Monday, April 13, 2026

April 12, 2026


SCHOOL BOARD PRESENTATION
TUESDAY @ 5:30 PM
    
            Arrive at District Office by 5:00 pm.
            Wear a MEMS shirt


   

MEMS IAP GOALS

  • Mount Elden Middle School will increase Math AASA scores by no less than 10% for each grade level from the 2025 Spring AASA score to the 2026 Spring AASA scores.

  • Mount Elden Middle School will increase ELA AASA scores by no less than 10% for each grade level from the 2025 Spring AASA score to the 2026 Spring AASA scores.

  • Mount Elden Middle School will increase ELA and Math AASA scores for identified special education students by 10% from the 2025 Spring AASA score to the 2026 Spring AASA score.




Tuesday April 7 & 8
MATH
Link to information and schedule



  
Tues and Wed: AASA MATH Test

    Tues: FUSD Board presentation
                5:30 pm



T-BIRD TIME Changes:

We are seeing a lot of student wandering the halls during T-Bird time. They inform us that they are going to get make-up work from a specific teac her however, they are often going in a different direction than the teacher they identify.

Starting next week, Mondays will be the designated day for students to go gather any missing work from the week before. We have created specific hall passes for you to give to students to carry with them. Please use only these passes. Passes will be placed in your mailboxes this week. If you need more
passes please contact Miss Ellen.


Testing changes moving forward: Please contact Jacquie and Tammy for any testing needs.



FRIDAY COLLABORATION

Closing the Attitude Gap 
Book Study
1:30-2:30 

Department CT 
2:45-3:15
2:30-3:00- Department info

3:15-4:00
Grade level content teachers collaboration/planning


Chapters 5 & 6 April 17th 


Magical Staff of the Week: Oscar Jimenez





April:
  • April 1-17 
    • Blackout for field trips-AASA testing 
      • April 7 & 8-AASA ELA
      • April 14 & 15-AASA Math
  • April 28-29
    • ELA Benchmark Testing 
May:
  • May 5 & 6 
    • MATH Benchmark Testing 
  • May 19-21
    • Finals second semester
      • Early release 12:45 each day
      • Grade due Thursday May 21 by 2:45 pm 
      • Finals may not be given prior to  May 19th 
      • No scheduled collaboration on the afternoon as you are given uninterrupted grading time.     
  •  May 20
    • Eighth Grade Promotion 
      • FHS 4:00 pm and 6:pm 

BLACKOUT DATES AND PROTOCOLS

As a reminder, the following days are blackout days under FUSD policy.
  • The day prior or subsequent to any scheduled holiday.
  • The first or last instructional week of the year.
  • Parent/teacher conference days
    • Employees requesting time off during this time must submit an alternative conference schedule with their request in order to be considered.
  • Make-up days such as snow day make up 
  • Testing days for test administrators and proctors.

You must have principal pre-approval if you must call off for extenuating circumstances.  Please don’t plan a trip without prior approval. Thank you for understanding. 


 Personal leave will not be granted on unless you receive pre-approval from principal.:


Any day we are above the 10% threshold. When we hit the 10% threshold, I will then need to deny.  It is very helpful when you secure a sub.  

Upcoming Blackout Dates Include

  • April 7, 8, 14, 15, 17, 20
  • May 8, 21

OVER 10% thresh hold:



This section appears in the BLOG every spring to provide information regarding district positions and information and site positions.  

MEMS: 

