Mesquite Elementary

Dear Mesquite Elementary Families,

This week I would like to highlight and say thank you to Ms. Karina, our social worker, and Mr. Iosefa, our ESAP Counselor. Ms. Karina and Mr. Iosefa support in untold ways on campus, both seen and unseen. They continually go above and beyond with the work they do each day and support they provide for students, staff, and families. Please know how much we appreciate you!

Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year is currently open! We will host two kindergarten open house events on Tuesday, March 4th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Thursday, May 1st from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. prior to Evening of the Arts which will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

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 information about upcoming Level Up days or campus information, please visit GilbertSchools.net/LevelUp.

Sincerely,

Wendy Norburg

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!

Battle of the Books is a competitive reading club for 5th and 6th graders. Students read 12 books throughout the school year and compete in groups of three in a battle about details of the stories. After three battles, the winning team moves on to the district battle where they will compete against other Gilbert schools. Proud of our students who commit to Battle of the Books! Thank you Mrs. Sturdevant for leading this so well!

All are welcome to join us for Mesquite's free Swap and Shop on Thursday, January 23rd from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Do you feel like your kids are outgrowing their clothes before you even get the tags off? We understand the struggle and want to give you a chance to swap clothes and “shop” for ones that truly fit without having to go buy all new clothes. There is no money exchanged and it is free to participate. For more information please see this flyer.

Thank you to all who joined us at our PTSO Meeting on Thursday, January 9, 2024! The next PTSO meeting will be on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 3:15 p.m. in the Library and we would love to have you join us!

PTSO is currently seeking volunteers to help at the Winter Dance! Please use this link to sign up for at time to help support PTSO and all the amazing work they do on our campus!

We hope to see you a the Winter Dance on Friday, January 24th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Please note that all students must be accompanied by an adult.

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!

• 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.

• January 20 - Martin Luther King Jr Day No School
• January 21 - Sixth Grade Level Up Days at Greenfield Junior High School and South Valley Junior High School, For more details please visit GilbertSchools.net/LevelUp
• January 22 - GPS Job Fair at Highland High School 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
• January 24 - Winter Dance at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• January 29 - Sixth Grade Band Student Festival at South Valley Junior High School Rehearsal at 5:00 pm and Concert at 6:30 pm
• January 31 - Fourth Grade Field Trip to Sonar Desert Museum and Reid Park Zoo

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.

Please join us to learn more about kindergarten at Mesquite Elementary on Tuesday, March 4th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, May 1st from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

6th grade parents and students, you are invited to join South Valley Junior High on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm for their upcoming Open House/Parent Night. This is a come and go event, giving you an opportunity to meet Administration, Teachers, and Coaches, and see what South Valley has to offer.

You will really get a feel as to what “A Rated” South Valley Junior High School is all about.

Please note, parking can be a challenge!! Please walk, ride bikes or rideshare if possible.

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.

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!

By becoming a Friendship Club member at Mesquite Elementary, students learn to build awareness and create opportunities in which friendships can grow in a safe and accepting environment. At each club meeting, students will engage with peers before school for 30 minutes for structured fun and peer interaction. There are no costs to join this club.

Thursdays 7:30 am - 8:00am

Quarter 3 - Kindergarten-3rd grade

Quarter 4- 4th-6th grade

Email Ms. Kelli at kelli.stark@gilbertschools.net to sign up!

Mesquite Elementary Theater Club is proud to present Frozen Jr. on Friday, February 21st at 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, February 22nd at 2:00 p.m. Pre-Sale tickets are available through Thursday, February 13th!

• January 21 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• January 22 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• January 27 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• January 28 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• January 29 - Theater Rehearsal from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
• February 3 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• February 4 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• February 5 - Theater Rehearsal from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
• February 10 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
• February 11 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
• February 12 - Theater Rehearsal from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
• February 18 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• February 19 - Theater Rehearsal from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
• February 20 - Theater Rehearsal from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
• February 21 - Performance from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
• February 22 - Performance from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Thank you to those who signed up for Movers Club! Mrs. Pardy sent an email to all families registered! Mesquite. Practices will be on Tuesdays from 3:00-3:30PM. Run Club meets will be in November, December, January and February at a junior high or high school.

• January 21 - Movers Club at 3:00 pm
• January 28 - Movers Club at 3:00 pm
• February 4 - Movers Club at 3:00 pm
• February 5 - Movers Race at 4:30 pm at South Valley Junior High (Always optional)
• February 11 - Mesquite Race at 3:00 pm

Are you a girl in 3rd-8th grade interested in flag football? Join us for NFL Girls Flag Football at Mesquite High School on Thursday evenings!

• Team building and development of fundamentals
• Fine-tune your skills in a fun and supportive environment
• 7 games and a tournament to showcase your talent

Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to be part of the action!

Visit https://www.gilbertyouthathletics.org/

For more information contact Dan (dan.haasch@gilbertschools.net)

GPS will be hosting a job fair on Wednesday, January 22, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. We invite you to join us If you are interested in learning more about possible job opportunities with GPS.

The Town of Gilbert will be hosting a public information meeting on Wednesday, January 29th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Gilbert Town Hall, 50 E. Civic Center Drive, Room 300, Gilbert, Arizona. The week of January 27, 2025 Nesbitt Contracting will be setting up fencing on the southeast corner of our primary playground to utilize as storage throughout the project. This area will be fenced off and access to this area will be off of Mesquite Street. Further information about this project can be obtained by calling Town of Gilbert at 480-898-4090 and/or at www.gilbertaz.gov/cip.