Believe it or not, we have entered the time of the year when we really start thinking about next year! For example, Back-to-School night will be on August 18, 2022 (please save the date: you’ll just have to be a little late to the county fair’s rodeo). :) As we prepare for next year, we start creating class lists (this process remains somewhat fluid until just before school starts because of a number of variables that can change over the summer: students can move; teachers can move; etc.). During this process, we look at various pieces of data: academic, social, etc. and we would like a piece of data from you! While we obviously can not entertain parents requesting specific teachers for their child(ren), we would love some specific input from you and your child(ren)!

Your child should be bringing home today (or it could be Monday because we have a number of teachers out today) a piece of paper that has four large, blank boxes on one side and is titled “One-Pager” and on the other side has specific questions on the back (a Spanish version is also going home). The “One Pager” asks for kids (and parents) to identify the students “Strengths, Preferences, Interests, and Needs” (S.P.I.N.). Please take some time this weekend or early next week to complete this with your child(ren) and then return it to your child’s teacher. For some more information (and a digital version you can complete and return to your child’s teacher), please go here: https://www.imdetermined.org/resource/one-pager/

May 9- Spirit Day: Wear crazy socks, hats, and hair!

May 9- 1st Grade (Hightree/Carr) Field Trip to Dream Come True Park and Arboretum 9:00-1:30

May 10- 1st Grade (Templeton/Gilbert) Field Trip to Dream Come True Park and Arboretum

9:00-1:30

May 10- Mental Health Awareness Day-Wear Green

May 10- June 3- SOL testing see calendar

May 17- 2nd Grade (Bowman/Teter) Field Trip to Arboretum 9:30-1:00

May 19- 2nd Grade (Caffo/Howard) Field Trip to Arboretum 9:30-1:00

May 27- Spirit Day: Wear Red, White, & Blue

May 31- Mobile Dentist

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year our theme is Nurture Your Mental Health with Nature. There are many benefits to getting outdoors like better concentration, healthy bodies, happier moods, and increased levels of vitamin D. On Tuesday, May 10th please wear green to support mental health. You can help by encouraging outdoor play at home. The below link suggests ten ways you can get outdoors and improve your mental health. We are excited to encourage outdoor play here at school.

https://thrivecounselingohio.com/the-10-best-outdoor-activities-to-do-for-your-mental-health

Rising 4th and 5th graders: STEM camp is coming to JWES this summer!

When: June 27th - 30th

Time: 9:00 - 1:00

Theme: Camping STEM

Teachers: Tara Counts and Heather Cherry, RCPS challenge teachers

We will learn about survival basics, solar power, and water filtration. We'll engineer a shelter, survival tool, harmonica, and much more!

How to register: Complete the form at the following link:

https://forms.gle/AitZp1zWYneQy5Np6

Field Day returns to Mountain View! While we were able to have a modified field day last year, it’s been 3 years since we’ve been able to host a normal field day. With Covid restrictions being loosened, parent volunteers are able to return to our building in certain situations and field day is one of them!

We will need your help so please check your calendars for Tuesday June 7, 2022, to see if you can spare 3-4 hours that day to run/supervise a field day station between 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. In addition, we will be asking for donations of specific supplies so even if you aren’t able to help that day, you can still volunteer by sending in requested items.

More specific details will come home in early May. We are always so grateful for our parents' help with this event as we can’t do it without you! Thank you.

Our PTO is seeking leadership for the 2022-2023 academic year! The PTO is a key partner for the school in supporting student programming and helping ensure the communication channels between parents, teachers, and administrators is as strong as possible.

We have several vacant officer positions for the 2022-2023 academic year. These service opportunities include:

• President
• Vice-President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Class Reps (Pre-K through 5th Grade)

Responsibilities of officers include attendance at monthly meetings, support of PTO-sponsored events, and a commitment to staying actively involved in the work of the PTO.

Our goal is to appoint leaders at our next meeting on Monday, May 9. If you're willing and able to serve, please let me know (daveurso@gmail.com) by Monday, May 2 and I'll follow up with additional details.

Thanks and Go Eagles!

Dave Urso

President, MVES PTO

Free and Reduced Meal Applications are now available for the 21-22 school year. Although all children are currently eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch meals during the school day, completing a meal application is still recommended if you believe you qualify. The qualification letter that is sent back to the household can be used for proof of eligibility for other program benefits and discounts, such as the Emergency Broadband Benefit. To apply, please complete the online meal application at www.myschoolapps.com, or fill out the attached application and return to your child's school or mail to: Food and Nutrition Services, 1210 N. Liberty St., Harrisonburg, VA, 22802.