Mustang Message

I'm so pleased to share that routines are running smoothly and instruction is in full swing at Mechanicsville Elementary School! The photos below show our students reading, writing, learning sounds, starting string lessons, and practicing a bus evacuation. I was so impressed with how our older students helped guide the younger students through the bus evacuation. They showed fantastic leadership skills.

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As we continue to build our routines, we'd like to ask for your help in establishing homework routines. Here is some information about what you can expect this year:

Reading is a key part of homework. We recommend that all students read for a minimum of 20-30 minutes each night. This reading may take place with a parent or other adult, or, if children are ready, this can be independent reading.
MES recognizes that families have varied schedules and routines in the evening, and students have varied stamina for additional practice after a nearly 7-hour school day. Homework is to be considered extra practice and is not used to determine a student's progress marks.

If there is homework beyond reading, your child's teacher will share specific information about practices for their grade level, including frequency, amount, and type. Please direct any questions you have about homework to your child's classroom teacher.

We've received a great response, and we still have a few more spots open for Farm to School Volunteers! If you're available to help, please see the information below for our upcoming event on October 3rd.

Another exciting upcoming event is the Mustang Gallop, on Friday September 12. This is a great opportunity for students to donate old sneakers and have fun on an obstacle course. This event is not a fundraiser.

For more information or to volunteer for the Mustang Gallop, please contact our PTO at MechanicsvilleESPTO@gmail.com.

Highlighting the helpful, safe, expected, and Magnificent behaviors our students have each week.

Cullen helped a student who was feeling sad at lunch.

Marc made a 1st grade student feel special on his birthday.

MES School Calendar

September

September 1 - Holiday - Labor Day - All Schools and Offices Closed

September 12 - Mustang Gallop

September 15-18 - Attendance Spirit Week

September 17 - Picture Day

September 18 - 2-Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Responsibilities

September 19 - No School for Students - Professional Day - Staff Development/Collaborative Planning

Looking ahead to October

October 3 = Farm to School

October 6 - 17 - Joe Corbi’s Fundraiser

October 6 - PTO General Membership Meeting @ 4 pm, Media Center

October 8 - PTO Walk to School Day @ 8 am

October 13 - 2-Hour Early Dismissal, Parent Conference Day

October 15 - Unity Day

October 16 - Historic Sotterley Field Trip Mrs. Oliver & Ms. Roach Classes

October 17 - 2-Hour Early Dismissal, Professional Responsibilities

October 17 - 24 = Fall Book Fair

October 17 - PTO Trunk or Treat

October 20 - Historic Sotterley Field Trip Mrs. Bainter’s Class

October 20 - 24 - National School Bus Safety Week

Calendar

MES Public Calendar (Use the links at the bottom to integrate the calendar to your mobile device)

Downloadable SY 25-26 SMCPS School Year 2025-2026 Calendar

For individual end of the day car riders, the office should be notified ASAP or by 3:15 pm (at the latest) of the pickup time and who is picking up the student. The school's end of day is 4:00 pm.

For daily car riders, parents need to be in the car rider line by 3:35 pm. The office should be notified ASAP if there is going to be a delay in picking up their student(s). The school's end of day is 4:00 pm.

A new practice has been added to the parent handbook if students are not being picked up on time. You can find that information linked here.

Students have or will soon review the Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook. This information, including the presentations used can be found here.

No Cell Phones: Cell phones must be off and away during the school day. This includes wearable cellular devices such as smart watches.

MES is excited to host a Farm to School Event. Follow the link for and view the videos for details. This is a great opportunity to get involved at MES, as Farm to School Volunteers are needed!

FARM to School Volunteers Needed

Menus for School Meals are visible through Nutrislice.

If you want to view your child's meal purchases and add funds, use the My School Bucks link.

Free & Reduced Meal Benefit Applications Now Open

Online applications re encouraged as they are processed more quickly. The meal benefit application for SY 25/26 is now live. Link: Free and Reduced Meals.