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?  

CLICK HERE 

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.

March 30, 2026

FULL MOON ALERT!

April 1st 

Learn more about the 

April Full Pink Moon 

  

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?  

CLICK HERE 

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.                                  

March 22, 2026

    WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!

Our school is soooooooo deserving!   

The press release will go public soon.  

  

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 24

8th graders ONLY!

Link to information and schedule

The alternate testing schedule will affect only 8th graders. Sixth and Seventh graders will be on a regular schedule.

Please remind all students to use the restroom and water fountains closest to their room. Please practice quiet hallway behavior on all testing days.

It's that time of year! Our MEMS Oscar nominations. Every March we celebrate our colleagues by nominating them for a MEMS OSCAR! The winners will receive a Oscar, a certificate and will featured in our social media post!

Please click the link below to nominate a colleague.

https://forms.gle/6vmFuaAJVV3rdviL9

  Tues: AZSci testing-info coming

Wed: 8th grader field trip to Phx Zoo

  Thurs: Lisa B taking students to NAU

health career field trip

New 3D printing STEM club begins this week

We need a soccer ref on April 1, the game is at MEMS. Thank you!

FRIDAY COLLABORATION

Department CT 

1:15-2:00

Grade level content teachers collaboration/planning

Build common formative assessment.  We will be bringing data to our weekly meetings to compare and adjust. 

Book Study Chapters 3 & 4

2:15-3:30

Staff Meeting

3:30-4:00 

Chapters 3 & 4 this Friday

Magical Staff of the Week: The entire cafeteria staff

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 24 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

• Leah Claypool- retiring 
• Bre Cheatwood
• Sara McDermott
• Kacie Sloan
• Lora Lorentson
• Hesper Petersen
• 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?  

CLICK HERE 

From Violet: Thank you to Jacquie, Daphne and Morgan for the extra support during a really crazy week this week!

From Anyonomous:  June has crushed her first year as admin.  She balanced full-time graduate school, WHILE holding 2 jobs (teaching and admin!) in an often 10-12 hour day.  Thank you June for what you have done for MEMS.  We are better because of you.