The Chipmunk Chat

Dear MGES Families,

We hope to see many families at our Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service this Monday, Jan. 19. Details can be found in the PTO section of the Chat.

As we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we want to highlight the profound impact he has had on our country and the world. His work helped bring about important changes, including the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act, which continue to shape our society today.

Dr. King believed that everyone can make a difference through kindness, courage, and service.

Here are some resources that were shared with our staff (thank you, Mrs. Stianchi). We hope you are able to explore and share these resources at home with your children as you reflect together on Dr. King’s legacy and how we can all contribute to a more just and caring community.

Best regards,
Mr. Perez

January 19- No School for Students- MLK Day of Service (See PTO Press for more details)

January 24- UDEF Harlem Wizards- Come cheer on some MGES staff

February 2- Family Code Night

February 6- PTO Pizza Bingo Night

February 16- No School for Students

February 17- No School for Students- Staff In-Service

Last night’s MGES Winter Chorus performance was a wonderful showcase of our students’ talent and dedication. The winter-themed song selections—including Sing a Song of Winter, The First Snow Falls, Perfect Winter Day, King of Winter, and a bi-lingual Japanese snow song, Yuki. Guided by Mr. Brittain, students have developed their musicality and showmanship. It was a truly memorable evening for all in attendance.

We extend a sincere thank you to Mr. Brittain for his dedication and commitment in preparing our chorus students. His passion for music and high expectations helped bring out the very best in our performers.

We would also like to thank our chorus families for their continued support, especially for bringing students for early morning rehearsals. That commitment and hard work were clearly evident in the quality of the performance. We are incredibly proud of our MGES chorus students!

Discover the fun of computer programming side-by-side with your child at the Maple Glen Family Code Night on Monday, February 2! Parents and students team up to solve puzzles and explore the foundations of coding. Register soon—spaces fill quickly!

To help keep our students and staff healthy during this peak time for seasonal illnesses, we follow guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on when children should stay home from school due to illness.

Please keep your child home if they have any of the following:

Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher. Children should be fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning to school.

Vomiting or diarrhea. Children should stay home until they have been free of vomiting and diarrhea for at least 24 hours.

Severe cough, difficulty breathing, or wheezing that interferes with participation in school activities.

Signs of a contagious illness such as strep throat, influenza, COVID-19, RSV, chickenpox, or other illnesses as advised by your healthcare provider.

Eye redness with thick drainage (possible conjunctivitis) until evaluated and cleared to return.
Undiagnosed rash with fever or behavior changes.

Extreme fatigue, pain, or irritability that prevents your child from participating in normal school activities.

Children may return to school when symptoms have improved, they feel well enough to participate, and any required treatment or exclusion period has been completed. If you are unsure whether your child should stay home, please consult your child’s healthcare provider or contact me.

Mrs. Stephanie Winsman

swinsman@udsd.org

Check out this week’s edition of the PTO Press.

• Don’t wait to register for the winter line-up of after-school activities. Registration ends soon.
• Thanks to everyone who’s already donated to Monday’s MLK Sock Roll Challenge! Want to contribute but no time to shop? See the PTO Press for the new option to Venmo donations!

Students, families, and community members are invited to Sandy Run Middle School and/or Upper Dublin High School for a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 19. Enjoy community service activities and consider bringing donation items for local families. More details at udsd.org/mlkday.

A reminder that the Upper Dublin School District's 2026-2027 School Year Calendar is available to view. Most importantly, note that the district will be starting the 2026/2027 school year before Labor Day on August 31.

Child Guidance Resource Center Programs

Beginning January 19

Boys Basketball Clinic for Grades 3-8

Monday, January 19

UDHS Theatre Move Up Day for Grades 3-8

Saturday, January 24

UDEF Harlem Wizards - Reserve Tickets Now

Saturday, January 24

2SLGBTQQIA+ Equity Committee Coffee & Conversation

Tuesday, January 27

UDJFA Holocaust Remembrance Event

Tuesday, January 27

Moms Night Out for MiniTHON

Friday, February 6

MacGuffin Theatre Co Classes

Starting January 15

**Disclaimer Statement: The information provided in the segment above is intended solely for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement or recommendation of any specific individual or organization. We offer this platform as a resource for community organizations but cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the details provided.