Mustang Round-Up

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Email: howard@medford.k12.or.us

Location: 286 Mace Road, Medford, OR, 97501

Phone: 541-842-3760

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/howardmustangs549c/

Website: https://howard.medford.k12.or.us/

Dear Howard Elementary Families,

As we move forward into October, I want to take a moment to say THANK YOU for your continued support and partnership in making our school a positive place for our children. We are happy to see our classroom communities growing strong. Students are engaging with their lessons and having a great time learning.

Mark your calendar: our annual Trunk or Treat event is coming up on October 30. This is one of our most popular family events, filled with fun, silliness, and togetherness. I hope to see you there and encourage you to wear your costume and participate in the festivities!

Last spring, we surveyed our students and families to gather feedback on various aspects of our school. I am proud to share that we received responses from 96% of students and 100% of families. Here are a few key takeaways from the YouthTruth surveys:

• 71% of Howard students responded positively regarding Academic Challenge.

• 73% of families expressed positive feedback on Communication and Feedback.

• 76% of students agreed that what they learn in school helps them in their life.

• Some Howard families shared that Safety and Security is a concern.

Thank you to all the families who participated in the YouthTruth survey last year. Please know that we take all the comments and feedback seriously. Your feedback is so important in our efforts to make Howard the best it can be.

Warm regards,

Deirdre Pearson, Principal
Howard Elementary School

Hello Howard Families!

Wow! I cannot believe we’ve been in school for an entire month already. These past four weeks with your students have been wonderful! I feel so welcomed by everyone here. Thank you for sharing your amazing children with me and helping me to feel included. Every morning that I get to greet the students at the door or at the morning choice table where they pick a wrist band brings a big smile to my face. Your children bring joy, happiness, and laughter to our school each and every day!

I’m still learning everyone’s names, and the kids have been so patient with me even when I have to ask to hear it again. I can’t wait until I can greet every single student by name. I hope you are also having an excellent beginning of the school year. We are here for you and want to work with you to support your children in whatever way they might need.

~Mrs. Elrod

I am Katie Warner, the new SEA (Social Emotional Advocate) here at Howard. You may have already seen me around campus. I taught 5th grade and Kindergarten here at Howard. I also have many years of experience with Trauma Informed Care, working with PBIS and creating a nurturing and calm learning environment. I am very excited to be working with Howard students and families to help create success here at Howard!

We are looking for a friendly and energetic Recess Monitor to join our team! The position is part-time, 3.75 hours a day, and involves supervising students during recess to ensure a fun and safe environment. If you or someone you know is interested, please help us spread the word!

For more information or to apply, contact the school office or click HERE.

HOWARD PTO UPDATES

Meet Your PTO Board:

Amber Fletcher, President – Hello! My name is Amber Fletcher, and I am the PTO President. My daughter, Paisley, is in the 4th grade and my son, Dean, just started Kindergarten. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for 10 years to my 2 kids and 2 crazy pups. I love being a mom more than anything! I can’t wait to see what fun and exciting things we can accomplish this year!

Kaylee Fugate, Vice President – Hi! My name is Kaylee Fugate, and I am the PTO Vice President. This will be my second year on the Board and am looking forward to another great year full of fun! I have 2 kids; Scarlett who is in the 3rd grade and Ezekiel who is in Preschool. I work full time as an Executive Assistant at Asante. In addition to work and the PTO, I also sit on the Budget Committee for the MSD School Board. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my kids and make memories!

Autumn Phillips, Secretary – Hi, my name is Autumn Phillips, and I am the PTO Secretary. I am a mom to 3 crazy Mustangs and a Pre-K to be Mustang. We range from Kinder to 5th grade! I am a teacher at St. Peter Lutheran preschool, and this will be my 3rd year being involved with the PTO. Can’t wait to have another amazing year!!!!

Upcoming Fundraisers: Chocolate sales! More information will be sent home with your student.

NEW PTO MEETING: Our PTO meetings are held on the 2nd Monday monthly at 2:45pm. Our next meeting will be Monday October 17th at 2:45pm in the Media Center.

