The Moose Paper

Dear Montwood Middle School Families,

I would like to first start by welcoming you back to Moose Country for what will be another amazing year! If you are new and just starting with us, we are so very happy to have you apart of our school community. Our Montwood Middle School community is STRONGER THAN EVER in their support to help ALL students succeed at high levels. We have truly bounced back since COVID-19 and shining in all areas such as academics, student behavior, attendance, parental involvement, as well as safety and school culture.

Teamwork makes the Dreamwork and has a team we have earned:

- National recognition as a Texas School to Watch

- 99% Algebra HS credit Passing rate with 30% points higher than state.

- 100 % passing rate in AP Spanish

- Military Connected- Purple STAR Campus Designation

- Highest Math scores in Socorro ISD and in region 19 for middle schools

- Double digit gains in growth in areas related to all core and special populations.

- Recognized American School Counseling Program School -Gold Star Status

- Division I Ratings in UIL for Band, Orchestra, Choir, and Piano

- Recognized Student Council- Sweepstakes in Outstanding student council and community service.

- City and state recognitions in Robotics and TSA competitions.

All of these accomplishments began as dreams and goals from our students and faculty and together they were able to achieve them. This was the inspiration for this upcoming 2024-2025 school theme "DREAM OUT LOUD! Together we Dream-Together we Believe-Together we Excel! We are ready to dream big out loud this year and take our students and school to places they never thought possible. Thank you for your belief, support, and trust in our faculty, staff, and administration. Family support really does mean the world to us and we appreciate all that you do as a parent to support their learning.

We hope this back to school kick off newsletter will support you in your preparation of our 1st day of school. This newsletter includes:

- Bell Schedule

- School Supplies List

- Uniform Information

- Orientation

- Registration/Student Schedules

- Attendance Information

- Student/Parent Handbooks

- 1st Day of School Procedures

- Updated 24-25 School Calendar

- Sports Information

This will be the first of many newsletters that you will receive (on average 3-4 per month) with one from myself with special school updates in academics and attendance, one from my CIS coordinator and parent liaison with a variety student and parent resources, and one from our counselors with information on social emotional learning, awards, recognitions, and other parent resources. We aim to provide a variety of information throughout the month so our newsletters are not as repetitive with the same info. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read them as it will help to solidify the communication between school and home. If you ever struggle in finding them in your inbox, please reach out to us so we can check your settings. Your child will also receive a copy of the information as well.

Once again, welcome back and do not hesitate to reach out to me directly or anyone on my team who works through the summer in case you have any questions or concerns.

Melissa Saenz, Principal - mmarti4757@sisd.net -915-937-5802

Noe Cantu, Assistant Principal - ncantu03@sisd.net 915-937-5803

Lorena Sandoval, Assistant Principal - lsando04@sisd.net - 915-937-5807

Joanne Valles, Secretary - jvalle07@sisd.net -915-937-5805

Dawn Sisneros- Herrera- Scheduling Clerk/Registration- dsisne@sisd.net - 915-937-5809

Sarah Ramirez- Attendance Clerk/Registration- ssuare03@sisd.net - 915-937-5808

Don't forget to follow us on X (Twitter) @Montwood_MS for updates and pictures from our campus. Have a wonderful rest of your summer and we will see you soon!

Respectfully,

Dr. Melissa Saenz

Principal

Montwood MS

Follow us on X @Montwood_MS

Safety begins day 1- all students will enter through side basketball entrance. NO ADULTS will be allowed to enter with their child. 3 different opportunities to walk the halls with your child is provided during our orientation time. You may walk classroom to classroom with your child on these dates.

Please take your first day of school photos prior to drop off. Parking is limited and instruction begins promptly at 7:45am. All students should be in classroom for Principal announcements by 7:45 am.

Exceptions on first day are only are for unit students who may need physical support/accomodate to special needs classroom.

Identification (IDs) are required daily and are considered apart of being in dress code compliance and required to participate in many of the school events that take place on campus.

IDs, Lanyards, and ID protectors combined = Dress Code compliant

IDs are $5.00

Lanyards are $2.00

Plastic ID Protectors are $1.00

IDs, Lanyards, and ID protectors can be purchased at our orientation nights with cash/check or with credit card online webstore starting July 30th.

T-Shirts sell for $18.00

TYE-DYE by special order for $20.00

Limited amount will be available for purchase starting at orientation (CASH/CHECK ONLY).

*orders will also be taken if size is not longer available*

SKIP THE LINE: Online store purchases available on July 30th (CREDIT CARD PURCHASES).

We Dream of an Attendance Rate of 97%

We Believe with your help we can make it reality.

We can Excel together by:

Parents:

• Aim to have your child on campus by 7:30am. Give yourself a 15 minute buffer time so your child can be in class by 7:45am. If your child's walks, use google maps to calculate what time they should be leaving the house by. Please help make sure they leave walking to school on time.
• Turn in any medical/dental notes to front office or attendancemontwoodms@sisd.net by the next day.
• Monitor your child's attendance using Skyward Parent Portal. Make contact with your child's teacher or front office if you feel something doesn't look right.
• ANY time your child is out sick email attendancemontwoodms@sisd.net so we can excuse your child's absence. This will help prevent your child from being counted at Truant and receiving disciplinary action and/or court warnings from campus attendance administrator.

