Monticello

Dec 3rd PTO Meeting 5:30pm

Dec 9th Orchestra Concert in the cafeteria at 7:00pm

Dec 9th Boys Basketball At Home 3:30pm

Dec 10th Site Base Meeting 7:00am LGIC

Dec 10th Band Concert in the gym at 7:00pm

Dec 11th Boys Basketball At La Center 4:00pm

Dec 12th Wrestling JV At Coweeman 3:30pm

Dec 14th Wrestling League Championship At Hockinson 10am

Dec 17th Choir Concert in the cafeteria at 6:30pm

Dec 19th Early Release 11:55am for Winter Break

Dec 20th to Jan 5th Winter Break

Jan 6th First Day Back To School 7:50am

Jan 27th First day of practice for girls basketball and girls bowling

I’m Tamra Thompson, and I’m thrilled to be a part of Monticello Middle School as a resource room teacher. My journey in education spans 20 years, beginning as a paraprofessional in Oregon. After discovering my passion for special education, I pursued a master’s degree in the field. I also have a bachelor’s degree in criminology. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working with students ranging from 3 years old to 18. I’ve also enjoyed coaching various sports, including track and field, girls' wrestling, volleyball, and swimming. I love spending my free time engaging in water sports and exploring the outdoors. My experiences and passions shape my approach to teaching, and I’m excited to continue making a positive impact at Monticello Middle School.

I grew up in the Vancouver area and recently moved to Ridgefield. I received my bachelors degree from WSU in 2020. Prior to moving to Longview, I had been teaching primarily math in the Washougal School District for four years. Outside of work I enjoy snowboarding, paddle boarding and cooking. I am very excited to be at Monticello and I can’t wait to have a great year!

We will be having a holiday spirit week Dec 16th-19th. Below are the themes for each day. This is optional and students must still make sure their attire is school appropriate.

• Monday - Crazy Hair or Hat Day or Mix and Match Day
• Tuesday - Twin Day
• Wednesday - Ugly Sweater Day
• Thursday - Pajama Day

We are proud to recognize students who have recently received a positive referral for demonstrating excellent character and making outstanding choices at school. Each of these students have made a significant impact on our school community, and their commitment to making good choices sets a fantastic example for others to follow to help build a positive culture at Monticello.

We would like to send a special thank you to our Monticello PTO for helping out at our Family Bingo Night in November. They provided snacks and refreshments, as well as prizes for our students and their families. We would also like to thank SweetSpot Frozen Yogurt, Grocery Outlet, Safeway (15th Ave), Fred Meyer, and Rios Construction out of Seattle. All of these generous businesses provided the extra prizes for our event. In addition, we would like to thank Sergeant Tim Watson Longview Police Department for his presentation on the dangers of fentanyl.

December is the perfect time of year for our winter concerts, where our students have the opportunity to showcase their talents. We are excited to invite you to join us for our Orchestra, Band, and Choir performances on the following dates:

Orchestra Concert

• Dec 9th at 7:00pm in the cafeteria

Band Concert

• Dec 10th at 7:00pm in the gym

Choir Concert

• Dec 17th at 6:30pm in the cafeteria

Below are a few pictures from our Veterans Day Assembly where are musical groups performed for our students and the community.

Each month, we celebrate students who make positive choices by offering an exciting event to look forward to. For November, we hosted our annual volleyball games. The first match featured the 8th Grade Volleyball team versus the 8th Grade Football team, with the volleyball team emerging victorious and advancing to face our staff. The final game was a hard-fought battle, but our staff ultimately claimed the win. It was a fantastic way to close out the month, honoring our students for their commitment to the 4 Bs: Being Responsible, Being Respectful, Being Safe, and Being a Learner. Check out some of the pictures below.

The following students were recognized by their teachers for demonstrating the 4 character traits that we emphasize at Monticello. Being Responsible, Being Respectful, Being Safe & Being a Learner.

