The Messmore Messenger
August 28, 2023
A Note From the Principal
Can you believe it? Just one more week of summer vacation until another incredible school year starts! We hope you've had an enjoyable and relaxing summer break. As we gear up to welcome our students back, here are a few friendly reminders to help ensure a smooth transition.
- Technology: Incoming kindergarten and first-grade students will receive updated iPads. Second-grade students will be issued new laptops. I highly recommend everyone purchases the district's device insurance for $17.50. It has to be renewed annually, and you have only until September 8, 2023, to buy it through PaySchools; see the information below. I also recommend that students do not put stickers on their devices. The device insurance does not cover a $10 sticker removal fee.
- Teacher Assignment: Parents will be emailed their child's teacher assignment on Thursday, August 24, after 3:00 PM.
- Maverick Day: A back-to-school get-together on Monday, August 28th at 4:00 PM until 5:30 PM.
- NEW School Hours: 8:25 - 3:15 Half days 8:25 - 11:29
- First Day of School: Tuesday, August 29th. Half day of school, 11:29 dismissal.
- School Forms: Please review and update forms in Parent PowerSchool Account, a dietary and health form if needed.
- Volunteer Background Check: Must be completed every year. See at the bottom of the newsletter for the form.
With gratitude and excitement,
Renee Fiema, Ed.D.
Messmore Principal
Payschools
Important Note About PaySchools for the 2023-24 School year
PaySchools has improved its platform this year to provide a system that is consistently more reliable and user friendly. The end result for parents will be that the information they need will be personalized for their child.
As a result, families will be asked to recreate an account (even if you previously had a PaySchools account). Once created, you will be provided with those product choices that directly relate to your child.
Just follow these easy steps:
- Create an account from your computer or tablet at: www.payschoolscentral.com
- Complete the account registration by selecting register, enter your profile details, setting up your password via the email link that will be sent to you, then logging in.
- Add your children to your account using their student ID numbers. ID numbers are found on their report card available through PowerSchool.
- If you like, enter credit card and/or banking information as forms of payments to use with your PaySchools account.
A complete guide (with screen shots) is available at this link.
Need help with your PaySchools Central account?
8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. ET (M-F)
psc_help@payschools.com
877-393-6628
Volunteer Background Checks
Parent and Student Handbook
Messmore Montessori Association
MMA Board
Elisabetta Stupera, President
Paulette Qussar, Vice President of Committees
Amanada Hijazi, New Vice President of Fund Raising
Stacee Jones, New Treasurer
Paul Jones, New "Techetary" aka Secretary
MMA Meeting Dates
Location: Messmore Media Center at 6:00 PM
9/13
10/11
11/15
12/13
1/17
2/27
3/20
4/17
5/15
School Aged Child Care
School Aged Child Care- SACC
School Aged Child Care is available for Messmore students.
- AM Care is at Messmore and is available from 6:45 AM until school starts.
- PM Care is at Rose Kidd and is available until 6:00 PM. Students are bused from Messmore to Rose Kidd.
Free Breakfast and Lunch Program
Order Lunch and Breakfast the Day Before
All students are now able to have free breakfast and lunch each day. Having this extra benefit may increase the number of lunches each day, thus making it very important that students order lunch the day before. Teachers take lunch count each day for the next day so we order the correct amount of food.
The menu, allergy, and nutrition information is still available on Nutrislice at https://uticak12.nutrislice.com or on the Nutrislice app.
If your student has any food allergies, please have your physician fill out the MDE Dietary Needs Form and return it to the food service office. The form is below and It must be filled out every year.
Eligibility Benefits Form or the School Meals and Summer EBT Form
All meals are free this year thanks to Michigan School Meals law. Students that would like to be eligible for benefits, such as pay-to-participate sports, college entrance/AP testing fees, summer EBT cards, and more, need to complete the Eligibility Benefits Form or the School Meals and Summer EBT Form. These forms are available at https://utica.familyportal.cloud/
Student With Medical Concerns
A physician must complete and sign The health care forms every year.
Health Care Plan
Maverick Day
School Schedule
Preschool Information
August 24, 2023
Meet the Teacher Am Preschool 8:30 - 10:00
Meet the Teacher PM Preschool 12:00 - 1:30
Preschool's First Day is August 30, 2023
AM Schedule 8:25 - 11:25
PM Schedule 12:15 - 3:15
Messmore Open House
Thursday, September 7, 2023
We will begin our open house in the cafeteria at 6:30 PM for a short presentation. Afterward, parents are invited to their child's classroom for a teacher presentation. We will run two sessions, so parents with more than one student can attend another teacher's presentation.
Important Dates
August
24- Classroom Placements will be emailed after 3:00 p.m.
28- Maverick Day 4:00 - 5:30
29- First Day of School 1/2 day
September
1- No School
4- No School on Labor Day
9/11 -Fun Run Teacher Huddle and Assembly
13- MMA Meeting at 6:00 PM
20- No School for Students
9/21- Fun Run Day
October
3- Picture Day
4- Fall Count Day
11- MMA Meeting at 6:00 PM
18- No School for Students
27- 1/2 Day for Students, End of Card Marking
31- 1/2 Day for Students
November
7- No School for Students, Election Day
9- Half Day of School, Afternoon Conferences
13 - 17 Scholastic Book Fair
15- Picture Retake Day, MMA Meeting at 6:00 PM
22 - 24 Thanksgiving Break
December
13- MMA Meeting at 6:00 PM
21- Half day of School, End of Card Marking
22 - Holiday Break Begins
January
3- School Resumes
13- MMA Meeting at 6:00 PM
15- School Closed MLK Day
Fun Run Day is Thursday, September 21, 2023
Apex Power is "Empowering Students"
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that we will host another Fun Run fundraiser this school year! The enthusiasm and support we've received from our students, parents, and staff have been remarkable, and we are deeply grateful for your continued involvement in our Montessori journey.
The Fun Run has proven to be more than just a fundraising event; it has become an integral part of our school's fabric. The resources generated from past Fun Run has allowed us to extend and enrich the Montessori learning experience for our students and staff. Your dedication and generous contributions have created an environment where curiosity, exploration, and growth flourish.
We're excited to share that we've partnered again with Apex, the company that helped make our previous Fun Run a resounding success. Apex's innovative approach aligns with our Montessori values and provides a structured framework for integrating peace education components into the event. With their support, we're confident that this year's Fun Run will raise much-needed funds and foster a sense of unity and purpose within our school community.
As we embark on this new Fun Run journey, we look forward to the joy, camaraderie, and positive impact this event will undoubtedly bring. Thank you for your commitment to Messmore and for being champions of our Montessori philosophy. Together, we'll continue to create an inspiring and nurturing learning environment for our students.
Lunch/Recess Supervisors Needed!
Are you interested in seeing whether or not your child is eating their lunch? Are you curious as to who your child's friends are? Do you like to help? Then this may be the job for you!
We are in need of lunchroom and lunch recess supervisors. This can be a paid position, if you're interested. Or it can be just on a volunteer basis. If you are interested in getting paid for your time as a lunchroom and lunch recess supervisor, then please see the attached information below regarding EduStaff and follow those directions. If you are interested in just volunteering, all I would need is a Criminal History Check Form filled out and submitted, if you have not already done so.
If you are interested in beginning the process, please reach out to Sarah in the main office (Sarah.Szadek@uticak12.org). We really need help on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Parking Lot Plan
Helpful Links
Family Portal (Lunches): https://utica.familyportal.cloud
PaySchools: https://parent.payschools.com/categories.asp?id=31141EF5772F4EBFAD7ADFAE5A1727B7&