Maltby Messenger
October 28th Edition
Message from our Principal
Dear Mustang Families,
We are approaching the end of a busy week full of parent teacher conferences and state testing for our 4th and 5th grade students. If you have not been able to schedule a conference with your child’s teacher, please reach out to get a conference scheduled. We value our partnership with our Mustang families.
Our staff at Maltby Elementary have been the PAX leaders for the Monroe School District and other districts implementing PAX. We encourage you to ask your student about PAX and how they utilize it in the classroom.
What is PAX?
PAX is a set of strategies to help students learn important self-management skills while collaborating to make their classroom a peaceful and productive learning environment. Centered on the Good Behavior Game, PAX is not a classroom management program, but it makes managing classrooms much easier. The PAX Good Behavior Game (GBG) contains the combined science from the youth violence prevention program called Peace Builders, the good behavior game, and other studies.
The Wonderful Classroom
With adult facilitation, students create a word-map of what they would see, hear, do, and feel more of and less of in a wonderful classroom. The map is posted in the classroom, and is revised over time to keep it fresh and applicable. The things that would happen more often in their wonderful classroom are called PAX (Peace, Productivity, Health and Happiness). The things that would happen less often are called spleems. Children quickly become able to discriminate automatically between PAX behaviors and spleems, an ability that is vital for learning sustainable self-regulation.
Wanting more information about PAX?
http://paxgoodbehaviorgame.promoteprevent.org
We hope you have been enjoying the fall weather. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me at: hillestadc@monroe.wednet.edu or 360-804-3500.
Sincerely,
Christine Hillestad
Maltby Elementary Principal
Halloween Happenings
- Costumes are allowed to be worn on Friday, October 29th.
- Avoid scary costumes, toy weapons or things that resemble a weapon.
- Be sure costume allows child to see fully/move comfortably not only at school but on the bus as well; NO costume masks will be allowed. Also, Halloween masks do not count as COVID masks-students MUST wear an appropriate mask with their costumes.
- Please don't send child in delicate or expensive costumes as they play hard and can possibly be ruined.
- For younger students, please make sure they can button/unbutton the costume (without help) for bathroom visits.
- Parents may send an extra outfit with your child in case they want to change before the end of the day.
- Food is NOT allowed to be eatn inside classrooms this year. Therefore, please know that celebrations may not include food as in the past and/or students may bring treats home or eat them outside (distanced) with their class.
Please check with your individual teachers and their newsletters for classroom events that may be occurring on Friday, October 29th in celebration of Halloween. Thanks in advance for all your cooperation and support!!
Parent Teacher Conferences
NEW! COVID-19 Testing to be Offered through MSD
Beginning October 12, 2021, Monroe School District will begin offering optional COVID-19 testing for free, Monday-Friday at the district administration office (14692 179th Ave SE, Monroe, WA 98272) from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for students and their families. Testing will be administered outdoors in a drive through format in the parking lot.
To expedite the testing process, appointments are highly encouraged, but not required and can be booked at https://curative.com/sites/33140/walkup. The online registration form will have a space for you to input insurance information but there will be no charge to you and there are no copay requirements. The testing is absolutely free. A parent or guardian must accompany all students under age 18 and consent forms must be filled out onsite. Please remember to wear a mask when arriving for your test session.
For students who are required to be out of school due to symptoms consistent with COVID-19, a negative test result will allow students to return to school when they are fever free for 24 hours without medication and when symptoms have improved.
Additionally, Monroe School District now has a Memorandum of Agreement with the Snohomish Health District for the “Test to Stay” Program. This will allow students who have been identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 positive individual at school* to shorten their quarantine period to 7 days, provided certain criteria (below) are met.
*Unfortunately, students exposed outside of school (i.e. household exposure, private sports league exposure, etc.) are not eligible to participate in this program and need to quarantine for the full 14 days, as directed by the Snohomish Health District.
Close contacts exposed at school must meet the following criteria in order to participate in the Test to Stay Program and return to school after 7 days:
- Be free of all symptoms of COVID-19;
- Receive at least two negative COVID-19 tests (PCR or NAAT tests):
- One test conducted as soon as possible following recognition of the exposure (i.e. the same or next school day), and
- One test collected 5-7 days after the last known exposure.