Knowledge is Power! Here is more information about attendance.

• Algebra, Spanish, Entrepreneurship, and any Synergi Class is a High School credit class. Your attendance can already be affecting credit on your High School Transcripts..
• Some classes are credit by semester (health, PE, Entrepreneurship, Synergi, Spanish, Algebra) You will loose credit faster by semester. Monitor through Skyward to avoid loss of credit.
• At 4 UNEXCUSED absences per policy you will already receive a COURT WARNING. Be sure turn in your doctors and parents notes to our attendance office or email our
• Every Class, Every Day Counts. Attendance is not counted one time a day. Attendance is counted 9 times a day- once for each class. Very different than elementary.
• If you are a transfer student and you excessive absences your transfer can be revoke and you could sent back to your home school due to attendance.
• Teachers can write referrals for excessive tardies and/or excessive absences (truancy) and you can be placed in In-School Suspension (SAC). If you are in athletics or clubs, these referrals can make you ineligible to participate. Be sure to review your sports/club/organization handbook on how attendance or referrals can affect you.
• Following dress code can make a difference in your attendance. If you are ready to enter the building with proper dress code, ID, lanyard, and ID protector you will not need to get stopped and re-routed to get checked in for the day. Being in line will NOT prevent a tardy or possible referrals.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions! You can see you attendance on skyward and if you see something questionable ask your teacher, counselor, or administration for help in researching it

LAPTOP PICK UP AND RE-DISTRIBUTION PLAN

**ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE FEES FROM LAST YEAR PAID FOR PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. HARD COPY STUDENT SCHEDULES WILL ONLY BE DISTRIBUTED AT ORIENTATION IF ALL FEES (BOOKS, CAFETERIA, TECHNOLOGY, ETC) ARE CLEARED.

***CASH OR CHECK PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE IN FRONT OFFICE MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-3:00PM STARTING WEEK OF JULY 15TH.

Our school conducted our end of year diagnostic check and pick up of all student laptops. Laptops are being checked to see if the following needs repair:

• Screen
• Keyboard
• Hinges
• Case
• Charger
• Other damages/Breaks

**If your child's device doesn't appear to have any physical damage but your child has been experiencing:

• pixilation screen issues
• tracking pad/mousepad issues
• short battery life
• only works when charger is plugged in

it was marked on the form to by our teachers and our technicians.

Laptops identified as in need of service were notated and repairs are currently being worked on. If your child has lost laptop or charger it also be notated on these days through our check as well.

IMPORTANT PARENT ACTION REQUIRED: Parents will see specifically what was found as broken or lost through the My School Bucks District APP (see download instructions below). If fees apply they will be notated automatically on my school bucks app. Instructions on how to create an account is below in case you do not already have one. Our district laptop initiative states that fees must be collected prior to returning repaired device.

Our goal was to fix the devices over the summer. Returning students will receive their laptop back when they return for the new school. Our technology distribution plan will take place the first 2 weeks of the school year.

**ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE FEES FROM LAST YEAR PAID FOR PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR. HARD COPY STUDENT SCHEDULES WILL ONLY BE DISTRIBUTED AT ORIENTATION IF ALL FEES (BOOKS, CAFETERIA, TECHNOLOGY, ETC) ARE CLEARED.

***CASH OR CHECK PAYMENTS CAN BE MADE IN FRONT OFFICE MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-3:00PM STARTING WEEK OF JULY 15TH.

Please keep in mind that difference types of damages or multiple damages take different lengths of time to fix. Depending on make, model, and type of damage your child's laptop may have required shipment of parts to be received and/or full shipment of laptop.

We appreciate your patience and support through this process.

Student schedules will be given at orientation to support students learning where their classes.

In order to receive schedule, please make sure that all required and correct documentation for registration have been uploaded and technology fees are paid (see technology section in newsletter).

Our registrar has been verifying all uploaded paperwork and some registration has been denied. Please log into your Skyward Parent Portal to verify your child's attendance has been accepted. Please supply the correct required documents prior to orientation so that you will not be re-routed to our front office staff. Our offices ares open in the summer M-F 8:00am-3:00pm for in person support. You can also call our front office at 915-937-5808.

Schedule change request forms will not open until orientation week via special newsletter update with electronic link to submit request with reason for change. Please keep in mind that a request doesn't guarantee a schedule change. Some classes may be full and/or conflict with other electives or specialized courses.

Breakfast and Lunch is free of charge at Montwood Middle School.

Students should not be bringing large bags of snacks/chips in their backpack for lunch. We do request that all student obtain a lunch from our cafeteria if no home made lunch was brought by student.

OUTSIDE FOOD DELIVERIES OR DROP OFFS are NOT ALLOWED. Any fast food dropped off in front office to be delivered at lunchtime will not be accepted. Student has the opportunity to eat free via our cafeteria.

If you child has any food allergies please reach out to our Nurse to communicate this in our records.