Mesquite Weekly Update
MJHS Weekly
Back to School Information
July 13, 2023
Dear 7th & 8th Grade Mustang Students and Parents,
Mesquite Junior High trusts that you are having an enjoyable summer. The following information should prove to be helpful as you begin preparations for the new school year.
We appreciate your help during the spring registration process, when students selected their 2023-2024 courses. At that time, they were informed that course requests would be accommodated according to availability. Your student’s draft schedule will be available online July , 2023 tba via the Infinite Campus student and parent portal. Please feel free to print out your student’s draft schedule at home, you will be able to walk your student’s draft schedule during our Mustang Round-up (bookstore days) Days, Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm and Wednesday, July 19, 2023 from 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm. *Please note: Only necessary schedule changes will be made (i.e. lacking a class/lunch, assigned two lunches/classes the same period, or assigned to an inappropriate P.E. class). Due to staffing and scheduling demands, we are simply not able to accommodate specific teacher or elective requests. Please be understanding of this policy.
Infinite Campus Parent Portal Set-Up: It is a requirement for all MJHS parents/guardians and students to have access to the Infinite Campus Portal. At the Junior High level, student success relies on both the parent/guardian and the student consistently monitoring their progress. Please ensure that you have followed the necessary steps to set up your Parent Portal (not logging in as your student). Not only is this a tool for monitoring grades and attendance, you will be able to pay any fees or fines and easily stay in contact with your student’s teachers. A flier with step by step directions is included as an attachment.
Mandatory Infinite Campus Annual Update: The Infinite Campus Annual Update will be available mid-July for parent/guardian completion. This update must be completed to ensure we have accurate, up-to-date information for your student (address, phone numbers, etc). This update must be completed in order for 7th grade students to be issued a Chromebook for the 2023-2024 school year. If you do not have internet access at home, we will have Chromebooks available in the library during the Mustang Round-Up.
Athletics: Please refer to the informational email that was sent out June 15, 2023 and July 1, 2023 for instructions on registering your athlete for the 2023-2024 school year. If you have questions, please contact Mesquite Junior High School at 480-926-1433 x2507. Please follow MJHS on Facebook by searching: @MesquiteJrHighSchool. If you have questions, please email mjhsathletics@gilbertschools.net.
School begins Tuesday, July 25, 2023. GPS schools are now on a year-round schedule, resulting in an earlier start date. The first bell rings at 8:35 am and the 1st period begins at 8:40 am.
Junior High Curriculum Night: Will be held on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. This is an opportunity to meet the teachers and receive an overview of the curriculum.
Mustang Round-Up: Below is the schedule for our annual Mustang Round-Up (bookstore days) for all of our seventh and eighth grade students. The purpose of these days will be for students to walk their draft schedules (**Note: draft schedules will be available to view via the Infinite Campus parent portal beginning July , 2023 tba) and to purchase the following items: Dance Passes (only good for Student Council sponsored dances), PE uniforms, pre-order yearbooks, spirit shirts, etc.
Tuesday, July 18, 2023 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: In the Gym *All services (Temp ID’s, purchase items, etc.) will be available.
Wednesday, July 19, 2023 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: In the Gym *All services (Temp ID’s, purchase items, etc.) will be available.
Tuesday, July 18, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: 7th Grade Parent/Student Orientation (Auditorium): **7th grade orientation will provide parents and students with tips and information related to the transition between 6th and 7th grade with two separate presentations: Students in the Gym, Parents/Guardians in the Auditorium. We will have a Food Truck on campus for you to purchase dinner for the family.
Chromebooks: All incoming 7th grade and new 8th grade students will be issued a Chromebook at the start of the year. All current 8th grade students will already have their Chromebook due to keeping them over the summer. Chromebooks can be utilized both in the classroom and at home (internet access required). It will be the responsibility of the student to protect their device from damage and bring it to school each day fully charged. A $25.00 device insurance fee may be paid to cover any damage to the device during the school year. If that option is not chosen, any repair/replacement costs will be the responsibility of the student/parent or guardian. Again, 7th grade and new 8th grade students will not be issued a Chromebook until their parent/guardian completes the Annual Update. An email from the GPS District Office will be sent with instructions on how to complete the Annual Update in July.
PE/Combination Locks: Will be provided to those students enrolled in a PE/Fitness Training class. If the lock provided is lost or damaged in any way, there will be a $5.00 replacement charge issued to the student’s account. Students must use the locks provided by MJHS. **Please note: MJHS is not responsible for lost or stolen items. As we do not provide book lockers, we encourage book bags/backpacks to help our students stay organized.
GPS Junior High Student Handbook: Handbook Orientations will be held during the first two weeks of school. Students will digitally sign the acknowledgment form after the presentation, parents/guardians will digitally sign the form when the Infinite Campus Annual Update is completed. The form acknowledges that all parties have read and understand the policies, procedures, rules, activities, etc. outlined in the handbook. Please be sure you and your student take time to review these important guidelines to ensure your student’s success at MJHS.
Bell Schedule: For the 2023-2024 school year, our start time is 8:35 am. The first class begins at 8:40 am and dismissal time will be at 3:30 pm. We will generally have a one-hour Early Release on Wednesdays (2:30 pm).
Bussing and Parent-Drop-off: For questions regarding bus routes, please utilize the Gilbert Public Schools bus transportation query.For students who will be dropped off by a parent/guardian, please ensure the parent drop-off location along Mesquite St (south side of MJHS) is utilized. Traffic will be heavy, please arrive early and be courteous to the other drivers. ***Note no parent/guardian vehicles are allowed through the main parking lot (bus area) from 8:15 am – 9:00 am / 3:15 pm – 4:00 pm*** In the interest of student safety, no students should be on campus prior to 7:50am.
Again, we welcome you to Mesquite Junior High School. The entire staff is looking forward to another outstanding year here in Mustang country!!
Kari Ramirez, Principal
Jonathon Stegall, Assistant Principal
Hannah Tautolo, Dean of Students
Mesquite Jr High School
Location: 130 West Mesquite Street, Gilbert, AZ, USA
Phone: 480-926-1433