Minges Brook Elementary

Dear Minges Brook Families,

October is such a special time at Minges Brook. Students have settled into routines and friendships are growing. We are seeing so many wonderful examples of learning, kindness, and perseverance every day.

Parent-Teacher conferences are coming up soon and we look forward to having the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your child's progress and goals for the school year. Conferences are an important time for families and teachers to work together and identify ways we can support your child's learning and growth. Links were sent last week to select a date and time to meet with your child's teacher. If you have not signed up already, please do so.

We are asking all families to take a few minutes to complete our District Perception Data survey. Your feedback is valuable and helps us better understand the experiences, needs, and perspectives of our students and families. Please complete the survey at your earliest convenience. Here is the link. Your input helps guide our continued efforts to improve our schools and support our students.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. The connection between home and school makes a tremendous difference in the success of our students.

Respectfully,

Heather M. Fausey

MB Proud Principal

Every Monday, school is dismissed at 2:55 pm. This is to allow time for additional teacher collaboration and planning.

Accidents happen...whether it's a bathroom accident or a milk spilled down the front of you on accident.....students need an extra set of clothes to keep in their backpack or locker. We would much rather utilize this method versus having to call a parent at work to bring up a fresh set of clothes. We would rather be safe than sorry.

P.S. If the extra set of clothes gets used please send a fresh set as a replacement.

Friday, October 9 ~ No School, Staff PD

Monday October 12 ~ Early Dismissal Monday (2:55 p.m. every Monday)

Tuesday, October 13 ~ 1/2 Day- Grades K-8 (Full Day 9-12)

Friday, October 16 ~ Picture Retake Day

Monday October 19 ~ Early Dismissal Monday (2:55 p.m. every Monday)

Friday, October 23 ~ Popcorn Friday

Monday, October 26 ~ Early Dismissal Monday (2:55 p.m. every Monday)

We will be hosting conferences on Tuesday, October 13 (12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. ) and Wednesday, October 14th (3:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.).

Tuesday, October 13 will also be a half day with 11:50 a.m. dismissal.

We will be scheduling conferences this year through your Skyward Parent Access. See below for instructions on how to schedule a conference.

If you need assistance with scheduling please call the office at 269-565-4500

1. On the login screen of Skyward, enter your username and then enter your password.

• Link to Skyward

• If you don’t remember your password, you can click the “Forgot your Login/Password” button and it will send an email to the email address found in Skyward.

• If you don’t receive the link, contact the main office of your student’s building and the secretary will be able to tell you your username and reset your password.

2. Once logged into your account you’ll see a list of options along the left hand side. Click on Conference.

3. Next click on All Conferences.

4. Click on Select a Time and choose your desired timeslot.

5. A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you and your child’s teacher.

October 16th is Picture Retake Day! If your child missed picture day or needs a retake please plan accordingly. If you ordered pictures and are getting retakes, please send in the picture packet with your child on this day.

Please take a few minutes to complete our family survey if you have not already done so. Your feedback will help us improve student success and strengthen our learning environment.

• The survey takes less than five minutes to complete. Your time is very much appreciated.

• Your responses are confidential, and honest feedback will guide our efforts to create a supportive school environment for everyone.

• If you have children at more than one Lakeview school, please complete a survey for each school using the survey link specific to that building.

• Parents with students in multiple buildings should complete a survey for each school

• Time to complete: 5 minutes

Homecoming Spirit Week is OUT OF THIS WORLD!

Join us October 12–16 for a week of fun spirit days as we celebrate Homecoming! Check out the flyer for each day’s theme and get ready to show your school spirit.

Let’s make this Homecoming Week one to remember!

We are looking to fill our PTA Board Member Position for this school year.

*Secretary:

-Keeps an accurate record of the minutes of all meetings
-Types up meeting minutes and sends them out to the PTA Board

Popcorn Fridays are back again this year! We are looking for volunteers to help pop and bag the popcorn one Friday each month. (Sept.-Apr.) If you are interested in helping, please click the link below!

Sign up here

The popcorn Fridays this year will be on:

October 23
November 20
December 11
January 22
February 19
March 12
April 16

Our lost and found is overflowing! During parent-teacher conferences, you’ll have an opportunity to take a peek and see if any of your child’s belongings are waiting to be reunited with them.