Leaving at the end of the 2025-2026 school year
  • Trevor Hathaway 
  • Bre Cheatwood
  • Sara McDermott
  • Kacie Sloan
  • Lora Lorentson
  • Hesper Petersen
  • Leah Claypool- retiring 
  • Lynn Patton- retiring
  • Miss Ellen-retiring 
Changes to staffing for the 2025-2026 school year
  • Instructional coaches will be overseen at the district level not the site level.  Secondary schools were each given a 1.0 fte for coaches.  That will be reduced and coaches will be assigned through the district based on need.  
  • Instructional specialist position at MEMS has been reduced due to declining enrollment.  
FUSD:
  •  Director of Transportation 
    • Posted
    • Partrick Flemming resigned 
  • Coconino High School Principal 
    • Posted 
  • Coconino High School Assistant Principal 
    • Jonathan Corbus resigned 
  • Executive Director of Operations Services & Safety
    • Tadd Ragan approved at the Feb 24 FUSD Board meeting 
    • Begins July 1, 2026
  • Knoles principal position:
    • Bryan Eberwein on the board agenda 3/24/26 for approval
    • Pete Galvin retiring 
  • FHS Assistant/Athelics Principal position
    • Janet Chavez-Vesley on the board agenda 3/24/26 for approval


Do you have a SHOUT OUT for a fellow colleague?  


From Violet: Ms. June, Ms. Hall, and Mr. Connell for filling out stars for stars and writing such genuine and supportive messages to the kids. ⭐️ thank you thank you!

From Morgan J: SHOUT OUT to all my folks on campus making middle school athletics possible this year - Sharlie Yazzie, Christy Weide, Lawrence Watson, Donald Penny, Aubry Crenshaw, Lynn Gurne, Terri Wright, Lora Lorensten, Emma Grebel, Heidi Beazer, Jesse Campos, Brienne McDowell... and I hope I didn't miss anyone else. You are valued and I see your support of our students outside of their school day. THANK YOU!!!

From Violet: Thank you Dr. Franklin for completing at least 10 Stars for Stars for your students in theater and productions. They're going to be so grateful! Your words are so kind inspiring ❤️



Monday, April 6, 2026

April 5, 2026



Happy National Assistant Principal Week 
to the
 ONE and ONLY LAWRENCE WATSON!!!!!!!!

  

MEMS IAP GOALS

  • Mount Elden Middle School will increase Math AASA scores by no less than 10% for each grade level from the 2025 Spring AASA score to the 2026 Spring AASA scores.

  • Mount Elden Middle School will increase ELA AASA scores by no less than 10% for each grade level from the 2025 Spring AASA score to the 2026 Spring AASA scores.

  • Mount Elden Middle School will increase ELA and Math AASA scores for identified special education students by 10% from the 2025 Spring AASA score to the 2026 Spring AASA score.




Tuesday April 7 & 8
ELA
Link to information and schedule



  
Tues and Wed: AASA Writing Test
Due Wednesday by 5:00 pm
    CNA Data Collection: Please              complete the Rubric





FRIDAY COLLABORATION

Team CT (if needed)
1:15- 1:45 pm

Staff Meeting 
2:00-2:30 
Oscars, student award nomination, Teams next year

Department CT 
2:40-3:10
2:30-3:00- Department info

3:10-4:00
Grade level content teachers collaboration/planning


Chapters 5 & 6 April 17th 


Magical Staff of the Week: Lawrence Watson!   




April:
  • April 1-17 
    • Blackout for field trips-AASA testing 
      • April 7 & 8-AASA ELA
      • April 14 & 15-AASA Math
  • April 28-29
    • ELA Benchmark Testing 
May:
  • May 5 & 6 
    • MATH Benchmark Testing 
  • May 19-21
    • Finals second semester
      • Early release 12:45 each day
      • Grade due Thursday May 21 by 2:45 pm 
      • Finals may not be given prior to  May 19th 
      • No scheduled collaboration on the afternoon as you are given uninterrupted grading time.     
  •  May 20
    • Eighth Grade Promotion 
      • FHS 4:00 pm and 6:pm 

BLACKOUT DATES AND PROTOCOLS

As a reminder, the following days are blackout days under FUSD policy.
  • The day prior or subsequent to any scheduled holiday.
  • The first or last instructional week of the year.
  • Parent/teacher conference days
    • Employees requesting time off during this time must submit an alternative conference schedule with their request in order to be considered.
  • Make-up days such as snow day make up 
  • Testing days for test administrators and proctors.

You must have principal pre-approval if you must call off for extenuating circumstances.  Please don’t plan a trip without prior approval. Thank you for understanding. 


