Midland Messenger
March 1-5, 2021
Midland Elementary
Email: midland@fpschools.org
Website: http://midland.fpschools.org/
Location: Midland Elementary School, 105th Street East, Tacoma, WA, USA
Phone: 253-298-4500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Midland-Elementary-Mustangs-112865059416899/?ref=settings
Dear Midland Families,
This was a monumental week as we continued to bring students back into the building! We are so happy to serve our students, both in person and online. We are ready to go into the new month of March with all of the transitions behind us, ready for a steady month of learning.
We recognize that this has been a confusing month, as we have transitioned student learning days and times. For those who are in grades 3, 4, and 5, I want to clarify the schedule because there has been confusion:
In person Cohort A: Attend in person Monday and Thursday. On Tuesdays and Friday, students are to sign in to their classroom time from 9:00-11:00 to be with their class virtually.
In person Cohort B: Attend in person Tuesday and Friday. On Monday and Thursday, students are to sign in to their classroom time from 9:00-11:00 to be with their class virtually. (In person Cohort B is different than remote Cohort B. While your child used to sign in at 12:30, in person cohort B should now log-on in morning on virtual days.)
There is an expectation that students participate fully with their class on the virtual days. They should be logged on the full morning, with cameras on. (The expectation is that the teacher can see the students online, unless prior arrangements have been made with the teacher.)This is our new school schedule and attendance will be taken, as per state and district expectations.
Remote Only (Teachers: Brown/Gustafson, Blaisdell, Christian, Kamel, Albers, Huddle, Piercy) Cohort A is now 9:15-11:45 and Cohort B is 12:25-2:55 for grades K-5. Students are also expected to be fully participating with cameras on, unless prior arrangements have been made with the teacher.
Thank you for your help in getting your student to school on time, by 8:55. Starting Monday, breakfast will now be served at school and not be sent home, except for hybrid students who will not be at school the following day.
I am looking forward to "settling in" to all the new routines soon! Thank you for all you are doing to support your child's learning!
It's great to be a MUSTANG!
~Mrs. Dawson
Drop-off and Pick-up News
1. Please pull all the way into the striped area and move to the end of the zone or pull up to the car in front of you. Do not leave big gaps.
2. Please stay in your car, unless you are assisting with a car seat or helping your young child onto the sidewalk.
3. Please watch your speed in the parking area.
4. In the pick-up line, please do not have a long conversation with your child's teacher. Of course, we know you want to connect, but if it's something you need to discuss, please email or call so that our line can keep moving.
5. If you need to go into the office, please park in a parking spot. We have 4 15-minute spots in front of the school. Please reserve our disabled parking areas for those with these needs.
Please note: Our COVID safety plan states parents cannot walk their students to the school door, where other students are waiting. Please remain in your car and allow our staff to help your child in the crosswalk. Thank you for your understanding during this time. We are doing all what we can to help ensure safety and we appreciate your help!
Important Dates to Remember:
March 3 ~ Asynchronous learning day
March 8-12 ~ Para Educator Appreciation Week
March 10 ~ Asynchronous learning, End of Second Trimester
March 14 ~ Daylight Savings Time/ Spring ahead
March 17 ~ Asynchronous learning day
March 19~ Report Cards go home
March 24 ~ Asynchronous learning day
March 31 ~ Asynchronous learning day
**For additional future scheduled activities, please check out our Midland calendar at https://midland.fpschools.org/**
Read Across America Day
Here are some ideas for reading at home this week. Some NEA recommendations are:
Monday- Read a book about families
- Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal (for ages 3 – 7)
- Just Like a Mama by Alice Faye Duncan (for ages 4 – 8)
- Indian Shoes by Cynthia Leitich Smith (for ages 7 – 10)
- Alvin Ho: Allergic to Camping, Hiking, and Other Natural Disasters by Lenore Look (for ages 6 – 9)
Dr. Potts, My Pets Have Spots by Rod Hull (for ages 3 – 7)
- Big Red Lollipop by Rukhsana Khan (for ages 4 – 8)
Wednesday- Read about an inspiring leader
- Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly (for ages 5 – 9)
Side by Side: The Story of Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez by Monica Brown (for ages 5 – 9)
She Stood for Freedom: The Untold Story of a Civil Rights Hero, Joan Trumpauer Mulholland by Loki Mulholland and Angela Fairwell (for ages 7 – 11)
Thursday- Read an #ownvoices book
- El Deafo by Cece Bell (for ages 7 – 11)
- Looking for Bongo by Eric Velasquez (for ages 3 – 7)
- Dear Juno by Sunyong Pak (for ages 4 – 8
Friday- Read a book that celebrates reading
- The Book Tree by Paul Czajak (for ages 5 – 8)
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson (for ages 7 – 10)
- The Mermaid’s Purse by Patricia Polacco (for ages 7 – 10)
Midland wants to STOP Covid at the door!
