Maltby Messenger
November 19th Edition
~A message from our Principal~
Dear Maltby Families,
As Thanksgiving approaches, we are thankful for so much. Thankful for the beauty surrounding us and the many small moments of joy we experience each day-a child’s laughter, unconditional love from a pet, or kind words from a friend. May we find peace and give grace as we travel through these unusual times. May we find hope and give kindness as we conclude this year. I wish each of you joy and thankfulness during this season.
A cookbook is being created! Have a favorite recipe that you want to share? Lori Clark, our digital learning specialist, is working on creating this cookbook for us! Please send her your favorite recipe so she can add it to the book. Her email is clarkl@monroe.wednet.edu.
Our food pantry will be open on Tuesday, November 24th, from 11:30-1:30. We have a lot of items to share with you, so please stop by.
Need books for the break? Please let Tracy Spahman know and she will pull the books and you can swing by and collect them. Her email is spahmant@monroe.wednet.edu.
Have an amazing break!!
Fondly,
Bonnie McKerney
MSD Self-Declaration Checklist Attestation Form
Monroe Public Schools will dismiss next Wednesday, November 25th, at 12:55 PM for the Thanksgiving holiday. The office will be closing at 2 PM on on that day. In addition, there will be no school Thursday, November 26th, and Friday, November 27th. School will resume at its normal time on Monday, November 30th. Please feel free to call the office if you have any questions. We wish you a wonderful holiday weekend with your families!
MSD School Board Statement on Hybrid Learning...
Dear Monroe School District Community,
The Monroe School District (MSD) School Board is pausing the return of first grade students to the in-person, cohorted, hybrid learning model. We have heard the concerns of our staff and families and are pausing in response to these concerns. We want to assure you that your MSD Board of Directors is committed to providing your students with the best education possible in a safe and healthy learning environment. We are committed to working with all of our labor groups to ensure confidence in our safety measures and practices during this ongoing pandemic.
Our Board remains committed to Equitable Access, Powerful Instruction, and High Expectations for each of the students and families that we serve. We will continue our conversations with the Monroe Education Association (MEA) to work to find a solution to best serve the students of the MSD. First grade students will pivot back to distance learning on November 19, 2020.
Monroe School District Board of Directors
Food Pantry...
Maltby food pantry will be having an EARLY distribution due to the Thanksgiving Holiday next week. Families are able to drive-thru here at Maltby between 11:30 AM-1:30 PM to get food for their family. There is no need to sign up. Please remember to wear your mask when coming for distribution.
GRATITUDE...
With the holidays upon us I wanted to focus on gratitude for this week. Studies have shown that practicing gratitude can have a positive impact on our emotions and emotional health. It can help us feel happier, increase our self-esteem and even have a positive impact on our physical health as well. Here are some activities that you can do at home with your kids to practice gratitude.
Gratitude Jar or Tree - teach the child to refer back to their notes when they are having a difficult day
Gratitude walk - take turns pointing out things throughout the walk that you appreciate Gratitude by numbers - roll a dice and whatever it lands on that person needs to say that many things they are grateful for
Alphabet game - Going through the alphabet, name something that begins with each letter that you are grateful for
Volunteering or Donating - this will help children understand how fortunate they are for the things they DO have
Write down 3 things you like about school
Compliment-give a compliment to each member of your family
Cheer someone on
Close your eyes and picture 5 things that you are grateful for.
Sincerely ~
Mrs. Gronwall
MBE Counselor
Lunch Info...
Highly Capable Program Screening
ATTENTION: 2nd and 4th Grade Families:
Due to technical difficulties, we had to postpone the CogAT assessment which measures students’ cognitive ability and is used to determine placement in our Highly Capable Program. This allows a couple of days for us to collect referrals from 2nd and 4th grade families who might have missed the initial referral window. You can go to our website, or click HERE and scroll down to the Resources section. Choose the English or Spanish translation and fill out the form.
The deadline is Friday, November 20, 5:00 p.m.
If you already filled it out, or your child has already been identified as highly capable, you do not need to submit it. If you want to decline the testing, please complete the form and choose ‘decline’.
Student Pick-up/Drop-off Procedures:
Attention Parents/Guardians:
If your child is CAR DROP:
-It is helpful if your child’s car seat is on the passenger side of the car.
