Midway Mustang Memo
September 2017
Dear Parents,
We are successfully transitioning our Academic Parent Teacher Teams – a process that combines parents, teachers, and students together with a common focus—to Academic Student Led Teams. This process continues to build relationships with the team members and aligns grade level learning concepts as well as student performance data. The element of student ownership is added as children become aware of their strengths and areas of growth, and set their own goals. Students become leaders in their own education as they demonstrate how to set goals with the end in mind. Our K-12 Vertical Team (all schools that feed into South High) are collaborating to align our efforts in order to help our students have a greater sense of self-awareness as well as the ability to self-manage in a variety of situations. We are using the CASEL(Collaborative for Academic Social, and Emotional Learning) competencies as age appropriate benchmarks for all students. For additional information regarding social and emotional development, please check out this website: http://www.parenttoolkit.com/topics/social-and-emotional
Our first Academic Student Led Team meetings were on the evenings of August 29 (Grades K, 2, and 4) and August 31 (Grades 1, 3, and 5). We had about 65% of parents in attendance, and are looking forward to conferences in October when students will share their progress towards their goals with the teacher/parent team. Students will review their progress with the team and set additional goals at the October conferences.
During the month of September, Midway students and staff have been practicing the habit of being proactive—one of the 7 Habits of Leader in Me—and demonstrating leadership skills. At our E.L.M. (Extraordinary Leadership Models) awards breakfast celebration in October, students from each homeroom will be recognized for their leadership and for being proactive.
Fall Break is quickly approaching—there will be no school the week of September 25-29. Have a safe and restful week as you treasure this time with your family.
We look forward to seeing you at Fall Festival tomorrow!
With kind regards,
Jan Munroe, Principal
Daphne Rogers, Assistant Principal
Ashley Starr, Administrative Assistant
Important Dates
September 25-29: No School (Fall Break)
October 2: FCSS Tech Fair Registration Opens (3-12 grades)
October 5-9: Book Fair in Media Center
October 10: Book Fair Donuts for Dads 7:30-8:30
October 11: Book Fair Muffins for Moms 7:30-8:30
October 11: Fall Picture Day
October 13: Book Fair Bagels for Books 7:30-8:30
October 18: Early Release (Parent Conferences)
October 19: Early Release (Parent Conferences)
October 20: No School (Professional Development Day)
October 23: Fun Run Kick-Off
November 1: Fun Run
Tech Tips: BYOT iRun
Remember to mark your calendars and sign up for the BYOT 5k & Fun Run on October 7th 8am at Shiloh Point Elementary.
Link to sign up: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Cumming/BYOT
We will have a food truck with breakfast items at the event.
There are lots of fun opportunities for children.
o Face painting
o Bouncy houses
o The 1 mile Fun Run
· The race is a Peachtree qualifier.
· Participants get a cool t-shirt.
· All proceeds (registrations and donations) go to support BYOT in our schools.
In four years, the Forsyth BYOT Benefit has raised over $170,000 to put Internet in the homes and devices in the hands of students without them.
Read more here: http://www.forsythbyotbenefit.org/home.html
Midway PTO
Fall Festival is tomorrow from 4-7pm at Midway! Bring the entire family to have a great time while helping your school. Proceeds from the Fall Festival fund Reading Horizons (phonics & reading program) and new seating, which will provide collaborative work spaces for our students in the media center and lower building hallway.
Don't forget to like us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/midwayelepto/
As always, we appreciate your support.
Midway PTO
Counselor's Corner
I have been busy teaching our students so far this year. I go into classrooms once a month.
Kindergarten: Last month students received an introduction to the school counselor. Currently, they are learning about the importance of listening and the 4 steps to listening: stop, look, listen, think.
1st Grade: We just finished learning about the DeBug System, how to handle someone “bugging” them and role played using it with a partner. Now they have moved on to the 6 steps of listening and following directions.
2nd Grade: Students reviewed the DeBug System and are currently discussing motivation and success.
3rd Grade: Students learned the importance of following directions.
4th Grade: Last month we did an activity where they had to problem solve, use team work, and synergize.
5th Grade: Last month we also did an activity where they had to problem solve, use team work, and synergize.
In 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades Mrs. Emmert, our ITS, and I will be coteaching lessons on internet safety. In our technologically based world students need to be prepared to interact effectively and appropriately both online and in person.
Be sure to check out my itsLearning page to find out more about the lessons and activities I do with our students.
Dr. Jennifer Collins
News from Nurse Echols
With cooler weather approaching, I have begun to see some runny/stuffy noses, red throats, and coughs. Please remember to keep your children home if they have any of the following symptoms: fever (this means before giving fever reducing medicine), nausea/vomiting, uncontrollable cough/sneezes, and diarrhea. A well child is able to concentrate and learn!
The school nurses of Forsyth County, in conjunction with the Forsyth County Health Dept., will have a flu clinic next month on Wednesday, Oct. 18. I will send home times when I have them available.
The possibility of lice also happens this time of year! I always suggest that kids with long hair wear it up in a ponytail, braid, bun. Please advise your children not to be sharing their brushes or hats.
I am continuing to test hearing/vision of grades 1,3, and 5. If your child has glasses, and is supposed to be wearing them at school, please help them remember to wear them. Vision is such an important part of learning!
Sincerely,
Lisa Echols LPN
Midway Nurse
From the Midway Café
School is off to a great start and we can’t believe it’s September already! Our September Harvests of the Month are cucumbers and edamame, and we are continuing our Strong 4 Life campaign of “Eat more Veggies”! Speaking of Strong 4 Life, the whole team from Children’s Healthcare will be out on October 4th. They’re going to hold a pep rally to help motivate us all to make better lifestyle choices: more water, more fruits & veggies, less screen time & being more active! It’s going to be very high energy with lots of fun & laughs! They’ll have t-shirts and surprises for all.
We are so happy to be here serving your children each day. Our goal is to do our part in helping them get the very best education they can. Please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time, with questions or concerns, and know you are welcome to come have lunch with your child any day that you can. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Chris Pruitt
Midway Elementary Cafeteria Manager
(770)475-6670 Ext. 760146
Book Fair is Coming!
October 10: Book Fair Donuts for Dads 7:30-8:30
October 11: Book Fair Muffins for Moms 7:30-8:30
October 13: Book Fair Bagels for Books 7:30-8:30
We can't run the book fair without help! If anyone can volunteer, please contact Mrs. Taz Merchant at mailto:tmerchant@forsyth.k12.ga.us or call her at 770-475-6670 ext. 760301
General Reminders
We already have a growing collection of items in the lost and found. Please write your child's name inside their jackets, sweaters, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc!
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Forsyth County Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or gender in employment decisions or educational programs and activities.
Midway Elementary School
Email: jemmert@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Website: www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/midway
Location: 4805 Atlanta Highway, Alpharetta, GA, United States
Phone: 770-475-6670
Facebook: facebook.com/midwayes
Twitter: @MidwayES