Middletown Messenger
October 2019
From the Principal's Pen
Middletown Families,
I would like to thank our Parent Teacher Association (PTA) president, Becky King, and her board for planning and implementing an exciting Readathon this school year! This event funds many of the incredible opportunities that our PTA provides for students each year. Your donations will directly impact students and will support student technology and supplies, such as Chromebooks in the classroom. All K–5 students have access to an online Backpack of Success Skills portal, where they can archive and reflect upon their work each year. Our fifth-grade students will present defenses in March, where they will share work that they are most proud of and explain why they are prepared to enter middle school next year.
The last day for the first grading period is October 16 and Report Cards will be sent home on October 30. I hope you take advantage of Parent-Teacher Conference Day on October 8 to meet your child’s teacher/s and reflect with them about progress over the first semester. Parent communication is very important to us, and our goal is to partner with families all year to support learning and discover the brilliance in all our students. If you have not already signed up for a conference with your child’s teacher, feel free to reach out to him or her and schedule a conference.
I wanted to send out another reminder about the Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) District Wellness Policy and Smart Snack expectations. This newsletter contains information about snacks that are acceptable to bring to school for class parties, celebrations, etc. With fall parties just around the corner, I wanted to make sure that families had this information in advance.
Discovering the Brilliance in Every Child,
Justin Matson
Counselor's Corner
Hello Parents/Guardians,
I really enjoyed entering classrooms and talking with students about emotions and giving them some tools to help cope with their emotions in a positive way. Students were very engaged and gave a lot of insight into how they feel and how they deal with their feelings. We also had great conversations with our fifth-grade students regarding the seriousness of people who are having thoughts of suicide and how we can save lives by make sure someone in that situation gets the help they need. The fifth grade really responded well, showing amazing growth and maturity when addressing such a heavy and serious topic. I am very proud of all of them.
October will be a very busy month. It is Bullying Prevention Month, and I will be entering classrooms for core counseling instruction on the topic of peer conflict, which will also address the issue of bullying. Red Ribbon Week is also October 23–31. This is a week when we will do various activities to promote students’ being drug-free and making healthy life choices. This is always a fun and exciting week for the school, and I look forward to it.
AP Testing: October is also the month when third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade students will take the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) 7 assessment to identify students who will be considered to participate in the Advance Program. Letters were sent home to parents/guardians with information regarding the AP Test. You can find the links here:
Third- and fourth-grade students will take the assessment in the mornings on October 9, 10, and 11 (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday). Fifth-grade students will take the assessment in the mornings on October 15, 16, and 17 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).
To add some clarity regarding the test scores, current AP students who decide to retake the test to improve their score will not be removed from the AP class. JCPS will always use the highest when considering students applying for magnet programs in middle school. A student who scores 24 or higher will be considered Gifted/Talented.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me using my information below if you have any other questions or concerns regarding the AP Test and Program.
Career Day is on Tuesday, November 12. If you are a parent/guardian who would like to participate in this year’s Career Day, please mark this date on your calendar. I’d like to have as many different career fields represented as possible. Please email me at chas.meinecke@jefferson.kyschools.us if you are willing and able to participate. All volunteers must complete a quick background check using this link: Volunteer Background Check . More information about this event will be available in the near future for those who contact me.
Operation Parent—We are continuing to partner with Operation Parent, an organization that offers numerous resources and webinars for parents to address various topics and issues impacting families. Please visit the website for more information: https://operationparent.org/
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the services I provide or if you need more information regarding the mentioned events, please feel free to contact me through email at chas.meinecke@jefferson.kyschools.us or by phone at 485-8300. I thoroughly enjoy serving the students, parents, staff, and community as the school counselor in Middletown and will continue to do so to the best of my ability.
Sincerely,
Chas Meinecke, School Counselor
The Hite/Middletown Family Resource Center
HMFRC Mission: “To mobilize and coordinate students and family-focused activities at times and in locations appropriate to their needs. Through the creation of a local source of information and support, the HMFRC will strive to support students and their families in order to overcome barriers to achievement. By providing this support, the center will assist children to reach their full human potential as caring, competent, lifelong learners who contribute to the community in a positive manner.”
