Friday, August 12
- Classroom and Schoolwide Volunteer Roles Open on Membership Toolkit
Wednesday, August 17-19
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MAP Growth Assessments (K-5) *Specific times testing days by class will be communicated from teachers**
Thursday, August 18
- Cub Scout Back-To-The-Pack-Sign-up Event
Tuesday, August 23
- PTA General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, August 24-26
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MAP Fluency Assessments (K-3) *Specific times testing days by class will be communicated from teachers**
Thursday, August 25
Saturday, August 28
- 2nd Grade Welcome Back to School Popsicle Playdate
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COVID-19 Data Update
SURVEILLANCE TESTING:
On Monday, 8/8/22, 366 students and 74 staff members were tested through surveillance testing with 4 students and 1 staff member testing positive.
On Wednesday, 8/10/22, 3 students and 33 staff members were tested through surveillance testing with 1 student testing positive.
Additionally, between 8/8/22 and 8/11/22, we received 15 self-reported COVID cases through the self-report form.
SURVEILLANCE TESTING OPT IN CONSENT FORMS:
OPT OUT OF SURVEILLANCE TESTING:
To opt out of surveillance testing, please send an email with your name, your student's name, and your student's date of birth to Viral Solutions - [email protected]. Please copy Nurse Petty on this email as well - [email protected].
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Friday, August 12th - Classroom and Schoolwide Volunteer Roles
Beginning next Friday, August 12th at 9AM, parents will be able to sign up for MES Classroom and Schoolwide Volunteer Roles via Membership Toolkit!
For each classroom, we are looking for:
- Room Parent(s): Room parents facilitate communication between parents and the teacher, school administration, and PTO, and supports the teacher in needs that may arise.
- Social Coordinator(s): Social coordinators work with the room parent(s) to coordinate class parties and social activities throughout the year.
- Yearbook Liaison: The yearbook liaison gathers photos throughout the year and submits them to the yearbook committee (see more details about yearbooks below!).
There will also be one grade level social chair per grade. This role will organize grade level social activities. You may work with room parents to coordinate. You will also see school wide volunteer opportunities posted.
To prepare to signup for these roles, please make sure all your information is updated in Membership Toolkit, including your child's current grade level and teacher. It is also helpful to download the Membership Toolkit App. When signups go live on Friday, August 12th at 9am, all volunteer opportunities available to you will populate under the "volunteer" tab.
Please reach out to Amber Hahn if you have any questions!
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MAP Assessments (Two Different Assessments)
**Teachers will reach out individually on specific class testing**
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Wednesday, August 17th-19th - MAP Growth Assessments (K-5)
MAP Growth is the most trusted and innovative assessment for measuring achievement and growth in K–12 math, reading, language usage, and science. It provides teachers with accurate, and actionable evidence to help target instruction for each student or groups of students regardless of how far above or below they are from their grade level.
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Wednesday, August 24th-26th - MAP Reading Fluency Assessment (K-3)
This assessment allows precise, reliable insights to support early readers while maximizing valuable instructional time. With speech-recognition technology, group administration, and automatic scoring, MAP Reading Fluency provides a clear view of early literacy skills and learning needs for an entire class in about 20 minutes.
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Tuesday August 23rd - PTA General Meeting
Next General PTA Meeting:
Tuesday, August 23, 2022 - 8:00 a.m.
MES @ Inman Auditorium ** Please enter through the Auditorium doors at the corner of Park Avenue and Virginia Avenue **
The Morningside Elementary School Parent Teacher Association (MES PTA) is a dynamic organization that includes caregivers, teachers and administrators. Our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
JOIN THE MES PTA: 2022/2023 SCHOOL YEAR
Becoming a member of the PTA requires purchasing an annual membership, which costs $10 for teachers and parents and $5 for non-certified paraprofessionals employed at MES. Visit the MES Online Store to purchase your 2022-2023 PTA membership today.
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Thursday August 25rd - MES Back to School Night
6:00 PM - After two years away, this annual event will be returning in person this year! More details to come soon!
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Saturday August 28th - 2nd Grade Welcome Back to School Popsicle Playdate
Bring your MES second graders for an afternoon of play and popsicles to celebrate our new school year! Please RSVP via the SignUp Genius so we have enough. Thanks and look forward to seeing you there!
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Parent Orientation Information
Our MES Team really enjoyed the Parent Orientation on Wednesday, August 3rd. We shared information about School Safety and Security, Building a Strong Parent-Teacher-School Connection, as well as COVID Basics and Behavior Information. We know some of these topics are challenging! We are thrilled to invite our parents into an even stronger partnership in all of these areas. If you have ideas, questions or suggestions, please fill let us know by filling out this form.
We ask that you NOT forward this link to anyone outside of Morningside Elementary School.
This is for security reasons, as we do not want information related to safety and security shared publicly. This link is hidden and only accessible to those who have the exact link. I encourage every parent to watch this orientation, as you are members of our safety team as well.
Safety Drills
Your students are amazing members of our safety team! We have completed 3 drills so far – Fire, Lockdown Exterior Level 1 and Weather. Lockdown Exterior Level 1 is a drill where teaching continues, students can move within the building, but they cannot go outside. Students in portables would remain in portables, with a designated staff member to escort them to nurse or restroom as needed. Depending on the need and duration for Lockdown Level 1, there is the possibility of full escort of all students and staff from portables into the building. The Severe Weather drill was the best one that our school has ever done that we can remember! The teachers are doing a great job preparing students for the drills and the students are stepping up in their role of following instructions of the teacher and other adults. We have altered our schedule of drills – and will keep you updated as to any other changes. You can learn more about our drills in the recording from our Parent Orientation, starting around point 11:50 by clicking HERE.
