Middletown Messenger
September 2019
From the Principal's Pen
Middletown Families,
Fall is a busy time with lots of activities planned for our students and families. Our annual Parent Teacher Association (PTA) fundraiser, the Readathon, will be kicking off September 16 and will last through September 27. Stay tuned for more information from the PTA on this exciting event. We will be holding Boomer’s Bedtime Stories on September 27, and students can come to school and hear teachers and other guest readers read fun stories to students. Students will have reading goals for the two weeks, and if we meet our goals as a school, I pledge to do something crazy that our PTA has planned for me. I look forward to celebrating the joy of reading with you!
Our School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) Council has met several times this school year and has discussed such policies as Homework, Protection of Instruction Time, and Assignment of Students to Classes. We use the JCPS Racial Equity Analysis Protocol (REAP) to guide our discussion and reflection on the impact of our policies. Ensuring equity and inclusion in our practices and policies is a top priority for me, and I appreciate our team of families and staff who work collaboratively with the school to be reflective and transparent.
If you would like to volunteer in the classroom or on a field trip, be sure that you have completed a Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) School Volunteer Records Check ahead of time. The link for the background check is https://www.jefferson.kyschools.us/about/support/volunteer.
Also, thanks for reading through the JCPS policy on Smart Snacks and partnering with us in our endeavor to promote health and wellness at Middletown.
Your partnership and the collaboration of all Middletown families and staff are priorities for us. Together, we will ensure that Middletown Elementary continues to find the brilliance in every child and meet the needs of our incredible students!
Sincerely,
Justin Matson, Principal
Ms. Mettling's Systems & Facilities Updates
Bus and Car Rider Safety Reminder: Please be mindful of the safety of our students and staff during drop-off and pick-up times at school. There have been occasions in which cars have pulled around and passed buses as they are loading/unloading students in the front drive of the school. Not only is this dangerous for our students, but it is also against the law. By using the carpool lines before and after school, these potentially dangerous situations can be avoided. Please do not drive into the front of the school as posted during bus drop-off and pick-up times. If you do arrive after 9 a.m or after 4 p.m. and the car-rider line is closed, please do not drive past school buses as they drop off or pick up students. We also ask that you are mindful of staff arrival to school and parking during these times as they must cross car rider line to enter/exit the building as you drop-off or pick-up your student. Thank you so much for your assistance in keeping all of our Bulldogs safe!
Tired of reminding your child about homework? Cleaning his or her room? Picking up? Wouldn’t it be great if your child just did it on his or her own?
Habit 1 is Be Proactive—“I am in charge of me.” This Habit is the key to moving from dependence to personal responsibility. This means the children are in charge of their choices, the consequences of those choices, how they respond in every situation, and their personal belongings. Do not feel like you need to “water it down” for younger children. They can understand and often will surprise you how eager they are to take charge of some of their own lives.
What you can do at home: Allow choices. Would they like the blue plate or the yellow, would they like to go to bed now or in 10 minutes, would they like to read or do a puzzle? It doesn’t matter how large or small the choice; practice matters. They can begin to take charge of what is going on in their own life.
Words to use:
- “Would you like ___ or _____? Good choice.”
- “Thank you for being proactive and putting your coat away.”
- “Did you remember to ‘stop and think’ before you responded that way? What might have been a better way to respond?”
Counselor's Corner
Hello, parents and guardians. We are well underway with the new school year. I’ve really enjoyed taking time early in the school year entering classrooms and introducing myself to the students at Middletown, getting to know them. Middletown is a very special place where children are loved and cared for as they continue to grow and learn. We continue to follow the school motto of “Discovering the Brilliance in Every Child.”
I wanted to update everyone on some events happening in the month of September. Before the Labor Day Weekend, Fifth-grade parents/guardians should have received a letter notifying them of the mandatory suicide prevention lessons for fifth-grade students. The letter can be viewed with this link: Parent Letter for Fifth-Grade Suicide Prevention Lessons. Suicide prevention is an issue that JCPS takes very seriously to ensure that our students are safe and have the tools and supports they need regarding this very important issue. The first session was held on the Tuesday after Labor Day and went very well, with a lot of student engagement and participation in the lesson. Three more sessions will be held with fifth-grade students on September 11 and 17 and October 1. For grades K–4, I will be entering classrooms to conduct Core Counseling Instruction (a.k.a. Guidance) that will not discuss the topic of suicide directly. The lessons will be age-appropriate and will address emotions and appropriate strategies and tools on how to cope with emotions. The lessons will also encourage students to identify and talk to a trusted adult when they find it challenging to deal with their emotions. I understand this information may cause some concern to some parents/guardians, so please feel free to contact me using the information provided below if you’d like more information.
