Dear MHS Families,
What another eventful week! We began the week with a presentation to our parents of 3rd-5th graders on CAASPP. Over 50 parents showed up! I will work on attaching the ppt. to our website if you weren't able to attend and let you know when it is up via Blackboard Connect.
We were in the MPR for over an hour, but parents still had quite a number of questions. I'll be presenting again with additional information that I wasn't able to cover. Date to follow.
I was able to meet with about 2/3rds of our teaching staff to discuss initial assessment data. I have done this the last few years and it allows us to identify students who could use some extra support through our intervention programs. I'll finish the meetings next week and hope to get all our programs set up by mid September.
The biggest news this week was Hurricane Harvey and the heat in Southern California. Our 4th grade teachers sprung into action to raise money to donate to relief efforts in Houston. Ms. Thackery is donating a beautiful mineral for a raffle. Ticket sales are next week with a drawing on Friday morning. Tickets are $5.00 and will be on sale all week.
The weather this week was oppressive. A big thank you to all our staff who did their best to keep the students in a cool room while still providing some physical activity: our yard duty aides, Ms. Gabi, Ms. Liane, Mrs. Martinez, Ms. Susan and our PE coaches, Ms. Paola and Mr. O. For most mornings, we were able to have a 'walk and talk' recess, but by lunch and afternoon recesses we were past the 92 degree mark with no shade or breeze, signaling our inclement weather schedule.
Our first MHS PTA General Meeting is this Wednesday 9/6 at 6:30 pm in MPR. I will be doing a presentation on Thinking Maps and the PTA treasurer will announce Wish Night funds update. Thinking Maps are eight visual maps that represent eight different thought processes. Our teachers were introduced to this language of learning about eight years ago, but not all staff members have been trained. We are revisiting the strategies with all teachers as we believe this instructional strategy helps our students to organize their thinking. Please come to the PTA meeting to learn the language of the maps.
We are looking forward to a cooler week and hope that by Friday evening 5:30 pm, the weather will be back to normal. As you know we are celebrating our 50th Birthday at our Back to School Picnic! If you know alumni please extend the invitation. It will be great to see what our students are up to!
On Saturday, Sept. 9 we are having our first garden clean up of the year. Anyone wishing to help out please come by at 9am---don't forget your gardening gear.
Stay cool and see you soon,
Laurie |
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