MES Monthly Newsletter

Dear MES Families,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and enjoying the early signs of spring. As we approach the month of March, I have some important updates to share with you, including some exciting events and an announcement that carries mixed emotions for me.

Firstly, I am thrilled to announce that our much-anticipated Spring Carnival is just around the corner! Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 16th, as we come together as a school community for a day filled with laughter, games, and fun activities. It's a fantastic opportunity for families to connect and celebrate the spirit of our wonderful school.

As we strive for academic excellence, March also brings the Illinois Assessment of Readiness for our third and fourth-grade students. This standardized test helps us understand and support our students' growth. We appreciate your support in ensuring that your child is well-rested and ready for these assessments. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher.

It is with mixed emotions that I share with you my decision to resign from my position as principal effective June 30th. After much reflection, I have decided to pursue new opportunities that will allow me to continue making a positive impact in the field of education. Serving as your principal has been an absolute honor, and I am grateful for the support and collaboration of our dedicated staff, students, and families. I will cherish the memories and the growth we have achieved together.

I want to assure you that the remainder of the school year will continue with the same dedication and commitment to your child's education. Our talented staff and teachers will work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition for the upcoming school year.

Lastly, as we look ahead, please note that Spring Break will begin on March 29th and extend through April 5th. It's a well-deserved opportunity for students and staff to recharge and spend quality time with family and friends.

I am confident that MES will continue to thrive and provide an excellent learning environment for your children. Thank you for your ongoing support, and I am grateful for the wonderful community we have built together.

Wishing you a joyful and successful month of March!

Warm regards,

Jason Wynn

Principal

Our goal for February was to show honesty. Congratulations to all of our students of the month! (Miss. Madl Not Pictured)

Congratulations to Finley B. and Aubryn E., our fourth-grade John Ourth award winners for their outstanding leadership abilities! They attended a special breakfast on Thursday, February 29th to receive their well-deserved recognition. Well done, and keep up the great work!

We will be administering the state-required IAR Test (Illinois Assessment of Readiness) to all 3rd and 4th grade students from Tuesday, March 12th through Thursday, March 21st. Please ensure your child is in attendance on these days.

Below are some suggestions to support your child to do his/her best on the IAR Test.

• Attend school on all days of testing, unless the child is sick.
• Arrive to school on time each morning, as we are testing first thing on some days.
• Get a good night’s sleep each night before testing.
• Eat a complete breakfast the mornings of testing at home or at school.
• Remind him/her to wear glasses if they have them.
• Help get them excited to show off what they know and put forth a solid effort.
• Ease any anxieties, as this is just a test and we are confident in their abilities.
• Write them a note of encouragement each morning.

We have had 16% of families complete the survey! We have to get 20% of families to take the survey in order for the school to receive a parent report. Please take the survey if you have not taken it yet!

Teachers, parents, and students across Illinois can participate in the Illinois 5Essentials Survey.

This survey is designed to generate a detailed picture of the inner workings of your child's school.

Your participation in the parent portion of the survey will help us understand the environment at your child's school. Your identity and survey responses will be kept confidential and never connected to you or your child.

The Illinois 5Essentials Survey will be conducted through Friday, March 29, 2024.

To take the survey:

1. Visit http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/

2. Click on "Start here" under the Parent category

3. You may enter your email address, but that is not required. It is optional.

4. Enter "Marshall" for County

5. Begin typing your child's school name, and you should see it pop up. Click on the appropriate school.

6. Enter the number of students attending Midland Elementary School.

How You Can Contribute:

The success of our School Carnival relies heavily on the support and involvement of our fantastic Midland families. We kindly ask for your contributions to make this event truly memorable. Here are a few ways you can get involved:

Volunteer: We are seeking enthusiastic parents and guardians to help run game booths, assist with food stalls, and ensure the smooth flow of the event. If you're interested in volunteering, please fill out this form or contact the school office.

Sponsorship: If you or your business would like to contribute to the carnival through sponsorship, please reach out to Mr. Wynn at jwynn@midland-7.net. Your support will be acknowledged at the event.

All proceeds from the School Carnival will directly benefit our Parent-Teacher Organization, which in turn supports various school initiatives and programs.

We're looking forward to creating lasting memories with our Midland families at the School Carnival on March 16th. Let's come together, have a great time, and continue to strengthen our sense of community.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Financial Representative Jonathan Krieghauser with Country Financial has partnered with MES to provide Teacher of the Month awards to teachers in our building each month during the 2023-2024 school year.

Congratulations to our January Teacher of the Month: Jessica Gauwitz

Congratulations to our February Teacher of the Month: Kathy Harms

We are currently hiring substitute teachers and substitute teacher's aides for the current year and an Elementary Principal for the 2024-2025 School Year. To learn more about these opportunities, please click the picture below.

March 6th

Early Dismissal

March 7th

10:00 AM Tornado Drill

March 8th

End of 3rd Quarter

March 10th

Daylight Savings Time Begins (set clocks ahead one hour)

March 11th

IAR & DLM Testing Begins

March 15th

Report Cards Distributed

March 16th

4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Spring Carnival

March 20th

5:30 PM PTO Meeting in Cafeteria

6:30 PM Board Meeting in Library

March 21st

Preschool Field Trip to Children's Discovery Museum

March 22nd

Spring Picture Day

Last Day of IAR & DLM Testing

March 29th

Good Friday - No School Spring Break

April 1st

No School Spring Break

April 2nd

No School Spring Break

April 3rd

No School Spring Break

April 4th

No School Spring Break

April 5th

No School Spring Break

April 8th

School Resumes