Grizzly News You Can Use

Dear Mt. Gap Families,

As the seasons change and the weather cools, I want to take a moment to thank our families for helping keep our students healthy and ready to learn each day. Encouraging good sleep, handwashing, and healthy habits at home makes a big difference at school!

This quarter, we’re also focusing on the importance of showing up and being present. Our Attendance Challenge is in full swing between grades K–2 and 3–5, and the competition is heating up! The class with the most perfect attendance for the second nine weeks will earn a pizza party.

For October’s 18 school days, our current leaders are:

• Mrs. Reyenga’s 2nd Grade Class – 12 days of perfect attendance

• Mrs. Heilman’s 4th Grade Class – 13 days of perfect attendance

Let’s keep it up, Mountain Gap! Consistent attendance builds strong learners, strong habits, and a strong school community. Together, we can make every day count. ❤️🩶

Warm regards,

~Principal Warren

Rooted in Strength. Driven by Excellence.

University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) engineering students visited Mountain Gap to share their excitement for STEM learning!

Grizzlies in grades 1–4 learned about UAH’s upcoming NASA “Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC),” also known as the Moon Buggy Race. The team presented the engineering design process they use to plan, build, and test their rover before challenging students to design their own!

The highlight of the visit was seeing, and even touching, a real Moon Buggy from a past competition. During the global challenge, UAH’s rovers tackle tasks such as cleaning solar panels, climbing boulders, and navigating sand pits to simulate conditions on the Moon and Mars.

UAH’s team has won or placed in the competition for the past three years, and Mountain Gap is cheering them on again this spring!
Learn more about the event and follow their progress on social media @uahmoonbuggy.

https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-human-exploration-rover-challenge/

• Tell me about your design. What did you create?
• The team taught about aerodynamics: how air moves around an object in motion. How did your design use aerodynamics?
• What changes did you make to your design to make it fly even farther?
• What was easy about the challenge? What was hard? How do you think that compares to what the engineer team does when they are making their Moonbuggy?
• What would you like to design next? How could you make your design move?

We are thrilled to celebrate Mrs. Baker, our 2025–2026 Mountain Gap Elementary School Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Baker’s dedication, leadership, and heart for students make her an incredible asset to our school community. Congratulations, Mrs. Baker—this honor is so well deserved!

Monday, November 10th: Complete ACAP Practice Makeup Testing
Tuesday, November 11th: Veterans Day – No School
Wednesday, November 12th: Santa Pictures

It’s a short but busy week, thank you for helping our Grizzlies stay on track and ready to shine.

❤️🐻🩶

• Mon. November 10th:
• PTA General Meeting/Veteran's Day Program-Sponsored by Middle School

• Tues. November 11th:
• Veterans Day: No School

• Wed. November 12th:
• Santa Pictures

• Wed. November 19th:
• Progress Reports Go Home
• Spirit Night at Super Chix (4-9pm)
• Thurs. November 20th:
• Thanksgiving Lunch (Modified Schedule Coming Soon)

• Wed-Fri. November 26-28
• Thanksgiving Break

A huge thank you to our amazing parent volunteers who are rolling up their sleeves to help make our school grounds look their best!

Your efforts are just getting started, and already we can see the difference, our campus is becoming more welcoming, vibrant, and full of pride. From planting and trimming to adding those thoughtful touches, your work is helping MGES shine brighter every day.

I was able to caught a few of our wonderful volunteers in action, check out the photos below!

We are so grateful for your time, care, and commitment to our school community. You’re helping make MGES an even more beautiful place to learn and grow! ❤️🩶

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSUTzXG5uqKjct2dfkXejO2RCz9H8iGNTCFYMQ6rKA-XAKIA/viewform?usp=header

We want your mornings to run smoothly and safely! Please keep the following in mind:

🔒 Safety First

• Drive slowly and stay off your phone in the car line.

• Do not drop students off before 7:30 AM—staff supervision begins at that time.

🧒 Pre-K Drop-Off

• Pre-K parents must park and sign in at the front door entrance (lower office).

⬆️ Keep the Line Moving

• Pull as far forward as possible to allow more cars into the line.

• Staff members (see numbers on map) will be stationed along the sidewalk to assist.

🎒 Be Ready to Go

• Have backpacks, lunchboxes, and jackets within reach.

• Staff will help students with their belongings once they exit the car.

🚫 Stay in Your Car

• Do not exit your vehicle in the drop-off line.

• If you need to walk your child in or visit the office, please park in a designated area.

⏰ Late Arrival

• Arriving after 8:00 AM? Please walk your child to the Welcome Center to sign in.

New Weapon Detection Systems – Beginning October 2024

Starting in October 2024, all elementary schools, including Mountain Gap, was equipped with Weapon Detection Systems as part of HCS’s commitment to campus safety.

