Middletown Elementary School
Community Newsletter for December 15, 2023
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
This is our last newsletter for 2023.
Our schools will be closed from December 25th through January 1, 2024.
We will reopen on Tuesday, January 2.
We hope that everyone has a safe and restful winter break!
LOST AND FOUND CLEAN OUT
Please have your child check the lost and found for any lost items. All items remaining at the end of the day on Friday, December 22 will be donated.
Calendar
December 1st - Midterm 2 hour early dismissal
December 20 - MES Chorus Concert @ MHS @ 7:15pm, students report at 6:15pm
December 25-29 - Winter Break, Schools Closed
January 1 - Winter Break, Schools Closed
January 2 - Schools reopen from break
MES/MPS/PTA Fundraiser
MES Families,
We are excited to partner with MPS and the PTA to launch our new fundraiser. Please read this letter to see what all your donations could provide to our schools! Your student also received a paper copy of the letter which you can find in their take home folder.
Please see the attached letters to learn more about Vertical Rise, the company that will help our schools with this special fundraiser. You will learn what the expectation/hopes are of each family. Please note, if you select sending emails, you only have to do that ONCE, the company will take care of the rest. If you decide to send text messages YOU will have to send a message WEEKLY. Choose the option that works best for you. This fundraiser will run from today through January 1, 2024.
As always, thank you for the constant support of our schools! We truly live in a one of a kind community!
Health room information regarding student illness'
As the winter months are approaching and illness' are on the increase, here is some helpful information from our health room about when to keep your child home from school:
Based on information obtained from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), your child should stay home from school if he/she has one or more of the following symptoms:
- Temperature greater than 100°
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Undiagnosed rash or skin infection
Please keep your child home from school for 24 hours after the last episode of vomiting, diarrhea, and/or fever greater than 100° without medication. If these symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, you should contact your child’s health care provider.
To help ensure a healthy experience at school and help prevent illness:
- Notify the Health Room staff if your child is being treated for communicable illness e.g. strep throat, pneumonia, influenza, conjunctivitis, etc.
- Make sure your child washes their hands frequently (i.e. before meals, after restroom use, after playing, after sneezing/coughing in their hands, when visibly dirty, etc.) to reduce the spread of germs.
Please call the health room with any questions concerning your child’s health at 240-236-1108.
Reading Challenge
New Kiosk at MES
We have a new Kiosk to sign your student in/out. The Chromebook that uses a google sheet is just around the corner from where the books used to be near the front office doors. This new technology will allow us to keep your students records updated in a more timely manner.
Please let us know in the office if you have any questions or problems with the system.
Attendance and Leaving Early Notes
New this year, MES is asking parents to email all sick and vacation excuse notes to the teacher and MiES.attendance@fcps.org. All notes for students leaving early should be emailed to the teacher, loretta.shafer@fcps.org and christina.faron@fcps.org
Notes brought in with students continue to be acceptable and preferred.
Elementary Band and Orchestra Website
The instrumental music program is open to all 4th and 5th graders. Mr. Cheston and Mr. Jones are looking forward to another great year in the band and orchestra!!
The MES Artist's Advisor
Our Art to Remember fundraiser early orders are in! We expect keepsakes to ship to the school on December 11th (unless you choose to have them shipped to your home). Once they arrive, we'll sort them by homeroom and have the students bring them home. It's not to late to order! You can still order your keepsakes and ship them directly to your home up to the 2nd week of January.
Ms. Cecil and Mr. Hench are so thankful for the support of the community for our first MES visual arts fundraiser and we look forward to continuing to create great art with all of our students.
News and Notes from Your MES Artrooms!
Library News
MES Volunteers
Teachers will have the choice of communicating the need for class volunteers. If interested in volunteering in the Media Center, please email jeffrey.riley@fcps.org.
5-Star Service Award
-Star Service Award
The 5-Star Service Award is for community use in recognizing FCPS employees who show excellence in one of the 5 FCPS goals. Community members are welcome to nominate any worthy FCPS employees. You can nominate here.
Information about MES & MMS Building Progress
Click on the link for additional information
MHS Athletic Events
Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Family Theatre Series: My Father the Elf, through December 17.
Coming soon to Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Family Theatre Series: My Father the Elf, through December 17. Check showtimes at www.marylandensemble.org and see the flyer.
Maryland Ensemble Theatre is performing A Christmas Carol on December 15-17 at the Weinberg. Check showtimes at www.weinbergcenter.org and see the flyer.
Get your tickets for the 3rd Annual Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 2, to benefit American Cancer Society & Relay for Life of Frederick & Washington Counties. See the flyer.
Junior Achievement of Central Maryland annual JA 18 under 18 awards
In partnership with Baltimore magazine, Junior Achievement of Central Maryland’s second annual JA 18 Under 18 awards program will honor the most extraordinary young people in the Greater Baltimore area. This program seeks to showcase the state's up-and-comers who show exceptional entrepreneurial spirit. Nominate a student at bmag.co/18under18. Please see the below fliers for more information.
JA 18 Under 18 Information (nominations close January 15)