Mount Elden Minutes

"Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education."

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'

“Be a bush if you can’t be a tree. If you can’t be a highway, just be a trail. If you can’t be a sun, be a star. For it isn’t by size that you win or fail. Be the best of whatever you are.”

"The time is always right to do what is right."

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.

SECONDARY COLLABORATION

SMS

2:30-4:00 PM

Team CT (if needed)

1:15-2:00

Secondary collaboration time has been reduced from 2 hours to 1.5 hours for second semester. Please be on time.

FUSD School Board recently approved a new sixth grade elective

SAFETY INFO:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wng7hGKFiHKNbhyeiOG_HH8IblRq9WD1l67D-Jiz3gw/edit?usp=sharing

Our site visit is scheduled for February 18, 2026!

Details coming!

Read Chapters 3 & 4

February 20th

Magical Staff on the Week: Emma Grebel

January

Jan 20

Penny visits, we will be visiting classrooms

Jan 26-28

Dr. Taylor visit

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
January 20
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: Mr. Jesse is awesome. He continually goes above and beyond to get things done from 504s, Anonymous Alerts, parent meetings, student restorative practice meetings to grade checks with students. He is respectful to all students and staff. Mr. Jesse is far from family and friends, yet, he tries to make Flagstaff his home and community. Thanks Jesse. You Rock!

From 60035607@fusd1.org: Mrs. Donovan

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 Robert C: Thank you Ben Kunkel for your responsiveness at completing IEP feedback forms and consistent attendance at IEP meetings! Many meetings would not be legally possible without you!

From Anonymous: Miss Sarah and Miss Vicki are strong pillars for our special education program and we honestly couldn't do it without them. Thank you for your dedication, kindness, and intentional care that you give not just our students, but teachers as well. We are better because you are