Dear MCE Families,
Happy April! As we move into the final stretch of the school year, we’re excited for all the fun and learning still to come. Thank you for your continued support and for being such an essential part of our school community.
We also want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who volunteered at the Book Fair this past week. Your energy and enthusiasm made it a wonderful experience for our students, and we are incredibly grateful for your support!
With the end of the school year approaching, it’s a great time for families to ensure that lunch accounts are reconciled. Please take a moment to check your child's account and settle any outstanding balances before the year wraps up.
We’d also like to bring an important calendar update to your attention:
🔔 Field Day has been moved from Friday, May 16 to Thursday, May 15.
Please make note of this date change and help us spread the word to other families! We’re looking forward to a day filled with outdoor fun, teamwork, and school spirit.
Additionally, summer school information for students in Kindergarten through 4th grade will be shared in the next couple of weeks. For 5th-grade students, summer school information will be shared as soon as it becomes available.
Also, don’t forget—our PTO Carnival is coming up on April 25, and it’s shaping up to be an amazing event. We can’t wait to enjoy the games, food, and festivities with all of you! 🎡🎟️
Thank you once again for being such a supportive and involved part of the MCE community. Let’s finish the year strong and celebrate all the growth and accomplishments our students have made!
As always, if you have any questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to your child’s teacher or the front office.
Warmly,
Jill Jacob
Principal, MCE
Congratulations to Tara Polston, MCE Teacher of the Year!
Teacher of the Year Nomination: Mrs. Tara Polston
It is with great enthusiasm that we nominate Mrs. Tara Polston, librarian at Montgomery City Elementary, for the honor of Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Polston’s unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to student success make her an invaluable asset to our school community.
Mrs. Polston works diligently to meet the needs of all students across the building. She continuously seeks innovative ways to enhance the library experience, ensuring it is an engaging and welcoming space for all. Beyond providing an extensive collection of books, she has introduced creative learning resources such as Legos, magnetic tiles, and other hands-on activities that foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills. She also ensures that students from Preschool through 5th grade can access the library, making it an inclusive space for all learners. Her efforts transform the library into a dynamic hub of exploration and learning.
A true advocate for literacy, Mrs. Polston provides reading interventions for students who are reading below grade level, offering targeted support to help them grow as readers and gain confidence in their abilities. She creates a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable, whether they need a quiet place to reset their day or a welcoming space to foster a love for learning. Mrs. Polston is incredibly flexible with her time, always willing to provide accommodations for assessments and support students’ social-emotional well-being.
Mrs. Polston’s impact extends beyond the library as she plays a crucial leadership role in the school. As a dedicated member of the Building Leadership Team, she actively contributes to decision-making processes that enhance the educational experience for all students. She also takes on additional leadership responsibilities by attending grade-level meetings to assist in class roster determinations and engaging in faculty discussions that shape the future of our school. Additionally, she uses her positive attitude and caring demeanor to foster a welcoming and supportive workplace for our teachers, ensuring they feel encouraged and valued in their roles. Her collaborative spirit aligns with our building’s mission of developing lifelong learners through positive collaboration, as she continuously works to support both students and staff in meaningful ways.
Furthermore, Mrs. Polston is instrumental in strengthening parent and community involvement at Montgomery City Elementary. She plays a pivotal role in organizing key events such as Grands Day, One Book One School, and the school’s book fairs. She also organized Book Blast through Reading is Fun to ensure that all students receive a free book, further promoting literacy and a love of reading among students. In addition, Mrs. Polston hosted the holiday shop for the Student Council, helping to plan, organize, and carry out this event, allowing students to engage in the joy of giving during the holiday season.
Mrs. Polston is always willing to pitch in and help with a positive attitude and solution-minded approach, whether it be substituting for another teacher, supporting a student, or helping with other activities across the building. Her dedication to teamwork and problem-solving ensures that the school functions smoothly and efficiently, benefiting both students and staff.
She also served on the district-wide Professional Development Committee. Through her role on this committee, she seeks to ensure that our teachers are provided with valuable learning opportunities and that all teachers have representation in professional development decisions.
