MES Parent Updates

Happy Friday!

It has been a wonderful week at school and a great start to September. A special thank you to the football players and cheerleaders from Grove City High School for helping us kick off the morning at Monterey today—our students loved seeing the older students! Best of luck to the Greyhounds team in their game tonight!

As you read through this week’s newsletter, please keep a few important reminders in mind:

• Labor Day: Enjoy a restful, long weekend! There is no school on Monday, September 7th.

• Visitor Safety: Please remember to bring your photo ID every time you enter the front office.

• Classroom Treats: Check out the guidance below regarding our policies on food and birthday celebrations in the classroom.

• Volunteer Opportunity: We are in need of volunteers on Thursday mornings from 8:20 AM – 9:20 AM. If you're available to lend a hand, please see the details below!

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. Have a safe and relaxing long weekend!

Warmly,

Mrs. Jordan

Please remember that all parents, guardians, and authorized adults must present a physical photo ID every time they come to the main office for an early student pick-up. We appreciate your patience and understanding as this is for your child's safety!

What You Need to Know:

• ID Checks: Presented IDs will be cross-referenced with your child's records in Infinite Campus and their Emergency Contact list before release.

• Update Your Info: Please log into Infinite Campus before the first day of school to verify that all phone numbers and approved emergency contacts are completely up to date. We cannot release a student to anyone not listed in the system.

• Be Prepared: Have your driver's license or state ID ready when walking up to the office to help speed up the process.

Get in Touch Feel free to welcome Mrs. Noltemeyer or reach out to the main office:

• Phone: 614-801-8250

• Email: Kristi.Noltemeyer@SWCSD.us

Dear Families,

At Monterey Elementary School, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are always a top priority. One of the ways we work to maintain a safe environment is by regularly practicing a variety of safety drills. These drills are designed to familiarize students with emergency procedures in a calm, proactive, and age-appropriate manner.

By practicing drills throughout the school year, we help students and staff build confidence and efficiency in responding to different scenarios. These routines are an important part of creating a culture of preparedness and ensuring that everyone knows what to do in the unlikely event of an emergency.

Next week, with the cooperation of the weather, we will be conducting an evacuation drill. This drill will provide students with the opportunity to review and practice our procedures for safely exiting the building in an organized way.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions. We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain a safe and supportive school environment for all students.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Jordan

Parents are encouraged to complete the Free and Reduced-Priced Meal Application online through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal under the ‘More’ tab at http://portal.swcsd.us. Paper applications are also available in all school buildings and at the Food Services Department. Your child’s application is only good for one school year and the first few days of the start of the next school year. Thus, applications must be completed every year. More information is available here.

To protect the growing number of students with severe, life-threatening food allergies, all South-Western City School District (SWCSD) elementary schools are enforcing strict safety rules aligned with Ohio Department of Education guidelines. [1, 2]

Please note the following policies for the school day:

• No Birthday Food Treats: Cupcakes, cookies, candy, or other birthday party foods will not be accepted for classroom distribution. Please send small non-food items instead. Your child may still bring a personal special treat just for their own lunch.
• No Unrequested Food Donations: Home food donations for daytime school events are strictly prohibited unless explicitly requested by staff and approved by the principal, and must be store bought and individually packaged.
• Balloon Restrictions: Balloons or arrangements larger than a child's backpack are not permitted in school or on school buses.

After-School Events: These strict restrictions do not apply to after-school events where parents are present to monitor their own children. However, principals are partnering with PTA units to share ingredient lists in advance for seasonal events. Thank you for helping us keep our classrooms safe and inclusive for every student!

Please notify the school about any known allergies your child may possess on the student medical form so we can do our best to meet each student’s needs and keep them safe. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our school office.

Huge thanks to the Grove City Football players and Cheerleaders (All Juniors) for hyping up our students this morning.

Mrs. Jordan tried to join in on some cheers and showed off some moves but is just missing the uniform!

Good Luck tonight Grove City!! BEAT BRADLEY!!

