CHIRPS Chatter
August 23, 2021
Important Dates to Remember
August 25th: Kindergarten Orientation 12pm
August 25th: New Student Orientation 1:30pm
August 31st: First Day of School!
September 6th: No School (Labor Day)
September 7th: No School (Rosh Hashanah)
September 8th: MES Ice Cream Social! 5pm
September 15th: School Picture Day
September 16th: No School (Yom Kippur)
September 24th: MES Outdoor Family Movie Night
Arrival and dismissal Times and Protocols
This year we will be working on a more extended schedule! (Back to "normal"!)
ARRIVAL
Students will be let off of buses and out of cars at 8:50am. The school day begins at 9am, so please plan accordingly if you plan to drop your child off. This is a half an hour earlier than last year!
We have worked to pave and redesign our parking lot this summer. Parents will pull into the Visitors Lot when arriving and position themselves in the newly created loop. Students will be removed from their vehicles by staff members at that loop beginning at 8:50. Please do not allow your child out of the car without an MES adult signaling to do so as we want to maintain safety.
DISMISSAL
Students will begin to load buses at 3:25. Parents who are picking up students, please stage yourselves in the Visitors Parking Loop. A staff member will be checking you in via the SDM app (see more information below regarding the app).
After the buses leave the front of the building, you will be signaled to pull to the front of the school in order to pick up your child. They will be waiting for you there, similarly to last year. Our hope is to begin this process at approximately 3:30.
Similarly to last year, we appreciate your patience as we work through any kinks at the beginning of the school year. Our hope is that by week two we will be a well-oiled and efficient machine!!
School Opening Protocols
For the most up-to-date protocols and procedures that Region 15 will be following, be sure to read Mr. Josh Smith's emails that are typically sent out on Sundays. Please contact MES if there any specific questions that we can help you with.
Bus Information
Thank you all for your patience regarding Bus Routes and Information!
Here is a link for the MES Routes!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z3DRvuWgtOQL7cWTopv9TF5dPWyyKVjvatZvKqz1qAA/edit?usp=sharing
We encourage all students to ride the bus if possible. This will help MES arrival and dismissal to run smoothly and efficiently!
Important Information for School Dismissal Manager App
“Hello Parent” email was sent from kzablauskas@region15.org on 8/17/21
IMPORTANT: Returning parents need to UNINSTALL last year’s App before installing the new App.
ALL parents: You will need to add the SDM App-CLICK HERE to INSTALL to a smartphone, tablet, or web browser via the link included in this sentence. The app is compatible with Android and Apple devices.
For new families an email will be forthcoming with your usernames and password by Friday 8/27/21. Families who have a login from last year, you will keep your same login information. SDM sends an email out to each family so if you already have a login your credentials will be blank when the email comes.
An email will be sent by 8/27/21 letting all families know they can login and see the 2021-2022 information on SDM and start making your dismissal changes if needed. PLEASE: Do not log in at this time as we are still making updates.
IMPORTANT: All students will be defaulted to their bus. Please note: If your child will not be taking the bus you will need to log into SDM and make a change. For example, if you are going to pick up your child, you need to log in and make that change, otherwise they will board their bus home.
School Dismissal Manager will start on day 1, Tuesday 8/31/2021
A Message from the PTO
Welcome to the 2021-22 School Year!
Message from PTO President Michele Dunn
I can’t believe it, but this will be my eighth year as a Middlebury Elementary School parent. During these years, I have seen so many amazing experiences provided to our students through PTO programs, events, and services. All parents and guardians of students, and all teachers, administrators and staff employed at Middlebury Elementary School, are members of the PTO. The PTO funds and organizes cultural arts events, teacher grants, author visits, community events, book fairs, family dances, and more! This is all possible with two key contributions from our MES families: donations and volunteering.
This year, our fundraising efforts will once again include direct donations, our non-hassle fundraisers and a fall fun run. There will be plenty of opportunities to volunteer during an event, or from home. After an extremely difficult year, we need your help and support more than ever. I am excited to see how we can all come together to energize our programs and community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with ideas, suggestions, or questions to mespto@region15.org or at our first PTO meeting on Monday, September 20 at 6:30 p.m.
I look forward to seeing everyone at our first event, the “Welcome Back to School Ice Cream Social.” If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here.
Meet our New Crickets!
Mrs. Augelli : Interventionist
- Mrs. Augelli is joining the MES team as our new Interventionist! Before becoming a Cricket, she worked at Memorial Middle School as their Interventionist since 2014. Prior to her work in Region 15, Tina was a 5th-grade teacher at Kingsbury Elementary School in Waterbury. She lives in Oxford with her husband and two children. In her free time she enjoys being with her family, running, reading, supporting the NY Yankees, Tottenham FC, & the Italian National Team!
Stacie Broden: Math Coach
Stacie started her career as first grade teacher at Pomperaug Elementary School. After ten years she moved to second grade, where she taught for five years. She then came to MES to become the Interventionist for the last eight years. Additionally, Ms. Broden was the recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and serves on the executive board of the Associated Teachers of Mathematics in Connecticut.
Stacie is especially passionate about supporting teachers in their mathematics instruction, analyzing data and student work, and differentiating instruction to support the diverse learning needs of all students. She is excited for the opportunity to combine all of these passions in this new position!
Jennifer Passarella : Special Education Teacher
Alexis Rinaldi: School Counselor
Kathy Carvalho: Special Education Paraprofessional
Marie Harb: Paraprofessional
Andrea Kinnard: Building Substitute
I am Andrea Kinnard, a native New Yorker, long since transplanted in CT. I’ve worked as a building substitute, and as an instructional tutor. My favorite pastimes are walking , reading, Pilates and visiting NYC, the Hudson Valley or the beach.
Joanna Jung: Intern
Joanna was born and raised in Southbury, CT, and was lucky enough to receive an education through Region 15 schools. She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honors from The University of the Arts, in Philadelphia. While pursuing her professional dance career, Joanna taught at several dance studios and discovered her passion for teaching.
After spending the Spring 2021 semester as a Building Substitute, Joanna is now very excited to continue her training at Middlebury Elementary School. Although Joanna has known for some time that teaching is the career path she wanted to take, her time at MES reinforced her passion even more. She can’t wait to continue to learn and grow through her internship at the University of Bridgeport's Masters in Elementary Education program.
Sanya Kayfus: Student Teacher
Sanya, an Oxford resident, is joining us as a student teacher this year. She will be working with Mrs. Samson in Third Grade. She is so excited to join the MES team as a student teacher this Fall. Sanya is looking forward to working with and learning from such passionate and hardworking educators. Oh, and if you hear someone singing in the halls, dancing by your room, or gushing over someone’s dog, it’s probably her! She wants to wish everyone good luck, and happy school year!
Congratulations to our MES Brides!
Mrs. Hooper
Mrs. Hooper is one of our Kindergarten teachers!
She was with us last year as Miss Lamparelli in Grade 2!
Congratulations Amber!
Mrs. Mastropietro
Mrs. Mastropietro is our Reading Consultant formerly known as Mrs. Coxon! We are so happy for you!!
Mrs. Soucy
Mrs. Soucy, our Occupational Therapist, will be back with us this year! Her name didn't change too much! She went from Miss Sassu to Mrs. Soucy! Congratulations Amanda!
MES is on Instagram! Please follow us
@middleburyelementary
We will be posting plenty of pictures for you to stay "in the know!"
Contact Information
Email: hpellicone@region15.org
Website: http://www.region15.org/mes
Location: 550 Whittemore Road, Middlebury, CT, United States
Phone: (203) 758-2401
Twitter: @MiddleburyES