Mrs. Tara Polston’s dedication to student success, leadership within the school, and commitment to fostering a love of reading make her a truly deserving candidate for Teacher of the Year. Her tireless efforts have a lasting impact on the entire school community, and we are honored to recognize her contributions.
This month, we celebrate Para Appreciation Day, but I want to take a moment to recognize that we appreciate our paraprofessionals every single day. We truly can't survive without you.
You are the backbone of our school, ensuring that students' needs are met and building relationships that last a lifetime. Your dedication, support, and care make an incredible difference in the lives of our students and the overall success of our school.
Thank you for everything you do! Your hard work and commitment do not go unnoticed, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you.
I just wanted to take a moment to express our deep appreciation for Tara Polston. You do so much more than foster a love of learning – you create a welcoming and supportive environment for all students, helping them feel safe, valued, and excited to explore.
This week, as we celebrate Librarian Appreciation Day, we want to make sure you know how much we appreciate you every day. Your hard work, dedication, and the positive impact you have on our school community do not go unnoticed. Thank you for everything you do to make MCE a better place for our students.
As we celebrate Administrative Assistants Day this month, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt appreciation for Ms. Diane and Ms. Debbie, our incredible Administrative Assistants at MCE.
They play a crucial role in keeping our school running smoothly each day. From ensuring that all students are accounted for, well-fed, and safely on their way home, to managing countless tasks behind the scenes, Ms. Diane and Ms. Debbie go above and beyond to support our school community. Their dedication, kindness, and hard work make a world of difference for our students, staff, and families.
Please join us in thanking them for everything they do to make MCE such a special place!
All dates listed are tentative.
April
April 2 Paraprofessional Appreciation Day
April 2-11 Spring Book Fair
April 3 2nd & 3rd Grade Grands Day @ 12:30- matinee @ 2:00
April 3 2nd & 3rd Grade Fine Arts Night @ 6:00
April 4 PreK Grands Day (10:00-11:00 & 2:00-3:00)
April 4 School Librarian Appreciation Day
April 5 Regional Math Competition @ MCHS
April 8 Kindergarten & 1st Grade Grands Day @ 12:30- matinee @ 2:00
April 8 Kindergarten & 1st Grade Fine Arts Night @ 6:00
April 10 BOE 7:30 pm @ MCMS
April 11 1st Grade Field Trip- St. Louis Zoo
April 11 MCE Kindergarten Screening
April 14 Monday School in Session (elem. Friday specials)
April 14 Spring Picture Day!
April 15 Grade Level Spelling Bees
April 17 4th Qtr Mid-Term
April 18 Spring Break/No School
April 21-25 Volunteer Appreciation Week
April 23 Administrative Professionals Day
April 25 Wright City Special Olympics Event
April 25 4th Qtr Mid-Term Progress Reports sent home
April 25 PTO Carnival
April 29-May 2 MCE MAP
April 30 Kiwanis Terrific Kids (recognized during morning announcements)
May
May 1 School Principal’s Day
May 2 School Lunch Hero Day
May 2 Ag Safety Day
May 4-9 Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6 Steven’s Farm Tour
May 7 School Nurse Appreciation Day
May 8 Kindergarten Field Trip- Big Joel’s Safari
May 8 2nd Grade Field Trip- Magic House
May 8 BOE 7:30 pm @ MCMS
May 9 Bounce House Day- reward for testing behaviors
May 14 5th Grade Visits MCMS
May 15 Field Day- will move inside if needed- no rain date
May 18 MCHS Graduation
May 19 Monday School In Session (elem. Tuesday specials)
May 19 4th & 5th Grade Grands Day @ 12:30- 2:00 matinee
May 19 4th & 5th Grade Fine Arts Night with 5th Grade Recognition @ 6:00
May 21 4th Quarter Celebration (classroom awards, character awards)
May 22 Elementary report cards sent home
May 22 Last Day of School/End of 4th Qtr (early dismissal)
May 29-June 25 Summer School
June
June 5-July 28 Summer DESE EOC window
June 12 BOE 7:30 pm @ MCMS