The first basketball practice for 7th and 8th grade girls will be on January 27th right after school. Students that are interested in participating need to have their paperwork completed before they can practice. Registration is online. If you have any questions, please contact our athletic secretary at 360-575-7041 or by email at crogers@longview.k12.wa.us

The first bowling practice for 6th-8th grade girls will be February 4th. Practices will be Tuesday and Wednesday at 2:45pm at Triangle Bowl. Bowling will run from Feb 4th to March 19th. Students that are interested in participating need to have their paperwork completed online before they can practice. If you have any questions, please contact our athletic secretary at 360-575-7041 or by email at crogers@longview.k12.wa.us

This will be the second year that we will have a knowledge bowl club. The club will compete against other schools. If your students is interested, they need to sign up in the office by January 8th. The first meet Feb 15th at 4:00pm. There will be 5 competitions that will all be on Thursdays from Feb 15th to March 14th.

Attendance is crucial for your child's success, and it plays a significant role in their academic achievement. In Washington state, the goal is for students to attend school at least 90% of the time, which means missing no more than about 18 days per school year. If a student misses just two days a month, they are considered chronically absent. Currently, 64% of our students are on track to meet the state requirements for attendance. That means 36% of our students at this time are considered chronically absent. That can all change by making every effort to be at school the rest of the year.

Chronic absenteeism can have serious consequences. Students who are chronically absent often struggle to keep up with coursework, may experience social and emotional challenges, and are at a higher risk of falling behind. This can affect their ability to engage in learning, and over time, may even impact their chances of graduating on time.

In addition to academic difficulties, missing school regularly can cause students to miss out on important social interactions with their peers and teachers, which are essential for developing communication and problem-solving skills.

To support your child’s success:

1. Set a consistent routine: Help your child develop a daily routine that ensures they get enough sleep and have time to get ready for school without rushing.

2. Communicate with the school: If your child is struggling with attendance, whether due to health, emotional challenges, or other reasons, it's important to reach out to the school. Schools often offer resources to help families address attendance issues.

3. Address transportation or scheduling issues: If getting to school is a challenge, talk to the school about possible transportation options.

4. Stay engaged: Even if your child misses school, stay in contact with teachers to ensure they stay on track with assignments and schoolwork. Help them catch up on lessons they may have missed.

5. Monitor health: If illness or health issues are contributing to absenteeism, make sure your child receives the necessary care and support. When students miss school due to frequent sickness, it can lead to a build-up of missed work and an increasing gap in learning.

If your child is struggling with attendance or if you need assistance addressing attendance challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can work on strategies to help your child stay engaged and successful in their education.

The PTO is still looking for volunteers to help out in the student store. If you are interested, please contact Heather Peterson-Woodruff, our PTO President, at the following email address mailto:heatherbethpeterson@hotmail.com We are also looking for chaperones for our spring dance and 8th grade end of year celebration. You must be CHAMP approved by the district to help. Forms can be found online or at the school. Our next PTO meeting is scheduled for December 3rd at 5:30pm in the office.

It is not too early to think about holiday gifts. Check out our spirit wear online store for ideas.

Below is a link to our online store.

https://www.monticellomiddlespiritwear.com

Skyward Family Access is an online tool that gives families the opportunity to participate more fully in their students’ education. It offers up-to-the-minute student information, including attendance, schedules, food service balances and immunizations. It also includes a calendar and message center.

If you have not yet obtained a username, submit an application to a school where you have a student attending. Your username will work for all active students living in your household. Each guardian may have a separate user name and password. Click here for a link to skyward family access. If you have any questions at all regarding your child's progress or classes, you are encouraged to reach out to your child's teachers.

We provide a high level of education to each student, and inspire them to believe they can succeed by creating a supportive learning environment.

We Believe. We Inspire. We Succeed.

Email: smerzoian@longview.k12.wa.us
Website: https://monticello.longviewschools.com/
Location: 1225 28th Ave, Longview, WA, USA
Phone: 360-575-7056
Facebook: facebook.com/monticellomiddleschool