Mesquite Elementary

Dear Mesquite Elementary Families,

This week I would like to highlight and celebrate our sixth grade students, some of which have been at Mesquite since kindergarten and others joining along the way! I truly can't express how proud I am of this sixth grade group of students. They are a true example of campus leaders, modeling being respectful, responsible and safe for all. All throughout the hallways this week staff members have been commenting on how much they will miss this group of students. Having been in education for over 27 years, I can truly say they are an amazing group of students! We are proud of our Mesquite Sixth Graders and we are looking forward to continuing to follow their journey throughout junior high and high school! We are looing forward to welcoming back graduating seniors for a clap out on Tuesday, May 20th at 2:15 p.m. Thank you Mrs. Sturdevant and Mrs. Pardy for organizing this!

As we get close to wrapping up the 2024-2025 school year, please keep in mind enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is currently open! As you start thinking about junior highs for next year, please know that we feed into Greenfield Junior High School, South Valley Junior High School, and students have the option to apply to Gilbert Accelerated Middle School at Gilbert High School, Gilbert Classical Academy, and/or Gilbert, Talented, and Creative Program at Highland Junior High School. For more campus information, please visit GilbertSchools.net/LevelUp.

Sincerely,

Wendy Norburg

So proud of our students for celebrating and encouraging others!

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!

Dear Mesquite Families,

Mesquite Elementary is a special place with the best people in the world! Thank you all so much for welcoming me into the Mountain Lion as your Dean of Students the past two years. I’m writing today with a heart full of gratitude and to share some bittersweet news. I will be transitioning to a new role as Dean of Students at Highland Park/Ashland Ranch elementary schools for the upcoming school year. While I’m excited about what lies ahead, it’s incredibly difficult to say goodbye to the wonderful students, staff, and families of this wonderful community.

Writing this message was very difficult because of the deep sense of connection I’ve felt with this community from the very beginning. You welcomed my family and I with open arms and genuine hearts. Thank you for always welcoming me into your classrooms, the hallway chats, and the incredibly important conversations.

The Lion’s Den assemblies, scooter bowls, fall festivals, fun runs, and community events are full of life. Your kindness, warmth, and way that you care for kids is absolutely the best, and I am truly thankful to have had the chance to be a part of this amazing school. It’s been an honor to partner with such dedicated families who care so deeply about their children and their learning. Your involvement, encouragement, and spirit have made Mesquite a truly remarkable place, and I feel lucky to have been a part of it.

This community has left a lasting imprint on my heart, and I will continue cheering you on each day. I look forward to hearing about the continued success, growth, and all the wonderful things ahead for Mesquite. Thank you for the memories, the support, and the privilege of serving this community. I am so grateful to have been part of the Mesquite Mountain Lion family.

Warmly,

Trent Bender

Dean of Students

Mrs. Seagraves was proud to nominate Owen Gould for Student of the Month because he consistently demonstrates responsibility and a strong work ethic. He arrives to class each day fully prepared, with all the necessary materials and a positive attitude. As the only string bass player in 5th grade orchestra, he has embraced this role enthusiastically and is developing into a strong musician. He plays his instrument at home so he is prepared for class, and even learns new songs without prompting. Owen is a good leader for the low string section and creates a positive atmosphere. Additionally, his keen sense of humor brings smiles to his classmates faces and makes the classroom a fun and engaging place to be. Thank you Owen!

So proud of our librarian for the day! Mrs. Sturdevant enjoyed and appreciated the helping hand!

Join Mrs. Sturdevant for a Summer Library Opportunity on Wednesdays from May 28th to July 2nd from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Please note a parent must be with students at all times. Thank you Mrs. Sturdevant for providing this opportunity!

Mr. Gonzalez, our general music teacher, led the fourth graders in an amazing performance on Tuesday, May 13th. The students impressed all! Thank you the Ms. Kahldon, Ms. Kim, and Mrs. Prisbrey for the support of the program! A special thank you to our fourth graders for a wonderful performance and for the families that joined us for the performance!

Thank you to all who attended the Fifth and Sixth Grade Band and Strings Concerts! It is always impressive to see how much our beginning band students grow in only one year and to see how far the sixth graders have come in their musical journey! Proud of our musicians! Thank you Dr. Sanchez and Mrs. Seagraves for leading our band and strings so well!

So proud of our P.E. teacher for the day! Mrs. Pardy said he was made to teach P.E.!

Thank you Ms. Kelli for working to have Jacskon visit our campus and spend time reading with students! These students recently completed the Animals, Books, and Children Reading Program! Way to go Readers!

Mrs. Schock was chosen as Mesquite Elementary's Employee of the Year and she was celebrated this at a district event on Friday, May 9th! ​​Mrs. Schock exemplifies excellence through ​h​er commitment to reflective practices that continuously enhance ​​her teaching methods and student engagement. ​She foster​s strong, positive relationships with students, creating a supportive classroom environment where every learner feels valued and empowered. Additionally, ​Mrs. Schock embraces innovative practices​ and creative strategies to inspire curiosity and critical thinking among students. Her dedication to professional growth, student well-being, and innovative instruction makes them a remarkable candidate for Employee of the Year.

Thank you to all who joined us at our PTSO Meeting on Thursday, May 15, 2025! Our first PTSO meteing next year will be on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 3:15 p.m. in the Library and we would love to have you join us!