Please take a few moments to look through the items and claim anything that belongs to your family. Any items left in the lost and found after conferences have ended will be donated.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES ARE VERY IMPORTANT IN KEEPING STUDENTS, FAMILIES AND STAFF SAFE. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR A DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

Arrival:

Students get dropped off by vehicle on Lincoln Hill, right before the driveway to the parking lot. Staff will be there to open car doors and let students out. Please do not get out of the car to assist them. Please drive up to where staff are so the lane does not get too congested.

The parking lot will be blocked off from 8:10-8:25. No one can get in or out of the lot between those times, Minges Brook staff included. The reason being is it causes a safety issue for walkers crossing the lot. Please plan accordingly.

• School doors will open at 8:15.
• Students will exit their vehicles and enter the building through the main entrance.
  
• Students will walk directly to their classroom with all of their belongings.
• It is very important that students are not dropped off prior to 8:15 as there is limited staff available to supervise before then.

Dismissal:

• Students exit the building at 3:25.
• Each teacher has a designated meeting spot in the front of the school for students that are picked up. This will be marked with signage.
  
• You will need to park and walk up to your child's meeting area.
  
• When the teacher sees you, he/she will release your child to you. It is important that the teachers see all grown ups before releasing the children. We will not release children to any adult sitting in the car, you must walk up.
• Bus riders will be dismissed with their class and will have a designated place to wait in the upper hallway in single file lines until the buses arrive.
• If you are exiting from the parking lot after school, please know that you can only turn right during that busy time. When cars turn left into the heavy traffic, it makes it unsafe for all of us.

If you need to make a daily transportation change for your student, please make sure to contact the office by 2:30 pm. Once students and staff start preparing for dismissal, it makes it harder to relay the information, and changes may not be able to be made. Thank you for always calling prior to 2:30 pm.

26-27 School Day Start & End Times

Monday Early Release - 8:25 a.m. - 2:55 p.m.

Tuesday-Friday Schedule - 8:25 a.m. - 3:25 p.m.

Half Day Schedule - 8:25 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.

Contact Us at Minges Brook

Heather Fausey, Principal

Carrie Vaughn, Secretary to the Principal

Jamie Babcock, Building Secretary

Minges Brook Elementary

435 Lincoln Hill Drive
Battle Creek, MI 49015
P. (269) 565-4500
F. (269) 565-4508

Report Student Absences:
(269) 565-4501

Attendance Line Phone Number: 269-565-4501

*Please call the Student Attendance Line if your student is going to be absent for the Whole Day. Please leave Your Name, Student's Full Name, Grade, Teacher and Reason for Absence.

You DO NOT Need to call the Attendance line if you student is going to being coming in late or leaving early for an appointment. You will just need to come into the office to sign them in and/or out.

*All Students will receive Free Breakfast and Lunch

If your child would like an extra entree (example: two slices of pizza on Friday) or any entree during the week, they can deposit money into their account. Extra entrees cost $2.25. Money can be brought into school, or you can make deposits online on the Lakeview Food Service site. Choices need to be made when they order lunch in the morning so the lunchroom can plan accordingly.

EVERY FORM COUNTS!

Breakfast and lunch are provided at no cost to all Lakeview students, but we still need every Lakeview family to complete the Education Benefits Form each school year.

HOW IT HELPS OUR SCHOOLS

Every completed form helps Lakeview accurately identify student needs and access state and federal funding for classroom resources, academic and enrichment programs, health and wellness services, and other student supports.

HOW IT MAY HELP YOUR FAMILY

Depending on eligibility, your family may also qualify for reduced or waived fees for athletics, field trips, testing, and college applications, along with other assistance and resources.

One form per household. Less than 5 minutes. Completely confidential.

Complete yours today: lakeviewsd.familyportal.cloud

The Lakeview School District Board of Education is proud to host a candidate forum with candidates running for the U.S. House of Representatives District 4, Michigan Senate District 18, and Michigan House of Representatives District 44, whose districts include Lakeview. The forum will include a series of questions focused on public education policy and a Q&A segment during which attendees can submit their questions to the moderator. This event is open to the community.