The Lakefront
The Montebello School Newsletter: October 2022
Principal's Message
Montebello Families,
Welcome to SY 22-23. We have lots of exciting things happening for us this school year and look forward to partnering with you as we continue in our Cetennial Celebration of service to the citizens of Baltimore. We will be transitioning back to our "Home" at 2040 E. 32nd St. in January as well as choosing new 21st Century academic programming for our students.
At Montebello we value and honor diversity, not only cultural diversity but diversity of thought. We have sought and hired two world language (Spanish) teachers who both bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to Montebello. Spanish is the fastest growing language in the world and we want our students to be able to compete on the world stage. We request that students respect and honor the gifts that each of our staff brings to Montebello and expand their horizons beyond the city of Baltimore. Our goal is to create “world citizens” who can have a bigger impact in society.
Progress Reports will be distributed the first week of October prior to Wednesday in preparation for conferences. Continue to check your students progress between marking periods by logging into the Parent Portal where you can check attendance and grades daily. On Wednesday, October 5, 2022 school will dismiss at 11:05 for students and parent teacher conferences will begin at 12:00. Please make sure you reach out to your student's teachers to schedule a time slot. Conference windows will be 10 minutes with a five minute transition between.
As we enter Breast Cancer Awareness month, we have designated Monday, October 17th as the day we will support Breast Cancer research by wearing Pink and making donations that will go to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the name of Montebello Elementary Middle School. We are encouraging students to wear Pink on that day in support of this effort.
Thank you to everyone who supported and continues to support our efforts to show hometown pride by wearing Orioles or orange clothing on Wednesdays and Ravens, or their favorite football paraphernalia on Fridays. Our last Orange Wednesday for this season will be October 5th. We will return to uniform wear on October 12th. Our Orioles did surprisingly well this season although we wont make the playoffs.
Our beginning of the year standardized testing is off to a great start. Our administration rates are up but the real work begins as we analyze the data and make plans to improve student outcomes for the next administration. Our goal is for all students to be on grade level or at least to make the standardized growth measure to be on track.
We are in the process of planning middle school parent meetings to discuss important issues and activities especially for our 8th Grade students. Participation in activities will be contingent on parent attendance. Be on the look out for information regarding 8th Grade Inauguration happening in November
Please visit the SY 22-23 Parent/Student Handbook link below. Hard copies were sent home with students but take the opportunity to review the rules and expectations for Montebello Elementary Middle School this year. It covers grading, parking, attendance, discipline and overall school operations. This is an important resource.
As we transition fully back to in-person instruction, we have learned important lessons for school operations using the digital platform. We will be sharing information to our families in a variety of methods. Please monitor our School Webpage located at https://montebelloschool.org/
For everyone on social media, please take time to like Montebello's Facebook page. We post important updates and information that is useful to parents on the page.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=montebello%20elementary%2F%20middle%20school
Lastly, it is an honor to be the principal of Montebello Elementary Middle School and I look forward to the heights we can reach as a school community with your continued support.
Dolphin Pride,
Troy K. Mitchell, Principal
Montebello's Core Value of the Month
October Core Value - Courage
A courageous person is not reckless but willing to take necessary risks when fear, embarrassment, or the opinion of others might otherwise discourage him or her from doing what is right.
Each month we will focus on a different core value with our students Montebello and how to demonstrate that core value in our homes and school community in our Morning Meetings and Advisory periods.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to raise awareness about the impact of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers and it's estimated that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Every 2 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States and there are over 3.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
On Monday, October 17th we're inviting all students and school personnel to wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To learn more about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please visit https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month/
Scholastic Book Fair
Back to School Night
Important Information Discussed at Back to School Night
- Our projected enrollment for SY 22-23 is 471. Currently we are at 466.
- COMAR requires at least 94% yearly attendance. Currently we are 86%.
- We will transition back to 2040 E. 32nd Street over the winter break.
- We are in the middle of BOY Assessments (iReady ELA, iReady Math, Dibels).
Orange Wednesdays
Football Fridays
Get Involved!
Sight Words
PTO, Let's Get It Started
School Family Council
Montebello's School Family Council is the committee that has input on school budget, programming and development of the School Performance Plan (SPP). We are always looking for dedicated individuals to assist with the heavy lift of directing our school into the 21st Century and ensuring our students have access to the best resources and curriculum possible. This body is led by Ms. Steeley Black and convenes the 3rd Wednesday of each month. If you are ready to make a difference, please complete the survey linked below.
Testing Updates!
K-5 Reading
K-8 Mathematics
6-8 Reading
COVID-19
S- Pass Distribution
Bus Lane/ Yellow Bus Transportation
Parents/ Guardians.. please help us keep our scholars safe. If you transport your scholars to and from school we ask that you please reframe from dropping your students off in the cross walks and/or in the bus lane. Please drop your students off beyond the bus lane/ orange cones. Students can also be dropped off on Marietta and cross over Northern Parkway with the assistance of the crossing guard.
Early Dismissals
Parent Teacher Organization Meeting (PTO)
The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is a supportive and advisory body that supports school initiatives. The meetings are every second Wednesday of the month. Meetings begin at 6 pm. We need your input! Your voice matters!
https://bcps-k12-md-us.zoom.us/j/83606844502?pwd=ZFdpbG4zbHl3bm5HWVNvU3NzYS83Zz09
School Family Council Meeting (SFC)
Montebello hosts their monthly SFC meetings on the third Wednesday of each month. The SFC is an advisory organization that supports the implementation of the School Performance Plan as well as the school's mission and vision. Meetings begin promptly at 6 pm. Please be part of the solution and help us create the school you want to see.
School Uniforms
Montebello, like all Baltimore City Public Schools, is a uniform school. Our accepted uniform consists of either khaki or blue pants, “skorts”, plaid knee length skirts or jumpers and either a yellow or blue polo top. Students can also wear Montebello logo t-shirts and/or hoodies in three different styles. Jeans, sweatpants as well as hair bonnets are not allowed.
Technology
Please don't forget that your scholar is supposed to bring their device with them daily. If your scholars device is broken please have them turn it in to their teacher so that a new one can be requested. If you scholars device has been lost/stolen a police report is required in order for a new device to be requested. Please contact City School's Information Technology Department at 443.642.3000 or visit them at 200 E. North Ave 21201, if your scholar is having technical issues with the device that you have been issued. Proper ID is required.
Parent Portal
Parents/ Guardians please don't forget that Parent Portal can be used to access information about your scholars grades, assignments, attendance, schedules and more. You can access parent portal by clicking:
https://baltimore.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/parents/bcps.jsp
If you don't have a Parent Portal account click here
Key Dates - October/ November 2022
October 4-6, 2022- Quarter 1 Progress Report Distribution
October 5, 2022: Early Release (11:05 dismissal)
October 17, 2022- Wear PINK in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 19, 2022- SFC Meeting
October 21, 2022- School Closed: Professional Development for Teachers
November 1, 2022- Quarter 1 Ends
November 2, 2022- Early Release Day (11:05 dismissal)
November 8, 2022- School Closed: Election Day
November 9, 2022- School Closed: Professional Development for Teachers
November 9, 2022- PTO Meeting
November 16, 2022- SFC Meeting
November 23-25, 2022- School Closed: Thanksgiving Holiday
Montebello Elementary-Middle School - "Leaders and Learners on the Lake" (est.1922)
Email: montebelloemschool@gmail.com
Website: http://montebelloschool.org
Location: 2500 E. Northern Pkwy, Baltimore, MD, USA
Phone: (410) 396-6576
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montebellodolphins