MES Communication
February 11-24
Hello BEAR Nation!
Time continues to fly. SOL growth assessments are complete and WIDA assessments are currently in the works. If your student took a mid-year SOL growth assessment, you can expect to see a progress letter soon. Likewise, it’s that time of year when we send mid-year assessment and intervention information to families. Please be on the lookout for an email soon.
As you will see below, our Chronically Absent Percentages are moving in the right direction. Please keep it up! Students with perfect weekly attendance are adding their names to our attendance buckets each week. Keep up the improvement!
Our PTO has several spirit events and a family bingo planned over the next two months. They are also looking for volunteers to take on board positions for the 24-25 school year. We would love to begin our transition this spring to have a smooth board transition into next year. Please see the PTO section below for contact information.
Finally, It is important to know that our staff has a professional development day on Friday, February 16th and we are also closed for President’s Day on Monday, February 19th. Enjoy your long weekend!
Thanks for your partnership!
Mr. Machi
Lunch Menu (Feb 12-23)
FREE Breakfast and Lunch is available daily. Students may decline a meal at any time. Available Everyday: Hummus, or Sunbutter & Jelly
Specials Rotation (Feb 12-23)
Moncure is operating on a six-day rotation this year. Please look for specific Specials information from your child’s teacher!
School Calendar of Events
Now through March 7 – WIDA Testing
February 22 – Yuukanna House Event
February 27 – STREAM Night / One Book, One School Kick-off
February 27 – Five Guys PTO Spirit Night (4pm-8pm)
March 5 – No School (Special Election)
March 8-17 – Spring Break
March 22 – PTO Bingo Night
March 26 – Panera PTO Spirit Night (4pm-8pm)
SCPS 2023-24 Calendar
To help you to prepare for the year ahead, I encourage families to access the SCPS 2023-24 School Calendar. Please print or keep this link handy, as it will help you to prepare for holidays or periodic days off.
WIDA Assessments
All English Language Learners will take their annual WIDA assessments is running NOW through the end of February. These tests are an opportunity for students to show off their second language acquisition from one year to the next. There are 4 parts to these assessments (Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing). With over 300 students taking these assessments at Moncure, good student attendance is very important for us to test everyone. Like all assessments, it is important for students to take their time and do their best. Encouragement from home is appreciated!
Third Quarter Attendance Challenge
This quarter (January 8–March 7), we are rolling out a school-wide attendance challenge. Students who demonstrate perfect weekly (full day) attendance will earn a ticket. Students will be able to use these tickets to enter into drawings for items such as family 4 packs of Fun Land tickets, Monster Golf tickets, Sky Zone tickets, Urban Air tickets, and a few other options. For example, a student with perfect attendance this quarter will earn a total of 9 tickets to enter into a drawing(s) of their choice.
Attendance Update:
Chronically Absent Percentages:
Kindergarten: 34% (Aug-Dec) / 15.9% (Since Jan 4)
First Grade: 20% (Aug-Dec) / 15.8% (Since Jan 4)
Second Grade: 22.2% (Aug-Dec) / 14.7% (Since Jan 4)
Third Grade: 19.4% (Aug-Dec) / 13.6% (Since Jan 4)
Fourth Grade: 11.7% (Aug-Dec) / 17.6% (Since Jan 4)
Fifth Grade: 13.6% (Aug-Dec) / 16.8% (Since Jan 4)
Chronic Absenteeism (Please keep in mind)
Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing ten percent or more of the academic year, including excused absences, unexcused absences, and suspensions. In a 180-day school year, this equates to approximately 18 days, or 2 to 3 days per month. Our school’s goal for the current academic year is to maintain a chronic absenteeism rate of no more than 15%.
The state has tasked schools and school divisions to crack down on these numbers and involve the court system if necessary. We simply ask that you get your students to school. If your student is sick, keep them home. However, if your student is simply tired, get them up.
Missed instruction, regardless of the reason, can have significant academic consequences. Therefore, our emphasis is on improving attendance for every student. It is crucial to note that, at the current rate, our school’s accreditation will be affected.
We ask for your support in helping us reach our attendance goal. Encouraging regular attendance not only benefits individual students but also contributes to the overall success and well-being of our school community.
The state has stated that attendance plans are mandatory for ALL students with 10 or more absences. If you have any questions or concerns regarding attendance, please do not hesitate to reach out to our school office. We appreciate your partnership in fostering a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.
We are looking for PTO Volunteers!
Moncure has awesome students and a beautiful school. However, the past few years have been very difficult for our Parent Teacher Organization. Currently, we have a small group of volunteers making our PTO possible. We would love to add a few more volunteers to our group. If you are interested in supporting our students, our school, and our community, then serving as a member of Moncure’s PTO might be right for you. We encourage anyone (regardless of home language) to participate. Should you wish to learn more about our PTO, please go to https://ames.ptboard.com or scan the QR code.