Advance Program Parent Information Night is on Wednesday, September 18. Immediately following the Middletown Open House on this day, I will hold an informational meeting for third-, fourth-, and fifth-grade parents regarding our Advance Program and the assessment that will be given in October as part of the identification process for students.
Career Day on Tuesday, November 12. If you are a parent/guardian who would like to participate in this year’s Career Day, please mark this date on your calendar. I’d like to have as many different career fields represented as possible. Please email me at chas.meinecke@jefferson.kyschools.us if you are willing and able to participate. More information about this event will be available in the near future.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the services I provide or if you need more information regarding the mentioned events, please feel free to contact me through email at chas.meinecke@jefferson.kyschools.us or by phone at 485-8300. I thoroughly enjoy serving the students, parents, staff, and community as the school counselor in Middletown and will continue to do so to the best of my ability.
Sincerely,
Chas Meinecke, School Counselor
Ms. Morris' Academic Goals
In August/September, students are taking the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. MAP is a computer adaptive test that students take three times a school year. As the student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down in difficulty.
This assessment is a tool that will help your student’s teacher provide instruction in targeted areas. MAP testing data will be used, in conjunction with several other measures, to determine what your child is ready to learn and to check for academic growth over time. After each MAP test, results are delivered in the form of a score that reflects the student’s academic knowledge, skills, and abilities. Think of this score like marking height on a growth chart. You can tell how tall your child is at various points in time and how much they have grown between one stage and another.
Each test takes 45 to 60 minutes. If you have questions about the test contact your child’s teacher. It is also important that you take time to speak with your child’s teacher about how you can help at home. It is essential for families and teachers to collaborate to help promote this growth in every student! We look forward to working with you to help your child grow.
Feel free to email or call me with any academic questions or concerns at tina.morris@jefferson.kyschools.us or 485-8300.
The Hite/Middletown Family Resource Center
HMFRC Mission: “To mobilize and coordinate students and family-focused activities at times and in locations appropriate to their needs. Through the creation of a local source of information and support, the HMFRC will strive to support students and their families in order to overcome barriers to achievement. By providing this support, the center will assist children to reach their full human potential as caring, competent, lifelong learners who contribute to the community in a positive manner.”
Parent/Guardian Needs Assessment
One of the goals for the Hite/Middletown Family Resource Center’s (HMFRC) partnership with Hite is to provide needed support, programs, and services to students and families. In order to have the best chance of succeeding in that goal and plan programming that will be most beneficial for your students and families, your feedback is necessary. Thank you for completing the following survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JCPS_FRCParent
Educational Benefits Form
Middletown Elementary is one of 128 JCPS schools participating in the Community Eligibility (CE) Provision under the National School Lunch Program. The CE provision is directed toward schools with a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Under CE, all students receive a breakfast/lunch at no charge for the entire school year.
However, to determine the eligibility of additional benefits for our students and to secure funding for our school, we need all Middletown Elementary families to complete the Educational Benefits Form (EBF) every year. One per family is fine. The EBF is used not only for data-collecting purposes but it also serves to continue to identify students who would qualify for free and reduced-price meals or fee waivers. Some families may prefer to not disclose financial information; if this applies to you, there is a checkbox in both the hard copy and the electronic copy of the form where you can elect not to disclose. But remember, by filling out the form, you are helping your child's school receive additional funds.
You are now able to fill the form out online at https://jcps.me/ebf. For more information, you can also visit https://goo.gl/9SpMig.
I am also available and more than happy to help you fill this form out over the phone.
Feel free to call or email if you have any questions or concerns.
HMFRC Needs!
The HMFRC is in desperate need of clothing bottoms! Accidents happen and the center prides itself on being able to help students with a clean change of clothes so they can continue with their learning at school. If you have pants, leggings, shorts, skirts, and/or sweats that your students have outgrown, we would gladly take them off your hands.
