MTES Newsletter

It seems all too obvious to exaggerate the "bringing in of another year," so we won't do that... but how crazy is it that we are approaching 2024!? Ok, we failed to draw attention to it, but it is hard to believe that we are now half way through this school year. As a staff, we couldn't be more pleased with how the first semester went. We experienced many successes, enjoyed several holiday celebrations, and were able to generate excitement to get started again after a much deserved break. While we are still a few days away from our return, we are very excited to see our students again :) Please have a great New Year celebration with your families, and we will see you again on January 3rd!

• January 3: 1st day back (staff and students)
• January 5: Report Cards sent home
• January 15: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (NO SCHOOL)
• January 16: Digital Detach Day
• January 17: KG and 1st grade Skating Party (Roller Haven) - 6:00-7:30 pm
• January 23 and 25: 3rd grade Concert @ Quali-Tee Design Performing Arts Center - 7:00 pm
• January 31: 2nd and 3rd grade Skating Party (Roller Haven) - 6:00-7:30 pm

• Scholastic Book Fair
• Columbus Symphony Orchestra
• 5th grade Concert/Musical
• FFA Fall Harvest Days
• Science Night
• Start with Hello week
• PTO Fundraiser
• Veterans Day programs
• Much, much more!

Thanks to the work of Nicole Fatica-Mavis, Elementary Curriculum Director, all students in Kindergarten through 5th grade were blessed with the opportunity to attend a concert with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. This wonderful event took place in the Miami Trace Middle School gymnasium on December 12th. This was an extraordinary and interactive experience for our students. Immediately following the last performance of the day, we had the opportunity to speak with some musicians and leaders of the orchestra, and they all had the same thing to say.... "you have wonderful students!" It is true. Our students are so very well behaved, and represent our school community well. Parents and families, you should be proud! We know that we are!

A phrase that the majority of our school community is probably not familiar with is "the Science of Reading." Recently, Ohio has implemented mandates for public schools to implement reading programs that are phonics-based. This has meant that many MT teachers have been involved in professional development that will have spanned 2 full years in length by its completion in May, 2024. Included below is a link to Frequently Asked Questions, as well as a video that explains what the Science of Reading entails for our students, teachers, and families.