Do you have one hour a week to change the life of a child? Monterey Elementary is partnering with Charley's Kids which sponsors the Children’s Tutoring Initiative to bring high-quality reading tutoring to our students—and we need caring adults like you! Your encouragement and mentoring can make a lasting impact for a child!

If you can give just one hour a week on Thursday mornings, we’d love to have you join us as a volunteer tutor! You’ll receive training, resources, and a schedule from Children’s Tutoring Initiative—everything you need to succeed. All you need to bring is your enthusiasm for kids and our community.

Monterey is looking for tutors on Thursday mornings from 8:20 to 9:20 am. Scan this QR code or click on this link to sign up as a tutor and select a training date.

Looking to get involved? No better way than with our PTA!!

The Monterey Elementary School PTA meets the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend meetings! Meetings are also accessible through Google Meet, if you cannot attend in person.

If you would like to contact PTA, please e-mail our PTA at: montereyelementarypta@gmail.com

August 17th - September 4th: click the link to order: https://http-theawesome-com.printavo.com/merch/monterey-elementary-fall-spiritwear-2026

On November 3, SWCS will have its first No-New-Millage Bond Issue on the ballot since 2018 focused on high school construction projects - all without raising the tax rate for residents (same since 2009).

Should the No-New-Millage initiative be approved it would allow the district to implement Segment 3 of its long-range facilities plan and bring in approximately $113 million in matching state funds to our district that would result in:

• The construction of a new Grove City High School
• The construction of a new Westland High School
• Address Career-Technical Education waitlists at the South Western Career Academy
• Invest in targeted facility and athletics enhancements to Central Crossing High School and Franklin Heights High School

To assist community members, parents, and staff with inquiries, we have developed a comprehensive FAQ accessible on our website.

Stay Informed and Read more

• Our GOAL for the year is 95%
• Your child should have 9 absences OR LESS
• For absences; call the office or enter in Infinite Campus
• School doors open at 7:55
• Tardy Bell rings at 8:20
• Dismissal Begins at 2:30
• NO SCHOOL FEES

VISIT THE SWCSD ATTENDANCE PAGE FOR UPDATE REGARDING ATTENDANCE FOR THE 2026-2027 SCHOOL YEAR!!

At Monterey Elementary School we have many positive supports in place!

We teach our students to:

Be Responsible

Be Safe &

Be Respectful

Personal Communication Devices: Any personal device, phone/watch/other, that distracts the learning environment must be off and in backpacks or will be placed in the front office for parent pick up, after an initial warning.

What happens if the rule is broken? - After an initial warning, devices will be placed in the front office for parent pick-up.

We appreciate your partnership in keeping distractions out of the classroom.

Monterey School Website

Access Past Newsletters

Monterey Transportation Map & Guidance

Attendance Information

Parent Resources

Birthdays at MES

PTA Website

Join the PTA

Getting set up with School Status Connect

Having trouble with School Status Connect?

Read the Family FAQ's

It will be very important for you to update all of your information in the Parent Portal so that you are sure to continually receive updates throughout the year. To create an IC account. If you already have an IC account, please find directions to update your contact information. It is important to update your child’s annual consent to emergency medical treatment or refusal. This is required by the State of Ohio.

Link to the INFINITE CAMPUS PARENT PORTAL

Email: IC.HELP@SWCSD.US with an explanation of your problem and your child's student ID and they will help you through any issues you experience!

Your Right to View Teacher Qualifications

Under the No Child Left Behind Education Reform Act, parents have the right to request information regarding the qualifications of their student’s classroom teacher including:

1. If the teacher has met state qualification and licensing criteria for the grade level taught and subject matter being taught ESSA Section 1112 (e)(1)(A)(i)(I);
2. If the teacher is teaching under emergency or provisional status ESSA Section 1112(e)(1)(a)(i)(II);
3. The teacher’s baccalaureate degree major, certification, and field of discipline ESSA Section 1112(e)(1)(A)(i)(III);
4. Whether the student is provided services by a paraprofessional and if so, their qualifications. ESSA Section 1112(e)(1)(A).

The requested information must be given in a timely manner. ESSA Section 1112(e)(1)(A).