The Dentist is coming To Middletown!
Smile Academy of Kentucky will be at Middletown Elementary on Wednesday, October 30th, 2019. This professional group is able to provide preventive dental care to students. One such service is the dental screening that is required for all Kindergarteners prior to January 2020. This is a great opportunity to mark that requirement off your to do list. No need to wait until January – get it done now! All children are eligible for treatment regardless if they have dental insurance or not. If there is no dental insurance the service will be provided at no cost to families.
If you are interested please download the permission slip found below and return to the Family Resource Center no later than Wednesday, October 9th, 2019.
Parent/Guardian Needs Assessment
One of the goals for the Hite/Middletown Family Resource Center’s (HMFRC) partnership with Hite is to provide needed support, programs, and services to students and families. In order to have the best chance of succeeding in that goal and plan programming that will be most beneficial for your students and families, your feedback is necessary. Thank you for completing the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JCPS_FRCParent
Educational Benefits Form
Middletown Elementary is one of 128 JCPS schools participating in the Community Eligibility (CE) Provision under the National School Lunch Program. The CE provision is directed toward schools with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Under CE, all students receive a breakfast/lunch at no charge for the entire school year.
However, to determine the eligibility of additional benefits for our students and to secure funding for our school, we need all Middletown Elementary families to complete the Educational Benefits Form (EBF) every year. One per family is fine. The EBF is used not only for data-collecting purposes but it also serves to continue to identify students who would qualify for free and reduced-price meals or fee waivers. Some families may prefer to not disclose financial information; if this applies to you, there is a checkbox in both the hard copy and the electronic copy of the form where you can elect not to disclose. But remember, by filling out the form, you are helping your child's school receive additional funds.
You are now able to fill the form out online at https://jcps.me/ebf. For more information, you can also visit https://goo.gl/9SpMig.
I am also available and more than happy to help you fill this form out over the phone.
Feel free to call or email if you have any questions or concerns.
HMFRC Compliments, Concerns, Questions or Suggestions...
The HMFRC is always looking for volunteers and donations; if you have items to donate, feel free to send them my way.
My office door is always open, please come visit Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can find me at Hite Elementary.
The Center’s hours are 8:30am-4:30pm.
email: elvira.paguada@jefferson.kyschools.us
Phone: 502.313.4504 (M, W, & F) or 502.313.4473 (T & Th)
Follow the center on Social Media:
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A Word from the PTA
Hey, Middletown Bulldogs! We want to say a huge thank-you for supporting your school during ReadAThon this year. You guys did an awesome job reading well over 300,000 minutes, and you raised over $11,000! The PTA is so proud of you guys.
Stay tuned for more CarPool Conversations on Facebook.
October Events:
Thursday, October 3 | Picture Day
Saturday, October 19 | FALL FAMILY FUN FESTIVAL | 4–7 p.m
(**If you want to promote your business or sell your merchandise during the festival please reach out to Becky King at middletownptapresident@gmail.com**)
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ExtraCurriculars
Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP)
If you have any questions, please reach out to Elvira Paguada, HMFRC & STLP Coordinator, elvira.paguada@jefferson.kyschools.us
2019-2020 Mascot Tryouts
The 2019-2020 Mascot Tryouts will be held on October 9, 2019 from 4-5:30 in the Gym! If your child is interested and has not signed up you, they can still do so. Signup sheet is in the gym. Permission slips to participate in tryouts will be coming home soon! Those that are selected will be notified at the end of the tryouts and will be announced on WDOG the following day!
Please contact Coach Lee with questions! coachjulielee@gmail.com
Fall 2019 After School Ballet Class
What: This is an introductory class in Ballet Fundamentals for boys and girls in elementary school. Students will learn positions while also working on posture, balance, and coordination. Ballet is the foundation of all dance styles and highly recommended for all students.
Where: Middletown Elementary School
Grades: 2–5
When: Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m. | Fall Session: October 14–December 9, 2019 | There is no class when JCPS is closed.
