Mesquite Elementary

Dear Mesquite Elementary Families,

We have had a great second week establishing routines, procedures, and reviewing expectations. Mr. Bender, our dean, and I were able to visit with second through sixth grade to review campus expectations with grade levels on Monday and will be visiting with kindergarten and first grade in classrooms. One of the most important parts of the day is lunch and for some even breakfast. Lunch at Mesquite Elementary runs so smoothly and this is due in large part to our awesome core lunch leaders with the help of teachers and paraprofessionals.

Each day Mr. Danny Joe and Mr. Erickson set up, tear down, and clean up after lunch. Mrs. Calvert oversees the flow of routines with the help of Mr. Danny Joe and Mr. Erickson. Meanwhile, our amazing cafeteria manager, Mrs. Jean along with Mr. Juan Carlos and Mrs. Dina are busy preparing and serving food! We are so incredibly grateful for this amazing group that serves our students joyfully each day!

Sincerely,

Wendy Norburg

Celebrating our first Character Tickets of the 24/25 school year! Proud of two fifth graders leading the way and setting a great example for others!

Some of our youngest learners in Building Blocks 4 showing off their Mesquite Pride! Mesquite Mountain Lions, this year we would love to see your pride colors! We look forward to seeing our Mountain Lions wearing their favorite school shirt or school colors on Fridays this year! If you were interested in buying a school shirt and weren't able to buy one at Meet the Teacher Night, please see the link below to buy a shirt or other school apparel!

Our first sportsmanship Golden GOAT of the year! Cooper played by the rules and was respectful to others. Great job Cooper!!!

First Kindergarten Golden GOAT, Hudson! Hudson played by the rules and was respectful to friends and teacher.

As we did last year, we will again be implementing a "No Cell Bell to Bell" policy at Mesquite Elementary. The expectation is that while your child is on campus their cell phones are to be turned off and in their backpacks. If your child will have a cell phone or Smartwatch with them while at Mesquite Elementary they will need to have this signed Cell Phone/Smart Watch Statement of Understanding signed and returned. Please review this with your child prior to them bringing their device to school.

Parents may request that their child be tested for gifted services once each calendar year. GPS offers gifted testing twice a year, in August and May. The deadline to request your child be tested in the fall is August 9th. Testing will be completed August 12th-30th. Please use this link to request your child be tested for Gifted Education.

We are incredibly grateful for our amazing PTSO and all they do for our campus, such as the purchase of new buckets and playground equipment for each grade level! We couldn't do all we do without them! We hope you will join us at the first meeting this year on Thursday, August 8th at 3:15 p.m. in the Library!

We hope you will join us on Thursday, August 8, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Peter Piper Pizza!

• Amy Simon - President
• Stacy Nelson - Vice President
• Kimberly Castro - Secretary
• Mel Van Klaveren - Treasurer
• Heather Foti - Member At Large
• Allison Brumfield - Member At Large

Please check the PTSO website and join the Mesquite Elementary PTSO Facebook group for all the current information from PTSO. This is a great way to connect with other families.

• August 8 - PTSO Meeting in the Library 3:15 p.m.
• August 8 - Peter Piper Back to School Night 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• August 26 - Fall Pictures
• August 28 - Half Day Dismissal at 11:55 am

• September 2 - Labor Day No School
• September 6 - Fall Fundraiser Kick Off
• September 12 - PTSO Meeting at 3:15 pm in the Library
• September 19-20 - Parent Teacher Conferences Half Day Dismissal at 11:55 am
• September 27 - Half Day Dismissal at 11:55 am

It is very important that all families complete the online ‘Annual Update’ to prepare for the new school year. The ‘Annual Update’ in Infinite Campus allows you to tell us of any updates to your contact information, address changes, and updates to emergency contacts. In order to ensure we can communicate with you regarding your student, or in case of emergency, it is essential that we have your up to date contact details. Please log in to your Infinite Campus parent portal and complete your student’s ‘Annual Update’ today. To access the IC portal visit www.gilbertschools.net/IC

Download the GPS App

The GPS App includes a link to IC, as well as access to your student’s school calendar, meal information, bus routes, and other helpful information for parents and students. Visit www.gilbertschools.net/app for more information.

If you wish to add money to your child's account for this coming year, please use this link. The Free and Reduced Price Meal Online Application is available here as well!

Please use this link to complete a Free and Reduced Lunch Meal application. If you are interested in applying and have questions please don't hesitate to contact the front office or our social worker, Ms. Karina Nyberg.

I am thrilled to announce the launch of the GPS Soccer League, tailored specifically for students in grades K-4. This league presents a fantastic opportunity for our young athletes to participate in a developmental soccer program focused on skill-building, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Please use the following link to register Gilbert Youth Athletic. Registration closes Friday, August 2, 2024.

The Gilbert Parks and Recreation Foundation, supported by community donations and grants from Dignity Health, is offering free helmets! They have approximately 300 helmets available in various styles, sizes, and colors.

These helmets can be picked up at one of five locations in Gilbert, AZ, during normal operating hours, while supplies last at the following locations:

- Freeride Bike Co., 3143 E Williams Field Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85295

- Global Bikes & E-Bikes , 835 N Gilbert Rd, #111, Gilbert, AZ 85234

- Bike Masters, 2244 E Williams Field Rd #101, Gilbert, AZ 85295

- Pedego Electric Bikes, 459 N Gilbert Rd, Unit 1, Gilbert, AZ 85234

- NControl Driving School, 1663 E Ray Rd #103, Gilbert, AZ 85296

To receive a helmet, parents simply sign a waiver at the pickup location. This initiative responds to the increasing number of motor vehicle collisions involving people riding bicycles, e-scooters, and e-bikes, who are especially vulnerable on our roads. We encourage riders to wear a properly secured helmet and remind drivers to be extra cautious and reduce their speed, especially in areas with people walking and bicycling. Please talk to the kids and teens in your life about the importance of helmet-wearing, paying attention, and following traffic laws. Let’s work together to make our streets safer for everyone!

Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board approved that in November 2024, voters living within Gilbert Public School boundaries will decide on a proposed 15% budget override continuation. This would be a continuation of the existing budget override approved by voters in November 2019 and in place since the 2020/21 school year. The existing override generates approximately $36 million annually to:

• ensure competitive salaries to recruit and retain high-quality teachers and staff in classrooms,
• maintain programmatic choices for students creating future ready graduates,
• maintain campus safety and security personnel and,
• maintain class sizes with allocation to class size reduction.

For more information please visit our website - www.gilbertschools.net/election