March Newsletter
Keeping you up to date with everything happening at MSE!
From the Desk of A. Pruitt
Spring is approaching and learning is in full swing here at the MSE. As you may know, this is a time of year that students make the most academic and social learning improvements. Make school a priority! Very soon the weather will change with spring right around the corner. It can be challenging to keep our children focused on learning. What can you do to make school a top priority for your child? Keep these ideas in mind:
- Make attendance your number one priority. Let your child know that unless they are sick, they must attend school (and be on time.) Make an effort to schedule appointment after school hours.
- Show you care. Talk about school activities and projects. Make an effort to attend as many school events as you can!
- Remain positive. Try to set a positive example for your child, even when your own day has been challenging. If you show a positive attitude about your work, your child may feel better about their own.
One important reminder is that our school has a wellness policy which reinforces good nutrition during the school day. Please be mindful about sending beverages and foods for snack or lunch that are giving your child(ren) the healthy nutrition they need to be productive, engaged learners all throughout the day.
At this point in my career, I’m considered a veteran educator (14 years and counting…) Yes, maybe sometimes I don’t completely fit the part, but that’s part of always being a life-long learner. As I’m settling into my role as principal, I realize how much students, families and faculty have done for me. And, for that, I need to truly thank you—something that I don’t do enough.
MSE staff, thank you for standing with me, before, during and after every phase of our transformation and transition. For making me realize that I can put more time into my work and improve my performance. Thank you for standing up for me from the sidelines and checking our naysayers when they thought that MSE could not be a success in our community.
MSE students, thank you for being the best. For sharing your interests, love of life, sense of humor, excitement for every experience, ability to show compassion and empathy, and courage to look fear in the face until it backs down.
Without kids, families and staff, I would not be the principal I am—and the person I’m still working on becoming.
New MSE Campus in Cordova
Submission of this form is not an application for enrollment and does not guarantee enrollment. This is an interest survey only. Click on the photo above to be taken directly to the survey.
*Please fill out one form for each interested student.
National Junior Honor Society Middle School Induction
We would like to congratulate our newest members of NJHS here at MSE Middle School. Special thanks to Ms. Sherman for organizing the event and to our advisory board of teachers who helped select our students: Ms. Carnevale, Ms. Moten, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Redden and Mr. Roeder.
Student Spotlight: Shantell T.
Demonstrating excellence on and off the court
In 7th grade, Shantell started playing basketball under Coach Henderson. She immediately fell in love with basketball because of the competition, energy and excitement during the game. Shantell explain through basketball she has learned to be, "...patient, mentally tough, and how to play through anything."
Shantell would also like to take this spotlight to shoutout Coach Mohn, her coach in her last year of eligibility. She said Coach Mohn is someone who puts the team first. This past year, Coach Mohn spend money out of his own pocket to make sure everyone had the equipment they needed to play their best. Shantell admires how "understanding Coach Mohn is. He will coach us really well but also understands what it's like to be a player."
Shantell is excited to graduate from MSE and has already been accepted to UT Martin where she plans to become a Registered Nurse.
Academic Counselors Corner
Quarter 3 Update: Benchmark Update: Students took practice tests for each of their state-tested subjects during the week of 2.18. Teachers have shared the results with their students and have been spending class time going over the tests to make sure that students are prepared for TNReady testing. The next benchmark will be during the week of 3.25. If you have any questions about your child's performance on benchmark testing, please reach out to their classroom teachers.
Quarter 3 ends on 3.8. Quarter 3 report cards will be sent home with students after spring break on Wednesday, 3.20.
High School Track Begins Conditioning for Spring Meets
In addition to being our academic counselor...
Celebrating Black History in Every Classroom!
Black History Museum Curated by MSE Counselor Ms. Sherman
HBCU College Fair
Students Prepare for Black History Month Celebration at MSE High
Elementary Students Participate in MAP Testing
During the first two weeks of February, all of our K-2 students took a MAP® Growth™ test from The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA®). Many schools around the country use these assessments to provide the best possible instruction for their students. MSE Elementary decided to administer MAP Growth tests this year to determine each student's instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year in both Reading and Math.
MAP Growth tests are unique in that they adapt to each student's level of learning. If a learner answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This results give a detailed picture of what students already know and are ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.Our littlest eagles will take a test again in May to measure their second semester progress.
Girls Basketball Wins Big
Elementary Student's Positive Behavior Turns into Rewards
MSE Qualifies for State Science Olympiad
MSE Drama Club Places in Local Theater Competition
Congratulations to our drama team!
Teacher Spotlight: Ms. MP
Hometown? South Bend, Indiana
When did you start teaching? (I don't disclose that I've only taught 3 years LOL) Three years at MSE and formerly in Bloomington, IN and St. Louis, MO. (Teachers' assistant and substitute)
Why do you love teaching your subject? Reading, writing, and speaking is inevitably a part of all that we do. I love to be a part of making that feel both real and accessible to students. I also find that students are most engaged when they are learning through the stories of others. Using storytelling to build understanding, critical thinking, and empathy is a powerful thing!
Why do you love teaching at MSE? I love teaching at MSE because I'm given the freedom to build my own curriculum so that I - and my students - can have a say in what we learn and how we learn it. Shaping units around both academic needs and personal interests can make materials feel engaging, practical, and relevant to our lives.
Do you have a favorite book you teach to 11th and 12th grade? I look forward to reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald with my 11th graders each year and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini with my 12th graders! This year, we all read Fences by August Wilson which was a fun unit.
Ms. MP in action getting our girls softball team ready to play!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Important Dates
3.11 - Week of Spring Break
3.19 - MSE Open House Day at 5:00 pm on both campuses
3.23 - MSE Open House Day at 10:00 am on both campuses
3.25 - TN Promise Meeting for High School Seniors at 9:30am in the morning
3.27 - MSE Open House Day at 5:00 pm on both campuses
3.30 - Mock ACT #5
4.25 - MSE Open House Day at 5:00 pm on both campuses
4.27 - MSE Open House Day at 10:00 am on both campuses
5.15 - Kindergarten Graduation at 9am at MSE Elementary
5.15 - 5th Grade Promotion at 10:15am at MSE Elementary
5.16 - 8th Grade Graduation at 9am at MSE Middle
5.17 - High School Graduation at 6pm at New Sardis Baptist Church (ticket required)
The mission of MSE is to provide a safe and collaborative environment which will cultivate the academic and social development of its students by emphasizing math, science, and technology for the purpose of students setting and meeting higher education goals.
Memphis School of Excellence, Elementary and Middle School
Email: info@sememphis.org
Website: https://www.sememphis.org
Location: 4450 S Mendenhall Road Ste 1 38141, Memphis TN
Phone: (901) 367-7814
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Public-School/Memphis-School-of-Excellence-Middle-School-2202442153163464/
Memphis School of Excellence, High School
Email: info@sememphis.org
Website: sehmemphis.org
Location: 4921 Winchester Road, Memphis, TN, USA
Phone: 9014252932
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Memphis-School-Of-Excellence/1515641392019117