PTO News
Please use the link below to read our February PTO Newsletter
PTO Board Positions for the 24-25 School Year
· President
· Vice President of Programs
· Vice President of Fundraising
· Treasurer
· Secretary
PTO Volunteer Opportunities
· Donations to teacher appreciation and Bingo Night
· School Store
· Assisting with Bingo Night
· Assembling spirit grams
Connect with our PTO:
· Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoncurePTO
· PTBoard: https://www.Ames.PTBoard.com
· Website: https://www.facebook.com/MoncurePTO
House Point Standings: (As of February 11, 2024)
Yuukanna House Event
We are so excited to invite our Yuukanna House to the first house event of the year - Cocoa, Cookies and Competition: Family Game Night. We are excited to begin house specific events at Moncure. This is a great chance for our Yuukanna House to get to know one another. Mark your calendar for February 22nd.
Help Moncure Celebrate Black History Month
Throughout the month of February, Moncure will celebrate prominent Black Americans from past and present. Like last year, we invite families to send us inspiring quotes, photos, and/or tributes to family members or other prominent figures in black history. Your digital entries will printed and posted in our building for everyone to celebrate. Please forward all digital entries to Mr. Price at pricejf@staffordschools.net. We will take care of everything from there. Thanks for your contributions in advance.
Kids Heart Challenge
Our school just kicked off the American Heart Association Kids Heart Challenge! Students and staff are excited to care for their hearts and minds, help kids with special hearts and learn lifesaving Hands-Only CPR! To learn more about how you can become a Heart Hero and complete Finn’s Mission, I invite you to watch this SHORT VIDEO. This year’s challenge runs through February 29th. If you haven’t joined our Kids Heart Challenge team yet, get started today! We need your help to reach our goal of 100% of families completing Finn’s Mission! Let’s do this Bears!!!
Here’s how you can help:
· Register: http://www2.heart.org/goto/MoncureElementary or download the free “AHA Schools” app.
· Complete Finn’s Mission: Watch the 2-minute Hands-Only CPR video featuring cardiac arrest survivor, Damar Hamlin, and watch a music video on the warning signs of a stroke (F.A.S.T.).
· Share with Family & Friends: Send messages via social media, text messages and/or email.
Help our class win the classroom challenge by registering and completing Finn’s Mission. We can create a community of lifesavers!
23-24 KHC Moncure Kids Heart Challenge Video
QUESTIONS: For questions about the webpage or app, please feel free to contact the Kids Heart Challenge help desk directly at schools@cdsfulfillment.com or 1-877-824-8531
THANK YOU for being one of our Heart Heroes!
Thank you,
YOUR MONCURE PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS
Coach Barr, Coach Oliver and Coach McAfee
Moncure’s Resource Staff
Recent Stafford County surveys have uncovered the need for us to share more about our resource staff. Whether you would like to know more about who to ask for in our office, learn about our counselors, social worker, or instructional coaches, the link below should help. Moncure has a large team to support our large community. When in doubt, reach out!
Help Moncure Participate in a Pop Tab collection through May 17th!
To learn more, please click HERE! Each house team will be competing to see who can collect the most Pop Tabs! House points will be awarded each quarter!
Substitute Teachers Needed
Have you ever considered being a substitute teacher. Stafford County Public Schools is always looking for substitutes to support our schools. To learn about the application and hiring process, access the link below. We are always looking for energetic and positive substitutes to support our school. SCPS Substitute Hiring Information
A Note to School - Communication
Plans change and communication makes everything easier. Should you need to report an absence or adjust your BEAR’S dismissal plan, please contact our school. One way to communicate is by completing our “A Note to School” form and sending it through email to our office and your student’s teacher or by simply sending the form or a note to school. To access digital forms of this note, you can go to the parent portion of our webpage or simply use the link below. Thanks for keeping us informed. The earlier the better.
How to communicate with Moncure:
mefrontoffice@staffordschools.net -or- "A Note To School"
Please include in all emails:
Student's Name, Teacher's Name, and your name
Office Dismissal Hours (“No Student Office Dismissals” after 2:30PM)
It is not uncommon for our office and elementary schools across our county to receive multiple emails each day with dismissal changes from parents. The notifications require our office to contact teachers to prevent students from being dismissed incorrectly. Student office dismissals after 2:30PM only add to this confusion. Please understand that our “No Student Office Dismissal” restriction after 2:30PM is based on student safety. Thanks for your understanding!
“Caught Ya” Citations
“Caught Ya” Citations are a great way for students, parents, and staff to recognize adults in our building! These citations also provide students with an opportunity to earn House Points. Everyone wants to be a member of the “House of the Year!” If you would like to recognize one or more of our staff members, simply use this link. “Caught Ya” – Staff Citation Link Thanks for making someone’s day!