REGISTRATION
COMPLETELY ONLINE
Registration for all Kindergarten through 12th grade students NEW to the district will be online.
Head Start and VPK
Did you know?
Participating in quality early learning programs paves the way for learning at school and throughout life. What children learn in their first few years of life—and how they learn it—can have long-lasting effects on their success and health as children, teens, and adults. According to the National Institutes of Health, studies show that supporting children’s early learning can lead to:
- Higher test scores from preschool to age 21
- Better grades in reading and math
- A better chance of staying in school and going to college
- Fewer teen pregnancies
- Improved mental health
- Lower risk of heart disease in adulthood
- A longer lifespan
CCPS has Head Start and VPK parent pay openings in classrooms at our school and a variety of other locations across the district now and for the upcoming school year. Please visit http://collierschools.com/prek or call 239-377-0590 for more information. For information on other early learning centers in the area, please visit http://elcofswfl.org . Additionally, parents who have concerns about their child’s development (age birth-5) and would like to explore the possibility of early intervention services can contact Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resource Systems (FDLRS) at https://tinyurl.com/IslandCoastChildFind for a free developmental screening.
Attention MES Volunteers
Although volunteers are currently NOT allowed on campus during school hours, there are some steps you can do now to make the transition back on campus easier.
Please sign up to be a MES volunteer by:
1. Completing and/or updating your volunteer application with the Collier County School District. Even if you were a volunteer last year, this needs to be done every year. https://www.collierschools.com/volunteer
2. All volunteers need to read the volunteer handbook. Volunteers will sign an acknowledgment form provided by the school once we return to campus. https://www.collierschools.com/page/452
Manatee Elementary School
Website: https://www.collierschools.com/mes
Location: 1880 Manatee Road, Naples, FL, USA
Phone: (239) 377-7600
Facebook: facebook.com/ManateeCCPS
Twitter: @ManateeCCPS