"The goal of the new systems is to continue to promote campus safety while maintaining a smooth, efficient entry process for students," said Dr. Clarence Sutton, HCS Superintendent.
"Our team has worked diligently over the past several months to configure and hire staffing for Opengate, and these new systems will be another important factor in our campus security protocols."

What to Expect:

• All students will be required to remove laptops and walk through the detection system during morning entry.

• The process is designed to be quick, seamless, and stress-free.

• This is part of an ongoing safety initiative from the 2024–2025 school year.

• All guest will also be expected to go through this system when visiting.

We appreciate your support as we continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of all students and staff.

After a full day of learning, our goal is to ensure every student gets home safely and efficiently. Please help us by reviewing these important guidelines:

📌 Daily Dismissal Plans

• Make sure your child’s teacher knows how they’ll get home each day.

• Emergency transportation changes must be called in to the Welcome Center—preferably by noon.

🧒 Pre-K Pick-Up

• Pre-K dismisses before the rest of the school.

• Pre-K parents may begin parking after 1:45 PM along the curb or in the parking lot.

• If you’re also picking up a K–5 student, please pull all the way forward while waiting for the 2:30 PM release.

🚦 K–5 Pick-Up Procedures

• Please park along Versailles Drive and wait for a staff member to direct you into the line at 2:30 PM.

• Be courteous to our neighbors—do not block driveways.

🚘 Display Your Car Number

• Your child’s car number should be clearly visible on the rearview mirror or dashboard.

• Numbers will be called from the street, and students will be ready for pickup at the loading area.

🙋‍♀️ Stay in Your Vehicle

• A staff member will assist your child and their belongings into your car.

• If you need to buckle them in, please pull forward to the “Buckle Up” area so the line can keep moving smoothly.

We have three groups of walkers at Mountain Gap Elementary. Please review your child's route and talk with them about safe walking habits before school begins.

🟢 Green Shoe Walkers

• Travel north on Versailles Drive, alongside the playground.

⚫ Black Shoe Walkers

• Travel south on Versailles, beside the gym and across the blacktop.

• May turn left or right onto Mountain Gap Road or cross the road.

• A crossing guard or HPD officer will be stationed at Versailles & Mountain Gap for safety.

🐾 Cub Walkers

• Wait in the cafeteria until 3:00 PM, when they are picked up by older siblings from Mountain Gap Middle.

• They then walk home with their middle school sibling.

✅ Safety Reminders
Please remind your child to:

• Use the correct route

• Walk with a group, when possible

• Follow all crosswalk and adult instructions

• Avoid running or horseplay

Your support helps ensure a safe journey home for all of our walkers!

Students in 3rd–5th grade are welcome to ride bikes or scooters to and from school.

Safety First!

• Please remind your child to wear a helmet, use designated crosswalks, and follow all safety rules.

• Riders should walk their bikes or scooters while on campus.

At dismissal, bike and scooter riders will line up and exit with our Black Shoe Walkers.

Bus route information for the 2025-26 school year will become visible in the PowerSchool Parent Portal beginning on July 21, 2025.

This year, all students at Mountain Gap Elementary and Middle will receive free breakfast and lunch each day!

🥪 A la carte items such as chips, Rice Krispies treats, ice cream, and more may be available for purchase.

No forms or applications are needed—just bring an appetite!

Stay informed and involved in your child’s academic progress all year long!

📊 Grades are available through PowerSchool.
Parents and students can log in to view:

• Current grades

• Attendance records

• Report cards

• Teacher comments

Be a part of the Mountain Gap community by joining our Parent Teacher Association (PTA)!

When you join the PTA, you’re supporting:

• Student events & enrichment activities

• Teacher appreciation & classroom support

• Campus improvements & school spirit

Whether you have a little time or a lot, your involvement matters—and makes a big impact!

Stay connected, get involved, and help make Mountain Gap the best it can be!

📍 Welcome Center: 256.428.7720
📘 Facebook: Mountain Gap Schools

📧 Email Contacts:

• Principal: Ms. Warren – angelear.warren@hsv-k12.org

• Assistant Principal: Ms. Elliard – kendra.elliard@hsv-k12.org

• Registrar/Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Lucente – lisa.lucente@hsv-k12.org

• Counselor: Mrs. Baker – anna.christian@hsv-k12.org

• Library/Media Specialist: Mrs. Turner – melissaann.turner@hsv-k12.org

• Clerical/Attendance: Mrs. Steves – kara.steves@hsv-k12.org

• Cafeteria Manager: Mrs. Beshears – wynona.beshears@hsv-k12.org

• School Nurse (Nurse Casey): grace.casey@hsv-k12.org