MSES Newsletter
February 2024
Important Upcoming Dates
2/19 - 2/23 February Break - School Closed
2/28 Board of Education Meeting - HS Library - 7:30pm
3/1 Battle of the Educators HS Gym 7:00pm
3/4 - 3/7 Kindergarten Registration: Click here for more information
3/7 PTO Ladies Night Out
3/8 Superintendent's Conference Day - No school for students
3/10 Daylight Savings - Spring forward - set clocks ahead
Wonder, Discovery and Celebration of Science
This week our building welcomed the Spin, Pop, Boom assembly for 3rd and 4th graders as well as the Fire & Ice Assembly for Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd graders. Both assemblies piqued curiosity and wonder in the minds of our young Mustangs. Please be on the lookout for Science Fair information just after break. We would like all of the MSES students to take part in the joy of discovery to learn more about the world around us.
Thank you to both the MSES PTO and SEPTO for their generous sponsorship of these programs.
P.S. I Love You Day
On February 9th, students designed tokens that signified this year's theme of P.S. I Love You Day: "Love is Meant to Be Given". The tokens show ways to give love to yourself, others and the world. Students deposited these tokens in our Piggy Bank, designed by our amazing art teacher, Mrs. Stankiewicz.
A Message from Our School Nurse, Mrs. Pantino
We are experiencing an increase in cases of strep and flu. As a reminder, if your child has been diagnosed with a strep throat or other bacterial infection, it is necessary to keep him/her out of school for 24 hours after starting antibiotics. It is also recommended that a child with a fever over 100°F be free of fever for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications) before returning to school.
Having sick children come to school only to be sent home shortly after arrival makes the child uncomfortable, inconveniences the parent and exposes other children who then may become sick. Please remind your child to wash their hands, as it will help to fight germs. When children feel well and are healthy, they enjoy school more and learn better.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 870-2641.
Kathryn N. Pantino RN
Elementary School Nurse
Valentines for Veterans
As a way to give back to our local hero's, MSES worked with Legislator Chad Lennon to pay special attention to the veterans in our community. Students in MSES created heartfelt messages in the form of Valentine's day cards to be delivered to Veterans and Active-Duty Military Personnel on Long Island.
100th Day of School
February 14th was not only Valentine's Day but also our 100th Day of School. Students in Kindergarten celebrated by dressing the part. Take a look at these Kindergarteners dress as 100-year-olds!
PTO Winter Book Fair
The PTO sponsored our Winter Book Fair on January 24th - January 25th. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to see new books selections available and get acquainted with new authors as their reading interests grow and change.
ALS Ride for Life
A Visit from Mrs. Pendergast
Fourth Graders learn about ALS and Ride for Life
Mrs. Pendergast visited our fourth graders on January 29th. During this visit, students learned about Chris Pendergast's fight for ALS, Chris's relentless grit and his life mantra. "Never give up. Never lose hope. Always remain optimistic. Be willing to defy the odds". MSES looks forward to supporting the Ride for Life, taking place this May. Mrs. Pendergast also shared What You Do With An Idea by Kobi Yamada. This book shares the importance of feeding and cultivating our ideas into reality. Chris Pendergast fed his idea of raising awareness for ALS with a relentless spirit. Click here to enjoy this read with your family. Click here to see Mr. Pendergast's journey.
Pennies for Patients
MSES Student Council collected coins to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through the Pennies for Patients Campaign as a way to show acts of kindness.
Cell Phone and Communication Watches
A reminder that cell phones, Apple watches and other communication devices should not be worn or used during the school day. We understand that many students have them in backpacks and our stance has always been that if we don’t see or hear them, they are perfectly fine to keep in a backpack during the day however, students should not be wearing or using any communication devices during the day. If we see a student wearing a watch that is capable of texting or talking, or holding a cell phone, we will remind them to put them in the backpack the first time, but subsequent usage will result in a phone call home and could lead to us holding onto the device until a parent picks it up.
Parking Lot Reminders
During the morning drop-off, and afternoon dismissal, please do not double park outside of the drop off lane. We installed the drop off lane over the summer to keep traffic moving and to reduce the amount of double parking that was happening in the parking lot. It poses a major safety risk to have cars double parked while students are getting in and out of cars. If you are dropping off without getting out of the car, please use the “drop off lane” but if you are getting out of your car, please use a parking spot either in the lot or on the grass. This is for everyone’s safety and keeps the traffic moving easier as well.
Student Council Smencil Sale
MSES's Shining Stars
Each month, MSES recognized exceptional effort in the area of academic achievement and character. The following students were our SHINING STARS in the areas of Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Arts, Music and displaying notable character traits.
Enjoy this Valentine's Day Read Aloud
MSES "Soup"er Bowl
Students and families of MSES joined forces to collect cans of soup to be donated to Hope House Ministries in Port Jefferson while also serving as a prediction to the LVIII Superbowl outcome.
Recess Update
In an effort to get students outside as much as possible, we would like to encourage parents to ensure they are sending their children to school with appropriate outdoor gear for temperatures as low as 30 degrees (including "feels like" wind chill) so that students can safely enjoy outdoor recess. Although additional factors come into this daily decision, we do recognize the need for children to enjoy the fresh air, play with friends and take part in physical activity.
Ringing in the New Year
Although this is a February Newsletter, we couldn't miss the opportunity to share this incredible moment of Mrs. Long's class ringing in the New Year as part of learning about holidays. Students made holiday decorations including maracas that they used in their celebration and continue to develop sequencing and counting number skills.
NYS Grade 3 - 8 Testing
Click the PDF below for more information regarding the 2024 New York State Assessments in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and Science (Grades 5 and 8 only).