 Personal leave will not be granted on unless you receive pre-approval from principal.:


Any day we are above the 10% threshold. When we hit the 10% threshold, I will then need to deny.  It is very helpful when you secure a sub.  

Upcoming Blackout Dates Include

  • April 7, 8, 14, 15, 20
  • May 8, 21

OVER 10% thresh hold:



This section appears in the BLOG every spring to provide information regarding district positions and information and site positions.  

MEMS: 
  • Leaving at the end of the 2025-2026 school year
  • Trevor Hathaway 
  • Bre Cheatwood
  • Sara McDermott
  • Kacie Sloan
  • Lora Lorentson
  • Hesper Petersen
  • Leah Claypool- retiring 
  • Lynn Patton- retiring
  • Miss Ellen-retiring 
  • Changes to staffing for the 2025-2026 school year
  • Instructional coaches will be overseen at the district level not the site level.  Secondary schools were each given a 1.0 fte for coaches.  That will be reduced and coaches will be assigned through the district based on need.  
  • Instructional specialist position at MEMS has been reduced due to declining enrollment.  
FUSD:
  •  Executive Director of Operations Services & Safety
    • Tadd Ragan approved at the Feb 24 FUSD Board meeting 
    • Begins July 1, 2026
  • Coconino High School Principal 
    • Posted 
  • Knoles principal position:
    • Bryan Eberwein on the board agenda 3/24/26 for approval
    • Pete Galvin retiring 
  • FHS Assistant/Athelics Principal position
    • Janet Chavez-Vesley on the board agenda 3/24/26 for approval


Do you have a SHOUT OUT for a fellow colleague?  

From Ben K: Yesterday, I attended a 6th grade Boy's Basketball Game versus our "rivals", Sinagua. Before the game tipped off, Morgan June explained to the crowd about proper behavior / decorum expected of this mostly adult crowd. After she finished, I listened to many parents applauding her plea to remember that we were watching a 6th grade basketball game and all of the adult volunteers who were there for the kid's sake and nothing else. Her message obviously impacted those in attendance.

From Emma:  Our English teachers did an AMAZING job prepping our students for the AASA writing test! It was great to see everyone working so hard and utilizing their tools.









Monday, March 30, 2026

March 30, 2026



FULL MOON ALERT!
April 1st 
Learn more about the 

  

MEMS IAP GOALS

  • Mount Elden Middle School will increase Math AASA scores by no less than 10% for each grade level from the 2025 Spring AASA score to the 2026 Spring AASA scores.

  • Mount Elden Middle School will increase ELA AASA scores by no less than 10% for each grade level from the 2025 Spring AASA score to the 2026 Spring AASA scores.

  • Mount Elden Middle School will increase ELA and Math AASA scores for identified special education students by 10% from the 2025 Spring AASA score to the 2026 Spring AASA score.


MEMS collaboration hours:

We have recently been approved for additional hours. I will be reaching out to you this week regarding the work. Please keep in mind this work must done outside of contract time. Contract time is defined as: 8:30 am-4:00 pm.

All collaboration hours must be completed by May 21, 2026.

Approved outside of work collaboration hours @ $40 per hour:





Thursday March 31
WRITING
Link to information and schedule




  Tues: AASA Writing Test

 





To Scott Godwin, he has been asked
to be a presenter for the AZDE Indigenous STEM program by the Office of Indian Education at the Arizona Department of Education. He will be presenting on Culture and Science: How Every Culture Contributes to Science (DINÉ Institute – Engaging Ways of Knowing with Forests and Global Change).

Way to Go Scott! we are so proud of you!!!!!!!!



Please remember to pick up any materials you print in the teachers’ lounge.
Let’s also be mindful of our printing and paper usage. Thank you!


FRIDAY COLLABORATION
District Department meeting day

Team CT (if needed)
1:30- 2:15 pm

Department CT 
2:30-4:00
2:30-3:00- Department info

3:00-4:00
Grade level content teachers collaboration/planning
Build common formative assessment. Use forms




Chapters 5 & 6 April 17th 


Magical Staff of the Week: The entire counseling staff for helping out every day at lunch.  