-Please STAY IN YOUR CAR, if your child needs to be buckled, once loaded, please pull beyond the dumpsters and buckle them in.
-Cars will wait in a single line. Please do not pull around.
-Parents will pull up to a cone (red, orange, yellow, green, blue or purple)
-Our staff will monitor your child by the waiting wall until their name is called to go to a cone and load.
-Parents PLEASE do not have your child run across the parking lot or crosswalk.
If your child is a WALKER:
-Please come to the Parent Pick Up area located on the side of the gym near the black iron gate.
Thank you for helping us keep your children safe!!
Maltby Mustangs Family Cookbook...
https://read.bookcreator.com/e5PTQrMtFFTCu9GDuuzSp5bW2Gm2/3KHkg_ppT5mBkaoOG3GC1Q
New Opt-OUT Procedure for Student Use of Online Resources
This year, we have made a change in our procedure for our students’ use of technology, Internet, and online digital resources. In prior years, all parents have been asked to sign an Online Digital Resources Student Permission form to allow their student to use our approved online resources while at school. This has become a tedious process for both parents and staff, and we feel by changing the procedure to an opt-OUT, we can make this process easier for all.
Starting this school year, the new procedure requires parents to sign a form only if they would like to opt their student OUT of having access to the Internet, Google Suite for Education, online curriculum services, and other online applications and services that have been selected for use by the District, the child’s school, or the child’s teacher.
If a parent/guardian wishes to deny their student access to the above referenced resources, they will need to fill out the Opt-Out form located on the district website. Because of the essential nature of digital resources in the classroom, if a parent wishes to opt out their student, they will also need to schedule an appointment with the building administrator of their child’s school to discuss the request.
If opt-out documentation is not on file, it will be assumed that permission has been granted for access to the Internet, Google Suite for Education, online curriculum services, and other online applications and services that have been selected for use by the District, your child’s school, or your child’s teacher. Please refer to our website for a list of district approved online resources.
We hope this new procedure will be easier for our families each school year. If you have any questions, please contact DeAnn Hermes via email (hermesd@monroe.wednet.edu).
Monroe School District is HIRING
Monroe School District is currently hiring for Substitute Paraeducators. Due to our immediate need for Paraeducator Subs we are temporarily waiving our regular educational requirement of 72 college level credits or passed ParaProTest. Job requirements are; A sincere interest in helping children of all ages succeed in a safe and healthy school environment. If you are interested in applying to be a Substitute Paraeducator please apply online at https://monroejobs.hrmplus.net/
Applicants will be screened and interviews will take place via Zoom. Please note that the waiver of the educational requirements ONLY applies to the Substitute Paraeducator job position and not to any contracted Paraeducator jobs.
Questions?! Reach out to Annadea Olsen at olsena@monroe.wednet.edu
Learning Assistance Program
Our Maltby Intervention Team has begun serving students in the Learning Assistance Program (LAP), offering support in reading and writing. Your child may have been invited to special Zoom meetings with Jeannette VanDuine, Shae Hill, Jacque Hunt, Jennifer Russell or Becky Baker. Some groups meet Monday through Thursday and others less frequently. In some classrooms LAP support for reading and writing may happen during part of the classroom teacher's regular program in a breakout room or with a shared lesson. This LAP time gives students a chance to get individual attention at their current skill level and also work on grade level tasks for their classroom. Your child's classroom teacher can answer specific questions you may have about our program. In addition, Becky Baker ELL/LAP Intervention Specialist, can provide additional information.
Becky Baker
ELL/LAP Specialist
Maltby Elementary School
From the Desk of Nurse Joy...
Dear Maltby Parents,
We wanted to inform you of the health guidelines our Health Room Staff will be following to screen children for COVID-19 who are either presently at school or who will be attending in person school at a future date. We have provided the flow sheet of this screening for your review and reference.
The district is following guidelines for COVID Screening from the Snohomish Health District. If a child has one of the symptoms listed or more, they will go to a separate room with a health room staff member while the parent is being contacted to pick the child up. Please make sure you have provided a local emergency contact person and phone number in the event we cannot reach you. We will wait 30” before calling the emergency contact.
Please review the attached Screening Tool paying close attention to the box in the lower right corner which explains when the child can return to school. Please note that if your child does not get a COVID test, they will need to wait 10 days from the time the symptom(s) started and at least 24 hrs. after a fever has resolved before they can return. The Snohomish Health District has informed us that they provide COVID testing if you cannot get one from your local medical provider.