Future Drill Dates:
8/15/22 – Lockdown Interior, Level 2 (Teaching continues, students remain in classroom)
8/17/22 – Fire Drill #2 with Reverse Fire Drill
8/30/22 – Evacuation Drill
8/31/22 – Lockdown Full, Level 3 (Teaching stops, students remain in room in secure location)
GO Team
We are looking for a Community Member for the GO Team! If you know of any community members that might be interested, please email Principal Sofianos at [email protected] Thank you!
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Please find the Birthday Book Club form HERE
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MES Parent Needs Assessment
The purpose of this needs assessment is to understand the needs of your child as we begin this new school year. Ms. Deal will use this information to help drive programming for the counseling department. Your information will be kept confidential.
**Please complete one form for EACH child you have at MES**
For more information on the school counseling program at MES and our school counselor, Gillian Deal, Click Here.
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MES Yearbooks
ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK NOW at a discounted rate - prices go up on August 27th! (this is the correct date, please disregard other dates).
Yearbooks can be ordered directly via this link.
For a limited time, you get FOUR FREE ICONS with the purchase of one line of personalization.
FIFTH GRADE ADS
5th grade parents, commemorate your child's last year at MES with a special recognition advertisement in the back of the yearbook. Purchase and create your ad through Jostens (use link above). Deadline for ads is November 7!
1/4 page $60
1/2 page $110
FIFTH GRADE BABY PICTURES
While you are looking for pictures for your ad, pick out your favorite baby picture of your child and send it to us! 5th graders traditionally have their baby pictures displayed on the spread across from their portrait shots. This is separate from the recognition ad, so please send ONE baby picture to [email protected] and include your child's name!
COVER DESIGN
5th graders can submit entries for the yearbook's cover design! Please drop off original artwork at front office by Monday Aug 29th.
This year's theme is "You are HERE" (map/adventure theme)
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From the Principal's Desk!
Always stay up to date on everything MES.
Please continue to check HERE to view Principal Sofianos' blog posts!
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APS and Midtown Cluster Happenings |
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Atlanta Public Schools Welcomes it's Scholars Back With Excitement
With the first two weeks of the 22/23 school year on the books, the excitement has been palpable. Over this first week of classes, members from APS Senior leadership have visited every school in the district to welcome all of our students, teachers, and staff back to this year of learning.
The APS Back to School Bash handed out backpacks and supplies to over 10,000 families. Beyond that, the event brought all APS services and resources to one event to help students and parents alike shine on the first day. See highlights from the event HERE
Click HERE to review Atlanta Public School 2022-2023 Back to School Readiness Updates.
For all APS Back-to-School Resources, click HERE
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APS BOE Votes to APPROVE creation of a NEW K-5 at Inman Facility
The Atlanta BOE voted (8Yes,1No) to approve the creation of a K-5 school at the Inman facility for the 23/24 school year. If you missed the board meeting, you can watch it HERE
More information about next steps, including principal hiring, to come soon!
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Stay Up to Date with the 2022-2023 APS Calendar
Click HERE to view and start planning for all the breaks.
Click HERE to view the Atlanta BOE 2022 Meeting Schedule
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As we embark on a new school year, we are grateful for our Dolphin Donors, local businesses who generously support the PTA. This support helps us create an enriching learning environment for students, staff and families. The Dolphin Donor sponsorship program provides exclusive advertising opportunities only to our Dolphin Donors, including prominent signage on both campuses, Facebook posts, booths at school events and more!
Email with any questions or to inquire about how your business can become a Dolphin Donor!
Click here for more information about the Dolphin Donor program.
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Are You Interested in Joining Girl Scouts?
Please fill out the Girl Scout Interest Form for K-5 here
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Thursday August 18th - Pack 17's Back-To-The Pack Sign Up Event
Cub Scouts is an active program for boys AND girls in Kindergarten through fifth grade, and their families, that encourages learning, friendship—and most of all—getting out and having fun! Your child will join with others in the same grade in a “den” led by the parents and have a Handbook of adventures for their grade level.
All of the Cub Scouts and families in the dens make up the “pack”, also led by parents. With an emphasis on outdoor events, small gatherings, and activities with family, Cub Scouts is a great way to let your kids safely socialize, learn, and have fun.
Sign-up Event
Rain or Shine
6:00PM
Sunken Garden Park
1000 E. Rock Springs Rd NE
If rain occurs, the event will move across the street to Haygood UMC.
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Triathlon Club with Coach Nussear
Triathlon Club
Mondays
Grades 1-5 (Kinders are welcome if they can bike and swim)
2:45-4pm
$20/session (pay as you go)
Triathlon Club is a fun way for kids to dip their toes in the world of triathlons and have a chance to learn from an experienced triathlete. The kids will learn everything they need to know to compete in a triathlon in a fun, active environment. Team Triumph participates in various Jr Triathlons throughout the year.
FunFit with Coach Nussear
Tuesdays and/or Wednesdays
K-5
2:45-4pm
$20/session (pay as you go)
*Each FunFit session is tailored to the age, interests and abilities of the group. We do relays, parachute, grab the flag, tag, dodgeball, and much more. Classes can have a variety of ages.
From Coach Nussear:
I am the former PE teacher at MES and retired two years ago. The kids call me Coach Nussear. I bring all of my 30 years of teaching with me to create a fun safe environment for active play. I pick the kids up at walker pad and then we walk across to the park. If weather causes a problem (heavy rain etc.) I will send a text by 1:30. If I get enough children, I will add Thursdays to my FUN FIT sessions.
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The Digital Dolphin is a weekly newsletter managed by the Morningside Elementary PTA - Contact Editor
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