- If testing is not conducted according to this schedule, individuals must follow the standard quarantine guidance and remain in quarantine for a minimum of 10 days from the last known exposure.
- Testing can be performed at the Monroe School District Administration Office. Tests conducted at home by the parent, guardian, or individual will not be accepted. Documentation of a negative PCR or NAAT COVID-19 test from another testing site will also be accepted if completed during the same time frame and submitted to the school.
- While students who meet the above criteria may be permitted to return to school after 7 days from their last know exposure, they still must quarantine from activities outside of school, such as extracurricular activities, after-school activities or social gatherings until their quarantine period (10 days) is complete, they remain symptom-free, and they have tested negative at least 5-7 days after last exposure.
We are fortunate to have received additional grant funding through the Return to Learn Program to increase the staffing necessary to offer this daily testing option for our students and families. This increased funding and Memorandum of Agreement with the Snohomish Health District allow Monroe School District to provide this opportunity for our school community. If you have questions regarding this testing opportunity, please contact the Monroe School District office at 360-804-2500.
Sincerely,
David Paratore
Chief Student Services Officer
Monroe School District
Drop off and Pick Up Procedures
- Parents/Guardians, if you are late (after 8:55 AM) dropping off your children, YOU MUST COME TO THE OFFICE AND SIGN THEM IN. We have had quite a few students being dropped off after school starts, which is against our normal procedures. For their safety and attendance purposes, you MUST sign them in.
- Please be sure to contact the office by 2:00 PM or send a dated note with your student if they will have a change in their regular transportation for the day. ALSO, BE SURE TO PUT THE STUDENT'S FIRST AND LAST NAME AS WELL AS THE TEACHER'S NAME ON THE NOTE.
- Please be patient and know that the line will continue to move in car drop as we safely get our students into their car.
- Do not park and get out of your car as we do not have walk-up pickup at this time.
We truly appreciate your patience and understanding so that we can keep everyone safe. If you have any questions, please call the office.
Data Center Outage Effecting Chromebooks
Lost and Found
Library News
PTO Volunteers NEEDED!!
October is Disability History Month
"The legislature finds that annually recognizing disability history throughout our entire public educational system, from kindergarten through grade twelve and at our colleges and universities, during the month of October will help to increase awareness and understanding of the contributions that people with disabilities in our state, nation, and the world have made to our society. The legislature further finds that recognizing disability history will increase respect and promote acceptance and inclusion of people with disabilities. The legislature further finds that recognizing disability history will inspire students with disabilities to feel a greater sense of pride, reduce harassment and bullying, and help keep students with disabilities in school."
Yearbook Cover Contest
Veteran's Day Virtual Assembly...
Please send a picture or video of your student with your veteran, a picture of your veteran, or share a picture of a sign saying “Thank You Veterans”. Does your student want to share a picture they drew about Veteran’s Day? Perhaps you have a short story or poem to share about your veteran or a veteran you know?
Please send all art work, videos or pictures to our Digital Learning Teacher, Mrs. Clark at school (give to office) or email at clarkl@monroe.wednet.edu. You can also click on the following link to record a video on flipgrid. You’ll just need to sign in with your gmail or your students google gmail.
Thank you!
Lunch Information for 2021-2022
This year, students at Monroe School District have a lot to look forward to when it comes to mealtime. For the 2021-2022 school year, meals will be offered to students in all grade levels at no cost, thanks to flexibilities provided by the USDA’s National School Lunch Program. This allows everyone to enjoy 1 free breakfast & 1 free lunch per day.
All families, however, are encouraged to fill out the annual Free and Reduced Price Meal Application as eligibility provides many other benefits, including Pandemic EBT benefits for your family, no student fees for high school programs, free student entrance to all ASB extracurricular events (dances, athletics, etc) and reduced fees for family members to attend extracurricular events (athletics, plays, etc). Filling out this application also provides critical funding for our schools.
What’s on the Menu? Nutrislice, an innovative app, students, parents and faculty have access to school menus, including nutrition information, allergens and photos. Nutrislice can be downloaded for free from the App store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and is available on desktop and mobile devices.