Just a reminder that you need to complete a health screening questionnaire EVERY morning. This survey will come to your email, but you can also set it up to be sent as a text to your phone, for easy completion. If you have not filled out the form, your child will not be allowed to enter class until we have heard from you to answer questions, and have your child's temperature taken. Please see the button below for specific information regarding the Daily Health Check, as well as what to do if you are having trouble receiving the email.
PLEASE do your part before school, so that your child can go to class when they arrive.
- Students will be required to wear a mask on the bus, in the halls, in class, and at recess.
- Students will wash hands and use hand sanitizer throughout the day.
- Students will sit 6 feet apart in the classroom.
If your child has been exposed to COVID, or if they are showing symptoms of illness, you may not send them to school until they have been quarantined and symptom free for 14 days. Teachers will provide work for students during this time. We are counting on everyone to keep Midland safe for all students and staff. Thank you!
Over the nose it goes! Over the chin, you win!
New School Times:
In-Person learners:
8:55-2:25 Students can be dropped off no earlier than 8:45.
Remote learners:
9:15-11:45 Cohort A
11:45-12:25 lunch and break
12:25-2:55 Cohort B
Attendance Moment: Take an Active Role
Stay involved with your child's daily experiences at school by asking how the school day went, and then listening carefully to what your child shares with you; both the successes and struggles.
Important: Please check your bus routes!
As our students are returning to in-person learning, we wanted to make sure you have the most up-to-date bus information. Please be sure you check their bus routes.
We have adjusted the elementary school pick up and drop off times. The times on the bus cards that families received in the summer are now incorrect, however the location is still correct. For the updated times please see the information listed below:
Use the E-LINK SITE to find your child's bus route and pick-up/drop-off times. When you get to the site, type in the following username and password:
Username: guest
Password: guest
Note: It is important that parents also check back a few days prior to school, as route schedules do change as more students are enrolled.
To sign up to use Bus Bulletin, follow these steps:
- Log into the website http://busbulletin.com/parents/
- Look to the right side of the screen. Click on 'Sign In'
- Click on 'Register Here' and answer the simple prompts providing your name, email address, a password, and select Franklin Pierce Schools.
- Enter the code on the screen, accept the rules of use
- Click submit
- Select the route which is written in a code - the first two numbers are the ROUTE NUMBER, and the letters are the SCHOOL ABBREVIATION (MD is Midland)
- Preschool: HDS for Head Start and ELC
- Primary: BD, CA, CH, CO, ELM, HA, JS, MD
- Secondary: FMS, FPHS, KMS, WHS, GATES
Weather and Emergency Updates
Remote learning will not be cancelled due to inclement weather when schools are closed. Depending on the severity of the circumstances, breakfasts and lunches may be available in limited locations.
Remote learning will be cancelled only if the entire district is closed. Breakfast and lunch services will not be available.
Click here for more information from our district's website.
Technology Help
The help number for the IT department is 253-298-4647 or you can fill out one of the two forms linked below.
PTA Corner
- $12 for a Single Membership
- $20 for 2 Memberships
- $10 for Student Membership
- $12 to Sponsor a Teacher
Email: midlandptapresident@gmail.com
Phone: 253-298-4500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midlandmustangs/
Franklin Pierce Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
Questions and complaints of alleged discrimination should be directed to James Hester, Compliance Coordinator for State and Civil Rights Laws; Wendy Malich, Title IX Officer; or John Sander, 504/ADA Coordinator at 315 129th ST S, Tacoma, WA 98444-5099 or at (253)298-3000.