MES Weekly Update

Hello Media Elementary Families!

We are excited to share that this year’s Halloween Parade and classroom activities will be held on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30th. Please read below for details:

• HALLOWEEN PARADE AROUND MEDIA ELEMENTARY

  Families are invited to the lawn around Media Elementary to watch our PM Kindergarten - 5th grade students parade on the sidewalks around the building. After the parade MES students will go back into the building with the classroom volunteers for the classroom parties. Please note that only the classroom volunteers are permitted into the building for the classroom parties.
  
  

  Schedule - Friday, October 30th

  10:00-10:30 - AM Kindergarten will parade around to classrooms within MES

  2:15-2:45 - PM Kindergarten - Fifth Grade Parade around Media Elementary

  2:45- 3:15 - PM Kindergarten - Fifth Grade - Classroom Parties

  
  STUDENTS: Students may choose to bring a costume for the parade but it is not required.

  • Grades K - 5: IF your child wishes to wear a costume, please adhere to the following:

  • Children bring his/her costume to school in a bag.

  • Children’s costumes must be of a nonviolent nature that is appropriate for a school setting.

  • Students are not permitted to carry any item that could be characterized as a prop weapon (grim reaper’s staff, devil’s pitchfork, nerf gun etc.)

  • Students should be able to put their costumes on independently in their classroom, as we will be having limited volunteers per classroom in the building to assist students.

  Caution your child about the safety factors involved in getting on or off a bus or walking home while carrying their costume. Children are not permitted to go home at lunch to get dressed.

  
  

  For those who do not celebrate Halloween or students who may need a quiet space instead of a parade, there will be alternative activities and spaces during the parade and classroom parties. If you would prefer that your child not participate, please email your child’s teacher.

  
  

  In the event of inclement weather, we will have activities indoors for the students.

  Thank you for your support in making this a fun and safe event for our school community!

If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Stoddard at lstoddard@rtmsd.org or 610-627-6800.

Mustang Pride!

Mrs. Stoddard

October 20: PTG Goodies, Grown-Up & Kids in the MES Cafeteria 8:00-8:40 AM

• All families with the last name beginning A-I are welcome to join us for light refreshments.

October 21: Picture Make-Up Day 9:00-11:00 AM

October 22: Wear PINK to support October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October 27:

• October Birthday Lunches with Mrs. Stoddard
• Superintendent's Advisory Board at the Ed Center 7:00-9:00 PM

October 26-30: Red Ribbon Week - Theme: "Make a Difference. Be a Hero!"

October 30:

• Halloween Parade & Classroom Festivities
• MES PTG Trunk or Treat (see flyer below)

November 2: Early Dismissal for Teacher In-Service

• AM Kindergarten - regular dismissal
• Grades 1-5 - 12:20pm dismissal
• PM Kindergarten - No School

November 3: No School for Students

November 10: PTG Meeting via Zoom

November 11: Media Veterans Day Parade

UPDATE! We have 35 cars signed up! YAY! We are ONLY 5 Cars away from our goal and we are looking for at least 5 more fun familieis to join us with a trunk decorated for all the fun! Your family will get free entry to the event. Please sign up here Trunk or Treat Sign Up!

THANK YOU for all the generous candy donations! You are making this easier for the families doing the work on the trunks!! We are still collecting candy with our monster box in the office! Please support this event by sending a bag of candy to be distributed by the trunks during the event. If it is easier you may use this Amazon Wish List for easy shopping!

Dear Parent/Guardian:

On Friday, October 16, 2026, we conducted surveys of all students in third through twelfth grade in order to gain a better understanding as to the students' thoughts and feelings about their school. There were two surveys that seek to find information focusing on Academic Challenge and School Culture. For each student there was one survey that was specific to their level (Elementary/Middle/High) and a second survey that was applicable to all students. While we collect basic demographic information from students as part of the survey, we will not be able to link survey results to individual students. To reiterate, survey respondents will remain completely anonymous. Students took the surveys in school. This information is for our internal use as we develop our district's strategic plan and work on continuous improvement in both academics and school culture.

We are committed to maintaining and enhancing an affirming and supportive learning environment for all members of the Rose Tree Media School District. The information collected from the students will be helpful in this endeavor.

Elementary School

Middle School

High School

All-Student Survey

As parents/guardians you are an integral part of the Rose Tree Media School District community. Your feedback will help us improve the school experience for students and families. If you have children in more than one building please complete a separate survey for each school. The link below is to a preview version of the survey. The links to the live survey will be sent out by each of the school principals.

Thank you for your continued support.

Media Elementary yearbooks are on sale now! Get your early bird sale price through October.

Yearbook prices increase after October 31.

ORDER HERE

Does anything on this table look familiar? Mrs. Stoddard's goal this year is to keep our Lost & Found table to ONE table. You can help by labeling your child's items - sweatshirts, sweaters, t-shirts, hats, water bottles, lunch boxes.

