MES Soaring to Success

Good afternoon!

I want to thank the PTO for hosting such a fabulous ice cream social!! Thank you to all of the families who came out to help kick off the school year!

Just a few reminders as we start off the school year:

• A reminder to parents who are dropping off students in the car line in the morning. All students should be on the right side of the car. Parents please do not get out of your cars. Staff will be happy to assist students who have trouble getting out. This is so we can assure everyone's safety!
• We have had a few students using smart watches for games etc. Like cell phones they are not allowed to use during the school day. Please note that the first offense we will warn student and hold on to watch/phone till end of day and the second offense the watch/phone will be brought to the office where it will remain till a parent/guardian can come get it. We appreciate you reminding students of this expectation!
• If your child plans to take a different bus or get off a different stop, it is still necessary to send Mrs. Winter an email so we can get permission from the bus company. I know it is an option on the school dismissal app however we want to make sure there is room for switches and that bus drivers are aware of different stops.

Below you will find a link to the Family Strong website that goes along with our new character strong program. You can find great tips and resources!!! I am also including the video under the MES Happenings this week. Next week we will begin our weekly focus on grade levels or specialty areas!

Dates to remember:

Sept 16th 2:00 Wednesday dismissal

Sept 22nd 6:00PM-7:00PM Open House

Links

Region 14 Fine Arts News Letter

Family Strong Website

Attendance Form

Background Check

Instrumental Music Recruitment Night

Ed Advance afterschool flyer

Cub Scout flyer

This is a new section that I will feature the happenings from a different grade level or area around school. Stay tuned to our first featured grade : 5th!

• Join us for our next meeting: Thurs October 1st at 3:30p

• Fall Plant Sale! Orders due by 9/14, pickup will be 9/22 at MES

• Order your mums here!

• Sign up to help distribute here

• Family Movie Night: October 8, more details and sign up to help here

• PTO Committee volunteers needed! Sign up here to help!

• Please save your Labonne’s receipts and drop them off in the drop box by the gym door, or bring them to your teacher!

• Stay Informed & Get Involved:

• Visit our website for info on all PTO events, volunteer opportunities, and to join the school student directory. School Code to Join: NGDHXW

• Contact your MES PTO via email at ptomitchellschool@gmail.com

• FB: @mitchellelementaryschoolpto

• Instagram: @ptomitchell

Stopfinder is an easy-to-use, all-in-one app that allows you to have the most accurate information about your student’s bus schedule at anytime from anywhere. You can also create GeoAlerts for your student, which will notify you when the bus has arrived or departed from any location on your student’s route, including their assigned bus stop and school. GeoAlert Alert Zones can be created for individual students allowing you to customize the Alert Zone based on their bus route.

Stopfinder can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. Directions for the download can be found at https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1755609913/region14/jwdj7hrikx6ogppkggim/StopFinder70.pdf

Support for the APP: stopfindersupport@all-startransportation.com

Please contact Tina Tanguay, Director of Finance and Operations at ttanguay@ctreg14.org or Cathy Goodfield at catherine.goodfield@all-startransportation.com with any questions.

Elementary Only - School Dismissal Manager (SDM) is a secure online platform that streamlines end-of-day dismissal changes, replaces paper notes and phone calls, and ensures every student arrives home safely.

How It Works for Parents

• Set Up Your Account: Welcome emails containing login credentials and instructions are sent out at the start of the school year.

• Update Daily Routines: Use the SDM app or desktop site to log absences, early pickups, bus changes, or after-school activity schedules.

• Observe the Cut-Off Time: All daily dismissal changes must be submitted one hour before our dismissal. That means on regular dismissal days, the cut off time would be 2:15PM, on early release Wednesday at 1:00PM, and on regular early dismissal days 11:55AM. If you have any questions about the time, please call the office. After the cut off time, changes cannot be made in the system and require a call to the main office for emergency situations.

• Receive Confirmations: Every time a change is made, an automated email confirmation is sent for your peace of mind.

Why We Use SDM

• Enhanced Student Safety: Teachers and staff receive real-time updates and accurate daily dismissal rosters right before the end of the school day.

• Streamlined Pickup Lines: SDM optimizes car-rider lines, reducing wait times during peak pick-up hours. This will begin on Oct 1st and more information will be coming.

• Fewer Classroom Disruptions: Centralizing changes reduces mid-day phone calls and interruptions to learning time.

How to get Support: For MES

• Call or email Mrs. Winter (cwinter@ctreg14.org) or Mrs. Pinho (kpinho@ctreg14.org) or call 203-263-4314

• During the PTO ice cream social on Wednesday 9/2 starting at 4:15 - 5:00, Mrs. Winter will be available in the office for support.

• During the open house on 9/22 from 6:00 - 7:00 the office will be open for support.

• The 26-27 MES Attendance Form is available for you to complete if your child will be absent. ONLY ABSENCES go on the attendance form. For late arrivals, please email the teacher to let them know and copy me so I can update attendance. Absences, early dismissals or changes in dismissal plans, can be reported right on the School Dismissal Manager app, or you can email or call me (office number 203-263-4314) and I will update the app for you.

• Please email or call me with any questions or concerns. I'm here to help!