Vowles Newsletter

Oct. 26th- Health Dept Hearing & Vision Screenings

Oct. 26th-29th- Perfect Attendance Challenge (see image below)

Oct. 30th- Fall Fun Day (see individual classroom communications)

Nov. 3rd- No School- Election Day; Teacher Professional Development Day

Nov. 13th- Report Cards Sent Home

Nov. 16th- Fine Arts Family Engagement Night- more info to come

Nov. 18th- Chipotle PTO Fundraiser 5-9 pm

Nov. 23rd and 24th- GSRP Preschool Parent Teacher Conferences

Nov. 25-27th- No School- Thanksgiving Break

Nov. 30th- Jonathan Rand Author Visit- MPHS 6:00; FREE for all ages (see flyer below)

Mt. Pleasant Public Schools District Calendar 2026-2027

Preschool Calendar

Dear Families,

A Huge Success: Capturing Kids' Hearts Night!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our first-ever Capturing Kids' Hearts Night! A special shout-out goes to our incredible 2nd-grade student ambassadors, who did a fantastic job leading the event and showing what building a positive school and home culture is all about.

Community and Family Resources
There are many upcoming fall events for families in our community. If you missed any of the materials or are looking for additional tools to support your family at home, check out the Community and Family Resources graphics section further down in this newsletter!

Fall Fun Day Information

We are looking forward to celebrating Fall Fun Day together! Here is what you need to know to help your child prepare:

• What to Wear: Students are invited to dress in fall fun colors/patterns OR bring a Halloween costume to school for the day.

• Classroom Schedules: Activities vary across the school! Each classroom has a unique schedule for Fall Fun Day, so please check your child’s individual classroom communication for specific timing and details.

• Costume Support: We want every student to be able to participate! If your child needs a costume, please reach out directly to our main office—we are happy to help. 989-775-2280

• Costume Guidelines: If your child chooses to bring a costume to school, please ensure it follows the guidelines listed below:

Costume Guidelines:

• Costumes must be brought to school (students should arrive in regular school clothes/fall colors).

• No weapons, replica weapons, or violent accessories.

• No overly gory or scary masks/makeup.

• Costumes must allow students to move safely and independently and only supply parts of the costume that they can put on themselves.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely, Mrs. Bishop

Routines build success—one day at a time. 💙💛

When students attend school consistently, they develop routines that help them feel prepared, confident, and ready to learn. Strong daily habits lead to stronger outcomes.

Showing up matters.

Show your Oiler Pride—Strive for Five!

Ready to start the school year in style? Order your official back-to-school gear today! From hoodies and tees to accessories, we've got you covered.

Get yours here: mtpleasantschools.itemorder.com

The monthly CKH theme for October is Self Direct. Self Direct is taking intentional steps toward who you want to be!

Have a staff member you would like to recognize? Share it here and we will be sure to recognize them with your Shout Out.
https://forms.gle/pEtaFSpVin7jc14g8

Please view our K-5 Student Handbook at the following link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rzJ6n5U36XUXvLTf8e8Os2vLIgR1QGFV-9pGmkoBoEI/edit?usp=sharing

Through teaching and reflection , students are learning aspects of our school Matrix "BEST". BEST stands for Be Respectful, show Effort, Safety first, and Take responsibility. We watch videos, listen to examples of model behavior, and use Capturing Kids Hearts to support our BEST matrix.

Our school provides positive recognition in the following ways throughout the year:

• Sharing "Good" Things daily
• Affirmation opportunities
• Viking of the Month Awards
• Capturing Kids Hearts Awards
• BEST tags
• Vending Machine coins for book selections

Along with reinforcing positive behaviors, we are responding to academic and behavior supports for our students in the following ways:

• DI groups (Differentiated Intervention groups)- these start during the first month of school and include meeting academic needs for all students. Groups may be supported by classroom teachers, Title I Interventionists or paraprofessionals.
• School-wide classroom socio-emotional and counseling lessons
• Initial supports from the classroom setting utilizing Capturing Kids Hearts, reflection, redirection, and relationship-building. Universal supports, including breaks, are built into the school day or built into a specific student plan.
• Blue Slip Discipline Referrals: Given to a student if a student has been unresponsive to classroom interventions, is significantly disrupting the learning environment, or requires immediate escalation. Blue Slips always result in communication with a parent or guardian by the behavior interventionist, administrator, or designee.

Through our PBIS and student support framework, supports can usually meet the needs of 80% of our student population. If additional supports are needed to ensure success, teachers or administrators would communicate with the child's family.

We will have an opportunity for parents to sign up for our Nutrition Club. Every other week, students can receive a bag of non-perishable food items for the family. Look for our sign up soon!

Sign up here: https://forms.gle/4j79nDCCtsGsB91a8

• PEAK (after school): https://www.mt-pleasant.org/departments/peak/after_school.php

• SACC (before school)- School Aged Child Care (Before School Program)- 775-2340

If you have moved or are a NEW rider for the 2026-2027 school year, please sign up for transportation by the end of the day on Aug. 9th using the link below.
https://www.mtpleasantschools.net/page/transportation

We use a software program with our transportation dept. Students will be scanning when arriving and departing from the bus. Parents will also be able to track the bus location using a new app. New and exciting things at MPPS! You will receive this information at Open House.

We would like our families to remember the following about Arrival and Dismissal as we know that parents have other school drop offs or places to be in the morning and we are encouraging safe procedures for students as well:

• Please use the circle drive only if your child is ready to go. Children should be able to get out on their own. It is meant to be a quick drop and release.
• Parents should stay in their vehicle if the circle drive is utilized.
• If kids still have things to gather, a parking spot should be utilized.
• For their safety, students should exit their vehicle on the south side (closest to the sidewalk and fence)
• If you are walking students up to the school or picking them up from the teacher at dismissal, for everyone's safety, please use the Crosswalk and do not cross in-between traffic.

Thank you for your support in making Arrival and Dismissal a smoother transition.

PreK-5th Grade: learning to keep our hands, feet, and objects to ourselves helps build a safe, comfortable classroom where everyone can learn and play happily. Personal space is like an invisible bubble around each person—and we always want to respect each other's bubbles!

All our JrK-2nd grade classrooms as well as our Preschool Program will be using the Remind App for their classroom communications. This is a great way for them to communicate reminders, easy building or district information, and pictures of learning. Please view your teacher's classroom code in their most recent newsletter, welcome letter, or flyer that may have been sent home.

Each Friday we will sell Popcorn for $.50/bag. Students can bring their coins or dollar bills in sandwich baggies or put in the back of their agenda in the clear pocket or a safe zipper. Teachers will collect popcorn in the morning and place the order.