We are working to ensure that all children at Maltby stay healthy and safe! Thank-you for your understanding and cooperation.
The public health recommendation is that children receive a flu vaccine this season as an extra protection to their immune status!
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Joy Good RN BSN
Maltby Certificated School Nurse
360-804-3170
From our Counselor, Mrs. Gronwall...
Hello Parents/Guardians,
We would like to show students all the career possibilities at their fingertips. Can you help?
Please take a less than 5 min video to tell us about your career and show you in your work site.
Things to include:
- Job Title
- What is a day like in your career.
- What kind of schooling you needed
- What you love about your career.
You could record on your cell phone if you have one and send a downloadable video file. You can also use this flipgrid to record with your gmail account: https://flipgrid.com/c8493301
Please send your videos to gronwallg@monroe.wednet.edu
Thank you,
Mrs. Gronwall
Distance learning is difficult for everyone, including parents, so I would like us to connect via Zoom.
I will be offering a parent support group on Tuesdays from 3-4 pm and 8-9 pm starting November 10th, using my personal zoom link. Each group will meet for 6 weeks to provide time for us to learn how to support each other. Please contact me using email gronwallg@monroe.wednet.edu. Please include your phone number so I can call you back from home.
Please use my virtual counseling office link located down below. There are recorded read aloud stories, activities for the kids, and other resources.
Gail R. Gronwall
School Counselor Maltby Elementary
360-804-3533
Yearbook Snap...
As with all things in 2020, being creative is how we continue to keep moving forward during these unusual times. Creating a yearbook for our students is no exception! The Maltby Elementary yearbook team needs YOUR help by submitting your photos via the yearbook snap app. Continue reading below for further instructions on how to submit photos for consideration.
Two ways to submit your photos to the yearbook staff:
- Download the Yearbook Snap mobile app from the App Store or Google Play, and enter our access code: mustangs (case sensitive)
- Go to yearbookforever.com, enter Maltby Elementary, click on Community Upload/Yearbook Snap and enter our access code: mustangs (case sensitive)
Don't miss out on being a part of this historic yearbook!
If you have any questions about the yearbook or encounter any problems submitting photos feel free to contact the Maltby Elementary Yearbook Advisor: Stacie Birk via email: birks@monroe.wednet.edu.
MSD Help for Families in Need
Hello Monroe School District Families ~
Many of our families and students in Monroe experience homelessness. In order to best serve our community and provide for those in need, we are asking families or unaccompanied students to complete a survey inquiring about housing assistance and needs. If you currently rent or own your home, it is unnecessary to complete the survey. If, however, you are living with friends or family due to job loss or economic hardship, then please do let us know. There are services available to you and your family that we can help you with.
Find the survey here: https://forms.gle/qMDnR6Rc2QtEkKzv9
In community,
Chris Cronas
Director of Categorical Programs
Monroe School District
Changes During Distance Learning
Library Check-Out
Free Lunch Distribution:
We are excited to announce that we are expanding our free meal program to include an option for a free, pre-order, weekly meal kit! Starting October 28, 2020 school meal kits will be distributed every Wednesday.
Moving forward, order cut off will be Fridays at 8 a.m., prior to the pick up week. Meals will be picked up at Monroe High School (17001 Tester Road, Monroe) between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. each Wednesday. Each kit will include five days worth of breakfasts and five days worth of lunches. Each meal will include a fruit, vegetable and milk. Milk will be provided in 1/2 gallon plus 2 - 8oz cartons. You can pre-order your meal kits here.
Note: due to the Veterans Day holiday on Wednesday, November 11, meal kits will be picked up on Thursday, November 12 at Monroe High School that week.
Free meals will continue to be provided at all elementary schools and Monroe High School daily, from 11:30 - 1:30 p.m. It is important to note that duplicate meals are not allowed in the free meal program. Please choose to pick up a meal kit or meals daily, not both.
We also strongly encourage all parents/guardians to submit a free and reduced lunch meal application to qualify you for free internet. Completing an application takes less than 10 minutes, and families only need to complete one application.
Meal Applications can be found on our website and can be submitted in-person or online here. Once you submit an application, you will receive a notice in the mail as to whether your child/children can receive free or reduced-price meals. If approved, your letter can help you access the K-12 Internet Access Program. Every eligible form that is not submitted means lost resources for your family and our schools.
