Mustang Memo
News from Mint Valley Elementary School
January 2024, Issue 1
Upcoming Dates - Mark Your Calendars!
JANUARY
- 1/3 - School Resumes!
- 1/3 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
- 1/4 - Coding/Multiplication Club -3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/4 - Phonics Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/4 - Math Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/8 - Coding/Multiplication Club -3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/9 - Phonics Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/9 - Math Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/10 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
- 1/10 - PTO Meeting - 5:30 pm (library)
- 1/11 - Coding/Multiplication Club -3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/11 - Phonics Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/11 - Math Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/12 - Mustangs of the Month Assembly
- 1/15 - NO SCHOOL - Martin L. King Holiday
- 1/16 - Phonics Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/16 - Math Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/17 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
- 1/18 - Coding/Multiplication Club -3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/18 - Phonics Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/18 - Math Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/19 - PTO Movie Night - 6:00-7:30 pm (gym)
- 1/22 - Coding/Multiplication Club -3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/23 - Phonics Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/23 - Math Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/24 - Early Release -2:30 pm
- 1/25 - 5th Grade Parent Night - 5:00-6:30 pm
- 1/25 - Coding/Multiplication Club -3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/25 - Phonics Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/25 - Math Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/26 - NO SCHOOL - Records Day
- 1/29 - Coding/Multiplication Club -3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/30 - Math Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 1/30 - District Multilingual Family Night - 5:30-7:00 pm (Monticello Middle School)
- 1/31 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
FEBRUARY
- 2/1 - SW WA Symphony Concert for 4th/5th graders
- 2/1 - Coding/Multiplication Club -3:30-4:45 pm
- 2/1 - Math Club - 3:30-4:45 pm
- 2/2 - Mustangs of the Month Assembly
- 2/2 - PTO Bingo Night - 5:30-7:00 pm
- 2/7 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
- 2/14 - Valentine's Day <3
- 2/14 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
- 2/16 - NO SCHOOL - Weather
- 2/19 - NO SCHOOL - President's Day Holiday
- 2/21 - Early Release -2:30 pm
- 2/23 - PTO All-School Sock Hop 5:00-6:30 pm
- 2/26 - 3/01 - Dr. Seuss Week/Book Fair
- 2/28 - Early Release - 2:30 pm
- 2/29 - S.T.E.A.M. Night - TBD
IT'S COLD OUT THERE, BABY!
Brrrrrrr!
Winter is here! The mornings have been cold and the air quality has not been great.
Please send your student to school with appropriate clothing for the weather so they are comfortable traveling to and from school and during recess.
We also wanted to remind families that our school gates open at 8:30 am. We are having an increase in the number of students arriving on campus TOO EARLY and the students are standing outside in the freezing weather without any supervision. Staff does not man the gates until 8:30 am.
We want to insure student safety and security before school. If you have not done so, please plan your mornings so that students arrive to campus between 8:30 am and 9:00 am.
Thank you!
IS SCHOOL ON TIME? CANCELED?...
Have you heard rumblings about possible winter weather coming our way?....BE READY!!!
The district uses the best information available to make decisions on school closures, early dismissal, late start, and lowland bus routes.
School delay, closure or other schedule changes will be posted BEFORE 6:00 AM. If no notice is posted, schools will operate on a regular schedule.
HOW TO STAY NOTIFIED AND INFORMED:
- Longview Public Schools website news
- Visit the Longview Public Schools Facebook page.
- Remind App
- Download the Longview Public School app on your Apple or Android phone. The app is available in Apple App store and the Google Play store, just search for "Longview School District".
- FlashAlert—Sign up to have messages delivered to your email and/or mobile device. You may also download the FlashAlert Messenger App for your cell phone or tablet.
- The KATU News website
- TV channels 2 (KATU/ABC), 6 (KOIN/CBS), 8 (KGW/NBC) and 12 (KPTV/FOX)
- Radio stations 1270 AM (KBAM), 1400 AM (KEDO), 1490 AM (KLOG); 93.5 FM (KBAM), 94.5 FM (KLYK), 101.5 FM (WAVE), 105.5 FM (KUKN)
HOW IS YOUR STUDENT'S ATTENDANCE AND TARDINESS?
Submit absences on the Longview Schools App!
Of course, you are always welcome to call the school directly, as well, at (360) 575-7581.
https://www.longviewschools.com/submit-an-absence-on-the-longview-schools-app
FOR VACATION ABSENCES: The Mint Valley Elementary secretaries have a special form for families to use when they take their children out of school for vacation. It must be pre-approved (and with sufficient notice), by the principal and teacher so that homework is available and the absence has the least impact on the student's learning.