HMFRC Compliments, Concerns, Questions or Suggestions...
The HMFRC is always looking for volunteers and donations; if you have items to donate, feel free to send them my way.
My office door is always open, please come visit Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, you can find me at Hite Elementary.
The Center’s hours are 8:30am-4:30pm.
email: elvira.paguada@jefferson.kyschools.us
Phone: 502.313.4504 (M, W, & F) or 502.313.4473 (T & Th)
Follow the center on Social Media:
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A Word from the PTA
We want to tell you about a few things in September.
Like our official Facebook page: www.facebook.com/middletownelementary, and be on the lookout for our PTA “Carpool Conversations.”
Each week or so we want to update you and keep you informed on what is happening in and around your school. Like us, Love us, and Share us often!
Read-A-Thon Events
Read-A-Thon
We kick off our two-week fundraiser starting September 16, and it ends on September 27. We will be sending your child home with information, teachers will be sending out reminders, and we will also be posting online videos.
Jersey Mike’s & Baskin Robbins | Wed., Sept. 18
Boomer’s Bedtime Stories | Fri., Sept. 27 (6–7:30 p.m.)
Please take the following survey, and tell us if you are coming to Boomer Bedtime Stories.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2DLFZQG
Happy Reading, Bulldogs!
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ExtraCurriculars
Girls Who Code!
Girls Who Code is coming back to Middletown! Girls Who Code is a free after-school program for girls in grades 3rd through 5th to join our sisterhood of supportive peers and role models using computer science to change the world. Our 1st meeting is on Monday, September 16th! These are our core values: Sisterhood: Join a safe and supportive environment of peers and role models where girls learn to see themselves as computer scientists. Code: Learn the concepts of loops, variables, conditionals, and functions that form the basis for all programming languages. Impact: Work in teams to design a computer science impact project that solves real-world problems that the girls care about.
How to Register Your Child on Girls Who Code HQ
Step 1: Go to hq.girlswhocode.com and click Sign-Up. (Make sure to click on USA.) Enter the child’s birth date and click “I want to join as a Club member.”
Step 2: Enter the child’s information and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If your child does not have an email address, she can use yours.
Step 3: Enter your information. You will receive an email with additional parent/guardian information
Step 4: Click on Join Your Club and enter your student’s Club code. Your child’s club code is: KY14434
Step 5: Confirm that your student’s Club details are correct, fill out demographic information, and complete your registration
Be on the lookout for an additional registration form sent by Elvira Paguada.
Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP)
If you have any questions, please reach out to Elvira Paguada, HMFRC & STLP Coordinator, elvira.paguada@jefferson.kyschools.us
Middletown Chess Club
Cost: $100 per session + $3 one-time fee * (** One time fee charged for initial signup for all Chess Performance activities; the fee will not be charged again for subsequent registrations.)
Grades: Open to all
2019-2020 Sessions
- Session 1: September 25, October 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6. 13. 20 and December 4
- Session 2: January 8, 15, 22, 29, February 5, 12, 19, 26, and March 4, 11
Register and pay online at: http://www.chessperformance.com/
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Did you know?
High Attendance Day is September 17th!
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Nutrition Services News!
There are many new and exciting things happening with our nutrition services and wellness initiatives.
Take a look below for more information!
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Enroll your Kroger Plus Card number in the Kroger Community Rewards Program.
Go to www.krogercommunityrewards.com to enroll today! Our organization number is 14817.
Read-A-Thon!
Sept. 16-Sept. 27
High Attendance Day
Sept. 17
Open House & General PTA Meeting!
Sept. 18
6-7pm
Boomer's Bedtime Stories
Sept. 27
6-7:30pm
Fall Pictures
Oct. 3
No School
Oct. 4
Staff Professional Development Day-No School
Oct. 7
Parent/Teacher Conferences-No School
Oct. 8
Showcase of Schools
Oct. 12
9-4
About Us
Email: JCPS.Middletown-Office@jefferson.kyschools.us
Website: www.middletownelementary.org
Location: 218 North Madison Avenue, Louisville, KY, USA
Phone: 502-485-8300
Facebook: facebook.com/middletownelementary
Twitter: @MiddletownES