Mustang Message

Positive Phone Calls & Student Recognition

This week, I was delighted to make 17 positive phone calls to celebrate students who demonstrated helpful and safe behavior. These students are featured in our Magnificent Mustangs section, will also be recognized at our upcoming Community Gatherings, and have their photos displayed at the school.

Our MES Commitment - Building Our School Family

We're continuing to strengthen our school community through our daily Greeting and Goodbye ritual. This simple but impactful practice encourages students and staff to welcome each other each morning with a smile and a friendly greeting. We believe this daily ritual helps every student feel seen and valued, making a big difference in their school day.

Redistricting Update

For more information on redistricting, please see the details below. We'd like to extend a special thank you to our parent and staff representatives, Katlyn Calano and Rebecca Plotner. They can be reached at MESredistrictcommittee@yahoo.com.

Trunk or Treat: We Need Your Help!

Our PTO is busy planning the annual Trunk or Treat, and they need your support to make it a success! We're looking for volunteers to run the concession stand and for candy donations. If you'd like to decorate a trunk, please arrive between 3:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., as the bus loop entrance will close at 5:45 p.m.

Please use this form to sign up so we can keep track of all participants. We can't wait to see everyone at this fun event!

https://forms.gle/HAWrdue5hw4MbzqF7

Farm to School Volunteers

We have one morning volunteer spot still open for our Farm to School program. If you are able to help, please find more information below. A big thank you to all the wonderful volunteers who have already signed up!

The MES Trunk or Treat is right around the corner!

Trunk or Treat Sign-ups, candy donations and our concession stand volunteers!

A Reminder: Costumes must meet school guidelines: https://studenthandbook.smcps.org/dress-code

Weapon look-alikes, weapon images, and violent imagery are not permitted.

October

October 3 - Farm to School

October 6 - 17 - Joe Corbi’s Fundraiser

October 6 - PTO General Membership Meeting @ 4 pm, Media Center

October 8 - PTO Walk to School Day @ 8 am

October 13 - 2-Hour Early Dismissal, Parent Conference Day

October 15 - Unity Day

October 16 - Historic Sotterley Field Trip Mrs. Oliver & Ms. Roach Classes

October 17 - 2-Hour Early Dismissal, Professional Responsibilities

October 17 - 24 = Fall Book Fair

October 17 - PTO Trunk or Treat

October 20 - Historic Sotterley Field Trip Mrs. Bainter’s Class

October 20 - 24 - National School Bus Safety Week

Calendar

MES Public Calendar (Use the links at the bottom to integrate the calendar to your mobile device)

Downloadable SY 25-26 SMCPS School Year 2025-2026 Calendar

MES School Calendar

Highlighting the helpful, safe, expected, and Magnificent behaviors our students have each week.

Cody and Jackson helped clean up a big water spill to keep the classroom safe.

Cecily was focused and attentive during lessons, setting an example for her peers.

Warren and Kameron were actively taking notes and participating during reading group, setting a positive example for the class.

Matthew is always willing to lend a helping hand in the classroom.

Ava brings the soccer equipment outside each day for recess for her peers to use. Even if she is not part of the soccer game, she makes sure that everyone has what they need to stay safe and organized while playing. She even takes it all back up to the office when recess is over!

A classmate lost her water bottle at recess, so Locker went looking for it for her (and found it).

Adrian has been setting a great example by consistently staying on task in class and keeping up with classwork. Adrian is always organized and on top his work!

Keegan, Xavier, Noah, and Ben set up and clean up the recess soccer cones each day. They are true team players as they work together to and set up the field for their peers. After playing soccer all recess, they even have enough energy to clean up when the game is done!

Chase helps clean our classroom floor everyday at dismissal timer. Even messes he did not make himself. Chase takes this job seriously and shows immense responsibility and kindness.

Blake consistently demonstrates expected behavior. His always one of the first in his class to hold up a "zero" in class or in the hallways to signal to classmates what the expected volume level is. Blake shows amazing leadership and responsibility!

Rylnn helped a student get a bin off a shelf that they could not reach.

Jaxon was kind and gave another student his syrup he was not using after she spilled all of her syrup.

The Maryland Center for School Safety and the Maryland State Police Department have asked that we pass along A Parent’s Guide to Firearm Storage to help avoid tragedy and make Maryland a safe place for children.

St. Mary’s County Public Schools is launching a comprehensive Facility Utilization and School Boundary Study initiative to guide how our schools serve students and families in the years ahead. Your input matters. Whether you join a meeting, offer feedback, or follow along with updates, your voice will help shape the future of education in St. Mary’s County.

For more information please click on the link below.
- Redistricting Information
Our school has a parent representative and staff representative on the district-wide Community Engagement Redistricting Team. The representatives will help ensure communication of the work, timeline, and community engagement opportunities by sharing information on surveys and community engagement events through school, community, and social media resources. You can reach out to them for additional information or to share your perspective.

Katlyn Calano - Parent Representative
Rebecca Plotner - Staff Representative
Ms. Calvano & Ms. Plotner can be emailed at MESredistrictcommittee@yahoo.com

The new website, where you can find information on the timeline, process, and how you can be a part of the community engagement events.

MES is excited to host a Farm to School Event. Follow the link for and view the videos for details. This is a great opportunity to get involved at MES, as Farm to School Volunteers are needed!

FARM to School Volunteers Needed

Menus for School Meals are visible through Nutrislice.

If you want to view your child's meal purchases and add funds, use the My School Bucks link.

Free & Reduced Meal Benefit Applications Now Open

Online applications re encouraged as they are processed more quickly. The meal benefit application for SY 25/26 is now live. Link: Free and Reduced Meals.