Menus are also available at https://monroeschools.nutrislice.com/
Illness Guidelines
This is a summary of the illness guidelines that our school is required to follow. These are in place to keep all staff and students as safe and healthy as possible.
Please refer to the MSD Website for the latest information on COVID-19 Health & Safety protocols: https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/covid-19
GROUP A SYMPTOMS:
· Fever (defined since COVID as subjective or 100.4 degrees or higher)
· Cough
· NEW Loss of taste and/or sense of smell
· Shortness of Breath
If a child has 1 symptom or more from the above list, the child MUST follow one (1) of the following pathways to return to school:
1. Negative COVID Test* Result (PCR/NAAT) + with improved symptoms + no fever for at least 24 hours (without fever reducing medications).
2. Stay home 10 days from symptom(s) onset and have improved symptoms before returning.
3. Obtain a note from a medical provider stating symptom(s) are related to a health condition.
GROUP B SYMPTOMS:
· Fatigue
· Headache
· Muscle or body aches
· Sore throat
· Congestion or runny nose
· Nausea or vomiting
· Diarrhea (defined as 2 or more loose stools in 24 hours)
If a child has 2 OR MORE of the above B symptoms, the child MUST STILL follow one of the three pathways described above to return to school.
If the child has ONLY 1 of the GROUP B symptoms and it COMPLETELY goes away in less than 24 hours WITH NO OTHER SYMPTOMS OR FEVER, the child can return to school the next day.
If the 1 GROUP B SYMPTOM LASTS LONGER THAN 24 HOURS, OR IF OTHER SYMPTOMS DEVELOP, the child must follow one of the pathways listed above to be able to return to school.
PLEASE do not hesitate to contact the school health room staff with any questions or concerns.
Joy Good, RN, BSN School Nurse 360-804-3170 (Mon-Wed)
Stacie Birk, RN, BSN Diabetic School Nurse 360-804- 3533 (Mon-Fri)
Becky Urstad Health Room Assistant 360-804-3532 (Mon-Fri)
Important Upcoming Dates!
October 25-29 ~ Conference Week (EARLY DISMISSAL @ 12:55 PM)
November 11 ~ Veteran's Day Holiday (NO SCHOOL)
November 24 ~ EARLY DISMISSAL @ 12:55 PM)
November 25-26 ~ Thanksgiving Break
December 1 ~ Picture Retakes
December 3-10 ~ Scholastic Book Fair
December 20-31 ~ Winter Break
TRANSLATE THIS NEWSLETTER
We are so excited to be using Smore for our school newsletter this year! Our newsletter will be delivered directly to your email inbox and can be translated to any language in three easy steps:
When you receive the school newsletter in your email inbox, open the email and click on the title in the newsletter to open it in Smore.
Once in Smore, scroll to the very bottom of the newsletter. Above the red word ‘Report’ you will see the word ‘Translate’. Click ‘Translate’.
Next, select your preferred language in the drop-down menu and the newsletter will automatically translate to the language you chose.
About Us
Principal
Christine Hillestad
Counselor
Amber Newman
Office Manager
Junelle Lewis
lewisj@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support
Jamie Porter
Health Room
HR Assistant
Becky Urstad
Nurse
Joy Good
360-804-2984
Family Engagement Liaison
Kathy Jackson
Fax ~ 360-804-3599
Health Room ~ 360-804-3532
Attendance Hotline ~ 360-804-3501
Bus Delay Information ~ 360-804-2951
Transportation Office ~ 360-804-2650
School Hours: 8:55 am-3:25 pm (Monday-Thursday)
8:55 am-2:25 pm (Fridays)
Website: https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/mbe
Location: Maltby Elementary School, 212th Street Southeast, Snohomish, WA, USA
Phone: 360-804-3500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Maltby-Elementary-School-153985141874072/
Twitter: @monroewaschools
MSD Notice of Non-Discrimination
Monroe School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator: Joanne Dickinson and Title IX Coordinator, 360-804-2539, dickinsonj@monroe.wednet.edu; and 504 Coordinator: David Paratore, 360-804-2609, paratored@monroe.wednet.edu. Address: 200 E Fremont St., Monroe, WA 98272.