May 4, 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.

AZELLA RESULTS ARE IN!

From Heidi:  

We had 16 move to Proficient overall this year: 4 times as many as last year

• 14 were EL 
•  2 were parent withdrawals

Amongst our EL learners:

• 3 students moved up 2 levels. Incredible!
• 12 students moved up one level, which is also a huge accomplishment.

Absolutely incredible!  This is a direct result of your hard work and collaboration!   We are moving academic mountains for our Thunderbirds!

    BENCHMARK TESTING: Tuesday & Wednesday

                                         Math Benchmark Testing 

                                          Schedule 

    Spring Panorama Survey

Will be pushed out on Wednesday after students are done testing

Please see email from Renee

• Contact Jacquie and Tammy for all testing needs.
• Project Momentum timecards DUE on MAY 22! Please complete your collaboration time.
•  HOW TO SURVIVE THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF SCHOOL!

EDTech Survey for FUSD

FINALS WEEK:

• May 19, 20 & 21.
• We will be on a finals schedules, 1/2 days longer periods to accommodate our high school courses.
• Each class should have a final to be given on these days.
• Please have high expectations, end of year assessments.
• Please do not have cleaning days, parties, free time or movies.
• Project should be completed prior to finals days, we are asking that you give a summative final.
• What do we do if a student is absent during finals week?
• We do not allow finals to be taken early.
• Families will need to schedule make-up finals at MEMS. Finals will be offered May 22-29.
• A student receives a 1 until the final is made up, graded and the grade in entered.
• What do I do if a students needs to make up a test?
• Ensure the front office has the test to administer and the answer key.
• We will submit the grade in Synergy

May 22: Teacher last day

• 8:30-11:30
• Room clean up and end of year wrap up (check out sheet)
• 11:30 am- Dome
• Pot Luck Brunch
• 11:30
• Data meeting if AASA scores are out
• 1:00 pm
• Check outs begin
• Sign sheet coming

FRIDAY COLLABORATION

Team Collaboration

1:30-2:15 

Department Collaboration

Department info

2:30-3:00

Planning with grade level partner

3:00-4:00 

District Department Meetings

Magical Staff of the Week: Katie Tobin

May 5:    Carnival

                FUSD Retirement Celebration

May 6:    Art Show

               Band/Choir Concert

May 7:    Art Show

               Theater

May 8/9  NABCOF Regionals band/choir/orchestra

May 11    NAESP Awards

May 13:  Evening of Excellence (awards ceremony)

May 14:  Art Show 

               Orchestra Concert

May 15:  Field Day

May 20:  Promotion

May:

• May 4-15
• Extra prep coverage for classroom teachers. 
• May 5 & 6 
• MATH Benchmark Testing- last one! 
• Schedule 
• May 8
• No School
• May 15:
• Field Day
• 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 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

• 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 

MEMS Positions:

Open:

• Attendance Clerk
• Alternative School Program (Tier 3) teacher 

Filled:

• 2 science positions

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.  
• Jacquie will be staying at MEMS in a new role.  More info to come. 

FUSD:

•  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?  

CLICK HERE 

From Emma:  Shoutout to Nick Armitage for finding fun and entertaining ways to engage with math!

From Emma: Shoutout to Aubry Crenshaw for being so kind and patient with these CRAZY KIDS in April.

From Violet:  Katherine, thank you for helping make Garden Club Clean-Up event happen! The kids had so much fun, and we were 10 times more effective and supported with an extra person as helpful as you!

From Lisa B:  Ms. Weide, you are amazing. Thank you for your kindness. Our students need to hear and see that kindness prevails. You are such a positive light in our school. Thank you. 

From Violet:  Daphne, you have been a lifesaver helping with all sorts of things and never letting up on the kids quality of work and responsibility. Thank you! ❤️

From Katie T:  Ms. Trina- THANK YOU for ALL of your help with getting students caught up on missing work. I could not get nearly as much done during t-bird without your knowledge and dedication! Our students are so lucky to have you in their corner!

From Mikkel:  Gina Byars, I appreciate your calm presence and positive attitude every day you're here. You consistently greet each student by name as they enter the building in the mornings. Thank you for your flexibility and willingness to jump in to help the way you have.  We appreciate you!!

From Nick:  Huge shout out to Lora for being an amazing partner to work and collaborate with. She was instrumental in putting together a great math battle and with planning our trip to the NAU Coconino County math competition. She also is great at driving a bus, when it actually works.

From Nick:  Thank you to Jesse for helping drive students to and from NAU and getting here early to do so.

From Jacquie:  Shout out to Chef D. for the fantastic salsa tasting! Our students (and staff) are so lucky to have you here at MEMS.