Monthly Trait of the Month!
Mrs. Allis' Corner
In January, our trait is "GROWTH MINDSET." A great way to have a growth mindset is to have stamina. Here is a definition and acrostic poem about this important characteristic.
WHAT IS STAMINA??
Stamina is doing anything for a long period of time without getting too tired or giving up.
How Do I Build My Stamina?
- S tay Focused
- T ake Your Work Seriously
- A void Distractions
- M anage Yourself
- I ncrease Your Time On Task
- N ever Give Up
- A lways Try Your Best!
Shelley Allis, Behavior Coach
LONGVIEW PUBLIC SCHOOL - UPCOMING REPLACEMENT LEVY
Up for renewal in February 2024
Replacement levy covers 2025-2028
School districts rely on voter approved levies to cover essential costs not funded by the state. The Replacement Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy funds approximately 15 percent of Longview’s total operating budget — which is the equivalent of three Longview elementary school’s worth of staff. Failure of this levy would mean significant reductions to programs, services, and staffing that are essential to Longview students and the community.
In February 2024 voters will be asked to consider a Replacement Educational Programs and Operations levy. Please take a minute to read through the ten facts about the proposed replacement levy listed below and reach out to the school principal with any questions.
1. This levy is not a new tax. The proposed levy is a four-year levy that replaces the existing levy which expires at the end of 2024.
2. If the levy passes, total locally voted school tax collections will decrease from current levels.
3. Longview Public School’s levy tax rates are currently below the Cowlitz and Clark County averages and are estimated to decrease from current levels.
4. The levy funds approximately 15% of the district’s annual budget. ($16-$18million) These funds will allow the district to continue delivering the support and services to kids we currently provide.
5. The levy currently funds about 69 teachers and other certified positions.
6. Levy dollars now pay for well over 65 school support employees.
7. Levy funds pay for approximately 10 percent of special education services and costs.
8. Sports programs, activities, and clubs are almost completely funded by the levy.
9. Levy dollars help pay for textbooks, workbooks, and other teaching materials.
10. School transportation services are partially funded by local levy funds.
More information can be found at the school district's website: https://www.longviewschools.com/levy
TOWNHALL MEETING ON VAPING IN YOUTH/CHILDREN - Thursday, January 18th
5TH GRADE PARENT NIGHT
MULTILINGUAL FAMILY NIGHT - Tuesday, January 30th
RESERVE LA FECHA… La Noche Familiar Multilingüe del Distrito de pK-12 se llevará a cabo la noche del 30 de enero.
The Longview School District will be holding a Multilingual Family Night on Tuesday, January 30th in the evening.
OH, BABY!
5th Grade Families,
Each year we dedicate multiple pages in the yearbook for a “Guess That Baby” for the 5th graders. So far we have only received 15 out of 60 students. Please email a quality picture of your child--AS A BABY UNDER 3-- to ekessler@longviewschools.org as soon as possible.
Please include their first and last name. We are beginning to work on the yearbook within a couple of weeks, so we would appreciate your participation in this fun activity and don't want anyone to miss out.
Thank you to those that have already contributed! We are looking forward to seeing your cute baby!
Mr. Huff
Mrs. Hutton
Mrs. Kessler
Next PTO Meeting
Wednesday, Jan 10, 2024, 05:30 PM
School Library
PTO MOVIE NIGHT - Friday, January 19th - 6:00-7:30 pm - More info to come!!
PTO BINGO NIGHT - Friday, February 2nd - 5:30-7:30 pm - More info to come!!
DR. SEUSS WEEK & BOOK FAIR
February 26 through March 1, 2024, we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss Week! Celebrations will include special spirit day events each day as well as the Scholastic Book Fair open each day. More details will be coming home and posted as they become available.
UPDATE ON VOLUNTEER INFO!
Information on volunteering is on the district's website. The entire application is online.
Remember, parents, guardians, grandparents and other adults are eligible to volunteer. Even older siblings can volunteer and their time goes towards graduation volunteer hours.
The application is at the bottom of this page:
https://www.longviewschools.com/family-resources/volunteerget-involved
Don't wait if you'd like to be on campus for those fun holiday crafts and parties!
Please contact our volunteer coordinator, Terri Troy, at (360) 575-7599 or ttroy@longview.k12.wa.us if you have any questions about the application or volunteer opportunities.
Mint Valley Elementary School
Email: mintvalley@longviewschools.org
Website: https://mintvalley.longviewschools.com/
Phone: 360 575 7581
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MintValleyElementarySchool