March:
  • March 23-31 
    • Blackout for field trips-AZSCI and AASA Writing
      • March  24 -AZSCI-NOTE THE CHANGE IN DAYS
      • March 31- AASA Writing
April:
  • April 1-17 
    • Blackout for field trips-AASA testing 
      • April 7 & 8-AASA ELA
      • April 14 & 15-AASA Math
  • April 28-29
    • ELA Benchmark Testing 
May:
  • May 5 & 6 
    • MATH Benchmark Testing 
  • May 19-21
    • Finals second semester
      • Early release 12:45 each day
      • Grade due Thursday May 21 by 2:45 pm 
      • Finals may not be given prior to  May 19th 
      • No scheduled collaboration on the afternoon as you are given uninterrupted grading time.     
  •  May 20
    • Eighth Grade Promotion 
      • FHS 4:00 pm and 6:pm 

BLACKOUT DATES AND PROTOCOLS

As a reminder, the following days are blackout days under FUSD policy.
  • The day prior or subsequent to any scheduled holiday.
  • The first or last instructional week of the year.
  • Parent/teacher conference days
    • Employees requesting time off during this time must submit an alternative conference schedule with their request in order to be considered.
  • Make-up days such as snow day make up 
  • Testing days for test administrators and proctors.

You must have principal pre-approval if you must call off for extenuating circumstances.  Please don’t plan a trip without prior approval. Thank you for understanding. 


 Personal leave will not be granted on unless you receive pre-approval from principal.:


Any day we are above the 10% threshold. When we hit the 10% threshold, I will then need to deny.  It is very helpful when you secure a sub.  

Upcoming Blackout Dates Include

  • March 31
  • April 7, 8, 14, 15, 20
  • May 8, 21

OVER 10% thresh hold:



This section appears in the BLOG every spring to provide information regarding district positions and information and site positions.  

MEMS: 
  • Leaving at the end of the 2025-2026 school year
  • Trevor Hathaway 
  • Bre Cheatwood
  • Sara McDermott
  • Kacie Sloan
  • Lora Lorentson
  • Hesper Petersen
  • Leah Claypool- retiring 
  • Lynn Patton- retiring
  • Miss Ellen-retiring 
  • Changes to staffing for the 2025-2026 school year
  • Instructional coaches will be overseen at the district level not the site level.  Secondary schools were each given a 1.0 fte for coaches.  That will be reduced and coaches will be assigned through the district based on need.  
  • Instructional specialist position at MEMS has been reduced due to declining enrollment.  
FUSD:
  •  Executive Director of Operations Services & Safety
    • Tadd Ragan approved at the Feb 24 FUSD Board meeting 
    • Begins July 1, 2026
  • Coconino High School Principal 
    • Posted 
  • Knoles principal position:
    • Bryan Eberwein on the board agenda 3/24/26 for approval
    • Pete Galvin retiring 
  • FHS Assistant/Athelics Principal position
    • Janet Chavez-Vesley on the board agenda 3/24/26 for approval


Do you have a SHOUT OUT for a fellow colleague?  

From David P: Huge thank you to James, Kristen and the entire SPED department    for holding meaningful and positive MET/IEP meetings. The parents and students always feel supported and loved. My son has had many IEP meetings and his meetings were often a struggle with staff focusing on negative behaviors without a true understanding of his disability. I have never felt this way in an MET/IEP at MEMS. This is testament to the care and compassion of our amazing SPED team.                 Big big love to you all!

From Anonymous:  Thank you to Lynn Gurne for all the work you do to make state    testing go smoothly!  We appreciate you!

From Anonymous: To Jacquie for all you do to make out T-Bird Canvas class so        complete.  We appreciate the time you put in to make our jobs easier.                                  

April 12, 2026

SCHOOL BOARD PRESENTATION TUESDAY @ 5:30 PM                  Arrive at District Office by 5:00 pm.             Wear a MEMS shirt     ...