PRESIDENT: Nader Ali-Hassan

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT: Megan Moore

SECRETARY: Kortney Hyslop

TREASURER: Josh Young

Our Parent Teacher Group (PTG) is an integral part of our school made up of parent volunteers who support our students, staff and families. We meet each month to discuss upcoming events, fundraisers, and school happenings. All families are invited to attend to learn more about volunteer opportunities, better understand how the PTG supports MES and have open discussions.

KINDERGARTEN: Allison Porter

GRADE 1: Brittany Leight

GRADE 2: Ivan Carter

GRADE 3: Jen Reinert (also SAB rep)

GRADE 4: Emily Link

GRADE 5: Lydia Jeffress (also SAB rep)

TEACHER REPRESENTATIVES: Mrs. Connell & Mrs. Amoroso

Our P.A.B. is made up of seven parent volunteers and two teachers who meet four times a year with Mrs. Stoddard to discuss topics brought up by parents on how to support and improve Media Elementary. Prior to each meeting, a parent input survey will be shared in the MES Weekly Update for parents add agenda items for discussion.

We, the PTG, are looking for volunteers to chair, co-chair or volunteer for events at Media Elementary. This is a great way to get more involved with events and activities happening at MES! These events happen all year long which require different levels of commitments. We need your help in order to make this year a success. Take a look at this form to volunteer for one or more opportunities to become involved with your child's school!

MES 2026-2027 PTG VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS & VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES

Impetigo is a common, contagious bacterial skin infection that is most frequently seen in younger children but can affect school-aged students as well.

Impetigo typically appears as honey-colored crusts or scabs on the skin. It may also begin as small blisters that break open, leaving moist, red sores that eventually form a crust. It commonly develops around the nose and mouth but can occur anywhere on the body.

What Parents Should Know:

• Impetigo spreads easily through direct skin-to-skin contact or by sharing personal items such as towels and clothing.

• Treatment typically involves prescription antibiotics, either as a topical ointment, oral medication, or both.

• Encourage frequent handwashing and avoid touching or scratching affected areas.

• Keep affected areas clean and covered whenever possible.

If you suspect your child may have impetigo, please contact your pediatrician for evaluation and treatment. Early treatment helps prevent the infection from spreading to others.

For additional information, please refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Health Impetigo Fact Sheet.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Porter, BSN, RN, CSN

610-627-6805

lporter@rtmsd.org

School Meals Information – 2026–2027

• Breakfast: Free for all elementary students (begins Monday, August 31, 2026)

• Lunch: $3.55 per meal

• Free/Reduced Meals: Families may apply online through the district website. Students receiving Direct Certification do not need to apply.

• Menus: Available on the district homepage under the Meals tab

• Meal Accounts: Funds can be added through MySchoolBucks.com, or by sending cash/checks to school (change is added back to the student’s account).

For complete details, please see the attached letter from Food Service Supervisor Jenni Lee.

In order to volunteer at any school events, all volunteers at MES must have clearances on file with the district. All clearances must be updated every 5 years. Once you receive all three clearances, copies can be dropped off at the main office.

• PA Criminal Background Clearance
• PDE FBI Clearance
• Child Abuse Clearance

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Boyer at 610-627-6802 or email dboyer@rtmsd.org.

GUEST AND VOLUNTEER CLEARANCE INFORMATION

Leading Edge provides before and after school care for the students of the Rose Tree Media school District. Media Elementary's Leading Edge program is located in our cafeteria.

More information can be found on this Leading Edge Kids page.

What is PBIS?

• PBIS is our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports system to promote our school wide expectations.
• We use direct instruction to explicitly teach students the expectations in all areas of the school.
• Happy Horseshoes are given to students who exhibit our 3 R's (Ready, Respectful and Responsible). AND this year we are practicing a 4th R - RESILIENT!
• Golden Horseshoes are given for our monthly focus areas. This month we are focusing on the BUS
• Each grade works toward a goal of earning a specific number of Happy Horseshoes which leads to our school earning a whole school reward. Grade levels vote on their grade reward when they reach their goal. The whole school votes on a school wide reward when we reach our school goal.
• Media Elementary PBIS Matrix - review this document to learn more about our school expectations.

Grades 1-5

Student Arrival: 8:40 - 8:50 AM (**Any student arriving after 8:50 must enter through Front Street doors and will be considered tardy.)

Student Dismissal: 3:30 PM

AM Kindergarten

Student Arrival: 8:40 - 8:50 AM (**Any student arriving after 8:50 must enter through Front Street doors and will be considered tardy.)

Student Dismissal: 11:25 AM

PM Kindergarten

Student arrival: 12:55 PM

Student Dismissal: 3:30 PM

Media Elementary School

Principal: Mrs. Lisa Stoddard

Email: lstoddard@rtmsd.org

Website: Media Elementary School

Address: 120 E. Front Street Media, PA 19063

Phone: 610-627-6800