Monday, April 20, 2026

April 19, 2026



We are seeing a lot of students leaving the lunch room with food to go to teachers classrooms.  Student should only be coming for tutoring, making up work or for a club meeting.  Student will NOT be allowed to take food from the cafeteria moving forward.  They will need to come to the lunch room get lunch, eat their lunch, then come down to a teachers classroom.  We are having an influx of critters that are thriving on the crumbs.  

  • Please restate and remind students daily of the rules for safety.  For example, Please keep your hands and feet to yourself at all times.  :)
  • Please do not have downtime it is your enemy this time of year.  
  • Please ensure you have engaging activities and lesson every day!   Keep up the rigor and behaviors will go down.  
  • Maintain your high expectations!
  • Increase restorative conversation (Tier 1) 
  • Lots of positive praise goes a long way!
  • Positive phone calls home!

   

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.



Make ups will be completed this week :)
Thank you Jacquie!


  Please complete the FUSD Employee Engagement     Survey in your Team CTs this week. THANK YOU!

    BENCHMARK TESTING: Please let Jacquie know     if you need any testing tickets.

    Earth Day Assembly this Friday!
            Schedule

    Jenny Stearns out Tuesday-Friday!


  • Contact Jacquie and Tammy for all testing needs.
  • Project Momentum timecards DUE on MAY 22! Please complete your collaboration time.
  

FRIDAY COLLABORATION

Team Collaboration
1:15-2:00 
Jacquie will send out info 
for Benchmarking to review

Secondary Collaboration @ SMS
2:30-4:00

PLEASE BE ON TIME!


Magical Staff of the Week: Morgan June




April:
  • April 24
    • Secondary collaboration at SMS
  • April 28-29
    • ELA Benchmark Testing 
May:
  • May 5 & 6 
    • MATH Benchmark Testing- last one! 
    • Schedule 
  • 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 20, 22
  • May 1, 8, 21

OVER 10% thresh hold:

  • April 22
  • May 1



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
  • George Moate (really retiring :))
  • 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:
  • MEMS open position 
    • 2 Science positions
    • 1 Tier 3 teacher 
  •  Director of Transportation 
    • Posted
    • Partrick Flemming resigned 
  • Coconino High School Principal 
    • Interview process has begun
  • 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 Anyonomous: Kristin, thank you for your leadership.  You lead with kindness and empathy and we couldn't meet our kiddos' IEP needs without you.  We are so grateful for all you do for us!!!

From Kristin: Violet Orchard for creating an inclusive theater club, and for being accommodating and patient with the students. 

From Morgan J:  SHOUT OUT to Violet Orchard, who also helped make MEMS athletics possible this year, amongst many other really cool things (garden club with guest speakers and fun events, Snow White, etc.). We are extremely lucky to have you at MEMS, Violet. 





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.









April 19, 2026

HOW TO SURVIVE THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF SCHOOL! We are seeing a lot of students leaving the lunch room with food to go to teachers classrooms. ...