MVES Newsletter

Photo credit goes to Ms. Hill (Pre-K parent)

November

7 & 8- NO SCHOOL

7- Parent/Teacher Conferences 12:00-7:00

9- 2nd Grade (Howard/Caffo) Field Trip to Big Meadows 8:30-2:30

9- K- (Higgs/Teter) to Explore More Museum 9:15-11:45

10- Picture Retakes

10- K- (Pequignot/Roeschley) to Explore More Museum 9:15-11:45

21- Spelling Bee 9:00

23-25- NO SCHOOL

30- Mobile Dentist

Just as we were finishing post-dinner cleanup last Tuesday, my youngest son said, “I don’t have school tomorrow.” Obviously I thought he was joking until my wife confirmed that Pence had had to close school because of an ongoing investigation by the Sheriff’s Department that involved a threat that had circulated over social media and had been initiated by a student. As a father of three sons (two of whom have phones), I recognize that any of my sons could be capable of something similar even though I monitor their phone use, know their passwords, and make each son sign a contract before he gets one (if you’d like a copy, just email me). As they prove to me that they were trustworthy, I relax their restrictions until 12th grade. Then they have unfettered access the last year they’re living at home so I can still help guide them through any difficult situations (e.g., 2am text from a friend contemplating self-harm; a high school sports’ team group chat that has devolved into harassment, etc).

As the holiday gift-giving season quickly approaches, please fight the temptation to give your child a phone unless you are committed to guiding them on how to use it appropriately and willing to provide clear and significant boundaries (what apps they have, how much time they can spend on it, charging it in your room beginning an hour before bedtime each night, etc). If you child(ren) already have a phone, it’s never too late to establish clear boundaries to show them you love them and want to keep them safe!

With parent conferences rapidly approaching (on Monday), please take 4-minutes to view this helpful video about how we teach reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZPxD_niXVs&t=6s

At parent conferences on Monday, you will receive a paper copy of your child’s report card and a One-Pager Reading Data sheet created specifically for your child that shows very specific strengths and weaknesses as they develop as a reader. If you are not able to attend Parent-Conference night, both of these items will be sent home with your child on Wednesday (11/9).

A few weeks ago I was reading aloud with my 7th grade son and he misread the word “three” as “tree.” Since he’s an accomplished reader, this mistake caught my attention and I asked him why he read the word that way. He replied, “The little drawing on the chapter page includes a tree.” The way he was taught to read (and how many of us were taught), was to use pictures on pages and other “clues” to figure out what the words said. I wish he had strong phonetic skills teaching like your kids are getting!

Picture retake/make up day will be on November 10. For the ones who ordered previous picture packages, most of those have been delivered. If you turned the order in after original picture day, there is a delay on delivery. Please be patient and we will send those home as soon as we receive them.

This December we will be bringing back the Holiday Eagle Buck Store! All students will have the opportunity to shop for gifts during their Art class the week of December 6-13. We will be taking donations between now and December 1. Items can be sent in by your child or you may drop them off in the office. As you're cleaning out your toy bins and seasonal items please consider donating. Ideas of donations are lightly used games, puzzles, small toys, holiday items and decor, unopened lotions, etc. We will also need lots of winter/holiday wrapping paper and tape. If you would like to volunteer to help in the store and with wrapping gifts please call the office.

We will have 4th and 5th grade Family Life Education materials on display in the gym during Parent Teacher Conference Day, Monday, November 7, from 12-7 PM. Please feel free to stop by and look at them if you are interested. Due to copyright regulations, materials must be previewed at school and cannot be sent home.

Books will be sent home with students on November 15 to sell!

Our lost and found is overflowing with items. Please have your child come look through the items if thy are missing anything!

Are you looking for a rewarding career working with students?

Rockingham County Public Schools is looking for enthusiastic and motivated people to work as substitute teachers!

Are you looking for a job that is flexible with your schedule?

You can determine your own schedule! Pick the days you are available, and fit subbing into your life.

Do you want to work in your own community?

There are 25 schools in Rockingham County. Substitute teachers have the flexibility of choosing where they would like to teach!

• Daily substitute teacher and substitute LPN rate $105 per day

• Retired teacher substitute teacher rate $120 per day

• Long-term substitute teacher rate $130 per day (licensed substitutes preferred for long-term assignments)

Working as a sub is immensely rewarding. Please contact Kristeen Laatz at 540-564-1330 with any questions.

Must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or a GED, and possess good moral character. It is the policy of the Rockingham County School Board to comply with all applicable state and federal laws regarding non-discrimination in employment and educational programs and services. It is an equal opportunity employer and educational agency.

Forms have been sent home with each student for the Mobile Dentist. The mobile dentist will be at MVES on November 30. If you are interested in your child receiving dental care please fill out the form and return to the office as soon as possible or you may sign-up at https://www.myschooldentist.com/MWRCVA_schsrm. Please call our school nurse at 540-438-1965 if you have any questions.

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF:

• They have to take any medications to make them feel better or reduce fever

• Have had a fever of 100.4 or higher in the last 24 hours

• sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea

If your child requires over the counter medication such as tylenol, ibuprofen or cough/cold medication to feel better then they need to remain home from school.

If your child becomes ill at school and the school nurse feels your child is too sick to benefit from school or is contagious to other children, you will be called to come and take him/her home from school. It is essential that the school has a phone number where you can be contacted during the day and an emergency number in the event you cannot be reached. Please be sure that arrangements can be made to transport your child home from school and that childcare is available in case of illness. If your daytime or emergency phone number changes during the year, please notify the office at (540) 438-1965. These guidelines will help us protect all of our students. If you have any questions do not hesitate to call Nurse Angie.

We are glad to have parents join their children for lunch; however you must contact the school or your child’s teacher before you come. There is limited seating and we want to make sure there is enough room. Currently we are only able to accommodate 1 parent per class and seating is available in our cafeteria courtyard.

If your child is going to be absent from school, please call the office at 540-438-1965 or email mvesattendance@rockingham.k12.va.us. If you are planning to take a vacation or your child will be out of school for an extended period of time, please contact the office. Thank you!

The parent portal is an online portal accessible anywhere on the web that parents can log in to and see all of their children in one place, their grades, assignments, scores, attendance, schedules, and teacher comments for each school your children attend.

Parents need to contact the school to get access information to create an account in PowerSchool.

Free and Reduced Meal Applications are now available for the 21-22 school year. Although all children are currently eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch meals during the school day, completing a meal application is still recommended if you believe you qualify. The qualification letter that is sent back to the household can be used for proof of eligibility for other program benefits and discounts, such as the Emergency Broadband Benefit. To apply, please complete the online meal application at www.myschoolapps.com, or fill out the attached application and return to your child's school or mail to: Food and Nutrition Services, 1210 N. Liberty St., Harrisonburg, VA, 22802.