Mount Elden Minutes

Thank you Nurse Baca for your kindness, dedication and support! We wish you the very best in your new adventure at NAU! Remember Once a Thunderbird, Always a Thunderbird!

WELCOME Tammy Gabbert! We are so excited you are joining our MEMS family!

Parent Teacher Connections

March 5, 6, and 7

Early release 11:35 each day

Expectations:

Goal for each team:

100% of students have a conference!
Divide and conquer! You do not need to have all four core teachers at every conference

Conferences are offered to ALL parents for all students

Goal is to CONNECT with EVERY family.
It should not be considered optional, please try to connect with every family.

At each conference, ensure they know the importance of state testing and having their student at school. Claudia will have a handout for parents. We will make copies for you.
Use Parent Square to have parents sign up.
Make phone calls to parents who do not respond to the Parent Square invite to sign them up for a time.
If you have extra time, please we challenge you to send as many positive emails or make positive phone calls to parents! Trust us, it will fill your heart with joy!!!!!!!

We are required to offer one night for conferences. We will have our night of conferences Wednesday March 5. 5:00-7:00 PM.

ALL certified staff are expected to be in attendance.

Contact Tammy for preapproval if you are not able to attend.

This is the ONLY night option we can provide.

We are strongly encouraging in-person conferences. There is a power to a face-to-face conversations. Please use Teams and Phone as a last resort.

Any questions please reach out to the administration!

Conference Data Needed: Complete this Form March 18th deadline

Collaboration time sheet. You MUST use this timesheet for collaboration.

GOALS:

ELA: The percent of students scoring below mastery in reading for information on the AASA English Language Arts assessment will decrease by a minimum of 10% from the 2024-25 SY. We have the opportunity to identify specific areas to target by analyzing the AASA blueprint and aligning our tier 1 units to the DOK level of AASA in all content areas.

MATH: Mount Elden Middle School student will increase student proficiency by 10% in math on the AASA math assessment the 2024-25 SY. We have the opportunity to identify specific areas to target by analyzing the AASA blueprint and aligning our tier 1 units to the DOK level of AASA.

COMPLETE THIS FORM

TO GIVE A STAFF A SHOUT OUT!

From Leah: Claudia (Dr. Fletcher-Lambert) - Thank you for bringing such positive and inclusive programs, displays, and relationships to MEMS. I can feel the knowledge and joy you are giving to the students and staff.

From Tammy R: The cafeteria staff has been outstanding in helping period 4 Theater with props. Big thanks to the lovely ladies who already do so much and now have done even more.

From James C: Renee Rios Thanks for being so flexible and willing to translate for our Spanish speaking families. You relate so well, and I always feel confident the message is being conveyed. We are fortunate to have you here!

From Anonymous: Kristin leads with empathy and kindness, and we are so lucky to have her at the helm of special education at MEMS

Provided by the Leadership Team:

potatoes

cheese

butter

pinto beans

broccoli

chives

sour cream

Email Reminder: Many of you are receiving communication from staff members regarding new students. For special education students specifically some of the emails are informational. Please respond to the sender that you received the information. Sometimes, the sender is seeking input for evaluations or meetings. It is your responsibility to provide the information requested. Please respond to the sender. Thank you so much!

April 21- Snow Day Make Up day- This is now a work day :(

NEED SUPPLIES? Please complete the Supply Request form prior to getting your supplies. This link is also on the Nest. SUPPLY FORM

Technology Update February 21, 2025

UPDATE on One Time Funds:

Speakers in classrooms: I am working with technology to determine the best speaker to work with your projectors, Apple TV and devices. Stay Tuned!

Thunderbird Nest We will keep adding and improving

No Collaboration this week!

The focus is Parent Teacher Conferences

MARCH:

5-7 Early Release 11:35 am Parent Teacher Conferences

10th-14th Spring Break

March 18

CAST UDL

7:50am – 2:20pm (Coaching) 2:30pm – 3:30pm (Meeting)

Sinagua Middle School

Mount Elden Middle School

For each school site a CAST UDL expert will do in-person observations and walkthroughs with the school principal, instructional specialists/coaches, program specialist, and a member of the ESS leadership team. The CAST UDL expert will provide coaching and feedback to the school leadership team to build knowledge on UDL implementation and coaching. After the school day, leadership teams should plan for a 1-hour meeting to discuss key takeaways, training needs, and next steps.

April:

Snow day make up #1 day-April 21 is NOW a work day.

Testing Dates

All tests will be scheduled in the morning with a modified bell schedule.

March 26 & 27 AZ Science 8th Grade ONLY

April 1 & 2 AASA Writing ALL GRADES

April 8 Reading Part 1 ALL GRADES

April 9 Math Part 1 ALL GRADES

April 15 Reading Part 2 ALL GRADES

April 16 Math Part 2 ALL GRADES

MAY:

Snow day make up #2 day May 9 (no school if we do not have a second snow day)

8th Grade Promotion

May 21st

Blue Team 4:00 pm

Red Team 6:00 pm

BLACKOUT DATES AND PROTOCOLS

As a reminder, the days before and after a holiday (see below) are blackout dates for ALL staff. (Classified, certified, and ancillary) 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.: 1) the day prior or subsequent to any scheduled holiday, 2) the first or last instructional week of the school year, 3) Parent/Teacher conference days, 4) make-up snow days, 5) testing days for test administrators and proctors, and 6) district wide staff development days.”

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 5,6,7, 17

Testing Days:

March 26, 27

April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16

OVER 10% thresh hold: