SUPER BOWL LX

Patriots vs Seahawks

Thank you for your time and thoughtful questions during the staffing meeting last Friday.   We really appreciate your insight and dedication to moving MEMS forward to serve our students and families.  

Thank You so much for checking in with me, supporting my family and the well wishes.  It means a lot to my family.  

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.

   Dr Taylor 

•                   Monday and Tuesday 
• 
  
•     AZELLA Testing all week!
• 
  
•     Think Tank Meeting 
•             Thursday 8:15 am in the Community Room

 

SECONDARY  COLLABORATION

AT 

MEMS

2:30-4:00 PM

Group and classroom information 

Team CT (if needed)

1:15-2:00

• Presentation from staffing meeting
• There is a secret word in this blog.  If you know think you know it, say it to me while I am out about.  First three who get it correct wins a prize.  
• Teacher Leads for Summer Curriculum work.  See email from Dr. Festa-Daigle on 2/4.  If interested in applying CLICK HERE 

Our site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026!  

There are several components from student meeting, parent meeting, mixed staff meeting and a full staff meeting. 

STW STAFF MEETING 3:40-4:10 

Please be sure to mark your calendars to stay until 4:15

District Administration is coming over to cover dismissal duties. 

 

Read Chapters 3 & 4 

February 20th 

Magical Staff on the Week: Jenn Federio

February:

• Feb 16
• Presidents Day
• Feb 18
• Schools To Watch site visit
• Feb 24
• Civics exam for students who did not pass it the first time.
• Feb 27
•  Cultural assembly

March:

• March 3
• Quarter 3 ends

• March 4-6
• Parent Teacher Conferences:
• March 4: 
• Late night conferences 5:00-7:00 pm 
• March 6 
• Early out for staff due to late conferences
• 2:30 pm
• March 23-31 
• Blackout for field trips-AZSCI and AASA Writing
• March 25 & 26 -AZSCI 
• 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
• Benchmark Testing 

May:

• May 5 & 6 
• 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 February 13, 17 March 4-6, 16 April 20 May 8, 21 OVER 10% thresh hold:

Do you have a SHOUT OUT for a fellow colleague?  

CLICK HERE 

From David P: Shout out to Ms. Orchard and her 5th Period Theater class for collaborating with my Innovation Station 2 class! We are building set pieces for the play, and my students are having a great time and learning so so very much through real-world application of their engineering and building skills!

From Beth C: Thank you to Bre Cheatwood, Robert Collis, & Laura Abrams from the bottom of my heart for covering my class on Fridays, so I was able to run home and give ZZ her heart medication! We are so grateful!

z  Shout out to Alex Bedatsky for conferencing with his students to go over their AIMS web+ scores and what they mean for reading success.

Teacher Olympics!

February 1, 2026

 

                                                    FULL MOON ALERT
                                                            Snow Moon

February 1 @ 5:09 pm

What  are you doing in your classroom to educate and celebrate Black History Month?  

We want to showcase what you are doing.  Please email Tammy what you are doing in your classes by Friday!  We want to come into your classes document what you are doing and share it on social media.  

THANK YOU!!!!!!

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.

    Renee and Jesse out Monday and Tuesday                 attending a conference.

Field trips:

     Team 7 Blue to Riordan Mansion

AZELLA Testing all week!

FRIDAY COLLABORATION

Team CT (if needed)

1:00-1:45

Department CT

30 minuted department meeting 

60 minutes grade level team planning time

2:00-3:30 PM

Staffing Update Meeting:

3:30-4:00

Our site visit is scheduled for Wednesday, February 18, 2026!  

There are several components from student meeting, parent meeting and a staff meeting. 

STAFF MEETING 3:40-4:10 

Please be sure to mark your calendars to stay until 4:15

District Administration is coming over to cover dismissal duties. 

 

Read Chapters 3 & 4 

February 20th 

Magical Staff on the Week: Violet Orchard

February:

• Feb 16
• Presidents Day
• Feb 18
• Schools To Watch site visit
• Feb 24
• Civics exam for students who did not pass it the first time.
• Feb 27
•  Cultural assembly

March:

• March 3
• Quarter 3 ends

• March 4-6
• Parent Teacher Conferences:
• March 4: 
• Late night conferences 5:00-7:00 pm 
• March 6 
• Early out for staff due to late conferences
• 2:30 pm
• March 23-31 
• Blackout for field trips-AZSCI and AASA Writing
• March 25 & 26 -AZSCI 
• 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
• Benchmark Testing 

May:

• May 5 & 6 
• 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.     
• Tentative: 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 February 13, 17 March 4-6, 16 April 20 May 8, 21 OVER 10% thresh hold:

Do you have a SHOUT OUT for a fellow colleague?  

CLICK HERE 

From Bre M: Thank you Scott for giving me access to 6th grade science material so that we can use it for reading practice and reading comprehension in academic success. I love working with you to help make our students more successful!

From Anynomous: Office staff!!  Ms. Ellen, Mikkel, and Ms. Yazzie...we couldn't do what we do without you.  Thank you for all of your kindness and daily grit.  We are better because you are here!

From Olivia H: Thank you Kacie for being a great teammate! You always have the best interest for all of our students and always advocate for when students need more accommodations or better learning environments. You're awesome! 

From Bre M: Thank you Kristen Brown for being in BSP as an amazing teacher and still being available to your team to help when we need it. You are amazing!

Janaury 25, 2026

 

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.

Mr. Jesse will be out several days this week visiting

elementary schools for 6th grade registration.

Penny will be visiting on Tuesday.  

Friday COLLABORATION

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

Dr. Taylor Visit:  

• RESCHEDULED for February. 

Jesse out

• Monday for 5th grade registration

Discing 4 KIds

• Tuesday @ both lunches 

Lockdown drill CANCELLED for WED

Tammy Out 

• Tuesday-Friday to attend a conference for Arizona School Administrators
• Donna subbing 
• I am available by email and text. 

Our site visit is scheduled for February 18, 2026!  

Details coming!

 

Read Chapters 3 & 4 

February 20th 

Magical Staff on the Week: Daphne Lovaas

January

• Jan 26-28 
• Dr. Taylor visit Rescheduled!

February:

• Feb 16
• Presidents Day
• Feb 18
• Schools To Watch site visit
• Feb 24
• Civics exam for students who did not pass it the first time.
• Feb 27
•  Cultural assembly

March:

• March 3
• Quarter 3 ends

• March 4-6
• Parent Teacher Conferences:
• March 4: 
• Late night conferences 5:00-7:00 pm 
• March 6 
• Early out for staff due to late conferences
• 2:30 pm
• March 23-31 
• Blackout for field trips-AZSCI and AASA Writing
• March 25 & 26 -AZSCI 
• 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
• Benchmark Testing 

May:

• May 5 & 6 
• 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.     
• Tentative: 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 February 13, 17 March 4-6, 16 April 20 May 8, 21 OVER 10% thresh hold:

Do you have a SHOUT OUT for a fellow colleague?  

CLICK HERE 

From Anonymous: The MEMS ESS department here is unique. I am so grateful to Kristin and the teachers here. We are blessed to have the level of empathy, care, and proactive teaching amongst our crew!

From Sara M: Science hall staff members: Thank you for being joy to our hallway. The students love the energy during passing period!

From Laura F: Lynn Gurne brings the smiles, laughs, and care everyday. I look forward to her positive and upbeat vibe each day- thank you for being  you!

From Olivia H: Shout out to Louis Sponato, Molly's student teacher, he is a wonderful person to work with and has amazing ideas! He is a natural!