Mesa Panther News
October 2020
Principal's Desk
During this unprecedented time in education, communication and partnership between school and home is more important than ever. Regardless of whether your child is a Hybrid, APEX or Distance Learning student, we are here to help. If your child is struggling emotionally or academically, we have supports and services available. Please contact us. We have completed 9 weeks of instruction and have completed the first marking period. First quarter report cards are available in PowerSchool by accessing the Parent Portal and will be mailed out by October 26, 2020. Please review your child’s attendance and academic progress closely. The social emotional needs of our students continue to be a top priority. Students will be participating in lessons created by the evidence based Second Step Program. Our MMS teachers will administer these lessons. The goal of this program is to build a culture of connectedness while empowering students with the necessary skills to find success socially and academically during these challenging times. The first lessons focused on goal setting and Growth Mindset Development when faced with obstacles.
Surveys have been sent to students, parents and staff members at Mesa Middle School. We want to get better in many areas and I want to thank you all for the submissions. In next month’s newsletter, I will post the results along with the minor tweaks to make the overall learning experience more efficient for us all. Our relationship will allow us to find success for our students, more than ever we need to work together. If you have needs at home please reach out to us, we want to try to help.
We are ready to have our students in school; protocols are in place to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and now the flu. The only way for us to get back into the classroom is to put political agendas aside and do the right thing. Thank you for your time let us make it our goal to safely get our students back into the classroom.
Many teachers, even some outside of our APEX staff also have tutoring times available for additional support. Please contact an APEX teacher or the front office for more information.
We encourage students who are behind to keep working. They have until the end of the semester to get caught up.
From Ms. Flores
Seventh graders in Ms. Flores class are learning about New Mexico's first people. Students were to create their own "mano" and "matate" which were used to grind nuts to produce flour, amoung other things. Students went out and found 2 rocks for their manos and matates. Many students participated grinding various home items such as potato chips, cereal, dried dog food, crackers, dried spaghetti noodles, and even a crayon. Students realized how difficult it was to use these tools.
We also learned about a hunting tool called an atlatl. This was made by the Archaic people to help throw the spear faster and more accurate. One student took it upon himself to make his own atlatl. He was very creative and made a spear to go with it. He showed the classroom what he made, so many students thought that was "cool". The student said he learned how to throw the spear with the atlatl, however, it did take him some practice.
The creativity with this lesson was fun. Watching the students participate and interact with each other through zoom was an awesome time.
On Ms. Flores' Canvas home page students are able to go through a library of books and activities about Halloween, there are typing lessons, how to carve a pumpkin, and various songs to get students up and dancing. Each month the library books and activities will change according to the season or holidays. I have had positive feed back from students, this gives them opportunities to read and have other fun activities to do.
Panther Athletics
Under the latest guidance by the NM Governor’s Office and the NMAA, all 2020 fall athletic activities were canceled. We ask that all Panther athletes and their families continue wearing masks, following the social distancing guidelines, and limiting their exposure for the health and well-being of all Panthers. Further changes to scheduled athletic activities could occur based upon further guidance from the NM State Governor’s Office and the NMAA. Please be flexible with the new changes and the requirements by the Governor’s Office, NMAA, RISD, and Mesa Middle School. As a “PANTHER TEAM”, we will compete with class on and off the field, and WE WILL RETURN TO SCHOOL AND PLAY SPORTS AGAIN.
Under the NMAA guidance for return to play, student athletes will complete a physical (7th grade) or a physical waiver for students that had completed a physical from 2019-2020. Physicals can be found at the following webpage and must be submitted prior to participation in an activity or sport: https://www.risd.k12.nm.us/cms/One.aspx?portalId=18731981&pageId=22250738. Please drop off the completed physicals at Mesa Middle School.
Finally, we ask that you continue to check on the academic progress of your child to ensure a successful academic and athletic school year. Student athletes are required to maintain a 2.0 with no “F’s” on the report card. Thank you for all of your help this year, and please stay safe, masked and positive for a wonderful athletic season.
Notes from the Nurse
-Nurse Youngblood
Panther Pride
Mesa Middle School has undergone many changes of the last few months. Not only are we looking at construction on the new building to begin soon, but we are also preparing for the return of our students to the campus. Once the governor and district allow students to return to school, students will enter the building from the East entrance, and they will see signs on the walls and floor markings all throughout the building. Students that enter the building must wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth at all times, remain 6 feet apart from each other and follow the markings on the floor. Mesa Middle School has marked lanes identifying the flow pattern that students will use to and from class.
Students will also notice that the water fountains are closed and off limits to reduce the amount of contact points in the building. Consequently, the RISD and Mesa Middle School will be providing water. Students that prefer to bring a water bottle may do so if they desire. Finally, as we make the transition into the classroom, please help us by being flexible and understanding of changes that might occur to the manner in which we conduct the education of our students. We cannot wait to see everyone back in the building. Stay safe, wear your masks, and we will see you soon!