Midland Messenger

Email: midland@fpschools.org
Website: http://midland.fpschools.org/
Location: Midland Elementary School, 105th Street East, Tacoma, WA, USA
Phone: 253-298-4500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Midland-Elementary-Mustangs-112865059416899/?ref=settings

Mustang Families,

I hope you and your family had a wonderful spring break! The weather really showed that spring is a time of change!

As we get further into April and May, I want to let you know that we are really working hard to have our students reading more. This supports our homework policy of students reading (or practicing letter names and sounds for kindergarten) for 20 minutes each evening. Thank you for helping your child. Please let your child's teacher know if you need some books at their level to practice reading at home.

It's great to be a MUSTANG!

~Dr. Paula Dawson

April 19 ~ 1:55 Dismissal

April 25 ~ Dental Day 9:30-1:30

April 26 ~ 1:55 Dismissal

May 3 ~ 1:55 Dismissal

May 3 ~ 2nd Grade Concert 6-6:30 pm

May 4 ~ Walk-a-thon 4:30-6 pm

May 10 ~ 1:55 Dismissal

May 10 ~ 5th Grade Concert 6-6:30 pm

May 17 ~ 1:55 Dismissal

May 17 ~ 3rd Grade Concert 6-6:30 pm

May 22-25 ~ 11:55 Dismissal for conferences

May 26 & 29 ~ No School for Memorial Day Weekend

May 31 ~ HOPE Assembly 1:00 pm

May 31 ~ 3:25 Dismissal, Full Day of School

**For additional future scheduled activities, please check out our Midland calendar at https://midland.fpschools.org/**

Please remember that our policy is that any changes in your child's end of day transportation should be sent in writing with your student. In the event of an emergency, all changes need to be reported to the office a minimum of 30 minutes before the end of school so we have time to alert the teacher and student. Thank you!

Social Emotional Learning Corner

Content by Mrs. Blaisdell

April 17th

Welcome Back!

I am hoping that you and your families had a restful Spring Break. I am choosing to share parts of an article I recently read about the different kinds of needed rest. (Seven Types of Rest: The Key to Becoming the Prepared Adult by Heather White)

1. Physical Rest

Physical rest includes both an active and passive component. The passive component includes high-quality sleep, while the active component involves activities such as yoga, stretching, and massage therapy. Physical rest deficits might include fatigue and body aches and pains.

2. Mental Rest

Someone suffering from a mental rest deficit might have trouble recalling why they entered a room or may lay down at night and find they are unable to quiet their racing mind as they lay down at night to sleep. Scheduling breaks throughout one’s day to remember to pause or slow down can be helpful in satisfying a mental rest deficit.

3. Spiritual Rest

Spiritual rest relates to the fundamental need for belonging. An individual experiencing a spiritual rest deficit may work only for a paycheck, feeling that their life lacks purpose. Finding ways to become involved in the community or finding a greater purpose through prayer and meditation can help those struggling with a lack of spiritual rest.

4. Emotional Rest

Emotional rest is a type of calm one feels when they are able to be real and authentic, sharing their inner experiences openly with others. People suffering from an emotional rest deficit may feel the weight of an emotional burden as they suppress their feelings and may also experience the constant need to please others.

5. Sensory Rest

In today’s technological modern world, whether one is aware of it or not, there is a constant influx of sensory stimulation. Phones are ringing; the TV is on in the background; there is a quiet hum from the computer; the bright overhead lights are shining. Someone experiencing a sensory rest deficit may feel energized and happy at the beginning of the day, but becomes increasingly more agitated and irritable as the day progresses.

6. Social Rest

Although its name is misleading, social rest does not actually mean pausing social interactions; it actually means the feelings one experiences when surrounding themselves with those who give them life. To prevent a social rest deficit, individuals should consider each relationship in their life to ensure it is positive, supportive, and meaningful.

7. Creative Rest

Creative rest is the rest an individual experiences when they are able to appreciate beauty in any form. It reawakens a sense of awe and wonder. Going out in nature and creating inviting spaces with visually appealing and calming pieces of art in one’s home and work spaces are two ways to encourage creative rest.

Fourth and Fifth Grade Puberty, CSHE, and HIV Lessons

Comprehensive sexual health education is defined in Washington state as instruction about human development and reproduction that takes place over time and is age-appropriate and inclusive of all students. Required instruction for grades 4–5 focuses on helping students understand and respect personal boundaries, develop healthy friendships, and gain a basic understanding of human growth and development. Grade 5 instruction also includes required HIV prevention instruction. To learn more about the curriculum and parent opt out forms, please click the picture that says, "Puberty: the Wonder Years." This will take you to the district website which is filled with information.

At this time, we are taking registration only for those children who live within our attendance boundaries, or have daycare in our area. All registrations will be done online beginning March 13th. Enrollees must provide a copy of their child’s birth certificate, immunization records, and proof of residence (Utility bill, lease/rental agreement, or mortgage papers) by uploading them to our district's website along with their registration information. To be eligible for kindergarten, children must be five years of age by August 31, 2023.

Please visit fpschools.org - click on the red "Enrollment" circle - follow the instructions for the 2023-24 school year.

Enrollment will end for the summer on June 11th and will reopen on July 17th in a new system. Please make sure to complete your child's enrollment application by June 11th or wait to start it until after July 17th.

Current students that live within the Midland boundaries are automatically enrolled at Midland for next year. Students living within our district but outside of Midland's boundaries who want to attend Midland must complete a within district transfer form online. Click on the Transfers and Homeschool link to access the correct form. Out of district students who wish to attend Midland must complete a new out-of-district transfer (Choice Transfer) from their home district to be considered for enrollment.

If you are interested in volunteering as a chaperone for field trips or in any other capacity that may come up, please complete the volunteer application as soon as possible. It may take up to two weeks to process an application and we don't want you to be left out of a volunteer opportunity because you are not approved yet! Click here to begin your volunteer application. If you were cleared as a volunteer last year, please complete a new application. Volunteer applications must be completed every year.

Franklin Pierce Schools has a resource center for our families. You will find information and help for many situations and needs - food, diapers, formula, community referrals, and more.

Click here to access the Family Resource Center website

Serving students at ALL 8 Elementary Schools

Right at School will operate before and afterschool programs at all eight Franklin Pierce elementary schools! Right at School offers a safe environment for students to learn, to play, and to grow!

Franklin Pierce Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to James Hester, Compliance Coordinator for State and Civil Rights Laws; Wendy Malich, Title IX Officer; or John Sander, 504/ADA Coordinator at 315 129th ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253)298-3000.