Join Our Team: The PTO is always looking for new members. If you would like to join the team or share your ideas, please reach out to the PTO Board via email at: MSDHowardPTO@gmail.com or by cell: Amber Fletcher (President) 541-973-8608 or Kaylee Fugate (Vice President) 541-621-3498.

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK: Follow up on Facebook to stay connected on upcoming events and fundraising.

OUR FIRST WALK & ROLL DAY IS OCT. 9!

Walk & Roll to School Day events are days students are encouraged to get to school by walking or riding their bikes, scooters, and skateboards.

Join us in an effort to:

• Create healthy habits

• Decrease vehicle congestion near schools

• Promote safe walking, biking, scooter practices

• Get students familiar with their neighborhood

• Build a stronger community

SAFETY TIPS:

• Walk or roll with friends or family members

• Use the safest routes: Plan & practice your route

• Use crosswalks or corners

• Wear bright clothes to be seen

• Stay alert/ pay attention Be predictable, do not dart out into the street

• “Stop. Look. & Listen” at every street crossing and driveway

• Look Left. Right. & Left again. Make eye contact with drivers & wait until vehicles are stopped

• Wear a helmet and walk bikes across intersections

Medford District 549c schools are always in the process of identifying students who are academically talented and/or intellectually gifted. Previously identified TAG students remain identified and their services will continue as needed.

Students may be nominated for the Talented and Gifted Program (TAG) by the following: national or state test scores, district achievement tests (i-Ready), a teacher, parents, community members, or by self-nomination. After nominations are complete, information will be gathered and a screening committee will screen each student. Students and parents/guardians will be contacted if additional testing is needed.

If you wish to obtain information on this program or you have any questions, please contact Howard TAG Coordinator Shawna Smith at 541-842-3189, or Hunter Emery, MSD Talented and Gifted Specialist, at 541-842-1043.

Medford School District staff often take photos and videos of students during field trips, school events, sports activities, performances and during classroom instruction to share the work and accomplishments of students. Those accomplishments are shared through the district

website, social media, print publications, fliers, and brochures. The district also works with local news media to promote student work, as well as district projects and initiatives.

If you do not want your student’s image to be published, please visit your school office to fill out a Publicity Denial form. We will make every effort to protect the privacy of your students.

Please note the district cannot guarantee a student’s image will not be published if the student is photographed/videotaped in a large group or crowd setting, such as school assemblies, sports events, and public meetings.

Please contact the Communications Department at msd.communications@medford.k12.or.us with any questions.

The Site Council for Howard Elementary had its first meeting on 9-24-24.

This is a summary of the items discussed at the meeting.

• At the first meeting, the council decided that they would meet 4 to 5 times during the year. The dates of future meetings are Monday, October 7th, Monday, February 3rd, and Monday, April 21st, with an option for a 5th meeting on Monday, May 19th.
• The main purpose of the Site Council is to review school data to determine areas where we would like to improve. On October 7th, we will take a look at that data and determine what those areas are, as well as come up with a plan to present the information to the staff on October 16th.
  
• The Site Council also discussed ways to let teachers know they are allotted $100 to be used for Professional Development purposes. Teachers will need to complete a form and submit it to Site Council for approval.
  

September 27th - No School; Teacher work day

October 1st - Kick it off with Kindness! Wear Tie-Dye or Bright Colors

October 2nd - School Assembly - Starting at 8:15 in the Gym

Coffee with the principal before the assembly in Room 11 starting at 7:40 a.m.

October 9th - Walk and Roll to School Day

October 11th - No School; Inservice day

October 28th - No School; Grading day

October 29-November 1st - Howard Spirit Week

October 30th - Trunk or Treat 4:30 -6:00 p.m

November 5th - Picture Retake

November 11th - No School - Veterans Day

November 18th - 26th - Book Fair

November 25 and 26th - Parent/Teacher Conferences

November 27, 28 and 29th - No School; Thanksgiving Break

Show your school spirit by dressing up for each day!

Oct. 28 Monday - No School

Oct. 29 Tuesday - Pajama Day (no slippers)

Oct. 30 Wednesday - Wear your Fall Flannel or Fall Colors

Oct. 31 Thursday - Howard School Spirit Day - Wear your Howard shirt or Red & Black

Nov. 1 Friday - Kick it off with Kindness - Wear Tie-Dye