MESSMORE MESSENGER COMMUNICATION

Issue #14: November 13, 2026
Our mission in Utica Community Schools ignites a passion for learning in all students. We strengthen our community by welcoming all learners, honoring culture, and inspiring remarkable growth and achievement.
SCHOOL HOURS: 8:30-3:20 DAILY
HALF-DAY HOURS: 8:30-11:34
BREAKFAST OPENS @ 8:10-8:25
email: mailto:officemessmore@uticak12.org
website: https://messmore.uticak12.org
Location: 8742 Dill Drive, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
Phone: 586-797-5600
Attendance Line: 586-797-5699 (24 hours)
IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES: FYI
NOVEMBER:
18: PICTURE RETAKE DAY
23-24: Kiwanis Club Canned Food Drive-Student Council Sponsored.
25-27: NO SCHOOL THANKSGIVING BREAK
30-DECEMBER 4th: MMA Sponsored SANTARIFFIC Shop!
DECEMBER:
Nov. 30-Dec. 4th: MMA SANTARIFFIC SHOP
7-18: MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELORS VISITING MESSMORE
Dec. 21-Jan. 3: NO SCHOOL-WINTER BREAK
JANUARY:
4: SCHOOL RESUMES
MAVERICK MESSENGER UPDATE
Messmore Families-
Since this Friday, November 13th, is World Kindness day, I would like to send a personal thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education, daily! We had a wonderful, full week together, filled with Montessori learning, exploration, and activities. We are so grateful to share these special experiences with your children each day.
Messmore is extremely excited to have a SPACE Spirit Day on Tuesday, November 17th in honor of NASA's, "Shine Bright for Voyager Light-Day!" Wear a space shirt to school and get your flashlights ready in the evening if you'd like to participate, see below for more information!
A quick reminder that Picture Retake day will take place on November 18th. Please see the forms below for additional information.
Wishing all of our families a relaxing and enjoyable weekend! Thank you for being such an important part of our Montessori community-feeling truly grateful for all of you!!!
Warmly,
Principal Ciacchella
REMINDERS:
11/16: Students that were writing a story for Kaleidoscope, entries due!!
11/17: Space Spirit Day for NASA Shine Bright for Voyager's Light Day!!
11/18: Picture Retake Day
November 17 SHINE BRIGHT FOR VOYAGER 1
REMINDER!! Picture Retakes November 18th
UCS Community Survey
UCS is surveying staff and community on the district’s long-range facility improvement program. The survey is available at https://www.uticak12.org/communitysurvey.
Food Assistance Resources
There has been an increased request for food assistance resources recently. The following are resources that can be shared with families regarding food assistance in Macomb County:
- Macomb County Food Resources by Community 9.26.25.pdf
- Macomb Community Food Resources
- https://pantrynet.org/mobile-distribution-events/Gleaners Mobile Pantry Drive Up Distribution Events
- https://www.forgottenharvest.org/find-food/ Forgotten Harvest Mobile Pantry locations
- https://mi211.org/food-assistance Michigan 211 Food Assistance Programs and location
MMA-SANTARIFFIC SHOP COMING SOON!
COMING SOON!-Kiwanis Club Food Drive
COMING SOON! Thanksgiving Break Reminder
Peace-Self-Awareness
This week, our Mavericks will be focusing on Peaceful expectations and have shifted into the Grace and Courtesy for this November. We will focus on Cultural Awareness.
UCS BOND UPDATE
MMA Fundraisers Information
***OLD BUSINESS ITEMS***
School Safety Update 2026-2027
Safety remains a priority for our school. Elementary is once again providing training to our students on our safety protocols. The protocols identify actions that students may be asked to take in the event of a potential incident: hold, secure, lockdown, evacuate and shelter.
The training is provided through a short, animated video. In the video, the teacher – Mrs. Appleton – and her students walk through the different responses in a very relaxed and engaging way for younger children. The script was written by our staff.
The protocols will continue to be part of the training while practicing our regular school safety drills, such as fire drills, security drills, tornado drills, evacuation procedures, etc.
The video is available for you to review at this link: UCS School Safety: Standard Response Protocol - Elementary - YouTube If you have any questions, please contact our office.
RAPTOR VOLUNTEER INFO.
Districtwide Initiative-NEW RAPTOR BACKGROUND CHECK!
We are asking for your support to help keep our students safe.
- All visitors to the classroom areas of our school are now being asked to swipe their driver’s license or government issued ID before entering the main part of our building. This swipe will quickly provide an updated check against national sex offender registries. This process is for anyone who is going past our school office for any reason.
- If you are planning to volunteer in our classrooms or work directly with a student, you will need to have a volunteer background form on file. The form is located at this link. The background check involves multiple state and federal law enforcement data bases.
· apps.raptortech.com/Apply/OTQ4Mjplbi1VUw==
We greatly appreciate the involvement of our families and the difference you make at Messmore Elementary. Thank you for your partnership with this extra step that will improve safety in our school.
HEALTH INFORMATION
Reminder! Follow Us on Social Media
MESSMORE VACATION PLANNER-FYI
UCS DISTRICT 2026-2027 CALENDAR
EDUCATIONAL BENEFIT FORM 26-27
From UCS:
"Meals for the 2026-27 School Year are Free for All UCS Students!
All UCS families are asked to complete the Education Benefits form Here - enter "Utica Community Schools" and follow the prompts. These forms help maintain our Title 1 funding as well as other essential funding for our schools. It can also help reduce fees for pay-to-play sports, lower internet costs, reduced AP/college application fees and more!
Most online forms are processed within two (2) working days compared to 10 using paper applications. Paper copies of these forms are distributed to all student households or are available at your child’s school.
Complete the forms and return them to your child’s school or mail them to: Utica Community Schools, Food & Nutrition Services, 11303 Greendale, Sterling Heights, MI 48312."
MEAL MAGIC ACCOUNT:
Families that wish to put money in their students’ Meal Magic account(s) via credit card will need to create a Family Portal account. Please go to https://utica.familyportal.cloud to create the account. This is also where parents can fill out the Educational Benefit Forms (EBF). Menus can still be found online at https://uticak12.nutrislice.com .
MMA UPDATES
PREVIOUS MESSMORE MESSENGER NEWSLETTERS
- August 14, 2026 Messmore Messenger
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Messmore Elementary
Principal of Messmore Elementary School
Email: messmorequestions@uticak12.org
Website: https://www.uticak12.org/Messmore
Location: 8742 Dill Drive, Sterling Heights, MI, 48312 USA
Phone: (586)797-5600
Facebook: facebook.com/Messmore



