CHIRPS Chatter
February 22, 2024
Important Dates to Remember
February 23rd: MES is Kind Day!
February 27th: MES Family Reading Night @ Middlebury Public Library
February 28th: Soulshine Arts Assembly @ MES!
March 1st: Character Parade (dress up as your favorite book character!)
March 7th: Kindergarten Parent Orientation (Incoming K students) 6pm-7pm @ MES
March 14th: SNOW DATE Kindergarten Parent Orientation (Incoming K students) 6pm-7pm @ MES
Drill Update
Dear Families,
This morning, we conducted a lockdown drill at Middlebury Elementary School as part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and preparedness of our students and staff. The purpose of this drill was to practice and refine our emergency procedures.
Be assured that this was only a drill, planned in advance with support from local safety officials, to prepare for potential emergency situations.
Teachers spent time before and after the drill engaging in conversations with students to emphasize the importance behind conducting safety drills. Among the key points covered:
MES is a safe place, and there are people who work every day to keep it that way.
Practicing drills is a way for us to ensure that our school community knows what to do in the event of an emergency.
When talking with your child about the drill, it might be comforting to them if you reinforce the message they heard at school. We recognize that family guidance and reassurance play an important role in helping children feel secure.
If you have any specific concerns or questions about the lockdown drill, please don't hesitate to reach out. Your partnership is invaluable in maintaining a safe and secure environment at Middlebury Elementary School.
Sincerely,
Heather Pellicone
Principal
MES Reading Night
Join Us at the Hat Tricks Game!
Hats for Hope
NWEA Reports
Region 15 Family Night
Please join us for the Harlem Magic Masters Family Fun Night!
We can't wait to see you there!
Thursday, March 14, 2024
6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Pomperaug High School - Gym
Kindergarten Information Night
Support Mrs. Duncan's Princess Marathon Run!
Handbook Reminders
As we move into the second half of the school year, please keep the following handbook items in mind! Thank you for your support!
DRESS CODE GUIDELINES
A student's appearance has a direct impact on an individual’s pride and consequently, on academic behavior. Poor hygiene can be a health hazard to the individual and the rest of the class. Therefore, we encourage parents to play a strong role in deciding how their children dress and in ensuring that they are neat and clean whenever they come to school. Children may not wear any clothing that may be disruptive to the educational process. The following are examples of attire that may not be worn in the school during the academic school day or at school activities:
1. Attire or accessories that contain disruptive messages, obscene writing, or inappropriate pictures.
2. Attire or accessories that depict logos or emblems that encourage the use of drugs, tobacco/nicotine products, weapons, or alcoholic beverages.
3. Clothing that is overly revealing, considering the age of the student (e.g. very short shorts, midriffs, and spaghetti straps).
4. Other attire or accessories that depict vulgar, illegal, racial, sexist, or other discriminatory viewpoints that could contribute to a hostile learning environment for students.
5. Shoes that are not safe including flip flops.
The full Board policy, Student Dress and Grooming, may be read by clicking on “Board Policies” on the school website.
CELL PHONES
Students are not allowed to have cell phones while in school. If it is imperative for a child in an upper grade to have a cell phone for after school purposes, the principal must be notified and it must remain in the child’s backpack and turned off. It is the responsibility of the parent to explain this to the child. If the cell phone is taken out during the day it will be confiscated by staff and a parent will have to come to school to get it back.
The school is not responsible for lost or damaged cell phones.
TOYS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
In general, toys should not be brought to school since they are often disruptive and the school board cannot be responsible if toys are broken or lost.
Trading cards and similar items should be kept at home.
Toys that can present a danger to self or others such as skateboards, baseballs and bats are not allowed in school under any circumstances.
Only soft, nerf-type sports equipment is allowed; other sports equipment must get approval before use.
An updated region policy allows electronic reading devices (Kindles) for grades 3 - 5 with a signed permission form, available in the office.
The expectation is that students will not bring in personal electronic devices to school with exceptions made only in significant circumstances. If a student has a watch on, it is expected that it will only function as a watch and not as a connected device. If a student misuses any electronic device as defined in our Region 15 Appropriate Use of Technology contract, they will be asked to put it away or to turn it over to the teacher or administrator if the use is repeated. If you have any questions or would like to request a special exception for your student, please reach out to your building principal.
The school is not responsible for lost or broken toys/electronics.
Kindergarten Registration
Cold Weather Reminders
As the cold weather arrives, please make sure that the students are dressed for the weather! We will go outside in most conditions as physical activity and fresh air are important for the students. Hats, gloves/mittens, and a jacket will help the students stay comfortable as they have fun!
Reminders from Nurse Lindsay
Procedures for Returning to School After Illness
If your child is not feeling well, please keep them home until feeling better for at least 24 hours and contact the nurse.
The following guidelines must be adhered to before returning to school:
Fever of 100 degrees or higher - Student must be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication before returning to school
Vomiting and/or diarrhea - No further incidence for at least 24 hours before returning to school
Strep throat - May return to school 24 hours after the first dose of antibiotic, fever-free for 24 hours, and feeling well enough to participate in the school day
Conjunctivitis (“pink eye”) - Antibiotic treatment for 24 hours or three doses of antibiotics and no drainage from the eye(s)
Lice - Appropriate treatment must be completed (call nurse for instructions). A no-nit policy is enforced. Students must see the nurse upon returning to school for a head check. Students may not ride the bus until cleared
Impetigo - May return to school with affected areas covered after treatment for 24 hours
Varicella (chicken pox) - Student must stay home until last eruption has crusted
COVID - Contact school nurse for instructions regarding isolation & date of return to school