Food Pantry at Maltby...
The Maltby Food Bank in partnership with the Monroe Public Schools Foundation has created a Food Pantry at Maltby Elementary. It will be open every Thursday during the lunch pick-up time 11:30-1:30 pm in the car drop area to the east of the school. Items available include: Peanut butter, Beef stew pouches, black and pinto beans, crackers, snack items, macaroni and cheese, canned chicken and canned vegetables.
If you have any questions please contact Kathy Jackson at jacksonka@monroe.wednet.edu
Free and Reduced Lunch and Discounted Internet
While we are currently offering FREE breakfast and lunch to all students, the funding for this program has been extended through June 2021. We know that each year many of our families qualify for free or reduced price meals and it is very important that families who may qualify fill out the annual application in order to receive free or reduced price meals for the remainder of the school year.
If you qualify for free or reduced price meals, you may also be eligible to receive free internet service at your home. If you qualify for the free or reduced price meal program, you will receive a letter of approval. Once you have this letter, and if you are interested in the free Internet Access Program from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), please contact Brenda Hunt at: huntb@monroe.wednet.edu or 360.804.2500 (English) and Olga Flores at: floreso@monroe.wednet.edu or 360.804.2570 (Spanish) to receive the name of the internet provider and the offer/promo code to sign up for free internet. You can find more information on OSPI’s internet program here.
Maltby Food Bank
WAYS TO DONATE
Amazon Smiles
Do you shop at Amazon? Did you know that you can help our school by shopping through AmazonSmile?
We have an account that each time you purchase on the site, our school will earn 0.5% of funds back on your purchase!
Charity Name: Maltby Parent Teacher Organization
To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. On your first visit to AmazonSmile smile.amazon.com, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. We will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make at smile.amazon.com will result in a donation.
Benevity
Does your company partner with Benevity to give back? Did you know that you can choose our school to receive funds?
Search for MALTBY PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION , our unique ID # 911126130
Important Upcoming Dates!
November 23 ~ School Board Meeting @ 6 PM
November 24 ~ Maltby Food Pantry @ Maltby
November 24-5 ~ EARLY DISMISSAL @ 12:55 PM
November 26-27 ~ Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)
December 7 ~ School Board Meeting @ 6 PM
December 21-Jan 1 ~ Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER
We are so excited to be using Smore for our school newsletter this year! Our newsletter will be delivered directly to your email inbox and can be translated to any language in three easy steps:
When you receive the school newsletter in your email inbox, open the email and click on the title in the newsletter to open it in Smore.
Once in Smore, scroll to the very bottom of the newsletter. Above the red word ‘Report’ you will see the word ‘Translate’. Click ‘Translate’.
Next, select your preferred language in the drop-down menu and the newsletter will automatically translate to the language you chose.
About Us
Principal
Bonnie McKerney
Counselor
Gail Gronwall
Office Manager
Junelle Lewis
lewisj@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support
Jamie Porter
Health Room
HR Assistant
Becky Urstad
Nurse
Joy Good
360-804-2984
Family Engagement Liaison
Kathy Jackson
Fax ~ 360-804-3599
Health Room ~ 360-804-3532
Attendance Hotline ~ 360-804-3501
Bus Delay Information ~ 360-804-2951
Transportation Office ~ 360-804-2650
School Hours: 8:55 am-3:25 pm (Monday-Thursday)
8:55 am-2:25 pm (Fridays)
Email: maltbyelementary@monroe.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/mbe
Location: Maltby Elementary School, 212th Street Southeast, Snohomish, WA, USA
Phone: 360-804-3500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maltby-Elementary-School-153985141874072/
Twitter: @monroewaschools
About US
Principal
Jennifer Murphy
Email: MVLAelementary@monroe.wednet.edu
Website: https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/schools/monroe-virtual-learning-academy
Phone: 360-804-4900
Twitter: @monroewaschools
MSD Notice of Non-Discrimination
Monroe School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Joanne Dickinson and Title IX Coordinator, 360-804-2539, dickinsonj@monroe.wednet.edu; and 504 Coordinator: David Paratore, 360-804-2609, paratored@monroe.wednet.edu. Address: 14692 179th Ave. SE, Monroe, WA 98272.