Instructor: This class will be provided by an instructor from the Sacred Heart School for the Arts.
How much: $90, cash or check (Checks should be made out to SHSA.)
To enroll: Please return forms (please download below) and payment to the front office, Attention: Elvira Paguada, HMFRC Coordinator, by Thursday, October 3. Students must supply their own ballet shoes. (Clothing can be dancewear or loose-fitting.)
Fall 2019 After School Fencing Classes
Where: Middletown Elementary School
Grades: 2–5
When: Mondays, 4 to 5 p.m. | Fall Session: October 14, 21, 28; November 11, 18, 25; December 2 and 9, 2019
How long: This is an 8-week class.
Instructor: The program is under the teaching of Coach Dwain Kent, with oversight from Maestro Les Stawicki, head coach of the Louisville Fencing Center.
Uniform: Pants, T-shirt, and fencing glove will be provided at the first class. Fencers will also need to provide their own white knee-high socks and tennis/court shoes. Fencers must be wearing the uniform to participate in in-class activities.
Equipment: All equipment (mask, jacket, and practice weapon) will be provided by the Louisville Fencing Center for student use during the class sessions as needed.
How much: Beginners pay $140 ($100 for classes and $40 for the glove, T-shirt, pants, & USFA Membership), please make checks payable to The Louisville Fencing Center.
To enroll: Please return forms (please download below) and payment to the front office, Attention: Elvira Paguada, HMFRC Coordinator, by Thursday, October 3.
If you have any questions, you can email Coach Kent at dwainkent@gmail.com. (The subject line should indicate “Middletown Fencing.”)
Fall 2019 After School Drama Class
What: This class is perfect for students who are animated and energetic. It is also helpful for helping students find their confidence and voice. Students will learn basic acting techniques that will help them in their next audition and/or performance opportunities.
Where: Middletown Elementary School
Grades: 2–5
When: Thursdays, 4 to 5 p.m. | Fall Session: October 10–December 12, 2019 (no class on October 31)
Instructor: This class will be provided by an instructor from The Sacred Heart School for the Arts.
How much: $100, cash or check (Checks should be made out to SHSA.)
To enroll: Please return forms (please download below) and payment to the front office, Attention: Elvira Paguada, HMFRC Coordinator by Thursday, October 3.
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Did you know?
Attendance Matters!
So, we invite our Bulldogs to Fall IN!
With the upcoming Fall Break, we want to remind you to make every effort to avoid taking extra days off. Just a few missed days here and there, even those that are excused absences, can add up to too much-lost learning time and leave your child struggling to stay on level with his or her class.
Ideally, every student would have an average daily attendance rate of more than 90 percent. That means your child should have been in school for at least 30 days of the last 33 days school has been in session. Of course, being here 100 percent of all school days would be perfect!
For information about your child’s daily attendance, please contact Sandy Hicks, attendance clerk, at sandra.hicks@jefferson.kyschools.us.
Nutrition Services News!
There are many new and exciting things happening with our nutrition services and wellness initiatives.
Take a look below for more information!
Smart Snack Calculator!
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Enroll your Kroger Plus Card number in the Kroger Community Rewards Program.
Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com to enroll today! Our organization number is 14817.
Fall Pictures
Oct. 3
No School for Students-Fall Break
Oct. 4-8
Staff Professional Development Day-No School
Oct. 7
Parent/Teacher Conferences-No School
Oct. 8
Showcase of Schools
Saturday, October 12
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Kentucky International Convention Center Downtown
Upper Concourse -
South Hall A&B
Fall Family Fun Night
Oct. 19
4-7pm
Red Ribbon Week
Oct. 23-31
3rd Grade Concert
Oct. 24
6:30 pm
Dental Screenings
Oct. 30
About Us
Email: JCPS.Middletown-Office@jefferson.kyschools.us
Website: www.middletownelementary.org
Location: 218 North Madison Avenue, Louisville, KY, USA
Phone: 502-485-8300
Facebook: facebook.com/middletownelementary
Twitter: @MiddletownES