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MES Soaring to Success

Principal weekly update

MES Soaring toSuccessPrincipal weekly update
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Character Trait of the Month

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October 5, 2026

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Letter Day for the Month

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Welcome Back Parents!!

Good afternoon!

Thank you to all of the families that have been so helpful and cooperative with using the Dismissal App and following the Car Line procedures. I know we have had a few kinks to work out but we will get there. I have heard that many were wondering why the change. I apologize if you missed the explanation in the previous emails. The reason is for safety as we have had too many students running through the parking lot and climbing on trees and on the fences to the cemetery. Our goal is always to do what is best for keeping students safe. Here a few reminders about using both:


  • All changes including early dismissals, change of dismissal etc need to be through the School Dismissal App. School absences should be reported on the app as well.
  • When choosing parent pick up, if you choose a particular parent please make sure the PIN number being used is the one assigned to that parent. To make it easier always choose "any parent of," if that is appropriate for your situation.
  • If you call in a change to car line after 2:15 your PIN may not work and will have to pull into the middle until we can help you.



Exciting news as well regarding Curriculum Night which will be held here at MES on Wednesday October 14th. Please come and enjoy interactive ways to learn about what your students are learning about. Childcare will also be provided courteous of NHS students. Students who come will be able to make slime with some of our high school volunteers! Please see the flyer below.


Please make sure you check out the links below. Newly added is information about SEPTA and our ELA challenge.


Dates to remember:

October 7th - National Walk to School Day - meet at LaBonnes parking lot at 7:50

October 7th - Picture Day

October 8th PTO Movie Night - Minions & Monsters

October 9th No School - Teachers have professional learning

October 12the No School - Columbus Day

October 14th Curriculum Night

October 30th Character Parade/Walk-a-thon


Links

SEPTA -

ELA Challenge

Math Challenge

Curriculum Night

Car line information

Flanders Fall Fun

Cooperation Family Letter

Region 14 Fine Arts News Letter

Family Strong Website

Celebration Form --please note this is a new one with only 3 items on it

Background Check

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2nd Grade News!

Grade 2 students are continuing to develop their descriptive writing skills through meaningful, hands-on experiences. As part of their writing work, students went outside to observe the signs of fall and carefully used their senses to gather ideas and details for their writing. They recorded what they could see, hear, feel, and smell, and participated in a class discussion to expand and build upon their observations. Students noticed and discussed details such as the different types of leaves around them, including maple leaves, the changing colors and textures of the leaves, the warmth of the sun, and the cool, chilly breeze they could feel. These real-world observations provided students with specific vocabulary and details they could bring back into their writing. Students are using their sensory observations and class discussions to develop complete paragraphs with descriptive sentences, learning how carefully chosen details can help a reader picture and experience a moment along with the writer. They are also practicing how to expand their ideas by adding describing words, adjectives, and adverbs, making their writing more detailed, precise, and engaging. Through this process, students are learning that strong writers do more than simply tell what happened—they slow down, observe, think about their experiences, and use descriptive details to bring their writing to life.
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Updates and News

  • Join us for our next meeting: Thurs Nov at 9:15am


  • Scholastic Book Fair: November 16-20, more details to come


  • Character Walk/walk-a-thon Friday October 30


  • Support our staff! Check out their wish lists here


  • Attention 5th grade families!

    • This year’s 5th grade committee is being chaired by Sheila Antonacci, Amanda Carpenter, and Lisa Lind. Look for more updates soon, or reach out to them to find out how to get involved!


  • Family Movie Night: October 8, RSVP here!


  • PTO Committee volunteers needed! Sign up here to help!


  • Please save your Labonne’s receipts and drop them off in the drop box by the gym door, or bring them to your teacher!


  • Stay Informed & Get Involved:

    • Visit our website for info on all PTO events, volunteer opportunities, and to join the school student directory. School Code to Join: NGDHXW

    • Contact your MES PTO via email at ptomitchellschool@gmail.com

    • FB: @mitchellelementaryschoolpto

    • Instagram: @ptomitchell


Bus routes Bus routes

Region 14 and All-Star Transportation uses the Stopfinder App

Stopfinder is an easy-to-use, all-in-one app that allows you to have the most accurate information about your student’s bus schedule at anytime from anywhere. You can also create GeoAlerts for your student, which will notify you when the bus has arrived or departed from any location on your student’s route, including their assigned bus stop and school. GeoAlert Alert Zones can be created for individual students allowing you to customize the Alert Zone based on their bus route.