Thank you PTSO for continuing to celebrate teachers with presenting campus "Most Likely To" awards and celebrating our Employee of the Year, Mrs. Schock! We truly appreciate all you for our students and staff!

Thank you to those that follow the Mesquite Elementary PTSO Facebook page. PTSO has an Instagram account as well which can be found using this picture QR Code. Thank you for following along and sharing along the way!

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing 24/25 PTSO Executive Board. Your commitment to the students, staff, community, and campus is so truly appreciated!

24/25 PTSO Executive Board

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

At the meeting this past Thursday, May 15, 2024 the 25/26 PTSO Executive Board members were elected. Thank you to those volunteering to serve on the PTSO Board as well as those who support PTSO by attending events, donating items, and volunteering time.

25/26 PTSO Executive Board

• Kimberly Castro - President
• Stacy Nelson - Co-Vice President
• Amy Simon - Co-Vice President
• Allison Brumfield - Co-Secretary
• Heather Foti - Co-Secretary
• Mel Van Klavern - Treasurer

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.

The Site Council at Mesquite Elementary is an important part of our campus. It allows parents, students, and staff to meet throughout the year to discuss the mission and vision of Mesquite Elementary as well as continue to brainstorm how best to do this.

This week our current Site Council Student Members, Camden, Haven, and Campbell, met with prospective Site Council Student Members for the 25-26 school year. Students were provided with information about their roles and responsibilities as members.

Our PTSO Principal for the Day Auction Winner used Canva to make a flyer sharing all upcoming dates for the 25/26 Site Council Committee with possible new members! She then passed out the flyer to all prospective members who were nominated by their peers to serve as Site Council Members. Proud of our student leaders on campus!

• May 16 - Kindergarten Father's Day Activities at 8:30 am
• May 19 - Sixth Grade Field Trip to Sunsplash
• May 20 - Advantage Preschool End of Year Celebration (AM Class) at 9:30 am and (PM Class) at 12:45 pm
• May 21 - Building Blocks 4 Promotion at 9:00 am
• May 22 - Kindergarten Promotion at 9:00 am, Sixth Grade Clap Out at 11:15, Early Dismissal at 11:55 am, and Last Day of School

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.

Preschool Registration for the 2025-2026 school year opened on December 2, 2024. For more information please visit gilbertschools.ce.eleyo.com.

Kindergarten registration for the 2025-2026 school year is currently open. For more information please visit gilbertschools.net/enroll.

Gilbert Public Schools is proud to offer various summer camps and summer school opportunities. More information about programs and registration can be found here. Registration is currently open for all programs.

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

When a student runs out of money in their meal account after Monday, May 12th, at the

end of this school year, they may pay cash at the register daily or continue to deposit

money into their meal account. If a student has any amount of money less than the

price of the meal the student will receive the alternate snack lunch at no cost. The

snack lunch consists of a cheese sandwich, fresh fruit, anything they wish from the fruit

and vegetable bar, milk and juice. No charges (negative balances) will be allowed after

Monday, May 12, 2025.

Money remaining in a student’s meal account will roll over to the next school year and

follow them if they transfer schools within the district. If you wish to receive a refund,

please fill out the Refund Request Form on the Gilbert Public Schools website at

www.gilbertschools.net. No funds can be paid directly from the cafeteria manager; a

check will be mailed from the District Office within 3-4 weeks.

Please see this letter for further information.

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.

Please remember students must have their Student ID Badge to ride the bus. All bus riders have had copies of their badges added to their backpacks, we ask that you make sure these stay on your child's backpack. Thank you!

On Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at 2:15 p.m. Mesquite would like to celebrate and honor any graduating seniors who attended Mesquite Elementary with a special clap out and reception. Please use this link to register and we look forward to seeing returning seniors there!

Provided below is current upcoming construction information based on the current schedule. Please remember schedules can be impacted by various factors, to include weather, materials scheduling and availability of resources, coordination with other projects or utilities, and neighborhood or school activities. A project description and exhibits from the public meeting are available on the project webpage.

• Crews for Cox Communications continue their work in 29th Place to relocate their facilities. Following their work, waterline installation can begin, and more information will be provided once that work is scheduled.

• Scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 27, to take advantage of the school's summer break, crews will work to install water pipeline along the north side of Mesquite Street directly adjacent to Mesquite Elementary School.

• Following waterline work near Mesquite Elementary School, crews will conduct removals and begin grading in this area on the north side of Mesquite Street to prepare for concrete curb, gutter, sidewalk and valley gutter. Primary work on the north side of Mesquite Street, near the school, is expected to be complete prior to the school session resuming in July.

• Those impacted by planned water service disruptions will be notified in advance. Residential services should not be disrupted; however, please contact us if you experience issues.

Mesquite Street and 29th Place will remain open for travel with a flagger activity in place, as needed, to shift traffic away from the work zone. Pedestrian traffic may be shifted to the opposite side of the street, away from the work area, in the interest of safety. Access to residences and the school will be maintained.

Please maintain safe speeds and obey traffic and construction signage, as it is placed for your safety and the safety of travelers and construction crews. In addition, please do not disturb workers as they are given specific tasks, working within allowable rights-of-way or easements, which need to be completed to maintain the project schedule.

Thank you for your patience during this work.

Project Information: 480.898.4090 | www.gilbertaz.gov/cip