MIDWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
THE GALLOPING GAZETTE
Jan Fickling, Principal; Christy M. Graham, Assistant Principal;
LaQuana Aldridge, Assistant Principal
Phone (803) 821-0300 Fax (803) 821-0303
180 Midway Road
Lexington, SC 29072
Midway Elementary School Website
Office Hours: M-Fri. 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
MIDWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VISION
The vision of Midway Elementary School is for students to become self-directed, life-long learners who are responsible thinkers, collaborative workers, and productive citizens for the 21st century.
MIDWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MISSION
The mission of Midway Elementary School is to create a safe and nurturing learning environment, in collaboration with our community, which fosters the total development of every child.
October 27, 2017
Mustangs, as this letter from the district is very important I wanted it to be the focus. The way absences and minutes in school are recorded has changed. Please read carefully. Have a wonderful weekend!!! Jan Fickling, Principal of Midway Elementary
Lexington County School District One
October 20, 2017
Dear Parents/Guardians of Elementary Students:
When the second nine weeks begins on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, in Lexington County School District One, you will see a change in the way your child’s PowerSchool information shows whether your child is counted absent or present each day.
As you remember, the district considers students present only when they are actually at school, on homebound instruction or attending an activity authorized by the school such as field studies, athletic contests, music festivals, student conventions, etc. If absent, a student must present a written excuse signed by a parent/guardian, physician or other appropriate person within three days after returning to school, and the excuse must include the date the excuse is written, date of the absence, reason for the absence, telephone number where the parent/guardian may be reached and the required signature. If a student fails to provide a proper excuse, the excuse may be recorded as unexcused.
That part remains unchanged.
What does change is that when the second nine weeks begins on Tuesday, a student who misses 50 percent of his/her instructional day for any reason, whether the missed time is excused or unexcused, will be marked absent.
For instance, if a child’s school begins the instructional day at 7:40 a.m. and ends the instructional day at 2:25 p.m., he/she normally attends school for six hours and 45 minutes (405 minutes total). In order for that child to be counted present, he/she would need to attend school for at least three hours and 23 minutes (203 minutes).
This change comes about because of a change in a federal law that governs the United States K–12 public education policy, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). In that law, the United States Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights changed the definition of “absent.” Their new definition uses the minutes in a school day formula.
We believe that attendance is a key factor in student achievement and that any absence from school represents an educational loss. We recognize that some absences are unavoidable. We also know that during this first “change” year, this could be a little confusing. So, if you have any questions about this new definition of absent, feel free to call the district’s Central Services Office 803-821-1029 or email Matt McCormack at mmccormack@lexington1.net.
Sincerely,
Jeff Caldwell
Chief Student Services Officer
Socktober! Providing socks for those in need! Please donate! Last day is Tuesday Oct. 31st
Save the Date: Friday, November 3rd, 2017
Friday, November 3rd, 2017
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Midway’s International Heritage Night
&
Mini Silent Auction
The Mustang family invites you to participate in Midway’s International Parade of Nations on Friday, November 3, 2017, following the morning announcements. We want to celebrate the diversity and cultural heritage of our wonderful students and their families. Students may wear traditional clothing from their country and/or bring a country flag to wave as they parade through the hallways. The parade is open to all of our fabulous students, and we encourage you to join in the celebration. We will also be singing “Hello to All the Children of the World” as we greet one another. For those who wish to join in the festivities, please meet in the cafeteria at 7:45 a.m.
Also remember that later the same evening, November 3, 2017, the amazing Midway PTO is sponsoring International Heritage Night from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. We hope to see you there.
Save the date to honor our Service Men and Women, Veterans and First Responders
NOVEMBER 10, 2017 VETERAN'S DAY PARADE AND CEREMONY
Students are encouraged to invite a veteran (a family member, close family friend or neighbor) as their special guest to participate in this event honoring our local veterans and service people. Midway will also create a “Wall of Honor” to display in our school so that our students will have a better understanding of all of the people that serve or have previously served our country – branch, rank, main job duties, tours, recognitions, etc. We would like students that have invited a guest to complete the “Wall of Honor” information sheet attached. Extra forms can be picked up from the front office or printed on white paper from the newsletter email. Students should return the page to the office by November 3 so that the wall display can be created before November 10.
Red Ribbon Week
Mrs. Howell's class celebrates making healthy choices by wearing red during Red Ribbon Week. We also had 4th graders, Nia and Carley, come read to us this week.
Calling all Mustang Artists! "Midway Mission: Possible" Yearbook Cover Art Needed
Learning Commons
Calling all football fans! Read Your Way to the Big Game is here!
21 days of Reading Challenge
The number one way you can help your child with their learning is to read at home! The research is there. So I challenge each of you this month to embark on this challenge. 21 days of reading with and/or to your child. Life can get so busy, but taking just a few minutes each day to sit next to your child and read a book will show them how important reading is, but also how important they are.
Sign up here: http://www.readaloud.org/21daychallenge.html
And take pictures! I'll be participating in this challenge both at Midway, reading aloud to classes, and at home with my own little person. Use the #21dayReadAloud and #MES21dayReadAloud
Let's get reading!
"Everyone is a reader, some just haven't found their favorite book yet."
Melissa Mixon --- Literacy Coach
MES LSCD1
(803)821-0290 mhmixon@lexington1.net Twitter @Mrs_M_Mixon
Small Moment Soiree
Exciting Art News:
An arts advocate viewing student art at the SC State Fair recognized the talents of Midway artists, Namiah Luke and Caroline Ziegler. The advocate contacted me and asked if she could buy the art from the students. Through careful thought and consideration, Namiah has decided to sell her art and Caroline is keeping her original and donating a second piece to the arts advocate. Wonderful! Congratulations to both of these fine artists!
The art exchange will happen on November 16th, and family members are invited to share the memory.
Artist of the Month for October
Our newly selected artists for the months
of October are as follows:
· Grade K: Grant Godfrey
· Grade 1: Meana Sarwary
· Grade 2: Ella Willis
· Grade 3: Brynn Hahne
· Grade 4: Evelyn Lawson
· Grade 5: Casey Pauelo
Congratulations to these wonderful artists!
Hope you will get a chance to check out the artwork in the front display case.
LCSD Master Deputy Hinz and K9 partner, Injas, Gaston Police Dept., Brandon Poole and new K9 Bella
Order your MES Yearbook online through Tuesday January 31, 2017
Enter to win a cafeteria makeover!
MES Morning Walk Schedule
Students will be picked up in the hallways at 7:10.
5th Grade – Monday
4th Grade – Tuesday
3rd Grade –Wednesday
1st & 2nd Grade – Thursday
Kindergarten - Friday