Hello Parents,

The first day of school went very well. While the first day is usually always crowded at dismissal, this will get better. Everyone was very patient and cooperative, which was appreciated; it just took a long time (as you very well know).

Here is some information regarding dismissal that should help the process go smoother:

• Students not being picked up in the parking lot will exit through the north gate, located between the Kindergarten playground and the office.

• If a parent does not inform the homeroom teacher that their child is walking off campus through the north gate, the teacher will take your child to the parking lot pick-up sidewalk.

• Please do not congregate around the exit if you wish to have your child walk out the north gate. The parking lot in the front is blocked off and is a safe place to wait for your child if you wish to do so.

• Please let the teacher know if you have your child walk off campus to be picked up.

• Parents going through the pickup line can significantly assist our process by having a sign on the dash with your child’s name and the teacher’s last name. Kindergarten parents walking up should stay on the North side of the playground and use the sign their homeroom teacher provided them.

• While waiting on Maryland traveling East, please leave the exit area open for cars to be able to leave the parking lot.

• If you cannot turn right (South) onto 10th street from Maryland, you may need to “loop” back around, similar to what you would need to do in the airport.

• Do not stop on crosswalks (parking lot, Maryland, or 10th street).

• MAC students are met by the MAC workers and go directly to MAC

Chris Merrill

MTA Principal

Raptor Update:

What is Raptor? The new system we are transitioning to use to track volunteer hours. All visitors and volunteers on campus are required to log in and out using the Raptor kiosk in the front office. Parents will need to register for a Raptor account in order for your 20 required volunteer hours to be tracked in the system.

How can I learn more about Raptor? Come to our first Guild meeting on August 15th to learn more and get your questions answered!

What are my next steps for using Raptor?

The district is currently working to resolve a technical issue with Raptor.

How will this affect you?

• If you have NOT registered yet, the link to register for a Raptor account is not currently active, so you will need to wait until the issue is resolved to register.
• For users who HAVE already been approved, you will still be able to login and out to track your volunteer hours on campus. You are not currently able to see or sign up for any volunteer shifts within Raptor until the issue is resolved.

We will provide updates as we receive them.

Thank you for your patience transitioning to this new system!

We will continue using Remind this year. Remind is a FREE text messaging service for schools and organizations.

Easy as 1-2-3:

1. Using your cell phone, create a new text message to 81010
2. In the message text, use the below code for your child(ren)'s grade level and hit "Send"
3. Get realtime updates from the Guild.

• Kindergarten: @mtaguildk
• 1st Grade: @mtaguild1
• 2nd Grade: @mtaguild2
• 3rd Grade: @mtaguild3
• 4th Grade: @mtaguild4
• 5th Grade: @mtaguild5
• 6th Grade: @mtaguild6
• 7th Grade: @mtaguild7
• 8th Grade: @mtaguild8

Teachers, Staff & Other Community Members: If you would like to get Guild Reminders also, please signup using @mtaguild

We will be sending a list of volunteer opportunities (and instructions on how to sign up) weekly in this newsletter.

Art Masterpiece: Signup to volunteer at this link

• Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you!
• As a presenter for Art Masterpiece you will present the same presentation three times throughout the year to each classroom, not just your child's classroom.
• You get an hour for the presentation. Each presentation comes with a PowerPoint that you will show to the kids on the Smartboard during the first 10 minutes, then the remaining time is dedicated to the art project. In depth details on how to present, where to gather art supplies from the Art Masterpiece closet, and touching base with the teachers when it is your time to come into the classroom will be provided to each volunteer.

Breakfast/Lunch/Playground Support: In process of entering shifts, more information to come

Copy Help: We are in process of entering shifts, more information to come.

• 8/22 Dad's Club Kickoff Meeting: 6:30pm - MTA Cafeteria
  
• 8/27 Dad's Club: MTA Family Bowling SAT 8/27 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm at Let it Roll Bowl
• 8/29 Homeroom Parent and Committee Chair meetings 5:00-7:00
• 9/12 Second Guild Meeting MTA Cafeteria (plus uniform exchange)
• 9/23 Family Bingo Night at Madison Center for the Arts

Presidents: Lisa Naylor & Ashley Valentine

Vice Presidents: Sara Snyder & Catheryn Eisaman-Avalos

Treasurers: Omar Isham & Anna Gharib

Secretaries: Heidi Wright & Amanda Boxwell

Dad’s Club President: Jeffrey Daniels

Teacher Representative: Crystal DiPede

Parent Representatives:

(K-2) Abbey Ross, (3-5) Sarah Virgil, & (6-8) Ashley Ryan

Establishing and maintaining a working relationship between the parents, school and teachers. Enhancing the quality of education by raising funds for school programs, equipment, resources or supplemental materials that fall outside the school budget. Providing volunteer support to increase student safety and security and to facilitate the educational experience. Developing and assisting with the implementation of programs and projects that will enrich the curriculum.

Email: mtahoots@gmail.com
Website: http://www.mtaguild.org
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
Phone: 602-745-4000