MDE Newsletter
September 2026
MDE Newsletter
A Letter from the Principal
Dear MDE Families,
Welcome to a new school year! On behalf of our entire staff, I am excited to welcome both returning and new families to our school community. September is a time filled with excitement, fresh beginnings, and opportunities to learn, grow, and build meaningful connections. Our focus is on creating a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment where every child feels valued and inspired to do their best.
This year, one of our exciting priorities is helping students develop ownership of their learning through goal setting and reflection. Throughout the school year, students will work with their teachers to set academic and personal goals, monitor their progress, and celebrate their growth. We encourage families to be active partners in this process by asking questions such as:
- What goal are you currently working toward?
- What steps are you taking to reach your goal?
- What progress have you made this week?
- What are you most proud of learning?
- What support do you need next?
These conversations help students recognize their accomplishments, reflect on their challenges, and take greater responsibility for their learning journey. Strong partnerships between home and school are essential to student success. We encourage open communication throughout the year and invite you to stay connected through school newsletters, emails, our website, and school events. Together, we can support our students academically, socially, and emotionally.
As your principal, I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such a dedicated staff and supportive parent community. I look forward to partnering with you throughout the year and celebrating the many accomplishments and milestones our students will achieve.
Thank you for your continued support and trust. Together, let's make this a wonderful school year filled with learning, growth, and success.
Warmest regards,
Melissa Stamper
Important Dates in September:
September 21 - No School, Teacher Planning Day
Diving into Writing!
Our first grade students are diving right into some writing and working hard in their classrooms.
MDE Clinic
Nurse Peyton takes amazing care of our MDE students!
Lunch and Breakfast Reminder!
We serve breakfast and lunch daily at MDE free of charge.
SAC Meeting Dates
Here are the SAC meeting dates for this school year. All meetings occur at 8:30 AM. Please join us to hear about important school information!
2026-2027 SAC Meetings
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Tuesday, January 12, 2027
Tuesday, February 9, 2027
Tuesday, March 9, 2027
Tuesday, April 6, 2027
Tuesday, May 4, 2027
We love our MDE Volunteers! Would you like to volunteer and help your child’s teacher on field trips?
If so, use this QR code to go to the district website and fill out the Volunteer Application.
After you fill out the application, come to the front office any Friday from 8:30-9:00 with your driver’s license or US passport to complete the background check and volunteer orientation!
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida
Girl Scouts helps girls become confident leaders, courageous problem-solvers, and compassionate changemakers. Through new experiences, lasting friendships, and opportunities to serve their communities, girls discover their strengths, find their voice, and learn they can make a difference. Every adventure builds confidence, every challenge inspires growth, and every accomplishment reminds them of what they're capable of achieving. In Girl Scouts, girls don't just explore the world around them, they learn they have the power to change it!
Girls Scout Sign-Up Website: https://www.gsgcf.org/en/get-involved/join/beagirlscout0.html
See Attached Logo for QR Code
The following schools listed below have already scheduled a Girl Scouts Information / Troop Building Night:
- Corkscrew Elementary School Cafeteria on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 from 6pm until 7pm
- Avalon Elementary School Cafeteria on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 from 6pm until 7pm
- Pelican Marsh Elementary School Cafeteria on Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 6pm until 7pm
- Naples Park Elementary School Cafeteria on Tuesday, September 8, 2026 from 6pm until 7pm
- Bear Creek Elementary School Cafeteria on Thursday, September 17, 2026 from 630pm until 730pm
- Vineyards Elementary School Multipurpose Room on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 from 6pm until 7pm
- Tommie Barfield Elementary School Cafeteria on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 from 6pm until 7pm