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We’re off to a great start! Please remember: staff-only parking on campus, and no drop-offs on East Rock Springs.
Mark your calendars for MAS Extras sign-ups on Aug 9, and get your book orders in for Peter Brown's author visit before Aug 19.
Lunch visits will begin the Tuesday after Labor Day, Sep 2. Thank you so much for allowing us to set great expectations in the cafeteria for lunches during the month of August!!
PTA memberships and yearbooks are on sale now. Plus, check out info on gifted testing, International Fest, WDAN applications, Reading Bowl, and all your need-to-know apps and resources!
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Aug 8: Caffeine Connection with Kinder Teachers
Aug 9: MAS Extras Signup
Aug 25 & 27: Back-to-School Nights
Sep 3: Peter Brown Author Visit
Sep 27: International Fest
Sep 30: School Picture Day
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| | Upcoming MES Events & Deadlines | | | | |
Aug 8: Caffeine Connection with Our Kindergarten Teachers
Join our Kinder teachers for a Kindergarten Q&A session at 8am in the MES Auditorium. Stop by after drop-off!
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Sep 5: Gifted Program Eligibility Testing & Info Session
Eligibility testing for the MES gifted program will take place during spring of this school year. To help families better understand the process, the MES GATE team will host an informational meeting on Friday, Sep 5 at 8:15 AM in the MES Café.
As we approach the testing window, families of students who qualify for eligibility testing will receive more detailed information. In the meantime, we encourage you to learn more about the gifted identification process by visiting the school district’s website—you’ll find helpful resources and answers to frequently asked questions.
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Author Visit: Peter Brown at MES!
Acclaimed author/illustrator Peter Brown (The Wild Robot, Jasper Rabbit series) will visit Morningside on Wednesday, September 3, to meet with 2nd and 3rd graders and share his new book, Jasper Rabbit's Creepy Tales: Troubling Tonsils.
Books can be purchased through Little Shop of Stories to be signed during the visit. Order forms will go home in Wednesday folders, or use this printable version. Orders are due by Tuesday, August 19. Note: Personal copies cannot be signed due to time constraints.
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Join the PTA
Support favorite programs like Monster Bash, Science Night, and the Book Fair, plus teacher appreciation, tech, and more! Membership is just $10. Help make it all happen and let us know how you’d like to get involved!
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Complete the International Fest Survey
Interested in sharing your cultural heritage or lending a hand at this year’s International Fest? Take a moment to complete this quick, 3-question survey! Join us for the International Fest on Saturday, September 27, from 11 AM to 2 PM—a fun-filled day of culture, community, and connection!
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Student Technology Agreement
Returning families in grades 1-5: please log into your Parent Portal and complete the User Agreement on the Home Screen. View this video for additional instructions.
New MES Families K-5: we will send home information for you to sign.
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5th Grade WDAN Broadcast Applications
It’s time to select our 2025–26 WDAN broadcasters–apply now! Here are the key details for interested students:
- Open to 5th graders who are fluent, expressive readers and comfortable on camera
- Video audition (1 minute) due by August 29, 2025
- Students must maintain A/B grades
- If selected, students will be paired with a partner and scheduled to record two weeks at a time, from 7:45–8:00 AM in the library
- Only apply if you're confident reading aloud and being filmed
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Reading Bowl Tryouts Are Here!
We’re looking for 4 new team members and 2 alternates to join our 2025–26 Reading Bowl team. All 4th and 5th graders are eligible to try out. We have 6 returning members with automatic spots.
How to Try Out:
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Return the permission form (will be sent home with fourth and fifth grade students via Wednesday folders) to Mr. Rawls in the library by Friday, August 29.
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Read all 10 Georgia Children’s Book Award Nominees. The list is available in the school library or at www.MESLibrary.com under FOR STUDENTS → BOOKS & READING.
- Take an AR quiz for each book by Friday, October 10.
- Students will be ranked by their average quiz scores. The top 4 students will earn a spot on the team. The next 2 will be chosen as alternates.
Team Expectations (If Selected):
- Re-read and become an expert on 2 assigned books.
- Attend weekly Wednesday after-school practices (2:15–3:00) starting October 22 through January.
- Compete in the Midtown Cluster Bowl in January. Teams who advance will compete in the district bowl, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, January 31.
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MES Transportation Reminders
- Students may arrive by bus, car line, or as walkers. All must be in class by 7:45 AM.
- Bus doors open at 7:15 AM (students wait inside until 7:20 AM)
- Car/walker doors open at 7:20 AM — no early drop-offs
- Students should exit from the right side only; encourage kids to open their own doors to keep the line moving
- Dismissal is managed via PikMyKid.
- Dismissal starts with buses, then carpool around 2:20 PM.
- 🚫 No drop-offs on East Rock Springs or cut-throughs at the Barclay median.
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Calling All Community Partners!
We're thrilled to introduce our 2025-2026 Dolphin Donors sponsorship packages. This fundraising initiative offers local businesses visibility at events like Back to School Night and Monster Bash, with perks including event booths, signage, social media posts, and your logo on the Dolphin Dash shirt – plus a window cling to show support for MES.
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- Bus riders enter at 7:15 and are held in the auditorium until 7:20
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Carpool doors (front doors) open at 7:20am (please do NOT allow Dolphins out of your car prior to 7:20!)
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School starts/tardy bell at 7:45am
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Last early checkout by 1:30pm
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Last opportunity to change dismissal via PikMyKid app before 1:45pm
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Dismissal at 2:15pm (At the walker pad, K can be picked up at 2:05pm, and 1st at 2:10pm)
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APS Comprehensive Long Range Facilities Plan Update
APS Released a status update on August 5, 2025. This update includes their goals and decision-making framework. The facilities plan for possible changes will be released 8/18/25.
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APS Reinforcing Personal Electronic Device Policy
APS is reinforcing its Board-approved Personal Electronic Device (PED) policy. Students may use cell phones and other PEDs only before and after school with parent consent. During the school day, devices must be turned off and kept out of sight, unless specifically approved by school administration. Learn more about our Board Policy and Regulation.
| | If you see something, Say Something. APS student safety is of paramount concern. Everyone can report bullying or any safety concern anonymously online using the Say Something website, app, or hotline (1-844-5-SayNow). | | We want to hear from you and are committed to creating an atmosphere of respect. Let’s Talk is an important platform that allows us to address your questions or needs. | | APS CARES is available to students and families who need medical care, financial assistance, access to food pantries, or other free or reduced-cost assistance. | | Morningside Elementary School | | | | | |