Stopfinder can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. Directions for the download can be found at https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1755609913/region14/jwdj7hrikx6ogppkggim/StopFinder70.pdf

Support for the APP: stopfindersupport@all-startransportation.com


Please contact Tina Tanguay, Director of Finance and Operations at ttanguay@ctreg14.org or Cathy Goodfield at catherine.goodfield@all-startransportation.com with any questions.

Bus Routes - Region 14

Bus Routes - Region 14

launch ctreg14.org

School Dismissal App

Elementary Only - School Dismissal Manager (SDM) is a secure online platform that streamlines end-of-day dismissal changes, replaces paper notes and phone calls, and ensures every student arrives home safely.

How It Works for Parents

  • Set Up Your Account: Welcome emails containing login credentials and instructions are sent out at the start of the school year.

  • Update Daily Routines: Use the SDM app or desktop site to log absences, early pickups, bus changes, or after-school activity schedules.

  • Observe the Cut-Off Time: All daily dismissal changes must be submitted one hour before our dismissal. That means on regular dismissal days, the cut off time would be 2:15PM, on early release Wednesday at 1:00PM, and on regular early dismissal days 11:55AM. If you have any questions about the time, please call the office. After the cut off time, changes cannot be made in the system and require a call to the main office for emergency situations.

  • Receive Confirmations: Every time a change is made, an automated email confirmation is sent for your peace of mind.

Why We Use SDM

  • Enhanced Student Safety: Teachers and staff receive real-time updates and accurate daily dismissal rosters right before the end of the school day.

  • Streamlined Pickup Lines: SDM optimizes car-rider lines, reducing wait times during peak pick-up hours. This will begin on Oct 1st and more information will be coming.

  • Fewer Classroom Disruptions: Centralizing changes reduces mid-day phone calls and interruptions to learning time.

How to get Support: For MES

  • Email Mrs. Winter (cwinter@ctreg14.org) or Mrs. Pinho (kpinho@ctreg14.org) or call 203-263-4314

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A Note from Mrs. Winter

  • Did you know that you can use the School Dismissal Manager app to record an absence?

    1. Our new SDM app allows you to report absences, dismissals and leaving early. Absences, early dismissals or changes in dismissal plans, can be reported right on the School Dismissal Manager app. Please reach out to the office if you need help with the app.
    2. For late arrivals, please email the teacher to let them know and copy me so I can update attendance. Absences, early dismissals or changes in dismissal plans should be reported right on the School Dismissal Manager app.
  • Please email or call me (203-263-4314) with any questions or concerns. I'm here to help!

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A Note from the School Nurse

Reminder

Please remember the “rule of 24”. It is important to remember if your child vomited or had a fever they should remain out of school for at least 24 hours and be fever free without fever reducing medications. I have seen an uptick over the last few weeks of children having vomited or were with fever and returned to school the next day only to be sent home ultimately not feeling well.

That is not okay and is the potential cause of the continued spread of viruses. I would appreciate your continued support in creating a healthy school environment.


Recess

We go out for recess even in the colder weather, unless it’s raining. It’s important to note children go outside for recess regardless of what they have come to school wearing.

Please send your child to school dressed and ready to go out for recess daily. A child will not be kept inside if he/she is without the proper attire.

If possible, please send a change of clothes in your child’s backpack, in the event your child gets wet or dirty.


Snacks:

Please be mindful while packing snacks for your child. We encourage healthy choices.


Kindergarten and Beyond!

No matter what the cause, a spill, a slip or sickness it’s always good to have a change of clothing at school for all the just in case moments!


Vision and Hearing Screenings

Screenings will continue throughout the months of September and October. If your child should require a referral I will send the referral home with him/her.


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Kelly Pinho
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