Mustang Message

Kindergarten: 1:30-2:30 PM

• Kindergarten will begin in the Cafeteria at 1:30 PM, and then visit classrooms.
• Kindergarteners are invited to meet Mr. Lynch on the playground for a popsicle after they visit their classrooms (weather permitting).

Grades 1-5: 3:00-4:00 PM

• Grades 1-5 may go directly to classes beginning at 3:00. It is not necessary to arrive right at 3:00 PM. Consider spacing out the timing of your visits.

Remember to visit your homeroom teacher and your specials area teachers (music, art, P.E., and media).

Homeroom Assignments are live in the Home Access Center @ 5:00 PM Friday, August 16th.

To avoid heavy backpacks on the first day of school, students and parents are encouraged to bring supplies and computers to school on Open House. They may be left in your homerooms.

• Windows 11 Update Starting Over Summer - Student devices will begin receiving the Windows 11 update over the summer to meet Microsoft’s October 14, 2025, deadline for Windows 10 end-of-support. This will mimic the procedure used for staff devices. The update will be available once devices connect to the internet and can be postponed briefly if needed. Updating now helps avoid disruptions during the school year and keeps your device and our network secure.

• Student Resource Accountability: Students are responsible for the care and upkeep of all of their SMCPS-assigned resources, both print and technology. This newsletter and this document outline all of the policies and procedures in addition to pricing for lost or damaged devices.

August 2025

August 13 - Teachers report to schools

August 14-15 - Professional Day - Staff Development

August 15 - HAC & Clever opens for families with homeroom assignments @ 5 pm

August 18 - Open House

• Kindergarten: 1:30 - 2:30 pm

• Grades 1-5: 3:00 - 4:00 pm

August 19 - Professional Day - Collaborative Planning/Professional Responsibilities

August 20 - Schools Open for Students

• MES Student Day 9 am - 3:40 pm

Looking Ahead to September

September 1 - Holiday - Labor Day - All Schools and Offices Closed

September 15-18 - Attendance Spirit Week

September 17 - Picture Day

September 18 - 2-Hour Early Dismissal - Professional Responsibilities

September 19 - No School for Students - Professional Day - Staff Development/Collaborative Planning

Calendar

MES Public Calendar (Use the links at the bottom to integrate the calendar to your mobile device)

Downloadable SY 25-26 SMCPS School Year 2025-2026 Calendar

Timely attendance is directly connected to student success. All families are encouraged to set a goal of 90% or better attendance. Research shows a strong connection to 90+% attendance and increased school success. If there are health or other concerns impacting school attendance parents should reach out to Nurse Dana Gregory (drgregory@smcps.org) or Counselor Stephanie Hall (shall@smcps.org).

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Students begin their day at 9 AM.

Students begin dismissing at 3:40 PM.

MES is excited to host a Farm to School Event. Follow the link for and view the videos for details. This is a great opportunity to get involved at MES, as Farm to School Volunteers are needed!

Menus for School Meals are visible through Nutrislice.

If you want to view your child's meal purchases and add funds, use the My School Bucks link.

Free & Reduced Meal Benefit Applications Now Open

Online applications re encouraged as they are processed more quickly. The meal benefit application for SY 25/26 is now live. Link: Free and Reduced Meals.

• Expect minor bus delays on the first few days of school as there are often kinks to work out.
• It is recommended to arrive at your AM bus stop about 10 minutes early on the first day. Once the routes and times are consistent, 5 minutes early is sufficient.
• Remember that Kindergarten students must be met at the bus door in the PM, or they will be returned to school.
• Students should always be at the stop safely before the bus arrives. It is not safe to run to the bus stop as a bus is pulling up or after it arrives.

Use the Bus Stop and School Locator to verify your child's assigned bus stop location, bus number and expected arrival times.

Be prepared to share with teachers how your child goes home from school at Open House.

Bus Expectations:

It’s important to discuss bus expectations with your child regularly. Students are expected to stay seated in their assigned bus seats, use a normal talking voice, listen to the driver's directions at all times, and follow all relevant school rules. Parents can help by discussing bus expectations with children and showing them the bus safety video on the SMCPS Transportation Website.

• The car riders registration is online.
• Car riders enter the school near the gym.
• Drivers will enter the carpool lane using the Old Village Entrance.
• Drivers will exit onto Route 5 to avoid driving past the car rider line while students are exiting vehicles.
• Car rider applications are not for occasional pickups, but regular PM pickups.
• AM drop-offs do not require a car rider registration if students will ride the bus home.

President- Dawn Roach

Vice President- Nicole MacLean

Secretary- Katlyn Calvano

Treasurer- Maria Mosher

Member At Large- Nicole Rumaker